Patents Issued in March 7, 2017
  • Patent number: 9588053
    Abstract: A replacement indicator can be operatively associated with an elastomeric article such that the replacement indicator is visually observable. In some cases, the replacement indicator can be secured on or along the elastomeric article. Gas spring assemblies and pneumatic tires including a replacement indicator, as well as methods of manufacture are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Nieten, Graham R. Brookes, Michael C. Howard, Pradipta N. Moulik
  • Patent number: 9588054
    Abstract: A defect inspection method includes an illumination light adjustment step of adjusting light emitted from a light source, an illumination intensity distribution control step of forming light flux obtained in the illumination light adjustment step into desired illumination intensity distribution, a sample scanning step of displacing a sample in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the illumination intensity distribution, a scattered light detection step of counting the number of photons of scattered light emitted from plural small areas in an area irradiated with illumination light to produce plural scattered light detection signals corresponding to the plural small areas, a defect judgment step of processing the plural scattered light detection signals to judge presence of a defect, a defect dimension judgment step of judging dimensions of the defect in each place in which the defect is judged to be present and a display step of displaying a position on sample surface and the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuta Urano, Toshifumi Honda, Takahiro Jingu
  • Patent number: 9588055
    Abstract: A defect inspection apparatus includes: a seed light generator including a pulse signal generator that generates a pulse signal and a polarization modulator that outputs pulse light of any one of two polarization states orthogonal to each other in synchronization with the pulse signal output from the pulse signal generator; a wavelength converting unit including a branching mechanism that branches the pulse light output by the polarization modulator of the seed light generator using polarization and a converting unit that wavelength-converts the pulse light branched by the branching mechanism into beams of two different wavelengths, respectively; an illumination optical system that illuminates a surface of an inspected target material with the beams of the two different wavelengths converted by the wavelength converting unit; a detection optical system including a detecting unit that detects light generated by the beams of the two different wavelengths illuminated by the illumination optical system; and a sig
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Yuta Urano, Taketo Ueno, Akira Hamamatsu, Toshifumi Honda
  • Patent number: 9588056
    Abstract: Methods for detection of particulate on thin, flexible substrates wherein the substrate is positioned in a bend comprising an apex line. The apex line is illuminated by grazing angle illumination, and light from the illumination scattered by the particulate is captured by a detection apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Norman Henry Fontaine, Alana Marie Whittier
  • Patent number: 9588057
    Abstract: A method and device for detecting and removing small particulate matter fluid and/or contaminants on high touch hard surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Joseph T. Clark
  • Patent number: 9588058
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for non-destructive evaluation of water ingress in photovoltaic modules include and/or are configured to illuminate a photovoltaic module comprising a photovoltaic cell and an encapsulant with at least one beam of light having a wavelength in a range from about 1400 nm to about 2700 nm; capture one or more images of the illuminated photovoltaic module, each image relating to a water content of the photovoltaic module; and determine a water content of the photovoltaic module based on the one or more images. Systems preferably include one or more of a light source, a moving mirror, a focusing lens, a beam splitter, a stationary mirror, an objective lens and an imaging module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Mihail Bora, Jack Kotovsky
  • Patent number: 9588059
    Abstract: A method for analyzing quality of a glazing including: generating at least one digital image of a test chart produced in reflection by an external surface of the glazing on an outside of the glazing; computation by at least one processing unit of quantities representative of the quality of the glazing based on the at least one image generated; and comparing values computed for the representative quantities with respect to reference values. The test chart exhibits a pattern including elements of closed contours arranged periodically. The representative quantities are representative of a deformation of the image of the test chart produced in reflection by the external surface of the glazing on the outside of the glazing, and the computation of a representative quantity includes the computation of a density of the elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventor: Simon Le Moal
  • Patent number: 9588060
    Abstract: A non-destructive inspection apparatus includes a light source generating light, an optical coupler which divides the light, irradiates the divided light to a reference part and a sample part, generates coherent light, and transmits the coherent light to a detecting part, the reference part which phase-scans the irradiated light and reflects the light, the sample part which irradiates the light incident from the optical coupler to a display panel, and scans and reflects the light reflected from the display panel, the detecting part which obtains an image signal of the display panel from the coherent light, a transferring part which moves a position of the sample part, and the control part which generates an image of the display panel based on the image signal of the display panel transmitted from the detecting part and detects a foreign substance, and controls movement of the transferring part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., OZ-TEC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yeong Ri Jung, Ki Wan Kim, Jae Young Kim
  • Patent number: 9588061
    Abstract: A measuring whispering-gallery-mode resonator includes: a dielectric resonating body with a rotation axis, a superconducting sample under test mounted to the resonating body and a coupling unit for coupling a measuring waveguide with the resonating body. One side of the resonating body connected with the coupling unit has a first endplate, in which m coupling holes penetrate through the first endplate, and centers of the m coupling holes are arranged to be evenly spaced along a circle whose center is on the rotation axis. The coupling unit has a feeder line which is a coaxial waveguide, and an axis of the coaxial waveguide coincides with the rotation axis. One end surface of the coaxial waveguide, which is perpendicular to the rotation axis, abuts the first endplate; and the azimuth index of operated whispering gallery mode in the resonator is an integer multiple of the number m of the coupling holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignees: Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Huarong Tianchuang Superconduct Technology Development Co., Ltd., University of Science and Technology Beijing, O. YA. Institute For Radiophysics and Electronics of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
    Inventors: Liang Sun, Xu Wang, Jia Wang, Yun Wu, Yusheng He, Hong Li, Jiangming Huang, Sheng Luo, Mykola Cherpak, Valerii Skresanov, Oleksandr Barannyk, Volodymyr Glamazdin, Oleksandr Shubny
  • Patent number: 9588062
    Abstract: Waste water assessment apparatus, a method and a computer program are provided. The waste water assessment apparatus comprises: transceiver circuitry configured to transmit a microwave signal and to receive one or more reflections of the microwave signal; and processing circuitry configured to process the one or more reflections of the microwave signal to determine one or more characteristics of waste water flowing through a conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: DES19N Limited
    Inventors: Martin James Croft, Duncan Kenneth Wallace
  • Patent number: 9588063
    Abstract: A sensor measures a sample in a measuring cell including a helix conductor. The shell structure of the measuring cell is made of an electrically non-conductive material. The measuring cell and at least part of the helix conductor are placeable inside a chamber. A radio-frequency signal input element couples a radio-frequency signal to the chamber to form a helix resonance. A radio-frequency signal output element is responsive to a helix resonance of the helix conductor and transmits a radio-frequency signal for measurement. A device for measuring a sample in a measuring cell includes the sensor, a radio-frequency signal source, and a measuring and control part. The radio-frequency signal source produces a radio-frequency signal to the input element. The measuring and control part measures a property of a sample on the basis of a resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Senfit Oy
    Inventors: Pekka Jakkula, Mikko Vuolteenaho, Markku Korhonen, Vesa Fisk
  • Patent number: 9588064
    Abstract: Methods, devices, systems and computer program products produce and utilize improved momentum estimates for charged particles such as electrons and muons. One method for measuring momentum includes obtaining charged particle tomographic data at one or more charged particle position detectors corresponding to scattering angles of charged particles that pass through an object volume. The distribution of scattering angles associated with the charged particles is determined using measured data collected from the position detectors, based on deviations of local trajectories of the charged particles in one or more planes relative to a reference trajectory. The method also includes determining a length of the scattering material based on the characteristics of the position detectors and the charged particles' angle of incidence on the position detectors, and obtaining charged particle momentum estimates based on the determined distribution of scattering angles and the length of the scattering material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Decision Sciences International Corporation
    Inventors: Priscilla Kurnadi, Thomas Taylor, Sean Simon
  • Patent number: 9588065
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the concentration of a specific analyte in a sample of biological material are disclosed. The sample is placed in a sample container (10) which provides at least two radiation paths (14) with different lengths through the sample container (10), and is sequentially irradiated with electromagnetic radiation, e.g. X-rays. The amount of radiation penetrating the sample is detected, and absorbance is determined based on the detected radiation. During irradiation, the sample container (10) is moved in relation to the radiation source (1) and detector (5) so that absorbance measurements at different path-lengths are acquired. A regression line from the absorbance values and path lengths is determined, such that a slope of the regression line is obtained, and based on this slope, the concentration of the specific analyte is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Mantex AB
    Inventors: Ragnar Kullenberg, Ralf Torgrip, Fredrik Danielsson, Eric Landström
  • Patent number: 9588066
    Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring periodic structures using multi-angle X-ray reflectance scatterometry (XRS) are disclosed. For example, a method of measuring a sample by X-ray reflectance scatterometry involves impinging an incident X-ray beam on a sample having a periodic structure to generate a scattered X-ray beam, the incident X-ray beam simultaneously providing a plurality of incident angles and a plurality of azimuthal angles. The method also involves collecting at least a portion of the scattered X-ray beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ReVera, Incorporated
    Inventors: Heath A. Pois, David A. Reed, Bruno W. Schueler, Rodney Smedt, Jeffrey T. Fanton
  • Patent number: 9588067
    Abstract: Apparatus for examining a fluid-containing porous sample, by a combination of centrifuging to move fluid into, out of, and/or within the sample and NMR to monitor the amount of fluid present at locations within the sample has a magnet system to provide a magnetic field; and a centrifuge rotor comprising a holder (18) for the sample and mounted to move the sample within the magnetic field. The apparatus preferably includes gradient coils (16, 116) superimposing a magnetic field gradient onto a field provided by magnets (11, 12, 111, 112). At least one radio-frequency coil (20) is located on the centrifuge rotor in a position 10 which surrounds the sample in the holder. The coil axis is transverse to the magnetic field and field gradient when measurement is made. Consequently NMR measurement of the distribution of fluid in the sample can be made while the centrifuge is in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan Mitchell, Edmund Fordham
  • Patent number: 9588068
    Abstract: Technologies applicable to detection and characterization of subsurface contaminants by NMR and dielectric measurements are disclosed. The disclosed technologies include methods for obtaining and combining data from NMR and dielectric measurements to detect, quantify, and characterize non-native non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) contaminants located in geologic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: VISTA CLARA INC.
    Inventors: Elliot D. Grunewald, David O. Walsh
  • Patent number: 9588069
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus, systems, and methods for conducting rapid, accurate, and consistent heated amplifications and/or thermal melt analyses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David Opalsky, Norbert D. Hagen, Rolf Silbert, Sean Siyao Chiu, Haitao Li
  • Patent number: 9588070
    Abstract: A combustion calorimeter (1) has a housing (6) and therein a detachably mounted decomposition vessel (2) with sample holder (11) and ignition apparatus (12) in its reaction chamber (3). The wall (4) of the decomposition vessel (2) and also the upper decomposition wall (5) here have in the vertical use position a wall thickness that increases from the bottom to the top in order to conduct the heat generated in a combustion process if possible into the upper region of the decomposition vessel (2), where also at least one temperature sensor (7) can be arranged. Owing to the increase in thickness of the delimitation of the internal or reaction space (3), the heat can be distributed therein more favorably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: IKA—Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hubert Pinhack
  • Patent number: 9588071
    Abstract: A multiphase meter system including: transmitting and receiving antennas in the flow pipe, wherein the receiving antennas are at different distances from the transmitting antenna, and a control system configured to: apply an electromagnetic field to the transmitting antenna and receive signals from the receiving antenna induced in the fluid or the pipe by the transmission of the electromagnetic field; calculate a resonance quality of the signals received by at least one of the first and second receiver antennas; calculate composition or salinity of the fluid based on the resonance quality if the resonance quality is greater than a threshold value, and calculate composition or salinity of the fluid based on a transmission time difference of the signals received from the first receiver antenna and the signals received by the second receiver antenna if the resonance quality is below the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ROXAR FLOW MEASUREMENT AS
    Inventor: Ebbe Gustaf Nyfors
  • Patent number: 9588072
    Abstract: A measurement apparatus includes a measuring unit that carries out a potential measuring process that measures potential at measured positions on a surface of a laminated body, in which a plurality of plate-like or film-like component parts with different physical properties have been laminated, in a state where an electrical signal has been supplied to the surface, and a processing unit that carries out a computational process, which has been decided in advance, using measurement values of the potential that have been measured by the potential measuring process to find an interfacial resistance of an interface between the component parts in the laminated body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: HIOKI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki Kawamuro, Nobuhisa Handa, Tetsuya Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9588073
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, an insulating film provided on a surface of the substrate, and a sensing film formed of a conductive material deposited on top of the insulating film. The sensing film defines at least one conductive path between a first position and a second position on the insulating film. A first circuit connection is electrically connected to the sensing film at the first position on the insulating layer, and a second circuit connection is electrically connected to the sensing film at the second position. A control circuit is operatively connected to the first circuit connection and the second circuit connection for measuring an electrical resistance of the sensing film. The sensing film has a thickness that enables a resistivity of the sensing film to be altered predictably in a manner that is dependent on ambient moisture content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ando Feyh, Andrew Graham, Ashwin Samarao, Gary Yama, Gary O'Brien
  • Patent number: 9588074
    Abstract: A method including the provision of at least one wire sensor (54A) including a polymeric matrix and having greater electric conductivity than that of the tubular body (52). The method includes the measurement of an electric quantity representative of the integrity of the flexible line, in at least one measurement point (60A, 60B) located on the sensor (54A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: TECHNIP FRANCE
    Inventor: Frédéric Demanze
  • Patent number: 9588075
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sensor for detecting hydrogen ions in an aqueous solution comprising a support, a reference electrode, a working electrode and a counter electrode supported by said support, the reference electrode being made of a material comprising silver and silver chloride, the counter electrode being made of a conductive material. The working electrode comprises a substrate and a layer made of an inherently electrically conductive polymer of the polythiophene or polyaniline (PANI) or polypyrrole class.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giovanna Salzillo, Rossana Scaldaferri, Valeria Casuscelli, Luigi Giuseppe Occhipinti
  • Patent number: 9588076
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a biosensor, and it is an object thereof to suppress degradation by light. A biosensor (2) comprises a blood component measurement working electrode (5), a blood component measurement counter electrode (6), and a reagent component (9). The reagent component (9) is provided near the blood component measurement working electrode (5) and the blood component measurement counter electrode (6). The reagent component (9) includes a mediator, an oxidoreductase, and a substance that absorbs light with a wavelength of 400 to 500 nm. An insulated substrate (4) is provided, on the surface of which is disposed the blood component measurement working electrode (5) and/or the blood component measurement counter electrode (6). The reagent component (9) is disposed on the one or more electrodes on the insulated substrate (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Setuko Yano, Kazumasa Miyamoto, Shinki Kojima, Tomoharu Yamamura, Kanako Matsushima
  • Patent number: 9588077
    Abstract: Nanoelectronic devices for the detection and quantification of biomolecules are provided. In certain embodiments, the devices are configured to detect and measure blood glucose levels. Also provided are methods of fabricating nanoelectronic devices for the detection of biomolecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Nanomix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kanchan A. Joshi, Ray Radtkey, Christian Valcke
  • Patent number: 9588078
    Abstract: In a gas sensor 10, a powder compact 45a seals a void space between an inner peripheral surface 42c of metal-made main hardware 42 and a sensor element 20, and the inner peripheral surface 42c has arithmetic average roughness Ra of 0.5 to 5 ?m. The gas sensor 10 includes supporters 44a and 44b, which are arranged in a penetration hole of the main hardware 42, which allow the sensor element 20 to penetrate therethrough, and which press the powder compact 45a in sandwiching relation from both sides in an axial direction. A surface of at least one of the supporters 44a and 44b has the arithmetic average roughness Ra of not more than 0.5 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yosuke Adachi, Miyoshi Makino, Koichi Masuda
  • Patent number: 9588079
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems pertaining to sequencing units of analytes using nanopores. In general, arresting constructs are used to modify an analyte such that the modified analyte pauses in the opening of a nanopore. During such a pause, an ion current level is obtained that corresponds to a unit of the analyte. After altering the modified analyte such that the modified analyte advances through the opening, another arresting construct again pauses the analyte, allowing for a second ion current level to be obtained that represents a second unit of the analyte. This process may be repeated until each unit of the analyte is sequenced. Systems for performing such methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
    Inventors: Jens Gundlach, Ian M. Derrington, Marcus D. Collins
  • Patent number: 9588080
    Abstract: A nanosensor for detecting molecule characteristics includes a membrane having an opening configured to permit a charged carbon nanotube to pass but to block a molecule attached to the carbon nanotube. The opening is filled with an electrolytic solution. An electric field generator is configured to generate an electric field relative to the opening to drive the charged carbon nanotubes through the opening. A sensor circuit is coupled to the electric field generator to sense current changes due to charged carbon nanotubes passing into the opening, and to bias the electric field generator to determine a critical voltage related to a force of separation between the carbon nanotube and the molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Binquan Luan, Ruhong Zhou
  • Patent number: 9588081
    Abstract: An ion filter and a method of manufacturing an ion filter. The method including providing a monolithic structure; selectively removing regions of the structure, to form a pair of electrodes defining at least one ion channel therebetween. The electrodes are preferably mechanically connected at one or more locations by a portion of the structure; wherein the connecting portion of the structure provides a higher electrical impedance than the filter would provide without such a mechanical connection, to thereby electrically separate the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ownstone Medical Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Hart, Andrew H. Koehl
  • Patent number: 9588082
    Abstract: A steam generator tube probe includes a probe head comprising an electronic probe coupled between a proximal portion of the head that is configured for entry into a steam generator tube and a distal portion of the head; and a probe shaft coupled to the distal portion of the shaft and comprising a flexible metallic conduit that comprises a plurality of interlocking portions, each interlocking portion moveably affixed to at least one adjacent interlocking portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Nuscale Power, LLC
    Inventors: Weston Pollock, Adam Rasmussen, Cristhian Galvez, Eric Paul Young, Jeff Siegel
  • Patent number: 9588083
    Abstract: A method of determining the phase compositions of a multiphase fluid flow in a fluid line, including obtaining a vibration signal from the fluid flow using a vibration sensor comprising a target disposed in the fluid flow which vibrates in response to fluid flow in the fluid line. The vibration signal is analyzed to determine a first energy parameter which is related to the energy of the vibration signal within a first frequency band, and a second energy parameter which is related to the energy of the vibration signal within a second frequency band; and a phase composition parameter, such as a dryness parameter, relating to the phase compositions of the fluid flow is determined using the first and second energy parameters. An apparatus for determining the phase compositions of a multiphase fluid flow in a fluid line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Spirax-Sarco Limited
    Inventors: Ben Frisby, Nashtara Islam, Peter Usher, Mitchell Kane
  • Patent number: 9588084
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for detecting gases or volatile organic compounds (VOC) comprising an electrically conducting or semiconducting zone functionalized with an organic film resulting from the polymerization of aromatic diazonium salt derived monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, Commissariat a L'Energie Atomatique Et Aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Guillaume Delapierre, Yanxia Hou-Broutin, Heather McCaig, Edward Myers, Michael L. Roukes
  • Patent number: 9588085
    Abstract: This disclosure describes embodiments of a probe assembly and an inspection system for ultrasonic inspection. Designs for the probe assembly package components to fit into a bore of a hollow target. These designs may incorporate electronics to generate waves and to detect a wide selection of anomalies (e.g., transversal crack, longitudinal crack, and volumetric flaws) that can form in the hollow target. The probe assembly provides support structure to manipulate and operate these electronics in the bore. This support structure facilitates communication of signals, e.g., from transducer elements that operate as a phased array. The probe assembly also includes a fluid circulating system and coupling system that permits the probe device to detach and reattach to match the probe device (and other parts of the probe assembly) to the size of the bore. These systems allow for fluid and electrical signals to circulate through the probe assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Luca Scaccabarozzi
  • Patent number: 9588086
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor assembly for testing a pipe includes a first and second transducer rings attached to the pipe and spaced apart along a length of the pipe. The first transducer ring includes a plurality of transmitters for transmitting a wave, such as a non-dispersive guided wave. The first transducer ring transmits the wave along the pipe. The second transducer ring includes a plurality of receivers for receiving the wave. A relative position of the first transducer ring with respect to a circumferential position of the second transducer ring is determined based on characteristics of the wave received by the second transducer ring. A method of positioning the ultrasonic sensor assembly on the pipe is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Wei Luo, James Norman Barshinger, Debasish Mishra, Anusha Rammohan
  • Patent number: 9588087
    Abstract: A method and system for continuous measurement chromatograph involves stochastically modulating a system variable. The sample can be introduced into a chromatography column. The sample introduction can be modulated stochastically. The sample output from the column can be detected and processed with the stochastic input to provide a sample analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ian W. Hunter, Eli T. Paster
  • Patent number: 9588088
    Abstract: In a gas sample analysis device including a metering tube, sample gas supply channel, carrier gas supply channel, evacuation channel and collection tube, there is provided a first channel switching valve which switches between a load state in which the metering tube is interposed between said sample gas supply channel and the evacuation channel and an injection state in which the metering tube is interposed between the sample gas supply channel and gas analysis device; and a second channel switching valve which, in the load state or injection state, switches between a collection tube interposition state in which the collection tube is interposed between the sample gas supply channel and the metering tube or between the metering tube and the gas analysis device, and a collection tube shunt state in which the collection tube is not interposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akira Aono
  • Patent number: 9588089
    Abstract: A non-destructive method for analyzing a cork stopper for the presence of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole. The stopper is introduced into a hermetically closed container. The container containing the stopper is heated under conditions vaporizing any 2,4,6-trichloroanisole present in the stopper. A gaseous sample of the atmosphere surrounding the stopper in the container is collected and analyzed for the presence of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole. This method allows the selection, in a batch of cork stoppers, of the stoppers that are substantially free of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole, in a non-destructive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: CEVAQUE INVEST
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Riboulet, Luiz Armando Dos Reis Alves
  • Patent number: 9588090
    Abstract: Within a method for the determination of film-forming amines in liquids by adding a reacting agent with the amine to form a colored complex to be measured by photometric method for the reaction the pH of the liquid mixture is lowered by using hydrochloric acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: SWAN ANALYTISCHE INSTRUMENTE AG
    Inventor: Marco Lendi
  • Patent number: 9588091
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining the presence of oxidizing salts. According to the current invention, analyte is collected on a swipe and subsequently heated to a temperature sufficient to release a detectible vapor phase component of the oxidizing salt. The vapor phase component passes reacts with a pH sensitive molecule. Reaction of the vapor phase product with the pH sensitive molecule produces a detectible change in response intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: FLIR DETECTION, INC.
    Inventors: Laura Beth Wald, Gregory Charles Frye-Mason
  • Patent number: 9588092
    Abstract: Disclosed RH generators include a lower component having a first chamber and an upper component including a second chamber, the upper component being coupled to the lower component to couple the first chamber to the second chamber. The first chamber is configured to contain liquid water and generate 100% RH, while the second chamber is configured to contain salt and generate a second RH less than 100% RH. A first membrane is positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber to allow water vapor to pass between the first and second chambers while blocking liquid water, the salt, and other larger molecules. The upper component is couplable to an RH probe with a second membrane separating the second chamber from the RH probe, which allows water vapor to pass between the second chamber and the RH probe to expose the RH probe to the second RH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Wagner Electronic Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Duncan, Edward D. Wagner, Eric Wagner
  • Patent number: 9588093
    Abstract: A device for determination of the H2 content of H2/natural gas mixtures comprises an input interface configured to read in a calorific value of a first H2/natural gas mixture from a delivery station of a gas grid, an input interface configured to introduce a second H2/natural gas mixture into the device; a proton-conducting layer fluidically connected to the input interface of the second H2/natural gas mixture and configured to permit determination of a current-voltage characteristic, a volumetric flow rate sensor configured to determine a volumetric flow rate of the second H2/natural gas mixture into the proton-conducting layer, and a control apparatus connected to the proton-conducting layer, the input interface of the second H2/natural gas mixture, and the volumetric flow sensor. The control apparatus is configured to determine whether there is a hydrogen depletion of the proton-conducting layer, and output the current calorific value of the second H2/natural gas mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Steiner, Pedro Da Silva
  • Patent number: 9588094
    Abstract: An Anti-Terrorism water quality monitoring system for continuously monitoring a potable water treatment system and related potable water distribution network that provides potable water to a municipality, city, housing development or other potable water consumer. The system includes the collection of data from the water distribution system and from the water treatment facility and from advanced separation processes which are integrated into analytical instruments. The data collected are stored in a remote database on a remote server computer or bank of computers and accessible by Homeland Security or its designated agency. Preferred parameters of monitoring include the turbidity and disinfectant such as chlorine, hypochlorous acid, sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, ozone, chlorine dioxide, chloramines, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventor: Thomas D. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 9588095
    Abstract: Reagents and methods are disclosed for detection of oxidizers and inorganic salts and other analytes of interest. The reagents can interact with their target analytes, especially oxidizer compositions or oxidizer-based explosives, to selectively enhance their ionization yield, interacting by chemical reaction or by forming an associative adduct which facilitates their detection. For example, the reagents can adduct with the counter-ion of the intended analyte for improved direct detection and/or react chemically via acid-base reactions to produce a new product for detection. In another aspect of the invention, reactive reagents and methods are also disclosed that facilitate indirect detection of the analyte at lower temperatures based on reduction-oxidation (redox) chemistry. These reagents are particularly useful in detecting oxidizer analytes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Kerin E. Gregory, Roderick R. Kunz, Michael Sworin
  • Patent number: 9588096
    Abstract: Measuring device (1; 15) for determining the composition of the liquid phase of a liquid-gas mixture includes a duct (2) defining a flow direction (X) of the mixture parallel to the longitudinal development axis (Y) of the duct (2) and a measuring element (4) arranged in the duct (2) and suited to determine the composition of a liquid layer that flows in contact with the internal surface (3) of the duct (2). The internal surface (3) of the duct (2) includes an intercepting surface (5, 5?) suited to convey part of the liquid layer towards the measuring element (4), arranged so that it is incident on the flow direction (X) and developed according to a conveyance trajectory that has a helical section and whose tangent to the outlet end (7, 7?) intersects the measuring element (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Pietro Fiorentini SPA
    Inventors: Stefano Bernardi, Marco Pavan
  • Patent number: 9588097
    Abstract: In a method for determining an ageing state of lubricant which comes into contact with a metallic surface in a machine to be lubricated, a metal ion content or a change over time of a metal ion content in the lubricant is determined. The metal ion content can be determined by a measuring sensor which is disposed in the machine or disposed in a lubricant line connected to the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Joachim Rohde
  • Patent number: 9588098
    Abstract: An optical apparatus and a method for identifying wood species of a raw wooden log involve directing light onto a representative portion of a peripheral surface of the wooden log, sensing light reflected on the illuminated representative log portion to generate reflection intensity image data including color image data, subdividing the reflection intensity image data into a plurality of image data regions each containing a preset number of image pixels, analyzing the image data regions to generate associated texture data, analyzing the color and texture data associated with each image data region to assign thereto a probable one of a plurality of species indications, and selecting a majority species indication for the inspected wooden log.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: CENTRE DE RECHERCHE INDUSTRIELLE DU QUEBEC
    Inventor: Philippe Gagné
  • Patent number: 9588099
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for the imaging of structures in deep tissue within biological specimens, using spectral imaging to provide highly sensitive detection. By acquiring data that provides a plurality of images of the sample with different spectral weightings, and subsequent spectral analysis, light emission from a target compound is separated from autofluorescence in the sample. With the autofluorescence reduced or eliminated, an improved measurement of the target compound is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Cambridge Research & Intrumentation, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Levenson, Paul J. Cronin
  • Patent number: 9588100
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of identifying objects includes: a microfluidic chip in which are disposed a plurality of channels, the microfluidic chip including: a main fluid channel into which a sample fluid mixture of objects to be identified is introduced; a plurality of sheath fluid channels into which sheath fluids are introduced, the sheath fluids which orient the objects in the main fluid channel in a predetermined direction while still maintaining laminar flow in the main fluid channel; an interrogation apparatus which detects and interrogates the oriented objects in the main fluid channel; and a focused energy apparatus which performs an action on the objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: PREMIUM GENETICS (UK) LTD
    Inventors: David Appleyard, Jeff Betthauser, Marjorie Faust, John Larsen, Guocheng Shao, Zheng Xia, Yu Zhou
  • Patent number: 9588101
    Abstract: A system for measuring a property of a sample in a liquid which includes a test strip and a meter is provided. Some embodiments relate to a diagnostic test strip for collecting a sample, the strip having a plurality of electrodes for measuring a property of the sample, and the strip having a control circuit at a distal region of the strip, the control circuit configured to communicate with a controller of a meter, the control circuit including an embedded temperature sensor, a memory for lot coding and authentication of the test strip, and an inhibit logic for inhibiting the test from being used more than once; and a diagnostic meter for receiving the test strip, the meter having a controller programmed to communicate with the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Trividia Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent E. Modzelewski, Steven V. Leone, Bradley Combs
  • Patent number: 9588102
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention encompass automated systems and methods for analyzing white blood cell parameters in an individual based on a biological sample obtained from blood of the individual. Exemplary techniques involve correlating aspects of direct current (DC) impedance, radiofrequency (RF) conductivity, and/or light measurement data obtained from the biological sample with an evaluation of white blood cell conditions in the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventors: Patricio Vidal, Christophe Godefroy, Phaisit Chewputtanagul, Jiuliu Lu