Having Particular Sensor Means Patents (Class 324/207.13)
  • Patent number: 11149764
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic cylinder comprising a body (1) having a wall (3) that defines a cylindrical cavity (2), with a cylindrical cavity axis (X), in which a piston (4) is movably mounted, said piston (4) separating said cylindrical cavity (2) into two tight chambers (5, 6) that are isolated from each other, the wall (3) of the body comprising at least two passages (7, 8) for introducing or discharging a fluid into each of said two chambers (5, 6). The cylinder also comprises two end walls (17, 18) and a rigid rod (32) which is secured to the piston (4) and coaxial with the cylindrical cavity (2), said rod (32) passing through a passage opening (20) provided in one of the two end walls (17, 18). The cylinder is characterised in that it comprises a position sensor (38) comprising a sensor head (39), a sensor rod (40) which is secured to the sensor head (39) and around which a magnet (41) is fitted, and a connector (42) connected to said sensor head (39).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Hydraulique Production Systems
    Inventor: Jose Rodrigues Da Costa
  • Patent number: 11053795
    Abstract: A compressor having a front housing in which a crank chamber is formed. A cylinder block is coupled to an opposite surface facing the front housing and includes reciprocating pistons in a plurality of cylinder bores. A rear housing is coupled to an opposite surface facing the cylinder block, the rear housing includes a suction chamber and a discharge chamber formed therein. A rotating shaft 400 is inserted via centers of the front housing and the cylinder block, the shaft inserted into a swash plate. A diameter maintenance part is configured to constantly maintain a diameter based on an axis direction of the piston 220. A sensor part is configured to sense a speed and a stroke of the piston in accordance with a change in position of a position determination part positioned on one side of the diameter maintenance part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignees: TE CONNECTIVITY GERMANY GMBH, HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Jung Myung Kwak, Yong Hee Kim, Daniel Domke, Simon Schemer, Peter Kurt Zawadzky
  • Patent number: 11009564
    Abstract: The present application discloses a magnetic sensor, fabrication process of perforated integrated circuit module and the magnetic sensor; the magnetic sensor comprises: a head cover, a shaft sleeve, a hollow rotating shaft, a ring alnico, a magnetic sensitive chip matrix, a printed circuit board, a device for output signal and a bottom case; all of them have a through hole except said device for output signal, said magnetic sensitive chip matrix is soldered on said printed circuit board, said device for output signal connects to said printed circuit board electrically, said printed circuit board is mounted below said hollow rotating shaft, and said head cover is mounted on said bottom case to form a cavity, said device for output signal passes out of said cavity. This magnetic sensor can be penetrated by an external shaft and has a thin thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: SHENZHEN OVA SMART SENSOR TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventor: Shihchiu Kuo
  • Patent number: 10962109
    Abstract: A servo includes a motor having a rotating shaft, an output shaft disposed apart from the rotating shaft, a transmission mechanism to transmit mechanical power from the motor to the output shaft, a circuit board, a first detected member fixed to an end of the rotating shaft, a second detected member fixed to an end of the output shaft adjacent to the circuit board; and a first detecting member and a second detecting member mounted on the circuit board and configured to respectively detect rotational angles of the rotating shaft and the output shaft, based on changes caused by rotation of the first detected member and the second detected member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP LTD
    Inventors: Youjun Xiong, Wenhua Fan, Zhongliang Wang, Hanyu Sun
  • Patent number: 10962071
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic parking brake system and a control method thereof. The electronic parking brake system includes a pair of brake pads arranged on opposite sides of a brake disc, a piston configured to press at least one of the brake pads, a nut member configured to press the piston, a spindle member configured to move the nut member, an electric motor configured to rotate the spindle member, and a controller configured to estimate a wear amount of the brake pads based on change in a movement distance of the nut member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seokhwan Chung
  • Patent number: 10909845
    Abstract: A system and method for performing vehicle-velocity aware image enhancement. Embodiments generally include a video capture module configured to receive image data of the scene being monitored, an image extraction module configured to extract still images from incoming video data, a vehicle detection module that detects the approximate location of a target vehicle in the scene being monitored, a velocity determination module configured to determine the amplitude and direction of a vector that describes the velocity of the target vehicle in image pixel coordinates, and a velocity-aware enhancing module configured to enhance the image(s) of the target vehicle extracted from the video feed based on the vehicle's velocity. Embodiments may also include an infraction detection module configured to detect the occurrence of a violation of traffic law(s) by a target vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Conduent Business Services, LLC
    Inventors: Edgar A. Bernal, Wencheng Wu
  • Patent number: 10866123
    Abstract: A hollow type rotation detecting device has a 2-pole magnet ring and a multi-pole gear, the 2-pole magnet being coaxially fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft end part of a hollow motor shaft that extends coaxially inside a cylindrical cover. In an annular gap between the cylindrical cover and the 2-pole magnet ring and multi-pole gear, rigid boards are arranged with an orientation facing in a tangential direction at prescribed intervals along the circumferential direction. The rigid boards are electrically connected to one another by flexible printed wiring boards. It is possible to obtain a rotation detecting device suitable to be incorporated into the narrow annular gap between a motor house and the shaft end part of the hollow motor shaft in a hollow motor having a large hollow diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Shintaro Ueno, Ryutaro Yamaguchi, Kiyoto Kobayashi, Keisuke Takewaka
  • Patent number: 10852451
    Abstract: A system for interfacing an LC sensor includes a starter configured to selectively start an oscillation of the LC sensor. The system also includes an analog peak detector configured to determine a signal being indicative of a peak voltage of the oscillation of the LC sensor and a detector configured to determine a state of the LC sensor as a function of the signal determined by the analog peak detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Daniele Mangano, Riccardo Condorelli
  • Patent number: 10845439
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry generates positional information related to a positional relationship between a transmitter coil and a receiver coil based on a magnetic resonance signal received from a subject. The processing circuitry adjusts an irradiation intensity of an RF pulse to be irradiated on the subject in accordance with the positional information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Mitsui, Masahiro Fukushima, Satoshi Imai, Miyuki Ota, Sadanori Tomiha
  • Patent number: 10791964
    Abstract: A heart rate monitor includes a magnet supported to move responsive to an arterial pulse and a magnetometer configured to detect changes in a magnetic field produced by the magnet. The magnet can include a plurality of ferromagnetic particles disposed in or on a flexible substrate configured to be held adjacent to human skin subject to arterial palpation and a magnetic sensor configured to sense movement of the ferromagnetic particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: INNOVAURA CORPORATION
    Inventors: C. Macgill Lynde, Alan B. Corwin, Ronald J. Schoenberg, Keith Mullins, David B. Goodson, Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Patent number: 10725199
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a streamer having a total field magnetometer (“TFM”). A streamer includes a plurality of TFMs in proximity with one another and distributed symmetrically about an axis of the streamer. A streamer includes a first subset of TFMs in a streamer section and in proximity with one another; a second subset in the streamer section and in proximity with one another; wherein the first subset is not in proximity with the second subset. A method includes towing a streamer through a body of water, the streamer comprising first and second TFMs; acquiring magnetic data with the first and the second TFMs; and reducing noise in the data based on at least one of: averaging data from the first and the second TFMs; filtering data from the first and the second TFMs; estimating motion of the first TFM; and estimating rotation of the first TFM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Peter Lindqvist, Robert Juhasz, Johan Mattsson
  • Patent number: 10697808
    Abstract: A method for operating a magnetostrictive displacement measuring device, having a wave guide for guiding at least one mechanical wave, at least one damping zone, a magnetic position encoder which is displaceably arranged along a measuring range of the position measuring device and a detection unit, generates the at least one mechanical wave by an excitation signal (IP) having a clock frequency (f1, f2), at least two mechanical waves having respectively different clock frequencies (f1, f2, f) being generated. The clock frequencies can be predetermined such that interfering reflections (R11, R12) occur at different positions (x11, x21, x2) of the measuring range of the displacement measurement device, and during the method of the position encoder, switching between the different clock frequencies (f1, f2, f) takes place, such that the interfering reflections (R11, R12) on the respective different positions (x11, x21, x22) of the measuring range are masked out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Balluff GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Zern, Tobias Rupp, Sándor Páli
  • Patent number: 10687761
    Abstract: Catheterization of the heart is carried out using a framework formed by a plurality of electrically conducting wire loops. The wire loops are modeled as polygons, each subdivided into a plurality of triangles. The wire loops are exposed to magnetic fluxes at respective frequencies, and signals read from the loops. Theoretical magnetic fluxes in the polygons are computed as sums of theoretical magnetic fluxes in the triangles thereof, The location and orientation of the framework in the heart is determined by relating the computed theoretical magnetic fluxes to the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Avram Dan Montag, Meir Bar-Tal
  • Patent number: 10612942
    Abstract: To provide a displacement detection device and a continuously variable transmission that directly detect the position of the movable sheave. A displacement detection device includes a magnet that forms a magnetic field, a movable sheave that is rotated in a rotational direction and displaced in a direction perpendicular to the rotational direction and that is a measuring object having a concave portion (or a protrusion) on the circumferential surface, and a sensor disposed between the magnet and the circumferential surface of the movable sheave and detecting a change in magnetic flux density due to the displacement of the movable sheave in the magnetic field formed by the magnet and induced to the concave portion (or the protrusion).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES SA
    Inventor: Takumi Yoshiya
  • Patent number: 10598513
    Abstract: A method and system for computing the phase shift or the amplitude of an electromagnetic three-phase system. The method comprises the following steps of: detecting vector values corresponding to an electromagnetic quantity by three sensors, the three sensors delivering signals that are offset from each other substantially by 0°, 120° and 240°; computing changed vector values by logically adjusting one of the detected vector values to a phase of 0°; and iteratively computing the phase shift of the three-phase system using the changed vector values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: TDK—Micronas GmbH
    Inventor: Juergen Huppertz
  • Patent number: 10584953
    Abstract: There are arranged a sensor magnet fixed to a rotary shaft and configured to generate a magnetic field for detecting a rotation angle, and a plurality of sensors arranged so as to be opposed to the sensor magnet and each configured to output a sine signal and a cosine signal in accordance with the magnetic field. First and second sensors are arranged on two radial lines different from each other, respectively, out of three radial lines dividing a circumference about the rotary shaft of the sensor magnet into six equal parts. An angle calculation unit is configured to carry out calculation so that 3n-th (n is a natural number) order harmonic components out of odd-order harmonic components of each of the sine signal and the cosine signal output by the first and second sensors cancel one another, to thereby calculate the rotation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Furukawa, Wakaki Miyaji, Yu Kawano
  • Patent number: 10583227
    Abstract: A fluid level sensor assembly for monitoring a fluid level in a fluid collection canister of a medical waste fluid collection system. The fluid level sensor assembly includes a fluid level sensor configured for monitoring the fluid level in the fluid collection canister and a fluid level sensor cover configured for preventing direct contact between the fluid level sensor and a fluid in the fluid collection canister. The fluid level sensor cover includes a polymeric cap and polymeric sheath extending from the cap. The elongate tubular sheath surrounds an elongate probe of the sensor with the cap positioned at a base of a sensor body of the sensor to prevent direct fluid contact with the elongate sensor probe and the sensor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Dornoch Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig B. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10571973
    Abstract: An electronic device can include a first and second portions that are pivotally coupled to each other so that the electronic device can have at least a closed configuration and an open configuration. A magnetic sensor system can be carried by the electronic device to detect the closed configuration so that the electronic device can automatically turn to a mode, such as a sleep mode, when the electronic device is bought to the closed configuration. A magnetic sensor can have a detection axis that targets a horizontal component of a magnetic field. A triggering magnetic element can be laterally offset relative to the magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor can also be a magneto-resistive sensor. The electronic device can also include a second set of magnetic sensor system to confirm when the electronic device is brought to the closed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Chi Xu, Houtan R. Farahani, Richard D. Kosoglow, John C. DiFonzo
  • Patent number: 10545032
    Abstract: An angle sensor includes a first to a fourth detection unit and an angle detection unit. Each of the first to the fourth detection unit generates two detection signals. The first to the fourth detection unit are arranged in a positional relationship that establishes predetermined phase relationships among the detection signals they generate. The angle detection unit performs operations using the detection signals to generate a first and a second signal in which an error component corresponding to a fifth or higher-order harmonic and an error component corresponding to a harmonic of the order other than the fifth order are lower than those in the detection signals. The angle detection unit then calculates a detected angle value on the basis of the first and the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Uchida, Kazuya Watanabe, Hiraku Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 10533880
    Abstract: A position sensor comprises a waveguide of a magnetostrictive material, which extends along a measurement path and which is configured for conducting mechanical pulses triggered by magnetostriction, and a housing for the waveguide. A positioning element is provided which is elastic at least regionally; which is held in the housing while being deformed; and which has a recess which extends along the measurement path and forms a receiver for the waveguide. In the position sensor in accordance with the invention, the recess has a slit which extends along the measurement path; which, viewed in a cross-sectional plane, reaches from a reception section up to a boundary of the positioning element; and which enables a lateral insertion of the waveguide into the reception section. The invention furthermore comprises a method of manufacturing a position sensor in accordance with the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: SICK ATECH GMBH
    Inventor: Saiful Islam Ahmad
  • Patent number: 10527703
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for performing a self-test of a magnetic field sensor using internal diagnostic components for fault detection. The magnetic field sensor includes a magnetic sensing element coupled to a sensor biasing current source and a switching network coupled to the magnetic sensing element. The switching network includes one or more diagnostics switches and one or more signal switches, and the one or more diagnostic switches are coupled to a diagnostic input current source. The switching network is configured to generate a time-multiplexed signal having a magnetic signal responsive to an external magnetic field in a magnetic signal time period and a diagnostic signal in a diagnostic signal time period. The diagnostic signal may be operable to produce an intermediate signal to have a predetermined sequence between a first state and a second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Gerardo A. Monreal, Bruno Luis Uberti, Alejandro G. Milesi, Joseph D. Hollins
  • Patent number: 10508021
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) structure with sacrificial supports to prevent stiction is provided. A first etch is performed into an upper surface of a carrier substrate to form a sacrificial support in a cavity. A thermal oxidation process is performed to oxidize the sacrificial support, and to form an oxide layer lining the upper surface and including the oxidized sacrificial support. A MEMS substrate is bonded to the carrier substrate over the carrier substrate and through the oxide layer. A second etch is performed into the MEMS substrate to form a movable mass overlying the cavity and supported by the oxidized sacrificial support. A third etch is performed into the oxide layer to laterally etch the oxidized sacrificial support and to remove the oxidized sacrificial support. A MEMS structure with anti-stiction bumps is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Yen Chou
  • Patent number: 10475678
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring wafer charges are proposed. A conductive pin, a conductive spring and a conductive line are configured in series to connect the backside surface of the wafer and the sample conductor so that the backside surface of the wafer and the surface of the sample conductor have identical charge density. Hence, by using a static electricity sensor positioned close to the surface of the sample conductor, the charges on the wafer may be monitored. Note that the charges appeared on the frontside surface of the wafer induces charges on the backside surface of the wafer. As usual, the sample conductor is a sheet conductor and properly insulated from the surrounding environment. As usual, the sample conductor and the static electricity sensor are positioned outside the chamber where the wafer is placed and processed, so as to simplify the apparatus inside the chamber and reduce the contamination risk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: ADVANCED ION BEAM TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Chih-Chiang Wu, Chun-Chin Kang, Yu-Ho Ni, Chien-Ta Feng
  • Patent number: 10444916
    Abstract: An sense unit for inductive sensing or capacitive sensing is described. The sense unit may include a first terminal coupled to a first node, a first electrode coupled to the first node, and a second terminal. The sense unit may include a second electrode coupled to the second terminal. In a first mode, a first signal is received at the first terminal and a second signal is output on the second terminal, where the second signal may be representative of a capacitance of the sense unit. The sense unit may include an inductive coil. The sense unit may include a first capacitor. The inductive coil and the first capacitor are coupled in parallel between the first node and ground. In a second mode, a third signal is received at the first terminal and a fourth signal is output on the second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Markus Unseld, Cathal O'Lionaird, Paul Walsh, Oleksandr Hoshtanar
  • Patent number: 10429212
    Abstract: A position sensor comprises a waveguide of magnetostrictive material which extends along a measurement path and which is configured for conducting mechanical pulses triggered by magnetostriction. A transducer at a first end of the waveguide serves for coupling a current pulse into the waveguide and for detecting a mechanical pulse conducted by the waveguide in the direction of the transducer. A damping element of an elastomer material is provided at a second end of the waveguide for damping a mechanical pulse propagating in the direction of the second end, wherein the hardness of the elastomer material increases as the distance from the transducer increases. The invention furthermore relates to a method of manufacturing a damping element of such a position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: SICK ATECH GMBH
    Inventor: Saiful Islam Ahmad
  • Patent number: 10389928
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting and locating a blast, including muzzle flash, created by the launch of a projectile from a gun barrel, rocket tube or similar device, generally associated with weapons fire. The method is used in conjunction with electro-optical imaging sensors and provides the azimuth and elevation from the detecting sensor to the launch location of the blast and also provides the weapon classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
    Inventors: Jeremy B. Brown, John E. Hutchison, III, Jami H. Davis, Joshua K. Gabonia
  • Patent number: 10330501
    Abstract: The invention relates to a counting sensor for counting the number of rotations or of linear displacements of an object, wherein the counting sensor comprises: one single Wiegand module; at least one sensor element; a processing electronic circuit, which is connected to the sensor element; and a permanent magnet arrangement, which is movable relatively to the Wiegand module; wherein the processing electronic circuit is configured to obtain direction information, whether the permanent magnet arrangement moves in said one direction or in an opposite direction, and (ii) to obtain magnetic pole information; and a data storage for storing a value, which indicates the number of the rotations or of the linear displacements; wherein: the processing electronic circuit is configured (i) to determine, on the basis of the direction information and the magnetic pole information, the number of the rotations or of the linear displacements of the object and to store the corresponding value in the data storage, (ii) to per
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte. Limited
    Inventors: Walter Mehnert, Thomas Theil
  • Patent number: 10333588
    Abstract: A system includes a transmitting device and a receiving device. The transmitting device includes a first processor configured to transmit data to a transmitter and the transmitter. The transmitter is configured to transmit the data via a magnetic field. The receiving device includes a magnetometer configured to detect the magnetic field and a second processor configured to decipher the data from the detected magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jon C. Russo, Gregory S. Bruce, David N. Coar, Wilbur Lew, Julie L. Miller
  • Patent number: 10330641
    Abstract: A method for discovering, identifying, and monitoring of mechanical defects in a ferromagnetic underground or underwater structure. A magnetic scanner portable device is used to inspect the ferromagnetic underground structure and identify at least one portion with a magnetic field anomaly. Sets of permanent magnetic scanner sensors to monitor the magnetic field anomaly are placed adjacent to the at least one portion of the underground structure. A calculation unit, coupled to the sets of permanent magnetic scanner sensors is used to collect and process data. A stress-deformed state (SDS) and a risk-factor (RF) of the at least one portion with the magnetic field anomaly is presented on a display unit, which is coupled to the calculation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Inventors: Valerian Goroshevskiy, Svetlana Kamaeva, Igor Kolesnikov, Leonid Ivlev
  • Patent number: 10324572
    Abstract: An sense unit for inductive sensing or capacitive sensing is described. The sense unit may include a first terminal coupled to a first node, a first electrode coupled to the first node, and a second terminal. The sense unit may include a second electrode coupled to the second terminal. In a first mode, a first signal is received at the first terminal and a second signal is output on the second terminal, where the second signal may be representative of a capacitance of the sense unit. The sense unit may include an inductive coil. The sense unit may include a first capacitor. The inductive coil and the first capacitor are coupled in parallel between the first node and ground. In a second mode, a third signal is received at the first terminal and a fourth signal is output on the second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Markus Unseld, Cathal O'Lionaird, Paul Walsh, Oleksandr Hoshtanar
  • Patent number: 10323662
    Abstract: A system, a method, and an apparatus to retain an in-cylinder linear position sensor in a cavity of a housing of a hydraulic cylinder assembly are described. The in-cylinder linear position sensor includes a sensor body that houses circuitry of the in-cylinder linear position sensor, and a sensor cap that extends from an upper surface of the sensor body. The sensor cap has a retention mechanism with a portion that extends radially outward relative to a central vertical axis of the sensor body so as to extend into and engage a wall of an access port of the housing to hold the in-cylinder linear position sensor in the cavity of the housing. The portion of the retention mechanism is configured to move inward from an outer position toward the central vertical axis of the sensor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bradly G. Duffer, Philip A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10310030
    Abstract: A method for recognizing a magnetic object includes holding the object immobile in front of an array of N (where N is >five) tri-axial magnetometers (Mij) linked with no degree of freedom. There is a fixed distance between two consecutive magnetometers less than the maximum separation between the magnetic parts of the magnetic object furthest away from one another. The method includes measuring by each magnetometer a vector bi,m of which each coordinate represents the value of the magnetic field projected onto a respective measurement axis of the magnetometer, and a union of vectors bi,m forming a measured magnetic signature Sm, where the index “i” is an identifier of the magnetometer. The method includes computing of a deviation E between the magnetic signature Sm and a prerecorded magnetic signature SRef of a known magnetic object. The method includes comparing E to a predetermined threshold and recognizing the magnetic object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives
    Inventors: Tristan Hautson, Rabeb Aloui, Saifeddine Aloui, Timothée Jobert
  • Patent number: 10288469
    Abstract: A transducer includes a composite waveguide including a composite wire having an internal core of low electrical resistance material and an outer layer of magnetostrictive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Vitaliy Demin
  • Patent number: 10274322
    Abstract: A method of tracing a position of a pipeline using a mapping probe includes: inserting and moving the mapping probe in a pipeline; receiving and keeping acceleration information and angular information in real time in a memory; estimating Euler angle (roll and pitch); estimating Euler angle (roll, pitch, and yaw); estimating a system modeling; estimating and applying covariance of system noise and covariance of measured noise; estimating three-dimensional position information modeling; receiving and keeping movement distance information of the mapping probe from an encoder in a memory; estimating and keeping in real time three-dimensional position information of the mapping probe in the memory; receiving the accumulated real-time three-dimensional position information of the mapping probe; mapping the accumulated real-time three-dimensional position information of the mapping probe to geographic information; and displaying the accumulated position information of the mapping probe mapped to the geographic info
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jin Won Kim, Young Soo Seok, Kyung Sob Lee, Se Wan Lee, Dong Hyun Kim, Kyung Seok Oh, Yong Gun Lee, Jung Hun Oh, Gwang Ho Jin, Ja Yong Koo, In Hwan Hyun
  • Patent number: 10245772
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting a position of an actuator piston driving a valve pin in an injection molding system. The apparatus includes an actuator housing having a body portion, surrounding an axial bore, of a substantially non-magnetic and/or magnetically permeable material, a piston, movable within the axial bore for driving a valve pin, the piston including a magnetic member generating a magnetic field such that axial movement of the piston in the bore modifies the magnetic field according to the position of the piston relative to a detection position, and a magnetic field detector attached to an exterior surface of the body portion at the detection position for detecting the magnetic field associated with the position of the piston and generating an output signal determined by the piston position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Synventive Molding Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhuang Rui Tan, Lin Yang
  • Patent number: 10203717
    Abstract: A magnetic thumbstick device including a manual actuator assembly, a restorative element, a base assembly, one or more magnets, and one or more magnetic sensors is disclosed. The magnetic sensor is positioned to measure magnetic fields generated by movement of the magnet, which may be disposed in the manual actuator assembly, and sensed by the magnetic sensor, which may be disposed in the base assembly. These magnetic field signals may then be provided to a processing element where they may be used to determine position and/or motion of the magnet in relation to the magnetic sensor. The processing element may further generate output signals or commands usable by an electronic computing system such as personal computer, cellular phone, video game console, or other device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventor: Mark S. Olsson
  • Patent number: 10180444
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rotation speed sensor, including at least one sensor element to detect a magnetic input signal of the rotation speed sensor, a time watchdog with a programmable time constant and an output control circuit. The time watchdog generates a time-out event when no minimum or maximum or no output switching event of a magnetic input signal of the rotation speed sensor is detected within a time-interval equal to a programmed time constant of the time watchdog. Further, the output control circuit changes the output signal of the rotation speed sensor from a first value to a second value, when a minimum or a maximum or output switching event of the magnetic input signal is detected within the time interval and a change of the magnetic input signal is greater than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Friedrich Rasbornig, Bernhard Schaffer, Christoph Schroers
  • Patent number: 10145721
    Abstract: A flexible float-type liquid level measurement device includes an outer tube securement member, a signal connection module, a flexible outer tube, a suspension member, a flexible supporting unit and a magnetic floating ball. The signal connection module is arranged on one end of the outer tube securement member. The flexible outer tube is connected to the outer tube securement member. The suspension member is connected to another end of the flexible outer tube. The flexible supporting unit is arranged inside the flexible outer tube, and the flexible supporting unit includes one end connected to the outer tube securement member and another end connected to the suspension member. The magnetic floating ball is moveably mounted onto the flexible outer tube. Accordingly, the elongated deformation of the flexible outer tube can be prevented while the measurement accuracy and useful lifetime of the measurement device can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: FINETEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuei-Yung Wu, Chih-Wen Wang, Yoyen Luo, Ting-Kuo Wu
  • Patent number: 10127739
    Abstract: A system for detecting the angle of articulation at an articulating point between a first section and a second section of an articulating machine is provided. The system includes a controller positioned on the articulating machine for generating a uniquely encoded signal. A plurality of drivers are positioned on the second section of the articulating machine such that they are in communication with the controller for transmitting the uniquely encoded signal. A machine mounted locator is positioned on the first section of the articulating machine such that it is in communication with the drivers. An algorithm based on the uniquely encoded signal and a radio frequency signal generated by the machine mounted locator is performed at the controller to generate the uniquely encoded signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Matrix Design Group, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Megal, Ben Lemond, Jason Kremer
  • Patent number: 10105723
    Abstract: Location systems and methods for locating paint and other markings on a surface are disclosed. A paint marking stick may include a magnetic field sonde that is actuated in conjunction with dispensing of paint or other markers, where the sonde generates a magnetic field signal in conjunction with dispensing of paint or placement of a marker. A corresponding utility locator may receive the sonde magnetic field dipole signal and determine and store positional information and type information associated with the paint or other marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, James F. Kleyn, Jan Soukup
  • Patent number: 10101177
    Abstract: A position detecting device includes: a magnet that has a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole; a magnetic sensor that detects a change in magnetic flux generated by a detection target which enters between the magnet and the magnetic sensor on the first magnetic pole side of the magnet; and a magnetic shield that has a magnetic gap between the magnet and the magnetic shield, and that includes a magnetic material which is disposed on the second magnetic pole side of the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shiro Sato, Hirotaka Manabe
  • Patent number: 10067090
    Abstract: A system and method using magnetic sensing to non-intrusively and non-destructively characterize ferromagnetic material within infrastructure. The system includes sensors for measuring magnetic field gradients from a standoff distance adjacent to ferromagnetic material. The method includes using the system to measure magnetic fields, determining magnetic field gradients measured by a sensor array, and comparing measured and modeled or historical magnetic field gradients at the same or similar positions to identify differences caused by a phenomenon in the ferromagnetic material, and, in a particular embodiment, to recognize defects and developing defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian P. Timmons, Rami S. Mangoubi, Zachary R. Hoffman, Franklyn R. Webb
  • Patent number: 9958274
    Abstract: A method may include obtaining magnetic field information that corresponds to a location. The magnetic field information may be based on an output reading of a magnetometer of an electronic device. The method may further include obtaining orientation information that corresponds to a device orientation of the electronic device that corresponds to the magnetic field information. The orientation information may be based on an output reading of one or more inertial sensors and may indicate the device orientation. The method may further include adjusting the magnetic field information based on the orientation information to generate normalized magnetic field information that is normalized with respect to a map-coordinate system of a magnetic field map. The normalized magnetic field information and the magnetic field map may be used to determine that the electronic device is at the location at the time that the output reading of the magnetometer is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Motoya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9945654
    Abstract: A probehead of an NMR-MAS apparatus with a rotation axis (RA), which lies in an xz-plane, titled by an angle ?>0 relative to a z-axis. The angle ? is adjusted by tilting around a tilt axis (DA) parallel to the y-axis relative to a target angle ?target. An angle measurement apparatus (9) has a first sensor element (7), which, together with a second sensor element (8) generates sensor signals dependent on the amplitude B0 of the static magnetic field and the vectorial orientation between the magnetic field B0 and a sensitivity vector. Two sensitivity vectors have an angle 5°<?i<175° to the z-axis and an angle ?>10° to each other. The angle between the rotation axis and the z-axis can be measured precisely and reliably over a large range, providing a feedback signal for regulated adjustment or tracking of the angle ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Bruker BioSpin AG
    Inventor: Nicolas Freytag
  • Patent number: 9942629
    Abstract: Methods of sensing parameters are provided in which an event is detected using one or more microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors of a sensor probe. The event corresponds to a change in a sensed parameter. The detection and associated measurement data is stored in an internal digital storage of the MEMS sensor and an interrupt is transmitted to an upstream device including an identifier of the sensor probe. An interrogation is received from an upstream device responsive to transmitting the interrupt and, responsive to being interrogated by the upstream device, at least the stored detection and associated data are transmitted to the upstream device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Inventors: Barry John McCleland, Eugene Christiaan van Beljon
  • Patent number: 9887781
    Abstract: A device includes an optical modulator configured to produce first and second modulated optical signals in response to a first electrical signal and a reference optical signal. The device further includes a phase detector configured to receive first and second encoded optical signals and the first and second modulated optical signals and to produce a second electrical signal indicating a phase difference between the first encoded optical signals and the first modulated optical signals. The device further includes a voltage-controlled oscillator configured to produce electrical pulses in response to the second electrical signal, and a counter configured to count a number of the electrical pulses, producing a count. The first electrical signal to the optical modulator is the count or a derivative of the count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: TT ELECTRONICS PLC
    Inventor: Hsueh hua Chuang
  • Patent number: 9851416
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses for magnetic field sensors with self-test include a detection circuit to detect speed and direction of a target. One or more circuits to test accuracy of the detected speed and direction may be included. One or more circuits to test accuracy of an oscillator may also be included. One or more circuits to test the accuracy of an analog-to-digital converter may also be included. Additionally one or more IDDQ and/or built-in-self test (BEST) circuits may be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: P. Karl Scheller, James E. Burgess, Steven E. Snyder, Kristann L. Moody, Devon Fernandez, Andrea Foletto
  • Patent number: 9847812
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the contactless tapping of communication signals that are exchanged between two communication units, in particular a sensor or actuator and a digital evaluating or control unit, wherein the communication signals are transmitted on a line (2) of a multi-core cable (1) as voltage signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: IFM ELECTRONIC GMBH
    Inventors: Werner Hoch, Alfred Wagner
  • Patent number: 9816843
    Abstract: Instead of tapping a mechano-elastic desnity wave (MEDW) from a wave conductor or a Villary band through a detector coil, a changing field strength H is captured by a XMR sensor which is positioned on a wave conductor or proximal to the wave conductor or on a Villary band or proximal to the Villary band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: ASM Automation Sensorik Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Manfred Steinich
  • Patent number: 9753171
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting well conditions includes at least one transducer positioned at an end of the carrier. The carrier is positioned adjacent to and exposed to a wellbore wall and the transducer is configured to generate mechanical waves in the carrier. The carrier conveys the mechanical waves and has one or more sections initially free of a physical deformation that causes reflection of the mechanical waves. The sections physically deform to cause reflected mechanical waves when subjected to a loading from the formation. The transducer generates a signal representative of reflected mechanical waves received at the end of the carrier. The location of the loading is estimated using the received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: John C. Welch, Ke Wang, Carlos A. Prieto, Zhiyue Xu