Patents Issued in April 11, 2017
  • Patent number: 9618430
    Abstract: An apparatus can be used to apply and remove fluid substances for processing biological samples. The fluid substances can be delivered between a first substrate and a second substrate. One substrate carries a specimen. A layer of the fluid substance is retained in a gap defined by the first and second substrates. One substrate is moved with respect to the second substrate to disperse the fluid substance in the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Howard Kram, Kevin David Marshall, Christine Tse, Timothy James Keller, Austin Micheil Ashby
  • Patent number: 9618431
    Abstract: Electrokinetic devices and methods are described with the purpose of collecting assayable agents from a dielectric fluid medium. Electrokinetic flow may be induced by the use of plasma generation at high voltage electrodes and consequent transport of charged particles in an electric voltage gradient. In one embodiment, the agents are directed electrokinetically to the sample collection assay device with no intermediate transfer steps. The agents are directed by creation of an electrokinetic potential well, which will effect their capture on to an assay device. Environmental agents such as biowarfare agents, pathogens, allergens or pollutants are collected autonomously on to the assay device, without any human intervention. The dielectric fluid medium, such as air, is sampled by electrokinetic propulsion with no moving parts or optionally, by transporting the dielectric fluid by a fan, pump or by breath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Inspirotec, Inc.
    Inventors: Julian Gordon, Prasanthi Gandhi
  • Patent number: 9618432
    Abstract: A pressure reactor for treating a sample fluid includes an oven, a sample line partly arranged in the oven, and a pressure line arranged in surrounding relation to the sample line and partly arranged in the oven. The sample line has an outlet opening into the pressure line. A contamination blocking apparatus is disposed in the pressure line for forming a contamination barrier which has at least one section arranged between the outlet opening and the oven and which delimits a contamination-free region in the pressure line. The outlet opening of the sample line is arranged in the contamination-free region of the pressure line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Günter Knapp
  • Patent number: 9618433
    Abstract: A system and methods are provided for evaluating a bond between structures. The system includes an assembly of at least two bonded structures. The assembly has a front surface, a back surface, a thickness, and a bond disposed between the front surface and the back surface. At least one delay component is attached to the front surface of the assembly having a body having a front face, a back face, and a thickness. The system further includes a laser source capable of depositing laser energy onto a front face of the delay component, where a first portion of the laser energy is absorbed by the front face of the delay component to generate a first compression wave that propagates through the body of the delay component. A second portion of the laser energy is absorbed by the back face of the component to generate a second compression wave that reflects off of the back surface of the assembly to produce a tensile wave that stresses the bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Kevin R. Housen, William J. Sweet
  • Patent number: 9618434
    Abstract: A calculating device of the stiffness measurement device pressurizes an object to be measured with a predetermined pressure and the stiffness of the object to be measured in the squeal frequency band is calculated based on an inclination of a stress-displacement performance curve immediately after a start of depressurization after the pressurization. According to this device, there is no need to oscillate the object with a high frequency band and there is no need to enhance the stiffness of the housing of the measurement device, which leads to a downsizing of the device. Further, there is no need for measuring of acceleration speed of the object to be measured and accelerator can be eliminated to reduce the cost of the stiffness measurement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuho Mizuta, Yukio Nishizawa, Kyoko Kosaka, Yutaka Kurita, Yasunori Oura
  • Patent number: 9618435
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to umbilical bend-testing are described. For example, some embodiments may contain a three-level support structure, umbilical terminal locker, bending machine, compression testing device, and stress-strain collection system, and may be used for the bending fatigue endurance test for umbilical samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: DMAR Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongtian Kang, Dagang Zhang, Zhiming Huang, Quan Yuan
  • Patent number: 9618436
    Abstract: A method for determining mechanical properties of a material includes positioning a probe tip of selected material properties having a selected geometry and a selected accelerating mass at a selected position and a selected height above a sample of the material. The probe tip is released to accelerate toward the sample. A first parameter related to force on the probe tip with respect to time is recorded. The releasing the probe tip is repeated with at least one of a different selected probe tip material, a different tip geometry, a different height and a different accelerating mass to record a second parameter related to force. The first and second parameters are used to determine at least one of an elastic property and a strength of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: New England Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Naff Boitnott, Gilles Yves Albert Bussod, Jean-Carlo McLure
  • Patent number: 9618437
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a wear of a screed plate of a paving machine is disclosed. The system includes a sensor located on the screed plate. The sensor generates signals indicative of the wear of the screed plate. The system further includes a controller coupled to the sensor. The controller receives signals from the sensor and determines the wear of the screed plate based on the received signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Mark C. Medeiros, Dana W. Miller
  • Patent number: 9618438
    Abstract: A system and method for isolating and analyzing a water sample in a water processing facility are disclosed. The system uses a chamber for receiving and isolating the water sample from the main water treatment process. An optical detector views and characterizes the particles in a region of the chamber. An analyzer coupled to the optical detector compares the characterized suspended particles at a first time and at with the characterized suspended particles at a second time to produce a report showing suspended particle size as a function of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ClearCorp
    Inventor: Roger M. Jorden
  • Patent number: 9618439
    Abstract: A thermophoretic sampler includes a sample assembly into which a removable sample cartridge can be inserted. The sample cartridge holds a substrate that, upon insertion, is exposed to a sample chamber. Thermophoresis is induced in the sample chamber, causing nanoparticles to be deposited on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignees: Colorado State University Research Foundation, RJ Lee Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John Volckens, Gary Casuccio, Henry P. Lentz, Anthony Marchese, John T. Mastovich, Daniel David Miller-Lionberg, Judith Chun-Hsu Yang
  • Patent number: 9618440
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for detecting the presence of gases is described. The gas detection apparatus includes, a housing adapted to be in fluid communication with a duct of a particle detection system, and at least one gas detector sensitive to a target species arranged in fluid communication with the housing to detect the presence of the target species in at least part of the air sample flowing in a duct. In one form the gas detection apparatus forms part of a system for detecting a condition in an environment that includes, a particle detector; a duct system in fluid communication with the environment and the particle detector and an aspirator to draw an air sample flow from the environment to the particle detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Xtralis Technologies Ltd
    Inventor: Alasdair James Williamson
  • Patent number: 9618441
    Abstract: A method for determination of pore-size distribution in a porous material called evapo porometry (EP) is capable of determining pore sizes from approximately the nanometer scale up to the micron scale. EP determines the pore size based on the evaporative mass loss at constant temperature from porous materials that have been pre-saturated with either a wetting or non-wetting volatile liquid. The saturated porous material is placed in an appropriate test cell on a conventional microbalance to measure liquid mass loss at a constant temperature as a function of time. The mass-loss rate is then related to the pore-size distribution. The microbalance permits measuring the mass as a function of time. The slope of the mass versus time curve is the evaporation rate. The evaporation rate is related to the vapor pressure at the interface between the liquid in the porous material and the ambient gas phase. The vapor pressure in turn is related to the pore diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignees: National University of Singapore, The Regents of the University of Colorado, A Body Corporate
    Inventors: Alan R. Greenberg, William B. Krantz, Elmira Kujundzic, Adrian Yeo, Seyed Saeid Hosseini
  • Patent number: 9618442
    Abstract: A microfluidic multiple channel particle analysis system which allows particles from a plurality of particle sources to be independently simultaneously entrained in a corresponding plurality of fluid streams for analysis and sorting into particle subpopulations based upon one or more particle characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: CYTONOME/ST, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Emanuel Tito Mendes Machado, Blair D. Morad, Rudolf Hulspas, Donald Francis Perrault, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9618443
    Abstract: There is described an apparatus and method for inspecting and optionally sorting gemstones. The apparatus includes a nozzle or array of nozzles operatively connected to a vacuum pump such that a gemstone located generally underneath one of the nozzles will be supported against that nozzle by air pressure when a vacuum is applied above the nozzle. A drive system moves the nozzles along a path past a gemstone pick-up location so that a gemstone can be picked up by each nozzle as that nozzle passes the pick-up location. One or more measurement devices are located on or near the predetermined path and configured to measure at least one property of the gemstone. One or more ejection locations are provided on the path at which the vacuum applied to each nozzle is reversible to eject the gemstone from that nozzle. The apparatus may also include a plurality of dispensing bins into which the gemstones are dispensed. The bin into which each gemstone is dispensed is chosen in dependence on the measured property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: De Beers UK Ltd.
    Inventors: James Gordon Charters Smith, Timothy Howard Leaton
  • Patent number: 9618444
    Abstract: A vehicle measurement system includes a laser projector which is designed to generate suitable laser radiation during the vehicle measurement operation, and a laser protection device which is suitable for protecting people and objects from the laser radiation. The laser projector and the laser protection device are designed as separate components and are combinable to form a laser projector having a laser protection device and are separable from one another again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Seifert, Claudia Hofmann
  • Patent number: 9618445
    Abstract: The present application discloses optical microscopy systems and related method that use modulation techniques and contrast agents to enable the systems to detect nonlinear photoacoustic signals with high spectrum sensitivity and frequency selectivity for imaging. A laser beam is amplitude modulated for pure sinusoidal modulation using either the loss modulation technique or the single light amplitude modulation technique. The sample used in the invention is an endogenous contrast agent by itself or is treated by at least one exogenous contrast agent to produce or enhance photoacoustic effect induced by multi-photon absorption. The modulated laser beam is focused via a focusing device onto a sample which absorbs multiple photons simultaneously and generates ultrasonic (acoustic) waves via nonlinear photoacoustic effect. The ultrasonic waves are received and transformed into electrical signals and the frequency signals within the electrical signals are detected and recorded to create images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Chi-Kuang Sun, Yu-Hung Lai, Chieh-Feng Chang, Szu-Yu Lee
  • Patent number: 9618446
    Abstract: A wellbore tool for determining a speed of sound of a fluid sample, such as a hydrocarbon sample or a wellbore fluid, is described herein. The wellbore tool includes a photoacoustic system for analyzing the fluid sample. The photoacoustic system includes a laser system that generates a laser pulse, an interface disposed between the fluid sample and the laser system, and an acoustic detector that receives an acoustic pulse that is generated in response to absorption of the laser pulse. The acoustic pulse is generated when the laser pulse is absorbed by the fluid sample or the interface. This acoustic pulse then moves through the fluid sample and is detected by the acoustic detector. The acoustic pulse is then used to determine a speed of sound of the fluid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew J. Speck, Andrew E. Pomerantz, Christopher Harrison, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Patent number: 9618447
    Abstract: A spectroscopic measuring device for minimizing spurious absorption due to undesired gases. The device includes a probe body, or a transmission cell formed from a central measurement cell and first and second probe bodies. Each probe body is subject to leakage of undesired gas, especially over time in the presence of high pressure gas. Each probe body includes a bore located between a primary window disposed at or near a distal end and a secondary window located at or near the proximal end. It being observed that the absorbance is proportional to the pathlength and inversely proportional to the volume as long as the pressure in the probe body remains low compared to that in the measurement cell, a glass filler rod is located in the bore and a is void located adjacent to the filler glass rod, thereby minimizing spurious absorption even in the presence of leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: HELLMA HOLDING GMBH
    Inventors: Walter M. Doyle, Norman A. Jennings
  • Patent number: 9618448
    Abstract: Metrology targets, optical systems and methods are provided, which enable metrology measurements of very small features, using resonance of illuminated radiation within periodical structures of the target, under appropriate illumination. Metrology targets comprise periodical structure(s) configured to resonate incident radiation and having a pitch defined by the grating equation with respect to configured parameters such as the selected diffraction order, refractive indices and the illumination's wavelength(s) and incidence angles. Possibly, the target may further comprise substructure(s) which are optically coupled with the resonating incident radiation in the periodical structure(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventor: Amnon Manassen
  • Patent number: 9618449
    Abstract: Modular systems can be used for optical analysis, including in-situ analysis, of stimulated liquids. An excitation module can include a radiation sources, e.g., a laser, LED, lamp, etc. A detection module can include one or more detectors configured to receive spectral and/or temporal information from a stimulated liquid. Such systems can be used to identify or measure optical emissions including fluorescence or scattering. The efficient excitation of liquid samples and collection of emissions from the samples provides substantial, up to four-fold increase in the emission signal over prior systems. In an example, emission measurements can be conducted in an isolated sample compartment, such as using interchangeable modules for discrete sampling, flow-through sampling, or sampling via fiber probe. The systems and methods described herein can be used to characterize natural aquatic environments, including assessments of phytoplankton pigments, biomass, structure, physiology, organic matter, and oil pollution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventor: Alexander Chekalyuk
  • Patent number: 9618450
    Abstract: An optical sensor may include multiple optical emitters configured to emit light into a fluid sample via an optical pathway. Light from the emitters can cause fluorescence from the sample and/or scatter off of the sample. Scattered and fluoresced light can be received by an optical detector in the sensor via the optical pathway, and used to determine at least one characteristic of the fluid sample. A second optical detector can provide reference measurements of the amount of light emitted to the sample. In one example, the optical detector can detect scattered and fluoresced light simultaneously. In another example, light is emitted and detected alternatingly. The sensor can be part of a system that includes one or more controllers configured to control the emitting and detecting of light to and from the fluid sample. The controller can use detected light to determine at least one characteristic of the fluid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA, INC.
    Inventors: Rodney H. Banks, Eugene Tokhtuev
  • Patent number: 9618452
    Abstract: A fluorescence hyperspectral microscopy system featuring structured illumination and parallel recording includes a light projection sub-system, a detection sub-system, and an electrical controller. The light projection sub-system includes a digital light processing (DLP) module for generating linear excitation light, a first lens set, an optical path allocation element, and an objective lens. The detection sub-system includes a second lens set, a frequency-dividing reflection element, a two-dimensional light detector, and a light collection element. With the detection sub-system performing detection in conjunction with the light projection sub-system, and the electrical controller controlling the DLP module, a two-dimensional moving platform, and the two-dimensional light detector, the fluorescence hyperspectral microscopy system provides increased resolution and can obtain accurate information in spatial and spectral dimensions and hence a four-dimensional hyperspectral image of the object under detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: National Central University
    Inventors: Szu-Yu Chen, Poyu Su, Chiao-Sheng Lu, Yu John Hsu
  • Patent number: 9618453
    Abstract: Provided herein are fluorescent bioprobes comprising fluorogens that exhibit aggregation-induced emission (AIE) labeled on biomolecules. The present subject matter relates to a fluorescent bioprobe comprising one or more fluorogen labeled on chitosan. The present subject matter is also directed to methods of preparing the fluorescent bioprobes, methods of labeling and detecting DNA and/or proteins with the fluorescent bioprobe, and methods of cell imaging including live cell tracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Benzhong Tang, Ka Ming Ng, Qian Luo, Yong Yu, Yuning Hong, Jianzhao Liu, Sijie Chen, Wing Yip Lam, Zhengke Wang, Wei Qin, Tsz Kin Kwok
  • Patent number: 9618454
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method of measuring the amount of a particular SERS-active taggant compound in a sample of a material which includes the steps of adding an internal standard containing an isotopically-altered version of said SERS-active taggant compound to the sample, contacting the sample/internal standard mixture with a SERS substrate then subjecting the mixture and SERS substrate to Raman spectroscopy. The concentration of SERS-active taggant compound in the sample is then calculated from the ratio of (i) the Raman spectroscopy detector response to the SERS-active taggant compound to (ii) the Raman spectroscopy detector response to the internal standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: JOHNSON MATTHEY PLC
    Inventors: Clive Antony Marchant, Vincent Brian Croud
  • Patent number: 9618455
    Abstract: A clam-shell luminometer that, when closed, completely encloses an assay reaction mixture-containing reaction vessel and some portion of a reaction carousel or ring. The luminometer includes first and second portions that are coupled to each other, a photomultiplier tube, and plural fiber optic bundles that are optically coupled to the photomultiplier tube. First ends of the fiber optic bundles are disposed adjacent to the reaction vessel in the second portion so that the fiber optic bundles completely surround the perimeter or periphery of the reaction vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventor: Beri Cohen
  • Patent number: 9618456
    Abstract: A humidity indicating card includes a humidity indicator and a security device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Desiccare, Inc.
    Inventors: Sammie Joe Glorioso, Benjamin Edward Blankenhorn
  • Patent number: 9618457
    Abstract: A chemical sensor according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a substrate, a low refractive index layer, a high refractive index layer, and a light detection unit. The low refractive index layer is laminated on the substrate and has a second refractive index smaller than a first refractive index that is a refractive index of a detection target object. The high refractive index layer is laminated on the low refractive index layer, has a third refractive index larger than the first refractive index, and includes a holding surface on which the detection target object is held, and illumination light propagates therein. The light detection unit is provided on the substrate and detects detection target light generated from the detection target object by the illumination light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanori Iwasaki, Nobuyuki Matsuzawa, Kensaku Maeda, Yusuke Moriya
  • Patent number: 9618458
    Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring a property of a component of a fuel cell system include performing a three-dimensional optical scan of at least a portion of a surface of the component to produce a three-dimensional representation of the topography of the at least a portion of the surface and measuring at least one property of the component based on the three-dimensional representation. Further embodiments include systems and methods for measuring dimensions of a fuel cell component using a line scan imaging device and/or a matrix camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen Couse, Tulin Akin
  • Patent number: 9618459
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture for automated composite layup quality assurance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Flightware, Inc.
    Inventor: David Maass
  • Patent number: 9618460
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of performing tomographic imaging involving repeatedly directing a charged particle beam through a sample for a series of sample tilts to acquire a corresponding set of images and mathematically combining the images to construct a composite image. The latter of which consists of, at each of a second series of sample tilts, using a spectral detector to accrue a spectral map of said sample, thus acquiring a collection of spectral maps; analyzing said spectral maps to derive compositional data of the sample; and employing said compositional data in constructing said composite image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Remco Schoenmakers, David Foord
  • Patent number: 9618461
    Abstract: An X-ray analysis apparatus for detecting, using an X-ray detector, X-rays given off by a sample when the sample is irradiated with X-rays, the X-ray analysis apparatus having replaceable components. The X-ray analysis apparatus comprises labels attached to the replaceable components and including symbols indicating the types of replaceable components, a camera for photographing the replaceable components and the labels, and CPU and image recognition software for specifying the types of replaceable components by calculation based on the symbols in the labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: RIGAKU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takao Ohara, Kenji Wakasaya, Tetsuya Ozawa, Kunio Nishi
  • Patent number: 9618462
    Abstract: An X-ray CT scanner for imaging an object is provided. The scanner includes an X-ray emitter configured to emit X-ray beams, a detector array including a plurality of detector elements, and a precollimator positioned between the X-ray emitter and the object, the precollimator configured to prevent the emitted X-ray beams from being directly incident on a first subset of the plurality of detector elements, and allow the emitted X-ray beams to be directly incident on a second subset of said plurality of detector elements. A processing device communicatively coupled to the detector array is configured to determine a signature of the object based on a first set of data acquired using the first subset of the plurality of detector elements, and tomographically reconstruct an image of the object based on a second set of data acquired using the second subset of said plurality of detector elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: MORPHO DETECTION, LLC
    Inventors: Sondre Skatter, Samit Kumar Basu
  • Patent number: 9618463
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of acquiring an Energy Backscattering Pattern image of a sample in a charged particle apparatus, the sample showing a flat surface, the charged particle apparatus equipped with an electron column for producing a finely focused electron beam, a position sensitive detector for detecting EBSP patterns, and a sample holder for holding and positioning the sample, the method comprising the steps of: Positioning the sample with respect to the electron beam, Directing the electron beam to an impact point on the sample, thereby causing backscattered electrons to irradiate the detector, and Acquiring the signal from the detector while the beam is kept stationary, in which The detector is equipped to selectively detect electrons with an energy above a predefined threshold, and The signal of the electrons with an energy above said threshold is used to form an EBSP image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Marek Un{hacek over (c)}ovský, Pavel Stejskal, Tomá{hacek over (s)} Vystav{hacek over (e)}l
  • Patent number: 9618464
    Abstract: A metal detector (20) has a metallic enclosure (21) with entrance and exit apertures (30, 31). A coil system inside the enclosure has an energized transmitter coil. First and second receiver coils (24, 25) bound a detection zone (28) between the apertures, through which inspected objects (2) travel. The receiver coils are on opposite sides of the transmitter coil, with regard to the direction of travel (13). The receiver coils are connected in series, but their windings are wires oppositely in a rotational sense. Metal contamination in the object generates a detection signal in the receiver coils. A first and second flange (26), arranged at the entrance and exit, cancel the undesirable influence of metal contamination beyond a first distance upstream of and a second distance downstream of the coil system. The respective flanges differ from each other and, consequently, the first and second distances are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo Safeline Ltd.
    Inventor: Daren Butterworth
  • Patent number: 9618465
    Abstract: A capacitor for a hydrogen sensor includes a dielectric substrate, a first electrode on the dielectric substrate, a second electrode on the dielectric substrate, and palladium islands on the dielectric substrate and between the first and second electrodes. The palladium islands are electrically isolated from the first and second electrodes and from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University
    Inventors: Martin Kocanda, Michael James Haji-Sheikh
  • Patent number: 9618466
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for indirectly determining the purity of silanes and germanes using a device for measuring specific resistance. The invention further relates to a system for industrially producing and/or filling containers with silanes or germanes, including a quality control in which a device is used for measuring specific resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Ekkehard Mueh, Hartwig Rauleder, Rainer Amend, Martin Hajduk
  • Patent number: 9618467
    Abstract: In the method of electrically characterizing a composite material for manufacturing an aircraft, the following steps are performed: compressing two spacers against at least one test piece made of a composite material; determining an electrical resistance value for the assembly formed by the spacers and the test piece; and deducing from said value a value for the electrical resistance of the composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Francois Pons, Nicolas Larrose
  • Patent number: 9618468
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for measuring electrical conductivity and a system for measuring electrical conductivity using the same. The method includes obtaining a cell constant of a conductance cell using a conductivity standard solution, pouring a solution desired to be measured in the conductance cell, and applying predetermined direct current (DC) voltages to electrodes, disposed in the conductance cell, in a manner of changing the predetermined DC voltages in stages at each preset time (t), obtaining resistance of the solution, as a slope, from a linear relationship between the voltage and a peak current, measured for each voltage, and calculating electrical conductivity of the solution using the cell constant and the resistance of the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignees: KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER CO., LTD., KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jong Yun Kim, Yong Suk Choi, Sang Eun Bae, Jei Won Yeon, Kyuseok Song
  • Patent number: 9618469
    Abstract: A water vapor sensor comprises a substrate and a film of carbon nanotubes impregnated with surfactant on the substrate. The substrate is of material which is inert relative to the film. Two or more electrical conductors are in contact with in spaced apart zones of the film, whereby the impedance of the film may be measured. The sensor is housed in housing which protects the sensor but also allows exposure of the film to water vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Graeme Scott, Richard Coull, Vittorio Scardaci
  • Patent number: 9618470
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine coupled temperature-based humidity sensor. Degradation of the humidity sensor may be determined while flowing gasses into an engine intake air downstream of a humidity sensor and upstream of a compressor, indicating humidity sensor degradation when relative humidity readings change by less than a threshold while temperature at the sensor changes greater than a second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Yong-Wha Kim, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 9618471
    Abstract: A circuit system for measuring a sensor element capacitance of a sensor element, in particular of a capacitive humidity sensor, including: the sensor element, which has the sensor element capacitance; a charge storage element, which is connected directly, or only via a resistor element, in series to the sensor element; and a control unit, which is configured to charge the charge storage element to a reference voltage and to successively transfer the charge via the sensor element capacitance until the charge storage element has reached a particular comparison voltage, the sensor element number of transfer processes thus ascertained representing information about the sensor element capacitance of the sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Metin Guerer, Norbert Schneider, Karl Wenzel, Axel-Werner Haag, Rolf Reischl
  • Patent number: 9618472
    Abstract: In a method for operating a heatable exhaust-gas sensor, which supplies at least one measuring signal and in which a sensor heater is operated using a pulse-width modulated operating voltage, the detection of the at least one measuring signal has priority over the supply of the pulse-width modulated operating voltage for sensor heater, and at least during a predefined time window in which the measuring signal is detected, the supply of the pulse-width modulated operating voltage for the sensor heater is suppressed using a blocking signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Engelke, Claudius Bevot, Thomas Schulz, Rolf Reischl, Ralf Kraemer, Andreas Gess
  • Patent number: 9618473
    Abstract: A gas sensor has a cylindrical housing case, a gas sensor element as a sensor component, and a filler portion. The filler portion is formed between the inner surface of the cylindrical housing case and the outer surface of the gas sensor element. The filler portion is filled with filler powder composed of talc as a layered compound. Talc is a principal ingredient of the filler powder. The space formed between the cylindrical housing case and the gas sensor element is sealed with the filler powder in the filler portion. The filler powder in the filler portion has a degree of c-axis orientation within a range of 60% to 85%, The filler powder in the filler portion has a porosity of not more than 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kiyomi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9618474
    Abstract: Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods of employing the same for the performance of bioinformatics analysis. The apparatuses and methods of the disclosure are directed in part to large scale graphene FET sensors, arrays, and integrated circuits employing the same for analyte measurements. The present GFET sensors, arrays, and integrated circuits may be fabricated using conventional CMOS processing techniques based on improved GFET pixel and array designs that increase measurement sensitivity and accuracy, and at the same time facilitate significantly small pixel sizes and dense GFET sensor based arrays. Improved fabrication techniques employing graphene as a reaction layer provide for rapid data acquisition from small sensors to large and dense arrays of sensors. Such arrays may be employed to detect a presence and/or concentration changes of various analyte types in a wide variety of chemical and/or biological processes, including DNA hybridization and/or sequencing reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Edico Genome, Inc.
    Inventors: Pieter van Rooyen, Mitchell Lerner, Paul Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9618475
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to FET arrays including large FET arrays for monitoring chemical and/or biological reactions such as nucleic acid sequencing-by-synthesis reactions. Some methods provided herein relate to improving signal (and also signal to noise ratio) from released hydrogen ions during nucleic acid sequencing reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Rothberg, Todd Rearick
  • Patent number: 9618476
    Abstract: A biological sample analysis device includes a casing that encloses a biological sample delivery system hydraulically coupled to a sensor, wherein the sensor includes a plurality of Graphene transistors and each transistor covalently bonds with a biomarker causing the electrical properties of the transistor to measurably change when the biomarker is exposed to corresponding antibodies within an infected biological sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: NANOMEDICAL DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
    Inventor: Brett Goldsmith
  • Patent number: 9618477
    Abstract: Methods and devices for sequencing nucleic acids are disclosed herein. Devices are also provided herein for measuring DNA with nano-pores sized to allow DNA to pass through the nano-pore. The capacitance can be measured for the DNA molecule passing through the nano-pore. The capacitance measurements can be correlated to determine the sequence of base pairs passing through the nano-pore to sequence the DNA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Sameer Walavalkar, Axel Scherer, Thomas A. Tombrello, Aditya Rajagopal, Andrew P. Homyk, Erika Garcia
  • Patent number: 9618478
    Abstract: Provided are a sample analysis method using capillary electrophoresis capable of enhancing analysis accuracy, a solution for capillary electrophoresis, and a sample analysis kit. The sample analysis method includes separating and/or detecting a substance to be analyzed in a sample through capillary electrophoresis, in which the substance to be analyzed is separated and/or detected in the presence of a pH buffer substance and a non-surfactant-type zwitterionic substance. Further, the solution for capillary electrophoresis contains a pH buffer substance, a non-surfactant-type zwitterionic substance, and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventor: Naotsugu Onuma
  • Patent number: 9618479
    Abstract: Devices and methods generate an ordered restriction map of genomic DNA extracted from whole cells. The devices have a fluidic microchannel that merges into a reaction nanochannel that merges into a detection nanochannel at an interface where the nanochannel diameter decreases in size by between 50% to 99%. Intact molecules of DNA are transported to the reaction nanochannel and then fragmented in the reaction nanochannel using restriction endonuclease enzymes. The reaction nanochannel is sized and configured so that the fragments stay in an original order until they are injected into the detection nanochannel. Signal at one or more locations along the detection nanochannel is detected to map fragments in the order they occur along a long DNA molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: John Michael Ramsey, Laurent Menard
  • Patent number: 9618480
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting the quality of a weld under test in a structure having a plurality of spaced apart welds. Two probes are placed on opposite sides of the structure so that a current path is formed through the weld under test. The probes are energized with alternating current at a known frequency. The magnetic flux generated from the current flow through the probes and at least one of the spaced apart welds is then measured and subsequently compared with magnetic flux data previously determined and representing weld quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Hoda, Hua Zeng, Masayoshi Takahashi, Hiroki Funato