Fault Testing Of Sensor Or Component Patents (Class 204/401)
  • Patent number: 11549908
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a one-piece structure for a solid electrolyte chemical sensor (SECS) having a first surface defining a cavity (210, 305, 415) designed to receive a substrate (215, 350, 410) that retains a solid electrolyte (365, 440), an internal water impermeable coating (425) on at least a portion of the first surface, a second surface that is substantially coplanar with an adjacent peripheral edge of a top surface of the substrate (215, 350, 410) when the substrate (215, 350, 410) is received in the cavity (210, 305, 415), and a plurality of electrical contacts (335, 340, 345, 450a-450b) disposed on the second surface adapted to electrically couple with the electrodes (435a-435c) on the substrate (215, 350, 410) when the substrate (215, 350, 410) is received in the cavity (210, 305, 415) and electrical paths are provided between respective electrical contacts (335, 340, 345, 450a-450b) and electrodes (435a-435c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Lei Xiao, Feng Liang, Jianming Jin, Guoqiang Ni, Qinghui Mu, Sam Su
  • Patent number: 11506515
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control unit (6) for evaluating the sensor signal of a sensor (2), comprising at least one first sensor connection (21) and a second sensor connection (22) for connecting the sensor (2), wherein the second sensor connection (22) is connected to a short-circuit protection circuit (23), which is arranged between the second sensor connection (22) and a grounding (3), and which comprises a switchable transistor (7), by way of which the grounding (3) of the second sensor connection (22) can be interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Tim Bruckhaus
  • Patent number: 11278223
    Abstract: Briefly, a carbon working electrode is described that has a plastic substrate of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, or polylactic acid, and may be formed into an elongated wire. The carbon material coats the plastic substrate, and may be, for example, graphene, diamagnetic graphite, pyrolytic graphite, pyrolytic carbon, carbon black, carbon paste, or carbon ink, which is aqueously dispersed in an elastomeric material such as polyurethane, silicone, acrylates or acrylics. Optionally, selected additives may be added to the carbon compound prior to it being layered onto the plastic substrate. These additives may, for example, improve electrical conductivity or sensitivity, or act as a catalyst for target analyte molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Zense-Life Inc.
    Inventor: Robert James Boock
  • Patent number: 11280754
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a measuring probe for electrochemical measurements, including a probe housing having a first cavity to hold a first electrolyte, a first electrode disposed in the first cavity and contacting the first electrolyte, a first junction disposed in a wall of the probe housing, the junction at least temporarily connecting the first cavity with an environment of the measuring probe, a second cavity formed in the probe housing to hold a second electrolyte, a second electrode disposed in the second cavity and contacting the second electrolyte, and a second junction having reversible open and closed states, in which in the closed state the second junction separates the first cavity and the second cavity and in the open state connects the second cavity to the first cavity, thereby enabling a current flow between the first electrolyte and the second electrolyte, mediated via ions as charge carriers therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER CONDUCTA GMBH+CO. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Wilhelm, Torsten Pechstein
  • Patent number: 11280755
    Abstract: An example device includes a processor to connect to an electrode disposed within a microfluidic volume and to connect a second electrode that includes a surface of silver metal disposed within the microfluidic volume. The processor is to apply an electrical potential between the electrode and the second electrode when the microfluidic volume contains a fluid that contains chloride ions to form a layer of silver chloride on the surface of the second electrode. The processor is further to cease application of the electrical potential and operate the second electrode as a reference electrode in a measurement process performed within the microfluidic volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Sarah Gish, Tod Woodford, Alexander Govyadinov
  • Patent number: 11259747
    Abstract: The disclosure features adaptive sleeves that include a sensor, an electronic processor connected to the sensor, an adjustable voltage source connected to the electronic processor, and a sleeve formed of a fabric material and including one or more deformable elements attached to or embedded within the fabric material and connected to the adjustable voltage source, where during operation of the adaptive sleeve, the electronic processor is configured to apply a force to a portion of a body of a sleeve wearer in proximity to a contracted muscle in the wearer's body by receiving an input electrical signal from the sensor, and adjusting the voltage source to apply an output electrical signal to the one or more deformable elements, the output electrical signal having a magnitude that is correlated with a magnitude of the input electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventor: James A. Magnasco
  • Patent number: 11215579
    Abstract: A method for cleaning, conditioning, calibration, adjustment and conditioning of an amperometric sensor of a measuring device includes generating a conditioning agent in the measuring device, wherein either an oxidising agent which is reduced at the working electrode or a reducing agent which is oxidised at the working electrode is used as conditioning agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: ProMinent GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Koppert, Holger Schopf, Thomas Winkler
  • Patent number: 11174806
    Abstract: A method of operating an oxygen sensor system is provided where the system includes an oxygen sensor, the oxygen sensor including a pump cell, and wherein the oxygen sensor is connected to associated circuitry such that the associated circuitry controls operation of the pump cell. The pump cell includes a pump line connected to a pump electrode of the pump cell and a return line connected to a return electrode of the pump cell. The method includes, subsequent to a diagnostic process, raising the potential of the pump line for a predetermined period of time by injecting current onto the pump line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Inventors: Mark W. Gose, Jerry W. Campbell, Eugene V. Ripley, Marc R. Engelhardt, Jingyi Hou
  • Patent number: 11002703
    Abstract: The disclosure includes an electrochemical half-cell including: a housing; a potential sensing element at least arranged on some segments inside the housing and connected electro-conductively with an electrical contact point outside the housing; and an electrolyte arranged inside the housing, wherein a plurality of hollow bodies is embedded in the electrolyte, especially distributed evenly inside the volume filled by the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Hanko, Magdalena Losik, Jens Vettermann
  • Patent number: 10995647
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an exhaust analysis circuit and a sensor diagnostics circuit. The exhaust analysis circuit is structured to interpret first oxygen data acquired by a first sensor indicative of a first amount of oxygen in an exhaust flow at a first location along an exhaust aftertreatment system, and interpret second oxygen data acquired by a second sensor indicative of a second amount of oxygen in the exhaust flow at a second location along the exhaust aftertreatment system. The sensor diagnostic circuit is structured to determine at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor are faulty based on the first amount of oxygen and the second amount of oxygen differing more than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam W. Kidd, Michael Haas
  • Patent number: 10968853
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for learning fuel injector error for cylinder groups during a deceleration fuel shut-off (DFSO), where all cylinders of an engine are deactivated, sequentially firing each cylinder of a cylinder group, each cylinder fueled via consecutive first and second fuel pulses of differing fuel pulse width from an injector. Based on a lambda deviation between the first and second pulses, a fuel error for the injector and an air-fuel ratio imbalance for each cylinder is learned. Alternatively or additionally, a difference in crankshaft acceleration between the first and second pulses relative to the expected deviation may be used to learn torque error, and adjust fuel injector error and air-ratio imbalance for each cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Imad Hassan Makki, Adithya Pravarun Re Ranga, Hassene Jammoussi, Robert Roy Jentz, Michael Igor Kluzner, Stephen B. Smith
  • Patent number: 10925315
    Abstract: An electrically operated aerosol-generating system configured to detect an adverse conditions, such as a dry heater or an unauthorized type of heater, is provided, including an electric heater including at least one heating element configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate, a power supply, and electric circuitry connected to the electric heater and to the power supply and comprising a memory, the electric circuitry being configured to determine the adverse condition when a ratio between an initial electrical resistance of the electric heater and a change in electrical resistance from the initial resistance is greater than a maximum threshold value stored in the memory or is less than a minimum threshold value stored in the memory, and to limit power supplied to the electric heater, or to provide an indication to a user, if there is the adverse condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Stephane Bilat
  • Patent number: 10928339
    Abstract: The present invention provides a catalytic conversion-type sensor that detects a detection target gas by detecting a conversion gas produced through a reaction, the catalytic conversion-type sensor including: a gas flow path that allows the detection target gas to flow down; and a conversion portion that is connected to the gas flow path, the conversion portion including, on a side partitioned by a diffusion means that allows the detection target gas to naturally diffuse, a heated catalyst portion that produces a conversion gas by causing the detection target gas to come into contact with a heated catalyst and react with the heated catalyst, and a sensor element portion that is capable of detecting the conversion gas produced through the reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: NEW COSMOS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Maekawa, Chise Minagoshi, Kenji Ishibashi, Hiroshi Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 10920702
    Abstract: A method for operating an electrostatic soot sensor by a voltage supply, having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a guard electrode that are electrically insulated from one another. A first electrical potential is applied to the first electrode, and a second electrical potential is applied to the second electrode by the voltage supply, such that a voltage arises between the first and the second electrode. A guard potential is applied to the guard electrode. The measuring current flowing between the first the second electrode is measured with a current-measuring element. In order to determine readiness of the electrostatic soot sensor and with which measuring errors caused by leakage currents can be compensated, to measure leakage currents the first electrode is disconnected from the first electrical potential, and the leakage current flowing between the guard electrode and the second electrode is measured with the current-measuring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventor: Hong Zhang
  • Patent number: 10920259
    Abstract: An improved disposable electrochemical test sensor designed to facilitate reducing volume of fluid samples. It has a short fluid chamber having two electrodes that functions as three electrodes (one working electrode, one reference electrode and one blank electrode). The chamber provides a reservoir from which a sample fluid can be quickly drawn into the chamber through capillary action. The novel potential reverse and curve-fitting technology of the test sensor provided by the present invention can effectively eliminate most common interferents existing in the fluid samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Changsha Sinocare Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaohua Cai, Liang Shen, Limingxuan Xu, Pengshu Wang, Qiang Zou, Chen Xiao, Yuehui Li
  • Patent number: 10900929
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for measuring the pH of an effluent, said device comprising means for measuring an item of information representative of the pH of said effluent intended to be brought into contact with said effluent. According to the invention, such a device further comprises means for modifying the pH value of said effluent close to said means for measuring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Veolia EAU—Compagnie Generale Des Eaux
    Inventors: Yves De Coulon, Carine Beriet, Cyrille Lemoine
  • Patent number: 10890552
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes a pump cell unit that regulates the oxygen concentration of a measured gas using a pump electrode, a monitor cell unit that detects the residual oxygen concentration of the measured gas using a monitor electrode, and a sensor cell unit that detects the concentration of a specific gas component in the measured gas using a sensor electrode. Between a pump electrode lead part and the sensor electrode, there is arranged the monitor electrode. Between an upstream portion of the pump electrode lead part and a monitor electrode lead part, there is provided an interval w1 of 0.5 mm or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keigo Mizutani, Keisuke Mizutani, Mitsunobu Nakato, Takashi Araki
  • Patent number: 10718736
    Abstract: The operation of a measuring probe used for measuring at least one property of a process material is monitored or determined while the measuring probe is in use. The measured property can be a pH measurement, or a CO2 or oxygen concentration of the process material. The measuring probe has an electrode with a sensing element. When the sensing element is in contact with the process material, the electrode delivers a measurement signal to the measurement signal circuit, where the electrode voltage is related to the measured property. The signal-processing unit determines a measurement quantity of the measured property using the measurement signal. When a test signal is delivered by the signal source to the test signal circuit during a verification phase, a coupling element ensures galvanic isolation between the measurement signal circuit and the test signal circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventor: Daniel Jungo
  • Patent number: 10677748
    Abstract: An analyte meter to detect an analyte concentration level in a bio-fluid sample may be cleaned and disinfected with a cleaning liquid without harming electrical and internal meter components. In some embodiments, the analyte meter is washable and immersable and may include a sealed sensor connector, sealed battery connector, and possibly a sealed USB connector that may be subjected to a cleaning liquid without the liquid entering an internal chamber of the analyte meter and contacting internal electronic components. In some embodiments, a sealed display screen and sealed keypad are provided such that liquids are prevented from entering the internal chamber. Manufacturing methods and systems utilizing the analyte sensors are provided, as are numerous other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG
    Inventors: Eugene Prais, David Huang, James A. Johnson, Igor Y. Gofman, Jun Chen
  • Patent number: 10605758
    Abstract: A method and device are provided for measuring a level of a clinically relevant analyte (such as glucose) in a fluid (such as blood). The device includes a flow path for conducting said fluid through the device; a detection chamber arranged on said flow path; and detector means arranged to detect analyte levels in the fluid in said chamber, wherein: said detection chamber contains a predetermined amount of an analyte such that that analyte mixes with fluid in the detection chamber to form, at the detector means, a calibration sample of the fluid at a time after the arrival of the fluid in said detection chamber, and said detector means is arranged to detect a first analyte level of an unadulterated sample of the fluid at a first time which is before the formation of said calibration sample and to detect a second analyte level of said calibration sample at a second time which is after the formation of said calibration sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: PA Knowledge Limited
    Inventors: Michael Noble, Craig Nelson, Mark Humphries, Carys Lloyd, David Edington, John Rippeth
  • Patent number: 10316780
    Abstract: A controller of an air-fuel-ratio sensor includes a control unit, a voltage-abnormality detecting unit, and a short-circuit-abnormality detecting unit. The control unit controls a current and a voltage of a gas sensor element through a plurality of terminals connected with the gas sensor element. The voltage-abnormality detecting unit changes, when at least one of voltages of the plurality of terminals is out of a predetermined range, a voltage level of an output voltage. The short-circuit-abnormality detecting unit causes, when the voltage level of the output voltage changes from a first voltage into a second voltage, a control unit to perform for a predetermined time a protective operation that suppresses currents from the control unit to the plurality of terminals, and detects, when the voltage level of the output voltage is the second voltage after the protective operation is released, a short-circuit abnormality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignees: FUJITSU TEN LIMITED, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masatoshi Watanabe, Shigeto Umeyama, Motoki Komiya, Keisuke Kido, Chiharu Morisaki, Hiroto Miura
  • Patent number: 10250409
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer programs products for a reconfigurable data distribution system are described herein. An embodiment includes a stream generator that receives analog data from a plurality of sensors. Data received from sensors, for example, may include video data received from an externally mounted camera on an armored vehicle. The stream generator converts analog data received from the sensors into a digital format that can be transmitted to a router. The router forwards the data in the digital format to a display processor. The display processor formats the data received from the router for display on a display device. The display processor may also receive data from other peripherals, including but not limited to, a touch screen device or a keypad. Furthermore, the display processor may communicate with the sensors and includes all operational information needed to operate the sensors that provide data to the stream generator, regardless of the sensors' operational platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Synexxus, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Emil Glaros, Nandita Mangal
  • Patent number: 10234417
    Abstract: A method of operating a sensor to detect an analyte in an environment, wherein the sensor includes a working electrode and circuitry in operative connection with the working electrode, includes performing a sensor interrogation cycle including applying electrical energy to the working electrode to generate a non-faradaic current, measuring a response to the generation of the non-faradaic current to determine a state of the sensor, and actively controlling the circuitry to dissipate the non-faradaic current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: MSA Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Keith Davis, Michael Alvin Brown, Jerin Miller, Ryan Alan Sherry
  • Patent number: 10229583
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using multi-criteria state machines to manage alarming states and pre-alarming states of a hazard detection system are described herein. The multi-criteria state machines can include one or more sensor state machines that can control the alarming states and one or more system state machines that can control the pre-alarming states. Each state machine can transition among any one of its states based on sensor data values, hush events, and transition conditions. The transition conditions can define how a state machine transitions from one state to another. The hazard detection system can use a dual processor arrangement to execute the multi-criteria state machines according to various embodiments. The dual processor arrangement can enable the hazard detection system to manage the alarming and pre-alarming states in a manner that promotes minimal power usage while simultaneously promoting reliability in hazard detection and alarming functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, Jeffrey Lee
  • Patent number: 10188326
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein includes sensors having three dimensional configurations that allow expansive “360°” sensing (i.e. sensing analyte from multiple directions) in the environments in which such sensors are disposed. Embodiments of the invention provide analyte sensors having foldable substrates adapted to produce optimized configurations of electrode elements as well as methods for making and using such sensors. Typical embodiments of the invention include glucose sensors used in the management of diabetes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Megan E. Little, Katherine T. Wolfe, Raghavendhar Gautham, Bradley C. Liang, Rajiv Shah
  • Patent number: 10094798
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of measuring and to electrochemical measurement, and more particularly to a reference electrode and to an arrangement for an electrochemical measurement. A reference electrode (13) for an electrochemical measurement according to the present invention comprises an inner reference element (14), which inner reference element (14) has been embedded into a solid electrochemically active composite material (15). An arrangement (16) for an electrochemical measurement comprises an inner reference element (17) and at least one indicator electrode (19), (20), which inner reference element (17) and the at least one indicator electrode (19), (20) have been embedded into a solid electrochemically active composite material (18). The solution according to the present invention may be utilized in any kind of electrochemical measurement in the fields of e.g. clinical analysis, environmental analysis and industrial analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Abo Akademi University
    Inventors: Tomasz Sokalski, Andrzej Lewenstam, Zekra Mousavi, Kim Granholm
  • Patent number: 10082480
    Abstract: A gas concentration detection device for detecting a gas concentration using a limiting current type gas concentration sensor. In an application voltage line set to pass through a plurality of limiting current regions for different values of gas concentration, a ratio for lean is set as a ratio of change in current with respect to a change in voltage when an air/fuel ratio corresponding to the gas concentration is lean, and a ratio of rich different from the ratio for lean is set when the air/fuel ratio is rich.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoru Abe, Tomonori Uemura, Tetsuya Ito, Satoshi Teramoto
  • Patent number: 10082482
    Abstract: A sensor element of an A/F sensor AS has a solid electrolyte layer, a first electrode arranged on one side of the solid electrolyte layer so as to be exposed to the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, and a second electrode arranged on the other side of the solid electrolyte layer so as to face an atmospheric air chamber. The sensor element generates a sensor output according to the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas. A microcomputer supplies oxygen to the first electrode side from the second electrode side via the solid electrolyte layer by applying a predetermined voltage between the pair of electrodes of the sensor element. Moreover, the microcomputer determines a crack abnormality of the solid electrolyte layer based on electric current between the pair of electrodes which is generated with start of the oxygen supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuhide Akimoto, Shuuichi Nakano, Yushi Fukuda, Tomofumi Fujii, Takahito Masuko, Toshihide Kumazaki
  • Patent number: 10054564
    Abstract: Systems and methods of fast power up for electrochemical sensors are provided. A system can include an electrochemical sensor, and a potentiostat circuit, wherein, upon startup, the potentiostat circuit drives the electrochemical sensor to the electrochemical sensor's normal operating condition at a rate that is not limited by voltage and/or current supply. A method can include a potentiostat circuit driving an electrochemical sensor to the electrochemical sensor's normal operating condition at a rate that is not limited by voltage and/or current supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Life Safety Distribution AG
    Inventors: Keith Francis Edwin Pratt, Ali Hosseinmardi
  • Patent number: 9927413
    Abstract: Diagnostic processes for determining whether a NOx sensor is in a stuck-in-range failure mode may be performed when the NOx sensor reaches an operational temperature and before the oxygen pumps of the NOx sensor are activated and/or during operation. The processes may include interpreting values of a parameter indicative an amount of O2 and/or NOx measured by the NOx sensor. The processes include determining if the values of the parameter exceed a threshold value and indicating a failure of the NOx sensor responsive to the values not exceeding the threshold value. In some implementations, the processes may include increasing an amount of O2 in a chamber of the NOx sensor. Increasing the amount of O2 in the chamber of the NOx sensor may include deactivating an oxygen pump of the NOx sensor or reducing an amount of O2 removed via an oxygen pump of the NOx sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: CUMMINS EMISSION SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jinqian Gong, Sergio Manuel Hernandez-Gonzalez, Ruqiat O. Shifatu-Badru
  • Patent number: 9869656
    Abstract: In an impedance detector, a current application portion applies a first current and a second current, directions of which are opposite to each other, to an element of an oxygen concentration sensor. A detection portion detects a difference between a current application prior voltage and a current application subsequent voltage. The current application prior voltage is a voltage between both of ends of the element before being applied with the first current, and the current application subsequent voltage is a voltage between both of the ends of the element when being applied with the first current. An impedance calculation portion calculates an impedance of the element based on the difference detected by the detection portion and a value of the first current. The current application portion is configured to change a current application time to apply the first current and the second current according to a command provided thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinya Uemura
  • Patent number: 9816125
    Abstract: A test strip, a detecting device, and a detecting method are disclosed. The test strip includes a first specimen path, a first electrode set, a second specimen path, a second electrode set, and a reaction reagent. When the specimen contacts the first electrode set and the second electrode set, a first pulse signal and a second pulse signal are generated for obtaining a flow time of the specimen. When the specimen contacts the reaction reagent, the analyte concentration of the specimen can be obtained, and the concentration of the analyte can be corrected by the flow time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: YSP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tien-Tsai Hsu
  • Patent number: 9759713
    Abstract: A hand-held test meter for use with an electrochemical-based analytical test strip in the determination of an analyte in a bodily fluid sample includes a housing, a micro-controller disposed in the housing, a test strip simulation passive circuit block disposed in the housing, and a strip port connector (“SPC”) configured to operationally receive an electrochemical-based analytical test. The test strip simulation passive circuit block is in electrical communication with the SPC and the SPC is configured in electrical communication with the micro-controller. In addition, the test strip simulation passive circuit block is configured to simulate insertion of an electrochemical-based analytical test strip into the SPC and also to simulate application of a bodily fluid sample to an electrochemical-based analytical test strip inserted into the SPC by presenting one or both of (i) an alternating current (AC) load to SPC; and (ii) a direct current (DC) load to the SPC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: LifeScan Scotland Limited
    Inventor: David Elder
  • Patent number: 9746465
    Abstract: A magnetic bead-based digital microfluidic immunoanalysis device and a method thereof are provided, which includes a lower plate, an upper plate disposed above the lower plate, a separating structure therebetween and a magnet disposed on the upper plate or the lower plate. The lower plate includes a first electrode layer including a plurality of channel electrodes with different sizes. A droplet containing few magnetic beads is adapted to be disposed on the lower plate and corresponding to the channel electrodes. The magnet attracts the magnetic beads to approach to the smaller one of the channel electrodes though a magnetic force, and when a voltage is applied to the first electrode layer, the droplet is divided to a detection portion with the magnetic beads and a waste-liquid portion without the magnetic beads respectively corresponding to the smaller one and the larger one of the channel electrodes through a dual-direction electrowetting-on-dielectric force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: National Chiao Tung University
    Inventors: Wensyang Hsu, Cheng-Yeh Huang, Po-Yen Tsai, Po-Huai Shih, Shih-Kang Fan, Da-Jeng Yao, Cheng-Hsien Liu, Hong-Yuan Huang
  • Patent number: 9719958
    Abstract: A gas sensor controller (100) controls a gas sensor element (10) which has a first pump cell (111), a second pump cell (113), and an oxygen concentration detection cell (112). The controller includes first chamber control means (51) to (53) which pumps oxygen out of or into a first measurement chamber MR1 such that a concentration voltage Vs becomes equal to a target voltage Vr; target voltage changing means S72, S75 which changes the target voltage Vr from a first target voltage Vr1 to a second target voltage Vr2; current detection means (55) which detects the magnitude of a concentration current Ip2 flowing between first electrode (145) and second electrode (147); and deterioration determination means S7 which determines the deterioration state of the gas sensor element from a change which occurs in the concentration current Ip2 due to the change in the target voltage Vr.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiro Yoshida, Kenji Kato, Koji Shiotani
  • Patent number: 9684007
    Abstract: An automated system and method for processing vessels containing biological samples are presented. The system comprises vessel holders, a transport medium for transporting the vessel holders between the components of the system, a work cell for processing, a storage module for empty vessel holders, wherein the storage module is connected to the transport medium, a robotic manipulator for engaging and/or disengaging the vessels with empty vessel holders, an empty vessel holder transfer unit for introducing empty vessel holders into or retrieving them from the storage module, and an empty vessel holder detection unit, including an empty vessel holder detector for discriminating between filled and empty vessel holders as well as a transfer initiator configured to initiate the introduction or re-introduction of an empty vessel holder detected in or on the transport medium into the storage module by the empty vessel holder transfer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Dietmar Reisch, Gottlieb Schacher
  • Patent number: 9625352
    Abstract: A method of determining an air:fuel ratio based on information from an oxygen sensor exposed to exhaust gases of a combustion process, and related systems. A constant current is supplied to an oxygen sensor that has both an n-type sensing circuit and a p-type sensing circuit that share a common electrode. The currents in the respective sensing circuits is determined and a temperature value representative of a temperature of the oxygen sensor is determined. Then, an air:fuel ratio is determined based on the determined currents and the temperature value. The combustion process may then be controlled based on the air:fuel ratio. The air:fuel ratio may be determined, using the same oxygen sensor, across a range of air:fuel values in both the rich and lean regions; as such, the oxygen sensor may act as a wideband oxygen sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: KERDEA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Ken Ervin Fosaaen
  • Patent number: 9606040
    Abstract: A sensor controller is applied to a particulate matter detection sensor that includes an attachment portion to which conductive particulate matter contained in gas is attached, and a pair of opposed electrodes spaced from each other at the attachment portion. The particulate matter detection sensor is adapted to output a detection signal corresponding to a resistance between the pair of opposed electrodes, and the sensor controller is adapted to calculate an amount of attached particulate matter based on a sensor detection value from the particulate matter detection sensor. The sensor controller includes a heater for heating the attachment portion so as to burn and remove the particulate matter attached to the attachment portion, and an abnormality diagnosis portion for obtaining the sensor detection value during a heating of the heater and for performing diagnosis of abnormality of the particulate matter detection sensor based on the obtained sensor detection value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuuki Sakamoto, Mikiyasu Matsuoka, Yuuzou Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9562873
    Abstract: A method of testing a system having at least one electrochemical sensor for detecting an analyte gas within a housing of the system, the housing having an inlet, the at least one electrochemical sensor including an electrically active working electrode in fluid connection with the inlet of the system, the method including biasing the electrically active working electrode at a first potential, to detect the analyte gas and biasing the electrically active working electrode at a second potential, different from the first potential, such that the at least one electrochemical sensor is sensitive to a driving force created in the vicinity of the inlet to test at least one transport path of the system. The method may further include creating the driving force in the vicinity of the inlet of the housing of the system and measuring a response of the electrically active working electrode to the driving force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: MSA Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Towner B. Scheffler, Michael A. Brown
  • Patent number: 9529019
    Abstract: An impedance detector includes a current application portion, a detection portion, a calculation portion and a changing portion. The current application portion applies an impedance detection current for detecting an impedance of an element of an oxygen sensor to the element. The detection portion detects a difference between a current application prior voltage and a current application subsequent voltage of the element. The calculation portion calculates the impedance of the element based on the difference detected by the detection portion and a value of the impedance detection current applied by the current application portion. The current application portion can change the value of the impedance detection current applied to the element. The changing portion determines to change the value of the impedance detection current according to the difference detected by the detection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinya Uemura
  • Patent number: 9493807
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein includes sensors having three dimensional configurations that allow expansive “360°” sensing (i.e. sensing analyte from multiple directions) in the environments in which such sensors are disposed. Embodiments of the invention provide analyte sensors having foldable substrates adapted to produce optimized configurations of electrode elements as well as methods for making and using such sensors. Typical embodiments of the invention include glucose sensors used in the management of diabetes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Megan E. Little, Katherine T. Wolfe, Raghavendhar Gautham, Bradley Chi Liang, Rajiv Shah
  • Patent number: 9442090
    Abstract: An ion sensor apparatus comprises at least one ion sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) device configured to be exposed to a liquid, a reference electrode configured to contact the liquid to which the ISFET device is exposed, and at least one magnet configured to intermittently expose the ISFET device to a magnetic field. A processor is operatively connected to the ISFET device and the reference electrode. The processor modulates the magnetic field to produce a corresponding modulated output in resistance of the ISFET device, and modulation of a reported output value of the ion sensor apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Horkheimer
  • Patent number: 9410922
    Abstract: In a method for adjusting a gas sensor having a hollow chamber connected to a measuring gas chamber and having an electrochemical pump cell electrochemically pumping the gas component into or out of the hollow chamber, at least two pumping-in phases are provided in which the gas component is pumped into the hollow chamber by the electrochemical pump cell, and at least two pumping-out phases are provided in which the gas component is pumped out of the hollow chamber by the electrochemical pump cell. On the basis of at least one feature of the pump current during the pumping-out phases (Mout), at least one piece of information for adjusting the gas sensor is generated. A parameter regarding the pumping-in is predefined differently in the at least two pumping-in phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Hartwig Lehle, Lothar Diehl, Jochen Betten, Moritz Waldorf, Thomas Seiler
  • Patent number: 9388728
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for diagnosing gain rationality of an NOx sensor that is downstream of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst. Sensor diagnostics are performed while maintaining reductant dosing to the SCR catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: CUMMINS EMISSION SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Archana Chandrasekaran, Xiao Lin
  • Patent number: 9354198
    Abstract: A calibration method for blood glucose of blood sample comprises the following steps: applying a first voltage to a blood sample to obtain an original level of blood glucose of the blood sample; applying a second voltage to a blood sample to obtain a hematocrit index of the blood sample; and processing the hematocrit index and calibrating the original level of blood glucose of the blood sample. The absolute value of the first voltage is lower than 1 volt and is not equal to 0 volt. The absolute value of the second voltage is higher than or equal to 1 volt. A sensing current corresponding to the original blood level and the hematocrit index corresponding to blood sample are obtained by applying at least two-stage voltages in the specific range to the blood sample, thereby calibrating the original blood glucose according to the hematocrit index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: DELBio, Inc.
    Inventors: Po-Chin Nien, Cheng-Chuan Chen, Chien-Yu Yin, Chi-Yan Chen
  • Patent number: 9347907
    Abstract: Internally calibrated pH and other analyte sensors based on redox agents provide more accurate results when the redox active reference agent is in a constant chemical environment, yet separated from the solution being analyzed in such a way as to maintain electrical contact with the sample. Room temperature ionic liquids (RTIL) can be used to achieve these results when used as a salt bridge between the reference material and the sample being analyzed. The RTIL provides the constant chemical environment and ionic strength for the redox active material (RAM) and provides an electrolytic layer that limits or eliminates direct chemical interaction with the sample. A broad range of RAMs can be employed in a variety of configurations in such “Analyte Insensitive Electrode” devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Senova Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Duimstra, Lee Leonard, Gregory G. Wildgoose, Eric Lee
  • Patent number: 9329226
    Abstract: A method and a sensor for ascertaining at least one malfunction of a conductive conductivity sensor having at least two electrodes applying a first electrical variable to the electrodes measuring at least a second electrical variable on the electrodes and deciding whether a malfunction is present based on measuring the second electrical variable. The second electrical variable is located in a first range when measuring the medium when no malfunction is present, and the second electrical variable is located in a second range in the case of a first malfunction, especially when the conductivity sensor is located at least partially outside of the medium, and the second electrical variable is located in a third range when a second malfunction is present, especially an electrode break or a break in a line to the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER CONDUCTA GESELLSCHAFT FUR MESS- UND REGELTECHNIK MBH + CO. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Paul, Stephan Buschnakowski, Robert Tzschoppe
  • Patent number: 9297741
    Abstract: A sensor device includes first and second electrodes, a coating film and a functional element. The first electrode includes a first metallic material in which either a first passivation film forms on a surface thereof or the first passivation film present on the surface thereof is lost, in association with changes in the pH of a measurement site. The second electrode includes a second metallic material different from the first metallic material, and is spaced apart from the first electrode. The coating film includes a third metallic material different from the first and second metallic materials. The coating film covers at least the first or second electrode. The functional element is configured to measure a difference in electric potential between the first and second electrodes that changes depending on presence or absence of each of the first passivation film and the coating film in association with the changes in pH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Juri Kato, Takao Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 9234860
    Abstract: A probe system, including: a connector apparatus; a treatment chamber part having at least one treatment medium supply line communicating with the treatment chamber; a measuring head seated so as to be axially shiftable, and a treatment position, wherein the immersion tube, on its connector apparatus-side front end, has a front-end closed, protective cylinder, and is arranged in a section of the immersion tube, so that, in the measuring position of the immersion tube, the measuring head is contactable via perforations with the process medium, and in the treatment position of the immersion tube, is contactable with the treatment medium; and a drive system for axial shifting of the immersion tube, arranged on the end region of the probe system facing away from the connector apparatus. The treatment chamber part is surrounded by a support structure connected with the connector apparatus and with the drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft für Mess- und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Pfauch, Ingrid Wunderlich, René Kundscher
  • Patent number: 9234866
    Abstract: A biosensor with an underfill recognition system assesses whether to analyze a sample for one or more analytes in response to the volume of the sample. The underfill recognition system applies polling and test excitation signals to the sample. The polling signals generate one or more polling output signals, which maybe used to detect when a sample is present and to determine whether the sample has sufficient volume for analysis. The test excitation signal generates one or more test output signals, which may be used to determine one or more analyte concentrations in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Bayer HealthCare LLC
    Inventors: Huan-Ping Wu, Joseph E. Perry, Christine Trippel, Eric Maurer