Patents Issued in May 2, 2017
  • Patent number: 9638645
    Abstract: The present invention provides deterioration analysis method which allows a detailed analysis of deterioration, especially deterioration of surface conditions, of a polymer material. The present invention relates to a deterioration analysis method, including irradiating a polymer material with high intensity X-rays, and measuring X-ray absorption while varying the energy of the X-rays, to analyze deterioration of the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Fusae Kaneko, Hiroyuki Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 9638646
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an X-ray scanner that has an electron source and an anode. The anode has a target surface with a series of material areas spaced along it in a scanning direction. The material areas are formed from different materials. The electron source is arranged to direct electrons at a series of target areas of the target surface, in a predetermined order, so as to generate X-ray beams having different energy spectra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Patent number: 9638647
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining the retention capacity of fuel vapor filters for motor vehicles, wherein a temperature profile of the fuel is recorded on a motor vehicle in a SHED chamber during a temperature cycle. A fuel vapor volumetric flow for a temperature change is calculated from the temperature profile. In a measurement arrangement (1) fuel is evaporated by means of an evaporator (2) and is output by means of a charging pump (9) to a fuel vapor filter (4) disposed in an oven (5). The bleed emissions of the fuel vapor filter (4) are measured at least during the charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Harms, Volker Treudt
  • Patent number: 9638648
    Abstract: A method and system for inspecting an object is provided. In accordance with embodiments of the method, a thermal excitation pulse is applied to an object undergoing evaluation. A transient thermal signal from the object is detected in response to the thermal excitation pulse. Two or more orthogonal functions are applied to the transient thermal signal based on a defined time interval to generate two or more orthogonal components. The object is assessed for defects at different depths using the two or more orthogonal components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yuri Alexeyevich Plotnikov, Harry Israel Ringermacher
  • Patent number: 9638649
    Abstract: The invention allows determining a local change of an admixture concentration in a fluid flow at an entrance to a measurement cell. The change of the admixture concentration in time inside the measurement cell is first determined for a fluid containing the admixture, the change of concentration of which in time at the entrance to the measurement cell is known. Then, an impulse response of the cell is found applying the deconvolution method. The change of the admixture concentration inside the measurement cell is then determined for a fluid being studied with an unknown concentration of the admixture at the entrance. The unknown concentration is determined using the impulse response of the measurement cell and the change of the admixture concentration inside the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Evgeny Pimonov, Alexander Starostin, Oleg Yurievich Dinariev, Dmitry Alexandrovich Korobkov
  • Patent number: 9638650
    Abstract: A piezoelectric element feeder for feeding a piezoelectric element, includes a drawing unit that draws a first electrode surface of the piezoelectric element with use of negative pressure and transfers the piezoelectric element onto the actuator attaching part and a probe movably supported with the drawing unit and used to measure electric characteristics of the piezoelectric element. A front end of the probe is brought into contact with the first electrode surface when or just before the drawing unit draws the first electrode surface, to enable a measurement of the electric characteristics of the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mikio Arai
  • Patent number: 9638651
    Abstract: A method for measuring a physical quantity with a, particularly inductive, sensor element and for providing a sensor output depending on the physical quantity. The sensor element is part of a resonant circuit whose attenuation depends on the physical quantity being measured. The resonant circuit is excited to generate a periodic oscillation signal, the amplitude of which depends on the attenuation. The oscillation signal is compared with a comparator threshold value in a comparator to produce a periodic comparator signal with a duty cycle depending on the comparator threshold value. The comparator threshold value is set to be different from a mean value of the oscillation signal so that a duty cycle different from 50% is achieved. The sensor output is output depending on the duty cycle of the comparator signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventor: Roland Seefried
  • Patent number: 9638652
    Abstract: Hundreds of thousands of concrete bridges and hundreds of billions of tons of concrete require characterization with time for corrosion. Accordingly, protocols for rapid testing and improved field characterization systems that automatically triangulate electrical resistivity and half-cell corrosion potential measurements would be beneficial allowing discrete/periodic mapping of a structure to be performed as well as addressing testing for asphalt covered concrete. Further, it is the low frequency impedance of rebar in concrete that correlates to corrosion state but these are normally time consuming vulnerable to noise. Hence, it would be beneficial to provide a means of making low frequency electrical resistivity measurements rapidly. Further, prior art techniques for electrical rebar measurements require electrical connection be made to the rebar which increases measurement complexity/disruption/repair/cost even when no corrosion is identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: GIATEC SCIENTIFIC INC.
    Inventors: Pouria Ghods, Rouhollah Alizadeh, Mustafa Salehi
  • Patent number: 9638653
    Abstract: Methods and sensors for selective fluid sensing are provided. Each sensor includes a resonant inductor-capacitor-resistor (LCR) sensor that is coated with a sensing material. In order to collect data, an impedance spectrum is acquired over a relatively narrow frequency range, such as the resonant frequency range of the LCR circuit. A multivariate signature may be calculated from the acquired spectrum to discern the presence of certain fluids and/or fluid mixtures. The presence of fluids is detected by measuring the changes in dielectric, dimensional, resistance, charge transfer, and other changes in the properties of the materials employed by observing the changes in the resonant electronic properties of the circuit. By using a mathematical procedure, such as principal components analysis (PCA) and others, multiple fluids and mixtures can be detected in the presence of one another, even in a high humidity environment or an environment wherein one or more fluids has a substantially higher concentration (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: General Electricity Company
    Inventors: Radislav Alexandrovich Potyrailo, Cheryl Margaret Surman, Andrew Arthur Paul Burns, Nandini Nagraj
  • Patent number: 9638654
    Abstract: A composite elastomeric flexible element has an elastomer layer between rigid members. When subjected to loads, and as time goes by, the elastomer layer will undergo damage in the form of micro-voids and polymer chain scission. The time it takes the damage to reach a predetermined, but safe state is a known function of several parameters such as loading rate and load magnitude, time at load, temperature and frequency. The damage decreases the electrical permittivity of the elastomer and changes the electrical conductance of the elastomer if the elastomer is in the environment of an electrically conductive fluid or when the elastomer includes conductive filler. The health of the flexible element is monitored by measuring the electrical impedance of the elastomer layer, computing an indication of health from the electrical impedance and trend data for the elastomer layer, and reporting the indication of health to a human administrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: OIL STATES INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: John Baileys
  • Patent number: 9638655
    Abstract: The invention concerns a test element analytical system for the analytical examination of a sample, especially a body fluid, comprising at least one test element with one or more measuring zones and contact areas located on the test element, in particular electrodes or conductor paths, the sample to be examined being brought into the measuring zone to carry out an analysis in order to determine a characteristic measured quantity for the analysis, and an evaluation instrument with a test element holder for positioning the test element in a measuring position and a measuring device for measuring the characteristic change, the test element holder containing contact elements with contact areas which enable an electrical contact between the contact areas of the test element and the contact areas of the test element holder, characterized in that one of these contact areas is provided with an electrically conductive hard material surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Manfred Augstein, Joerg Dreibholz, Stefan Riebel
  • Patent number: 9638656
    Abstract: Various embodiments that allow for a more accurate analyte concentration by determining at least one physical characteristic, particularly hematocrit, of the blood sample containing the analyte, particularly glucose, and deriving a specific sampling time based on a relationship between the physical characteristic and sampling time so that the analyte concentration can be determined with greater accuracy with the specific sampling time point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: LifeScan Scotland Limited
    Inventor: Michael Malecha
  • Patent number: 9638657
    Abstract: A technique is provided, wherein any influence, which would be otherwise exerted on a reaction of an objective substance caused by a reagent enzyme by an interfering substance contained in a specimen, is suppressed in relation to an electrochemical sensor for measuring the objective substance contained in the specimen. A sensor comprises a substrate; a detecting unit which is provided on the substrate and which detects an objective substance; a filter which covers the detecting unit, which permits permeation of the objective substance on one hand, and which regulates permeation of an interfering substance contained in a sample on the other hand; and removing unit which removes the interfering substance adhered to the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasunori Shiraki, Koji Katsuki, Kazuya Iketani
  • Patent number: 9638658
    Abstract: The concentration of glucose in a blood sample is determined by methods utilizing test strips having a sample receiving cavity having a volume from about 0.3 ?l to less than 1 ?l and determining the glucose concentration within a time period from about 3.5 seconds to about 8 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignees: Roche Diabetes Care, Inc., Roche Operations Ltd.
    Inventor: Christopher D. Wilsey
  • Patent number: 9638659
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technology for fabricating a nanowire field-effect sensor, in which a bulk silicon substrate is used so that the fabrication cost of the sensor can be reduced while the integration density of the sensor can be increased. In addition, the nanowire field-effect sensor includes a nano-network having a network structure in which pins are vertically arranged on the sidewalls of the network, respectively, and a gate insulating layer is applied to the pins. Due to this nano-network, the detection area of the sensor can be increased to increase its sensitivity, and the structural stability of the sensor can be ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: POSTECH ACADEMY-INDUSTRY FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Jeong Soo Lee, Chan Oh Park, Dong Hoon Kim, Ki Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 9638660
    Abstract: A system and method for receiving and ejecting a test strip of a fluid testing device. The system includes parallel first and second guide rails defining a rail cavity between the guide rails. A sled includes a sled post and opposed first and second side leg sets each having at least one deflectable leg. Each of the deflectable legs is externally slidably engaged to one of the guide rails limiting the sled to only sliding motion in either a loading direction or an opposite ejection direction. An actuator arm is rotatably connected to a mechanism assembly. The sled post is received in an actuator arm slot. Actuator arm rotation in a loading rotational direction displaces the sled in the loading direction in a sliding motion. Subsequent opposite rotation of the actuator arm in an ejection rotational direction displaces the sled in the ejection direction and ejects the test strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Hanson, Derek C. Lotarski, Matthew C. Sauers, Anthony J. Uberta, III
  • Patent number: 9638661
    Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for generating an electric or pressure difference force that induces a plurality of particles to flow through a through-hole. Independently adjustable heat source in a vicinity of the through-hole induces a thermodynamic force for modifying the flow of the plurality of particles through the through-hole. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
    Inventor: Aleksei Aksimentiev
  • Patent number: 9638662
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for manipulating droplets are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for manipulating droplets is provided, the apparatus including a substrate, multiple arrays of electrodes disposed on the substrate, wherein corresponding electrodes in each array are connected to a common electrical signal, and a dielectric layer disposed on the substrate first side surface and patterned to cover the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Michael G. Pollack, Vamsee K. Pamula, Richard B. Fair
  • Patent number: 9638663
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cartridge for conducting diagnostic assays. The cartridge consists of an assembly of components that are easily assembled. The cartridge provides means for receiving a patient sample, precisely controlling fluid introduction, onboard storage of assay fluid and conducting different assay protocols and detection of a plurality of analytes. Methods of use for the cartridge are described. The disclosed invention is suitable for point of care environments or any place where rapid, ultrasensitive testing is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Proxim Diagnostics Corporation
    Inventor: Mikhail Briman
  • Patent number: 9638664
    Abstract: A method of material analysis, including; placing an electrode in proximity to the material; applying a voltage signal to generate plasma, preferably Dielectric Barrier Discharge in Air, between the material and the electrode; moving the electrode relative to the surface; monitoring an electrical signal associated with the microdischarge; and detecting a change in a physical characteristic of the material through variation in the monitored signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: DBD Innovations Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Piotr Glowacki, Guy James Reynolds
  • Patent number: 9638665
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for obtaining aerosol particle size distributions with a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) device comprising a differential mobility analyzer (DMA); which method comprises the stages: (i) collecting a first data set of particle concentrations vs. size for a size range from a predetermined minimal size Dmin to an intermediate size Dt by varying a voltage applied to a DMA column of an SMPS from Vmin to Vt1 at a first sheath flow rate Qsh1; (ii) changing the sheath flow rate from the first sheath flow rate Qsh1 to a second sheath flow rate Qsh2; (iii) collecting a second data set of particle concentrations vs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: PARTICLE MEASURING SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Boris Zachar Gorbunov
  • Patent number: 9638666
    Abstract: The invention is essentially a sequential (“DMA”) apparatus using a novel arrangement of at least three electrodes and at least two block electrodes to produce a DMA apparatus having at least two sequential DMA regions between pairs of adjacent electrode walls within the same housing. This apparatus is used to improve the transfer of particles into the subsequent DMA region without a vacuum or pump, and to improve the separation of target particles from non-target particles and concentration and collection of the target particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Arkansas State University—Jonesboro
    Inventor: Hideya Koizumi
  • Patent number: 9638667
    Abstract: A method for in-situ detection of coating defects on a buried pipeline. The pipeline is under cathodic protection or otherwise carries a current applied to its pipe walls. A magnetic field sensor array is placed within the pipeline and moved along its length. As the sensor array travels, it detects the magnetic fields within the pipeline. The sensor output is compared with “expected” data, which represents interior magnetic fields of the pipeline without coating defects. Because electrical current leaks through a coating defect, the current is altered on the pipe wall at the defect. This in turn alters the interior magnetic fields, and a change in the interior magnetic fields indicates a coating defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jay L. Fisher, Pavan K. Shukla
  • Patent number: 9638668
    Abstract: To provide a surface property inspection apparatus, surface property inspection system, and surface property inspection method capable of inspecting the surface processing state of processed material subjected to surface processing such as shot-peening, heat treatment, or nitriding with high accuracy and low vulnerability to temperature changes in the inspection environment. Surface property inspection apparatus is furnished with a AC power supply, a AC bridge circuit, and an evaluation device; AC bridge circuit comprises variable resistor with which distribution ratio ? is variable, reference detector, and inspection detector. Inspection detector is furnished with a coil wound so as to oppose the surface property inspection region of object under inspection M, and by supplying AC power from AC power supply to coil, an eddy current is excited in object under inspection M.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SINTOKOGIO, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiyasu Makino, Hideaki Kaga
  • Patent number: 9638669
    Abstract: A portable fuel dilution meter and method includes a plurality of sample bottles each with a lid securable thereto and an absorbent material in the bottle. A housing includes a sample bottle receptacle and a hinged head unit over the receptacle including at least a first needle piercing the lid of a sample bottle loaded into the housing receptacle and extending into the headspace of the sample bottle when the head is closed. A vapor sensor is fluidly coupled to the first needle for analyzing vapors in the headspace of the sample bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Spectro Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Olson, Henry Wohltjen, Yuegang Zhao
  • Patent number: 9638670
    Abstract: A pipe scanning apparatus includes a scanner collar fitted around the outside of a pipe with tools for inspecting or modifying the pipe, a tubular fabric pipe sheath fitted around the outside of the pipe and connected at an end to the scanner collar, and a powered winch or manually operable reel configured to draw in the tubular fabric pipe sheath so as to scan the scanner collar connected to the end of the tubular fabric pipe sheath over the pipe. The tubular fabric pipe sheath may include inelastic warp fibers running parallel with the pipe and elastic weft fibers running around the pipe. The pipe sheath may include at least one longitudinal slit with a slit fastener, and may include two such slits on opposite sides so that the pipe sheath is separable into two sheath halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: BWXT Intech, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin D Fisher
  • Patent number: 9638671
    Abstract: A method for ultrasonic guided wave defect detection in a structure is disclosed. The method includes driving a plurality of transducers to cause guided waves to be transmitted in the structure in a predetermined direction or focused at a predetermined focal point, receiving at least one reflected guided wave signal, and generating image data of the structure based on the at least one reflected guided wave signal. Processed image data are generated by performing at least one of baseline image subtraction or image suppression on the image data, and a location of at least one possible defect in the structure is identified based on the processed image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: FBS, Inc.
    Inventors: Cody Borigo, Steven E. Owens, Joseph L. Rose
  • Patent number: 9638672
    Abstract: The present invention provides for systems and methods for acquiring acoustic information from a resonating body. Specifically, a focused light beam is emitted from an emitter module onto an impedance matching reflector. The impedance matching reflector has similar wave propagation characteristics to the resonating body, so as to capture mechanical vibrations thereof. The impedance matching reflector reflects the focused light beam as it vibrates, and the vibrations are captured by a receiver module through the reflected light beam, which is converted to an input signal. The input signal may be further processed and converted to an audio output signal, as an accurate representation of the acoustic information emanating from within the resonating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Bongiovi Acoustics LLC
    Inventors: Joseph G. Butera, III, Ryan J. Copt, Robert J. Summers, III
  • Patent number: 9638673
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasonic device optimized with both averaging and dithery pulsing techniques. The averaging technique significantly removes white noise; on the other hand, the dithery pulsing significantly removes acoustic noise, which is otherwise accumulated during conventional averaging processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS SCIENTIFIC SOLUTIONS AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Pierre Langlois, Benoit Cournoyer
  • Patent number: 9638674
    Abstract: An autosampler includes a flow path switching valve to which a sample push unit and an analysis flow path are connected, a sample loop connected to the flow path switching valve, a sampling needle connected to the flow path switching valve, a metering pump connected to the flow path switching valve, and a control unit for controlling operations of the flow path switching valve and the metering pump. The control unit includes an injection volume addition unit for adding up injection volume of a same sample component injected into the sample loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Morikawa, Tsutomu Okoba
  • Patent number: 9638675
    Abstract: A gas chromatography system includes a gas chromatography oven and a gas chromatography column. The gas chromatography oven includes a housing and a flow generating system. The housing defines an oven chamber and an intake port fluidly communicating with the oven chamber. The fluid flow generating system includes a radial flow impeller. The gas chromatography column is disposed in the oven chamber. The oven is configured to selectively operate in each of: a cooling mode wherein the radial flow impeller generates a cooling fluid flow that is drawn from the intake port and flows about the column and out of the oven chamber; and alternatively, a recirculating mode wherein the radial flow impeller generates a recirculating fluid flow within the oven chamber that repeatedly flows about the column and back to the radial flow impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Botelho
  • Patent number: 9638676
    Abstract: A representative embodiment is directed to a fitting for fluidically coupling a GC column to another structure. The fitting comprises: a first end configured to receive a ferrule having a tubular element disposed therein, the tubular element being oriented in a first direction; and a second end fluidically connected to the first end and having an opening to provide a fluid from the tubular element in a second direction that is different from the first direction. The second end comprises a substantially planar portion, and the planar portion is configured to make a substantially gas impermeable seal with another element of a GC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: George P. Walsh, Wesley M. Norman, Jonathan Michael Frentzel, William H. Wilson
  • Patent number: 9638677
    Abstract: When setting analysis conditions, an analysis operator sets, on a dwell-time calculation/loop-time listing window, the target value of a loop time corresponding to the measurement-time interval to repeat an analysis for one ion, and clicks a dwell time calculation button. Then, a dwell time calculator computes the dwell time for each event, based on the target value of the loop time, the arrangement of events set at that point in time, the number of target ion species set in each event, and other conditional factors. The calculated result is displayed in a dwell time calculation result display field in a listing table. The largest and smallest values of the dwell time are displayed in the largest/smallest dwell time display field. The analysis operator checks this display and changes the target value of the loop time and/or the measurement time of the event so as to achieve an appropriate dwell time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuko Kobayashi, Hiroshi Sugawara, Tairo Ogura
  • Patent number: 9638678
    Abstract: A method for monitoring crop health of a geographic region includes receiving an image comprising a set of image elements, the image corresponding to a time unit, mapping an image element of the set of image elements to a geographic sub-region of the geographic region, determining a geographic region performance value for the image element, determining a geographic region performance value change, and identifying a crop health anomaly based on the geographic region performance change and an expected geographic region performance value change. Determining the geographic region performance value for the image element can include determining a vegetative performance value for the image element, mapping the image element to a crop type, and normalizing the vegetative performance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: AgriSight, Inc.
    Inventors: John Shriver, Mayank Agarwal
  • Patent number: 9638679
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for quantification of photoprotective performance of packaging concepts in an accelerated timeframe are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the apparatus includes a light source which provides a light beam that impinges upon a photoprotective material before being transmitted to a sample cell of a photosensitive entity, such as a photosensitive nutrient. In certain embodiments, the apparatus and methods can be used to generate models for the prediction of photoprotective performance values of untested materials based upon some other known qualitative or quantitative property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: THE CHEMOURS COMPANY TT, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Jernakoff, Philipp Martin Niedenzu, Cheryl Marie Stancik, Michael Patrick Milone
  • Patent number: 9638680
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention disclose a composition for the colorimetric detection of water in hydrocarbon fuels and a process for the preparation thereof. The embodiments of the present invention relate to an improved method for determining the presence or absence of water in non-polar organic fluids such as petroleum oil or hydrocarbon oils by using an indicator system containing a water insoluble wetting agent and a water soluble dye which can be performed rapidly without costly instrumentation and tedious, time consuming analytical methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
    Inventors: Khatri Praveen Kumar, Jain Suman Lata, Ghosh Indrajit Kumar, Umesh Kumar, Chatterjee Alok Kumar, Garg Madhukar Onkarnath
  • Patent number: 9638681
    Abstract: Accurate, real-time formation fluids analysis can be accomplished using the systems and techniques described herein. A fluid analyzer includes a first mode of analysis, such as an optical analyzer, configured to determine a physical (optical) property of a fluid sample. The fluid analyzer also includes another mode of analysis, such as a composition analyzer, such as a gas chromatograph, configured to determine a component composition of the fluid sample. A data processor is configured to determine a quantity, such as a weight percentage, of a target component of the fluid sample in response results obtained from the first and second modes of analysis. Beneficially, the results are obtained at least in near real-time, allowing for interim results, such as results from the first analyzer to be used for one or more of tuning the compositional analyzer and for implementing quality control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Oleg Zhdaneev, Christopher Harrison, Youxiang Zuo, Dingan Zhang, William H. Steinecker, Gordon R. Lambertus, Neil Bostrom
  • Patent number: 9638682
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of estimating, for a petroleum feedstock, values representative of the sulfur and carbon distributions in atmospheric and vacuum distillation residues, and a value representative of the sulfur content in coke. According to the method, the following stages are carried out: from a feedstock sample, measuring at least the Rock-Eval parameters S2b, SulfS2b, RC, Sulfoxy using a Rock-Eval device comprising a sulfur measurement module, deducing from the measurements of these Rock-Eval parameters the values of the sulfur and carbon distributions (SPHF, SCOKE, CPHF, CCOKE) in the distillation residues, and a sulfur content in relation to the carbon content in the coke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Anne Hoff, Violaine Lamoureux-Var, Trygve Meyer, Daniel Pillot
  • Patent number: 9638683
    Abstract: A system and a method for determining a percentage of recycled polyethylene terephthalate present in a test sample includes selecting a contaminant from a set of known contaminants. At least one predictor analyzes is identified from a group of predictor analyzes as being a statistically independent predictor analyzes of a presence of the selected contaminant. Predicting a percent recycled polyethylene terephthalate, identifying at least one set of best subsets of the statistically independent predictor analyzes of percent recycled polyethylene terephthalate and refining a percent recycled polyethylene terephthalate statistical model to a final predicted percent recycled polyethylene terephthalate model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Danes, Keith Vorst, Greg Curtzwiler
  • Patent number: 9638684
    Abstract: Provided is a method of evaluating a resin capable of quantitatively evaluating a deterioration degree of the resin with high accuracy and ease. The method includes evaluating the resin based on a shift of a characteristic peak representing a deterioration degree of the resin, the peak being observed in thermal analysis of the resin by a temperature increase, to lower temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: CHIYODA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhixiong You, Ryuichi Kanai, Yoichi Umehara, Takeshi Minami
  • Patent number: 9638685
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to flow assays including at least one electrically-actuated valve configured to control fluid flow. Methods of operating such flow assays are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: TOKITAE LLC
    Inventors: David Gasperino, Kevin Paul Flood Nichols, Benjamin K. Wilson, Ozgur Emek Yildirim
  • Patent number: 9638686
    Abstract: A method of measuring whole-blood hemoglobin parameters includes providing a LED light source, guiding light having the spectral range from the LED light source along an optical path, providing a cuvette module with a sample receiving chamber, providing a pair of first and second optical diffusers disposed in the optical path where the cuvette module is disposed between the pair of first and second optical diffusers, guiding light from the cuvette module into an optical spectrometer, and processing an electrical signal from the spectrometer into an output signal useable for displaying and reporting hemoglobin parameter values and/or total bilirubin parameter values of the sample of whole blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Nova Biomedical Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Cafferty, Scott P. Cionek
  • Patent number: 9638687
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for determining post-transfusion survival or toxicity of red blood cells and the suitability of red blood cell units for transfusion by measuring the levels of one or more markers in a red blood cell sample are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Bloodworks
    Inventor: James Charles Zimring
  • Patent number: 9638689
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for analyzing simultaneously multiple human antigen-specific cell populations of a sample, the sample comprising B cells and antigen-specific cells, the method comprising a) separation of B cells from said sample, b) dividing the B cells into n sub-samples, c) differentially labeling the B cells of said sub-samples, wherein at least n-1sub-samples are labeled, d) pulsing of the B cells of each sub-sample with single or multiple peptides, e) pooling of the labeled and peptide-pulsed B cells with cells of said sample comprising said antigen-specific cells, f) co-cultivation of the cells of step e), g) flow cytometry analysis of the B cells with regard to their cell number and CD83 expression, thereby determining the potency of said antigen-specific cells in said sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Miltenyi Biotec GmbH
    Inventors: Lan Tong, Peter Jahn, Mario Assenmacher
  • Patent number: 9638690
    Abstract: This invention provides compound having a structure of Formula I: Uses of such compounds and compositions comprising the compounds as alkylating agent sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
    Inventors: Jennifer Ann Love, Philip Andrew Provencher
  • Patent number: 9638691
    Abstract: A device for detecting an analyte in a sample, which includes a radiation source adapted to generate electromagnetic radiation; a transducer capable of transducing a change in energy to an electrical signal; at least one tethered reagent on or proximal to the transducer, the tethered reagent having a binding site which is capable of binding the analyte; a chamber for holding the sample in fluid contact with transducer, wherein the chamber is adapted to contain the sample on inversion, partial inversion or agitation of the device; and a detector which is capable of detecting the electrical signal generated by the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Vivacta Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy Joseph Nicholas Carter, Steven Andrew Ross
  • Patent number: 9638692
    Abstract: The present invention provides kits and assay methods for the early detection of pathogens, precise identification of the etiologic agent, and improved disease surveillance. More specifically, the present invention discloses an immunoassay leading to the rapid and simultaneous detection of antibodies to a wide range of infectious pathogens in biological fluids of infected patients. This immunoassay involves the covalent and oriented coupling of fusion proteins comprising an AGT enzyme and a viral antigen on an identifiable solid support (e.g. fluorescent microspheres), said support being previously coated with an AGT substrate. This coupling is mediated by the irreversible reaction of the AGT enzyme on its substrate. The thus obtained antigen-coupled microspheres show enhanced capture of specific antibodies as compared to antigen-coupled microspheres produced by standard amine coupling procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: INSTITUT PASTEUR
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Manuguerra, Jessica Vanhomwegen, Philippe Despres, Sylvie Paulous
  • Patent number: 9638693
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a nanoporous layer on a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM JUELICH GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Wolfrum, Alexey Yakushenko, Andreas Offenhaeusser, Dirk Mayer
  • Patent number: 9638694
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one peptide consisting of a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 50 amino acid residues comprising amino acid residues 1 to 8 of a rhinovirus capsid protein selected from the group consisting of VP1, VP2, VP3 and VP4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Viravaxx GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Valenta, Katarzyna Niespodziana, Johanna Edlmayr, Dieter Blaas, Verena Niederberger-Leppin, Nikos Papadopoulos, Theresia Popow-Kraupp
  • Patent number: 9638695
    Abstract: A non-invasive method of detecting or screening for lung cancer in a subject specimen is provided. The method includes detecting elevated levels of one or more carbonyl-containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are biomarkers for lung cancer in exhaled breath from the subject specimen. The method may further include obtaining exhaled breath from the subject specimen; forming adducts of the carbonyl-containing VOCs with a reactive chemical compound; quantifying the adducts of the carbonyl-containing VOCs to establish a subject value for each of the adducts; and comparing each subject value to a threshold healthy specimen value for each of the adducts of the carbonyl-containing VOCs. One or more subject values at quantities greater than threshold healthy specimen values are also useful for screening for lung cancer in the subject specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoan Fu, Michael Nantz, Michael Bousamra