Leakage Patents (Class 340/605)
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Patent number: 10590640Abstract: A standing water alert system comprises two conductive wires or a float extending into a drain and connected to an audible or visual alarm that is triggered when standing water is present. A drain alert system and method comprises a plurality of sensors, such as pressure or acoustic/vibration sensors, at various locations within a plumbing or fluid filtration system to measure pressure or an acoustic profile at that location and a control system to compare the measured parameters to a threshold value or range and/or to other measured parameters from nearby sensor locations. A signal is sent to a remote user or computer or an alarm is triggered when the comparison shows a potential blockage, a leak, or indicating that a filter needs to be replaced or cleaned. An approximate location of the blockage, leak, or fouled filter is determined by comparing measured parameters at nearby sensor locations.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2018Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: NCH CorporationInventors: Robert C. Pearce, III, Christopher James Laney, Alesia Sigler, Alex Erdman
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Patent number: 10571447Abstract: A monitoring system is configured to detect a threshold amount of petroleum in a storm water-based fluid of an oil handling facility. For instance, the storm water-based fluid can be drained from a floating roof of a petroleum storage tank, a diked area, or a retention pond.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Inventors: Mark S. Rauch, Ronald Kleineke
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Patent number: 10539969Abstract: A HRS comprising at least a HRS center module, a HRS dispenser module and a first hydrogen supply line facilitating flow of hydrogen between the HRS center module and the HRS dispenser module, the HRS center module comprises a safety controller and a process controller, wherein data is communicated between the safety controller and safety components of the HRS dispenser module via a safety communication channel, and wherein data is communicated between the process controller and process components of the HRS dispenser module via a process communication channel.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2017Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: Nel Hydrogen A/SInventors: Lars Møller, Jørn Rosenlund
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Patent number: 10533983Abstract: A monitoring system is configured to detect a threshold amount of petroleum in a storm water-based fluid of an oil handling facility. For instance, the storm water-based fluid can be drained from a floating roof of a petroleum storage tank, a diked area, or a retention pond.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Inventors: Mark S. Rauch, Ronald Kleineke
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Patent number: 10506307Abstract: An apparatus and method for remotely monitoring water usage in real time utilizes a sensor attached to a water meter. The sensor monitors water flowing through the meter by analyzing the water meter's magnetic coupling and processes the data to correlate it to real time flow rates. Data is transmitted through a base unit to remote storage and consumers may access the data with application software installed on electronics such as smartphones and tablets. Four components are combined to allow the real time monitoring of water utilization.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2018Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Flume, Inc.Inventors: Eric Ryan Adler, Jeffrey Ryan Hufford, James Joseph Fazio
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Patent number: 10473270Abstract: Leak detection user interfaces are provided. In general, a user interface for a pipeline management system can be configured to provide information regarding one or more pipelines to a user. The information can include data gathered using one or more sensors sensing various parameters. The information on the user interface can include results of analysis of the gathered data, such as notifications that the gathered data indicates an anomaly with a pipeline. The notifications of anomalies can be provided on the user interface in real time with the data analysis. Accordingly, the user can trigger one or more corrective actions such as notifying maintenance personnel local to a location of the identified anomaly, remotely controlling the pipeline with the anomaly to close valve(s) and/or other equipment to prevent fluid flow in the pipeline in the area of the detected anomaly, etc.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bruce J. Jacobson, Ryan McCormack, Gandeephan Ganeshalingam, Trent Gillham, Mauricio Palomino, Glen Peter Koste, Ehsan Jalilian
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Patent number: 10459098Abstract: A system and method are provided for automatically correlating geologic tops. The system receives well logs from different well bores and one or more user seed picks identifying a well top to be correlated. Each of the seed picks is added to a priority queue ordered by each pick's confidence. User selected picks are assigned the highest level of confidence. The system performs correlation by selecting a window of well log data about a user's manual pick, selected from the top of the priority queue, and then finding the best optimal match with a corresponding window in a neighboring wellbore. That new pick is then estimated in the target well using a correlation function. A quality value and a confidence value may then be calculated for each pick using some correlation function, for example dynamic time warping, and added to the priority queue according to the confidence value.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2014Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: DRILLING INFO, INC.Inventors: Christian W. Grant, Dean Clifford Witte
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Patent number: 10444107Abstract: A plumbing system may include a first conduit that supplies a fluid to a destination device. The plumbing system may also include a second conduit concentric to the first conduit. The second conduit includes an indicator material that changes one or more properties of the fluid supplied to the destination device when the fluid contacts the indicator material via an opening present in the first conduit.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)Inventors: Matthew Flachsbart, Snehal Desai, Richard D. Graham
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Patent number: 10416660Abstract: A hybrid data collection and analysis infrastructure combines edge-level and cloud-level computing to perform high-level monitoring and control of industrial systems and processes. Edge devices located on-premise at one or more plant facilities can collect data from multiple industrial devices on the plant floor and perform local edge-level analytics on the collected data. In addition, the edge devices maintain a communication channel to a cloud platform executing cloud-level data collection and analytic services. As necessary, the edge devices can pass selected sets of data to the cloud platform, where the cloud-level analytic services perform higher level analytics on the industrial data. The hybrid architecture operates in a bi-directional manner, allowing the cloud-level and edge-level analytics to send control instructions to industrial devices based on results of the edge-level and cloud-level analytics.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2017Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Francisco P. Maturana
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Patent number: 10386258Abstract: In some embodiments, computer-implemented systems/methods detect and/or quantify changes in emission rates of gas emission sources (e.g. natural gas leaks originating from underground distribution pipelines) using data from multiple vehicle-based measurement runs. Exemplary described methods aim to address the observation that large (e.g. 10×) changes in gas concentrations away from a source may be observed even in the absence of significant changes in source emission rate, due to changes in wind or other atmospheric conditions and local spatial variations in gas concentrations. Described methods are useful for identifying large increases in the emission rate(s) of known sources, for example due to frost heave or other dislocations. Multiple runs are performed along the same survey path in closely-related conditions (e.g. same time of day, same lanes), and a statistical test (e.g. a Kolmogorov-Smirnov test) is used to identify changes in concentration reflecting changes in emission rates.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2016Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Picarro Inc.Inventors: David Steele, Chris W. Rella, Sze M. Tan, Sean MacMullin, Anders Nottrott
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Patent number: 10378940Abstract: A fluid manifold is capable of channeling and monitoring fluid flow within a fluid distribution system. The manifold includes one or more input lumens. Each input lumen associated with a respective inlet port. The manifold also includes a plurality of output lumens such that each output lumen is associated with a respective outlet port and at least one input lumen is coupled to two or more output lumens. The manifold also includes one or more flow sensors capable of measuring fluid flow parameters of fluid flowing through at least one of the one or more input lumens and the plurality of output lumens. In some implementations, a flow sensor can be mounted to each output lumen of the manifold.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2016Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Inventors: Jeffrey L. Leaders, Matthew Shane Smith, Francis M. Mess, Samuel Elia, Jorge C. Almirall, Brian Gestner
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Patent number: 10337181Abstract: An actuation system for a toilet including a capacitive sensor received within a toilet tank and including an electrode electrically coupled with water within the toilet tank.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2015Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Delta Faucet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Veros, Joel D. Sawaski
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Patent number: 10337477Abstract: An internal combustion engine fuel supply system includes a first fuel tank, a separator, and circuitry. The first fuel tank is to store fuel. The separator is connected to the first fuel tank to separate the fuel supplied from the first fuel tank into a high octane fuel and a low octane fuel which are to be supplied to an internal combustion engine. The high octane fuel has a first octane number. The low octane fuel has a second octane number lower than the first octane number. The circuitry is configured to determine whether fuel has been supplied to the first fuel tank, and to operate the separator to separate the fuel into the high octane fuel and the low octane fuel when it is determined that fuel has been supplied to the first fuel tank.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2016Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Kengo Ishimitsu, Daiko Tsutsumi, Hiroshi Chishima, Kohei Kuzuoka, Tadashi Kurotani
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Patent number: 10323857Abstract: A coupling harness useful with a HVAC mini-split system includes a first interface connected to a thermistor, a second interface connected to a condensate overflow sensor and a control device interface connected to a HVAC electronic control device. The first and second interfaces can notify the control device interface of the existence of an alarm condition of the thermistor and condensate overflow sensor, respectively. The control device interface can actuate the HVAC electronic control device in response to such notifications that an alarm condition exists for the thermistor or condensate overflow sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2017Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: RectorSeal, LLCInventors: Christopher Cantolino, Mark Oudshoorn, Robert Dean Sells
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Patent number: 10309860Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a water detection device that includes a water-activated battery configured to supply an electrical voltage upon contact with water, a device housing configured to receive the water-activated battery and one or more first electronic components, where the device housing has a plurality of ports that are configured to facilitate insertion and removal of the one or more first electronic components, and a modular housing disposed in a first port of the plurality of ports of the device housing, where the modular housing has one or more second electronic components communicatively coupled to the water-activated battery via the first port, such that the water-activated battery supplies the electrical voltage to the one or more second electronic components upon contact with water.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2017Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)Inventors: Bradly Jay Billman, Kade Scott, Matthew T. Flachsbart, Cory Matheson, Benjamin D. Ethington
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Patent number: 10309861Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for intelligently detecting pipeline small leaks and thefts. In the Energy Flow Line Method, measured changes in flow data at both ends of the pipeline are monitored and analyzed to detect a leak or a theft. The energy wave front speed and the unsteady flow mathematical model of the subject pipeline is used to calculate leak details. In the Filtered Pressure Waves Method, the measured pressure data at both ends of the pipeline is monitored and analyzed. Pressure waves that do not originate at the ends of the pipeline are selected. Two travelling time windows are applied to those candidates, and the candidates are processed within each window. Leaks, thefts and their details are obtained if the detected leak locations meet the criteria. The Enhanced Filtered Pressure Waves Method, provides the leaked amount and verifies the leak and the leak location to avoid false alarms.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2017Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Pro-Fin Engineering Inc.Inventor: Yan Zhang
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Patent number: 10301167Abstract: An automated liquid inventory monitoring and inventory reconciliation system. The system uses a liquid densitometer to precisely measure the density of liquid being dispensed. This allows the system to account for the significant temperature-induced volume variations existing in common liquids such as gasoline. In the preferred embodiments, a fuel inventory processor tracks the quantity of fuel loaded into the tank and the quantity of fuel dispensed to maintain an ongoing computation of the quantity of fuel that should be present in the tank. An accurate tank depth measurement device is also employed. The processor compares the tank depth measurement to the computed quantity of fuel in the tank and uses the values to create an updated tank strapping chart.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2016Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Inventors: Paul Johnson, Thomas D'Alesandro, Mark Butsch
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Patent number: 10281933Abstract: Pressure balancing apparatuses and methods disclosed here include embodiments with a waterproof enclosure having walls surrounding an interior chamber, a mounting interface mounted to the enclosure with a port to an outside, and a balancing module, connected to the mounting interface, the balancing module including, a balancing module housing, a valve actuator member inside the balancing module housing, with a receptacle for a pressure source. In certain embodiments the valve actuator member is configured to move in response to changes in differential pressure between a pressure in the enclosure chamber and pressure from the outside, and a module valve, inside the balancing module housing, connected to the valve actuator member, and fluidically separating the enclosure chamber from the port to the outside, wherein the module valve is configured to open and close in response to the movement of the valve actuator member.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2016Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: iDive, Inc.Inventors: James Pena, Michael Berumen, Wai Man Victor Tsui
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Patent number: 10268165Abstract: A liquid metal leak detector system including a direct current (DC) power supply and a plurality of analog to digital converters connected to the DC power supply. Each converter includes a liquid metal switch, where the liquid metal switch is closed in event of a liquid metal leak since the liquid metal leak causes electrical continuity between a conductive sheeting and a housing for liquid metal. The converter also includes a comparator connected to both the liquid metal switch for converting an analog signal into a digital signal, wherein the digital signal is configured such that a high signal constitutes no leak and a low signal constitutes a leak. An AND gate is also connected to each of the plurality of converters for combining all of the digital signals output from the converters, the AND gate configured such that the AND gate outputs a high signal if all of its inputs are high and a low signal if any input is low.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2015Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITYInventors: Jacob Schwartz, Michael Jaworski
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Patent number: 10260338Abstract: A fluid analyzer for a downhole tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation is provided. The fluid analyzer includes an optical sensor positioned in the downhole tool to receive a downhole fluid therefrom. The optical sensor includes an optical cell to measure properties of the downhole fluid in a flowline of the downhole tool, and has a wavelength range. The fluid analyzer also includes a calibration fluid having a liquid that absorbs outside of the wavelength range, and a calibrator. The calibrator includes a fluid source housing the calibration fluid and at least one valve. The fluid source is operatively connectable to the optical sensor to provide the calibration fluid thereto whereby the calibration fluid is measureable by and calibratable to the optical sensor.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2013Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Anthony Smits
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Patent number: 10261523Abstract: A latching solenoid slave valve for wirelessly receiving watering instructions from an irrigation controller via acoustical waves or pulses. The latching solenoid slave valve comprises a diaphragm in direct communication with a main water distribution conduit of the irrigation system for detecting acoustical waves or pulses transmitted by pressurized water of the main water distribution conduit. An accelerometer is supported by the diaphragm for generating an output signal as the diaphragm vibrates due to detection of the acoustical waves or pulses. A microcontroller is electrically coupled to the accelerometer for processing the output signals of the accelerometer, and the microcontroller determining, from the processed output signals of the accelerometer, whether or not the latching solenoid slave valve is to commence a watering cycle for a desired duration of time. An irrigation controller is wirelessly coupled to the latching solenoid slave valve for controlling operation thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2016Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Rainboxx, Inc.Inventors: Alex Khabbaz, Steve Cratus Owens, Michael Varanka
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Patent number: 10228351Abstract: An acoustic measurement system for an industrial process asset includes a process measurement device providing a value representative of an acoustic signal near the industrial process asset based in part on a signal from an acoustic sensor positioned near the industrial process asset. A second acoustic sensor provides an acoustic value and a noise reduction component uses the acoustic value from the second acoustic sensor to affect the value provided by the process measurement device so that the value provided by the process measurement device is more representative of an acoustic signal generated by the industrial process asset.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2014Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: ROSEMOUNT INC.Inventors: Cory Michael Robinson, Marcos Antonio Vieira Peluso, Theodore Henry Schnaare, Ryan Thomas Lindsey, Lynn LeRoy Faulkner
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Patent number: 10222411Abstract: The invention provides grounding safety control point monitoring method, measuring circuit and equipment grounding measuring system, wherein, The grounding safety control point monitoring method comprises the following steps: A safety monitoring level signal corresponding to each circuit is output according to the comparison result of the voltage between the grounding safety control points of at least one circuit and the preset grounding safety standard voltage; one circuit of safety action level signal is adjusted and output according to at least one circuit of input safety monitoring level signal; grounding safety protection is done according to the safety action level signal. All grounding points are monitored in real time by comparing the voltage between grounding safety control points with preset grounding safety standard voltage, so as to guarantee the product safety, equipment safety and personal safety.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Inventors: Ta-I Lin, Shulei Zhao, Zhizheng Qian, Jiahua Ren, Xiaodong Lu, Shang Liu
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Patent number: 10196928Abstract: A pipe fault detection system is provided for a gas turbine engine having a compressor and a turbine. The pipe fault detection system includes a cooling manifold configured to direct cooling air from the compressor to the turbine. The cooling manifold includes at least two cooling pipes, a sensor configured to detect an operating condition indicative of a pipe break, and a controller configured to control the amount of cooling air through the cooling manifold in response to the operating condition detected by the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Sridhar Adibhatla, Steven Edward Nolte, Jeffrey Wayne Litzler
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Patent number: 10186137Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include a leak detector and monitor comprising: at least one leak sensor adapted to detect a leak of a substance; at least one microcontroller adapted to receive a signal from the leak sensor; and at least one wireless communication module adapted to receive the signal from the microcontroller, whereby the wireless communication module transmits an electronic message to at least one user, whereby the user wirelessly communicates his instructions to the microcontroller to exercise control over at least one electrical valve by transmitting at least one electrical signal to the electrical valve.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: VIDTEK ASSOCIATES INC.Inventors: Reza Zokaei, Mohammad Jalilian
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Patent number: 10174863Abstract: A method and a system are provided for detecting first signs of failure in an aircraft engine valve. The system includes an acquisition device configured to acquire output pressure measurements of the valve and command and context data related to the valve, and a processing device configured to define a set of indicators of first signs of failure as a function of the output pressure measurements and the command and context data. The processing device is configured to monitor a change over time in each indicator of the set of indicators of first signs of failure. The processing device is configured to detect a possible deviation of at least one indicator among the set of indicators, the deviation representing the first signs of failure of the valve.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2014Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINESInventor: William Bense
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Patent number: 10173905Abstract: A system for detecting a liquid, such as liquid water, is provided. The system includes an RFID tag and an absorbent material positioned over the RFID tag. The system also includes features for hindering or preventing compression of the absorbent material and/or for spacing the RFID tag from the absorbent material. A water filter assembly with features for detecting water leaks is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2014Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Sergeevich Chernov, Andrew Reinhard Krause
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Patent number: 10171895Abstract: A screen having a hydrophobic portion to resist the entry of liquid into an acoustic module and a hydrophilic portion to aid in the removal of liquid from an acoustic chamber is described. The screen is placed in an orifice in the acoustic module between the external environment and the internal acoustic chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2017Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Douglas J. Weber, Naoto Matsuyuki
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Patent number: 10156153Abstract: The present application provides a method of evaluating valve tightness in a turbine by a data acquisition system. The method may include the steps of receiving a number of operating parameters from a number of sensors, opening a first valve and closing a second valve, closing the first valve, determining a pressure decay time between the first valve and the second valve, determining a stable value of pressure between the first valve and the second valve, comparing the pressure decay time and the stable value of pressure to predetermined values, and altering one or more of the operating parameters and/or initiating repair procedures if the pressure decay time and/or the stable value of pressure is increasing and/or exceeds the predetermined values.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2016Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbHInventors: Martin Reigl, Frank Maeckle
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Patent number: 10153112Abstract: A device for monitoring vacuum quality of a vacuum circuit breaker, the device including at least one rigid assembly including a first stationary conductive surface that is separated by an insulating layer from a second stationary conductive surface that is grounded. The assembly forms a first capacitor having a fixed value, the first stationary conductive surface being arranged opposite an electrically active portion of the vacuum circuit breaker to form, together with the portion, a second capacitor, and an electronic circuit for measuring a variation in voltage of the first capacitor that is representative of a change in state of the vacuum of the circuit breaker.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2015Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SASInventors: Hans Schellekens, Jean-Pierre Gauthier, Olivier Cardoletti, Maxime Durand
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Patent number: 10143114Abstract: A Rack Information Handling System (RIHS) has a liquid cooling subsystem that provides cooling liquid to liquid cooled (LC) nodes received in chassis-receiving bays of a rack. Leak collection structures are positioned to receive cooling liquid that leaks from the liquid cooling subsystem. Liquid sensors detect a presence of leaked cooling liquid in the leak collection structures. A leak detection subsystem responds to a detected presence of liquid by providing a leak indication. In one or more embodiments, the liquid cooling subsystem has a liquid rail formed by more than one rack interconnections vertically aligned in a rear section of the rack that are connected by modular rail conduits for node-to-node fluid transfer. The leak collection structures include a pipe cover received over at least one modular rail conduit. A liquid cavity of each pipe cover spills over into another lower pipe cover at a rate that can be correlated to severity of the leak.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2016Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.Inventors: Austin Michael Shelnutt, Edmond I. Bailey, John R. Stuewe
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Patent number: 10132569Abstract: A hybrid fluid cooler or tower that provides enhanced cooler performance by improving air and water distribution to the indirect heat exchange section by utilizing extended flow nozzles.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2017Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: SPX Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Eldon F. Mockry
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Patent number: 10132061Abstract: A water supply regulating system includes a housing having a water line input conduit and a water line output conduit located downstream therefrom, and in fluid communication with an existing water supply source providing incoming water ingressing the housing. Advantageously, a first mechanism is configured to detect a water leak in the existing plumbing system located downstream of the water line output conduit. Notably, a second mechanism configured to automatically shut off outgoing water egressing the housing via the water line output conduit. A first controller is in operable communication with the first mechanism and the second mechanism. An external host server is located external of the housing and in operable communication with the first controller. Advantageously, a second controller is located external of the housing and in operable communication with the first controller and the external host server.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2017Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Inventor: Farid Farag
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Patent number: 10121353Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a water detection device that includes a water-activated battery configured to supply an electrical voltage upon contact with water, an electronic circuit configured to receive the electrical voltage from the water-activated battery, where the electronic circuit is configured to communicate with an external, electronic device upon receipt of the electrical voltage, and a housing configured to receive the water-activated battery and the electronic circuit, where the housing has passageways configured to facilitate movement of water into the housing and toward the battery.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2017Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)Inventors: Bradly Jay Billman, Kade Scott, Matthew T. Flachsbart, Cory Matheson, Benjamin D. Ethington
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Patent number: 10113896Abstract: A liquid reservoir includes at least one liquid surface level detection unit in the liquid reservoir. The at least one liquid surface level detection unit includes a plurality of liquid surface level detection units. The plurality of liquid surface level detection units each include a plurality of self-heating sensors. The plurality of self-heating sensors are positioned at different heights.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2014Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Masaki Toyoshima, Yasutaka Ochiai, Makoto Saito
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Patent number: 10107709Abstract: Embodiments of water sensors having multi-value outputs are disclosed. A water sensing circuit measures the impedance between two contacts of a water sensor and compares it with a reference signal. The impedance between two contacts varies depending on the wetness of the contacts, and so the sensing circuit may provide a measured wetness level. The water sensor may transmit measurements or other information wired or wirelessly. The water sensor may display indicia of measurements or other information via a display on a housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2015Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: SEARS BRANDS, L.L.C.Inventors: Patrick William Vilbrandt, Matthew Stephen Reynolds, Shwetak N. Patel
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Patent number: 10101022Abstract: A method for optimizing a fluid utilization facility. The method includes monitoring an operating state of a fluid utilization device and an operating state of a drain trap in a fluid utilization facility based on detection information obtained by detectors installed in various places in the fluid utilization facility. A running state of the fluid utilization facility is optimized based on a monitoring result.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2015Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: TLV Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiyasu Fujiwara, Kazunori Oda, Noriaki Tsuchiiwa, Tomoyuki Shiraishi
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Patent number: 10048231Abstract: Apparatus (1) for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable, comprising: a primary side (I) and a secondary side (II), which are galvanically isolated from one another, wherein the secondary side (II) has a sensor element sensitive for the process variable (2) and an electronics unit (9) of the secondary side and provides a measurement signal representing the process variable, and wherein the primary side (I) has an electronics unit (8) of the primary side for evaluating the measurement signal and for producing an output signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2012Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER GMBH + CO. KGInventors: Franco Ferraro, Philipp Walser
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Patent number: 9995435Abstract: Method for hindering the non-authorized withdrawal of a liquid from at least one offtake conduit connected to a main conduit for the transport of the aforementioned liquid, in particular a mixture of hydrocarbons and water, the main conduit having an inlet port and at least one outlet port between which the liquid flows, the method comprising the step of: introducing a plurality of solid objects into the main conduit through the at least one inlet port, the plurality of introduced solid objects having weight, dimensions and density such as to be transportable towards the at least one outlet port by the main flow of the liquid and such as to be able to be possibly captured by the offtake flow of the liquid directed towards the offtake conduit, and such as to be able to possibly at least partially obstruct such an offtake conduit.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2015Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: ENI S.p.A.Inventors: Alberto Giulio Di Lullo, Giambattista De Ghetto
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Patent number: 9947051Abstract: A computer system and method for processing insurance claim data to identify and recommend insurance policy modifications using informatic data from one or more informatic sensor devices relating to a dwelling. Analytical analysis is performed on the received informatic data to determine a dwelling assessment value regarding an insurance risk relating to the dwelling. Electronic data relating to an insurance policy associated with the dwelling is received by a computer processor and is electronically analyzed to determine insurance coverage and liability values for the dwelling as prescribed by the insurance policy. Predefined business rules are utilized by a computer processor using at least the dwelling assessment value and the determined insurance coverage and liability values for the dwelling to determine, and preferably recommend, one or more insurance products for inclusion with the insurance policy to mitigate insuree liability regarding the dwelling.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2014Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: United Services Automobile AssociationInventors: Michael J. Allen, Ramsey Devereaux, Spencer Read, David S. Franck, William Chandler, Daniela Wheeler, Kathleen L. Swain, Cleburne R. Burgess
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Patent number: 9933328Abstract: A system and method for detecting a leak in a hose of a hydraulic system having a control valve assembly with first and second work ports in fluid communication with an actuator is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes estimating a first hydraulic fluid flow rate for fluid flowing from the control valve assembly first work port to the actuator. Another step may be estimating a second hydraulic fluid flow rate for fluid flowing from the actuator to the control valve assembly second work port. In one step, a proportional flow rate difference is calculated between the first and second hydraulic fluid flow rates. Subsequently, a flow error value can be calculated by subtracting the flow rate difference from a predetermined margin value. Where the flow error value integrated over time exceeds a total flow error threshold value, a hydraulic fluid leak signal can be generated.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2014Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventor: Michael Berne Rannow
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Patent number: 9917750Abstract: A method includes: inputting information indicating power usage corresponding to each of a plurality of user IDs; generating a differential value between i) a first cumulative value of power usage corresponding to a first user ID in a prescribed period and ii) a second cumulative value of power usage corresponding to a second user ID in the prescribed period; generating a first conversion value by converting the differential value to a use time of an electric home appliance corresponding to a first type among electric home appliances corresponding to the first user ID; generating display data indicating that the differential value corresponds to the first conversion value; and transmitting the display data to an information terminal device corresponding to the first user ID.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICAInventors: Ryuji Inoue, Takamitsu Sasaki
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Patent number: 9909295Abstract: An in-toilet leak detector is disclosed, as are communication systems for reporting toilet leaks. The leak detector comprises an inlet that receives water from the toilet's fill tube and diverts it through a flow tube. A capacitive sensor is located between the inlet and an opening of the flow tube from which water flows into the overflow tube of the toilet tank. A housing is connected to the flow tube and the inlet and contains a controller and other electronics, including one or more transceivers. The leak detector measures the duration of water flow and establishes an alert if the water flow is shorter or longer in duration than a calibrated normal duration. The transceivers connect the leak detector to a computer network, and leak alerts are communicated to a server or servers so that they can be forwarded directly to those responsible for fixing the toilets.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Leak Beeper, LLCInventors: James A Brackett, Sr., John Beal, Timothy Bottger
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Patent number: 9894424Abstract: In an embodiment a protocol converter module for use with a gas transmitter assembly having a gas sensor, a controller, and a detector transceiver housed within an intrinsically safe detector housing is provided. The controller module comprises a converter housing having a converter mount configured to securely mount the converter module to the detector housing. A controller module includes a first converter transceiver, within the converter housing, configured to bi-directionally exchange data with the detector transceiver utilizing a first protocol. The controller module also includes a second converter transceiver, also within the converter housing, configured to bi-directionally exchange data with an external device using a second protocol. The controller module also include, an electronic converter, also within the converter housing, coupled to the first and second converter transceivers and configured to convert the data between the first and second protocols.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Scott Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Edward R Propst, Jr., Nicholas Anthony DeBlasio
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Patent number: 9888145Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided. Some embodiments include receiving, at a computing system from an image processing device, a request to access a resource. The computing system obtains information that identifies a component installed on the image processing device as a replacement component. The computing system obtains information indicating a count value of a counter associated with the component. The computing system determines whether the counter has been reset based on the information indicating the count value of the counter. In response to determining that the counter has not been reset, the computing system sends, to the image processing device, the resource including information for presentation as an interface element in a graphical user interface on a display of the image processing device, the interface element enabling a user to reset the counter by selecting the interface element.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2015Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignees: Canon Information and Imaging Solutions, Inc., Canon U.S.A., Inc.Inventor: Atsushi Kamasuka
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Patent number: 9874490Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a fluid leakage of a vehicle component. In one example, a method may include measuring a strain of an underbody cover in order to determine the fluid leakage.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2015Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Enrique Remes
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Patent number: 9835575Abstract: One example discloses a ratiometric device, including: a current source having a first current, a second current different from the first current, and a current-select program; a sensor device responsive to a gas and having a sensor-cold temperature T(cold,sens) in response to the first current and a sensor-hot temperature T(hot,sens) in response to the second current; a reference device having a reference-cold temperature T(cold,ref) in response to the first current and a reference-hot temperature T(hot,ref) in response to the second current; and wherein the ratiometric device includes a temperature difference ratio output based on T(cold,sens), T(hot,sens), T(cold,ref) and T(hot,ref).Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2014Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: ams International AGInventors: Zeyu Cai, Michiel Pertijs, Robert Hendrikus Margaretha van Veldhoven, Kofi Afolabi Anthony Makinwa
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Patent number: 9811999Abstract: A system for facilitating automated response to a distress signal includes an attachment for a multifunction mobile computing device. In some embodiments, the attachment removably articulates to a sensor location coupled to a housing of the multifunction mobile computing device. In some embodiments, the system includes a computer program product in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. In some embodiments, the program instructions are computer-executable by the multifunction mobile computing device to implement detecting a disarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on the multifunction mobile computing device, and, responsive to the detecting the disarticulation of the attachment from the sensor location on the multifunction mobile computing device, transmitting to a distress signal response receiver over a radio-frequency network from a radio-frequency transmitter located within a housing of the multifunction mobile computing device the distress signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Alert Media, Inc.Inventors: Brian Cruver, David Godwin, Jeff Branc, Matthew Miller
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Patent number: 9799201Abstract: The disclosure reveals a system for detecting moisture or water in a particular location. The system may incorporate a moisture detector having a control module connected to an appliance, a moisture detection circuit connected to the control module, and a voltage source connected to the moisture detection circuit and to the control module. The voltage source and the moisture detection circuit may provide voltage levels to the control module when the moisture detection circuit detects dry or wet conditions, or conditions between those conditions. A voltage level to the control module may indicate whether the appliance, such as a water heater, a washing machine, or a dish washer, has a leak. If the leak is deemed by a voltage level from the circuit to be worthy of concern, then a display, an alarm, a message, or other notice mechanism may indicate an issue or what action needs to be taken.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2016Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Frederick Hazzard, Ravindra Khosla, David Heil
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Patent number: 9801001Abstract: The present invention relates to a disaster safety system using a combined beacon and a method for processing thereof. Various low-power sensors are combined with the combined beacon, which measures various environmental information for an installation place through a wireless communication network. The combined beacon supports, for example, Bluetooth and Bluetooth smart standards. The combined beacon combines sensors required by a user to measure and collect the environmental information for the installation place. The disaster safety system is provided to measure and collect various environmental information for the installation place in real time by using a combined beacon in which a plurality of sensors is combined and provide the environmental information to a smart device of a user and collect, analyze, and monitor the environmental information and predict and determine whether a disaster occurs at the installation place.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2016Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: ARAM SOLUTION CO., LTD.Inventors: Jun Lee, Chan Gyu Park, Yun Jeong Lee