Patents Issued in February 15, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180045514
    Abstract: A hybrid MEMS microfluidic gyroscope is disclosed. The hybrid MEMS microfluidic gyroscope may include a micro-machined base enclosure having a top fluid enclosure, a fluid sensing enclosure and a bottom fluid enclosure. The hybrid MEMS microfluidic gyroscope may include a plurality of cantilevers disposed within the bottom semi-circular portion of the micro-machined base enclosure or a single membrane disposed within the bottom semi-circular portion of the micro-machined base enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Julius GEORGIOU, Charalambos Michael ANDREOU
  • Publication number: 20180045515
    Abstract: A micromechanical sensor core for an inertial sensor, having a movable seismic mass, a defined number of anchor elements, by which the seismic mass is fastened on a substrate, a defined number of stop devices fastened on the substrate for stopping the seismic mass, a first springy stop element, a second springy stop element and a solid stop element being developed on the stop device. The stop elements are designed in such a way that the seismic mass is able to strike in succession against the first springy stop element, the second springy stop element and the solid stop element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Barbara Simoni, Christian Hoeppner, Denis Gugel, Guenther-Nino-Carlo Ullrich, Sebastian Guenther, Timm Hoehr, Johannes Seelhorst
  • Publication number: 20180045516
    Abstract: To calculate a position of a vehicle on a road with a higher accuracy. An in-vehicle navigation device 1 is provided with a control portion 10 acquiring photographed image data obtained by photographing an outside of the vehicle, calculating, when object image data that is image data of a road sign is included in the photographed image data, a relative position of the vehicle relative to the road sign on the basis of the object image data, and detecting a position of the vehicle on a road on the basis of the calculated relative position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: CLARION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akio SUMIZAWA
  • Publication number: 20180045517
    Abstract: A system includes a location determining circuit configured to acquire position information of a vehicle system moving along a route. The system also includes a controller circuit having one or more processors. The controller circuit is configured to calculate curvatures of the route, based at least in part on the position information, to form a curvature waveform. The controller circuit is further configured to generate a route map based on the curvature waveform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Munishwar Ahuja, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Bret Dwayne Worden, Shankar Chandrasekaran, Dattaraj Jagdish Rao
  • Publication number: 20180045518
    Abstract: A wireless receiver includes an antenna panel providing input to an H-combined/V-combined generation block, a hybrid tracking system receiving input from the H-combined/V-combined generation block, the hybrid tracking system comprising location, heading and motion (LOHMO) sensors for providing a general position input to a digital core, the hybrid tracking system further comprising first and second power detectors for measuring power received from the antenna panel and for providing a precise position input to the digital core, the hybrid tracking system providing phase feedback signals to the H-combined/V-combined generation block. At least one of the phase feedback signals is provided to at least one phase shifter in the H-combined/V-combined generation block to cause a phase shift in at least one linearly polarized signal received from at least one antenna in the antenna panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Sam Gharavi, Farid Shirinfar, Seunghwan Yoon, Alfred Grau Besoli, Maryam Rofougaran, Ahmadreza Rofougaran
  • Publication number: 20180045519
    Abstract: A method for localization and mapping, including recording an image at a camera mounted to a vehicle, the vehicle associated with a global system location; identifying a landmark depicted in the image with a landmark identification module of a computing system associated with the vehicle, the identified landmark having a landmark geographic location and a known parameter; extracting a set of landmark parameters from the image with a feature extraction module of the computing system; determining, at the computing system, a relative position between the vehicle and the landmark geographic location based on a comparison between the extracted set of landmark parameters and the known parameter; and updating, at the computing system, the global system location based on the relative position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Vaibhav Ghadiok, Michael Gleeson-May
  • Publication number: 20180045520
    Abstract: A system to develop topographical data in a mapping database is herein presented. The system includes: a memory including one or more executable instructions and the mapping database; a controller configured to read and execute the one or more executable instructions; a sensor configured to determine when the vehicle encounters a road surface feature and subsequently send a surface-variation signal including a topographic coordinate update corresponding to the road surface feature. The executable instructions enable the controller to: receive the surface-variation signal from the sensor; and collaborate with the mapping database to develop the topographical data with the topographic coordinate update.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventor: Samuel T. Haberl
  • Publication number: 20180045521
    Abstract: A method for creating or augmenting a map for a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle establishes its location in a surrounding environment by comparing environment data acquired by at least one sensor with map data stored in the map. The method provides a base map of a surrounding environment of the motor vehicle; provides at least one base segment, wherein the at least one base segment has at least one characteristic feature; and creates or augments the map by generating map data, wherein the map data is generated by a map creation unit by assigning the at least one provided base segment to an associated position in the provided base map. Also disclosed is a corresponding device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Andreas WEGE, Stephan MAX, Kristian WEIß, Sascha BAUER, Mehmet Eylem KIRLANGIC, Robert KONNOPKA, Lars KRÜGER, Jesko KLANDT, Christian TENDYCK
  • Publication number: 20180045522
    Abstract: A method for accessing and navigating an aerial vehicle on a three-dimensional map of transportation skyways comprises requesting, from an aerial-vehicle-transportation database, a driving map based on a three-dimensional representation of one or more transportation skyways, the three-dimensional representation comprising information regarding an x-axis and a y-axis representing movement in a first plane and information regarding a z-axis representing movement in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane; receiving the driving map generated based on the information on the x-axis and the y-axis of movement, the driving map being determined based on the three-dimensional representation; receiving information on altitude-transition zones associated with the z-axis of movement of the aerial vehicle along the second plane; and storing, in a navigation system of the aerial vehicle, navigation information comprising the driving map and the altitude-transition zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventor: Ashar Aziz
  • Publication number: 20180045523
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the determination of routes from, for instance, travel segment network data associated with different data versions. More particularly, a request can be received for a route from an origin to a destination. Graph data modeling a travel segment network for a geographic region associated with the origin and for a geographic region associated the destination can be accessed. The graph data can preserve boundary nodes for visiting during a search (e.g. a contraction hierarchies style search) for a shortest path through the graph data. The reach value of a boundary segment can be considered in identifying boundary segments to be visited during the shortest path search through the graph data. The route can be determined based at least in part on the shortest path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Geisberger, Amo Eigenwillig
  • Publication number: 20180045524
    Abstract: Generating user preference activity maps is disclosed, including: collecting a plurality of user activities recorded by a plurality of GPS recording devices; and aggregating the plurality of user activities to a base map to generate a user preference map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventor: Davis Kitchel
  • Publication number: 20180045525
    Abstract: A method for predicting fuel consumption for a vehicle may include (1) receiving a starting location and a desired destination; (2) determining a route between the starting location and desired destination; (3) generating a drive cycle for the route, the drive cycle comprising; (a) receiving historical acceleration data for the vehicle, the historical acceleration data comprising one histogram for each of a given type of road; (b) dividing the route into a plurality of discrete segments; (c) determining a predicted average velocity for each discrete segment; (d) simulating a drive cycle step with the historical acceleration data and predicted average velocity for each discrete segment; and (e) creating a velocity and an acceleration profile from the simulated drive cycle for each discrete segment from the route; and (4) predicting a fuel consumption amount based on the velocity and acceleration profiles from the generated drive cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Rui Araújo, Rui Esteves Araújo, Ângela Igreja, Ricardo de Castro, German Castignani, Douglas Dane Baker
  • Publication number: 20180045526
    Abstract: A system for estimating or predicting energy consumption for a trip of a personal includes a user facing portion and a back-end portion. The user facing portion includes a display and a user interface hosting a real-time application configured to receive travel information and present a received energy distribution via the display. The back-end portion includes a back-end database and an energy processor configured to access the back-end database. The energy processor includes a demand model module configured to produce a set of possible velocity histories and a set of possible ambient temperatures. A vehicle model module is configured to receive the velocity histories and ambient temperatures to provide the energy distribution or a probabilistic prediction of future energy consumption to the user facing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Jessika E. Trancik, Zachary A. Needell, James McNerney
  • Publication number: 20180045527
    Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting fuel consumption for a vehicle for a route from an origination point to a desired destination are described. The method uses contextual driving mapping information and information related the vehicle to estimate the fuel consumption along segments of the route. Each of the segments may be added together to estimate the fuel consumption along the entire route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Milemind, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Dane Baker, Saeed Afshari, Nicholas Lucchesi
  • Publication number: 20180045528
    Abstract: A method and system for building a trip plan from various sources is provided. The method includes receiving information detailing a planned trip from a social media website. A weighted rank is calculated for one or more stopover points associated with the planned trip. A route for the planned trip, customized for the current travelers, is created, based on the calculated weighted rank of the stopover points and on a selection from the current travelers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Ali Y. Duale, Shailesh R. Gami, Louis P. Gomes, Rajaram B. Krishnamurthy
  • Publication number: 20180045529
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, background data of a first user in a group of one or more users is received. Physiometric data of the first user while the group of one or more users is traversing a first route is received from a first group of one or more sensors. Environmental data associated with the first route is received from a second group of one or more sensors. Environmental data associated with a second route is received from the second group of one or more sensors. It is determined whether to modify the first route into the second route based on the background data, the physiometric data, and the environmental data associated with the first route and the environmental data associated with the second route, and the determination occurs while the group of one or more users is traversing the first route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Aaron K. Baughman, Christian Eggenberger-Wang, Lars M. Jenzer, Craig M. Trim
  • Publication number: 20180045530
    Abstract: A method for generating an acoustic signal for localization of a point of interest may access a geographic location and an audio waveform associated with a point of interest. A geographic location of a vehicle may be determined. An orientation of the geographic location associated with the point of interest may be derived relative to the vehicle based on the geographic location associated with the point of interest and the determined geographic location of the vehicle. An acoustic signal including the audio waveform may be produced in two or more audio transducers where a human listener inside the vehicle perceives the produced acoustic signal to be spatially indicative of the derived orientation of the geographic location associated with the point of interest relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Phillip Alan Hetherington, Leonard Charles Layton
  • Publication number: 20180045531
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes responding to receiving a vehicle startup notification, by recording start location coordinates corresponding to that location where a vehicle is started. The method includes collecting onboard sensor data for the vehicle. The method includes tracking the vehicle's movement, based at least on the onboard sensor data to yield tracking data. The method includes storing the tracking data locally on the vehicle. The method includes responding to receiving a vehicle shutdown notification, by recording end location coordinates corresponding to that location where the vehicle is shut down. The method includes sending, via an external communication system, the start location coordinates, the tracking data, and the end location coordinates to an external system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Bryan P. Davidson, Michael E. Gildein, II, Angelo M. Quadara
  • Publication number: 20180045532
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes responding to receiving a vehicle startup notification, by recording start location coordinates corresponding to that location where a vehicle is started. The method includes collecting onboard sensor data for the vehicle. The method includes tracking the vehicle's movement, based at least on the onboard sensor data to yield tracking data. The method includes storing the tracking data locally on the vehicle. The method includes responding to receiving a vehicle shutdown notification, by recording end location coordinates corresponding to that location where the vehicle is shut down. The method includes sending, via an external communication system, the start location coordinates, the tracking data, and the end location coordinates to an external system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Bryan P. Davidson, Michael E. Gildein, II, Angelo M. Quadara
  • Publication number: 20180045533
    Abstract: A vehicle computer system includes a processor configured to receive a destination, to output a charging station location for display in response to an estimated SOC being less than a threshold and the location being within a pre-defined distance from a vehicle, and to not automatically output the location otherwise such that as a difference between the SOC and threshold increases, the pre-defined distance increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Jackson, Raymond C. Siciak
  • Publication number: 20180045534
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for analyzing user interactions with an electronic map. In one aspect, a plurality of records is identified, the records each identifying at least one map segment in a plurality of map segments included in an interactive electronic map. The records can further include map usage data corresponding to the respective map segment identified in the record, the map usage data corresponding to at least one property of at least one presentation of the map segment to a user. Each map segment in the plurality of map segments is scored. Scoring each map segment includes evaluating map usage data corresponding to the map segment against at least one criteria, the criteria adapted to predict a level of user interest in the map segment based on at least one property of at least one presentation of the map segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventor: Itzik Stauber
  • Publication number: 20180045535
    Abstract: A method for operating of an electronic device includes detecting when a vehicle enters a parking lot and obtaining image information when the vehicle is detected. The method also includes generating image information of an object including information indicating a parking section based on the obtained image information and identifying information related to a parking location of the vehicle based on the image information of the object. The information related to the parking location of the vehicle is outputted. The electronic device provides a parking location of the vehicle without a device pre-installed in a parking lot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Du Seok Kim, Hyun-Cheol Park, Ji Hoon Jang
  • Publication number: 20180045536
    Abstract: A vehicle and a method for determining a calibration parameter of a vehicle, in particular, of a driverless transport vehicle. The vehicle includes a controller and first and second sensors. Structures proximate the vehicle are detected by the first and second sensors, and the controller determines whether the structures detected by the respective sensors at least partly match. A relative position of the first sensor with respect to the second sensor is calculated based on detected matching structures, and a calibration parameter is determined using the calculated relative position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Rainer Kümmerle, Daniel Meyer-Delius, Patrick Pfaff
  • Publication number: 20180045537
    Abstract: A contact detection circuit is applied to a four-terminal measurement device. The contact detection circuit comprises a first isolator, a signal generator, a multiplier and a calculator. The first isolator comprises a primary side and a secondary side, with the secondary side comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, with the first terminal configured to be electrically connected to a driving terminal and the second terminal configured to be electrically connected to a measuring terminal. The signal generator is configured to provide a measuring signal. The multiplier is configured to generate an output signal based on the measuring signal and a first reflected signal when the first reflected signal is induced at the primary side of the first isolator based on the measuring signal. The calculator calculates contact resistance between the driving terminal and the measuring terminal based on a direct-current component of the output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: CHROMA ATE INC.
    Inventors: Tsz-Lang CHEN, Ming-Chieh LIN, Yen-Ching LIU
  • Publication number: 20180045538
    Abstract: A method and an inductive proximity sensor for detecting an object having at least one coil, wherein at least one transmission current pulse can be applied to the coil by a control and evaluation unit and having the control and evaluation unit for outputting an object detection signal, wherein the control and evaluation unit is configured to scan at least one induced voltage pulse that is generated by the transmission current pulse at the coil in at least one section from or after the point in time of the application of the transmission current pulse up to the point in time of the complete attenuation of the voltage pulse and to form scan values, whereby the voltage pulse is digitized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Sascha THOSS, Andreas PETER, Olaf MACHUL
  • Publication number: 20180045539
    Abstract: Described herein is an improved displacement transducer, a closed loop control system incorporating the same, and an improved method of manufacturing of manufacturing a displacement transducer. The improved transducer has several advantages, including improved manufacturability; improved fluid flow within the sensor and reduced cavitation as a result; and the enablement of closed loop control for assisted manual or fully automatic displacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventor: Christopher Bunai
  • Publication number: 20180045540
    Abstract: A fiber optical sensor and methods for sensing a physical quantity such as rotation using the same. The sensor has an optical fiber supporting propagation of light that is configured as an interferometer. One or more segments of the optical fiber, where the segments may be non-contiguous, are poled in such a manner that a phase shift in light propagating through the fiber is created in response to application of a voltage to an electrode thereby inducing an electric field across a poled segment of the fiber. A phase modulator comprising multiple poled segments is additionally described. Applying phase-shifting effects differentially across poled segments of optical fibers of an array of optical fibers may also allow for steering an optical beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Juha-Pekka J. Laine, Richard E. Stoner, Adam J. Saltzman, Timothy J. McCarthy, Stephen P. Smith
  • Publication number: 20180045541
    Abstract: An optical sensor having one or more sensing interference elements is disclosed. A first detector function generates a coarse optical path difference signal for example using a discrete Fourier transform of a detected interference spectrum, and a second detector function generates a refined optical path difference signal using the coarse optical path difference signal and for example a cross correlation of the interference spectrum with one or more sets of periodic transfer functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Oxsensis Limited
    Inventor: Ralf-Dieter Pechstedt
  • Publication number: 20180045542
    Abstract: A method of sensing including the steps of, (a) acquiring measurement values using a distributed optical fibre sensor; (b) arranging the measurement values in a matrix having at least two dimensions; (c) transforming each measurement value in the matrix to a corresponding pixel value on a predefined scale of pixel values and forming an image with pixels having the corresponding pixel values, wherein each pixel in the image is positioned at a position in the image corresponding to the position of the measurement value in the matrix; (d) processing the image using an image processing algorithm so as to reduce noise in the image to provide processed image; (e) transforming each pixel value of pixels in the processed image to values to provide measurement values with reduced noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Jaime-Andres Ramirez-Mancilla, Marcelo-Alfonso Soto-Hernandez
  • Publication number: 20180045543
    Abstract: An optical fiber distributed acoustic sensor system includes weak broadband reflectors inserted periodically along the fiber. The reflectors reflect only a small proportion of the light from the DAS incident thereon back along the fiber, typically in the region of 0.001% to 0.1%, but preferably around 0.01% reflectivity per reflector. In addition, to allow for temperate compensation to ensure that the same reflectivity is obtained if the temperature changes, the reflection bandwidth is relatively broadband. In some embodiments the reflectors are formed from a series of fiber Bragg gratings, each with a different center reflecting frequency, the reflecting frequencies and bandwidths of the gratings being selected to provide the broadband reflection. A chirped grating may also be used to provide the same effect. In preferred embodiments, the reflectors are spaced at half the gauge length i.e. the desired spatial resolution of the optical fiber DAS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Mahmoud Farhadiroushan, Tom Parker, Sergey Shatalin
  • Publication number: 20180045544
    Abstract: A system for aerially surveying an area where a plane may have crashed in water and locating pings from the plane's black box using a laser on an aerial platform that produces laser pulses; using a launch telescope to direct the laser pulses to the water producing scattering from the laser pulses and a continuous stream of backscatter; using a receiving telescope to collect the continuous stream of backscatter; using an interferometer operatively connected to the receiving telescope to produce two outputs, wherein one output is the continuous stream of backscatter, and wherein the other output is a delayed replica of the first output; and using a data collection and analysis unit operatively connected to the interferometer to produce a measurement of the sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Jay W. Dawson, Graham S. Allen, Michael R. Carter, John E. Heebner, Michael J. Messerly, Paul H. Pax, Alexander M. Rubenchik
  • Publication number: 20180045545
    Abstract: A magneto-inductive flow measuring device for measuring the flow of a flowable medium is described. The flow measuring device includes a measuring tube, a pair of coils, which are arranged opposite one another on the measuring tube and which are designed to produce an alternating magnetic field, which can be turned on and off, and which extends essentially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the measuring tube, as well as a pair of permanent magnets, which are arranged opposite one another on the measuring tube and which are designed to produce a permanent magnetic field, which extends essentially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the measuring tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Nikolai Fink, Frank Schmalzried, Wolfgang Drahm
  • Publication number: 20180045546
    Abstract: A method for reducing flowmeter braze joint stress is provided. The method comprises the step of bending a flow tube (20) to create at least one thermal expansion bend (300, 302) thereon. The method comprises the step of aligning a flow tube (20) with at least one anchor block (30a, 30b). Additionally, the flow tube (20) is brazed to the at least one anchor block (30a, 30b) in another step, after which the flow tube (20) and the at least one anchor block (30a, 30b) are allowed to cool and contract a predetermined degree after brazing. The method additionally comprises the step of attaching the at least one anchor block (30a, 30b) to a support block (100) after the flow tube (20) has been attached to the at least one anchor block (30a, 30b) and attaching a manifold (90, 92) to each end of the flow tube (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Micro Motion Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D NIELSON, Gregory Treat Lanham, Christopher A. Werbach, Nikhil Bhargava, Anand Vidhate, David Fleming, Lyle Dee Ashby
  • Publication number: 20180045547
    Abstract: A smart cup, comprising a cup body (110), a cup cover (120), a light sensor (130) and a main board (140), wherein the cup cover (120) is arranged on the cup body (110), the light sensor (130) is arranged on the cup body (110) and is covered by the cup cover (120), the light sensor (130) can be exposed by opening the cup cover (120), the main board (140) is arranged at the bottom part of the cup body (110) and is isolated from an inner cavity of the cup body (110), the main board (140) is provided with a main processor (141) and a gravitational accelerometer (142), and the light sensor (130) and the gravitational accelerometer (142) are both connected to the main processor (141).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Gang ZHANG, Rul XU, Yizhen JIANG, Chih-chiang CHIANG
  • Publication number: 20180045548
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a volume of liquor dispensed from a bottle may have at least one transparent substrate having a first side and an opposite second side. A shaded background is on the first side or second side and outlining at least one transparent bottle profile of a geometric shape of a bottle corresponding to a brand of liquor. In addition, at least one volume scale is on one of the sides of the substrate and the at least one scale is associated with the at least one bottle profile to measure a level of liquor in the bottle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Chad Louis BENDER, Jonathan M. CONTIGIANI
  • Publication number: 20180045549
    Abstract: An electronic fuel level indicator includes an elongated circuit board containing multiple elongated slots separated by a land segment of the circuit board, and an elongated wire spanning across the slots and being clamped to the land segment. Another aspect provides at least one elongated polymeric and/or insulating cover retained against a circuit board and a portion of the wire solely by insertion of the circuit board and cover within an elongated hollow tube through which fluid may flow. A method of assembling an electronic fluid level indicator is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Orscheln Products L.L.C.
    Inventors: Wayne Lawrence SOUCIE, Jeffrey Earl TAYON, Jeffrey J. PENDLETON, Matthew Aaron NEVELS
  • Publication number: 20180045550
    Abstract: A system for capacitive liquid level measurement of liquid in a container, including a level sensor with level+ and level? electrodes, driven out-of-phase to project a sensing electric field into the container, and a reference sensor with ref+ and ref? electrodes, driven out-of-phase to project a sensing electric field into the container. Sensor electronics drives the level sensor electrodes level+/? and the reference sensor electrodes ref+/? out of phase to project respective level and reference capacitance sensing fields into the container, and acquires respective level and reference capacitance measurements from the level and reference sensors. The level and reference capacitance measurement are converted into data representative of liquid level in the container. The level and reference capacitance measurements can be differentially converted according to: Liquid Level=(hL?hR) [MEAS1/MEAS1(hL)]+hR, where MEAS1=Cin1?Cin2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Luke LaPointe, Yibo Yu
  • Publication number: 20180045551
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for liquid level detection. The method may include providing a circuit board including a plurality of horizontally mounted emitter/receiver pairs arranged vertically along the circuit board within a liquid containment area. The method may further include determining, using one or more processors associated with the circuit board, if liquid is present between each of the plurality of emitter/receiver pairs based upon, at least in part, data received from one or more of the plurality of emitter/receiver pairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventor: David Baker
  • Publication number: 20180045552
    Abstract: A fluid detector for determining a presence of a fluid within a container, the detector including a sensor assembly with a lens and a sensor element that outputs a first ultrasonic signal in response to an input electrical signal. A generally cylindrical wall extends outwardly from an outer surface of the container and defines a housing with a cylindrical central bore having a base surface. The sensor assembly is coupled to the lens so that the lens focuses the first ultrasonic signal toward the wall. The sensor assembly is positioned such that it receives a second ultrasonic signal from the wall that results from the first ultrasonic signal. The sensor assembly then generates an output electrical signal corresponding to the second ultrasonic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: James B. Dockendorff, Kevin B. Downs, Bryan M. LaBarge, George K. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20180045553
    Abstract: Embodiments of a portable verification system can move from one in-field gas flow meter location to another and temporarily connect downstream of a main pipeline's meter run or station. A control valve of the portable verification system allows volume measurement at different flow velocities to be verified. In some embodiments, the portable verification system is connected to the meter run and the main pipeline by a corresponding slip or linearly adjustable pipeline section. This section can extend horizontally and vertically, as well as swivel to provide versatility when connecting in the field. Adaptor fittings having one flange sized for and fitted to the inlet and outlet ends of the portable verification system and another flange sized for the meter run or main pipeline connection provide additional versatility. Downtime is limited to the time required to complete a circuit between the meter run, portable verification system, and main pipeline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventor: Dennis McClintock
  • Publication number: 20180045554
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the energy of sound waves generated for fluid sensing. The system includes a transducer configured to generate a first sound wave and a second sound wave and to detect a first echo of the first and second sound waves. The system also includes a driver configured to drive the transducer to produce the first and second sound waves. The system also includes a controller configured to compare a signal characteristic of the first echo of the first and second sound waves. The controller is configured to control the driver based on comparing the signal characteristic of the first echo of the first and second sound waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Lawrence B. Reimer, Gregory P. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20180045555
    Abstract: Provided is a mix weighing device which facilitates a constant mixing ratio, in terms of external appearance, of a plurality of types of materials after mix weighing. This mix weighing device (1) is a device to mix-weigh a plurality of types of the material on the basis of individual weighed target weight (Wt), wherein the mix weighing device (1) is provided with a conveying unit (10), a mix weighing unit (20), a storage unit (61), a weighed target weight setting unit (66), and a control unit (60). The conveying unit (10) conveys the material. The mix weighing unit (20) weighs and discharges the material. The storage unit (61) stores the apparent specific gravity and a mix volume proportion (Pv) of each type of material. The weighed target weight setting unit (66) sets individual weighed target weight (Wt) for each type of the material on the basis of the apparent specific gravity and the mix volume proportion (Pv).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: ISHIDA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seisaku IWASA
  • Publication number: 20180045556
    Abstract: A weight measuring device includes a displacement amount detector, a storage unit, and a weight calculator. The displacement amount detector detects, by using a captured image obtained by capturing a road and a vehicle present on the road, a displacement amount, in the captured image, corresponding to displacement caused on the road by application of a weight of the vehicle. The storage unit stores first information indicating a relation between the weight and the displacement amount. The weight calculator calculates the weight based on the displacement amount and the first information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventor: TARO IMAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20180045557
    Abstract: A retail checkout system for allowing a plurality of customers to checkout one or more product items of at least one set of product items of a given type that has an estimated mean weight and deviation from the estimated mean weight associated with the set of product items, the system comprising: a retail checkout weight scale; and a checkout engine that is operative and configured to determine a mean anticipated cumulative weight and a distribution from the mean anticipated cumulative weight for at least one product item for which a customer initiated the acquisition of respective weight-information; determine a factual cumulative weight of the customer's shopping receptacle placed on the retail checkout weight scale of the retail checkout system; and determine whether the factual cumulative weight meets a checkout criterion with respect to the distribution from the mean anticipated cumulative weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventor: Yair Cleper
  • Publication number: 20180045558
    Abstract: A weight scale (100) for assisting with management of congestive heart failure and other ailments includes a housing (101) that can define a substantially flat planar surface (102). A weight measurement device (202) measures a weight of a user. A control circuit (201) stores in a memory (203) a first predefined weight threshold (205) and a second predefined weight threshold (206). The scale includes light sources (107,108,109) operable with the control circuit to selectively present one of three color-coded indications. When the weight is between the below the first predefined weight threshold, the light sources present a first color indication. When the weight is between the first predefined weight threshold and the second predefined weight threshold, the light sources present a second color indication. When the weight is above the second predefined weight threshold, the light sources present a third color indication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Martie Moore, Derek Roberts
  • Publication number: 20180045559
    Abstract: Systems capable of seismically investigating the earth can include seismic sources and a disposable seismic sensor such as a fiber optic seismic sensor included within a drill string. The fiber optic seismic sensor can include a plurality of fiber Bragg gratings. Related methods can include using the seismic sources and the fiber optic seismic sensor to conduct seismic investigations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew Hawthorn, Joel Herve Le Calvez, Colin Sayers, Jefferson Alford, Edward Michael Tollefsen
  • Publication number: 20180045560
    Abstract: A subwavelength gold hole/disk array that when coupled with a ground plane induces extraordinary transmission through the hole/disk array and zero back reflection. The hole/disk array functions as a “light funnel” in couling incident radiation into the cavity with about 100% efficiency over a narrow resonant bandwidth, which results in frequency-selective perfect (˜100%) absorption of the incident radiation. Such an optical frequency-selective absorber enables flexible scaling of detector response to any wavelength range by pattern dimensional changes, enabling uncooled frequency selective detection and “color” imaging in the infrared domain. Methods and applications are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Debashis Chanda, Sushrut Modak, Jonathan Lee, Alireza Safaei
  • Publication number: 20180045561
    Abstract: A cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy instrument has an optical cavity with two or more cavity mirrors, one mirror of which having a hole or other aperture for injecting a light beam, and the same or another mirror of which being partially transmissive to allow exit of light to a detector. A spherical-spherical configuration with at least one astigmatic mirror or a spherical-cylindrical configuration where the spherical mirror could also be astigmatic prevents a reentrant condition wherein the injected beam would prematurely exit the cavity through the aperture. This combination substantially increases the number of passes of the injected beam through a sample volume for sensitive detection of chemical species even in less than ideal conditions including low power laser or LED sources, poor mirror reflectivity or detector noise at the wavelengths of interest, or cavity alignment issues such as vibration or temperature and pressure changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: ABB, Inc.
    Inventors: John Brian Leen, Nathan E. Bramall
  • Publication number: 20180045562
    Abstract: Provided in one example is an apparatus, including a microfluidic channel supported by a substrate. An optical spectrometer includes a waveguide supported by the substrate. The waveguide includes a coupler and outcouplers. A light source directs light to the coupler of the waveguide. Optical sensors are supported by the substrate. Each of the optical sensors is optically coupled to one of the outcouplers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Charles M. Santori, Alexander Govyadinov
  • Publication number: 20180045563
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for filtering unwanted wavelengths from an IR detector. In some embodiments, it may be desired to remove or reduce the wavelengths absorbed by water, to reduce the effects of water on the detection of the target gas. In some embodiments, a filter glass may be used in the IR detector, wherein the filter glass comprises one or more materials that contain hydroxyls in their molecular structure, and wherein the spectral absorption properties of the filter glass are operable to at least reduce wavelengths of light absorbed by water from the optical, thereby reducing the IR detector's cross sensitivity to water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Terry Marta, Rodney Royston Watts, Antony Leighton Phillips, Bernard Fritz, James Allen Cox