Patents Issued in April 16, 2019
  • Patent number: 10260989
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of different types of fiber optic connectors each having at least one stub optical fiber configured to be spliced to at least one cable optical fiber. The system also includes a tool configured to: a) receive and detect the different types of fiber optic connectors; and b) set a threshold value for an acceptable indication of continuity for at least one splice between the at least one stub optical fiber and the at least one cable optical fiber based on which type of the fiber optic connector is received and detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Evan Hallett, Daniel Leyva, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10260990
    Abstract: A differential mode delay (DMD) measurement system for an optical fiber is provided. The system includes an optical test fiber with a plurality of modes; a single mode light source that provides a continuous light wave signal to a modulator; and a pulse generator that provides an electrical pulse train signal to the modulator and a triggering signal to a receiver. The modulator is configured to generate a modulated optical test signal through the optical fiber based at least in part on the received light wave and pulse train signals, and the receiver is configured to receive the test signal transmitted through the fiber and evaluate the test signal based at least in part on the triggering signal. The system can be employed to create DMD waveform and centroid charts to obtain minEMBc bandwidth information for a fiber within a wavelength range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Xin Chen, Jason Edward Hurley, Ming-Jun Li, Richard Stephen Vodhanel
  • Patent number: 10260991
    Abstract: An abnormality diagnosis system includes a bearing having a plurality of components, a plurality of sensors disposed at different positions of the component and configured to detect surrounding signals, and an abnormality diagnosis device configured to diagnose abnormalities of the rolling bearing and a device disposed around the rolling bearing, based on signals output from the plurality of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Yanagisawa, Tomoyuki Aizawa
  • Patent number: 10260992
    Abstract: An object is to carry out an abnormality diagnosis for a variable compression ratio mechanism without adding any special hardware configuration for estimating a compression ratio. An abnormality diagnostic device for a variable compression ratio mechanism adapted to be applied to an internal combustion engine comprises a controller configured to calculate a predetermined rotational speed difference which is a rotational speed difference, between an engine rotational speed at a predetermined crank angle before or after compression top dead center and an engine rotational speed in the vicinity of the compression top dead center for a predetermined cylinder at the time of carrying out fuel cut processing, set a reference range of the predetermined rotational speed difference, and make a diagnosis that abnormality has occurred in the variable compression ratio mechanism when the predetermined rotational speed difference is out of the reference range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Noriyasu Adachi, Tomoya Ota, Hiroshi Watanabe, Yoshio Ueno, Takayoshi Kawai, Aya Yamada
  • Patent number: 10260993
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improving the uniformity of a tire are provided. More specifically, one or more characteristics of a composite uniformity parameter can be determined from harmonic magnitudes associated with a plurality of harmonics of the composite uniformity parameter. For instance, a range of a composite uniformity parameter and/or a distribution of amplitudes of a composite uniformity parameter for a set of tires can be determined from harmonic magnitudes associated with selected harmonics of the composite uniformity parameter. According to example aspects of the present disclosure, the one or more characteristics of the composite uniformity parameter can be determined using Weibull distributions of the harmonic magnitudes. Once identified, the one or more characteristics can be used to modify tire manufacture to improve tire uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventor: William David Mawby
  • Patent number: 10260994
    Abstract: A method for servicing a landing gear strut in service supporting an aircraft including: determining a current amount of damping fluid in the landing gear strut; determining a required amount of the damping fluid for correct servicing of the landing gear strut; and adjusting the current amount of damping fluid in the landing gear strut so that the current amount of damping fluid complies with the required amount of damping fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventors: Alan Shepherd, Julian Duncan
  • Patent number: 10260995
    Abstract: A test device of universal nail/screw holding power is provided. The device is capable of penetrating a nail/screw into a test piece at any angle and positioning the test piece on which a nail/screw is penetrated at any angle to test the nail/screw holding power. The device includes a base, two opposite supporting plates, two coaxial disks, an upper bearing plate, a lower bearing plate, a side bearing plate, a through groove, a trapezoid slot, and a plurality of trapezoid bolts on the same circumference. When the disk is turned, at least one trapezoid bolt is inserted into the trapezoid slot; when the at least one trapezoid bolt engages with the trapezoid slot and then is tightened up, the at least one trapezoid bolt and the trapezoid slot cooperatively limit the turn of the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignees: NANJING FORESTRY UNIVERSITY, ZHENGZHOU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Zeli Que, Xiaolin Yang, Qicheng Teng, Hongyi Lu, Feibin Wang, Zherui Li, Weizhen Cai
  • Patent number: 10260996
    Abstract: A board production monitoring device for monitoring a production state of a board production device, including: a database section which consecutively obtains and stores production state data from the board production device; a transition graph display section which displays a transition graph showing a time-series change at least at a part of the production state data; a condition change input section which inputs condition change data which shows a change point of a production condition of the board production device and includes generation time information of the change point; and a condition change display section which displays at least the generation time information of the change point of the condition change data, at a time-series corresponding position in the transition graph, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: FUJI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yukitoshi Morita
  • Patent number: 10260997
    Abstract: A microorganism concentrator includes a water storage part that stores water sample therein and a filter that partitions the water storage part into a supply side and a drain side for the water sample. The microorganism concentrator concentrates microorganisms that are too large to pass through the filter on the supply side by moving the water sample on the supply side to the drain side of the water storage part. In the microorganism concentrator, the filter is arranged in such a way that no vertically downward force is applied to a surface of the filter on the supply side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: SATAKE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukuyo, Yukio Hosaka, Akira Eto, Akiko Nakata
  • Patent number: 10260998
    Abstract: A sampling device configured to extract a sample from a fluid flow such as an oil flow. The sampling device has a sample extraction channel to extract the sample from the fluid flow, sample extracting device configured to press a sample into the sample extraction channel, and a check valve in the sample extraction channel. The check valve has a valve seat and a sealing device movable with respect to the valve seat between a closed position, in which the sealing device sealingly engages the valve seat and an open position in which the sealing device is spaced from the valve seat to allow fluid flow between the valve seat and the sealing device. The sealing device and the valve seat may have first seal element and a second seal element to engage in the closed position with the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Kimman Process Solutions B.V.
    Inventors: Pieter Charles Verloop, Erik Michiel Verloop
  • Patent number: 10260999
    Abstract: Particle collecting unit for the detection of particles in the particle level of substance without evaporating the collected particles is disclosed. The particle collecting unit comprises a body, a duct extending through the body and connecting between a rear opening of the body and an air intake orifice of the body, an aperture or slit in a mid-portion of the body adapted for receiving a removable sampling member into a position within the duct, wherein the particles collecting unit is configured to be removably coupled to a vacuum generator of a vacuum cleaner model available in the market, with said rear opening of the body coupled to an air intake opening of the vacuum generator. Pressure release openings are provided in walls of the duct for reducing the load on a motor of the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Inventors: Amichai Glattstein, Baruch Glattstein
  • Patent number: 10261000
    Abstract: Systems and methods that enable automated processing of specimens carried on microscope slides are described herein. Aspects of the technology are directed, for example, to automated specimen processing systems and methods for dispensing liquids onto slides. The system can concurrently or sequentially perform lock cycles. Each lock cycle can include lock steps for addressing respective slides to dispense liquid. The lock steps of different lock cycles can be synchronized to prevent any collision between dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Wayne A. Showalter, Nathan Smith, Paul Howley
  • Patent number: 10261001
    Abstract: Various techniques are provided to implement a desorber of a sensor detector device that permits manual operation and is completely detachable from a main body of the sensor detector device. In one example, a device includes a desorber. The desorber includes an inlet comprising a fluid path configured to receive samples vaporized from sample media. The desorber also includes a cap configured to slide toward the inlet in response to a manual actuation of the cap performed by a user to transition the desorber from an open position to a closed position. The desorber further includes a heater configured to slide with the cap toward the inlet in response to the user actuation and vaporize the samples while the desorber is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: FLIR DETECTION, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Willis, Matthew Szabo, Craig Aker
  • Patent number: 10261003
    Abstract: The roof construction broadly includes a sloped roof and a low-profile hail strike recording panel. The roof includes a plurality of shingles arranged in partially overlapped courses. The panel includes a deformable hail impact portion that is calibrated so that deformation caused by a hail strike corresponds with a known impact energy. The panel is secured to the roof so that the impact portion faces skyward in generally the same orientation as the roof. The impact portion of the panel engages and overlies at least part of one or more of the shingles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Hail Signature Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Carl Edwin Martin
  • Patent number: 10261004
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a determining device and a determining method to determine whether an inspected jet nozzle is defective by inspecting the jet nozzle for injecting a jet stream with long ground penetrating distance at a stage before installing in a construction site where a large diameter jet grouting method is used. To achieve this purpose, with this invention, in which a nozzle to be inspected is mounted onto an outlet port, a jet stream is ejected from a jet stream generating device, and measurement data measured by a pressure sensing unit when the jet stream impacts the pressure sensing unit is processed with a controlling device (for example, a computer), a nozzle to be inspected is determined to be a non-defective product if a first ratio is no less than a first prescribed value, a second ratio is no less than a second prescribed value, and a third ratio is no less than a third prescribed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: CHEMICAL GROUTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Tsuchiya, Masanori Kumekawa, Hiroyuki Abe
  • Patent number: 10261005
    Abstract: A system is provided that can include a first tube for communicating a fluid through a wellbore. The system can also include a gap between the first tube and a first electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT). The first EMAT can be positioned to magnetically couple with the first tube. The first EMAT can include a magnet and a wire coil positioned around the magnet. The first EMAT can coupled to a power source and positioned to, responsive to receiving a power from the power source, apply a first magnetic force to the first tube for determining a density or viscosity of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Hua Xia, Darren Gascooke
  • Patent number: 10261006
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to determining sizes of water particles in a cloud atmosphere based on a detected portion of signals generated from a single monochromatic source and backscattered by water particles in a cloud atmosphere. A backscatter coefficient and an optical extinction coefficient are calculated, based on the detected portion of signals generated from the monochromatic source and backscattered by water particles in the cloud atmosphere. A LIDAR ratio—a ratio of the optical extinction coefficient to the backscatter coefficient, is calculated. Sizes of water particles in the cloud atmosphere are estimated based on the LIDAR ratio. An output signal indicative of the estimated sizes of water particles in the cloud atmosphere is generated. Estimating sizes of water particles using signals from a single monochromatic source advantageously can alert a pilot of an aircraft of cloud conditions, without requiring multi-chromatic sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ray, Kaare Josef Anderson
  • Patent number: 10261007
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a microchip provided with a titanium oxide film between a glass substrate and a metal thin film; and a method for forming the metal thin film and the titanium oxide film on the glass substrate of the microchip. The microchip has a second microchip substrate that has the metal thin film inside a channel, and the titanium oxide film, which has a low extinction coefficient, is provided as a buffer layer between the substrate and the metal thin film such as a gold film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: USHIO DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kinichi Morita, Toshikazu Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 10261008
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a device for holding a light guide, for use in a flow cell, with the steps of providing a light guide holder having a first end and a second end connected by a longitudinal through hole with a narrow portion at the first end having a first diameter and a wide portion at the second end having a second diameter, the first diameter being smaller than the second diameter, and the narrow portion and wide portion being connected by a tapering portion, inserting a light guide into the through hole so that a first end of the light guide extends from the first end to the second end of the light guide holder, inserting a substance into at least part of the wide portion of the through hole, Inserting a tube between the light guide and the light guide holder, and fix the light guide in relation to the holder by means of the substance. The invention also relates to a device for holding a light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences AB
    Inventors: Henrik Svanberg, Bjorn A. Johansson
  • Patent number: 10261009
    Abstract: A basic unit for a mobile water analyzing system includes a photometer comprising a light source configured to generate a measurement beam and a light detector configured to receive the measurement beam, a test element receptacle configured to allow a test element to be inserted therein, and a photometric measuring track arranged between the light source and the light detector. The measurement beam is coincident with the photometric measuring track during a photometric measurement, and not in a cross direction thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: HACH LANGE GMBH
    Inventors: Ulrich Lundgreen, Aria Farjam, Rolf Uthemann, Andreas Mitreiter, Isabel Huenig, Markus Lenhard, Rainer Froemel, Hans-Joachim Kumpch
  • Patent number: 10261010
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) sensor assembly, system, and method for measuring a characteristic of a biological tissue is provided. The NIRS sensor assembly includes a light source, at least one light detector, and a subject contact layer. The light source is operable to emit light at one or more predetermined wavelengths. The light detector has an active area for detecting light emitted by the light source and passed through the biological tissue. The detector is operable to produce signals representative of the detected light. The subject contact layer is disposed to cover one or both of the light detector and the light source. The subject contact layer has at least one optically transmissive portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: CAS Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen Duffy, Matthew Dalene, John Gamelin, Paul Benni
  • Patent number: 10261011
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for analyzing a material comprising an excitation emission device for generating at least one electromagnetic excitation beam, in particular an exciting light beam, having at least one excitation wavelength, further comprising a detection device for detecting a reaction signal, and a device for analyzing the material on the basis of the detected reaction signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: DiaMonTech GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Bauer, Otto Hertzberg, Thorsten Lubinski
  • Patent number: 10261012
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns methods and apparatus for interferometric spectroscopic measurements of particles with higher signal to noise ratio utilizing an infrared light beam that is split into two beams. At least one beam may be directed through a measurement volume containing a sample including a medium. The two beams may then be recombined and measured by a detector. The phase differential between the two beams may be selected to provide destructive interference when no particle is present in the measurement volume. A sample including medium with a particle is introduced to the measurement volume and the detected change resulting from at least one of resonant mid-infrared absorption, non-resonant mid-infrared absorption, and scattering by the particle may be used to determine a property of the particle. A wide range of properties of particles may be determined, wherein the particles may include living cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: 1087 Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthias Wagner
  • Patent number: 10261013
    Abstract: Provided are improved optical detection systems and methods for using same, which systems and methods comprise single channel interferometric detection systems and methods for determining a characteristic property of samples. Such interferometric detection systems and methods employ a light beam that impinges two or more discrete zones along a channel, thereby avoiding variations that can result in increases in detection limits and/or measurement errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Darryl J. Bornhop, Michael Kammer
  • Patent number: 10261014
    Abstract: Metrology systems and methods are provided herein, which comprise an optical element that is positioned between an objective lens of the system and a target. The optical element is arranged to enhance evanescent modes of radiation reflected by the target. Various configurations are disclosed: the optical element may comprise a solid immersion lens, a combination of Moiré-elements and solid immersion optics, dielectric-metal-dielectric stacks of different designs, and resonating elements to amplify the evanescent modes of illuminating radiation. The metrology systems and methods are configurable to various metrology types, including imaging and scatterometry methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Noam Sapiens, Joel Seligson, Vladimir Levinski, Daniel Kandel, Yoel Feler, Barak Bringoltz, Amnon Manassen, Eliav Benisty
  • Patent number: 10261015
    Abstract: A solution for measuring a suspension which contains wood fibres. The consistency of the suspension is changed in a consistency range. Optical radiation is directed at the suspension and the intensity of optical radiation interacted with the suspension is measured at different consistencies in the consistency range. The maximum intensity of the optical radiation is determined within the consistency range. At least one of the following properties of the suspension are determined based on the determined maximum intensity: kappa number, brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: VALMET AUTOMATION OY
    Inventors: Pasi Kärki, Matti Törmänen
  • Patent number: 10261016
    Abstract: A specimen analyzing method and a specimen analyzing apparatus capable of measuring interference substances before analyzing a specimen. The method comprises a step for sucking the specimen stored in a specimen container (150) and sampling it in a first container (153), a step for optically measuring the specimen in the first container, a step for sampling the specimen in a second container (154) and preparing a specimen for measurement by mixing the specimen with a reagent in the second container, and a step for analyzing the specimen for measurement according to the results of the optical measurement of the specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norimasa Yamamoto, Takashi Yamato, Naohiko Matsuo, Satoshi Iguchi
  • Patent number: 10261017
    Abstract: Methods for detecting skin sensitization chemical compounds using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and/or a microplate spectrophotometric assay or other spectroscopic methods. The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a method of detecting skin sensitization potential of a test chemical compound using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, microplate spectrophotometry or other spectroscopic methods as stand-alone or in combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: University of Mississippi
    Inventors: Amar G. Chittiboyina, Ikhlas Ahmad Khan, Cristina Avonto
  • Patent number: 10261018
    Abstract: An inspection apparatus is provided that comprises an optical target including a solid host material and a fluorescing material embedded in the solid host material. The solid host material has a predetermined phonon energy HOSTPE. The fluorescing material exhibits a select ground energy level and a target excitation (TE) energy level separated from the ground energy level by a first energy gap corresponding to a fluorescence emission wavelength of interest. The fluorescing material has a next lower lying (NLL) energy level relative to the TE energy level. The NLL energy level is spaced a second energy gap FMEG2 below the TE energy level, wherein a ratio of the FMEG2/HOSTPE is three or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: ILLUMINA, INC.
    Inventors: John Gerhardt Earney, Joseph Francis Pinto, M. Shane Bowen, Michael S. Graige, Arthur Pitera, Bala Murali K. Venkatesan, Dajun A. Yuan
  • Patent number: 10261019
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus comprising: a plurality of locations configured to have probes attached thereto, wherein interaction between the probes and an analyte generates a signal; an optical system comprising a plurality of collimators; a sensor comprising a plurality of pixels configured to detect the signal; wherein the collimators are configured to essentially prevent light from passing if a deviation of a propagation direction of the light from an optical axis of the collimators is greater than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: SHENZHEN GENORIVISION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Peiyan Cao, Yurun Liu
  • Patent number: 10261020
    Abstract: Systems and methods are used to couple an optical sampling probe to a port in a single-use bioreactor bag for in-process monitoring. A combination of re-useable and disposable components maintain precision while reducing costs. A disposable barb with an integral window, received by the port of the reaction vessel, is coupled to a re-useable optic component with a focusing lens. A separate focus alignment tool is used to set the lens position to a precise focal point before placement of the optic component into the barb. The fixture includes a window to simulate the window in a barb component, a target with a known spectral signature, and a probe head coupled to a spectral analyzer. The axial position of the lens is adjusted with respect to the spacer component to maximize the spectral signature from a sample target, whereupon the spacer component is bonded to the lens mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Kaiser Optical Systems Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Tedesco, Joseph B. Slater
  • Patent number: 10261021
    Abstract: A method is provided for detecting alkylating agents, the method comprising bringing together a first solvent, one or more surfactants, a base, a reagent comprising a nucleophilic nitrogen atom, and a suspected alkylating agent. A device suitable for putting said method into effect is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CARDIFF CONSULTANTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Ian Fallis, Ian Morgan
  • Patent number: 10261022
    Abstract: Processes for sensing a variety of toxic chemicals and/or processes for determining the residual life of a filter or filtration system are provided. Exemplary process for sensing a toxic chemical include contacting a toxic chemical, or byproduct thereof, with a sorbent that includes a porous metal hydroxide and a transition metal reactant suitable to react with a toxic chemical or byproduct thereof. The sorbent is contacted with the toxic chemical or byproduct thereof for a sampling time. A difference between a post-exposure colorimetric state of the sorbent and a pre-exposure colorimetric state of the sorbent or control is determined to thereby sense exposure to, or the presence of, the toxic chemical or byproduct thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Gregory W Peterson, Joseph A Rossin, Jennifer R Soliz, Kathryn L. Killops
  • Patent number: 10261023
    Abstract: A remote illumination and detection method, node, and system is described. The remote illumination and detection method generates a detection message when motion is detected by a detector. The detector includes a wireless communications module that wirelessly transmits the detection message to a remote sensing device. The remote sensing device includes a camera having a field of view and wirelessly communicates with the detector. The remote sensing device then proceeds to generate an illumination instruction to illuminate an area within the field of view, when the remote sensing device receives the detection message. The remote sensing device transmits the illumination instruction to an illuminator. The illuminator wirelessly communicates with the remote sensing device. The method then illuminates an area near the illuminator, when motion is detected by the detector and the illumination instruction is received by the illuminator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Inventor: David Curtis Gaw
  • Patent number: 10261024
    Abstract: A visual inspection device is an inspection device using an image obtained by shooting an inspection surface of an object to be inspected with a camera disposed so as to face the inspection surface. The object to be inspected is a rolling bearing and the inspection surface is a surface included in an outer ring of the rolling bearing. A lighting device emits light from a light source as diffused light to the inspection surface in a direction different from a direction in which the camera shoots the inspection surface, and the camera shoots the inspection surface irradiated with the diffused light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jiro Umehara
  • Patent number: 10261025
    Abstract: A detecting method for a workpiece surface includes the following steps. Firstly, a workpiece is provided with a first environment, wherein the first environment has a first environmental temperature higher than a first saturation temperature corresponding to an environmental-relative humidity. Then, the workpiece is provided with a second environment, wherein the second environment has a second environmental temperature lower than the first environmental temperature, such that a itself-temperature of the workpiece reduces to a mist temperature, wherein the mist temperature is substantially equal to or higher than the second environmental temperature. Then, the workpiece is provided with a mist environment, wherein the mist environment has a mist-saturation temperature corresponding to a mist-environmental relative humidity is equal to or higher than the mist temperature for misting a surface of the workpiece. Then, the surface of the misted workpiece is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Wei-Yao Chiu, Kuo-Feng Hung, Yu-Ting Lin, Keng-Hao Chang
  • Patent number: 10261026
    Abstract: A defect inspection method includes an illumination light adjustment step of adjusting light emitted from a light source, an illumination intensity distribution control step of forming light flux obtained in the illumination light adjustment step into desired illumination intensity distribution, a sample scanning step of displacing a sample in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the illumination intensity distribution, a scattered light detection step of counting the number of photons of scattered light emitted from plural small areas in an area irradiated with illumination light to produce plural scattered light detection signals corresponding to the plural small areas, a defect judgment step of processing the plural scattered light detection signals to judge presence of a defect, a defect dimension judgment step of judging dimensions of the defect in each place in which the defect is judged to be present and a display step of displaying a position on sample surface and the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuta Urano, Toshifumi Honda, Takahiro Jingu
  • Patent number: 10261027
    Abstract: Proposed is an inspection device that is provided with: an illuminating optical unit that irradiates a discretionary region of a sample with light; a control unit that gives instructions to the illuminating optical unit; and at least one detection unit that detects light transmitted from the sample. The illuminating optical unit includes a light source unit that generates light, and an electrooptic element unit to which the light generated by the light source unit is inputted, and on the basis of the instructions given from the control unit, the electrooptic element unit adjusts the light to be in a desired polarization state, said light having been generated by the light source unit, and irradiates the sample with the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Kimoto, Akira Hamamatsu
  • Patent number: 10261028
    Abstract: A device for optically inspecting a surface of a sample includes: a screen providing a first light profile pattern formed with lighter and darker areas wherein the areas form a first spatial intensity profile having a first spatial period, a holder for positioning the sample with the surface relative to the first pattern such that the first pattern is reflected by the surface, an auxiliary lens and/or curved mirror arranged between the screen and the holder for providing a second light profile pattern having areas which form a second spatial intensity profile with a second spatial period when at least a part of the first pattern passes the lens or is reflected by the mirror, an image recording unit for receiving an image of the second pattern reflected from the surface of the sample, and an evaluation unit for determining properties of the surface in dependence on the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Cilip, Drew Schiltz
  • Patent number: 10261029
    Abstract: A container inspection device and a container inspection method for inspecting containers are provided. The container inspection device comprises at least one light fixture for illuminating containers at a predetermined inspection instant of time for inspecting the containers, and an electrical line for connecting the at least one light fixture to an electrical energy supply and to a bus system, so that the electrical line serves both to supply the at least one light fixture with electrical energy and to connect with a real time data network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Christof Will, Anton Niedermeier, Karl Aichinger, Reinhard Klinger, Stefan Piana
  • Patent number: 10261030
    Abstract: An inspection device and method for testing and inspecting integrity of a container (200) is disclosed. The inspection device has an angled member (102) and a viewing member (104) secured to the angled member. Together, the angled and viewing members are configured to hold a container to be analyzed. The inspection device also includes a cradle (106) secured to the angled member, the cradle including a cavity (108) configured to hold the angled member at an angle. The inspection device also includes a light source holder (110) secured to the viewing member, a leg member (112) extending from the light source holder, and at least one light source (114) extending through the light source holder. The light source has a first end extending outwardly from the light source holder and a second end extending within the light source holder from which light projects. The light from the light source is projected toward the viewing member. The viewing member includes at least one viewing window (105).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY
    Inventors: Steve Angermund, George Currier, Joe Jy Koo
  • Patent number: 10261031
    Abstract: Provided herein is a mask inspection device, including an inspection base, a shift platform, a rotating platform, a bearing platform, a laser ranging module, a vertical shift module, a processing module, and an image capturing module. A mask, which is carried and held by the bearing platform, includes a dust-proof film, each region of which is measured by the laser ranging module for generating a distance measuring signal; each distance measuring signal is utilized to control the movement of the vertical shift module, such that image capturing module can take an inspection image of that region. Based on the distance measuring signals and inspection images, height information of the dust-proof film and inspection information can be acquired. Also provided herein is a method applicable to said mask inspection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Acemach Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Chiang Chang
  • Patent number: 10261032
    Abstract: A noncontact resonameter includes: a resonator to: produce an excitation signal including a field; subject a sample to the excitation signal; produce a first resonator signal in a presence of the sample and the excitation signal, the first resonator signal including: a first quality factor of the resonator; a first resonance frequency of the resonator; or a combination thereof, the first resonator signal occurring in an absence of contact between the sample and the resonator; and produce a second resonator signal in a presence of the excitation signal and an absence of the sample, the second resonator signal including: a second quality factor of the resonator; a second resonance frequency of the resonator; or a combination thereof; a circuit in electrical communication with the resonator to receive the first resonator signal and the second resonator signal; and a continuous feeder to: provide the sample proximate to the resonator; dispose the sample intermediately in the field of the excitation signal during
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Nathan Daniel Orloff, Christian John Long, Jan Obrzut
  • Patent number: 10261033
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a material in an object. An image of the object generated from energy passing through the object is obtained by a computer system. The computer system estimates attenuations for pixels in a sensor system from the image of the object to form estimated attenuations. The estimated attenuations represent a loss of the energy that occurs from the energy passing through the object. The computer system also identifies the material in the object using the estimated attenuations and known attenuation information for identifying the material in the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Steven Jimenez, Jr., Kyle R. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10261034
    Abstract: A heat flow distribution measurement device includes a sensor module having one multilayer substrate and a plurality of heat flow sensor portions arranged inside of the multilayer substrate. The multilayer substrate has one surface and another surface opposite to the one surface and includes a plurality of stacked insulating layers each formed of a thermoplastic resin. The heat flow sensor portions are each formed of thermoelectric conversion elements and are thermoelectrically independent. An arithmetic portion arithmetically determines a heat flow distribution based on an electromotive force generated in each of the heat flow sensor portions. The thermoelectric conversion elements are formed in the multilayer substrate and therefore manufactured by the same manufacturing process for manufacturing the multilayer substrate. This can minimize the performance difference between the individual thermoelectric conversion elements and allow the heat flow distribution to be measured with high precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Shiraishi, Atusi Sakaida, Norio Gouko, Toshihisa Taniguchi, Keiji Okamoto
  • Patent number: 10261035
    Abstract: The disclosure includes an inductive conductivity sensor for measuring the specific electrical conductivity of a medium with a transmitter coil energized by an input signal, a receiver coil coupled with the transmitter coil via the medium, which receiver coil supplies an output signal that is a measure for the conductivity of the medium, and a housing enclosing the transmitter coil and the receiver coil, which housing comprises at least one housing section designed to be immersed in the medium, the housing wall of said housing section surrounding the transmitter coil and the receiver coil. The housing is made of a magnetic plastic or resin for inductively decoupling the transmitter coil from the receiver coil. In certain embodiments, the housing may be made of a ferromagnetic material. Another aspect of the disclosure includes a method for manufacturing the conductivity sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Nagel, André Pfeifer, Christian Fanselow
  • Patent number: 10261036
    Abstract: A sensing system for monitoring an industrial fluid is presented. The sensing system includes a housing and a sensor probe disposed at least partially in the housing, where the sensor probe includes a substrate, a sensing region disposed on the substrate, a first coil disposed on the substrate and coupled to the sensing region, and a second coil disposed on the substrate and coupled to the first coil. A method for operating the sensing system is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Radislav Alexandrovich Potyrailo, Steven YueHin Go
  • Patent number: 10261037
    Abstract: A structure to be monitored for damage and a method of monitoring the structure for damage are provided. The structure has a coating thereon, the coating defining a surface having characteristics which vary in a predetermined manner with damage to the structure. The surface has a series of conductive tracks applied thereto and in intimate contact therewith such that the said predetermined variation of the surface characteristics will vary the resistance of the series of conductive tracks in a predetermined manner in order to determine both location and extent of damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: BAE Systems plc
    Inventors: Jagjit Sidhu, Amir Rezai, David Andrew Cocksedge
  • Patent number: 10261038
    Abstract: A tire inspecting apparatus for a tire is provided. The apparatus includes a test stand for supporting and rotating a tire. The test stand is configured such that a tire supported thereon defines a center axis. The apparatus includes a testing probe configured as a high voltage electrode for generating an electric field and a grounding element. A positioning assembly includes a support bracket and a positioning arm supporting the testing probe. The positioning arm is operable to move the testing probe into a working position between the sidewalls of a tire supported on the test stand and in proximity to the grounding element. The positioning arm is connected to the support bracket for pivoting movement relative to the support bracket about a pivot axis. The pivot axis extends at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the center axis of a tire supported on the test stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Bridgestone Bandag, LLC
    Inventors: Troy A. Kost, Eric M. Henriksen, Christopher J. A. Ferrell
  • Patent number: 10261039
    Abstract: A method for investigating permittivity within a target domain comprises a step of measuring, for a plurality of pairs of contact element groups, the contact elements of the contact element groups being arranged in capacitance measurement connection with the target domain, an electrical quantity of interest proportional to the capacitance of a capacitor formed by a pair of contact element groups; the contact elements comprising a plurality of electrodes supported between the target domain and an electrically conductive background body limiting the capacitance measurement zone of the electrodes. The contact elements may further comprise the electrically conductive background body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: ROCSOLE LTD
    Inventors: Anssi Lehikoinen, Arto Voutilainen