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).

  • Patent number: 11912960
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Janel Marie Kieffer, Terrence P. Everson, James S. Dailey, Thomas Gessner, Juergen Tropsch
  • Patent number: 11592377
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Vishay Measurements Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Kieffer, James I. Hardy, Robert B. Watson
  • Publication number: 20210325284
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: Vishay Measurements Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. KIEFFER, James I. HARDY, Robert B. WATSON
  • Publication number: 20210190606
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Vishay Measurements Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. KIEFFER, Eric K. WINCHESTER
  • Patent number: 10247619
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: VISHAY MEASUREMENTS GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Kieffer, Robert B. Watson
  • Patent number: 9933321
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: VISHAY MEASUREMENTS GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Kieffer, Robert B. Watson
  • Patent number: 9797789
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Vishay Measurements Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Watson, Thomas P. Kieffer, Rebecca L. Showalter
  • Publication number: 20160334289
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: VISHAY MEASUREMENTS GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Kieffer, Robert B. Watson
  • Publication number: 20160320251
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: Vishay Measurements Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Kieffer, Robert B. Watson
  • Publication number: 20150338294
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: VISHAY PRECISION GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Robert B. WATSON, Thomas P. KIEFFER, Rebecca L. SHOWALTER
  • Patent number: 8161829
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Vishay Precision Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Felix Zandman, Robert B. Watson, Thomas P. Kieffer
  • Publication number: 20110023630
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: VISHAY PRECISION GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Felix Zandman, Robert B. Watson, Thomas P. Kieffer
  • Patent number: 7094061
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Vishay Measurements Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Kieffer, Robert B. Watson