Vibration Patents (Class 73/61.75)
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Patent number: 7543476Abstract: An apparatus for separating an analyte from a mixture or for detecting an analyte or for determining the affinity, or a property related to affinity, between binding partners includes: a) a surface having the analyte or one of the binding partners immobilized thereon, in use; b) a transducer for oscillating the surface; c) a controller connected to the transducer for varying the amplitude and/or frequency of the oscillation to cause a dissociation event; and, d) an analyzer connected to the transducer for detecting an oscillation of the transducer due to the dissociation event. The controller includes an oscillator connected in a resonant circuit with the transducer such that the transducer oscillates at two frequencies simultaneously, one of these causing the transducer to oscillate the surface and the other being supplied as an output to the analyzer.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2004Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Akubio LimitedInventor: Victor Petrovich Ostanin
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Patent number: 7523649Abstract: An ultrasonic field-portable system for accurately measuring hematocrit (HCT) and hemoglobin concentration (HGB) in small food samples. The system includes an analyzer (10) that allows extremely accurate measurements of blood hematocrit from only one or two drops of +>>d collected in a disposable sampling device (12) that is then inserted into the analyzer (10). The system is compact enough to package into a point of care device, making it a point of care device with accuracy comparable to larger CBC lab equipment.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2004Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Separation Technology, Inc.Inventors: Francis Scott Corey, Ben Lane, Brian Murphy, Brian Lipford, Samuel Reed
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Patent number: 7503217Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting particles flowing in a fluid within a conduit involve analysis of acoustic pressure signals detected with an array of at least two pressure sensors. The analysis can include monitoring for attenuation in power of the acoustic disturbances within the fluid and/or a reduction in a speed of sound in the fluid. This attenuation in power or reduction in the speed of sound can be detected to provide an output or otherwise indicate that particles are present in the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2006Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventor: Espen S. Johansen
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Patent number: 7500379Abstract: An acoustic wave sensor array device is provided for the detection, identification, and quantification of chemicals and biological elements dispersed in fluids. The sensor array device is capable of the simultaneous characterization of a fluid for multiple analytes of interest. A substrate has a plurality of channels formed therein and a sensor material layer applied in a bottom of the channels. The sensor material layer has a shear acoustic wave speed lower than a shear acoustic wave speed in said substrate. The channels may have the same material in each channel or different materials in at least two of the channels. A surface acoustic wave transducer and at least one surface acoustic wave reflector, or at least two transducers is formed on a surface of the substrate opposite the channels at a portion of the substrate that is thinned by the channels, so that the acoustic tracks of the surface acoustic wave device extend along the channels.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2007Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Applied Sensor Research & Development CorporationInventor: Jacqueline H. Hines
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Patent number: 7458265Abstract: A piezoelectric cantilever with a non-piezoelectric, or piezoelectric tip useful as mass and viscosity sensors. The change in the cantilever mass can be accurately quantified by monitoring a resonance frequency shift of the cantilever. For bio-detection, antibodies or other specific receptors of target antigens may be immobilized on the cantilever surface, preferably on the non-piezoelectric tip. For chemical detection, high surface-area selective absorbent materials are coated on the cantilever tip. Binding of the target antigens or analytes to the cantilever surface increases the cantilever mass. Detection of target antigens or analytes is achieved by monitoring the cantilever's resonance frequency and determining the resonance frequency shift that is due to the mass of the adsorbed target antigens on the cantilever surface. The use of a piezoelectric unimorph cantilever allows both electrical actuation and electrical sensing.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2004Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Drexel UniversityInventors: Wan Y. Shih, Wei-Heng Shih, Zuyan Shen
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Publication number: 20080282781Abstract: There is described an apparatus for monitoring particles in a fluid stream, comprising a body portion and a detector element that is acoustically decoupled from the body portion. The detector element comprises a target surface, a sample acoustic sensor and a corrosion sensor. The sample acoustic sensor is acoustically coupled to the target surface and is arranged to provide a first signal, which varies in dependence upon acoustic noise generated by impacts of particles and fluid on the target surface. The corrosion sensor is arranged to provide a second signal, which varies in dependence upon corrosion and/or erosion of the target surface. A corresponding method of monitoring particles in a fluid stream is also described. The method and apparatus are suitable for monitoring sand in oil and gas production flow streams.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2006Publication date: November 20, 2008Applicant: CORMON LIMITEDInventor: Barry John Hemblade
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Patent number: 7437907Abstract: In a sensor for detecting a substance in liquid, recesses are provided in the upper surface of a base substrate. The recesses respectively accommodate SAW elements. A resin layer having openings is arranged such that the sensing portions at the upper surfaces of the SAW elements are exposed in the openings. A reaction film made of a material capable of binding to a target substance is also arranged so as to cover the sensing portion of at least one of the SAW elements. A liquid containing a target substance is fed from the openings.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2007Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tetsuya Kimura, Koji Fujimoto, Kenjiro Okaguchi
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Publication number: 20080245137Abstract: Methods of estimating concentration of solids in a slurry comprising solid material, liquid material, and optionally also gaseous material comprise passing a first ultrasonic pulse through a portion of the slurry, measuring amplitude of the first ultrasonic pulse, removing solid material from a portion of the slurry to provide a filtered liquid, passing a second ultrasonic pulse through a portion of the filtered liquid, and measuring amplitude of the second ultrasonic pulse. Measuring devices comprise a measuring device body having a passageway extending therethrough, and a sending transducer which sends ultrasonic pulses and which is mounted on the measuring device body. A system for estimating concentration of solids in a slurry comprises a containment structure defining a space for receiving a portion of the slurry, a containment structure defining a space for receiving a liquid material included in the slurry, and receiving transducers mounted on each of the containment structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2008Publication date: October 9, 2008Inventors: Lawrence L. Tavlarides, Michael Norato, Alexander Shcherbakov, Ashok Sangani
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Publication number: 20080216564Abstract: A biosensor comprises a surface onto which bio-macromolecules are bound, the surface and bio-macromolecules being immersed in liquid, a bond rupture detector associated with the surface and arranged to detect the rupture of bonds between the bio-macromolecules and a target substance (6), and an oscillator (8) associated with the liquid and spaced from the surface and arranged to produce oscillations in the liquid to cause bonds between the bio-macromolecules and the target substance (6) to rupture.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2005Publication date: September 11, 2008Inventors: Yong Yuan, Michael Andrews, W Michael Arnold, Barry Marlow
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Patent number: 7409851Abstract: Prefabricated catalyzing adsorption sites are incorporated into small oscillators. In one embodiment, the sites are formed of precisely positioned gold anchors on surface micromachined oscillators. The micromachined oscillators may be formed of silicon, such as polysilicon, or silicon nitride in various embodiments. The sites allow special control of chemical surface functionality for the detection of analytes of interest. Thiolate molecules may be adsorbed from solution onto the gold anchors, creating a dense thiol monolayer with a tail end group pointing outwards from the surface of the gold anchor. This results in a thiolate self-assembled monolayer (SAM), creating a strong interaction between the functional group and the gold anchor.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Bojan (Rob) Ilic, Harold G. Craighead
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Publication number: 20080184784Abstract: A system using ultrasonic energy for detecting and quantifying air bubbles and/or particles in a liquid flowing in a tube by a non-invasive and non-destructive technique has an ultrasonic sensor having piezoelectric transmitter and receiver elements placed opposing on the outside of the tube wall and energy in the ultrasonic frequency range is transmitted from the transmitter element to the receiver element. The received ultrasonic energy is amplified and detected and preferably split into a steady state (DC) component and a varying or transient (AC) component respectively indicative of the absence and the presence of an air bubble or a particle in the liquid. The two components of the signal are applied to an A/D converter whose output is supplied to a microprocessor which uses the digital data that corresponds to the presence of the varying transient component to indicate the presence of an air bubble and/or a particle and to measure its characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2007Publication date: August 7, 2008Inventor: Naim Dam
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Patent number: 7398671Abstract: A micromechanical sensor element for recording the bonding of molecules to the micromechanical sensor element. The sensor element having a substrate and at least one electrical terminal. There is also an oscillatable element that is coupled to the electrical terminal in such a manner that an electrical variable that characterizes the oscillation behavior of the oscillatable element may be provided at the electrical terminal. Further, there is a molecule coupling layer, arranged in such a manner that molecules may bond to the molecule coupling layer. The molecule coupling layer is coupled to the oscillatable element in such a manner that bonding of molecules to the molecule coupling layer causes a change in the oscillation behavior of the oscillation element.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2002Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Ralf Brederlow, Roland Thewes
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Publication number: 20080148820Abstract: Methods of estimating concentration of solids in a slurry comprising solid material, liquid material, and optionally also gaseous material comprise passing a first ultrasonic pulse through a portion of the slurry, measuring amplitude of the first ultrasonic pulse, removing solid material from a portion of the slurry to provide a filtered liquid, passing a second ultrasonic pulse through a portion of the filtered liquid, and measuring amplitude of the second ultrasonic pulse. Measuring devices comprise a measuring device body having a passageway extending therethrough, and a sending transducer which sends ultrasonic pulses and which is mounted on the measuring device body. A system for estimating concentration of solids in a slurry comprises a containment structure defining a space for receiving a portion of the slurry, a containment structure defining a space for receiving a liquid material included in the slurry, and receiving transducers mounted on each of the containment structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2007Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventors: Lawrence L. TAVLARIDES, Michael Norato, Alexander Shcherbakov, Ashok Sangani
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Patent number: 7389673Abstract: A sensor for detecting an analyte in liquid includes a base substrate provided with openings and electrode lands on one surface thereof and SAW elements each provided with a sensing portion having at least one IDT electrode on one side. The SAW elements are mounted on the base substrate with bump electrodes by a flip-chip bonding method so that the sensing portions of the SAW elements face the openings of the base substrate. At least one of the sensing portions is coated with a reaction membrane which binds to an analyte.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2007Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tetsuya Kimura, Koji Fujimoto, Kenjiro Okaguchi, Shinya Yamamoto, Ryoichi Morimoto, Toru Yabe
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Patent number: 7373805Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for directing particles entrained in a fluid, comprising a chamber having a first wall, including means for generating a sound wave having a frequency v, and a second, opposite wall capable of reflecting the sound wave in which the first and second wall define a conduit for the passage of the fluid, and in which the thickness of the second wall is such that the path length of the standing wave in the second wall is a multiple of about ½ the wavelength ?r of the sound wave therein.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2003Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: The Secretary of State for DefenceInventors: Jeremy John Hawkes, Michael J Long, William Terence Coakley, Martin Bernard McDonnell
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Patent number: 7360403Abstract: A method is provided for measuring the agglomerative state of asphaltenes in oil by applying an acoustic signal to the oil, detecting the scattered acoustic energy and using this detected signal to determine the relative particle size distribution of the asphaltene particles in the oil and/or their state of agglomeration. A method for controlling the agglomerative state of the asphaltenes which is based on the acoustic measurement technique is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2005Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Baker Hughes, Inc.Inventors: Gregory M. Jones, Malcolm J. W. Povey
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Patent number: 7334452Abstract: Methods for monitoring a fluid composition include placing a mechanical resonator in the fluid composition and oscillating the resonator. The resonator can be a tuning fork resonator having tines oscillated in opposite directions and in opposite phases. A variable frequency input signal can be varied over a predetermined frequency range and oscillate the mechanical resonator at less than 1 MHz. A frequency-dependent resonator response curve can be stored in a computer memory and fitted to a model curve to monitor the fluid. The resonator can be coated with a protective coating. The resonator can be treated with a functionality designed to change a resonance frequency of the resonator after being exposed to a selected target chemical and the resonance frequency monitored to detect presence of the target chemical.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Visyx Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Leonid Matsiev, James Bennett, Eric McFarland
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Publication number: 20070286626Abstract: A solid-concentration measuring apparatus includes an ultrasonic transmitter, an ultrasonic receiver, and a response-time integrator. The ultrasonic transmitter transmits a single-pulse ultrasonic wave to a liquid toner. The ultrasonic receiver receives the single-pulse ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic transmitter transmits again a single-pulse ultrasonic wave after a predetermined time has passed from when the ultrasonic receiver receives the single-pulse ultrasonic wave. The response-time integrator measures a response time from transmission to reception of each single-pulse ultrasonic wave, and integrates the response time with respect to each set of N pulses (N>1). A solid concentration of the liquid toner is calculated based on the integrated response time.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2007Publication date: December 13, 2007Applicant: PFU LIMITEDInventors: Jiyun Du, Satoshi Miyamoto, Yoshiro Kawamoto, Seiichi Takeda, Naoaki Shima, Shintaro Shitahira, Norihiro Yamasaku
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Patent number: 7266990Abstract: A method for manufacturing a flexural plate wave sensor includes the steps of depositing an etch-stop layer over a substrate, depositing a membrane layer over the etch stop layer, depositing a piezoelectric layer over the membrane layer, forming a transducer on the piezoelectric layer, etching a cavity through the substrate, the cavity having substantially parallel interior walls, and removing the portion of the etch stop layer between the cavity and the membrane layer to expose a portion of the membrane layer.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2006Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: Brian T. Cunningham, John R. Williams
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Patent number: 7260482Abstract: A method for characterizing a suspension with particles floating therein, which method comprises the steps of generating an acoustic actuation signal and registering an acoustic reflected signal. Further, a first dataset is calculated on the basis of the reflected signal, the dataset containing information which represents an autocorrelation function as a function of time of the reflected signal. Thereupon, first datasets are combined into a second, cumulated dataset, which represents a sum of the autocorrelation functions which correspond with the first datasets. Finally, a representation of a particle size distribution is determined by solving this representation from an expression for the second, cumulated dataset in terms of the representation of a particle size distribution.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2003Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TnoInventors: Arno Willem Frederik Volker, Frédérique José Paul Christian Marie Ghislain Verhelst, Rolf Willem Bartstra
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Patent number: 7171844Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the mass of a substance includes a sensor having a membrane layer, the membrane for receiving the substance thereon, an oscillator device for driving the membrane at a reference resonant frequency, a frequency detection device for determining a change in the reference resonant frequency caused by the presence of the substance on the membrane, and a mass determining device for determining the mass of the substance, the change in the reference resonant frequency being indicative of the mass of the substance.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2006Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: Brian T. Cunningham, John R. Williams
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Patent number: 7165452Abstract: A measuring apparatus for detecting a change in frequency of a piezoelectric vibrating reed is realized with a simple circuit. The circuit of the measuring apparatus includes a phase lock loop circuit 20 which includes a phase comparator 22, a loop filter 24, and a voltage-controlled oscillator 26. An oscillator circuit 10 of a piezoelectric vibrating reed 12 is connected to the phase comparator 22. An output terminal 30 is provided downstream of the loop filter 24. In a method for measuring mass from a change in oscillation frequency of the piezoelectric vibrating reed 12, an input signal from the piezoelectric vibrating reed 12 is input to the phase comparator 22 of the phase lock loop circuit 20 and the oscillation frequency of the piezoelectric vibrating reed 12 is obtained based on the output from the loop filter 24 of the phase lock loop circuit 20.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2004Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Yoshihiro Kobayashi
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Patent number: 7140239Abstract: A system for determining properties of settling suspensions includes a settling container, a mixer, and devices for ultrasonic interrogation transverse to the settling direction. A computer system controls operation of the mixer and the interrogation devices and records the response to the interrogating as a function of settling time, which is then used to determine suspension properties. Attenuation versus settling time for dilute suspensions, such as dilute wood pulp suspension, exhibits a peak at different settling times for suspensions having different properties, and the location of this peak is used as one mechanism for characterizing suspensions. Alternatively or in addition, a plurality of ultrasound receivers are arranged at different angles to a common transmitter to receive scattering responses at a variety of angles during particle settling. Angular differences in scattering as a function of settling time are also used to characterize the suspension.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2003Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Margaret S. Greenwood, Paul D. Panetta, Judith A. Bamberger, Richard A. Pappas
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Patent number: 7114375Abstract: A fermention process is monitored by detecting ultrasound backscattered from the cells as a function of time. A transducer 46 is placed in a fermentor 30 and transmits ultrasound towards a reflecting surface 50. The transducer receives that portion of the ultrasound which reflects from the reflecting surface 50, as well as that portion of the ultrasound which backscatters from cells 34 between the transducer 46 and the reflecting surface 50. Signals from the transducer are conditioned and subsequently processed to provide output to a controller regarding the status of the fermentation process in real time. The backscattering measurements can be used to determine a growth phase transition, such as the transition between the logarithmic growth phase of the cells and their stationary phase.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2004Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Paul D. Panetta, Richard A. Pappas, Brian J. Tucker
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Patent number: 7096719Abstract: An apparatus 10 is provided that measures the speed of sound propagating in a multiphase mixture to determine parameters, such as mixture quality, particle size, vapor/mass ratio, liquid/vapor ratio, mass flow rate, enthalpy and volumetric flow rate of the flow in a pipe or unconfined space, for example, using acoustic and/or dynamic pressures. The apparatus includes a pair of ultrasonic transducers disposed axially along the pipe for measuring the transit time of an ultrasonic signal to propagate from one ultrasonic transducer to the other ultrasonic transducer. A signal process, responsive to said transit time signal, provides a signal representative of the speed of sound of the mixture. An SOS processing unit then provides an output signal indicative of at least one parameter of the mixture flowing through the pipe. The frequency of the ultrasonic signal is sufficiently low to minimize scatter from particle/liquid within the mixture.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2004Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: CiDRA CorporationInventor: Daniel L. Gysling
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Patent number: 7093482Abstract: An acoustic detector based on rupture event scanning (“REVS”) with a detection setup allowing the monitoring of REVS signals near the driving frequency and with optimized impedance matching between the REVS crystal and the front-end of the detection circuitry for use in detecting the presence of particles such as bacteria, viruses, or other particulates in liquid samples with extreme high sensitivity.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2005Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and CompanyInventor: Klaus W. Berndt
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Patent number: 7073370Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring properties of a liquid composition includes a mechanical resonator, such as a cantilever, connected to a measurement circuit. The mechanical resonator can be covered with a coating to impart additional special detection propertied to the resonator, and multiple resonators can be attached together as a single sensor to obtain multiple frequency responses. The invention is particularly suitable for combinatorial chemistry applications, which require rapid analysis of chemical properties for screening. In one embodiment, the resonator is operated at a frequency of less than 1 MHz.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2003Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Symyx TechnologiesInventors: Leonid Matsiev, James Bennett, Eric McFarland
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Patent number: 7072044Abstract: Fiber optic particle detector for measurements in a fluid flow, comprising an optical fiber (2,3,12) being acoustically coupled to a mechanical element (11,13,14) adapted to be acoustically coupled to the flow, a fiber optic interferometer (54,56) and a light source (12,51,55) providing light in said optical fiber.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2001Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Optopian ASInventors: Jon Thomas Kringlebotn, Erlend Rønnekleiv, Sverre Knudsen
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Patent number: 7069776Abstract: In a well bore operation in which a particulate is added to a fluid stream, a method of determining the concentration of said particulate in said fluid stream comprising the steps of measuring the rate of flow of the fluid stream, determining the rate of particulate flow in the fluid stream using an acoustic sensor and calculating the concentration of particulate in the fluid stream using results from the measuring and determining steps.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2003Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: ILI Technologies,Corp.Inventor: Robin Tudor
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Patent number: 7036375Abstract: A plurality of quartz crystal resonators having different resonance frequencies are connected in parallel. A combined admittance of the resonators is measured. Equivalent circuit constants of all the resonators are obtained by a method of least squares from admittance characteristics. A change in the resonance frequency is measured and mass of a substance adsorbed to a piezoelectric transducer is calculated.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2004Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takaaki Nozaki
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Patent number: 7028538Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of particles, such as sand, flowing within a fluid in a conduit is disclosed. At least two optical sensors measure pressure variations propagating through the fluid. These pressure variations are caused by acoustic noise generated by typical background noises of the well production environment and from sand particles flowing within the fluid. If the acoustics are sufficiently energetic with respect to other disturbances, the signals provided by the sensors will form an acoustic ridge on a k? plot, where each data point represents the power of the acoustic wave corresponding to that particular wave number and temporal frequency. A sand metric then compares the average power of the data points forming the acoustic ridge to the average power of the data points falling outside of the acoustic ridge. The result of this comparison allows one to determine whether particles are present within the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2005Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Douglas H. Loose
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Patent number: 7000453Abstract: A flexural plate wave sensor array includes a substrate, and a plurality of flexural plate wave sensors, each sensor including a cavity formed in the substrate, a thin film membrane layer spanning the cavity, a piezoelectric layer disposed on the thin film membrane layer, a transducer disposed on the piezoelectric layer and an absorptive coating disposed on said thin film membrane layer within the cavity. The cavity of each of the sensors includes interior walls which are substantially parallel to each other and to the interior walls of adjacent sensors.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2004Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: Brian T. Cunningham, John R. Williams
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Patent number: 6990852Abstract: An acoustic detector based on rupture event scanning (“REVS”) with a detection setup allowing the monitoring of REVS signals near the driving frequency and with optimized impedance matching between the REVS crystal and the front-end of the detection circuitry for use in detecting the presence of particles such as bacteria, viruses, or other particulates in liquid samples with extreme high sensitivity.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Becton Dickinson & CompanyInventor: Klaus W. Berndt
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Patent number: 6959589Abstract: An autoclave reactor allows for the ultrasonic analysis of slurry concentration and particle size distribution at elevated temperatures and pressures while maintaining the temperature- and pressure-sensitive ultrasonic transducers under ambient conditions. The reactor vessel is a hollow stainless steel cylinder containing the slurry which includes a stirrer and a N2 gas source for directing gas bubbles through the slurry. Input and output transducers are connected to opposed lateral portions of the hollow cylinder for respectively directing sound waves through the slurry and receiving these sound waves after transmission through the slurry, where changes in sound wave velocity and amplitude can be used to measure slurry parameters. Ultrasonic adapters connect the transducers to the reactor vessel in a sealed manner and isolate the transducers from the hostile conditions within the vessel without ultrasonic signal distortion or losses.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2003Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Yee Soong, Arthur G. Blackwell
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Patent number: 6957565Abstract: A method for measuring properties of a fluid that includes oscillating a tuning fork resonator in a fluid. The invention is particularly suitable for in-line monitoring of various physical and electrical properties of fluids flowing in a conduit.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2003Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: SYMYX Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Leonid Matsiev, James Bennett, Eric McFarland
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Patent number: 6945089Abstract: In a mass-sensitive sensor consisting of an acoustic surface wave component on the basis of shear waves, the sensor includes a substrate with an active surface carrying two different layers, one which is a parylene layer of a thickness of between 0.2 and <1.6 ?m, which has been produced on the substrate by a vacuum-based deposition method and is capable of generating Love waves and the second layer forms a utilization layer, which interacts with an analyte disposed in a medium contacting the utilization layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2002Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbHInventors: Nicole Barie, Ulrich Stahl, Michael Rapp
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Patent number: 6945096Abstract: A method is provided for measuring the agglomerative state of asphaltenes in oil by applying an acoustic signal to the oil, detecting the scattered acoustic energy and using this detected signal to determine the relative particle size distribution of the asphaltene particles in the oil and/or their state of agglomeration. A method for controlling the agglomerative state of the asphaltenes which is based on the acoustic measurement technique is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1998Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignees: Baker Hughes Incorporated, The University of LeedsInventors: Gregory M. Jones, Malcolm J. W. Povey, John Campbell
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Patent number: 6942782Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the deposit forming propensity of a continuously flowing fluid having a bulk pH of about 1 to about 12 comprising measuring the rate at which deposit forms on a quartz crystal microbalance having a top side comprising a working electrode in contact with the fluid and a bottom side isolated from the fluid, wherein the pH of the fluid proximate to the microbalance is controlled electrochemically at about 1 to about 14 by applying to the working electrode a cathodic current of about ?0.001 to about ?100 mA/cm2 or an anodic current of from about 0.001 to about 100 mA/cm2 and wherein the working electrode is coated with or made of a conductive material on which the rate of hydrogen gas evolution is at least 10 times lower than on a gold cathode in acidic solution.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2002Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Nalco CompanyInventors: Sergey M. Shevchenko, Dmitri L. Kouznetsov, Prasad Y. Duggirala
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Patent number: 6935164Abstract: In the present invention a refiner (108) of a mechanical pulping line is supplied with a controllable acoustic source (14), arranged for emitting acoustic signals into the pulp fluid. The controllable acoustic signal is allowed to interact with the fibres in the pulp, and the acoustic (pressure) signals resulting from such an interaction is measured. At least one spectral component is measured. The measured spectral component is used to predict properties, content and/or size of the fibres. These properties may then be used to control the refiner (108) process. The used acoustic signal has preferably a wavelength that is large compared with a typical site of the particles.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2001Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: ABB ABInventors: Thomas Liljenberg, Stefan Backa, Lennart Thegel
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Patent number: 6935165Abstract: A monitoring apparatus useful in detecting viability of biological cells. A substrate defines a microscopic chamber. One or more microcantilevers extend from the substrate into the chamber. A detector is operatively connected to the microcantilevers for sensing a state of deformation thereof. On each microcantilevers is deposited a layer of an environmentally sensitive hydrogel polymer having a configuration changing in accordance with presence of an environmental parameter.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2003Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Purdue Research FoundationInventors: Rashid Bashir, Nicholas A. Peppas, James Z. Hilt, Amit K. Gupta
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Patent number: 6910367Abstract: A method is described which applies Acoustic Spectrometry to characterize both the particle size distribution and micro-rheological properties of the structured concentrated dispersions. It suggests to model the structured dispersion as a collection of the spherical particles which are connected together with flexible strings. Oscillation of these strings creates an additional energy dissipation which contributes to the total attenuation. This dissipation is dependent on the second virial coefficient characterizing the flexibility of the strings. It is shown that the value of the second virial coefficient can be calculated from the measured attenuation spectra either for known particle size or together with particle size as adjustable parameter.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2000Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Dispersion Technology, Inc.Inventors: Andrei Dukhin, Philip J. Goetz
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Patent number: 6904786Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring properties of a liquid composition includes a mechanical resonator, such as a cantilever, connected to a measurement circuit. The mechanical resonator's response over the frequency range depends on various characteristics of the liquid being tested, such as the temperature, viscosity, and other physical properties. The invention is particularly suitable for combinatorial chemistry applications, which require rapid analysis of chemical properties for screening.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2002Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Leonid Matsiev, James Bennett, Eric McFarland
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Patent number: 6874355Abstract: A method and device for monitoring and controlling a pharmaceutical, chemical or food process, in which the biological activity and/or the bio-mass of micro-organisms in the process is monitored, and in which the state of the process is detected by monitoring viscosity and/or aggregate size and/or content of a dispersion of proteins, crystalline particles or fat droplets that are processed, respectively. The micro-organisms and/or bio-molecules produced in the process, and the proteins, crystals particles or fat droplets being processed are monitored by means of acoustic spectroscopy.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2002Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: ABB ABInventors: Anna Kornfeldt, Thomas Liljenberg, Stefan Backa, Claudio Pecorari, Eva Lundberg
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Patent number: 6874356Abstract: A method and device for monitoring and controlling a pharmaceutical, chemical or food process, in which the biological activity and/or the bio-mass of micro-organisms in the process is monitored, and in which the state of the process is detected by monitoring viscosity and/or aggregate size and/or content of a dispersion of proteins, crystalline particles or fat droplets that are processed, respectively. The micro-organisms and/or bio-molecules produced in the process, and the proteins, crystals particles or fat droplets being processed are monitored by means of acoustic spectroscopy.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2003Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: ABB ABInventors: Anna Kornfeldt, Thomas Liljenberg, Stefan Backa, Claudio Pecorari, Eva Lundberg
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Patent number: 6862536Abstract: Measuring systems and methods measure particle velocity and/or particle velocity distribution and/or particle size or particle size distribution. The measuring system includes a filter for filtering collected signals which is arranged to pass signals at a relevant frequency band or at relevant frequency bands. The relevant frequency band or frequency bands are arranged to correspond to a frequency band or frequency bands defined by frequencies which exist in consequence of one or more process equipment or a process occurrence affecting to the medium flow.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2001Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: TR-Tech Int. OyInventor: Tomas Rosin
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Patent number: 6851297Abstract: A method for manufacturing a flexural plate wave sensor includes the steps of depositing an etch-stop layer over a substrate, depositing a membrane layer over the etch stop layer, depositing a piezoelectric layer over the membrane layer, forming a first transducer on the piezoelectric layer and forming a second transducer on the piezoelectric layer, spaced from the first transducer. The method further includes the steps of etching a cavity through the substrate, the cavity having substantially parallel interior walls, removing the portion of the etch stop layer between the cavity and the membrane layer to expose a portion of the membrane layer, and depositing an absorptive coating on the exposed portion of the membrane layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2002Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: Brian T. Cunningham, John Williams
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Patent number: 6837097Abstract: A method for manufacturing a flexural plate wave sensor includes the steps of depositing an etch-stop layer over a substrate, depositing a membrane layer over the etch stop layer, depositing a piezoelectric layer over the membrane layer, forming a first transducer on the piezoelectric layer and forming a second transducer on the piezoelectric layer, spaced from the first transducer. The method further includes the steps of etching a cavity through the substrate, the cavity having substantially parallel interior walls, removing the portion of the etch stop layer between the cavity and the membrane layer to expose a portion of the membrane layer, and depositing an absorptive coating on the exposed portion of the membrane layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2003Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: Brian T. Cunningham, John R. Williams
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Patent number: 6826949Abstract: A liquid sample sensing device comprises a set of stackable liquid sample base units that are adapted to be stacked together to form multiple sample volumes that are substantially sealed, each with an electroacoustic member disposed therein having a surface adapted for binding to a particular target molecule. Top and bottom units are preferably attached to a closed loop of flexible tubing and a peristaltic pump. Individual electroacoustic members in the stack can each be adapted to bind with different target molecules, allowing for a multiple target assay. Alternately, a plurality of electroacoustic members can be adapted to bind with the same type of target molecule, thereby increasing the sensitivity of the sensing device. The base units are adapted such that sample liquid is caused to flow over and be in close proximity to the sensing surface of each electroacoustic member as the sample liquid flows from one base unit to the next, thereby increasing the efficiency of binding.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2003Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and CompanyInventor: Klaus W. Berndt
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Publication number: 20040200269Abstract: Apparatus for displaying, measuring the size of and counting individual inclusions in suspension in moving liquid metal using an ultrasound sensor including emission device for emitting ultrasound beam pulses and at least one reception device for detecting reflected ultrasound beam pulses. The apparatus also includes an echo acquisition and processing device for reflected ultrasound beams received by the at least one reception means, a display device for displaying echos as images of inclusions, an image analysis device to count and measure inclusions based on the displayed images, and at least one control reflector having predetermined dimensions and geometry stable over time and which can be selectively placed in path defined by the ultrasound beam pulses. The control reflector enables calibration of the apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2003Publication date: October 14, 2004Applicant: Pechiney Rhenalu & Aluminium PechineyInventors: Jean Muller, Pierre Le Brun, Thierry Odievre
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Patent number: 6796195Abstract: The invention provides a method and an apparatus for measuring the size, concentration and size distribution of particles in a fluid by determining the characteristics of an acoustic speckle signal of the particles and relating these characteristics to the size and concentration characteristics of the particles. The method and the apparatus are especially useful for the measurement of the size distribution of small particles in optically opaque liquids.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2003Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Baker Hughes, Inc.Inventors: Malcolm J. W. Povey, Jie Tong, Phillip V. Nelson, Gregory M. Jones