By Vibration Patents (Class 73/64.53)
  • Patent number: 12079502
    Abstract: An illustrative method includes a data protection system identifying one or more attributes of a storage element within a storage system, determining, based on the one or more attributes of the storage element, a data protection policy for a dataset associated with the storage system, and applying the data protection policy to the dataset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Pure Storage, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Grunwald, Ronald Karr, Shuier Zhou, Chunyu Wang, Zhengyang Xia, Chia-Hao Kan, Zhen Liu
  • Patent number: 12079333
    Abstract: A system may include a plurality of storage systems each configured to operate in accordance with a synchronous replication configuration in which a dataset is synchronously replicated to each of the plurality of storage systems such that each of the plurality of storage systems stores and continually updates a different copy of the dataset. Each of the storage systems may be configured to independently monitor, while operating in accordance with the synchronous replication configuration, for security threats against one of the copies of the dataset; and perform, when the monitoring indicates that the one of the copies of the dataset is possibly being targeted by a security threat, a remedial action with respect to the security threat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Pure Storage, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Karr, Ethan L. Miller, Taher Vohra, Arun Rokade
  • Patent number: 12067118
    Abstract: An illustrative method includes detecting a request to perform an overwrite operation with respect to a non-header portion of a file stored by a storage system and determining, based on the detecting the request, that data stored by the storage system is possibly being targeted by a security threat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Pure Storage, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Karr
  • Patent number: 11953469
    Abstract: A fluid measuring device for determining at least one characteristic property of a fluid includes a measuring tube having a fluid duct and a measuring section in which the measuring tube is cylindrical on the inside and an area of a measuring tube wall is configured as a waveguide, and a transmitter for exciting acoustic waves in the waveguide and a receiver for receiving acoustic waves which are in direct contact with an outer surface of the waveguide, wherein acoustic waves excited by the transmitter are adapted to propagate as a volume wave through the fluid. The waveguide has an elongated waveguide path which extends at an acute angle to a longitudinal extension direction of the measuring tube and with a component in the circumferential direction, wherein in the area of the waveguide path, the measuring tube wall has a smaller wall thickness than in areas adjoining the waveguide path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignees: BUERKERT WERKE GMBH & CO. KG, BURKERT S.A.S.
    Inventor: Yannick Fuchs
  • Patent number: 11880292
    Abstract: Example implementations relate to simulating an environment. For example, a system for environment simulation may include a simulation engine to build an environment simulation to mimic portions of a real environment relevant to a detected anomaly trend, an acceleration engine to simulate, within the environment simulation, a scenario associated with the detected anomaly at a rate faster than the scenario occurs in the real environment, a abnormal behavior engine to detect a abnormal behavior associated with the scenario, and an adaptation engine to modify a device within the real environment to be adaptive to the scenario, based on the detected abnormal behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Micro Focus LLC
    Inventors: Amitay Korn, Avivi Siman-Tov, Olga Kogan
  • Patent number: 11808737
    Abstract: The technology of the invention relates to an ultrasonic characterization method for a flowstream to detect impurities that can include placing a first transducer and a second transducer aligned confocally to a flowstream, transmitting, from the first transducer, ultrasonic waveform signals into the flowstream, receiving, by the second transducer, the ultrasonic waveform signals, removing waveform signal reflections using a pitch-catch configuration of the first transducer and the second transducer, detecting waveform signals indicating impurities in the flowstream using induced nucleation of the impurities, detecting waveform signals indicating bubbles in the flowstream using nonlinear dynamic behaviors of the bubbles, and differentiating between the waveform signals of the impurities and the waveform signals of the bubbles using cavitation properties of the impurities and the bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: X-Wave Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Lang Xia, Dan Xiang
  • Patent number: 11734097
    Abstract: An illustrative method includes identifying, based on an output of a machine learning model that receives data associated with an operation of a hardware component as an input, an anomaly in the data, determining that the anomaly is representative of an issue associated with the hardware component, and performing, based on the determining that the anomaly is representative of the issue associated with the hardware component, a remedial action that affects a performance of the operation of the hardware component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Pure Storage, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Golden, Emily Watkins
  • Patent number: 11569761
    Abstract: A power generation body includes a first member, a second member, and a packaging body. The first member includes a first insulating film that forms a first surface. The second member includes a second insulating film that forms a second film that opposes the first surface and comes into contact with the first surface. The packaging body hermetically seals the first member and the second member. The first member and the second member are configured such that a real contact surface area between the first surface and the second surface changes according to pressure applied to the first member and the second member, and one of the first insulating film and the second insulating film is positively charged and the other is negatively charged due to the real contact surface area changing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignees: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD., THE SCHOOL CORPORATION KANSAI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mutsuki Sugimoto, Hiroshi Tani
  • Patent number: 11499942
    Abstract: Various liquid cells for use in surface acoustic wave-based sensors are disclosed. The sensor can include a substrate, at least one sensor element, and at least one pair of electrical components. The electrical components can be located on opposite ends of the sensor element. The liquid cell can include a top layer that is configured to cover at least a portion of the pair of electrical components. The liquid cell can also include a fluidic channel. The fluidic channel can be configured to receive a liquid media and is arranged not intersect with any of the pair of electrical components. The liquid cell can also include a plurality of peripheral walls that are configured to form a plurality of air pockets. Each of the plurality of air pockets are configured to form virtual non-physical walls to prevent the liquid media from contacting the at least one sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Aviana Molecular Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mo-Huang Li
  • Patent number: 11480547
    Abstract: A liquid immersion sensor for a mobile device with at least two acoustic transducers is described. The liquid immersion sensor may include a signal generator having a signal generator output configured to generate a signal for transmission via a first acoustic transducer, and a signal receiver having a signal receiver input configured to receive a delayed version of the generated signal via a second acoustic transducer. The signal receiver includes a signal receiver output. The liquid immersion sensor includes a controller having a first controller input for receiving a reference signal and a second controller input coupled to the signal receiver output. The controller determines a time lag value between the reference signal and the delayed signal and generates a control output signal dependent on the phase difference. The control output signal indicates if the mobile device is immersed in liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Kim Phan Le, Jozef Thomas Martinus van Beek, David Camara
  • Patent number: 11317630
    Abstract: The present invention can provide a method having a high effect on the control of weeds. The method includes a step of applying Trifludimoxazin or ethyl [3-[2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-(1-methyl-6-trifluoromethyl-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-3-yl)phenoxy]-2-pyridyloxy]acetate using a drift-reducing nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Jin
  • Patent number: 11224401
    Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement method includes irradiating an object to be measured with an ultrasonic wave, acquiring a reflection wave from the object, calculating at a processor an acoustic impedance in a depth direction of the object from the reflection wave, and estimating and outputting a thickness of the object based upon an inflection point determined by second-order differentiation of the acoustic impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignees: SHISEIDO COMPANY, LTD., NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION TOYOHASHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, HONDA ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Ogura, Naohiro Hozumi, Sachiko Yoshida, Kazuto Kobayashi, Yusuke Hara
  • Patent number: 11215587
    Abstract: There are provided a sensor device and a detecting method employing the same, with which it is possible to carry out measurement using a simple operation and to reduce damage. A sensor device includes a liquid sample sensor and a reader in which the liquid sample sensor is detachably mounted. The liquid sample sensor includes a sensor main body including a first face, a sensor element located in the sensor main body, and a plurality of external terminals located on the first face of the sensor main body. Four external terminals are each located at corresponding one of four corners of the rectangular shaped first face, and a pattern of placement of the four external terminals exhibits two-fold rotational symmetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroshi Katta
  • Patent number: 10656123
    Abstract: Sensors, as well as systems and methods of using the same are provided. Aspects of the sensors include a piezoelectric base, a plurality of surface-associated compositions that are stably associated with the piezoelectric base, and a plurality of crosslinking compositions that are configured to crosslink one or more surface-associated compositions in the presence of an analyte. The sensors, systems and methods described herein find use in a variety of applications, including the detection of an analyte in a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Modoc Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David H. Sierra, Andrew Korey
  • Patent number: 10620166
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing nondestructive evaluation of a specimen comprises a first ultrasonic shear wave transducer configured to be coupled to a first side of a specimen to be tested; a second ultrasonic shear wave transducer configured to be coupled to the first side of the specimen at a predetermined distance from the first ultrasonic shear wave transducer. The first ultrasonic shear wave transducer is configured to transmit a guided wave into the specimen, and the second ultrasonic shear wave transducer is configured to receive the guided wave from the first ultrasonic shear wave transducer. The first ultrasonic shear wave transducer and the second ultrasonic shear wave transducer are low frequency shear transducers that are capable of operating at or below 0.5 MHz (500 kHz). The specimen has a planar surface or a curved surface, and a membrane may be used as the couplant between the specimen and the transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Inventors: Ray T. Ko, Ming-Yung Chen
  • Patent number: 10620167
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing nondestructive evaluation of a specimen comprises a first ultrasonic longitudinal wave transducer configured to be coupled to a first edge of a specimen to be tested; a second ultrasonic longitudinal wave transducer configured to be coupled to the first side of the specimen at a predetermined distance from the first ultrasonic shear wave transducer, wherein the first ultrasonic longitudinal wave transducer is configured to transmit a guided wave into the specimen, and the second ultrasonic longitudinal wave transducer is configured to receive the guided wave from the first ultrasonic longitudinal wave transducer. The first ultrasonic longitudinal wave transducer and the second ultrasonic longitudinal wave transducer are low frequency longitudinal transducers that are capable of operating at or below 0.5 MHz (500 KHz). A membrane may be used as the couplant between the transducers and the specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Ray T. Ko, Ming-Yung Chen
  • Patent number: 10295449
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for obtaining data from a density-viscosity (DV) sensor of a downhole tool, wherein the DV sensor comprises a resonating element disposed in a fluid flowing in a flowline of the downhole tool, and determining a resonance frequency and quality factor of the resonating element utilizing a nonlinear regression and/or a plurality of resonance modes exhibited by the obtained data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kai Hsu, Florian Risser, Gocha Chochua, Haitao Zhang
  • Patent number: 10236103
    Abstract: A heater assembly is provided that includes a substrate having opposed end portions defining raised flanges, a slot extending between the opposed end portions, and opposed chamfered surfaces extending along the slot and across the raised flanges. A plurality of layers are disposed onto the substrate, along with a pair of terminal pads. A protective cover defining at least one aperture is disposed over the layers and is secured to the raised flanges and the opposed chamfered surfaces of the substrate, and the aperture is disposed proximate the terminal pads. A pair of lead wires is secured to the pair of terminal pads, and a lead cap assembly is disposed around the pair of lead wires and is secured to the protective cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Elias Russegger, Gerhard Schefbanker, Gernot Antosch, Wolfgang Poeschl, Martin Wallinger, Kevin Ptasienski, Matt Kenchel, Kenneth Fennewald, Allen Boldt
  • Patent number: 10126268
    Abstract: A sensing sensor includes a first vibrating region, a second vibrating region, an adsorbing film, a blocking layer, a wiring board, a channel forming member arranged to cover a region of the one surface side of the wiring board to form a channel. The adsorbing film is arranged such that the adsorbing film is located in a region including the central portion in the front-rear direction of the one vibrating region. Assuming that the front end portion of the vibrating region is P1, the front end portion of the adsorbing film is P2, and the central portion of the vibrating region is C, the front end portion of the adsorbing film P2 satisfies a relational expression expressed as follows: (a distance from C to P1)×0.4?(a distance from P1 to P2)?(a distance from C to P1)×0.8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: NIHON DEMPA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wakako Shinobu, Hiroyuki Kukita, Shunichi Wakamatsu
  • Patent number: 10078156
    Abstract: A technique for characterizing precipitation includes receiving an impedance signal that is indicative of the impedance in a predetermined area on a measurement surface, deriving, on basis of the impedance signal, a first precipitation rate that is descriptive of accumulated mass of precipitation particles falling on the predetermined area during a calculation period, receiving an acoustic signal that is indicative of acoustic impacts caused by the precipitation particles in vicinity of the measurement surface, deriving, on basis of the acoustic signal, a second precipitation rate that is descriptive of accumulated mass of the precipitation particles during the calculation period, and designating, in response to receiving an indication regarding a presence of precipitation, current precipitation type as one of predetermined precipitation types at least in part on basis of a first precipitation indicator value derived on basis of the first and second precipitation rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: TECONER OY
    Inventors: Pauli Nylander, Taisto Haavasoja
  • Patent number: 10058860
    Abstract: A treatment vessel may allow a user, or automated system, to manipulate sample material within a treatment area during processing (e.g., focused acoustic treatment), as well as subject the sample material to a staged processing protocol. The vessel may include openings for receiving/discharging the sample material. Walls within the vessel may be movable between various positions, to permit or obstruct flow of sample material into or out from a treatment area. The wall(s) may push the sample material within the vessel, as well as adjust pressure levels within the treatment area. In some embodiments, an acoustic treatment system may include a flexible coupling medium that may be deformed toward the vessel upon an application of suitable pressure thereto. When the medium presses up against the vessel, defects (e.g., particles, bubbles, interfaces, etc.) that may otherwise be present along the acoustic wave path may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Covaris, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Laugharn, Jr., Gregory J. Kellogg
  • Patent number: 9261474
    Abstract: A method for analyzing a sample includes providing a sensor assembly having a sensing region with a plurality of resonant circuits, and a plurality of tuning elements. The method further includes exposing the sensor assembly to an environment comprising the sample, and probing the sample with one or more frequencies generated by the sensor assembly. Furthermore, the method includes determining an impedance of a sensor response over a measured spectral frequency range of the sensor assembly, and relating measurement of impedance of the sensor assembly to at least one environmental property of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Radislav Alexandrovich Potyrailo, Yongjae Lee, Victoria Eugenia Cotero, Jon Albert Dieringer
  • Patent number: 9038443
    Abstract: Determination of fluid properties is important in a variety of research and industrial applications. Real-time measurements in operating fluidic systems are performed for monitoring, diagnosis, and feedback-control. A simplified, microfabricated resonant sensor for separate density and viscosity measurements of a fluid with a common sensor is disclosed. The sensor is micron-scale, so as to produce a minimum of perturbation to the fluid under test, and may be arrayed to probe viscosity and density across a flowstream or vessel. Measurement is performed at resonance peaks, and geometry or operating conditions of sensor are varied to produce different resonance responses useful for separate sensing of density and viscosity of a fluid. Another embodiment includes a method for reducing quiescent in-plate elastic strain in a plate or membrane so as to allow bending-stiffness dominated behavior of a resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventors: Maria Esther Pace, Eric Anthony Perozziello
  • Patent number: 9038442
    Abstract: A system for sensing a fluid. The system including a fixed object; a first transducer generating a first sound wave in a horizontal direction and to detect a first echo of the first sound wave from the fixed object; a second transducer generating a second sound wave in a vertical direction; a temperature sensor detecting a temperature of the fluid; and a controller. The controller configured to produce a first signal to drive the first transducer to produce the first sound wave, produce a second signal to drive the second transducer to produce the second sound wave, receive a first indication of the detected first echo, receive a second indication of the detected second echo, receive a temperature indication, determine a quality of the fluid based on the first indication and the temperature indication, and determine a quantity of the fluid based on the second indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: SSI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Lawrence B. Reimer, Gregory P. Murphy
  • Patent number: 9032782
    Abstract: Biosensor apparatus and associated method for detecting a target material using a vibrating resonator having a surface that operably interacts with the target material. A detector is in electrical communication with a sensor, the sensor comprising a first paddle assembly connected to a second paddle assembly, the first paddle assembly having at least one microbalance sensing resonator proximate a proximal end and at least one sensing electrical contact proximate a distal end in electrical communication with the sensing resonator. The at least one sensing resonator has a target coating for operably interacting with the target material, and the second paddle assembly has a microbalance reference resonator proximate the proximal end and at least one reference electrical contact proximate the distal end in electrical communication with the reference resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Rapid Diagnostek, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Van Deusen, Ian R. Harmon
  • Patent number: 8997557
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for carrying out measurements of a analyte fluid having a housing (12, 18), a measurement chamber (40) arranged in the housing (18), a resonator (16, 34) and conduits (42, 44) for inputting and outputting media for the measurements into/out of the measurement chamber (40), wherein the resonators (16, 34) delimit the measurement chamber (40) in areas. The invention distinguishes thereby that two resonators (16, 34) are provided which delimit the measurements chamber (40) each.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Andreas Hettich GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Frank Gehring
  • Patent number: 8991259
    Abstract: Methods and systems for acoustically treating material using a continuous process in which material may be caused to flow in a continuous or intermittent fashion into/out of an acoustic treatment chamber where the material is exposed to focused acoustic energy. The methods and systems may be arranged to permit continuous processing for extended periods while an acoustic energy source operates at a relatively high power output. Treatment chambers may include features such as an acoustic window, a heat exchanger, inlet/outlet flow arrangements, an inspection window, insert elements that define a treatment volume size or shape, etc. Treatment system configurations relating to arrangements of a treatment chamber relative to an acoustic source and coupling medium, material flow paths, and others are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Covaris, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Laugharn, Jr., Xiaoyin He
  • Patent number: 8973427
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to resonating detection devices in which the sample flows through a conduit having a section in which the conduit is grouped or concentrated with the point of maximum movement. An exemplary device includes a primary conduit, at least one first flex section, at least one second flex section and at least one analysis section. The primary conduit cooperates with an energizer for inducing vibration and a programmed calculator for determining a resonant frequency to calculate a mass related parameter of the solution carried therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph A. Jarrell
  • Publication number: 20150059442
    Abstract: In the present invention a controllable acoustic source (14) in connection with the process fluid (10) emits a signal (18) into the fluid (10), consisting of a suspension of particles (12), being volumes of gas, liquid or solid phase. The controllable acoustic signal (18) is allowed to interact, with the particles (12), and the acoustic (pressure) signals (22) resulting from such an interaction is measured preferably via a sensor (24). A spectrum is measured. The spectrum is used to predict properties, content and/or size of the particles (12) and/or used to control a process in which the process fluid (10) participates. The prediction is performed in the view of the control of the acoustic source (14). The used acoustic signal has preferably a frequency below 20 kHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: ACOSENSE AB
    Inventors: Thomas Liljenberg, Stevan Backa, Lennart Thegel, Mats Åbom
  • Patent number: 8966960
    Abstract: A measuring device is configured to measure a reaction of test objects suspended in a first liquid. The measuring device includes a base and a vibration generator. The base has a first cavity and second cavities provided therein. The first cavity is configured to store the first liquid. The vibration generator generates a standing wave in the first liquid stored in the first cavity. The base has through-holes provided therein. Each of the through-holes allows respective one of the second cavities to communicate with the first cavity. The through-holes have opening sections. The opening sections open to the first cavity and are configured to capture the test objects. This measuring device can measure a test objects with a high efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Nakatani, Makoto Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8945371
    Abstract: Methods for monitoring scale deposition in a water-containing industrial process are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the water-containing industrial process is an aqueous cooling system. In certain embodiments, the methods incorporate fluorometric monitoring and control techniques along with a piezoelectric microbalance sensor. A particular embodiment of a piezoelectric microbalance sensor is additionally disclosed, along with at least one method for using the particular embodiment that is independent of whether fluorometric monitoring and control techniques are utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Dmitri L Kouznetsov, John E Hoots, Arthur J Kahaian, Rodney H Banks, David Ambrose
  • Patent number: 8942928
    Abstract: Methods and are provided for determining, monitoring or detecting particle size distribution of a medium. An example method includes comparing a measured ultrasound attenuation spectrum of the medium with a calculated attenuation spectrum, where the calculated attenuation spectrum is obtained by accounting for the scattering of ultrasound waves into the receiver. The methods of the present invention can be used to determine particle size distribution in a dense suspension of particles in the intermediate wavelength regime. In other aspects, methods of the present invention may also be used to monitor changes in particle size distribution, infer the shape of particles, provide feedback to a process involving a change in particle size, and determine the completion of a dissolution process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: The University of Western Ontario
    Inventors: Anand Prakash, Abhishek Shukla, Sohrab Rohani
  • Publication number: 20140373607
    Abstract: Apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium in a container, comprising: a mechanically oscillatable unit; an electromechanical transducer unit, which has at least one piezoelectric or inductive, transducer element, which excites the oscillatable unit by means of an exciter signal to execute mechanical oscillations and which receives oscillations from the oscillatable unit and converts them into an electrical, received signal; a reference element having a first component of electrically adjustable size, wherein the reference element is connected in parallel with the electromechanical transducer unit and supplied with the same exciter signal and produces a reference signal uninfluenced by the oscillations of the oscillatable unit, and an electronics unit, which extracts a wanted signal from the received signal and the reference signal and, based on the wanted signal, determines and/or monitors the process variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Max Bauer, Tobias Brengartner, Martin Urban, Michael Siegel
  • Patent number: 8883510
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining haemostasis parameters by measuring vibration parameters of a resonator having a measuring surface which contacts a platelet containing sample fluid. The invention is characterized by the analysis of the characteristic of a vibration parameter over time, based on which the platelet function will then be assessed and a distinction will be made between the presence of an adhesion disorder or that of an aggregation disorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Andreas Hettich GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank K. Gehring, Hans Wendel, Stefan Sinn, Lothar Mueller
  • Patent number: 8857245
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for measuring and/or monitoring concentrations of a dispersed phase in a fluid. A wettable surface may be used that is configured to be selectively wettable by the dispersed phase in the fluid being tested/monitored and the amount of or the rate of change of the wetting/deposition of the dispersed phase on the wettable surface is sensed and used to monitor the concentration of the dispersed phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Oddie, Michel Berard, Michael John Williams
  • Patent number: 8846408
    Abstract: A method for optimizing particle throughput in a particle analyzer includes determining an optimal concentration of particles in a sample for achieving a user defined coincidence rate; adjusting the concentration of the particles in the sample to the determined optimal concentration to achieve the user defined coincidence rate; acoustically focusing the particles in the particle analyzer; adjusting a flow rate of the particles to achieve a user defined transit time of the particles; and analyzing at least some of the particles with an interrogation source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Ward, Gregory Kaduchak
  • Publication number: 20140250985
    Abstract: A sensing sensor includes a crystal element having a first excitation electrode, a second excitation electrode, and a common electrode, an adsorbing layer, a wiring board, and a channel forming member. The crystal element is secured to the wiring board so as to form a space at one surface side of the first vibrating region and the second vibrating region. The channel forming member is disposed to form a supply channel of sample solution upward of each of the first vibrating region and the second vibrating region. The channel forming member is disposed such that an inferior surface of a left edge and a right edge of the channel forming member is positioned on the common electrode. The channel forming member is formed such that an injection port of the sample solution and a discharge port of the sample solution are opposed to the crystal element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: WAKAKO SHINOBU, HIROYUKI KUKITA, SHUNICHI WAKAMATSU
  • Publication number: 20140250986
    Abstract: A system for sensing a fluid. The system including a fixed object; a first transducer generating a first sound wave in a horizontal direction and to detect a first echo of the first sound wave from the fixed object; a second transducer generating a second sound wave in a vertical direction; a temperature sensor detecting a temperature of the fluid; and a controller. The controller configured to produce a first signal to drive the first transducer to produce the first sound wave, produce a second signal to drive the second transducer to produce the second sound wave, receive a first indication of the detected first echo, receive a second indication of the detected second echo, receive a temperature indication, determine a quality of the fluid based on the first indication and the temperature indication, and determine a quantity of the fluid based on the second indication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: SSI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Lawrence B. Reimer, Gregory P. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20140224002
    Abstract: To provide a biosensor including a suctioning mechanism while using a detection element such as a surface acoustic wave device, included are: a first cover member 1 including an element-accommodating recess 5 on an upper face thereof; a detection element 3 including an element substrate 10, and at least one detection unit 13 located on the upper face of the element substrate 10 to perform detection of an analyte; and a second cover member 2 joined to the first cover member 1 and covering the detection element 3, and including an inflow port 14 from which the analyte flows in and a groove 15 extending from the inflow port 14 to at least above the detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: KYOCERA COPRORATION
    Inventors: Atsuomi Fukuura, Toru Fukano, Yuji Kishida, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Hideharu Kurioka
  • Patent number: 8778085
    Abstract: A dissolved nitrogen concentration monitoring method is used for monitoring a dissolved nitrogen concentration of a cleaning liquid when an ultrasonic wave is irradiated onto the cleaning liquid in which a substrate is dipped. The method includes measuring an amount of increase of a dissolved oxygen concentration of the cleaning liquid resulting from an oxygen molecule generated from a water molecule as a result of a radical reaction caused by ultrasonic wave irradiation. A dissolved nitrogen concentration of the cleaning liquid is calculated from the measured amount of increase of dissolved oxygen concentration based on a predetermined relationship between a dissolved nitrogen concentration and an amount of increase of dissolved oxygen concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Siltronic AG
    Inventors: Teruo Haibara, Etsuko Kubo, Yoshihiro Mori, Masashi Uchibe
  • Publication number: 20140182363
    Abstract: A method for analyzing a sample includes providing a sensor assembly having a sensing region with a plurality of resonant circuits, and a plurality of tuning elements. The method further includes exposing the sensor assembly to an environment comprising the sample, and probing the sample with one or more frequencies generated by the sensor assembly. Furthermore, the method includes determining an impedance of a sensor response over a measured spectral frequency range of the sensor assembly, and relating measurement of impedance of the sensor assembly to at least one environmental property of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Radislav Alexandrovich Potyrailo, Yongjae Lee, Victoria Eugenia Cotero, Jon Albert Dieringer
  • Publication number: 20140182362
    Abstract: A resonant sensor assembly includes a dielectric substrate having a sensing region. The sensor assembly further comprises a plurality of tuning elements operatively coupled to the sensing region, where the sensing region is coupled to the plurality of tuning elements to define a plurality of resonant circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Radislav Alexandrovich Potyrailo, Yongjae Lee, Victoria Eugenia Cotero, Jon Albert Dieringer
  • Patent number: 8756981
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measurement device with at least one resonator, comprising a measurement chamber with a fluidic input and a fluidic output wherein the measurement chamber is delimited, at its bottom surface, by a resonator, and wherein the resonator surface is configured to be electrically conducting, and the resonator surface forms the working electrode for an electrochemical measurement, and wherein electrodes are provided at the fluidic input and/or output at the transition to the measurement chamber. The invention is characterized in that the electrodes are exchangeable and allow the reception of a fluidic connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Andreas Hettich GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Frank K. Gehring
  • Publication number: 20140157879
    Abstract: A measuring device (2) for testing a liquid (4) used as reducing agent in connection with exhaust cleaning for exhaust gases from a combustion engine. A temperature sensor (6) measures the temperature in the liquid. An acoustic velocity measuring unit (8) measures the acoustic velocity in the liquid. The measured first temperature T1 for the liquid and a first acoustic velocity v1 for the liquid at the temperature T1 are delivered to a calculation unit (10). The temperature sensor determines a second temperature T2 for the liquid and delivers a temperature signal (12) to the calculation unit (10). That unit calculates the absolute value of a temperature difference ?T between T1 and T2, i.e. ?T=|T1?T2, and compares ?T with a predetermined threshold value TTH.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Sebastian Zamani, Fredrik Strååt
  • Patent number: 8733153
    Abstract: A system for determining a quality and/or depth of a fluid in a tank. The system includes a controller, one or more transducers, and a temperature sensor. A fixed distance transducer transmits a sound wave toward a fixed surface. A depth transducer transmits a sound wave which reflects off a surface of the fluid. The temperature sensor senses a temperature of the fluid in the tank and provides an indication of the temperature to the controller. The controller measures the elapsed time for the sound waves to travel between the fixed distance transducer and a fixed surface and the elapsed time for the sound waves to travel between the depth transducer and the surface of the fluid held within the container. Using the elapsed times and the temperature of the fluid, the controller is able to determine a quality and the depth of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: SSI Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence B. Reimer, Gregory P. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8733154
    Abstract: A method for analyzing liquid samples may comprise applying a liquid to a cMUT device having a plurality of sensors, drying the plurality of sensors, electronically detecting an agent bound to each of the plurality of sensors, wherein the electrical circuit provides a sensor output responsive to a mechanical resonance frequency of the sensor, wherein the mechanical resonance frequency of the sensor is responsive to the binding of an agent to the functionalized membrane, and determining the mass of the agent bound to each of the plurality of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Matrix Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Cable, Matthias Steiert
  • Publication number: 20140127742
    Abstract: Technologies are generally disclosed for systems and methods for monitoring a liquid. An illustrative method may include disposing one or more sensors in the liquid, sensing one or more properties exhibited by the liquid using the one or more sensors, producing sensed data from the properties by the one or more sensors, encoding the sensed data into an acoustic signal by the one or more sensors, transmitting the acoustic signal through the liquid by the one or more sensors and receiving the acoustic signal by one or more sound receiving devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Christopher David Field
  • Patent number: 8701471
    Abstract: Method and system for background suppression in magneto-motive photoacoustic imaging of labeled target objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: University of Washington through its Center for Commercialiation
    Inventors: Matthew O'Donnell, Xiaohu Gao
  • Patent number: 8701461
    Abstract: An automated calibration device that comprises a tube for trapping a multiphase sample between three ultrasound (US) transducer pairs, wherein each of the three transducer pairs is positioned to measure a different fraction of the multiphase sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Southern Methodist University
    Inventors: Yildirim Hurmuzlu, Edmond Richer
  • Patent number: 8667845
    Abstract: A device for detecting elements in a fluid environment includes at least one acoustic resonator having a surface designed for fixing of elements. The resonator is configured for generating and measuring Lamb waves fostering generation of symmetrical Lamb waves. The device analyzes the resonance frequency of the resonator to determine the variation of the resonance frequency of the symmetrical Lamb waves representative of the presence of the elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Emmanuel Defay, Marc Aid, Pierre-Patrick Lassagne, Nicolas Sarrut-Rio