Patents Examined by Xin Y Zhong
  • Patent number: 11852608
    Abstract: A fluid measuring device for determining at least one characteristic property of a fluid includes a measuring tube having a fluid duct and a measuring section in which an area of a measuring tube wall is configured as a waveguide for surface acoustic waves which forms an interface to the fluid. At least two piezoelectric transducers are arranged in direct contact with an outer surface of the waveguide and one of which serves as a transmitter for exciting acoustic waves and at least one as a receiver for receiving acoustic waves. Acoustic waves excited by the transmitter can propagate as a volume wave through the fluid, and the piezoelectric transducers are configured to be elastically flexible while retaining their function in that the piezoelectric transducers have strip-shaped piezoelectric elements arranged parallel to each other, are rigid per se and between which a respective layer of an elastic material is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventor: Yannick Fuchs
  • Patent number: 11835407
    Abstract: A device and a method for ultrasonic detecting a mechanical member based on magnetic fluid coupling. The device comprises a magnetic field generating apparatus, magnetic fluid and an ultrasonic probe. The magnetic field generating apparatus has a cylindrical structure, into which the magnetic fluid is injected, where an upper portion of the apparatus is provided with the ultrasonic probe a front end that vertically extends into a liquid level of the magnetic fluid, and a bottom portion of the apparatus covers a detected position of a member under detection. The magnetic fluid at least contains magnetic suspension particles and oil-based or water-based liquid. With the device and the method, the ultrasonic probe is coupled with the member under detection to realize ultrasonic detecting of the service stress of the member under detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: BEIJING INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Chunguang Xu, Shuangyi Li, Yuren Lu, Peng Yin, Dezhi Li, Wenyuan Song
  • Patent number: 11835484
    Abstract: An apparatus for scanning a cylindrical part is provided. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic transducer operable to emit ultrasonic waves into and receive ultrasonic waves from the part, with the ultrasonic transducer connected to a translation stage to move it up and down the part and around the circumference of the part. The apparatus does not mechanically contact the cylindrical or maintains contact only with soft elements, such that the apparatus does not damage sensitive parts. The apparatus also contains no magnetic parts, nor any elements that rely on magnetic detection, such that the apparatus is capable of being used in the vicinity of a part exhibiting a strong magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: VERIFI TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Jack, Benjamin M. Blandford, Pruthul Kokkada Ravindranath, Nathaniel J. Blackman, Daniel Pulipati, Ian Gravagne
  • Patent number: 11835488
    Abstract: An acoustic apparatus and method of determining the composition of a floor, based on the filtered sound waves produced by vibrating the floor is disclosed. The apparatus includes a transducer for generating vibrations and/or sound, as well as microphones for detecting sounds. The apparatus may include two microphones so that ambient noise can be removed from an audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Eric David Schroeder, Donnette Moncrief Brown, Manfred Amann, Bobby Lawrence Mohs, Robert Wiseman Simpson, Meredith Beveridge Lecocke, Margaret Emily Gray
  • Patent number: 11815494
    Abstract: A system includes a magnetostrictive strip configured to be wrapped at least partially around an outer surface of a structure. A plurality of coil circuits are disposed on at least one flexible PCB that is configured to be disposed adjacent to the magnetostrictive strip. Each coil circuit is individually controllable by a plurality of channels to at least one of excite or detect guided waves in the structure. A plurality of magnets are configured to induce a magnetic field in the magnetostrictive strip. A connector is configured electrically connect at least one of the plurality of coil circuits and at least one the plurality of channels. A body constructed from a flexible material is sized and configured to at least partially encapsulate at least one other component of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: FBS, Inc.
    Inventors: Cody J. Borigo, Steven E. Owens
  • Patent number: 11796511
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring structural health of a beam using at least one pair of data collection devices mounted along the beam at a spacing distance to define a measurement region. A computer-implemented drive system in communication with the accelerator pairs executes instructions to monitor each measurement regions for propagating transverse waves. After initialization of a propagation speed threshold for each measurement region, a continuous and real-time monitoring loop operates the accelerometers to detect propagations of a transverse wave along the measurement region. For each propagation event, a time delay is determined and, in turn, a propagation speed for the transverse wave based on the time delay and known spacing distance of the measurement region. If the propagation speed violates the threshold set for the measurement region, an alert condition for beam damage is reported and if the propagation speed satisfies the threshold, a success condition is reported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventor: Anthony A Ruffa
  • Patent number: 11788993
    Abstract: A device is configured to operate a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. The device is further configured to determine that the speed of a combustion air inducer has exceeded a speed threshold value. The device is further configured to receive an audio signal from a microphone while operating the HVAC system, to identify an audio signature for the combustion air inducer from an audio signature library, and to determine the audio signature for the combustion air inducer is present within the audio signal. The device is further configured to determine a fault type based on the determination that the audio signature for the combustion air inducer is present within the audio signal, to identify a component identifier for a component of the HVAC system that is associated with fault type, and to output a recommendation identifying the component identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Payam Delgoshaei, Glenn William Kowald
  • Patent number: 11782069
    Abstract: An object detection device includes an external sensor, an inertia sensor, and a control device. The external sensor is fixed to a ship. The external sensor detects an object. The inertia sensor detects information related to an inertial force applied to the ship. The control device acquires a state of relative displacement of a detection object on the basis of a signal output from the external sensor. The control device acquires a state of an attitude change of the ship on the basis of a signal output from the inertia sensor. The control device determines whether a detection object is present outside the ship according to a correlation between the state of the attitude change of the ship and the state of the relative displacement of the detection object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Hashizume
  • Patent number: 11774411
    Abstract: Disclosed are an ultrasonic medium supplying jig and a fast ultrasonic scanning apparatus with a circulating medium, in which the medium is continuously supplied to between an ultrasonic probe and a to-be-scanned object to prevent the to-be-scanned object from being submerged in water, thereby enabling a stable ultrasound image to be obtained while achieving fast scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Pukyong National University Industry-University Cooperation Foundation
    Inventor: Junghwan Oh
  • Patent number: 11754531
    Abstract: An ultrasonic device including: an element substrate including a diaphragm, a vibrator provided at the diaphragm, and a first electrode electrically coupled to the vibrator; a protective substrate that is provided at a position facing the element substrate and that includes a second electrode coupled to the first electrode at a position facing the first electrode; a through hole substrate that has a through hole and that faces the element substrate; and a container including a mounting surface on which the protective substrate is disposed, in which the vibrator is provided at a position overlapping the through hole when viewed from a facing direction in which the element substrate and the protective substrate face each other, and is surrounded by the element substrate, the protective substrate, and a jointing member, and the second electrode is provided at an opposite-side surface of the protective substrate from a jointing surface jointed with the mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chikara Kojima, Kanechika Kiyose
  • Patent number: 11756815
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for precisely monitoring warpage deformation of a substrate. The apparatus includes a sensing unit and a processor. The sensing unit is removably mounted on the substrate and detects information on the warpage deformation of the substrate during a treatment process performed on the substrate. The processor generates warpage state information on the basis of the warpage information detected by the sensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: SEMES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Jun Seo, Sang Hyun Son, Sang Min Ha, Dong Ok Ahn
  • Patent number: 11754529
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of showing a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. The GUI is capable of displaying the 3-D image as each additional 2-D cross section is scanned by an ultrasonic testing apparatus in real time or near real time, including probable defect regions that contain a flaw such as a hole, crack, wrinkle, or foreign object within the composite. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence capable of highlighting defect areas within the 3-D image in real time or near real time and providing data regarding each defect area, such as the depth, size, and/or type of each defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: VERIFI TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Jack, Benjamin M. Blandford
  • Patent number: 11740206
    Abstract: Detection, identification, and monitoring of various composite-damage types such as impact damage, delaminations, etc. using angle-beam coupled guided waves and methods and systems that permit excitation with angle-beam techniques of certain composite-material guided-wave modes that cannot be excited in isotropic metals with angle-beam methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Victor Giurgiutiu, Robin James, Hanfei Mei, Mohammad Faisal Haider
  • Patent number: 11726065
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of showing a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. The GUI is capable of displaying the 3-D image as each additional 2-D cross section is scanned by an ultrasonic testing apparatus in real time or near real time, including probable defect regions that contain a flaw such as an air pocket, delamination, or foreign object within the composite. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence capable of highlighting foreign objects within the 3-D image in real time or near real time and providing data regarding each object area, such as the depth, size, and/or type of each defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: VERIFI TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Jack, Benjamin M. Blandford, Nathaniel J. Blackman
  • Patent number: 11719717
    Abstract: A whispering gallery mode inertial sensor includes a whispering gallery mode resonator; an evanescent coupler configured to couple with an evanescent field of the resonator so that light is transmitted to and received from the resonator by the coupler; a displacement sensor configured to determine a displacement of the resonator according to the light received from the resonator by the coupler; a controller configured to determine an acceleration and/or rate of rotations experienced by the resonator based on the displacement of the resonator, the controller being further configured to apply a restoring force to the resonator in a closed feedback loop based on the displacement of the resonator in order to maintain a predetermined mechanical state of the resonator; and a timing sensor configured to determine a timing signal based on an optical frequency comb produced by the resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: UCL Business Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying Lia Li, Peter Francis Barker
  • Patent number: 11709177
    Abstract: An inertial measurement unit includes a sensor module including at least one inertial sensor and a printed substrate on which the inertia sensor is provided, and a lead group provided as a support member for supporting the printed substrate on an attachment surface, and leads of the lead group each have a first section coupled to the attachment surface, a second section extending from the first section toward the printed substrate in a direction that intersects the attachment surface, and a third section coupled to the printed substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Inventor: Masayasu Sakuma
  • Patent number: 11699457
    Abstract: A testing system includes a testing apparatus and a crack noise monitoring device. The testing apparatus includes a testing stage and an element pickup module for pressing a semiconductor element on the testing stage. The crack noise monitoring device includes a database unit, a sound conduction set, a voiceprint generation unit and a processing unit. The database unit has a first voiceprint pattern. The sound conduction set is connected to the voiceprint generation unit and the testing apparatus for transmitting a sound wave from the semiconductor element to the voiceprint generation unit. The voiceprint generation unit receives and converts the sound wave into a second voiceprint pattern. The processing unit is electrically connected to the voiceprint generating unit and the database unit for determining whether the first voiceprint pattern is identical to the second voiceprint pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignees: GLOBAL UNICHIP CORPORATION, TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Chieh Liao, Chih-Feng Cheng, Yu-Min Sun
  • Patent number: 11692980
    Abstract: A multi-dimensional liquid analysis system includes a flow splitter for separating mobile phase outflow from a first dimension liquid analysis system into first and second liquid split outlet flows. Volumetric flow rate control of the split outlet flows is provided by a flow control pump which withdraws one of the split outlet flows from the flow splitter at a controlled withdrawal flow rate to define the other split outlet flow rate as the difference between the outflow rate from the first dimension system and the withdrawal flow rate. In this manner, accurate and consistent flow division can be accomplished, which is particularly useful for multi-dimensional liquid analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Carl W. Sims, Peter W. Carr, Marcelo Filgueira, Klaus Witt
  • Patent number: 11686709
    Abstract: A battery is subjected to ultrasound waves, and resulting re-emitted ultrasound waves are recorded. Based upon how the waves are distorted or reflected, a state of pores within the battery can be evaluated. This evaluation can be used to verify a rating of the battery included in received data regarding the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mukundan Sundararajan, Saikat Mukhopadhyay, Sanmitra Sarkar, Sujay Nandi
  • Patent number: 11686707
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of showing a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. The GUI is capable of displaying the 3-D image as each additional 2-D cross section is scanned by an ultrasonic testing apparatus in real time or near real time, including probable defect regions that contain a flaw such as a hole, crack, wrinkle, or foreign object within the composite. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence capable of highlighting defect areas within the 3-D image in real time or near real time and providing data regarding each defect area, such as the depth, size, and/or type of each defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: VERIFI TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Jack, Benjamin M. Blandford, Nathaniel J. Blackman