Using Transmitted Or Reflected Microwaves Patents (Class 324/637)
  • Patent number: 12123839
    Abstract: A manufacturing method is provided. During this method, a preform component for a turbine engine is provided that includes a substrate. A meter section of a cooling aperture is formed in the substrate. An external coating is applied over the substrate. At least a portion of the substrate and the external coating is scanned with an imaging system to provide scan data indicative of an internal structure of the portion of the substrate and the external coating. A diffuser section of the cooling aperture is formed in the external coating and the substrate based on the scan data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Craig, James M. Koonankeil, Brian T. Hazel, Paul E. Denney, Dominic J. Mongillo
  • Patent number: 12061254
    Abstract: A microwave and millimeter wave imaging system. In either a far-field or a near-field detection mode, a radially-polarized probe transmits an imaging signal along a predetermined scan path to detect a target in a sample. The imaging signal's orientation is independent of the target's orientation and changes at each target as the probe transmits the signal during scanning. A measurement system receives scattered waves reflected from the sample via a single channel and images the sample and the target based on the reflected waves independent of the orientation of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: THE CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
    Inventors: Matthew Dvorsky, Mohammed Tayeb Al Qaseer, Reza Zoughi
  • Patent number: 12052008
    Abstract: A hybrid, active-passive, harmonic source pull tuner system employs the Gamma Boosting Unit (GBU) concept and associated calibration and monitoring algorithms to allow for real source pulling operation. The GBU concept itself does not provide knowledge of the source impedance without proper calibration and monitoring. The hybrid tuner system includes a single or multi-probe source tuner and adjustable coupling allowing steering the impedance to the optimum device matching area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Inventor: Christos Tsironis
  • Patent number: 12025482
    Abstract: A system includes an optical pressure sensor. A controller is operatively connected to receive input from the optical pressure sensor. An output connection is operatively connected to communicate output data from the controller. The controller includes machine readable instructions configured to cause the controller to receive data from an optical pressure sensor, detect an accumulation of contaminant on the optical pressure sensor, and initiate a corrective action through the output connection in response to detecting the accumulation of contaminant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David H. Crowne
  • Patent number: 11853965
    Abstract: A solution for automated food selection includes: an order processing component operable to receive an order identifying an item; a selection component comprising: a first hyperspectral sensor operable to sense a reflection from the item and produce a sensor output based at least on the reflection; and a picking mechanism; a control component operable to: based at least on identification of the item, select a hyperspectral profile from a set of hyperspectral profiles; compare the sensor output with the selected hyperspectral profile; and based at least on the comparison, determine whether to select the item for fulfillment of the order, wherein the picking mechanism is operable to divert the item to a selection output based at least on a determination to select the item for fulfillment of the order; and a transport component operable to transport the item to an order storage zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: James Benjamin Edwards, Brian C. Roth
  • Patent number: 11835645
    Abstract: Concepts and examples pertaining to reconfigurable radio frequency (RF) front end and antenna arrays for radar mode switching are described. A processor associated with a radar system selects a mode of a plurality of modes in which to operate the radar system. The processor then controls the radar system to operate in the selected mode by utilizing a plurality of antennas in a respective configuration of a plurality of configurations of the antennas which corresponds to the selected mode. Each configuration of the plurality of configurations of the antennas results in respective antenna characteristics. Each configuration of the plurality of configurations of the antennas utilizes a respective number of antennas of the plurality of antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Inventors: Tzu-Chin Lin, Chih-Ming Hung
  • Patent number: 11835562
    Abstract: A detector that detects or oscillates an electromagnetic wave, the detector including a plurality of antennas having a rectifying element, wherein the plurality of arranged antennas at least include: a first antenna having a first resonant frequency; and a second antenna having a second resonant frequency that differs from the first resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Saito, Takahiro Yajima, Takahiro Sato
  • Patent number: 11821914
    Abstract: A notched test signal is generated across a frequency band, the notched test signal includes a plurality of frequency notches, each frequency notch associated with one of a plurality of test frequencies. The notched test signal is provided to a device under test at a plurality of different input power levels. An notched output signal is received from the device under test. The notched output signal is filtered to provide a bandpass response at the plurality of test frequencies to generate a filtered notched output signal. A power level of the filtered notched output signal at each of the plurality of test frequencies is measured. A noise performance metric associated with the device under test is determined based at least in part on the power level of the filtered notched output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Charter Communications Operating, LLC
    Inventors: Diana Linton, Esteban Sandino
  • Patent number: 11782079
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for analyzing an electronic device including a signal generator configured to generate at least one composite signal within a test frequency range. The composite signal includes narrowband signals, each narrowband signal has a center frequency within a subrange of the test frequency range, a transmitter configured to transmit the composite signal to the electronic device, and an analyzing unit configured to analyze a response of the electronic device to the composite signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Sam Chew
  • Patent number: 11692950
    Abstract: A system for measuring moisture in soil below the ground surface comprises at least one passive microwave sensor device configured to measure natural thermal emissions from the soil and output a data signal and a processing circuit operably coupled to the at least one passive microwave sensor wherein the processing circuit is configured to receive the data signal and compile a soil moisture profile. The system further comprises a wide-band antenna wherein the at least one passive microwave sensor is located therein and an elongate horizontal mounting frame extending between first and second ends wherein the first end is securable to a mobile agricultural device and wherein the wide-band antenna is secured to the second end so as to position the wide-band antenna at a distance above the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Inventors: Maik Wolleben, Heinz Wolleben
  • Patent number: 11668741
    Abstract: An electromagnetic wave measurement system may include: a reference receiving device; a plurality of auxiliary receiving devices; and a control device connected to the reference receiving device and the plurality of auxiliary receiving devices, wherein the reference receiving device has a wider dynamic range than the plurality of auxiliary receiving devices, the control device collects a frequency-specific measurement value from each of the reference receiving device and the plurality of auxiliary receiving devices, and the frequency-specific measurement value of each of the auxiliary receiving devices is calibrated based on the frequency-specific measurement value of the reference receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chang Hee Hyoung, Jong Hwa Kwon, Jung Hwan Hwang
  • Patent number: 11647916
    Abstract: In order to stably detect biological information such as the heartbeat, respiration, and pulse waves of a living organism, a biological information detection system that detects biological information comprises: a transmission antenna arranged on one side of the living organism and irradiating radio waves of prescribed polarized waves on to the living organism; a reception antenna arranged on the other side of the living organism and receiving transmitted waves being polarized waves orthogonal to the radio waves of prescribed polarized waves in a step in which same are transmitted through the living organism; and a detection unit that detects biological information on the basis of the transmitted waves received by the reception antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventor: Takahiko Kishi
  • Patent number: 11619758
    Abstract: A metal detector includes a balanced coil system with a transmitter coil connected to a transmitter unit, which provides a transmitter signal (s1) with at least one fixed/selectable transmitter frequency or a waveform having at least two different transmitter frequencies. First and a second receiver coils provide output signals to a receiver unit, which can include first and second phase detectors in which the output signals are compared with reference signals that correspond to the at least one transmitter frequency and are offset to each other in phase in order to produce in-phase components and quadrature components, which are forwarded to a signal processing unit to suppress signal components originating from goods or noise, and to process signal components originating from metal contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: METTLER-TOLEDO SAFELINE LTD.
    Inventor: Christos Ktistis
  • Patent number: 11604224
    Abstract: A fast calibration method for slide-screw impedance tuners employs a new tuner control board and routine with independent direct triggering and data sampling by the VNA; a new vertical scaling algorithm bypasses the traditional iterative approach and uses numerical curve-fitting and ISO circle definition. Full tuner calibration executes without motor stopping, yielding time reduction typically by a factor of 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Inventor: Christos Tsironis
  • Patent number: 11500088
    Abstract: A millimeter-wave real-time imaging based safety inspection system and safety inspection method. The safety inspection system includes a conveying device (10), a millimeter wave transceiver module (11), an antenna array (17, 18), a switch array (16a, 16b), a switch control unit (15a, 15b), a quadrature demodulation and data acquisition module (12), and an image display unit (13). By using an Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) imaging principle, the millimeter-wave real-time imaging based safety inspection system performs real-time imaging on an object to be inspected when the object moves, so that not only the imaging speed is improved, but also the field of view is enlarged. A safety inspector can determine whether an inspected person carries dangerous goods by observing a three-dimensional diagram of the inspected person, thereby eliminating the inconvenience caused by back-and-forth movement of a safety inspection device used by the safety inspector around the inspected person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignees: SHENZHEN VICTOOTH TERAHERTZ TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., SHENZHEN INSTITUTE OF TERAHERTZ TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
    Inventors: Chunchao Qi, Chengyan Jia, Yupeng Li
  • Patent number: 11486861
    Abstract: A device for examining the interior of a pipe using multi-element ultrasound technology, finding application in the detection of defects in the wall of a tubular pipe or the verification of the characteristics of the wall of a tubular pipe is disclosed. The device is designed to be placed inside a fluid transport pipe and to move under the action of the transported fluid, to detect defects in, or check characteristics of, the wall of the pipe. The device has a circumference and comprises a plurality of ultrasonic sensors distributed over its circumference and each formed by a plurality of transmitters and a plurality of reception antennas. The device also includes an electronic controller configured to control each sensor and to receive and record the information measured by the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Societe des Transports Petroliers Par Pipeline Trapil
    Inventors: Marc Radisson, Stéphane Benichou
  • Patent number: 11480610
    Abstract: A method for instantaneous load pull impedance pattern generation uses a phase-frequency-location equivalent of the natural behavior of slide screw tuners to skew the reflection factor phase with only small frequency changes. The method is generic and applies the same to all GHz range test frequencies. A simple calculation determines the tuning probe position and the impedance cloud is generated quasi instantaneously by switching between sidebands of the carrier test frequency without mechanically moving the tuning probe. Benign frequency behavior of the tuners allows for simple and accurate narrowband interpolation. Duration of load pull measurements is reduced from minutes to seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Inventor: Christos Tsironis
  • Patent number: 11460416
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method of determining the presence of a hydrocarbon in an aqueous medium used for secondary oil recovery. The method includes the step of introducing the aqueous medium into a subterranean hydrocarbon formation to displace hydrocarbons. The method includes the step of retrieving an aqueous sample from the aqueous medium introduced into the subterranean hydrocarbon formation. The method includes the step of cooling the aqueous sample such that the aqueous sample is in a solid state. The method includes the step of exposing the aqueous sample to an electromagnetic wave at a microwave frequency such that a scattering response is induced from the hydrocarbon included in the aqueous sample. The method includes the step of determining permittivity of the hydrocarbon based on the scattering response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Jose Oliverio Alvarez, David Joseph Jacobi
  • Patent number: 11452182
    Abstract: An electromagnetic cooking device is provided having a controller and a plurality of RF feeds configured to introduce electromagnetic radiation into an enclosed cavity to heat up a food load. The controller is configured to: (a) cause the generation of RF excitations at a specified frequency and phase shifts from each of the plurality of RF feeds for a predetermined time period; (b) during the predetermined time period: measure and analyze the backward power at the plurality of RF feeds to calculate efficiency, determine a coefficient of variation in the efficiency, and monitor the coefficient of variation to identify possible changes in a characteristic of the food load; and (c) repeatedly perform steps (a) and (b) until such time that a possible change is identified in a characteristic of the food load based on changes in the coefficient of variation. The characteristic may be the volume of the food load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignees: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Davide Guatta, Valeria Nocella
  • Patent number: 11329693
    Abstract: An electronic communication device comprises a first transceiver capable of a bi-directional communication session on a first communication medium; a second transceiver capable of a bi-directional communication session on a second communication medium; and a control logic coupled to the first transceiver and the second transceiver and capable of implementing a convergence layer, wherein the control logic is configured to receive, from the first transceiver, a first signal; and cause, in response to the first signal, data received and transmitted by the first transceiver on the first communication medium as part of a communication session to be received and transmitted instead by the second transceiver on the second communication medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yanjun Sun, Gang Xu, Soon-Hyeok Choi, Bhadra Sandeep, Xiaolin Lu, Ariton E. Xhafa, Minghua Fu, Robert W. Liang, Susan Yim
  • Patent number: 11257686
    Abstract: A laser beam from a laser optical system is incident onto a semiconductor wafer. Thermal radiation light from the semiconductor wafer is incident onto an infrared detector. The infrared detector outputs a signal based on the intensity of the thermal radiation light. A processing device calculates a sheet resistance of the semiconductor wafer that is annealed by the laser beam on the basis of an output value of the infrared detector, and outputs a calculation value of the sheet resistance to an output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Teppei Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11156656
    Abstract: A waveguide low profile slide-screw impedance tuner for seamless on-wafer integration uses rotating metallic tuning probe. This ensures high resolution in the area where the probe penetration is maximum (high GAMMA), a smooth increase of depth (basic anti-electrical discharge—“Corona” form) and compensation for the negative phase trajectory at higher GAMMA, native to traditional vertically moving stub-probes in waveguide tuners. Also, using rotating disc-probes simplifies the tuner mechanics, eliminates the cumbersome precise vertical axis and gear and flattens the tuner profile for best direct connection with wafer-probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventor: Christos Tsironis
  • Patent number: 11159961
    Abstract: A system described herein may provide a technique for the analysis of antennas in a wireless network, and the ensuing detection of misaligned antennas. Images reflecting measures of interference associated with different antennas may be analyzed based on structural similarity index (“SSIM”) or other similarity analysis techniques, and antennas may be paired according to this analysis. The paired antennas may be compared to a known configuration. Mismatches may indicate misalignment or other malfunctions, based on which automated remedial measures (e.g., antenna realignment) may be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Jason A. Birr, Katrina Adams, Brian A. Ward
  • Patent number: 11158921
    Abstract: A fast calibration method for slide-screw impedance tuners employs a reduced calibration algorithm, which creates appropriately distributed calibration points over the Smith chart compatible with already existing interpolation and tuning algorithms for high accuracy and high-speed impedance tuning. The method uses one vertical scaling of the tuning probe followed by a limited number of vertical positioning operations at pre-set horizontal intervals and applies this data to generate accurate interpolated high-density tuner calibration data points at a fraction of previously required calibration times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventor: Christos Tsironis
  • Patent number: 11088768
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring over-the-air (OTA) wireless communication performance in an automotive application of a device under test (DUT) arranged on or in a vehicle. The apparatus includes a chamber defining an internal volume therein, such as an EMC chamber or a semi-anechoic chamber. Further, a rotatable platform for supporting the vehicle is provided enclose in the internal volume, together with at least one chamber antenna. A communication system test instrument is further provided for measuring the transmission between the device under test and the chamber antenna. The chamber antenna is an array antenna, including a horizontal linear array of antenna elements, the chamber antenna preferably providing a plane wave in near-field where the vehicle is located. The array may further include a plurality of horizontal linear arrays, overlying each other in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: RANLOS AB
    Inventors: Per-Simon Kildal, Andrés Àlayon Glazunov
  • Patent number: 11083052
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus including a transmission antenna for irradiating a substance to be cooked with beamformed electromagnetic waves; a reception antenna for receiving reflected waves reflected from the substance to be cooked; and a controller for determining the temperature of the substance to be cooked corresponding to the received reflected waves on the basis of the property in which the electromagnetic waves, with which the substance to be cooked is irradiated, are reflected differently in accordance with the temperature of the substance to be cooked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Soon-cheol Kweon, Joon-hyung Kwon
  • Patent number: 11041817
    Abstract: A microwave-based measuring device includes a number n of sensors, each sensor of the number n of sensors being embodied to generate associated sensor data such that, overall, a number n of items of sensor data are generated by way of the number n of sensors. A measurement variable calculation unit is embodied to calculate a number m of measurement variable values depending on the number n of items of sensor data on the basis of values of a number d of parameters. A learning unit is embodied to calculate the values of the number d of parameters on the basis of training data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Berthold Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joerg Baeuerle, Rachid El Korch, Steffen Mueller
  • Patent number: 11022567
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing an image of an object by electromagnetic radiation includes a transmitting device for producing the electromagnetic radiation, a plurality of transmitting antennas connected to the transmitting device for emitting the electromagnetic radiation, a plurality of receiving antennas, which receive the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the transmitting antennas, and a receiving device, connected to the plurality of receiving antennas, for receiving the electromagnetic radiation and a motor-driven rotating scanner. The transmitting antennas and the receiving antennas are arranged on the scanner. The scanner is set up in such a way that the transmitting antennas and the receiving antennas are rotatable at the same speed about an axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: HÜBNER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thorsten Sprenger, Maik-Hendrik Schubert, Yashar Khodaei, Thomas Rosenthal, Rahmi Salman, Ralph Zimmermann, Stefan Kose, Dirk Nüßler, Ralf Brauns
  • Patent number: 10996179
    Abstract: A system for measuring moisture in soil below the ground surface comprises at least one passive microwave sensor device configured to measure natural thermal emissions from the soil and output a data signal and a processing circuit operably coupled to the at least one passive microwave sensor wherein the processing circuit is configured to receive the data signal and compile a soil moisture profile. The system further comprises a wide-band antenna wherein the at least one passive microwave sensor is located therein and an elongate horizontal mounting frame extending between first and second ends wherein the first end is securable to a mobile agricultural device and wherein the wide-band antenna is secured to the second end so as to position the wide-band antenna at a distance above the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventors: Maik Wolleben, Heinz Wolleben
  • Patent number: 10942162
    Abstract: A system includes a sensor device having a sensor adapted to generate measurement data relating to a characteristic of a concrete mixture, a transmitter adapted to transmit a first signal based on the measurement data, and a conductive wire forming a coil having a plurality of loops around the sensor device and a wire antenna. The coil is adapted to generate an electric current in response to the first signal. The antenna is adapted to transmit a second signal based on the electric current. The system is embedded in a concrete mixture and a portion of the antenna is exposed above the surface of the concrete mixture. A current is induced in the coil due to electromagnetic induction. A second signal is transmitted via the wire antenna. The second signal is received and transmitted to a processor. The processor may analyze and/or store the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: QUIPIP, LLC
    Inventor: Farrokh F. Radjy
  • Patent number: 10942231
    Abstract: A transmit/receive RF system for a magnetic resonance examination system is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Yong Liu
  • Patent number: 10938104
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include a system configured for receiving sensing data from a orientation detector coupled to an antenna, determining, according to the sensing data, that an aperture of the antenna has shifted from a first orientation to a second orientation, and configuring a transmitter to generate an adjusted electromagnetic wave that is supplied to a feed point of the antenna for offsetting the shift in orientation of the antenna. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Paul Shala Henry
  • Patent number: 10890542
    Abstract: A fluid sensor has a core defining a fluid flow path and a cavity member located externally of the core. The cavity member includes an electrically-conductive composite material including a matrix and one or more reinforcing elements embedded within the matrix. The cavity member is configured so as to provide confinement for an electromagnetic field and the core is configured so as to permit transmission therethrough of electromagnetic radiation at a frequency of the electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field may be a radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic field. The fluid sensor can be used in the measurement of the composition and/or flow characteristics of fluid in the fluid flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: M-Flow Technologies Ltd
    Inventors: Giles Edward, Alan Parker
  • Patent number: 10823757
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for non-destructive inspection using microwave microscopy are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for inspecting an electrically-conductive mesh in a composite component using microwave microscopy comprises generating radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation using a microwave microscopy probe disposed adjacent the composite component so that the radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation interacts with the electrically-conductive mesh in the composite component, and, detecting a characteristic associated with the microwave microscopy probe. The detected characteristic is indicative of a condition of the electrically-conductive mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.
    Inventors: Leandro Rufail, Jean-Jacques Laurin, Fidele Moupfouma
  • Patent number: 10809114
    Abstract: A radar level gauge comprising a signal propagation device, a dielectric filling member arranged in the signal propagation device, and a sealing arrangement for preventing tank content from escaping into the outside environment. The dielectric filling member includes a main body formed of a polymer material, and at least one structurally reinforced element formed of a modified polymer material providing, the modified polymer material being obtained by modifying the polymer material with a filler material, wherein the at least one structurally reinforced element is integrally formed with the main body by sintering, and forms part of the sealing arrangement. The present invention is based on the realization that a structurally reinforced element, made of a modified polymer material, may be integrated into the main body by sintering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: ROSEMOUNT TANK RADAR AB
    Inventors: Rickard Uddh, Peter Elmberg
  • Patent number: 10771884
    Abstract: An electronic device such as an earbud may have control circuitry mounted in a housing. The housing may have portions such as an ear portion with a speaker port through which a speaker plays audio and a stalk portion that extends from the ear portion. Proximity sensors may be formed in the electronic device. For example, one or more proximity sensors may be formed on the ear portion to detect when a user has inserted an earbud into the ear of the user and/or one or more proximity sensors may be formed on a stalk portion to detect when a user is holding an earbud by the stalk or when a user is providing finger touch input such as taps, swipes, and/or other gestures on the stalk portion. The proximity sensors may be optical proximity sensors such as coherent self-mixing proximity sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mehmet Mutlu, Mark T. Winkler, Orit A. Shamir
  • Patent number: 10746861
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to provide for detection and ranging of a remote object, the apparatus configured to perform the following: based on a first reflected signal comprising a reflection from the remote object of a first frequency varying detection signal that varies in frequency over a first bandwidth; and based on a second reflected signal comprising a reflection from the remote object of a second frequency varying detection signal that varies in frequency over a different second bandwidth; determine a first estimated range based on a first beat frequency signal comprising the first reflected signal mixed with the first frequency varying detection signal; determine a second estimated range based on a second beat frequency signal comprising the second reflected signal mixed with the second frequency varying detection signal; determine a range of the remote object as a function of the first estimated range and the second estimated range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Ziqiang Tong
  • Patent number: 10746774
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide an antenna characterization system. The system may include a horn antenna including a waveguide and a horn section with an open end and at least one lens disposed at the open end of the horn antenna, having a focal length. The system may also include a platform to hold an antenna under test (AUT) positioned at substantially distance x from the open end of the horn antenna, wherein x is the sum of the focal length and a far-field distance property of the AUT. The system may further include an analyzer coupled to the horn antenna to measure a radiation pattern and other properties such as EIRP, TRP, EVR and spurious emission of a passive or active AUT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: MICROWAVE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventor: Vasundara V. Varadan
  • Patent number: 10725079
    Abstract: A new measurement arrangement and method for measuring the performance of a device under test, such as an antenna, a mobile phone and other wireless terminals, are disclosed. The chamber defines an internal cavity therein, adapted to enclose the device under test, and including walls of an inwardly reflective material, rendering the walls reflective to electromagnetic waves, thereby simulating a multi-path environment. Thus, the chamber is a reverberation chamber. Further, at least one first chamber antenna and at least one second chamber antenna, are arranged in the cavity, the first and second chamber antennas being configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic waves within a first predefined frequency range and within a second predefined frequency range, respectively. A measuring instrument is connected to the device under test and the chamber antennas, for measuring the transmission between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Bluetest AB
    Inventor: John Kvarnstrand
  • Patent number: 10725094
    Abstract: An active digital electronic tuner (AET) uses a digital PIN diode electronic tuner, an adjustable directional coupler, two circulators and a power amplifier to create a compact load pull tuner device able of generating octave frequency band virtual reflection factors |Gamma|?1 at milli-second tuning speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Inventor: Christos Tsironis
  • Patent number: 10670542
    Abstract: A method includes processing an object in a cavity by applying radio frequency (RF) energy to the cavity. A first plurality of frequencies is identified, characterized in that a time derivative of a value indicative of a dielectric response of the cavity to RF energy at frequency of the first plurality of frequencies is larger than a first threshold. More energy is applied at frequencies of the first plurality of frequencies than at other frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: GOJI LIMITED
    Inventors: Avner Libman, Hertzel Yehezkely, Sharon Hadad, Ram Elboim, Zalman Ibragimov, Amit Rappel
  • Patent number: 10670541
    Abstract: Several embodiments include a method of computing void fraction in a two-phase mixture in a pipe. A driver and a transmitter antenna can transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal through the pipe. The pipe can convey the two-phase mixture extracted from a geothermal well. The RF signal can pass through the two-phase mixture. A receiver antenna in the pipe can receive the RF signal. A receiver circuit can measure signal strength attenuations of the RF signal at the receiver antenna over a time window. A computation engine can compute an average of the signal strength attenuations over the time window. The computation engine or another computing device can then compute, in real-time, a change in a void fraction of the two-phase mixture based on the average of the signal strength attenuations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignees: Steamfield Sensors, Inc., Auckland UniServices Limited
    Inventors: John R. Sisler, Sadiq Jafar Mohammed Zarrouk
  • Patent number: 10648937
    Abstract: A method for nondestructive inspection of ceramic structures present as either a ceramic matrix composite structure or a ceramic based coating. Such non-metallic structures are used to provide thermal protection or weight reduction or both to aircraft and their components. The nonmetallic structure is scanned with an electromagnetic pulse in the range of 200 GHz to 4 THz. The electromagnetic pulse includes a plurality of frequencies within the Terahertz range and is not restricted to a single designated frequency. The frequency range is sensitive to changes in impedances and refractive index within the structure. After the electromagnetic pulse passes through the nonmetallic structure, it may be evaluated for changes in impedance in the nonmetallic structure at different locations, and, when present, whether the changes in impedance impact the ability of the structure to perform the function for which it was designed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Russell Craig Baucke, Glen David Hilderbrand, Timothy Francis Decker, Benjamin Reid Crowgey
  • Patent number: 10620250
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing radio-frequency antenna elements are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: KYMETA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cadgas Varel, Ryan Stevenson, Steven Linn, Michael Severson, Colin Stuart Short, Mohsen Sazegar
  • Patent number: 10571498
    Abstract: A system for analyzing a microwave-frequency signal by imaging is provided, comprising: a solid material at least one optical property of which is modifiable in at least one zone of the material, when the zone is simultaneously in the presence of an optical excitation or electrical excitation and a microwave-frequency signal having at least one frequency coinciding with a resonant frequency of the material, the material furthermore being such that a value of the resonant frequency varies as a function of the amplitude of a magnetic field, a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field having, in the interior of a portion of the zone, a spatial amplitude variation in a direction X, the material then having a resonant frequency that is dependent on a position in the direction X, and a detector configured to receive an image of the zone in said direction X.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignees: THALES, UNIVERSITAET LEIPZIG
    Inventors: Mayeul Chipaux, Loic Toraille, Thierry Debuisschert, Christian Larat, Loic Morvan, Jan Meijer, Sébastien Pezzagna
  • Patent number: 10566953
    Abstract: An electronic impedance tuner comprises an adjusting circuit, N cell tuning circuits identical in structure and a switch controller. The adjusting circuit comprises a first microstrip line, a second microstrip line, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a third capacitor, a first inductor, a second inductor and a first PIN diode. Each cell tuning circuit comprises a third microstrip line, a fourth microstrip line, a fourth capacitor, a fifth capacitor, a second PIN diode and a third capacitor. The capacitance Cd of the fourth capacitor meets the condition: 4 ? ? Y s N ? ? ? ? ? f 2 ? ? ? req ? 1 - ? ? req ? 2 ? C d ? Y s ? ? ? f 1 ? ? ? req ? 1 - ? ? req ? 2 . The length d of the third microstrip line meets the condition: ? 1 / 4 ? ( N + 1 ) < d < c 4 ? ? reff ? [ ( C d · Z 0 ) 2 + ( 2 ? ? ? f Bragg ) 2 - C d · Z 0 ] .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ningbo University
    Inventors: Ke Wu, Yangping Zhao
  • Patent number: 10473595
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a composition of a fluid has a fluid conduit with a wall defining a fluid flow path, a transmitting antenna, a receiving antenna, and an electrically conductive waveguide member for electromagnetic coupling with the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna and for guiding an electromagnetic field from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna along a waveguide path. The waveguide member is separated from the fluid flow path by an electrically insulating inner region of the wall. The waveguide member defines an opening disposed towards the fluid flow path to permit a portion of the electromagnetic field to extend through the opening and the inner region of the wall into the fluid flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: M-Flow Technologies Ltd
    Inventors: Alan Parker, Giles Edward, Alex Wall-Clarke, Arnault Tremolet
  • Patent number: 10473587
    Abstract: Terahertz (THz) or millimeter wave (mmW) band characterization of a differential-mode device under test (DUT) is performed using a non-contact probing setup based on an integrated circuit that includes the on-chip DUT and an on-chip test fixture as follows. A differential transmission line pair is operatively coupled with the DUT. A first differential antenna pair at a first end of the transmission line pair has a first antenna connected only with the first transmission line and a second antenna connected only with the second transmission line. A second differential antenna pair is likewise connected with a second end of the differential transmission line pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: OHIO STATE INNOVATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Kubilay Sertel, Georgios C. Trichopoulos, Cosan Caglayan
  • Patent number: 10444266
    Abstract: A hybrid, fundamental and harmonic frequency, active injection load pull test setup includes a harmonic receiver, impedance tuners and operates using only a single power source at the fundamental frequency Fo whereby the signal is split between input and output signal path. The output signal portion is retrieved through the coupled port of an adjustable wave-probe, which is incorporated into the input tuner and attached on the vertical axis of one of the tuner's mobile carriages. Wideband and harmonic impedance tuners serve for pre-matching the DUT output and reducing the injection power requirement; the amplitude and phase control in the feedback loop uses the variable wave-probe coupler mounted inside the source tuner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventor: Christos Tsironis
  • Patent number: 10422762
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for determining a water cut value of a composition comprising a hydrocarbon. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to an apparatus for determining the water cut value of the composition that comprises one or more of a capacitance probe, a temperature probe, a salinity probe, and a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Michael John Black, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi