Patents Issued in October 25, 2016
  • Patent number: 9476732
    Abstract: Provided are a poor visibility estimation system and a poor visibility estimation method that can estimate poor visibility using a simpler configuration. A center has a change amount calculation unit for calculating the change amounts of operation elements of vehicles. A visibility estimation unit estimates poor visibility on the basis of the change amounts calculated by the change amount calculation unit. The center also has a distribution unit for distributing the estimation results of the visibility estimation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi Uno, Takuji Yamada, Shinichiro Fujii, Kazuomi Ohta
  • Patent number: 9476733
    Abstract: A method for assisting the piloting of an aircraft landing on a runway comprising determining current flight conditions of the aircraft, determining, with the help of the current flight conditions, the following distances between projections, in a horizontal plane, of the current position of the aircraft and a position of contact with the ground: a minimum approach distance; a standard approach distance; and a distance to destination according to a predetermined flight path. The method includes placing the three distances in order according to their respective values, and displaying, along a scale of a screen in the aircraft cockpit, a first, a second and a third symbol respectively associated with the minimum approach distance, with the standard approach distance and with the distance to destination, these three symbols being placed in order on the scale according to the order of the distances with which they are associated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventors: Florian Constans, Patrice Rouquette, Matthieu Aribert
  • Patent number: 9476734
    Abstract: Systems and methods of calibrating and adjusting for deviations in a vehicle's heading system, such as the attitude heading and reference system of an aircraft or the heading system of a ship, positioned along the Earth's surface involve calibrating magnetometers for hard iron and misalignment errors using single heading measurements. This can be accomplished by obtaining both actual and theoretical readings for the magnetometer of the heading system, and comparing these values to obtain calibration values for the heading system. The vehicle may be repositioned, such as to North, South, East, and west magnetic headings, with the procedure repeated at each of these headings, and the calibration values averaged, further increasing the accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc.
    Inventor: Shahram Askarpour
  • Patent number: 9476735
    Abstract: A magnetic encoder 1 including a support member 2 attached to a rotating body 12 and a magnet member 3 fixed to the support member 2, the support member 2 and the magnet 4 are not attached to each other using an adhesive but the support member 2 and the plastic magnet 4 are joined together by molding shrinkage or wrap-around form of the magnet 4, and the material for the magnet 4 is selected such that the value of the ratio ((?p??m)/?c) of a difference (?p??m) between flowing-direction linear expansion coefficient (?p) of the magnet 4 and linear expansion coefficient (?m) of the support member 2, to tensile breaking strain (?c) of the material for the magnet 4 is equal to or less than a value beginning at a threshold (Nth) based on a prescribed value of cycle member at thermal shock destructive test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: NAKANISHI METAL WORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Ito
  • Patent number: 9476736
    Abstract: An electric power receiving apparatus including: an electric power receiving coil disposed in a position where a receiving voltage is induced by a magnetic field from an electric power feeding apparatus; a measuring coil disposed in a position where a monitoring induced voltage as a voltage corresponding to the receiving voltage is induced by the magnetic field; and a foreign object detecting portion generating an amount of change in an impedance of the electric power receiving coil from the monitoring induced voltage and an induced current of the electric power receiving coil, thereby detecting a foreign object in the magnetic field based on the amount of change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeru Arisawa
  • Patent number: 9476737
    Abstract: The encoder includes a scale provided with multiple periodic patterns having mutually different periods, a sensor outputting, with a relative movement between the scale and the sensor, multiple periodic signals periodically changing respectively corresponding to the periods of the periodic patterns, and a signal processor calculating a detected movement amount as a detected relative movement amount between the scale and the sensor. The signal processor calculates, by using each of the periodic signals, an accumulated movement amount which is an accumulated value of the relative movement amount between the scale and the sensor in units of one over an integer of the period of the periodic pattern corresponding to the periodic signal used, unifies the units of the accumulated movement amounts calculated by using the respective periodic signals, and calculates the detected movement amount from the accumulated movement amounts with the unified units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: CANON PRECISION, INC.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9476739
    Abstract: An indicator device comprises a first slide member (22) mounted on a planar base (1). The first slide member (22) is displaceable between a first position in which it reveals a first status indicating area (26) indicative of a first condition or state and a second position in which it reveals a second status indicating area (28) indicative of a second condition or state. A second slide member (30) is mounted on the base (10) and is displaceable into and across the path of the first indicator member (22) when the first indicator member is in the first position, to inhibit displacement of the first indicator member. The second indicator member (30) is displaceable between a first position in which it does not inhibit the displacement of the first indicator member (22) and a second position in which it inhibits the displacement of the first indicator member to its second position. The device may also be provided with one or more RFID tags (80, 82, 84) to permit remote monitoring of the status of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Stephen William Clarke
  • Patent number: 9476740
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for detecting a reverse flow condition in a meter and providing an associated alert. An amount of reverse flow in the meter is accumulated over a time period. If the accumulated amount of reverse flow over the time period exceeds a threshold value, a reverse flow alert is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Szabolcs Zigovszki, Thomas Cullinan
  • Patent number: 9476741
    Abstract: A method for determining mass flow of a two-phase medium flowing through a measuring tube of a vortex, flow measuring device. The measuring tube has in a measuring cross section at least one bluff body for producing vortices. By sensor registering of the produced vortices, a flow velocity of the medium in the region of the measuring cross section is determined. In the method, the density of the medium in the region of the measuring cross section is determined from the specific, total enthalpy of the medium in the region of the measuring cross section, from the flow velocity of the medium in the region of the measuring cross section, from a static pressure of the medium in the region of the measuring cross section and from the static temperature of the medium in the region of the measuring cross section. Additionally, the mass flow is determined from the determined flow velocity, the determined density and a flow cross section of the medium in the region of the measuring cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Marc Hollmach, Sascha Kamber
  • Patent number: 9476742
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for calculating well flow rates produced with electrical submersible pumps using measured voltage, current, frequency and pressure data. An efficiency to flow rate ratio is calculated from the voltage, current, and pressure data. The efficiency to flow rate ratio is used to obtain a non-dimensional flow rate. The flow rate through the electrical submersible pump is calculated from the non-dimensional flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence Anthony Patrick Camilleri
  • Patent number: 9476743
    Abstract: A probe with no moving parts for use in a tank having pressure transducers, temperature sensors, a probe processor electrically connected to the pressure transducers and the temperature sensors, and a probe data storage. The probe controls the temperature sensors and the pressure transducers to produce bidirectional signals and calculate at least one physical property, and perform adaptive measurement for synchronized measurement of the fluid in static operation, non-synchronized measurement of the fluid in static operation, non-synchronized measurement of the fluid in dynamic operation, synchronized measurement of the fluid in dynamic operation, and combinations thereof. The probe data storage contains computer instructions to instruct the probe processor to identify temperature sensors and pressure transducers not covered by the fluid, measure movement of the fluid in the tank, calibrate pressure transducers of the tank, and communicate with a client device via a network using bidirectional signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: INNOVATIVE MEASUREMENT METHODS, INC.
    Inventors: Allen Ray Westmoreland, John Charles Hoben, Alexander Bukhman, Yosef Brodsky
  • Patent number: 9476744
    Abstract: An orifice plate assembly for use with a process variable transmitter for measuring flow of a process fluid includes a single piece body having a circumferential support ring. A first face of the circumferential support ring is configured to be sealingly coupled to a first flange of a first process pipe. A second face of the circumferential support ring is configured to be sealingly coupled to a second flange of a second process pipe. A flow plate region is positioned between the first and second pipes and has first and second sides. The flow plate region is concentric with the circumferential support ring. At least one flow orifice in the flow plate region provides a restricted fluid path between the first and second process pipes. A first pressure tap is configured to fluidically couple to the process variable transmitter to the process fluid proximate the first side of the flow plate region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Dieterich Standard, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Hering
  • Patent number: 9476745
    Abstract: There is provided a flow meter using at least one ultrasonic transducer. The flow meter includes an ultrasonic transducer, a wedge that has a sloped surface formed on a top portion of the wedge and oblique with respect to a downward direction, and a dented portion formed in a half-cylinder shape along a longitudinal direction of the sloped surface; and a rotation portion that has a plane section where the ultrasonic transducer is positioned, and a curved section extended from two opposite edges of the plane section and curved in a semicircular shape to be contacted with the dented portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SOONGSIL UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CONSORTIUM TECHNO-PARK
    Inventors: Jin Oh Kim, Dae Jong Kim
  • Patent number: 9476746
    Abstract: The invention relates to a miniaturized sensor having a heating element, and to an associated production method. The sensor includes a substrate, a cavity and a heat-insulating structure suspended above the cavity by areas connecting to the substrate. The heat-insulating structure includes at least two bridges extending above the cavity, the heating element being supported by said bridges, extending transversely thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Ecole Centrale de Lille
    Inventors: Romain Viard, Abdelkrim Talbi, Philippe Jacques Pernod, Alain Merlen, Vladimir Preobrazhensky
  • Patent number: 9476747
    Abstract: A laser-based mono-energetic gamma-ray source is used to provide non-destructive and non-intrusive, quantitative determination of the absolute amount of a specific isotope contained within pipe as part of a moving fluid or quasi-fluid material stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. J. Barty, John C. Post, Edwin Jones
  • Patent number: 9476748
    Abstract: A self-filling graduated cylinder system for efficiently filling a graduated cylinder with a chemical solution. The self-filling graduated cylinder system generally includes a graduated cylinder having an interior, an upper end, an upper opening in the upper end a lower end opposite of the upper end, and a check valve attached to the graduated cylinder near the lower end of the graduated cylinder. The check valve is adapted to allow a liquid chemical to flow upwardly through the check valve into the graduated cylinder and to prevent the liquid chemical within the interior of the graduated cylinder from flowing downwardly through the check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Cleaning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Krause, Kenneth R. Smith
  • Patent number: 9476749
    Abstract: Nesting measuring cups include a first measuring cup having a measuring portion for measuring a first volume, a first handle provided on first measuring portion, and measuring cup includes upper and lower faces. A first pour spout on first measuring portion has two spaced apart end walls defining pour spout. A second measuring cup has a second measuring portion for measuring a second volume and a second handle. Second measuring volume is smaller than first measuring volume and nests inside it. A second pour spout is on second measuring portion, and a post is provided adjacent lower face of second measuring portion. Post is engageable with a stop on upper face of first measuring portion, so user may rotate second measuring cup relative to first measuring cup until post engages stop, stops rotation of first and second measuring cups relative to each other, and achieves fixed fanned out position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventor: James Michael Wiggins
  • Patent number: 9476750
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of sensing fluid level in reservoir for calculating fluid flow there from. The method comprising the steps of: receiving a plurality of fluid level signals each indicative of respective fluid level state at a predetermined location within the reservoir; identifying change of a first fluid level state; recording a relative first time, with respect to fluid flow duration, at which the first fluid level state changed; and calculating fluid dispensed from the reservoir using the fluid flow duration and an average fluid flow rate associated with the respective fluid level location within the reservoir. The apparatus comprising: a plurality of fluid level probe elements located within the reservoir, each adapted to provide a respective fluid level signal; and a processor module adapted to receive receiving a plurality of fluid level signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: BREVILLE PTY LTD
    Inventors: Gerard Andrew White, Ze Kang Lai
  • Patent number: 9476751
    Abstract: A water level sensor is closely adhered to a storage tank, and a heat exchanger sterilizing and humidifying apparatus allows the water level sensor to be mounted at the outside of the storage tank, thus having a simple configuration. The water level sensor may include a holder, a cap connected to the holder so as to reciprocate within the holder, a case connected to the cap so as to reciprocate within the holder, a sensor part attached to the case to sense the water level in the storage tank, and a spring located between the holder and the cap, wherein the sensor part mounted at the outside of the storage tank and attached to the case by restoring force of the spring when the storage tank contacts the case may be closely adhered to the storage tank and thus may sense a level of water stored in the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Young Kwang Choi
  • Patent number: 9476752
    Abstract: A capacitive fluid level sensor is provided for receiving data indicative of the level of fluid remaining in a fluid container. In various embodiments, the capacitive fluid level sensor may be spaced below and a distance away from the fluid container to be measured, and may comprise a fluid level sensor and an ambient sensor, wherein the fluid level sensor and the ambient sensor are coplanar. In various embodiments, the ambient sensor may be spaced a distance away from the fluid level sensor, such that electric fields generated by the fluid level sensor and the ambient sensor, respectively, do not overlap. Based at least in part on capacitance levels determined by the fluid level sensor and the ambient sensor, the fluid level sensor may generate data indicative of the fluid level in at least a portion of the fluid container located above the fluid level sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Vincent Vilag, Kenneth Mierzejewski
  • Patent number: 9476753
    Abstract: A coaxial feed-through device (feed-through) for coupling a received process connection to a storage tank (tank) including an inner electrical conductor (probe), an outer electrical conductor; and a dielectric sleeve disposed between the probe and the outer electrical conductor. The dielectric sleeve is configured to provide an upper coaxial transmission line segment (upper CTL segment) providing a substantially 50 ohm impedance and a lower coaxial transmission line segment (lower CTL segment) which includes one or more sub-segments having an impedance that is at least forty (40%) percent higher as compared to the substantially 50 ohm impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ion Georgescu, Cornel Cobianu, Stuart James Heath, Michael Kon Yew Hughes, Frank Martin Haran
  • Patent number: 9476754
    Abstract: A method and kit for treatment of a stainless steel or other nickel alloy component utilized in a crude oil service operation including cleaning a surface of the component to remove surface contamination; drying the cleaned surface of the component; applying a coat of Self-Assembled Monolayer of Phosphonate (SAMP) to the cleaned and dried surface of the component to form a treated component; and installing the treated component into a section of a crude oil service operation. The coating reduces paraffin/asphaltene deposition on the component. The kit includes a cleaner wipe impregnated with a cleaning substance for cleaning the component; a nano-coating wipe impregnated with a SAMP for applying a nano-coating of the SAMP to the component; and instructions for treating said component utilizing the cleaner wipe and the nano-coating wipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ELECTROLAB, INC.
    Inventors: Sean Eric Drees, Andrew Timothy Marzec, Brian Keith Brashear
  • Patent number: 9476755
    Abstract: An automated calibration device that comprises a tube for trapping a multiphase sample between three ultrasound (US) transducer pairs wherein each of the three transducer pairs is positioned to measure a different fraction of the multiphase sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Southern Methodist University
    Inventors: Yildirim Hurmuzlu, Edmond Richer
  • Patent number: 9476756
    Abstract: This invention relates to a weighing platform and a weighing system including such a weighing platform for dynamically weighing a flow of items while being conveyed over the weighing platform. The weighing platform includes one or more load sensors used in conjunction with two or more flat weighing sections adapted to be placed on the load sensors. A first support connects the adjacent ends of the two or more flat weighing sections so as to form a continuous 2-dimensional planar surface there between. A second support maintains the distal ends of the two or more weighing sections, when connected together via the first support, at fixed height so as to create a zero weighing sensitivity at the distal ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: MAREL ICELAND EHF
    Inventor: Jon Thor Olafsson
  • Patent number: 9476757
    Abstract: A conveyor belt and a weighing system for weighing articles conveyed on a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt includes an array of force-sensing elements embedded in the belt to measure forces normal to the belt's conveying surface. The force-sensing elements form parts of passive resonant circuits that each include a capacitor and an inductive coil. Either the capacitor or the inductive coil can be a force-sensitive element. Measuring circuits external to the belt include an oscillator having a coil that inductively couples to the resonant circuit in the belt as it passes closely by. A force applied to the belt at a force-sensitive element changes the resonant frequency of its resonant circuit, which also causes a change in the oscillator frequency. Frequency detectors in the measuring circuits measure that frequency change and convert it into a proportional force value used to compute the weights of conveyed articles on the fly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Lazio Kleczewski
  • Patent number: 9476758
    Abstract: A handheld apparatus includes a weight sensor configured to weigh an object, a display configured to display the weight of the object, and a wireless transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the object weight data from the weight sensor to one or more remote devices. The apparatus also includes a user interface that allows a user to control operation of the weight sensor, and to control transmission of object weight data to a remote device via the wireless transmitter. The user interface may also allow a user to enter and display descriptive information about an object that can be transmitted with the object weight data to a remote device. A second handheld apparatus is used to capture an image of the object and display object weight data within the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Robert A. Jones
  • Patent number: 9476759
    Abstract: A method of determining pore size of a porous material. The method includes saturating the porous material with a conducting liquid. Measuring, with an electro-acoustic device, a phase of the seismo-electric or electro-seismic signal at a single frequency or multiple frequencies. Calculating an average pore size from the measured phase of the seismo-electric or electro-seismic signal at single frequency using a theory that takes into account the hydrodynamic relaxation of the conducting liquid inside of the pores of the porous material. Calculating pore size distribution from the similar measurement conducted at multiple frequencies using the same theory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Quantachrome Corporation
    Inventors: Andrei S. Dukhin, Matthias Thommes
  • Patent number: 9476760
    Abstract: A fiber optic distributed vibration sensor provides a highly sensitive measurement of a measurand with a high degree of linearity. The distributed vibration sensor includes subsections configured to have a high sensitivity to a measurand of interest interspaced in an alternating manner with subsections having a low sensitivity to the measurand. The distributed vibration sensor is interrogated such that a phase difference between the backscattered signals generated in low sensitivity subsections surrounding a high sensitivity subsection can be determined. Characteristics of the measurand may then be determined based on the phase difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dominic Brady, Arthur H. Hartog
  • Patent number: 9476761
    Abstract: A system for making available information which represents a vibration state for the operation of vibration-emitting machines, in particular construction machines, comprising at least one measuring station (12, 12?, 12?) having at least one sensor (20) for detecting at least one variable which relates to the vibration state and having a radio-transmitting unit (24) for outputting a radio output signal which relates to the variable, or at least one reception station (16, 16?, 16?) for picking up the radio output signal of the at least one measuring station (12, 12?, 12?), is characterized in that the at least one measuring station (12, 12?, 12?) comprises an evaluation unit (22) which picks up a sensor signal from the at least one sensor (20) and has the purpose of making available an evaluation signal, representing the vibration state, on the basis of the sensor signal, wherein the radio-transmitting unit (24) generates the radio output signal on the basis of the evaluation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: HAMM AG
    Inventor: Thomas Olschewski
  • Patent number: 9476762
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement includes an infrared sensor and at least one acceleration sensor. The infrared sensor is configured to detect infrared radiation, and to output infrared image data. The at least one acceleration sensor is configured to detect an instantaneous acceleration of the sensor arrangement, and to output acceleration data. The output of the infrared image data from the infrared sensor is blocked when the instantaneous acceleration of the sensor arrangement exceeds a preprogrammed threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Herrmann, Christoph Schelling
  • Patent number: 9476763
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided in which a photodiode supported on a planar light wave circuit assembly and arranged such that a photosensitive portion of the photodiode is aligned along an optical path from the output of the planar light wave circuit to the photodiode of the planar light wave circuit assembly. The photodiode is arranged such that a spot size of light output from the planar light wave circuit is incident on the photosensitive portion such that an optical signal transmitted by the light output is converted to an electric signal by the photodiode. A mounting structure is arranged between the planar light wave circuit assembly and the photodiode in order to support the photodiode on the planar light wave circuit assembly. The optical path of the light output from the planar light wave circuit does not contain any refractive optical elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravinder Kachru, Stefan Martin Pfnuer, Pangchen Sun
  • Patent number: 9476764
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure related to a method to form and operate the reflective surface to compensate for aberration effects on pattern uniformity. In some embodiments, the reflective surface comprises a mirror of within reduction optics of an EUV illumination tool. In some embodiments, the reflective surface comprises a reflective reticle. An EUV reflective surface topography comprising a reflective surface is disposed on a surface of a substrate, and is manipulated by mechanical force or thermal deformation. The substrate includes a plurality of cavities, where each cavity is coupled to a deformation element configured to expand a volume of the cavity and consequently deform a portion of the reflective surface above each cavity, for local control of the reflective surface through thermal deformation of a resistive material subject to an electric current, or mechanical deformation due to pressurized gas within the cavity or a piezoelectric effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Ching Huang, Chia-Hao Hsu, Tzu-Hsiang Chen, Chia-Chen Chen
  • Patent number: 9476765
    Abstract: Monitoring a user's exposure to ultraviolet radiation, including determining the amount of radiation to which the user is exposed from different directions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SkinIO, LLC.
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Lapiere, Mathieu Jean-Claude Andrew Hardy, Nicholas Michel Jacques Longo
  • Patent number: 9476766
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for examining a sample. The apparatus has a light source for generating excitation light in pulses which occur in succession at an excitation pulse frequency, for illuminating a sample region with the excitation pulse, and having a detector for detecting the detection light emanating from the sample region. The apparatus is characterized in that, for each detected photon of the detection light, the detector generates an electrical pulse and thereby a sequence of electrical pulses, and an analog-digital converter is provided that generates a digital data sequence by sampling the sequence of electrical pulses at a sampling rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems CMS GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Widzgowski
  • Patent number: 9476767
    Abstract: The wavelength of a spectrometer is calibrated by using a commercial Ho glass filter. The spectrometer includes a light source including a D2 lamp and not including a mercury lamp, and a reference wavelength input unit for inputting, as a reference wavelength, a wavelength of a specific absorption peak separately measured for an Ho glass filter to be used. To calibrate the wavelength of the spectrometer by using the wavelength of a specific emission line peak of the D2 lamp and the reference wavelength input by the reference wavelength input unit, the wavelength calibration unit holds a conversion table showing a theoretical relationship between the number of control pulses for rotating a diffraction element and the corresponding wavelength of diffracted light, and calibrates the number of control pulses from the conversion table by the wavelength calibration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Tsuji, Hiroyuki Togo
  • Patent number: 9476768
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methods for acquiring two-dimensional Fourier transform (2D FT) spectra. Overlap of a collinear pulse pair and probe induce a molecular response which is collected by spectral dispersion of the signal modulated probe beam. Simultaneous collection of the molecular response, pulse timing and characteristics permit real time phasing and rapid acquisition of spectra. Full spectra are acquired as a function of pulse pair timings and numerically transformed to achieve the full frequency-frequency spectrum. This method demonstrates the ability to acquire information on molecular dynamics, couplings and structure in a simple apparatus. Multi-dimensional methods can be used for diagnostic and analytical measurements in the biological, biomedical, and chemical fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Lauren DeFlores, Andrei Tokmakoff
  • Patent number: 9476769
    Abstract: An optical system includes a tunable semiconductor light emitter that generates an input beam having a wavelength shorter than about 2.5 microns, an optical isolator coupled to the emitter and configured to block reflected light into the emitter, an optical amplifier receiving the input beam and outputting an intermediate beam, and optical fibers receiving the intermediate beam and forming an output beam. A subsystem includes lenses or mirrors that deliver the output beam to a sample. The subsystem may include an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) apparatus having a sample arm and a reference arm, the output beam having a temporal duration greater than approximately 30 picoseconds, a repetition rate between continuous wave and Megahertz or higher, and a time averaged intensity less than approximately 50 MW/cm2. The system may also include a light detection system collecting any of the output beam that reflects or transmits from the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Omni Medsci, Inc.
    Inventor: Mohammed N. Islam
  • Patent number: 9476770
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for detecting the presence of an chemical in a sample comprising a laser light source for generating a beam of light; a beam splitter that is operative to split the beam of light into a first beam of light and a second beam of light; a reference cell and a first recording device that are operative to receive the first beam of light; where the first recording device is downstream of the reference cell; a resonator that is operative to receive the second beam of light via a coupler; where the resonator contains the sample that contains the chemical; a phase modulator and a second recording device that lie downstream of the resonator and are operative to receive the second beam of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William M. J. Green, Lionel Tombez, Eric Zhang
  • Patent number: 9476771
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a cleaning robot including a light detector and a controller. The light detector detects a light beam. The controller is coupled to the light detector to control the cleaning robot. When the controller determines that the light beam is being output by a charging station, the controller controls the cleaning robot to move to the charging station along a first boundary of the light beam, which is substantially perpendicular to the charging station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: MSI COMPUTER (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: You-Wei Teng, Yi-Chih Yeh, Shih-Che Hung
  • Patent number: 9476772
    Abstract: A temperature sensor for use in an infrared detector the temperature sensor comprising: a first resistor associated with a first thermal path having a first thermal conductivity between the first resistor and a substrate and a first temperature coefficient of resistance; a second resistor associated with a second thermal path having a second thermal conductivity between the second resistor and the substrate and a second temperature coefficient of resistance, and a measurement circuit responsive to changes in the resistance of the first and second resistors to estimate changes in temperature, and wherein at least one of (a) the first and second thermal conductivities are different or (b) the first and second temperature coefficients of resistance are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: William Allan Lane, Paul Martin Lambkin
  • Patent number: 9476773
    Abstract: In a composite sensor, an arrangement region of thermal image sensors and an arrangement region of range image sensors are arranged so as to overlap each other as seen in the mounting direction. This makes it possible to acquire thermal and range images coaxially, thereby suppressing image misalignment between the thermal and range images. In the composite sensor, a seal body formed by mounting the first and second substrates on top of each other seals a space about the thermal image sensors in a vacuum state. This can prevent the heat occurring about the range image sensors from affecting the thermal image sensor side. In addition, the substrate arranged with the thermal image sensors and the substrate arranged with the range image sensors are separate from each other, which can secure a degree of freedom in designing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Fumikazu Ojima, Mitsuhito Mase, Naoto Sakurai
  • Patent number: 9476774
    Abstract: An uncooled microbolometer pixel for detection of electromagnetic radiation is provided that includes a substrate, a thermistor assembly and an absorber assembly. The thermistor assembly includes a thermistor platform suspended above the substrate, one or more thermistors on the thermistor platform, and an electrode structure electrically connecting the thermistors to the substrate. The absorber assembly includes an optical absorber over the thermistor assembly and a reflector provided under and forming a resonant cavity with the optical absorber. The optical absorber is in thermal contact with the thermistors and exposed to the electromagnetic radiation. The optical absorber includes a set of elongated resonators determining an absorption spectrum of the optical absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: INSTITUT NATIONAL D'OPTIQUE
    Inventors: Hassane Oulachgar, Christine Alain
  • Patent number: 9476775
    Abstract: A temperature sensor includes a housing and a temperature sensing element disposed in the housing. Electrical connections may extend from the temperature sensing element through the housing and an epoxy may be disposed in the housing, wherein the epoxy may at least partially around the temperature sensing element. The epoxy may provide a thermal pathway between the sensing element and the housing and may be being flexible to accommodate different rates of thermal expansion between the temperature sensing element and the electrical connections without requiring a separate mechanical strain relief. A temperature sensor system includes a temperature sensor and a mineral insulated cable coupled to the temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may be configured to be removably coupled to the mineral insulated cable via a stop flange and a sleeve coupled to the mineral insulated cable. The sleeve may be configured to provide stability and reduce vibrational stress to the temperature sensor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: STONERIDGE, INC.
    Inventors: Robert J. Sparks, Douglas I. Obenour, Ronald N. Landis
  • Patent number: 9476776
    Abstract: Disclosed are a holder replacing member and a holder assembly including the same. The holder replacing member includes: a pipe-shaped conductive case; a first insulating body disposed on an inner surface of a leading end of the conductive case; a first contact pin and a second contact pin located in a hollow portion of the conductive case to be electrically connected to probes, respectively; a second insulating body electrically isolating the first contact pin, the second contact pin, and the conductive case from one another; and a female screw member coupled to an outer peripheral surface of a rear end of the conductive case to be rotated independently of the conductive case and having a female screw on an inner peripheral surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: WOOJIN ELECTRO-NITE INC.
    Inventors: Ho-Sung Kim, Ki-Sun Kim
  • Patent number: 9476777
    Abstract: There is provided a temperature detector adapted to be provided in a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of a temperature detection target. The temperature detector includes a cylindrical fixing body made of a metal material, the cylindrical fixing body having a single through hole extending therethrough and one axial end portion serving as a fixing portion, a thermocouple having a pair of wires partially inserted into the through hole and a welding material welded to the fixing portion while being at least partially inserted into the through hole to fix the thermocouple to the fixing portion. An end of the thermocouple is exposed on a surface of the welding material by polishing the welding material together with the thermocouple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: FUTABA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takumi Yonekura
  • Patent number: 9476778
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery temperature detection method adapted to an electronic system includes detecting a status of a processor of the electronic system when an external power is input to a power conversion module of the electronic system; determining whether a thermistor of the electronic system is conducted to a fuel gauge or a charge control circuit according to the state of the processor such that the fuel gauge or the charge control circuit determine a temperature sensing result via the thermistor. The thermistor is disposed adjacent to a rechargeable battery and has a resistance which varies with a temperature of the rechargeable battery. The temperature sensing result is related to the resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Yu-Tzu Zhu, Ping-I Chen
  • Patent number: 9476779
    Abstract: A resistive temperature sensor (thermistor) for a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device provides local temperatures of MEMS sensors and other MEMS devices for temperature compensation. Local accurate temperatures of the sensors and other devices provide for temperature compensation of such sensors or devices. By incorporating the thermistor structure into a MEMS device, an accurate temperature is sensed and measured adjacent to or within the structural layers of the device. In one embodiment, the thermistor is located within a few micrometers of the primary device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andrew Graham, Ando Feyh, Gary O'Brien
  • Patent number: 9476780
    Abstract: Large volume calorimeters (100) and small volume, or cell, calorimeters (700), as well as methods of making and using the same, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Allen Keyser, Ahmad Pesaran, Mark Alan Mihalic, John Ireland
  • Patent number: 9476781
    Abstract: A deposition device includes a deposition container with an intermediate plate, a sensor mat positioned on the deposition container, where the sensor mat includes at least two locating recesses for positioning the sensor mat within an area of a maximum permissible movement, and at least one detection sublayer. The intermediate plate includes at least one passthrough opening to allow an electrical connection device connected to the sensor mat to pass through, so that the sensor mat can be connected to a circuit board disposed in an electronics container space. The intermediate plate further includes locating pins arranged on the intermediate plate and protruding into a locating recess. The cross section of the locating pins is such that over the entire length thereof the locating recess permits local movability of the sensor mat in all directions in the planar extension thereof, within the maximum permissible range of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: WÜRTH ELEKTRONIK ICS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Klaus Wittig
  • Patent number: 9476782
    Abstract: A strain sensor provided with a substrate that has flexibility; a carbon nanotube (CNT) film that is provided on the surface of the substrate and that has a plurality of CNT fibers oriented in one direction; and a pair of electrodes that are arranged at both ends in the orientation direction of the CNT fibers in the CNT film; in which the CNT film has a plurality of CNT fiber bundles that consist of the plurality of CNT fibers, and a resin layer that covers the peripheral surface of the plurality of the CNT fiber bundles and joins with the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: Yamaha Corporation, National University Corporation Shizuoka University
    Inventors: Katsunori Suzuki, Shingo Sakakibara, Koji Yataka, Yasuro Okumiya, Masahiro Sugiura, Yoku Inoue