Pressure Patents (Class 702/98)
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Publication number: 20110153252Abstract: A calibration apparatus includes a fixture coupled to hold a distal end of a medical probe. An actuator is configured to press against the distal tip of the probe and apply to the distal tip multiple force vectors having respective magnitudes and angles with respect to the distal end, so as to cause a deformation of the distal tip relative to the distal end. A sensing device is configured to measure the magnitudes of the force vectors applied by the actuator. A calibration processor is configured to receive from the probe first measurements indicative of the deformation of the distal tip in response to the force vectors, to receive from the sensing device second measurements indicative of the magnitudes of the force vectors, and to compute, based on the angles and the first and second measurements, calibration coefficients for assessing the force vectors as a function of the first measurements.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: Assaf Govari, Yaron Ephrath, Andres Claudio Altmann
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Publication number: 20110137599Abstract: An arrangement and method for providing compensation to a cyclical input signal is disclosed. The arrangement comprises a first detection unit (20) for detecting a first event in a cyclical output signal; a compensation signal generation unit (14) for generating a compensation signal; and a signal combination unit (8) for combining the compensation signal and the cyclical input signal to obtain the cyclical output signal. The compensation signal generation unit (14) is arranged to adjust the compensation signal at an instant which has a determined relationship with the detection of the first event. By adjusting the compensation signal at the right instant in a cycle of the cyclical output signal, the adjustment will not influence the further processing of the cyclical output signal. The method can be used to compensate the offset and sensitivity characteristics of a sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2011Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: Tim Tiek, Paulus Thomas Johannes Gennissen
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Publication number: 20110125427Abstract: A method is provided for estimating a pressure in an exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber with an associated exhaust valve, the method includes, but is not limited to acquiring pressure values within the combustion chamber during an acquisition period (AP) chosen within the time interval when the exhaust valve is open, and averaging the pressure values to obtain a single pressure value which is representative for the pressure in the exhaust manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2010Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Manuel TUGNOLO, Alessandro CATANESE, Simone BARBERO
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Publication number: 20110106449Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for estimating a user's altitude with respect to the mean sea level are provided. According to some aspects, the present invention is able to estimate altitude in both open sky as well as in degraded GPS signal environments such as dense urban canyon environments where GPS performance is affected by fewer available satellites and/or multipath error. According to other aspects, the present invention uses data from a pressure sensor to estimate altitude, either with or without the use of GPS aiding data. According to further aspects, estimated altitude is integrated with other types of dead reckoning data to provide user context detection pertaining to changes of altitude.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventors: Mahesh Chowdhary, Arun Kumar, Manish Sharma, Ashutosh Pande, Mahaveer Jain, Gagan Narula, Chinmay Agarwal, Kolin Paul
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Publication number: 20110092830Abstract: This invention discloses a method for automatic error detection in pressure measurement and an electronic sphygmomanometer using the method. The electronic sphygmomanometer comprises two pressure sensing circuits connected to a MPU. The first pressure sensing circuit is normally-on in pressure measurement. The second pressure sensing circuit is normally-off in pressure measurement. Said normally-off pressure sensing circuit is periodically turned on in an automatic manner to measure the same pressure as the normally-on pressure sensing circuit is used to measure. Said MPU computes the difference between the pressures obtained from the two pressure sensing circuits. When the difference is greater than a given error limit, calibration error warning will be given.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2009Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: PRECISION MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY LTD.Inventors: Yunquan Chen, Yun Xu
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Publication number: 20110093229Abstract: A method for calibrating sensors in a system including a plurality of sensors which are arranged so that they can be subjected to the same load includes the steps of detecting the level of an operating parameter for a certain load level individually by at least two of the sensors, calculating a mean value of the operating parameter for the sensors for the load level, determining a deviation from the mean value for each of the sensors, and saving the value of the deviations for use in operation of the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2007Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT ABInventors: Andreas Ekvall, Bo Vigholm
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Patent number: 7922914Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for measuring pressure drop through a filter in the flow path and then using the measured pressure drop, possibly at a normalized state and in conjunction with time and/or other data from the system, to estimate characteristics of the fluid, the filter, and/or a working component supplied with the filtered fluid. Such characteristics could include an operating condition of the filter, the remaining useful life of the filter, the relative contaminant concentration in the fluid, and/or the remaining useful life of a working component supplied with the filtered fluid.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2007Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.Inventors: Barry M. Verdegan, David P. Genter, Michael T. Zuroski
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Patent number: 7917313Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring a fluid transfer process, including the steps: providing an allowable pressure profile; detecting a pressure occurring in the course of the fluid transfer process; comparing detected pressure with the allowable pressure profile and signaling an error, if the detected pressure is not within the allowable pressure profile. The allowable pressure profile is defined by interpolation points, the interpolation points being based on a probability function representing a family of pressure courses of a plurality of fluid transfer processes. The allowable pressure profile can be divided into at least two distinct process sections, each section corresponding to a distinct process phase of the fluid transfer process. The probability function is calculated from a family of test pressure curves and reflects the statistical behavior of the pipette system.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2008Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.Inventors: Guenter Ziegler, Peter Wenzig
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Patent number: 7917774Abstract: System, methods, and apparatuses produce simulated human physiological waveforms such as electrocardiograph (ECG) and blood pressure signals where the microcontroller and/or digital-to-analog converters may be switched to a lower power-consuming state by programmable instructions and switched on in response to a programmable sleep timer.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2007Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Pronk Technologies Inc.Inventor: Karl Ruiter
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Patent number: 7912663Abstract: Disclosed is a method of improving the recognition of a tire pressure loss in a tire pressure monitoring system in which at least one reference value (A) is formed on the basis of signals representing the rotational speeds of several vehicle wheels. A pressure loss is concluded by comparing a currently determined reference value with at least one reference value if the currently determined reference value exceeds or falls short of a predefined value. A noise analysis of the reference value(s) (101) is executed and at least one threshold value (T, S) is adjusted (108) based on the result of the noise analysis (102).Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHGInventors: Vladimir Koukes, Martin Griesser, Michel Wagner, Geoffrey Bauer
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Patent number: 7880595Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system which can readily identify information transmitted from each detecting device without requiring registration of identifying information of the detecting device is to be provided. Detecting devices transmit vehicle information including at least the result of detection and self-identifying information; a tractor relaying device and a trailer relaying device add their self-identifying information to vehicle data received on the basis of the identifying information of the detecting devices and transmit the vehicle data, and transmit registration data including their own relaying device IDs and types indicating the registration of the relaying device IDs; the tractor relaying device stores the relaying device ID of the registration data transmitted from the trailer relaying device on the basis of the type information and transmits that registration data, and transmits vehicle data received from the trailer relaying device on the basis of the relaying device ID.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2006Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kazuhiro Shimura
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Publication number: 20110010123Abstract: A computer-based method for pressure testing. The method can include determining physical characteristics of a system of conduits. Additionally, the method can include determining a pressure limit associate with the system based on the physical characteristics. The method can also include identifying a target portion of a conduit in the system that may have a thermal gradient and positioning a probe for measuring temperature along a middle portion of the target portion. The method can include determining an average rate of temperature change along the target portion based on the temperature data from the probe for a period of time and determining a thermal mixing zone between the probe and another probe in the system based on a type of substance between the probes. Furthermore, the method can include determining a thermal model for the target portion based on the determined average rate of temperature change, a volume of the target portion, and the determined thermal mixing zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2009Publication date: January 13, 2011Applicant: TECO Energy, Inc.Inventor: Arthur Bosshart
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Patent number: 7869971Abstract: A method of measuring the condition of a safety valve includes measuring a condition parameter that varies with the sealing force of the valve. The condition parameter may be determined from in-line measurements, such as measurements of a pressure pso at which the valve will open and a pressure psl at which the valve will leak.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2006Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Seetru LimitedInventor: Otto Herman Varga
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Publication number: 20100318308Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for detecting a tire pressure deviation in a tire of a vehicle by determining tire pressure indicating data indicative of a tire pressure condition of the tire and determining tire pressure deviation data indicative of a tire pressure deviation in the tire.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2007Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventors: Fredrik Gustavsson, Urban Forssell
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Patent number: 7826991Abstract: An average-temperature compensated field device comprises a field module, a temperature-averaging sensor, a microprocessor, and an interface. The field module is configured to characterize a process parameter. The temperature-averaging sensor is configured to generate a compensation signal characterizing an extended region of the field device. The microprocessor is configured to compensate a process signal as a function of the compensation signal. The interface is configured to communicate the process signal via a field device communication protocol.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2007Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Rosemount Inc.Inventor: Mark S. Schumacher
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Patent number: 7801693Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving accuracy of measurement of fluid pressure at a fluid port, such as at a supply port or control port of a fluid control valve, involves a closed-loop precision pressure measurement method with barometric pressure and temperature compensation.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2007Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Saturn Electronics & Engineering, Inc.Inventors: David L. Seid, Timothy M. Anderson
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Patent number: 7788056Abstract: A method of auto-calibrating aircraft cabin pressure sensors in a cabin pressure control system while in service, wherein at a constant sensed cabin pressure during a cruise flight phase at least one pressure sensor output voltage from each of two cabin pressure sensors are recorded. Upon landing and opening of the cabin doors the sensed cabin pressure value is compared to an external field pressure. A new software slope variable and a new software offset variable are computed for the pressure/voltage function using an average computed pressure value in cruise and the recorded field atmospheric pressure sensor voltage value on the ground. Thereafter, a new cabin pressure value is calculated and control software is modified.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Harold Beekhuizen, Tom Whitney
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Patent number: 7783448Abstract: A pressure sensor and method wherein a resonant pressure transducer has a frequency F which changed depending on the applied pressure P and the temperature T. A temperature sensor measures the temperature T. A memory includes stored therein data points corresponding to the sensor's frequency F at difference applied pressures and temperatures. A processor is configured to generate several polynomials from the data points and calculate P? at T? when the transducer frequency is F?.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Andrew Hutchinson
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Publication number: 20100198545Abstract: Calibrating a measuring cell arrangement having a diaphragm vacuum measuring cell, a measuring connector connected to circuitry which has a memory, a control and an interface for exchange of data with peripheral devices and a programmable heater for heating the diaphragm vacuum measuring cell to a presettable temperature includes connecting the measuring cell arrangement to a calibration mechanism, connecting the measuring connector to a vacuum volume and connecting the measuring cell interface to a calibration procedure control, as well as switching on the measuring cell arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2008Publication date: August 5, 2010Inventors: Christian Berg, Carsten Strietzel
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Patent number: 7769493Abstract: The system for controlling flow characteristics allows a user to selectively modify the inherent fluid flow characteristics of a fluid transmission system including a flow process controller and a control valve positioner. The system includes a programmable flow controller having an input adapted for receiving an input signal from the flow process controller. The programmable flow controller selectively modifies the input signals generated by the flow process controller depending upon user-selectable flow parameters. An output is in communication with the programmable flow controller, with the output being adapted for transmitting output signals to the control valve positioner (and the valve connected thereto). A user interface is provided for inputting the user-selectable flow parameters to the programmable flow controller for modification of the input signal to the user-selectable flow parameters.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2008Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and MineralsInventors: Moustafa Elshafei, Ashraf Yousef Dasa
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Publication number: 20100191129Abstract: A method for performing an in-vivo calibration of a blood pressure sensor that is associated with an in-vivo balloon system. The method involves monitoring a patient's blood pressure by observing the system gas pressure while at the same time monitoring the patient's blood pressure through the sensor. The blood pressure measurements obtained by monitoring the system gas pressure are used as reference, or “true,” blood pressure measurements, and an “offset” is determined between the reference blood pressure measurements and the blood pressure measurements obtained through the sensor. The offset can be stored in a memory, which may also store sensor sensitivity data. The offset and/or sensitivity data may be used to adjust future measurements obtained from the sensor, thereby generating calibrated sensor measurements.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2010Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicant: Datascope Investment Corp.Inventors: Jonathan Williams, Shrenik Daftary, Boris Leschinsky
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Publication number: 20100191495Abstract: The invention is directed to a system, a method and a computer program including program code for carrying out the method, when executed on a processing system, of issuing a tire pressure deviation in a vehicle's tire. The system comprises a calculation unit (20) adapted to calculate temporally successive output signals (WRAx) indicative of a tire pressure condition in the vehicle's tire on the basis of temporally successive vehicle's signals. It further comprises a calibration unit (25) adapted to determine a calibration value (WRAcal/X) on the basis of a number of temporally successive output signals (WRAx) from the calculation unit (20). It further comprises a detection unit (30) configured to detect a tire pressure deviation in the vehicle's tire on the basis of further temporally successive output signals (WRAx) from the calculation unit (20) and the calibration value (WRAcal/X) from the calibration unit (25), after determination of the calibration value (WRAcal,x) by the calibration unit (25).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2007Publication date: July 29, 2010Inventors: Markus Drevö, Anders Stenman, Peter Lindskog
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Patent number: 7752002Abstract: An economical, repeatable, and non-invasive method and apparatus for the calibration of implantable pressure sensors that can minimize patient discomfort and risk of infection. In one embodiment, a calibration system for calibrating a first pressure sensor coupled to a management device and implanted into a human patient is provided. The calibration system includes a mouthpiece, a pump, a second pressure sensor, and a computer. The pump provides a positive pressure into an airway of the human patient via the mouthpiece. The second pressure sensor measures the airway pressure of the human patient, and the computer is coupled to the pump and monitors pressures measured by the first and second pressure sensors. Here, the computer also calculates one or more calibration constants based on the pressures measured by the first and second pressure sensors and provides the calibration constants to the management device to calibrate the first pressure sensor.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.Inventors: Yang Zhang, Yongning Zou, Dan E. Gutfinger
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Patent number: 7734388Abstract: A wheel-speed-sensor-anomaly detection apparatus detects anomaly of wheel speed sensors of a vehicle. When a difference between the minimum wheel speed among detected wheel speeds and the smallest value among the remaining wheel speeds is greater than a predetermined threshold value, in principle, a wheel speed sensor of the wheel corresponding to the minimum wheel speed is determined to be anomalous. Meanwhile, when a wheel having a lowered tire air pressure (air-pressure-lowered wheel) is present and a road surface on which the vehicle is currently traveling is a low-? road surface, the operation of detecting anomaly of the wheel speed sensors is prohibited. This operation reliably prevents erroneous detection of anomaly of the wheel speed sensor of the air-pressure-lowered wheel, which erroneous detection would otherwise occur due to the locking tendency of the air-pressure-lowered wheel occurring because of decreased tire air pressure, in particular, on a low-? road surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2006Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hirohisa Tanaka, Yoshimasa Yamamoto, Kazuhiro Kato
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Publication number: 20100125426Abstract: There is disclosed a high temperature pressure sensing system which includes a SOI Wheatstone bridge including piezoresistors. The bridge provides an output which is applied to an analog to digital converter also fabricated using SOI technology. The output of the analog to digital converter is applied to microprocessor, which microprocessor processes the data or output of the bridge to produce a digital output indicative of bridge value. The microprocessor also receives an output from another analog to digital converter indicative of the temperature of the bridge as monitored by a span resistor coupled to the bridge. The microprocessor has a separate memory coupled thereto which is also fabricated from SOI technology and which memory stores various data indicative of the microprocessor also enabling the microprocessor test and system test to be performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2008Publication date: May 20, 2010Applicant: Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.Inventors: Anthony D. Kurtz, Wolf S. Landmann
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Publication number: 20100121600Abstract: A method for checking a pressure sensor of a fuel injection system, especially of a motor vehicle, the fuel injector system having a pressure reservoir to which the pressure sensor and an injector are assigned; in the method, a fuel quantity being injected under a pressure by the injector, wherein a pressure difference, which is created by a sudden pressure drop caused by the injection process, is ascertained as a function of the pressure and the fuel quantity.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2009Publication date: May 13, 2010Inventor: Rene Zieher
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Patent number: 7711439Abstract: A method of controlling a motor speed for a fan assembly includes receiving a duty cycle value at a microcontroller. The microcontroller receives a measured fan speed from a speed sensor. An expected fan speed is determined, where the expected fan speed corresponds to the duty cycle value. The measured fan speed is compared with the expected fan speed. A duty cycle of a motor driving signal is reduced if the measured fan speed is less than a predetermined fraction of the expected fan speed.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2007Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Scott Frankel, Eric Hardt, Nigel D. Strike
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Publication number: 20100077829Abstract: A pressure monitoring apparatus (10) including features that simplify in-situ calibration procedures. A pressure monitoring module (12) of the apparatus is coupled to external pressure lines (14, 16) and an external electrical interface (24) via an easily removable monitoring module plug (32). The monitoring module can be disconnected from the pressure lines and external interface and then connected to a portable calibration module (42) by simply replacing the monitoring module plug with a calibration module plug (50). The calibration module plug provides an electro-pneumatic interface between the monitoring module and the calibration module. The monitoring module may be electronically interrogated and automatically calibrated via a processor of the calibration module. The monitoring module plug may be inserted onto the calibration module plug to provide actual system pressures to the now-calibrated apparatus for final documentation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Inventors: Anthony Batista, Gino Amaro Pinto, Terrence J. Troyer, Shawn O. Henry, Craig Surprise, Eric C. Beishline
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Publication number: 20100076713Abstract: A system for generating pressure pulses to calibrate a blood pressure (BP) monitor or other pressure sensing device is disclosed. The oscillometric blood pressure (BP) simulator of the preferred embodiment comprises an elastomeric bladder pneumatically coupled to the BP monitor, and an actuator adapted to reversibly compress the elastomeric bladder and induce one or more pressure pulses of predetermined magnitude, duration, and frequency in the BP monitor. The elastomeric bladder generally comprises an elastomeric tube such as medical grade hose or tubing that is compressed by a piston and bearing driven by a linear actuator, preferably a stepper motor and cam. The simulator further includes a plurality of serially coupled H-bridges for energizing the stepper motor windings with bipolar square pulses.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Inventors: Karl A. Ruiter, William Wallace Ruiter
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Publication number: 20100076711Abstract: A method of auto-calibrating aircraft cabin pressure sensors in a cabin pressure control system while in service, wherein at a constant sensed cabin pressure during a cruise flight phase at least one pressure sensor output voltage from each of two cabin pressure sensors are recorded. Upon landing and opening of the cabin doors the sensed cabin pressure value is compared to an external field pressure. A new software slope variable and a new software offset variable are computed for the pressure/voltage function using an average computed pressure value in cruise and the recorded field atmospheric pressure sensor voltage value on the ground. Thereafter, a new cabin pressure value is calculated and control software is modified.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2008Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Harold Beekhuizen, Tom Whitney
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Publication number: 20100076712Abstract: A gas analyzer using a quadrupole mass spectrometric method etc. is provided with an ionizer 211 to ionize a sample gas, a first ion detector 212 and a second ion detector 213 each configured to detect a respective ion from ionizer 211, and each being disposed a respective distance from the ionizer 211 on an opposite side of the ionizer 211, the respective distances being different from each other, a filter 214 interposed between the ionizer 211 and the first ion detector 212 to selectively allow ions from the ionizer 211 to pass therethrough, and an arithmetic device 3 to correct a partial pressure PP1 of a specific component obtained from the first ion detector 212 and selected by the filter 214 by using a first total pressure TP1 of the sample gas obtained from the first ion detector 212 and a second total pressure TP2 of the sample gas obtained from the second ion detector 213.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2008Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: HORIBA STEC, CO., LTD.Inventors: Junji Aoki, Hirokazu Kitaura, Boumsellek Said
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Patent number: 7668687Abstract: A pressure sensor compensation system for a control system of an engine includes N engine-off pressure measuring modules. The N engine-off pressure measuring modules calculate differences between pressure values of a corresponding one of N pressure sensors and others of the N pressure sensors when the engine is off. The N engine-off pressure measuring modules calculate N corresponding pressure correction values based on the differences, where N is an integer greater than one. N pressure compensating modules generate N corrected pressure values when the engine is on based on N uncorrected pressure values from the N pressure sensors and the N pressure correction values.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2008Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Inventor: Paul A. Bauerle
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Patent number: 7665353Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a device for detecting as to whether or not the heterogeneous tires are set on the right and left wheels, respectively, and accurately detecting the loss of the pneumatic pressure in the tire, even when heterogeneous tires are set on the right and the left wheels, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, LtdInventor: Yuji Oshiro
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Patent number: 7664609Abstract: A device for impact sensing having at least two pressure sensors is described, where pressure values are communicated from the pressure sensors to a processor, and the processor performs impact sensing on the basis of the pressure value. The processor communicates the pressure values to additional vehicle systems, which use them to fulfill their own functions, or at least to carry out a plausibility check of their own pressure values.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2003Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Boris Adam, Christian Ohl
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Publication number: 20090299672Abstract: An economical, repeatable, and non-invasive method and apparatus for the calibration of implantable pressure sensors that can minimize patient discomfort and risk of infection. In one embodiment, a calibration system for calibrating a first pressure sensor coupled to a management device and implanted into a human patient is provided. The calibration system includes a mouthpiece, a pump, a second pressure sensor, and a computer. The pump provides a positive pressure into an airway of the human patient via the mouthpiece. The second pressure sensor measures the airway pressure of the human patient, and the computer is coupled to the pump and monitors pressures measured by the first and second pressure sensors. Here, the computer also calculates one or more calibration constants based on the pressures measured by the first and second pressure sensors and provides the calibration constants to the management device to calibrate the first pressure sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2008Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: PACESETTER, INC.Inventors: Yang Zhang, Yongning Zou, Dan E. Gutfinger
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Publication number: 20090222230Abstract: A pressure sensor compensation system for a control system of an engine includes N engine-off pressure measuring modules. The N engine-off pressure measuring modules calculate differences between pressure values of a corresponding one of N pressure sensors and others of the N pressure sensors when the engine is off. The N engine-off pressure measuring modules calculate N corresponding pressure correction values based on the differences, where N is an integer greater than one. N pressure compensating modules generate N corrected pressure values when the engine is on based on N uncorrected pressure values from the N pressure sensors and the N pressure correction values.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2008Publication date: September 3, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Paul A. Bauerle
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Patent number: 7577539Abstract: Apparatus and an accompanying method for calibrating a sensor signal conditioner coupled to a sensor. The signal conditioner sensor enables relatively easy and precise calibration of bridge sensors without the use of a microprocessor. When mated to a resistive bridge sensor, the sensor signal conditioner can digitally calibrate offset and gain, with an option to calibrate offset and gain coefficients and linearity over temperature. A second order compensation can be enabled for temperature coefficients of gain, offset or bridge linearity.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2007Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: ZMD America Inc.Inventors: David Hubanks, Eric Joseph Hoffman, Frank George Cooper
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Patent number: 7575932Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring exothermic reactions in a reactor, in which one or more starting materials react exothermically to give at least one product, and at least one gas is present in the reactor during operation as intended or during a runaway, comprising the following process: A) measurement and storage of an initial temperature and an initial pressure in the reactor, B) calculation of the amount of products and starting materials present in the reactor from an energy balance, C) calculation of a maximum pressure raise that occurs on stepwise reaction of the amount of starting materials present, and D) calculation of a runaway pressure from the maximum pressure raise that occurs, calculated in step C), and the measured initial pressure stored in step A).Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2003Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Ulrich Nieken, Jobst Rüdiger von Watzdorf, Jochen Keβler, Christina Benthack, Hubertus Kröner, Thomas Hauff, Peter Schlemmer
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Publication number: 20090132193Abstract: A method for generating a calibration for a striation density model with respect to a material includes the steps of generating a first relationship between a striation density and a depth of a crack in a specimen comprising the material, generating a second relationship between the striation density and the depth of the crack in the specimen, and calculating an adjustment, based on a comparison between the first relationship and the second relationship.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2007Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Daniel J. Greving, Chris Desadier
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Patent number: 7536264Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer program products for balancing net inventory using a dynamic expansion coefficient of liquid product relative to the temperature changes with density. The method can include receiving an API gravity report that includes a measurement of a specific gravity and a temperature of the product reported at a rack. Utilizing the API gravity report, the method can include maintaining correct densities of the liquid product by utilizing a plurality of expansion coefficients to dynamically convert a gross volume measurement to a net volume measurement for transactions of liquid product in a tank and at a dispenser in order to maintain a net perpetual book balance.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2005Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Flying J, Inc.Inventors: John D. Hillam, Vincent J. Memmott
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Patent number: 7526693Abstract: A circuit that includes a controller and at least one control I/O pin. When the controller is placed into an initial state, the controller initializes the circuit into an initial operation mode. Depending on whether or not signal(s) satisfying predetermined criteria are applied to at least one of the control I/O pins, the controller will cause the circuit to enter one of two or more post-initial operation modes. Accordingly, by initializing the controller, and by controlling a signal on the control I/O pin(s), the operating mode of the circuit may be controlled. In one embodiment, a given control pin might be configurable to be both analog and digital, depending on the circuit's operation mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2006Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLCInventors: David J. Willis, Matthew Austin Tyler, Justin Mark Gedge, Mark R. Whitaker
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Patent number: 7502704Abstract: A method for monitoring the pressure of motor vehicle tires is provided. In the method, a tire pressure value of the tire filling pressure and a tire temperature value are determined. While taking into account the tire temperature value, the determined tire pressure value is compared with a stored nominal value and the comparison result is used to determine whether the motor vehicle tire is at an incorrect tire pressure, in particular, a low tire pressure. If the tire pressure is incorrect when a characteristic change in the tire pressure occurs, the stored nominal value is replaced by a new nominal value, and the comparison result is used to determine the new nominal value of the determined tire pressure value.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2004Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Daimler AGInventors: Joerg Burghardt, Wolfgang Kiesewetter, Jan Kipping, Frank Schlosser
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Patent number: 7474969Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for determining multiphase fluid streams flowing from individual wells of a cluster of crude oil, gas and/or other fluid production wells, wherein the fluid streams produced by the individual wells are commingled and routed via a fluid separation assembly into fluid outlet conduits for transportation of at least partly separated streams of crude oil, gas and/or other fluids.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2005Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventor: Henk Nico Jan Poulisse
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Publication number: 20080319697Abstract: A system and a method for determining an amount of pressure applied by an occupant on a vehicle seat are provided. The method includes receiving signals from a pressure transducer, a temperature sensor, and a belt tension sensor. The method further includes determining a compensated pressure value indicative of the amount of pressure applied to the vehicle seat based on the signals from the pressure transducer, the temperature sensor, and the belt tension sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2007Publication date: December 25, 2008Inventors: Charles A. Gray, Mark C. Hansen, Brett A. Hall, Patrick D. Langley, Paul E. Lucas
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Patent number: 7429948Abstract: In a combined GPS/altimeter device, the calibration and hence the accuracy of barometric altimeter measurements are enhanced with the aid of derived altitudes from a GPS. The device determines the need for calibration and perform the subsequent computations necessary to facilitate the calibration. Furthermore, the device determines a correction quantity that should be applied to barometric altitude readings, thereby allowing the device to be calibrated while in motion. Both of these features ultimately result in a more accurate determination of altitude.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2006Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: Garmin Ltd.Inventors: Scott Burgett, Tracy Oliver
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Publication number: 20080208502Abstract: Disclosed is a method of improving the recognition of a tire pressure loss in a tire pressure monitoring system in which at least one reference value (A) is formed on the basis of signals representing the rotational speeds of several vehicle wheels. A pressure loss is concluded by comparing a currently determined reference value with at least one reference value if the currently determined reference value exceeds or falls short of a predefined value. A noise analysis of the reference value(s) (101) is executed and at least one threshold value (T, S) is adjusted (108) based on the result of the noise analysis (102).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2006Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: Vladimir Koukes, Martin Griesser, Michel Wagner, Geoffrey B. Bauer
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Publication number: 20080178580Abstract: The invention relates to a volume quantity dispensing unit, in particular as a unit for metering an aqueous solution such as a urea/water solution, which can be used in an exhaust gas aftertreatment unit (17), comprising a pressure transducer (1), in particular comprising an electric pressure sensor, the volume quantity dispensing of the volume quantity dispensing unit following an electric signal (2) and the volume quantity dispensing unit being calibrated. There is provided at least one means (3) for changing a pressure value (4), which means changes the pressure value (4) in such a way that the pressure value (4), which is intended to correspond to the pressure in the volume quantity dispensing unit, is an input signal for a volume quantity (5) to be dispensed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2008Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: Hydraulik-Ring GmbHInventors: Friedrich Zapf, Thorsten Pelz, Heico Stegmann
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Patent number: 7383150Abstract: A diving computer is provided. The diving computer includes a computer connected to a dot matrix screen to display information concerning a dive. The computer has an interface to an external personal computer for reprogrammably configuring the information displayed on the screen. The user may customize the information on one or more views of the screen in several ways. The user may select the desired information to be displayed, and may customize the size and placement of the information on one or more views. The diving computer also has a number of pre-programmed displays that may be selected, each of which present different layouts and organizations of diving related information.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2006Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.Inventors: Sergio A. Angelini, Jan Lichtenberg, Jari Martti Antero Tiira, Zivorad Antonijevic, Riku Ville Tuomas Rauhala, Patrick André Wallimann, Pasi Antero Lahtinen, Thomas Hürlimann, Emmanuel Glauser
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Patent number: 7379828Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a parameter of a fluid passing through a pipe includes a spatial array of at least two sensors disposed at different axial locations along the pipe. Each of the sensors provides a signal indicative of unsteady pressure within the pipe at a corresponding axial location of the pipe. A signal processor constructs at least a portion of a k-? plot using the signals and detects at least one ridge in the k-? plot. A slope of the at least one ridge is indicative of the parameter of the fluid. The signal processor determines a quality metric by comparing an accumulated energy (power) of k-? pairs along the at least one ridge with an accumulated energy (power) of k-? pairs along at least one ray extending in the k-? plot. The quality metric is indicative of a quality of the at least one ridge.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: CiDRA CorporationInventors: Douglas H. Loose, Michael A. Davis
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Patent number: 7363189Abstract: A detection method of reducing the air pressure of tires based on the rotational speed of wheels mounted on a vehicle. The method includes steps of: determining the rotational speed of each wheel, memorizing the rotational speed of each wheel, determining the loading sensitivity of the dynamic load radius of tires caused by movement of a load during turning, comparing said loading sensitivity with the loading sensitivity of the dynamic load radii of tires at initialization which are preliminarily memorized, and judging decompression of tires based on the result of the comparison. Further, a loading sensitivity-calculating method of determining the loading sensitivity of the dynamic load radii of tires includes steps of: determining a lateral acceleration during turning of a vehicle, determining the shift rate of a judgment value which is the relative comparison of rotational speed of wheels on a pair of diagonals of a vehicle, and determining the loading sensitivity.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2006Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Minao Yanase