Patents Issued in April 18, 2017
  • Patent number: 9625513
    Abstract: A method for determining continuity in a PV panel string by calculating a discharge ratio includes operatively coupling a PV panel to a PV panel string; measuring a first voltage between points of coupling of the PV panel to the PV panel string; disconnecting the PV panel from the PV panel string; waiting for a discharge period to expire; measuring a second voltage at an expiration of the discharge period; calculating a discharge ratio of the second voltage to the first voltage; and comparing the discharge ratio to a predetermined threshold ratio. An apparatus for determining continuity in a PV panel string includes a discharge resistance serially connected in the PV panel string; a capacitance parallel connected to the discharge resistance; a voltage sensor parallel connected to the discharge resistance; and a first switch parallel connected to the discharge resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SOLANTRO SEMICONDUCTOR CORP.
    Inventor: Kadir Yilmaz
  • Patent number: 9625514
    Abstract: A circuit for monitoring the health of the transformers is disclosed. In an implementation, the circuit includes a transformer that provides an input signal and a pulse generator that generates a pulse signal. An analog-to-digital converter receives a combined signal that includes the input signal and the pulse signal, and the analog-to-digital converter converts the combined signal to a digital representation of the combined signal. The circuit includes a first digital filter and a second digital filter that are connected to the analog-to-digital converter. The first digital filter reconstructs an amplitude characteristic of the input signal, and the second digital filter reconstructs the pulse signal. The circuit also includes a controller that indicates a short circuit or an open circuit associated with the transformer based upon a value of the reconstructed pulse signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Arman Hematy, Jonathan R. Strode
  • Patent number: 9625515
    Abstract: The subject matter described herein generally relates to apparatus, systems, methods and associated computer instructions for predicting the end of service life of a space charge limited vacuum electron device. The device produces an electron beam current and has a cathode and a filament powered by an adjustable voltage power supply providing a voltage between a first low voltage and a second higher voltage to heat the cathode to an electron emitting temperature. The process includes periodically, while the device is in operation, adjusting the voltage provided by the power supply while monitoring the beam current, determining a knee-point in the voltage where the beam current begins to decrease as the voltage is decreased, and calculating, based on the determined knee-point and a predetermined voltage vs service life remaining relationship, the amount of service life left in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: COMMUNICATIONS & POWER INDUSTRIES LLC
    Inventors: John B. Overstreet, Michael J. Cascone, John A. Lazar, Louis R. Falce
  • Patent number: 9625516
    Abstract: A device and corresponding method for monitoring a photovoltaic system to detect an occurrence of events impairing normal operation of the photovoltaic system is provide. The photovoltaic system includes a photovoltaic generator including a first group of photovoltaic modules and a second group of photovoltaic modules being different from the first group. The device includes a first and a second pair of coupling means, both pairs including signal coupling-in means for coupling a test signal into the photovoltaic generator, and a signal coupling-out means for coupling out a response signal from the photovoltaic generator, the first pair of coupling means configured to selectively detect the occurrence of the events in the first group of photovoltaic modules, and the second pair of coupling means configured to selectively detect the occurrence of the events in the second group of photovoltaic modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Markus Hopf, Holger Behrends, Gerd Bettenwort, Sebastian Bieniek, Marcel Kratochvil
  • Patent number: 9625517
    Abstract: A leakage current detection method and apparatus are provided. The method is applied to leakage current detection for a board-mounted component on a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) board, and includes: providing a fixed voltage for a leakage current input end of a board-mounted component under detection, and connecting a leakage current output end to an inverting input end of an operational amplifier of a resistance testing module, where the resistance testing module includes the operational amplifier and a reference resistor that is connected between the inverting input end of the operational amplifier and the voltage output of the operational amplifier; detecting an output voltage of the resistance testing module; and calculating, based on Ohm's law and according to the output voltage and the reference resistor, a leakage current flowing through the board-mounted component under detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qingsong Zhu, Lujun Xie
  • Patent number: 9625518
    Abstract: The operation of electrical appliances receiving electrical power from an electrical system may be indirectly monitored using monitoring units engaged with outlets on branch circuits of the electrical system. Electrical systems providing power to appliances to be monitored in accordance with the present invention may comprise split phase alternating current systems, tri-phase systems, or any other type of electrical system. Known loads may be applied to calibrate the monitoring system. The monitoring system may measure the power consumption of appliances operating on the electrical system and/or detect possible fault conditions. The application of a known load to each phase of the electrical system for calibration permits different portions of the electrical system to be isolated and, therefor, provides improved accuracy in monitoring power consumption and detection of potential fault conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Ronald Byron Kabler, Robert Leon Lutes, Alain Charles Briancon, Curtis Scott Crawford, Christopher Allen Giacoponello, Jerald Frederic Johnson, Victor Andres Jara-Olivares, Marc Anthony Epard, Steven Jeffrey Goldberg, John Berns Lancaster
  • Patent number: 9625519
    Abstract: The present techniques include methods and systems for detecting a failure in a capacitor bank of an electrical drive system. Embodiments include using discharge resistors to discharge capacitors in the capacitor bank, forming a neutral node of the capacitor bank. In different capacitor configurations, the neutral node is measured, and the voltage is analyzed to determine whether a capacitor bank unbalance has occurred. In some embodiments, the node is a neutral-to-neutral node between the discharged side of the discharge resistors and a neutral side of the capacitor bank, or between the discharged side of the discharge resistors and a discharged side of a second set of discharge resistors. In some embodiments, the node is a neutral-to-ground node between the discharged side of the discharge resistors and a ground potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Yuan Xiao, Lixiang Wei, Doyle F. Busse
  • Patent number: 9625520
    Abstract: Latch-up test device and method are provided, and the method includes following steps. A set operation is performed for setting a basic test value according to a test range and setting a trigger pulse and a predetermined error value by the basic test value. A test on a test chip in a wafer under test is performed by the trigger pulse, and whether the test chip is in a latch-up state is determined. Whether to update a test range and a latch-up threshold value and whether to return to the step of performing the set operation are determined according to a determination result, the latch-up threshold value and the basic test value. When the test chip is in the latch-up state and a difference between the latch-up threshold value and the basic test value is not greater than the predetermined error value, the test on the test chip is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yu Wang, Yao-Wen Chang, Tao-Cheng Lu
  • Patent number: 9625521
    Abstract: A method of testing an integrated circuit of a device is described. Air is allowed through a fluid line to modify a size of a volume defined between the first and second components of an actuator to move a contactor support structure relative to the apparatus and urge terminals on the contactor support structure against contacts on the device. Air is automatically released from the fluid line through a pressure relief valve when a pressure of the air in the fluid line reaches a predetermined value. The holder is moved relative to the apparatus frame to disengage the terminals from the contacts while maintaining the first and second components of the actuator in a substantially stationary relationship with one another. A connecting arrangement is provided including first and second connecting pieces with complementary interengaging formations that restricts movement of the contactor substrate relative to the distribution board substrate in a tangential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Aehr Test Systems
    Inventors: Scott E. Lindsey, Junjye Yeh, Jovan Jovanovic, Seang P. Malathong
  • Patent number: 9625522
    Abstract: An adaptor structure includes a main adaptor, a first sub-adaptor, a second sub-adaptor and a first driving mechanism. The main adaptor is over a socket. The main adaptor has an opening. The first sub-adaptor is movably received in the opening of the main adaptor in a first direction. The first sub-adaptor is configured to support a first side surface of the semiconductor package. The second sub-adaptor is movably received in the opening of the main adaptor in the first direction and a second direction. The second sub-adaptor faces the first sub-adaptor to support a second side surface of the semiconductor package. The first driving mechanism is configured to move the second sub-adaptor in the second direction. Thus, the adaptor structure can guide the semiconductor packages having different sizes to the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Guen Iy, Bo-Seong Park
  • Patent number: 9625523
    Abstract: A test circuitry for testing an interconnection between interconnected dies includes a cell embedded within one of the dies. The cell includes a selection logic module that includes a first multiplexer configured to receive a first control signal and provide a first output test signal, and a second multiplexer configured to receive a second control signal and provide a second output test signal. The cell includes a scannable data storage module coupled to the first multiplexer; and a transition generation module configured to receive a third control signal; wherein the first and second output test signals are generated based on respective states of the first, second, and third control signals, and wherein the test circuitry is configured to use the first and second output test signals to perform at least two of: a DC test on the interconnection, an AC test on the interconnection, and a burn-in-test on the interconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sandeep Kumar Goel, Saman M. I. Adham
  • Patent number: 9625524
    Abstract: Efficient production testing of integrated circuits. A first production test is implemented on a group of integrated circuits and failures among the test group are assessed. Specifically, the results of the first test are analyzed such that integrated circuits having a recoverable fail and integrated circuits having a non-recoverable fail are differentiated. The integrated circuits are integrated based on the analyzed results and a second production test is implemented. The second production test tests the integrated circuits responsive to the segregation, such that the second production test is limited only to integrated circuits with a recoverable fail. The next succeeding production test will then use the new test program in the second production test with the handler bin designated as having integrated circuits not to be re-tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Teck Seng Eng, Michael Russell Uy Gonzales, Louie Que Hermosura
  • Patent number: 9625525
    Abstract: Testing of an electrical device is achieved by providing a test access mechanism within the device that can receive scan frames from an external tester. The received scan frames contain stimulus data to be applied to circuitry within the device to be tested, a command for enabling a test control operation, and a frame marker bit to indicate the end of the scan frame pattern. The inputting of scan frames can occur continuously and simultaneous with a commanded test control operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Lee D. Whetsel
  • Patent number: 9625526
    Abstract: Processing logic circuit has State Retention Power Gating logic circuit including at least two scan chains having different lengths and operable to collect state information about at least a portion of the processing logic circuit before the at least a portion of the processing logic circuit is placed from a first state into a second, different, state. The processing logic circuit includes a memory operable to store collected state information about the at least a portion of the processing logic circuit, and logic circuit operable to rearrange the collected state information data for scan chains shorter than a longest scan chain, to enable valid return of the collected state information data, for the scan chains shorter than a longest scan chain, to the at least a portion of the processing logic circuit when the at least a portion of the processing logic circuit returns to the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Priel, Dan Kuzmin, Sergey Sofer
  • Patent number: 9625527
    Abstract: A method can include collecting time traces for N calibration instances of a device and identifying a key feature for the device based on the time traces. The method can also include using an equation to determine a key feature variation based on a predicted value and a measured value for each new qualified instance of the device. The method can also include generating an alert based on the key feature variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: VERLITICS LLC
    Inventor: Harold Gene Alles
  • Patent number: 9625528
    Abstract: A battery charger is configured to perform a battery charging method. The method includes determining a magnitude of a parasitic load on a battery. The method also includes adjusting an absorption stage of a multi-step charging process for the battery based on the determined magnitude of the parasitic load. The method further includes charging the battery using the multi-step charging process with the adjusted absorption stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Kussmaul Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Nugent, Jr., Paul Lamattina
  • Patent number: 9625529
    Abstract: A battery pack management system provides information such as remaining capacity and/or run time to empty for a battery. A time taken for a battery voltage to drop a threshold amount is measured and used to determine a remaining capacity of the battery. The time may be associated with a temperature and current of the battery. The remaining capacity of a battery is calculated by monitoring a discharge of the battery. For example, current drawn from the battery is monitored over a period of time and an initial amount by which the battery has been discharged is calculated. Compensation of this initial amount is carried out in order to take into account factors such as temperature, self-discharge rate and age of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics, Inc., STMicroelectronics International N.V.
    Inventors: K. R. Hariharasudhan, Frank J. Sigmund
  • Patent number: 9625530
    Abstract: Example embodiments provide systems and methods for a vehicle component structural integrity assessment system, comprising a first connection and a second connection coupled to a conduction path, which is associated with a vehicle component. The conduction path has an initial resistance. A controller is configured to transmit a signal upon the detection of a change in the resistance of the conduction path from the initial resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Alvaro Masias
  • Patent number: 9625531
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for calculating a precharge resistance of a battery pack. The apparatus for calculating a precharge resistance of a battery pack according to the present invention includes: a load resistor configured to be connected between a battery pack and a precharge resistor in series; a voltage measuring unit configured to measure a no-load voltage in a no-load state in which the load resistor is not installed in the battery pack or a load voltage applied to the load resistor when the load resistor has a predetermined current value in a load state in which the load resistor is installed in the battery pack; and a precharge resistance calculating unit configured to calculate the precharge resistor of the battery pack using the no-load voltage of the battery pack, the load voltage, and the predetermined current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Sung Kwon, Jin Hwee Choi
  • Patent number: 9625532
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium are described for characterizing performance loss of an object undergoing an arbitrary aging condition. Baseline aging data may be collected from the object for at least one known baseline aging condition over time, determining baseline multiple sigmoid model parameters from the baseline data, and performance loss of the object may be determined over time through multiple sigmoid model parameters associated with the object undergoing the arbitrary aging condition using a differential deviation-from-baseline approach from the baseline multiple sigmoid model parameters. The system may include an object, monitoring hardware configured to sample performance characteristics of the object, and a processor coupled to the monitoring hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin L. Gering
  • Patent number: 9625533
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method that includes predicting terminal voltage of a battery module in a vehicle using a battery control module. Predicting the terminal voltage includes determining a gassing current of the battery module using a gassing current model, in which the gassing current quantifies terminal current that is not used to charge the battery module, and calculating the predicted terminal voltage based at least in part on a measurement model and the determined gassing current. The method also includes measuring terminal voltage of the battery module using a sensor communicatively coupled to the battery control module, and determining a corrected state of the battery module using the battery control module by minimizing a difference between the predicted terminal voltage and the measured terminal voltage. In other words, the corrected state of the battery (e.g., corrected state of charge) may be more accurately determined using the measurement model and the gassing current model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Daniel B. Le, Brian C. Sisk
  • Patent number: 9625534
    Abstract: Apparatuses for detecting the strength of magnetic fields may include a first magnetic field detection circuit that produces a first signal indicating a strength of a magnetic field, and a second magnetic field detection circuit that can be turned on and off, and produces a second signal indicating the strength of the magnetic field. A control circuit may be configured to determine whether the first signal indicates a change greater than a predetermined amount in the strength of the magnetic field. If the change is greater than the predetermined amount, the control circuit may turn on the second magnetic field detection circuit. The control circuit may turn off the second magnetic field detection circuit to conserve power if the strength of the magnetic field is relatively stable. Methods for detecting the strength of the magnetic field are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Cadugan, Michael C. Doogue
  • Patent number: 9625535
    Abstract: In embodiments, three magnetic field sensing elements are arranged equidistantly from each other to define a plane and a central axis perpendicular to the plane. The magnetic field sensing elements are configured to generate a respective output signal representing proximity of a magnetic target that is proximate to the central axis and capable of moving relative to the central axis. A processor circuit is coupled to receive output signals from each of the sensors and configured to calculate a position of the magnetic target relative to the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Cadugan, Jim Rice
  • Patent number: 9625536
    Abstract: An object is to achieve miniaturization and an increase in performance of a magnetic sensor device, and the magnetic sensor according to the present invention has a magnetic film and a metal electrode to be electrically coupled to the magnetic film, the magnetic film and the metal electrode constituting a magnetic sensor portion. The metal electrode is formed with level difference portions, and the magnetic film is formed on the level difference portions and sidewalls that connect the level difference portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Takaki Sugino
  • Patent number: 9625537
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a magnetic field sensing device and method. The magnetic field sensing device includes a pinned layer with a first magnetization direction, an analyzer with a second magnetization direction, wherein the first and the second magnetization directions form an angle, and a sensing layer of magnetic material, located between the analyzer and the pinned layer. The magnetic field sensing method includes: providing a pinned layer with a first magnetization direction, providing an analyzer with a second magnetization direction, wherein the first and the second magnetization directions form an angle, and providing a sensing layer of magnetic material, located between the analyzer and the pinned layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventors: Jui-Hang Chang, Ching-Ray Chang
  • Patent number: 9625538
    Abstract: A circuit for sensing an external magnetic field includes first voltage source, first magnetic sensor, second magnetic sensor, bias voltage unit, clamp voltage current mirror unit, signal transfer amplifying unit. The first voltage source provides a power voltage. The first magnetic sensor provides a reference current. The second magnetic sensor senses an external magnetic field and the conductivity of the second magnetic sensor varies in response to the external magnetic field. The bias voltage unit connected to the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor provides a bias voltage to the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor. The clamp voltage current mirror unit generates a reference current for the first magnetic sensor and mirrors the reference current to the second magnetic sensor. The signal transfer amplifying unit generates an output voltage and an additional current to compensate the change in the conductivity of the second magnetic sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Young-Shying Chen, Cheng-Tyng Yen
  • Patent number: 9625539
    Abstract: A magnet evaluating device evaluates an evaluation magnet by passing the evaluation magnet, which is formed by connecting a plurality of magnetic sections with insulating material in between, and a master magnet of the same form through an alternating magnetic field generated by an excitation coil, measuring the eddy current occurring in the magnetic section as voltage or current occurring in a detection coil and comparing the measured value for the evaluation magnet and the measured value for the master magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Higaki, Kimio Nishimura, Masahiro Omata, Hideki Watanabe, Yasuhisa Koike, Takashi Sekikawa, Yasushi Matsushita, Akihisa Hori, Takumi Ohshima, Michito Kishi, Kiyoshi Hasegawa, Hiroaki Shibukawa, Kazuhiro Takaichi, Hideo Sakuyama, Yuhei Yamane, Yoshito Ozawa
  • Patent number: 9625540
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with optimizing sounds produced during nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic to repetitively and variably sample a (k, t, E) space associated with a patient to acquire a set of NMR signals. Members of the set of NMR signals are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The varying parameters may include flip angle, echo time, RF amplitude, and other parameters. The parameters are varied in different acquisition blocks to facilitate matching sounds produced in response to the acquisition blocks to a desired set of sounds. The desired set of sounds may be a musical piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mark Griswold, Yun Jiang, Dan Ma
  • Patent number: 9625541
    Abstract: In order to provide online monitoring of local specific absorption rate (SAR) within a body subject to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, directional couplers measure a phase and an amplitude of a transmission radio frequency (RF) pulse generated and transmitted by an MRI system. A measured local SAR value is calculated based on the measured phase and the measured amplitude of the transmission RF pulse using a voxel model of the body and an electromagnetic (EM) simulation. In order to verify proper operation of the local SAR monitoring, the measured local SAR value is compared to a predetermined local SAR value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jörg Ulrich Fontius, Holger Adolf, Thomas Benner, Hans-Peter Fautz, Matthias Gebhardt, Rene Gumbrecht
  • Patent number: 9625542
    Abstract: A local antenna device for transmitting magnetic resonance (MR) signals of a plurality of MR receiving antenna elements to an MR signal processing device is provided. The local antenna device includes a plurality of analog-to-digital converters for scanning the MR signals and converting the MR signals to digital MR data, and a plurality of transmitting antenna elements for wirelessly transmitting the digital MR data to the MR signal processing device by the emission of an electromagnetic field. The local antenna device includes a plurality of transmitting devices for triggering the transmitting antenna elements and a plurality of spacer elements that is arranged and embodied on the local antenna device such that at least a defined minimum emission spacing is produced between the plurality of transmitting antenna elements and articles adjoining the local antenna device in at least one direction of a principal axis of emission of the electromagnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Daniel Evers, Klaus Pistor, Florian Poprawa, Stefan Schwarzer, Markus Vester
  • Patent number: 9625543
    Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of suppressing noise in an environment of a magnetic resonance imaging system is provided. The method comprising estimating a transfer function based on multiple calibration measurements obtained from the environment by at least one primary coil and at least one auxiliary sensor, respectively, estimating noise present in a magnetic resonance signal received by the at least one primary coil based at least in part on the transfer function, and suppressing noise in the magnetic resonance signal using the noise estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Hyperfine Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Rearick, Gregory L. Charvat, Matthew Scot Rosen, Jonathan M. Rothberg
  • Patent number: 9625544
    Abstract: In some aspects, a magnetic system for use in a low-field MRI system. The magnetic system comprises at least one electromagnet configured to, when operated, generate a magnetic field to contribute to a B0 field for the low-field MRI system, and at least one permanent magnet to produce a magnetic field to contribute to the B0 field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Hyperfine Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Stephen Poole, Todd Rearick, Jonathan M. Rothberg
  • Patent number: 9625545
    Abstract: A Faraday cage assembly for use with a Magnetic Resonance (MR) Imaging scanner is deployed inside the MR scanner room. The Faraday cage assembly is configured to accept accessory medical equipment which is desired to be attached to the patient during scanning. Accessory medical equipment can include patient monitoring systems, injector pumps, and intravenous (IV) poles with infusion pumps. Once the accessory medical equipment is placed inside the Faraday cage, radiofrequency (RF) interference emitted by the accessory medical equipment is contained within the cage and cannot significantly degrade MR image quality. The cage may permit non-MR compatible accessory equipment such as infusion pumps to be used without modification or reconfiguration during MR scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Childrens Hospital Medical Center
    Inventors: Charles L. Dumoulin, Ronald Pratt
  • Patent number: 9625546
    Abstract: In a method to acquire magnetic resonance (MR) data within a volume segment with a magnetic resonance system, the MR data are repeatedly acquired with a sequence that includes radiating a first resonant RF pulse, radiating a second resonant RF pulse, applying a dephasing first gradient after the first resonant RF pulse and before the second resonant RF pulse, radiating a third resonant RF pulse after the second resonant RF pulse, applying a second gradient after the third RF pulse in order to refocus a stimulated echo of a magnetization component prepared by the first gradient, and read out MR data. At least one of the first gradient and/or the second gradient is/are different in a respective repetition of the sequence and an additional repetition of the sequence that directly follows the respective repetition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Koehler, Thorsten Speckner
  • Patent number: 9625547
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method for the quantification of the longitudinal (T1) and/or transverse (T2) relaxation times in a sample. According to the MRI method, a sample is subjected to an unbalanced steady state free precession (SSFP) sequence comprising a series of consecutive radiofrequency (RF) pulses. By means of the unbalanced SSFP sequence, a first order SSFP FID signal (F1), a lowest order SSFP FID signal (F0), and a lowest order SSFP Echo signal (F?1) are acquired. Based on the F0-signal, the F1-signal and the F?1-signal, the longitudinal (T1) and/or transverse (T2) relaxation times of the sample are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSITATSSPITAL BASEL
    Inventors: Rahel Heule, Oliver Bieri
  • Patent number: 9625548
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system for intracranial vessel wall imaging. The MRI system includes a radio frequency (RF) coil system to irradiate radio frequency (RF) pulses into a region of interest and detect a plurality of RF response signals, and a signal processing unit adapted to analyze the plurality of RF response signals. The RF coil system arranges the RF pulses in a pulse sequence including an excitation pulse and refocusing pulses which induce corresponding flip angles. A minimum flip angle is in the range of 30 degrees to 65 degrees, and a maximum flip angle is in the range of 100 degrees to 150 degrees. The signal processing unit analyzes the RF response signals with a three-dimensional isotropic resolution of 500 cubic microns or less and orders the RF response signals in k-space to enhance contrast between intracranial vessel wall tissue and cerebrospinal fluid or blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Bruce A. Wasserman, Ye Qiao
  • Patent number: 9625549
    Abstract: A method for producing an image of a subject with a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system, in which relative signal contributions from a plurality of different chemical species are separated, is provided. A plurality of different echo signals occurring at a respective plurality of different echo times are acquired with the MRI system and a signal model that accounts for relative signal components for each of a plurality of different chemical species is formed for each echo signal. Those echo signals containing errors, such as phase errors, magnitude errors, or errors indicative of a corrupted echo signal, are identified. The relative signal components for each of the plurality of different chemical species are then determined by fitting the echo signals with the signal model. Particularly, those echo signals identified as containing errors are fitted to the signal models in a manner that discards the error-containing information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventor: Diego Hernando
  • Patent number: 9625550
    Abstract: Methods and systems for assessing pulmonary gas exchange and/or alveolar-capillary barrier status include obtaining at least one MRI image and/or image data of hyperpolarized 129Xe dissolved in the red blood cells (RBC) in the gas exchange region of the lungs of a patient. The image is sufficiently sensitive to allow a clinician or image recognition program to assess at least one of pulmonary gas exchange, barrier thickness or barrier function based on the 129Xe MRI image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Bastiaan Driehuys, Gary Price Cofer
  • Patent number: 9625551
    Abstract: In magnetic resonance data acquisition, decoupling between the transmit and receive coils is achieved by using a transmit array system wherein induced currents from the transmit coils cancel each other, resulting in a total of zero current in the receive coil. Forward and reversed polarized transmit coil pairs are set to cancel the individual currents of each other, or of a receive coil. Linearly polarized fields can also be used to effect the decoupling. The decoupling allows the magnetic resonance data acquisition system to be operated for concurrent excitation of the nuclear spins and reception of the resulting magnetic resonance signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventors: Ali Caglar Ozen, Ergin Atalar
  • Patent number: 9625552
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus to acquire magnetic resonance data in a selected region of an examination subject without aliasing artifacts and with a reduced acquisition time, a spatially selective excitation pulse is radiated into the examination subject to excite nuclear spins in at least the selected region, and after radiating the excitation pulse, a series of at least two refocusing pulses is radiated into the examination subject, which generate variable flip angles adapted to a predetermined signal curve. At least the second refocusing pulse, and possibly every additional one of the refocusing pulses of this series, is a non-selective pulse. The spin echo signals generated by the refocusing pulses are acquired as magnetic resonance data. Gradients for spatial coding are activated before and after the spatially selective excitation pulse, the refocusing pulses and during the data acquisition. The acquired magnetic resonance data are stored and/or converted into image data for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Dominik Paul
  • Patent number: 9625553
    Abstract: A system acquires RF magnetic field information (B1 magnetic field information) in response to generated radio frequency (RF) pulses applied to a target object via at least one of a plurality of RF coil elements in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The system acquires first information comprising B1 magnetic field phase information of a B1 magnetic field formed by the respective RF coil elements and acquires second information comprising B1 magnetic field phase information of a B1 magnetic field formed by a combination of two or more of a plurality of RF coil elements. The system acquires third information comprising B1 magnetic field phase information by combining the first information and the second information and processes the first, second and third information in providing a B1 map indicating spatial distribution of a B1 magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Industry Academic Cooperation Foundation Kyunghee University
    Inventors: Ju-hyung Lee, Soo-yeol Lee
  • Patent number: 9625554
    Abstract: An electronic interface (10) between a pure NMR receiver resonator (RO) and a preamplifier is characterized in that one or more control diodes (Dmatch1, Dtune1) are provided by means of which the current designed to flow through the switching diodes can be fed into these switching diodes, and the control diodes are connected to the switching diodes directly or via one or more additional series impedances. In this fashion, the impedance of the resonator is transformed to the required preamplifier or line impedance during the receiving process with little loss. In particular, during the receiving process, matching can be adjusted during the transmitting process, the current in the inductance of the resonator generated by the B1 field of the transmitting resonator is minimized and all components are protected against damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Bruker BioSpin AG
    Inventors: Daniel Marek, Arthur Schwilch, Martin Luke
  • Patent number: 9625555
    Abstract: A method of shimming a magnetic field, includes applying radio frequency (RF) signals to an object, using a transceiver coil, and calibrating phase offsets of magnetic resonance signals acquired from the object through a receiver coil. The method further includes generating RF signals to be applied through the transceiver coil based on magnetic resonance signals acquired from the object through the transceiver coil and the calibrated magnetic resonance signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yeun-chul Ryu, Young-beom Kim, Seong-deok Lee, Jae-mock Yi
  • Patent number: 9625556
    Abstract: An impedance synthesis method for single and multi-probe high resolution slide screw impedance RF and microwave tuners employs a fast calibration algorithm, which creates appropriately distributed calibration points over the Smith chart and a second order interpolation algorithm between calibration points, optimized for best suitability to the natural behavior of the tuners. The fast tuning algorithm uses a general search in order to identify the closest calibrated points, followed by a gradient search using fine interpolation grid in order to reach the final target. The method is applicable, after proper data preparation, also to double and triple probe harmonic tuners. The method allows tuning accuracy as high as ?60 dB, or deviation-from-target vector distance of 0.001 units on the Smith chart, whereas absence of the fine grid interpolation typically yields accuracies of the order of ?20 dB, or a deviation-from-target vector distance of 0.1 reflection factor units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventor: Christos Tsironis
  • Patent number: 9625557
    Abstract: A method and a system for calibrating the work function or surface potential of a non-contact voltage sensor probe tip. The method includes preparing one or more reference sample surfaces and a reference non-contact voltage sensor probe tip to have stable surface potentials, measuring the voltage between the reference samples and the reference sensor probe tip, measuring the voltage between a point on a non-reference sample surface and the reference sensor probe tip, measuring the voltage between the same point on the non-reference sample surface and a non-reference non-contact voltage sensor probe tip, and determining a surface potential correction factor for the non-reference, non-contact voltage sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: QCEPT INVESTMENTS, LLC
    Inventors: M. Brandon Steele, Steven R. Soss
  • Patent number: 9625558
    Abstract: A duplex system measuring and outputting at least one of a voltage and current is provided. A first measurement device measures at least one of the voltage and current. A second measurement device measures at least one of the voltage and current. A control device is disconnected from the first measurement device and performs a changeover to the second measurement device when the first measurement device abnormally operates. A filter filters a second measurement value of the second measurement device based on a first measurement value of the first measurement device to output a filtered value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chang Sung You
  • Patent number: 9625559
    Abstract: A system includes a utility meter. The utility meter includes a first sensor configured to detect a usage, a generation, or a combination thereof of electric power, and a power detection and correction system configured to detect and correct an inaccuracy with a measurement of an electrical voltage, electrical current, or a combination thereof from the first sensor. The power detection and correction system includes a processor configured to execute a program stored in a memory of the utility meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John Kirk Fahrenbruch
  • Patent number: 9625560
    Abstract: The present inventive concept includes a duct system and method for using same to map and locate ducts. A preferred embodiment of the duct system includes a duct, a plurality of electronic information modules and an oversheath at least partially covering the plurality of information modules and fixing the information modules to the duct. The plurality of information modules are configured to emit a positional signal to enable location of the information modules and associated duct(s) and/or mapping of the duct system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: DURA-LINE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy A. Grimsley, Thomas McCall
  • Patent number: 9625561
    Abstract: There is provided a method for positioning of user equipment. The method for positioning of user equipment, includes: receiving, by the user equipment, a signal from an external antenna, the signal being radiated in a cyclic pattern; measuring, by the user equipment, strength of the received signal, characterizing, by the user equipment, the measured strength to form a signal pattern over a time period; and determining a position of the user equipment based on the signal pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventors: Lee Jihoon, Kim Junghoon, Lee Konju
  • Patent number: 9625562
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining a direction to a signal-emitting object by means of a platform comprising at least two antennas separated by a known distance. The method comprises said steps of: receiving, with each of said at least two antennas, a signal from said signal-emitting object at first positions, determining a first phase relation of said signal between said at least two antennas, —receiving, with each of said at least two antennas, a signal from said signal-emitting object at at least second positions, determining at least a second phase relation of said signal between said at least two antennas, characterized by the steps of: determining change(s) in position(s) of at least one antenna of said at least two antennas, and determining a direction to a signal-emitting object based on said first phase relation, said at least second phase relation and said change(s) in position(s) of said at least one antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SAAB AB
    Inventor: Sven Holte