Liquid Analysis Or Analysis Of The Suspension Of Solids In A Liquid Patents (Class 73/53.01)
  • Patent number: 10161943
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in tube feeding has a cylindrical body provided with first and second openings connected by a flow channel. The body has a reagent, for determining a characteristic of fluid disposed in the body and a transparent window to view the reagent. In use, a first end of an internal feeding tube releasably engages with the first opening. The second, distal end of the feeding tube is disposed inside a patient. A second feeding tube engages with the second opening. The second feeding tube connects the apparatus to a bi-directional pump operable: to pump internal fluid from a reservoir, through the apparatus and into the internal feeding tube; and to pump fluid from the patient into the body of the apparatus. This allows a user to pump fluid from the patient into the body of the apparatus to react with the reagent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: NGPod Global Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Thorpe, Anat Barak
  • Patent number: 10137905
    Abstract: The disclosure includes embodiments for modifying a performance of a vehicle component whose performance is affected by a vehicle fluid that is contaminated by water. A method according to some embodiments includes recording sensor data describing refractometry measurements for the vehicle fluid. The method includes determining contamination data that describes an amount of water present in the vehicle fluid. The method includes analyzing the contamination data to determine parameter data describing modifications for a set of parameters for an advanced driver assistance system (“ADAS system”) that control the operation of the ADAS system, wherein the parameter data is operable to update the set of parameters and thereby modify the operation of the ADAS system to compensate for the amount of water present in the vehicle fluid so that vehicle component performs as though the vehicle fluid is substantially not contaminated by water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Inventors: Siyuan Dai, Yusuke Kashiba, Shinichi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 10065187
    Abstract: A method of evaluating an asphaltene inhibitor includes providing a centrifugal microfluidic system including: a disc mounted to rotate about an axis; a microfluidic device mounted on the disc, the device having sample, solvent, inhibitor, and precipitant reservoirs and an analysis chamber in fluid communication with the sample, solvent, inhibitor, and precipitant reservoirs; and an optical detection system coupled to the analysis chamber and configured to measure the optical transmission of fluid in the analysis chamber. The method includes filling the sample, solvent, inhibitor, and precipitant reservoirs, respectively, with a sample, solvent, inhibitor, and precipitant; rotating the disc to generate centrifugal force to cause the sample, solvent, inhibitor, and precipitant to travel radially outward to the analysis chamber; and measuring the optical transmission of a mixture of the sample, solvent, inhibitor, and precipitant in the analysis chamber as a function of radial distance of the analysis chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent Joseph Sieben, Cedric Floquet, Farshid Mostowfi
  • Patent number: 10042334
    Abstract: Aspects describe capturing various bacteria levels within a process affected by microbial agents. A model of the process and a model of expected bacteria growth are analyzed and, based on the analysis, at least one process parameter is automatically modified to improve or optimize the product or process or other business or operational objectives. Also provided are at least two autonomous agents within the process. The at least two autonomous agents communicate and autonomously implement an action in an upstream stage and/or downstream stage within the process, wherein the at least two autonomous agents access the representation of the process and the biological representation and/or bio-chemical representation to implement the action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Frederick M. Discenzo
  • Patent number: 10024789
    Abstract: A differential refractometer including a measurement section for measuring the diffractive index difference between a sample cell and a reference cell by radiating light on a measurement cell and detecting light which has sequentially passed through the sample cell and the reference cell includes a mobile phase supply section for delivering a mobile phase in a sample introduction channel that is connected to the sample cell. The mobile phase supply section includes a mobile phase container for containing the mobile phase. The inside of the mobile phase container is continuously stirred by a stirring mechanism, and the composition of the mobile phase inside the mobile phase container is made uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kumiko Jingu, Masanori Fujiwara, Masami Tomita, Yutaka Kono
  • Patent number: 9983190
    Abstract: A device for passing a biopolymer molecule includes a nanochannel formed between a surface relief structure, a patterned layer forming sidewalls of the nanochannel and a sealing layer formed over the patterned layer to encapsulate the nanochannel. The surface relief structure includes a three-dimensionally rounded surface that reduces a channel dimension of the nanochannel at a portion of nanochannel and gradually increases the dimension along the nanochannel toward an opening position, which is configured to receive a biopolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Qinghuang Lin, Gustavo A. Stolovitzky, Chao Wang, Deqiang Wang
  • Patent number: 9939069
    Abstract: A gate valve includes a body, a stem, and a sensing bore. A subassembly includes a body, the body defining a sensing bore; and at least one of a vein and a plug in the sensing bore. A method of sensing an aspect of a water control system includes gaining access to the water control system through an access bore in a gate valve; at least temporarily removing water for testing from the access bore; and sensing an aspect of the removed water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Leo W. Fleury, Jr., Normand James Roy, James Ola Williams, Kenneth A. Clark
  • Patent number: 9932482
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a strategy to create self-healing, slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS). Roughened (e.g., porous) surfaces can be utilized to lock in place a lubricating fluid, referred to herein as Liquid B to repel a wide range of materials, referred to herein as Object A (Solid A or Liquid A). SLIPS outperforms other conventional surfaces in its capability to repel various simple and complex liquids (water, hydrocarbons, crude oil and blood), maintain low-contact-angle hysteresis (<2.5°), quickly restore liquid-repellency after physical damage (within 0.1-1 s), resist ice, microorganisms and insects adhesion, and function at high pressure (up to at least 690 atm). Some exemplary application where SLIPS will be useful include energy-efficient fluid handling and transportation, optical sensing, medicine, and as self-cleaning, and anti-fouling materials operating in extreme environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Joanna Aizenberg, Michael Aizenberg, Sung Hoon Kang, Philseok Kim, Tak Sing Wong
  • Patent number: 9857346
    Abstract: A urea water supply guidance output device for a working vehicle includes: a urea water residual amount detection unit configured to detect a urea water residual amount in a urea water tank; an operation time measurement unit configured to measure an operation time of the working vehicle; a unit urea water consumption amount calculation unit configured to calculate a unit urea water consumption amount for each predetermined unit operation time; a urea water remaining time calculation unit configured to calculate an average urea water consumption amount and to calculate a urea water remaining time indicating a time to generation of urea water supply alarm; and an output processing unit configured to output guidance including the urea water remaining time when the urea water remaining time is a predetermined time or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiro Shibata, Tsuyoshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9846149
    Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes determining a current level of a plurality of lubricant parameters present in a portion of lubricant, comparing the current level of each of the plurality of lubricant parameters to a threshold value corresponding to each of the plurality of lubricant parameters, analyzing a priority of each of the lubricant parameters, and determining a health status of the lubricant in response to the comparing and the analyzing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Ming Cao, David Cowley, Mike Lukavsky
  • Patent number: 9804142
    Abstract: A method of detecting the extent of degradation of an oil is provided. The method may comprise the steps of analyzing samples of the oil when fresh and when used; calculating electrochemical property data of the fresh and used engine oil; determining whether the electrochemical property data correlates with the degradation marker data; and using the electrochemical property to detect the extent of degradation of the oil of a used sample of the oil. The method may be used for any suitable oil, including mineral oil, synthetic oil and blends (a.k.a. semi-synthetic). The method can be used to maximize oil usage by monitoring used oil quality over time so that the oil is replaced when necessary and not before. The method can also identify trends in oil degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Amiyo K. Basu, R. Vinu, Anand Kumar Tripathi
  • Patent number: 9689843
    Abstract: Provided is a fluid state identification device including a fluid state identification unit having a sensor part and a support part, and a cover surrounding the fluid state identification unit. The support part has a front surface part and a rear surface part which are located opposite to each other. The sensor part is located on the front surface part side. The cover has a lower opening and an upper opening. Inside the cover, a first fluid flow route running through a front area adjacent to the support front surface part and a second fluid flow route running through a rear area adjacent to the support rear surface part are formed and located so as to make the fluidity of the fluid in the second fluid flow route higher than the fluidity of the fluid in the first fluid flow route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: SUN-A CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Kinoshita, Fumikazu Nakayama, Shinji Kiyomihara, Yasuhiko Shimada, Shinkichi Ninomiya
  • Patent number: 9642244
    Abstract: An embodiment of a micro-electro-mechanical system of the MEMS type comprising at least one micro-electro-mechanical device of the MEMS type and one junction with a duct suitable to being associated with an external apparatus. Said junction being a printed circuit board PCB comprising at least two layers with juxtaposed faces, a channel being present in at least one face of at least one of said at least two layers suitable for realizing the duct with the juxtaposition of the other face of at least another one of at least two layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Fulvio Vittorio Fontana
  • Patent number: 9588062
    Abstract: Waste water assessment apparatus, a method and a computer program are provided. The waste water assessment apparatus comprises: transceiver circuitry configured to transmit a microwave signal and to receive one or more reflections of the microwave signal; and processing circuitry configured to process the one or more reflections of the microwave signal to determine one or more characteristics of waste water flowing through a conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: DES19N Limited
    Inventors: Martin James Croft, Duncan Kenneth Wallace
  • Patent number: 9588097
    Abstract: In a method for determining an ageing state of lubricant which comes into contact with a metallic surface in a machine to be lubricated, a metal ion content or a change over time of a metal ion content in the lubricant is determined. The metal ion content can be determined by a measuring sensor which is disposed in the machine or disposed in a lubricant line connected to the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Joachim Rohde
  • Patent number: 9567561
    Abstract: A single-use bioreactor or container including an enclosure provided for containing a biological medium, and at least one device for making at least one impedance measurement in a physical, physico-chemical and/or biological process in this medium. The sensing device is fixed through a wall of the enclosure in such a way as to be an integral part thereof and includes a detection part in direct contact with an inside of the bioreactor or container and a connection part extending towards an outside of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: HAMILTON BONADUZ AG
    Inventor: Frederic Ossart
  • Patent number: 9534694
    Abstract: A gate valve includes a body, a stem, and a sensing bore. A subassembly includes a body, the body defining a sensing bore; and at least one of a vein and a plug in the sensing bore. A method of sensing an aspect of a water control system includes gaining access to the water control system through an access bore in a gate valve; at least temporarily removing water for testing from the access bore; and sensing an aspect of the removed water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Leo W. Fleury, Jr., Normand James Roy, James Ola Williams, Kenneth A. Clark
  • Patent number: 9518905
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices for measuring, at one or more time points, one or more properties or changes in properties of a fluid sample. The devices may comprise a chamber defining an internal volume of the device suitable for receiving and retaining the fluid sample; a plurality of layers, the plurality comprising at least a first layer below the chamber, at least a second layer above the chamber, and a substrate layer between the first and second layers, wherein: the substrate layer is linked to at least one suspended element located within the chamber; the suspended element is linked to the substrate layer by at least two compliant structures located within the chamber; and the suspended element is configured to oscillate upon application of an actuating signal to at least one electrically conductive path, which runs across at least two of the compliant structures and the suspended element. Related methods and uses are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Abram Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramkumar Abhishek, Norimasa Yoshimizu
  • Patent number: 9494536
    Abstract: A method for predicting the corrosion rate of crude oil or other related process streams is provided. The method includes using x-ray absorption spectroscopy to characterize heteroatom species present by functional group and quantify the relative amount of each species in a plurality of samples. The corrosion rate of each sample is measured. A correlation between the relative amount of each species and the corrosion rate is determined and used to create a corrosion prediction model. The corrosion prediction model can be used so that corrosion rate can be predicted for a sample solely from the spectroscopy measurement of the relative amounts of each relevant species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Monica Michele Barney, Andrew B. Nissan, Graham N. George
  • Patent number: 9458581
    Abstract: A multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) computer control system in a heavy equipment machine is in communication with multiple sensors in order to measure deviations from a path to be followed. Sensor corrections are applied to return the heavy equipment machine to a path to be followed or to restrain the machine from deviating from the path to be followed. Sensor corrections affect a controlled variable, such as cross-slope. Sensor corrections may account for false positives and false negatives. Sensor corrections are applied to the heavy equipment machine using a gain matrix (G). The multiple vectors of gain values comprising the gain matrix (G) are utilized by the MIMO computer control system to simultaneously and proportionally actuate each drive leg of the machine to obtain a desired grade including a compensated slope and/or elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: GOMACO Corporation
    Inventor: Chad Schaeding
  • Patent number: 9400245
    Abstract: There are provided a drift calculation device capable of accurately calculating a drift by using a buffer of smaller capacity, and a light detection device provided with the same. Every time measurement intensity is input according to a predetermined cycle, data in a plurality of sum buffers 321 to 324 are updated based on at least one of the measurement intensity and the measurement time at that time. The sum buffers 321 to 324 are assigned respectively to a plurality of sum functions forming a coefficient included in a calculation formula for calculating a drift by using the least squares method. A drift is calculated by substituting the updated data in the plurality of sum buffers 321 to 324 in the calculation formula. Since it is not necessary to store all the measurement intensity input at the predetermined cycle, a drift is accurately calculated by a buffer of smaller capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yusuke Yokoi
  • Patent number: 9297793
    Abstract: An electrode unit includes a first electrode and a second electrode, which define a space to flow fuel therethough. A detection circuit is connected to the first electrode to charge and discharge the electrode unit and to detect a capacitance of fuel, which flows through the space. A switch device is equipped to a wiring, which connects the second electrode with the ground, and configured to simulate disconnection between the second electrode and the ground. A malfunction detection unit is configured to detect disconnection of the wiring when a difference between a capacitance, which is detected with the detection circuit when the switch device is turned ON, and a capacitance, which is detected with the detection circuit when the switch device is turned OFF, is smaller than a first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato Ueno, Jun Tarui
  • Patent number: 9261026
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for conditioning a noisy signal. A sensing signal is received during each one of a plurality of successive control cycles, the sensing signal comprising a measurement component indicative of a measurement of at least one engine parameter and a noise component. A curve-fitting technique is applied to the received sensing signal for filtering thereof to attenuate the noise component, the filtering comprising, during a first one of the plurality of the control cycles, asymmetrically filtering the sensing signal received during the first control cycle, thereby generating filtered data, and, during a second control cycle subsequent to the first control cycle, symmetrically filtering the sensing signal received during the first control cycle, thereby generating corrected data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Kim George, Poi Loon Tang
  • Patent number: 9245116
    Abstract: A system includes a physical analysis module, a cyber analysis module, and a determination module. The physical analysis module is configured to obtain physical diagnostic information, and to determine physical analysis information using the physical diagnostic information. The cyber analysis module is configured to obtain cyber security data of the functional system, and to determine cyber analysis information using the cyber security data. The determination module is configured to obtain the physical analysis information and the cyber analysis information, and to determine a state of the functional system using the physical analysis information and the cyber analysis information. The state determined corresponds to at least one of physical condition or cyber security threat. The determination module is also configured to identify if the state corresponds to one or more of a non-malicious condition or a malicious condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Scott Charles Evans, Richard Brownell Arthur, Bouchra Bouqata, Piyush Mishra, Weizhong Yan, Anil Varma
  • Patent number: 9177905
    Abstract: A chip package for a sensing element. The chip package includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, and a sensing layer having a sensing region disposed on the first surface of the substrate. A conducting pad structure is disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to the sensing region, and a spacer layer is disposed on the first surface of the substrate. A semiconductor substrate is place on the spacer layer. The semiconductor substrate, the spacer layer, and the substrate together surround a cavity on the sensing region. A through-hole extends from a surface of the semiconductor substrate toward the substrate, and connects to the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: XINTEC INC.
    Inventors: Yu-Ting Huang, Tsang-Yu Liu
  • Patent number: 9168524
    Abstract: A microfluidic storage device for pre-storing a fluid includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a membrane. The first substrate has a recess formed in a first surface. The second substrate has a second surface formed to form fit with the first surface at least in subregions outside the recess. The membrane is arranged between the first and second substrates and is in contact with the first and second surfaces in regions outside the recess. In the region of the recess, the membrane is configured to line the recess so that a volume region inside the recess, between the membrane and the second substrate, can be filled with the fluid. The first substrate, the membrane, and the second substrate are configured to be joined together at least in subregions, outside the recess, in which the membrane is in contact with the first and second surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Rothacher, Thomas Brettschneider
  • Patent number: 9146196
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automated inspection of fillet formation along on or more peripheral edges (13a) of a packaged microelectronic device (14) that is attached to a supporting substrate (16), such system (10) including a feedback loop for controlling fillet formation More specifically, the system (10) includes a dispensing system (18) configured for dispensing underfill material (22) onto the supporting substrate (16) The system (19) further includes an automated optical inspection (AOI) system (19) configured for determining a value of a measurable attribute of the fillet (12), such as whether the fillet (12) is properly dimensioned, i e, sized and shaped A feedback loop (66) is included between the dispensing system (18) and automated optical inspection system (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Alec Babiarz, Stephane Etienne, Owen Yikon Sit
  • Patent number: 9101929
    Abstract: A microfluidic system for purposes of analysis and diagnosis is made up of layers arranged substantially one above the other. The microfluidic system includes at least a first and a second conducting-through layer, which respectively comprise at least one channel for a fluid to be conducted through in the respective conducting-through layer. The microfluidic system further includes at least one chip layer, which comprises at least one active, micromechanical element, the active, micromechanical element being in operative connection with at least one of the channels, and the chip layer being arranged between the first and the second conducting-through layer, and the channels being fluidically connected to one another. A corresponding production method is disclosed in addition to the microfluid system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ricardo Ehrenpfordt, Mathias Bruendel, Frieder Haag, Jochen Rupp, Ulrike Scholz
  • Patent number: 9097745
    Abstract: A corrosion detection apparatus for permanently and integrally monitoring a state of corrosion of a component is provided. The corrosion detection apparatus makes it possible to use the change in electrical conductivity to detect corrosion of a component to be monitored. A corrosion-sensitive bridging element that establishes an electrical connection between a first electrical line section and a second electrical line section of a sensor circuit is used to change certain electrical properties of the sensor circuit. On account of the corrosion-sensitive property of the bridging element, the latter changes its electrical conductivity when corrosion starts. This makes it possible to use the sensor circuit to detect corrosion of the bridging element and thus of the component to be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Steinwandel, Ulrike Heckenberger, Theo Hack
  • Patent number: 9032781
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for a gate valve including a body, a stem, and a sensing bore. A subassembly includes a body, a stem, and a sensing bore; a bonnet contacting the body; and at least one of a vein and a plug in the sensing bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Leo W. Fleury, Normand James Roy, James Ola Williams, Kenneth A. Clark
  • Patent number: 9035800
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring an interior of a fuel tank. Information about a fuel level and moisture in the interior of the fuel tank of a platform is generated using a fuel sensor unit in the interior of the fuel tank. The fuel sensor unit comprises a sensor configured to be located in the interior of the fuel tank and generate information about the fuel level in the fuel tank and the moisture in the fuel tank and a wireless unit electrically connected to the sensor. The wireless unit is configured to receive the information from the sensor and transmit the information using wireless signals. A number of actions is identified based on the information about the interior of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jason Philip Bommer, Andrew M. Robb
  • Patent number: 9021867
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for a gate valve including a body and a sensing bore. A subassembly includes a body with a sensing bore; a bonnet contacting the body; and at least one of a vein and a plug in the sensing bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Leo W. Fleury, Normand James Roy, James Ola Williams, Kenneth A. Clark
  • Publication number: 20150112105
    Abstract: A gas hydrate inhibitor composition including an aqueous solution of anthraquinones. Methods of making and using the inhibitor are also provided, as well as a method of evaluating effectiveness of an inhibitor using THF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Intevep, S.A.
    Inventors: Alfredo Viloria, Luis A. Castillo, Jose A. García, Rosa D. Nadales, Elluz V. Torín, María A. Carrasquero, María Llamedo
  • Patent number: 9010176
    Abstract: A scour sensor and method of detecting scour in the bed of a body of water as well as a sensor and method for determining the subgrade modulus of a subgrade are provided. The scour sensor includes an elongated rod that can be driven into the bed of a body of water such that a portion of the rod is cantilevered from the bed into the water. The rod has a known dynamic characteristic that is variable depending on the amount of the rod that is embedded in the subgrade. In one implementation, the known characteristic is the natural frequency of the rod. The scour sensor further includes a sensor element for monitoring a dynamic characteristic of the rod. Methods of using and calibrating a scour sensor are also provided. Further, the sensor may be used to determine a subgrade modulus of the subgrade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Farhad Ansari, Amirhossein Iranmanesh
  • Patent number: 8981947
    Abstract: There is provided a water quality monitoring apparatus including: an air quality analyzing unit detecting, using an ion mobility sensor, air quality in a space that is at least partially enclosed by a partition wall and a boundary surface with water whose water quality is to be monitored; and an alarm unit that outputs a signal indicating an abnormality if an air quality pattern obtained by the air quality analyzing unit is outside a tolerated range for air quality patterns of air that contacts the water to be monitored. Such water quality monitoring apparatus is capable of monitoring the water quality of drinking water inside a water tank or the like indirectly but precisely by detecting the quality of the air contacting the water using an ion mobility sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: Mikasa Shoji Co., Ltd., Atonarp Inc.
    Inventors: Kozaburo Nakamura, Prakash Sreedhar Murthy
  • Patent number: 8956519
    Abstract: Devices for detecting an analyte comprising a redox active analyte sensitive material on a working electrode and computer assisted signal acquisition and processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Senova Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Leonard, Joseph A. Duimstra, Eric Lee, Mark Micklatcher, Victor Simonyi, Gregory G. Wildgoose, Joseph I. Keto, Anton Seidl
  • Patent number: 8952822
    Abstract: A smoke alarm comprises smoke detection circuitry for detecting smoke and generating a detection signal responsive thereto. Proximity detection circuitry generates a proximity detection signal responsive to detection of an object within in a selected distance of the smoke alarm. Alarm generation circuitry generates an audible alarm responsive to the detection signal. The audible alarm may be deactivated for a predetermined period of time responsive to at least one proximity detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne T. Holcombe
  • Patent number: 8950245
    Abstract: A value of ignition delay and a value of a flame spread rate are measured with respect to fuel which is an object to be determined. When the measured value of the ignition delay falls within a range which is smaller than a reference line and constitutes a first range or falls within a range which is larger than a reference line and constitutes the first range, goodness or badness of quality of fuel is determined based on goodness or badness of quality of fuel which is decided in accordance with the first range. When the measured value of ignition delay falls within a range between the reference line and a reference line which constitutes a second range, goodness or badness of quality of fuel is determined based on whether or not a measured value of a flame spread rate falls within a good product range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: National University Corporation Okayama University
    Inventors: Eiji Tomita, Hiroshi Morinaka
  • Publication number: 20150034076
    Abstract: There is provided a method of determining whether a first type of liquid is being used in a nebulizer, the method comprising obtaining a measurement of the time taken by the nebulizer to nebulize a specified volume of liquid that was held therein, comparing the time taken to nebulize the specified volume of liquid to an estimated value for the time required to nebulize the same volume of the first type of liquid, and determining whether the liquid nebulized by the nebulizer was the first type of liquid based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Anthony Dyche, Timothy Spencer, Charles David Hillier, Michael James Robbert Leppard
  • Patent number: 8949038
    Abstract: Described herein is a method of controlling bitumen quality in a process stream within a solvent-assisted bitumen extraction operation, for instance a hydrocarbon stream from a froth separation unit (FSU). Bitumen quality is a measure of the amount of selected contaminants in the process stream. Contaminants may include asphaltenes (comprising metal porphyrins), sulfur, and inorganic solids (comprising inorganic elements, e.g. Si, Al, Ti, Fe, Na, K, Mg, and Ca). First, the amounts of selected contaminants are measured. Next, these measured values are compared to maximum reference values. If one or more of these contaminants is higher than the maximum reference value, at least one variable of the solvent-assisted bitumen extraction is adjusted to improve bitumen quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Tapantosh Chakrabarty, Ken N. Sury, Joseph L. Feimer
  • Publication number: 20150027205
    Abstract: According to the invention for a deep-frying device (2) including a stationary deep-frying oil sensor (5) which immerses into deep-frying oil (4) of a deep-frying oil basin (3), in order to monitor the stationary deep-frying oil sensor (5), a receiving unit (17) having a receiving data interface (8) is provided, via which interface a reference value obtained beforehand by a portable deep-frying oil measuring device (14), the portable deep-frying oil sensor (15) of which is immersed into the deep-frying oil (4) in the deep-frying oil basin (3) for measuring, can be transmitted in order to adapt a characteristic curve stored in the stationary evaluation unit (6) of the deep-frying device (2) such that the stationary evaluation unit (6) calculates a value for an evaluation variable for characterizing the deep-frying oil (4), this value being consistent with the reference value of the portable deep-frying oil measuring device (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Testo AG
    Inventor: Simon Brugger
  • Patent number: 8939017
    Abstract: A device for sampling, diluting and analyzing particles and substances normally located on surfaces. The device includes a collection system which, through a rotating collecting surface and a scraper gathers the sample. The device also includes a tank-like storage system to store the diluting solution and a dilution chamber that permits the sample to mix with the solution and be diluted. This mixture is subsequently placed in contact with a detection system which is capable of discerning the presence or not of the substance being sampled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Fundacion Universidad del Norte
    Inventors: Eduardo Egea Bermejo, Marco Sanjuan Mejia
  • Publication number: 20150007636
    Abstract: A measuring arrangement, which includes: a sensor, wherein the sensor is embodied to produce a measurement signal correlated with a measured variable, a first interface, an evaluation circuit least one computer system and a memory associated with the computer system, as well as a third interface, especially a third interface embodied as a fieldbus interface, a first superordinated data processing system, with which the evaluation circuit is connected via the third interface, wherein in the memory associated with the computer system of the evaluation circuit a computer program executable by the computer system is stored, wherein the computer program serves for additional processing of the measurement signal as well as serving for transmission of the further processed measurement signal via the third interface to the first superordinated data processing system; and a second superordinated data processing system connected wirelessly, especially via a radio connection, with the evaluation circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Tilman Benkert, Bjorn Haase, Gunter Jahl, Stefan Robl
  • Patent number: 8911686
    Abstract: A separation device for preparing biological samples for cytological, cytohistological and histological analysis includes a series of communicating chambers, means for moving a fluid through the chambers and one or more separating units for separating material contained in the fluid, wherein the separator units are arranged along the path of the fluid between the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Diana Elisa Macchi
  • Patent number: 8903673
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a modular dissolution-testing apparatus has a base unit adapted to hold and control operation of between one and eight dissolution-testing modules. The base unit has a programmable controller and a color touch screen for user interface with the controller and the modules. Each module includes a vessel for holding a solution of a dosage form dissolving in a solvent, an agitator apparatus for stirring the solution, and a motor to power—via a multi-motion assembly and a stirring shaft—stirring by, lifting of, and lowering of, the apparatus. Each module has a vessel heater and a temperature sensor, both communicatively connected to the controller for heating and regulating the temperature of the vessel contents. Each module is independently controllable by the controller, where control includes manually (by a user) or programmatically setting stirring speed, lifting and lowering apparatus, and starting and stopping stirring and heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Distek, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Brinker, Wenyu Wang
  • Publication number: 20140345368
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a permanent sealing assembly for a container, such as a reagent bottle. The permanent sealing assembly allows for drip-less reagent container exchange for liquid analysis instruments. The permanent sealing assembly may be integrated into a container, such as a reagent bottle, and provides an outflow tube that extends into the container. The permanent sealing assembly and the outflow tube thereof remain in the container such that, on an exchange of regent containers, a removable cap assembly of the liquid analysis instrument may be affixed to a new container of reagent without the risk of reagent from the old container contacting the surroundings. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Hach Company
    Inventor: Nelson Dervaes
  • Patent number: 8889070
    Abstract: A method for removing chloride from samples containing volatile organic carbon, wherein a chloride containing sample is mixed with a difficultly volatile acid, wherein hydrochloric acid gas arises, which is present in dissolved form in a sample-acid mixture and then the hydrochloric acid gas is purged by a carrier gas from the sample-acid mixture, wherein the hydrochloric acid gas is removed from the carrier gas following the purging and the carrier gas is fed back to the sample-acid mixture. In order during the hydrochloric acid purging largely to suppress the driving out of easily volatile organic compounds, the sample-acid mixture has a temperature of approximately 3° C. to 30° C., wherein, following the purging from the sample-acid mixture, the hydrochloric acid gas is removed from the carrier gas by absorption with water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft für- und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulrich Kathe, Andrea Gross, Anja Gerlinger
  • Publication number: 20140318215
    Abstract: A sensor of the type for liquid and/or gas analysis, which is connected to a measuring and/or evaluating system or, respectively, to a higher-ranking control system and has a sensor housing. The circuit for the collecting, processing and transmitting measured values to the measuring and/or evaluating system or to the control system (19) are provided in the sensor housing (2). This circuit has analog sensor electronics (3), an analog-digital converter (14) for converting the detected analog measured values into digital measured values, a processing unit (15) and communication device (17) for processing and transmitting the digital measured values to the measuring and/or evaluating system or to the control system (19) according to a standard communication protocol of process technology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: KROHNE Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Babel
  • Patent number: 8852110
    Abstract: The velocity of fluids containing particles that scatter ultrasound can be measured by determining the Doppler shift of the ultrasound scattered by the particles in the fluid. Measuring fluid flow in cylindrical vessels such as blood vessels is an important use of Doppler ultrasound. This invention teaches using various configurations of cylindrical diffraction-grating transducers and cylindrical non-diffraction-grating transducers that suppress the Doppler shift from non-axial components of fluid velocity while being sensitive to the Doppler shift produced by axial velocity components. These configurations thus provide accurate measurement of the net flow down the vessel, even when the fluid flow is curved or not parallel to the vessel wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: DVX, LLC
    Inventor: David Vilkomerson
  • Patent number: 8847602
    Abstract: A plug-in module for a liquid- or gas-sensor comprised of a sensor module (SM) and a sensor module head (SMH), which can be releasably connected together, and which, when connected, enable data and energy transfer via a galvanically decoupled transfer section, wherein the sensor module head (SMH) includes an energy supply unit for operating the sensor module head (SMH) and the sensor module (SM), as well as a data memory (MEM), in order to store sensor data received from the sensor module (SM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft für Mess- und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Detlev Wittmer, Wolfgang Babel