To Determine Water Content Patents (Class 324/643)
  • Patent number: 11948027
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus that suppresses print position displacement. The image forming apparatus includes a plurality of sheet storage sections configured to store sheets. A sheet storage section to be used is selected out of the plurality of sheet storage sections. An image is formed on a sheet supplied from the selected sheet storage section and the image position is adjusted using adjustment values associated with the selected sheet storage section. When an update action performed by sheet replenishment or sheet replacement is detected for a sheet storage section, the sheet storage section for which the update action has been detected is controlled so as not to be selected by the selection unit until a predetermined time period elapses after detection of the update action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yukiyoshi Hikichi
  • Patent number: 11442027
    Abstract: Novel microwave devices capable of monitoring pest activity or moisture content in grain. A planar active microwave resonator with a regenerative element is placed in proximity to the grain to be tested, for example by immersion within in a bulk grain store to monitor moisture levels or pest activity therein, mounting within a sample container to monitor moisture levels or pest activity in a smaller volume of grain sampled from a grain store or shipment, or exposure to individual sample kernels for detecting internal pests therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: University of Manitoba
    Inventors: Alex Reimer, Yongsheng Gui, Can-Ming Hu, Fuji Jian, Paul Fields, Digvir Jayas
  • Patent number: 11428564
    Abstract: A remote pulse TDR liquid level measurement system and method may include inserting a probe into a body of water. The probe has a probe/air interface, and the body of water includes an air/water interface. A narrow pulse is remotely transmitted to the probe via a coaxial cable. A first impedance mismatch is received from the probe/air interface in a form of a positive reflected pulse, and a second impedance mismatch is received from the air/water interface in a form of a negative reflected pulse. A time between the positive reflected pulse and the negative reflected pulse is calculated, and the time is converted to a distance, the distance being indicative of the water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Yogeshwar Dayal, William Francis Splichal, Jr., Steven D. Sawyer, Eric Rankin Gardner, Bruce John Lentner, Philip O. Eisermann
  • Patent number: 11134604
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring soil properties including soil moisture and soil temperature during an agricultural input application. Embodiments include a soil moisture sensor and/or a soil temperature sensor mounted to a seed firmer for measuring moisture and temperature in a planting trench. Additionally, systems, methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting depth based on the monitored soil properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Derek Sauder, Jason Stoller, Troy Plattner
  • Patent number: 11029187
    Abstract: A fill level radar device for fill level measurement in accordance with the reflectometer method is provided, including a control circuit that is designed for changing the number of steps, the frequency spacings between the individual steps, the durations of the individual steps, the width of the frequency band, the frequency of the lowest step and/or the frequency of the highest step. The operating sequence can be optimised thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: VEGA GRIESHABER KG
    Inventors: Roland Welle, Karl Griessbaum
  • Patent number: 10557804
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system for wear monitoring, includes a wear surface, a metallic reflector embedded in the wear surface, a radio-wave transmitter, and a radio-wave receiver. The metallic reflector reflects radio waves transmitted by the radio-wave transmitter for detection by the radio wave receiver. Attenuation of the radio waves between transmission by the radio-wave transmitter and detection by the radio-wave receiver indicates a degree of wear of the wear surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: REI, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Brunner, Randy Richardson, Robert Koontz, Alex Schumacher, Jeffrey J. Schwoebel, Randall Johnson
  • Patent number: 10378948
    Abstract: The invention is a measuring arrangement for measuring a fill level in a container with a radar level gauge according to the delay principle, which comprises an adaptation for reducing electromagnetic radiation reflected by the surfaces of the wall of the container as well as a method for optimizing the adaptation and for reducing stray radiation, for example radiation reflected by the container walls, with here display devices indicating if stray radiation is sufficiently reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: VEGA GRIESHABER KG
    Inventors: Juergen Skowaisa, Clemens Hengstler
  • Patent number: 10359413
    Abstract: A method and system for calibrating moisture sensors in a concrete production plant are disclosed. The moisture sensor is in communication with a computer database through a transceiver. The moisture sensor records numerous readings of moisture for aggregate used in concrete production, which are stored in the database. Separately, a manual sample of aggregate taken from the production line is determined to have a moisture content, which is the baseline for calibrating the sensor. This record is also entered into the database. The moisture sensor reading and the manual sample record are compared for multiple iterative readings to determine whether a sensor requires further calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Inventor: Randall E. Willaman
  • Patent number: 10184820
    Abstract: A radar level gauge system comprising: a transceiver; a tank feed-through; a power divider to divide a transmit signal into a first transmit signal and a second transmit signal; a first probe member configured to guide the first transmit signal and to return a first reflection signal, said first probe member providing a first relatively large average attenuation; a second probe member configured to guide said second transmit signal and to return a second reflection signal, said second probe member providing a second relatively small average attenuation; measurement signal forming circuitry for forming a measurement signal comprising a first set of echo indicators indicating reflection of said first transmit signal, and a second set of echo indicators indicating reflection of said second transmit signal; and level determining circuitry for determining a first level based on said first set of echo indicators, and a second, deeper, level based on said second set of echo indicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: ROSEMOUNT TANK RADAR AB
    Inventors: Olov Edvardsson, Mikael Eriksson, Michael Larsson
  • Patent number: 9958310
    Abstract: A method for determining frequency components of a discrete time signal, comprising steps as follows: transforming the discrete time signal into the frequency domain by means of a fast Fourier transformation, wherein a frequency spectrum is obtained as a sequence of frequency sample values, detecting peaks in the frequency spectrum, introducing at least one additional frequency support point in the vicinity of a detected peak, determining a frequency amplitude at the at least one additional frequency support point by means of the Goertzel algorithm, and determining the position of the peak maximum of the detected peak by applying both the frequency sample values delivered by the fast Fourier transformation as well as also the frequency amplitude at the at least one additional frequency support point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Harald Faber, Winfried Mayer, Alexey Malinovskiy
  • Patent number: 9761111
    Abstract: Individual agricultural assets at a remote location are each equipped with at least one condition sensor in communication with a location-based controlling transceiver, which in turn communicates with a central monitoring system. The transceiver will monitor data received from the condition sensors and in accordance with predetermined notification parameters will send a signal to the central monitoring system only when a notification condition, for example an elevated temperature reading in the instance of a grain bin, is detected. By only communicating when a transmission bandwidth requirements between the transceiver and the central monitoring system are minimized. Further transmission bandwidth reduction can be achieved by limiting the notification condition parameters limiting transceiver packet. Various conditions including temperature, gas levels or presence, volume or other conditions of various types of assets could be monitored remotely in this way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: INTRAGRAIN TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Kyle Ronald Folk
  • Patent number: 9750394
    Abstract: In an endoscope system that obtains a captured image inside of a body cavity by use of an insertion unit of an endoscope apparatus which is inserted into the body cavity of a subject, an oscillator outputs an oscillation pulse signal, and receives a reflected pulse signal. A transmission line is provided along the insertion unit near an envelope of the insertion unit, and transmits a pulse signal output from the oscillator. A time calculating unit and an insertion length calculating unit obtain a time difference between the oscillation pulse signal and the reflected pulse signal on the basis of the oscillation pulse signal output by the oscillator and the reflected pulse signal received by the oscillator, and calculate an insertion length of the insertion unit on the basis of the obtained time difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihiro Kumagai, Hidenobu Kubo
  • Patent number: 9709430
    Abstract: A coaxial probe is for a TDR fill-level measuring instrument, in which probe the inner conductor is connected to the outer conductor via a terminating resistor. The terminating resistor is mounted in a cylindrical recess in the inner conductor and sealed with respect to the measuring environment. In this way, the measurement of the fill level in the region of the probe end can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: VEGA GRIESHABER KG
    Inventors: Klaus Kienzle, Juergen Dietmeier
  • Patent number: 9696292
    Abstract: New time-domain response system calibration techniques are described for determining dry density and water content of soil based on electromagnetic wave propagation through it. For example, one disclosed technique use the ratio between V1, the voltage difference between the peak and trough of the response signal, and Vf, the long-term (i.e., steady-state) response of the system to the input pulse. These values are measurable, even for highly conductive soils, and calibration done in a laboratory can be applied to measurements taken in an uncontrolled field environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Vincent P. Drnevich, Sochan Jung, Majdi Abou Najm
  • Patent number: 9645099
    Abstract: A determining device for determining at least one component of a liquid, e.g., a fuel mixture, for use in motor vehicles, includes at least one sensor which has at least one connecting device for coupling microwave signals into the liquid and/or out of the liquid. The determining device is implemented as a hand-held measuring instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Wendt, Dirk Schmidt, Stephan Schulteis, Werner Soergel, Thor Windbergs
  • Patent number: 9645003
    Abstract: A method for determining a distance to a surface of a medium or to another radar target in a pipe by means of a radar measurement apparatus. Transmitting within the pipe a radar transmission signal frequency modulated according to the FMCW principle, receiving a radar received signal reflected on the surface of the medium or on the other radar target in the pipe back to the radar measurement apparatus, mixing the radar received signal with the radar transmission signal or a signal derived therefrom and producing an intermediate signal. Determining a frequency spectrum of the intermediate signal or a signal derived therefrom by means of fast Fourier transformation and detecting the position of the frequency peak in the frequency spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Alexey Malinovskiy
  • Patent number: 9404787
    Abstract: A level measuring device with an integratable lens has a radar level meter and an angle adjusting assembly. The radar level meter has a horn antenna and a lens antenna assembly mounted on a signal transceiving end of the radar level meter. The lens antenna assembly has a housing and a lens antenna. The housing is hollow and receives the horn antenna therein. One end of the housing is connected to the lens antenna, and the other end of the housing is connected to the signal transceiving end of the radar level meter. The angle adjustment assembly is mounted around the housing. As the lens antenna assembly covers the horn antenna, the horn antenna is less likely to be damaged. Additionally, the housing of the lens antenna assembly is connected with the angle adjusting assembly for angle adjustment of the combined horn antenna and lens antenna assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: FINETEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shu-Chien Cheng, Chien-Lung Huang, Tzu-Chuan Tsai, Yao-Chen Yu, Ting-Kuo Wu, Chao-Kai Cheng
  • Patent number: 9401089
    Abstract: A method and system for assessing road conditions is provided. The method includes determining a road hazard condition for a road segment that may include a precipitation type, a pavement condition, and a visibility level. The precipitation type may be determined using radar data, satellite cloud classification data, weather station air temperature data, wiper status, mobile air data, speed ratio, or headlight status. The pavement condition may be determined using pavement temperature, precipitation type, automatic brake system status, traction status or a stability control observation, and a yaw rate. The visibility level may be determined using wind speed, relative humidity, percentage of fog lights on, percentage of high beams on, speed ratio, station visibility, station-reported visibility type, wildfire existence, wind direction, a dust existence indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
    Inventors: Sheldon Drobot, Michael Chapman, Amanda Anderson, Gerry Wiener, Seth Linden, Crystal Burghardt
  • Patent number: 9296483
    Abstract: The present application includes a distributed ice protection system that utilizes a distributed control system with a server/client communication protocol to prevent single point failures, reduce affected system loss when a failure occurs, improve required maintenance turn around time, and provide a tailorable, interactive, integrated, cross platform solution for a variety of aircraft ice protection requirements. The distributed ice protection system includes master servers and control modules that are compatible with a variety of aircraft platforms. The control modules interface with individual anti-ice and de-ice hardware components on the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Brandon J. Mancuso
  • Patent number: 9110197
    Abstract: Device and method for anticipating the deposition of ice on a runway, comprising an object having a non-zero relative velocity with respect to the atmosphere surrounding the runway, this surrounding atmosphere being at a certain temperature, a means for determining the thickness of ice present on said moving object, which further includes a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the runway, a means for regulating the temperature of said object in such a way that the temperature of said moving object is substantially equal to or slightly below the temperature of the runway, a computing means, for defining at time t0 a level of icing at time t1 of the runway as a function of the thickness of ice present on the object, and a warning means allowing the results obtained by the computing means to be communicated to a monitoring station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignees: AER, OFFICE NATIONAL D'ETUDES ET DE RECHERCHES AEROSPATIALES (ONERA)
    Inventors: Didier Guffond, Robert Schegerin, Hervé Lachaud
  • Publication number: 20150022220
    Abstract: Microwave techniques for measuring moisture and other properties of paper and related products without requiring an independent measurement of temperature are provided. A sensor directly measures the reflection or transmission of microwaves at a number of well-chosen frequencies so as to characterize the absorption spectrum of the product. The technique of measuring the parameters of a composition includes: (a) directing incident microwave radiation over a spectrum of wavelengths from an antenna upon the composition; (b) measuring the microwave radiation over the spectrum of wavelengths that emerges from the composition; (c) determining the reflected and/or transmitted transfer function; and (d) relating the transfer function of the composition to the parameters of the composition by applying a theoretic, calibrated, or hybrid model. The product moisture and temperature are extracted from the transfer function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: Honeywell ASCa Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastien Tixier, Michael Kon Yew Hughes
  • Patent number: 8901939
    Abstract: An open sensor is provided for testing a split sample of a composite medium. The open sensor generally includes a longitudinal section of a tube and a plurality of serpentine conductors which are successively layered on top of each other. The interior surface of the tube section forms a trough into which the split sample of the composite medium can be disposed. The number of serpentine conductors is two or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Soilmoisture Equipment Corp.
    Inventor: Whitney Skaling
  • Patent number: 8890550
    Abstract: An electrical device for detecting moisture has a detection cable (10a, 10b, 10c) made up of a first element (1) and of a second element (2a, 2b, 2c) which elements are elongate and electrically conducting and separated by a polymer-based material (3), and an electrical resistance measurement appliance intended to measure the electrical resistance between the first and second elements of the the cable, where the material (3) is a non-soluble and moisture-sensitive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nexans
    Inventors: Laurent Tribut, Yann Breton, Ivar Granheim
  • Patent number: 8847609
    Abstract: A method of obtaining a material property of a pavement material from a microwave field generally includes generating a microwave frequency electromagnetic field of a first mode about the pavement material. The frequency response of the pavement material in the electromagnetic field can be measured, such as by a network analyzer. The measurement of the frequency response permits correlating the frequency response to a material property of the pavement material sample, such as the density. A method of correcting for the roughness of a pavement material divides the pavement into a shallow layer and a deep layer. Two planar microwave circuits measure the permittivity of the shallow and deep layer. The permittivities are correlated to correct for roughness. An apparatus for obtaining the density of a pavement sample includes a microwave circuit and a network analyzer. The network analyzer measures the frequency response to determine the density of the pavement material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Ernest Troxler
  • Patent number: 8552739
    Abstract: In an electronic device and a method of correcting time-domain reflectometers, two channels of a time-domain reflectometer are connected to a corrector using cables, and the two channels are enabled to transmit pulses. Parameters Step Deskew and Channel Deskew of the two channels are zeroed. Resistance values of the two channels are measured simultaneously, and the value of the parameter Step Deskew of one of the two channels is adjusted according to the Resistance values of the two channels. Times of achieving the same resistance value of the two channels are measured after the cables and the connector have been disconnected, and the value of the parameter Channel Deskew of one of the two channels is adjusted according to the times of achieving the same resistance value. The adjusted values of the parameters Step Deskew and Channel Deskew are displayed through a display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsien-Chuan Liang, Shen-Chun Li, Shou-Kuo Hsu
  • Patent number: 8525527
    Abstract: A sensor is provided for testing a composite medium. The sensor includes a tube and three or more conductors which are wound in a continuously parallel helix around the tube such that the conductors are interleaved. The tube is non-porous and electrically insulative. Both the proximal end and the distal end of the tube are open. Each turn of each conductor is equally spaced from the adjoining turns of the other conductors, and the conductors have a common helical length. The sensor can also include a first cap which seals the proximal end of the tube and a second cap which seals the distal end of the tube such that the interior of the tube is always filled with air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Soilmoisture Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: Whitney Skaling
  • Patent number: 8400168
    Abstract: A method of obtaining a material property of a pavement material from a microwave field generally includes generating a microwave frequency electromagnetic field of a first mode about the pavement material. The frequency response of the pavement material in the electromagnetic field can be measured, such as by a network analyzer. The measurement of the frequency response permits correlating the frequency response to a material property of the pavement material sample, such as the density. A method of correcting for the roughness of a pavement material divides the pavement into a shallow layer and a deep layer. Two planar microwave circuits measure the permittivity of the shallow and deep layer. The permittivities are correlated to correct for roughness. An apparatus for obtaining the density of a pavement sample includes a microwave circuit and a network analyzer. The network analyzer measures the frequency response to determine the density of the pavement material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Ernest Troxler, William T. Joines
  • Publication number: 20130027060
    Abstract: A calorie estimating device for measuring a calorie content of a food item is provided. The device comprises a holder substrate, a transmitter antenna configured to transmit ultra-wide band (UWB) signals to at least a portion of the food item disposed on a side of the holder substrate, wherein the transmitter antenna comprises a planar antenna, a first receiver antenna configured to receive at least a portion of UWB signals reflected by the food item, wherein the first receiver antenna comprises a planar antenna, and a second receiver antenna configured to receive at least a portion of UWB signals propagated through the food item, wherein the second receiver antenna comprises a planar antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Nilesh Tralshawala, John Frederick Graf, Jack Mathew Webster, Vasile Bogdan Neculaes, Sarah Lillian Katz
  • Patent number: 8354849
    Abstract: A method for the measurement of humidity and/or density in a measurement target. The phase and the amplitude of the microwave radiation transmitted through the measurement target is determined for a number of frequencies. The complex-valued transmission function of the measurement target is calculated from the determined values using the complex-valued transfer function of the measurement arrangement, and transformed into the time domain as a complex-valued time domain function. The point in time at which the amount of the main pulse has its maximum value is determined as a characteristic variable A from the time domain function. From the time domain function, the width of the main pulse is determined as a characteristic variable B, and/or the amplitude value of the main pulse as a characteristic variable H. A humidity and/or density of the measurement target is determined depending on the characteristic variable A and the characteristic variables B and/or H.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: TEWS Elektronik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hendrik Richter
  • Patent number: 8350580
    Abstract: A non-invasive Time Domain Reflectometry transmission line system and method for measuring one or more parameters of an electromagnetic Radio Frequency pulse transmitted, and reflected, along a transmission line, the parameters including at least one of; amplitude, propagation velocity and/or propagation time between defined predetermined instances. The system includes a transmission line structure including three or more elongated transmission elements each having two distal ends. Each element is capable of being selectively activated in at least two distinct pairs having distinct geometric configurations relative to each other to generate at least two distinct electric field potentials without physical displacement of the transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Lincoln Ventures Limited
    Inventors: Ian Maxwell Woodhead, Ian Gregory Platt
  • Patent number: 8334727
    Abstract: Apparatus comprising: a radio frequency (RF) Robinson oscillator comprising: a resonator comprising a sensor rhumbatron, the sensor rhumbatron comprising a cavity member, the cavity member having a re-entrant boss member, the re-entrant boss member being arranged to project into a cavity portion of the cavity member; a feedback element arranged to provide positive radio frequency (RF) feedback to the cavity member thereby to increase a quality factor Q of the cavity member, the feedback element having first and second terminals coupled to the cavity member, the apparatus being operable to cause the oscillator to oscillate at a resonant frequency; and an output arranged to provide a signal that varies according to a value of at least one electrical parameter of the oscillator, said at least one electrical parameter being selected from amongst an electromagnetic loss and a resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Isis Innovation Limited
    Inventors: John Francis Gregg, Mazhar Bari
  • Patent number: 8330473
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the measurement of mass or density and/or for the measurement of the humidity in a plurality of portioned units in a non-metallic carrier material, which provides the following: a microwave measuring instrument, consisting of at least one microwave resonator for generating at least one resonance mode in a spatially limited measurement area and an analyzing unit for analyzing at least one variable of the at least one resonance mode, a conveying device for the carrier material, which transports the carrier material with the portioned units through the measurement area, the microwave measuring instrument measures at least one variable of the at least one resonance mode at a time when only the carrier material without portioned unit is in the measurement area, and at a time when the portioned unit is at least partially in the measurement area, the analyzing unit subtracts the variable measured for the carrier material from the measurement values for the portioned unit, and determines a va
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: TEWS Elektronik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Herrmann, Udo Schlemm, Stefan Zaage, Harald Ceslik
  • Patent number: 8278943
    Abstract: A self-checking analyzer system is provided according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The analyzer system includes a pipeline for receiving a multi-phase fluid flow and a first measuring device configured to provide a first frequency response corresponding to the multi-phase fluid flow. The analyzer system also includes a second measuring device differing in frequency response from the first measuring device and configured to provide a second frequency response corresponding to the multi-phase fluid flow. The analyzer system is configured to validate the first frequency response using the second frequency response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Phase Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Bentley N. Scott
  • Patent number: 8278942
    Abstract: A self-checking analyzer system is provided according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The analyzer system includes a pipeline for receiving a multi-phase fluid flow. The analyzer system also includes a first measuring device configured to provide a first reflected power/insertion loss measurement corresponding to the multi-phase fluid flow, and a second measuring device differing in frequency response from the first measuring device and configured to provide a second reflected power/insertion loss measurement corresponding to the multi-phase fluid flow. The analyzer system is configured to validate the first reflected power/insertion loss measurement using the second reflected power/insertion loss measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Phase Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Bentley N. Scott
  • Patent number: 8144370
    Abstract: To provide new image forming apparatus and a printing method that can obtain information on image forming by using terahertz waves. An image forming apparatus includes a stock unit for stocking a media stack made of a plurality of media with images formed on; an electromagnetic wave generation unit for generating a terahertz wave to radiate on the media stack; an electromagnetic wave detection unit for detecting the terahertz wave propagated in a laminating direction of the media stack; a memory unit for storing reference data; a processing unit for generating data related to an image forming state from the detection signal from the electromagnetic wave detection unit, information on the number of sheets of the medium, and information on the image formed on the medium; and a comparative unit for comparing the data generated by the processing unit and the reference data stored in the memory unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeaki Itsuji, Takehiko Kawasaki, Norio Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8128561
    Abstract: A hydration and composition measurement device and technique that in one embodiment includes a microcontroller; a phase lock loop frequency synthesizer controlled by the microcontroller to generate radio frequencies; a cavity for use in resonating at a set of frequencies; a radio frequency power detector for measuring perturbed cavity resonance; and an analyzer. The hydration and composition measurement device may further include a circulator, which receives frequencies from the phase lock loop frequency synthesizer, and an antenna connected to the circulator and cavity. The cavity may be defined by a metallic material or members, and the cavity includes a hole configured to provide access of tissue to be tested to the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Intelligent Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Arvind Bhat, Shan Chiang, Eric van Doorn, Pencheng Lv
  • Patent number: 7804309
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide estimates of soil moisture by measuring the change in electrical conductivity near the surface of the earth using surface-propagated electromagnetic fields. A method is provided for estimating near-surface soil moisture, including measuring signals from an electromagnetic ground wave propagating between one or more receiving element locations, determining a transfer characteristic proportional to an average electrical conductivity between pairs of locations; and determining estimated soil moisture in one or more regions derived from analyzing the determined electrical conductivity between pairs of locations and a predetermined regional relationship between electrical conductivity and soil moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Vaisala OYJ
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Cummins
  • Patent number: 7759947
    Abstract: In a method for determining the moisture of a running material web, in particular a paper web or paperboard web, the material web is scanned by way of a sensor including a microwave resonator, the resonance response of the microwave resonator is investigated, and the moisture in the material web is established in the light of this resonance response while taking account of the distance between the microwave resonator and the material web. Also disclosed is a corresponding apparatus for determining the moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: VOITH Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Kaufmann, Peter Biener, Rainer Wenzl
  • Publication number: 20100108889
    Abstract: A method configured to investigate an LCD structure, the method comprising: irradiating an LCD structure with pulsed radiation having at least one frequency in the range from 40G Hz to 100 THz; detecting radiation which has been transmitted through or reflected by the structure; determining information about the structure by measuring a quantity at least related to the amplitude of the detected radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Yaochun Shen, Alessia Portieri, Donald Dominic Arnone
  • Patent number: 7688079
    Abstract: A detecting apparatus for detecting information of at least a portion of a stack of sheet media includes an illuminating unit and a detecting unit. The illuminating unit illuminates a side of the stack of sheet media, or a portion thereof with electromagnetic waves. The detecting unit detects electromagnetic waves transmitted through or reflected by the stack of sheet media, or a portion thereof. The detecting apparatus is adapted to compare information of the electromagnetic waves detected by the detecting unit with information about attenuation of electromagnetic waves due to moisture contained in the sheet medium, and detect information of the moisture content of at least a portion of the stack of sheet media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Michinori Shioda, Toshihiko Ouchi, Takehiko Kawasaki, Norio Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7631543
    Abstract: A method for determining the composition and water salinity of a multi-component mixture of a gas and at least one liquid, including water, in a pipe (1), the method comprising the following steps: a. electromagnetic phase measurements are performed between two receiving antennas (4) located at different distances from a sending antenna (3), b. based on an empirically determined constant(s) and the above measurements, the effective and imaginary dielectric constants are determined, c. the mixture density is determined, d. the temperature and pressure are determined e. based on the knowledge of densities, effective dielectric constants and imaginary dielectric constants of the components of the fluid mixture and the results of the above steps a-d, the volume fractions of the gas and liquid or liquids of the fluid mixture and salinity of the water are calculated. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Multi Phase Meters AS
    Inventor: Arnstein Wee
  • Publication number: 20090256579
    Abstract: A self-checking analyzer system is provided according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The analyzer system includes a pipeline for receiving a multi-phase fluid flow. The analyzer system also includes a first measuring device configured to provide a first reflected power/insertion loss measurement corresponding to the multi-phase fluid flow, and a second measuring device differing in frequency response from the first measuring device and configured to provide a second reflected power/insertion loss measurement corresponding to the multi-phase fluid flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: Phase Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Bentley N. Scott
  • Patent number: 7560937
    Abstract: The measurement device includes a microwave sensor, a microwave analyzer which is essentially composed of a microwave signal generator and a microwave power meter, and a processing unit to which the analyzer is interfaced. The sensor 3 includes a resonator 9 and an open coaxial probe 11. The resonator 9 is produced by means of a length of microstrip line 13, terminating with the probe 11 and short-circuited at one end 13A. The microstrip is produced on a laminate of low-loss dielectric material 15. The collector plate forming the ground is indicated with 17. Operating on the microstrip 13 are two weakly coupled ports with coaxial output, indicated with 19 and 21 respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche
    Inventors: Marco Bini, Amleto Ignesti, Roberto Olmi, Lapo Pieri, Saverio Priori, Cristiano Riminesi
  • Patent number: 7525321
    Abstract: A device for taking ultra-high frequency hydrometric measurements by generating sine wave trains of incident wave(s) at frequencies assuming several values in arithmetic progression between a few MHz and a few GHz, and has at least one ultra-high frequency cable. The cable includes at least two measuring stations (4) spaced along the cable a predetermined distance apart, each measuring station (4) having a measuring cell (14) and a separator device capable of only sampling a portion of the incident wave(s) with sufficient energy for each measuring cell to send back an echo measurable by electronic read-out device so that the sampling of the incident wave(s) by each measuring station occurs essentially simultaneously. Each measuring cell (14) consists of an ultra-high frequency line portion with its distal end terminated by a short circuit and with the line portion having a circumferential external wall which is either porous or provided with ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventor: Michel Hoclet
  • Patent number: 7479776
    Abstract: A LAN tester has display and remote units each having a connector jack attached to an adapter board for connection to the plug of a patch cord. Both the display and remote units have circuits which are capable of measuring the phase between a drive signal voltage and the corresponding coupled or reflected signal due to the drive signal. Scattering parameters for the mated connector pairs and the patch cord itself are measured during a field calibration. A computer in one or both of the tester units stores the measured scattering parameters and uses the scattering parameters to move the reference plane to any desired location along the patch cord. Channel link or permanent link tests can be conducted using the same equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: IDEAL Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald W. Renken, Keith H. Davis, Edward Pivonka
  • Patent number: 7439722
    Abstract: A method for analyzing the filling of a cigarette by using a sinusoidal mathematical model representing the density of tobacco along the longitudinal axis of the cigarette and by conducting experimental measurements of density and of moisture at a plurality of points along this longitudinal axis, calculating a regression determination coefficient from the measured values, calculating the position of the strengthened tip from the phase ? and the parameters of the model and from experimentally determined constants, calculating the shift of the strengthened tip relatively to the cut and calculating the strengthening index from the values of these constants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Exploitation Industrielle des Tabacs et Allumettes (SEITA)
    Inventors: Jean Remi Poulet, Georges Cholet
  • Patent number: 7423435
    Abstract: A grammage measuring apparatus including a dielectric resonator which is arranged only at one side surface of a sample; a shielding container with which the dielectric resonator is substantially covered except for a sample measuring surface; a microwave excitation device which causes the dielectric resonator to generate an electric field vector; a detection device which detects transmission energy or reflection energy by the dielectric resonator; a storage device in which a calibration curve indicating a resonance frequency shift amount for a grammage is stored; and a data processing device which calculates the grammage of a measuring sample from the calibration curve and measurement result of the resonance frequency shift amount of the measuring sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Oji Paper Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetada Sawamoto, Shinichi Nagata
  • Patent number: 7292049
    Abstract: An improved system and method for providing a dielectric monitor which allows the measurement of the dielectric constant of a conductive material. The capability to accurately and efficiently measure the dielectric constant in soil allows the moisture content of the soil to be accurately determined. The preferred embodiment teaches a sensor that has the ability to compensate for some level of variable conductivity. Alternate embodiments are applicable to areas other than soil moisture measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Base line, LLC
    Inventor: Scott Alan DeHart
  • Publication number: 20070200568
    Abstract: A detecting apparatus for detecting information of at least a portion of a stack of sheet media includes an illuminating unit and a detecting unit. The illuminating unit illuminates a side of the stack of sheet media, or a portion thereof with electromagnetic waves. The detecting unit detects electromagnetic waves transmitted through or reflected by the stack of sheet media, or a portion thereof. The detecting apparatus is adapted to compare information of the electromagnetic waves detected by the detecting unit with information about attenuation of electromagnetic waves due to moisture contained in the sheet medium, and detect information of the moisture content of at least a portion of the stack of sheet media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Michinori Shioda, Toshihiko Ouchi, Takehiko Kawasaki, Norio Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7239150
    Abstract: A method of obtaining a material property of a pavement material from a microwave field generally includes generating a microwave frequency electromagnetic field of a first mode about the pavement material. The frequency response of the pavement material in the electromagnetic field can be measured, such as by a network analyzer. The measurement of the frequency response permits correlating the frequency response to a material property of the pavement material sample, such as the density. A method of correcting for the roughness of a pavement material divides the pavement into a shallow layer and a deep layer. Two planar microwave circuits measure the permittivity of the shallow and deep layer. The permittivities are correlated to correct for roughness. An apparatus for obtaining the density of a pavement sample includes a microwave circuit and a network analyzer. The network analyzer measures the frequency response to determine the density of the pavement material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Ernest Troxler, William T. Joines