Detector Detail Patents (Class 73/31.05)
  • Patent number: 9846146
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hydrogen detecting sensor that includes a sulfide-metal catalyst, such that hydrogen gas can be detected visibly with naked eyes. Particularly, the hydrogen detecting sensor includes a substrate, a sulfide layer formed on the substrate and chemically discolored when exposed to hydrogen, and a metal catalytic layer formed on the sulfide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Ajou University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Yong Gyu Noh, Ho June Bae, Hyung Tak Seo, Yeong An Lee, Shankara S. Kalanur
  • Patent number: 9791428
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor assembly to detect and quantify organic and/or inorganic mercury compounds, including elemental mercury that may be present in gases or liquids, such as natural gas, air, condensates, crude oil, refined petroleum gas or liquids, and water including connate water, condensed water and water containing hydrate inhibitor(s). The sensor assembly includes a housing having a flow channel defined by an inlet, a sensor array, and an outlet. The sensor array is based on the differential sorption properties measured using a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor array, a chemiresistor array, or a combination of the two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: David Glynn Thomas, Nicholas Paul Langley, Nicholas Charles Last, Roderick J. Travis
  • Patent number: 9758886
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a preferably oriented nanotwinned Au film, a method of preparing the same, and a bonding structure comprising the same. The nanotwinned Au film has a thickness direction. The nanotwinned Au film is stacked along a [220] crystallographic axis orientation in the thickness direction. At least 50% by volume of the nanotwinned Au film is composed of a plurality of nanotwinned Au grains which are adjacent to each other, arranged in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, and stacked along a [111] crystallographic axis orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: NATIONAL CHIAO TUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chih Chen, Wei-Lan Chiu, Yi-Chia Chou
  • Patent number: 9748482
    Abstract: A semiconductor sensing device that includes a nanowire conductive layer, a semiconductor sensing layer, and a conductive layer is provided. The nanowire conductive layer includes a plurality of connected conductive nanowires, and gaps are formed between the conductive nanowires. The semiconductor sensing layer is electrically connected to the nanowire conductive layer. The conductive layer is electrically connected to the semiconductor sensing layer. The semiconductor sensing layer is located between the nanowire conductive layer and the conductive layer. A manufacturing method of a semiconductor sensing device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: E Ink Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Hsiao-Wen Zan, Chuang-Chuang Tsai, Pei-Chen Yu, Ming-Yen Chuang, Chia-Chun Yeh
  • Patent number: 9735279
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes: a channel layer in which a F-terminated GNR, a H-terminated GNR, and a F-terminated GNR whose edge portions are terminated with different modifying groups are bonded to each other; a source electrode formed on one end of the channel layer; and a drain electrode formed on the other end of the channel layer, in which a surface of the H-terminated GNR is exposed, and this exposed portion is a gas sensing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Shintaro Sato, Naoki Harada, Hideyuki Jippo
  • Patent number: 9506752
    Abstract: An explosion-proof dust of electromechanical level measuring device includes: a explosion proof enclosure (100), formed with a safe chamber area (101) and a hazardous chamber area (102) and a power shaft sleeve (120) is provided for communicating the above two; a power unit (200) disposed inside the safe chamber area (101); a control module (300) disposed inside the safe chamber area (101) and electrically connected to the power unit (200); a capstan (400) disposed in the hazardous chamber area (102); a power shaft (500) sleeved in the power shaft sleeve (120) and two ends thereof are respectively connected to the power unit (200) and the capstan (400); and a pair of bearings (610, 620) disposed in the power shaft (120) and spaced with an interval thereby forming a fireproof path (601).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: FINETEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ching-Cheng Kuo, Yun-Lung Lo, Yi-Liang Hou, Chao-Kai Cheng
  • Patent number: 9506899
    Abstract: A protector (160) is inserted into a metallic shell (110) such that at least a portion of each gas introduction hole (167) is located on the base end side with respect to the forward end (110b) of the metallic shell. The metallic shell has a gas introduction space S2 defined by a forward-end-side inner surface (113b) of the metallic shell and an outer surface (160d) of the protector and which guides a gas-to-be-detected (exhaust gas G) from a region on the forward end side of the metallic shell into the gas introduction holes of the protector. The base end of the forward end portion (121) of the detection element (120) is located on the base end side with respect to the forward end (167b) of each gas introduction hole, and the forward end of the forward end portion is located on the forward end side with respect to the base end (167c) of each gas introduction hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Kume, Shingo Ito, Daisuke Tahira, Takehiro Oba, Yuichi Yamada
  • Patent number: 9470654
    Abstract: A method of operating a gas sensor is disclosed, wherein the sensor includes a pumping electrode configuration and a measuring electrode configuration, and wherein the method includes operating the sensor in a first mode in which a first, lower pumping potential sufficient to electrochemically remove an interfering compound from the sensor without electrochemically removing the analyte from the sensor is applied across the pumping electrode configuration and a measuring potential sufficient to electrochemically remove the analyte from the sensor is applied across the measuring electrode configuration; and operating the sensor in a second mode in which a second, higher pumping potential sufficient to electrochemically remove the analyte from the sensor is applied to the pumping electrode configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Kubinski, Richard Soltis, Jacobus H. Visser, Yi Ding, Michael Howard Parsons
  • Patent number: 9455138
    Abstract: A method for forming a dielectric film in a trench on a substrate by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) performs one or more process cycles, each process cycle including: (i) feeding a silicon-containing precursor in a pulse; (ii) supplying a hydrogen-containing reactant gas at a flow rate of more than about 30 sccm but less than about 800 sccm in the absence of nitrogen-containing gas; (iii) supplying a noble gas to the reaction space; and (iv) applying RF power in the presence of the reactant gas and the noble gas and in the absence of any precursor in the reaction space, to form a monolayer constituting a dielectric film on a substrate at a growth rate of less than one atomic layer thickness per cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventors: Atsuki Fukazawa, Hideaki Fukuda, Noboru Takamure, Masaru Zaitsu
  • Patent number: 9418857
    Abstract: A sensor component is described for a gas and/or liquid sensor having a substrate having at least one first printed conductor and a second printed conductor, which are fashioned such that a voltage can be applied, and having at least one sensitive semiconductor material, additionally including at least one trench a contact segment of the first printed conductor and a contact segment of the second printed conductor being situated on two inner side surfaces at a distance from one another, and the at least one sensitive semiconductor material being filled into the at least one trench in the form of at least one particle, grain, and/or crystal, at least between the first contact segment of the first printed conductor and the first contact segment of the second printed conductor. Also described is a production method for a sensor component for a gas and/or liquid sensor. In addition, also described is a method for detecting at least one material in a gaseous and/or liquid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Richard Fix, Bernd Schumann
  • Patent number: 9347806
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor having an embedded electrode, which can be manufactured at a reduced cost and applied to many different fields. The sensor comprises: a sensing stack in which a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer are stacked and layered with a separation layer interposed therebetween; and an electrode terminal arranged at a side surface of the sensing stack and electrically connected to the first and second conductive layers. The first and second conductive layers are exposed on at least one side surface of the sensing stack except for the side surface on which the electrode terminal is arranged, to thereby form a sensing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignees: Joinset Co., Ltd., Expantech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sun-Ki Kim, Sung-Youl Kim, Hyun-Hak Jung, Jung-Suk Kim
  • Patent number: 9255919
    Abstract: For a gas sensor, in particular for automobile applications, comprising a housing, which has a measurement chamber, wherein at least one sensor element having connecting wires is associated with the measurement chamber, the housing has a bottom part and a top part that covers the bottom part and each sensor element is arranged in the bottom part while suspended by the connecting wires thereof. At least one side wall of the bottom part favorably has an assembly opening, which is designed in such a way that a tool arm that retains the sensor element can be inserted into the bottom part from the outside through the assembly opening and can be brought into an assembly position in the area of the opening edge of the bottom part so that the connecting wires of the sensor element are in bondable contact with the associated connection surfaces. Thus especially easy assembly is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Hella KGAA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Thomas Niemann, Torsten Eggers
  • Patent number: 9217726
    Abstract: A gas sensor control apparatus (1) for a gas sensor (2) including an electromotive force cell (24) and a pump cell (14) includes current control means (69) for feedback-controlling the pump current Ip, voltage setting means S5, S13 for setting a target voltage Vr to either of first and second target voltage Vr1 and Vr2, and constant group setting means S4, S12 for setting a group of feedback control constants to a first group Kpid1 when the target voltage is Vr1 and to a second group Kpid2 when the target voltage is Vr2. The second group Kpid2 is determined such the pump current Ip becomes stable more quickly as compared with the case where the first group of control constants Kpid1 continues to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ishiguro, Yu Akiyama, Tomohisa Terui, Kazuhisa Fujibayashi
  • Patent number: 9194834
    Abstract: A multi-storey gas sensor is constructed by stacking chemoresistor type gas sensing elements and providing holes through each sensing element so gas can pass from one sensing element to the next, through the sensing layers. A rich data set can be obtained by selecting appropriate combinations of materials for the different sensing layers and varying the operating conditions of the different gas-sensing elements by: taking measurements when different combinations of sensing layers are activated, when given sensing layers are heated to different temperatures or according to different heating profiles, and/or when selected sensing layers are exposed to UV light. Sensor sensitivity and selectivity can be increased by applying UV pulses of controlled duration, and target gas species can be detected based on the transient response of the sensing layer at onset of UV irradiation. Each sensing element may have a micro-hotplate architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignees: ALPHA MOS S.A., CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Alain Gaudon, Chang Hyun Shim, Philippe Menini, Francois Loubet
  • Patent number: 9134146
    Abstract: A fluid monitoring apparatus, including a circuitry housing containing circuitry for processing fluid sensing signals and responsively transmitting an output, with a sensor assembly adapted for mechanical and electrical coupling to the circuitry housing. The sensor assembly includes at least one sensing member arranged to respond to a fluid species of interest in the monitored fluid, for generation of an output. The apparatus includes at least one of (A) a printed circuit board adapted to engage the circuitry housing and to mechanically couple to the sensor assembly, (B) the sensor assembly including a base and sensing element removably connected to the base by press-fit coupling elements, and (C) the sensor assembly including a base and a sensing filament connected thereto, and a filament guard to protectively circumscribe the sensing filament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: ENTEGRIS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Baum, Ing-Shin Barry Chen, Richard D. Chism
  • Patent number: 9108158
    Abstract: Methods for forming an ultrathin GO membrane are provided. The method can include: dispersing a single-layered graphene oxide powder in deionized water to form a single-layered graphene oxide dispersion; centrifuging the graphene oxide dispersion to remove aggregated graphene oxide material from the single-layered graphene oxide dispersion; thereafter, diluting the single-layered graphene oxide dispersion by about ten times or more through addition of deionized water to the graphene oxide dispersion; and thereafter, passing the single-layered graphene oxide dispersion through a substrate such that a graphene oxide membrane is formed on the substrate. Filtration membranes are also provided and can include: a graphene oxide membrane having a thickness of about 1.8 nm to about 180 nm, with the graphene oxide membrane comprises about 3 to about 30 layers of graphene oxide flakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Miao Yu, Hang Li
  • Patent number: 9095175
    Abstract: A personal vapor inhaling unit is disclosed. An electronic flameless vapor inhaler unit that may simulate a cigarette has a cavity that receives a cartridge in the distal end of the inhaler unit. The cartridge brings a substance to be vaporized in contact with a wick. When the unit is activated, and the user provides suction, the substance to be vaporized is drawn out of the cartridge, through the wick, and is atomized by the wick into a cavity containing a heating element. The heating element vaporizes the atomized substance. The vapors then continue to be pulled by the user through a mouthpiece and mouthpiece cover where they may be inhaled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Nathan Andrew Terry, Noah Mark Minskoff
  • Patent number: 9038436
    Abstract: An improved alcohol fuel cell sensor and alcohol breath tester assembly where wires for connection to the electrodes are bent to have a generally planar base portion which may be positioned toward the center of the electrodes and an upright that then extends to the outside of the case. The uprights are generally perpendicular to the base allowing the wires to exit the housing toward the center, as opposed to toward an edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Alcotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Fodor, Karl R. Wolf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9011778
    Abstract: A hydrogen sensitive composite sensing material based on cerium oxide with or without additives to enhance sensitivity to hydrogen, reduce cross-sensitivities to interfering gases, or lower the operating temperature of the sensor, and a device incorporating these hydrogen sensitive composite materials including a support, electrodes applied to the support, and a coating of hydrogen sensitive composite material applied over the electroded surface. The sensor may have in integral heater. The sensor may have a tubular geometry with the heater being inserted within the tube. A gas sensor device may include a support, electrodes applied to the support, and a dual sensor element to cancel unwanted effects on baseline resistance such as those resulting from atmospheric temperature changes. The hydrogen sensitive composite material or other gas sensitive materials may be used in the dual element gas sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: NexTech Materials, Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher T. Holt, Stephen R. Cummings, Scott L. Swartz, Lora B. Thrun
  • Patent number: 9011779
    Abstract: Described is a personal device and methods for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a sample of gas. The device and method may utilize a chemically selective sensor element with low power consumption integrated with circuitry that enables wireless communication between the sensor and any suitable electronic readout such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer. In preferred form, the sensor circuitry relies upon the quantum capacitance effect of graphene as a transduction mechanism. Also in preferred form, the device and method employ the functionalization of the graphene-based sensor to determine the concentration of ethanol in exhaled breath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Andas Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Clay Anglin, Jr., Timothy D. Bemer, Joseph C. Jensen
  • Patent number: 9003866
    Abstract: A gas sensor including a detecting element; and a protector having a tube portion surrounding the detecting portion, and a bottom portion the protector having a first opening disposed at the tube portion and a second opening at the bottom portion. The bottom portion includes first and second bottom wall portions, the second bottom wall portion protrudes toward the leading end side, and at least a part of the inner face thereof is located at the leading end side with respect to the outer face of the first bottom wall portion. The second opening is provided on a side opposite the inner space of the tube portion in a communication passage formed by the inner face of the second bottom wall portion, and an opening area of the second opening is larger than an area of the largest imaginary circle that can be placed inside the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Tsuzuki, Takaya Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 9003867
    Abstract: To provide a gas sensor which can stably carry out a retention of a sensor element by a contact member and a reservation of an electric continuity between them. A contact member has an insertion port in which the sensor element is inserted and retained to obtain an electric connection with the sensor element. The contact member is provided with a plurality of sensor element retaining members which respectively have a plurality of abutting parts abutting on the sensor element, at least a part of a plurality of abutting parts is a first abutting part which has a leading end part formed as a linear shape or a point-like shape, and the leading end part of the first abutting part is a free end part which applies an elastic force to the sensor element while having point contact or line contact with the sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenshin Kitoh
  • Publication number: 20150090001
    Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing gas are disclosed. In one aspect, a system to monitor an output of a gas source comprises a chamber comprising a plurality of input ports to receive inputs from a plurality of gas sources, and means for repeatedly blocking one of the plurality of input ports for a period of time, detecting which one of the plurality of input ports is blocked, collecting data from a plurality of samples from the enclosure while the one of the plurality of input ports is blocked, and storing the data in a memory in association with an indicator of which one of the plurality of input ports is blocked. Other embodiments may be described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard R. Durbin, Jeffrey W. Glasnovich
  • Publication number: 20150075257
    Abstract: A gas sensor package includes a substrate, a gas sensing element on the substrate, and a cover module including ventilation holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Jee Heum PAIK, Ji Hun Hwang
  • Publication number: 20150052976
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes a sensing element formed on a ceramic substrate, an insulator surrounding at least a portion of the sensing element, and a metal shell surrounding at least a portion of the sensing element. The gas sensor further includes a cured ceramic adhesive structure bonded to the insulator and the sensing element, to the insulator and the metal shell, or to the sensing element and the metal shell. The ceramic adhesive structure is disposed so as to mitigate gas leakage through the gas sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: EVAN JD SCHAEFER, KAIUS K. POLIKARPUS, WAYNE M. CHADWICK, MARK S. ALEXANDER
  • Patent number: 8955366
    Abstract: A multifunctional control valve for gas measurement instruments, e.g., for respiratory gas analysis, is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the multifunctional control valve includes a first inlet opening, an outlet opening, a main line, and a bypass line, wherein a measurement chamber is in the main line, wherein the measurement chamber is arranged downstream of a first multiway valve which can selectively connect the main line or the bypass line with the inlet opening, and wherein the measurement chamber is arranged upstream of a second multiway valve which can selectively connect the main line or the bypass line with the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Abraham-Fuchs, Maximilian Fleischer, Karsten Hiltawsky, Oliver Hornung, Thomas Krüger-Sundhaus, Erhard Magori, Peter Paulicka, Roland Pohle, Oliver Von Sicard
  • Patent number: 8956571
    Abstract: A miniature lower cost optical sensing apparatus and method are provided for determining the concentration and/or hazard from a target gas by means of IR or visible photon monitoring one or more sensors that responds to carbon monoxide. The apparatus comprises a photon source optically coupled to the sensor and at least a portion of the photon intensity passing through the sensor is quantified by one or more photodiode(s) in a system, so that the photon flux is a function of at least one sensor's response to the target gas, e.g., transmits light through the sensor to the photodiode. The photo current from the photodiode is converted to a sensor reading value proportional to the optical characteristics of the sensors and is loaded into a microprocessor or other logic circuit. In the microprocessor, the sensor readings may be differentiated to determine the rate of change of the sensor readings and the total photons absorbed value may be used to calculate the CO concentration and/or dose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Quantum Group Inc.
    Inventors: Mark K. Goldstein, Michelle S. Oum
  • Publication number: 20150044100
    Abstract: A degradant concentration measurement device 14 according to the invention has an electric conductivity measurement instrument 71A measuring the electric conductivity of a lean solution 16 that is an acidic gas-absorbing solution and detection means 72 obtaining the concentration of a degradant contained in a lean solution 16 from the measured electric conductivity of the lean solution 16 based on the relationship between the previously-obtained electric conductivity of the lean solution 16 and the concentration of the degradant contained in the lean solution 16.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Yukumoto, Kouji Horizoe, Yudai Kato, Haruaki Hirayama, Kazuo Ishida
  • Patent number: 8950240
    Abstract: An acetone gas sensor apparatus, including: a chamber, used for containing a gas sample taken from a breath of a person; and an acetone gas sensor, placed in the chamber for generating an output current in response to an acetone concentration of the gas sample, the acetone gas sensor including: a substrate; a buffer layer, deposited on the substrate; an InN epilayer, deposited on the buffer layer for providing a current path for the output current; a first conductive contact, deposited on the InN epilayer for providing a drain contact; and a second conductive contact, deposited on the InN epilayer for providing a source contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Jer-Liang Andrew Yeh, Shang-Jr Gwo
  • Patent number: 8943913
    Abstract: For mass production of anemometers for EGR systems with hot exhaust gas streams having temperatures up to 200° C. or 300° C., conductors and film resistors are placed onto a bed, and are covered on this bed, e.g. A sensor tip of the flow sensor of the anemometer is made of inorganic materials up to the housing cover. A cable is led into a housing and self-supporting electrical conductors are led through the housing cover. In the housing, leads of the cable are connected to the self-supporting electrical conductors. Using bed profiles passing through the cover, the film resistors are spaced from the housing sufficiently far that the film resistors and the housing are largely thermally decoupled. As an intermediate product, a measurement tip or a sensor bar as part of a sensor tip is made of purely inorganic components, in order to make the mass production efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Heraeus Sensor Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Muziol, Karlheinz Wienand
  • Publication number: 20150027204
    Abstract: A humidification system comprises a first sensor and a second sensor. The first and second sensors are adapted to sense flow characteristics within the system. The first and second sensors are isolated from the flow by barriers formed by respective first and second sealing members. The sealing members extend through apertures formed in the system and have a portion that contacts the sensing elements of the respective first and second sensors. A cartridge can hold the sensors and provide repeatable penetration depths into a flow passage of the system. A medical tube has a composite structure made of two or more distinct components that are spirally wound to form an elongate tube. One component can be a spirally wound elongate hollow body; the other component can be an elongate structural component spirally wound between turns of the spirally wound hollow body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Elmo Benson Stoks, Charles Christopher North, Hamish Osborne, Abhishek Vadnerkar, Jim Kehoe, Po-Yen (David) Liu, John James Jackson, Igor Yevgeniiovich Shvarchuck, Mahran Maumoon Sujau, Sanjay Parag Patel
  • Patent number: 8939006
    Abstract: A photoacoustic detector wherein control circuits compensate for long term variations of components therein including a light source and sensing microphones. The control circuits intermittently energize the source to evaluate changes in at least source resistance. The control circuits intermittently energize an acoustic generator to evaluate changes in one or more generator responsive microphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Rezachek, Gary P. Shubinsky, Michael Freeman
  • Publication number: 20150020569
    Abstract: A test station for a plurality of test gases, includes a main unit (10) with a control (12) and test modules (20), each for a gas measurement device, that exchange data to register a type of gas measurement device and test gas(es) required for the device type. The control sets a schedule for a test using a test gas, or for a plurality of successive tests each with different test gases and carries out the specific test planned according to the schedule, in parallel with tests for all of the test modules for a test gas and determines, as an additional gas measurement device is inserted, based on the particular device type of the additional gas measurement device, whether the currently-running test with the current test gas is suitable for the inserted test module; and if the test gas is suitable, to start the test for this test module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Ulf Ostermann, Ingo Kaneblei, Stefan Barten, Christof Möller, Sven Schimmel
  • Patent number: 8932871
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a first ozone sensor that generates a first sensor signal indicating a first amount of ozone in air flowing into a radiator. A second ozone sensor generates a second sensor signal indicating a second amount of ozone in air flowing out of the radiator. A control module receives the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal and determines an ozone conversion rate based on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventors: Scott H. Wittkopp, Chang H. Kim, Brian T. Heil
  • Patent number: 8925371
    Abstract: A sensor (2) for sensing a first substance and a second substance, the sensor comprising first (3) and second (5) sensor components each comprising a first material (20), the first material being sensitive to both the first substance and the second substance, the sensor further comprising a barrier (18) for preventing the second substance from passing into the second sensor component (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: NXP, B.V.
    Inventors: Aurelie Humbert, Youri Victorovitch Ponomarev, Roel Daamen, Matthias Merz
  • Publication number: 20140360250
    Abstract: System flow path, designs that minimize the impact of gas diffusion sources and sinks. By reducing the magnitude of parasitic sources and sinks, lower rates of photosynthesis and transpiration can be more accurately measured, e.g., without the need for extensive empirical compensation. According to one aspect, a gas exchange analysis system includes a sample chamber defining a measurement volume for analysis of a sample, the sample chamber having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the internal surface(s) of the chamber defining the measurement volume are metal plated. The system also typically includes a source of gas coupled with the inlet of the sample chamber, and a gas analyzer coupled with the outlet of the sample chamber and configured to measure a concentration of one or more gases exiting the chamber, whereby the metal plated internal surface(s) of the chamber reduces sorption of the one or more gases within the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: LI-COR, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. JOHNSON, Andrew S. Parr, Robert D. Eckles
  • Publication number: 20140347663
    Abstract: A gas processing device such as an aerosol exposure monitor is configured for acquiring chronic data, acute data, or both simultaneously, and may include a pump and a noise dampening device. The noise dampening device may include an elastomeric membrane between an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. In another aspect, an aerosol exposure monitor may include an impactor, a collection filter, and a nephelometer that includes a sample chamber integrated with an aerosol flow path associated with the impactor and collection filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Research Triangle Institute
    Inventors: Charles E. Rodes, J. Randall Newsome
  • Publication number: 20140338424
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gas sensor having a metal shell, a holder placed in the metal shell and a sensor element inserted through an axial insertion hole of the holder. The holder has a recessed portion recessed toward the rear from a front end face of the holder. The sensor element has, at a front end part thereof, a detection portion covered with a porous protection layer such that a rear end of the porous protection layer is situated within the recessed portion of the holder and is located at the rear side with respect to the front end face of the holder while maintaining a space between an inner circumferential surface of the recessed portion and an outer circumferential surface of the porous protection layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto KUME, Nobuhiro INOUE, Daisuke TAHIRA, Shingo ITO, Yuichi YAMADA
  • Patent number: 8890698
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drainage circuit (4) for a flow of a liquid (5), the circuit being fitted with a monitoring appliance (13) for monitoring an excess flow rate of the liquid (5). The monitoring appliance (13) comprises a monitoring duct (14) interposed between an upstream duct (7) for collecting the liquid (5) and a downstream duct (9) for discharging the liquid (5). The monitoring duct (14) has retaining means (15) for retaining part of the liquid (5) inside a chamber (16) arranged to receive a spillway (22) of the captured liquid (19) in a reserve (20) fitted with indicator means (23) with a visual scale for providing warning information relating to the quantity of liquid (24) contained in the reserve (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Stephane Mougin, Jean-Sebastien Catteau
  • Patent number: 8887586
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for detecting leaks in a head space sampling device. One exemplary method for detecting leaks in a head space sampling device includes establishing fluid communication between a head space and a pressurization gas conduit. Gas pressure and flow rate are monitored within the pressurization gas conduit during pressurization of the head space. Changes in monitored gas pressure and flow rate are used to evaluate whether a leak exists within the head space sampling device or the vial containing the head space. One exemplary head space sampling device includes a conduit for receiving a pressurization gas, flow and pressure sensors for measuring gas flow and pressure within the conduit, a ventilation valve, a pressure valve for controlling gas flow through the conduit, and a controller for processing and controlling pressure and flow through the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C Henderson
  • Publication number: 20140326047
    Abstract: Electromechanical sensors that employ Janus micro/nano-components and techniques for the fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a method of fabricating an electromechanical sensor includes the following steps. A back gate is formed on a substrate. A gate dielectric is deposited over the back gate. An intermediate layer is formed on the back gate having a micro-fluidic channel formed therein. Top electrodes are formed above the micro-fluidic channel. One or more Janus components are placed in the micro-fluidic channel, wherein each of the Janus components has a first portion having an electrically conductive material and a second portion having an electrically insulating material. The micro-fluidic channel is filled with a fluid. The electrically insulating material has a negative surface charge at a pH of the fluid and an isoelectric point at a pH less than the pH of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Qing Cao, Kangguo Cheng, Zhengwen Li, Fei Liu, Zhen Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140326048
    Abstract: A system and method are configured to monitor composition of a flow of breathable gas being provided to a subject. A measurement flow of breathable gas is diverted in order to monitor composition of the flow of breathable gas, and then the measurement flow of breathable gas is returned to the flow of breathable gas. This will tend to conserve the constituent gases within the flow of breathable gas, which may be significant in instances where the flow of breathable gas is being used to deliver medicaments or drugs (e.g., relatively expensive anesthetic, and/or other medicaments or drugs). Since the measurement flow of breathable gas will tend to have contaminants (e.g., mucus blood, medications, or other materials), routing the measurement flow of breathable gas back into the flow of breathable gas constitutes a placement solution for the contaminants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Brian Jaffe, David Scampoli
  • Patent number: 8875560
    Abstract: A gas monitoring system is disclosed. The gas monitoring system may have a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode to receive a gas between the first and second electrodes, and a pulse generator configured to apply a voltage pulse, tuned to a particular constituent of the gas, to the first and second electrodes and create a non-thermal plasma between the first and second electrodes. The gas monitoring system may also have a detection controller in communication with the pulse generator. The detection controller may be configured to determine an actual current between the first and second electrodes during application of the voltage pulse, and to determine a concentration of the constituent based on the actual current and an expected identity of the constituent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Sergey Korenev
  • Patent number: 8869613
    Abstract: The invention relates to A sensor end module, comprising: a sensor cap having a first connecting element and a sensorially active element for contact with a medium; and a memory module, comprising: a housing having a second connecting element, wherein the second connecting element enters into a shape- and/or force interlocking connection with the first connecting element; a memory element, wherein the memory element contains information concerning the sensorially active element the memory element is arranged in or on the housing; a first communication interface for sending and/or receiving information and/or data, and wherein the first communication interface is in electrical contact with the memory element. Furthermore, the invention relates to a sensor and a measuring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft für Mess- und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Stephan BUschnakowski, Ronny Michael, Ronny Grosse-Uhlmann
  • Publication number: 20140305189
    Abstract: A method for continuous measurement of differences in gas concentrations, comprises providing at least first and second gas analyzers, connecting a stream of incurrent fluid to a chamber containing an animal, withdrawing air from the chamber to form a stream of excurrent fluid, taking first subsamples of the excurrent fluid in a first subsampler, taking a subsample of the incurrent fluid in a second subsampler, alternately providing excurrent fluid from the first subsampler to the first gas analyzer and to the second gas analyzer to measure the gas concentrations in the excurrent fluid, and alternately providing incurrent air from the second subsampler to the first gas analyzer and to the second gas analyzer to measure the gas concentrations in the incurrent fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: John R.B. Lighton
  • Patent number: 8855733
    Abstract: A substance component detection device includes a sensor substrate which is provided inside a concave groove, in which when an opening is closed by a measurement-target skin to form a closed space, and includes a projection group having a plurality of projections, a light source section which emits light toward the projection group, and light-receiving section which detects Raman scattering light generated by the projection group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuaki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8850869
    Abstract: A sensor element for a sensor or measuring device for measuring fluids, with a housing, the interior of which is sealed toward the outside and through which the fluid to measured can flow, and with at least one electrode arrangement in the housing interior, the electrode arrangement having at least one electrode and forming at least one measuring path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: BC Tech Holding AG
    Inventor: Helmut Hartl
  • Patent number: 8854625
    Abstract: A particle monitoring apparatus includes a housing disposed on a gas exhaust line, a laser beam source for emitting a laser beam to particles in the gas exhaust line, a window member disposed at the housing for monitoring the particles in the gas exhaust line. The window member has a transparent base which is formed of a transparent resin or glass containing silicon and has a gas contact surface which faces a gas within the gas exhaust line, and a surface treatment layer formed on the gas contact surface of the transparent base, wherein the surface treatment layer contains one material selected from the group consisting of yttrium and calcium fluoride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Moriya, Hiroyuki Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20140290337
    Abstract: A sensor control apparatus (2) of a gas detection system (1) includes a first low-pass filter (46), a second low-pass filter (48), and a multiplexer (50) so as to provide different time constants for detection of a sensor output signal Vs1 and for detection of a response signal Vs2. When the sensor output signal Vs1 is detected, a signal whose frequency band is the same as that of Vs1 is input to the analog-to-digital conversion section (31) through the first low-pass filter (46). Therefore, the detection accuracy of Vs1 is increased. When Vs2 is detected, a signal whose frequency band is the same as that of Vs2 is input to the analog-to-digital conversion section (31) through the second low-pass filter (48).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuzo Higuchi, Tomonori Uemura
  • Publication number: 20140291218
    Abstract: A sensing system for detecting a substance in a dialysate. The system includes a hydrophobic barrier capable of allowing the substance in the dialysate to equilibrate to a gas; a detector capable of detecting the gas; an interface disposed between the hydrophobic barrier and the detector and configured to allow fluid communication of the gas; and one or more delivery mechanisms capable of transporting the gas from the hydrophobic barrier to the detector. A method of detecting ammonium gas in a dialysate is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Temasek Polytechnic
    Inventors: Christian Gert Bluchel, Yanmei Wang, Hua Zhang, Jui Pin Er, Kim Jyh Wong