Patents by Inventor Thomas P. Kieffer
Thomas P. Kieffer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11912960Abstract: Surfactant systems and compositions incorporating the same are disclosed for use as rinse aids on plastics and other wares. The surfactant systems and compositions include both liquid and solid formulations, along with methods of use for treating plastics and other wares. The surfactant systems and compositions provide synergistic combinations allowing lower actives in composition formulations of the plastic-compatible surfactant systems providing good sheeting, wetting and drying properties.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Janel Marie Kieffer, Terrence P. Everson, James S. Dailey, Thomas Gessner, Juergen Tropsch
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Patent number: 11592377Abstract: A sensor for measuring the fatigue life of a structure subjected to repetitive loads is disclosed. The sensor includes a backing material arranged for securement to the structure, and a foil arranged for securement to the backing material. The foil includes a conductive path along which electrical current flows at an initial resistance measured prior to the structure being subjected to repetitive loads. A crack initiation feature in the form of a notch is located on the conductive path. In response to repetitive loads applied to the structure, one or more cracks propagate from the crack initiation feature across the conductive path to cause electrical resistance to increase whereby the progression of fatiguing of the structure may be determined.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Vishay Measurements Group, Inc.Inventors: Thomas P. Kieffer, James I. Hardy, Robert B. Watson
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Publication number: 20210325284Abstract: A sensor for measuring the fatigue life of a structure subjected to repetitive loads is disclosed. The sensor includes a backing material arranged for securement to the structure, and a foil arranged for securement to the backing material. The foil includes a conductive path along which electrical current flows at an initial resistance measured prior to the structure being subjected to repetitive loads. A crack initiation feature in the form of a notch is located on the conductive path. In response to repetitive loads applied to the structure, one or more cracks propagate from the crack initiation feature across the conductive path to cause electrical resistance to increase whereby the progression of fatiguing of the structure may be determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2020Publication date: October 21, 2021Applicant: Vishay Measurements Group, Inc.Inventors: Thomas P. KIEFFER, James I. HARDY, Robert B. WATSON
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Publication number: 20210190606Abstract: A strain gage comprises: a flat metallic element; a first layer, wherein the flat metallic element is laminated onto a first surface of the first layer and the flat metallic element covers a first part of the first surface of the first layer; and a second layer laminated onto a second surface of the first layer, wherein the second surface is opposite to the first surface, and a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the second layer is greater than a threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2019Publication date: June 24, 2021Applicant: Vishay Measurements Group, Inc.Inventors: Thomas P. KIEFFER, Eric K. WINCHESTER
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Patent number: 10247619Abstract: A resistance temperature detector (RTD) includes a temperature sensing circuit with a conductive element to receive an input signal and produce an output signal that is a function of temperature. The conductive element is formed from a metal having a temperature coefficient of resistance from about 10 ppm/° F. to about 1000 ppm/° F.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2015Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: VISHAY MEASUREMENTS GROUP, INC.Inventors: Thomas P. Kieffer, Robert B. Watson
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Patent number: 9933321Abstract: A metal resistance strain gage with a high gage factor is provided. The electrical resistance strain gage includes a strain sensitive metallic element and has a chemical composition on a weight basis of approximately 63% to 84% Ni and approximately 16% to 37% Fe and a gage factor greater than 5.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2015Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: VISHAY MEASUREMENTS GROUP, INC.Inventors: Thomas P. Kieffer, Robert B. Watson
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Patent number: 9797789Abstract: An electrical resistance strain gage includes a uniformly distributed electrical resistance of the active measuring area and a discrete electrical trim resistance within an active measuring are. The trim resistance may include an electrical conductor in an electrically parallel circuit such that the electrical conductor may be selectively electrically removed from the strain gage to trim the electrical resistance of the strain gage. The trim resistance does not modify the active strain sensing area or uniform grid length.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2014Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Vishay Measurements Group, Inc.Inventors: Robert B. Watson, Thomas P. Kieffer, Rebecca L. Showalter
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Publication number: 20160334289Abstract: A metal resistance strain gage with a high gage factor is provided. The electrical resistance strain gage includes a strain sensitive metallic element and has a chemical composition on a weight basis of approximately 63% to 84% Ni and approximately 16% to 37% Fe and a gage factor greater than 5.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2015Publication date: November 17, 2016Applicant: VISHAY MEASUREMENTS GROUP, INC.Inventors: Thomas P. Kieffer, Robert B. Watson
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Publication number: 20160320251Abstract: A resistance temperature detector (RTD) includes a temperature sensing circuit with a conductive element to receive an input signal and produce an output signal that is a function of temperature. The conductive element is formed from a metal having a temperature coefficient of resistance from about 10 ppm/° F. to about 1000 ppm/° F.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2015Publication date: November 3, 2016Applicant: Vishay Measurements Group, Inc.Inventors: Thomas P. Kieffer, Robert B. Watson
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Publication number: 20150338294Abstract: An electrical resistance strain gage includes a uniformly distributed electrical resistance of the active measuring area and a discrete electrical trim resistance within an active measuring are. The trim resistance may include an electrical conductor in an electrically parallel circuit such that the electrical conductor may be selectively electrically removed from the strain gage to trim the electrical resistance of the strain gage. The trim resistance does not modify the active strain sensing area or uniform grid length.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2014Publication date: November 26, 2015Applicant: VISHAY PRECISION GROUP, INC.Inventors: Robert B. WATSON, Thomas P. KIEFFER, Rebecca L. SHOWALTER
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Patent number: 8161829Abstract: A methodology for selecting and properly placing foil strain gages on a transducer in a Wheatstone bridge, which provides a more consistent creep response, especially when the transducer temperature is changed. A transducer includes a counterforce subjected to a predetermined physical load that provides tension and compression strains (positive and negative, respectively). The transducer also includes a plurality of strain gage grids that are operatively attached to the counterforce in the tension and compression strain areas of the counterforce and generate electrical signals. The plurality of strain gages are electrically connected in a Wheatstone bridge circuit where their electrical signals due to creep are cancelled.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2010Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Vishay Precision Group, Inc.Inventors: Felix Zandman, Robert B. Watson, Thomas P. Kieffer
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Publication number: 20110023630Abstract: A methodology for selecting and properly placing foil strain gages on a transducer in a Wheatstone bridge, which provides a more consistent creep response, especially when the transducer temperature is changed. A transducer includes a counterforce subjected to a predetermined physical load that provides tension and compression strains (positive and negative, respectively). The transducer also includes a plurality of strain gage grids that are operatively attached to the counterforce in the tension and compression strain areas of the counterforce and generate electrical signals. The plurality of strain gages are electrically connected in a Wheatstone bridge circuit where their electrical signals due to creep are cancelled.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: VISHAY PRECISION GROUP, INC.Inventors: Felix Zandman, Robert B. Watson, Thomas P. Kieffer
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Patent number: 7094061Abstract: An integral strain measurement layer for use in an assembly printed circuit board to provide for strain measurement on the printed circuit board. The strain measurement layer includes an insulating layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, a strain sensitive layer of metallic foil adhered to the top surface of the insulating layer for measuring strain associated with the printed circuit board, and a copper coating disposed on the strain sensitive layer of metallic foil.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2005Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: Vishay Measurements Group, Inc.Inventors: Thomas P. Kieffer, Robert B. Watson