Patents Issued in January 2, 2018
  • Patent number: 9857273
    Abstract: A misfire detecting apparatus is provided wherein a misfire is detected based on a rotational speed parameter indicative of a rotational speed of an internal combustion engine. An average change amount of the rotational speed parameter in a first predetermined period and an inertia speed changing component which is generated with rotation of the engine are calculated, and a first corrected rotational speed parameter is calculated by correcting the rotational speed parameter according to the average change amount and the inertia speed changing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoharu Hozumi, Masaaki Nagashima, Kiyonari Matsuda
  • Patent number: 9857274
    Abstract: A sensor module comprises a housing in which a first displacement sensor and a first pressure sensor are arranged. The sensor module can have a second displacement sensor and a second pressure sensor. The module is being provided to monitor a coupling of a motor vehicle, for example a dual coupling of a lorry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: TE Connectivity Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Zapf, Bernd Hoffelder
  • Patent number: 9857275
    Abstract: A method for determining the aerodynamic moment of resistance Maero-EM of a wheel by calculating the variation with respect to time, of the product of the rotational speed of at least one wheel set in rotation about an axis and of the inertia of the said wheel about the said axis, the wheel being equipped with a device for picking off and recording the numerical values of its rotational speed. The wheel is protected by a removable cap and in is subjected to a flow of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignees: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Benoit Gardarin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9857276
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide a wheel assembly having a dynamic structure to influence an unloaded profile of a tire. In one embodiment the unloaded profile is also influenced by a centrifugal force on the wheel assembly and an inflation pressure of the tire. In one embodiment, a loaded profile of the tire is influenced by a weight of the wheel assembly, the inflation pressure of the tire, and the centrifugal force on the wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Auto Research Center, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Wright, Andrew Gunselman
  • Patent number: 9857277
    Abstract: A land based dynamic sea motion simulating test drilling rig has a soil bound foundation and a pivot structure secured to said foundation. A motion base is mounted on said pivot structure and pivotable about at least one horizontal pivot axis. A drilling tower is erected on said motion base and is provided with a hoisting device adapted to manipulate a drill string section in a vertical firing line. A drilling tubulars storage vertically stores drilling tubulars and a tubulars racker device moves drilling tubulars between the drilling tubulars storage device and the firing line allowing for assembly and disassembly of a drill string section in the firing line. A motion drive is provided which is adapted to impart cyclic pivoting motion about said at least one horizontal pivot axis to the assembly of the drilling tower, drilling tubulars storage, and tubulars racker device in order to simulate said assembly being subjected to a sea state induced motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventor: Joop Roodenburg
  • Patent number: 9857278
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for characterizing mechanical properties of a sample. The apparatus comprises a structure for supporting the sample and applying a first pressure in a first direction to the sample and an actuator for modulating the first pressure. The apparatus also comprises a pressure applicator containing a liquid and arranged to apply a second pressure to the sample in a second direction that is transversal to the first direction. Further, the apparatus comprises a pore pressure applicator arranged to apply a flow of a fluid through a porous sample such that a pore pressure is applied to the porous sample. In addition, the apparatus comprises a sensor for sensing a change in the sample in response to a change in a pressure experienced by the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Curtin University of Technology
    Inventors: Maxim Lebedev, Vassily Mikhaltsevitch, Mark Lwin, Boris Gurevich
  • Patent number: 9857279
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to receive a vibration signal having a frequency and a characteristic (e.g., voltage) proportional to the vibration amplitude of a tube in a vibrating tube density sensor. Further activity may include transmitting the density of a fluid flowing through the tube based on the frequency and an elastic modulus of the tube determined by the value of the characteristic. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dingding Chen, Li Gao, Michael T. Pelletier, Nestor Javier Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9857280
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a method for measuring coagulation of blood or plasma samples using viscoelastic tests (VET) wherein the measuring is performed in the presence of immobilized endothelial cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: C A Casyso AG
    Inventors: Heinz Redl, Johannes Zipperle, Wolfgang Holnthoner, Christoph Schlimp, Herbert Schochl
  • Patent number: 9857281
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for determining particle sizes and/or a number of particles in a fluid. The method includes emitting laser beams from a laser source, through a lens optical system having a laser absorption device, which absorbs unscattered laser beams emitted by the laser source. The laser absorption device is encompassed by first, second, and third lenses, wherein the first lens directs scattered laser beams onto the second and/or the third lens, wherein the second lens directs laser beams that impinge on the second lens proceeding from the first lens onto a first photodetector that generates first measurement signals, wherein the third lens directs laser beams that impinge on the third lens proceeding from the first lens onto a second photodetector that generates second measurement signals. An evaluation device is used to evaluate the measurement signals of the two photodetectors to determine the sizes of the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Reinhard Freitag, Robert Schrobenhauser
  • Patent number: 9857282
    Abstract: A particle analyzing apparatus including a particle measuring section that measures a number or concentration of particles in a sample gas; a component analyzing section that measures an amount of each component of the particles in the sample gas; a flow path that branches into a first flow path that introduces the sample gas to the particle measuring section and a second flow path that introduces the sample gas to the component analyzing section; a first adjusting section that is provided in the first flow path and dilutes the sample gas with a dilution gas and introduces the diluted sample gas to the particle measuring section to adjust a measurement range of the particle measuring section; and a second adjusting section that is provided in the second flow path and adjusts an introduction time during which the sample gas is introduced to the component analyzing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Hasegawa, Naoki Takeda, Kazuhiro Koizumi, Takamasa Asano
  • Patent number: 9857283
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a dark field microcopy setup is disclosed. The method includes preparing a plurality of particle samples, each with a known concentration and particle size, the plurality having more than one particle size and, optionally, more than one refractive index and more than one diluent. For each sample in the plurality, the sample is measured in the setup and the scattered light intensity and number of particles is measured. From this data, a relationship between the scattered light intensity, particle size and calibrated investigated volume can be determined. The calibrated investigated volume is used to obtain the proper particle size distribution in a given diluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Manta Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan J. Tatarkiewicz
  • Patent number: 9857284
    Abstract: Light from a light source is directed at a flow path of particles of a flow cytometer. The directed light results in a light pattern having a plurality of lobes. A first signal is detected exceeding a first threshold. A second signal exceeding a second threshold is detected, wherein the second threshold is greater than the first threshold. Based on detecting the second trigger after detecting the first trigger, is determined that the first and second signals were created by a relatively large particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: STRATEDIGM, INC.
    Inventors: Shervin Javadi, Arjuna Ragunath Karunaratne
  • Patent number: 9857285
    Abstract: A gaseous-fluid environmental sensor having a gaseous-fluid flow system that defines a flow path coupling an intake port to an exhaust port. The gaseous-fluid flow system includes a blower and a flow sensor. The blower includes a motor and the flow sensor senses a flow-related parameter. The gaseous-fluid environmental sensor further includes a battery, an electrical sensor sensing an electrical power-related parameter, and a controller electrically coupled to the electrical sensor, the flow sensor, and the motor. The controller is configured to generate a composite drive waveform having a first component based on the sensed flow-related parameter and a second component based on the sensed electrical power-related parameter. The controller is further configured to drive the motor using the composite drive waveform. Also disclosed is a method of controlling the gaseous-fluid environmental sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Venturedyne, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nicholas C. Neander, David L. Chandler
  • Patent number: 9857286
    Abstract: A particle fractionating apparatus is described that can sort droplets containing particles in a first mode of operation, and distribute droplets that do not contain particles to a plurality of locations in a second mode of operation. The modes of operation are selectable by a user. Droplets may be emitted from a microchip of the particle fractionating apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yosuke Muraki, Atsuo Fujimaki, Fumitaka Otsuka, Yasunobu Kato
  • Patent number: 9857287
    Abstract: A particle sensor apparatus having an optical emitter device that is configured to emit an optical radiation so that a volume having at least one particle possibly present therein is at least partly illuminatable; an optical detector device having at least one detection surface that is struck by at least a portion of the optical radiation scattered at the at least one particle, at least one information signal regarding an intensity and/or an intensity distribution of the optical radiation striking the at least one detection surface being outputtable; and an evaluation device with which an information item regarding a presence of particles, a number of particles, a particle density, and/or at least one property of particles is identifiable and outputtable, the particle sensor apparatus also encompassing at least one lens element that is disposed so that the emitted optical radiation is focusable onto a focus region inside the volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignees: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH, KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Niklas Dittrich, Frank Fischer, Reiner Schnitzer, Jochen Hellmig, Gael Pilard, Alexander Van der Lee
  • Patent number: 9857288
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for laser bond inspection of an angled or compact bonded article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: LSP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: David Sokol, Craig Walters
  • Patent number: 9857289
    Abstract: Fouling of or damage to an electromagnetic radiation-transparent window can preclude one from obtaining satisfactory images with an image acquisition unit, such as a camera. Certain types of environments may be particularly prone toward promoting fouling or damage, and manual cleaning or repair of an electromagnetic radiation-transparent window may be difficult in some circumstances. These issues may be particularly prevalent when imaging drill cuttings and other solids obtained from a wellbore due to the complex sampling environment in which these solids are often disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Mathew Dennis Rowe, Jon Troy Gosney
  • Patent number: 9857290
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor using a tilted fiber grating to detect physical manifestations occurring in a medium. Such physical manifestations induce measurable changes in the optical property of the tilted fiber grating. The sensor comprises a sensing surface which is to be exposed to the medium, an optical pathway and a tilted grating in the optical pathway. The grating is responsive to electromagnetic radiation propagating in the optical pathway to generate a response conveying information on the physical manifestation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.
    Inventors: Jacques Albert, Chengkun Chen, Yanina Shevchenko, Alexei Ivanov
  • Patent number: 9857291
    Abstract: Methods and systems for matching measurement spectra across one or more optical metrology systems are presented. The values of one or more system parameters used to determine the spectral response of a specimen to a measurement performed by a target metrology system are optimized. The system parameter values are optimized such that differences between measurement spectra generated by a reference system and the target system are minimized for measurements of the same metrology targets. Methods and systems for matching spectral errors across one or more optical metrology systems are also presented. A trusted metrology system measures the value of at least one specimen parameter to minimize model errors introduced by differing measurement conditions present at the time of measurement by the reference and target metrology systems. Methods and systems for parameter optimization based on low-order response surfaces are presented to reduce the compute time required to refine system calibration parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Hidong Kwak, John Lesoine, Malik Sadiq, Lanhua Wei, Shankar Krishnan, Leonid Poslavsky, Mikhail M. Sushchik
  • Patent number: 9857292
    Abstract: A rotatable compensator configured to transmit non-collimated light over a broad range of wavelengths, including ultraviolet, with a high degree of retardation uniformity across the aperture is presented. In one embodiment, a rotatable compensator includes a stack of four individual plates in optical contact. The two thin plates in the middle of the stack are made from a birefringent material and are arranged to form a compound, zeroth order bi-plate. The remaining two plates are relatively thick and are made from an optically isotropic material. These plates are disposed on either end of the compound, zeroth order bi-plate. The low order plates minimize the sensitivity of retardation across the aperture to non-collimated light. Materials are selected to ensure transmission of ultraviolet light. The optically isotropic end plates minimize coherence effects induced at the optical interfaces of the thin plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Rotter, Klaus Flock, Muzammil Arain, David Y. Wang
  • Patent number: 9857293
    Abstract: Described herein is an approach using inexpensive, disposable chemical sensor probes that can be mounted on a small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and used to analyze a site (such as one known or suspected to contain explosive residue, spilled material or contaminated soil) without the need for a person to conduct ground operations at the site. The method involves contacting a soil or a surface with a filter paper wetted with a solvent, then subjecting the filter paper to voltammetry and/or spectroscopy, thus detecting a possible variation indicative of one or more analytes, wherein the solvent is the deep eutectic solvent consisting of a mixture of ethylene glycol and choline chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Daniel Zabetakis, Scott A. Trammell, Walter J. Dressick, David A. Stenger, Jasenka Verbarg
  • Patent number: 9857294
    Abstract: Described herein is an approach using inexpensive, disposable chemical sensor probes that can be mounted on a small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and used to analyze a site (such as one known or suspected to contain explosive residue, spilled material or contaminated soil) without the need for a person to conduct ground operations at the site. The method involves contacting a soil or a surface with a filter paper wetted with a solvent, then subjecting the filter paper to spectroscopy, thus detecting a possible variation indicative of one or more analytes, wherein the solvent is a deep eutectic solvents consisting of a mixture of ethylene glycol and choline chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Daniel Zabetakis, Scott A. Trammell, Walter J. Dressick, David A. Stenger, Jasenka Verbarg
  • Patent number: 9857295
    Abstract: A comparative discrimination spectral detection (CDSD) system for the identification of chemicals with overlapping spectral signatures, including: a radiation source for delivering radiation to a sample; a radiation collector for collecting radiation from the sample; a plurality of beam splitters for splitting the radiation collected from the sample into a plurality of radiation beams; a plurality of low-resolution optical filters for filtering the plurality of radiation beams; a plurality of radiation detectors for detecting the plurality filtered radiation beams; and a processor for: receiving a set of reference spectra related to a set of target chemicals and generating a set of base vectors for the set of target chemicals from the set of reference spectra, wherein the set of base vectors define a geometrical shape in a configuration space; receiving a set of filtered test spectra from the plurality of radiation detectors and generating a set of test vectors in the configuration space from the set of filte
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: The University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
    Inventors: Menelaos K. Poutous, Ishwar D. Aggarwal, Kevin J. Major, Jas S. Sanghera, Ken Ewing
  • Patent number: 9857296
    Abstract: An optical grain evaluation device is provided with: a light-projecting part 58 through which light from a light source is projected to grain; a light-receiving part 59 on which light transmitted through the grain is incident; a grain evaluation unit 60 configured to evaluate the grain based on information relating to the received light; and a shielding part SH that separates an area between the light source 50 and the light-projecting part 59 from an area between the light-receiving part 59 and the grain evaluation unit 60, and prevents light from the light-projecting part 58 from directly entering the light-receiving part 59. The area between the light source 50 and the light-projecting part 58, and the area between the light-receiving part 59 and the grain evaluation unit 60 are configured, over the entirety of the areas, as air transmission areas in which light is transmitted through air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Susumu Morimoto, Masao Soe
  • Patent number: 9857297
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for classification and/or sorting of seeds with the help of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, use of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy for classification and/or sorting of seeds and seeds classified and/or sorted with terahertz time-domain spectroscopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: KWS SAAT SE
    Inventors: Elke Hilscher, Frank Friedhoff, Christian Hirschmann
  • Patent number: 9857298
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for characterizing multiphase flow (MPF) of fluid and enhancing measuring and monitoring of a full range of water cut in a portion of a pipe for oil-related operations are provided. An embodiment of a system can include a flow director to direct the MPF between paired wide-band near-infrared (NIR) emitters and detectors electrically coupled to signal conditioning, processing, and characterizing modules to determine absorption and scattering of MPF and define and display MPF characteristics for measuring and monitoring in oil-related operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Muhammad Arsalan, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi, Talha Jamal Ahmad
  • Patent number: 9857299
    Abstract: A chip-scale, reusable sensor can detect aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX), rapidly in water without sample preparation. The device is capable of real-time, continuous monitoring for BTEX solutes, which diffuse into a film, such as a polymer, on the sensors surface. In operation, BTEX analytes concentrate in the film, causing an increase in refractive index, which modulates evanescent coupling into the chips integrated photodetector array. Integration of the photodetector array simplifies system instrumentation and permits incorporation of an on-chip photocurrent reference region in the immediate vicinity of the sensing region, reducing drift due to temperature fluctuations. In some examples, the chip responds linearly for BTEX concentrations between 1 ppm and 30 ppm, with a limit of detection of 359 ppb, 249 ppb, and 103 ppb for benzene, toluene, and xylene in water, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Colorado State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Kevin Lear, Timothy Erickson
  • Patent number: 9857300
    Abstract: Apparatus for measuring light scattering of a sample comprising a light beam source, means for collimating the beam and making it impinge on the sample in a perpendicular direction, at least one light sensor, and at least one spatial filter between the sample and the optical sensor, provided with two apertures, means for measuring the total power reaching the sensor and means for measuring the power of beams with a low k vector after the beam traverses the filter. The invention provides thus a simplified, portable and compact device for measuring different parameters like haze, turbidity, etc. can be built, for any sample and without the need of changing detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Fundacio Institute De Ciencies Fotoniques
    Inventors: Valerio Pruneri, Pedro Antonio Martïnez Cordero, Marc Jofre Cruanyes
  • Patent number: 9857301
    Abstract: Air quality sensor comprises an optical particle sensor and a programmable processor circuit. The optical particle sensor detects particles having a size of 10 microns or less in diameter in ambient air of the optical particle sensor. The programmable processor circuit continuously computes updated air quality measures for the ambient air using an estimation algorithm based on pulses in an output signal from the particle sensor over time, such as a cumulative particle density value and/or a cumulative particle weight value. The optical particle sensor may comprise a LED and accordingly detect particles based on reflection of light energy from the LED by particles in a chamber of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Illah Nourbakhsh, Joshua Schapiro, Chris Bartley, Michael Taylor
  • Patent number: 9857302
    Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating surface near-field light resulting from light emitted from a light source that passes through a scattering layer is disclosed. Also, a method of finding a phase of incident light to cause constructive interference at a target spot using light scattering to manipulate the surface near-field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Yongkeun Park, Jung-Hoon Park, Yong-Hoon Cho, Chunghyun Park
  • Patent number: 9857303
    Abstract: The invention describes a method for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, by compartmentalizing the compounds into microcapsules together with the target, such that only a subset of the repertoire is represented in multiple copies in any one microcapsules; and identifying the compound which binds to or modulates the activity of the target. The invention enables the screening of large repertoires of molecules which can serve as leads for drug development.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Medical Research Council
    Inventors: Andrew David Griffiths, Chris Abell, Florian Hollfelder, Enrico Mastrobattista
  • Patent number: 9857304
    Abstract: A measuring method of bromate ion concentration includes a first fluorescence intensity measuring process including a process of passing hydrochloric acid through an anion exchanger to elute bromate ions adsorbed to the anion exchanger into the hydrochloric acid and a process of measuring the fluorescence intensity of the hydrochloric acid passed through the anion exchanger, a second fluorescence intensity measuring process including a process of passing a hydrochloric acid solution containing a fluorescent substance whose fluorescence intensity changes due to coexistence of bromate ions through an anion exchanger to elute bromate ions adsorbed to the anion exchanger into the hydrochloric acid solution and a process of measuring the fluorescence intensity of the hydrochloric acid solution passed through the anion exchanger, and a calculation process determining the bromate ion concentration in the water sample by using the difference between the fluorescence intensities of the hydrochloric acid solution and t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Metawater Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Natsumi Konishi, Eri Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9857305
    Abstract: An optical sensor may have multiple detection channels to detect different characteristics of a fluid. For example, an optical sensor used in industrial cleaning and sanitizing applications may have multiple detection channels to detect when a system is both clean and properly sanitized. In one example, an optical sensor includes an optical emitter that directs light into a fluid, a first optical detector that detects light transmitted through the fluid, a second optical detector that detects light scattered by the fluid, and a third optical detector that detects fluorescent emissions emitted by the fluid. The optical emitter and optical detectors can be positioned around an optical analysis area. The optical sensor may include filters that control the characteristics of light detected by each of the optical detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Anatoly Skirda, Viktor Slobodyan, Paul Simon Schilling, William M. Christensen
  • Patent number: 9857306
    Abstract: A SERS element comprises a substrate; a fine structure part formed on a front face of the substrate and having a plurality of pillars; and a conductor layer formed on the fine structure part and constituting an optical function part for generating surface-enhanced Raman scattering. The pillars have respective side faces provided with grooves. A plurality of gaps are formed in the conductor layer by entering the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Katsumi Shibayama, Yoshihiro Maruyama, Masashi Ito
  • Patent number: 9857307
    Abstract: In improved nonoplasmonic resonator (NPR) structure includes a silicon substrate having an upper surface, and a plurality of columns of silicon extending up from the substrate upper surface. Each of the columns includes a sidewall and terminates at an upper end. An insulation material is disposed on the sidewalls and upper ends of the columns. For each of the columns, the insulation material terminates in a bulge at an upper end of the column. A conductive layer is disposed on the insulation material along the column sidewalls and upper ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: OPTOKEY, INC.
    Inventors: Fanqing Frank Chen, Robert P. Chebi
  • Patent number: 9857308
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for measuring chemiluminescence, and an object is to provide a compact and reliable device and method for measuring chemiluminescence. The device includes a vessel group, a nozzle head having a gas suctioning and discharging mechanism, one or more nozzles, which are in communication with the suctioning and discharging mechanism, and to a front end of which a dispensing tip is attachable, and a magnetic force means capable of causing a magnetic field inside the attached dispensing tip, a nozzle moving mechanism, a linkage part provided to the nozzle head, linkable to the reaction vessel and capable of forming a confined space shielded from external light, a linkage part moving mechanism capable of moving the linkage part, a photometer, a shutter, and a reagent injection flow channel capable of injecting a reagent for chemiluminescence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL BIO RESEARCH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideji Tajima
  • Patent number: 9857309
    Abstract: A bio-chip package comprises a substrate a first layer over the substrate comprising an image sensor. The bio-chip package also comprises a second layer over the first layer. The second layer comprises a waveguide system a grating coupler. The bio-chip package also comprises a third layer arranged to accommodate a fluid between a first-third layer portion and a second-third layer portion, and to allow the fluid to pass from a first side of the third layer to a second side of the third layer. The third layer comprises a material having a predetermined transparency with respect to a wavelength of a received source light, the waveguide system is configured to direct the received source light to the grating coupler, and the image sensor is configured to determine a change in the wavelength of the source light caused by a coupling between the source light and the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jui Hsieh Lai, Ying-Hao Kuo
  • Patent number: 9857310
    Abstract: A water testing system having a water sample container that is adapted to retain a water sample, a color indicator container that is adapted to dispense a color indicator which is adapted change the color of the water sample when the water sample contains DTC, and a colorimeter that is adapted to automatically determine a blank value and the concentration of sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate in the water sample. A method for determining the concentration of DTC in a water sample comprising providing a water testing system, placing the water sample in the water sample container, placing the water sample container in the colorimeter, automatically determining a blank value, adding the color indicator to the water sample, placing the water sample container in the colorimeter, and automatically determining the concentration of DTC in the water sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Randy Fowler
  • Patent number: 9857311
    Abstract: Inspection devices nondestructively sense component shape and integrity such as through ultrasonic sensors. Inspection devices include a positional determinator to give orientation of devices relative to the tested object. True distances and relative boundaries of the object are determined with testing and orientation data regardless of rigid or known inspection device position. Inspection data can be corrected for refraction knowing distances and object boundaries. Inspection devices can include additional inspection components like cameras and lighting to match visual inspection with nondestructive testing data spatially and temporally. Inspection devices can be used with self- or manual-propulsion in a working environment with the inspection object. Inspection devices use an operator or computer processor, local or remotely-connected power sources, and communications structures to power and operate the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventor: Robert W. Viren
  • Patent number: 9857312
    Abstract: An optical inspection system, the system includes: (i) an image sensor; and (ii) a single optical element, that at least partially surrounds an edge of an inspected object; wherein the optical element is adapted to direct light from different areas of the edge of the inspected object towards the image sensor so that the image sensor concurrently obtains images of the different areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: CAMTEK LTD.
    Inventors: Michael Lev, Ehud Efrat, Roni Flieswasser
  • Patent number: 9857313
    Abstract: A method for inspecting a wafer, includes: rotating the wafer about an axis of the wafer, emitting from a light source, two pairs of incident coherent light beams, each pair forming, at the intersection between the two beams, a measurement volume, a portion of the main wafer surface passing through each of the measurement volumes during the rotation, collecting a light beam scattered by the wafer surface, capturing the collected light and emitting an electrical signal representing the variation in the collected light intensity, detecting in the signal, a frequency, being the time signature of a defect through a respective measurement volume, for each detected signature, determining a visibility parameter, on the basis of the visibility determined, obtaining an item of information on the size of the defect, and cross-checking the items of information to determine the size of the defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR
    Inventors: Mayeul Durand De Gevigney, Philippe Gastaldo
  • Patent number: 9857314
    Abstract: A device and method for detecting crystal quality of a low temperature poly-silicon (LTPS) backplane are provided, the method including: projecting narrowband light to the LTPS backplane; performing image capturing of each position on a surface of the LTPS backplane at a first angle in a first axial direction to obtain a first diffraction image, the first angle being an angle of maximum diffraction light intensity in the first axial direction; performing another image capturing of each position on the surface of the LTPS backplane at a second angle in a second axial direction to obtain a second diffraction image, the second angle being an angle of maximum diffraction light intensity in the second axial direction; and determining the crystal quality of the LTPS backplane based on a diffraction light intensity distribution obtained from the first and second diffraction images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Fu-Cheng Yang, Chia-Liang Yeh, Wei-Hsiung Tsai, Keng-Li Lin, Yeou-Sung Lin, Mao-Sheng Huang
  • Patent number: 9857315
    Abstract: A spectrometer includes: (1) a housing defining a volume into which an analyte gas is introduced, the analyte gas including a chiral component; (2) a microwave generator coupled to the housing and configured to apply a microwave pulse to the analyte gas, the microwave pulse being polarized along a first direction; (3) an electric field generator coupled to the housing and configured to apply a switched electric field to the analyte gas, the electric field being oriented along a second direction different from the first direction; (4) a phase-sensitive microwave detector coupled to the housing and configured to detect an induced microwave emitted by the analyte gas, the induced microwave being polarized along a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction; and (5) an analyzer coupled to the phase-sensitive microwave detector and configured to detect an enantiomer of the chiral component based on a phase of the induced microwave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
    Inventors: David S. Patterson, John M. Doyle
  • Patent number: 9857316
    Abstract: A system and method of identifying changes utilizing radio frequency polarization includes receiving a reflected and/or transmitted polarized radio frequency signal at a receiver, filtering, amplifying and conditioning the received signal, converting the received signal from an analog format to a digital format, processing the digital signal to elicit a polarization mode dispersion feature of the received signal, and comparing the polarization mode dispersion features to a known calibration to detect a change in a characteristic of the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: University of Notre Dame du Lac
    Inventors: Thomas G. Pratt, Jeffrey George Mueller
  • Patent number: 9857317
    Abstract: The X-ray fluoroscopic imaging system of the present invention comprises: an inspection passage; an electron accelerator; a shielding collimator apparatus comprising a shielding structure, and a first collimator for extracting a low energy planar sector X-ray beam and a second collimator for extracting a high energy planar sector X-ray beam which are disposed within the shielding structure; a low energy detector array for receiving the X-ray beam from the first collimator; and a high energy detector array for receiving the X-ray beam from the second collimator. The first collimator, the low energy detector array and the target point bombarded by the electron beam are located in a first plane; and the second collimator, the high energy detector array and the target point bombarded by the electron beam are located in a second plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignees: NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED, TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Huaping Tang, Zhiqiang Chen, Chuanxiang Tang, Huaibi Chen, Yuanjing Li, Ziran Zhao, Yaohong Liu, Shangmin Sun, Xinshui Yan, Zhanfeng Qin
  • Patent number: 9857318
    Abstract: Generating image data of an object using a particle beam includes arranging at least one mark in the object or in a support material in which the object is embedded, determining a first examination region, exposing the first examination region by removing material of at least one of: the object and the support material, guiding a first particle beam over the first examination region, and acquiring image data of the first examination region using at least one detector by detecting interaction particles and/or interaction radiation due to an interaction of the first particle beam with the first examination region. Generating image data of an object using a particle beam may also include introducing the object into a support material in such a way that the object is partly or completely surrounded by the support material. A second examination region of the object may be determined relative to the mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventor: Fabian Pérez-Willard
  • Patent number: 9857319
    Abstract: The method of an embodiment includes the steps of: obtaining a first rocking curve with respect to a wafer obtained using an X-ray diffraction device; setting an X-ray incident angle range having a higher intensity than a reference level in the first rocking curve, calculating an inter-plane spacing for the set X-ray incident angle, calculating a strain value of the wafer using the calculated inter-plane spacing, and calculating sampled strain values on the basis of the calculated strain value; modeling a thickness according to the degree of damage of the wafer on the basis of the intensities of X-ray diffraction beams corresponding to the sampled strain values; obtaining a second rocking curve on the basis of the set X-ray incident angle range, the calculated inter-plane spacing, the sampled strain values and the modeled thickness; matching the second rocking curve to the first rocking curve by changing at least one of the X-ray incident angle range, the inter-plane spacing, the sampled strain values and the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: LG SILTRON INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Kyu Hyung Lee
  • Patent number: 9857320
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for the stoichiometric analysis of samples. In order to study the spatial distribution of different proteins in the plasma membrane of a complete cell within a short time frame, a device and a method are proposed for the stoichiometric analysis of samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: LEIBNIZ-INSTITUT FUER NEUE MATERIALIEN GEMEINNUETZIGE GESELLSCHAFT MIT BESCHRAENKTER HAFTUNG
    Inventors: Niels De Jonge, Diana B. Peckys
  • Patent number: 9857321
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for determining the combustion value of a fuel. The device (1) comprises a fuel inlet (40) for supplying the fuel to be measured to the device (1). A gas inlet (50) is provided for supplying an oxygen-containing gas to the device (1). The device (1) further comprises a combustion unit connected to the fuel inlet (40) and the gas inlet (50), which combustion unit is provided with a combustion chamber (7) for combusting the fuel to be measured therein. A gas outlet (8) connected to the combustion chamber (7) makes it possible to discharge the combusted gas. The device (1) according to the invention comprises a flow measurement unit (14), preferably of the Coriolis type, disposed between the fuel inlet (40) and the combustion chamber (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: BERKIN B.V.
    Inventors: Joost Conrad Lötters, Theodorus Simon Josef Lammerink, Remco John Wiegerink, Albertus Johannes Mouris, Marco Gábor Pap, Meint Jelle De Boer, Remco Gerardus Petrus Sanders
  • Patent number: 9857322
    Abstract: A semiconductor gas sensor includes a CMOS inverter which is configured by an n-channel field effect transistor having a catalytic gate and a p-channel field effect transistor having the catalytic gate. An input setting gate potential Vin(D) of the CMOS inverter is set to satisfy “Vin(D)=Vtc??Vgth” by using the sensor response threshold intensity ?Vgth determined by a concentration of a gas to be detected and a threshold input potential Vtc of the CMOS inverter. Therefore, only by setting the input setting gate potential Vin(D), a warning or an alarm can be issued for the concentration of the gas to be detected. In addition, a temperature compensation of the threshold voltage caused by a MOS structure is reduced regardless of the detection gas by setting a characteristic coefficient ?R, a threshold voltage Vtn of the n-channel field effect transistor, and the threshold voltage Vtp of the p-channel field effect transistor so as to satisfy relations “?R=1” and “Vtp=?Vtn”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Usagawa