Patents Issued in March 13, 2018
  • Patent number: 9915548
    Abstract: An approach is provided for presenting a contextual menu in a map display. A contextual menu platform determines an input for a delineation of at least one route, at least one geographical area, or a combination thereof in at least one map user interface of at least one device. The contextual menu platform determines contextual information associated with the at least one route, the at least one geographical area, the at least one map user interface, the at least one device, at least one user associated with the at least one device, or a combination thereof. The contextual menu platform also determines one or more contextual menu options based, at least in part, on the contextual information. The contextual menu platform further causes, at least in part, a presentation of at least one contextual menu to present the one or more contextual menu options in the at least one map user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Skillman, Kevin Coffey, Nicola Plaisant
  • Patent number: 9915549
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus has a storage unit that stores road map information about road maps and a display control means for displaying a road map including road names on a display unit according to the road map information. The information processing apparatus includes a road name deciding means for deciding whether a road included in the road map has a road name, a facility deciding means for deciding, if the road name deciding means has decided that the road has no road name, whether a facility is related to the road, and a road name assigning means for assigning, if the facility deciding means has decided that a facility is related to the road, a name to the road on the basis of facility information about the facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ALPINE ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Kazuomi Chiba
  • Patent number: 9915550
    Abstract: Method and apparatus of integrating a three-axis magnetometer and a three-axis accelerometer to provide attitude and heading, calibrated magnetometer and accelerometer data, and angular rate, while removing sensor error sources over time and temperature and to compensate for hard and soft iron distortions of the Earth magnetic field. Filtered accelerometer data are corrected to account for various error sources. The magnetic heading is calculated from a horizontal magnetic field vector transformed from three dimensional Earth's magnetic field vector by using quasi-static roll and pitch angles from the filtered accelerometer data. A first Kalman filter estimates the state vector, based on the principle that the magnitude of local Earth's magnetic field vector is constant, to form hard and soft iron correction matrices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: MEMSIC, INC.
    Inventors: Dong An, Yang Zhao, Haipeng Ding, Jong-Ki Lee
  • Patent number: 9915551
    Abstract: A method for linearizing sensor signals in a magnetic strip length measuring system moves a sensor head between two magnetic poles of a measurement body. In particular, linearization takes place dynamically during operation of the magnetic strip length measuring system, and linearization deviations are compensated by extrapolation as the sensor head moves between the two poles of the measurement body from pole to pole or from pole pair to pole pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Balluff GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Burkhardt, Achim Zern, Timm Eversmeyer
  • Patent number: 9915552
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to magnetic field sensors, such as gradiometric magnetic field angle sensors with generally on-axis arrangements of sensor elements relative to a rotation axis of a magnet. In one embodiment, an angle sensor is arranged on-axis with respect to the rotation axis of a magnet that generates a magnetic field that can be detected by the angle sensor and analyzed to determine an angular position of the magnet. The sensor can comprise a plurality of sensor elements, such as two sensor elements, arranged on a substrate or die in a sensor package. As it rotates, the magnet generates a magnetic field, such as an inhomogenous magnetic field having a component perpendicular to the rotation axis and acting on the angle sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Udo Ausserlechner
  • Patent number: 9915553
    Abstract: A scanning head for scanning a material measure on which markings with a period are formed periodically in the measuring direction includes at least two individual sensors configured to produce sensor signals by scanning the markings. The scanning head further includes a digital signal processing apparatus configured to produce at least one highly accurate output signal from the sensor signals. The scanning head is configured to output at least two different types of output signals. The at least two different types of output signals comprises at least one safe output signal and the at least one highly accurate output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Guenter Reusing
  • Patent number: 9915554
    Abstract: The width of a terminal block is decreased by decreasing a space between an external connecting terminal at each end of the external connecting terminals and an end portion of the terminal block, whereas a space between a winding terminal at each end of the winding terminals of terminals and an end portion of the terminal block is sufficiently obtained. A terminal 7 is provided with an external connecting terminal 71 and a winding terminal 72, and the terminal 7 has a shape such that a center line Lp in the width direction of the winding terminal 72 is shifted from a center line Le in the width direction of the external connecting terminal 71. A plurality of the terminals 7 are arranged on a terminal block 11 so that pitches between the winding terminals 72 are unequal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: MINEBEA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Haruki Otobe
  • Patent number: 9915555
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor, which can prevent a breakdown caused by the infiltration of water from the outside occurring due to the jet of high-pressure wash water or the like without the deterioration of the sensitivity of an ultrasonic transducer within the range of the fixing-clamping caused by an elastic member, is obtained. The ultrasonic sensor includes a cylindrical sensor case, an ultrasonic transducer that is disposed close to an opening face in the sensor case and includes a vibration surface, and an elastic member that is provided between the ultrasonic transducer and the sensor case and covers a side surface and a bottom of the ultrasonic transducer. An exposed surface end of the elastic member close to the opening face is formed to be thinner than a portion of the elastic member that covers the side surface of the ultrasonic transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuya Oba
  • Patent number: 9915556
    Abstract: A composite laminate assembly for an electronic device provides integrated backlighting for one or more indicator shapes defined by the assembly. The assembly includes a substantially opaque cover member to obscure at least parts of the electronic device. Translucent indicator structures in the cover member define respective indicator shapes to allow backlighting to pass through the cover member. An optical matrix layer of an optically conductive material is attached to an inner face of the cover member, with a plurality of lighting devices embedded in the optical matrix layer and laterally offset from associated indicator structures. The plurality of lighting devices may be connected to an electric circuit carried on the inner face of the cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: TactoTek Oy
    Inventors: Antti Keränen, Mikko Heikkinen
  • Patent number: 9915557
    Abstract: An ultrasonic wave sensing module includes a housing, an ultrasonic wave sensor, an adapter, and a circuit board. The housing has a first containing space and a second containing space being separated from each other by a blocking wall. The ultrasonic wave sensor is disposed within the first containing space and has a first connecting pin. The adapter includes a first connecting portion and a second connecting pin, and is integrally formed with the blocking wall by means of insert molding. The circuit board is provided within the second containing space, and has a second connecting portion. The first connecting pin of the ultrasonic wave sensor is coupled to the first connecting portion of the adapter, and the second connecting pin of the adapter is coupled to the second connecting portion of the circuit board, so that the ultrasonic wave sensor and the circuit board are electrically connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS SOLUTIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Jingyuan Wei, Jiayu Lin
  • Patent number: 9915558
    Abstract: Monolithic linkage structure having a base body and a load receiver guided in a Z direction relative to the base body by a plurality of parallel guide elements, wherein at least one parallel guide element is connected, via a first joint, on a first end to the base body and, via a second joint, on a second end distanced from the first end in an X direction to the load receiver, wherein the base body is configured on both sides of a plane, which extends in the Z direction and in an X direction, and wherein at least one parallel guide element has, on at least one outer surface facing away from the plane between the first joint and the second joint, at least one recess penetrating the at least one parallel guide element in the Z direction, through which projects a base body portion of the base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Wipotec Wiege- und Positioniersysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Gottfriedsen, Tobias Stellwagen
  • Patent number: 9915559
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to electronics, mechanics, and software, and more specifically, to systems and methods for wirelessly monitoring a brochure box. In one embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus that provides for remote content monitoring, the apparatus including a receptacle, the receptacle configurable to storing content; and a sensor node, the sensor node disposed proximate to the receptacle, the sensor node associated with a unique identifier, the sensor node configurable to monitor the existence of any stored content, the sensor node configurable to transmit a signal containing the unique identifier to a remote device, the signal being any of a cellular, satellite, and wireless network signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Jaime Radcliff
  • Patent number: 9915560
    Abstract: A multi-channel receiver optical subassembly (ROSA) including at least one sidewall receptacle configured to receive and electrically isolate an adjacent multi-channel transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) is disclosed. The multi-channel ROSA includes a housing with at least first and second sidewalls, with the first sidewall being opposite the second sidewall and including at least one sidewall opening configured to fixedly attach to photodiode assemblies. The second sidewall includes at least one sidewall receptacle configured to receive at least a portion of an optical component package, such as a transistor outline (TO) can laser package, of an adjacent multi-channel TOSA, and provide electrical isolation between the ROSA housing and the TOSA within an optical transceiver. The sidewall receptacle can include non-conductive material in regions that directly or otherwise come into close proximity with the optical component package of the adjacent TOSA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: I-Lung Ho, Kai-Sheng Lin, Jun Zheng
  • Patent number: 9915561
    Abstract: A photoreceiver device includes a light detector connected between a power supply node and a first node, and first to third switching elements. The light detector is configured to detect an incident optical data signal, and to output photocurrent corresponding to a magnitude of the optical data signal through the first node. The first switching element is connected between the first node and a ground node. The second switching element is connected between the power supply node and a second node. The third switching element is connected between the second node and the ground node. The third switching element has a control node connected to the first node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jason S. Orcutt, Paul M. Solomon
  • Patent number: 9915562
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ABB, INC.
    Inventors: John Brian Leen, Nathan E. Bramall
  • Patent number: 9915563
    Abstract: A method of optical spectroscopy and a device for use in optical spectroscopy. The device includes a substrate, and a plurality of etalon cavities affixed to or coupled to the substrate. A signal is received from a Fabry-Perot interferometer. The signal is sampled using the device according to a generalized Nyquist-Shannon sampling criterion. The signal is sampled using the device according to a phase differential criterion for wave number resolution. An input spectrum for the signal is reconstructed based on the signal sampled according to the generalized Nyquist-Shannon sampling criterion and the signal sampled according to the phase differential criterion for wave number resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michael K. Yetzbacher, Christopher W. Miller, Michael J. Deprenger, Andrew J. Boudreau
  • Patent number: 9915564
    Abstract: According to an aspect of one or more embodiments, a system for inspecting a slab of material may include a single mode optical fiber, a broadband light source configured to emit light over the optical fiber, a beam assembly configured to receive the light over the optical fiber and direct the light toward a slab of material, a computer-controlled etalon filter configured to receive the light over the optical fiber either before the light is directed toward the slab of material or after the light has been reflected from or transmitted through the slab of material, filter the light, and direct the light over the optical fiber, and a computer-controlled spectrometer configured to receive the light over the optical fiber after the light has been filtered by the etalon filter and after the light has been reflected from or transmitted through the slab of material and spectrally analyze the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: APPLEJACK 199, L.P.
    Inventors: Wojciech Jan Walecki, Alexander Pravdivtsev
  • Patent number: 9915565
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a spectral imaging system is disclosed. The spectral imaging system comprises an interferometer having a beam splitter and at least a first reflector and a second reflector. The method comprises: obtaining data pertaining to an interference pattern model, operating the spectral imaging system to provide an interference pattern of a received light beam, and varying a relative orientation between at least two of: the beam splitter, the first reflector and the second reflector, until the interference pattern of the input light beam substantially matches the interference pattern model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Applied Spectral Imaging Ltd.
    Inventor: Nir Katzir
  • Patent number: 9915566
    Abstract: A system is provided that includes a security system that protects a secured area, a passive infrared (PIR) detector of the security system that detects intruders within the secured area, a pyroelectric element carried by the PIR detector, the pyroelectric element being tilted downwards towards a floor within the secured area to receive and detect a predominant portion of energy from an area extending outwards from the PIR detector and directly in front of the PIR detector and a relatively small portion of energy from a floor area directly below the PIR detector, and a pivoting door having first and second positions mounted below and directly adjacent the pyroelectric element, the door pivoting upwards to the first position where the relatively small portion of energy is blocked and pivoting downwards where the relatively small portion of energy is transmitted onto the pyroelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Yutao Ni, Lei Qin, Haidong Xu
  • Patent number: 9915567
    Abstract: An unreleased thermopile IR sensor and method of fabrication is provided which includes a new thermally isolating material and an ultra-thin material based sensor which, in combination, provide excellent sensitivity without requiring a released membrane structure. The sensor is fabricated using a wafer transfer technique in which a substrate assembly comprising the substrate and new thermally isolating material is bonded to a carrier substrate assembly comprising a carrier substrate and the ultra-thin material, followed by removal of the carrier substrate. As such, temperature restrictions of the various materials are overcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Excelitas Technologies Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Piotr Kropelnicki, Radu M. Marinescu, Grigore D. Huminic, Hermann Karagoezoglu, Kai Liang Chuan
  • Patent number: 9915568
    Abstract: A circuit device including: a detection circuit (10) that performs A/D conversion of a first detection voltage (VD1) that is detected by using a thermopile (2), and outputs a first detection value (DT1) that is a digital value, and performs A/D conversion of a second detection voltage (VD2) that is detected by using a thermistor (4), and outputs a second detection value (DT2) that is a digital value; and a control unit (50) that obtains a self-temperature by using the second detection value (DT2), obtains a second electromotive voltage that corresponds to the self-temperature by using the self-temperature, obtains a first electromotive voltage that corresponds to an object's temperature by using the first detection value (DT1) and the second electromotive voltage, and obtains the object's temperature by using the first electromotive voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kota Onishi, Tsutae Hinata, Yukinari Shibata, Chihiro Fukumoto, Naoki Nishigaki, Koji Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 9915569
    Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus for sensing temperature. The apparatus for sensing temperature includes: a sensor unit configured to include at least one sensor resistor and output a sensing signal varying by the sensor resistor in response to temperature when the sensor unit is applied with an operating voltage; a data conversion unit configured to convert a change in temperature sensed based on the sensing signal output from the sensor unit into a time signal and generate temperature information based on the converted time signal; and a control unit configured to control the sensor unit and the data conversion unit and output a temperature value determined depending on the temperature information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Seong Hwan Cho, Sung Rok Jeon
  • Patent number: 9915570
    Abstract: Accurate measurement and monitoring of a computer room air conditioning unit's cooling production, distribution, and consumption is necessary to optimize effectiveness and efficiency and minimize redundancy. A mass air flow monitoring device comprises an array of sensor modules and a controller module with display, user interface, and I/O for third party connectivity. The device monitors temperature, pressure, water content, and quantity of airflow in a CRAC's supply air stream and return air stream and compares the two measurements to determine the amount of energy, or enthalpy, put into or taken out of the air. The result, displayed in watts, allows for the efficient control of production, distribution, and usage of supply air from the CRAC unit. Over or under provisioning can be quickly identified and corrected and, when used in conjunction with power consumption monitoring, a “watts of cooling for watts of power consumption” efficiency metric can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: DCIM Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Anthony Gennello
  • Patent number: 9915571
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of radio frequency identification, in particular to a temperature measurement and calibration circuit and a passive radio frequency identification tag. Meanwhile, the present invention further relates to a method for performing temperature measurement by using the tag. The temperature measurement and calibration circuit of the tag generates an upper reference voltage value limit and a lower reference voltage value limit, which do not change with temperature, then calibrates the upper reference voltage value limit and the lower reference voltage value limit to a uniform upper voltage value limit and a uniform lower voltage value limit, and eliminates the problem of different reference voltages of tags due to the power supply voltage fluctuation and process deviation. Meanwhile, a temperature measurement voltage generator circuit of the tag generates a calibration voltage value under a uniform calibration temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick Bian Wu, Xingyi Wang, Lingli Zhou, Fuqiang Han, Shehu Qi, Yuanming Luo
  • Patent number: 9915572
    Abstract: A force sensing compliant enclosure for an electronic device may include at least one deformable housing wall. At least one strain concentration portion may be located on the deformable housing wall where strain caused by application of a force that deforms the deformable housing wall is greater than at other portions of the deformable housing wall. The strain concentrating portion may have a second thickness that is thinner than other portions of the deformable housing wall. One or more sensors may be positioned in the strain concentration portion and may sense strain caused by the application of the force that deforms the deformable housing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Romain A. Teil
  • Patent number: 9915573
    Abstract: Pressure sensing systems comprising bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys and pressure-sensitive switches containing bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys. The bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys are capable of repeated deformation upon application of pressure, and change their electrical resistivity upon deformation, thereby enabling measurement of the change in resistivity and consequently, measuring the deformation and amount of pressure applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Prest, Matthew S. Scott, Stephen P. Zadesky, Dermot J. Stratton, Joseph C. Poole, Theodore A. Waniuk
  • Patent number: 9915574
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a preload of a fastener. The method, which may be practiced at least in part by the apparatus, includes establishing an initial value associated with an absence of the preload of the fastener and providing an adapter and a transducer rotatably coupled to the adapter. The transducer may be positioned in contact with the fastener. The transducer is caused to direct an incident ultrasonic wave to the fastener and to receive a reflected ultrasonic wave from the fastener. Data associated with the incident ultrasonic wave and the reflected sonic wave is used to generate a modified value associated with the preload of the fastener, and the preload of the fastener is calculated based on a difference between the initial value and the modified value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Nancy Jane George
  • Patent number: 9915575
    Abstract: Disclosed is a passive, in-situ pressure sensor. The sensor includes a sensing element having a ferromagnetic metal and a tension inducing mechanism coupled to the ferromagnetic metal. The tension inducing mechanism is operable to change a tensile stress upon the ferromagnetic metal based on a change in pressure in the sensing element. Changes in pressure are detected based on changes in the magnetic switching characteristics of the ferromagnetic metal when subjected to an alternating magnetic field caused by the change in the tensile stress. The sensing element is embeddable in a closed system for detecting pressure changes without the need for any penetrations of the system for power or data acquisition by detecting changes in the magnetic switching characteristics of the ferromagnetic metal caused by the tensile stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC
    Inventors: David K. Mee, Edward B. Ripley, Zachary C. Nienstedt, Alex W. Nienstedt, Layton N. Howell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9915576
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes: a fixed part; a ring-like oscillator that is supported on the fixed part by a plurality of support beams; a plurality of electrodes that are provided on the fixed part and arranged in an oscillating direction of the ring-like oscillator with a gap; electret films that are formed on either one of opposite surfaces of the ring-like oscillator and the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignees: The University of Tokyo, Kabushiki Kaisha Saginomiya Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Fujita, Gen Hashiguchi, Hiroyuki Mitsuya, Hisayuki Ashizawa
  • Patent number: 9915577
    Abstract: An oil filled pressure sensor is provided. The sensor includes a drift-stabilized pressure sensing element mounted to and electrically isolated from a header body, the pressure sensing element immersed in an oil filled cavity and temperature stabilized for sensing pressure in the cavity without substantial signal drift. A method of fabrication is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Sensata Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas B. Strott, Russell P. Brodeur, Keith R. Washburn
  • Patent number: 9915578
    Abstract: There is disclosed a high temperature pressure sensing system which includes a SOI, silicon carbide, or gallium nitride Wheatstone bridge including piezoresistors. The bridge provides an output which is applied to an analog to digital converter also fabricated using SOI, silicon carbide, or gallium nitride materials. The output of the analog to digital converter is applied to microprocessor, which microprocessor processes the data or output of the bridge to produce a digital output indicative of bridge value. The microprocessor also receives an output from another analog to digital converter indicative of the temperature of the bridge as monitored by a span resistor coupled to the bridge. The microprocessor has a separate memory coupled thereto which is also fabricated from SOI, silicon carbide, or gallium nitride materials and which memory stores various data indicative of the microprocessor also enabling the microprocessor test and system test to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony D. Kurtz, Wolf S. Landmann, Joseph R. VanDeWeert, Alexander A. Ned
  • Patent number: 9915579
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a unique new approach to generating operating condition information used for assessing flow assurance and structural integrity. More specifically, apparatuses, systems and sensor housing assemblies configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention utilize fiber optic sensors for enabling monitoring of operating condition information within one or more elongated tubular members. To this end, such fiber optic sensors are strategically placed at a plurality of locations along a length of each elongated tubular member thereby allowing critical operating conditions such as strain, temperature and pressure of the elongated tubular member and/or a fluid therein to be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: David V. Brower
  • Patent number: 9915580
    Abstract: A method of testing for leakage of a pulp chamber in a modified extracted tooth is provided, wherein the modified extracted tooth comprises enamel, dentine and a pulp chamber. The method comprises: (a) providing an extracted tooth which has been modified by removal of roots and dental pulp so as to create a pulp chamber, the pulp chamber having an opening at one end thereof, which opening is defined by a rim; (b) attaching a first end of a first tube to the rim of the pulp chamber so as to provide an air-tight seal between the first tube and the rim; (c) placing the modified extracted tooth into a liquid; (d) supplying a compressed gas into the pulp chamber via the first tube; and (e) determining visually whether or not bubbles of the gas are released into the liquid at the enamel of the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Shyamala Pillai
  • Patent number: 9915581
    Abstract: A seal detecting device and means for detecting a leakage on an outer case of an electronic device include providing a through hole on the outer case of the electronic device, an inner side of the electronic device is connected to an outer side of the electronic device; providing an airtight container, placing the outer case of the electronic device into the airtight container, one of the inner side and outer side of the outer case is defined as a gas supply side, and the other side is a detecting side; supplying compressed gas to the gas supply side; leading the detecting side to outside and detect a gas flow, so as to detect if there is a leakage on the outer case of the electronic device. The device and means have the advantages of high sensitivity, quick detecting speed, and high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: GLTTEK CO., LTD
    Inventor: Chiung Nan Chen
  • Patent number: 9915582
    Abstract: A pressure testing unit for pressure testing equipment including a test cell having first and second side walls, a cell frame, a lid pivotally mounted on the first side wall, a first tie rod disposed through the cell frame, a second tie rod disposed through the cell frame, a first impact plate removably secured to proximal ends of the first and second side walls and proximal ends of the first and second tie rods, and a second impact plate removably secured to distal ends of the first and second side walls and distal ends of the first and second tie rods. The test cell may be lengthened by attaching a second test cell thereto. One of the impact plates may be removed from the test cell, and receptacles on the test cell may be connected to receptacles on the second test cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Offshore Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Russell Garber, Kevin Michael Guidry, Dennis Penisson, Kirk Pepper
  • Patent number: 9915583
    Abstract: A method for verifying a position of an energy beam spot, said method comprising the steps of: providing a calibrated energy beam having a first focus in a at least two positions at a work table, detecting said at least two positions of said energy beam spot on said work table created with said energy beam having said first focus, providing said calibrated energy beam having a second focus in said at least two positions at a work table, detecting said at least two positions of said energy beam spot on said work table created with said energy beam having said second focus, comparing said at least two positions created with said first and second focus, wherein said position of the energy beam is verified if said positions created with said first focus are deviating less than a predetermined distance from said positions created with said second focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Arcam AB
    Inventor: Anders Snis
  • Patent number: 9915584
    Abstract: Predictive monitoring of a rotational machine of a cooling apparatus is provided by integrating a predictive vibration analyzer into an electronics rack being cooled by the cooling apparatus. The integrating includes associating at least one sensor of the predictive vibration analyzer with the rotational machine of the cooling apparatus. The analyzer includes a predetermined harmonics table of one or more base operational frequencies and associated rotational speed harmonics for the rotational machine indicative of one or more rotational faults, and the predictive vibration analyzer automatically evaluates vibration of the rotational machine during operation of the machine by analyzing vibration data therefor, and automatically ascertains, based on the vibration data, and the predetermined harmonics table, whether the rotational machine is predicted to possess a rotational fault of the one or more rotational faults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary J. Chernega, Ethan E. Cruz, Udo Jourdan, Budy D. Notohardjono, Arkadiy O. Tsfasman, Jing Zhang
  • Patent number: 9915585
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of monitoring a wear of a gearbox in a power station, such as a windmill, water-wheel or tidal power station, the gearbox comprising at least two shafts, cogwheels and bearings as components of the gearbox. The method comprises sensing an angular position at the shafts by a rotational shaft encoder and monitoring the wear of the transmission-unit according to differences of the sensed angular positions and generating a condition signal representative of the wear of the gearbox according to the monitored differences. The monitoring comprises an additional sensing of at least one additional degree of freedom, in particular an axial and/or eccentric displacement, of at least one of the shafts caused by wear of at least one of the components of the gearbox, and generating the condition signal according to the displacement and differences in the at least two degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventor: Bo Pettersson
  • Patent number: 9915586
    Abstract: A method and device for processing a signal (CRK) provided by a bidirectional sensor, the method includes the following steps: generation of a first signal (CRK_CNT) utilizing all the slots of the signal provided by the sensor, generation of a second signal (CRK_DIR) utilizing the slots corresponding to a first direction of transit, connection of the first signal (CRK_CNT) to the input of the first electronic component, connection of the second signal (CRK_DIR) to a second component, detection by the second component of edges of the signals received, determination of the direction of transit as a function of the presence or otherwise of an edge on the second signal (CRK_DIR) when a rising and/or falling edge is detected on the first signal, change of the value of the predefined threshold (THMI) in the first component upon each detection of an edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GmbH
    Inventor: Jerome Hou
  • Patent number: 9915587
    Abstract: A particulate sensor (1) which detects particulates S contained in a gas under measurement (EG) flowing within a gas flow pipe (EP) has a space forming portion (12) and an ion source (15). The space forming portion (12) projects into the gas flow pipe EP and forms an internal space MX. The space forming portion (12) has an introduction port (43I) and a discharge port (48O) for discharging from the internal space MX the gas EGI introduced through the introduction port (43I). The source (15) produces ions CP by gaseous discharge. The space forming portion (12) is configured such that the introduced gas EGI is discharged from the internal space MX through the discharge port (48O), the gas under measurement EG is introduced into the internal space MX through the introduction port (43I), and the introduced gas EGI is mixed with the ions CP produced by the ion source (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Sugiyama, Masayuki Motomura, Keisuke Tashima, Toshiya Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 9915588
    Abstract: An apparatus for the maintenance of wheels of vehicles, like a balancer or a device for mounting/dismounting tires, comprises a support adapted to support a rim of a wheel of a vehicle. A device for detecting the eccentricity of a tire of the wheel is mounted on the support. Such device comprises an optical system configured to capture a light beam reflected by a tread of the tire and focus it on a point of an optical sensor. The optical sensor emits a signal indicative of an average value of a radial distance of the linear portion from the main axis. A control unit processes a plurality of average values corresponding to different linear portions of the tread and obtained during the rotation of the tire, and detects the eccentricity of said tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: SNAP-ON EQUIPMENT S.R.L. A UNICO SOCIO
    Inventor: Francesco Braghiroli
  • Patent number: 9915589
    Abstract: Detecting fouling of a heat exchanger of a boiler includes emitting a spray of pressurized fluid from a nozzle of a sootblower element when the nozzle is adjacent to a surface of the heat exchanger, and sensing a value indicative of a reactive force created by an impact of the pressurized fluid on the surface of the heat exchanger and translated back to the sootblower element through the spray of the pressurized fluid. The method also includes determining when a substantial deposit is on the surface of the heat exchanger indicating fouling based on the value indicative of the reactive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy M. Carlier, Andrew K. Jones
  • Patent number: 9915590
    Abstract: In a material sample separation and collection system, a sample is obtained by airflow separation. The system and attendant methods collect a complete sample over a defined period of time by modulating one or more pressure balancing valves, thus allowing for a variable flow rate of materials through the system even while the fan or other source of airflow operates at constant speed. The sampling rate, which is based on how quickly or slowly materials enter and pass through the system and into a collection vessel, is automatically modulated in real time based on sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: HOLLISON, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Humphrey, Anthony Bashall, Roger Dame, David Humphrey
  • Patent number: 9915591
    Abstract: Methods for sampling reactor contents in parallel reactor systems are disclosed. The methods may be used to sample reactor contents in non-atmospheric (e.g., pressurized) reaction vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Unchained Labs
    Inventors: Stephen Lambert, John F. Varni, Gregor Hsiao
  • Patent number: 9915592
    Abstract: Methods comprising probing multiple targets in an H&E stained biological sample are provided. The methods include the steps of providing a hematoxylin and eosin stained biological sample containing multiple targets, optionally detecting H&E staining of the sample, removing the hematoxylin and eosin signals, and detecting additional features or targets in the biological sample. The detecting step may include performing the steps of binding at least one probe to one or more targets to the sample, detecting a signal from the probe and contacting the sample with a bleaching agent. The process of binding, detecting and bleaching may be iteratively repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anup Sood, Kevin Bernard Kenny, Arunkumar Natarajan, Lakshmi Sireesha Kaanumalle, Elizabeth Mary McDonough
  • Patent number: 9915593
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of positioning an organic, biological and/or medical specimen in a desired partial region of a specimen carrier, comprising the steps arrangement of a gel in a partial region of the specimen carrier, polymerization or gelification of the gel, by means of which a polymerized gel is obtained, whereby the polymerized gel at least partially, in particular horizontally, delimits the desired partial region and introduction of the specimen into the specimen carrier, in particular into the desired partial region of the specimen carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: IBIDI GMBH
    Inventors: Roman Zantl, Elias Horn
  • Patent number: 9915594
    Abstract: Herewith disclosed is a sample analyzer comprising: a measurement section configured to perform a measurement on a sample and generate a measurement value according to the concentration of an analyte in the sample; a memory storing a calibration curve; an analysis section; an output section; and an instruction receiver. When the instruction receiver receives an instruction to perform a diluting measurement on a calibration sample, the measurement section dilutes the calibration sample by a predetermined ratio and performs a measurement on the diluted calibration sample, and the analysis section determines the concentration of the analyte in the diluted calibration sample by applying a measurement value obtained from the diluted calibration sample to the calibration curve. Information generated based on the determined concentration and the known concentration is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Shiba, Tomoyuki Nishida, Yuji Wakamiya
  • Patent number: 9915595
    Abstract: A method for operating a gas sampling probe includes removing a gas to be analyzed from a process space in the region of a front end of a gas sampling tube and conducting it through the gas sampling tube as far as a rear end and, in the process, cooling it by passing cooling air between the gas sampling tube and at least one outer casing enclosing the gas sampling tube. The cooling air is fed and discharged at the rear end of the gas sampling tube and the temperature of the gas to be analyzed is higher in the region of the front end of the gas sampling tube than the temperature of the fed cooling air, and the gas sampling probe emits outward, wherein the temperature of the fed cooling air is higher than the temperature of the discharged cooling air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS AG
    Inventors: Ludwig Könning, Michael Streffing, Heinz Bredemeier, Alfons Leuer
  • Patent number: 9915596
    Abstract: A density meter for slurry which is transported through a pipe, the density meter including: a pipe part; flexible pipe couplings arranged on either end of the pipe part; a force sensor for measuring a force in the direction of the at least one degree of freedom between the pipe part and a fixed point; an accelerometer arranged on the pipe part for measuring the accelerations of the pipe part in the direction of the at least one degree of freedom; and computing means for computing the density of the slurry in the pipe part on the basis of the volume of the pipe part, the force measured by the force sensor and the acceleration measured by the accelerometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Alia Instruments Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Theodorus Jacobus Adrianus De Vries, Jasper Leonardus Johannes Scholten
  • Patent number: 9915597
    Abstract: A particulate matter measuring device includes: a diesel particulate filter (DPF) in which upstream side and downstream side openings of multiple cells partitioned by porous partition walls are alternately plugged; a pair of first electrodes received in a pair of first electrode cells arranged diagonally with a central cell therebetween; a pair of second electrodes received in a pair of second electrode cells arranged diagonally with the central cell therebetween; a first connecting member for connecting the first electrodes to each other; a second connecting member for connecting the second electrodes to each other; and a unit that calculates an amount of particulate matter trapped in the DPF on the basis of capacitance between the electrodes. The four cells which are adjacent to each other around the partition walls of the central cell and sandwiched between the first electrode cells and the second electrode cells are used as measurement cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Masafumi Noda, Mitsuhiro Aso, Tadashi Uchiyama