Patents Issued in January 26, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170023406
    Abstract: Passive detector structures for imaging systems are provided, which are based on a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) framework. For example, an imaging device includes a substrate, and a photon detector disposed over a surface of the substrate. The photon detector comprises a stack of thin film layers including a resonator member and an unpowered detector member. The resonator member generates an output signal having a frequency or period of oscillation. The unpowered detector member has a CTE, which causes the unpowered detector member to expand or contract due to thermal heating resulting from photon exposure, and apply a mechanical force to the resonator member. The mechanical force causes a change in the frequency or period of oscillation of the output signal generated by the resonator member, wherein the change in the frequency or period of oscillation is utilized to determine an amount of photon exposure of the photon detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Peter N. Kaufman, Lynn F. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20170023407
    Abstract: An fabrication method of a waveguide sheet for a spectrometer includes the steps of: providing a pattern to be performed by a microelectromechanical (MEM) process; and forming at least one waveguide sheet based on the provided pattern by the MEM process. The pattern includes a shape of a first waveguide sheet. The waveguide sheet includes at least one positioning side and at least one stray light elimination side formed by the MEM process. The positioning side is for a spectral component of the spectrometer to abut against so that the spectral component is positioned at the positioning side, and the stray light elimination side is to be used as a side of a stray light outlet. The structure of the waveguide sheet and the configuration of the spectrometer are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Chien-Hsiang HUNG, Jan Liang YEH
  • Publication number: 20170023408
    Abstract: The present invention is adapted to make light beams emitted from a light source enter a photodetector both when interposing an optical element having known characteristics and when not interposing the optical element, and acquire a first output value and a second output value that are the output values of the photodetector with respect to each of light beams that respectively have predetermined multiple wavenumbers and are included in the incident light beams, and obtain an arithmetic expression for calculating intensity of incident light beams from an output value of the photodetector, using parameters that are a ratio between the first output value and the second output value at each of the predetermined wavenumbers and the wavenumber transmission or reflection characteristic of the optical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Yoshitake ANDO, Katsumi NISHIMURA, Yukio SAKAI
  • Publication number: 20170023409
    Abstract: With a microspectroscopy device provided with an objective lens with a high numerical aperture, a defocus arises from thermal drift, etc., necessitating auto-focusing. Conventional auto-focus based on through-focus image acquisition takes time, and thus, it cannot be applied to continuous measurement over a long time wherein high-speed sampling is carried out. The present invention addresses this problem by having a defocus-sensing beam that has either defocus or astigmatism fall incident on the objective lens. Since how the image of the spot of the beam for defocus sensing blurs differs depending on the orientation of the defocus, real-time detection of the amount and orientation of defocus becomes possible, and high-speed realtime auto-focus becomes possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi SONEHARA, Hiromi KUSAKA, Akira FUJII, Shuhei YAMAMOTO, Takeshi OOURA, Michiru FUJIOKA
  • Publication number: 20170023410
    Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus includes a first light source that applies first light having a first wavelength as a center wavelength to an object, a second light source that applies second light having a second wavelength as a center wavelength longer than the first wavelength to the object, an optical filter that includes first and second regions and that transmits third light produced by the first and second light each passed through or reflected by the object, first and second optical detectors that determine first and second amounts, respectively, of the third light passed through the first and second regions. The transmission ranges of spectral transmission curves of the first and second regions are located between the first wavelength and the second wavelength. The spectral transmission curve of the first region has a width at half maximum different from that of the spectral transmission curve of the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventor: SEIJI NISHIWAKI
  • Publication number: 20170023411
    Abstract: A first radiance meter that is provided so as to face an object in an atmosphere in which there is dust and measures the radiance of the object and a second radiance meter that is provided so as not to oppose the object and measures the radiance of the dust between the object and the first radiance meter are used to measure the temperature of the object on the basis of the object radiance that has been measured by the first radiance meter and the radiance of the dust between the object and the first radiance meter that has been measured by the second radiance meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicants: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATION, UBE INDUSTRIES, LTD., SUMITOMO OSAKA CEMENT CO., LTD., TAIHEIYO CEMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu SHIMA, Yoshiaki TAKATA
  • Publication number: 20170023412
    Abstract: The detection device comprises a cold finger which performs the thermal connection between a detector and a cooling system. The cold finger comprises at least one side wall at least partially formed by an area made from the amorphous metal alloy. Advantageously, the whole of the cold finger is made from the amorphous metal alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicants: SOCIÉTÉ FRANÇAISE DE DÉTECTEURS INFRAROUGES- SOFRADIR, UNIVERSITÉ GRENOBLE ALPES
    Inventors: Pierre CASSAIGNE, Alexis LENAIN, Sébastien GRAVIER, Georges KAPELSKI
  • Publication number: 20170023413
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to shorten the time needed for the terminal voltage of a bolometer element to converge to bias voltage, shorten the reset interval of an integration circuit, and improve the temperature resolution. This semiconductor device is provided with a means for presenting a bias voltage to a bolometer element. A bias circuit that inputs to an integration circuit the differential current of the current flowing to the bolometer element when the bias voltage is presented to the bolometer element, and the current from a bias cancel circuit that eliminates offset current of the bolometer element, pre-charges the bolometer element at a prescribed pre-charge voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Kuniyuki OKUYAMA
  • Publication number: 20170023414
    Abstract: Passive detector structures for imaging systems are provided, which are based on a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) framework. With such framework, a CTE-based passive detector structure includes a detector member that is configured to expand or contract in response to thermal heating resulting from photon exposure. The expanding/contracting CTE detector structure is configured to exert mechanical forces on resistor and/or capacitor circuit elements, which are part of an oscillator circuit, to vary the resistance and capacitance of such circuit elements and change a frequency or period of oscillation of an output signal of the oscillator circuit. The change in the frequency or period of oscillation of the output signal of the oscillator circuit is utilized to determine an amount of photon exposure of the CTE-based detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventor: Peter N. Kaufman
  • Publication number: 20170023415
    Abstract: A surface temperature sensor has a first geometric contact surface for determining the temperature in a vessel and a second geometric contact surface, wherein the first geometric contact surface and the second geometric contact surface are in point and/or linear contact and at least partially spaced variably from this. For improvement of thermal contact an adapter between the first geometric contact surface and the second geometric contact surface may be made of metal, whereby the process vessel facing side has a polygonal surface structure and the temperature sensor facing side of a sack-shaped recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Andreas Decker, Joerg Gebhardt, Paul Szasz, Stephan Wildermuth
  • Publication number: 20170023416
    Abstract: A temperature sensor circuit and a compensation method for the temperature sensor circuit are disclosed herein. The temperature sensor circuit may provide a proportional-to-absolute temperature (PTAT) output signal with a compensation scheme. The temperature sensor circuit includes a first temperature sensor module circuit, a second temperature sensor module circuit, and an arithmetic operation circuit. The first temperature sensor module circuit generates a first temperature voltage signal based on a first reference current level. The second temperature sensor module circuit generates a second temperature voltage signal based on a second reference current level. The arithmetic operation circuit generates an output signal as PTAT voltage signal using the first temperature voltage signal and the second temperature voltage signal, eliminating reverse Early effect and High-level injection effect with simple arithmetic operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Hyun Su Kim, Jong Kyoung Lee
  • Publication number: 20170023417
    Abstract: A thermal displacement compensation device detects the temperature of a machine tool and the temperature of an environment in which the machine tool is placed, and estimates a temperature distribution in a machine component affected by the temperature of the environment from the relationship between the temperature of the machine tool and the temperature of the environment. Based on the estimated temperature distribution in the machine component, a position in the machine tool at which the time constant of the detected temperature matches the time constant of thermal displacement of the machine component affected by the temperature of the environment is found and set. Using temperature at the set position as a revised temperature of temperature detected by the machine temperature detection section, a thermal displacement amount of the machine component is calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventor: Yasuaki KOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20170023418
    Abstract: Input device configurations are described. In implementations, an input device includes a sensor substrate having a capacitive sensor to detect proximity of an object that contacts the input device. The input device also includes a flexible contact layer spaced apart from the sensor substrate, where the flexible contact layer is implemented to flex and contact the sensor substrate responsive to pressure applied by the object to initiate an input to a computing device. The flexible contact layer can include a force concentrator pad that is designed to cause pressure to be channeled through the force concentrator pad to cause the flexible contact layer to contact the sensor substrate to initiate the input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy C. Shaw, Flavio P. Ribeiro, Glennis E. Covington, Christian C. Gadke, Xuezhong Wu, Bradley R. Martin, Francie Judith Zant, Scott M. Mail, James C. Marshall
  • Publication number: 20170023419
    Abstract: A strain sensor is configured to detect a load. The strain sensor includes a deformable section having an annular shape, a first pressure-receiving section configured to receive the load applied thereto, a second pressure-receiving section connected to the deformable section, and a strain detecting element provided on at least one of the first pressure-receiving section and the deformable section. The first pressure-receiving section is connected to the deformable section in a first direction away from the deformable section. The second pressure-receiving section is connected to the deformable section in a second direction opposite to the first direction from the deformable section. The first pressure-receiving section is provided only in the first direction from the deformable section. The strain sensor can stably detect the load regardless of a method for applying the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Lt
    Inventors: SHINPEI ODA, MASAHIKO OBAYASHI, KOICHIRO NAKASHIMA, KOUJI NABETANI, KAZUHIRO NOMURA
  • Publication number: 20170023420
    Abstract: One or more strain sensors can be included in an electronic device. Each strain sensor includes a strain sensitive element and one or more strain signal lines connected directly to the strain sensitive element. The strain sensor(s) are used to detect a force that is applied to the electronic device, to a component in the electronic device, and/or to an input region or surface of the electronic device. A strain sensitive element is formed or processed to have a first gauge factor and the strain signal line(s) is formed or processed to have a different second gauge factor. Additionally or alternatively, a strain sensitive element is formed or processed to have a first conductance and the strain signal line(s) is formed or processed to have a different second conductance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Vosgueritchian, John Stephen Smith, Sinan Filiz, James E. Pedder, Tingjun Xu, Xiaonan Wen
  • Publication number: 20170023421
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring bend radius and torque force exerted on a drill string. A sensor system is supported within a pipe section of the drill string and has a light source supported within the pipe section to emit a light beam within the pipe section. An optical sensing device is supported within the pipe section and spaced apart from the light source. The optical sensing device transmits a detection signal indicative of the position of the light beam on a surface of the optical sensing device to a processor that determines the bend radius and torque force exerted on the pipe section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Dustin L. Blessum, Michael F. Gard, Kendall C. Young
  • Publication number: 20170023422
    Abstract: A system for taking a measurement at a connection element. The system has a force sensor having a first side and a second side. The force sensor is configured to provide a measured value representative for a force acting between the first and the second side of the force sensor. The system also has an ultrasonic sensor and a positioning bushing The positioning bushing has a positioning bushing recess, which is configured to receive the ultrasonic sensor, at least in part. The system also has a separate sensor bushing, mechanically coupled to the first side of the force sensor, and having a sensor bushing recess. The sensor bushing recess is configured to receive, at least in part, the positioning bushing and the first end of the connection element. A second end of the connection element can be mechanically coupled to the second side of the force sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Joern Skirke, Stefan Koester
  • Publication number: 20170023423
    Abstract: A torque sensor arrangement configured to attach between a first part and a second part to sense torque therebetween, the torque sensor arrangement comprising: an interface member having on its exterior an engagement configuration configured to rotationally engage the first part; a torsion member comprising a deflectable body attached at one end thereof to the interface member and comprising, at the other end of the deflectable body, an engagement configuration configured to rotationally engage the second part; and a deflection sensor attached to the deflectable body; wherein the interface member defines a rigid sleeve extending around the deflectable body and the torque sensor arrangement further comprises a bushing located between and in contact with both the sleeve and the deflectable body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Bates Jackson, Keith Marshall
  • Publication number: 20170023424
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a force sensor including a housing and a support rotatably coupled to the housing. The housing also includes a handle coupled to the support to rotate with the support. The handle is spaced apart from the housing to define a space between the housing and the handle. The apparatus further includes an angular position sensor disposed in the space between the housing and the handle to sense relative rotation between the housing and the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas J. Duff, Andrew M. Sweigart
  • Publication number: 20170023425
    Abstract: Low cost transducer bonding tooling and techniques are provided which can be used to duplicate the quality of factory manufactured load indicating members, and to allow transducers to be attached to fasteners irrespective of their orientation. The bonding tooling and techniques can also be used to bond other small objects requiring precise placement and reliable bonding such as, for example, the bonding of identification labels to manufactured components or structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventor: Ian E. KIBBLEWHITE
  • Publication number: 20170023426
    Abstract: A membrane-based sensor in one embodiment includes a membrane layer including an upper surface and a lower surface, a backside trench defined on one side by the lower surface, a central cavity defined on a first side by the upper surface, a cap layer positioned above the central cavity, and a first spacer extending from the upper surface to the cap layer and integrally formed with the cap layer, the first spacer defining a second side of the central cavity and an inner membrane portion of the membrane layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Ando Lars Feyh, Gary O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20170023427
    Abstract: During a first cycle of operation, first and second bottom electrodes of a split bottom electrode are electrically connected together. A total capacitance between the split bottom electrode and a top electrode layer is measured to determine the ambient pressure. Accordingly, pressure, e.g., tire pressure, is measured during the first cycle of operation. In a second cycle of operation, the first and second bottom electrodes are electrically disconnected. A first capacitance between the first bottom electrode and top electrode layer and a second capacitance between second bottom electrode and top electrode layer are measured. The difference between the first capacitance and the second capacitance is calculated and compared to a fault indicating capacitance variation to determine if the pressure sensor device is operating normally or malfunctioning. Accordingly, a self-test of the pressure sensor device is performed during the second cycle of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Dubravka BILIC, Chad S. DAWSON
  • Publication number: 20170023428
    Abstract: An impedance sensor and an electronic apparatus using the same are provided. The impedance sensor includes an impedance-bridge circuit, a compensation circuit, and a signal processing circuit. The impedance-bridge circuit has an input side and an output side, and configured to generate a first impedance variation in response to a physical pressure. The compensation circuit is coupled to the input side of the impedance-bridge circuit in parallel, and configured to generate a second impedance variation in response to an environment temperature. The signal processing circuit respectively detects the first and the second impedance variations, and accordingly generates a first sensing signal indicating the first impedance variation and a second sensing signal indicating the second impedance variation, so as to compensate a temperature shift part of the first sensing signal by the second sensing signal and accordingly generate a pressure detection signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicants: PROLIFIC TECHNOLOGY INC., UniSense Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Chiung-An Chen, Yun-Kuo Lee, Chih-Yuan Hung, Jia-Chun Huang, Yeow-Chin Chen, Shu-Fan Wu
  • Publication number: 20170023429
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a sensor circuit includes a sigma-delta analog to digital converter (ADC), a dithered clock coupled to the sigma-delta ADC, and a supply voltage circuit coupled to the sigma-delta ADC. The sigma-delta ADC is configured to be coupled to a low frequency transducer, and the dithered clock is configured to control of the sigma-delta ADC based on a dithered clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Dietmar Straeussnigg, Christian Ebner, Ernesto Romani, Stephan Mechnig, Andreas Wiesbauer, Christian Jenkner
  • Publication number: 20170023430
    Abstract: Using a calibration sensor to calibrate an unstable sensor from a network of unstable sensors. Approaches for using a calibration sensor to calibrate the unstable sensor initially identify an unstable sensor in a geographic region to be calibrated by a calibration sensor using a model of environmental conditions for the geographic region, and then use the model to determine how to calibrate the unstable sensor using the calibration sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: MICHAEL DORMODY, THOMAS WOLF
  • Publication number: 20170023431
    Abstract: The present invention relates to measuring unit for measuring forces generated by unbalance of rotor mounted on measuring shaft, particularly of vehicle wheel mounted on measuring shaft of wheel balancing machine, the measuring unit comprising stationary frame, first bearing for receiving measuring shaft rotatably about its shaft axis (Z), second bearing pivotally supporting first bearing about pivot axis (Y) which intersects shaft axis (Z) and being supported on stationary frame, first force sensor for measuring forces generated by unbalance of rotating rotor and acting on measuring shaft about pivot axis (Y), and second force sensor for measuring forces generated by unbalance of rotating rotor and acting on measuring shaft and on second bearing in direction intersecting shaft axis (Z), wherein second bearing and stationary frame are integrally formed of single element as support plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Lillo GUCCIARDINO, Emilio RIBECCO, Paolo SOTGIU
  • Publication number: 20170023432
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for aligning a workpiece in a mass-centring device, in which in an initial position an upper flange (1) and a lower flange (2) are arranged concentrically around an axis (3) of a balancing spindle of the mass-centring device, with the upper flange (1) comprising an interface (4) for clamping means to clamp the workpiece, and the lower flange (2) an interface (5) for fastening means to fasten the device to the balancing spindle. At least two spring elements (22, 23) reside between the upper and the lower flange (1, 2), such that in the initial position the upper flange (1) takes support axially and radially exclusively on the two spring elements (22, 23). In the initial position, the upper flange (1) is movable relative to the lower flange (2) into an eccentric position by a force acting in opposition to the spring elements (22, 23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias BREITWIESER
  • Publication number: 20170023433
    Abstract: A universal leak detection method for detecting both small and large leaks. The method includes the steps of: injecting smoke and a detectable gas into a fluid system to pressurize the fluid system, the smoke and detectable gas both being capable of passing through a large leak in the fluid system, and the visual smoke particles being inhibited from passing through a small leak in the fluid system and the detectable gas being capable of passing through a small leak in the fluid system; and detecting a leak by detecting at least one of the smoke and the detectable gas, wherein detection of smoke is indicative of the fluid system having a large leak and detection of detectable gas without smoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: REDLINE DETECTION, LLC
    Inventors: ZACHARY PARKER, MARK C. HAWKINS
  • Publication number: 20170023434
    Abstract: A method of monitoring liquid flow includes monitoring liquid flow including the pressure of the liquid, through a slave analyzer device, reporting the monitoring results to a processor configured to control a master analyzer device to adjust the liquid flow and pressure. Periods of usage and periods of non-usage of the liquid are detected by the processor. Subsequently, based on the detected periods of usage and periods of non-usage are used for learning a pattern associated and based upon the learned pattern, the liquid flow is automatically controlled by stopping the liquid flow during expected non-usage periods of time and turning the liquid flow on during expected usage periods of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventor: Owen Jerez
  • Publication number: 20170023435
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a flexible pipe, including an inline sensor system coupled to the annulus of the flexible pipe to detect corrosion of the flexible pipe. Also disclosed are method and system for monitoring an amount of water being accumulated in an annulus of a flexible pipe, including locating a pressure measurement system proximate to the annulus for measuring pressure of gas inside the annulus; controlling a flow of vent gas with a vent gas valve; positioning a flow measurement system upstream or downstream of the vent gas valve for measuring the flow of the vent gas when the vent gas valve is opened; and collecting with a microprocessor pressure and flow measurement data from the pressure and the flow measurement systems for determining the amount of water accumulated in the annulus based on the collected pressure and flow measurement data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Lars Nicolas Mangal, Stephane Vannuffelen, Rogerio Tadeu Ramos, Ricardo R. Vasques, Michel V. Berard, Dominique Dion
  • Publication number: 20170023436
    Abstract: A testing system connected to a gas cylinder and includes a pressure detector, a temperature detector, and a controller. The pressure detector is configured to detect a pressure of a stored gas in the gas cylinder. The temperature detector is configured to detect a temperature of the stored gas in the gas cylinder. The controller is configured to calculate variations in the pressure and the temperature of the stored gas and to determine whether a stored state of the stored gas is present within a predetermined range according to the variances in the pressure and the temperature of the stored gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Chung-Ming LEE, Yu-Chern LIU, Yi-Chao HUANG, Yong-Chi YANG
  • Publication number: 20170023437
    Abstract: A boundary layer suction system adapted to a surface exposed to the circulation of a fluid. The system comprises a portion of the surface, a bifurcation element for bifurcating a mass of fluid flowing along the front face of the surface, comprising an airfoil-shaped cross-section such that the fluid is bifurcated into a first and a second flow, a slot located on the portion of the surface and upstream of the leading edge of the bifurcation element, the slot communicating the front and the rear faces of the portion of the surface, and an arrangement to provide a pressure difference between the front and the rear faces of the surface around the slot, such that a suction of the boundary layer is performed through the slot by the pressure difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: José Maria DIAZ PARRILLA, Álvaro JARA RODELGO, Miguel Ángel GALLEGO LORENZO, José Ángel HERNANZ MANRIQUE
  • Publication number: 20170023438
    Abstract: Generally, a system and method consistent with the present disclosure may provide a relatively low cost, relatively robust data acquisition and analysis system useful for condition-based maintenance. The system may be useful for condition-based maintenance in industrial applications, e.g., of equipment and/or machinery. The industrial monitoring system may be used, for example, to monitor a condition of rotating machinery, e.g., a wind turbine. The system and method may include data analysis that may be useful for anticipating a need for maintenance, repair and/or replacement of one or more components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Eric R. Bechhoefer, John T. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20170023439
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fault diagnosis method of a thermostat including: confirming, by a controller, whether a flow stop valve is equipped in a vehicle; if it is determined that the flow stop valve is equipped in the vehicle, diagnosing the flow stop valve; and if it is determined that the diagnosis on the flow stop valve ends, diagnosing the thermostat to determine whether the thermostat is faulty.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jung Sup Byun, Seong Kyu Park
  • Publication number: 20170023440
    Abstract: A capacitive pressure sensor for an internal combustion engine is provided having a housing having a bottom surface, variable capacitor and circuitry. The variable capacitor is formed by a stationary electrode and an elastically bendable electrode. Pressure exerted on the bottom surface acts to bend the elastically bendable electrode. This bending alters the capacitance of the variable capacitor. The circuitry is configured to generate a signal based on the variable capacitance of the variable capacitor. This capacitance is representative of the pressure exerted on the bottom surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Teuvo Sillanpää, Panu Koppinen, Kai-Erik Elers
  • Publication number: 20170023441
    Abstract: A tire wear state estimation system for a tire calculates tire effective radius during measured distance intervals travelled by the tire from vehicle speed and tire rotation counters. The system includes a filter for selecting slow-speed effective radius measuring intervals and an estimator for estimating the tire effective radius during only those intervals in which the vehicle is travelling below a threshold speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Yiu Wah Luk, Darshan Balkrishna Lotliker
  • Publication number: 20170023442
    Abstract: The present invention relates to communication system for tyre service machine being configured for receiving tyre and/or rim of vehicle wheel rotatably about rotation axis, the communication system comprising at least one processing unit and at least one measuring unit, at least one measuring unit comprising at least one sensor component for measuring at least one property of wheel, processing component for processing data acquired by at least one sensor component and/or for processing input data received from at least one of at least one processing unit, at least one processing unit and at least one measuring unit each comprising data communication component for receiving data from and/or transmitting data to another data communication component. The data communication component of processing unit and data communication components of at least one measuring unit are arranged for communicating wirelessly with each other in accordance with at least one sensor-independent protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Francesco BRAGHIROLI, Marco TRALLI, Paolo SOTGIU
  • Publication number: 20170023443
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheel service machine and a method for servicing a wheel. The wheel service machine, like a tyre changer or a wheel balancer, for servicing a wheel (W), like a vehicle wheel, comprising a rotary mounting including a shaft (S) to which the wheel (W) is mounted, a frame work for carrying at least the rotary mounting and a sensing device mounted to the frame work, for determining geometrical dimensions of the wheel (W), or parts of the wheel (W), the sensing device comprises a carrier element and a first sensing unit for sensing the wheel (W) and computing means for determining the geometrical dimensions of the wheel (W) based on the data received from the sensing device, the first sensing unit being mounted on the carrier element, the wheel service machine further comprises a drive means for enabling a pivotal movement of the sensing device wherein the drive means is a micro stepper motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: SNAP-ON EQUIPMENT SRL A UNICO SOCIO
    Inventors: Gianluca CAVALLI, Francesco BRAGHIROLI, Marco TRALLI
  • Publication number: 20170023444
    Abstract: A device for checking the wheel suspension of a vehicle, in particular, of a motor vehicle, includes: a device for determining the wheel normals and/or the center of rotation of a wheel of the vehicle; a device for determining the movement trajectory of the wheel normals and/or of the center of rotation of the wheel during a movement of the vehicle; and a comparison and evaluation device, which is configured to compare the determined movement trajectory of the wheel normals and/or of the center of rotation of the wheel to a predefined movement trajectory, and to output a defect message when the deviation of the determined movement trajectory from the predefined movement trajectory exceeds a predefined limiting value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Christof Krueger, Pavel Pavlov, Simone Graf, Stefanie Peters, Tobias Hanning
  • Publication number: 20170023445
    Abstract: A method for evaluating the frictions in a power steering mechanism, the method including a step of acquiring a series of characterization points, during which are measured, for several different values taken successively by the assistance force during the operation of the steering mechanism, the corresponding friction values, so as to empirically obtain a series of distinct characterization points each associating a measured friction value to a measured value representative of the assistance force, then a step of constructing an empirical friction model, during which a correlation law is established between the characterization points constitutive of the series of characterization points, from the scatter chart formed by the series of the characterization points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: JTEKT EUROPE
    Inventors: Sébastien BOURDREZ, Pascal MOULAIRE, Christophe RAVIER
  • Publication number: 20170023446
    Abstract: A blood sampling device is provided having holder with a manipulating end and an absorbent probe on the opposing end. The probe is made of pyrolyzed porous carbon sized to directly absorb a predetermined volume of liquid, preferably biological fluid, in a predetermined amount of time. Shapes for absorbent probes of differing materials are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Gijsbertus G. Rietveld, Stuart Kushon, Monika M. Kansal
  • Publication number: 20170023447
    Abstract: A sample fluid stream can be received from a main fluid stream through a nozzle of a probe located at least partially in the main fluid stream. The sample fluid stream can travel into the nozzle and a portion of the main fluid stream adjacent to the sample fluid stream can flow past the probe without entering the probe. The sample fluid stream can flow downstream within the probe, and a portion of the main fluid stream can flow downstream outside the probe. While receiving the sample fluid stream, a gas sheet can be directed from the probe, with the gas sheet flowing upstream against the main fluid stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventor: John Arthur Cooper
  • Publication number: 20170023448
    Abstract: Fluorine-containing boric acid composite capsule particles comprising a condensate of a fluorine-containing alcohol, a guest compound, and boric acid particles, wherein the fluorine-containing alcohol is represented by the general formula: RF-A-OH wherein RF is: a perfluoroalkyl group having 6 or less carbon atoms, a linear or branched perfluoroalkyl group containing a terminal perfluoroalkyl group having 6 or less carbon atoms and a perfluoroalkylene group having 6 or less carbon atoms, and containing an O, S, or N atom, or a polyfluoroalkyl group in which some of the fluorine atom or atoms of the perfluoroalkyl group are replaced by hydrogen atom or atoms, and which contains a terminal perfluoroalkyl group having 6 or less carbon atoms and a perfluoroalkylene group having 6 or less carbon atoms, wherein the perfluoroalkylene group may contain an O, S, or N atom, and one fluorine atom of the terminal perfluoroalkyl group may be replaced by —(CH2)f0H (wherein f is an integer of 1 to 3); and A is an alky
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Takeshi Fukushima, Katsuyuki Sato, Hideo Sawada
  • Publication number: 20170023449
    Abstract: An automated in situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining method and apparatus for treating a plurality of microscope slides. The process of heat induced antigen recovery and the process of staining the biological sample on the microscope slide are conducted in the same apparatus, wherein the microscope slides do not need to be physically removed from one apparatus to another. Each treatment step occurs within the same reaction compartment. The reaction conditions of each reaction compartment for treating a slide can preferably be controlled independently, including the individualized application of reagents to each slide and the individualized treatment of each slide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventor: Lee H. Angros
  • Publication number: 20170023450
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are described that achieve independent and simultaneous processing of a plurality of substrate-supported biological samples. In one embodiment, substrate holders arranged in a minor arc are independently moveable between a processing position and an access position, and reagents are delivered to substrates held in the substrate holders through a nozzle plate that moves along the arc of substrate holders. The disclosed apparatus and method are particularly suited for implementation of lean processing of biological samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Austin Ashby, Andrew Ghusson, Lisa Jensen-Long, Kevin Knapp, Rodney Kugizaki, Alain L. Larson, Charles D. Lemme, Paul Richards, William L. Richards, Wayne Showalter, Glen Ward, Chad Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20170023451
    Abstract: This invention provides devices and methods for sample collection. Devices can include (a) a container having an opening and adapted to receive a liquid sample through the opening; (b) a cover configured to reversibly seal the opening; and (c) a capture device configured to be introduced into the container, wherein the capture device is configured to selectively bind cells of a first type and not to substantially bind cells of a second cell type. The sample can be analyzed to make a measure of telomere abundance and the abundance can be correlated to a measure of health.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventor: Calvin Harley
  • Publication number: 20170023452
    Abstract: A microextraction capsule holding a sol-gel coating or monolithic bed with an affinity for one or more target analytes infused in a porous tube that can be placed in a sample matrix containing the target analytes. The microextraction capsule can include a magnetic wire to allow the capsule to be spun in the presence of the matrix to increase the rate of absorption of the target analytes. The microextraction capsule can be formed by infusing a sol solution into the porous tube and forming a metal oxide or hybrid inorganic-organic sorbent comprising gel from the sol within the pores of the porous tube or by forming a gel by sol-gel condensation with water followed by grinding the gel to a particulate gel and infusing the particles into a porous tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: THE FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
    Inventors: ABUZAR KABIR, KENNETH G. FURTON
  • Publication number: 20170023453
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of methods for detecting the presence of and amount of drugs in a sample, particularly a particle sample obtained from a subject. In particular disclosed embodiments, the particle samples are skin particle samples, saliva particle samples, and/or mucous samples isolated from a subject and analyzed using thermal desorption methods combined with a selected detection method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Washington State University
    Inventors: Herbert H. Hill, JR., Brian Clowers, Nicholas Lovrich
  • Publication number: 20170023454
    Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for determining upper strain limits for materials, and designing devices or components based on determined strain limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: ROQUE PANZA-GIOSA, EDWARD BENEDICT EVANS, HITEN AWASTHI
  • Publication number: 20170023455
    Abstract: A method for determining the wear properties of coated flat products such as galvannealed flat steel products is provided herein. In order to be able to achieve better comparability of the determined wear properties of different flat products at least one bending parameter for the bending of the particular flat product by a bending device is selected in accordance with defined criteria on the basis of information regarding the thickness and/or the strength of the particular flat products to be bent. The flat products are bent in the bending device in accordance with the selected bending parameters, wear thus being produced. The wear properties are analysed in a predetermined manner on the basis of the wear of the particular flat products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Marcel Siegel, Peter Heidbuechel, Robert Yanik, Klaus Uran