With Photocell Detection Patents (Class 356/338)
  • Patent number: 12111241
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to create water vapor supersaturation and particulate counts from an air sample. The method and apparatus include introducing an air sample into a chamber connected to an optical detector and an outlet by pumping at the outlet. The method further includes passing air through the chamber and optical detector in a steady flow, and subsequently closing the inlet while continuing the pumping to expand the air sample and exhaust a portion of the air sample through the optical detector. The walls of the particle chamber are wetted with a fluid such as water, and one portion of the wall is warmer than the other portions such that there is some condensational growth prior to the expansion, and yet more condensational growth during the expansion. The cycles are repeated by continuously repeating the introducing, passing and closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Aerosol Dynamics Inc.
    Inventors: Susanne Vera Hering, Gregory Stephen Lewis, Steven Russel Spielman
  • Patent number: 12106649
    Abstract: There is provided a smoke detector including a first light source, a second light source surface, a light sensor and a processor. The light sensor receives reflected light when the first light source and the second light source emit light, and generates a first detection signal corresponding to light emission of the first light source and a second detection signal corresponding to light emission of the second light source. The processor distinguishes smoke and floating particles according to a similarity between the first detection signal and the second detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Cheng-Nan Tsai, Guo-Zhen Wang, Ching-Kun Chen, Yen-Chang Chu, Chih-Ming Sun
  • Patent number: 12078631
    Abstract: Disclosed are a sample analysis apparatus and a sample analysis method. The method includes: obtaining a leukocyte measurement mode for a test sample, the method having a plurality of leukocyte measurement modes, each of which includes at least a reaction time, and different leukocyte measurement modes having different reaction times; determining a reaction time for the current sample to be tested; controlling the sample to be tested to react with the reagent, to prepare a test sample for detecting leukocytes; and controlling to detect the test sample for detecting leukocytes, to obtain detection data of leukocyte classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Animal Medical Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fangang Kong, Xinjun Zhang, Weiwei Yan, Shaojian Liu
  • Patent number: 12072277
    Abstract: A multiplexed amplitude modulation photometer includes a microchannel; a first input light path that: receives a first modulated light at a first modulation frequency; and communicates the first modulated light to a first optical region that receives the first analyte that produces a first output light including the first modulation frequency communicated to a first detection light path; the first optical region; the first detection light path that receives the first output light; a second input light path that: receives a second modulated light with a second modulation frequency; and communicates second modulated light to a second optical region that receives the second analyte that produces a second output light with the second modulation frequency communicated to a second detection light path; the second optical region; and the second detection light path that receives the second output light from the second optical region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventors: Gregory Alan Cooksey, Paul Nathan Patrone, Anthony Jose Kearsley
  • Patent number: 12053027
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating system (50) has an optical sensor (23) disposed on a portion of an exterior surface of the aerosol-generating system. The optical sensor is configured to output sensor data. A controller (29) is operably coupled to the optical sensor. The controller is configured to manipulate one or more operating parameters of an aerosolizer element of the aerosol-generating system based on the optical sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products, S.A.
    Inventors: Rui Nuno Batista, Ricardo Cali, Nikita Karelin
  • Patent number: 12050130
    Abstract: A measurement system is disclosed which includes a vessel configured to suspend molecules of interest therein, optical sources configured to excite the molecules of interest by an excitation light activated and deactivated in a stepwise fashion, during the activation, the sources activated according to a pulse train, the molecules of interest emitting emission light in response to being excited by the excitation light, one or more sensor packages each comprising a plurality of photodetectors configured to receive emission light from the molecules of interest and, in response, provide an output voltage signal and an output current signal corresponding to photoelectron response of an incident photon on the one or more sensor packages, and a detector configured to determine successive single molecular decay of the molecules of interest, generate an emission pulse associated with each incident photon on the one or more sensor packages, and count the number of emission pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Miftek Corporation
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, Keegan Hernandez, J. Paul Robinson, John Jaiber González Murillo
  • Patent number: 12004570
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating system (50) has an optical sensor (23) disposed on a portion of an exterior surface of the aerosol-generating system. The optical sensor is configured to output sensor data. A controller (29) is operably coupled to the optical sensor. The controller is configured to manipulate one or more operating parameters of an aerosolizer element of the aerosol-generating system based on the optical sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products, S.A.
    Inventors: Rui Nuno Batista, Ricardo Cali, Nikita Karelin
  • Patent number: 11992606
    Abstract: A device for determining delivery of an aerosol stream has a collector having a filter for collecting aerosol particles in the aerosol stream, a first fluid connection point connectable to an aerosol generator, and a second fluid connection point connectable to a breathing simulator for simulating tidal breathing, at least one measurement volume for an interaction of at least one light beam with the aerosol particles passing through the measurement volume, at least one optical measurement unit for generating at least one optical measurement signal depending on the interaction of the at least one light beam with the aerosol particles passing the measurement volume, and at least one evaluation unit for determining the aerosol delivery of the aerosol stream from the at least one optical measurement signal. A method determines an absorption and/or adsorption of a liquid on aerosol particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Felix Wiegandt, Gerhard Pohlmann
  • Patent number: 11975319
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dispensing device having a dispenser for dispensing a liquid containing at least one cell and/or at least one particle and an optical detection device for optically detecting at least a region of the dispenser, which has a light source for emitting an illuminating light for illuminating the region and a deflection device for deflecting a detection light emanating from the region. The dispensing device is characterised in that the deflection device deflects the detection light at least twice, in particular exactly twice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: CYTENA GMBH
    Inventors: Jonas Schöndube, Lena Lautscham
  • Patent number: 11940371
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatuses, systems, and methods for performing particle analysis through flow cytometry at comparatively high event rates and for gathering high resolution images of particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Kaduchak, Michael Ward
  • Patent number: 11933625
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a computer system a computer program product, and a method that comprises identifying multiple contextual factors within a navigational data based on navigational data containing a plurality of indicative markers, wherein the multiple contextual factors have an impact on a size of the navigational data associated with a navigational path; classifying the identified multiple contextual factors according to a contextual analysis of portions of the navigational path; and generating a microfluidic-based spiral representation of the navigational path for a user interface within a computing device based on a classification of the identified multiple contextual factors associated with the navigational data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Subha Kiran Patnaikuni, Sarbajit K. Rakshit
  • Patent number: 11913864
    Abstract: There is provided a smoke detector including a substrate, a light source and a light sensor. The light source and the light sensor are arranged adjacently on the substrate. The substrate is arranged with an asymmetric structure to cause an illumination region of the light source to deviate toward the light sensor thereby increasing a ratio of light intensity reflected by smoke with respect to reference light intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Yen-Chang Chu, Cheng-Nan Tsai, Chih-Ming Sun
  • Patent number: 11898953
    Abstract: A particulate matter sensor device comprises an enclosure (21) defining a flow channel (2), a radiation source (3) for emitting radiation into the flow channel for interaction of the radiation with particulate matter in an aerosol sample in the flow channel, and a radiation detector (4) for detecting at least part of said radiation after interaction with the particulate matter. The sensor device comprises a flow modifying device (511) arranged upstream of the radiation detector and/or radiation source so as to reduce particulate matter precipitation onto the radiation detector, the radiation source and/or the channel wall sections in their proximity. The invention also relates to a method of determining parameters of particulate matter in an aerosol sample by using such a particulate matter sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Sensirion AG
    Inventors: Frank Gütle, Ulrich Leidenberger, {hacek over (Z)}eljko Mr{hacek over (c)}arica, Stefan Kostner, Stefan Thiele
  • Patent number: 11854361
    Abstract: There is provided a smoke detector including a light source, a reflective surface, a light sensor and a processor. The light sensor receives reflected light when the light source emits light toward the reflective surface, and generates a reference detection signal when there is no smoke. The processor receives the detection signal from the light sensor, and automatically selects a set of predetermined condition thresholds according to a profile of the detection signal to be compared with the detection signal thereby determining whether to generate an alarm according to the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventors: Cheng-Nan Tsai, Guo-Zhen Wang, Ching-Kun Chen, Yen-Chang Chu, Chih-Ming Sun
  • Patent number: 11852584
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an apparatus of measuring light scattering of a sample. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes (1) at least one display logically coupled to an enclosure housing a light scattering measurement instrument, where the at least one display is configured to allow for operating the instrument to acquire light scattering data from the sample and for accessing the data, (2) an indicator connected to an outside surface of the enclosure, where the indicator is configured to indicate at least one status of the instrument, (3) a sample chamber configured to accommodate at least one sample cell, where each of the at least one sample cell has a unique size and a unique shape, and (4) and a sample door connected to the enclosure, where the sample door is configured to seal the sample chamber, thereby providing thermal insulation to the sample chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Wyatt Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Sigrid C. Kuebler, Ross E. Bryant, Shiladitya Sen, Ryan Olson, Nicholas Wong, Marco Vanella, Ryan Thomas, Patrick Tufts, Jared Naito
  • Patent number: 11846578
    Abstract: The current invention pertains to devices for counting and sizing particles suspended in a stream of fluid flowing in a predominant flow direction. Such devices comprise a fluid stream forming system having a directional element arranged to form the stream of fluid flowing in predetermined direction of fluid flow; a laser beam forming optical system including at least one source of laser light having at least one wavelength between 200 nm and 1000 nm, a profiling optical subsystem, having at least one collimator lens and at least one convergent lens, positioned to arrange the laser light in a laser beam along a laser beam axis directed substantially to illuminate a prearranged scattering volume of the stream of fluid, and at least one laser beam dump. Also, the device includes a wide-angle detecting subsystem and wide-angle back-reflecting subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions
    Inventors: David Nelson Wells, Rocco D. Pochy
  • Patent number: 11841305
    Abstract: A system, device and method for deployment of one or more dust accumulation sensors receives a baseline measurement associated with no accumulation of dust in a target environment, receives a time-elapsed measurement associated with positive accumulation of dust in the target environment, determines a quantity of accumulated dust in the target environment based on the baseline measurement and the time-elapsed measurement, generates a spatial dust deposition distribution for the target environment based on the determined quantity of accumulated dust and determines a deployment for one or more dust accumulation sensors for the target environment based on the spatial dust deposition distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Industrial Intelligence, Inc.
    Inventors: George T Armbruster, Jr., Ali S. Rangwala, Laurence E. Moulis, Shane Diller
  • Patent number: 11789283
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an optical element configured to separate incident light into light components in at least two types of wavelength bands. The incident light includes light emitted from a narrow-band light source. At least one light component of the light components in the at least two types of wavelength bands separated by the optical element is light in a narrow band separated by a bandwidth corresponding to a width of a wavelength of the light emitted from the narrow-band light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Junya Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 11761854
    Abstract: A particle sensor for detecting particles in a flow of a measuring gas for detecting soot particles in an exhaust gas channel of a burner or of an internal combustion engine. The particle sensor includes a device for generating or for supplying laser light, a device for focusing laser light, and a device for detecting or transferring thermal radiation. The particle sensor includes at least one optical access, which separates an area exposed to the measuring gas from an area facing away from the measuring gas not exposed to the measuring gas, the device for generating or supplying laser light and/or the device for detecting or for transferring thermal radiation being situated in the area facing away from the measuring gas, wherein the particle sensor removes a sub-flow from the measuring gas flow and supplies it to the laser focus and further fluidically shields the optical access from the sub-flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Enno Baars, Johannes Weber, Martin Buchholz, Radoslav Rusanov
  • Patent number: 11761890
    Abstract: An occurrence space 32A which is provided in a light shielding space 3A shielded from light from an outside and into which a detection target flows, a first light emitting unit 61A and a second light emitting unit that emit detection light along a first light emitting-side optical axis 611A and a second light emitting-side optical axis toward an occurrence space 32A, a light receiving unit that receives scattered light generated when detection light emitted from the first light emitting unit 61A and the second light emitting unit is scattered by a detection target flowing into the occurrence space 32A along a light receiving-side optical axis intersecting the first light emitting-side optical axis 611A and the second light emitting-side optical axis, and a smoke detection unit cover-side inclined portion 43A that primarily reflects the detection light emitted from the first light emitting unit 61A and the second light emitting unit in a direction intersecting a plane defined by the first light emitting-side o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: HOCHIKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiko Shimadzu, Keisuke Washizu, Manabu Dohi, Yasuharu Fujiwara, Hideki Takano
  • Patent number: 11744467
    Abstract: A device, system and method for measuring free gas in a cavity of a subject. The device, system and method include a light source for emitting light with a wavelength associated with an absorption band of the free gas, an optical fibre connected to the light source and adapted to be inserted using an introducing member for internal illumination, and a detector adapted to be positioned on a skin surface for detecting light transmitted through the tissue. The device, system and method further includes a control unit for evaluating the detected transmitted light for determining the free gas, or a distribution of the free gas, or concentration of the free gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: NEOLA MEDICAL AB
    Inventors: Sune Svanberg, Emilie Krite Svanberg, Marcus Larsson
  • Patent number: 11733149
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining particle size, and optionally, the complex index of refraction for particle suspended in a gas or liquid are provided. The particle to be analyzed is caused to travel through a laser beam having a modified Gaussian profile. The particle causes light from the laser beam to scatter. The scattered light is measured by one or more photodetectors disposed at a particular scattering angle relative to the center of the laser beam. The apparatus and methods can be used in sensors configured to monitor air quality in enclosed environments, such as on-board aircraft and within buildings, and/or detect environmental contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Kansas State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Mir Seliman Waez, Christopher Sorensen, Steven Eckels
  • Patent number: 11647854
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for systems and methods for a smart container designed to determine sensor data corresponding to fluid contained by the smart container. The smart container may container or more sensors such as a contents sensor for determining the contents of fluid being contained by the smart container. The contents sensor may determine the presence of caffeine and the smart container determine amount of volume consumed by a user. Example methods may include sending the sensor data to a server to be analyzed and displaying data corresponding to the analysis by the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert Franz Mehnert, Megan Heffernan, Naveenan Vasudevan
  • Patent number: 11615684
    Abstract: There is provided a smoke detector including a light source, a reflective surface, a light sensor and a processor. The light sensor receives reflected light when the light source emits light toward the reflective surface, and generates a reference detection signal when there is no smoke. The processor receives the detection signal from the light sensor, and automatically selects a set of predetermined condition thresholds according to a profile of the detection signal to be compared with the detection signal thereby determining whether to generate an alarm according to the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Cheng-Nan Tsai, Guo-Zhen Wang, Ching-Kun Chen, Yen-Chang Chu, Chih-Ming Sun
  • Patent number: 11614393
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a sample cell, method, and a computer implemented method of characterizing particles via an analytical flow field. In an exemplary embodiment, the sample cell includes (1) a sample cuvette including a top sample membrane, a sample container to contain a sample, and a bottom sample membrane, (2) a reference cuvette including a top reference membrane, a reference container to contain a solvent, and a bottom reference membrane, (3) where the sample cell is configured to allow a concentration boundary to form within the sample cell, and (4) where the sample cell is configured to allow the concentration boundary to move toward a bottom of the sample cell until equilibrium is reached in the sample cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: WYATT TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Lorenzo Gentiluomo
  • Patent number: 11604122
    Abstract: Various embodiments include systems and apparatuses for reducing contamination levels within optical chambers of particle-detection instruments. In one embodiment, an apparatus to reduce contamination within an optical chamber of a particle-detection instrument is described. The apparatus includes a plenum chamber to at least partially surround an aerosol-focusing nozzle of the particle-detection instrument and accept a filtered gas flow. A curtain-flow concentrating nozzle is coupled to the plenum chamber to produce a curtain flow into the optical chamber to substantially surround an aerosol flow. Other methods and systems are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: TSI Incorporated
    Inventors: Hee-Siew Han, Jeremy Jens Kolb
  • Patent number: 11561164
    Abstract: A microfluidic chip configuration wherein injection occurs in an upwards vertical direction, and fluid vessels are located below the chip in order to minimize particle settling before and at the analysis portion of the chip's channels. The input and fluid flow up through the bottom of the chip, in one aspect using a manifold, which avoids orthogonal re-orientation of fluid dynamics. The contents of the vial are located below the chip and pumped upwards and vertically directly into the first channel of the chip. A long channel extends from the bottom of the chip to near the top of the chip. Then the channel takes a short horizontal turn that nearly negates any influence of cell settling due to gravity and zero flow velocity at the walls. The fluid is pumped up to a horizontal analysis portion that is the highest channel/fluidic point in the chip and thus close to the top of the chip, which results in clearer imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: LUMACTYE, INC.
    Inventors: Sean Hart, Colin Hebert, Christopher Field, Shweta Krishnan
  • Patent number: 11505446
    Abstract: Data are collected on a turbidity of a fuel tank at each of a plurality of fueling stations. A fueling station is selected based on the collected data. A vehicle is moved to the selected fueling station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Kenneth James Miller, Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 11480530
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a system for detecting foreign object debris ingested into an aircraft engine. The system detects such foreign object debris by projecting a beam of light over an inlet of the aircraft engine. When foreign object debris is ingested into the aircraft engine, it intercepts the beam of light and scatters a back-scattered portion of the intercepted beam of light. An optical detector is configured to detect the back-scattered portion of the intercepted beam of light. A processor is configured to determine whether foreign object debris is ingested by the aircraft engine based on a comparison of a threshold value with a signal indicative of the back-scattered portion generated by the optical detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ray, Darren G. Jackson
  • Patent number: 11441998
    Abstract: A laser sensor module measures a particle density of particles with a size of less than 20 ?m. The laser sensor module includes: a laser configured to emit a laser beam; a detector; and an optical arrangement. The optical arrangement is configured to focus the laser beam to a focus region. The laser is configured to emit the laser beam through the optical arrangement to the focus region. The optical arrangement has an emission window. The detector is configured to determine an interference signal of an interference of reflected laser light with emitted later light of the laser beam. The laser sensor module is configured to provide an indication signal of a soiling of the emission window based on the interference signal determined during a mechanical excitation of the emission window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignees: TRUMPF PHOTONIC COMPONENTS GMBH, ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Petrus Theodorus Jutte, Okke Ouweltjes, Soren Sofke, Johannes Hendrikus Maria Spruit
  • Patent number: 11415510
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an optical inspection apparatus includes a first illuminator, an image-forming optical system, a scattering light selector, and an imaging element. The first illuminator is configured to emit a first light beam. The first light beam reflected by an object is incident on the image-forming optical system. The scattering light selector is configured to emit passing light beams of at least two mutually different wavelength regions, at the same time as the first light beam passes, a wavelength spectrum of at least one of the passing light beams being different from a wavelength spectrum of the reflected first light beam. The passing light beams simultaneously form an image on the imaging element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ohno, Hiroya Kano, Hideaki Okano, Takahiro Kamikawa
  • Patent number: 11385350
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide for improved range response in lidar systems. In one embodiment, a lidar system includes a laser, and a detector. First optics direct light from the laser on a beam path along a first optical axis of the first optics. Second optics image the light from the beam path onto a second plane that is substantially normal to the first plane. The second optics have a second optical axis that differs from the first optical axis. The first and the second optical axes lie in a same first plane. A first line in the first plane intersects a second line in the second plane at an acute angle. The first line is perpendicular to the first optical axis. A spatial filter configured in or near the second plane filters the light from the second optics onto the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Arete Associates
    Inventors: Paul B. Lundquist, Gregory J. Fetzer, Richard Vercillo, Michael Francis Marnon, Thomas Laurence Kraus
  • Patent number: 11378559
    Abstract: A flow cell and a liquid chromatographic unit are provided. The flow cell includes a housing, a cell core, a liquid-core waveguide, an inlet connection assembly and an outlet connection assembly. The cell core is provided in the housing, and is provided with a liquid feed recess, a liquid channel and a liquid discharge recess therein. The liquid-core waveguide is provided in the liquid channel. The inlet connection assembly is provided at an end of the cell core, and includes an inlet press block, a liquid feed tube, and a light entering tube. The outlet connection assembly is arranged at another end of the cell core and is provided with a light exit hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: ANHUI WAYEE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xin Zhang
  • Patent number: 11366048
    Abstract: A smoke detector (100) for use with an aspiration smoke detector (ASD) is described. The smoke detector includes a light source (104) configured to emit a beam of light (108); a reflector (102) including an aperture (110), the aperture aligned with a direction of propagation of the beam of light when no scattering occurs; and a photodetector (106); the reflector configured to reflect light scattered from the beam of light received at the reflector to a single focal point; and the photodetector located at the single focal point. An aspiration smoke detector (ASD) system (2) includes the smoke detector and a method of detecting smoke using the smoke detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ricard Burriel Maurel, Inigo Barrera Barcelo
  • Patent number: 11358184
    Abstract: A sensor system includes: a housing having an internal wall defining an opening; a transparent window mounted within the opening; a sensor device within the housing and having at least one of a sensor output or a sensor input alignable with the transparent window; a vibration device in communication with the transparent window, where the vibration device is controllable to produce a first sonic movement; where the transparent window is movably responsive to the first sonic movement with a second sonic movement; and at least one damping member located between the transparent window and the sensor device, where the damping member substantially isolates the sensor device from at least the second sonic movement of the transparent window. A method includes determining a cleaning trigger corresponding to cleaning the transparent window; and controlling, in response to the cleaning trigger, a vibration frequency, amplitude, or duration of the vibration device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLP
    Inventors: Frederick Michael McBride, Timothy Harrison
  • Patent number: 11350878
    Abstract: An apparatus for estimating bio-information may include a sensor configured to emit light to an object and detect light scattered or reflected from the object and a processor configured to acquire, based on an intensity of the detected light, a first absorbance coefficient change and a first scattering coefficient change, relative to a reference time point, acquire a second scattering coefficient change based on the first absorbance coefficient change, and correct the first scattering coefficient change based on the acquired second scattering coefficient change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.. LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Yong Nam, Kak Namkoong, Yeol Ho Lee, Joon Hyung Lee, Ki Young Chang, Won Jong Jung
  • Patent number: 11285487
    Abstract: Apparatuses and associated methods of manufacturing are described that provide a tip resistant optical testing instrument configured to rest on a surface. The optical testing instrument includes a shell defining a cavity for receiving a sample tube. The shell includes a bottom shell surface, wherein the bottom shell surface defines at least one support element, wherein the at least one support element is configured to engage the surface to support the optical testing instrument in a testing position, and a translational surface configured to engage the surface to support the optical testing instrument in an angled position. In an instance in which the optical testing instrument tilts from the testing position to the angled position, the translational surface is configured to engage the surface contacting the translational surface to prevent the optical testing instrument from tipping further and allow the optical testing instrument to return to the testing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: bioMerieux, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack R. Hoffmann, Jr., Gregory R. Maes
  • Patent number: 11255770
    Abstract: A measurement apparatus according to the present disclosure is a measurement apparatus capable of measuring particles in a fluid and comprises: a flow path device including a first flow path with translucency through which a first fluid including the particles passes and a second flow path with translucency through which a second fluid which does not include the particles passes; an optical sensor facing the flow path device, irradiating each of the first flow path and the second flow path with light, and receiving light passing through each of the first flow path and the second flow path; and a controller measuring the particles by comparing an intensity of light passing through the first flow path and an intensity of light passing through the second flow path, each of which is obtained by the optical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuji Masuda, Masashi Yoneta, Jumpei Nakazono
  • Patent number: 11215557
    Abstract: Provided are methods of assessing the cleanliness of a flow cell of a flow cytometric system. The provided methods include computing a ratio of post-flow cell and pre-flow cell light beam intensities and using such a ratio to assess the cleanliness of the flow cell. Flow cytometric systems capable of monitoring the cleanliness of a flow cell contained within the system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Svitlana Y. Berezhna, JrHung T. Tsai, David Spalding, Mahesh R. Junnarkar, Chia-Fa Hsu
  • Patent number: 11209347
    Abstract: The invention refers to an optical measurement apparatus (10) with an optical device (18,20,22) and a liquid sample vessel (12) for measuring an optical parameter of a liquid sample (13) in the liquid sample vessel (12), comprising a drying circuit circulating drying air for venting the sample vessel (12), wherein the drying circuit comprises a mechanical water stop means (100) in the course of the drying circuit, the water stop means (100) comprising a conduit body (102) with a water-absorbing swelling element (120) arranged within the conduit body (102). The water stop means is simple and inexpensive and reliably protects all elements downstream of the water stop means from a water ingress upstream of the water stop means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: HACH LANGE GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Kussman, Aurelia Stellmach, Markus Hahn, Markus Lenhard, Sebastian Minke, Andreas Jonak, Volker Baar, Heinz Rudde
  • Patent number: 11169077
    Abstract: An airborne, gas, or liquid particle sensor with multiple particle sensor blocks in a single particle counter. Each sensor would sample a portion of the incoming airstream, or possibly a separate airstream. The various counters could be used separately or in concert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Particles Plus, Inc.
    Inventors: David Pariseau, Adam Giandomenico
  • Patent number: 11147481
    Abstract: A system, wearable device, and method include a light emitter configured to emit light at a first wavelength of between approximately 900 and 1000 nanometers and at a second wavelength of approximately 1350 nanometers, a first light detector spaced at a first distance from the light emitter, and a second light detector spaced at a second distance from the light emitter, the second distance approximately twice the first distance. At least one of hydration and glycogen of muscle tissue is determinable based on a relationship between backscatter light from the muscle tissue as detected by the second light detector and backscatter light from non-muscle tissue as detected by the first light detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett S. Kirby, Vikram Malhotra, Roger Schmitz
  • Patent number: 11141705
    Abstract: A Fenton apparatus of the present disclosure includes a reactor vessel, gas injection inlets that allow ejection of aeration coolant perpendicular to axis of the reactor vessel to agitate a reaction composition present in the reactor vessel under vortex conditions, a jacket cooling loop encasing the reactor vessel to allow circulation of a jacket coolant selected from a group consisting of forced air, nitrogen gas, and water, a coil cooling loop coiling around the reactor vessel to allow circulation of a coil coolant selected from a group consisting of forced air, nitrogen gas, water, and carbon dioxide. Multiple programmable solenoid valves are provided to individually control injection of the aeration coolant, the jacket coolant, and the coil coolant. A controller is provided to communicate with a temperature sensor and each programmable solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: King Abdulaziz University
    Inventors: Sherif Shawki Zaki Hindi, Uthman Mohammed Ahmed Dawoud
  • Patent number: 11119029
    Abstract: An optical excitation system comprises a substrate (105) comprising at least one delivery means (104), for delivering analytes (109) into at least one region of interest (103), at least one radiation carrier (101) for directing at least one radiation beam from the at least one radiation carrier (101) into the at least one region of interest (103). The substrate (105) includes a thin lens system (120) comprising at least a first thin lens (121), for collimating radiation from the at least one region of interest (103) to a remote detection system (130). A particle sensor and sensing system comprising the excitation system are also provided, for example a modular particle sensor and modular sensing system, wherein the optical excitation system may be single use and disposable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventor: Dries Vercruysse
  • Patent number: 11091314
    Abstract: A handheld aerosol-generating device may include an emitter configured to emit light, a sensor configured to receive light, and an aerosol chamber configured to hold an aerosol. The emitter may emit light into the aerosol chamber. The sensor may receive light from the aerosol chamber and measure at least one wavelength of the spectrum of the received light. Direct measurement of parameters, and/or the presence, of the aerosol in the aerosol chamber may be enabled, where the direct measurement of parameters of the aerosol in the aerosol chamber may enable optimal operation of an aerosol-generating system that may be the handheld aerosol-generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Michel Bessant
  • Patent number: 11079585
    Abstract: A system and method for automated analysis of a membrane filter obtained from an air quality monitoring apparatus used for sampling airborne respirable fibres such as asbestos and synthetic mineral fibres is described. The system comprises capturing a macroscale image a membrane filter and analysing macroscale image using a computer vision method to determine a countable area of the membrane filter and one or more excluded regions within the countable area of the membrane filter. These excluded regions comprise membrane filter grid lines, air bubbles and large particulate matter. The slide is then placed on a robotic XY stage of a digital phase contrast microscope which is used to capture at least one magnified phase contrast image at each of 20 or more sample locations located across the filter member. The sample locations are selected such that a field of view at each sample location does not contain an excluded region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: First Frontier Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Jordan Gallagher-Gruber, Gabor Szijarto
  • Patent number: 11079325
    Abstract: This invention relates to an optical system and method for performing turbidity assay, e.g. coagulation of blood or plasma, comprising a standard optical reference, a sample handling structure, a light source and an optical detection unit. The standard optical reference, such as a fluorophore-doped glass, provides constant optical signal under controlled optical conditions. The sample handling structure, such as a microfluidic system with reaction chamber, can be placed beneath or above the standard optical reference. During operation, the coagulating plasma/blood changes its optical absorbance and reflection properties, which results in changes in optical signal that reaches the optical reading unit. The variation of the optical signal, such as fluorescence signal indicates the kinetics of the turbidity varying process, such as plasma/blood coagulation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: INSTRUMENTATION LABORATORY COMPANY
    Inventors: Josef Kerimo, Hansong Zeng, Ron Scharlack, Gert Blankenstein
  • Patent number: 11047786
    Abstract: The particle size distribution measuring apparatus includes a centrifugal sedimentation measuring mechanism and a dynamic light scattering measuring mechanism. The centrifugal sedimentation measuring mechanism causes particles to settle out by rotating a measurement cell accommodating particles dispersed in a dispersion medium and detects transmitted light by irradiating light to the measurement cell to measure a first particle size distribution on a basis of a change of transmitted light intensity of the transmitted light. The dynamic light scattering measuring mechanism detects scattered light occurred upon irradiation of light to particles so as to measure a second particle size distribution based on a change of scattered light intensity of the scattered light occurred due to Brownian motion of particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: HORIBA, LTD.
    Inventor: Tetsuji Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 11041645
    Abstract: A radiation receiving sensor includes an infrared receiver including a plurality of infrared receiving devices that receive infrared radiation, a lens that allows infrared radiation to enter the infrared receiver, a rotator that rotates the infrared receiver and the lens about a part of the lens, and a cover member that faces the infrared receiver through the lens and that has translucency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koichi Kusukame, Nawatt Silawan, Shinichi Shikii, Aki Yoneda, Kazuki Funase, Takahiro Fukunishi, Toshimitsu Koda, Norimasa Ishikawa, Hiroshi Yamanaka, Takanori Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 11027911
    Abstract: A handheld aerosol-generating device may include an emitter configured to emit light, a sensor configured to receive light, and an aerosol chamber configured to hold an aerosol. The emitter may emit light into the aerosol chamber. The sensor may receive light from the aerosol chamber and measure at least one wavelength of the spectrum of the received light. Direct measurement of parameters, and/or the presence, of the aerosol in the aerosol chamber may be enabled, where the direct measurement of parameters of the aerosol in the aerosol chamber may enable optimal operation of an aerosol-generating system that may be the handheld aerosol-generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Michel Bessant