se NICKEL ALLOYS FOR BIOSENSORS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure relates to metal alloys for biosensors. An electrode is made from the metal alloy, which more specifically can be a nickel-based alloy. The alloy provides physical and electrical property advantages when compared with existing pure metal electrodes. Full Article
se CONDUCTING POLYMERS FOR DIRECT SENSING OF METAL IONS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides an ion selective electrode comprising an electrode having a coating deposited on the electrode, wherein the coating comprises one or more aroyl-thiourea ionophores incorporated into a polymer matrix to selectively interact with one or more ions. The aroylthiourea ionophores may be poly-5, poly-6, poly-7, poly-7a, poly-7b, poly-8a, poly-8b or a combination thereof, e.g., a bis(furoylthiourea)benzene derivative, a 2,2'-bith-iophenyl derivative that selectively senses Pb2+ ions. The polymer matrix may be a polyaniline, a polythiophene or the polymer matrix may be an aroylthiourea ionophore inserted into polyvinyl-chloride for Pb2+ and Hg2+ ion sensing. Full Article
se CONTROL DEVICE FOR GAS SENSOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An SCU as a control device for the gas sensor (first and second NOx sensors) includes an applied voltage switching unit for switching an applied voltage of a pump cell when a deterioration detecting function is performed, and a deterioration rate calculation unit for calculating a deterioration rate of a sensor cell based on a slope during a transient change in an output of the sensor cell according to a switching of the applied voltage by the applied voltage switching unit. Full Article
se INSERT FOR CATHETER SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An insert for a catheter system can include an insert housing which defines a portion of a fluid pathway of the catheter system, a cartridge positioned within the insert housing in a manner to allow fluid flow along the fluid pathway such that fluid contacts the insert during the fluid flow, and an active agent associated with the cartridge. The active agent and the cartridge can be adapted to release active agent from the cartridge during the fluid flow. Full Article
se Wearable Automatic Injection Device and Related Methods of Use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Exemplary embodiments provide wearable automatic injection devices for providing an injection of a therapeutic agent into a patient. The wearable automatic injection device includes a housing having a patient contact portion securable to the patient, an injection needle for insertion into the patient, and a prefilled syringe assembly for holding the therapeutic agent. The prefilled syringe assembly includes a distal stopper and a proximal stopper penetrated by a penetrating needle. The penetrating needle is in fluid communication with the patient injection needle. Full Article
se SENSOR SUBSTRATE, ANALYSIS ELEMENT, GLUCOSE MEASUREMENT DEVICE, AND INSULIN SUPPLY DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A detection section is used in such a manner that it is inserted into a living body by being guided by an insertion needle to be stuck and inserted into the living body. The detection section includes a first region, a second region, and a third region. The first region is provided in a tip end portion of the detection section and includes an electrode layer (detection electrode). The third region includes a wiring section and has a smaller width than the width of a slit of the insertion needle. The second region is provided between the first region and the third region and has the same width as the width of the third region by gradually decreasing from the width of the first region. Full Article
se SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SWITCHING BETWEEN CLOSED LOOP AND OPEN LOOP CONTROL OF AN AMBULATORY INFUSION PUMP By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An infusion pump system providing therapy to a patient in a closed-loop or semi-closed loop mode can safely automatically revert to open-loop therapy. The system stores a default open-loop basal rate profile in memory. The system also continually tracks the insulin on board for the patient over a plurality of closed-loop therapy intervals. When an error or event occurs requiring reversion to open-loop therapy, the system automatically provides therapy according to the open-loop basal rate profile and the tracked insulin on board amount. Full Article
se Assembly for a Drug Delivery Device and Drug Delivery Device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An assembly for a drug delivery device (1) is proposed, comprising a housing (13) having a proximal end and a distal end, a dose member (23) which is displaceable in the proximal direction with respect to the housing for setting of a dose of a drug, a clutch member (28) which is displaced in the proximal direction with respect to the housing when setting the dose, and a stop member (30) configured to define a clutch stop position for the proximal displacement of the clutch member with respect to the housing, with the clutch member, when in the clutch stop position, being prevented from further displacement in the proximal direction with respect to the housing, wherein the clutch member and the dose member are configured to mechanically cooperate with one another when the clutch member is in the clutch stop position, thereby preventing further displacement of the dose member in the proximal direction with respect to the housing during setting of the dose. Furthermore, a drug delivery device (1) is proposed. Full Article
se DOSE INDICATING MECHANISM FOR A DRUG DELIVERY DEVICE AND DRUG DELIVERY DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention is directed to a dose indicating mechanism for drug delivery device (1) configured for the delivery of a medicament contained in single medicament cartridge (2), the medicament comprising at least one first drug and one second drug, wherein the dose indicating mechanism comprises a body (3), a dose dial component (7) configured to move relative to the body (3) during dose setting and first dose indicator means (10) configured to display a set dose of the medicament and/or of first drug in dependence of the displacement of dose dial component (7) during dose setting. In order to provide the user with further information, a second dose indicator means (15) is provided that is configured to display a set dose of the second drug during dose setting. The invention is also directed to a respective drug delivery device. Full Article
se PORTABLE MEDICAL TREATMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A medical treatment system including a treatment chamber, a source of an aqueous mist containing a medication, a source of an oxygen-enriched gas, and a control system adapted to alternately surround a human body part with a mist containing a medication and the oxygen enriched gas, which can be used to treat various skin disorders including infected lesions, bacterial infections such as acne (i.e. Propionibacterium acnes), fungal infections such as Athlete's foot (i.e. fungal genus Trichophyton), conditions associated with hair loss including alopecia as well as ulcerations and frostbite resulting from poor circulation. A method of treating skin disorders is also disclosed, that includes providing a mist containing a medication and enriched oxygen gas to the site being treated as well as providing oxygen to the patient during treatment. Full Article
se Heat Exchange Catheters and Their Methods of Manufacture and Use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A closed loop catheter useable for heat exchange is manufactured by forming a plurality of generally transverse bore holes though a flexible, multilumen catheter body, lacing a tube trough the bore holes so that loops of the tube protrude from the catheter body, connecting one end of the tube to an inflow lumen of the catheter and connecting the other end of the tube to an outflow lumen of the catheter. A heated or cooled heat exchange medium may then be circulated through the tube while the catheter is inserted in the vasculature of a subject, thereby resulting in heat exchange between the subject's flowing blood and the heat exchange medium being circulated through the tube. Full Article
se SELF-PRIMING SYSTEMS AND METHODS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Vascular access system embodiments can be configured to remove gas and a piercing member from a catheter assembly. In some embodiments, vascular access systems can remove gas and at least a portion of a piercing member concurrently or simultaneously. In some embodiments, vascular access systems can remove gas before removing at least a portion of a piercing member. In several embodiments, a vascular access system can include a first barrel configured to remove gas and a second barrel configured to retract a piercing member. Full Article
se MEDICAL BALLOON AND BALLOON CATHETER ASSEMBLY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A medical balloon of a balloon catheter assembly includes a balloon wall formed of at least two layers. The first layer is made of an impervious polymeric material. The second layer, which is integral with the first layer is made of a radiopaque and/or echogenic material and a polymeric material. In the preferred embodiment, there is provided 60 to 80% by weight of radiopaque material in the second layer. It has been found that these concentrations of radiopaque material provide good visibility of the balloon under ultrasonic imaging. Full Article
se Drug Delivery Balloon Apparatus and Methods for Use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A drug delivery balloon apparatus is disclosed herein, comprising: (a) at least two lumens, comprising a first lumen and a second lumen, (b) a balloon inflation port in fluid communication with the first lumen, (c) a drug delivery port in fluid communication with the second lumen, (d) a guidewire port in fluid communication with the second lumen, wherein the second lumen is configured to receive both a guidewire and a drug solution, (e) an occlusion balloon, (I) a drug delivery balloon, where the occlusion balloon and the drug delivery balloon are in fluid communication with the first lumen, (g) one or more drug delivery channels extending the length of the second lumen, and (h) one or more drug delivery ducts extending from the one or more drug delivery channels to an exterior surface of the second lumen. Full Article
se BIOSYNCHRONOUS TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY FOR LONGEVITY, ANTI-AGING, FATIGUE MANAGEMENT, OBESITY, WEIGHT LOSS, WEIGHT MANAGEMENT, DELIVERY OF NUTRACEUTICALS, AND THE TREATMENT OF HYPERGLYCEMIA, ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, SLEEP DISORDERS, PARKINSON'S DISE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for longevity, anti-aging, fatigue management, obesity, weight loss, weight management, delivery of nutraceuticals, and treating hyperglycemia, Alzheimer's disease, sleep disorders, Parkinson's disease, Attention Deficit Disorder and nicotine addiction involve synchronizing and tailoring the administration of nutraceuticals, medications and other substances in accordance with the body's natural circadian rhythms, meal times and other factors. Improved control of blood glucose levels, extended alertness, and weight control, and counteracting of disease symptoms when they are at their worst are possible. An automated, pre-programmable transdermal administration system is used to provide pulsed doses of medications, pharmaceuticals, hormones, neuropeptides, anorexigens, pro-drugs, stimulants, nutraceuticals, phytochemicals, phytonutrients, enzymes, antioxidants, essential oils, fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, coenzymes, or other physiological active ingredient or precursor. The system can utilize a pump, pressurized reservoir, a system for removing depleted carrier solution, or other modulated dispensing actuator, in conjunction with porous membranes or micro-fabricated structures. Full Article
se MEDICAL ACCESS PORT, SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A medical device comprising a subcutaneous access port having an access port body and at least one needle having a removable needle tip and a needle shaft defining a needle lumen; the at least one needle housed within the access port body, the at least one needle extendable and retractable relative to the access port body; and a needle shift mechanism operable such that the at least one needle is extendable from and retractable into the access port body at a plurality of positions of the access port body. Full Article
se Magnetic Medical Connector And Fluid Transfer Set Including The Magnetic Medical Connector By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A connector for a fluid path set for delivery of a fluid to a patient during a procedure is described. The connector includes a magnetic check valve for limiting fluid flow to one direction through the fluid path. The magnetic check valve is configured to open in response to one or more of fluid pressure and change in value of magnetic force in the check valve. Full Article
se FLUID INFUSION DEVICE AND RELATED SEALING ASSEMBLY FOR A NEEDLELESS FLUID RESERVOIR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein is a fluid infusion device of the type that delivers medication fluid to the body of a patient. The device includes or cooperates with a fluid reservoir, and the device has a sealing assembly to receive and form a fluid seal with the fluid reservoir. A retractable sealing element surrounding a hollow fluid delivery needle may be used to seal a port of the fluid reservoir. The port may include a pressure vent that is sealed by the retractable sealing element. In one variation, the reservoir includes a moving valve sleeve that holds a septum. The septum moves to allow the reservoir to vent, and to form a seal with the port when the needle pierces the septum. In another variation, the device includes a needleless sealing assembly. In yet other variations, the device uses a needled fluid reservoir. Full Article
se GAS SENSOR ARRAY AND METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a method for analyzing the composition of a gaseous stream comprising at least two gaseous components, one of which is methane; and to a sensor array and a gas sensor comprising such sensor array. The method comprises contacting the gaseous mixture with a sensor, wherein the sensor comprises a sensor array comprising at least two sensor elements, wherein each of said sensor elements comprises a transducer coated with a coating comprising a polymeric material having at least one property that is responsive to one or more of said gaseous components when exposed thereto, wherein said sensor elements differ at least in the composition of the coating, providing an energy input to said transducers that is converted to output signals based on said property, and obtaining said output signals. Full Article
se WHEEL SPEED SENSOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A wheel speed sensor for a motor vehicle can be supplied with an operating voltage by a control device. The control device has a load resistance with a load resistance value. An operating voltage can be at a voltage input by the control device. An electrical circuit is designed to determine a turn-on or a turn-off voltage value according to the load resistance value. An operation control is designed to transfer the wheel speed sensor into a normal operation using the operating voltage, when the turn-on voltage value is exceeded, and to transfer the wheel speed sensor into an emergency operation using the operating voltage, when a turn-off voltage value is not met. In emergency operation only a low constant signal level is emitted. Full Article
se FORCE BIASED SPRING PROBE PIN ASSEMBLY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A force-biased spring probe pin assembly includes a barrel member having a barrel wall defining an elongate internal cavity with a lower end and an upper end. The assembly also includes a first plunger member reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the lower end of the internal cavity. A spring member is positioned in the internal cavity between the plunger member and the second end of the internal cavity. At least one rectangular cavity formed in the plunger member with a movable cylindrical bearing in the cavity that applies a slight transverse force to the plunger member ensuring good electrical contact between the plunger and the wall of the barrel member. A force-biased spring probe pin assembly includes a barrel member having a barrel wall defining an elongate internal cavity with a lower end and an upper end. The assembly also includes a first plunger member reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the lower end of the internal cavity and a second plunger member reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the upper end of the internal cavity. A spring member is positioned in the internal cavity between the first plunger member and the second plunger member. At least one rectangular cavity formed in the first plunger member with a first movable cylindrical bearing in the cavity that applies a slight transverse force to the first plunger member ensuring good electrical contact between the first plunger member and the wall of the barrel member and at least one rectangular cavity formed in the second plunger member with a second movable cylindrical bearing in the cavity that applies a slight transverse force to the second plunger member ensuring good electrical contact between the second plunger member and the wall of the barrel member Full Article
se FORCE BIASED SPRING PROBE PIN ASSEMBLY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A force biased spring probe pin assembly includes a barrel member having a barrel wall defining an elongate internal cavity with a lower end and an upper end. The assembly also includes a split plunger member comprised of an upper split plunger part separated from a lower split plunger part separated by a diagonal cut reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the lower end of the internal cavity. A spring member is positioned in the internal cavity between the upper split plunger part and the second end of the internal cavity. A force biased spring probe pin assembly includes a barrel member having a barrel wall defining an elongate internal cavity with a lower end and an upper end. The assembly also includes a first split plunger member reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the lower end of the internal cavity and a second split plunger member reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the upper end of the internal cavity. The first and second split plunger members are each comprised of two parts: a first upper plunger part separated from a first lower plunger part by a diagonal cut. A spring member is positioned in the internal cavity between the first and second upper split plunger parts. In each split plunger the diagonal surface of the upper split plunger part exerts a transverse force to the diagonal surface of the lower split plunger part ensuring good electrical contact between the lower split plunger member part and the barrel wall. Full Article
se SENSORED ELECTRICAL JUMPER By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A sensored electrical jumper comprises a conductor having a first end and a second end, the first end including a first connection interface and the second end including a second connection interface, a sensor section including at least one sensor disposed over the conductor between the first and second ends, the sensor section sensing at least one of current and voltage of the conductor, and a sensor output conduit extending from the sensor and oriented substantially perpendicular to the conductor axis to protect at least one sensor output wire from leakage current or other potential electrical damage. Full Article
se SENSING APPARATUS FOR SENSING CURRENT THROUGH A CONDUCTOR AND METHODS THEREFOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A sensing apparatus for characterizing current flow through a conductor includes a plurality of magnetic sensors. In some embodiments, the sensors are grouped in pairs to achieve common mode rejection of signals generated in response to magnetic fields not resulting from current flow through the conductor. Sensors having different levels of sensitivity are used to collect information regarding the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the conductor, where such information is processed in order to characterize the magnetic field. In some cases the sensors are included on or in flexible material that can be wrapped around the conductor. Full Article
se Method of making a current sensor and current sensor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method of making a current sensor comprises providing a leadframe having a current conductor portion comprising two sections shaped such that a current to be measured flows in directions oriented obliquely or oppositely with respect to each other,deforming the leadframe to lower the current conductor portion,mounting an isolator on the current conductor portion,mounting a semiconductor chip having a thickness of at least 0.2 mm and comprising two magnetic field sensors composed of four Hall sensors and magnetic field concentrators on the isolator,connecting the semiconductor chip and sensor terminal leads by wire bonds,packaging the semiconductor chip and parts of the leadframe in a plastic housing, andcutting a frame of the leadframe from current terminal leads and the sensor terminal leads. Full Article
se APPARATUSES, METHODS, AND SYSTEMS FOR DETECTION OF A CURRENT LEVEL By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods including a switching converter having an output stage including a power switch or first switching device to convert an input switching signal to an output switching signal and a sensor stage including a second switching device and a third switching device. In embodiments, the sensor stage may be coupled to receive the output switching signal from the first switching device and to substantially replicate a condition of the first switching device to generate a continuous signal rather than a switched signal. In embodiments, the continuous signal may allow detection of a current level. In some embodiments, the current level may indicate an overcurrent event. A digital post-processing circuit may be coupled to the switching device to count a number of overcurrent events according to various embodiments. Other embodiments may also be described and claimed. Full Article
se ELECTRONIC ARRANGEMENT AND VECTOR NETWORK ANALYZER CHARACTERIZED BY REDUCED PHASE NOISE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An electronic arrangement and method for providing a signal characterized by reduced phase noise having a signal source for providing a stimulus signal, a modulator coupled to the signal source for generating a modulated signal as function of the stimulus signal and a local oscillator signal, and a mixer combining the stimulus and modulated signals to generate a mixed signal that includes a component characterized by a mathematical difference of the stimulus signal and the modulated signal. The modulated signal is substantially identical to the stimulus signal and offset by a frequency of the local oscillator signal, so that the difference component of the mixed signal results in a local oscillator signal wherein the stimulus signal phase noise generated by the signal source has been mathematically cancelled. Full Article
se Detection and Assessment of Damage to Composite Structure By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Methods and systems for monitoring an integrity of electrical connectivity between a repair patch and a parent structure include providing the repair patch with an embedded sensor configured to detect electrical conductivity. The repair patch includes a ply of conductive material that overlaps a portion of a conductive layer of the parent structure. A baseline set of sensor data is acquired from the sensor indicative of an electrical connectivity between the ply of conductive material of the repair patch and the conductive layer of the parent structure. One or more additional sets of data may be obtained from the sensor and compared to the baseline set of data to determine an integrity of the electrical connectivity between the ply of conductive material of the repair patch and the conductive layer of the parent structure. Full Article
se MONITORING OF INSULATION CONDITIONS DURING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM EVENTS USING DIFFERENTIAL CURRENT SENSOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods are disclosed for on-line monitoring of the condition of insulation in electrical devices employing a differential current sensor. In certain embodiments a monitor that can be fitted to existing electrical devices by attachment of the sensor to a pair of phase cables is provided. In other embodiments, an electrical device configured with an insulation monitor is provided. Full Article
se SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT AND VEHICLE APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor device includes first and second semiconductor chips mounted on one package. In the first semiconductor chip, a current generation circuit generates a sense current in accordance with a load current and a fault current indicating that an abnormality detection circuit has detected an abnormality, and allows either one of the currents to flow through a current detecting resistor in accordance with presence or absence of detection of the abnormality. In the second semiconductor chip, a storage circuit stores a current value of the fault current obtained in an inspection process of the semiconductor device as a determination reference value. An arithmetic processing circuit sets a standard range based on the determination reference value, and determines presence or absence of detection of the abnormality based on whether or not a current value indicated by a digital signal of an analog-digital conversion circuit is included within the standard range. Full Article
se QUALITY EVALUATION METHOD FOR LAMINATE HAVING PROTECTIVE LAYER ON SURFACE OF OXIDE SEMICONDUCTOR THIN FILM AND QUALITY CONTROL METHOD FOR OXIDE SEMICONDUCTOR THIN FILM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a method for simply evaluating defects caused in interface states in oxide semiconductor thin films and protective films in TFTs having protective films formed on the surface of oxide semiconductor thin films without actually measuring the characteristics of the same. This evaluation method evaluates defects caused in the interface states by measuring electron states in the oxide semiconductor thin film by a contact method or noncontact method. The defects caused in the interface states are any of the following (1)-(3). (1) Threshold value voltage (Vth,) when a positive bias is applied to the thin-film transistor(2) Difference in threshold value voltage (ΔVth) before and after applying the positive bias to the thin-film transistor(3) Threshold value during the first measurement when a plurality of measurements is made of the threshold value voltage when a positive bias is applied to the thin-film transistor. Full Article
se SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, BATTERY MONITORING SYSTEM, AND SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE DIAGNOSING METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device including: a power supply input section to which a first voltage from a battery cell is input; a boosting section including one end to which the first voltage from the power supply input section is input, and another end that, based on a control signal from a controller, outputs the first voltage or a second voltage boosted from the first voltage from as a power supply voltage; and a comparison section including an output section, a first input section connected to the power supply input section and the one end of the boosting section, and a second input section connected to the another end of the boosting section, the comparison section outputting a voltage from the output section that corresponds to a difference between voltages input to the first input section and the second input section. Full Article
se SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, BATTERY MONITORING SYSTEM, AND DIAGNOSTIC METHOD FOR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor device for measuring a voltage of a battery cell, including first and second nodes, and first and second battery voltage measurement units. The first node is configured to receive a first voltage, the first voltage being a voltage of a capacitor that accumulates an electric charge based on the voltage of the battery cell. The first battery voltage measurement unit measures the first voltage through a first path. The second node is configured to receive a second voltage based on the voltage of the battery cell, the second node being different from the first node. The second battery voltage measurement unit measures the second voltage through a second path that is different from the first path. Full Article
se BATTERY SENSING METHOD AND APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method and apparatus is provided the battery sensor for a large-scale battery system. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to the architecture and measurement scheme for a high-accuracy battery voltage sensor based on a calibration scheme. The present disclosure also related to the architecture and measurement method for a cell-level current sensor to effectively and reliably manage a battery pack. Full Article
se METHOD AND SYSTEM OF APPARATUSES FOR TESTING UTILITY POWER DEVICES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Test measurements on a utility power device by a switch matrix apparatus and a common voltage source as separate devices is performed. Through the switch matrix apparatus, the common voltage source selectively sends a first high voltage signal via a first lead to a first terminal of the utility power device, measures a first corresponding signal returned via a second lead of the switch matrix apparatus from a second terminal of the utility power device. While the first lead and the second lead of the switch matrix apparatus remain electrically coupled to the first and the second terminal of the utility power device, a second high voltage signal is selectively sent via the second lead to the second terminal of the utility power device, and a second corresponding signal returned from the first terminal of the utility power device via the first lead of the switch matrix apparatus is measured. Full Article
se Sensor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A sensor is disclosed. In an embodiment, the sensor includes a fixed structure, a movable structure movable relative to the fixed structure, a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field and a first magnetically sensitive element configured to determine the magnetic field at a position of the first magnetically sensitive element. The magnet is fastened to the fixed structure and the first magnetically sensitive element is fastened to the movable structure. Alternatively, the magnet is fastened to the movable structure and the first magnetically sensitive element is fastened to the fixed structure. Full Article
se MAGNETIC SENSOR APPARATUS AND CURRENT SENSOR APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A sensor apparatus adjusts output timings of a detection signal and a sensing signal for sensing an abnormality in the detection signal. Provided is a magnetic sensor apparatus comprising a magnetic sensor element, an amplifying section that amplifies and outputs an output of the magnetic sensor element, a plurality of comparing sections that compare the output of the magnetic sensor element or an output of the amplifying section to a threshold value, and a plurality of delaying sections that each delay and output a comparison result output by a corresponding comparing section among the plurality of comparing sections. Also provided is a current sensor apparatus including a current path through which a current serving as a measurement target flows and a magnetic sensor apparatus that is arranged corresponding to the current path and detects a magnetic field generated according to the current serving as the measurement target. Full Article
se LOW FLY HEIGHT IN-PLANE MAGNETIC IMAGE SENSOR CHIP By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a low fly height in-plane magnetic image sensor chip. This sensor chip comprises a Si substrate with a pit on the surface, a magnetoresistive sensor, and an insulating layer. The magnetoresistive sensor is located on the bottom surface of the pit in the Si substrate. The insulating layer is located above the magnetoresistive sensor. The magnetic image surface detected during operation is coplaner or parallel with the surface of the Si substrate surface. The input and output ends of the magnetoresistive sensor are connected with leads directly, or bonded with leads through pads, or through a conducting post and pads to form connections. And the flying height of the leads is lower than the height of the surface of the Si substrate. This technical solution has several advantages, such as compact structure, high output signal, and direct contact with the magnetic image. Full Article
se MAGNETIC FIELD SENSING APPARATUS AND DETECTION METHOD THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A magnetic field sensing apparatus and detection method thereof are provided. The magnetic field sensing apparatus includes an anisotropic magneto-resistive (AMR) magnetic field detector, a reference magnetic field detector, and a controller. The AMR magnetic field detector generates a first output voltage according to a detected magnetic field. The reference magnetic field detector generates a second output voltage according to the detected magnetic field. The controller identifies whether an absolute value of a field density of the detected magnetic field is larger or smaller than a predetermined value or not, and selects the first output voltage or a saturation voltage to be a magnetic field detection result accordingly. Full Article
se RECONSTRUCTING IMPULSIVE SOURCE SEISMIC DATA FROM TIME DISTRIBUTED FIRING AIRGUN ARRAY DATA By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Acquiring seismic data using time-distributed sources and converting the acquired data into impulsive data using a multiple-frequency approach. The methods are performed in frequency-source location domain, frequency-wavenumber domain, or frequency-slowness domain. The methods are applicable to single source acquisition or simultaneous source acquisition. Full Article
se SENSOR DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A sensor device includes a power line and a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes an inductor. The inductor is formed using an interconnect layer (to be described later using FIG. 3). The power line and the semiconductor device overlap each other when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes two inductors. The power line extends between the two inductors when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the semiconductor device. Full Article
se MICROELECTROMECHANICAL GYROSCOPE WITH REJECTION OF DISTURBANCES AND METHOD OF SENSING AN ANGULAR RATE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A gyroscope includes a substrate, a first structure, a second structure and a third structure elastically coupled to the substrate and movable along a first axis. The first and second structure are arranged at opposite sides of the third structure with respect to the first axis A driving system is configured to oscillate the first and second structure along the first axis in phase with one another and in phase opposition with the third structure. The first, second and third structure are provided with respective sets of sensing electrodes, configured to be displaced along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis in response to rotations of the substrate about a third axis perpendicular to the first axis and to the second axis. Full Article
se FLOW SENSOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a flow sensor (1), comprising: a semiconductor module (2) on which a temperature sensing means (13a, 13b) and a heat source (12) are arranged, a flow channel (6) for guiding the fluid medium in a flow direction (D), and a wall (W) delimiting the flow channel, wherein said heat source (12) and said temperature sensing means (13a, 13b) are configured such that they are in thermal contact with said wall (W). According to the invention, said wall (W) comprises a glass member (4) and a metal member (3a), wherein the glass member (4) is connected to the metal member (3a). Full Article
se METHOD OF OPERATING A SENSOR ASSEMBLY FOR A FLUID TANK OF A MOTOR VEHICLE, AND CORRESPONDING SENSOR ASSEMBLY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT In a method of operating a sensor assembly for a fluid tank of a motor vehicle, plural sensor elements of the sensor assembly are electrically connected to a sensor controller. The sensor controller determines measuring data from the sensor elements, and transmits the measuring data from at least some of the sensor elements separately and at least in part sequentially to a reprogrammable control unit. Full Article
se SENSOR DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A sensor device includes: a cylindrical casing; a vibration detecting unit including a detection probe, a bottomed cylindrical holder having a bottom in which a rear end of the detection probe is inserted and fixed, piezoelectric elements disposed rearward of the detection probe in the holder and configured to contact the rear end of the detection probe, and a push member held in the holder and configured to push the piezoelectric elements against the rear end of the detection probe, the vibration detecting unit being disposed in the casing; and a coil spring that is disposed rearward of the vibration detecting unit, is configured to contact the holder to bias the holder forward, and causes a tip of the detection probe to project from the casing, wherein the tip of the detection probe is pushed against a measurement object to detect vibration of the measurement object. Full Article
se Pre-Loaded Force Sensors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Pre-loaded force sensitive input devices, force sensing resistors (FSR), are formed as a multiple membrane assembly that is capable of detecting low intensity pressure inputs and quantifying varying applications of pressure to the sensor surface. Pre-loading the force sensor elements results in controlled amount of force between the two substrates causing a constant state of pre-load and eliminating the low-end or minimal pressure signal noise associated with unloaded sensors. Pre-loading the force sensing resistor sensors also enables the sensor to detect removal of low intensity pressure input such as might occur during theft of light weight articles placed in contact with the pre-loaded force sensor. Using an FSR or FSR Matrix Array will enable any handling of protected retail packaging to be detected and identified. A library of “touches” can be established that will yield cutting, ripping, twisting, etc. making the detection of a theft in progress more accurate. Full Article
se TORQUE SENSOR TERMINAL BLOCK STRUCTURE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a torque sensor terminal block structure including an electric motor (1) which outputs driving force for driving a load (8), a strain body (3) interposed on a way of a power transmission system from the electric motor (1) to the load (8), a power detector (4) which outputs a detection signal according to a strain of the strain body (3) as a signal indicating a driving force transmitted from the electric motor (1) to the load (8), and a terminal block (6) which acquires the detection signal of the power detector (4) and transmits the output result to a signal processing circuit section. The terminal block (6) is set parallel to a magnetic flux output from the electric motor (1). Full Article
se TORQUE SENSOR TERMINAL BLOCK STRUCTURE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a torque sensor terminal block structure including an electric motor (1) which outputs driving force for driving a load (8), a strain body (3) interposed on a way of a power transmission system from the electric motor (1) to the load (8), a plurality of power detectors (4) which output a detection signal according to strain of the strain body (3) as a signal indicating the driving force, and a terminal block (6) which acquires the detection signal of the power detectors (4) and transmits the output result to a signal processing circuit section (10). The wirings to the signal processing circuit section (10) are twisted spirally as a single stranded wire, and an opening degree between single wirings when the stranded wire extending from the power detectors (4) to the terminal block (6) is unwound, is set to be same for each of the power detectors (4). Full Article
se PLANET GEAR TRAIN BASED TORQUE DETECTOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A planet gear train based torque detector is provided with idler gears between an input shaft and an output shaft wherein a rotation of the input shaft rotates the idler gears which rotate the output shaft, and a force is applied to a tangent line between each idler gear and the input shaft; peripheral resilient members, each having a fixed first end and a second end for receiving force applied thereon by the revolution of idler gears; and at least one strain gauge, each attached on one resilient member for measuring a deformation at the resilient member due to the revolution of the idler gears. A torque between the input shaft and the output shaft is obtained by calculating the deformation. The resilient members parallel the input shaft. Full Article
se TRANSDUCER SENSOR BODY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A transducer sensor body includes a first support structure and a second support structure. A tubular element has a center bore along a longitudinal axis. An elongated first flexure joins the tubular element to the first support structure parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first flexure is rigid to transfer a longitudinal force therethrough along the longitudinal axis and is rigid to transfer an axial force therethrough along an axial axis that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. An elongated second flexure joins the tubular element to the second support structure parallel to the longitudinal axis. The second flexure is rigid to transfer a longitudinal force therethrough along the longitudinal axis and is to transfer the axial force therethrough along the axial axis. Full Article