Specific Operation Control System Patents (Class 702/31)
  • Patent number: 8731863
    Abstract: An analyzing system, data processing apparatus, and application program are provided that can display the measurement results and/or analysis results of a plurality of different types of measuring apparatuses on a user interface that is easily comprehended by the user. The data processing apparatus is capable of displaying on a screen the measurement results and analysis results of a plurality of measuring apparatuses that perform mutually different kinds of measurements of specimens. A plurality of measurement item group switching buttons are provided on the display screen, and specimen information tables that correspond to each measurement item can be displayed by a user clicking on the buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Mishima, Terutaka Yauchi
  • Patent number: 8688277
    Abstract: An apparatus that generates brewed beverages by performing one or more chemical and/or mechanical processes may receive requests to produce specified brewed beverages. The apparatus may include a master controller that initiates and controls performance of the chemical and/or mechanical processes to produce the specified beverages. The master controller may adaptively apply one or more process accelerators during the performance of one of the chemical or mechanical processes to accelerate the process or to achieve a desired qualitative or quantitative characteristic for a beverage or a component thereof. The adaptive application of one or more process accelerators may be dependent on a multiple-variable process profile developed for the process and/or a specified beverage. For example, the pressure in a steam wand and/or the depth of the wand may be varied during a process to froth milk in order to produce frothed milk having a desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Briggo, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles F. Studor, J. Kevin Nater, Marwan M Hassoun
  • Patent number: 8670870
    Abstract: A system for providing positive pressure to an interior of a positive pressure facility can include an enclosure for securing to an exterior of the positive pressure facility, an evaporator motor compartment with a motor, a compressor compartment with a compressor, a fresh air intake section for bringing air in from outside, a condenser compartment with air venture, a heater compartment with a heater, and an enclosure extension for attaching to the interior of the positive pressure facility. An electrical compartment can be connected with a return air compartment of the enclosure extension. A human machine interface with a display can present controls for controlling the system and various portions of real-time information related to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Englobal Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald M. Bush, Jr., James Penrod, William Riter, Kyle Cook, Carl Gosnell
  • Patent number: 8639391
    Abstract: A building automation system including a controller, at least one outlet for providing electrical energy to one or more electrical devices, at least one sensor for detecting one or more characteristics of the electrical devices, and a communication link configured to allow communication between the controller and other components of the system, wherein the controller is configured to control (e.g., interrupt, change, adjust, terminate, increase, and/or meter) the supply of power to the at least one outlet based, in part, on one or more characteristics of the electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Green Edge Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Alberth, Jr., Seang Yong Chau, David K Hartsfield, Scott A. Steele
  • Patent number: 8626342
    Abstract: The present invention comprises devices, systems, methods, and computer program products for managing data related to the dispensing of contrast media as part of a medical procedure. The device and system provide a controller that is capable of communicating with a dispensing device so as to extract, arrange, process, and present a data set (e.g., a usage data set) from the dispensing device to a user such that the user may selectively monitor statistics related to the administration of contrast media, saline, or other consumables used during one or more dispensing operations. The method and computer program product for managing data related to the dispensing of contrast media may further allow for extraction, arrangement, processing, and presentation of the data set via the controller, via a user interface that is operably engaged with the dispensing device and/or via a computer network that may be in communication with the dispensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Acist Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Williams, Jr., Steven Hartman, Tito Tengco, Clark Godfrey, Alan Cross-Hansen
  • Patent number: 8626453
    Abstract: A blood glucose level information processing apparatus, method and program provide blood glucose values and blood glucose value information within a period or range desired by a user without imposing cumbersome operation on the user. The apparatus, method and program provide blood glucose values and blood glucose value information within a period or desired range by acquiring blood glucose levels measured by a blood glucose level measuring device and date/time of measurement at which the blood glucose levels are measured, displaying a line graph obtained by plotting the blood glucose values within a predetermined period. A slide bar can also be provided, for example on a graph display screen image, whereupon if the slide bar is moved, only the blood glucose values corresponding to a preceding period backdating in response to the amount of movement of the slide bar are plotted on a line graph along a time series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Myoujou, Tooru Oomori, Jun Tsubota
  • Patent number: 8615325
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an advanced control system for steam hydrocarbon reformer furnaces, especially steam methane reformer furnaces. As described herein, the advanced control system may improve the control quality and efficiency of adjusting steam hydrocarbon reformer furnaces operating coefficients. As a result, the steam hydrocarbon reformer furnace operations become more stable, resulting in energy savings and improved furnace yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Tong Li, Justin Jian Wang
  • Patent number: 8600684
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the identity of a microfluidic device and a home position by means of a set of home position marks on the microfluidic device, which is of the type used in a microfluidic system. Said method comprises following phases: a microfluidic device scanning phase, wherein a microfluidic device is scanned for mark identifiers; a microfluidic device identifying phase, wherein at least one a characteristic feature of the set of home marks is/are determined and used for identifying the identity of the microfluidic device; a home position determining phase, wherein the home position is determined by the use of at least a subset of the home position marks identified during said previous phases. The present invention relates to a set of home marks, a microfluidic device carrying such a set of home marks, a microfluidic system, a computer program product and a computer program on a computer usable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Gyros Patent AB
    Inventors: Agneta Ohlström, Mårten Bergström, Tobias Söderman, Robert Bielik
  • Patent number: 8594848
    Abstract: Systems and methods for software-reconfigurable chemical process systems useful in a wide range of applications. Embodiments may include software control of internal processes, automated provisions for cleaning internal elements with solvents, provisions for clearing and drying gasses, and multitasking operation. In one family of embodiments, a flexible software-reconfigurable multipurpose reusable “Lab-on-a-Chip” or “embedded chemical processor” is realized that can facilitate a wide range of applications, instruments, and appliances. Through use of a general architecture, a single design can be economically manufactured in large scale and readily adapted to diverse specialized applications. Clearing and cleaning provisions may be used to facilitate reuse of the device, or may be used for decontamination prior to recycling or non-reclaimed disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Lester F. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 8574440
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and article for manipulating an amount of organic material entrained in an aqueous phase of a solvent extraction process. The method includes estimating an interfacial shear stress between an aqueous phase and an organic phase of a solvent extraction apparatus, estimating an amount of organic material entrained in the aqueous phase based on the estimated interfacial shear stress, and manipulating one or more solvent extraction process parameters to manipulate the amount of organic material entrained in the aqueous phase. The method and apparatus can be used to improve performance of and reduce operating costs associated with the solvent extraction apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Freeport-McMoran Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Lorenzo Bryce, Jason Moore Morgan, Willian Ryan Sircy, Rosemary Dawn Blosser
  • Patent number: 8577623
    Abstract: An Anti-Terrorism water quality monitoring system for continuously monitoring a potable water treatment system and related potable water distribution network that provides potable water to a municipality, city, housing development or other potable water consumer. The system includes the collection of data from the water distribution system and from the water treatment facility and from advanced separation processes which are integrated into analytical instruments. The data collected are stored in a remote database on a remote server computer or bank of computers and accessible by Homeland Security or its designated agency. Preferred parameters of monitoring include the turbidity and disinfectant such as chlorine, hypochlorous acid, sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochloritc, ozone, chlorine dioxide, chloramines, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventor: Thomas D. Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20130268211
    Abstract: An apparatus for elemental analysis of particles such as single cells or single beads by mass spectrometry is described. The apparatus includes means for particle introduction; means to vaporize, atomize and ionize elements associated with a particle; means to separate the ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio; means to detect the separated ions, means to digitize the output of the means to detect the ions; means to transfer and/or to process and/or record the data output of the means to digitize, having means to detect the presence of a particle in a mass spectrometer; and means to synchronize one of the means for ion detection, data digitization, transfer, processing and recording with the means to detect the presence of a particle. Methods and computer readable code implementing aspects of the apparatus, and for reducing the rates of data generation, digitization, transfer, processing and recording are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: DVS Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei Antonov, Dmitry Roman Bandura
  • Patent number: 8554372
    Abstract: A method of managing resources of a histological tissue processor, the tissue processor comprising at least one retort (12, 14) selectively connected for fluid communication to at least one of a plurality of reagent resources (26) by a valve mechanism (40), the method comprising the step of: nominating resources according to one of: group, where a group nomination corresponds to a resource's function; type, where a type nomination corresponds to one or more attributes of a resource within a group; station, where a station nomination corresponds to a point of supply of a resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Melbourne Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Victor Camfield Windeyer, Michael Houston Drummond
  • Patent number: 8527376
    Abstract: Information provided with a direct deposit, a deposited check, or other negotiable instrument may be used to determine state, city, county, and/or other local income tax liability. Based on information associated with the deposit, the financial institution may determine where a user performed the work that triggered the income payment, where the income payment took place, what type of work is associated with the income payment, etc. This information may be used by the financial institution to provide income itemization and income tax liability information to the user via a user computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: Michael Patrick Bueche, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8504305
    Abstract: An Anti-Terrorism water quality monitoring system for continuously monitoring a potable water treatment system and related potable water distribution network that provides potable water to a municipality, city, housing development or other potable water consumer. The system includes the collection of data from the water distribution system and from the water treatment facility and from advanced separation processes which are integrated into analytical instruments. The data collected are stored in a remote database on a remote server computer or bank of computers and accessible by Homeland Security or its designated agency. Preferred parameters of monitoring include the turbidity and disinfectant such as chlorine, hypochlorous acid, sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, ozone, chlorine dioxide, chloramines, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventor: Thomas D. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 8498746
    Abstract: A sootblowing control system that uses predictive models to bridge the gap between sootblower operation and boiler performance goals. The system uses predictive modeling and heuristics (rules) associated with different zones in a boiler to determine an optimal sequence of sootblower operations and achieve boiler performance targets. The system performs the sootblower optimization while observing any operational constraints placed on the sootblowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: NeuCo, Inc.
    Inventors: John Robert James, John McDermott, Stephen Piche, Fred Pickard, Neel J. Parikh
  • Patent number: 8489361
    Abstract: In a transient state caused by fuel cut, a normal output of an A/F sensor having normal response and a lowered output having response lowered by a predetermined value as compared to the normal output are estimated, and an actual output of the A/F sensor is sensed. S1 as an integration value of a deviation between the normal output and the lowered output and S2 as an integration value of a deviation between the normal output and the actual output are calculated respectively until the normal output and the lowered output converge to an oxygen concentration equivalent to an atmosphere. S2 changes in accordance with a lowering degree of the response of the actual output. Therefore, the lowering degree of the response of the A/F sensor can be diagnosed based on S2/S1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Umehara
  • Patent number: 8489241
    Abstract: An exemplary method is disclosed for controlling on-line the steam output of a waste incineration plant that is fed with waste of varying composition. Process or system quantities (u2, u3, xGC, xLL, w0) can be measured repeatedly, at different times during operation of the plant, and a relation with linear parameters (?i) as coefficients of non-linear expressions (?i) of the process quantities can be established by evaluating the measurements. From this relation, an optimal waste feed rate to obtain a desired steam output ({dot over (M)}steam) can be determined and applied to a waste feed actuator of the waste incineration plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Silvia Bardi, Alessandro Astolfi
  • Patent number: 8489240
    Abstract: A control system for industrial water systems that utilizes multiple measurements of information and models to decide optimal control actions to maximize corrosion/scaling/fouling inhibition and particulate dispersancy performance and minimize cost of water and treatment chemicals. This system is capable of automatic operation for a wide range of process conditions, ensures multiple performance objectives, achieves robust operation under a variety or un-measurable disturbances and achieves the least costly solution delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Zhaoyang Wan, Gary E. Geiger, Yong Zhang, Yu Zhang
  • Patent number: 8478446
    Abstract: A method of configuration of combustion process control. The method includes providing a combustion system having a plurality of burner elements, a plurality of gas injection points and a controller. The gas injection points are configured to provide a support gas. One or more tasks for operation of the combustion system are determined. A plurality of groupings of the gas injection points are determined for each of the one or more tasks. An individual ranking for each of the plurality of groupings is determined in response to the one or more tasks. A composite ranking of injection points in response to the individual rankings and the controller is configured to operate the plurality of gas injection points in response to the composite ranking. A combustion system and a method for operating a combustion system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey William Kloosterman, Mark Daniel D'Agostini, Kevin Boyle Fogash
  • Patent number: 8463559
    Abstract: Method for operating a measuring point having a base unit and a sensor unit, wherein the latter couples via a pluggable connector coupling with the base unit; the base unit serves for energy supply of the sensor unit, for data exchange with the sensor unit and for communication with a process monitoring installation, wherein the base unit includes: A first element of the pluggable connector coupling; a first microprocessor sensor data conditioning for communication with the process monitoring installation; a first data memory for saving measuring-point-specific data; wherein the sensor unit has a primary sensor and a sensor head; the primary sensor includes a transducer, which outputs a measured variable dependent signal; wherein the sensor head includes: A circuit for conditioning the transducer signals with an A/D converter and a second microprocessor for measurement signal processing, a second data memory for sensor data; a program memory which contains a firmware; and an interface with a second element of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft für Mess-und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Lohmann, Ulrich Kaiser, Tobias Mieth, Sven-Matthias Scheibe, Reinhard Weiss, Jochen Betz
  • Patent number: 8452562
    Abstract: Method and system providing an automated workflow for installing and/or calibrating laboratory equipment. The workflow empowers an end user to perform installation and calibration thereby reducing the costs associated with such activities. The automated workflow taught herein, can greatly reduce the incidence of calibration error by providing for verification of certain events during the calibration process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce E. DeSimas, Leslie A. Dow
  • Patent number: 8446608
    Abstract: There are provided an image forming apparatus which is capable of efficiently performing necessary actions to thereby reduce downtime. At least one job can be registered. Image formation is performed according to the at least one registered job. Action objects are detected on which actions necessary for the image forming apparatus should be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noriaki Matsui, Kunio Tsuruno, Keizo Isemura, Shinsuke Ubayashi, Ichiro Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8433443
    Abstract: Generally, a method of monitoring a polymerization reaction in a fluid bed reactor to generate, in on-line fashion, data indicative of the imminent occurrence of a discontinuity event (for example, sheeting) and optionally also control the reaction to prevent the occurrence of the discontinuity event is provided. Typical embodiments include the steps of generating in on-line fashion at least one of bed static data indicative of static charge in the fluidized bed and carryover static data indicative of carryover static; and generating at least one of temperature data (in on-line fashion using at least one monitored reaction parameter) indicative of a first temperature and acoustic emission data indicative of resin stickiness in the reactor, where the first temperature is indicative of at least one of degree of resin stickiness in the reactor and a characteristic of melting behavior of polymer resin in the reactor in the presence of at least one diluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert O. Hagerty, Ian D. Burdett, Marc L. DeChellis, F. David Hussein, Eric J. Markel, Michael E. Muhle, Richard B. Pannell, Daniel P. Zilker
  • Patent number: 8423320
    Abstract: By using powerful data analysis techniques, such as PCR, PLS, CLS and the like, in combination with measurement techniques providing structural information, gradually varying material characteristics may be determined during semiconductor fabrication, thereby also enabling the monitoring of complex manufacturing sequences. For instance, the material characteristics of sensitive dielectric materials, such as ULK material, may be detected, for instance with respect to an extension of a damage zone, in order to monitor the quality of metallization systems of sophisticated semiconductor devices. The inline measurement data may be obtained on the basis of infrared spectroscopy, for instance using FTIR and the like, which may even allow directly obtaining the measurement data at process chambers, substantially without affecting the overall process throughput.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Schaller, Thomas Oszinda, Christin Bartsch, Daniel Fischer
  • Patent number: 8404492
    Abstract: In a machine for manipulating toxic substances, an anthropomorphic robot transfers a container, which has a mouth closed by a cap made of perforable material, from a magazine for containers to a dosage station, set in which is a syringe provided with a needle, axially aligns the mouth with the needle, correcting the position of the mouth according to the position of the tip of the needle obtained from processing a number of images of the needle acquired from at least two distinct observation points, and finally approaches the container to the syringe in such a way that the needle perforates the cap and penetrates into the container to be able to inject or extract a substance into or out of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Health Robotics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Daniele Baldassari, Alferino Gabbarini, Paolo Giribona, Werner Rainer
  • Patent number: 8386195
    Abstract: A sample processing system that may be automated and methods are disclosed where samples are arranged on a carrier element and a process operation control system automatically processes the samples perhaps robotically with an operationally-influential exteriorly-consequential information monitor or a data capture element. Significant process details as well as operationally-influential exteriorly-consequential information may be monitored and an automatic notice element may cause notification of a person at some display that may be remote. Various people may be notified, such as an administrator, a supplier, or a manufacturer of an opportunity for some action such as reagent reordering or the like. A simulated motion display may be included to “watch” simulated operation in real time or long after completion of the actual processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: DAKO Denmark A/S
    Inventors: Gordon Feingold, Marc Key, Rosanne Welcher, John Favuzzi
  • Patent number: 8381146
    Abstract: A computer-readable, non-transitory medium stores therein a design support program that causes a computer capable of accessing a storage device storing therein for each cell, an output voltage value of the cell, for each elapsed time period from a start of variation of an input voltage applied to the cell, to execute a process. The process includes extracting from the storage device, the output voltage value for each elapsed time period related to an cell under design selected from circuit information of a circuit under design; determining based on a specific voltage value, an extracted elapsed time period to be corrected; adding a time constant of an output from the cell under design to the elapsed time period determined to correction; and outputting the output voltage value for each corrected elapsed time period and the output voltage value for each elapsed time period that is not determined for correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Mitsuru Onodera
  • Patent number: 8374709
    Abstract: A system for optimizing a power plant includes a chemical loop having an input for receiving an input parameter (270) and an output for outputting an output parameter (280), a control system operably connected to the chemical loop and having a multiple controller part (230) comprising a model-free controller. The control system receives the output parameter (280), optimizes the input parameter (270) based on the received output parameter (280), and outputs an optimized input parameter (270) to the input of the chemical loop to control a process of the chemical loop in an optimized manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Xinsheng Lou
  • Patent number: 8364316
    Abstract: A method of modeling phase characteristics of thermodynamic systems utilizing pseudo-properties strategy and a reduced number of variables is disclosed herein. The method describes a means of determining the probability of phase splitting of mixtures of materials at a given temperature, pressure, and composition by characterizing the functions that describe the system via pseudo-properties, and also by describing the system in n?1 or fewer variables, where n represents the number of components in the system of interest. In an embodiment, a multi-component system is characterized in one variable, thereby providing simplified thermodynamic models in a time-efficient manner. In addition, the information generated by this reduced-variable calculation can further be used as a starting point for calculations of equations of state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gang Xu, David Bluck
  • Patent number: 8352198
    Abstract: A user, when measuring a sensing target substance in fluid using a crystal sensor (sensing sensor) using a crystal vibrator whose natural frequency is varied by an absorption of the sending target, is able to easily and accurately grasp information peculiar to the crystal sensor, for instance, information regarding a quality thereof. An IC chip in which the information peculiar to the crystal sensor is stored is provided to the crystal sensor, and the peculiar information is read out at a side of a concentration measuring device when the crystal sensor is inserted into the concentration measuring device, and then displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunichi Wakamatsu, Hiroyuki Kukita
  • Patent number: 8340824
    Abstract: A sootblowing control system that uses predictive models to bridge the gap between sootblower operation and boiler performance goals. The system uses predictive modeling and heuristics (rules) associated with different zones in a boiler to determine an optimal sequence of sootblower operations and achieve boiler performance targets. The system performs the sootblower optimization while observing any operational constraints placed on the sootblowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: NeuCo, Inc.
    Inventors: John Robert James, John McDermott, Stephen Piche, Fred Pickard, Neel J. Parikh
  • Patent number: 8306665
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control system for the conversion of carbonaceous feedstock into a gas. In particular, the control system is designed to be configurable for use in controlling one or more processes implemented in, and/or by, a gasification system for the conversion of such feedstock into a gas, which may be used for one or more downstream applications. Gasification processes controllable by different embodiments of the disclosed control system may include in various combinations, a converter, a residue conditioner, a recuperator and/or heat exchanger system, one or more gas conditioners, a gas homogenization system and one or more downstream applications. The control system operatively controls various local, regional and/or global processes related to the overall gasification process, and thereby adjusts various control parameters thereof adapted to affect these processes for a selected result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Plasco Energy Group Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Tsangaris, Kenneth Craig Campbell, Douglas Michael Feasby, Alisdair Alan McLean
  • Patent number: 8297135
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for substance mixtures, particularly complex chemical and/or biochemical substance mixtures. According to said method, a substance mixture that is to be analyzed is fed to a separating device, the substances of the substance mixture that is to be analyzed are separated from each other in the separating device by means of a chemically and/or physically induced conveying process, and the separated substances are detected in an evaluation unit. The invention further relates to methods and devices for producing pulsed substance mixtures, particularly complex chemical and/or biochemical substance mixtures. In order to improve the analysis of substance mixtures especially regarding the duration of the analysis, the throughput, and the resolution, the substance mixture that is to be analyzed is fed to the separating device in pulses having an unique binary sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Studiengesellschaft Kohle mbH
    Inventor: Oliver Trapp
  • Patent number: 8285492
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for calibrating emission data or other information signals collected during a polymerase chain reaction (PCR), amplification reaction, assay, process, or other reaction. Calibration of multiple detectable materials can be achieved during a single cycle or run, or during a plurality of runs of the reaction. A reading from every well, container, or other support region of a sample support does not have to be taken. Interpolation can be used to determine values for emission data or other information signals that were not taken, or are unknown, using detected emission data, or other detected information signals. By calibrating the detected emission data and the interpolated data, a more accurate reading of emission data or information signal can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen J. Gunstream
  • Publication number: 20120253693
    Abstract: The present invention is a sample analyzer, comprising: an analyzing section for analyzing a sample; a memory for storing analysis results of the sample by the analyzing section and an event history information indicating an event that occurred in the sample analyzer; an input device used to specify an analysis result from a plurality of analysis results stored in the memory; a display; and a controller for acquiring an event history information related to the analysis result specified by the input device from the memory and controlling the display to show information related to a cause of uncertainty of the specified analysis result based on the acquired event history information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norikazu INOMATA, Daiki KARINO
  • Patent number: 8280554
    Abstract: A novel fail-safe temperature monitoring system that can distinguish excessive chemical adsorbent temperature from temperature sensing component failure is provided. This system prevents the gas purifier from shutting down as a result of temperature sensing component failure, and thereby prevents a false shutdown of a high-purity gas production plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas John Bergman, Jr., Rick Boyer, Sandro Di Santo, Michael Henry Hawke, Keith Randall Pace, Thomas Robert Schulte, Brian Donald Warrick
  • Patent number: 8265881
    Abstract: A temperature of a gas sensor may be adjusted to a first temperature value for a first period of time and a second temperature value for a second period of time. A signal of the gas sensor may be measured during the first period of time to determine a first signal value and during the second period of time to determine a second value. Then, concentration information for at least one gas is calculated according to the first signal value and the second signal value. While the gas sensor signal may include information about a presence of a first gas and a second gas, the concentration information for the at least one gas may not substantially include concentration information for the second gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: H2Scan Corporation
    Inventors: Vikas Lakhotia, G. Jordan Maclay
  • Patent number: 8255168
    Abstract: Products and processes are provided herewith for analyzing octane content in a fuel sample that include the step or steps of receiving an octane measurement of a fuel sample from a octane analyzer, rounding the octane measurement to a nearest recognized octane rating, comparing the rounded octane measurement with a listed octane rating for the fuel sample, and communicating results of the comparison to a user of the octane analyzer. The octane analyzer may be incorporated into a fuel pump or a vehicle. The results of the comparison may also be used to adjust the vehicle operating parameters to account for the actual octane rating of the fuel dispensed into the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: CFPH, LLC
    Inventors: Howard W. Lutnick, Antonio Papageorgiou
  • Publication number: 20120202294
    Abstract: An apparatus including a treated tape, an adjustable color source, a photodiode, and a processor is provided. The adjustable color source emits a first radiation toward the treated tape and operates at each of a plurality of different target wavelengths in a spectrum. The photodiode measures a second radiation reflected from the treated tape, and the processor analyzes measurements from the photodiode to determine a peak wavelength from the plurality of target wavelengths. Based on the peak wavelength, the processor determines a color and darkness of a color stain on the treated tape. Based on the determined color and darkness of the color stain, the processor also determines a type and concentration of gas to which the treated tape is exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Peng Jin
  • Patent number: 8214159
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to assess current aspects of Quality Control useful for release of radioactive compounds for imaging, such as PET tracers as injectables, in an automated manner, without user interference, and in compliance with regulatory guidelines. The present method and system relates to an integrated automated quality control analysis of a substance utilizing a single sample injection for a plurality of inline quality control tests. A quantitative analysis of the sample via the plurality of quality control tests is conducted. A measurement value of each of the plurality of quality control parameters is determined and a comparison of each measurement value of the plurality of quality control parameters with a predetermined corresponding criterion value is made. A cumulative quality rating for the sample is determined and the validated sample is released based on the quality rating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianzhong Zhang, Arkadij M. Elizarov, Reza Miraghaie, Carroll Edward Ball, Hartmuth C. Kolb
  • Patent number: 8198585
    Abstract: A chromatograph mass spectrometer is provided for obtaining the information pertinent to a structural analysis, with a simple operation, on a compound series including a plurality of compounds whose structures and characters are similar. First, based on the data obtained by a normal LC/MS analysis, a two-dimensional isointensity line graph is created and displayed with a retention time and a mass-to-charge ratio on the two axes and with a signal intensity represented in contour (S1 and S2). When the operator specifies a desired range by a drag operation or the like by a mouse (S3), peaks included in the range specified are extracted and based on the peaks, precursor ions are selected (S4 through S6). Then a schedule is created so that an MS2 analysis is performed for the precursor ions selected in the course of an LC/MS analysis for the sample to be targeted (S7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8195408
    Abstract: A method for setting up a system of a reagent chip analyzer is provided. The method is adapted to modify parameters and testing conditions according to data of an authorization tag, so as to improve the adaptability range of the reagent chip analyzer for reagent chips of multiple specifications. The method includes: reading an identification code, authorization times, and specifications and analysis parameters of the reagent chip from an RFID tag; determining whether to load the specifications and the analysis parameters of the reagent chip according to the identification code and the authorization times; and if it is determined to load the specifications and the analysis parameters of the reagent chip, decreasing the authorization times by one, and analyzing the reagent chip according to the specifications and the analysis parameters of the reagent chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Kaiwood Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzu-Chiang Wu, Chien-Ho Chuang, Tsung-Kai Chuang, Jiann-Hua Wang
  • Patent number: 8130112
    Abstract: In one aspect, an alarm mask for condition monitoring in a wind turbine is automatically generated. A reference data selecting definition is selected from a control definition repository in the wind turbine. The reference data selecting definition specifies a time interval of recorded reference data. Reference data is selected from a sensor located in the wind turbine recorded during the time interval. A reference value is calculated based on the reference data. A first and a second alarm mask factor are selected from the control definition repository. A first alarm mask is calculated based on multiplying the first alarm mask factor and the reference value. A second alarm mask is calculated based on multiplying the second alarm mask factor by the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Gram & Juhl A/S
    Inventors: Klaus Gram-Hansen, Axel Juhl, Troels Kildemoes Moeller
  • Patent number: 8131493
    Abstract: Method and system providing an automated workflow for installing and/or calibrating laboratory equipment. The workflow empowers an end user to perform installation and calibration thereby reducing the costs associated with such activities. The automated workflow taught herein, can greatly reduce the incidence of calibration error by providing for verification of certain events during the calibration process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce De Simas, Leslie Dow
  • Patent number: 8126657
    Abstract: The IT and FT values for coal and coke samples can be accurately predicted by applying equations to determined ST and HT temperatures. For reducing atmospheres, the equations are IT=C1×ST?C2×HT+C3 and FT=C4×HT?C5×ST+C6. For oxidizing atmospheres, the equations are IT=C7×ST?C8×HT+C9 and FT=C10×HT?C11×ST+C12. IT is the initial deformation temperature. ST is the softening temperature. HT is the hemispherical temperature. FT is the fluid temperature. C1-C12 are constants determined by multi-linear regression coefficient analytical techniques on a collection of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Leco Corporation
    Inventor: John T. Riley
  • Patent number: 8112248
    Abstract: A system and method to search spectral databases and to identify unknown materials from multiple spectroscopic data in the databases. The methodology may be substantially automated and is configurable to determine weights to be accorded to spectroscopic data from different spectroscopic data generating instruments for improved identification of unknown materials. Library spectra from known materials are divided into training and validation sets. Initial, instrument-specific weighting factors are determined using a weight grid or weight scale. The training and validation spectra are weighted with the weighting factors and indicator probabilities for various sets of “coarse” weighting factors are determined through an iterative process. The finally-selected set of coarse weighting factors is further “fine tuned” using a weight grid with finer values of weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: ChemImage Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Schweitzer, Patrick J. Treado, Jason Neiss
  • Patent number: 8112232
    Abstract: A method of autoverifying clinical test results comprises displaying an autoverification process as a flowchart on a graphical user interface. The autoverification process is defined by a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges connecting the nodes. The autoverification process is configured to evaluate a result and determine if the test result meets a predetermined criteria. The method further comprises receiving the test result and automatically performing the autoverification process on the test result. A system for creating and implementing the autoverification processes comprises a graphical user interface configured to display the autoverification process as a flowchart. The system includes an input configured to receive the clinical test result from a laboratory analyzer. The system also includes a processor configured to analyze the clinical test result according to the defined autoverification process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Parkhurst, John M. Ashley
  • Publication number: 20120022795
    Abstract: The described embodiments may provide a chemical detection circuit that may comprise a plurality of first output circuits at a first side and a plurality of second output circuits at a second side of the chemical detection circuit. The chemical detection circuit may further comprise a plurality of tiles of pixels each placed between respective pairs of first and second output circuits. Each tile may include four quadrants of pixels. Each quadrant may have columns with designated first columns interleaved with second columns. Each first column may be coupled to a respective first output circuit in first and second quadrants, and to a respective second output circuit in third and fourth quadrants. Each second column may be coupled to a respective second output circuit in first and second quadrants, and to a respective first output circuit in third and fourth quadrants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kim JOHNSON, Jeremy JORDAN, Peter LEVINE, Mark MILGREW
  • Patent number: 8086411
    Abstract: A system for providing animal test information is disclosed that comprises: test devices; and a central device communicably connected to the test devices, wherein each of the terminal test devices comprises: an input receiving section for receiving input of attribution information of a sample; a measurement section for measuring the sample and acquiring a measurement result; an information transmitting section for transmitting a data set of the attribution information and the measurement result to the central device, wherein the central device comprises: an information receiving section for receiving the data set; a data storage for storing a plurality of the data set; a standard value calculation section for calculating a standard value to be used for determining a treatment of an animal, based on a plurality of the measurement result included in a plurality of the data set which have common attribution information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Yoshida, Yoichi Nakamura