Patents Issued in September 27, 2016
  • Patent number: 9453744
    Abstract: A measuring graduation includes a phase grating for a photoelectric position measuring device for measuring positions in a first direction and in a second direction extending orthogonally to the first direction. The phase grating has a periodic array of grating elements in the first direction and in the second direction. The grating elements each have an outer contour that is formed by a continuous line which includes two mutually opposing first straight edges, two mutually opposing second straight edges extending perpendicularly to the first straight edges, and connecting lines extending between the first straight edges and the second straight edges. The connecting lines form an obtuse angle with the first straight edges and with the second straight edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
    Inventors: Josef Weidmann, Peter Speckbacher, Andrew Graham
  • Patent number: 9453745
    Abstract: A method for producing a sensor module, in which a line part is provided in a first production step, which includes at least one receiving region for the force-fitting and/or form-fitting accommodation of a sensor element, and in a second production step for producing a housing, the line part is extrusion-coated with a plastic material in such a way that the at least one receiving region remains generally free of plastic material, and the sensor element is fixed in place in force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner in the at least one receiving region in a third production step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Hortig, Thomas Schrimpf
  • Patent number: 9453746
    Abstract: A volumetric-flow measuring apparatus (1) is provided using a measuring funnel (4) and a flow straightener (6) from a foldable material, which is disposed in the measuring funnel (4), configured such that the measuring funnel (4) and the flow straightener (6) are convertible between a folded-up transport position and an unfolded use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Testo AG
    Inventors: Simon Brugger, Martin Rombach
  • Patent number: 9453747
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a field of measuring technology of oil and gas flow, solving the problem of separating and metering several gas wells separately, includes: an electric liquid discharge valve, a demister, a liquid flow meter, a pressure transmitter, a differential pressure transmitter, a temperature sensor, a plate-turnover liquid level gauge, a dew-point meter, and a flow computer, wherein a multi-tubes cyclone separator consists of 2˜100 tubular containers, the multi-tubes cyclone separator is connected with the liquid flow meter and the electric liquid discharge valve via a liquid exit tube, and connected with orifice plate flow meters via an annular tube and a gathering tube in parallel, the electric liquid discharge valve, the liquid flow meter, the plate-turnover liquid level gauge, the orifice plate flow meters, the pressure transmitter, the differential pressure transmitter, the temperature sensor, and the dew-point meter are connected with the flow computer via data lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Jiuqing Lu
  • Patent number: 9453748
    Abstract: A flow meter device includes: an inlet portion, into which a fluid flows; an outlet portion, from which the fluid flows out; a plurality of measurement passage portions provided parallel to each other between the inlet portion and the outlet portion; and at least one flow rate measurement unit, each flow rate measurement unit being configured to measure a flow rate of the fluid that flows through a passage in a corresponding one of the measurement passage portions. Shapes of passages in the respective measurement passage portions coincide with each other. The plurality of measurement passage portions include: the one measurement passage portion(s), which is/are each provided with the flow rate measurement unit; and the other measurement passage portion(s), which is/are not provided with the flow rate measurement unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yasuda, Akihisa Adachi, Yuji Fujii, Yuji Nakabayashi, Yukio Sakaguchi, Hirokazu Gotou, Yasuharu Kawano, Aoi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9453749
    Abstract: A hybrid ultrasonic flowmeter includes at least a first sensing plane including four ultrasonic transducers (transducers) positioned in a parallelogram arrangement on a meter pipe wall including a first and second transducer pair. A first reflector is positioned between the first transducer pair on a first portion of the meter pipe wall, and a second ultrasonic reflector is between the second transducer pair on a second portion of the meter pipe wall opposite the first wall portion. The transducers have assembly angles and emission patterns for emitting ultrasonic beams to provide a plurality of direct measurement paths and a plurality of reflective paths involving a first reflective path involving the first ultrasonic reflector and a second reflective path involving the second ultrasonic reflector. A flow electronics module including a transceiver causes the transducers to transmit ultrasonic signals and processes sensing signals generated by the transducers for determining a volume flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: David Bachmann, Rolf Schmitt, Markus Hantzsch, Andreas Weber, Joern Hendrik Weber
  • Patent number: 9453750
    Abstract: A fluid instrument information providing device comprises a gas usage amount integrating section for integrating the usage amount of a gas for each of the kinds of gas instruments which is determined by a gas instrument determiner section, based on a change in the flow of the gas which is measured by the flow measuring section; an instrument information generating section for generating a plurality of gas instrument information including charge information relating to the gas instrument corresponding to the integrated usage amount for each kind of the gas instrument which is integrated by the gas usage amount integrating section, based on the integrated usage amount; an information selecting section operated by a user to select gas instrument information from among the gas instrument information generated by the gas instrument information generating section; and an output section for outputting instrument information selected by the information selecting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Yokohata, Motoyuki Nawa
  • Patent number: 9453751
    Abstract: An instrument that directly measures a flow rate and air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas, and from the flow rate and air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas, calculates fuel consumption measures the fuel consumption at high response speed and with high accuracy. The instrument is provided with: an ultrasonic flowmeter 2 that measures a flow rate QEX of exhaust gas flowing through an exhaust gas flow path R; and an arithmetic unit 4 that calculates fuel consumption Fe of an engine with use of the exhaust gas flow rate QEX obtained by the ultrasonic flowmeter 2 and an air-fuel ratio AFR obtained by an air-fuel ratio sensor 3 that measures the air-fuel ratio AFR of the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust gas flow path R.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanobu Akita, Hiroshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9453752
    Abstract: One way to improve fuel efficiency of a vehicle is to detect the vehicle operational shortcomings related to fuel consumption by determining whether fuel used during operation of the vehicle is normal fuel use or wasted fuel use. Considerations of idling, speeding and inappropriate gear shifts are some ways to measure the amount of fuel wasted due to operator shortcomings. Communicating this information to the operator in real-time so adjustments can be made will improve vehicle fuel efficiency. These techniques are applicable to tracking employment of other driving best practices as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: VNOMICS CORP.
    Inventors: David Charles Chauncey, Edward Charles McCarthy, Peter Joseph Roth, Nicholas Allen Elliott
  • Patent number: 9453753
    Abstract: The present application discloses a method for measuring pressurized liquid fuel level in a fuel tank used on a vehicle comprising measuring the pressure of the fuel to generate a pressure signal and measuring the temperature of the fuel to generate a temperature signal. A fuel level signal is determined from the pressure signal and the temperature signal and changes in the fuel level signal are determined over time. A first point of the fuel level signal indicating approaching emptying of the tank is identified when changes in the fuel level signal exceed a given value and the approaching emptying of the tank is signaled to an operator of the vehicle in response to identifying the first point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Brent J. Grothaus, Nicholas J. Stein
  • Patent number: 9453754
    Abstract: A water sensor for a fuel filtration apparatus includes a main body with at least one electrical contact disposed proximate the first end of the main body. The electrical contact(s) is operatively connectable to an electronic control unit. Multiple sensor contacts are disposed proximate a second end of the main body. The sensor contacts are configured to detect multiple water levels and provide an output on each water level detected. The electrical contact is configured to send the output to an electronic control unit. The water level information provided by the water sensor can be tracked by a control device to determine if the fill rate of water meets an alarm value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: Mark T. Wieczorek, Dean H. Dringenburg, Rahul B. Kallurwar
  • Patent number: 9453755
    Abstract: A system and method for accurately measuring fluid level in a vessel is provided. Generally, the system contains an elongated portion being a coaxial tube having a hollow center, an arm being coaxial in shape, and a sensor containing a transmitter capable of creating and transmitting an excitation electromagnetic pulse for traversing the elongated portion and the arm, and a receiver for receiving reflected pulses, wherein a proximate end of the elongated portion joins a distal end of the arm in a manner to create a waveguide for an electromagnetic pulse provided by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Meggitt (Orange County), Inc.
    Inventors: Ronie Lavon, Carlos Eduardo Carvalho, Thomas Miskell, Vincent Rizzo, Kevin John Petriel
  • Patent number: 9453756
    Abstract: Provided is a thin liquid surface detecting apparatus wherein a thickness of a holder is suppressed. A liquid surface detecting apparatus is provided with: a holder rotatably held to a main body section; a magnet fixed to the holder; an arm, which connects the holder and a float floating on the liquid surface of a liquid, and which converts an up-and-down motion of the float into a rotation motion of the holder; and a magnetic detecting element, which is positioned at a rotation center portion of the holder, and is fixed to the main body section such that the magnetic detecting element intersects a magnetic flux of the magnet, and which detects a magnetic change generated with displacement of the magnet and converts the change into electrical signals. The liquid surface detecting apparatus detects the liquid surface on the basis of the electrical signals transmitted from the magnetic detecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: NIPPON SEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yukio Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 9453757
    Abstract: A vehicle weighing system for counting the number of vehicle axles before and after weighing of an unloaded vehicle to determine if the unloaded vehicle is correctly positioned during weighing, as well as method for generating a scale ticket to record vehicle axle count data from the vehicle weighing system. Also, a scale ticket data system with a plurality of such scale tickets and a scale ticket electronic database which collects the scale tickets and identifies those scale tickets corresponding to unloaded and weighed vehicles which are correctly or incorrectly positioned during weighing, as well as a method for querying the scale ticket electronic database to identify those scale tickets corresponding to unloaded and weighed vehicles which are correctly or incorrectly positioned during weighing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
    Inventor: Calvin S. Sasser
  • Patent number: 9453758
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for determining, by a sensor, a weight of an item placed in a locker compartment; transmitting, to a locker controller, data indicating the weight of the item placed in the locker compartment; receiving, from the sensor, the data indicating the weight; transmitting the data from the locker controller to a locker manager; receiving, from the locker controller, the data indicating the weight of the item placed in the locker compartment; receiving at the locker manager a reference weight for the item; verifying the weight of the item placed in the locker compartment based at least in part upon the received data and the reference weight for the item placed in the locker compartment; and generating and transmitting a report message indicating whether the item has been delivered to the locker compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuro Motoyama
  • Patent number: 9453759
    Abstract: A system for determining vibration characteristics of a motor vehicle having a sensing arrangement (8) adapted to sense vibrations of the vehicle or a vehicle part, and an electronic processing means (11) adapted to apply an algorithm (12) for evaluating signals from the sensing arrangement (8) and for determining vibration characteristics based on the evaluation. The algorithm (12) includes at least one support vector machine SVM (13a . . . 13g) adapted to output a probability that the current vibration characteristic belongs to a particular pre-set type of vibration characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Herbert Höfelsauer, Richard Baur, Stefano Marzani, Francesco Lolli
  • Patent number: 9453760
    Abstract: A device for the evaluation of vibrations (10) comprises an evaluating device (12), which comprises an input for introducing a vibration signal (SG) and is designed to determine a characteristic signal (BK) with the dimension of length/time? and/or the square (SE) of the characteristic signal (BK) from the vibration signal (SG) by means of a frequency-dependent evaluation of the vibration signal (SG). For a predefined value of a dimensional exponent ?, 1.3<?<1.7, a vibration sensor (11) of the device (10) outputs the vibration signal (SG). An RMS value (BEF) of the characteristic signal (BK) or the square (SE) of the characteristic signal (BK) essentially corresponds to the damaging effect of the vibrations on a structure or a machine. The square (SE) can be converted into a service life (T) according to the equation T=KB/SE and displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: PRUFTECHNIK DIETER BUSCH AG
    Inventor: Heinrich Lysen
  • Patent number: 9453761
    Abstract: A photoacoustic wave measurement device includes a pulsed-light outputter, an arrangement member and a photoacoustic wave detector. The pulsed-light outputter outputs a pulsed light. The arrangement member is disposed between a pulsed-light output end of the pulsed-light outputter and a measurement object, the arrangement member being adapted to allow the pulsed light to pass therethrough. The photoacoustic wave detector receives a photoacoustic wave generated by the measurement object by the pulsed light and converts the photoacoustic wave into an electric signal. The photoacoustic wave detector is farther from the measurement object than the pulsed-light output end. The arrangement member has such a sufficient thickness that noise to be detected by the photoacoustic wave detector after a start time of detection of the photoacoustic wave starts to be detected after an end time of the detection of the photoacoustic wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: ADVANTEST CORPORATION
    Inventor: Taiichiro Ida
  • Patent number: 9453762
    Abstract: A communication light detector is removably attached to a communication light visualizing adaptor with a light extraction hole so as to detect whether a communication light is transmitted through the communication light visualizing adaptor. The detector includes a detector main body including a bottom surface that faces the light extraction hole, mounts a light-receiving element and is formed so as to adapt to a first communication light visualizing adaptor, and an attachment that includes a front surface facing the bottom surface, a back surface facing the light extraction hole and a though-hole penetrating from the front surface to the back surface so that the light-receiving element is exposed from the front surface to the back surface, the front surface being formed so as to adapt to the bottom surface and the back surface being formed so as to adapt to a second communication light visualizing adaptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kanako Suzuki, Tetsuro Sato
  • Patent number: 9453763
    Abstract: A method of adjusting a resolution of a multidimensional imaging system includes taking a first hyperspectral snapshot by the multidimensional imaging system comprising a light processor comprising a plurality of optical fibers having a first end with an input spacing and a second end with an adjustable output spacing; adjusting the adjustable output spacing of the light processor to a new output spacing; and taking a second hyperspectral snapshot after adjusting the adjustable spacing of the multidimensional imagining system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventor: Tomasz S. Tkaczyk
  • Patent number: 9453764
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems, devices and methods for analyzing and processing samples or analytes. In one example configuration, a method of analyzing an analyte includes shaving a first layer of a plurality of layers of an analyte to expose a first surface of an analyte. The method includes positioning the first surface of the analyte over a window of a hyperspectral analyzation subassembly. The method further includes scanning the first surface of the analyte by the hyperspectral analyzation subassembly to obtain information regarding the analyte proximate the first surface. Other systems, devices and methods are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: H2Optx Inc.
    Inventors: Rudolf J. Hofmeister, Donald A. Ice, Scott W. Tandy
  • Patent number: 9453765
    Abstract: A method in which the wavelength of the light of a tunable light source is varied periodically over an absorption line of interest for the gas component to measure the concentration of a gas component in a measurement gas based on one of two measurement methods of direct absorption spectroscopy and wavelength modulation spectroscopy and, where in the case of wavelength modulation spectroscopy, the wavelength of the light is additionally sinusoidally modulated at a high frequency and with a small amplitude, where the intensity of the light is detected after transradiation of the measurement gas and processed to yield a measurement result, and where in order to increase the accuracy and reliability of the measurement, the two measurement methods are applied simultaneously during each period, or alternately in consecutive periods, and their results are combined by averaging to form the measurement result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Daniel Depenheuer, Thomas Hankiewicz, Frank Probst
  • Patent number: 9453766
    Abstract: A management system includes labels disposed on a management target at respective positions different from each other each of the labels including display parts, the display parts changing respective colors depending on different levels of temperature or humidity, the display parts changing coloring positions depending on the level; an image obtaining unit outputting image data indicating an image of the labels captured by the imaging device; an image processing part performing first or second image processing, the first image processing transforming the image data so that a difference in a number of pixels corresponding to each of the labels among the labels in image data after the transformation is less than that before the transformation, the second image processing recognizing an image of the display parts; and a level detector detecting the level of temperature or humidity based on brightness information of pixels corresponding to the display parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Kazushi Uno, Fumio Takei, Takeo Kasajima, Hiroyuki Fukuda, Takahiro Arioka
  • Patent number: 9453767
    Abstract: Acoustic pyrometry-based active temperature monitoring of gas turbine combustors, including industrial gas turbine (IGT) combustors is incorporated into the combustion monitoring and control system by addition of an acoustic transmitter or acoustic transceiver that transmits a sound wave in a line-of-sight with a plurality of thermoacoustic sensors, such as dynamic pressure sensors. Sound transmission time-of-flight is measured by the controller and correlated with path temperature along the line-of-sight. Path(s) of acoustic transmission serve as absolute temperature measurement that optionally is used for calibrating dominant mode passive bulk temperature measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventor: Upul P. DeSilva
  • Patent number: 9453768
    Abstract: A medical measurement device, such as an electronic thermometer, having a probe. The probe includes a molded plastic substrate having a conductive circuit pattern formed directly on its surface. The circuit pattern extends at least from a first end margin of the molded plastic substrate to a second end margin opposite the first. The device also includes a sensor mounted on the molded plastic substrate for detecting a physiological parameter, such as temperature. The sensor is positioned on the molded plastic substrate at the first end margin by at least one positioning element integrally formed in the substrate. The conductive circuit pattern provides an electrical connection between the sensor and a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: James Harr, Joseph T. Gierer
  • Patent number: 9453769
    Abstract: The subject of this patent is a novel method for developing a sensing system that can determine a magnetic attraction force between a magnetic structure and its target level by using an Opposing Residual Magnetic Field (ORMF) to quantify said magnetic attraction force. Steps for the development and implementation of an ORMF Sensing System are set forth herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Maglogix, LLC
    Inventor: Jim G. Michael
  • Patent number: 9453770
    Abstract: A strain measurement device is provided. The strain measurement device includes at least one filiform strain sensor and a support of longilinear shape on which the filiform strain sensor is positioned. The strain measurement device also includes a stiffener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS S.A.S.
    Inventors: Marc Sartor, Patricia Morgue, Manuel Paredes
  • Patent number: 9453771
    Abstract: A sensor comprising an optical fiber that includes a Bragg grating and a longitudinal-strain-inducing (LSI) jacket for inducing longitudinal strain into the optical fiber as a function of a transverse load, i.e., pressure or force. As the LSI jacket induces strain into the optical fiber, the fiber grating deforms, thereby changing the character of light reflected from the grating. The changes in character of the reflected light can be measured using suitable optical instrumentation. Additional physical characteristics that can be measured/sensed using an LSI-jacket-based sensor include moisture content/presence, chemical content/presence, and temperature. A transverse-load-sensing sensor can include transverse-load-applying structures that compress the LSI jacket under transverse load, causing the jacket to controllably elongate and thereby induce longitudinal strain into the optical fiber. Chemical and moisture LSI jackets can comprise materials that swell in the presence of the chemical or moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Wicor Holding AG
    Inventor: Eric Udd
  • Patent number: 9453772
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a sensor insole includes connecting wires of force sensors to a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board and the force sensors are positioned on a felt layer in a predetermined configuration, and placed in the mold. A urethane foam is then injected into the planar internal cavity of the mold to form a sensor sheet that includes a urethane layer, the felt layer, and the printed circuit board and the force sensors positioned therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Medhab, LLC
    Inventor: Johnny Ross
  • Patent number: 9453773
    Abstract: A capacitive type sensor includes a circuit board, electrodes formed on a first surface of the circuit board, and an electrode plate disposed above the circuit board, wherein the electrodes comprise pairs of electrodes disposed from a distance from a center of the circuit board, and the pairs of electrodes being spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: RESEARCH & BUSINESS FOUNDATION SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hyouk Ryeol Choi, Dong Hyuk Lee, Ui Kyum Kim
  • Patent number: 9453774
    Abstract: Various aspects of the instant disclosure relate to pressure sensing methods and apparatuses. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes a plurality of structures having respective surface areas that are implemented to contact at least one of an electrode and other ones of the structures. The structures operate with the electrode to provide an electrical indication of pressure by effecting a change in the respective surface areas in response to an elastic compression or expansion of the structures, and providing a change in electrical impedance between the structures and the electrode based on the change in the respective surface areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignees: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, Nanjing University
    Inventors: Zhenan Bao, Alex Chortos, Lijia Pan
  • Patent number: 9453775
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical pressure sensor structure comprises a planar base, side walls and a diaphragm plate, attached to each other to form a hermetically closed gap that provides a reference pressure. The diaphragm plate extends along a planar inner surface on top of the side walls, and has an outer surface on the opposite side of the diaphragm plate. At least part of the outer surface of the diaphragm plate forms a planar part that includes a recess, a depth of which extends parallel to the side walls and is less than the nominal thickness of the diaphragm. A large part of reasons causing the different bending of the diaphragm and the underlying structures can be eliminated with one or more recesses arranged to the pressure sensor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Heikki Kuisma
  • Patent number: 9453776
    Abstract: An internal pressure inspection apparatus for a sealed container having a can lid that is attached to any of an upper end and a lower end of a can trunk, and that is deformed by an internal pressure of the container. A laser sensor adapted to measure a distance from the can lid by irradiating the can lid is situated parallel to the can lid while being allowed to move relative to the can lid. The inspection apparatus integrates relative displacement values between a reference point closer to a center of the can lid than a seamed portion and other points closer to a center of the can lid than the reference point, and acceptability of the internal pressure is judged based on the value of integration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: DAIWA CAN COMPANY
    Inventors: Taichi Ijuin, Norihiko Ozaku, Tetsuya Takatomi
  • Patent number: 9453777
    Abstract: A device for the attachment of correction weights for unbalance correction to a rotary body includes a supply unit (15) for supplying individual correction weights, an attachment device (2) for applying the correction weights to the rotary body and including a first receptacle (6) for a first correction weight and a second receptacle (7) for a second correction weight, a feed unit (16) for feeding supplied correction weights to the receptacles (6, 7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Rogalla
  • Patent number: 9453778
    Abstract: A valve leak detecting method includes a pressure setting step before closing valves individually to set a pressure in a pipe, a first threshold value evaluating step for closing the valves after the pressure has been set to no less than the threshold value, and evaluating whether the pressure, after a specific time interval has elapsed, is at least threshold value, a second valve normalcy evaluating step for evaluating that one of the valves is operating properly or faultily if the pressure is at least or less than the threshold value, respectively, a second threshold value evaluating step for closing the valves and evaluating whether the pressure is less than the threshold value after a specific time interval has elapsed, and a first valve normalcy evaluating step for evaluating whether the valve is operating properly or faultily depending on the pressure being less or no less than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: AZBIL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeki Ishii, Satoru Yamagishi, Yuuichi Kumazawa
  • Patent number: 9453779
    Abstract: The present invention is aimed to improve the conventional plane-opened hydrodynamic testing device, one or more than one reverse pumping return units (201) are installed with a parallel or substantially parallel manner at the periphery of an active fluid pumping unit (101), so a part of the fluid discharged from the outlet port of the active fluid pumping unit (101) is enabled to be sucked and reversely pumped for being returned to an adjacent space defined at the fluid inlet port of the active fluid pumping unit (101), thereby structuring a semi-opened hydrodynamic testing device having reverse pumping return unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 9453780
    Abstract: A measurement module for monitoring an operating condition of a roller bearing having a first bearing ring and a second bearing ring rotating with respect to each other around a rotation axis comprises an energy harvesting device operable to generate energy from a relative movement between the first and second bearing rings and at least one deformation sensor operable to provide a deformation signal indicative of a deformation of a surface region of one bearing ring of the first and the second bearing rings. The deformation sensor is powered by the energy harvesting device. An evaluation circuit is operable to determine, using the deformation signal, a strain signal indicative of a present load on the bearing. The evaluation circuit is powered by the energy harvesting device and a common housing encloses the energy harvesting device, the deformation sensor and the evaluation circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Joseph Erskine, Keith Hamilton, Brian Murray, Andreas Clemens van der Ham
  • Patent number: 9453781
    Abstract: To enable testing of a starter motor on a test bench with an electrical dynamometer as a replacement for a real combustion engine, a simulation unit (20) is used in which a mathematical model of the combustion engine is implemented, and the simulation unit (20) determines a new load setpoint (ns, Ts) using the mathematical model from measured actual values (?i, ni, Ti) of the operation of the electrical dynamometer (3) at every scanning time point of a regulation, which new load setpoint (ns, Ts) is fed to the regulator (21) of the electrical dynamometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: AVL LIST GMBH
    Inventors: Helmut Kokal, Matthias Dank, Peter Holzhammer, Ronald Prettenthaler, Martin Stockreiter
  • Patent number: 9453782
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting air-fuel ratio rich-lean imbalance in an automotive engine cylinder is provided. The system and the method are configured to receive an oxygen sensor voltage of an oxygen sensor. They also include filtering the oxygen sensor voltage to create a filtered oxygen sensor voltage. An engine speed and load are determined, and an air-fuel ratio imbalance detection threshold is determined based on the engine speed and the engine load. A rich-lean imbalance status is determined, the rich-lean imbalance status being non-normal if any portion of the filtered oxygen sensor voltage exceeds the air-fuel ratio imbalance detection threshold, and the rich-lean imbalance status being normal if none of the filtered oxygen sensor voltage exceeds the air-fuel ratio imbalance detection threshold. An engine control unit having several control logics to execute similar steps is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ningsheng Qiao, Chandrasekar Krishnamuthy, David Frankowski, Michael Kalich
  • Patent number: 9453783
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting engine misfire has advantages of precisely detecting misfire occurrence when misfire continuously occurs at three or more engine cylinders and detecting an engine cylinder where the misfire occurs. The method may include calculating an angular acceleration factor value on the basis of an engine speed, calculating a variation value of an angular acceleration factor on the basis of the angular acceleration factor value, calculating a threshold point of misfire starting and a threshold point of misfire ending, comparing the variation value of the angular acceleration factor with the threshold point of misfire starting, comparing the variation value of the angular acceleration factor with the threshold point of misfire ending, and detecting a cylinder of the engine where the misfire occurs by the comparison results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seungeun Yu, Kihoon Nam, Kyoungchan Han
  • Patent number: 9453784
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a gas turbine engine including determining a temperature of a working gas at a predetermined axial location within the engine. An acoustic signal is encoded with a distinct signature defined by a set of predetermined frequencies transmitted as a non-broadband signal. Acoustic signals are transmitted from an acoustic transmitter located at a predetermined axial location along the flow path of the gas turbine engine. A received signal is compared to one or more transmitted signals to identify a similarity of the received signal to a transmitted signal to identify a transmission time for the received signal. A time-of-flight is determined for the signal and the time-of-flight for the signal is processed to determine a temperature in a region of the predetermined axial location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Upul P. DeSilva, Heiko Claussen, Michelle Xiaohong Yan, Justinian Rosca, Nancy H. Ulerich
  • Patent number: 9453785
    Abstract: A method for troubleshooting a built-on function pertaining to a manufactured vehicle. That vehicle undergoes building-on of at least one function, which function is provided with a computer-readable representation associated with the vehicle. During troubleshooting of the built-on function, the vehicle is connected to a diagnostic tool which determines conditions for activation of the built-on function. The tool determines via the connection to the vehicle whether the at least one condition for the activation is fulfilled, and a signal is generated if the at least one activation condition is not fulfilled. Also a diagnostic tool and a vehicle are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: SCANIA CV AB
    Inventors: Johan Aneros, Tony Lindgren
  • Patent number: 9453786
    Abstract: System force-deformation measuring apparatuses (e.g., an apparatus that applies a quasi-static force), such as those, for example, configured to generate data (e.g., non-generic or accident-specific data) that assists in the reconstruction of vehicle collisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: BIODYNAMIC RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: William R. Scott, Enrique J. Bonugli, Herbert M. Guzman, Daniel J. Swartzendruber
  • Patent number: 9453787
    Abstract: A particle separation system uses a MEMS-based, microfabricated particle manipulation device which has an inlet channel, output channels, and a movable member formed on a substrate to sort one or more target particle from a sample stream. The system may include an interposer that receives the sorted particle and dispenses a carrier fluid with it to form a liquid droplet containing the particle. The droplet may then be dispensed to a microtiter plate, such that each well in the titer plate may contain a single target particle. The system may be used to separate individual biological cells, such as T cells, B cells, stem cells, cancer cells and sperm cells for further manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Owl biomedical, Inc.
    Inventors: John S Foster, Nicholas C. Martinez
  • Patent number: 9453788
    Abstract: An acute medical particulate testing device for determining particle shed from a medical device during implantation. The device includes a closed loop system through which a solution is forcibly passed. An inlet port allows a catheter-mounted medical device to be incorporated into the flow loop. At least one tortuous passage is provided to replicate the vascular pathway and tortuosity which simulates the turns and bends and rubbing that affect particulate release from an implantable medical device as it is passed through the vasculature. A debubbler is provided to remove air bubbles from the solution before it is passed into a particle counting device that counts particle shed from the medical device during the simulated implantation. A filter having desired porosity removes particles from the solution. A final filter system removes all particles and air bubbles from the solution before it is re-circulated through the loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: DYNATEK LABS, INC.
    Inventors: James C. Conti, Elaine R. Strope
  • Patent number: 9453789
    Abstract: Provided herein are improved cell sorter systems and methods. Such systems and methods provide a self-stabilizing sorter jet to automate calibration, and address the issue of drift in cell sorting systems. The systems and methods presented make it possible to determine and set the charge delay interval automatically with circuitry in the cell sorter. These circuits can set, monitor, and adjust the time delay continuously, allowing for a completely automatic, autonomous, turn-key, self-stabilizing sorter jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Ger van den Engh
  • Patent number: 9453790
    Abstract: A blood analyzer comprising: a specimen preparation section for preparing a measurement specimen that is used to measure a white blood cell count among CBC measurement items; a measurement section for obtaining optical information from blood cells contained in the measurement specimen; and a controller carrying out operations comprising: classifying blood cells contained in the measurement specimen into at least white blood cells and blood cells suspected to be abnormal blood cells based on the optical information; obtaining distribution data of the white blood cells and distribution data of the blood cells suspected to be abnormal blood cells; counting the white blood cells based on the distribution data of the white blood cells; and determining presence or absence of the abnormal blood cells in the blood sample, based on the distribution data of the blood cells suspected to be abnormal blood cells. A blood analyzing method and a computer program product are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ayumu Yoshida, Shinichiro Oguni, Tatsuya Narikawa, Saori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9453791
    Abstract: A flow cytometry system having a flow channel defined through the thickness of a substrate is disclosed. Fluid flowing through the flow channel is illuminated by a first plurality of surface waveguides that are arranged around the flow channel in a first plane, while a second plurality of surface waveguides arranged around the flow channel in a second plane receive light after it has interacted with the fluid. The illumination pattern provided to the fluid is controlled by controlling the phase of the light in the first plurality of surface waveguides. As a result, the fluid is illuminated with light that is uniform and has a low coefficient of variation, improving the ability to distinguish and quantify characteristics of the fluid, such as cell count, DNA content, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: OctroliX BV
    Inventors: Frederik Schreuder, Marcel Hoekman, Ronald Dekker, Seyed Naser Hosseini
  • Patent number: 9453792
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device, system and method for measuring moisture in building structures. A tubular body part (100) may be embedded in a material during its casting. Hole(s) (106) provided in the body part (100) lets moisture inside a space separated by the body part (100). Measuring element including electronics (102) and a sensor (104) functionally connected to the body part (100) is used to measure the separated space 108. With a reading device (234), the results may then be read from above surface due to a provided wireless link between the measuring element (102) and (104) and the reading device (234).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: WIISTE OY
    Inventors: Risto-Matti Salmi, Toni Luopajarvi
  • Patent number: 9453793
    Abstract: Examples of integrated sensors are disclosed herein. An example of an integrated sensor includes a flexible substrate, and an array of spaced apart sensing members formed on a surface of the flexible substrate. Each of the spaced apart sensing members includes a plurality of polygon assemblies. The polygon assemblies are arranged in a controlled pattern on the surface of the flexible substrate such that each of the plurality of polygon assemblies is a predetermined distance from each other of the plurality of polygon assemblies, and each of the plurality of polygon assemblies including collapsible signal amplifying structures controllably positioned in a predetermined geometric shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Alexandre M Bratkovski, R Stanley Williams, Zhiyong Li