Magnetic Sensor Within Material Patents (Class 324/219)
  • Patent number: 11702953
    Abstract: A tool for performing inspection and/or maintenance operations on an engine defines a longitudinal direction and a tangential direction. The tool includes a base extending along the longitudinal direction and including a body, a first extension member extending from the body in the tangential direction at a first location, and a second extension member extending from the body in the tangential direction at a second location. The second location is spaced from the first location along the longitudinal direction. The tool also includes a pivot member rotatably coupled to the base and moveable between an insertion position in which the pivot member is oriented generally along the longitudinal direction and a deployed position in which the pivot member is oriented away from the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignees: General Electric Company, Oliver Crispin Robotics Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Crispin Graham, David Scott Diwinsky, Ton Thu Lang Giang, Wayne Ray Grady
  • Patent number: 11307224
    Abstract: A measuring rod for an electric meter and an electric meter assembly using the same are disclosed, wherein the device to be detected disposed around the front end of at least one of the test probes allows the electric meter to determine the type of currently inserted test probes and whether the test probes are suitable for use under a current operation mode of the electric meter in a situation when the device to be detected is inserted into the electric meter; and the measuring socket corresponding to the device to be detected is disposed with a determination mechanism for allowing the electric meter to determine whether the abovementioned test probes or test probes of different types are suitable for use under a current operation mode of the electric meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: APPA TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Shan-Wen Chang, Shou-Hua Lin
  • Patent number: 11168971
    Abstract: A method for evaluating a surface of a bore formed in a structure, where the bore defines a bore axis. The method includes moving a probe at least partially through the bore in a first lineal direction about the bore axis while simultaneously rotating the probe about the bore axis. The probe includes a contact element contacting the surface of the bore at a plurality of first contact points as the probe moves in the first lineal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark Albrecht, Kwok Tung Chan, Everette D. Gray
  • Patent number: 10814492
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and storage media associated with surface traversing by robotic apparatuses using capacitive sensing are described herein. In some instances, the apparatus comprises a body having at least one edge that faces a direction of traverse of a surface by the apparatus, and at least one capacitive probe disposed on or in proximity to the edge, to detect, during the traverse of the surface, a change in a dielectric property of a portion of the surface proximate to the edge. The dielectric property change indicates an obstacle associated with the surface portion. The apparatus further comprises circuitry configured to process the readings provided by the probe, such as to identify the obstacle, and generate instructions to adjust the traversing of the surface by the apparatus, based at least in part on a result of the probe readings processing. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: R-GO ROBOTICS LTD
    Inventors: Nizan Horesh, Tal Levi
  • Patent number: 10732215
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting the presence and/or location of defects (e.g., incomplete solders, broken cables, misconnections, defective sockets, opens, shorts, etc.) along electrical lines are described. The systems and methods described herein may use time-domain reflectometry (TDR), a measurement technique used to determine the characteristics of electrical lines by observing reflected waveforms. TDR may be performed in some embodiments by determining the times when a first event and a second event occur, and by determining the space traveled by a probe signal based on these times. The first event may occur when a first signal transition crosses a first threshold and the second event may occur when a second signal transition crosses a second threshold, where the second signal transition may arise in response to the first signal transition reflecting against a defect along the electrical line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: MEDIATEK Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Henry Arnold Park, Tamer Mohammed Ali, Shih-Hao Huang, Chien-Hua Wu
  • Patent number: 10704413
    Abstract: A variable alignment aerodynamic probe may comprise a probe body having a leading edge and extending radially into a vane case, a sensor element proximate the leading edge, and a bearing coupled to the probe body and the vane case. The probe body may be configured to rotate in response to a turned flow within the vane case. The rotation of the probe body may be configured to maintain an angle of attack of the leading edge with respect to the turned flow between 0° and 15°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Eli Cole Warren, Bryan J. Hackett, Adam Swagger, Daniel J. Boudreau, Ryan C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9727029
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes a case formed of a metal case barrel and a metal bezel, and the case accommodates an antenna body made of a resin mixed with a dielectric material and having an annular shape. A dielectric auxiliary member made of a dielectric having a dielectric constant greater than that of the antenna body and having an annular shape is disposed between the antenna body and the bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 9625286
    Abstract: An adjustable probe holder assembly is disclosed for an inspection or measurement sensor, such as an ultrasound transducer, eddy current sensor, magnetic thickness sensor or optical image sensor, in order to position the sensor in a confined space using an extended arm with an adjustable curvature. The probe holder has at least two elongated holding arms, among which a first arm and a second arm, each having a probe end and a holding end, wherein the probe end of each of the holding arms are attached to the probe and the at least two arms remain substantially parallel and very close to each other when the probe holder is at a non-operational status. The two arms bulge open away from each other due to either a tension force or a compression force being exerted along the longitudinal direction of either one of the arms, holding the probe to be against the test surface of the test object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS SCIENTIFIC SOLUTIONS AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Edward Stanton, Ernest Bill
  • Patent number: 9618480
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting the quality of a weld under test in a structure having a plurality of spaced apart welds. Two probes are placed on opposite sides of the structure so that a current path is formed through the weld under test. The probes are energized with alternating current at a known frequency. The magnetic flux generated from the current flow through the probes and at least one of the spaced apart welds is then measured and subsequently compared with magnetic flux data previously determined and representing weld quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Hoda, Hua Zeng, Masayoshi Takahashi, Hiroki Funato
  • Patent number: 9551689
    Abstract: An example inspection probe device includes a sensor assembly configured to induce an eddy current in a component. A probe body houses at least a portion of the sensor assembly such that the portion of the sensor assembly is spaced from a target surface of the component when the probe body is in contact with the component. A controller is used to calculate the location of the target surface relative to the probe body using an eddy current parameter sensed by the sensor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin D. Smith, Jonathan P. Sullivan, David A. Raulerson
  • Patent number: 9523712
    Abstract: Provided is an inspection apparatus that includes a rotation disk configured to spin about an axis of rotation. The rotation disk includes a probe bushing configured to securely hold a standard eddy current probe a predetermined distance above a surface to be examined by the probe. The rotation disk is further configured to adjustably hold the standard eddy current probe such that the radial offset of the probe from the axis of rotation is set using a radial positioning set screw that is coupled to the rotation disk via a first slotted arm. The predetermined distance is set using a probe height set screw configured to secure the probe within the probe bushing. An outer stationary housing is coupled to the rotation disk such that the rotation disk rotates within the outer stationary housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John Bangsund, Jeffrey G. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9157893
    Abstract: A device for testing to detect defects at a surface or at shallow depth in a part, for example a blade root for an airplane engine fan. The device includes a probe including a sensor, the probe being hinge-mounted to the end of a handle, a guide presenting a reference surface, and a mechanism adjusting the position of the guide parallel to an axis of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Christian Armand Marceau, Andre Rouff
  • Patent number: 9000764
    Abstract: A method for producing printed magnetic functional elements for resistance sensors and printed magnetic functional elements. The invention refers to the field of electronics and relates to a method for producing resistance sensors, such as can be used, for example, in magnetic data storage for read sensors or in the automobile industry. The disclosure includes a simple and cost-effective production method and to obtain such printed magnetic functional elements with properties that can be adjusted as desire, in which a magnetic material is deposited onto a substrate as a film, is removed from the substrate and divided into several components and these components are applied on a substrate by means of printing technologies. Aspects are also directed to a printed magnetic functional element for resistance sensors of several components of a film, wherein at least 5% of the components of the functional element have a magnetoimpedance effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Leibniz-Institut fuer Festkoerper und Werkstoffforschung Dresden e.V.
    Inventors: Daniil Karnaushenko, Denys Makarov, Oliver G. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8981018
    Abstract: The condition of internal or hidden material layers or interfaces is monitored and used for control of a process that changes a condition of a material system. The material system has multiple component materials, such as layers or embedded constituents, or can be represented with multiple layers to model spatial distributions in the material properties. The material condition changes as a result of a process performed on the material, such as by cold working, or from functional operation. Sensors placed proximate to the test material surface or embedded between material layers are used to monitor a material property using magnetic, electric, or thermal interrogation fields. The sensor responses are converted into states of the material condition, such as temperature or residual stress, typically with a precomputed database of sensor responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Jentek Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil J. Goldfine, Vladimir A. Zilberstein, Ian C. Shay, Christopher A. Craven, David C. Grundy, Volker Weiss, Andrew P. Washabaugh
  • Patent number: 8847600
    Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a property of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole, apparatus including: a carrier configured to be conveyed through the borehole; a transducer disposed at the carrier and configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic energy into and/or from the earth formation to estimate the property; wherein the transducer includes a plurality of inductively coupled elements in a series, each element configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic energy and at least a first connection to a first element in the plurality and a second connection to a second element in the plurality with at least one of the first element and the second element being disposed between end transducer elements in the series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jack Signorelli, Samuel R. Bell, Stanislav W. Forgang, Sheng Fang
  • Patent number: 8653811
    Abstract: A pipeline inspection tool has an even number “n” of spiraled pole magnets spaced equidistant apart and spanning the length of the tool. Each pole magnet, which preferably has a conformable upper surface, is rotated or spiraled about the tool body so that a second end of each pole magnet is offset a predetermined amount “?” relative to a first end of that same pole magnet. The amount of rotation ? applied to each of the pole magnets produces a magnetic field oblique to the central longitudinal axis of the tool body (and therefore the pipe) and one that covers 360° of the internal wall surface of the pipe. A helical-shaped array of magnetic flux sensors may be arranged about the tool body and substantially equidistant between adjacent pairs of pole magnets. The tool detects axially oriented, circumferentially oriented, and volumetric anomalies and allows for single pass inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: TDW Delaware Inc.
    Inventors: James Simek, Tod Baker, Mark Gregoire
  • Patent number: 8604781
    Abstract: There are provided a crack determining device capable of determining, in real time and with precision, the fact that a crack has occurred in a solder layer, and a semiconductor device comprising same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hisamitsu Toshida
  • Patent number: 8604777
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) current sensor that self-calibrates to adjust its signal gain when employed in a current divider configuration is presented. The current sensor includes an integrated current conductor, a magnetic field transducer, a controllable gain stage and a calibration controller. The integrated current conductor is adapted to receive a portion of a calibration current. The calibration current corresponds to a full scale current. The magnetic field transducer, responsive to the calibration current portion, provides a magnetic field signal having a magnitude proportional to a magnetic field generated by the calibration current portion. The controllable gain stage is configured to amplify the magnetic field signal with an adjustable gain to provide an amplified magnetic field signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Doogue, Shaun D. Milano
  • Patent number: 8581577
    Abstract: An inspection assembly for insertion inspection of an elongate hollow member. The inspection assembly includes a probe head including at least one sensor for sensing a characteristic of the elongate hollow member as the probe head is moved internally within the elongate hollow member. The assembly includes a flexible shaft connected to the probe head and transmitting a motive force to the probe head to move the probe head within the elongate hollow member. The flexible shaft encloses at least one wire operatively connected between the probe head and at least one component external to the elongate hollow member for sensory operation of the at least one sensor. The flexible shaft is at least partially corrugated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bishop Draper, Lance Edmund Maggy
  • Patent number: 8557608
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for characterizing a local magnetic field, in particular a stray field caused by a magnetizable or magnetic particle in a prescribed measuring area of a magnetic field. In at least one embodiment, a sensor array including a number of magnetic sensors and each having at least one layer sensitive to magnetic fields is arranged at least in a subregion of the measuring area, and at least one device is provided for reading out separately the signal from each sensor. According to at least one embodiment, the size, in particular of XMR sensors and the surface of the layer sensitive to magnetic fields and the grid dimension of the sensor array, are selected such that at least two neighboring sensors are influenced by the local stray field. An associated device for carrying out the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Joachim Bangert
  • Patent number: 8502529
    Abstract: Provided is a magnetic sensor device capable of suppressing a variation in determination for detection or canceling of a magnetic field intensity, which is caused by noise generated from respective constituent elements included in the magnetic sensor device and external noise, to thereby achieve high-precision magnetic reading. The magnetic sensor device includes: a first D-type flip-flop and a second D-type flip-flop each having an input terminal connected to an output terminal of a comparator; an XOR circuit having a first input terminal and a second input terminal which are connected to an output terminal of the first D-type flip-flop and an output terminal of the second D-type flip-flop, respectively; a selector circuit; and a third D-type flip-flop having an input terminal connected to an output terminal of the selector circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Daisuke Muraoka, Minoru Ariyama, Tomoki Hikichi, Manabu Fujimura
  • Patent number: 8487610
    Abstract: A magnetizer for a pipeline inspection tool. The magnetizer comprises a ferromagnetic base member, a pair of driving magnets mounted at spatially separate locations on the base member and a flux enhancing magnet mounted on the base member adjacent to one or both of the driving magnets. The directions of magnetization of the pair of driving magnets extend in opposite senses to each other, towards and away from the base member respectively to create a magnetic circuit that includes a flux path between the driving magnets which passes through the base member. The flux enhancing magnet has a direction of magnetization substantially aligned with the direction of magnetic flux on the flux path, the flux enhancing magnet being magnetically coupled to the adjacent driving magnets to drive flux around the magnetic circuit and thereby enhance the magnitude of a magnetic field exhibited by the magnetic circuit outside the magnetizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: PII Limited
    Inventor: Paul Arthur Mundell
  • Patent number: 8482277
    Abstract: A surge current detection device 30 is detachably attached to a conductor 11 and detects a surge current entering the conductor 11. The surge current detection device 30 includes: a holder 40 releasably holding the conductor 11 via first and second holder bodies 40-1 and 40-2 facing each other; a magnetic force concentrating member 60 having a substantially U-shaped cross-section, the magnetic force concentrating member 60 being secured inside the holder 40 and concentrating a magnetic flux included in a magnetic field generated by the surge current entering the magnetic flux conductor 11 to a high density at a predetermined detection region; and a magnetic material sheet 70 secured inside the holder 40 in such a manner that the magnetic material sheet 70 is positioned at the detection region, the magnetic material sheet 70 detecting the surge current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Sankosha Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Okawa, Hideyoshi Saeki, Takuya Ouchi
  • Patent number: 8427139
    Abstract: An increment sensor assembly includes a magnet structure having at least two dual pole magnets that are magnetized 90 degrees out of phase. The magnet structure is mounted to an output shaft rotatable about an axis of rotation. At least one Hall effect sensor is associated with each magnet to determined polarity change of the magnet structure per quadrant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Tire Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Michal Malik, Jeremy Daniel Schmidt, Titus Dovancescu
  • Patent number: 8410773
    Abstract: A protection element (e.g., an arrester) protects a piece of equipment to be protected, from surge currents line terminals and an earth terminal. Surge current detection devices are provided on respective conductors connected to the arrester. Each of the surge current detection devices is to detect the surge current penetrated into a conductor for a short period of time, and includes a magnetic flux concentration member by which a magnetic flux produced by the penetrated surge current is concentrated in a given detection area at a high density, and a ferromagnetic material sheet positioned on the given detection area. The ferromagnetic material sheet includes a recording layer which is able to record and erase the penetration state of the surge current. A plurality of microcapsules are arranged in the recording layer, and each of the microcapsules contains a suitable liquid, and a plurality of magnetic particles suspended in the suitable liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Sankosha Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Okawa, Yasuharu Yamada, Hideyoshi Saeki, Takuya Ouchi
  • Publication number: 20130076347
    Abstract: There are provided a crack determining device capable of determining, in real time and with precision, the fact that a crack has occurred in a solder layer, and a semiconductor device comprising same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventor: Hisamitsu Toshida
  • Patent number: 8400142
    Abstract: An anti-rotation device or assembly for preventing the rotation of a magnet in a linear position sensor and eliminating the risk of undesired magnetic field measurements and incorrect sensor signal outputs. In one embodiment, the anti-rotation device is an anti-rotation plate which is fixed to the housing of the linear position sensor and a magnet carrier which includes at least one finger extending into a receptacle defined in either the edge or the body of the magnet carrier to prevent the magnet carrier from rotating relative to the plate. In another embodiment, the magnet carrier includes a key and the magnet includes a groove. The key extends into the groove for preventing the rotation of the magnet in the magnet carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Storrie, Robert L. Newman
  • Patent number: 8395376
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying, measuring, and monitoring metal loss through corrosion or other deleterious factors in ferromagnetic piping and ferromagnetic objects. Drive coils secured to the object are driven to emit a magnetic field which is transmitted through the object by magnetic domains in the object. Response coils detect the magnetic domains and generate a response signal. The drive and response signals can penetrate insulating materials and non-ferromagnetic metallic coverings of the piping and vessels. The system operates reiteratively over an extended period of time, e.g., months or years, to detect loss of magnetic domains which is an important indicator of corrosion and deterioration of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: 4D Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome R. Singer, Glen Stevick, David Rondinone, John Zalabak
  • Patent number: 8358126
    Abstract: A method of testing for defects in the bottom of an above ground storage tank, the tank bottom having a lip extending outwardly from the tank wall around the circumference of the tank. A special magnetostrictive sensor is designed to be placed on this lip. The sensor is placed over a strip of magnetostrictive material, which generally conforms in length and width to the bottom of the probe, with a couplant being applied between the strip and the lip surface. The sensor is then operated in pulse echo mode to receive signals from defects in the bottom of the tank. It is incrementally moved around the circumference of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Glenn M Light, Alan R Puchot, Adam C Cobb, Erika C Laiche
  • Patent number: 8354842
    Abstract: A segmented magnetostrictive patch array transducer capable of generating a high frequency shear wave in a structure such as a rod or a pipe, a structural fault diagnosing apparatus including the segmented magnetostrictive patch array transducer, and a method of operating the segmented magnetostrictive patch array transducer are shown. The segmented magnetostrictive patch array transducer includes a plurality of magnetostrictive patches attached along a circumference of a rod member; a plurality of insulators that are disposed on the magnetostrictive patches; a plurality of meander coils, each of the meander coils comprising a plurality of coil lines extending along the circumference direction of the rod member on each of the insulators, wherein a current flows through adjacent coil lines in opposite directions to one another; and a plurality of magnets that respectively form a magnetic field along the circumferential direction of the rod member on the magnetostrictive patches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: SNU R&DB Foundation
    Inventors: Hoe Woong Kim, Young Eui Kwon, Yoon Young Kim
  • Patent number: 8319494
    Abstract: A pipeline inspection tool includes two pole magnets oriented at an oblique angle relative to the central longitudinal axis of the tool body. An array of sensor coil sets is located between opposing edges of the two pole magnets and oriented perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. Each sensor coil set includes a transmitter coil and two opposing pairs of receiver coils that are gated to receive reflections from the wall of a tubular member. Because the line of sensor coils is rotated relative to the magnetic bias field, the receiver coils are in-line with, and have the same angular orientation as, the transmitter coil. The tool provides improved sensitivity to small defects, substantial decrease in RF pulser power requirements, full circumferential coverage, self-calibration of the transmitted signals, and less interference between transmitter coils caused by acoustic ring around.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: TDW Delaware Inc.
    Inventors: James Simek, Jed Ludlow, John H. Flora, Syed M. Ali, Huidong Gao
  • Patent number: 8258441
    Abstract: Small, low-cost wireless temperature sensors (120) are provided for sensing the temperature of servingware (121). Each temperature sensor preferably includes a substrate (124); at least one sensor element (122) positioned on the substrate; and an adhesive (126) for securing the sensor element to the substrate and for securing the temperature sensor to the servingware so that the sensor element may sense a temperature of the servingware. The temperature sensors may be used in conjunction with a reader/detector (136) operable to generate a magnetic field of magnitude sufficient to cause re-magnetization responses of the temperature sensor element and optional data elements to detect such responses, and to use the detected responses to determine the temperature of the servingware by means of a decoding algorithm. The temperature sensors can be used in closed-loop heating systems capable of controlling the heating of the servingware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: TSI Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Brian L. Clothier
  • Patent number: 8242775
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting tampering with an integrated circuit (IC), the apparatus comprising a second circuit comprising at least one conductor for conducting electrical current, the electrical current comprising, during at least one period of time, current of known strength, the electrical current generating a magnetic field, at least one magnetic field sensing device operatively associated with the IC, the sensing device having at least one electrical characteristic responsive to changes in a sensed magnetic field, the magnetic field sensing device being positioned so as to sense the magnetic field generated by current in the at least one conductor, and an analyzer operatively associated with the at least one magnetic field sensing device and the IC, the analyzer determining that the IC is being tampered with based, at least in part, on changes in the at least one electrical characteristic of the at least one magnetic field sensing device in response to changes in the sensed magnetic field generated by th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: NDS Limited
    Inventors: Rami Sudai, Yonatan Shlomovich, Samuel Katz
  • Patent number: 8232796
    Abstract: A conduit sensor device includes first and second pairs of permanent magnets. First and second rotor shunts include first and second rotatable magnets and interposed between the first and second pairs of permanent magnets, respectively. A shunt shaft includes a first helical worm gear and a second helical worm gear mounted thereon. The first rotor shunt includes a first rotatable magnet and a first rotor gear locked together. The first helical worm gear meshing with the first rotor gear driving the first rotor gear and the first rotatable magnet. The second rotor shunt includes a second rotatable magnet and a second rotor gear locked together. The second helical worm gear meshes with the second rotor gear driving the second rotor gear and the second rotatable magnet. The surface areas of the first and second pairs of permanent magnets equals the surface area of the first and second rotatable magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Invodane Engineering Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Laursen, Corry Comello, Roderick Lee
  • Patent number: 8217646
    Abstract: An inspection apparatus is provided that can include at least one probe receiving unit. The at least one probe receiving unit can be capable of processing data corresponding to one or more of image information of the type that can be generated by a visual inspection probe, eddy current information of the type that can be generated by a eddy current probe, and ultrasound information of the type that can be generated by a ultrasound probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: GE Inspection Technologies, LP
    Inventor: Thomas Karpen
  • Patent number: 8188731
    Abstract: A controller includes a control circuit. The control circuit includes a forward path that includes an input and an output, a feedback path coupled to the output and to the input, and a sensor that is between the input and the output. The sensor generates a sensor signal based on an input signal applied to the input. The forward path generates an output signal based on the sensor signal. The output signal is sent along the feedback path to the input of the forward path. The controller also includes a detector that obtains an intermediate signal from the forward path between the input and the output. The detector generates a control signal using the intermediate signal. The forward path includes a control device that limits the output signal to a predetermined value. The detector controls the control device using the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Austriamicrosystems AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Oberhoffner, Colin Steele, Kurt Riedmuller
  • Patent number: 8147146
    Abstract: An output cable 16c of a magnetic sensor 16a, which extends outward in the tangential direction of an arcuate sensor holding portion 15a formed on an annular core member 15 from a sensor unit mounted in the sensor holding portion 15a, is fixedly molded in a mold resin 17b which is fixed in a through hole 15c formed in the sensor holding portion 15a near the sensor unit 16. As a result, the output cable 16c is prevented, even if tensed, from coming out of the sensor unit 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Norimatsu
  • Publication number: 20110234212
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an improvement to the existing conventional magnetic flux leakage inspection device that employ some fixed magnets that are fixed inside the magnet yoke and some movably adjustable magnets, allowing their dipole orientation to be adjusted between 0° and 180° relative to that of the fixed magnets. A lever and gear set connected to the adjustable magnets can be operated to achieve desired level of magnetic strength of the device, including turning off the whole magnetic field, by causing the fields of the fixed and adjustable magnets to cancel each other. The disclosed adjustable yoke can also be used in other NDT/NDI applications where providing an adjustable magnetic strength is desirable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Benoit LEPAGE, Chunyan Tricia LIU
  • Patent number: 7996057
    Abstract: An apparatus for calibration of a probe that includes a magnetic position sensor and an acoustic imaging device has a rigid mechanical framework. One or more field generators, fixed to the framework, generate a magnetic field of known spatial characteristics. An acoustic target assembly includes a phantom coupled to a motion mechanism, which is arranged to move the phantom in a known orbit relative to the framework. A jig, fixed to the framework, holds the probe within the magnetic field of the one or more field generators, in an orientation suitable for the imaging device to image the phantom. A processor processes position and image signals from the probe in order to calibrate coordinates of the imaging device relative to the position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Biosense Webster, Inc.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Andres Claudio Altmann, Meir Bar-Tal, Dror Trumer
  • Publication number: 20110127998
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a leadframe, and a die having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of perimeter sides and including at least one magnetic field sensor element disposed proximate to the top surface, wherein the bottom surface is bonded to the leadframe. A molded magnetic material encapsulates the die and at least a portion of the leadframe, and provides a magnetic field substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the die. A non-magnetic material is disposed between the die and the molded magnetic material at least along perimeter sides of the die intersecting a lateral magnetic field component which is parallel to the top surface of the die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Klaus Elian, Martin Petz, Uwe Schindler, Horst Theuss, Adolf Koller
  • Patent number: 7822562
    Abstract: Method for removing air wave noise from shallow water controlled source electromagnetic survey data, using only the measured data and conductivity values for sea water (140) and air. The method is a calculation performed numerically on CSEM data and resulting in an estimate of those data that would have been acquired had the water layer extended infinitely upward from the seafloor. No properties of the sub-sea sediments are used. Synthetic electromagnetic field data are generated for (a) an all water model (141) and (b) an air-water model (146-147) of the survey region. These simulated results are then used to calculate (148-150) electromagnetic field values corresponding to a water-sediment model with water replacing the air half space, which represent measured data adjusted to remove air wave noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co.
    Inventor: Willen E. Dennis
  • Patent number: 7791337
    Abstract: A vibration canceling circuit for a metal detector. The metal detector includes a transmit coil, first and second receive coils, a differential circuit coupled to the first and second receive coils, a controller coupled to the differential circuit, and a vibration canceling circuit coupled to the controller. The controller uses a signal provided by the vibration canceling circuit to remove a vibration component from a metal detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Carnes Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph S. Simon
  • Publication number: 20100013464
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inductive proximity sensor for embedding in a mild steel mounting plate, comprising an enclosure with a front wall of synthetic material forming a sensing face at a front end of the enclosure, an oscillator comprising a sensor coil with a core made of a material with a relative magnetic permeability larger than 1, typically a ferrite, which is arranged within the enclosure behind the front wall so that an open side of the core is directed towards the sensing face in order to direct the magnetic field of the coil towards a target in front of the sensing face, a hollow cylindrical metal member arranged perpendicular to the sensing face and surrounding the core, and a measuring circuit for measuring an attenuation of the oscillator due to eddy currents. The core is radially surrounded by a metal layer with a low electrical resistivity of less than 15 ??·cm and with a thickness of less than 40 ?m, in order to improve the embeddability of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Marc DE HUU, Peter HEIMLICHER, Charles RHÊME, Philippe VENIER
  • Publication number: 20090256560
    Abstract: A sensor system, which can be embedded in a metal bed or metal face and has a good performance, has been demanded. A sensor system arranged in the following manner fulfills the above-mentioned demand. When the sensor system employs a square bracket shaped magnetic substance core, a magnetic path is formed and a strong magnetic field vertical to the metal face is obtained, even if the square bracket shaped magnetic substance core is embedded in a concave of the metal bed. A strong vertical magnetic field is obtained in the center portion of a combined magnetic substance cores even by using a surface current on the metal face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: Kunitaka Arimura
  • Publication number: 20090198202
    Abstract: A method for providing a piece of a film of a magnetoelastic material having an initial bending stiffness with an enhanced bending stiffness in a first direction. According to the method, the piece is provided with at least one scored line in the first direction of the piece. Furthermore, the piece is bent along at least one of the at least one scored lines so as to provide the piece with a lasting bend in a direction transverse to the first direction, whereby an enhanced bending stiffness is provided in the first direction of the piece. Also, a product obtained by the method, a sensor and an absorbent structure and an absorbent article including the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Stefan Nedestam
  • Publication number: 20090000250
    Abstract: A system and a method for production of a packaging laminate that comprises a layer containing magnetizable particles. The method involves marking faults, such as single spot defects and splices, on the packaging laminate by the application of a magnetic field to make a magnetic mark on the packaging laminate. A packaging device is arranged to sense the presence of the magnetic mark related to a package made from the packaging laminate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Tommy Nilsson, Hakan Svenson, Anette Lantz, Hans Johansson, Lars Bergholtz, Claes Ingvert
  • Patent number: 7466126
    Abstract: An aspect of the invention is directed to a variable sensor head for use in multiple electric machines with varying slot openings comprising a ferromagnetic core; a first adjustable portion and a second adjustable portion positioned in communication with the ferromagnetic core wherein the first adjustable portion and the second adjustable portion are adjusted to fit between a plurality of slot openings of varying widths between a pair of lamination teeth of an electric machine. According to another embodiment, the first and second adjustable portions are sliding portions where the sliding portions may be spring biased to provide a close fit between the pair of lamination teeth. According to another embodiment, the first and second adjustable portions are adjustable screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edith Kliman, legal representative, Ralph James Carl, Jr., Manoj Ramprasad Shah, Sang-Bin Lee, Gerald Burt Kliman
  • Patent number: 7458289
    Abstract: An in-line pipe inspection tool has a sensor carrier carrying a plurality of sensor for monitoring the pipe. In order to permit the sensor carrier and hence the sensors, to conform to changes in the diameter of the pipe being inspected, the sensor carrier is a part cylindrical body which is resiliently flexible. However, to stop one part of the sensor carrier twisting torsionally relative to another part, a bracing unit is fixed to one part the sensor carrier and engages another part of the sensor carrier to resist said torsional twisting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: PII Limited
    Inventors: Peter Houldey, Christopher Envy
  • Publication number: 20080278151
    Abstract: A method for inspecting an internal cavity in a part is provided. The method includes inserting a probe into the internal cavity. The method also includes controlling movement of the probe using a defined scan path to scan the probe over a region of interest in the internal cavity. The method also includes applying multiple multifrequency excitation signals to the probe to generate a number of multifrequency response signals. The multifrequency excitation signals are applied at multiple positions within the internal cavity. The method further includes performing a multifrequency phase analysis on the multifrequency response signals to inspect the internal cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Changting Wang, Shridhar Champaknath Nath, Weston Blaine Griffin, Michael Wayne Fields, Darren Lee Hallman, Abdul Rahman Abdallah Al-Khalidy
  • Publication number: 20080275657
    Abstract: A method of non-invasive determination of electrical current distribution is disclosed. The method utilizes mathematical calculations on data obtained by a probe with non-uniformly wound detection coil. While non-uniform, the coil winding is specific according to a known and determined function, such as a sinusoidal variation. As a further method, the probe may rotate about an area of interest and the data then may be subjected to a Fourier analysis for further refined results. Multiple coils may be used in the probe, each with a different coil function which could include one uniform coil. Also disclosed is a method for making the coils necessary in the practice of the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: Mark J. Hagmann