42nd week of 2017 patent applcation highlights part 38 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20170299430 | AQUARIUM PHOTOMETER - An aquarium photometer system includes a housing unit, an arm, and a mirror. The housing unit includes a light sensor configured to sense light incident on the light sensor and to convert the incident light to a signal. The housing unit also includes an operational amplifier including a first input node, a second input node, and an output node. The operational amplifier is configured to: receive the signal at the first input node, amplify a difference between the signal at the first input node and a signal at the second input node by a gain factor, and output the amplified signal on the output node. The housing unit also includes a potentiometer connected to the operational amplifier and configured to regulate the amplified signal; and a display connected to the potentiometer and configured to show an intensity of light detected by the light sensor based on the regulated amplified signal. The arm at a first end is connected to the housing unit and configured to move the housing unit around an aquarium case. The mirror is located on a bar and positioned within the aquarium in front of the light sensor and at a focal distance from the light sensor and configured to increase an amount of light incident on the light sensor. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299431 | VISUAL INDICATOR OF SCAN WORKFLOW - A hand-held spectrometer includes at least one indicator light and a processor configured to control the at least one indicator light to indicate a state of the hand-held spectrometer selected from a group consisting of a background scanning state, a ready-to-scan-sample state, a signal strength state, a fluorescence intensity state, a sample match state, a sample classification state, an error state, a data transfer state, a battery charge state, and a memory capacity state. The sample match state can be, for example, one of a positive match state, a mixture match state, a negative match state, and a match error state. In some embodiments, the error state can be at least one of a background error state, a user error state, and an instrument error state, or any combination thereof. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299432 | SPECTROSCOPIC DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, SPECTROSCOPIC DATA PROCESSING METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM FOR STORING SPECTROSCOPIC DATA PROCESSING PROGRAM - A spectroscopic data processing apparatus configured to process first interferogram data obtained by separating through a spectroscopic optical system light on a slit imaged by an image capturing optical system and by capturing an image through an image sensor includes a first processor configured to deconvolute the first interferogram data using first information relating to the slit and the image sensor when the first interferogram data is obtained and to generate second interferogram data, a second processor configured to generate multi-spectral data by Fourier-transforming the second interferogram data, and a third processor configured to generate corrected multi-spectral data by performing a correction process for the multi-spectral data using second information relating to an optical transfer function or a point spread function of the image capturing optical system. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299433 | COMPACT, POWER-EFFICIENT STACKED BROADBAND OPTICAL EMITTERS - The present disclosure describes broadband optical emission sources that include a stack of semiconductor layers, wherein each of the semiconductor layers is operable to emit light of a different respective wavelength; a light source operable to provide optical pumping for stimulated photon emission from the stack; wherein the semiconductor layers are disposed sequentially in the stack such that a first one of the semiconductor layers is closest to the light source and a last one of the semiconductor layers is furthest from the light source, and wherein each particular one of the semiconductor layers is at least partially transparent to the light generated by the other semiconductor layers that are closer to the light source than the particular semiconductor layer. The disclosure also describes various spectrometers that include a broadband optical emission device, and optionally include a tuneable wavelength filter operable to allow a selected wavelength or narrow range of wavelengths to pass through. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299434 | Methods and Apparatus for Spectral Imaging - An apparatus for generating a spectral image includes a filter to receive incident light. The filter has a variable refractive index. The apparatus also includes a modulator, operably coupled to the filter, to modulate the variable refractive index of the filter so as to generate a plurality of optical patterns from the incident light. The plurality of optical patterns represents the spectral image and each optical pattern in the plurality of optical patterns corresponds to a different modulation of the variable refractive index. The apparatus further includes a detector, in optical communication with the filter, to detect the plurality of optical patterns. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299435 | SENSOR-SYNCHRONIZED SPECTRALLY-STRUCTURED-LIGHT IMAGING - A spectral imaging device is configured to capture color images synchronized with controlled illumination from different color light emitting diodes. A processor in the device applies a coupling factor to sampled color images to convert sampled pixels into spectral channels corresponding to LED color and color filter. Multi-spectral spectricity vectors produced at pixel locations are used along with spatial information to classify objects, such as produce items. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299436 | SPECTRAL-IMAGE ACQUISITION DEVICE - This spectral-image-obtaining device includes: a line-spectral-image acquiring unit that acquires a plurality of line spectral images; a frame-image acquiring unit that has an image-capturing range that encompasses that over which image capturing is performed by the line-spectral-image acquiring unit and that acquires a two-dimensional frame image that contains fewer color signals than the line spectral images; a comparison-image estimating unit that estimates comparison images for all lines based on the line spectral images acquired by the line-spectral-image acquiring unit and a wavelength characteristic of the frame-image acquiring unit; a line-spectral-image positional-deviation detecting unit that detects amounts of positional deviation between the comparison images estimated by the comparison-image estimating unit and corresponding positions within the frame image; and a positional-deviation correcting unit that fits the line spectral images to corresponding positions within the frame image based on the amounts of positional deviation detected by the line-spectral-image positional-deviation detecting unit. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299437 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING DISPLAY SCREEN - A method and apparatus for detecting a display screen are provided. The apparatus comprises: a detection module for detecting components of a primary color in the light at a display side when a first and second display signal are input to the display screen, wherein the first and second display signal are used for displaying a monochromatic image in black and a monochromatic image in a color other than black; and a data processing unit for calculating a difference between components of the primary color which are detected when the first and second display signal are input, and determining whether there is a fault in the display screen according to the difference. The effect of ambient light on detection results can be reduced, and the detection results are more close to the actual case. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299438 | RADIATION DETECTOR AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A RADIATION DETECTOR - A radiation detector includes a substrate and a membrane suspended above the substrate by spacers, wherein the spacers electrically contact a radiation sensor formed in the membrane and thermally insulate the membrane from the substrate. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299439 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR WIRELESS TEMPERATURE SENSING - Wireless temperature sensing systems and methods include an active sensor for determining temperature parameters in harsh environments, such as in very high temperature conditions, and wireless conveyance of the detected parameters. In an example embodiment, a pyroelectric element can generate a voltage when subjected to a temperature change. A coil is electrically coupled to the pyroelectric element and configured to generate a magnetic field in response to a current induced by the voltage generated by the pyroelectric element. A pickup is electromagnetically coupled with and detects the magnetic field generated by the coil, and the pickup is configured to provide an output corresponding to the detected magnetic field. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299440 | TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION MEASURING APPARATUS AND METHOD - Disclosed is a temperature distribution measuring device for measuring the temperature distribution or the heat generation distribution in a sample. An embodiment collects a reflection signal the reflectivity of which changes on the basis of a bias signal applied to a sample, detects a signal of interest, which has been reflected from a region of interest in the sample, from the reflected signal, converts the signal of interest to a frequency range signal, calculates the relative amount of change in reflectivity of the sample by using a direct current component extracted on the basis of filtering of the frequency range signal and a frequency component of the bias signal, and acquires a thermal image of the sample on the basis of the relative amount of change in reflectivity. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299441 | System and Method for Detecting Laser Pulses - A system and method for detecting laser pulses is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the present system detects an extrasolar laser pulse, ideally repeated pulses, by observing the pulse, characterizing the pulse, and confirming the data related to the pulse. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299442 | THERMAL SENSOR - A circuit includes a first current source that provides a current and a resistive branch in series with the first current source that provides a first voltage value and a second voltage value. A capacitive device is coupled with a voltage node having a voltage value, and a switching network alternates between charging the capacitive device to have the voltage value increase to the first voltage value, and discharging the capacitive device to have the voltage value decrease to the second voltage value. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299443 | Parameter Determining Apparatus for Estimating Temperature of Switching Element of Inverter - A parameter determining apparatus for estimating temperature of a switching element of an inverter is disclosed. The parameter determining apparatus of the present disclosure includes an inverter unit including a power semiconductor module configured with at least one or more switching elements, and a control unit configured to determine an initial collector-emitter voltage of each of the switching elements and collector-emitter resistance of each thereof by linearizing a collector-emitter voltage of each of the switching elements at a certain temperature. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299444 | Temperature Sensing Circuit For Transmitting Data Across Isolation Barrier - An isolated temperature sensing system includes a thermistor that measures a temperature of a compressor system. An isolation circuit charges a capacitor, sets an output signal to a first state during charging of the capacitor, discharges the capacitor to the thermistor, and sets the output signal to a second state during discharging of the capacitor to the thermistor. The first state is different than the second state. A control module receives the output signal via an isolation barrier and determines the temperature of the compressor system based on a ratio of: (i) a first period that the output signal is in the first state to (ii) a second period that the output signal is in the second state. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299445 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTO CORRECTING THE DISTRIBUTED TEMPERATURE SENSING SYSTEM - System and method for correcting the potential errors occurring in a fiber optic temperature measurement system are disclosed. In one respect, a dual light sources configuration is provided. The primary light source may illuminate a sensing fiber, and an Anti-Stokes band may be detected. The secondary light source may illuminate a sensing fiber, and a Rayleigh band may be detected, where the Rayleigh band is substantially wide enough to cover the Anti-Stokes band of the primary light source. A ratio between these Anti-Stokes and the Rayleigh bands may be used to measure the temperature and undesired errors due to the perturbations falling on the sensing fiber is continuously corrected. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299446 | System and Methods for Assessing Whole-Building Thermal Performance - An assessment system and method are described that capture indoor temperature measurements and corresponding outdoor temperature measurements in order to determine a thermal efficiency of a structure. The assessment system identifies quiescent periods and trims these periods to eliminate undesirable influences such as auxiliary heating or solar gain. The quiescent periods are then compared to outdoor temperature differences to determine the thermal efficiency of the structure. The system can model the structure's performance metrics, through inferred qualitative and quantitative characterizations including, but not limited to, the building's rate of temperature change as a function of internal and external temperatures, the building's heating, cooling, and other energy needs as they relate to the building envelope, appliances, and other products used at the site and occupant behavior. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299447 | ADAPTIVE HEAT FLOW CALORIMETER - Apparatus and methods are provided for providing flexible and repairable testing capabilities for systems that generate or absorb heat such as energy storage systems. One embodiment can include a temperature bath structure adapted to contain and maintain a fluid bath at a predetermined temperature, an outer containment structure adapted to insert into the temperature bath structure, heat sinks, thermal sensor assemblies, and an internal containment structure where the thermal sensor assemblies and heat sinks removably attach to different sections of the inner containment structure so as to measure heat flow into or out of the inner containment structure's different sections. Embodiments of the invention enable rapid insertion/removal of samples as well as replacement of sections of the system including embodiments or parts of thermal sensor assemblies as well as enabling separate thermal measurements associated with different sections of a sample under test within the inner containment structure. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299448 | ACTUATOR FOR FORCE SENSOR AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A FORCE-SENSING SYSTEM - An example actuator device for a force sensor is described herein. The device can include a device body, a force concentrator element, an overload protection element, one or more legs, and an attachment layer for attaching the device to a substrate. An example method for assembling a force sensing system is also described herein. Further, an example method for protecting a force sensor from excessive forces or displacement is described herein. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299449 | SENSING SYSTEM - A sensing system includes: a surface acoustic wave sensor with a first surface acoustic wave device-and a second surface acoustic wave device; a sensing apparatus detecting an electrical characteristic of the first and second surface acoustic wave devices connected to the surface acoustic wave sensor; and a control apparatus calculating a physical quantity acting on one of a target to which the surface acoustic wave sensor is attached and the surface acoustic wave sensor. The sensitivity ratio of a first physical quantity and the sensitivity of a second physical quantity are different, and a third physical quantity is removable by averaging. The control apparatus removes the first physical quantity based on the results of a comparison operation on sensor signals from the first and second surface acoustic wave elements, uses the averaging process to remove the third physical quantity, and thereby calculates the second physical quantity. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299450 | Intelligent Fiber Rope Termination - A cable termination including an integral instrument package providing intelligence. The instrument package may assume many forms and may serve many purposes. In a preferred embodiment, the termination includes a position-determining system and an on-board processor. The processor determines a current location in space for the termination based on the information it is receiving. This positional information may then be transmitted to an external receiver. In the scenario where the termination is attached to a payload, the positional information may be used by an external positioning device (such as a crane) to control the motion of the termination and thereby place the payload in a desired position. The termination also preferably includes load-monitoring and recording features. The termination may also carry one or more ROV's/AUV's. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299451 | TENSION MEASURING APPARATUS - A tension measuring apparatus includes a displacement part that is displaced in accordance with tension or a change of the tension of a wire rod to be measured when the displacement part is caused to abut against the wire rod to receive the tension of the wire rod, an elastic body that is elastically deformed in accordance with displacement of the displacement part, and a heat flow sensor that detects a heat flow caused by elastic deformation of the elastic body. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299452 | BRAKE INSPECTION DEVICE AND BRAKE INSPECTION METHOD - Provided is a brake inspection device of a motor that includes a load torque measurement unit configured to measure a load torque of the motor; and a determination unit configured to determine a state of a brake based on the load torques measured by the torque measurement unit, the load torques including a load torque measured when the brake being put on a rotor with respect to a stator of the motor and another load torque measured when actuation of the brake is canceled. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299453 | PHYSICAL QUANTITY MEASURING SENSOR AND SENSOR MODULE - A physical quantity measuring sensor includes: a joint having a projection; a ceramic sensor module including a diaphragm and a cylindrical portion integrated with the diaphragm and provided to the projection; and an O-ring interposed between a sensor-module flat portion extending in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the cylindrical portion and a joint flat portion extending in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the projection. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299454 | Pressure Sensor - A pressure sensor comprising at least a pressure measuring cell, a pressure balancer, as well as at least one measurement line to transfer a pressure applied to the pressure means to the pressure measuring cell, wherein the pressure sensor comprises at least one compensation line showing the same features as the measurement line, which is arranged parallel in reference to the measurement line. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299455 | GROUP AND METHOD FOR MEASURING THE PRESSURE IN CLOSED CONTAINERS - The present invention concerns a group ( | 2017-10-19 |
20170299456 | Pressure Sensor, Differential Pressure Sensor, and Mass Flow Rate Control Device Using Same - The present invention makes it possible to, even when a stainless steel is adopted in a diaphragm: prevent the diaphragm and a strain sensor from exfoliating from each other; be hardly susceptible to the influence of temperature in an operating environment; not allow the sensitivity of a pressure sensor to be dominated only by the mechanical characteristic of a material constituting the diaphragm; and increase the degree of freedom in design of members constituting the pressure sensor. A pressure sensor according to the present invention is, in order to solve the above problems, characterized in that: the pressure sensor has a diaphragm deforming by the pressure of a fluid, an elastic body covering the whole surface of the diaphragm and joining to the diaphragm on one side, and a strain sensor being arranged by joining on the other side of the elastic body and on an end side apart from a position corresponding to the center of the diaphragm and detecting the deformation of the elastic body working together with the deformation of the diaphragm as a strain; and the elastic body is formed of a material having a linear expansion coefficient close to the linear expansion coefficient of a material constituting the strain sensor. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299457 | TORQUE CALIBRATING SYSTEM - A torque calibrating system that includes a power tong, a load cell assembly, and a torque arm having first and second ends, wherein the first end is adapted to impose a load on the load cell assembly when the power tong is actuated to impose a torque on the second end. The system also includes a hydraulic system that is adapted to actuate the power tong, wherein the hydraulic system includes a pressure gage that is adapted to measure a hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic system when the power tong is actuated, the measured hydraulic pressure corresponding to the load imposed on the load cell assembly and to the torque imposed on the second end of the torque arm. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299458 | VACUUM GAUGE STATE DETECTION METHOD AND SYSTEM - A state determination unit compares an output value obtained by a measuring unit with a reference characteristic value that serves as a reference, counts the number of times an excessive pressure application state occurs in which the output value is determined to be equal to or larger than the reference characteristic value, and determines whether the number of times reaches an upper limit that is set. An alarm output unit outputs an alarm when the state determination unit determines that the number of times the output value is equal to or larger than the reference characteristic value reaches the set upper limit. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299459 | Method and system for leak rate testing of pressurized containers - A leak rate testing system for pressured containers such as inhalers includes a test chamber holding the pressurized containers and accumulating compounds leaking from the containers. A sample cell receives the compounds from the chamber and a spectroscopy system obtains spectral responses of compounds in the sample cell so that a controller can determine leak rates over time. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299460 | ULTRASONIC DETECTOR WITH STORABLE PROBES - An ultrasonic detector has a housing containing a transducer, a battery or other power supply, and any other necessary electronics. At a front end of the housing is a socket into which one of a plurality of interchangeable probes can be inserted. At the rear end of the housing, there is a handle by which an operative can hold the detector in use. On the inside of the housing, extending at least partially into the handle, is an elongate chamber within which at least one probe can be stored. A cover of the handle closes a rear end of the probe storage chamber and can be removed to expose a portion of the probe storage chamber and allow a probe to be inserted or removed. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299461 | SHOCK-RESISTANCE TESTING APPARATUS - A shock-resistance testing apparatus includes a support base, a first rotating component and a controller provided on the support base. A second rotating component is coupled to one side of the first rotating component. A testing board is placed on the first rotating component. A falling board is placed on the testing board. The controller controls the first rotating component to drive the second rotating component rotating from one side of the testing board to another side of the testing board. The controller controls the second rotating component to lift the testing board. The controller controls the second rotating component to move away from the testing board so that the testing board falls. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299462 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ICING FLIGHT TESTS - Systems and methods for the manufacture and use of artificial ice shapes for aircraft certification, including methods of manufacturing artificial ice shapes, artificial ice component systems for attachment to aircraft, methods of flight testing aircraft having artificial ice sections attached thereto, and artificial ice testing systems. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299463 | BRILLOUIN AND RAYLEIGH DISTRIBUTED SENSOR - According to examples, a Brillouin and Rayleigh distributed sensor may include a first laser source to emit a first laser beam, and a second laser source to emit a second laser beam. A photodiode may acquire a beat frequency between the two laser beams. The beat frequency may be used to maintain a predetermined offset frequency shift between the two laser beams. A modulator may modulate the first laser beam. The modulated first laser beam is to be injected into a device under test (DUT). A coherent receiver may acquire a backscattered signal from the DUT. The backscattered signal results from the modulated first laser beam injected into the DUT. The coherent receiver may use the second laser beam as a local oscillator to determine Brillouin and Rayleigh traces with respect to the DUT based on the predetermined offset frequency shift. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299464 | Method of Monitoring a Functional Status of a Vehicle's Electrical Powering System - A system and a method of monitoring a functional status of a vehicle's electrical powering system is able to make measurements on the vehicle's electrical powering system, to diagnose problems for the vehicle's electrical powering system, and send a warning notification to the vehicle's owner. A retrofit device is electrically coupled to the vehicle's electrical powering system so that the retrofit device is able to periodically make voltage readings. The retrofit device stores and analyzes those voltage readings so that the retrofit device is able to predict any malfunctions or failure that may occur for the vehicle's electrical power system. If retrofit device does predict a malfunction or failure in the vehicle's electrical powering system, then the retrofit device would output a warning notification either through the retrofit device itself or another external computing device. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299465 | Electrical Testing System And Method - A method and system for measuring, determining and/or analyzing the cranking RPM of a vehicle is provided. The system measures the voltage of at least a portion of a vehicle's electrical system to determine high and/or low voltage time periods during at least a portion of a starting or cranking cycle. The time between high and/or low voltage points can then be used, along with the number of cylinders in the vehicle, to determine the cranking RPM of the vehicle. The system may include a load module and a control module that are removably coupled to one another in first and second configurations. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299466 | INDUCTION DIAGNOSTICS FOR SKIP FIRE ENGINES - A variety of methods and arrangements for detecting failure of the commanded air induction in an internal combustion engine are described. In some embodiments, the intake manifold pressure is monitored. An air induction event generates a fluctuation in the intake manifold pressure, which is recorded. The signal is processed through a diagnostic filter to help determine whether the actual induction matched the commanded induction. In other embodiments, measured crankshaft acceleration is compared with estimated crankshaft acceleration. If the two quantities differ by a threshold amount an induction fault is detected. The two detection methods may also be combined. The describe approaches are particularly well suited for use in engines operating in a skip fire mode with cylinder deactivation and/or a dynamic firing level modulation mode. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299467 | DEVICE FOR DETECTING SPEED OF A ROTATABLE ELEMENT, METHOD AND VEHICLE - A device for detecting and monitoring crank shaft rotary speed and position in a four stroke engine, wherein a first and a second sensor are arranged to sense passage of reference marks on a rotatable element or elements. The first sensor is a high precision sensor which is arranged to sense passage of reference marks on a crank shaft flywheel of the engine, and the second sensor is a low speed sensor which is arranged to sense passage of reference marks on the crank shaft flywheel or reference marks or a wheel being associated with a cam shaft of the engine. The invention also concerns a method and a vehicle. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299468 | MISFIRE DETERMINATION DEVICE - A misfire determination device of an engine in which explosion occurs at unequal intervals, the engine including a plurality of cylinders and a crankshaft which is angularly displaced at a different angle between expansion strokes, is configured to calculate generated torque correlation amount correlated with generated torque, based on an angular position signal of the crankshaft, and perform misfire determination, based on an average value of the generated torque correlation amount in an interval less than one cycle of the engine, at an angular position of the crankshaft which is different from an angular position of the crankshaft at an ignition timing. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299469 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING ENGINE VIBRATION - Systems and methods of monitoring health of rotating engine components are provided. The systems and methods may receive a measurement from a speed sensor, detect the measurement from the speed sensor indicates a vibration of an engine, determine the vibration of the engine persisted for a predetermined duration, and signal the vibration of the engine is detected. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299470 | Restraint Device - Disclosed is a method of testing a vehicle having a fifth wheel and an apparatus for restraining the vehicle. The method of testing the vehicle may include moving the vehicle on a dynamometer and inserting a coupling structure into the fifth wheel to secure the vehicle during a test. In accordance with example embodiments, the apparatus may include a boom having a pin connection and a connecting structure arranged at an end of the boom, the connecting structure being configured to couple to the fifth wheel of the vehicle. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299471 | METHOD FOR GENERATING LOAD ESTIMATION MODEL IN TIRE UNIFORMITY TESTER - In a tire uniformity testing apparatus which measures uniformity of a tire by measuring a load applied to the tire pressed against a rotary drum, a load estimation model is generated which is used to control a pressing position of the rotary drum, and generates a load estimation model indicating a relation between the pressing position of the tire with respect to the rotary drum and the load applied to the tire. The load estimation model is generated by: holding the tire in which uniformity has already been measured for each characteristic value; acquiring a nominal model depending on the characteristic value of the tire; and generating based on the acquired nominal model. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299472 | METHOD FOR PREDICTING A PLANT HEALTH STATUS, SYSTEM FOR PREDICTING A PLANT HEALTH STATUS, AND A COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM IN WHICH A PROGRAM FOR PERFORMING THE METHOD IS STORED - A method for predicting a plant health status, a system for predicting a plant health status, and a computer-readable storage medium in which a program for performing the method is stored are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes a step in which a first difference between a historical dataset and an input value is calculated, a step in which a weight based on a precision index and the calculated first difference is determined, a step in which a prediction value is determined by applying the weight to the historical data set, and a step in which a second difference between the prediction value and the input value is calculated, wherein the precision index is selected from a plurality of precision index candidates. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299473 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IGNITION SOURCE TESTING WITH FLAMMABLE FOAM - Disclosed are ignition source testing systems and methods that utilize a foam with flammable components to indicate the presence of an ignition source on a test article (such as metallic components of a fuel system). Foam is applied to the test article and an energy discharge (such as a simulated lightning strike) is applied to the test article with the foam. The energy discharge may create an ignition source (such as an arc) on the test article that is sufficient to ignite the foam. Test methods comprise determining whether the foam ignited in response to the energy discharge. Test systems comprise the foam, the test article at least partially covered by the foam, and an energy source configured to discharge energy into the test article. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299474 | BIODEGRADABLE STERILE SAMPLING BAG - A biodegradable sampling bag for containing samples or the like, comprises a flexible enclosure defining a chamber adapted to contain therein the sample, the flexible enclosure being made of a plastic material, which contains an additive that renders the flexible enclosure biodegradable when exposed for a sufficient period of time to microbial action. The additive is adapted to enable microorganisms to metabolize the molecular structure of said flexible enclosure. The additive is effective in altering the polymer chain of the plastic material to allow microbial action of a suitable environment to colonize in and around the plastic material, whereby microbes can then form a biofilm on a surface of the flexible enclosure and secrete acids which break down the entire polymer chain. The flexible enclosure, when exposed to microbial action, is adapted to withstand biodegradation for a given period of time, typically of at least three months. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299475 | MAINTENANCE SYSTEM FOR A MACHINE USING FLUID SAMPLE MONITORING - A maintenance system for a machine is disclosed. The maintenance system may have a test apparatus configured to test a fluid sample extracted from the machine. The maintenance system may also have a database configured to store a test result generated by the test apparatus. In addition, the maintenance system may have a controller. The controller may be configured to access a rule-set from the database. The controller may also be configured to determine whether the test result satisfies the rule-set. Further, the controller may be configured to label the test result as normal when the test result satisfies the rule-set. Additionally, the controller may be configured to label the test result as abnormal when the test result does not satisfy the rule-set. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299476 | AUTOMATIC FLUID SAMPLING SYSTEM WITH CONFIRMATION FEEDBACK - An automatic fluid sampling system, comprising: a sample flow-through conduit in fluid communication with a fast loop or slip stream off of a fluid process line or pipe, a solenoid or other valve disposed for regulating fluid flow from the fast loop line into the sample flow-through conduit; a flow meter in fluid communication with sample flow-through conduit for measuring a volume of a sample allowed to flow through the sample flow-through conduit by the solenoid or other valve; and a sample fluid outlet from which the sample measured by the flow meter exits the sample flow-through conduit. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299477 | Aerosol Collection System and Method - The present invention relates to systems and methods for collecting and analyzing bioaerosols, including exhaled breath aerosol from a subject. The collection system comprises an inlet portion configured to receive a gaseous fluid containing water vapor and aerosol particles. A primary passage for gaseous fluid flow is in fluid communication with the inlet portion and configured to channel the gaseous fluid flow therethrough. An outlet portion is in fluid communication with the primary passage. A sample collection region is provided, which is configured to receive from the outlet portion aerosol particles from the gaseous fluid, wherein the aerosol particles are impacted onto a layer of ice. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299478 | Automatic Re-Loading Air-Sampling and Pneumatic Transport System - Embodiments of the invention collect solid, vapor, and/or biological components of the air in air-sampling cartridges that are then transported to an off-site location by pneumatic pressure. Operation proceeds by first collecting a sample of air in an air-sampling cartridge in a sampling position, then advancing a cartridge assembly to move the now-used sampling cartridge into a transport position while simultaneously moving an unused sampling cartridge into the sampling position, and finally using pneumatic pressure to push the used sampling cartridge in the transport position to an off-site location via a transport tube. The sampling operation can begin again while the transport operation is in still in progress. These operations can be pre-programmed locally or triggered by remote communication. Continued operation is possible due to a plurality of unused air-sampling cartridges retained in the cartridge assembly. Since operations can be triggered remotely and air samples are autonomously transported off site, embodiments of this invention eliminate unnecessary risks to human health created by other air-sampling devices, which require an operator to be present at a potentially hazardous sampling site to activate the device or retrieve air samples. Additionally, embodiments of the invention can be installed preemptively to eliminate risks to human health created when an operator must deliver a portable air-sampling device to a potentially contaminated sampling site. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention allow rapid retrieval of air samples following sample collection, which can expedite analysis and identification of aerosols and consequently help minimize human exposure to potentially dangerous and life-threatening chemical and biological contaminants. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299479 | LIQUID REAGENT STORAGE AND OPERATION OF ANALYTICAL DEVICES - Improved mechanisms for storing and introducing liquid volumes in a liquid handling device and, in particular, improved mechanisms for rupturing a liquid storage package to introduce liquid into the device, improvements to the stability of a liquid receiving chamber inside the device and improvements to liquid handling in the receiving chamber are achieved. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299480 | SAMPLE INTRODUCTION SYSTEM - A sample port system/device associated with a fluid collection device is provided and is configured to receive fluid-containing devices of varying diameters. A method of improving the work flow and safety involved in acquiring and/or testing fluid samples using such sample port system/device is also provided. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299481 | SAMPLE HOLDER FOR ACOUSTIC TREATMENT - A sample holder and method for separating components of a viscous sample, such as a sputum sample, in a vessel having a porous element. Liquid may be flowed through the vessel during acoustic energy treatment, which may disrupt the viscous sample. Smaller components of the sample may pass through the porous element with liquid introduced into the vessel. Larger components, such a microbes, may be captured by the porous element and may remain intact and viable for subsequent analysis. The porous element may be removable from the vessel to recover the microbes. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299482 | COUNTERSTAINS FOR A BIOLOGICAL SAMPLE - The present disclosure relates to counterstains for staining a biological sample on a single slide in preparation for microscopic examination. The counterstains are used to analyze the sample on the single slide using both brightfield and fluorescent illumination. The counterstains can identify both morphological details and molecular structures within the cells contained in the sample. The counterstains can be used in conjunction with other molecular stains. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299483 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PREPARING BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES - Devices and methods for biological sample preparation are provided herein. Components of such devices include a plurality of plungers that can be actuated for metering and/or mixing one or more agents. Methods of manufacturing such devices using 3D printing are also provided. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299484 | APPARATUS FOR OPTICAL IN-SITU GAS ANALYSIS - An apparatus for optical in-situ gas analysis includes: a housing; a measuring lance a first end connected to the housing and a second end projecting into the gas to be measured; a light transmitter that is arranged in the housing and whose light is conducted into the measuring lance and is reflected by a reflector arranged at the second end onto a light receiver, and the optical path defines an optical measurement path within the measuring lance; and, an evaluation device for evaluating received light signals of the light receiver. In order to be able to reduce the consumption of test gas, the measuring lance has an outer tube, with the outer tube having openings for the gas to be measured. The openings can be closed by at least one seal for the test phase, with the seal searingly closing the openings by the enlargement of its volume. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299485 | DETERMINING ROCK PROPERTIES - Techniques for determining rock properties include exerting a compressive load with a test apparatus across a rock sample that includes a specified length-to-diameter ratio; measuring, with a strain gauge, a strain on the rock sample during the compressive loading; determining, based at least in part on the compressive load, a mechanical property of the rock sample; and determining, based at least in part on the measured strain and the compressive load, an elastic property of the rock sample. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299486 | DETERMINING ROCK PROPERTIES - A compressive load is exerted with a test apparatus across a rock sample that has a specified length-to-diameter ratio. A strain on the rock sample is measured during the compressive loading with a strain gauge. A mechanical property of the rock sample is determined based at least in part on the compressive load. An elastic property of the rock sample is determined based at least in part on the measured strain and the compressive load. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299487 | 30 NM IN-LINE LPC TESTING AND CLEANING OF SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING EQUIPMENT - The implementations described herein generally relate to 30 nm in-line liquid particle count testing equipment which analyses and cleans semiconductor processing equipment. More specifically, the implementations described relate to a system for diluting, analyzing, and modifying fluids to enable the observation of the contents of the fluids. A dilution sampling tool is coupled with a liquid particle detector for reading the contents of an extraction solution containing particles from semiconductor processing equipment, such as a liner, a shield, a faceplate, or a showerhead, in a cleaning tank. As such, accurate liquid particle readings may be had which reduce oversaturation of the particle detector. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299488 | PARTICULATE MATTER SENSOR UNIT - A particulate matter sensor unit is configured to sense particulate matter included in exhaust gas of a vehicle. The particulate matter sensor unit includes: a sensing unit sensing the particulate matter in the exhaust gas; a holding unit including a plurality of holders covering an exterior of the sensing unit, a front outer surface of each holder being formed by a tapered inclination outer surface; a shell having a hollow portion therein so that the holding unit is inserted and fitted into the shell, an inclination inner surface being formed in the hollow portion to correspond to the inclination outer surface; a cap unit installed in front of the shell to cover a sensing body of the sensing unit and guiding a flow of the exhaust gas to go through the sensing body; and a cover fixed to a rear end of the shell to support the holding unit. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299489 | PARTICLE SENSING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A particle sensing device, including a substrate and at least one particle sensing element, is provided. The substrate has a groove, and a through hole is disposed at a bottom of the groove. The through hole penetrates a bottom of the substrate. The particle sensing element is disposed in the substrate. The particle sensing element may include a first electrode pair and a second electrode pair. Two first sub-electrodes of the first electrode pair are disposed nearby two sides of the groove, respectively. And, a first distance is provided between the two first sub-electrodes. Two second sub-electrodes of the second electrode pair are disposed nearby two sides of the groove, respectively. And, a second distance is provided between the two second sub-electrodes. The first distance is smaller than the second distance. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299490 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE FUNCTION OF A SENSOR FOR DETECTING PARTICLES - A method is provided for controlling the function of a sensor for detecting particles, in particular soot particles, the sensor including at least two measuring electrodes and a substrate on which the measuring electrodes are situated. The method includes the following: carrying out a first current-voltage measurement for ascertaining a first measured variable; carrying out a second current-voltage measurement for ascertaining a second measured variable, one measuring electrode of the measuring electrodes being applied to another electrical potential; carrying out a third current-voltage measurement for ascertaining a third measured variable; an configured forming a correction value for correcting the second measured variable with the aid of the first measured variable and the third measured variable. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299491 | USE OF TUMOR DISSOCIATION REAGENT IN FLOW CYTOMETRY - The present disclosure relates to a dissociation reagent for tumor tissues. The dissociation reagent does not contain collagenase or trypsin but further contains hyaluronidase or a mixture of hyaluronidase and DNase I. The present disclosure also relates to use of the dissociation reagent in dispersing tumor tissues and detecting expression level of molecular markers on cell surface by flow cytometry. The dissociation reagent of the present disclosure does not cause degradation of molecular markers on cell surface such as CD8, PD-1, Tim-3, Lag-3 and the like, thus does not affect downstream assays. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299492 | METHOD, DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR HYDRODYNAMIC FLOW FOCUSING - In a method for hydrodynamic focusing of a laminar and planar sample fluid flow, a system is provided for analysis and/or sorting of microscopic objects in the sample fluid comprising an optical objective for optical inspection of the microscopic objects. Microscopic objects are conveyed in the laminar flow of the sample fluid, and two laminar and planar flow of sheath fluids are provided. The flow of the sample fluid is hydrodynamically focused at an optical inspection zone of the system by the sheath fluids. Focusing of the flow of the sample fluid is controlled such that all of the microscopic objects in the sample fluid are caused to be conveyed in a common flow direction in one single plane at the inspection zone of the system, and the microscopic objects in the fluid are optically inspected through the optical objective. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299493 | ENCLOSED DROPLET SORTER AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - Aspects of the present disclosure include a particle sorting module for sorting components of a sample, such as cells in a biological sample. Particle sorting modules according to certain embodiments include an enclosed housing having an aligner for coupling the housing with a particle sorting system, a flow cell nozzle positioned at the proximal end of the housing, a sample interrogation region in fluid communication with the orifice of the flow cell nozzle and a droplet deflector. A particle sorting system and methods for separating components of a sample as well as kits, including one or more particle sorting module, suitable for coupling with a particle sorting system and for practicing the subject methods are also provided. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299494 | PARTICLE POSITIONING DEVICE WITH PERIODIC DIELECTRIC STRUCTURE - Devices and techniques for a particle positioning device are generally described. In some examples, a fluid may be introduced to a channel formed on a first surface of a substrate. In various examples, the channel may comprise a periodic dielectric structure etched in a first surface of the substrate and a channel wall material. In some examples, a laser beam may be directed through the channel wall material to the periodic dielectric structure. In various further examples, the laser beam may be reflected from the periodic dielectric structure into an interior region of the channel to form a focal enhancement region of the laser beam in the interior region of the channel adjacent to the periodic dielectric structure. In various examples, a force may be exerted on a particle suspended in the fluid with an electric field gradient generated by the focal enhancement region of the laser beam. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299495 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING AND RETRIEVING BIOLOGICAL PARTICLES AND CAPTURING DEVICE USED IN THE SAME - A biological particle capturing and retrieving system includes a capturing device including a substrate, an isolating layer and a driving unit, and a retrieving device including a micropipette. The isolating layer includes a top surface, multiple pores, and multiple fluidic grooves indented from the top surface, arranged in a herringbone pattern, and each having a bottom surface. The pores are formed in the bottom surfaces of the fluidic grooves, and each capture a biological particle in a liquid sample. The driving unit drives the liquid sample to flow by electrowetting through the pores. The micropipette has a carrier coated with a biological particle-binding material binding with the biological particle received in a corresponding pore. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299496 | DETECTION OF PATHOGENS AND ALLERGENS - Embodiments include methods, systems and computer program products for communicating the presence of a target DNA or RNA sequence. Aspects include receiving a plurality of images of a sample taken by a portable video capture device. Aspects also include calculating a change in position over time of microscopic beads coated with DNA probe sequence in a sample containing genetic material. Aspects also include determining whether the beads are displaying Brownian motion. Aspects also include, based upon a determination of that the beads are displaying Brownian motion, generating a negative output message and sending the negative output message to a portable display. Aspects also include, based upon a determination of that the beads are not displaying Brownian motion, generating a positive output message and sending the positive output message to a portable display. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299497 | APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING COUNTS WITHIN A BIOLOGIC FLUID SAMPLE - A method and an apparatus for enumerating one or more specific elements within a biologic fluid sample are provided. An embodiment of the method includes the steps of: a) providing a chamber formed between a first planar member that is transparent and a second planar member, which members are separated from one another by a substantially uniform height; b) introducing the biologic fluid sample into the chamber, wherein the chamber height is sized such that the sample extends between the first and second members, and sized relative to the specific elements within the sample such that the specific elements non-uniformly distribute within the sample upon introduction into the chamber; c) examining substantially all of the sample within the chamber and enumerating all of at least one of the specific elements; d) determining the volume of sample contained within the chamber, and e) determining the number of the at least one of the specific elements per unit volume. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299498 | DEVICE FOR MEASURING AND COMPARING TIRE TO PAVEMENT SKID RESISTANCE - A manually operated portable device for comparing tire to pavement skid resistance under different tire to road contact conditions, wherein such device can be used at any location on any pavement type without the need for initial settings. The device can test various parameters, including the effect of tire material on skid resistance, the effect of pavement material, the effect of pavement surface roughness, and the effect of pavement surface conditions, as well as the coefficient of friction. The device may include a plurality of rotating arms, a plurality of shoe assemblies, a central shaft, a stabilizing weight, a square-sectioned shaft, a spring, a handle, and an angular scale. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299499 | LIGHT SHIELD FOR SENSOR AND DISPOSABLE KIT PROVIDED THEREWITH - A light shield is arranged in a light shielding position with respect to a sensor or a blood leakage detector installed in a medical apparatus and monitoring for changes of transmittance in a translucent fluid carried in a tubing connected to the medical apparatus. The light shield has a non-transparent configuration and is configured to prevent environmental light from being incident on a relevant detection active sensor area. Further, a disposable kit for a medical apparatus which is arranged to be mounted to the medical apparatus and to carry pre-installed disposables to be used during a medical treatment comprises a hard-shell subassembly arranged to be positioned in a region of the medical apparatus in the vicinity of a detection active sensor area of a sensor which is sensitive to light and installed in the medical apparatus. At least one light shield element is selected from first to third light shield elements, and the at least one light shield element is mounted to the hard-shell subassembly of the disposable kit in a region where the detection active sensor area is underneath. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299500 | Integrated Optical System with Optical Phased Array Photonic Integrated Circuit - Disclosed herein are optical integration technologies, designs, systems and methods directed toward Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and other interferometric optical sensor, ranging, and imaging systems wherein such systems, methods and structures employ tunable optical sources, coherent detection and other structures on a single or multichip monolithic integration. In contrast to contemporary, prior-art OCT systems and structures that employ simple, miniature optical bench technology using small optical components positioned on a substrate, systems and methods according to the present disclosure employ one or more photonic integrated circuits (PICs), use swept-source techniques, and employ a widely tunable optical source(s). | 2017-10-19 |
20170299501 | Wide-Area Real-Time Method for Detecting Foreign Fluids on Water Surfaces - A method using Infrared Imaging Polarimetry for detecting the presence of foreign fluids on water comprises estimating an expected polarization response for a foreign fluid desired to be detected. Oil from an oil spill is one such foreign fluid. An optimal position of a polarimeter to take images of the water's surface is determined from the expected polarization response. The polarimeter is positioned at the optimal position and records raw image data of the water's surface to obtain polarized images of the area. The polarized images are corrected, and IR and polarization data products are computed. The IR and polarization data products are converted to multi-dimensional data set to form multi-dimensional imagery. Contrast algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced contrast images, from which foreign fluids can be automatically detected. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299502 | CONTAMINANT MONITOR SYSTEM AND METHOD - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods, systems, and software for assessing contaminant quantities in a fluid. Fluid enters a reaction chamber. A controller then signals two different sheets with different reagents to move into the reaction chamber. One sheet contains reagents to form a contaminant byproduct or gas, while the other sheet is saturated with reagent that will have a photometric effect upon reacting with the contaminant byproduct or gas. After the photometric effect has occurred, the controller moves the reacted portion of the other reagent sheet into alignment with a photometric sensor. This photometric effect is calculated to contaminant concentration. The concentration is recorded and the data is transmitted to memory. The fluid sample in the chamber is drained and the remaining solid waste is collected onto the first reagent sheet. Both sheets are individually collected into separate controllable collectors. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299503 | LASER DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A laser detection system comprises a plurality of lasers wherein each laser is configured to produce a respective laser beam for excitation of one or more different compounds, a sample cell for containing a volume of sample gas, at least one directing device configured to direct the laser beams to the sample cell, wherein the at least one directing device is configured to direct the laser beams along a common optical path to the sample cell, and a detector apparatus for detecting light output from the cell. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299504 | SPECTRAL COLORIMETRIC APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS THAT USES THE SAME - A spectral colorimetric apparatus comprises a light source, a spectral element, a light receiving element, a substrate on which the light receiving element is mounted, a housing and a pressing portion. The housing has a first side wall on which the substrate is fixed and a second side wall on which the spectral element is fixed. The pressing portion pinches the spectral element together with the second side wall and presses the spectral element to the second side wall. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299505 | SPECTROSCOPIC ANALYZER AND SPECTROSCOPIC ANALYSIS METHOD - The present invention is a spectroscopic analyzer that when measuring the concentration of a predetermined component contained in sample gas in a reduced pressure state lower than atmospheric pressure, obtains the concentration of the predetermined component with accuracy. The spectroscopic analyzer is one that measures the absorbance of the predetermined component contained in the sample gas in a reduced pressure state lower than atmospheric pressure, and calculates the concentration of the predetermined component with use of a calibration curve indicating the relationship between the absorbance of the predetermined component and the concentration of the predetermined component and a relational expression between the pressure of the sample gas at the time of the measurement and the concentration of the predetermined component. In addition, in a graph with one axis as pressure axis and the other axis as concentration axis, the relational expression has an intersection point other than zero with the pressure axis. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299506 | Verification Of Olive Oil Composition - A new rapid Fourier transform near infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopic method is described to screen for the authenticity of edible oils, and in particular, extra virgin olive oils (EVOO). To screen these oils, the samples to be tested are pre-classified into one of a series of classification groups using a suitable classification criteria, such as fatty acid (FA) content. As a result, the oils are classified into Groups having similar properties. FT-NIR partial least squares (PLS1) calibration models are prepared for each group, based on FT-NIR analysis of authentic oils, and oils spiked with a specific type and amount of an adulterant. Using these different PLS1 calibration models, a more rapid method for analyzing commercial extra virgin olive oils for adulteration is provided. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299507 | LIQUID EXAMINATION DEVICE AND LIQUID EXAMINATION METHOD - Provided is an examination technique that can quickly and reliably examine, from the outside of a container, whether a liquid which fills the container contains an explosive or the like, without being influenced by such things as the light transmissivity or size of the container, or the amount of liquid remaining in the container or the position of a label. In the present invention, a liquid examination device is formed by integrating the following: a near infrared-light examination device that examines whether a liquid which fills a container contains an explosive, an explosive raw material, and/or an illicit drug by projecting near infrared light into the liquid from outside of an optically transparent container, receiving the near infrared light which passed through the liquid or the near infrared light which was scattered by the liquid, and analyzing the absorption spectrum of such light; and an ultrasonic wave examination device that examines whether a liquid which fills a container contains an explosive, an explosive raw material, and/or an illicit drug by receiving the reflected waves of ultrasonic waves projected towards the liquid from outside of a metal container, and analyzing the ultrasonic wave speed of such waves. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299508 | PHOTOTHERMAL SPECTROSCOPY WITH HOLLOW-CORE OPTICAL FIBER - The present invention provides a gas measuring method based on photothermal effect in hollow-core optical fiber comprising: filling a target gas into the core of a hollow-core optical fiber; coupling a probe light and a periodically modulated pump light into the hollow-core optical fiber; absorbing the pump light by the target gas resulting in the periodic modulation of the phase of the probe light; demodulating the phase modulation information of the probe light to obtain the concentration of the target gas, wherein the pump laser is wavelength and/or amplitude modulated. In the present invention, two lasers including a pump laser and a probe laser are used for the measurement, this approach is simple and practical. Also, the use of the hollow-core optical fiber with extremely-small core area greatly increases the optical power density, thus enhances the strength of the detected photothermal signal; this method allows ppb level gas measurement with high selectivity, and is universally suitable for the detection of gases with absorption in near-infrared. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299509 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING REFRACTIVE INDEX IN MODEL-FREE MANNER - A method and apparatus for measuring a refractive index in a model-free manner are disclosed. The method includes: emitting a light to a surface plasmon generation layer that includes a nanoslot antenna and is disposed adjacent to a sample, to convert the light into surface plasmon; measuring a transmission of the sample from the light that is emitted onto the surface plasmon generation layer and passes through the sample; repeating the measuring the transmission while changing a length of the nanoslot antenna; and determining, based on a machine learning scheme, a restoration refractive index of the sample that is close to a graph of transmissions measured while changing the length of the nanoslot antenna from a library including a refractive index, a length of the nanoslot antenna, and a transmission at a specific wavelength. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299510 | PARTICULATE MATTER MEASUREMENT USING LIGHT SHEET GENERATION AND SCATTERING ANALYSIS - Techniques are disclosed for particulate matter (PM) measurement in a medium (such as air) using flat-top intensity laser sheet beam generation. The techniques for generating the laser sheet beam may include nonspecialized optical elements (e.g., aspherical, spherical, biconvex, and/or cylindrical lenses) that are cost-effective, reduce the overall footprint of the system, and also provide for relatively increased power efficiencies compared to conventional techniques. The PM measurement system may use the laser sheet beam generated in combination with a medium flow channel to pass the medium through the laser sheet beam, thereby causing particulates within the medium to scatter light, which can be detected using a light sensor (e.g., a photodetector). The scattered light signals can then be analyzed to match them with corresponding particulate sizes and the amount of signals per particulate size can also be determined to measure the size and count of particulates within the medium. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299511 | OPTICAL NITRATE SENSOR COMPENSATION ALGORITHM FOR MULTIPARAMETER WATER QUALITY MEASUREMENT - An optical nitrate sensor features a signal processor or signal processing module configured to:
| 2017-10-19 |
20170299512 | Differential Excitation Raman Spectroscopy - Raman instrumentation for detecting for the presence of a molecular species in a including: a source of radiation for pumping the sample; apparatus for controlling the frequency and pulse width of radiation from the pumping source; a Raman spectrometer including a detector and means for collecting scattered photons from the sample; a radiation source for probing the sample; means for directing radiation from the probing source to the sample; and means to interface the spectrometer with the source of radiation for pumping. The radiation source for probing is, preferably, a monochromatic light source emitting radiation in at least one of the group including UV, visible, and near infrared radiation and, preferably, in the range of 220-1080 nm. The photons collected from the sample include elastically and inelastically scattered photons, and the spectrometer further including means for rejecting the elastically scattered photons. The pumping source is a microwave source. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299513 | TUNING OF METAL ENHANCED EMISSIONS OF LONG-LIVED LUMINESCENT COMPOUNDS - The present invention provides for the surface plasmon-enhancement of long lived luminescent compounds, thereby providing for methods and systems having enhanced and controllable rates of the radiative emission of such relaxation of long lived luminescent compounds. The present invention achieves acceleration of the radiative processes by the interaction of the long lived luminescent compounds with surface plasmons of the metal surfaces. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299514 | NON-DESTRUCTIVE DETECTION METHOD OF CHARGED PARTICLES WITHOUT MASS LIMITATION - A non-destructive method for detecting charged particles, includes measuring a reference value of at least one physical parameter of an ion cloud confined in an ion trap; performing an injection of a sample in the ion cloud confined in the ion trap, the sample crossing the ion cloud and getting out the ion cloud without being trapped inside the ion trap; measuring a first experimental value of the at least one physical parameter of the ion cloud; and comparing the first experimental value with the reference value in order to determine the presence of at least one charged particle in the sample, or the absence of any charged particle in the sample. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299515 | OPTICAL MEASURING DEVICE AND SAFETY DEVICE USED THEREIN - An optical measuring device including a sample placement portion for a measurement sample to be placed therein; a light source portion for emitting a measurement beam toward the measurement sample that is placed in the sample placement portion; and a detector for detecting sample information from a measurement sample that is disposed in the sample placement portion; a cover portion that is able to open and close, for accessing the interior of the sample placement portion, is formed on the sample placement portion; an optical element member for not transmitting light of at least a prescribed wavelength band within the measurement beam; and a driving mechanism that is linked mechanically with the opening and closing of the cover portion to move the optical element member. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299516 | CHARACTERIZING PETROLEUM PRODUCT CONTAMINATION USING FLUORESCENCE SIGNAL - Methods and systems for determining contamination in a petroleum-based sample, including irradiating the petroleum-based sample with a light beam from a light source such that a fluorescence signal is generated, guiding, by a mirror, the fluorescence signal to a gear-less rotating diffraction grating, the gear-less rotating diffraction grating spatially separating a fluorescence wavelength from the florescence signal, detecting, by an optical detector, fluorescence wavelength, transforming the fluorescence wavelength into a spectral contour diagram, the spectral contour diagram comprising a fluorescence wavelength variation over time, and determining, the contamination in the petroleum-based sample using the spectral contour diagram. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299517 | OPTO-MECHANICAL PART FOR PARABOLIC MIRROR FINE ROTATION AND ON-AXIS LINEAR POSITIONING - An opto-mechanical apparatus including a hollow housing member having a first end and a second end, the housing member having a longitudinal axis, a parabolic mirror positioned on a side of to the first end of the housing member, and a mirror adjustment mechanism attached to the second end of the housing member, the mirror adjustment mechanism connected to the parabolic mirror through the housing member, the mirror adjustment mechanism configured to adjust an axial position of the parabolic mirror along the longitudinal axis and to adjust a radial position of the parabolic mirror about the longitudinal axis. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299518 | INTEGRATED DEVICE WITH EXTERNAL LIGHT SOURCE FOR PROBING DETECTING AND ANALYZING MOLECULES - System and methods for analyzing single molecules and performing nucleic acid sequencing. An integrated device includes multiple pixels with sample wells configured to receive a sample, which when excited, emits radiation. The integrated device includes at least one waveguide configured to propagate excitation energy to the sample wells from a region of the integrated device configured to couple with an excitation energy source. A pixel may also include at least one element for directing the emission energy towards a sensor within the pixel. The system also includes an instrument that interfaces with the integrated device. The instrument may include an excitation energy source for providing excitation energy to the integrated device by coupling to an excitation energy coupling region of the integrated device. One of multiple markers distinguishable by temporal parameters of the emission energy may label the sample and configuration of the sensor within a pixel may allow for detection of a temporal parameter associated with the marker labeling the sample. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299519 | DUAL-MODE MICROFLUIDIC GENETICS TESTING PLATFORMS AND METHODS OF DUAL-MODE GENETICS TESTING USING SAME - Dual mode genetics testing systems are devised about a single element testing platform. A microfluidic network and system of interconnected receiving cells and reaction vessels supports at the same time genotyping and copy number analysis where the platform may be subject to a common thermal cycle schedule to cause the proper reactions (DNA replication) necessary in both test types. Further, the microfluidic platform which includes reaction vessels for genotyping which are spatially removed from reaction vessels for copy number analysis, is coupled to optical scanner and detection systems specifically arranged to apply test specific detection routines on each of these distinct regions or portions of the dual mode test platform. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299520 | METHOD FOR OPTICAL DETECTION OF SURVEILLANCE AND SNIPER PERSONNEL - A method comprising: providing a device for detecting a biological signature behind a glass surface using non-visible light is provided. A method of emitting one or more pulses of energy at a specific wavelength over a field of illumination towards a target area, filtering out one or more returning wavelengths from the target area, and determining, based on the filtering, if a combination of a fluorescence wavelength and a source wavelength is present, is also provided. An associated system is further provided. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299521 | EXPLOSIVES DETECTION USING OPTICAL SPECTROSCOPY - A method for determining whether a sample includes a nitrate-based explosive comprises receiving the sample and selecting an area of interest on the sample. Then, at least a portion of the area of interest is interrogated with an optical source to produce a spectrum with an amplitude. The amplitude of a first portion of the spectrum is compared to a first predetermined threshold to determine if the sample includes a nitrate. After determining that the sample includes a nitrate in the area of interest, the amplitude of a second portion of the spectrum is compared to a second predetermined threshold to determine if the sample includes a secondary indicator. Then, an indicator is activated based on the determinations. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299522 | Laser Ablation Probe - A laser ablation probe comprises a tubular element adapted for conducting a carrier fluid in a substantially laminar flow. The tubular element comprises a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet arranged at opposite end portions of the tubular element for enabling the carrier fluid to flow through the tubular element. The tubular element further comprises a central portion having an aperture defined therein for admitting an aerosol generated by laser ablation from a material sample into the carrier fluid flow when this sample is positioned outside the tubular element at a distance in the range of 0 μm to 100 μm from the aperture. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299523 | DEVICE, METHOD, AND SYSTEM FOR QUANTITATIVELY MEASURING A SPECIMEN USING A CAMERA - A method including: photographing an area on a surface of an analyte kit by a camera before injection of an analyte into the analyte kit wherein the area includes a first area associated with an analyte reaction area and a second area associated with an identification code which is separate from the analyte reaction area on the surface of the analyte kit; separating a first image associated with the first area and a second image associated with the second area; reading the second image to determine the identification code; determining an expire date of the analyte kit has passed wherein the identification code includes the expire date of the analyte kit; and outputting an error message in response to the expire date of the analyte kit being passed. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299524 | REMOTE DETECTION OF PLATING ON WAFER HOLDING APPARATUS - Methods and apparatus for detecting the presence or absence of unwanted metal deposits on a substrate holder of an electroplating apparatus are described herein. In various embodiments, a plating sensor is used to detect unwanted metal deposits. The plating sensor may be mounted relatively far away from the area that it measures (e.g., the sensor target area). For instance, the plating sensor may be on one side of the electroplating apparatus (in some cases mounted on a drip shield), and the sensor target area may be on the opposite side of the electroplating apparatus. In this way, the plating sensor can measure across the electroplating apparatus. This placement provides a relatively deep depth of focus for the plating sensor, and provides some physical separation between the plating sensor and the electroplating chemistry. Both of these factors lead to more reliable detection results. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299525 | Microwave impedance microscopy using a tuning fork - A microwave impedance microscope including a tuning fork having a high-aspect ratio etched metal tip electrode extending transversely to one tine of the fork and having a high aspect ratio to thereby reduce parasitic capacitance. The metal tip may be electrochemically etched from a wire, then bonded to the tine. The fork is slightly inclined from the surface of the sample and the tip electrode projects transversely to the fork. A microwave signal is impressed on the tip. Microwave circuitry receives microwave signals reflected from the sample back into the tip and demodulates the reflected signal according to the impressed signal. Further circuitry further demodulates the reflected signal according to the lower-frequency signal causing the fork to oscillate at its mechanically resonant frequency. A multi-wavelength matching circuit interposed between the microwave circuitry and the probe includes a coaxial cable of length half a fundamental microwave wavelength. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299526 | Covert Surveillance Using Multi-Modality Sensing - The present specification discloses a covert mobile inspection vehicle with a backscatter X-ray scanning system that has an X-ray source and detectors for obtaining a radiographic image of an object outside the vehicle. The system is configured to also simultaneously detect passive radiation. The systems preferably include at least one sensor for determining a distance from at least one of the detectors to points on the surface of the object being scanned, a processor for processing the obtained radiographic image by using the determined distance of the object to obtain an atomic number of each material contained in the object, and one or more sensors to obtain surveillance data from a predefined area surrounding the vehicle. | 2017-10-19 |
20170299527 | OPEN-AIR CRYSTALLIZATION PLATE COOLER - This invention is intended to allow an experimenter to work at amenable temperatures while viewing and/or manipulating aqueous protein crystals or other specimens under a dissection microscope at close to 4° C. or other controlled temperatures. The invention provides a specimen stage chamber large enough to fit a multi-well plate containing the specimens. The temperature of this specimen stage chamber is controlled by transparent coolant circulated through its walls and through a transparent chamber beneath the specimen stage chamber, without blocking the light path of the microscope. An additional chamber cools the air above the specimen stage chamber. In one version of this apparatus, circulation of most coolants is replaced by an array of Peltier coolers. The apparatus is open to the air above, giving the experimenter direct access to the crystals for manipulation. The invention may have wider application for manipulation of other specimens under a microscope | 2017-10-19 |
20170299528 | X-RAY THIN FILM INSPECTION DEVICE - An X-ray thin film inspection device according to the present invention has an X-ray irradiation unit | 2017-10-19 |
20170299529 | XRF Analyzer with a Hand Shield - A portable XRF analyzer includes a hand shield and a handle. In one embodiment, the XRF analyzer further comprises a power component spaced-apart from an engine component. The handle and the hand shield extend in parallel between the engine component and the power component, attaching the engine component to the power component. In another embodiment, the XRF analyzer further comprises two housing portions, each integrally formed in a single, monolithic body formed together at the same time. The two housing portions are joined together to form an XRF analyzer housing. In another embodiment, the hand shield is shorter than the handle. | 2017-10-19 |