Patents Issued in May 17, 2016
  • Patent number: 9341560
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods to control the quantity of vapor phase corrosion, devices, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: KEMIRA OYJ
    Inventors: Marko Kolari, Tuija Suhonen, Jukka-Pekka Sirvio, Iiris Joensuu
  • Patent number: 9341561
    Abstract: An aperture array structure used in a method of measuring characteristics of a specimen by applying an electromagnetic wave to an aperture array structure on which the specimen is held, and detecting frequency characteristics of the electromagnetic wave scattered by the aperture array structure. The aperture array structure includes a first principal surface, a second principal surface opposed to the first principal surface, and a plurality of apertures extending through the aperture array structure in a direction perpendicular to the first principal surface and the second principal surface. An opening area of each aperture at the first principal surface is smaller than an opening area of each aperture at the second principal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Kondo, Seiji Kamba, Yuichi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9341562
    Abstract: A filter arrangement can transmit and/or reflect light emanating from a moving object so that the emanating light has time variation, and the time variation can include information about the object, such as its type. For example, emanating light from segments of a path can be transmitted/reflected through positions of a filter assembly, and the transmission functions of the positions can be sufficiently different that time variation occurs in the emanating light between segments. Or emanating light from a segment can be transmitted/reflected through a filter component in which simpler transmission functions are superimposed, so that time variation occurs in the emanating light in accordance with superposition of two simpler non-uniform transmission functions. Many filter arrangements could be used, e.g. the filter component could include the filter assembly, which can have one of the simpler non-uniform transmission functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Joerg Martini, Peter Kiesel, Malte Huck, Marshall W. Bern, Noble M. Johnson, Michael Bassler, Markus Beck
  • Patent number: 9341563
    Abstract: An aggregate board, comprising: an insulator having a front face and a rear face; a pair of a first front face wiring pattern and a second front face wiring pattern, a plurality of which are arranged on the front face of the insulator; a pair of a first rear face wiring pattern and a second rear face wiring pattern, a plurality of which are arranged on the rear face of the insulator; at least one first inner layer wiring pattern that is separated from the second front face wiring pattern and the second rear face wiring pattern, that is connected to the first front face wiring pattern and the first rear face wiring pattern, and that extends in a first direction in an interior of the insulator; at least one second inner layer wiring pattern that is separated from the first front face wiring pattern and the first rear face wiring pattern, that is connected to the second front face wiring pattern and the second rear face wiring pattern, and that has a part that extends in a second direction which is different fro
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koichi Amari
  • Patent number: 9341564
    Abstract: A high-throughput optical suspension characterization instrument is disclosed, which can include hydraulically separate and at least partially transparent sample containers. A selection mechanism is operative to selectively direct light from a light source (12) through different ones of the sample containers along an optical axis, and an off-axis scattering detector (38,24) is responsive to scattered light from the light source after it has interacted with a sample. Phase analysis light scattering is used to determine the electrophoretic mobility and zeta potential of samples. A second instrument is disclosed, wherein all sample containers are illuminated simultaneously. Transmitted light is collected by a camera. The electrophoretic mobility and hydrodynamic size of the samples may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Malvern Instruments, Ltd.
    Inventor: Fraser McNeil-Watson
  • Patent number: 9341565
    Abstract: A physiological monitor for determining blood oxygen saturation of a medical patient includes a sensor, a signal processor and a display. The sensor includes at least three light emitting diodes. Each light emitting diode is adapted to emit light of a different wavelength. The sensor also includes a detector, where the detector is adapted to receive light from the three light emitting diodes after being attenuated by tissue. The detector generates an output signal based at least in part upon the received light. The signal processor determines blood oxygen saturation based at least upon the output signal, and the display provides an indication of the blood oxygen saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Masimo Corporation
    Inventors: Marcelo M. Lamego, Mohamed Diab, Walter M. Weber, Ammar Al-Ali, Massi Joe E. Kiani
  • Patent number: 9341566
    Abstract: To obtain a resin type identification method and a resin type identification apparatus with which an optimum infrared reflection spectrum for identifying a resin piece can be selected and accurate identification processing can be performed successively on individual resin pieces even when the resin pieces are identified using a single optical detector, at least one identifying signal power is selected by executing signal processing on the basis of signal powers corresponding to infrared reflection intensities obtained by emitting infrared light onto the resin piece, and the resin type of the resin piece is identified on the basis of an infrared reflection spectrum corresponding to the selected identifying signal power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Kinugawa, Muneaki Mukuda, Sonoko Umemura, Yasuyuki Nakagawa, Naoji Moriya, Toru Yamaguchi, Yukihisa Wada
  • Patent number: 9341567
    Abstract: A terahertz wave generation device includes a light source device emitting an optical pulse, and an antenna generating a terahertz wave through irradiation of the optical pulse that is emitted from the light source device onto the antenna, wherein the light source device includes an optical pulse generation unit generating the optical pulse, a first pulse compression unit performing pulse compression based on saturable absorbers with respect to the optical pulse generated by the optical pulse generation unit, a second pulse compression unit performing pulse compression based on group velocity dispersion compensation with respect to the optical pulse already compressed by the first pulse compression unit, and an amplifying unit installed between the first pulse compression unit and the second pulse compression unit to amplify the optical pulse emitted from the first pulse compression unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 9341568
    Abstract: A refractive index sensor is provided for analyzing an analyte, the sensor including: a strip waveguide for receiving an input light signal therein and transmitting the light signal, subject to manipulation as it propagates through the strip waveguide, to a detector for analysis with respect to the analyte; and a slot waveguide for sensing the analyte disposed thereon and for receiving a sensing signal, corresponding to said manipulation of the light signal, from the strip waveguide, wherein a grating is formed on a surface of the strip waveguide to enable coupling of the sensing signal from the strip waveguide to the slot waveguide, and the sensor is configured with enhanced sensitivity based on a sensitivity difference between the slot waveguide and the strip waveguide, and/or a group index difference between the slot waveguide and the strip waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: AGENCY FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH
    Inventors: Qing Liu, Jack Sheng Kee, Mi Kyoung Park
  • Patent number: 9341569
    Abstract: A method includes performing first and second measurements with a turbid medium to be examined placed in a receiving volume of a device for examining the interior of turbid media. The second measurement is performed after a time interval has passed after the first measurement. Each of the first and second measurements includes subsequently irradiating the turbid medium with light from a light source from a plurality of different source positions and detecting light emanating from the turbid medium in a plurality of different detection positions for each source position, and storing the detected values as measurement results. The method also includes detecting inhomogeneities in the interior of the turbid medium by using the measurement results of one of the first and second measurements as a reference and the measurement results of the respective other of the first and second measurements to determine deviations from the reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Gert ′T Hooft, Martinus Bernardus Van Der Mark
  • Patent number: 9341570
    Abstract: Devices and methods for using changes in the defects in micrometer sized dispersed liquid crystal domains to detect or quantify analytes in a test sample, including endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), are disclosed. The dispersed liquid crystal microdomains are exposed to the test sample, and any changes in the number of defects in the liquid crystal microdomains are detected by detecting changes in the anchoring configuration of the microdomains. Such changes in anchoring configuration indicate the presence of analyte in the test sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Nicholas L. Abbott, I-Hsin Lin, Christopher J. Murphy, Jugal Gupta
  • Patent number: 9341571
    Abstract: A method of monitoring water-soluble treatment chemicals in a fluid that is immiscible with water and which may or may not contain some aqueous fluid, the method using at least one reagent that produces an optically detectable product, the detection step can take place without separation of the aqueous phase containing the treatment chemicals from the fluid immiscible with water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Lux Assure Limited
    Inventors: Fiona Mackay, Emma Perfect, Catherine Rowley-Williams, Anne-Marie Fuller
  • Patent number: 9341572
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a detecting device and a detecting method of a transparent display panel. The method comprises: providing a reference pattern sheet having n pairs of first regions with a first color and second regions with a second color alternately arranged in a first direction, and each of the first regions and each of the second regions having a same predetermined width D in the first direction; forming a uniform predetermined illuminance on the reference pattern sheet; detecting directly the reference pattern sheet by a measuring device; detecting the reference pattern sheet through the transparent panel display by the measuring device; and thereby determining a clarity of the transparent display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xinli Ma
  • Patent number: 9341573
    Abstract: The present invention describes (bio)chemo-functional waveguide grating structures consisting of at least one (bio)chemo-functional waveguide grating structure unit or at least one (bio)chemo-functional sensor location with beam guidance permitting light beam separation, as well as detection methods for parallel analysis which are marking-free or based on marking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: ARTIFICIAL SENSING INSTRUMENTS ASI AG
    Inventor: Kurt Tiefenthaler
  • Patent number: 9341574
    Abstract: A Raman spectrometer includes a light source (12), a sensor element (14) and a detector (10), where the sensor element (14) includes an active surface (24), which active surface (24) is coated with a layer (26) of inert material to be placed in contact with the sample (4). A sensor element (14) includes an active surface (24) which is coated with a layer (26) of inert material. A method for obtaining a Raman spectrum using such a sensor element (14) includes the following steps: a) providing a sensor element (14), comprising an active surface (24) which is coated with a layer (26) of inert material and placing the layer (26) of inert material in contact with a sample to be analysed; b) illuminating the sensor element (14) with monochromatic light; and c) detecting surface enhanced Raman scattering by the sensor element (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: UNIVERSITEIT LEIDEN
    Inventors: Kjeld Gertrudus Hendrikus Janssen, Thomas Hankemeier
  • Patent number: 9341575
    Abstract: The application provides methods for the detection of an analyte in a sample by electrochemiluminescence using certain reagent compositions. Reagent compositions, reagent kits for measuring electrochemiluminescence (ECL) and electrochemiluminescence detection methods using the reagent compositions are disclosed. In particular, the application relates to the use of novel combinations of compounds, which can be used in said measurements to provide improved ECL assay performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Finke, Bernhard Hauptmann, Johannes Stoeckel, Michaela Windfuhr
  • Patent number: 9341576
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of detection of components in gas phase, and in particular to detection of nitric oxide exhaled as a component of breath, using a liquid crystal assay format and a device utilizing liquid crystals as part of a reporting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: PLATYPUS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Bharat Acharya, Avijit Sen, Nicholas Abbott, Kurt Kupcho
  • Patent number: 9341577
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an examination element that includes an antenna; a hygroscopic portion that absorbs a specimen; a reagent portion that reacts with the specimen; and a chip including a semiconductor device capable of wireless communication and a photo sensor that detects a change in a color of the reagent portion. A change in the reagent portion is detected by the photo sensor, the detected data is stored in the semiconductor device capable of wireless communication, and the data is transmitted to an external database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunio Hosoya
  • Patent number: 9341578
    Abstract: A method of inspecting a painted finish of a component such as a vehicle body or panel includes positioning the component with respect to an array of LED lighting fixtures each having LED tubes and generating light via the array with a predetermined set of lighting characteristics. The set of lighting characteristics includes a striped pattern, a beam angle of at least 120 degrees, and a CRI of at least 85 or at least 90. The method includes inspecting the painted surface for defects while illuminating the component with the light from the array. A control action is executed with respect to the component when the component contains a threshold number and/or a threshold size of the defects. Each array may have two LED tubes and four angled reflectors, and illuminating includes reflecting light from the LED tubes off of the angled reflectors toward the painted surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Patrick A. Porter, Alexander K. Peat
  • Patent number: 9341579
    Abstract: The present invention provides a defect detection apparatus for detecting a defect even on a uniformly continuous background pattern, a method used in the apparatus, and a computer program for making a computer execute processing in the method. A defect size is set and stored, and an instruction to a first direction in which a background pattern is uniformly continuous is accepted. A reduced image reduced in the first direction using an image reduction ratio according to the defect size is generated. A filter processing is executed in the first direction for removing a defect, and the reduced image that is subjected to the filter processing is enlarged in the first direction with an image enlargement ratio corresponding to the reciprocal of the reduction ratio to generate a first enlarged image. A difference image is generated by calculating a difference between the multi-valued image and the first enlarged image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Keyence Corporation
    Inventor: Masato Shimodaira
  • Patent number: 9341580
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to comprehensive, expandable substrate inspection systems. The inspection systems include multiple metrology units adapted to inspect, detect, or measure one or more characteristics of a substrate, including thickness, resistivity, saw marks, geometry, stains, chips, micro cracks, crystal fraction, and photoluminescence. The inspection systems may be utilized to identify defects on substrates and estimate solar cell efficiency of a solar cell produced with the substrate, prior to processing a substrate into a solar cell. Substrates may be transferred through the inspection system between metrology units on a track or conveyor, and then sorted based upon inspection data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Asaf Schlezinger, Shengde Zhong
  • Patent number: 9341581
    Abstract: Waste water assessment apparatus, a method and a computer program are provided. The waste water assessment apparatus comprises: transceiver circuitry configured to transmit a microwave signal and to receive one or more reflections of the microwave signal; and processing circuitry configured to process the one or more reflections of the microwave signal to determine one or more characteristics of waste water flowing through a conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Des19n Limited
    Inventors: Martin James Croft, Ducan Kenneth Wallace
  • Patent number: 9341582
    Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a tomography method and a tomography system capable of tomographic imaging targeted uniquely to the test object among subjects under test. The method involves performing a process of generating projection data about the region of interest by selecting one reference projection data set from a plurality of projection data generated in a tomography process using a plurality of X-ray energy levels and by subtracting from the reference projection data set the product of an attenuation coefficient and the transmission length of the material configuring any region other than the region of interest detected by detector elements of detectors, and performing an image reconstruction computing process to generate a tomographic or stereoscopic image of the region of interest through image reconstruction based on the projection data about the region of interest generated in the projection data generating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasushi Nagumo, Noriyuki Sadaoka
  • Patent number: 9341583
    Abstract: A correction information generation method and a correction information generation apparatus enabling easy Flat-Field Correction operation without special accessory equipment are provided. The correction information generation method for performing Flat-Field Correction of X-ray detection sensitivity on a pixel detector, includes the steps of: moving the relative position of a detector 130 with respect to an incident X-ray having a cross-sectional beam shape traversing a detection surface so that the whole of the detection surface is irradiated with the incident X-ray in total time and each of pixels arranged in the moving direction is uniformly irradiated; and generating information for correcting the sensitivity of a pixel based on an intensity value detected for a given energy band of the incident X-ray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: RIGAKU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuto Sakumura, Yasukazu Nakaye
  • Patent number: 9341584
    Abstract: A high-performance image quality improvement process, capable of improving the image quality of low-definition areas (lower layer patterns in a multilayer, bottoms of holes in a hole pattern, etc.), is performed to a captured image. Definition enhancement intensity is calculated using height information included in design data or estimate values of sample height information calculated from the captured image, and the image quality improvement process is performed to the captured image using the definition enhancement intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Nakahira, Atsushi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 9341585
    Abstract: An X-ray detector includes a housing and an X-ray sensing device provided within the housing along the axis of the housing, wherein the housing is structured to be coupled to the electron column or sample chamber of a charged particle beam device. The X-ray detector also includes an electron detector structured to detect a plurality of electrons ejected from a sample in response to an electron beam impinging on the sample, the electron detector being coupled to the housing on or near the axis such that a first line of sight to the electron detector from a point at which the electron beam impinges on the sample is similar to a second line of sight to the X-ray sensing device from the point at which the electron beam impinges on the sample such that X-ray and Backscattered electron images will show similar parallax and shadowing effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: PulseTor, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas C. Barbi, Richard B. Mott
  • Patent number: 9341586
    Abstract: A system may include a source of dry ice, a thermal camera, and a computing device. The computing device may be configured to control the source of dry ice to cause dry ice to be introduced into an internal passage of a tested component. The tested component may include debris within the internal passage, and the dry ice may remove at least some of the debris from the internal passage. The computing device also may be configured to receive, from the thermal camera, thermographic image data representative of the thermal response of the tested component and output a representation based on the thermographic image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Peter Henderkott, Kong Ma
  • Patent number: 9341587
    Abstract: An electric potential measuring apparatus includes a detecting unit, a generating unit, and a measuring unit. The detecting unit is provided on a surface of a measurement subject and detects a second signal including a first signal within a first frequency range from the measurement subject. The generating unit generates a fourth signal by averaging a third signal within a second frequency range outside the first frequency range. The measuring unit measures electric potential of the first signal included in the second signal detected by the detecting unit with reference to electric potential of the fourth signal generated by the generating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Kazunori Yamanaka, Kazuaki Kurihara
  • Patent number: 9341588
    Abstract: A sensor element (100) includes a first conductive electrode (120) having a first conductive member (122) electrically coupled thereto; an absorptive dielectric layer (130) comprising a polymer of intrinsic microporosity; and a second conductive electrode (140) having a second conductive member (142) electrically coupled thereto. The second conductive electrode comprises carbon nanotubes and is permeable to at least one organic vapor. The absorptive dielectric layer is at least partially disposed between the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode. A method of making the sensor element, and sensor device (200) containing it, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Palazzotto, Stefan H. Gryska, Tzu-Chen Lee
  • Patent number: 9341589
    Abstract: A method and device for performing DNA sequencing and extracting structural information from unknown nucleic acid strands. The device includes a microwell structure, where identical DNA strands are immobilized within the microwell structure on a surface of a micro-bead, an active electrode or a porous polymer. The device further includes a CMOS-integrated semiconductor integrated circuit, where the CMOS-integrated semiconductor integrated circuit includes metal layers on a silicon substrate, where the metal layers form an active electrode biosensor. In addition, a sensing electrode is formed by creating openings in a passivation layer of the CMOS-integrated semiconductor integrated circuit to hold a single bead, on which the DNA strands are immobilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Arjang Hassibi, Arun Manickam, Rituraj Singh
  • Patent number: 9341590
    Abstract: Provided are a composite metal oxide material, a method of manufacturing the same, and a gas sensor using the same as a sensing material thereof. The composite metal oxide material may include polycrystalline nanofibers and at least one of microparticles and nanoparticles. The use of the composite metal oxide material makes it possible to improve structural, mechanical, thermal, and lifetime stabilities of the gas sensor. Further, the presence of the microparticles and/or nanoparticles allows the gas sensor to have a base resistance lower than that of a nanofiber-based gas sensor. Since the microparticles and/or nanoparticles are attached to the nanofibers, the composite metal oxide material can have an increased mobility of electrons or holes and an increased surface area, and thus, the gas sensor can have fast response/recovery speeds and high gas sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Il Doo Kim, Hee Jin Cho
  • Patent number: 9341591
    Abstract: A sensor utilizing a non-leachable or diffusible redox mediator is described. The sensor includes a sample chamber to hold a sample in electrolytic contact with a working electrode, and in at least some instances, the sensor also contains a non-leachable or a diffusible second electron transfer agent. The sensor and/or the methods used produce a sensor signal in response to the analyte that can be distinguished from a background signal caused by the mediator. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry, and potentiometry. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is typically provided as a second electron transfer agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Feldman, Adam Heller, Ephraim Heller, Fei Mao, Joseph A. Vivolo, Jeffery V. Funderburk, Fredric C. Colman, Rajesh Krishnan
  • Patent number: 9341592
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved field effect transistor and device that can be used to sense and characterize a variety of materials. The field effect transistor and/or device including the transistor may be used for a variety of applications, including genome sequencing, protein sequencing, biomolecular sequencing, and detection of ions, molecules, chemicals, biomolecules, metal atoms, polymers, nanoparticles and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignees: iNanoBio LLC
    Inventors: Bharath Takulapalli, Abhinav Jain
  • Patent number: 9341593
    Abstract: It is described a method for controlling an oxygen pump cell of a sensor in an internal combustion engine or in the exhaust gas after treatment system of such an engine, comprising the step of adding, to a feedback control of the current in the pump cell, a further feed-forward control path estimating an expected oxygen pump current on the basis of characteristics of the exhaust gas composition calculated from engine operation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: FPT MOTORENFORSCHUNG AG
    Inventor: Theophil Auckenthaler
  • Patent number: 9341594
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for assessing one or more predetermined characteristics or properties of a microfluidic droplet within a microfluidic channel, and regulating one or more fluid flow rates within that channel to selectively alter the predetermined microdroplet characteristic or property using a feedback control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Raindance Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Miller, Brian Hutchison, Andrew Wilson, Jonathan William Larson, Qun Zhong, Yevgeny Yurkovetsky, Darren R. Link, Mark Weary
  • Patent number: 9341595
    Abstract: An electrophoresis gel assembly comprising a gel slab, at least two sample wells and at least one focusing buffer well arranged between two adjacent sample wells and wherein focusing barriers are arranged between the focusing buffer well and the sample wells. A high conductivity focusing buffer can be applied to the focusing buffer well to obtain a lateral focusing of the sample bands during electrophoresis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES AB
    Inventors: Bengt Bjellqvist, Elsemarie Bjellqvist, Henrik Ostlin
  • Patent number: 9341596
    Abstract: An integrated ?E-E ionization detector that includes an outer shell having an interior linear axis, a vacuum tube coaxial with the linear axis, and a front cathode, a center anode, and a rear anode disposed within the outer shell and around the vacuum tube. The front cathode, center anode, and rear anode are substantially planar in shape, and a ?E detection chamber is defined by the front cathode, the center anode, the outer shell, and the vacuum tube, and an E detection chamber is defined by the rear anode, the center anode, the outer shell, and the vacuum tube. All rays defining at least one solid annular angle about the linear axis and originating from a point in front of the front cathode will intersect the front cathode, internally traverse the ?E detection chamber, intersect the center anode, and traverse at least a portion of the E detection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Liang Chen, Michael S. Gordon
  • Patent number: 9341597
    Abstract: In general, the present disclosure is directed toward a novel hybrid spintronic device for converting chemical absorption into a change in magnetoresistance. This device uses a novel magnetic material which depends on the attachment of an organic structure to a metallic film for its magnetism. Changes in the chemical environment lead to absorption on the surface of this organometallic bilayer and thus modify its magnetic properties. The change in magnetic properties, in turn, leads to a change in the resistance of a magnetoresistive structure or a spin transistor structure, allowing a standard electrical detection of the chemical change in the sensor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Thomas M. Crawford, Samir Y. Garzon
  • Patent number: 9341598
    Abstract: An ultrasonic testing apparatus includes an array probe 3 disposed to face a flange-side rim face 16 of a wheel 1. The ultrasonic testing apparatus also includes an array flaw detector having a function of transmitting transmission-reception control signals to the array probe, and a personal computer having a function of setting various parameters for the array flaw detector, and receiving signals from the array flaw detector so as to generate images such as an A-scope image and a B-scope image. When detecting a flaw, the array probe is disposed in such a manner that a transducer face thereof faces the flange-side rim face. At this time, an angle between the transducer alignment direction of the array probe and the radial direction of the wheel 1 is set to be 20 to 60° when viewed in the axial direction, and the flaw detection is carried out at this angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hitoshi Murakoshi, Kenta Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9341599
    Abstract: An ultrasonic flaw detection method to detect flaws on an inner surface of a metallic pipe using ultrasonic waves includes a waveform hold step that acquires and holds waveform data of an echo signal when an ultrasonic probe that generates ultrasonic signals toward the inner surface and the metallic pipe are moved relative to each other, a signal analyzing step that calculates a path length up to receiving an echo signal from the inner surface and a change rate of the path length based on the waveform data held, and a flaw detecting step that detects flaws on the inner surface based on the path length and the change rate of the path length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Yukinori Iizuka, Takafumi Ozeki, Yutaka Matsui
  • Patent number: 9341600
    Abstract: A deflection gauge configured for use with a floor test apparatus is provided. The gauge includes a housing, a string potentiometer mounted on the housing, and a channel extending from the housing and pivotably supporting a pivot beam. The pivot beam has a contact button at one end and an attachment point on an opposite end configured for receiving a string of the potentiometer. Deflection of the contact button due to floor sample weight stresses causes the attachment point to pivot and cause linear extension of the string, which is measured by the potentiometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED STATES GYPSUM COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert W. Cavaliero, Robert Peddle
  • Patent number: 9341601
    Abstract: An elastography device for quantitatively and/or qualitatively measuring the viscoelastic properties of any medium, includes a deformable tube for positioning the ultrasonic transducer located at the end of the deformable tube and for holding it so as to ensure, during at least one measurement, perpendicularity and contact between the ultrasonic transducer and the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: ECHOSENS
    Inventors: Laurent Sandrin, Matteo Bosisio, Cécile Bastard
  • Patent number: 9341602
    Abstract: Ultrasound generating apparatus (10) comprises an arbitrary waveform generator (12) to provide a waveform output at (14), representing a waveform. A power amplifier (16), which may be an operational amplifier, is operable to amplify the waveform output (14) in power and amplitude to provide a power output (18) for applying to an ultrasonic transducer (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: Oliver Smith, Michael R. Sutton, Mitchell Peplow
  • Patent number: 9341603
    Abstract: A handheld ultrasound detection apparatus includes a portable housing with a flexible tube that extends from the housing and includes a sound cup and an ultrasound receiver for converting received ultrasound energy into an electronic signal. A gain/active filter includes four amplifiers each having an associated gain range. The apparatus is programmed based on a size of the electronic signal, to direct the electronic signal along a linear scale through one or more amplifiers and apply an appropriate gain to the signal, and to generate a percentage value corresponding to the gain and with respect to the linear scale. In a manual mode, data is generated corresponding to a particular gain range and a percentage value from 0-100% with respect to the particular gain range, while during an automatic mode data is generated corresponding to a percentage value from 0-400% with respect to a collective gain range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventors: John Jenkins, Howard Sampson, Michael Stumpf, Myles Izikoff
  • Patent number: 9341604
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides adaptive methods for gas chromatography analysis of a gas sample comprising one or more target analytes (such as a micro-gas chromatography) and adaptive gas chromatography devices for carrying out such analytical methods. Broadly, the system can regulate flow into a downstream chromatographic column by detecting one or more upstream conditions. For example, one adaptive chromatography device comprises a first column, a modulator component, and a second column. A first detector or sensor detects the presence of target analytes upstream from the second column, while a second detector detects the presence of target analytes eluted from the second column. The modulator component assembly is responsive to an output generated by the first detector and adaptively regulates fluid flow into the second column. Such adaptive chromatography (micro-GC) systems have higher separation speed, better analyte identification capability, and far greater energy savings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents Of The University Of Michigan
    Inventors: Xudong Fan, Yogesh B. Gianchandani, Jing Liu
  • Patent number: 9341605
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method for analyzing chemical profiles of components from a herbal medicine product. Components may include quinone (including rhein, sennoside A and/or aloe-emodin), stilbene containing resveratroloside, flavone including baicalin, and/or alkaloid including berberine and/or palmatine. The method includes steps of: (a) respectively chromatographing a methanol extract of product and standard(s) corresponding to the component(s) using HPLC; (b) comparing HPLC chromatogram of extract and standard(s); and (c) analyzing the chemical profiles of the product from the comparison results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: KAOHSIUNG MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Fang-Rong Chang, Tung-Ying Wu, Yang-Chang Wu
  • Patent number: 9341606
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a gas sample for analysis includes a separation unit configured to separate the gas sample into one or more component samples. A thermal conductivity detector detects the output of the one or more component sample from the separation unit. At least one component sample is collected in a component sample collection unit having a sample collector. The sample collection unit has an outlet for distributing the at least one component sample from the sample collector for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Weatherford Switzerland Trading and Development GmbH
    Inventors: Dennis D. Coleman, John Boettcher, Gavin Atlas Steele, IV
  • Patent number: 9341607
    Abstract: A composition of matter is provided for testing smoke detectors. The composition includes an oligopolymeric siloxane and a fluorinated, propene-based propellant. The composition is non-flammable under all reasonably foreseeable conditions of use. The oligopolymeric siloxane may comprise phenyl trimethicone (INCI) (International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook), as typified by Dow Corning 556 Cosmetic Grade Fluid, Dow Corning 558 Fluid and equivalent siloxane compounds. The fluorinated propene-based propellant may comprise trans 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene. The trans 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene may comprise Honeywell Fluorine Products Division's HFO1,2,3,4ze(E) product. The fluorinated propene-based propellant may be present at from about 94% to 99% by weight. The oligopolymeric siloxane may be present at from about 1% by weight to about 6.0% by weight, ideally 1.5% to 2.0% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: HSI Fire & Safety Group, LLC
    Inventor: Montfort A. Johnsen
  • Patent number: 9341608
    Abstract: A method of determining the expected shelf life of seafood. The method includes a step of placing a test strip against a piece of seafood, wherein the test strip includes an indicating pad having a pH indicator that is configured to change color in the presence of ammonia. The method further includes a step of ascertaining concentration on a parts per million level of ammonia by comparing the color of the pH indicator to a comparative chart, wherein the comparative chart includes a gradient of color intensity that indicates the concentration on a parts per million level of ammonia. Furthermore, the method includes a step of referencing a booklet having a plurality of charts to cross reference the concentration of ammonia detected by the test strip with the storage temperature to determine an expected shelf life for a piece of seafood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventor: Frank Fish
  • Patent number: 9341609
    Abstract: A monitoring assembly (201) with an intake (213) has at least one pump (210) featuring at least one pump channel mounted in the monitoring assembly (201). A plurality of fluid lines are coupled to the at least one pump (210). At least one filter cartridge (315) is also mounted in the assembly. Each filter cartridge (315) is separately coupled by one of the plurality of fluid lines to one of the pump channels, where each filter cartridge (315) contains material for extracting an analyte, and where the at least one pump operates to separately push fluid through the at least one filter cartridge (315). The filter cartridge (315) operates to separate fluid into constituent parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ACTING FOR AND ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Rolf U. Halden