Patents Issued in September 17, 2019
  • Patent number: 10416023
    Abstract: A liquid surface level sensor includes a housing, a float located on a liquid surface, a magnet that rotates in accordance with up-and-down movement of the float, an arm joined with the float and the magnet, and a circuit unit. The circuit unit includes a sensing element that detects rotation of the magnet, and a wireless communication circuit that outputs a liquid surface level detected by the sensing element to a device installed in a vehicle. The circuit unit includes generating element that generate electric power from a change in magnetic flux caused by the rotation of the magnet, and a generation circuit that supplies electric power generated by the generating element to the sensing element and the wireless communication circuit as drive electric power. The circuit unit is included inside the housing in a state isolated from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasunori Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 10416024
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring underground drilling in which vibration is monitored by creating a model of the drill string using finite element techniques or finite difference techniques and (i) predicting vibration by inputting real time values of operating parameters into the model, and then adjusting the model to agree with measured vibration data, (ii) predicting the weight on bit and drill string and mud motor speeds at which resonance will occur, as well as when stick-slip will occur, so that the operator can avoid operating regimes that will result in high vibration, (iii) determining vibration and torque levels along the length of the drill string based on the measured vibration and torque at one or more locations, (iv) determining the remaining life of critical components of the drill string based on the history of the vibration to which the components have been subjected, and (v) determining the optimum drilling parameters that will avoid excessive vibration of the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: APS Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William Evans Turner, Mark Ellsworth Wassell
  • Patent number: 10416025
    Abstract: A vibration sensor is electrically isolated from the mounting surface of the device or equipment to which it is attached. The isolation provides protection from excess voltages present on the mounting surface that could damage the internal components of the vibration sensor or auxiliary equipment attached to the vibration sensor. The isolation is provided by a non-conductive amorphous solid or crystalline material between the mounting base and the case and between the case and the sensing element to protect the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Amphenol (Maryland), Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew C. Goenner
  • Patent number: 10416026
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus is configured to: acquire a correction factor from a recording unit for recording, for each of a plurality of pixels, the correction factor for correcting a difference in pixel value corresponding to a difference between a spectral sensitivity and a preset reference spectral sensitivity in a predetermined wavelength range at a pixel of interest, based on image data generated by an image sensor, the image sensor having the plurality of pixels on which color filters of a plurality of colors with different spectral transmittances are respectively located, the color filters forming a predetermined array pattern; calculate a correction amount for correcting a pixel value of the pixel of interest based on the correction factor at the pixel of interest and pixel values of pixels surrounding the pixel of interest; and correct the pixel value of the pixel of interest by using the correction amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Manabu Ichikawa, Hiroki Maruyama
  • Patent number: 10416027
    Abstract: A battery-powered temperature probe for measuring the temperature of food products within a cooking utensil. The temperature probe includes a temperature sensor and a control housing positioned at opposite ends of a flexible arm. The flexible arm is magnetically attachable to the cooking utensil such that the temperature sensor is in thermal communication with the food products and the control housing is positioned outside of and below the top of the cooking utensil. A radiant heat shield may be included in the control housing and the control housing may be oriented such that temperature-sensitive components, such as the battery and display, experience reduced temperatures during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Tyler Brown, Christopher Nils Naber
  • Patent number: 10416028
    Abstract: To determine the temperature of a link capacitor (C) of a link converter (1) more accurately with less expenditure, a device and a method are described, in which the link capacitor (C) is modeled as a series interconnection of an equivalent capacitance (CS) and an equivalent series resistance (ESR), wherein a modeled capacitor current (iCm) flows across the equivalent series resistance (ESR). A modeled capacitor power loss (PC), from which the capacitor temperature (TC) is determined by means of a specified temperature model, is calculated from the modeled capacitor current (iCm) and the value of the equivalent series resistance (ESR) by means of a first relationship of the form PC=f(iCm, ESR). Direct measurement of the capacitor temperature (TC), of the capacitor current (iC), or of the capacitor power loss (PC) is not required. For example, a measurement of the capacitor voltage (uC) and a further calculation of the modeled capacitor current iCm and finally of the capacitor power loss (PC) are sufficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Doppelhammer, Johann Eder, Gerhard Mayrhofer-Huber
  • Patent number: 10416029
    Abstract: A water temperature detection valve includes an external housing in which a rear water guide and a front water guide are arranged to respectively receive and retain a blade wheel and an electrical generator, which are movable in unison with each other, to arranged therein. A temperature detection unit includes a circuit board, a temperature sensor electrically connected to the circuit board, and an electrical output cable having an end electrically connected to the circuit board. The circuit board is electrically connected to the electrical generator. The electrical output cable extends outside the external housing. A water temperature display module includes a display device arranged inside a display holder that includes a light-transmitting window corresponding, in position, to the display device. An electrical input cable that is electrically connected to the display device has an end that is connectable, in a detachable manner, to the electrical output cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: AGREAT SHOWER & SANITARY (XIAMEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Pi Kuang Tsai
  • Patent number: 10416030
    Abstract: There is provided a detection ring (600), the structure of which is shown in the perspective view of FIG. 13(a). The detection ring (600) is arranged so that the Z-axis is a central axis on the XY plane as shown in the side view (b), and a planar shape thereof is formed in a circular ring as shown in the bottom view (c). The detection ring (600) is structured so that four sets of detection portions (D1 to D4), each constituted with a blade spring which undergoes elastic deformation, are coupled with four sets of circular arc-shaped coupling portions (L1 to L4). A supporting substrate is arranged below the detection ring (600) and fixing points (P1, P2) arranged on the Y-axis are fixed to the supporting substrate. When force or moment to be detected is exerted on exertion points (Q1, Q2), the four sets of detection portions (D1 to D4) undergo elastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: WACOH-TECH INC.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Okada, Miho Okada
  • Patent number: 10416031
    Abstract: A pressure sensing mat may include: a first substrate; a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate; a first electrode layer disposed on a side of the first substrate that faces the second substrate, the first electrode layer comprising a plurality of first electrode patterns; a second electrode layer disposed on a side of the second substrate that faces the first substrate, the second electrode layer comprising a plurality of second electrode patterns; and a spacer layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and comprising a plurality of holes such that the first electrode patterns are configured to contact the second electrode patterns through the holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: MedicusTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Chia-Ming Hsu, Chung-Chih Lin, Chi Wen Liu, Chun Lin, Chao-Hung Chou
  • Patent number: 10416032
    Abstract: An optical fiber detection device with a steel rail as an elastomer and a railway overload and unbalanced load detection system. The optical fiber detection device includes a shear force detection device, the shear force detection device includes an optical fiber sensitive element which is fixed on a neutral axis of the steel rail through low-energy spot welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: BEIJING ORIENTAL RAILWAY TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD
    Inventors: Ying Jiang, Xiangsheng Pang, Xiaobing Liu, Chao Guo, Zhiqiang Wang
  • Patent number: 10416033
    Abstract: A hollow cylindrical tube having an outer surface coated with one or more inks is provided, each ink encapsulated in capsules that rupture under one or more specific loading conditions to display a visually perceptible color. The tube may be used to determine the load capabilities of the tube, to optimize the tube construction and to determine load magnitudes of windable materials and/or the winding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell P. Grabowski
  • Patent number: 10416034
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for analyzing signals from a pixelated capacitive sensor is disclosed. The method involves classifying capacitance signals from sensor cells of a pixelated capacitive sensor into at least one class based on capacitance values for sensor cells indicated by corresponding capacitance signals and assigning an attribute to sensor cells based on the classification of the corresponding capacitance signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Franciscus Petrus Widdershoven
  • Patent number: 10416035
    Abstract: A power management system and method including a normally-open switch, an on/off circuit, a microprocessor, and at least one sensor to monitor a condition. The on/off circuit includes an on/off control gate-controlled switch device such as a PMOS device for system power, a flip/flop switch to respectively activate and deactivate the on/off control PMOS device, and a transition detection circuit connected to the normally-open switch. A single DC power source establishes a source voltage to power the on/off circuit and the normally-open switch. The transition detection circuit generates an “on” signal when the user initially activates the normally-open switch, and supplies the “on” signal to the flip/flop switch to change it to an “on” state to activate the on/off control PMOS device. While activated, the on/off control PMOS device enables system power from the power source to be provided to at least the sensor and the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: MIJA INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jorge Rubinstein, Robert M. Manning, John J. McSheffrey
  • Patent number: 10416036
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method monitor fluid loss from one or more casks during a maturation process. The apparatus comprises a multi-pass absorption cell arranged in fluid communication with one or more fluid conduits, a pump and a monitoring system. The pump and fluid conduits transport a fluid sample (e.g. vapor sample) from a perimeter of the one or more casks to the multi-pass absorption cell. The monitoring system detects and identifies fluid within the multi-pass absorption cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: M Squared Lasers Limited
    Inventors: Gareth Thomas Maker, Graeme Peter Alexander Malcolm, John Nicholls
  • Patent number: 10416037
    Abstract: A system (100) for testing is disclosed. The system (100) comprises a pipe joint having a male pipe section (102) and a female pipe section (104), a test port (106) disposed in a test space provided on the male pipe section (102) and a testing apparatus. The testing apparatus comprises a needle (112), a tubing (114) attached to the needle (112), a pressure supply assembly (116) attached to the tubing (114) in order to provide a predetermined air pressure while testing of the pipe joint and a ballast (118) adapted to support and hold the tubing (114) in order to provide necessary length of the tubing (114) to insert the needle (112) inside the test port (106). Further, the test port (106) is fixed into the interior diameter of the male pipe section (102) and is secured into the test space of the male pipe section (102) using a fastening means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Inventor: Michael R. Miller
  • Patent number: 10416038
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for checking at least one geometric characteristic and one optical characteristic of a trimmed ophthalmic lens (10) including the following steps: a) arranging the trimmed ophthalmic lens on a support (110), b) capturing at least one image of the trimmed ophthalmic lens, c) determining, from the image, a measured geometric characteristic of the trimmed ophthalmic lens, d) determining at least one measured optical characteristic of the trimmed ophthalmic lens in a reference frame of the image captured in step b), e) comparing the measured geometric characteristic associated with the measured optical characteristic to a predefined desired ophthalmic lens model, including at least one desired geometric characteristic and one associated desired optical characteristic. Also disclosed is an associated checking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Cedric Lemaire, Xavier Lippens
  • Patent number: 10416039
    Abstract: The system and methods are made to apply interferometry to ophthalmic applications. The system makes use of a low-coherence interferometer to obtain a plurality of measurements of a contacts lens. The system and methods characterizes the surface profile of both surfaces of a contact lens, a thickness profiles, and combines these measurements with an index information to reconstruct a complete model of the contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Greivenkamp, Jr., James William Haywood, Kyle C. Heideman, Russell T. Spaulding, Gregory Allen Williby
  • Patent number: 10416040
    Abstract: Characterizing a first OLTS includes connecting a first test cable directly to a second power meter of the first OLTS, connecting the first test cable to a second test cable, and connecting the second test cable directly to a connection port of a second OLTS. The method also includes determining a first characterization power of the first OLTS by measuring an optical power of light transmitted from a light source of the second OLTS with the second power meter of the first OLTS. The method further includes disconnecting a first test cable from the second power meter of the first OLTS, connecting the first test cable directly to a connection port of the first OLTS, and determining a second characterization power of the first OLTS by measuring an optical power of light transmitted from the light source of the second OLTS with the first power meter of the first OLTS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Scott Prescott, Bin Liu
  • Patent number: 10416041
    Abstract: A combustion state parameter calculation method for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of continuously calculating a combustion state parameter while properly maintaining the accuracy of the calculated parameter even when part of in-cylinder pressure sensors is in failure. In the combustion state parameter calculation method, as a combustion state parameter, a first combustion state parameter dependent on the magnitude of in-cylinder pressure is calculated based on a detection value from an in-cylinder pressure sensor, on a cylinder-by-cylinder basis. When it is determined that a characteristic abnormality failure in which the magnitude of the detection value deviates from the actual in-cylinder pressure has occurred in part of the in-cylinder pressure sensors and has not occurred in the other in-cylinder pressure sensors, the first combustion state parameter of a failure-determined cylinder is calculated based on the detection value from the other in-cylinder pressure sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., KEIHIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shusuke Akazaki, Taisuke Inoue, Shunichi Saito
  • Patent number: 10416042
    Abstract: An exhaust emissions monitoring device includes a pipe adapted to mount to the tailpipe of a vehicle and includes a cable for connecting to the vehicle engine control unit (ECU) and power system. The pipe defines an internal flow passage to allow exhaust to flow through. A plurality of sensors is mounted on the pipe and each sensor extends through an access port formed on the pipe wall to be exposed to the internal flow passage. Exhaust properties and constituents are sensed by multiple sensors for each constituent, there are two or more sensors for each of NOx, temperature, ammonia, particulate matter. The sensors communicate data signals to a processor/data logger also mounted on the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Karl Tasik, Jeffrey Marley, Heath Morris
  • Patent number: 10416043
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving fuel economy in vehicles such as Class 8 trucks are provided. In some embodiments, signals indicating states of the powertrain are collected and used to generate fuel rate optimization values. Fuel rate optimization values may indicate a difference between optimum fuel flow rates and actual fuel flow rates during a vehicle drive cycle. Recorded fuel rate optimization values may be used to compare different vehicle configurations during testing, and may also be used to evaluate vehicle performance during real-world operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Christopher Michael James Douglas, Michael Douglas Gerty, Mark G. Malowicki
  • Patent number: 10416044
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improving the uniformity of a tire are provided. More particularly, a magnitude of a uniformity parameter can be obtained for each tire in a set of a plurality of tires. The magnitudes associated with the set of tires can be transformed according to a probability distribution function (e.g. a Weibull distribution function) to obtain a set of transformed magnitudes. Parameters associated with a probability distribution function can be estimated based at least in part on the transformed magnitudes. Parameters associated with the probability distribution function can be used to determine data indicative of a measurement error in the uniformity measurements attributable to a measurement process harmonic. The data indicative of the measurement error can be used to correct uniformity measurements obtained for tires and to modify tire manufacture based at least in part on the corrected measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventor: William David Mawby
  • Patent number: 10416045
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing molten salt electrolyte. The method includes extracting a sample of a molten salt electrolyte from an electrorefiner or other process vessel or conduit; generating droplets from the sample, where the droplets are at a first temperature; transporting the droplets to detectors, where during transport, the droplets attain a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature; analyzing the droplets at or below the second temperature; and returning the droplets to the process. The apparatus includes a droplet generator; a sample transport mechanism; and at least one detector positioned above the sample transport mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Cari A. Launiere, Candido Pereira, James L. Bailey, Stanley G. Wiedmeyer
  • Patent number: 10416046
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a device and a system for picking a target analyte of a suspension. A picker introduces at least one force, such as by a magnetic gradient and/or by a pressure gradient, to extract the target analyte from a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: RareCyte, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Nordberg, Steve Quarre, Ronald Seubert
  • Patent number: 10416047
    Abstract: A system may include a needle and source providing fluid to the needle. The system may include a sheath defining an opening. The needle may be within the sheath. The needle and sheath may define a cavity. The system may include a gasket movable between open and closed positions. The gasket may fluidly seal an end of the sheath so that the fluid exits the needle into the cavity and exits via the opening. The system may include a bottle including a septum proximate the end of the sheath. The system may include a movement system that may displace the gasket to permit fluid to exit the cavity via the end of the sheath and displace the sheath or needle such that the needle extends beyond the sheath. The movement system may displace the needle or bottle such that the needle penetrates the septum and fluid exits into the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: SENTINEL MONITORING SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Terry D. Long, Steven J. Blomquist
  • Patent number: 10416048
    Abstract: A collecting apparatus comprises: a housing which is long and includes a housing space capable of housing a collecting member, the housing having formed therein an inflow port and an outflow port; a gas flow generator that generates a gas flow within the housing space; and a holding portion that holds the collecting member in a position that the gas flow flows, the inflow port being formed on a more upstream side than the collecting member held by the holding portion, and the outflow port being formed on a more downstream side than the collecting member held by the holding portion, and the outflow port opening toward the downstream side such that air that has flowed out from the outflow port flows along a housing outer surface on a more downstream side than the outflow port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignees: Sibata Scientific Technology Ltd., Veritas System Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Shibata, Yoshihiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10416049
    Abstract: This application relates generally to a method and apparatus to deposit particles onto one or more coupons, and harvest particles from one or more coupons, which may beneficially provide a more uniform or localized distribution of particles over a specified area on each coupon. The application relates to a method and apparatus for depositing particles onto one or more coupons using a sieve. The application also relates to a method and apparatus for depositing particles onto one or more coupons using a dust storm. The particle loadings achieved on each coupon or across an individual coupon may be substantially uniform. The application further relates to a laser-based method and apparatus for transferring particles deposited at localized points on a source coupon to a different substrate for further use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Robert Furstenberg, Thomas Fischer, Viet K. Nguyen, R Andrew McGill, Chris Kendziora, Michael Papantonakis
  • Patent number: 10416050
    Abstract: A liquid sample drying device, dried sample test piece and the preparation method for the dried sample test piece are provided. The liquid sample drying device includes two substrates, at least one spacer and a clamping member. Each of the two substrates includes a surface. The two surfaces face each other. The at least one spacer is located in between the substrates so as to form a sample region between the surfaces for receiving a liquid sample. The clamping member touches the two substrates so as to temporarily clamp and fix the two substrates and the at least one spacer together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Materials Analysis Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Lin-Ai Tai, Yu-Ching Chen, Chih-Jung Sun, Pin Chang
  • Patent number: 10416051
    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 at 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: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: DAKO DENMARK A/S
    Inventors: Tim Svenstrup Poulsen, Steen Hauge Matthiesen
  • Patent number: 10416052
    Abstract: An automated in situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining method and apparatus for treating a plurality of microscope slides. The process of heat induced antigen recovery and the process of staining the biological sample on the microscope slide are conducted in the same apparatus, wherein the microscope slides do not need to be physically removed from one apparatus to another. Each treatment step occurs within the same reaction compartment. The reaction conditions of each reaction compartment for treating a slide can preferably be controlled independently, including the individualized application of reagents to each slide and the individualized treatment of each slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Inventor: Lee H. Angros
  • Patent number: 10416053
    Abstract: Test fixture grips for testing quasibrittle materials, such as fiber-polymer composites are provided having increased mass and stiffness relative to standard test grips to provide for obtaining postpeak measurements. The design is based on static analysis (using the second law of thermodynamics), confirmed by dynamic analysis of the test setup as an open system. Dynamic analysis of the test setup as a closed system with PID controlled input further indicates that the controllability of postpeak softening under CMOD control is improved not only by increasing the grip stiffness but also by increasing the grip mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Marco Salviato, Viet T. Chau, Weixin Li, Zden{hacek over (e)}k P Ba{hacek over (z)}ant, Gianluca Cusatis
  • Patent number: 10416054
    Abstract: System and method of determining an amount of an analyte in a blood sample using a cartridge and blood collector are disclosed. The blood collector has a mounting surface, a capillary structure with a curved portion, and a capillary inlet. The cartridge has a receiving surface, a cartridge inlet, a microfluidic structure, and a measurement structure. The method includes placing the blood sample into the capillary inlet; attaching the mounting surface to the receiving surface; rotating the cartridge about a rotational axis to transport the blood sample from the capillary structure to the cartridge inlet and into the microfluidic structure; controlling the rotation of the cartridge to process the blood sample into the processed sample using the microfluidic structure; controlling the rotation of the cartridge to transfer the processed sample to the measurement structure; and measuring the amount of the analyte using the measurement structure and a measurement system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Boehm, Thorsten Brueckner, Sascha Lutz, Bruntje Esrom, Michael Herbel
  • Patent number: 10416055
    Abstract: An improved measurement method and a corresponding measurement device are provided that measure the edge strength of plate-shaped elements made of brittle-fracture material. For this purpose, a long sample is drawn apart at the short edges, wherein the force transmission points lie next to the center of gravity of the base surface of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Markus Heiss-Chouquet, Kurt Nattermann, Clemens Ottermann
  • Patent number: 10416056
    Abstract: A wear prognosis method and a maintenance method for an earth working machine are disclosed, along with an apparatus for performing the method. Provision is made that the current wear state of one or more earth working tools is sensed. The residual wear capacity until the wear limit is reached is then ascertained from the current wear state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Sven Paulsen, Stefan Wagner, Cyrus Barimani
  • Patent number: 10416057
    Abstract: The use of recycled materials can have significant economic value. With the increasing quantity of recycled material used in viscoelastic materials, especially asphalt mixture, understanding how they interact with original materials to produce a mixture that performs successfully, becomes critical. Currently, the technology to determine the effect of additives on the performance of asphalt mixture is lacking. The present invention relates to a new unified methodology for mechanical testing of asphalt mixture and other viscoelastic materials that improves the current practice in speed, convenience, and accuracy. A new improved specimen mounting method on Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR), a new recovery method for fine portion of asphalt mixture, and three new tests for the performance of recovered material using DSR is disclosed. The new methods provide performance grading of asphalt mixtures that is new to the industry and provide necessary tools for determining the effect of recycled materials on performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Inventor: Alaeddin Mohseni
  • Patent number: 10416058
    Abstract: The present application relates generally to moving die rheometers, and more particularly to moving die rheometers that employ a variable eccentric cam. In one aspect, the eccentricity produced by the cam may be adjusted using shims of different thickness to alter the position of the post on the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: ALPHA TECHNOLOGIES SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Keith Buzek, Matthew S. McMaster, Michael R. Stoller
  • Patent number: 10416059
    Abstract: A high pressure high temperature spinning drop tensiometer is capable of measuring interfacial tension under varied pressure and temperature conditions, which simulates those present in real petroleum reservoir. Measuring interfacial tension under real petroleum reservoir condition enables a selection of surfactants and other materials for adjusting the interfacial tension to be desired value for optimizing the enhanced oil recovery. The present invention mainly includes a pressure vessel comprising a pair of sight glasses. Two immiscible sample fluids are contained in a glass tube, which is carried by a tube holder rotated by a motor. A microscope and a light source sit on each side of sight glasses for analyzing the drop shape of the sample fluids under varied pressure and temperature conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Inventor: Hongfeng Bi
  • Patent number: 10416060
    Abstract: A system for calculating the volume of a plurality of particles is disclosed. The system includes three optical assemblies, each with a light source directing a beam of light of a wavelength along an optical axis at a specimen chamber, a filter positioned along the optical path after the chamber, and a sensor positioned along the optical path after the filter. The wavelength of each beam of light is different from the other wavelengths, and each optical axis is orthogonal to the other optical axes. A processor is connected to the sensors in each of the optical assemblies, and the processors perform the following steps: (a) capture an image from each of the three sensors; (b) based on the images, calibrate each sensor; (c) after calibration, capture an image from each of the three sensors; and (d) determine a volume of the plurality of particles, based on the images captured in step (c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: HORIBA INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jan J. Tatarkiewicz, Miroslav Pejcinovic
  • Patent number: 10416061
    Abstract: In at least one implementation, a blank washer inspection process includes the steps of: applying at least one test particle to a blank; washing the blank having the test particle thereon; inspecting the blank after it has been washed to identify any test particle on the blank; and comparing any test particle identified in the inspection step to a threshold. The threshold may relate to a control property of the test particle. In at least some implementations, the control property is the size of the particle and a maximum size may be set as a threshold. Other control properties may be used. Further the test particles may include detection properties to facilitate identifying test particles and distinguishing among test particles in different groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Inventors: Michael W LeFevere, Raymond Slowik
  • Patent number: 10416062
    Abstract: A soot sensor includes a soot sensor including a first element on a first surface of the soot sensor. A soot sensing system may include a soot sensor and circuitry electrically coupled to the first element of the soot sensor. The circuitry is configured to determine an amount of soot accumulated on the first element and to control heating of the first element in response to the soot accumulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Stoneridge, Inc.
    Inventors: Kayvan Hedayat, John Hart, Eric Matson, Mark Wilson, Norman Poirier
  • Patent number: 10416063
    Abstract: A method for characterizing wettability of a porous medium is described. A core sample of the porous medium is secured in a core holder, which includes a first end and a second end. A model of the core sample and a pore volume of the core sample are obtained. A wetting phase is displaced from the core sample by supplying a non-wetting phase at one end of the core holder. The non-wetting phase is displaced from the core sample by supplying the wetting phase at one end of the core holder. A saturation profile of the core sample is determined based on cross-sectional images of the core sample. A wettability index value is calculated at least based on a comparison of the saturation profile and the model of the core sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jun Gao, Ahmad Mubarak Al-Harbi, Hyung Tae Kwak
  • Patent number: 10416064
    Abstract: Methods and systems disclosed here include conducting two pressure-dependent permeability tests having the same range of effective stress but two different values of pore pressure. For the test with the higher pore pressure, the permeability is only impacted by the mechanical deformation of the rock, while for the one with lower pore pressure the permeability is impacted by both mechanical deformation of the rock and the Knudsen diffusion. By using the same range of effective stress, the contribution from the mechanical deformation of the rock should be the same. Therefore, by subtracting the permeability with higher pore pressure from the one with lower pore pressure, the impact of Knudsen diffusion and the mechanical deformation of the rock can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Huangye Chen, Hui-Hai Liu, Jilin Jay Zhang
  • Patent number: 10416065
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a device for the analysis of a particle comprising an analysis chamber adapted to contain a positioning fluid. A parameter of the particle suspended in the positioning fluid is detected by means of a detection and control unit. A positioning unit, during a particle analysis operation, is activated and deactivated on the basis of the detected parameter of the particle. The detection and control unit can activate the at least one positioning unit so as to generate a temporary positioning flow in the positioning fluid, such that said temporary positioning flow acts directly on the particle and drives the position of the particle so as to move it into a predefined position in the analysis chamber. The detection and control unit can also deactivate the at least one positioning unit when the particle to be analyzed is in the predefined position, such that the positioning fluid is at rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: CELLDYNAMICS I.S.R.L.
    Inventors: Daniele Gazzola, Simone Pasqua, Emanuele Centurioni
  • Patent number: 10416066
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method to electrically detect exosomes in a suspension medium, and identify whether the exosomes were released from diseased or healthy cells. The core principle of the method is that, when exosomes originating from diseased or healthy cells are polarized electrically, measurements can be conducted to identify unique and specific electrical capacitance signature, which can be used to characterize the exosomes and identify the cell types they originated from.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED ARAB EMIRATES UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mahmoud Al Ahmad, Gulfaraz Khan
  • Patent number: 10416067
    Abstract: A method for detecting a separation gas in a fluid flow stream is provided herein. In one example, a voltage output signal is generated by a scatter detector of a flow cytometer as a flow stream of a plurality of gas-separated samples passes through the flow cytometer. The voltage output signal is sampled, and a timestamp and a voltage value are recorded for each sampled voltage of the voltage output signal that is greater than a separation gap threshold. In some examples the separation gap threshold is at least two times greater than a maximum voltage output of the samples. Flow cytometry systems including software configured to perform these method steps are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Essen Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Bryce Kennington
  • Patent number: 10416068
    Abstract: A quantitative optical microscopy arrangement is described. Specifically, a digital filter derived from linear discriminant analysis is described for recovering impulse responses in applications that may include photon counting from a high speed photodetector and applied to remove ringing distortions from impedance mismatch in multiphoton fluorescence microscopy. Training of the digital filter is achieved by defining temporally coincident and non-coincident transients and identifying the projection within filter-space that best separates the two classes. The training allows rapid data analysis by digital filtering. The LDA filter is also capable of recovering deconvolved impulses for single photon counting from highly distorted ringing waveforms from an impedance mismatched photomultiplier tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Garth Jason Simpson, Ryan Douglas Muir, Shane Zachary Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10416069
    Abstract: A particle counter provided with: a detector configured to receive interference light by scattered light and reference light with a light receiving element, and generate a detection signal corresponding to the interference light; a filter configured to perform, with respect to the detection signal generated by the detector, a filtering process for passing a frequency component corresponding to an intensity change of the interference light; a determination unit configured to determine, from a peak level of the detection signal before filtering and a peak level of the detection signal after filtering, whether the detection signal is due to a particle; and a counting unit configured to perform, if it is determined by the determination unit that the detection signal is due to the particle, particle counting based on the detection signal after filtering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: RION Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Saitou, Masaki Shimmura, Tomonobu Matsuda, Yuki Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 10416070
    Abstract: A cell capture system including an array, an inlet manifold, and an outlet manifold. The array includes a plurality of parallel pores, each pore including a chamber and a pore channel, an inlet channel fluidly connected to the chambers of the pores; an outlet channel fluidly connected to the pore channels of the pores. The inlet manifold is fluidly connected to the inlet channel, and the outlet channel is fluidly connected to the outlet channel. A cell removal tool is also disclosed, wherein the cell removal tool is configured to remove a captured cell from a pore chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Celsee Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kalyan Handique
  • Patent number: 10416071
    Abstract: A corrosion detection circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an insulating board; a test chip having a corrodible metal, mounted on the surface of the insulating board; a plurality of resistors each having a higher resistance value than the test chip after a change due to an environment including contact with the test chip and the adhesion of dust to the test chip; and a voltage detection circuit for detecting the output voltage of a divided voltage output point, when a voltage is applied to the test chip and a voltage dividing circuit using the plurality of resistors. The voltage detection circuit detects a break in the test chip by corrosion based on a variation in the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norihiro Chou, Kiichi Inaba
  • Patent number: 10416072
    Abstract: A probe for an IR or UV sensor comprising a light emitter and detector is described comprising a lens. The detector detects the spectrums of the emitted light after it has passed a gas to be measured. The sensor of the present invention is especially suitable for such as harsh or aggressive environments measuring the exhaust gasses, for example in ships, vehicles, chimneys etc., and comprises purge gas protections for delicate optical parts to prevent particles etc. from the exhaust gas depositing on the optics. The sensor further has a flow of sample gas from the gas to be measured being adapted to prevent the purge gas from inferring with the measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Danfoss IXA A/S
    Inventors: Allan Skouboe, Jesper Høyer, Carsten Moberg