Patents Issued in December 7, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170350767
    Abstract: A thermocouple system, has a metal feedthrough having a cylindrical portion having an axis of symmetry and a terminal end region arranged thereon, which completely closes the cylindrical portion, and which has at least two passageways, the opening cross-section of which is smaller than the cross-sectional surface vertical to the axis of symmetry through the cylindrical portion. Through one passageway, a thermocouple is guided, and in the region of the passageway, the thermocouple is connected to the end region in a fluid-tight manner by way of a seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gilbert Braun, Andreas Böttcher, Olga Deiss, Thomas Grieb, Ljiljana Hanf, Jens Kleinfeld, Tobias Krieger, Fabian Sander
  • Publication number: 20170350768
    Abstract: In a general aspect, a circuit can include a first resistor configured to be coupled to a first terminal of a temperature-sensitive resistance, a second resistor configured to be coupled to a second terminal of the temperature-sensitive resistance and a temperature information circuit. The temperature information circuit can be configured to: receive a first voltage from the first terminal of the temperature-sensitive resistance; receive a second voltage from the second terminal of the temperature-sensitive resistance; and provide temperature information based on the first voltage and the second voltage. The temperature information circuit can include a first comparison circuit configured to determine a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage, and a second comparison circuit configured to compare an output of the first comparison circuit to a reference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth P. SNOWDON, Roy YARBROUGH
  • Publication number: 20170350769
    Abstract: Provided is a surface acoustic wave device using a novel and steadily suppliable piezoelectric material that is resistant to a high-temperature environment and enables the surface acoustic wave device to use a 2 GHz to 2.5 GHz band or higher. The surface acoustic wave device includes: a piezoelectric substrate formed from a monocrystal of gehlenite (CAS: Ca2Al(AlSi)O7); and interdigital transducers formed on a surface acoustic wave propagation plane of the piezoelectric substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Youichi NONOGAKI, Yoshitaka KINOSHITA, Takashi AKAHANE, Satoshi SOHDA
  • Publication number: 20170350770
    Abstract: A temperature sensor peripheral generates an output voltage that is proportional to temperature, whose temperature coefficient can be adjusted to any desired value, whose temperature coefficient can be either positive or negative, whose room temperature voltage can be adjusted to any desired value, and whose temperature coefficient and room temperature voltage adjustments are independent from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: David Michael Susak, Raghuveer Murukumpet
  • Publication number: 20170350771
    Abstract: A force sensor having a noise shielding layer is disclosed. For a first embodiment, a top noise shielding layer is configured on a top surface of a force sensor to screen noise signals which are caused by human body's touch or approaching from top of the force sensor. For a second embodiment, a bottom noise shielding layer is configured on a bottom surface of the force sensor to screen noise signals which are caused by human body's touch or approaching from bottom of the force sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Yann-Cherng CHERN, Chih-Sheng HOU
  • Publication number: 20170350772
    Abstract: The present invention relates to piezoresistive devices and pressure sensors incorporating such devices. At its most general, the invention provides a piezoresistive device, comprising a piezoresistive material positioned between an upper conductive layer and a lower conductive layer, wherein the piezoresistive material comprises carbon nanoparticles (most preferably graphene nanoplatelets, graphene or carbon nanotubes) dispersed in a polymer matrix material. The invention also relates to methods of manufacturing and using such devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Davide DeGanello, Tim Mortensen, Youmna Mouhamad, Alexander Holder
  • Publication number: 20170350773
    Abstract: Examples for force-sensing elements are disclosed. An example method for forming a force sensor includes printing a suspension of a hollow-sphere conductive polymer in a liquid carrier over an electrode pair on a substrate, evaporating the liquid carrier, and encapsulating the electrode pair and hollow-sphere conductive polymer to form a force sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Siyuan Ma, James David Holbery, Anatoly Churikov, Flavio Protasio Ribeiro
  • Publication number: 20170350774
    Abstract: A direct light bend sensor is disclosed. A system that includes direct light bend sensor and method for measuring the force using a direct light bend sensor are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the direct light and sensor includes a tube that is elastically flexible, made of a darkening material, and has a light absorbing inner surface. In the embodiment, a light source is disposed in a first end portion of the tube and a photodetector is disposed in a second end portion of the tube. In the embodiment, an inner surface of the tube defines a bend-dependent direct light path from the light source to the photodetector through the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Mark B. Woodbury
  • Publication number: 20170350775
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a control device for a dynamometer system, with which, by a simple method, an unloaded state can be reproduced highly accurately when a test piece is started. A dynamo control device 6 is provided with: an integral control input computation unit 611 for computing the integral value of axle torque deviation, and multiplying the sum thereof and a correction value by an integral gain to compute an integral control input; a correction value computation unit 612 for multiplying an inertia compensation quantity Jcmp by the dynamo rotation frequency to compute a correction value; a non-integral control input computation unit 613 for designating, as a non-integral control input, the output of a prescribed transmission function Ge0(s) having axle torque deviation as input; and a totaling unit 614 for totaling the integral control input and the non-integral control input in order to generate a torque current command signal to the dynamometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Takao AKIYAMA, Nobuhiko ASAKURA
  • Publication number: 20170350776
    Abstract: Disclosed are structures of a torque sensor and of an angle sensor for a vehicular steering angle sensing devise. An embodiment of the present invention provides a torque sensor module comprising: a rotor holder, which has a hollow interior; a yoke member coupled along the outer peripheral surface of the rotor holder; and a first magnet coupled so as to contact the outer peripheral surface of the yoke member, wherein the torque sensor module comprises a supporting/coupling portion, which extends from the upper surface of the rotor holder, and which contacts the upper surfaces of the yoke member and of the first magnet, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: LG Innoteck Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Myung Chul Woo
  • Publication number: 20170350777
    Abstract: A method for determining a driver's manual torque at a steering wheel of a vehicle which includes sensing a steering angle speed by a steering angle sensor, sensing a steering torque by a steering torque sensor at a steering column connected to the steering wheel, estimating a driver's manual torque applied by a driver at the steering wheel based on the sensed steering angle speed and the sensed steering torque by a Kalman filter by a controller, wherein during the estimation of the driver's manual torque a frictional torque is considered, and the frictional torque is estimated based on the steering torque which is sensed by the steering torque sensor, wherein the estimated frictional torque is taken into account as an interference factor during the estimation of the driver's manual torque in the Kalman filter. Also disclosed is an associated device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Hendrik OSCHLIES, Falko SAUST, Michael ROHLFS
  • Publication number: 20170350778
    Abstract: A pressure-sensor device (1) has: —a component sensitive to pressure, comprising a sensor body (5), with an elastically deformable membrane part (5a), and at least one detection element (6) for detecting a deformation of the membrane (5a); —a structure (2, 3) for housing or supporting the pressure-sensitive component, having at least one passageway (15) for a fluid the pressure of which is to be detected, the housing or supporting structure (2, 3) comprising a supporting body (2) with respect to which the sensor body (5) is positioned in such a way that its membrane part (5a) is exposed to the fluid coming out of the passageway (15), the supporting body (2) having a hydraulic-connection portion (2a) and a duct (14) that extends from the hydraulic-connection portion (2a); —at least one elastically deformable body (16), formed with one or more elastically deformable or compressible materials, comprising at least one from among: —a compressible compensation element (20, 21), configured for compensating any possi
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Costanzo GADINI, Marco BIGLIATI
  • Publication number: 20170350779
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a piezoelectric substrate having a generally planar structure and an anchor location fixing the piezoelectric substrate at the periphery of the planar structure of the piezoelectric substrate. The planar structure of the piezoelectric substrate has a first region having a first characteristic thickness adjacent to the anchor location, and a second region have a second characteristic thickness at a middle region of the substrate. The second characteristic thickness is less than the first characteristic thickness such that the planar structure in the second region is displaced relative to the neutral axis of the planar structure such that while undergoing bending the second region has either mostly compressive or mostly tensile stress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas Tadigadapa, Nishit Goel, Stephen Bart
  • Publication number: 20170350780
    Abstract: A pressure transducer comprises a housing including a body section and at least one end cap at one end of the body section, which are made of piezoelectric crystal, and a piezoelectric resonator in the housing. The body section and the end cap are bonded by an atomic diffusion bonding method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Shigeo Daito, Takenori Motoki, Noriyuki Matsumoto, Martine Hori
  • Publication number: 20170350781
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting the underflation state of a tire fitted on a vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: the step of determining a first contact patch measurement of a first tire fitted on the vehicle, the step of determining a second contact patch measurement of a second tire fitted on the vehicle, the step of comparing the first and second contact patch measurements and of inferring an underinflation situation therefrom if the difference between the two measurements is greater than a predetermined signalling threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: THOMAS LEDOUX, DENIS MARTIN, GUILLAUME HEREDIA, ALEXANDRE PERNOT
  • Publication number: 20170350782
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a housing with a cavity. The cavity includes a fill fluid and a compensation material. The fill fluid conveys a pressure from a process fluid through a diaphragm to a sensor. The compensation material reduces a difference of thermal expansions between the cavity and the fill fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Ronald E. Beselt, Richard D. Daugert, George E. Hershey
  • Publication number: 20170350783
    Abstract: The invention describes a pressure measuring device having a carrier (1), a base (3) which is connected to the carrier (1), and a pressure sensor (5) which is mounted on the base (3) and of which the base area is greater than a base area of the base (5), the pressure sensor (5) being protected against thermomechanical stresses by an end, which is averted from the pressure sensor (5), of the base (3) being adhesively bonded into a recess (17) in the support (1) by means of an adhesive bond (19, 23, 25).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel Sixtensson, Andreas Guth, Rene Ziermann, Dennis Muller
  • Publication number: 20170350784
    Abstract: The invention relates to energy saving in vacuum systems by means of a method and a controller enabling to consider the fluctuation in system-pressure of a system by determining a maximum system-pressure S2H and a minimum system-pressure S2h for each working cycle WC based on a determined target system-pressure pn? and a pre-set system-pressure p0? for the current working cycle WCn (n=1, 2, 3, . . . ). The method is especially adapted to fluctuations in system-pressure level of a vacuum system comprising a vacuum gripper tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Gustaf Wigren, Peter Engborg
  • Publication number: 20170350785
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fatigue testing an elongate specimen, such as a wind turbine blade, comprising: calculating a service life damage sum at one or more locations on at least one respective first section of an elongate specimen, responsive to at least one strain time history associated with the specimen; determining a predicted test damage sum at the one or more locations for each of a plurality of predetermined test blocks separately applicable to the specimen; and selecting at least one test block associated with the plurality of predetermined test blocks based on a comparison of the predicted test damage sum with the service life damage sum for each of the one or more locations, wherein the selected at least one test block is applicable to the specimen to cause a test damage sum at each of the one or more locations that at least substantially matches the service life damage sum at each of the one or more locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Peter Greaves
  • Publication number: 20170350786
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining stresses in pipe under non-uniform exterior loads to test the pipe design for structural integrity by approximating non-uniform exterior loads on the pipe and performing a stress analysis of the pipe under the non-uniform exterior loading to determine the stresses in the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert Fanklin Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20170350787
    Abstract: The three-dimensional standard vibrator based on the aerostatic gas-floating decoupling device contains a base. The base is installed with a X axis vibrator, a X axis return mechanism, a Y axis vibrator, a Y axis return mechanism, a Z axis vibrator, and a three-dimensional vibration platform. The X axis vibrator and the X axis return mechanism are both installed along X axis but separated by the three-dimensional vibration platform. The Y axis vibrator and the Y axis return mechanism are both installed along Y axis but also separated by the three-dimensional vibration platform. There are two aerostatic gas-floating plates corresponding to the vibrator and connecting to the X axis and Y axis vibrators, respectively. Two intervals used to generate gas films are formed between the two aerostatic gas-floating plates and the three-dimensional vibrator, respectively. The X axis and Y axis return mechanisms both consist of a reset spring and an aerostatic gas-floating plate corresponding to the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Wen HE, Xufei ZHANG, ShuShi JIA, Jie ZHOU
  • Publication number: 20170350788
    Abstract: A system that provides detection, annunciation, mitigation, and alleviation of stress attacks by executing algorithms based on measurement of intensity of light. The system determines to execute algorithms to take programmed action based on potential effects of a detected stress attack. The system can be used, for example, to determine the position of potential attacks to conduits that transport electricity, oil, gas, foodstuffs, water, people, and materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Management Sciences, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Gerald Blemel
  • Publication number: 20170350789
    Abstract: A method for predicting remaining useful life of a wind or water turbine or component determines in step 116 an EOH for the turbine or component and compares this in step 118 to an EOH limit obtained in step 114. This provides a simple approach to estimating remaining useful life, giving the turbine operator an indication of the condition of turbines or farms under management.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Andy Poon, Xiaoqin Ma, John Karl Coultate, Evgenia Golysheva
  • Publication number: 20170350790
    Abstract: A clutch for a motor vehicle with a wear compensation mechanism which includes a sensor element for detecting wear, wherein the sensor element is formed of a plurality of parts, and at least two sensor component parts are rotatably connected to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Andreas WALTER, Christian Schmedding
  • Publication number: 20170350791
    Abstract: An assembly to simulate side impacts to a vehicle includes a rocker, a translatable sled, and one or more displacement members. The rocker is secured to a wall. A b-pillar extends from the rocker and a roof rail is secured to the b-pillar and the wall. The translatable sled is arranged with the wall to impact the b-pillar. The one or more displacement members are secured to the wall and spaced from the rocker to simulate a stiffness of a full vehicle frame during impact between the sled and the b-pillar. A first rocker end constraint may secure a first end of the rocker to the wall. A second rocker end constraint may secure a second end of the rocker to the wall. The constraints may be arranged with the rocker such that the ends of the rocker may pivot relative to the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Jamel E. Belwafa, Michael Barnhart, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Rahul Arora, Stephen Philip Panoff, Saied Nusier
  • Publication number: 20170350792
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for evaluating the condition of a tire, the system comprising a first housing placed on the ground and a device for detecting the wear of a tire when the tire passes over said first housing, said system further comprising a first device for detecting the presence of a tire over the first housing, and electronic means for activating the wear detecting device during the detection of the presence of a tire by the presence detecting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: THOMAS LEDOUX, DENIS MARTIN, GUILLAUME HEREDIA, ALEXANDRE PERNOT
  • Publication number: 20170350793
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for checking tyres in a tyre production line. The method includes alternately illuminating, with a first and second grazing light radiation, a surface portion of the tyre and respectively acquiring a first and second two-dimensional digital image of the illuminated surface portion. For each point of the surface portion, the respective overall light power of the first and second light radiation incident at the point respectively comes from two half-spaces that are opposite with respect to an optical plane passing through the perpendicular to the surface at the point; and comparing the first and second image to obtain information on an altimetric profile of the surface portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Vincenzo BOFFA, Valeriano BALLARDINI, Giuseppe CASADIO TOZZI, Bartolomeo MONTRUCCHIO
  • Publication number: 20170350794
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting defects on tyres in a tyre production process. The method includes: receiving a reference image of a surface portion of a reference tyre substantially defects-free; providing a sample tyre to be analysed; illuminating a surface portion of the sample tyre with a raking light source; acquiring a sample image of the illuminated surface portion of the sample tyre; extracting the edges from the reference image and from the sample image and respectively generating an edge reference image and an edge sample image; carrying out a dilation of the edges of the edge reference image and generating therefrom a dilated edge reference image; comparing the edge sample image with respect to the dilated edge reference image and generating an edge image of possible defects; and identifying the edges in the edge image of possible defects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Stefano MONTI, Valeriano BALLARDINI, Fabio REGOLI
  • Publication number: 20170350795
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a Traceable emission remote monitoring system and method. The system comprises a remote sensing unit, a transformation data processor, and a local control unit. The local control unit receives local resource information to generate control commands and transmits the same to the remote sensing unit; the remote sensing unit remotely senses emissions that an object emits based on the control commands, and transmits individual emission data to the transformation data processor for processing and analysis to obtain a first analytic result; the local control unit provides various derivative services to generate a second analytic result. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a cloud platform for generating a comprehensive analysis report. The present invention further discloses a traceable emission remote sensing method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Yingfeng WANG, Hao LI, John Jianhua LIU, Jim S. LIU
  • Publication number: 20170350796
    Abstract: A method for conducting environmental sampling includes determining to environmentally sample a particular paper transit ticket for a specific residue. Using an automated ticket device, at least one chemical reagent is applied to the particular paper transit ticket. The chemical reagent is selected based on the specific residue. The particular paper transit ticket is collected after the particular paper transit ticket was used as a fare media within a transit system. The at least one chemical reagent is analyzed to determine whether any of the specific residue is present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Cubic Corporation
    Inventors: Graham Paul Fletcher, Steffen Reymann, Niosha Kayhani
  • Publication number: 20170350797
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a biological sample collection kit, which uses a unique dry preservative for the preservation of nucleic acids, DNA and RNA, for collection, stabilization, transportation and long-term room temperature storage of biological samples that can be from sources such as saliva for molecular diagnostic applications. The invention features a collection device for biological samples such as saliva containing nucleic acids, and dry preservatives that are affixed directly or to a carrier substrate and placed within the collection device such that the samples come into contact with the dry preservatives resulting in the preservation and stabilization of the nucleic acids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Preston Estep, Dominic Paratore
  • Publication number: 20170350798
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices for preparing frozen vitrified samples for transmission electron microscopy. By reducing the volume of sample from microliter scale to picoliter scale, the requirement for blotting of excess fluid is minimized or eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Bridget Carragher, Clinton S. Potter, Tilak Jain, Peter Kahn, Peter Wiktor
  • Publication number: 20170350799
    Abstract: Disclosed are a projectile and a method of its manufacture for the field of investigating the strength properties of a solid material by application of a mechanical force and more particularly for bird strike tests consisting of a gel including glycerol. A projectile 1 according to the invention may have a central portion 4 of cylindrical shape including a substantially hemispherical portion 2, 3 at each of the ends thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Christian BRESSAN, Henri ETCHETO, David DENAUX, Georges VIDAL, Gerard DIULIUS, Patrick SARRAZAC, Christian JEAN MARIE
  • Publication number: 20170350800
    Abstract: A method serves for determining particles (3), in particular bacteria in fluid and operates using an imaging optical device with a light source (1), with an optical sensor (4) with a field of light-sensitive pixels and with a fluid sample, which is to be examined, arranged between the light source (1) and the sensor (4). Characteristics of at least one particle (3), which is detected with regard to imaging, are compared to characteristics of a characteristics collection for determining the detected particle (3). The image acquisition is effected with darkfield technology and a light-sensitive pixel comprises several subpixels which are used for image acquisition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Mathis DAHLQVIST, Christian SMITH, Bo HØJRIS
  • Publication number: 20170350801
    Abstract: The systems and methods provided herein relate generally to the prevention of migration of condensate in a condensation particle counter between components designed to handle condensate (e.g. saturator, condenser, condensate reservoir) and components which may be damaged by the condensate (e.g. detection and flow control devices).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Brian KNOLLENBERG, Stephen PAVONE, Cliff KETCHAM, Rebecca THOMPSON
  • Publication number: 20170350802
    Abstract: A method for detecting a separation gas in a fluid flow stream is provided herein. In one example, a voltage output signal is generated by a scatter detector of a flow cytometer as a flow stream of a plurality of gas-separated samples passes through the flow cytometer. The voltage output signal is sampled, and a timestamp and a voltage value are recorded for each sampled voltage of the voltage output signal that is greater than a separation gap threshold. In some examples the separation gap threshold is at least two times greater than a maximum voltage output of the samples. Flow cytometry systems including software configured to perform these method steps are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Aaron Bryce Kennington
  • Publication number: 20170350803
    Abstract: An imaging flow cytometry apparatus and method which allows registering multiple locations across a cell, and/or across multiple flow channels, in parallel using radio-frequency-tagged emission (FIRE) coupled with a parallel optical detection scheme toward increasing analysis throughput. An optical source is modulated by multiple RF frequencies to produce an optical interrogation beam having a spatially distributed beat frequency. This beam is directed to one or more focused streams of cells whose responsive fluorescence, in different frequencies, is registered in parallel by an optical detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Bahram Jalali, Eric Diebold, Brandon Buckley
  • Publication number: 20170350804
    Abstract: A cell analyzer and a particle sorting method and device are disclosed. The method comprises: acquiring a pulse width of at least one optical signal according to a detected optical signal, selecting at least one optical signal as a combined optical signal, and respectively calculating a signal intensity of the combined optical signal with the pulse width in a combinatorial way to obtain at least one reinforcement signal, where a difference between a first category of particles and a second categories of particles in the reinforcement signal is increased relative to a difference therebetween in the combined optical signal; and on the basis of the reinforcement signal and at least another signal, forming a new scatter diagram, where the at least another signal is one of other reinforcement signals and the optical signal, distinguishing the first category of particles from the second category of particles according to the new scatter diagram.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Bo YE, Guanzhen WANG, Jiantao DI, Ying ZHANG, Huan QI
  • Publication number: 20170350805
    Abstract: An analysis device includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire an image of a cell and an identification unit configured to identify elements that are identifiable on the basis of the image of cell acquired by the acquisition unit. Characteristic quantities of the elements identified by the identification unit are calculated, a correlation between the characteristic quantities is calculated on the basis of the calculated characteristic quantities of the elements, and a correlation between the elements is calculated on the basis of the calculated correlation between the characteristic quantities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicants: THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO, NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki MURATA, Fumi KANO, Yoshiyuki NOGUCHI, Nobuhiko MAIYA, Chisako IWAMOTO, Shoko YAMASAKI, Masafumi YAMASHITA
  • Publication number: 20170350806
    Abstract: A system for fluorescence activated cell sorting includes at least two excitation lasers having different orientations relative to an objective such that light from the at least two lasers passes through the objective and intersects a fluidic channel at different positions within an interrogation region. The fluidic channel directs a flow of a plurality of fluorescently labeled particles through the interrogation region. The system further includes at least one detector and at least one optical element that directs light emitted from the plurality of fluorescently labeled particles and transmitted through the objective to the at least one detector. The system may further include optics for generating and detecting side and forward scattered light. Methods for operating example systems to collect fluorescent, side scattered and forward scattered light from a plurality of particles are also described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Supriyo Sinha, Brian Rabkin
  • Publication number: 20170350807
    Abstract: The present invention is a corrosion environment diagnosis system including: an environment measuring device that includes a temperature sensor that measures temperature in an electronic part serving as a diagnosis target or an indoor space in which an electronic device including the electronic part is installed, a humidity sensor that measures relative humidity in the indoor space or the electronic device, a corrosion sensor that measures a corrosion thickness of the diagnosis target, and a database in which indoor environment data including the temperature and the relative humidity measured by the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor and corrosion thickness data including the corrosion thickness measured by the corrosion sensor are accumulated; an outside air environment database in which outside air environment data including previous temperature and humidity of outside air is recorded; and a diagnostic processing device capable of receiving data of the outside air environment database and the enviro
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Rintarou MINAMITANI
  • Publication number: 20170350808
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sensor (1), such as a corrosion sensor, a mask including a series of masking elements (21, 22, 23) for masking a corresponding series of sensing elements (12, 13, 14), a sensing element having such a mask and a sensor are provided. The sensor (1) includes a number of metallic strips (12, 13, 14) mounted on a non-conducting substrate (9) and a module (3) for forming electrical connections to the strips whereby to enable communication between the strips (12, 13, 14) and monitoring equipment for the sensor (1). The module includes a number of wire connections (15, 16, 17, 18) and the method includes the steps of encapsulating the wire connections within a flexible chemical and heat resistant sealing compound and subsequently encapsulating the flexible sealing compound within a second sealing compound by an injection moulding process. The sensing elements (12, 13, 14) are covered by the masking elements (21, 22, 23) prior painting the sensor (1) with a corrosion-inhibiting paint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventor: Mark David Balmond
  • Publication number: 20170350809
    Abstract: An integrated optofluidic system for trapping and transporting particles for analysis is provided comprising a planar substrate; a microfluidic channel; and a waveguide integrated with the channel. A microsphere particle in the integrated optofluidic system can act as a cavity, allowing light to circulate many thousands of times around the circumference of the microsphere. Optical trapping and transport is used for nanoscale positioning to excite the microsphere resonances. Sensitive measurements on molecules can be accomplished by monitoring changes in whispering gallery modes (WGMs) that propagate around the circumference of the microsphere. By using a broadband or supercontinuum light source, a microsphere can be trapped and many WGM resonances can be excited through the visible and near-infrared wavelengths simultaneously. After the resonances are measured using the waveguide transmission, the microsphere can be freed by decreasing the optical power and the process repeated with a different microsphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Arthur Nitkowski, Michal Lipson
  • Publication number: 20170350810
    Abstract: An acoustic wave detector may include: an exterior housing with an exterior housing wall, a gas chamber located within the exterior housing and configured to receive a gas therein. The exterior housing wall may include an aperture providing a gas passage between the gas chamber and the exterior of the acoustic wave detector. The acoustic wave detector may further include an excitation element configured to selectively excite gas molecules of a specific type in the gas received in the gas chamber in a time-varying fashion, thereby generating acoustic waves in the gas, and an acoustic wave sensor configured to detect the acoustic waves generated in the gas and acoustic waves generated outside of the acoustic wave detector. The acoustic wave sensor may have an acoustic port overlapping with the aperture in the exterior housing wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: David TUMPOLD, Alfons DEHE, Christoph GLACER
  • Publication number: 20170350811
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the concentration of chiral molecules in a fluid includes a first polarizer configure to polarize light in substantially a first plane to provide initially polarized light. A second polarizer is capable of polarizing the initially polarized light in a plurality of planes, at least one of the plurality of planes being different from the first plane, to provide subsequently polarized light. One or more receivers are included for measuring an intensity of the subsequently polarized light in one or more of the plurality of planes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Jacob W. Scarpaci
  • Publication number: 20170350812
    Abstract: A system for classifying different types of sheeting materials of road signs depicted in a videostream compares estimated retroreflectivity values against known minimum retroreflectivity values for each of a plurality of colors. Once a road sign has been identified in the videostream, the frames associated with that road sign are analyzed to determine each of a plurality of colors present on the road sign. An estimated retroreflectivity for each of the plurality of colors present on the road sign is then determined. By comparing the estimated retroreflectivity for each of the plurality of colors against known minimum retroreflectivity values for the corresponding color for different types of sheeting materials, an accurate determination of the classification of the sheeting material of the road sign is established. Preferably, certain conditions of gross failure of the sheeting material are filtered out before classification of the sheeting material is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: James E. Retterath, Robert A. Laumeyer
  • Publication number: 20170350813
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to detect a substance, and method of operating and forming the same. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a tunable resonator including an upper Bragg reflector and a lower Bragg reflector separated by a porous matrix. The tunable resonator is configured to be illuminated by a light source and produce a first spectral optical response from a substance absorbed within the porous matrix. The apparatus also includes a detector positioned proximate the tunable resonator configured to provide a first absorption signal representing the first spectral optical response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Pao T. Lin, Ricardo Gutierrez-Osuna
  • Publication number: 20170350814
    Abstract: Biomarkers of high blood pressure are measured to identify high blood pressure of the subject based on one or more biomarkers. In many embodiments, the response of the biomarker to blood pressure occurs over the course of at least an hour, such that the high blood pressure identification is based on a cumulative effect of physiology of the subject over a period of time. The methods and apparatus of identifying high blood pressure with biomarkers have the advantage of providing improved treatment of the subject, as the identified biomarker can be related to an effect of the high blood pressure on the subject, such as a biomarker corresponding to central blood pressure. The sample can be subjected to increases in one or more of pressure or temperatures, and changes in the blood sample measured over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Robert G. MESSERSCHMIDT, Howland D. T. JONES
  • Publication number: 20170350815
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for calibrating or increasing the accuracy of light sensing devices. The methods can include calibrating a light sensing device with a calibration source that is adapted to mimic at least one representative spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Emmanuel DUMONT, Shayak BANERJEE
  • Publication number: 20170350816
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device, comprising at least one layer of an active material having a first optical thickness, the active material being selected so as to experience a change (i) of at least one size dimension, (ii) of the resistance, (iii) of the refractive index or (iv) combinations of two or more of the foregoing, when the active material is subjected to a change in environment, wherein at least one and preferably all of the layers of the at least one layer of the active material is composed of at least two nanosheets of the active material, with the at least two nanosheets randomly overlapping one another. The invention further relates to a nanosheet of active material and to a use of the nanosheet of the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Katalin Szendrei, Pirmin Ganter, Olalla Sanchez-Sobrado, Alexander Kuhn, Bettina Lotsch