Patents Issued in April 17, 2018
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Patent number: 9945708Abstract: A liquid intake tracking device for removable insertion into a beverage container in order to track an amount of liquid consumed, the rate of liquid consumption over time, and to provide alerts to the user. The device connects wirelessly to an application executing on an external electronic device which provides user with liquid consumption data and reports concerning the user's interaction with the beverage container. Methods for tracking liquid intake are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2017Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: THIRSTI LTDInventors: Phillip Daneshyar, Alexander Edward Smith, Tyrone Bedessy
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Patent number: 9945709Abstract: A fill level measurement device is specified for determining distance of the measurement device and flow speed of a medium, which comprises a frequency-modulated transmission signal having a rising and a falling frequency ramp. The flow speed of the medium can be determined by the Doppler effect arising from the flow speed of the medium.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2014Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: VEGA GRIESHABER KGInventors: Josef Fehrenbach, Juergen Motzer, Daniel Schultheiss
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Patent number: 9945710Abstract: A high liquid-level alarm device is configured such that one casing includes a plurality of liquid-level alarm units, the liquid-level alarm units are directed for monitoring one liquid level, issue an alarm for a different height of the liquid level, have radio wave detection units for detecting a radio wave, respectively, each of the liquid-level alarm units has a radio wave detection unit for detecting a radio wave, transmits a radio wave when not detecting a radio wave, and performs a determination operation as to whether a predetermined liquid level is reached, and when one of the liquid-level alarm units is performing the determination operation, the rest of the liquid-level alarm units do not perform the determination operation.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2017Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Musasino Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masayuki Kise, Akihiro Muraishi
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Patent number: 9945711Abstract: A beverage dispenser ingredient level detection system is disclosed. The system may include a container with a wall, a canister, a capsule, an infrared emitter, and an infrared receiver. The canister may be disposed within the container at a first distance from the wall and may be configured to hold a beverage ingredient. The capsule may be disposed on an interior surface of the wall. The infrared emitter and the infrared receiver may be disposed within the capsule and the infrared receiver may be configured to transmit infrared light rays and the infrared receiver may be configured to detect infrared light rays reflected by the beverage ingredient in the canister to determine whether a pre-determined amount of the beverage ingredient is within the canister. The capsule may absorb infrared light rays that are not indicative of whether the pre-determined amount of the beverage ingredient is within the canister.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2017Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Gurmeet Bhutani, Sandeep Jain, Vishvendra Tomar
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Patent number: 9945712Abstract: A system and method for detecting phase separation in storage tanks is provided. At least one float has a density calibrated to detect a density differential among surrounding fluids. The float is buoyant on a relatively more dense lower layer of fluid such as phase separated fuel or pure water, while remaining submerged in a relatively less dense upper layer of fluid such as a gasoline/ethanol blend. A detection device sends a signal when the float rises or falls above or below a preset acceptable level.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2014Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventors: Donald P. Kenney, David R. Kruschke
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Patent number: 9945713Abstract: A liquid level detector may include a float, an arm member, and a magnetic sensor unit. The float may be attached to the arm member. The arm member may be configured to convert a movement of the float in a vertical direction to a rotational movement. The magnetic sensor unit may include a magnetic sensor and covers. The covers may cover the magnetic sensor. The covers may include a first cover, and a second cover. The first cover may be made of a first resin material. The first cover may cover a whole surface of the magnetic sensor. The second cover may be made of a second resin material different from the first resin material. The second cover may cover a whole surface of the first cover.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2014Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takahiro Nakamura
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Patent number: 9945714Abstract: A method of determining the mass of an object by scanning the object in a radiographic inspection system, specifically in an X-ray scanner with the capability to take scan images at a plural number J of energy leves, has three modes or parts, namely: an initial learning mode, a normal operating mode, and a learning improvement mode. An inintial learning mode in which refernce object are scanned and their actual masses weighed and stored as reference values. A normal operating mode wherein smaple objects with unknown mass m are scanned and analyzed for compatibility with the reference values, and if found incompatible, the method switches to the learning improvement mode. A learning improvement mode in which the actual mass of the sample object found incompatible is determined by weighing and updates the stored reference values.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Mettler-Toledo, LLCInventor: Norbert Hartwig
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Patent number: 9945715Abstract: Apparatus and method for simultaneously lifting and placing weights. The apparatus includes a support with a first arm and a second arm extending from the support. Weight supports are arranged at distal ends of the arms. The arms are movable to position weights supported by the weight supports. The apparatus also includes a lifting apparatus operable to selectively raise and lower the support. An operator can articulate the arms to storage locations of weights. The operator can then operate the lifting apparatus to raise the support and lift the weights. The operator can then articulate the arms to move the lifted weights to weight placement locations. The operator can then operate the lifting apparatus to lower the support and place the weights on the weight placement locations.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: David Arne Haverberg
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Patent number: 9945716Abstract: The ultrasonic inspectability of a supplied part out of which a final component is to be machined is determined by following a set of inspection rules for ultrasonic inspection of the supplied part. The rules determine which parts of the polygon cannot be inspected by a scan at a given ultrasound beam angle (typical beam angles are 0°, +20° and ?20° relative to the perpendicular direction to the edge) along a given edge of the polygon.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Stephen Samuel Wiseall, Anthony Bernard Phipps, David Cameron Wright, Sree Vamsi Tammineni, James William Cheang Meas
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Patent number: 9945717Abstract: The application describes methods and apparatus for distributed fiber sensing, especially distributed acoustic/strain sensing. The method involves launching interrogating radiation in to an optical fiber and sampling radiation backscattered from within said fiber at a rate so as to acquire a plurality of samples corresponding to each sensing portion of interest. The plurality of samples are divided into separate processing channels and processed to determine a phase value for that channel. A quality metric is then applied to the processed phase data and the data combined to provide an overall phase value for the sensing portion based on the quality metric. The quality metric may be a measure of the degree of similarity of the processed data from the channels. The interrogating radiation may comprise two relatively narrow pulses separated by a relatively wide gap and the sampling rate may be set such that a plurality of substantially independent diversity samples are acquired.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Optasense Holdings Ltd.Inventors: Andrew Biggerstaff Lewis, Stuart John Russell
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Patent number: 9945718Abstract: An imaging system may include several different types of pixels that are each configured to detect different characteristics of light received at the imaging system. An imaging system may include image sensing pixels that detect the wavelength and intensity of the light, direction sensing pixels that detect the directionality of the light, polarization sensing pixels that detect a polarization state of the light, and diffractive wavelength separation pixels that detect multiple different wavelength components of the light. One or more pixels of the different types may be arranged in a pixel cluster. A pixel cluster that includes different pixel types may detect spatially correlated information for multiple characteristics of the light. Multiple pixel clusters may be arranged in a pixel array that generates an image based on spatially correlated information for the different characteristics of the light.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventor: Ulrich Boettiger
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Patent number: 9945719Abstract: A frequency selective electromagnetic apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include at least one nanowire comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end, at least one 2-dimensional contact disposed adjacent to the first end or the second end and in thermal communication, electrical communication, or both thermal and electrical communication with the at least one nanowire, and at least one nanoscale-sized-diameter thermoelectric junction disposed between the at least one 2-dimensional contact and the at least one nanowire.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2014Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: John H. Belk, Jeffrey H. Hunt
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Patent number: 9945720Abstract: The use of silicon or vanadium oxide nanocomposite consisting of graphene deposited on top of an existing amorphous silicon or vanadium oxide microbolometer can result in a higher sensitivity IR detector. An IR bolometer type detector consisting of a thermally isolated nano-sized (<one micron feature size) electro-mechanical structure comprised of Si3N4, SiO2 thins films, suspended over a cavity with a copper thin film reflecting surface is described. On top of the suspended thin film is a nanostructure composite comprised of graphene monolayers, covered with various surface densities of VoXy or amorphous nanoparticles, followed by another graphene layer. The two conducting legs are connected to a readout integrated circuit (ROIC) fabricated on a CMOS wafer underneath. The nanostructure is fabricated after the completion of the ROIC process and is integrate able with the CMOS process.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Magnolia Optical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Elwood J. Egerton, Ashok K. Sood
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Patent number: 9945721Abstract: The present disclosure provides wavelength discriminating imaging systems and methods that spatially separate (over different depths) the wavelength constituents of an image using a dispersive element or lens, such that this spectral information may be exploited and used. The wavelength constituents of an image are deconstructed and identified over different depths using the dispersive element or lens.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: The University of North Carolina at CharlotteInventors: Mehrdad Abolbashari, Faramarz Farahi
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Patent number: 9945722Abstract: A spectral radiometer system, measures incoming light intensity and spectral distribution in different wavelength-bands. An additional data storage device allows recording of the measured data. The inclusive sensor system yields very high sensitivity to incoming light. Furthermore, outstanding linearity of the detector response over several orders of magnitude of incoming light is achieved. Additional benefits are ultra low power consumption and minimum size. The sensor system can be used in remote solar radiation monitoring applications like mobile solar power units as well as in long-term environmental monitoring systems where high precision and low power consumption is a necessity.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2014Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Raymond Hoheisel, David A. Scheiman, Justin R. Lorentzen, Phillip P. Jenkins, Robert J. Walters
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Patent number: 9945723Abstract: The present invention provides an interferometer and the like, that is capable of ensuring the speed stability of the movable mirror while achieving the speed up of the reciprocal movement of the moving mirror and suppressing the increment of the maximum instantaneous thrust force required for the turning back as much as possible. The interferometer includes a moving mirror, a movement mechanism for reciprocating the moving mirror, a movement control part for controlling the movement mechanism and allowing the moving mirror to be reciprocated at a constant speed, and a measurement part for measuring a position of the moving mirror. The movement control part is adapted to receive target position data indicating a target position of the moving mirror, and control the movement mechanism to bring the measurement position of the moving mirror measured by the measurement part close to the target position indicated by the target position data.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.Inventor: Yoshitake Ando
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Patent number: 9945724Abstract: A method and a device for determining a yellowish level of a screen caused by pressing are provided. The method includes: acquiring chromaticity coordinates of a plurality of test points of the screen during a pressing test; processing the acquired chromaticity coordinates, so as to acquire a chromatic aberration between the test point with a maximum value of X or a maximum value of Y in the chromaticity coordinates and the test point with a minimum value of X or a minimum value of Y in the chromaticity coordinates; and comparing the chromatic aberration with a predetermined standard chromatic aberration, so as to determine whether the screen is qualified after the pressing test.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventor: Gang Yang
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Patent number: 9945725Abstract: Thermopile infrared sensor structure with a high filling level in a housing filled with a medium (15), consisting of a carrier substrate (11) which has electrical connections (28, 28?) to the outside and is closed with an optical assembly (13), wherein a sensor chip (14) is applied to the carrier substrate (11) in the housing, which chip has a plurality of thermoelectric sensor element structures (16), the so-called “hot contacts” (10) of which are located on individual diaphragms (3) which are stretched across a respective cavity (9) in a silicon carrying body (24) with good thermal conductivity, wherein the “cold contacts” (25) are located on or in the vicinity of the silicon carrying body (24). The problem addressed by the invention is that of specifying a thermopile infrared array sensor (sensor cell) which, with a small chip size, has a high thermal resolution and a particularly high filling level.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2013Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Heimann Sensor GmbHInventors: Frank Herrmann, Marion Simon, Wilhelm Leneke, Bodo Forg, Karlheinz Storck, Michael Müller, Jörg Schieferdecker
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Patent number: 9945726Abstract: The present invention discloses a thermal pile sensing structure integrated with one or more capacitors, which includes: a substrate, an infrared sensing unit and a partition structure. The infrared sensing unit includes a first and a second sensing structure. A hot junction is formed between the first and the second sensing structures at a location where the first and the second sensing structures are close to each other. A cold junction is formed between the partition structure and the first sensing structure at a location where these two structures are close to each other. Another cold junction is formed between the partition structure and the second sensing structure at a location where these two structures are close to each other. A temperature difference between the hot junction and the cold junction generates a voltage difference signal. Apart of the partition structure forms at least one capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INCORPORATIONInventors: Ming-Han Tsai, Shin-Lin Wang
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Patent number: 9945727Abstract: A MEMS device includes a bolometer attached to a silicon wafer by a base portion of at least one anchor structure. The base portion comprises a layer stack having a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) configuration such that the base portion acts as a resistive switch such that, when the first DC voltage is applied to the patterned conductive layer, the base portion transitions from a high resistive state to a low resistive state, and, when the second DC voltage is applied to the patterned conductive layer, the base portion transitions from a high resistive state to a low resistive state.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Ashwin K. Samarao, Gary O'Brien, Ando Feyh, Fabian Purkl, Gary Yama
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Patent number: 9945728Abstract: A detector for detecting single photons of infrared radiation. In one embodiment a waveguide configured to transmit infrared radiation is arranged to be adjacent a graphene sheet and configured so that evanescent waves from the waveguide overlap the graphene sheet. The graphene sheet has two contacts connected to an amplifier, a power detector, and a pulse detector. An infrared photon absorbed by the graphene sheet from the evanescent waves heats the graphene sheet, which increases the Johnson noise generated at the contacts. The Johnson noise is amplified and the absorption of a photon is detected by the power detector and pulse detector.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: RAYTHEON BBN TECHNOLOGIES CORP.Inventor: Kin Chung Fong
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Patent number: 9945729Abstract: Systems and methods may be provided for forming enhanced infrared absorption microbolometers. An enhanced infrared absorption microbolometer may include a metal cap formed from a thin layer of oxidizing metal such as titanium and/or a titanium oxide. The metal cap may be formed within a bridge portion of the microbolometer. The bridge portion may include other layers such as first and second absorber layers disposed on opposing sides of a layer of temperature sensitive resistive material. The layer of temperature sensitive resistive material may be located between the metal cap and a reflecting metal layer formed on a readout integrated circuit for the microbolometer.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: FLIR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Robert F. Cannata, Kevin Peters, Patrick Franklin, Eric A. Kurth, James L. Dale, Tommy Marx, Craig Shott, Reza Salafian, Richard E. Bornfreund, Saumya Kothari
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Patent number: 9945730Abstract: Techniques for controlling an optical system include accessing a measured value of a property of a particular pulse of a pulsed light beam emitted from the optical system, the property being related to an amount of coherence of the light beam; comparing the measured value of the property of the light beam to a target value of the property; determining whether to generate a control signal based on the comparison; and if a control signal is generated based on the comparison, adjusting the amount of coherence in the light beam by modifying an aspect of the optical system based on the control signal to reduce an amount of coherence of a pulse that is subsequent to the particular pulse.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Cymer, LLCInventors: Thomas Frederick Allen Bibby, Joshua Jon Thornes, Rostislav Rokitski, Thomas Patrick Duffey
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Patent number: 9945731Abstract: A system includes a source of laser beams forming an array, a source of a reference laser beam, and an optical detector for measuring respective phase differences between the array laser beams and the reference laser beam. The system includes a mask, having apertures with a shape, size and position identical to a shape, size and position of the array laser beams, and positioned in the reference laser beam to form respective beams of the reference laser beam corresponding to the beams from the array laser beams. A phase modulator phase modulates respective beams of one of (a) the array laser beams and (b) the beams of the reference laser from the mask. A photodetector receives the respective array laser beams and the corresponding reference laser beams from the mask to generate a composite signal. Processing circuitry is responsive to the composite signal for generating respective signals representing the phase differences of the individual laser beams from the reference laser beam.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Oleg M. Efimov, Keyvan R. Sayyah
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Patent number: 9945732Abstract: A temperature sensor has a thermosensitive element that detects temperature, a pair of element electrode wires electrically connected to the thermosensitive element, and a glass sealing body that has a sealing portion covering the thermosensitive element and a part of the element electrode wires. Further, the temperature sensor has a tablet that has an interface and a pair of insertion holes into which the element electrode wires are inserted, the tablet being joined to the glass sealing body through the interface. Further, the temperature sensor has a low Young's modulus layer provided in the glass sealing body, made of a material having lower low Young's modulus than that of a material forming the sealing portion, and at least partially connecting the sealing portion and the interface of the tablet.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Motoki Sato, Tsunenobu Hori
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Patent number: 9945733Abstract: An arrangement for temperature measurement at high-voltage potential is disclosed. The energy for measuring the temperature of an optical current transformer is provided by a single photodiode. The photodiode is supplied by light emitted by a light source and guided to the photodiode via an optical waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2014Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Markus Ritcher, Michael Willsch
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Patent number: 9945734Abstract: A micromachined apparatus includes micromachined thermistor having first and second ends physically and thermally coupled to a substrate via first and second anchor structures to enable a temperature-dependent resistance of the micromachined thermistor to vary according to a time-varying temperature of the substrate. The micromachined thermistor has a length, from the first end to the second end, greater than a linear distance between the first and second anchor structures.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2017Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: SiTime CorporationInventors: Carl Arft, Aaron Partridge, Paul M. Hagelin
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Patent number: 9945735Abstract: There is provided a system, a method, and a thermochromatic witness assembly to monitor a thermal environment of a composite structure. The thermochromatic witness assembly has a polymeric material and one or more thermochromatic probes mixed into the polymeric material to form a thermochromatic probe mixture. The thermochromatic probe mixture is applied to a transparent polymeric film, or is formed into the transparent polymeric film with a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) applied thereto, thus forming the thermochromatic witness assembly in a form of a thermochromatic applique. The thermochromatic applique is configured to be applied directly and continuously to a surface of the composite structure. The thermochromatic applique is further configured to monitor the thermal environment of the composite structure by detecting one or more temperatures and one or more times the surface of the composite structure is exposed to the thermal environment.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Gary E. Georgeson, Wesley L. Holman, Jr., Brandon P. Jamison, Randy J. Grove
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Patent number: 9945736Abstract: A method for estimating a temperature of a substrate includes generating plasma in a plasma processing system. The substrate is arranged on a substrate support structure in the plasma processing system. The plasma generates electromagnetic radiation that is incident upon a first surface of the substrate. The method further includes arranging a detector adjacent to a second surface of the substrate and in-situ the plasma processing system and measuring a signal intensity of electromagnetic radiation passing through the second surface of the substrate at N frequencies. The method includes selecting each of the N frequencies at which the signal intensity is measured by the detector to correspond to a phonon-generating frequency of a material in the substrate. The method includes converting the signal intensity at the N frequencies to N absorbance values and estimating a temperature of the substrate based on the N absorbance values.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2014Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATIONInventor: Enrico Magni
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Patent number: 9945737Abstract: A method for determining waveguide temperature for at least one waveguide of a transceiver utilized for generating a temperature map. The transceiver generates an acoustic signal that travels through a measurement space in a hot gas flow path defined by a wall such as in a combustor. The method includes calculating a total time of flight for the acoustic signal and subtracting a waveguide travel time from the total time of flight to obtain a measurement space travel time. A temperature map is calculated based on the measurement space travel time. An estimated wall temperature is obtained from the temperature map. An estimated waveguide temperature is then calculated based on the estimated wall temperature wherein the estimated waveguide temperature is determined without the use of a temperature sensing device.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Upul P. DeSilva, Heiko Claussen, Karthik Ragunathan
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Patent number: 9945738Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods that allow accurate monitoring and/or control of temperature changes in a microfluidic environment. An advantage of the present invention is that the temperature can be monitored and/or controlled at any location within a microfluidic device, especially where a preparation step, an amplification step and/or a detection step is performed. The invention further provides improved microfluidic devices for practicing the methods disclosed and claimed herein.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: GenMark Diagnostics, Inc.Inventors: Hamed Shadpour, Sean Ford, Jorge Alberto Garces, Darren S. Gray
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Patent number: 9945739Abstract: Provided are a flexible pressure sensor using an amorphous metal and a flexible bimodal sensor for simultaneously sensing a pressure and a temperature. The sensors according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention include a conductive layer formed of the amorphous metal to have stretchable characteristics so that it may be used for an electronic skin. Therefore, these sensors may firmly maintain conductivity and sense a pressure or simultaneously sense a pressure and a temperature even in a state in which various kinds of physical external force are present. In addition, the flexible bimodal sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a novel element for an electronic skin that may simultaneously sense a pressure and a temperature using the amorphous metal.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: KOREA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND BUSINESS FOUNDATIONInventors: Sang Hun Jeon, Kung Won Rhie, Dong Seuk Kim, Bum Jin Kim, Tae Ho Kim, Min Hyun Jung
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Patent number: 9945740Abstract: Certain implementations of the disclosed technology may include Fabry-Perot Interferometer (FPI)-based sensors systems and methods for measuring a desired stimulus. In accordance with an example implementation of the disclosed technology, a method is provided for receiving, by a Fabry-Perot Interferometer (FPI) sensor, first interrogation light having a first wavelength and second interrogation light having a second wavelength. The FPI sensor is configured to alter the received first interrogation light and the second interrogation light responsive to a measurement stimulus. The method includes detecting, by a first optical detector, a measurement signal responsive to receiving the altered first interrogation light and the altered second interrogation light from the FPI sensor, the measurement signal corresponding to the measurement stimulus. The method includes producing a measurement output signal, the measurement output signal representing an intensity of the measurement signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.Inventor: Martin A. Sanzari
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Patent number: 9945741Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for determining the torque applied upon the rotary body that can be driven about an axis of rotation, comprising a first and a second sensor, which are respectively arranged with a fastening element at the rotary body at an axial distance from each other, and which comprise rings surrounding the rotary body comprising fields showing alternating different signal behaviors, with one transmitter being allocated jointly to the first sensor and the second sensor, which jointly accept from the two sensors an output signal, from which a square-wave signal is formed, from which in a first step from the flank distances of certain inclining and/or declining flanks of the square-wave signal constant values Ti, are formed, which are dependent on the geometry of the rings of the two sensors, and variable values ?i, which are dependent on the torque applied.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: BARIGO Barometerfabrik GmbHInventors: Gabriele Allard, Siegfried Gerlitzki
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Patent number: 9945742Abstract: The torque sensor includes a detection unit for detecting the magnetic transition through a through hole formed so as to penetrate a radial-side surface of the housing; a housing chamber formed to be raised outward in a radial direction from an outer circumferential surface of the housing so that the through hole opens into the housing chamber accommodating the detection unit; a communication hole provided so as to extend in the tangential direction with respect to an outer circumference of the housing, the communication hole making an outside of the housing and an inside of the housing chamber communicate with each other; and an output terminal fitted into the communication hole and connected to the detection unit in a tilting state, the output terminal being configured to output a signal to the outside on the basis of a detected signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: KYB CorporationInventor: Ryota Yamada
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Patent number: 9945743Abstract: Provided is a torque sensor device to detect a torque between an input shaft and an output shaft through a relative rotation displacement therebetween. The torque sensor device includes: a housing to accommodate an end of the input shaft and an end of the output shaft: a magnet unit including a magnet block fixed in position to the housing; a collector unit including a collector disposed between the input shaft and the magnet block and between the output shaft and the magnet block in the radial directions of the input shaft and the output shaft to be partially rotatably connected to each of the input shaft and the output shaft, the collector focusing a magnetic field generated from the magnet unit; and a sensing unit including a torque sensor disposed at the outer circumference of the collector unit and detecting the magnetic field focused by the collector unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: LS AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.Inventor: Chang Nam Jun
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Patent number: 9945744Abstract: A safety system for an electric power line for interconnecting a tractor and a respective trailer, the safety system comprising a traction-detection element designed to identify a reciprocal departing movement between the tractor and the respective trailer, the traction-detection element being connected to means for de-energizing the electric power line when the reciprocal departing movement exceeds a predefined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: IVECO S.p.A.Inventors: Giorgio Mantovani, Riccardo Morselli
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Patent number: 9945745Abstract: An anomaly determination system includes inlet and outlet pressure sensors for a pressure loss portion, an outside pressure sensor, and an anomaly determination section for determining an anomaly of the pressure loss portion. The anomaly determination section determines that the pressure loss portion is anomalous if the following two conditions are both met: a difference between the inlet pressure and the outlet pressure, a difference between the outlet pressure and the outside pressure, and a difference between the outside pressure and the inlet pressure which differences are detected when the flow rate is less than the minimum flow rate are all included in an allowable range; and a pressure difference between the inlet pressure and the outlet pressure when the flow rate is greater than or equal to the minimum flow rate is included in the first pressure loss range.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2014Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: HINO MOTORS, LTD.Inventor: Hitoshi Nakano
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Patent number: 9945746Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method of sensing motion includes receiving a first signal from a first pressure sensor and a second signal from a second pressure sensor, comparing the first signal and the second signal, and characterizing a motion based on the comparing.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2017Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AGInventors: Andreas Wiesbauer, Christian Mandl, Andreas Kopetz, Roland Helm
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Patent number: 9945747Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to methods and systems for detecting pressure. A pressure sensor assembly may comprise a sensor unit having a pressure input port on one side, the sensor unit comprising a printed circuit board; a pressure sensor secured to a side of the printed circuit board; a support secured to the side of the printed circuit board, the support circumferentially surrounding the pressure sensor and defining the pressure input port; and a media isolation layer comprising a first media isolation layer applied adjacent to the pressure sensor, and a second media isolation layer comprising a material different from the first media isolation layer located between the first media isolation layer and the pressure input port, wherein the media isolation layer is configured to transfer a pressure caused by a sense media to the pressure sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Vishal Shalitkumar Kusanale, Palani Thanigachalam, Todd Eckhardt, Lamar Floyd Ricks, Jim Cook, Pavan R. Kashyap, Vignesh Murugesan
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Patent number: 9945748Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a sensor member including a sensor face to which pressure is imparted and a cover member that covers at least part of the peripheral face of the sensor member while exposing the sensor face out of one end side. With such a configuration, the sensor member can be protected from a lateral force (side pressure), whereby the sensor member can be prevented from being broken by the application of the side pressure to the sensor member.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2017Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI INC.Inventors: Kiyoshi Omori, Hiroyuki Omae, Akira Muto, Tomoaki Watanuki
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Patent number: 9945749Abstract: An ionization vacuum measuring cell comprises an anode (3A) and a cathode (4K) in a measuring chamber (107). The measuring chamber (107) is arranged in a housing (101) which has a vacuum-tight feedthrough (103) for a connection rod (104) of the cathode (4K) towards the outside. The measuring chamber (107) holds the rod (104) in a feedthrough (109) which is electrically insulating only. The measuring chamber (107) in the housing (101) can be exchanged by a releasable plug connection (106).Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2013Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: INFICON GMBHInventors: Bernhard Andreaus, Rolf Enderes, Martin Wuest, Oskar Untermarzoner, Rudolf Stocker
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Patent number: 9945750Abstract: A processing circuit is provided which includes at least an integrator circuit which uses a reference voltage set to have a predetermined magnitude as an operation reference and which integrates a detection signal so as to convert the detection signal into a voltage waveform and a base voltage adjustment circuit which is connected between an input terminal and an output terminal of the integrator circuit and which adjusts the magnitude of a base voltage that is a potential when the detection signal in an output signal output from the integrator circuit is not present.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignees: CITIZEN FINEDEVICE CO., LTD., CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.Inventors: Rikoku Nakamura, Masanori Yomoyama, Hitoshi Satsuta
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Patent number: 9945751Abstract: A computer-implemented platform may comprise hardware and software configured to manage an engine using knock intensity data. Knock intensities from a plurality of combustion cycles may be used to estimate a statistical distribution of knock intensities. The distribution of knock intensities may be used to determine a Descriptive Statistic, which may represent a state of tune of the engine. A calculated Descriptive Statistic may be compared to a desired Descriptive Statistic (e.g., that is representative of operation during a desired tune state of the engine). A deviation between the calculated and desired knock intensity distributions (e.g., between the calculated DS and desired DS) may be used to adjust a control parameter of the engine. Adjustment may be engine-wide. Adjustment may be cylinder-by-cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2014Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: SEM ABInventors: Jakob Olofsson Ängeby, Sven Jörgen Peder Bengtsson
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Patent number: 9945752Abstract: A method for a hybrid-electric vehicle is presented, wherein a fuel tank is sealed closed during a first condition that includes an inductive charging event, and wherein degradation of a fuel tank pressure transducer is indicated responsive to a fuel tank pressure transducer output failing to increase above a threshold following an active testing duration. The outer walls of the fuel tank may include ferrous components which are energized by a magnetic field generated during the inductive charging event, thus heating the fuel tank and the fuel stored within. In this way, the pressure within the sealed fuel tank increases during the inductive charging event, and a determination may be made as to whether the output of the fuel tank pressure transducer is rational.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Aed M. Dudar
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Patent number: 9945753Abstract: A cargo loading system for loading freight into or out of the cargo hold, the system comprising: a tilt control means which can be actuated by control signals in such a way that variances in tilt of a palletized load can be immediately righted; a control panel for actuation by personnel; a power source to the control panel; and a trailer base connected to the tilt control means for accepting freight.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2010Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: United Aeronautical Corp.Inventor: Donald M. Nelson
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Patent number: 9945754Abstract: A housing is provided having a leak detection tube in liquid communication with the inside of the housing. The housing is adapted to be affixed to a wall surface of a swimming pool over a suspected leak area below the surface of the water by a lockable connector mounted on the housing. A suitable dye substance then is inserted into the distal top or free end of the leak detection tube while the latter is positioned just below the surface of the swimming pool water by a leak specialist positioned on the deck or beam of the pool. A light fixture may be mounted in the wall surface and the aforementioned leakage test conducted to determine water leaks in the niche containing the light fixture.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Inventor: Steve Lenart
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Patent number: 9945755Abstract: In an operating machine, one example of a method for monitoring operation of operating machinery includes converting an actual sound pattern generated by the machine into an audio signal and digitizing the audio signal to create a real-time acoustic fingerprint unique to the actual sound pattern. A reference database contains a plurality of stored acoustic fingerprints, each stored acoustic fingerprint in the plurality of stored acoustic fingerprints representing a unique sound pattern associated with a particular operating condition. A controller compares the real-time acoustic fingerprint to the stored acoustic fingerprints in the reference database and generates an output in response to detection of a match between the real-time acoustic fingerprint and one of the plurality of stored acoustic fingerprints. One example of the machine is a corruptor machine that converts paper webs into corrugated paperboard sheets.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Marquip, LLCInventor: Blake Pluemer
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Patent number: 9945756Abstract: Identifying a location of a focal point of an optical system includes, in some implementations, using a sensor system to detect light that passed through the optical system, and determining a location of a focal point of the optical system based on a location of a focal point of the sensor system that substantially matches the location of the focal point of the optical system.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2014Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Heptagon Micro Optics Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Matthias Maluck, Peter Roentgen
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Patent number: 9945757Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring temperature in a gas duct. The device (1?) comprises a body (3?) for supporting a temperature sensor (4?), the sensor comprising a head (7?) and at least two wires (8?) connecting the head (7?) to means for acquiring a temperature-measurement signal. The supporting body (3?) is arranged so as to be inserted into an orifice of a wall of the duct in order to immerse the head (7?) of the sensor (4?) in the gases of the duct. The supporting body (3?) comprises a bottom collar (12?), having a top end surface (17a?), in which are arranged at least two channels (9?) for guiding and holding the wires (8?), arranged to allow the mounting of the sensor (4?) in the supporting body (3?) and the holding of the wires (8?) in order to hold the head (7?) of the sensor (4?) at a distance from the top end surface (17a?) of the collar (12?).Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: SC2NInventor: Olivier Dixneuf