Patents Issued in July 24, 2018
  • Patent number: 10031043
    Abstract: A method for detecting a structural fault in a structure includes the steps of, (a) performing a Brillouin measurement at a point along a sensing optical fiber which operably cooperates with the structure, to obtain a Brillouin gain spectrum at that point; (b) identifying at least two curves which, when added together, best fit the Brillouin gain spectrum; (c) identifying if peaks of the least two curves occur at different frequencies so as to determine if the structure has a structural fault. There is further provided a corresponding apparatus for detecting a structural fault in a structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: OMNISENS SA
    Inventor: Marc Nikles
  • Patent number: 10031044
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing real-time monitoring of a metal surface are provided herein. The system includes a fiber-optic cable disposed alongside a length of a wall that includes the metal surface. A laser source is attached to the fiber-optic cable to transmit light through the fiber-optic cable. An acoustic source is configured to generate acoustic signals in the metal surface, wherein the acoustic signals interact with the fiber-optic cable and influence characteristics of the light. A receiver is attached to the fiber-optic cable to detect the light. The system also includes a signal processing unit configured to determine a location of a change in the metal surface based on changes in the characteristics of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Amit Kumar, Ramani V. Reddy
  • Patent number: 10031045
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for screen testing an optical fiber includes a fiber conveyance pathway, a capstan having an outer circumference and a fiber contact region extending around the outer circumference, the fiber contact region having a durometer hardness of less than or equal to about 40 Shore A, where the capstan is positioned adjacent to the fiber conveyance pathway such that when the optical fiber is directed over the fiber conveyance pathway, the optical fiber engages with the fiber contact region, and a pinch belt positioned adjacent to the fiber conveyance pathway such that the fiber conveyance pathway extends between the pinch belt and the fiber contact region, where the pinch belt is engagable with the fiber contact region such that, when the optical fiber is directed over the fiber conveyance pathway, the optical fiber is impinged between the pinch belt and the fiber contact region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Kirk Patton Bumgarner, Aditya Kaimal, Michael Terry Murphy, Bruce Warren Reding
  • Patent number: 10031046
    Abstract: A method for detecting defects in a piston for an internal combustion engine may include providing the piston in a measurement arrangement that includes a measurement probe having a first electrical coil element for generating an electromagnetic alternating field and a second electrical coil element for detecting an electromagnetic alternating field. The method may also include moving the measurement probe over a piston surface of the piston, and providing an electrical alternating current in the first coil element to generate an electromagnetic alternating field that interacts with a material of the piston in the region under the piston surface. The method may further include evaluating an electrical alternating voltage induced in the second coil element by the electromagnetic alternating field after interaction with the material of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Michel Fritz, Gerhard Mook, Ioannis Papadopoulos, Holger Schnell
  • Patent number: 10031047
    Abstract: A metal terminal of a gas sensor includes a forward terminal member and a rear terminal member. The forward terminal member is made of a material superior in heat resistance to and greater in “0.2% yield strength” than a material of the rear terminal member. The forward terminal member has heat resistance suitable for a portion which comes into contact with a high-temperature detection element and is larger in an elastic deformation region than the rear terminal member, thereby providing good contact with the detection element and thus facilitating maintenance of electrical contact with the detection element. The rear terminal member is unlikely to have springback at a signal-wire connection portion to be connected to a lead wire, thereby facilitating maintenance of electrical connection with the lead wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takehiro Oba, Shogo Nagata, Shunya Mihara
  • Patent number: 10031048
    Abstract: A method for performing condition monitoring on a plurality of wind turbines of a wind farm comprises for each wind turbine, obtaining at least one vibration signal representing vibrations of one or more monitored components; generating a plurality of faulty frequency indexes on the basis of one or more of the obtained vibration signals, and in such a manner that variations in rotational speed of one or more rotating shafts of the wind turbine are filtered; comparing faulty frequency indexes originating from different wind turbines; and determining the condition of each of the monitored components based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Khoon Peng Lim, Yu Zhou, Wanying Chen
  • Patent number: 10031049
    Abstract: A non-vitiated compressed air heater facility that can heat a non-vitiated compressed air from around 1,100 degrees F. to over 1,600 degrees F. using three heat exchangers oriented in a vertical direction and connected in series, where each heat exchanger uses a number of heat pipes with burners to produce a hot gas at around 2,000 F that counter flows with non-vitiated compressed air flowing over the heat pipes to add heat to the non-vitiated compressed air flowing through the heat exchangers. The non-vitiated compressed air heated to at least 1,600 F can be used to test an aero vehicle in a wind tunnel under high Mach # conditions, or can be used to supply non-vitiated compressed air to test a large combustor of a gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J Miller, Scott A Baker
  • Patent number: 10031050
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a universal test platform that includes a universal test station (UTS) coupled to a system under test (SUT) using respective adapters. The adapters include an interface subdivided into portions that are assigned to different data and power standards. In one embodiment, the UTS is coupled to a UTS adapter using a plurality of cables that transmits the different data and power signals between the UTS and the adapter. For example, the interface in the UTS adapter may include a plurality of pins or optical channels that are each coupled to one of the plurality of cables. The SUT is coupled to a SUT adapter which may have the same interface as the UTS adapter. However, the SUT may be coupled to only a sub-portion of the I/O elements in the SUT adapter, and thus, only some of the I/O elements are used when testing the SUT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Khajistha Fattu, Michael Fattu, Rachael C. Freitas, George Zacharakis-Jutz
  • Patent number: 10031051
    Abstract: A device for collecting a sample and for depositing the sample in a sample-receiving port of a measuring apparatus comprises a first connection element (8) with three connections for fluid, and a second connection element (7), and a hollow needle (5) for collecting and depositing the sample. A first feed line (9) for a first washing liquid is connected via a first pump to a first connection for fluid of the first connection element (8). A second feed line (10) for a second washing liquid is connected via a second pump to a second connection for fluid of the first connection element (8). A connection for fluid of the second connection element (7) is connected to the third connection for fluid of the first connection element (8), and the second connection element (7) is connected to a dosing device (1) and to the hollow needle (5). A valve (2) is arranged between the third connection for fluid of the first connection element (8) and the second connection element (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: CTC ANALYTICS AG
    Inventors: Werner Doebelin, Thomas Maetzke, Chris C. E. Van Tilburg
  • Patent number: 10031052
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) for processing a biological sample (101). The biological sample being arranged on a first planar surface (102) of a carrier (103). The apparatus comprises a second planar surface (104) arranged substantially parallel to said first planar surface and at a first distance from said first planar surface, said first planar surface and said second planar surface are arranged at an angle (A) greater than zero degree from the horizontal plane (HP); supply means (126, 131, 220) for supplying an amount (105) of a liquid that is to be applied to said biological sample. The first planar surface and second planar surface are configured to be arranged in a second distance from each other, said second distance being such that said supplied amount of liquid is distributed over said biological sample when said first planar surface and said second planar surface are brought to said second distance from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: DAKO DENMARK A/S
    Inventors: Tim Svenstrup Poulsen, Steen Hauge Matthiesen
  • Patent number: 10031053
    Abstract: A microfluidic element for thoroughly mixing a liquid with a reagent used for the analysis of the liquid for an analyte contained therein and a method thereof are disclosed. The microfluidic element has a substrate and a channel structure. The channel structure includes an elongate mixing channel and an output channel. The mixing channel has an inlet opening and an outlet opening, and is implemented to mix the reagent contained therein with the liquid flowing through the inlet opening into the mixing channel. The outlet opening of the mixing channel is in fluid communication to the output channel. The outlet opening is positioned closer to the middle of the length of the mixing channel than the inlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc
    Inventor: Christoph Boehm
  • Patent number: 10031054
    Abstract: In a method for performing a solid-phase micro-extraction, a holding device connected to an extraction device and secured on an adapter is held, while an actuating device connected to a guide device is moved. A device for performing a solid-phase microextraction comprises an actuating device connected to a guide device, and a holding device connected to an extraction device, wherein the extraction device is guided at least partially in the guide device, and wherein the extraction device is movable relative to the guide device by means of an actuation of the actuating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: CTC ANALYTICS AG
    Inventors: Kai Heinrich Schueler, Melchior Zumbach
  • Patent number: 10031055
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tensile test piece according to one or more exemplary embodiments includes: preparing a polymer layer including a non-conductive material; forming a sacrificial layer on the polymer layer; forming a planarization layer on the sacrificial layer; shaping the polymer layer, the sacrificial layer, and the planarization layer into a dog-bone-shaped sample; etching at least a portion of the sample; and drying the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignees: Samsung Display Co., Ltd., UNIST(Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology)
    Inventors: Young Chan Kim, Won Sang Park, Hye Yong Chu, Jong Ho Hong, Si-Hoon Kim, Ju-Young Kim, Yun Seok Nam, Myoung Hoon Song
  • Patent number: 10031056
    Abstract: A method for testing thermal fatigue resistance of a shear cutter includes: engaging the shear cutter with a rotating target cylinder; moving the shear cutter along the rotating target cylinder until the shear cutter is heated to a threshold temperature; cooling the shear cutter in response to heating of the shear cutter to the threshold temperature; and repeating the heating and cooling of the shear cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: VAREL INTERNATIONAL IND., L.P.
    Inventor: Federico Bellin
  • Patent number: 10031057
    Abstract: A rotational rheometer for measuring powdery or granular materials has a measuring container for receiving the product to be measured and a cover for the measuring container. A measuring body is held by a measuring shaft. The measuring body and the container are rotatable relative to one another. The measuring shaft is guided through the cover with low friction, or without contact altogether. An evaluation unit is arranged outside the measurement container to evaluate the measured values received by the measuring shaft. To seal the bearing gap or the passage of the measuring shaft in or through the cover in the measuring container, both a fluid seal with a sealing fluid inlet and at least a geometric seal cooperating with the fluid seal are provided as a powder barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Anton Paar GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Romirer, Denis Schuetz, Matthias Narnhofer, Andreas Flecker
  • Patent number: 10031058
    Abstract: Techniques for gas analysis using a parallel dipole line (PDL) trap viscometer are provided. In one aspect, a gas analysis system is provided which includes: a PDL trap including: a pair of diametric cylindrical magnets, and a diamagnetic rod levitating above the magnets; and a motion detector for capturing motion of the diamagnetic rod. The motion detector can include a digital video camera positioned facing a top of the PDL trap so as to permit capturing video images of the diamagnetic rod and the system can include a computer for receiving and analyzing video images from the video camera. Methods for measuring gas viscosity and pressure using the PDL trap system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Oki Gunawan, Yudistira Virgus
  • Patent number: 10031059
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to determining a size and/or density of Super-cooled Large Droplets (SLDs) in a cloud atmosphere by comparing detected optical signals reflected from small and large sampling volumes of a cloud atmosphere. In some embodiments, an optical pulse is generated and divergently projected from a first optical fiber. A collimating lens is aligned within the divergently projected optical pulse collimating a portion thereof. The collimated and uncollimated portions of the optical pulse are projected into the small and large sampling volumes of the cloud atmosphere, respectively. The ratio of the collimated to the uncollimated portions can be optically controlled. Signals corresponding to optical pulses having different collimated/uncollimated ratios are backscattered by the cloud atmosphere, detected and compared to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ray, Kaare Josef Anderson
  • Patent number: 10031060
    Abstract: A continuous alpha monitor includes an air intake mechanism, which in turn includes an air mover, an air intake prefilter that limits particulates in the air intake mechanism to an aerodynamic diameter of 10 microns or less, and a particle detector mounted downstream of the air intake prefilter, the air particle detector providing a first airborne dust concentration and a first distribution of aerodynamic diameters of particulates in air passing the prefilter, the particulates including depleted uranium particulates. The monitor further includes a movable sample filter web that collects the particulates; a solid state detector that detects alpha radiation emitted by the collected particulates; a processor that executes machine instructions embodied on a non-transient computer-readable storage medium to compute a dust loading on the sample filter web; and the processor computes an indication of alpha concentration detected by the solid state detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: MAURO & ASSOCIATES, LLC
    Inventor: John Mauro
  • Patent number: 10031061
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods that enable improved accuracy for quantitative particle counting in a flowing liquid stream. The methods of the present invention utilize the real-time measurement of flow rates and flow rate control through feedback mechanisms to improve quantification, and this improved quantification translates to more accurate particle counting. In certain embodiments, particles being counted are biological particles in a liquid sample, such as viruses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: IntelliCyt Corporation
    Inventors: Kathy L. Rowlen, Matthew Ferris
  • Patent number: 10031062
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a particle sensor including: a first carrier, the first carrier including at least one heating structure and a light detecting structure, at least one spacer structure disposed over the first carrier, a second carrier disposed over the at least one spacer structure, the second carrier including a light emitting structure, wherein the first carrier, the second carrier and the at least one spacer structure are arranged to provide a channel for a fluid flow, wherein the light emitting structure is configured to emit light into the channel and wherein the light detecting structure is configured to detect light from the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES DRESDEN GMBH
    Inventor: Thoralf Kautzsch
  • Patent number: 10031063
    Abstract: A particle analysis apparatus and a particle analysis method capable of acquiring detection data with high reliability without performing high frequency superimposition. A particle analysis apparatus to includes: a light irradiation unit that irradiates particles flowing within a flow path with laser light; a light detection unit that detects at least one of fluorescence light or scattered light and a signal processing unit that processes a detection signal of at least one of the fluorescence or the scattered the light irradiation unit including at least a light source that generates laser, and a laser light detector that detects part of laser light emitted from the light source, the signal processing unit correcting the detection signal of the fluorescence or the scattered light or the detection signals of both the fluorescence and the scattered light, based on a detection result and output fluctuations in the laser light detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsutoshi Tahara
  • Patent number: 10031064
    Abstract: Systems in a flow cytometer having an interrogation zone and illumination impinging the interrogation zone include: a lens subsystem including a collimating element that collimates light from the interrogation zone, a light dispersion element that disperses collimated light into a light spectrum, and a focusing lens that focuses the light spectrum onto an array of adjacent detection points; a detector array, including semiconductor detector devices, that collectively detects a full spectral range of input light signals, in which each detector device detects a subset spectral range of the full spectral range of light signals; and a user interface that enables a user to create a set of virtual detector channels by grouping detectors in the detector array, such that each virtual detector channel corresponds to a detector group and has a virtual detector channel range including the sum of subset spectral ranges of the detectors in the corresponding detector group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: ACCURI CYTOMETERS, INC.
    Inventor: Collin A. Rich
  • Patent number: 10031065
    Abstract: Embodiments include methods, systems and computer program products for communicating the presence of a target DNA or RNA sequence. Aspects include receiving a plurality of images of a sample taken by a portable video capture device. Aspects also include calculating a change in position over time of microscopic beads coated with DNA probe sequence in a sample containing genetic material. Aspects also include determining whether the beads are displaying Brownian motion. Aspects also include, based upon a determination of that the beads are displaying Brownian motion, generating a negative output message and sending the negative output message to a portable display. Aspects also include, based upon a determination of that the beads are not displaying Brownian motion, generating a positive output message and sending the positive output message to a portable display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Venkat K. Balagurusamy, Stephen J. Heisig, Joseph W. Ligman, Gong Su
  • Patent number: 10031066
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring corrosion of a structure by using the structure itself as part of the electrochemical measurement. According to some implementations, linear polarization resistance (LPR) sensor devices for direct monitoring of corrosion on a structure are presented. According to certain innovations herein, a sensor device may include three electrodes, such as a counter electrode, a reference electrode, and a working electrode comprised of the structure being monitored. In further embodiments, each electrode may be configured on a polymer flexible substrate cable such as polyimide, with each electrode fabricated from a noble metal, for example, gold-plated copper, or metal systems in which the exterior surface will not oxidize from environmental exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: ANALATOM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Douglas W. Brown, Richard J. Connolly, Duane R. Darr, Vinod S. Agarwala
  • Patent number: 10031067
    Abstract: A device is proposed for detecting at least one analyte in a bodily fluid. The device comprises at least one test element with at least one two-dimensional evaluation region. The device furthermore comprises at least one spatially resolving optical detector having a plurality of pixels. The detector is designed to image at least part of the test element onto an image region. In the process, at least part of the evaluation region is imaged onto an evaluation image region. The detector is matched to the test element such that a predetermined minimum number of pixels is provided for each dimension within the evaluation image region. The pixels are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix arrangement. The matrix arrangement has pixel rows and pixel columns, wherein the pixel rows are arranged substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the evaluation region and/or of the evaluation image region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Petrich, Frank Weidner
  • Patent number: 10031068
    Abstract: A steel sheet inspection device includes: a magnetooptic element that is able to detect, as an optical property, a magnetic domain structure of a steel sheet to be inspected; a light source that irradiates the magnetooptic element with linearly polarized light; a detector that detects the linearly polarized light with a polarization plane rotated according to the magnetic domain structure of the steel sheet transferred to the magnetooptic element; and a drive mechanism that drives at least the magnetooptic element so as to contact and separate the steel sheet and the magnetooptic element with and from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiko Ito, Junichi Yotsuji, Shigehiro Takajo, Hiroi Yamaguchi, Kazuhiro Hanazawa, Yasunari Koga
  • Patent number: 10031069
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for concentration determination using polarized light. The apparatus includes a first polarized light source having a first light source polarization axis and a second polarized light source having a second light source polarization axis generally perpendicular to the first light source polarization axis. Also, a first polarized light receiver having a first polarized light receiver polarization axis and configured to measure an intensity of light transmitted from the first light receiver polarizer and a second polarized light receiver having a second polarized light receiver polarization axis substantially perpendicular to the first light receiver polarization axis and configured to measure an intensity of light transmitted from the second light receiver polarizer, wherein the first and second light receiver polarization axes are generally +/?45 degrees relative to the first and second light source polarization axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Jacob W. Scarpaci, Jason M. Sachs, Simon C. Helmore
  • Patent number: 10031070
    Abstract: An analyzing device, comprising: a light source device; an image pick-up device that generates image data by capturing a biological tissue illuminated with light emitted by the light source device; and an index calculation unit configured to calculate an index representing a molar ratio between first and second biological substances contained in the biological tissue based on the image data, wherein: the light source device switches between light of a first illumination wavelength range which the first and second biological substances absorb and light of a second illumination wavelength range lying within the first illumination wavelength range; and the index calculation unit calculates the index based on first image data obtained by capturing the biological tissue under illumination of the light of the first illumination wavelength range and second image data obtained by capturing the biological tissue under illumination of the light of the second illumination wavelength range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toru Chiba
  • Patent number: 10031071
    Abstract: A method that includes obtaining, using a processor, reflectance data from a target coating and calculating, using the processor, virtual color response data using one of at least one Kepler's laws of planetary motion equation and at least one derivation of at least one Kepler's laws of planetary motion equation. The method also includes generating, using the processor, a coating formulation that is the same or substantially similar in appearance to the target coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventor: Alison M. Norris
  • Patent number: 10031072
    Abstract: A heating device for a spectrometry measurement apparatus, wherein it is in the form of a supple optical article, the article comprising a supple flexible support having a top face and a bottom face, the top face being covered with a reflective material in order to form an optical-reflection layer, a flexible heating element being disposed on at least one of the faces of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: OLYTHE
    Inventors: Guillaume Nesa, Grégory Dubois, Etienne Flesch, Lionel Pafumi, Jean-Pierre Thierry
  • Patent number: 10031073
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting colored objects and decoding messages are provided. A light source is operatively coupled to a power source for emitting light on a colored object. A light receiver is configured to receive the emitted light from the light source as the light reflects off the colored object and is further configured to detect color of the reflected light. Further, a processor is operatively coupled to processor readable media and is configured to receive, via a communications module, information representing the color of the reflected light. A housing is included for supporting the light source, the light receiver, the processor and the communications module. The processor is configured to process the information representing the color of the reflected light and provide at least partial message information corresponding to the color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventor: Edo Segal
  • Patent number: 10031074
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for calibrating integrated computational elements. One method includes measuring with a spectrometer sample interacted light comprising spectral data derived from one or more calibration fluids at one or more calibration conditions, the one or more calibration fluids circulating in a measurement system, programming a virtual light source based on the spectral data, simulating the spectral data with the virtual light source and thereby generating simulated fluid spectra corresponding to the spectral data, conveying the simulated fluid spectra to the one or more ICE and thereby generating corresponding beams of optically interacted light, and calibrating the one or more ICE based on the corresponding beams of optically interacted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Li Gao, David L. Perkins, Michael T. Pelletier, Dingding Chen
  • Patent number: 10031075
    Abstract: A device for identifying refrigerants includes a gas cell, which has a test gas inlet and a test gas outlet, an infrared source that radiates through the gas cell, and at least one sensor that detects the infrared radiation that passes through the gas cell. At least one wide-band filter is provided between the infrared source and the sensor. The passband of the at least one wide-band filter includes the absorption spectra of the refrigerants to be detected and does not include the absorption spectrum of hydrocarbons. The gas cell is connected to a cartridge, which contains the refrigerant to be detected in pure form as a reference gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Inficon GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Kuester, Werner Grosse Bley
  • Patent number: 10031076
    Abstract: A handheld infrared spectroscopy device and method of use. The device is a hand-held spectroscopy device, that may be integral to a mobile phone or smart device such as a smart phone, tablet, personal digital assistant, computer or other device that is portable and capable of performing applications. A liquid sample port internal to the device and in close proximity to the device spectrometer performs infrared spectra analysis on liquid samples, allowing both portability as well as highly sophisticated and specific spectral analysis of liquid samples. The device has wireless communication capability, enabling transmission of data and spectral imagery across the globe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: QUICK LLC
    Inventors: David Anthony Mucci, Ronald Gary Clark, Jr., James Scott Fox
  • Patent number: 10031077
    Abstract: A spectroscopy system comprising at least two laser modules, each of the laser modules including a laser cavity, a quantum cascade gain chip for amplifying light within the laser cavity, and a tuning element for controlling a wavelength of light generated by the modules. Combining optics are used to combine the light generated by the at least two laser modules into a single beam and a sample detector detects the single beam returning from a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Block Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Petros Kotidis, Erik Deutsch, Ninghui Zhu, Dan Cavicchio
  • Patent number: 10031078
    Abstract: A system and method for identifying a position of a moving object, regardless of static objects present in the optical field of an active infrared (IR) proximity detector, is provided. Moreover, a modulated light emitting diode (LED) signal is captured and processed through I/Q demodulation. Specifically, the reflections received at an IR sensor are demodulated to generate in-phase (I) and quadrature phase (Q) signals and the derivative of I/Q signals is obtained to isolate motion. For example, an I/Q domain differentiator or a high pass filter is employed to calculate the derivative, which actively remove the effects of all forms of static interference. Further, the phase of the derivative I/Q signals is determined and is utilized to reconstruct the distance at which the motion occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: INTERSIL AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: David W. Ritter, Itaru Hiromi
  • Patent number: 10031079
    Abstract: This fluorescence observation method is a method of observing a living organism into which a fluorescent dye is injected. The method includes the steps of: irradiating the living organism with excitation light including a wavelength for exciting the fluorescent dye using a light irradiation means, acquiring a first fluorescence image of the living organism generated by the irradiation with the excitation light using an image acquisition means, specifying an observation object in the living organism on the basis of the first fluorescence image; acquiring a second fluorescence image of the observation object generated by the irradiation with the excitation light using the image acquisition means; and specifying a linear fluorescence pattern appearing in the second fluorescence image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Takayuki Miyashita, Kanako Nakajima
  • Patent number: 10031080
    Abstract: A method for detecting resistant germs in a sample includes contacting the sample by a sample carrier which has an agent for killing different germs. In addition, the method includes introducing the sample carrier into an analyzer and detecting light emissions from the sample carrier by the analyzer. An indication is output by the analyzer indicating that the sample contains at least one germ resistant to the agent for killing different germs, if the light emission exceeds a threshold value, or indicating that the sample does not contain germs resistant to the agent for killing different germs, if the light emission does not exceed the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Asklepios Kliniken Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Jennifer Schmidt, Ignaz Eisele, Sabine Trupp, Karl Haberger, Wolfgang Sittel
  • Patent number: 10031081
    Abstract: Peracid stable fluorescent active compounds in highly acidic, equilibrium peroxycarboxylic acid sanitizing compositions are disclosed as having improved fluorescent stability allowing for monitoring of peroxycarboxylic acid concentration by conductivity and/or optical sensors. Beneficially, the compositions are also low odor and low/no VOC dual functioning acid wash and sanitizing compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Junzhong Li, David D. McSherry, Allison Brewster, Richard Staub
  • Patent number: 10031082
    Abstract: The composition of a gas or gas stream containing AlCl3 in a chemical reactor is measured by removing AlCl3 from the gas and analyzing the gas by gas chromatography or spectroscopy. Chlorosilanes may be prepared in a fluidized bed reactor having a reactor height H0, in which supplied HCl reacts with silicon, wherein a temperature profile in the fluidized bed reactor is greater than S1(H/H0)=(a1?b1)*(1/(1+exp(?c1((H/H0)?d1))))+b1 and less than S2(H/H0)=(a2?b2)*(1/(1+exp(?c2((H/H0)?d2))))+b2, where a1=100° C., a2=300° C., b1=300° C., b2=400° C., c1=50, c2=20, d1=0.2, and d2=0.8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: WACKER CHEMIE AG
    Inventors: Thorsten Goebel, Walter Haeckl, Wolfgang Muenzer, Uwe Paetzold, Natalia Sofina
  • Patent number: 10031083
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to control, with a simple structure and high accuracy, irradiation of excitation light to a multi-nanopore substrate without interrupting a measurement. Irradiation of excitation light is performed concurrently to at least one nanopore and at least one reference object on a substrate mounted in an observation container 103. A position irradiated with the excitation light in a measurement sample is calculated on the basis of a signal generated from the reference object detected by a detector 109, and the measurement and a fixed position control is performed concurrently by performing measurement of the measurement object while a drive control part 115 controlling the position of the irradiation of the excitation light to the measurement sample on the basis of the calculation result, whereby an analysis of the measurement sample can be performed in a short time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michiru Fujioka, Tsuyoshi Sonehara, Naoshi Itabashi
  • Patent number: 10031084
    Abstract: A spectroscopy device is disclosed for inline monitoring of analytes in bulk fluid streams, capable of maintaining sterile conditions. The device comprises a cassette suitable for holding a fluid analyte (151) and having a laser entry wall part and a detector wall part, the laser entry wall part arranged to be optically transparent to laser radiation of a predetermined wavelength and the detector wall part arranged to be optically transparent for spectral parts of interest. Laser transmission optics are provided to focus a laser beam to produce a breakdown plasma discharge within the fluid inside the cassette. A photodetector substrate is provided comprising an array of photosensors, tuned to detect characteristic emission lines from the plasma. The photodetector substrate is conformal to at least the detector wall part of the cassette. A placement provision is arranged for user removable placement of the cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Dolf Jaap Klomp, Fokko Pieter Wieringa, Andrew Statham
  • Patent number: 10031085
    Abstract: A point of care testing system includes a reader having an incubator disposed within a reader housing, the incubator having a rotor supported for rotation and having a plurality of circumferentially disposed slots. A drive mechanism is configured to rotate the rotor about a center axis A plurality of analytical test elements are sized for fitting in the slots of the incubator either manually or on demand. Each analytical test element commonly includes a support within a cartridge. The support retains at least one of a dry chemistry chip comprising a porous spreading layer disposed in stacked relation with at least one reagent layer or a lateral flow assay device wherein the plurality of test elements can assume a common form factor with multiplexed capability, and in which cartridges are preferably gated to enable random access processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: ORTHO-CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
    Inventor: Raymond F. Jakubowicz
  • Patent number: 10031086
    Abstract: A dual-function heat indicator for monitoring two or more modes of heat exposure is described. A manufacturing process for the dual-function heat indicator is also described. Dual-function heat indicators as described may be useful for monitoring the exposure of host products, with which the dual-function heat indicators may be associated, to cumulative ambient heat exposure and to a peak ambient heat exposure, and for other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TEMPTIME CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thaddeus Prusik, Dawn E. Smith, Dene H. Taylor, Raquiba Hoque Arnold
  • Patent number: 10031087
    Abstract: A method for quantitatively measuring internal defects in an as-cast steel product includes optically scanning at least a portion of a surface of the steel product with a scanning device to create a digital image thereof. The method further includes thresholding the image in a thresholding engine to isolate internal defects within the image and analyzing the thresholded image to determine an internal defect area, wherein the internal defect area includes an area of at least a portion of the thresholded image that is occupied by the internal defects. The method further includes determining an overall area of the portion of the thresholded image, calculating a fraction of the internal defect area relative to the overall area, and calculating an equivalent Mannesmann scale rating of the internal defects in the steel product based on the fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SSAB Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Sunday O. Abraham, Yufeng Wang, Justin P Raines, Richard L. Bodnar, Jason E Thomas, Steven S. Hansen
  • Patent number: 10031088
    Abstract: A measurement apparatus includes: plural light emitting units that generate irradiation light to be emitted to an object; a light receiving unit that receives reflected light of the irradiation light that is projected to the object and reflected, and outputs a reflected light amount; a moving unit that performs a relative movement so as to cause the object and the irradiation light to move relative to each other; and a controller that performs a control to execute a first measurement and a second measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hotta
  • Patent number: 10031089
    Abstract: Provided are a method of evaluating an internal stress of a silicon carbide (SiC) single crystal wafer and a method of predicting warpage of the SiC single crystal wafer after completion of polishing by evaluating the internal stress of the wafer. Wavenumber shift amounts of Raman-scattered light are measured at two points within a surface of the SiC single crystal wafer, and the internal stress is evaluated through use of a difference between the wavenumber shift amounts. Also provided is a method of predicting warpage of a silicon carbide single crystal wafer in advance, the silicon carbide single crystal wafer being produced by sublimation-recrystallization method, the method including predicting warpage of a SiC single crystal wafer through use of the evaluation indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kojima, Masashi Nakabayashi, Kota Shimomura, Yukio Nagahata
  • Patent number: 10031090
    Abstract: A portable detection apparatus includes a fluid inlet to acquire a stream of fluid, a fluid outlet and a fluid flowpath therebetween. A pump circulates the fluid through the fluid flowpath. A gamma spectrometer and a mercury analyzer engage the fluid flowpath to analyze and detect radiation emitted by the fluid. A filter trap is in the fluid flowpath downstream from the gamma spectrometer and the mercury analyzer. The filter trap includes a valve assembly and at least a first and second filter for collecting gaseous constituents from the fluid. Each filter is removably connected to the first valve assembly. The valve assembly has a first configuration, in which the first filter is fluidly connected to the fluid flowpath and the second filter is fluidly isolated from the fluid flowpath, and a second configuration, in which the second filter is fluidly connected to the fluid flowpath and the first filter is fluidly isolated from the fluid flowpath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Atomic Energy of Canada Limited
    Inventors: Neil Anthony Briden, Adrienne Lynn McKay Ethier, Paul Kenyon Leeson, Joel Vandal
  • Patent number: 10031091
    Abstract: A component imaging system having at least one x-ray tube and an x-ray detector comprises a rotatable platform positioned between the x-ray tube and the x-ray detector. The rotatable platform is rotatable about a first rotational axis. A turntable is mounted on top of the rotatable platform. The turntable comprises: a stage platform for holding a component having an area of interest, the area of interest having a rotational axis; and a mounting plate rotating with the rotatable platform about the first rotational axis. The stage platform is movable in at least a first direction from a starting position to an imaging position to align the rotational axis of the area of interest with the rotational axis of the rotatable platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Avonix Imaging, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Diehm, Brian Ruether, Joel Ostby
  • Patent number: 10031092
    Abstract: The system for determining and imaging wax deposition and corrosion in pipelines relate to systems for determining wax deposition and corrosion by one or both of two techniques. In both techniques, a source of neutron radiation is directed at the pipeline. In one technique, a neutron detector surrounded by an absorption shield defining a collimation window counts neutrons reflected back to the detector by back diffusion or backscatter radiation. In the other technique, a gamma ray detector measures gamma rays emitted when the emitted neutrons are absorbed in the pipeline. A neutron moderator-reflector is placed around three sides of the pipeline to increase the likelihood of neutron capture. A gamma detector surrounded by a gamma absorption shield defining a collimation window counts neutron capture gamma rays. An energy window can be taken for selection of Fe and H gamma rays for high precision imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: KING ABDULAZIZ UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Samir Abdul-Majid Alzaidi