Patents Examined by Truong Phan
  • Patent number: 9476292
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a deepwater drilling condition based marine riser mechanical behavior test simulation system. An upper three-component dynamometer, an upper connecting structure, a marine riser, a lower connecting structure and a lower three-component dynamometer are connected between an upper trailer connecting plate and a lower trailer connecting plate in sequence. The invention further discloses a test method. The present invention has the advantages that the mechanical behavior of the marine riser under deepwater drilling condition and marine environment coupling effect can be simulated comprehensively and accurately, and the apparatus can simulate ocean current environment, apply top tension to the marine riser, simulate circulation of internal drilling fluids at different current rates, simulate rotation of the drill stem at different rotational speeds and apply different drill pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST PETROLEUM UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Qingyou Liu, Shouwei Zhou, Liangjie Mao
  • Patent number: 9470185
    Abstract: A method, comprising: adjusting an evaporative emissions leak test parameter based on a ratio of cylinder run time of a deactivatable cylinder of an engine, to vehicle run time; and indicating degradation based on the adjusted parameter. The adjusted parameter may thus more accurately reflect the state of a vehicle configured to run with one or more cylinders deactivated. In this way, the evaporative emissions leak test may realize improved robustness and performance metrics, thus reducing warranty costs associated with poor test metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 9470672
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for testing the self-drying effect of a cement-based material, capable of testing the change in humidity of the cement-based material after the final setting until the Id stage of adding water, so as to reflect the water consumption therein and the self-drying course. In the time period after the final setting of the cement-based material until the 1 d stage of adding water and forming, the dew-point temperature inside the cement-based material is tested, and then the relative humidity inside the cement-based material is calculated using a formula. The present invention can test the change in humidity of the cement-based material after the final setting until the Id stage of adding water, so as to reflect the internal water consumption therein and the self-drying course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: JIANGSU SOBUTE NEW MATERIALS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jiaping Liu, Qian Tian, Ting Yao, Yujiang Wang, Yujiang Wang, Hang Zhang, Jianye Zhang
  • Patent number: 9470572
    Abstract: A method of measuring a liquid level of a cell culture solution stored in a cell vessel, includes: irradiating the cell culture solution with at least two kinds of light beams including a first light beam having a first wavelength and a second light beam having a second wavelength; measuring a first absorbance of the cell culture solution with respect to the first light beam, and a second absorbance of the cell culture solution with respect to the second light beam; and determining a liquid level of the cell culture solution based on the first absorbance and the second absorbance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignees: NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION, TOKYO WOMEN'S MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Oura, Hirotsugu Kubo, Teruo Okano, Tatsuya Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9410864
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the static unbalance of a body (30) provided with a locating surface (31) by means of a center-of-gravity weighing scale (10), the method including measuring the position of the locating surface (31) of the body (30) with respect to its mount by means of electric displacement sensors (16), computing from the measurement signals of the displacement sensors (16) the eccentricity of the locating surface (31) of the body (30) with respect to the reference point of the scale (10) by means of an electric evaluating circuit, weighing the body (30) and recording mass and position of the center of gravity of the body (30) with respect to the reference point of the scale (10), and computing the unbalance of the body (30) from the measurement signals of the scale (10) and the eccentricity of the locating surface (31) of the body (30) with respect to the reference point of the scale (10) by means of the evaluating circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Schenek RoTec GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Breitwieser, Stephan Frese, Matthias Hartnagel, Thomas Wanke
  • Patent number: 9400204
    Abstract: An electronic fuel sensor which utilizes the characteristics of fluid (such as gasoline) to dissipate heat more readily than a gas. Specifically the fuel sensor utilizes a linear array of sensors comprising a couple heat detector and heat source which can determine which of the sensors are in fluid and which are in air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Inventor: Gregory B. Schoenberg
  • Patent number: 9377387
    Abstract: A method for producing at least one oscillation measurement signal, which has vibrations of a vibratory body are registered. A temperature sensor is applied thermally attached with a non fluid contacting, second surface of the vibratory body for producing a temperature measurement signal representing a time curve of a variable temperature of the vibratory body. The temperature measurement signal can follow, however time delayed, a change of the temperature of the vibratory body from a beginning temperature value, to a new temperature value. Based on the oscillation measurement signal as well as the temperature measurement signal, density, measured values are produced representing the density, wherein, during such, discrepancies possibly occurring between the time curve of the temperature of the vibratory body and the temperature measurement signal are taken into consideration, respectively at least partially compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Coen Van Dijk, Omar Momente, Heinerich Hagenmeyer
  • Patent number: 9366660
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for analyzing the internal atmosphere of the casing of an electric rotating machine comprising a housing with an atmosphere inlet opening, a suction pump for drawing the atmosphere within the casing of the electric machine, a pump inlet conduit for placing the atmosphere inlet opening in fluid communication with the suction pump, an atmosphere inlet conduit adapted to place the interior of the casing in fluid communication with the atmosphere inlet opening, transducer means adapted to measure the percentage volume of at least one explosive compound present in the atmosphere drawn by the pump and adapted to generate an electric signal proportional to the percentage volume of the explosive compound. The device also comprises comparison means adapted to compare the percentage volume of at least one explosive compound with a predetermined threshold value of percentage volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Nidec ASI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Tammaro Caso, Gianfranco Zocco
  • Patent number: 9354108
    Abstract: The electronic balance has a load detector for supporting a scale pan and outputting the load value of a load placed on the scale pan. A weight change calculating program calculates changes in the weight of a sample to be measured based on sample load measurement values ouput from the load detector when the sample is placed on the scale pan at two different points in time and load-free measurement values output from the load detector in the load-free state before and after the respective sample load measurements values are output. Also, minute changes in the weight of a light-weight sample are measured accurately since the load-free weight is measured before and after sample measurements even if the sensitivity or zero drift changes due to changes in the environment conditions, and the sample weight is further corrected using measurements of the load of a reference weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Iizuka
  • Patent number: 9347903
    Abstract: Methods for detecting the type of lambda probes having at least two electrodes disposed on and/or in a solid electrolyte, of which at least one electrode is separated from a gas mixture by a diffusion barrier, and a pump current Ip being applied to at least one of the electrodes. Either the internal resistance of the lambda probe between the electrodes is determined and the type of probe is inferred on the basis of this resistance, or currents are impressed between the electrodes and the type of probe is inferred based on the voltages or resistance ratios thereby resulting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Claudius Bevot, Rolf Reischl, Thomas Classen, Benjamin Sillmann
  • Patent number: 9341646
    Abstract: A system is provided for the continuous reduction, in real time, of bias in a force rebalanced accelerometers having a proof mass coupled to an accelerometer housing by a flexure suspension. The system comprises a closed loop, force rebalance servo that provides control voltage to the proof mass to null an electrical pickoff signal that indicates the motion of the proof mass with respect to the accelerometer housing, wherein a time varying disturbance signal is injected into the force rebalance servo that results in the generation of a time varying voltage in the output of the force rebalance servo that corresponds to a magnitude of the net positive spring of the combined flexure suspension and electrostatic springs acting on the proofmass. The system also comprises a negative electrostatic spring servo that applies a negative electrostatic spring DC voltage to each of a pair of negative electrostatic forcer electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Stewart
  • Patent number: 9322098
    Abstract: The leak detection device is adapted to test the tightness of an inner tank (24) of a valve cell (20) of the vacuum deposition apparatus, either at its filling flange (25) or at its inner tank valve (28). A vacuum deposition apparatus equipped with a helium detector (51) mounted as a by-pass of the output of a high-flow-rate turbomolecular pump (42) which is connected to the vacuum deposition chamber (30) of the vacuum deposition apparatus by a slide gate valve (43). A valve-cell vacuum deposition apparatus equipped with a helium-based leak detection device including gas injection elements (52, 53) adapted to inject a gaseous mixture into the outer enclosure, the gaseous mixture being consisted of pure helium and an inert gas, and a method for detecting a leak in a valve-cell vacuum deposition apparatus are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: RIBER
    Inventor: Olivier Grange
  • Patent number: 9322952
    Abstract: In a method for detecting rain on a windshield, whose degree of wetting is determined with at least one sensor value, it is provided that the sensor value is determined piezoelectrically, wherein vibrations on the windshield are detected, which change depending on the degree of wetting or raindrops hitting the windshield. As a result, the entire windshield serves as a detection surface, thereby yielding a high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: HELLA KGAA HUECK & CO.
    Inventors: Thomas Niemann, Olaf Lüdtke, Almut Schlarmann, Jürgen Palloks, Cevin Czsich, Jörg Stürmann
  • Patent number: 9316623
    Abstract: A passive and reusable preconcentrator/injector device for measuring gas-phase analytes and methods of use. The device includes an upper plate defining an array of micro-scale diffusion channels and a lower plate secured to the upper plate. The lower plate defines a cavity for a reusable collection material in fluid communication with the micro-scale diffusion channels. An integral heating unit is provided adjacent the lower plate and configured for heating the cavity. A loading port may be included for introducing the reusable collection material into the cavity. An inlet port and an outlet port are provided, both in fluid communication with the cavity. The device may include a fluidic manifold system comprising a plurality of conduits disposed between the adsorbent cavity and the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents Of The University Of Michigan
    Inventors: Jung Hwan Seo, Sun Kyu Kim, Edward T. Zellers, Katsuo Kurabayashi
  • Patent number: 9310271
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system for measuring leakage area for construction of smoke control equipment. The invention provides a system for measuring a leakage area of a test room that can include: a chamber positioned in the test room and storing air compressed by a compressor; one or more pressure sensors configured to measure a pressure change of the test room when the compressed air in the chamber is discharged instantaneously; and a gauging means configured to measure an effective leakage area in the test room by using a pressure change value of the test room detected by the one or more pressure sensors. Embodiments of the invention can enable an accurate measurement of leakage area at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Chung-Ang University Industry-Academy Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Nam-Il Kim, Min-Jung Lee, Seung-Il Park
  • Patent number: 9267865
    Abstract: A method for detecting particles, for example in an exhaust gas stream of a vehicle in which the exhaust gas stream is guided along a duct, includes using a particle sensor that has at least two electrodes arranged in the duct. The method includes applying a first voltage and a second voltage to the electrodes to produce a first electric field and a second electric field between the electrodes. The method also includes ascertaining a first capacitance value corresponding to the first electric field and a second capacitance value corresponding to the second electric field of a capacitor formed by the electrodes. Information relating to the particles contained in the exhaust gas stream is ascertained from the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Eckardt
  • Patent number: 9247584
    Abstract: A heat-generating apparatus includes a frame assembly and a securement assembly carried by the frame assembly. The securement assembly includes a panel member arranged in a first vertical plane for supporting a target material parallel to the first vertical plane. The heat-generating apparatus also includes a heating support assembly adjustably supported by the frame and including at least one heating element arranged in a second vertical plane that is parallel to and offset from the first vertical plane. The heating support assembly is adjustable along a horizontal first adjustment axis that is perpendicular to each of the first and second vertical planes and along a second adjustment axis that is disposed in or adjacent to the second vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventors: Zoltan Thomas Fabian, David Gerard Dubiel, David Eugene Mills
  • Patent number: 9207354
    Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for estimating a characteristic of a sensor is disclosed that in one embodiment may include a chamber housing sensor, wherein the sensor includes a suspended movable force mass having an opening therethrough, a first partially reflective member that moves with the force mass and a second partially reflective member spaced from the first partially reflective member, a source of buoyant fluid configured to supply the buoyant fluid to the chamber at a plurality of pressures, a device for directing light to the first and second partially reflective members at a plurality of angles, a detector for providing signals corresponding to light passing through the second partially reflective member corresponding to each of the plurality of angles and each of the plurality of pressures, and a processor for determining the characteristic of the sensor from the signals provided by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Rocco DiFoggio, Carl Edwards
  • Patent number: 9207107
    Abstract: An accessory apparatus for flowmeters, especially for ultrasonic flowmeters having at least two successively arranged, plate-shaped or disk-shaped flow influencing elements (1, 2) which are provided with recesses and which are located downstream and/or upstream of the flowmeter, the recesses in the flow influencing elements (1, 2) being made and/or the flow influencing elements (1, 2) being arranged in a manner eliminating an unobstructed line of sight in the flow direction. The recesses in the flow influencing elements (1, 2) of the accessory apparatus are slots (3, 4) which are offset so that a line of sight through the accessory apparatus is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Krohne AG
    Inventor: Geeuwke de Boer
  • Patent number: 9200492
    Abstract: A vehicle carrying apparatus for generating soil samples. Means are mounted to the vehicle for collecting multiple soil probes. Means are provided for conveying soil probes from relative positions at which they are disposed to a distributor generally at the centerline of the vehicle. A circular array of receiving stations are provided for sequentially receiving the soil probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: DUO LIFT MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventor: Thomas V. McGraw