Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140202254 | Integrity Monitor for Reference Cavity of Capacitance Diaphragm Gauge - A system and method detect the presence of an unacceptable quantity of gas molecules in the reference vacuum cavity of a capacitance diaphragm gauge (CDG). An independent pressure transducer has an active portion exposed to the reference vacuum cavity. The transducer includes a ring anode, a cylindrical inner wall surface that forms at least one cathode, and a magnet positioned with respect to the ring anode such that the magnetic flux of the magnet is generally aligned with the central axis of the ring anode. A high voltage source applies a voltage between the ring anode and the cathode. A current sensor senses a magnitude of any current flowing between the ring anode and the cathode via ionized gas molecules. A monitoring unit monitors the magnitude of the current sensed by the current sensor and activates an alarm when the magnitude of the current exceeds an acceptable magnitude. | 07-24-2014 |
20140208822 | Apparatus and Method for Automatic Detection of Diaphragm Coating or Surface Contamination for Capacitance Diaphragm Gauges - A system and a method detect contamination of a diaphragm in a capacitance diaphragm gauge wherein a contaminated diaphragm deflects less in the presence of pressure than an uncontaminated diaphragm. The system and method measure a base pressure. A DC voltage is applied between the diaphragm and a fixed electrode to cause the diaphragm to deflect to simulate an effective pressure. The system and method measure a combined pressure caused by the base pressure and the effective pressure. The system and method subtract the base pressure to determine the effective pressure caused by the static diaphragm deflection. If the measured effective pressure is less than an acceptable effective pressure, the system and method determine that the diaphragm is contaminated. | 07-31-2014 |
20140222362 | Automatic Calibration Adjustment of Capacitance Diaphragm Gauges to Compensate for Errors Due to Changes in Atmospheric Pressure - In order to mitigate the negative effects of a change in atmospheric pressure, an improved capacitance diaphragm gauge (CDG) sensor incorporates an independent ambient atmospheric pressure sensor near the CDG sensor body. The ambient atmospheric sensor is located outside the CDG sensor body to sense the ambient atmospheric pressure surrounding the CDG sensor body. The ambient atmospheric sensor provides an output that represents the ambient atmospheric pressure. A sensor output processing circuit receives the output of the ambient atmospheric sensor as well as the output of the CDG sensor. The processing circuit utilizes the output from the ambient atmospheric pressure sensor to fine tune the CDG measurement of pressure by executing an in situ, real time, automatic calibration adjustment of the CDG. | 08-07-2014 |
20140222363 | Multi-Axis Tilt Sensor for Correcting Gravitational Effects on the Measurement of Pressure by a Capacitance Diaphragm Gauge - A system and method compensate for effects of gravity on the diaphragm of a capacitance diaphragm gauge (CDG). The CDG generates a measured absolute pressure value in response to an applied absolute pressure on an input of the CDG. The CDG is subjected to a variable orientation of the CDG with respect to the earth's surface that can cause inaccurate pressure measurements. A pressure measuring circuit generates a measured value of an applied absolute pressure provided to an input of the CDG. A tilt sensor generates at least one tilt sensor output value that is responsive to an orientation of the CDG with respect to the earth's surface. A processing system adjusts the measured absolute pressure value by a calibration factor to generate a calibrated absolute pressure value representing the applied absolute pressure, wherein the calibration factor is selected in response to the at least one tilt sensor output value. | 08-07-2014 |
20150177089 | Automatic Calibration Adjustment of Capacitance Diaphragm Gauges to Compensate for Errors Due to Changes in Atmospheric Pressure - In order to mitigate the negative effects of a change in atmospheric pressure, an improved capacitance diaphragm gauge (CDG) sensor incorporates an independent ambient atmospheric pressure sensor near the CDG sensor body. The ambient atmospheric sensor is located outside the CDG sensor body to sense the ambient atmospheric pressure surrounding the CDG sensor body. The ambient atmospheric sensor provides an output that represents the ambient atmospheric pressure. A sensor output processing circuit receives the output of the ambient atmospheric sensor as well as the output of the CDG sensor. The processing circuit utilizes the output from the ambient atmospheric pressure sensor to fine tune the CDG measurement of pressure by executing an in situ, real time, automatic calibration adjustment of the CDG. | 06-25-2015 |
20150185099 | Method and System for Monitoring Gas Pressure for Reference Cavity of Capacitance Diaphragm Gauge - A system and method detect the presence of an unacceptable quantity of gas molecules in the reference vacuum cavity of a capacitance diaphragm gauge (CDG). An independent pressure transducer has an active portion exposed to the reference vacuum cavity. The transducer includes a ring anode, a cylindrical inner wall surface that forms at least one cathode, and a magnet positioned with respect to the ring anode such that the magnetic flux of the magnet is generally aligned with the central axis of the ring anode. A high voltage source applies a voltage between the ring anode and the cathode. A current sensor senses a magnitude of any current flowing between the ring anode and the cathode via ionized gas molecules. A monitoring unit monitors the magnitude of the current sensed by the current sensor and activates an alarm when the magnitude of the current exceeds an acceptable magnitude. | 07-02-2015 |
20150185105 | Apparatus and Method for Automatic Detection of Diaphragm Coating or Surface Contamination for Capacitance Diaphragm Gauges - A system and a method detect contamination of a diaphragm in a capacitance diaphragm gauge wherein a contaminated diaphragm deflects less in the presence of pressure than an uncontaminated diaphragm. The system and method measure a base pressure. A DC voltage is applied between the diaphragm and a fixed electrode to cause the diaphragm to deflect to simulate an effective pressure. The system and method measure a combined pressure caused by the base pressure and the effective pressure. The system and method subtract the base pressure to determine the effective pressure caused by the static diaphragm deflection. If the measured effective pressure is less than an acceptable effective pressure, the system and method determine that the diaphragm is contaminated. | 07-02-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090142082 | METHOD OF ESTIMATING A DISTANCE - The invention relates to a method of estimating a distance to a surface, whereby an emitter emits light towards a surface, at least some light being reflected by the surface, the surface comprising a detectable feature, the reflected light being received by a first receptor and by a second receptor, the surface being in movement relative to the receptors, the first and the second receptor receiving the light reflected at a first and at a respectively second angle thereby producing a first and a respectively second dataset, each dataset including data representing said feature, the first and the second angle being different, whereby the distance is estimated using the first and the second dataset. | 06-04-2009 |
20090237683 | SYSTEM, COLOR IMAGE PRODUCING DEVICE, COLOR MEASUREMENT DEVICE AND COLOR MEASUREMENT METHOD - A system is disclosed comprising a color image producing device for providing a test pattern on a medium, said test pattern comprising a plurality of color patches, said test pattern having a principal orientation axis under a non-perpendicular angle α with the propagation direction of the medium through said color image producing device; and a color measurement device coupled to receive the medium from the color image producing device and arranged to propagate the medium in said propagation direction, the color measurement device being further arranged to measure the colors of the respective patches of the medium during said propagation, the color measurement device comprising a color sensor mounted on the carriage oriented substantially perpendicularly to the propagation direction. The present application further discloses a color image producing device and a color measurement device that can be used in such a system, and a method for measuring colors with such a system. | 09-24-2009 |
20100289846 | SYNCHRONIZED SPEED FOR NOZZLE HEALTH SCANNING - A method for nozzle health scanning including repositioning at least one moving platform at a synchronized speed for a drop detection sensor to scan nozzles in a set of nozzles firing, where the synchronized speed is based on a rate of firing from nozzles in the set of nozzles and a distance between the nozzles in the set of nozzles, and storing the health of the nozzles in a computer readable memory accessible by a machine. | 11-18-2010 |
20110316929 | DEVICE FOR USE WITH A CARRIAGE CARRYING A PRINTHEAD AND A SENSOR - In one embodiment, a device for use with a first carriage carrying a printhead and a sensor includes a track. The track is positioned adjacent to a path, the path being followed by the first carriage. A second carriage is movable along the track and carries a target. The second carriage is movable between a first position, in which the target is away from the sensor, and a second position, in which the target is adjacent to the sensor and a reference included in the target is a known distance away from the sensor. | 12-29-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130184661 | EYE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM - A punctal plug or lacrimal insert comprising a microelectromechanical system pump and associated reservoir may be utilized to deliver precise dosages of an active agent into the eye though the tear film. The microelectromechanical system pump comprises four main components; namely, a reservoir, a pump, a series of valves and a vent. The microelectromechanical system pump is positioned within a cavity in the punctal plug. The microelectromechanical system pump is positioned with a cavity in the punctal plug. | 07-18-2013 |
20150145155 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING HYDROGEL OPHTHALMIC DEVICES WITH ELECTRONIC ELEMENTS - The present invention provides methods for forming an ophthalmic lens that can include a media insert and/or electronic components. In particular, the present disclosure provides for adhesion promoting functionalization steps for a biocompatible coating to bind a hydrogel material to a plastic surface or electronic component prior to the polymerization of the hydrogel. In some aspects, the media insert can be used to contain energy sources and/or functional electronic components which may be, for example, in a stacked integrated component configuration to permit a generally arcuate shape that can conform to the anterior surface of an eye. | 05-28-2015 |
20150146159 | METHODS FOR FORMATION OF AN OPHTHALMIC LENS WITH AN INSERT UTILIZING VOXEL-BASED LITHOGRAPHY - Methods for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens with an insert using voxel-based lithography techniques, wherein at least a portion of one surface may be free-formed from a reactive mixture are set forth herein. An ophthalmic lens precursor may be formed on a substrate with an arcuate optical quality surface via a source of actinic radiation controllable to cure a definable portion of a volume of reactive mixture, wherein the control may be on a voxel by voxel basis. | 05-28-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080226480 | Multi-Stage Trochoidal Vacuum Pump - A vacuum pump includes first, second, third and fourth pump stages. Each pump stage has a trochoidal-shaped cavity and a rotor that rotates within the respective cavity. Each cavity has a volume determined by the depth of the cavity and a generally corresponding thickness of the rotor. The fourth stage has a largest volume and receives gas at an input pressure. The fourth stage outputs the gas to the third stage at a second pressure higher than the input pressure. The cavity of each successive stage (third, second and first) has a smaller volume and outputs the gas at a higher pressure than the previous stage. The last (first) stage outputs the gas to the atmosphere. The rotors in the stages rotate about a common pump shaft. Each rotor has a multiple vertices that follow the inner perimeter surface of the respective cavity without contact and without requiring additional seals. | 09-18-2008 |
20140202254 | Integrity Monitor for Reference Cavity of Capacitance Diaphragm Gauge - A system and method detect the presence of an unacceptable quantity of gas molecules in the reference vacuum cavity of a capacitance diaphragm gauge (CDG). An independent pressure transducer has an active portion exposed to the reference vacuum cavity. The transducer includes a ring anode, a cylindrical inner wall surface that forms at least one cathode, and a magnet positioned with respect to the ring anode such that the magnetic flux of the magnet is generally aligned with the central axis of the ring anode. A high voltage source applies a voltage between the ring anode and the cathode. A current sensor senses a magnitude of any current flowing between the ring anode and the cathode via ionized gas molecules. A monitoring unit monitors the magnitude of the current sensed by the current sensor and activates an alarm when the magnitude of the current exceeds an acceptable magnitude. | 07-24-2014 |
20140208822 | Apparatus and Method for Automatic Detection of Diaphragm Coating or Surface Contamination for Capacitance Diaphragm Gauges - A system and a method detect contamination of a diaphragm in a capacitance diaphragm gauge wherein a contaminated diaphragm deflects less in the presence of pressure than an uncontaminated diaphragm. The system and method measure a base pressure. A DC voltage is applied between the diaphragm and a fixed electrode to cause the diaphragm to deflect to simulate an effective pressure. The system and method measure a combined pressure caused by the base pressure and the effective pressure. The system and method subtract the base pressure to determine the effective pressure caused by the static diaphragm deflection. If the measured effective pressure is less than an acceptable effective pressure, the system and method determine that the diaphragm is contaminated. | 07-31-2014 |
20140222362 | Automatic Calibration Adjustment of Capacitance Diaphragm Gauges to Compensate for Errors Due to Changes in Atmospheric Pressure - In order to mitigate the negative effects of a change in atmospheric pressure, an improved capacitance diaphragm gauge (CDG) sensor incorporates an independent ambient atmospheric pressure sensor near the CDG sensor body. The ambient atmospheric sensor is located outside the CDG sensor body to sense the ambient atmospheric pressure surrounding the CDG sensor body. The ambient atmospheric sensor provides an output that represents the ambient atmospheric pressure. A sensor output processing circuit receives the output of the ambient atmospheric sensor as well as the output of the CDG sensor. The processing circuit utilizes the output from the ambient atmospheric pressure sensor to fine tune the CDG measurement of pressure by executing an in situ, real time, automatic calibration adjustment of the CDG. | 08-07-2014 |
20140222363 | Multi-Axis Tilt Sensor for Correcting Gravitational Effects on the Measurement of Pressure by a Capacitance Diaphragm Gauge - A system and method compensate for effects of gravity on the diaphragm of a capacitance diaphragm gauge (CDG). The CDG generates a measured absolute pressure value in response to an applied absolute pressure on an input of the CDG. The CDG is subjected to a variable orientation of the CDG with respect to the earth's surface that can cause inaccurate pressure measurements. A pressure measuring circuit generates a measured value of an applied absolute pressure provided to an input of the CDG. A tilt sensor generates at least one tilt sensor output value that is responsive to an orientation of the CDG with respect to the earth's surface. A processing system adjusts the measured absolute pressure value by a calibration factor to generate a calibrated absolute pressure value representing the applied absolute pressure, wherein the calibration factor is selected in response to the at least one tilt sensor output value. | 08-07-2014 |
20140368265 | Method and Apparatus for Acquiring Noise Reduced High Frequency Signals - A system and method receive the output signal from a capacitance diaphragm gauge (CDG) and generate a noise reduced output signal. An input signal processing circuit receives an input signal from a signal source that drives the CDG. The input signal processing circuit generates a segment of N normalized digital samples of the input signal. An output signal processing circuit receives the output signal from the CDG and generates M segments of N digital samples of the CDG output signal and averages the corresponding samples in the M segments to generate a signal segment of N averaged samples. Each of the N averaged samples is multiplied by a corresponding one of the N normalized samples to generate N products. The N products are averaged to generate an average product, which is multiplied by a constant to generate a system output signal with reduced noise. | 12-18-2014 |
20150177089 | Automatic Calibration Adjustment of Capacitance Diaphragm Gauges to Compensate for Errors Due to Changes in Atmospheric Pressure - In order to mitigate the negative effects of a change in atmospheric pressure, an improved capacitance diaphragm gauge (CDG) sensor incorporates an independent ambient atmospheric pressure sensor near the CDG sensor body. The ambient atmospheric sensor is located outside the CDG sensor body to sense the ambient atmospheric pressure surrounding the CDG sensor body. The ambient atmospheric sensor provides an output that represents the ambient atmospheric pressure. A sensor output processing circuit receives the output of the ambient atmospheric sensor as well as the output of the CDG sensor. The processing circuit utilizes the output from the ambient atmospheric pressure sensor to fine tune the CDG measurement of pressure by executing an in situ, real time, automatic calibration adjustment of the CDG. | 06-25-2015 |
20150185099 | Method and System for Monitoring Gas Pressure for Reference Cavity of Capacitance Diaphragm Gauge - A system and method detect the presence of an unacceptable quantity of gas molecules in the reference vacuum cavity of a capacitance diaphragm gauge (CDG). An independent pressure transducer has an active portion exposed to the reference vacuum cavity. The transducer includes a ring anode, a cylindrical inner wall surface that forms at least one cathode, and a magnet positioned with respect to the ring anode such that the magnetic flux of the magnet is generally aligned with the central axis of the ring anode. A high voltage source applies a voltage between the ring anode and the cathode. A current sensor senses a magnitude of any current flowing between the ring anode and the cathode via ionized gas molecules. A monitoring unit monitors the magnitude of the current sensed by the current sensor and activates an alarm when the magnitude of the current exceeds an acceptable magnitude. | 07-02-2015 |
20150185100 | Method and Apparatus for Damping Diaphragm Vibration in Capacitance Diaphragm Gauges - A system and method mitigate the effects of these external vibrations on a capacitance diaphragm gauge by sensing the motion of the diaphragm at the first natural frequency of the diaphragm of the CDG. The presence of the natural frequency signals superimposed on the pressure signal is determined by sensing variations in the output of a sensor at or near the known natural frequency of the diaphragm and filtering that known low frequency from the output. The filtered signal is used in a feedback circuit to impose electrostatic forces on the diaphragm. The imposed electrostatic forces oppose the motion created by the external vibration to suppress the effects of the vibration on the pressure measured by the CDG. | 07-02-2015 |
20150185105 | Apparatus and Method for Automatic Detection of Diaphragm Coating or Surface Contamination for Capacitance Diaphragm Gauges - A system and a method detect contamination of a diaphragm in a capacitance diaphragm gauge wherein a contaminated diaphragm deflects less in the presence of pressure than an uncontaminated diaphragm. The system and method measure a base pressure. A DC voltage is applied between the diaphragm and a fixed electrode to cause the diaphragm to deflect to simulate an effective pressure. The system and method measure a combined pressure caused by the base pressure and the effective pressure. The system and method subtract the base pressure to determine the effective pressure caused by the static diaphragm deflection. If the measured effective pressure is less than an acceptable effective pressure, the system and method determine that the diaphragm is contaminated. | 07-02-2015 |