Patents Issued in March 14, 2017
  • Patent number: 9593934
    Abstract: An optical coherence analysis system comprising: a first swept source that generates a first optical signal that is tuned over a first spectral scan band, a second swept source that generates a second optical signal that is tuned over a second spectral scan band, a combiner for combining the first optical signal and the second optical signal for form a combined optical signal, an interferometer for dividing the combined optical signal between a reference arm leading to a reference reflector and a sample arm leading to a sample, and a detector system for detecting an interference signal generated from the combined optical signal from the reference arm and from the sample arm. In embodiments, the swept sources are tunable lasers that have shared laser cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Axsun Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Brian Goldberg, Dale C. Flanders, Walid A. Atia, Bartley C. Johnson, Mark E. Kuznetsov
  • Patent number: 9593935
    Abstract: A clear image of a measurement target in optical coherence tomography (OCT) is obtained while suppressing influence of reflected light from a specific portion. Included are a laser beam source, a beam splitter that splits a laser beam into a signal beam and reference beam; an objective lens that focuses the signal beam onto a measurement target in a container, a unit that moves the signal beam focus position, an objective lens that focuses the reference beam, a reflecting mirror, a flat plate arranged between the objective lens and reflecting mirror, and interference optics that combine the signal beam reflected by the measurement target with the reference beam reflected by the reflecting mirror and having passed through the objective lens. Three or more interference beams with different phases, and photodetectors that detect the interference beams are generated, and two of the objective lenses are the same lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi-LG Data Storage, Inc.
    Inventors: Kentaro Osawa, Naoko Senda, Daisuke Tomita
  • Patent number: 9593936
    Abstract: Provided is an optical tomographic device for simultaneously acquiring a plurality of tomographic images at a same position in a subject without narrowing a depthwise measurement range. A measurement light generator generates at least two measurement lights with different optical path lengths, superimposes the at least two measurement lights, radiates the resultant light to a subject, and splits reflected light reflected from the subject into at least two reflected lights. A reference light generator generates at least two reference lights with different optical path lengths. An interfering light generator combines the at least two reflected lights and the at least two reference lights having corresponding different optical path lengths, to generate at least two interfering lights. An interfering light detector detects the at least two interfering lights independently by at least two interfering light detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Tomey Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Yamanari
  • Patent number: 9593937
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the alignment of a laser light beam referred to an axis of rotation of a device that is rotatable around the axis of rotation, wherein the alignment is determined by means of a laser light detector device, and wherein the method comprises the steps A to D. Moreover, the invention relates to a laser light detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: PRÜFTECHNIK DIETER BUSCH AG
    Inventor: Johann Lenz
  • Patent number: 9593938
    Abstract: Provided is a fifth step for obtaining a removal depth of a second electrode mixture layer (first opaque layer) corresponding to an integrated value from the integrated value of the value corresponding to the number of applying pulses integrated thus far, based on a correlation between the value corresponding to the number of applying pulses of pulse laser and the removal depth of the second electrode mixture layer grasped in advance, once it is determined that a white light applying target has changed from the second electrode mixture layer to a solid electrolyte layer (second opaque layer) and acquiring the removal depth as a thickness of the second electrode mixture layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masanori Miura
  • Patent number: 9593939
    Abstract: A glue thickness inspection system automates a thickness measurement functionality for determining the thickness of both non-transparent and transparent materials including, but not limited to, glue, gel, solder and epoxy. The glue thickness inspection system includes a laser detector, a movable platform for positioning a unit under test, and a controller for controlling movement of the platform, angle of the laser detector, and calculation of the transparent material thickness. The laser detector includes a laser for emitting a laser light onto the unit under test and a sensor for receiving corresponding reflected light. The sensed data is used by the controller to determine the transparent material thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventors: Hongqiang Xie, An Qi Zhao, Jiyang Zhang, Zhen Feng, David Geiger
  • Patent number: 9593940
    Abstract: In an optical measuring method, a first spectrum and a second spectrum are obtained from a pattern and a thin layer formed on the pattern by a deposition process using an ellipsometer respectively. A skew spectrum is obtained between the first spectrum and the second spectrum. A fourier transform operation is performed on the skew spectrum to calculate a thickness of the thin layer on the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Min Seo, Jang-Ik Park
  • Patent number: 9593941
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a clearance detection system and method using frequency identification. Generally, the clearance detection system of the present disclosure uses a fiber optic sensor to determine a distance between a target traversing through a target area and a wall of a housing or casing within which the target is rotating. In various embodiments, the clearance detection system does so by projecting a light field including multiple alternating and diverging illuminated and non-illuminated regions into the target area, collecting light reflected off of the target as the target traverses through the light field, generating an oscillatory signal based on the collected reflected light, identifying the dominant frequency of the signal, and using the dominant frequency to determine the distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hood Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Shaju John
  • Patent number: 9593942
    Abstract: A system for determining the stroke of a hydraulic cylinder is provided. The hydraulic cylinder includes a barrel with a rod that slidably extends therefrom. A fiber optic shape sensing system is positioned to determine the stroke of the rod relative to the barrel. An interrogation module is fixed to a reference frame. A fiber bundle is joined to the interrogation module at a proximal end and a fiber termination at a distal end, which is joined to the connecting end of the rod. A signal conditioning module connected to the interrogation module is configured to compute the location of at least one position of the fiber bundle relative to the reference frame; and provide an output indicative of the stroke of the connecting end relative to the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Friend, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Patent number: 9593943
    Abstract: A clamp mechanism for fixation of an optical fiber (OSF) with optical shape sensing properties arranged for Optical Shape Sensing. A fixing element preferably with a circular cross section serves to engage with the optical fiber (OSF), and together with an additional fixing arrangement with a straight longitudinal portion arranged for engaging with the associated optical fiber (OSF), a fixation of a section of the optical fiber (OSF) is provided with the optical fiber (OSF) in a straight position. In some embodiments, the clamp mechanism can be implemented by three straight rods (R1, R2, R3) with circular cross section, e.g. with the same diameter being a factor of such as 6.46 times a diameter of the optical fiber (OSF). Hereby an effective fixation and straightening of the optical fiber (OSF) without disturbing strain can be obtained with a clamp mechanism which is easy to assemble and disassemble in practical applications e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Bharat Ramachandran, Martinus Bernardus Van Der Mark, Karen Irene Trovato, Cornelius Antonius Nicolaas Maria Van Der Vleuten, David Paul Noonan, Molly Lara Flexman, Jeroen Jan Lambertus Horikx, Anna Hendrika Van Dusschoten, Elbert Gerjan Van Putten
  • Patent number: 9593944
    Abstract: A method for calculating a shape of a painting spray head that injects liquid paint supplied to the center in a radial direction while rotating, includes: inputting a material characteristic of painting liquid to be injected; selecting a start point where a curve starts on a front surface of the painting spray head; calculating the thickness of a liquid film injected from the painting spray head through an input numerical value; correcting the start point where the curve starts depending on a difference value between the calculated thickness of the liquid film and a required thickness of the liquid film; and calculating a curve shape of the painting spray head by using the corrected start point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jae Hoon Jung
  • Patent number: 9593945
    Abstract: A compact integrated optical system including an eyepiece, a reflective telescope, and a multi-spectral combiner optically coupled between the reflective telescope and the eyepiece, and configured to direct visible light received via the reflective telescope assembly along a direct view optical path to the eyepiece assembly. In one example, the multi-spectral combiner includes a display that displays a visual representation of the imagery of the viewed scene, and laser range-finder transceiver that transmits and receives a laser beam via the reflective telescope. A pair of beamsplitters is used to separate the imaging optical path from the direct view and laser range-finding optical paths. A blocking device is used to enable laser range-finding capability during daytime viewing of the imaging optical path imagery on the display. The reflective telescope provides a common aperture for the direct view optical path, an imaging optical path, and the laser range-finder transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Brent L. Sisney, Robert B. Chipper, John Jackson
  • Patent number: 9593946
    Abstract: The invention relates to a binocular observation device, in particular a field glass, with two visual optical paths and with a laser distance meter with a laser transmitter and a laser receiver and with an opto-electronic display element. A part of an optical path of the laser transmitter is integrated in a first visual optical path and a part of an optical path of the laser receiver is also integrated in the first visual optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Swarovski-Optik KG.
    Inventors: Gavin Lancaster, Konrad A. Roider
  • Patent number: 9593947
    Abstract: The method for the measurement of turbulence by using reciprocating ocean microstructure profiler includes the following procedures: 1) system startup; 2) detection of the profile data of ocean dynamic environment information: a. temperature detection; b. shear detection; c. depth detection; and d. current and temperature & conductivity detection; e. gesture sensing; 3) control of ascending and descending operations of the profiler: a. uprising control; b. redirection operation; and c. sinking control; and 4) sleep mode. The method doesn't consume labor several times and the equipment is capable of providing long-time continuous profile measurement at a fixed area along a steel cable; and the entire system can ascend and descend steadily after hydrodynamic optimized layout, eliminating the measurement errors contributable to water flow fluctuation during detection, thus obtaining accurate ocean microstructure observation in vertical with higher precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: OCEAN UNIVERSITY OF CHINA
    Inventors: Jiwei Tian, Wei Zhao, Dalei Song, Qingxuan Yang, Ming Xu
  • Patent number: 9593948
    Abstract: A yaw-rate sensor having a substrate and a plurality of movable substructures that are mounted over a surface of the substrate, the movable substructures being coupled to a shared, in particular, central spring element, means being provided for exciting the movable substructures into a coupled oscillation in a plane that extends parallel to the surface of the substrate, the movable substructures having Coriolis elements, means being provided for detecting deflections of the Coriolis elements induced by a Coriolis force, a first Coriolis element being provided for detecting a yaw rate about a first axis, a second Coriolis element being provided for detecting a yaw rate about a second axis, the second axis being oriented perpendicularly to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Reinhard Neul, Johannes Classen, Torsten Ohms, Burkhard Kuhlmann, Axel Franke, Oliver Kohn, Daniel Christoph Meisel, Joerg Hauer, Udo-Martin Gomez, Kersten Kehr
  • Patent number: 9593949
    Abstract: A yaw-rate sensor having a substrate and a plurality of movable substructures that are mounted over a surface of the substrate, the movable substructures being coupled to a shared, in particular, central spring element, means being provided for exciting the movable substructures into a coupled oscillation in a plane that extends parallel to the surface of the substrate, the movable substructures having Coriolis elements, means being provided for detecting deflections of the Coriolis elements induced by a Coriolis force, a first Coriolis element being provided for detecting a yaw rate about a first axis, a second Coriolis element being provided for detecting a yaw rate about a second axis, the second axis being oriented perpendicularly to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Reinhard Neul, Johannes Classen, Torsten Ohms, Burkhard Kuhlmann, Axel Franke, Oliver Kohn, Daniel Christoph Meisel, Joerg Hauer, Udo-Martin Gomez, Kersten Kehr
  • Patent number: 9593950
    Abstract: A method performed by a floor determining device of a vehicle is provided for determining on which floor of a parking area the vehicle is positioned. The floor determining unit determines by means of a match determining unit that the vehicle at a current position has driven a travelled distance from a previous position of the vehicle, which horizontally coincides with the current position. The floor determining device determines by means of a floor change determining unit that the current position is situated on a higher floor above a previous floor of the previous position if the vehicle is determined to have driven the travelled distance more upwards than downwards from the previous position to the current position, and that the current position is situated on a lower floor beneath the previous floor if the vehicle is determined to have driven the travelled distance more downwards than upwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Staffan Davidsson, Johan Maresch
  • Patent number: 9593951
    Abstract: A method for increasing the reliability of sensor systems for determining the position of flying objects. Since the position determination is very decisive for the execution of planned missions, it is especially important to increase the reliability of such systems. The star sensors of the star systems are preferably structured identically and connected to each other by a bidirectional bus system. Due to the presence of several identical modules in the sensor system, there is an inner redundancy that can be utilized via the bus system. The bus system allows the transmission of signals of different data processing levels, so that the transmission of the data of the data processing levels can be adapted to modules that may have failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Jena-Optronik GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Strietzel, Klaus Michel, Dietmar Ratzsch
  • Patent number: 9593952
    Abstract: Disclosed is a reinforcement learning technique for online tuning of integration filters of navigation systems needing a priori tuning parameters, such as Kalman Filters and the like. The method includes receiving GNSS measurements from the GNSS unit of the navigation system; and IMU measurements from IMU of the navigation system. The method further includes providing a priori tuning parameters to tune the integration filter of the navigation system. The method further includes processing the GNSS and IMU measurements using the tuned integration filter to compute a position estimate and updating the a priori tuning parameters based on the computer position estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Trusted Positioning, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Goodall, Naser El-Sheimy
  • Patent number: 9593953
    Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: determining a location indicator within a geographic area; determining a traversal position based on a distance from an inanimate object location; determining a position error based on calculating a distance difference between the location indicator and the traversal position; determining an adjustment factor based on an error magnitude of the position error; and generating an update position with a control unit based on updating the location indicator with the adjustment factor for displaying on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Telenav, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane-Woei Lee, Yi-Chung Chao
  • Patent number: 9593954
    Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: determining a target value level based on an activity history for responding to a notification; determining a boundary dimension with a control unit based on the target value level; and generating a geofence including the boundary dimension for adjusting the boundary size for displaying on a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Telenav, Inc.
    Inventors: Lucas Dickey, Eli Portnoy, John Hinnegan
  • Patent number: 9593955
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are described for updating navigational map data. A routing request is received for routing data. A version compatibility matrix may be accessed that corresponds to the routing request. An analysis is performed of a cache database, a main database, and the version compatibility matrix. A number of version conflicts between the cache database and main database are identified based on the analysis. Using these version conflicts, one or more routes based on the routing request are generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventor: Martin Pfeifle
  • Patent number: 9593956
    Abstract: A method and system for automatically detecting a control section using traffic information is disclosed. The automatic control section detection system may include an analyzer configured to analyze a primary control section that is a control section included in traffic control information; and a detector configured to detect an additional control section associated with the primary control section based on connectivity and directivity of roads connected to the primary control section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Thinkware Corporation
    Inventors: Gyu Hyeon Park, Kyu Nam Lee, Yong Jin Cho
  • Patent number: 9593957
    Abstract: Techniques for providing a trajectory route to multiple geographical locations of interest are described. This disclosure describes receiving global position system (GPS) logs associated with respective individual devices, each of the GPS logs including trajectories connecting a set of geographical locations previously visited by an individual of a respective individual device. A trajectory route service receives a request for a trajectory connecting a set of geographical locations of interest specified by a user. The trajectory route service calculates a proximal similarity between (1) the set of geographical locations of interest specified by the user, and (2) respective sets of geographical locations from the GPS logs. The trajectory route service constructs the requested trajectory with use of at least one of the trajectories from the GPS logs determined at least in part according to the calculated proximal similarities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Yu Zheng, Zaiben Chen, Xing Xie
  • Patent number: 9593959
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, systems, and computer program products for generating a linear projection of a route. In one embodiment, route information is received and parsed. Supplementary route data is received. A linear route is generated and provided to a user, the linear route comprising a straight line and one or more segments extending form the straight line, where ends of the straight line represent a starting point and destination of the linear route, and the one or more segments represent turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rajesh Kalyanaraman, Senthil K. Venkatesan
  • Patent number: 9593960
    Abstract: A navigation system for an automotive vehicle that travels on roads includes a vehicle positioning apparatus that determines location data associated with the vehicle. A source of attraction location data provides location data associated with a plurality of attractions that are of interest to a user of the vehicle. A processing device is communicatively coupled to the vehicle positioning apparatus and to the source of attraction location data. The processing device calculates a distance and direction from the vehicle to at least one of the attractions of interest. The calculating is based upon the location data associated with the vehicle and the location data associated with the attractions of interest. A graphical display arrangement is communicatively coupled to the processing device. The graphical display arrangement indicates the calculated distance and direction without graphically indicating orientation of roads on which the vehicle may travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Peter Lucas, Michael McManus, Jeremy Koempel
  • Patent number: 9593961
    Abstract: A system and method for providing integrated time-based notification and aircraft status data on a display is provided. The system and method receives aircraft status data, pilot input data, data link notification data and aircraft notification data. The system and method generates and displays a timescale region divided into equal intervals from a predetermined origin with an icon graphically representative of a position of the aircraft overlaid with an icon graphically representative of notification data. The system and method continuously updates the temporal data as the aircraft flies, and responds to user requests to pan forward in time, pan backward in time and adjust the zoom on the timescale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Vinoda Ramaiah, Kiran Gopala Krishna, Dave Pepitone
  • Patent number: 9593962
    Abstract: Systems and methods for attitude fault detection based on integrated GNSS/inertial hybrid filter residuals are provided. In one embodiment, a fault detection system for aircraft attitude measurement system comprises: a sensor monitor coupled to a first inertial measurement unit, the sensor monitor comprising: a navigation error model for the first inertial measurement unit, the model configured to model a plurality of error states including at least an attitude error state vector, an velocity error state vector, and a position error state vector determined from data generated by the first inertial measurement unit; and a propagator-estimator configured to propagate and update error states based on GNSS data; and a residual evaluator configured to input measurement error residual values generated by the propagator-estimator, wherein the residual evaluator outputs an alert signal when the measurement error residual values exceed a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mats Anders Brenner, Mark A. Ahlbrecht, John R. Morrison
  • Patent number: 9593963
    Abstract: A device for determining navigation parameters of an aircraft during a landing phase includes a video system including at least one digital video camera arranged on the aircraft, the digital video camera being configured to generate on the aircraft current video data relating to at least one characteristic point on the Earth, whose coordinates are known, and a data processing unit including an extended Kalman filter and configured to determine the navigation parameters on the basis of current navigation data of the aircraft, arising from a satellite navigation system, current inertial data of the aircraft, as well as said video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignees: Airbus Operations SAS, Ecole Nationale de L'Aviation Civile (E.N.A.C.)
    Inventors: Alain Guillet, Jérémy Vezinet, Anne-Christine Escher, Christophe Macabiau
  • Patent number: 9593964
    Abstract: A method of sensor wire count reduction including receiving, from a sensor array comprising a first sensor, a second sensor, the third sensor, a first binary indication of sensor state for the first sensor a second binary indication of sensor state for the second sensor, and a third binary indication of sensor state for the third sensor. The method further includes setting a first voltage in response to the first binary indication of sensor state for the first sensor and the second binary indication of sensor state for the second sensor, determining a first indication comprising whether the fist voltage is within a first range, determining a second indication comprising whether the first voltage is within a second range, and determining a third indication comprising whether the first voltage is within a third range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Harald Klode, Albert Keith Pant
  • Patent number: 9593965
    Abstract: A non-contact adjustable hysteretic magnetic encoder includes a bipolar magnetic block, two magnetic sensing components, a storage, and a controller. After retrieving the current rotation angle by accessing a rotation angle table, the controller determines, by an encoding rule, digital logical values of a first phase signal (A-phase signal) and digital logical values of a second phase signal (B-phase signal) and outputs the digital logical values. The phase difference between a first phase signal and a second phase signal is adjusted, and a hysteresis range, also known as hysteresis angle, is adjusted, according to the grids attributed to the predetermined number of grids before the turning point and the grids attributed to the predetermined number of grids after the turning point. Hence, the non-contact adjustable hysteretic magnetic encoder features enhanced potential of expansion and marked industrial practicability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: NATIONAL CHUNG SHAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Ruh-Hua Wu, Chung-Tseng Chang
  • Patent number: 9593966
    Abstract: A sensor of magnetic fields along a direction of measurement comprising N magneto-resistive transducers TMi, a resistance of each transducer TMi varying linearly to within ±xi% as a function of an intensity of a magnetic field to be measured within a maximum range [ai; bi] of intensity of the magnetic field to be measured and non-linearly outside of this range, the index i being an identifier of the transducer TMi. The sensor further comprises a generator which generates N magnetic fields CMi using at least one permanent magnet, where each magnetic field CMi exhibits an intensity Ii in the direction of measurement. The intensity Ii being constant and independent of the intensity of the magnetic field to be measured and each transducer TMi being placed inside a respective magnetic field CMi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignees: Commissariat à l'énergie et aux énergies alternatives, Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Bertrand Delaet, Sylvain Bacquet
  • Patent number: 9593967
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for measuring multi-turn position of a shaft with high resolution and in a non-contact manner. In some embodiments, a multi-turn sensing apparatus can include a rotation counter configured to determine a number of turns made by a shaft, and an angular position sensor configured to measure an angular position of the shaft within a given turn. The number of turns can be determined with an M-bit resolution, and the angular position per turn can be measured with an N-bit resolution. Selected appropriately, the rotation counter can be configured to operate as a relatively low resolution; and yet the multi-turn sensing apparatus can maintain the N-bit per-turn angular resolution throughout the full range. Accordingly, the multi-turn sensing apparatus can have an effective resolution of M+N bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Bourns, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugen Bogos, Perry Wehlman, Christopher Couch
  • Patent number: 9593968
    Abstract: A sensing device includes a housing and at least one film extending across the housing. The at least one film divides the housing into a first compartment and a second compartment. At least one mass is disposed within the first compartment. The at least one mass id sized to rupture the at least one film. A fluid having a first color is disposed in the first compartment and a fluid having a second color is disposed in the second compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Jessica Noel Garcia
  • Patent number: 9593969
    Abstract: An electronic device with a rigid housing includes multiple apertures which each define a portion of a symbol used to identify the device. Conducting inserts may be positioned within the apertures to provide externally-accessible electrical connectors. The electrical connector may be used as a portion of a sensor or a charging circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas V. King
  • Patent number: 9593970
    Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system comprising a calibration device, a calibration device and a method for calibrating magnetic sensors are disclosed. Magnetic sensors used in a laboratory sample distribution system are calibrated in order to optimize driving of sample container carriers and in order to detect long-term variation in detection characteristics of the magnetic sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Achim Sinz
  • Patent number: 9593971
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with a backup counter module, the apparatus having: a housing having a first end for coupling the housing to a gas meter body, and a second end for coupling an electronic counter module to the housing; and the second end having an inner surface with at least two sets of backup counter module engagement features for securing an output end of a backup counter module in one of at least two backup counter module positions. The housing may be coupled to a first gas meter body with a backup counter module positioned within the housing in one of the at least two backup counter module positions. The housing may alternatively be coupled to a second gas meter body with the backup counter module positioned within the housing in another of the at least two backup counter module positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Romet Limited
    Inventors: Xinmin Wang, Andrew Smich, Marek Jurys
  • Patent number: 9593972
    Abstract: The present invention provides an acoustic flow meter assembly (2) for pipes or open channels, said assembly including a frame (24) with a predetermined geometry. The frame has at least one user accessible port (36-42) with the at least one user accessible port (36-42) adapted to receive an interchangeable cartridge (44) which contains at least one acoustic transducer (46) to measure fluid velocity through said frame (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Rubicon Research Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: David John Aughton, Damien Vernon Pearson
  • Patent number: 9593973
    Abstract: The measuring transducer comprises a measuring tube having an inlet-side tube end and an outlet-side tube end, a tube wall having a predetermined wall thickness and a lumen surrounded by the tube wall and extending between the first and second tube end, a support element, which with a support end is mechanically connected with the tube end and with a support end is mechanically connected with the tube end, as well as, laterally spaced from the measuring tube, a support element, which with a support end is mechanically connected with the support end and with a support end is mechanically connected with the support end. The measuring tube of the measuring transducer is adapted to guide a flowing medium in its lumen and during that to be caused to oscillate about a static resting position for producing Coriolis forces. The measuring transducer comprises an oscillation exciter as well as at least one oscillation sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Christof Huber, Alfred Rieder, Christian Schutze, Ennio Bitto, Martin Josef Anklin
  • Patent number: 9593974
    Abstract: A method of monitoring oil level in a transmission system of a machine is disclosed. The method includes monitoring an oil pressure and calculating an average value of the oil pressure over a first predetermined time duration. The method further includes calculating a variance of the oil pressure from the average value and recording a deviation if the variance is beyond a threshold variance. The method further includes detecting a low oil level condition if a count of deviations is above a threshold count within a second predetermined time duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan D. Funk, Nathaniel P. O'Brien, Joseph R. Manley, Dustin J. Funk, Kendall R. Harrell
  • Patent number: 9593975
    Abstract: A method for determining a liquid level in a boiler of an apparatus having a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature which is indicative of a temperature of the liquid inside the boiler, includes inducing a temporary deflection of the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor; determining an evaluation temperature sensed by the temperature sensor after inducing the deflection; and determining the liquid level from at least the evaluation temperature. The evaluation temperature is determined by monitoring the deflection and by defining an extreme value of the deflection as the evaluation temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Taikang Xiao, Tamilselvan Thirumazhisai Sankaralingam, Jose Luis Estrada, Hock Soon Tiew, Chaithra Belle, Jasmeet Singh Chadha, Barry Eng Keong Tay
  • Patent number: 9593976
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pulsed level gauge system comprising frequency control circuitry. If an acquired signal indicates that the time between the previous filling level determination and the present filling level determination is shorter than a predefined time, the frequency control circuitry controls at least one of a transmit signal generating circuitry and a reference signal generating circuitry comprised in the pulsed level gauge system using previous frequency control settings stored in memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Rosemount Tank Radar AB
    Inventors: Leif Nilsson, Hakan Delin, Hakan Nyberg
  • Patent number: 9593977
    Abstract: A system including a float ball, a pole, a sleeve, an indicator disk, and a dynamo circuit provides information regarding the water level in a tank, and whether fluid is flowing into the tank. The pole slides within the sleeve, through a slab above the tank. A first end of the pole is supported by the float ball, which floats within the tank, while the second end of the pole is located above the slab and supports the indicator disk. A user can detect the water level in the tank based on the height of the indicator disk. A user can also detect whether water is flowing into the tank. The dynamo circuit activates an LED located on the indicator disk when water is flowing into the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignees: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, American University of Sharjah
    Inventors: Tarek Haissam Mahmoud, Hisham Haissam Mahmoud
  • Patent number: 9593978
    Abstract: In a device and method for measuring a mass flow rate of a fluid, a housing has two hollow pipes communicating with one another and having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, an electromagnetic excitation unit excites vibrations in the hollow pipes, two electromagnetic adapters are associated correspondingly with the two pipes and provides signals which are proportional to a speed of vibrations of the pipes of said housing, and an electronic block connected with the electromagnetic excitation unit and with the electromagnetic adapters determines a mass flow rate of a fluid, a correction associated with inclusions in the fluid and constituted by a ratio of a voltage amplitude of the adapters and a voltage amplitude of excitation of vibrations by the electromagnetic excitation unit, and a corrected mass flow rate of the fluid based on the determined mass flow and the determined correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ARGOSY TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Alexander Dondoshansky, Peter Mouler
  • Patent number: 9593979
    Abstract: A scale with a weighing system (14), a weighing chamber (16) that is delimited by a windshield (18), and a drive for opening and closing the windshield (18). The scale has a load transferring part (32, 34) with which the weight of the load is transferred onto the weighing system (14). A decoupling mechanism is mechanically connected to the drive for rotating the windshield (18) such that the weighing system (14) is mechanically decoupled from the load transferring part in the load direction if the windshield (18) is open in order to not introduce transverse forces into the weighing system (14) during loading of the weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Sartorius Lab Instruments GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Aldo Iaia
  • Patent number: 9593980
    Abstract: An optical sensor includes a case and an integrated light projector entirely within the case including a light emitter, a light projecting lens, and a light projecting lens holder configured to hold the light projecting lens. A light receiver of the optical sensor is configured to receive reflected light of light projected from the light projector, and a light receiver lens is configured to form an image of the reflected light on the light receiver. The light projector, the light receiver, and the light receiver lens are each independently and directly fixed to the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Murata, Kenta Yamakawa, Kosuke Uemura
  • Patent number: 9593981
    Abstract: Provided are patterned nanoporous gold (“P-NPG”) films that may act as at least one of an effective and stable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (“SERS”) substrate. Methods of fabricating the P-NPG films using a low-cost stamping technique are also provided. The P-NPG films may provide uniform SERS signal intensity and SERS signal intensity enhancement by a factor of at least about 1×107 relative to the SERS signal intensity from a non-enhancing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Sharon M. Weiss, Yang Jiao, Judson D. Ryckman, Peter N. Ciesielski, G. Kane Jennings
  • Patent number: 9593982
    Abstract: A smartphone is adapted for use as an imaging spectrometer, by synchronized pulsing of different LED light sources as different image frames are captured by the phone's CMOS image sensor. A particular implementation employs the CIE color matching functions, and/or their orthogonally transformed functions, to enable direct chromaticity capture. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey B. Rhoads, Hugh L. Brunk, John D. Lord
  • Patent number: 9593983
    Abstract: A downhole tool to make one or more downhole measurements of laser-induced vaporization and/or pyrolysis of hydrocarbons is provided and disposed at a desired location within a wellbore. A tool head of the downhole tool is brought into sealing engagement with the wellbore wall. The fluid within an interior region enclosed by the tool head and the wellbore wall is evacuated and a measurement spot is irradiated with a laser to generate volatile hydrocarbons and/or pyrolytic hydrocarbons. Measurements are made on the volatile hydrocarbons and/or pyrolytic hydrocarbons and one or more formation properties are inferred based on the measurements. A low level of laser radiation intensity, irradiating some or all of the wellbore wall enclosing the interior region, may be used to prevent measurement contamination, and both medium power and high power levels of laser radiation may be used to first vaporize and then pyrolyze the hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mohammed Badri, Reza Taherian
  • Patent number: 9593984
    Abstract: A sensor probe may include an elongated body and a temperature sensor. The elongated body may include at least one first aperture, a first passageway and a second passageway. The first passageway may be in communication with the first aperture and may extend along a longitudinal axis of the elongated body. The second passageway may be in communication with and may extend from the first passageway. The temperature sensor may be disposed within the first passageway and may include a wire extending through a portion of the first passageway and the second passageway. The wire may include a diameter that is less than a diameter of the first passageway such that the first passageway defines a pressure path around the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.
    Inventor: Jeffrey N. Arensmeier