Patents Issued in December 31, 2015
  • Publication number: 20150377696
    Abstract: A beam generating device includes a semiconductor substrate, having an optical passband. A first array of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) is formed on a first face of the semiconductor substrate and are configured to emit respective laser beams through the substrate at a wavelength within the passband. A second array of microlenses is formed on a second face of the semiconductor substrate, with the microlenses in respective alignment with the VCSELs so as to transmit the laser beams generated by the VCSELs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Alexander Shpunt, Zafrir Mor, Raviv Erlich
  • Publication number: 20150377697
    Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for receiving an electrical measurement signal from a first photodetector coupled to a first waveguide and determining a total intensity level of reflected light in the first waveguide based on the electrical measurement signal. Additionally, a perspiration level of skin in contact with the first waveguide may be determined based on the total intensity level of the reflected light in the first waveguide. In one example, an electrical control signal is received from a second photodetector coupled to a second waveguide that is physically isolated from the skin, wherein the total intensity level of the reflected light in the first waveguide is determined further based on the electrical control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: KYU HYUN KIM, DAVID N. HUTCHISON
  • Publication number: 20150377698
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement for light sensing and temperature sensing comprises a first sensor input (1) for connecting a temperature sensor (11) and a second sensor input (2) for connecting a light sensor (21), in particular an ambient light sensor. A sensor switch (S3) electrically connects either the first or the second sensor input (1, 2) to an integration input (41) of an integrating analog-to-digital converter (4). A reference circuit (5) connects to the integration input (41) via a first switch (S2). A first reference input (42) of the integrating analog-to-digital converter (4) is to be connected with a first reference potential (Vb1). A counter (6) connects to an integration output (43) of the integrating analog-to-digital converter (4). And a controller unit (6) connects to the counter (6) and is designed to control the first switch (S2) depending on an integrated sensor signal (Vout) integrated by the integrating analog-to-digital converter (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Gonggui XU
  • Publication number: 20150377699
    Abstract: An illumination device and method is provided herein for calibrating individual LEDs in the illumination device, so as to obtain a desired luminous flux and a desired chromaticity of the device over changes in drive current, temperature, and over time as the LEDs age. The calibration method may include subjecting the illumination device to a first ambient temperature, successively applying at least three different drive currents to a first LED to produce illumination at three or more different levels of brightness, obtaining a plurality of optical measurements from the illumination produced by the first LED at each of the at least three different drive currents, obtaining a plurality of electrical measurements from the photodetector and storing results of the obtaining steps within the illumination device to calibrate the first LED at the first ambient temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Horace C. Ho, Jason E. Lewis, David J. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20150377700
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first substrate including a photoelectric conversion region and a surrounding region, and a second substrate including a circuit for processing a signal from the photoelectric conversion region, and overlapping the first substrate. In this case, the circuit for processing a signal from the photoelectric conversion region includes a first circuit and a second circuit with a higher drive frequency than that of the first circuit. In an orthogonal projection, the second circuit is only provided in the photoelectric conversion region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Mineo Shimotsusa, Koichiro Iwata
  • Publication number: 20150377701
    Abstract: A fiber optic probe assembly is provided. The probe comprises a first optical system and a second optical system, a delivery light guide comprising one or more than one delivery optical fiber for transmitting excitation radiation from a radiation source disposed at a proximal end of the light guide to the first optical system. The first optical system comprising one or more than one first optical element for forming a substantially collimated illumination beam from the excitation radiation. An optically opaque tubular sleeve is fitted over the first optical system to optically isolate the first optical system and the delivery light guide from the second optical system. The second optical system comprising one or more than one second optical element for gathering optical radiation scattered from a sample and forming the optical radiation into a collection beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Rafal PAWLUCZYK, Paul FOURNIER
  • Publication number: 20150377702
    Abstract: In one aspect, a spectrometer insert is provided. The spectrometer insert includes: an enclosed housing; a first transparent window on a first side of the enclosed housing; a second transparent window on a second side of the enclosed housing, wherein the first side and the second side are opposing sides of the enclosed housing; and a sample mounting and heating assembly positioned within an interior cavity of the enclosed housing in between, and in line of sight of, the first transparent window and the second transparent window. A method for using the spectrometer insert to locally heat a sample so as to measure temperature-dependent optical properties of the sample is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Nestor A. Bojarczuk, Talia S. Gershon, Teodor K. Todorov, Theodore G. van Kessel
  • Publication number: 20150377703
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to integrated resonance detectors and arrays of integrated resonance detectors and to methods for making and using the integrated resonance detectors and arrays. Integrated resonance detectors comprise a substrate, a conducting mirror layer, an active layer, and a patterned conducting layer. Electromagnetic radiation is detected by transducing a specific resonance-induced field enhancement in the active layer to a detection current that is proportional to the incident irradiance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Steve M. Savoy, Byron G. Zollars, Andrew J. Milder, Gennady Shvets
  • Publication number: 20150377704
    Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for cavity-enhanced spectroscopy are described herein. One system includes an optical frequency comb (OFC) coupled to a laser source, and a cavity coupled to the OFC comprising a number of mirrors, wherein at least one of the number of mirrors is coupled to a piezo-transducer configured to alter a position of the at least one of the number of mirrors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: James Allen Cox
  • Publication number: 20150377705
    Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for a monolithic photonic integrated circuit (PIC) to provide spectrometry functionality. In an embodiment, the PIC comprises a photonic device, a first waveguide and a second waveguide, wherein one of the first waveguide and the second waveguide includes a released portion which is free to move relative to a substrate of the PIC. During a metering cycle to evaluate a material under test, control logic operates an actuator to successively configure a plurality of positions of the released portion relative to the photonic device. In another embodiment, light from the first waveguide is variously diffracted by a grating of the photonic device during the metering cycle, where portions of the light are directed into the second waveguide. Different wavelengths of light diffracted into the second waveguide may be successively detected, for different positions of the released portion, to determine spectrometric measurements over a range of wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: David N. Hutchison, Kyu Hyun Kim, Haisheng Rong, John Heck, Shengbo Xu
  • Publication number: 20150377706
    Abstract: A spectroscopic camera is provided with a pair of reflecting films, and a wavelength variable interference filter including an electrostatic actuator which can change a size of the gap between the pair of reflecting films, an imaging unit which includes a plurality of pixels which is disposed in a two-dimensional array structure, and receives the light transmitted to the wavelength variable interference filter, and a received-light wavelength acquiring unit which acquires a central wavelength of the light which is incident on the pixel with respect to each of the pixels in the imaging unit, in which the received-light wavelength acquiring unit acquires the central wavelength based on an incidence angle in a position where the light which is received in each of the pixels is incident to the pair of reflecting films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Akira SANO, Nozomu HIROKUBO
  • Publication number: 20150377707
    Abstract: A system and method for non-destructive, in situ, positive material identification of a pipe selects three test areas that are separated axially and circumferentially from one another and then polishes a portion of each test area. Within each polished area, a non-destructive test device is used to collect mechanical property data and another non-destructive test device is used to collect chemical property data. An overall mean for the mechanical property data, and for the chemical property data, is calculated using at least two data collection runs. The means are compared to a known material standard to determine, at a high level of confidence, ultimate yield strength and ultimate tensile strength within +/?10%, a carbon percentage within +/?25%, and a manganese percentage within +/?20% of a known material standard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth James Greene, Chris Caraway, Gregory Donikowski, Joel Troyer
  • Publication number: 20150377708
    Abstract: A optical system comprises: a light source; a first polarizer, configured to receive light emitted by the light source and convert it into first linearly polarized light; an optical prism group, configured to receive the first linearly polarized light and reflect it to a liquid crystal detecting head; the liquid crystal detecting head, configured to convert the first linearly polarized light into second linearly polarized light by using optical rotation characteristic of liquid crystal molecules, and emit the second linearly polarized light; a second polarizer, configured to receive the second linearly polarized light reflected by the liquid crystal detecting head and transmitted by the optical prism group, and convert the second linearly polarized light into third linearly polarized light; a light intensity detector, configured to receive the third linearly polarized light and calculate a light intensity thereof; wherein, the polarization directions of the first and second polarizers are opposite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Chong LIU, Haisheng ZHAO
  • Publication number: 20150377709
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for optically identifying hostile fire strikes to a vehicle. The identification can be that the hostile fire will hit the vehicle, will likely hit the vehicle, hit the vehicle, or likely hit the vehicle. In the case of predictive hits, a warning may be output and the vehicle can take evasive and/or countermeasure actions. In the case of actual or likely strikes to the vehicle, the optical identification can map a travel path of a detected projectile to positions on the vehicle, thus identifying a likely position or area of projectile impact. Such data can be used for inspection and maintenance purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen C. Moraites, Shawn McPhail, Donald Sobiski
  • Publication number: 20150377710
    Abstract: Optical probes and methods for continuously measuring the temperature of molten metals in vessels are described. The optical probe may include a fiber surrounded by a protective structure that is mounted in a wall of a vessel. The protective structure may include a porous body for flowing gas through the optical probe assembly. A portion of the optical probe may be sacrificial and erode or break away during temperature measurements. Calibrations may be used to correct temperature measurements based on an amount of erosion or removal of the optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Jyoti GODA
  • Publication number: 20150377711
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for providing electromagnetic radiation sensing. The apparatus includes a radiation detection sensor including a plurality of micromechanical radiation sensing pixels having a reflecting top surface and configured to deflect light incident on the reflective surface as a function of an intensity of sensed radiation. In some implementations, the apparatus has equal sensitivities for at least some of the sensing pixels. In some implementations, the apparatus can provide adjustable sensitivity and measurement range. The apparatus can be utilized for human detection, fire detection, gas detection, temperature measurements, environmental monitoring, energy saving, behavior analysis, surveillance, information gathering and for human-machine interfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Marek Steffanson, Donald James Bone
  • Publication number: 20150377712
    Abstract: In a temperature sensor, two seal members seal the open opposite ends of a cladding member (a forward end and a rear end), so that water absorption by an insulator of a sheath member can be restrained. The seal members are formed to have an insulation resistance equal to that of a conductor-fixing material. Therefore, even when the temperature sensor is used in a high-temperature environment, the insulation performance of the seal members does not become lower than the insulation performance of the conductor-fixing material, so that the formation of a leakage current path can be suppressed. According to the temperature sensor, the electrical property of a temperature sensitive element can be sensed accurately, and a reduction in the accuracy of temperature sensing can be restrained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Hiroaki NAKANISHI, Seiji OYA
  • Publication number: 20150377713
    Abstract: A temperature sensor includes a temperature detecting section including a temperature-sensitive element, a cylindrical housing disposed on a proximal end side of the temperature detecting section, a connector member disposed on a proximal end side of the housing, and a buffer member which is elastically deformable and disposed between the connector member and the housing. The connector member includes a connector counter surface located on a side of the housing in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis of the housing. The housing includes a housing counter surface located opposite to the connector counter surface. The housing counter surface and the connector counter surface are separated from each other so that a gap is present therebetween. The buffer member is disposed deformably in the gap so that the connector member and the housing are movable relative to each other in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Susumu SHIBAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20150377714
    Abstract: A processing apparatus and a method capable of accurately measuring a real temperature of a workpiece contained and heated in a chamber. The processing apparatus includes a chamber containing a workpiece, a measurement piece installed in the chamber, and a measuring unit. The measurement piece is capable of thermal expansion and contraction in response to an internal temperature of the chamber. The measuring unit measures a thermal expansion and contraction amount of the measurement piece to thereby measure the real temperature of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (KOBE STEEL, LTD.)
    Inventor: Hirofumi FUJII
  • Publication number: 20150377715
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of measuring the temperature of a coiled component comprising the injection of a known DC current into a gauge wire (1) made of resistive material, the resistance of the gauge wire varying with temperature according to a known law, the measurement of potential difference between the terminals (7a, 7b) of said gauge wire, and a step of calculation transforming the potential difference into a mean temperature of the gauge wire, said gauge wire (1) being wound inside the coil, and arranged as a series of “outbound” turns (5) and a series of “inbound” turns (6) associated pairwise with a geometry and a position that are substantially equal. It also relates to a component made in order to be able to implement this method and the measurement device as a whole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: LABINAL POWER SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Philippe Poret, Tony Lhommeau
  • Publication number: 20150377716
    Abstract: The present techniques are directed to a pipeline transporting a production fluid including hydrocarbon. An optical fiber is disposed along a length of the pipeline. A control system determines a predicted operating temperature based on pressure and flow rate of the production fluid in the pipeline. The control system determines a measured temperature along the pipeline using the optical fiber. The control system detects and locates a temperature anomaly by comparing the measured temperature of the pipeline to the predicted operating temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Mohan G. Kulkarni, Larry D. Talley
  • Publication number: 20150377717
    Abstract: An electronic temperature sensor for measuring the junction temperature of an electronic power switch (4) of a static converter (8) includes an injection source of a calibrated measurement current (20) and a differential voltage measurement amplifier (76; 276). The electronic temperature sensor includes a first series connection (26) element and a second series connection (28) connected respectively to the inlet terminals (78, 80) of the differential voltage amplifier (76; 276). The first and second series connection elements (26, 28; 224, 226) are configured to protect the amplifier against a high voltage, have essentially identical electrical characteristics and are included in the set formed by resistances and high-voltage (HV) rapid diodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Pascal ROLLIN, Frederic RICHARDEAU, Matthieu MORVAN, Franck MOSSER
  • Publication number: 20150377718
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the replacement of a damaged exhaust temperature sensor mounting boss for automobiles in the event an integral shrouded mounting boss becomes damaged. The present invention provides a means to replace only the sensor mounting boss (used interchangeably with bung and fitting hereinafter), rather than having to replace an entire exhaust emissions after-treatment component. This is accomplished by utilizing a developed removal technique of simultaneously applying extreme heat and torque to cleanly remove a damaged integral sensor mounting boss. In conjunction with the installation of a service replacement mounting boss which has also been developed to embody a new form as a stand-alone replacement part. This invention allows for the benefits of cost savings and reduced vehicle repair downtime, as well as a reduced consumption of rare earth metals used in the construction of exhaust emissions after-treatment devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Jeffrey Thomas Eichen
  • Publication number: 20150377719
    Abstract: A method for detecting a preload residual rate involves: a. installing a temperature sensor on one of two preloaded elements; b. making the two preloaded elements to move with respect to each other, and recording a time-related temperature variation sensed by the temperature sensor, so as to obtain an initial temperature-rising curve; c. making the two preloaded elements to move with respect to each other, and recording a time-related temperature variation sensed by the temperature sensor, so as to obtain a detected temperature-rising curve; and d. comparing the initial and detected temperature-rising curves, so as to obtain the preload residual rate between the two preloaded elements of the step c to the step b. The method detects a preload residual rate applied to an object when the object is operating while being advantageous in terms of cost, service life, response and accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: MENG-SHIUN TSAI, WEN-HSIN HSIEH, AN-SHIK YANG, WEI-HSIANG YUAN, HONG-WEI HUANG, CHUNG-CHING LIU, YIH-CHYUN HWANG
  • Publication number: 20150377720
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stimulus monitoring system. The system includes an RFID device, item, interrogation device, and reception device. The RFID device includes a brace affixed to an inductor or capacitor. The brace is constructed from a material structurally responsive to a predetermined stimulus, such that stimulus-responsive structural alterations to the brace structurally alters the inductor, capacitor, or other RFID subcomponent of the RFID circuit capable of generating a current alteration, which in turn alters the signal frequency of the RFID.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: U.S. Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob Conner, Ryan Giedd
  • Publication number: 20150377721
    Abstract: A surface treatment method for roughening a surface of a metal material by a laser beam includes: forming a roughened surface adhesion portion on the surface of the metal material by irradiating the laser beam on the surface of the metal material to form a plurality of roughened regions within the roughened surface adhesion portion, each of the roughened regions being formed in a circular shape having an outer ring adjacent to each other. The roughened regions are arranged to satisfy the following Equation (1): 0.5a<d<1.5a??(1) where “a” is a diameter of the outer ring of each of the roughened regions, and “d” is a center pitch between adjacent roughened regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Satoshi SATO
  • Publication number: 20150377722
    Abstract: A stress detection device and a detection method for a light-transmissive structure are disclosed. The stress detection device for a light-transmissive structure comprises: a light source, a first polarizer, a light intensity distribution state detection unit and a stress distribution state analysis unit; wherein the light source emits uniform polarized light; during detection, the first polarizer and the light sources are located at opposite sides of the light-transmissive structure, respectively; the light intensity distribution state detection unit is configured to obtain a light intensity distribution state of the polarized light emitted from the first polarizer; the stress distribution state analysis unit is configured to obtain a stress distribution state of the light-transmissive structure according to the light intensity distribution state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicants: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhihui ZENG, Fang LIU, Hongbo FENG, Yuefeng SU, Ruijun DONG
  • Publication number: 20150377723
    Abstract: A magnetic coupling for transferring rotational motion from a prime mover to a load includes reference marks calibrated to indicate torque applied to the coupling during operation. A light source providing intermittent light flashes permits a user to visibly discern the relative rotational position of the reference marks to one another, and thereby determine the torque applied to the coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: Baldor Electric Company
    Inventors: Nicolas W. Frank, Richard F. Schiferl
  • Publication number: 20150377724
    Abstract: A torque measuring device, in particular suitable for a bottom bracket (1), including an inner shaft (2) provided as a drive shaft, and a hollow shaft (3) provided as a driven shaft, which hollow shaft is connected to the inner shaft (2) and surrounds the same coaxially. The hollow shaft (3) has a direct coating that forms a strain gauge (5) for the torque measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Benkert, Jens Heim, Matthias Sperber, Jurgen Gierl, Christian Nuissl, Stefan Gluck
  • Publication number: 20150377725
    Abstract: A torque measurement flexplate (20) includes a substantially planar body (54) which defines a plurality of circumferentially distributed axial through apertures (22), a radial web (24) extending between each pair of adjacent axial apertures (22). The flexplate (20) further defines a plurality of circumferentially distributed axial outer fastening holes (26) for attachment to an output member. The flexplate (20) includes a strain sensor (28) for measuring the shear strain field on the flexplate (20). The flexplate (20) defines a recess (30) in which the strain sensor (28) is located, the recess (30) being defined in an axial surface (32) of one of the radial webs (24) such that, in use, the sensor (28) lies at least proximate to one of the local neutral axes (34) relating to one of a plurality of unwanted strains (36) to which the flexplate (20) is subject in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: Transense Technologies, PLC
    Inventor: Alexander Thomas James Stopps
  • Publication number: 20150377726
    Abstract: A method for identifying friction parameters for a linear module is disclosed. Since an acting interval of a friction is determined by a relative velocity between two contacting surfaces, and when the relative velocity is much greater than a Stribeck velocity, there is only a Coulomb friction and a viscous friction exist between the contacting surfaces, it is possible to use a measured torque signal of this interval to identify a Coulomb friction torque, a the linear module's friction torque, and the linear module's equivalent inertia. When the relative velocity between the two contacting surfaces is smaller than the Stribeck velocity, it is possible to identify a maximum static friction torque and the Stribeck velocity by referring to the three known parameters. Thereby, all the friction parameters can be identified within one reciprocating movement of the linear module, making the method highly feasible in practice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Meng-Shiun TSAI, Wei-Hsiang YUAN, Chih-Wei WANG, Hong-Wei HUANG, Chung-Ching LIU
  • Publication number: 20150377727
    Abstract: The disclosure addresses a force sensor that is scalable in size and adaptable to a variety of form factors, including those suitable for use in an input device for a computer or other processing system, and in some cases including those of the configuration normally referred to as a computer mouse. The force sensor will include at least two structural members that are cooperatively attached one another as to be displaced from one another in response to a force acting upon one of the structural members. In some examples, the engagement between the two structural members will be specifically configured to allow such displacement in response to forces acting laterally on the force sensor. The force sensor will also include one or more sensing mechanisms to provide a measurement of the sensed deflection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Baskett, David T. Amm
  • Publication number: 20150377728
    Abstract: A pressure sensor for sensing pressure of a fluid includes a diaphragm separator and a flexure structure. The diaphragm separator exerts an imparted force on the flexure structure, where the imparted force is proportional to fluid pressure exerted on the flexure structure. The pressure sensor further includes a piezoelectric resonator. A first resonator interface section of the flexure structure is in contact with a first edge of the piezoelectric resonator. A second resonator interface section of the flexure structure is in contact with a second edge of the piezoelectric resonator. The first edge and the second edge are opposite narrow edges of the piezoelectric resonator. The flexure structure exerts a load proportional to the imparted force onto the first edge of the piezoelectric resonator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: JAMES DANIEL MONTOYA
  • Publication number: 20150377729
    Abstract: A pressure detecting device is mounted in a measurement target and instrument includes a strain inducer to which pressure of a pressure medium is applied and which generates strain in accordance with the pressure and a strain detecting element that is bonded onto a surface opposite to a pressure receiving surface of the strain inducer, in which the strain detecting element includes one or multiple central strain resistant bridges which are arranged at a central portion of the strain detecting element in a bonded surface direction, and one or multiple outer peripheral strain resistant bridges which are arranged at an outer periphery, and in which, for example, deformation of the strain detecting element caused by an external force when being screw-fixed to the measurement target instrument is obtained through the multiple strain resistant bridges. An error of detection pressure caused by the deformation in a pressure value detected through the central strain resistant bridge is corrected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki HIO, Shinya IGARASHI, Shigenobu KOMATSU, Junji ONOZUKA, Kentaro MIYAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20150377730
    Abstract: A process pressure transmitter system includes a process pressure transmitter housing, a process pressure sensor in the process pressure transmitter housing, a flange face in the process pressure transmitter housing and an isolation diaphragm on the flange face. A first capillary passageway carries a first fill fluid from the isolation diaphragm to the process pressure sensor. A process seal diaphragm couples to a process fluid of the industrial process. A second capillary passageway carries a second fill fluid from the process seal diaphragm to the isolation diaphragm. A diamond like carbon (DLC) coating coats the process seal diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Zhang Xiaoang, Vincent Cline
  • Publication number: 20150377731
    Abstract: method for soldering a connection element to a connection point on an electrically conductive coating that is suitable for soft-soldering on an insulating surface of a base body using a soft-soldering method; as well as sensors manufactured using this method for which a spatial limitation of the wetting of the coating with soft-solder material, during the process of soft-soldering, is effected by providing a groove in the base body which at least partly surrounds the connection point on the outside. At least a part of the area of the external insulating surface of the base body including the connection point is coated with the coating, and soft-solder material is locally applied to the connection point and the connection element is soldered onto the connection point using the applied soft-solder material in a soft-soldering process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Ulfert Drewes, Elke Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20150377732
    Abstract: Provided is a pressure measuring device including a first electric resistor that is exposed to gas; a second electric resistor that is exposed to gas and has the same structure as that of the first electric resistor; a first measuring unit that measures a first voltage drop generated across the first electric resistor; a second measuring unit that measures a second voltage drop generated across the second electric resistor; a third measuring unit that measures a third voltage drop generated across the first electric resistor; a calculating unit that calculates a correction value that corrects the third voltage drop, based on a difference between the first voltage drop and the second voltage drop; and an output unit that corrects the third voltage drop using the calculated correction value and outputs a pressure value according to the third voltage value after the correction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Tomohide MINAMI
  • Publication number: 20150377733
    Abstract: A process fluid pressure transmitter includes a sensor body having a pressure sensor and electronics coupled to the pressure sensor to obtain an indication of pressure from the pressure sensor. At least one process fluid isolation assembly is fluidically coupled to the pressure sensor and is configured to receive a process fluid. The process fluid isolation assembly includes an isolation diaphragm welded to a weld ring. The weld ring has a sealing surface on a first side adapted for contact with a metal sealing ring and a weld portion welded to the sensor body on a second side. The sealing surface and the weld are substantially aligned with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Tyler Matthew Thompson, David Anthony Horky, Thomas Earl Johnson
  • Publication number: 20150377734
    Abstract: A pressure sensor system having a pressure sensor chip is specified, which is mounted on a mounting receptacle of a ceramic housing body having a pressure feed guided to the pressure sensor chip. The housing body is three-dimensionally shaped and monolithically formed and is formed by a ceramic material having a coefficient of thermal expansion which deviates by less than 30% from the coefficient of thermal expansion of the pressure sensor chip in a temperature range of greater than or equal to ?40° C. and less than or equal to 150° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Jan IHLE, Andreas PESCHKA, Bert HUNDERTMARK, Benjamin BOHL, Bernhard OSTRICK
  • Publication number: 20150377735
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a sensor module that generates heat through an electric resistor adapted to be exposed to a gas, and outputs a temperature change caused in the electric resistor according to a pressure of the gas, as a resistance change of the electric resistor. The method includes: forming an insulation layer on a substrate in which the insulation layer is an oxide film or a nitride film; and forming a conductor layer on the insulation layer under a temperature condition of 300° C. to 600° C., in which the conductor layer serves as the electric resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Tomohide MINAMI
  • Publication number: 20150377736
    Abstract: A miniature pressure scanning system may comprise: a plurality of miniature pressure sensors including a plurality of sensor outputs, each of the miniature pressure sensors including at least one sensor output for providing an analog output signal and each at least one sensor output having an associated output impedance; a plurality of buffers, each buffer of said plurality of buffers being electrically coupled to one sensor output of the plurality of sensor outputs, and each said buffer being operative to reduce a settling time constant associated with multiplexer voltage spikes and reduce the associated output impedance of the one sensor output coupled to it; and at least one multiplexer electrically coupled to the plurality of sensor outputs, said at least one multiplexer being operative to be switched between each of the plurality of sensor outputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Steven Mark Keeter
  • Publication number: 20150377737
    Abstract: It is provided an apparatus, comprising a box configured to conduct an optical fiber from an exterior to an interior of the box; at least one of a mounting means adapted to mount a connecting means to which the optical fiber may be connected and a guiding means adapted to guide the optical fiber, wherein the at least one of the mounting means and the guiding means is arranged in the interior of the box; a detecting means arranged in the interior of the box adapted to detect a first signal from the interior of the box, wherein the first signal is at least one of a light and a smoke; wherein the interior of the box is substantially shielded from a second signal from an exterior of the box, and the detecting means is suitable to detect the second signal in a same manner as the first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: Xieon Networks S.a.r.I
    Inventor: Lutz RAPP
  • Publication number: 20150377738
    Abstract: A system including an optical waveguide having a length extending from an optical interrogator at a first end, a plurality of light-modulating sensor nodes disposed at predetermined locations along the length of the optical waveguide, and (in some embodiments) a plurality of first beam splitters at each of the predetermined locations along the length of the optical waveguide, each of the first beam splitters configured to direct a portion of an optical signal from the optical interrogator to one of the plurality of light-modulating sensor nodes along an optical waveguide path, and return a reflected optical signal to the optical interrogator in an opposite direction along the same optical waveguide path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Yevgeniy Yakov Dorfman, Scott Evan Ritter, Jonathan L. Habif
  • Publication number: 20150377739
    Abstract: A reliability range is determined for a parameter of a component in a machine subjected to life reducing loads during operation, comprising the steps of: acquiring, for each of a plurality of load sessions, at least one parameter value for said component; generating a distribution pattern containing said parameter values for the plurality of load sessions; assigning a reliability range for the distribution pattern, wherein parameter values outside said reliability range are considered as being unrealistic; analyzing the parameter values outside the reliability range to determine which of said parameter values outside the reliability range are confirmed to be unrealistic; and adjusting the reliability range if a ratio between the confirmed unrealistic parameter values and the considered unrealistic parameter values is outside a further range being predetermined for the ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Magnus Andersson, Henrik Eckervald
  • Publication number: 20150377740
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to tire localization systems and methods for tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). In embodiments, a tire pressure management system comprises a wheel speed sensor (WSS), a tire pressure sensor (TPS) that can comprise circuitry and/or sensors configured to measure or record tire pressure data and TPS phase data, and an electronic control unit (ECU) that can comprise circuitry and/or sensors configured to process the speed sensor data and TPS data. TPMS systems and methods utilize a reference position index transmitted by the TPS to determine a constant value pattern of WSS data representative of a specific tire in order to localize the set of tires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Jooil Park, Thomas Lange
  • Publication number: 20150377741
    Abstract: A control unit supplies power and data through a rotary transformer to a sensor assembly disposed on a wheel. The data sent by the control unit to the sensor assembly is produced by modulation of the power signal using frequency shift key or amplitude shift key modulation. The sensor assembly converts the received power signal that power to operate the circuitry and sensor assembly, converts the FSK or ASK data signal, and sends sensor data back to the control unit through the rotary transformer by load modulation. The control unit demodulates the load modulated sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Eric Stein, Philip Readio, Paul L. Summers
  • Publication number: 20150377742
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the uniformity of a tire using convolution/deconvolution-based uniformity parameter estimates of a tire are provided. For instance, convolution can be used to estimate radial force variation from one or more uniformity parameter measurements, including radial run out parameter measurements. Deconvolution can be used to estimate radial run out from one or more uniformity parameter measurements, including radial force variation parameter measurements. The estimated uniformity parameter can be estimated from the uniformity parameter measurements using one or more models. The one or more models can represent an estimated radial uniformity parameter at a discrete measurement point as a weighted sum of the measured radial uniformity parameter at the discrete measurement point and one or more selected measurement points proximate the discrete measurement point. The measurement points can be selected based on the contact patch length of the tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: William David Mawby, James Michael Traylor
  • Publication number: 20150377743
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the uniformity of a tire based on estimated process harmonic magnitudes for one or more process effects are provided. Magnitudes of process harmonics associated with one or more candidate process effects can be determined from the observed magnitudes of one or more harmonics of measured uniformity parameters. The estimated process harmonic magnitude(s) can be determined without requiring phase angle or azimuth information associated with the observed magnitudes. The estimated process harmonic magnitude(s) can be determined by identifying a process harmonic magnitude pattern for identified candidate process effects. A model can be constructed correlating the candidate magnitudes specified by the process harmonic magnitude pattern with observed magnitudes of corresponding harmonics of a measured uniformity waveform. Regression or programming techniques can be used to estimate coefficients associated with candidate magnitude terms in the model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: William David MAWBY
  • Publication number: 20150377744
    Abstract: A system for predicting the performance of a vacuum unit on a material being transported or held within a manufacturing process is disclosed. The system includes a vacuum unit having a vacuum source, a vacuum interface, and a vacuum interface design. The system further includes a material and a computing device comprising a processor and a memory component, wherein the memory component stores logic that, when executed by the processor, causes the system to perform a series of steps that simulate the system and analyze one or more factors to determine if the current vacuum design and vacuum source are balanced for the given material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Rakesh Gummalla, Matthew Joseph Macura, Michael Wayne Taylor, Carlo Maria Campelli
  • Publication number: 20150377745
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for predicting the condition of a machine or a component of the machine based on measurements of a condition monitoring parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Basim Al-Najjar