| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09208044B2 |
Methods for simulating message-oriented services and devices thereof
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus that obtains a request message in a hierarchical format. A set of flat request records is generated based on the request message wherein each flat request record includes at least a key and a value. Each flat request record is compared to a set of criteria records to generate one or more response sets wherein each criteria record includes at least a key, a value, and a response identifier and each response set includes one or more response identifiers. One or more rules are applied to the one or more response sets to identify one or more response identifiers. One or more responses corresponding to the one or more identified response identifiers are optionally assembled and form at least part of an output. |
| US09208042B2 |
Dynamic protection of a master operating system image
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for dynamic protection of a master operating system image are provided. Embodiments include monitoring, by an image deployment monitor, an operational state of a deployed copy of a master operating system (OS) image; detecting, by the image deployment monitor, a change in the operational state of the deployed copy of the master OS image; in response to detecting the change, generating, by the image deployment monitor, a configuration recommendation to prevent the change from occurring in operational states of future deployed copies of the master OS image; and providing, by the image deployment monitor, the configuration recommendation to the master OS image. |
| US09208041B2 |
Dynamic protection of a master operating system image
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for dynamic protection of a master operating system image are provided. Embodiments include monitoring, by an image deployment monitor, an operational state of a deployed copy of a master operating system (OS) image; detecting, by the image deployment monitor, a change in the operational state of the deployed copy of the master OS image; in response to detecting the change, generating, by the image deployment monitor, a configuration recommendation to prevent the change from occurring in operational states of future deployed copies of the master OS image; and providing, by the image deployment monitor, the configuration recommendation to the master OS image. |
| US09208039B2 |
System and method for detecting server removal from a cluster to enable fast failover of storage
Aspects of the disclosure pertain to a system and method for detecting server removal from a cluster to enable fast failover of storage (e.g., logical volumes). A method of operation of a storage controller of a cluster is disclosed. The method includes receiving a signal. The method further includes, based upon the received signal, determining that communicative connection between a second storage controller of the cluster and the first storage controller of cluster is unable to be established. The method further includes determining whether communicative connection between the first storage controller and expanders of first and second enclosure services manager modules of the cluster is able to be established. The method further includes, when it is determined that communicative connection between the first storage controller and the expanders of the first and second enclosure services manager modules of the cluster is able to be established, performing a failover process. |
| US09208037B2 |
Duplexed operation processor control system, and duplexed operation processor control method
The present invention provides a duplexed operation processor control system that includes operation processors, an I/O device, and at least one communication path that couples the operation processors to the I/O device, and at least one communication path that couples the operation processors with each other. The duplexed operation processor control system switches over either of the operation processors to be a primary operation processor that executes a control operation for a control target, and the other to be a secondary operation processor that is in a stand-by state, and the secondary operation processor snoops control data synchronously when the primary operation processor acquires the control data from the control target. |
| US09208036B2 |
Dynamic lockstep cache memory replacement logic
To facilitate dynamic lockstep support, replacement states and/or logic used to select particular cache lines for replacement with new allocations in accord with replacement algorithms or strategies may be enhanced to provide generally independent replacement contexts for use in respective lockstep and performance modes. In some cases, replacement logic that may be otherwise conventional in its selection of cache lines for new allocations in accord with a first-in, first-out (FIFO), round-robin, random, least recently used (LRU), pseudo LRU, or other replacement algorithm/strategy is at least partially replicated to provide lockstep and performance instances that respectively cover lockstep and performance partitions of a cache. In some cases, a unified instance of replacement logic may be reinitialized with appropriate states at (or coincident with) transitions between performance and lockstep modes of operation. |
| US09208035B2 |
Optical information recording and reproducing apparatus, optical information recording and reproducing method, and data library apparatus
An optical information recording and reproducing apparatus and an optical information recording and reproducing method which make it possible to conduct alternation processing efficiently even if a buffer capacity is limited, in retry processing at time when a verify error is detected are provided. In an optical information recording and reproducing apparatus for recording data onto optical information recording media and reproducing data from the optical information recording media, verify processing is conducted in a predetermined recording quantity unit. Upon detection of a verify error in recorded data, a host computer is requested to retransfer data which has caused the verify error, and received data is intruded in a next scheduled recording quantity unit and recorded onto the optical information recording media. |
| US09208028B2 |
Recovery code management method and memory system using same
A method managing execution of recovery code in a memory system includes; upon detecting a read error using a CPU and firmware to execute recovery code defining a read recovery operation including a read retry operation, during execution of the recovery code, generating a read request directed to the read retry operation, and immediately thereafter terminating execution of the recovery code, and thereafter, only upon receiving an asynchronous interrupt from the memory controller following completion of the read retry operation, the CPU resumes execution of the recovery code by the firmware, otherwise the CPU performs another task unrelated to execution of the recovery code. |
| US09208026B2 |
Utilizing a local area network memory and a dispersed storage network memory to access data
A method begins by a processing module encoding data based on a decode threshold parameter and a pillar width parameter to produce a set of encoded data slices and selecting a local area network (LAN) pillar width value of encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices for storage in LAN available memories, wherein the LAN pillar width value is based on the decode threshold parameter, the pillar width parameter, and quantities of the LAN available memories. The method continues with the processing module selecting a wide area network (WAN) pillar width value of encoded data slices of the set of encode data slices for storage in a dispersed storage network (DSN) memory of a wide area network, wherein the WAN pillar width value is based on the decode threshold parameter and the pillar width parameter. |
| US09208017B2 |
Server and method for protecting against fan failure therein
A method for protecting against fan failure in a server uses a storage unit and a plurality of fans in the server. The method includes the following steps. A rotation speed of each of the plurality of fans is detected. A continuous working time period of each fan is timed. The rotation speed reading and the continuous working time period reading of each fan is compared with predefined rotation speed values and predefined continuous working time periods stored in the storage unit. The results of comparisons are made. A countdown is started when any of the results of comparison falls into one of predefined failure conditions for the fans. Unless a renew or other countdown-amending signal is received, the server is counted down to zero and then shut down. A server equipped to be able to carry out the protecting method is also provided. |
| US09208016B2 |
Message sequence generation method and message sequence generation device
A message sequence generation method and a message sequence generation device, by which a message sequence with an error handling added thereto can be efficiently generated. The method includes setting an action for a specific phenomenon in the phenomenon causal relationship model, associating each element included in the message sequence information with each phenomenon to generate element/phenomenon correspondence information, storing the element/phenomenon correspondence information into a memory device, and acquiring the action set for the phenomenon corresponding to each element and the action set for another phenomenon caused by the phenomenon, from the element/phenomenon correspondence information, and adding the actions to the element as an error handling. |
| US09208013B2 |
Cross communication of common problem determination and resolution
Approaches for problem determination and resolution process cross communication are provided. Embodiments provide cross communication of a problem determination and resolution among similar data center devices. Specifically, symptoms of an error condition encountered for one data center device are captured by a first enterprise group, along with an associated resolution solution, and made available to an another enterprise group managing a commonly configured data center device, which may be faced with a similar error condition. The error signature and resolution steps captured by the first enterprise group are subsequently made available within and across multiple management domains operating within a common model (e.g., a publication-subscription system). Within this model, both the originator of the error determination and resolution (i.e., publisher), and one or more commonly configured data center devices susceptible to the same error condition (i.e., subscribers), can filter, access, and control the flow of error resolutions. |
| US09208008B2 |
Method and apparatus for multi-chip reduced pin cross triggering to enhance debug experience
Embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for reduced pin cross triggering to enhance a debug experience. A time-division packetizing (TDP) technique may be employed to facilitate communication of triggers between integrated circuits (ICs) connected in series forming a TDP communication ring. The ICs on the TDP communication ring may each include a cross trigger interconnect structure for interpreting between trigger signals and hardware core instructions. The serial TDP communication across the ICs on the TDP communication ring allows the ICs to be connected in a manner that each cross trigger interconnect structure on each IC may function as if it were part of a single cross trigger interconnect structure across all of the ICs on the TDP communication ring. The individual ICs may operate asynchronously and a trigger clock may be passed along with other trigger data to implement the debugging techniques uniformly on each IC. |
| US09208006B2 |
Recovery Maturity Model (RMM) for readiness-based control of disaster recovery testing
A Recovery Maturity Model (RMM) is used to determine whether a particular Information Technology (IT) production environment can be expected, with some level of confidence, to successfully execute a test for disaster recovery (DR). The RMM provides a quantitative analysis in terms of the extent to which best practices are seen to have been implemented as a set of categories for elements of the environment and multiple elements for each category. A summation of the scoring elements, which may be a weighted summation, results in an overall quantitative metric which is then used to control whether or not testing will proceed. |
| US09208005B2 |
System and method for performance management of large scale SDP platforms
Arrangements and methods for employing empirical evidence to estimate the performance of applications with very few data samples, in complex environments such as dynamic SDP environments, using one or more effective data-plotting models. |
| US09208003B2 |
Hypervisor to I/O stack conduit in virtual real memory
Provided is conduit configured such that a hypervisor does not need to include logic for communicating directly with an I/O storage device. A virtual Asynchronous Service Interface (VASI) is the interface between a Command/Response Queue (CRQ), which receives CRQ commands from the hypervisor, and a Common Data-Link Interface (CDLI) of a Forwarder. The Forwarder receives I/O commands in a format associated with the CDLI and converts the commands into a generic I/O format understood by a Virtual Block Storage Device (VBSD). The reformatted command is transmitted to the VBSD, which issues commands to the native I/O stack. The hypervisor sends a read or write (R/W) request to the VASI, which passes the request to the Forwarder. The Forwarder converts the request and transmits the converted request to the VBSD. The VBSD transmits the request to the block storage device and returns the response to the Forwarder. The Forwarder replies to the request from the VASI with the response from the ABSD. The VASI then responds to the hypervisor. Also provided is an operation-specific module responsible for understanding and the intelligent processing of data that is transmitted between the hypervisor and the I/O stack. |
| US09208001B2 |
Object mediated data transfer between electronic devices
Systems, devices and methods for transferring data between two or more different electronic devices are described further herein. The data transfer is mediated by an object, such as a stylus, having a unique identifier. The same object is used when copying the data from a first electronic device and when pasting the data at a second electronic device. |
| US09208000B2 |
Calculating quality indicators of computer applications based on application events
A quality score for a computer application release is determined using a first number of unique users who have launched the computer application release on user devices and a second number of unique users who have encountered at least once an abnormal termination with the computer application release on user devices. Additionally or optionally, an application quality score can be computed for a computer application based on quality scores of computer application releases that represent different versions of the computer application. Additionally or optionally, a weighted application quality score can be computed for a computer application by further taking into consideration the average application quality score and popularity of a plurality of computer applications. |
| US09207999B2 |
Integrated link-based data recorder for semiconductor chip
Programmable data recorders are provided in a network semiconductor chip to monitor and record all or portions of data from various interfaces, including the input and output interfaces of network links interfacing the chip. A data recorder is provided for each network link. The data recorders store captured data in storage arrays. Data may be compressed and associated with time stamps to conserve space in the storage arrays. A data recorder manager in the chip may start and stop the data recorders at approximately the same time. The programmable mode of the data recorders determines which interfaces are monitored, the portion of data captured, and the format of the data in the storage arrays. |
| US09207998B2 |
Computer-based system management by a separate managing system
In an embodiment, a method is presented for providing managerial access to a managed system. In this method, a definition of a procedure to be performed on the managed system is received into a managing system. A request to perform the procedure is received into the managing system from a user of the managing system. The procedure is performed in response to the request. The performing of the procedure includes initiating a plurality of functions resident in the managed system. Results indicative of the performing of the procedure are presented to the user of the managing system. |
| US09207990B2 |
Method and system for migrating critical resources within computer systems
A method and system for migrating at least one critical resource during a migration of an operative portion of a computer system are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the method includes (a) sending first information constituting a substantial copy of a first of the at least one critical resource via at least one intermediary between a source component and a destination component. The method further includes (b) transitioning a status of the destination component from being incapable of receiving requests to being capable of receiving requests, and (c) re-programming an abstraction block to include modified addresses so that at least one incoming request signal is forwarded to the destination component rather than to the source component. |
| US09207989B2 |
System and method for providing virtual device
Disclosed is a system and method for providing a virtual terminal. A virtual cloud server may configure a plurality of virtual terminals by employing a virtual machine in a cloud environment. The virtual cloud server may provide an application of a heterogeneous platform to a terminal that accesses the virtual cloud server. A cooperative middleware apparatus may determine a cloud server suitable for a mobile terminal among a plurality of cloud servers, based on content information of content and virtual terminal information stored in the plurality of cloud servers. |
| US09207987B2 |
Dispersion dependency in oracle clusterware
A method and apparatus for resource dispersion in a clusterware system is provided. The resource profiles for resources within a cluster of nodes are stored. Each resource profile includes attributes for a resource. One or more of the attributes in one of the resource profiles includes a dispersion dependency attribute that specifies that the resource is preferably not co-located with another resource. Resources are placed within the cluster based, at least in part, on the dispersion preference. |
| US09207986B2 |
Identifying a next window of idle time to perform pre-generation tasks of content portions outside of the displayable region stored in a message queue
In one embodiment, a computing device identifies a portion of a display object to pre-generate. The device may monitor a thread to identify the next upcoming window of idle time (i.e., the next opportunity when the thread will be idle for a minimum period of time). The device may add one or more selected pre-generation tasks to a message queue for execution by the thread during the window. The device may execute the one or more selected pre-generation tasks in the message queue by pre-generating at least one selected element of a display object with content for a portion of the content layout, and then return the display object. |
| US09207984B2 |
Monitoring and automatic scaling of data volumes
Aspects of a data environment, such as various capacities of data stores and instances, can be managed using a separate control environment. A monitoring component of the control environment can periodically communicate with the data environment to obtain performance information. The information is analyzed, using algorithms such as trending and extrapolation algorithms, to determine any recommended scaling of resources in the data environment. The scaling can be performed automatically, or as authorized by a customer. A workflow can be instantiated that includes tasks necessary to perform the scaling. The scaling of storage capacity can be performed without affecting the availability of the data store. |
| US09207978B2 |
Method and system for efficient execution of ordered and unordered tasks in multi-threaded and networked computing
The present disclosure provides methods for concurrently executing ordered and unordered tasks using a plurality of processing units. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may store the ordered and unordered tasks in the same processing queue. Further, processing tasks in the processing queue may comprise concurrently preprocessing ordered tasks, thereby reducing the amount of processing unit idle time and improving load balancing across processing units. Embodiments of the present disclosure may also dynamically manage the number of processing units based on a rate of unordered tasks being received in the processing queue, a processing rate of unordered tasks, a rate of ordered tasks being received in the processing queue, a processing rate of ordered tasks, and/or the number of sets of related ordered tasks in the processing queue. Also provided are related systems and non-transitory computer-readable media. |
| US09207976B2 |
Management of prioritizing virtual machines in an operating environment
Embodiments directed toward a method, system, and computer program product for placement of a plurality of virtual machines on a hardware resource are provided. The method can also include generating a user location vector for each candidate virtual machine from the plurality of candidate virtual machines by aggregating a plurality of user location metrics for each candidate virtual machine. The method can also include ranking, in response to a performance resource demanded by the plurality of candidate virtual machines being at or above a threshold of the performance resource available on the hardware resource, the candidate virtual machines as a function of an aggregate user location vector for each candidate virtual machine. The method can include selecting a subset of the candidate virtual machines for migration based on the ranking. |
| US09207970B1 |
Computerized method of identifying process data exceptions
A method for identifying data exceptions in a process includes: receiving an array of data from a data historian comprising filtered data from the process including one or more dependent variables and one or more independent variables; defining, by a microprocessor, a plurality of time slices or bins within the array of filtered data with a predetermined time period; identifying, by a microprocessor, all variables outside of limits that are continuously updated, based only on data when the process is running; and identifying, by a microprocessor, a date of an exception. |
| US09207969B2 |
Parallel tracing for performance and detail
A parallel tracer may perform detailed or heavily instrumented analysis of an application in parallel with a performance or lightly instrumented version of the application. Both versions of the application may operate on the same input stream, but with the heavily instrumented version having different performance results than the lightly instrumented version. The tracing results may be used for various analyses, including optimization and debugging. |
| US09207967B2 |
Using nonspeculative operations for lock elision
A method includes identifying a set of instructions to be executed as a transaction that is to access a section of memory, prior to executing the set of instructions as the transaction, facilitating a non-speculative access to a data cache, the data cache comprising a plurality of cache lines, each cache line comprising a lock to lock a respective portion of the memory, determining if the section of memory is available for the transaction in view of locks of the plurality of cache lines, and in response to a determination that the section of memory is not available, causing the non-speculative access to the data cache to be repeated. |
| US09207966B2 |
Method and system for providing a high-availability application
A system, method, and techniques for providing high availability to an application are provided. An example system includes a plurality of databases and a persistence layer that generates, based on a request, one or more sets of database commands that is specific to a database. The system also includes a high-availability layer that is an intermediary between the persistence layer and the plurality of databases, and includes a transaction manager and an execution engine. The transaction manager starts a composite transaction including a sub-transaction corresponding to each database of the plurality of databases and determines whether each applied sub-transaction has successfully completed. A sub-transaction includes a set of database commands. The execution engine applies each sub-transaction to its corresponding database. |
| US09207965B2 |
Managing multi-application contexts
A method and system for managing software application states selects a plurality of stateful applications for reinstatement at a later time. A set of data contexts is generated based on the selected applications. The set of data contexts is pushed onto a data stack. Thereafter the set of data contexts is popped from the data stack for reinstatement. Each step or function may be initiated automatically or through user input, and may be used in a single-user, multi-user or collaborative setting. |
| US09207959B2 |
Creating a virtual disk using set of binding information of a paravirtual network interface card and a physical network interface card
Methods and systems are described for provisioning a common virtual disk to both a physical and a virtual computing machine. These methods and systems can include creating a virtual disk that has binding information for both a paravirtual network interface card and a physical network interface card so that, either a virtual machine having a paravirtual network interface card, or a physical machine having a physical network interface card, may boot from the created virtual disk. Creation of the virtual disk can include exposing the paravirtual network interface card to a physical machine so that an installer program may bind to both the paravirtual network interface card and the physical network interface card. |
| US09207957B2 |
Adaptive architecture for a mobile application based on rich application, process, and resource contexts and deployed in resource constrained environments
A method for adapting execution of an application on a mobile device may be performed by a mobile device including a processor and a memory. The method may include receiving an application context, a process context, and one other context. The method also includes analyzing at least one of the application context or the process context together with the one other context. The method also includes dynamically adapting execution of the application on the mobile device based on the analysis. Adapting execution of the application may include transferring processing related to the application to a backend server for processing. |
| US09207956B2 |
Class loading device for a java runtime environment, cluster system and method of executing a function
A class loading device for a Java runtime environment, wherein the class loading device is configured to load predetermined source code written in R programming language to parse the R source code and, based on the parsed R source code, generate corresponding bytecode at least of a first Java class and transfer same to the Java runtime environment. |
| US09207953B1 |
Method and apparatus for managing a proxy autoconfiguration in SSL VPN
A method and apparatus for managing proxy autoconfiguration for a multihomed client. A client browser may employ a combined autoconfiguration module to split traffic based on a destination address of the traffic. The traffic may be split among at least two proxy servers. A proxy configuration manager may be employed to receive configuration information associated with each of the proxy servers. The proxy configuration manager enables the combined autoconfiguration module to be created based, in part, on the received configuration information. The proxy configuration manager further enables the client browser to split the traffic, based at least in part on the destination address. |
| US09207949B2 |
Storage device comprising variable resistance memory and related method of operation
A storage device includes a nonvolatile memory device including a variable resistance memory, and a controller configured to control the nonvolatile memory device. At a booting operation, the controller stores booting information in the variable resistance memory of the nonvolatile memory device. At a rebooting operation, the controller selectively performs a warm boot operation using the booting information stored in the variable resistance memory, based on a comparison result between a booting setting condition associated with the booting operation and a rebooting condition associated with the rebooting operation. |
| US09207946B2 |
Auto-cloudifying applications via runtime modifications
An approach is provided in which a distributed runtime environment executes a software application that includes isolated runtime constructs corresponding to an isolated runtime environment. During the execution, the distributed runtime environment identifies isolated runtime constructs included in the software application and selects distributed runtime constructs corresponding to the isolated runtime constructs. In turn, the distributed runtime environment executes the distributed runtime constructs in lieu of executing the isolated runtime constructs. |
| US09207944B1 |
Doubling thread resources in a processor
Methods and systems are provided for managing thread execution in a processor. Multiple instructions are fetched from fetch queues. The instructions satisfy the condition that they involve fewer bits than the integer processing pathway that is used to execute them. The instructions are decoded, and divided into groups. The instructions are processed simultaneously through the pathway, such that part of the pathway is used to execute one group of instructions and another part of the pathway is used to execute another group of instructions. These parts are isolated from one another so the execution of the instructions can share the pathway and execute simultaneously and independently. |
| US09207942B2 |
Systems, apparatuses,and methods for zeroing of bits in a data element
Embodiments of systems, methods and apparatuses for execution a NAME instruction are described. The execution of a VPBZHI causes, on a per data element basis of a second source, a zeroing of bits higher (more significant) than a starting point in the data element. The starting point is defined by the contents of a data element in a first source. The resultant data elements are stored in a corresponding data element position of a destination. |
| US09207941B2 |
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for reducing the number of short integer multiplications
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for calculating a square of a data value of a first source operand, a square of a data value of a second source operand, and a multiplication of the data of the first and second operands only using one multiplication are described. |
| US09207938B2 |
Instruction forwarding based on predication criteria
Embodiments herein relate to forwarding an instruction based on predication criteria. A predicate state associated with a packet of data is to be compared to an instruction associated with the predication criteria. The instruction is to be forwarded to an execution unit if the predication criteria includes or matches the predicate state of the packet. |
| US09207937B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing a bitfield manipulation instruction having a control value indicating insertion or extraction form
A data processing apparatus comprises a processing circuit and instruction decoder. A bitfield manipulation instruction controls the processing apparatus to generate at least one result data element from corresponding first and second source data elements. Each result data element includes a portion corresponding to a bitfield bf of the corresponding first source data element. Bits of the result data element that are more significant than the inserted bitfield have a prefix value that is selected, based on a control value specified by the instruction, as one of a first prefix value having a zero value, a second prefix value having the value of a portion of the corresponding second source data element, and a third prefix value corresponding to a sign extension of the bitfield of the first source data element. |
| US09207936B2 |
Graphic processor unit and method of operating the same
A method of operating a graphic processor unit includes detecting from a program code a code area that instructs a load/store unit to load data stored in a plurality of rows of a memory to registers of a register file using a scheduler; and, using a load/store unit, loading data to the at least one register in response to instructions corresponding to the code area. A second instruction of the instructions instructs the load/store unit to write control information in a control register of the at least one register. The control information includes at least mask bits designating selected rows of the memory that store data to be loaded from the plurality of rows of the memory, a span field representing a relationship of the plurality of rows of the memory to each other and a stride field. A third instruction of the instruction instructs the load/store unit to store the data sequentially from a row of the memory corresponding to an address written in a base register of the register file to a first register of the register file, according to the control information. |
| US09207926B2 |
Dynamic image composition system employing fenced applications
The disclosed dynamic image composition system employing fenced applications includes an information handling system (IHS) that may employ an application fencing tool to generate a fenced application. The IHS may also employ a fenced imaging tool to dynamically modify images with fenced applications, statically modify images with fenced applications and/or generate images with fenced applications. |
| US09207922B2 |
Compiling method and apparatus for scheduling block in pipeline
Provided is a compiling method and apparatus for scheduling a block in a pipeline. The compiling method for scheduling a block in a pipeline may include profiling, using a processor, an access count of a block in a control flow of a program code, determining that the block is an important block, in response to an edge count of an edge entering the block being greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the edge count being included in the access count of the block, and scheduling the important block based on the access count to prevent a register writeback conflict. |
| US09207920B2 |
Systems and methods for remote analysis of software applications
A system for testing a software application receives one or more object spaces extracted from a development or runtime environment of the software application. The extracted object space includes information about various objects associated with the software application, its dependencies, and/or environment, and some of the objects may be dynamically created and/or modified. The extracted object space does not include any source code. A language dependent extraction component can extract the object space using introspections and/or reflection APIs. The extracted object can be translated into a language-independent format and can be analyzed to identify any vulnerabilities in the software application without access to the source code, compiled binary, and runtime environment of the software application. |
| US09207918B2 |
Firmware extension method and firmware builder
A firmware extension method is provided, particularly adaptable for an embedded system. Firstly, a baseline firmware image is provided with a header file. Secondly, an extension firmware image is generated based on the header file, comprising one or more extended functions. Thereafter, a callback table is generated, comprising pointers pointing to entries of the extended functions in the extension firmware image. Further, memory allocation parameters are provided. The memory allocation parameters comprise a base address where the extension firmware image starts. The baseline firmware image, the extension firmware image and the callback table are then merged to generate a merged firmware image based on the memory allocation parameters. |
| US09207917B2 |
Application generator for data transformation applications
A utility is provided for generating applications for a variety of data conversion or handling application environments. A user can use a graphical user interface to purpose application adaptable modules to define a desired application. In one implementation, the user interface includes a node tree panel and a process assembly panel. The node tree panel lists tool sets including transformations, maps and input-output tools. These tools can then be assembled together with identified data sources and then elements using the assembly panel to define an application. In this manner, an application is generated from a number of generic modules simply by linking the modules to perform a purpose of the desired application. In this manner, an application is generated from a number of generic modules simply by linking the modules to perform a purpose of the desired application. |
| US09207914B2 |
Execution guards in dynamic programming
A method for executing a machine code based on a dynamic language is disclosed. An execution guard is created as a value stored in a data structure. The value is representative of an expected condition or a set of conditions for a reusable portion of the machine code. The value representative of the expected condition(s) is compared to an actual value encountered later during execution of a portion of the machine code. The reusable machine code is executed if the actual value corresponds with the value representative of the expected condition(s). The execution guard is invalidated if any of the expected conditions changes. |
| US09207907B1 |
Systems and methods for updating schedules
Disclosed is a method of creating and updating schedules. The method comprises receiving a plurality of initial events associated with a plurality of entities, generating an initial schedule that identifies the plurality of initial events, receiving a plurality of subsequent events, processing each initial event of the plurality of initial events to identify a subset of the plurality of initial events that should be maintained based on which entity of the plurality of entities is associated with the initial event, and generating an updated schedule that identifies only the subset of the plurality of initial events and the plurality of subsequent events. |
| US09207905B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing synchrony group status information
A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices that have independent clocking arrangements. The system includes a task distribution device that distributes tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices that are to perform the tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to the members of the synchrony group over a network. Each task is associated with a time stamp that indicates a time, relative to a clock maintained by the task distribution device, at which the members of the synchrony group are to execute the task. Each member of the synchrony group periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of the current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines therefrom a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task. |
| US09207903B2 |
System and method for display mirroring
A computing system that supports the use of multiple displays in display mirroring mode and extended display mode may automatically determine a display mode in which to configure the system (with little or no user input) based on various characteristics of the displays in the system. For example, the system may determine that a television, projector, or other presentation type display is connected in the system, and in response, may determine that the system should be configured in a display mirroring mode, rather than in an extended display mode. The system may also determine that the presentation type display is the preferred display, and may render image content in a best (or preferred) mode for that display using its native resolution, aspect ratio or color profile. The system may then scale the rendered image content for display on other (non-preferred) displays, such as an internal display, without re-rendering it. |
| US09207902B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing multi-vision system by using multiple portable terminals
A method for implementing a multi-vision system by using a plurality of portable terminals, wherein, if a user applies a touch input to each of the plurality of portable terminals in a state in which the plurality of portable terminals are disposed, each of the plurality of portable terminals transmits information relating to the touch input to a multi-vision controller, and the multi-vision controller determines how the plurality of portable terminals have been disposed by using the touch input information and then transmits picture division information indicating a respective content portion to be displayed by each portable terminal to the plurality of portable terminals, and thus, the user can conveniently and quickly implement the multi-vision system by using the plurality of portable terminals and can select an optimized disposition of the plurality of portable terminals based on the characteristics of the content. |
| US09207899B2 |
Management apparatus, system, and method of controlling the same
A management apparatus designates a first installer program for installing a printer driver for a printer in an information processing apparatus, designates at least one second installer program for installing a program related to the printer driver in the information processing apparatus, designates an activation order of the first installer program and the second installer program, creates a setup program that includes the first installer program and the second installer program and is for activating the programs in the designated order, and registers the created setup program in a storage region in the printer. |
| US09207896B2 |
Printing apparatus, method and computer-readable storage medium having a data request to a server before reception of a print instruction
A first request is transmitted to a server. Connection is established between a printing apparatus and the server. A second request is transmitted to the server. Image data is received based on the second request and stored in a first memory. It is determined whether image data stored in the first memory includes image data for which a print instruction is received. When the image data stored in the first memory is included in the image data for which the print instruction is received, printing is performed based on the image data stored in the first memory. When the image data stored in the first memory is not included in the image data for which the print instruction is received, a third request is transmitted to the server, and printing is performed based on the image data for which the print instruction is received, after receiving the image data from the server. |
| US09207886B2 |
Relaying device, relaying method, image processing apparatus, and image processing system
A relaying device is configured to obtain first data received from one of an image processing apparatus and a server apparatus via a communication unit, convert the first data having a first format to second data having a second format, transmit the second data to the other of the image processing apparatus and the server apparatus. When the transmission process is abnormally terminated, process identification information is transmitted to the image processing apparatus, and the process identification information and the second data are stored in associated manner, and a re-start instruction including the process identification information identifying the transmission process to be re-started is received from the image processing apparatus. When the transmission process is abnormally terminated and the re-start instruction is received, second data associated with the process identification information is obtained, which is transmitted to the other of the image processing apparatus and the server apparatus. |
| US09207885B2 |
Image forming system having remotely accessed shared image forming apparatus
An image forming system includes mobile terminals and image forming apparatuses, in which one image forming apparatus receives setting information to be used in order to use the image forming apparatus, the setting information being stored in one mobile terminal and able to be transmitted to another mobile terminal that will use another image forming apparatus based on the setting information. The one image forming apparatus determines whether the setting information is to be changed based on a comparison between the ability of the image forming apparatuses and, when determining that the setting information is to be changed, changes the setting information and send the changed setting information to the other mobile terminal. |
| US09207881B1 |
System and method for object management
A method, computer program product, and computing system for defining a first virtual object, wherein the first virtual object includes a first ready state indicator. At least a second virtual object is defined, wherein the at least a second virtual object includes at least a second ready state indicator. The first virtual object and the at least a second virtual object are grouped within a group virtual object. |
| US09207878B2 |
Information processing apparatus
When a link unit detects a built-in WLAN memory card by using wireless communication, the link unit determines whether there is a match between the SSID of the detected built-in WLAN memory card and the SSID of the built-in WLAN memory card that is inserted into the PC. If the SSIDs match, it means the built-in WLAN memory card that has been detected using wireless communication is the built-in WLAN memory card that is inserted into the PC and the link unit consequently performs a control such that the WLAN unit does not acquire still images nor moving images. |
| US09207876B2 |
Remove-on-delete technologies for solid state drive optimization
Technologies for identifying data stored on a solid state drive (“SSD”) device that correspond to data associated with a delete event, and marking the deleted data stored on the SSD as invalid such that the SSD can avoid unnecessary operations on the invalid data. Included are interfaces operable to communicate invalid data information and providing a remove-on-delete command that provides invalid data information sufficient to identify the SSD data to be marked as invalid. |
| US09207875B2 |
System and method for retaining deduplication in a storage object after a clone split operation
Described herein is a system and method for retaining deduplication of data blocks of a resulting storage object (e.g., a flexible volume) from a split operation of a clone of a base storage object. The clone may comprise data blocks that are shared with at least one data block of the base storage object and at least one data block that is not shared with at least one data block of the base storage object. The data blocks of the clone that are shared with the base storage object may be indicated to receive a write allocation that may comprise assigning a new pointer to a indicated data block. Each data block may comprise a plurality of pointers comprising a virtual address pointer and a physical address pointer. As such, data blocks of the clone comprising the same virtual address pointer may be assigned a single physical address pointer. Thus, a new physical address pointer is assigned or allocated once to a given virtual address pointer of data blocks of a clone. |
| US09207872B2 |
Remote office duplication
Remote office deduplication comprises calculating one or more fingerprints of one or more data blocks, sending the one or more fingerprints to one or more backup servers via a network interface, receiving from the one or more backup servers an indication of which one or more data blocks corresponding to the one or more fingerprints should be sent to the one or more backup servers, and if the indication indicates one or more data blocks to be sent to the one or more backup servers, sending the one or more data blocks to the one or more backup servers via the network interface. |
| US09207861B2 |
Method and mobile terminal for processing touch input in two different states
A method and a mobile terminal for processing touch input are provided. The mobile terminal has a rectangular touch screen with long sides and short sides. The mobile terminal having two state: a first state in which only the short sides are parallel with a horizontal surface and a second state in which only the long sides are parallel with the horizontal surface. The method comprises the following steps of: obtaining from the touch screen a gesture in a first direction as input by a touch object on the touch screen when the mobile terminal is in the first state; triggering a first touch command in response to the gesture in the first direction; obtaining from the touch screen a gesture in a second direction as input by the touch object on the touch screen when the mobile terminal is in the second state, the second direction being the same as the first direction; and triggering the first touch command in response to the gesture in the second direction. According to the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to achieve a uniform operation gesture for the same operational instruction by means of self-conversion of the mobile terminal, such that the user experience can be improved. |
| US09207860B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting a gesture
A method includes detecting a swipe gesture from an initial touch location on a touch-sensitive display of an electronic device; determining touch attributes for the swipe gesture; and performing a lock function if the touch attributes correspond to a stored swipe gesture associated with the lock function. Further lock functions may be activated by detection of attributes of a further stored swipe gesture. |
| US09207856B2 |
Vehicula touch input device with determination of straight line gesture
A vehicle operating device with favorable operability is provided, the operating device having improved recognition accuracy of gestural operation conducted while holding a steering wheel.A vehicle operating device comprises an input unit that is provided on a steering wheel and that detects a user operation; and a control unit that determines the user operation detected by the input unit and that outputs a control signal for controlling a device; wherein, the control unit determines that the user operation is linear when a locus (L) of the user operation does not exceed a certain width (W).1 unit operates the air-conditioner body based on the preset temperature. |
| US09207853B2 |
Mobile terminal and method of controlling the same
A mobile terminal including a display; a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other electronic device; and a controller configured to receive a request signal for requesting an exchange of content data between at least one first electronic device that stores content data and at least one second electronic device that reproduces content data, and to display the at least one first electronic device and the at least one second electronic device on particular areas of the display that intuitively indicate a direction of the exchange of content data. |
| US09207851B1 |
Sensing displays utilizing light emitting diodes
A matrix of light emitting diodes is positioned behind a liquid crystal layer of a display device. The light emitting diodes operate in both light emitting and light detecting modes. Consequently, the display device is able to sense objects or fingers approaching or in contact with a front display surface of the display device based on changes in incident light on the matrix that are observed by one or more of the light emitting diodes operating in the light detecting mode. |
| US09207850B2 |
Application executing method using fingerprint recognition, device therefor, and computer readable recording medium therefor
An application-executing method using fingerprint recognition includes obtaining an image of a first fingerprint through a fingerprint sensor and recognizing the first fingerprint, executing a first application corresponding to the first fingerprint in a first screen when the first fingerprint is recognized, obtaining an image of a second fingerprint through the fingerprint sensor and recognizing the second fingerprint, determining whether the second fingerprint is recognized within a predetermined time after the first application is executed, and, based on a determination result, when it is determined that the second fingerprint is recognized within the predetermined time after the first application is executed, generating a second screen by splitting the first screen, and executing the first application on one of the second screen, and a second application corresponding to the second fingerprint on the other of the second screen. |
| US09207844B2 |
Methods and devices for touch-based media creation
An electronic device with one or more processors and memory displays a first user interface including a plurality of audio tracks, detects a first user input selecting one of the plurality of audio tracks, and, in response to detecting the first user input, displays a second user interface for recording a video clip. The device also detects a second user input to initiate recording of the video clip and detects a third user input to stop recording of the video clip. The device further detects a fourth user input to publish the media item based on the video clip and the selected audio track and, in response to detecting the fourth user input, publishes the media item to a server, including sending to the server information identifying the selected audio track, the video clip, and information related to synchronization of the selected audio track and the video clip. |
| US09207841B2 |
Online video distribution
A video player for tagged online video includes a means for receiving a stream of video data and tag data. The tag data includes tag details including for each tag a link to display during video playback and a location at which to display the link. A video display output displays the video data, a user-selectable tag display GUI option, and selectively, the tag data. The video player is adapted to detect a selection of one of at least a first and a second option via the user-selectable tag display GUI option. |
| US09207837B2 |
Method, apparatus and computer program product for providing multiple levels of interaction with a program
Provided herein is a method, apparatus and computer program product for providing multiple levels of interaction with a program. In particular methods of example embodiments may include providing for display of a first representation of a first program, where the first representation includes a first interaction level; providing for display of an intermediate representation in response to receiving a first input, where the intermediate representation comprises an intermediate interaction level; and providing for display of a second representation of the first program in response to a second input, where the second representation includes a second interaction level and the second input is different from the first input. The intermediate representation of the first program may be presented in a size that is larger than the first representation of the first program. |
| US09207832B1 |
Intelligent social collaboration watchlist that visually indicates an order of relevance
In one embodiment, a method includes within a graphical user interface (GUI) presented to a user of a software application, presenting a watchlist associated with the user, the watchlist comprising first content related to one or more first events associated with one or more entities within an organization, the one or more entities having a relationship with the user within a social graph maintained at least in part by the software application. The method further includes receiving asynchronous notifications of second content for inclusion in the watchlist, the second content related to one or more second events occurring after the first events, and automatically and without input from the user, updating the watchlist to include the second content, the update comprising organizing the watchlist with the first and second content to visually indicate an order of relevance of the first and second content to the user. |
| US09207831B2 |
Management of data on related websites
A computer-implemented method, system and/or computer program product manages data in a webpage. A processor receives an input to an input box located in a first webpage on a first network. This input is analyzed to determine whether there is match between a subject topic of the entered data and a first interest window on the first webpage, where the first interest window is reserved for data entries that are described by the subject topic. In response to a processor being unable to determine the subject topic of the entered data in the text entry box, the processor creates a new interest window in the first webpage. |
| US09207826B2 |
Touch panel, and touch panel display device
Provided is a touch panel configured to minimize electrode disconnection caused by swelling of the insulating layer during the production process. The touch panel is equipped with: an insulating substrate; first island-shaped electrodes (111) disposed along a first direction; second island-shaped electrodes (121) disposed along a second direction intersecting the first direction; a connecting member (112) for connecting together the first island-shaped electrodes (111); an insulating film (15) formed covering a portion of the connecting member (112); and a relay electrode (122) for connecting together the second island-shaped electrodes (121) over the insulating film (15). The relay electrode (122), in a section thereof that overlaps the connecting member (112) in a plan view, is narrower in width, in a direction perpendicular to the second direction, than the width of the insulating film (15). A pair of edges (15a) and (15b) of the insulating film (15) is covered by the first island-shaped electrode (111), the second island-shaped electrode (121), or the relay electrode (122). |
| US09207824B2 |
Systems and methods for touch sensors on polymer lenses
This disclosure generally relates to a system comprising a touch sensor on polymer lens and methods for manufacturing such system. The system comprises at least one polymer lens and at least one touch sensor. The system further comprises at least one frame and a base coat. This disclosure also relates to an optoelectronic system comprising the touch sensor on polymer lens. |
| US09207822B1 |
Contact identification and tracking on a capacitance sensing array
The capacitance sensing array comprising a plurality of nodes corresponding to intersections of a first plurality of electrodes with a second plurality of electrodes may be scanned. Capacitance values associated with one or more of the nodes may be measured. The capacitance values may be representative of a touch object proximate to the one or more of the nodes. A peak capacitance value of the capacitance values of one or more of the nodes may be identified. A set of capacitance values comprising cells based on the peak capacitance value may be generated. A portion of the cells of the set are associated with the nodes corresponding to the intersections of the first plurality of electrodes with the second plurality of electrodes and at least one of the cells of the set is associated with a virtual node that does not correspond to the intersections. |
| US09207821B2 |
Pressure sensor for touch input devices
A stylus and sensor capable of determining levels of pressure applied to a tip are disclosed. The stylus has a tip configured to interact with and receive a force from a touch surface. The stylus includes a force sensitive resistor configured to vary resistance in an electrical circuit based on the force and a component for determining an amount of pressure corresponding to the force or a change in pressure based on the resistance in the electrical circuit. The stylus can have a chamber housing a slide-able plunger connected to the tip, the plunger being adapted to move in directions perpendicular or tangential to the surface when the force is applied. The resistor is disposed at an end of the chamber. The stylus can have a conductive strip on the resistor and a disc on the strip. The disc is configured to compress when force is applied by the plunger. |
| US09207820B2 |
Method and system for multi-touch decoding
A touch sensor capable of detecting multiple touches thereto is coupled with a digital device having multi-touch decoding capabilities. These multi-touch decoding capabilities comprise touch data acquisition, touch identification, touch tracking and processed touch data output to a device associated with the touch sensor. Touch identification comprises touch location(s) peak detection, touch location(s) nudging and touch location(s) interpolation. Touch data acquisition locates potential touches on the touch sensor. Peak detection identifies where potential touch locations are on the touch sensor. Once a potential touch location(s) has been identified, touch location nudging examines each adjacent location thereto and interpolation examines the adjacent touch location values to generate a higher resolution location of the touch. Touch tracking compares time sequential “frames” of touch identification data and then determines which touches are associated between frames for further processing, e.g., determining gesturing actions. |
| US09207815B2 |
Input device and method of manufacturing the same
A touch panel includes a transparent panel, a transparent electrode which is formed in a transparent input region on a first surface of the transparent panel, a decorative layer which is formed in a decorative region on the first surface, a wiring layer which is formed on a surface of the decorative layer, and a transparent conductive connection layer which electrically connects the wiring layer and the transparent electrode. |
| US09207814B2 |
Single-layer touch sensor
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a touch sensor. The touch sensor is disposed on one or more substrates. The touch sensor includes at least one drive electrode and at least one sense electrode. The drive and sense electrodes each include a base portion and a plurality of digits coupled to the base portion. The spaces between the digits of the drive electrode are partially occupied by a digit of a sense electrode (and vice versa). The drive and sense electrodes occupy the same plane. |
| US09207811B2 |
Optical imaging system capable of detecting a moving direction of an object and imaging processing method for optical imaging system
An optical imaging system includes a display panel, a light source module, a touch object, a first image capturing module, a second image capturing module and a control module. The touch object moves from a first position at a first time to a second position at a second time. The first image capturing module and the second image capturing module respectively capture light reflected from the touch object, so as to generate a first signal, a second signal, a third signal and a fourth signal corresponding to the touch object at the first time and the second time. The control module computes a moving direction of the touch object according to variation of the first signal, the second signal, the third signal and the fourth signal. |
| US09207808B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method and storage medium
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus capable of accessing a first storage medium and acquiring at least one of groups related to a correspondence between one symbol and at least one stroke data, includes an input device and a processor. The input device is configured to input an image. The processor is configured to, if a partial image of the image input by the input device corresponds to a first symbol in a first group or a first image generatable from first stroke data in the first group, associate the partial image and the first stroke data. |
| US09207805B2 |
Computer-readable recording medium, information processing apparatus, and correction processing method
A computer-readable recording medium stores a correction processing program causes a computer including a touch panel and a temperature sensor to execute a process. The process includes determining whether a temperature measured by the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined threshold when a first event completing contact with the touch panel is detected, waiting for a second event starting contact with the touch panel and a third event moving a contact position with the touch panel for a predetermined period of time when it is determined that the measured temperature is lower than the predetermined threshold, and discarding the first event and the second event and notifying an application of the third event, when the second event and the third event are detected during the predetermined waiting period of time. |
| US09207800B1 |
Integrated light guide and touch screen frame and multi-touch determination method
A touch screen assembly including a glass screen, LEDs, photo diodes, a transparent plastic frame surrounding the screen, and a light guide that guides light emitted by the LEDs to the photo diodes along light paths that go under the frame on one side, over the screen, and under the frame on the opposite side, and a processor operative to selectively activate LEDs and photo diodes, to identify location of an object touching the screen, based on amounts of light detected by activated photo diodes when light emitted by activated LEDs is blocked along its light path by the object, and to recognize the object touching the frame, based on amounts of light detected by activated photo diodes when light emitted by activated LEDs is absorbed along its light path by the object, thereby providing light-based touch sensitivity to the screen and to the frame. |
| US09207796B2 |
Liquid crystal display device with touch screen function
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device with a touch screen function is provided. The LCD device includes a liquid crystal panel layer including a liquid crystal layer filled between first and second substrates, and a touch panel layer which is formed on the first substrate, includes at least one phase compensating means stacked therein, and detects a contact point when an upper electrode and a lower electrode come into contact with each other due to external pressure, wherein the phase compensating means is patterned so that the upper electrode and the lower electrode are able to contact each other, and thus outdoor visibility and viewing angle characteristics can be effectively improved. |
| US09207795B2 |
User interface system
Disclosed is a user interface system that includes a sheet that defines a surface and at least partially defines a fluid vessel arranged underneath the surface, a volume of fluid within the fluid vessel, a displacement device that influences the volume of the fluid within the fluid vessel to expand and contract at least a portion of the fluid vessel, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface, and a sensor system that is configured to receive a user input on the surface with a first sensitivity and configured to receive a user input substantially proximal to the particular region of the surface at with second sensitivity higher than the first sensitivity. |
| US09207792B2 |
Mobile apparatus having hand writing function using multi-touch and control method thereof
A method of controlling a mobile apparatus having a hand writing function using a multi touch includes detecting a hand writing input that is input to a hand writing input window on a touch screen of the mobile apparatus, determining whether the detected hand writing input is a multi touch input or a single touch input, generating a hand writing output including multi touch output corresponding to the multi touch input and single touch output corresponding to the single touch input; and displaying the hand writing output in an output window on the touch screen. |
| US09207790B2 |
Touch display apparatus and method for fabricating the same
A method of fabricating a touch display apparatus is provided which includes: forming a first substrate on a first carrier; forming an assembly part on a second carrier, wherein the assembly part includes a second substrate, a third substrate and a touch sensing layer interposed therebetween, and the third substrate is relatively near a side of the second carrier; assembling the first substrate and the assembly part such that a display layer is formed between the first substrate and the assembly part; and at least removing the first carrier. In addition, a touch display fabricated from the above method is also provided. |
| US09207789B2 |
Motor vehicle control interface and corresponding method of manufacture
The present invention relates to a motor vehicle control interface comprising a touch-sensitive tile (2) having a front face (3); a housing (4) housing said touch-sensitive tile (2), said housing (4) having—an opening delimited by an edge (5) via which a user can access the front face (3) of the touch-sensitive tile (2); and a levelling trim (6), peripheral to the touch-sensitive tile (2) and interposed between an edge face (7) of the touch-sensitive tile (2) and the edge (5) of the housing (4), characterized in that said interface further comprises a seal (9) inserted between a rear face (10) of the touch-sensitive tile (2) and a retaining projection (11) of the housing (4), said seal (9) bordering the levelling trim (6) between the rear face (10) of the touch-sensitive tile (2) and the retaining projection (11). The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a control interface (1). |
| US09207786B2 |
Mouse house
A mouse house comprises a foam material for surrounding a computer mouse and providing a platform for a user's hand to rest on. The mouse house is wide enough to support all of a person's fingers in a neutral hand position and has side walls to prevent the mouse from tipping laterally. Viscoelastic foam may be used for the top surface for user comfort. The leading edge of the mouse house is set back from the operating keys of the mouse. The mouse house may have a bottom cavity with side fingers for securely gripping a wide variety of computer mice placed therein. |
| US09207785B2 |
Voltage generator and organic light emitting display device using the same
A voltage generator includes a DC/DC converter configured to output a first voltage during a first period of a frame period, the DC/DC converter being connected to a first power voltage and to a second power voltage lower than the first power voltage, a first transistor coupled between the DC/DC converter and an output terminal, the first transistor being configured to be turned on during the first period, a second transistor coupled between the output terminal and a third voltage source, the third voltage source being configured to supply a third voltage lower than the first voltage, and the second transistor being configured to be turned on during a third period of the frame period, and a voltage controller coupled to the output terminal, the voltage controller being configured to limit a voltage of the output terminal. |
| US09207782B2 |
Remote controller, remote controlling method and display system having the same
Disclosed are a remote controller, a remote controlling method, and a display system having the same. An image displayed on a display apparatus may be converted by using one remote controller. The display system may perform a converting the image by using one remote controller, without implementing a touch screen on the display apparatus or using two or more remote controllers for multi-touch. This may enhance a user's convenience and reduce fabrication costs. |
| US09207780B2 |
Systems and methods for hiding and finding digital content associated with physical objects via coded lighting
A method involving: designating, based on an instruction received from a user, an area within an illumination field of a projector; using the projector to project a light encoded with coordinate information; receiving a content or a content information from the user; associating, using the processing unit, the designated area within an illumination field of the projector with the content or the content information received from the user; detecting the light encoded with the coordinate information using a mobile device positioned within the illumination field of the projector; determining a position of the mobile device within the illumination field of the projector based on the detected light encoded with the coordinate information; and causing, on condition that the determined position of the mobile device is within the designated area, the mobile device to display the content. |
| US09207777B2 |
Electronic device with predictive URL domain key function
A method, electronic device, processing system, and computer program product, for at least presenting a uniform resource locator (URL) domain extension at a user interface. User input data corresponding to at least a portion of a URL domain is received at the user input interface. A processor concatenates the received user input data into a first character string. The first character string is displayed. The processor predicts a domain URL extension as a second character string that when concatenated with and following the first character string completes at least one of a URL domain and an email address, by comparing the first character string with a set of candidate character strings to find a likely match. The second character string is displayed in visual association with a user input key function of the user input interface. |
| US09207771B2 |
Gesture based user interface
A system and method for recognition of hand gesture in computing devices. The system recognizes a hand of a user by identifying a predefined first gesture and further collects visual information related to the hand identified on the basis of the first predefined gesture. The visual information is used to extract a second gesture (and all other gestures after the second) from the video/image captured by the camera and finally interpreting the second gesture as a user input to the computing device. The system enables gesture recognition in various light conditions and can be operated by various user hands including the ones wearing gloves. |
| US09207768B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling mobile terminal using user interaction
A method and apparatus for controlling a mobile terminal through use of user interaction are provided. The method includes operating in a vision recognition mode that generates a vision recognition image through use of a signal output from a second plurality of pixels designated as vision pixels from among a plurality of pixels of an image sensor included in the mobile terminal; determining whether a predetermined object in the vision recognition image corresponds to a person; determining a gesture of the predetermined object when the predetermined object corresponds to the person; and performing a control function of the mobile terminal corresponding to the gesture of the predetermined object. |
| US09207765B2 |
Recognizing interactive media input
Techniques and systems for inputting data to interactive media devices are disclosed herein. In some aspects, a sensing device senses an object as it moves in a trajectory indicative of a desired input to an interactive media device. Recognition software may be used to translate the trajectory into various suggested characters or navigational commands. The suggested characters may be ranked based on a likelihood of being an intended input. The suggested characters may be displayed on a user interface at least in part based on the rank and made available for selection as the intended input. |
| US09207764B2 |
Orientation adjustable multi-channel haptic device
A system that generates haptic effects on a haptically-enabled device determines an orientation of the haptically-enabled device and obtains one or more haptic effect channels. The system then assigns each of the haptic effect channels to a haptic output device on the haptically-enabled device based on the orientation. |
| US09207763B2 |
Systems and methods for providing a haptic manipulandum
Systems and methods for providing a haptic manipulandum are described. In one described system, a lever arm is pivotably coupled to a housing, and configured to apply a processor-controlled force to a substantially-spherical manipulandum to provide a haptic effect. The described system may include a processor in communication with an actuator for providing the haptic effect. |
| US09207761B2 |
Control apparatus based on eyes and method for controlling device thereof
The present invention relates to an eye-gaze based control device. The eye-gaze based control device of the present invention may control a control target device according to an eye-gaze point of a user. Here, the eye-gaze based control device controls the control target device by controlling a size of an image displayed to the user, thereby more precisely controlling the control target device. |
| US09207760B1 |
Input detection
This disclosure involves proximity sensing of eye gestures using a machine-learned model. An illustrative method comprises receiving training data that includes proximity-sensor data. The data is generated by at least one proximity sensor of a head-mountable device (HMD). The data is indicative of light received by the proximity sensor(s). The light is received by the proximity sensor(s) after a reflection of the light from an eye area. The reflection occurs while an eye gesture is being performed at the eye area. The light is generated by at least one light source of the HMD. The method further comprises applying a machine-learning process to the training data to generate at least one classifier for the eye gesture. The method further comprises generating an eye-gesture model that includes the at least one classifier for the eye gesture. The model is applicable to subsequent proximity-sensor data for detection of the eye gesture. |
| US09207758B2 |
Operator assistance methods and systems
Embodiments include systems and methods for assisting an operator (e.g., a pilot) of an apparatus (e.g., an aircraft) that includes a control compartment (e.g., a cockpit). The system includes a near-eye display and a processing subsystem. The near-eye display includes a transparent display panel and is adapted to be worn on a head of the operator. The processing subsystem is adapted to receive layout information defining a physical layout of one or more operational components located within the control compartment. The processing subsystem is further adapted to determine a location for a display indicator on the transparent display panel, where the location is determined to appear to the operator to be in proximity to an operational component. The processing subsystem is further adapted to generate a display signal to cause the near-eye display to display the display indicator in the location. |
| US09207757B2 |
Gesture recognition apparatus, method thereof and program therefor
A gesture recognition apparatus detects a locus of a fingertip position of a user from an acquired moving image; sets an effective range configured to set an effective range to detect a locus of the fingertip position of the user from the moving image flap action; determines whether or not the locus of the fingertip position is of the flap action when the locus of the fingertip position is included in the effective range; and recognizes a gesture of the user from the flap action when the locus of the fingertip position is of the flap action. |
| US09207754B2 |
Enabling immersive, interactive desktop image presentation
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for enabling immersive, interactive desktop image presentation are provided. Upon receiving a request for presentation of a background image of a search engine home page as a desktop image, the background image is transmitted for presentation on a desktop associated with a computing device. In embodiments, the background image, and likewise the desktop image, permits user interaction therewith. For instance, a user may zoom into the image, pan around the image or otherwise interact with enabled regions of the background and/or desktop image that offer additional content and/or navigate the user to another location where additional information may be found. In this way, the user is provided an immersive, interactive experience with the image whether at the search engine home page, the desktop, or both. |
| US09207753B2 |
Multiple-queue multiple-resource entry sleep and wakeup for power savings and bandwidth conservation in a retry based pipeline
Methods and apparatus relating to multiple-queue multiple-resource entry sleep and wakeup for power savings and bandwidth conservation in a retry based pipeline are described. In one embodiment, a bit indicates whether a corresponding queue entry is asleep or awake with respect to arbitration for resources in a retry based pipeline. Furthermore, multiple entries from different queues may be grouped together and multiple resources may be grouped together. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US09207751B2 |
Semiconductor device
The semiconductor device includes a CPU core having functions of a control unit, an arithmetic unit, and a register; a first memory device including a plurality of blocks each including one or a plurality of rows of memory cells; a second memory device copying data that is to be treated in the CPU core from a first block selected by the CPU core from the plurality of blocks included in the first memory device, and storing the data; a plurality of switches controlling supply of power supply voltage to the respective blocks; a memory management unit recognizing an address of the first block; and a power controller turning off one of the plurality of switches using the address to stop supply of the power supply voltage to a second block of the plurality of blocks which is different from the first block. |
| US09207750B2 |
Apparatus and method for reducing leakage power of a circuit
Described is a processor comprising: a plurality of transistors operable to provide dynamically adjustable transistor size, the plurality of transistors coupled at one end to a first power supply and coupled at another end to a second power supply; a circuit coupled to the second power supply, the second power supply to provide power to the circuit; and a power control unit (PCU) to monitor the level of the first power supply, and to dynamically adjust the transistor size of the plurality of transistors so that the second power supply is adjusted to keep the circuit operational. |
| US09207749B2 |
Mechanism for facilitating efficient operations paths for storage devices in computing systems
A mechanism is described for facilitating efficient operations paths for storage devices in computing systems according to one embodiment of the invention. A method of embodiments of the invention includes identifying a request for power mode change at a storage device at a computing system. The request for power mode change indicates potential reduced power state of the storage device. The method may further include transferring context information at the storage device to a host memory at the computing system, in response to the first command, and saving the context information at the host memory, wherein the storage device is at reduced power state. |
| US09207748B2 |
Systems and methods for a wireless device wake-up process including power-save and non-power-save modes
A system and method for wireless waking computing devices over a computer network is provided. A signal is broadcast over the network that includes one or more device specific wake-up data sequences. Each device specific wake-up data sequence includes multiple iterations of the hardware address of the wireless network card associated with that device. While in a reduced power or “sleep mode”, the wireless network card monitors wireless channels for packets containing a wake-up data sequence. If a wake-up data sequence is received, the sequence is matched against the hardware address information for that network card. If a match is determined, the network card sends a signal to the computing device causing full system power to be restored. A signal is sent to the network confirming that the device has been successfully woken from the sleep mode. |
| US09207745B2 |
Methods and systems for managing performance and power utilization of a processor employing a fully-multithreaded load threshold
A method for managing performance and power utilization of a processor in an information handling system (IHS) employing a balanced fully-multithreaded load threshold is disclosed. The method includes providing a maximum current thread utilization (Umax) and a minimum current thread utilization (Umin) among all current thread utilizations of the processor and determining a current performance state (P state) of the processor. The method also includes increasing a current P state of the processor to a next P state of the processor towards a maximum P state (Pmax) of the processor when the current P state of the processor is between Umax and Umin and the current utilization rate of the processor is less than a first threshold utilization rate. The method further includes engaging the processor in a turbo mode when the current P state of the processor reaches the Pmax and the current utilization of the processor is greater than the first threshold utilization rate of the processor. |
| US09207742B2 |
Power saving operating method for an electronic device by disabling a connection port to a touch device before the touch device enters power-saving mode
A power-saving operating method for an electronic device is provided. A control chip of the electronic device has an interrupt pin, and the electronic device couples to a touch device through a connection port and the interrupt pin. When the touch device is idle for over an idle time, a BIOS is informed through the interrupt pin to disable the connection port. When a number of touch signals received from the touch device within a first predetermined time is not less than a first predetermined amount, the connection port is enabled. When the number of the touch signals received from the touch device within the first predetermined time is less than the first predetermined amount or none of the touch signal is received within the first predetermined time, a reading operation for reading the connection port is interrupted and the touch device enters a power-saving mode. |
| US09207737B2 |
Information processing apparatus, control method thereof, and storage medium
An information processing apparatus (MFP) according to this invention cyclically inquires, of a server, whether to activate the power source during the stop of the second power source functioning as the main power source of the MFP. The NIC of the MFP that operates by using the first power source as a power source establishes a link for an inquiry to the server, and calculates an electric energy consumed for the inquiry based on the link rate of the established link and the time taken for the inquiry. Further, the NIC adjusts the cycle of the inquiry so that the average power consumption of the MFP in the state in which the second power source is stopped, that is determined by the calculated consumed electric energy, does not exceed a threshold corresponding to a target power. |
| US09207732B1 |
Optimized fan duty control for computing device
Embodiments generally relate to thermal management in a computing device. The present technology discloses techniques that can enable an effective and reliable control of a fan speed using various factors such as a power loading value provided by a power supply unit. Power loading values can indicate a level of current flowing through the device, which is generally proportional to the amount of heat dissipated by such device. |
| US09207730B2 |
Multi-level thermal management in an electronic device
An electronic device is configured to manage heat in the device using a multi level thermal management process. When the temperature of the device reaches a level that requires the device to take action to adjust its thermal behavior, a system level controller identifies a component in the device as being active and that can be controlled to adjust heat generation in the device. Once an active component is identified, a component level controller sets an activity limit for the identified active component that is at or above a minimum activity limit of the component and prevents the component from operating above this activity limit. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US09207727B2 |
Determining air filter replacement conditions using air flow and energy consumption values
A method of determining a condition of a filter located within a system is provided. The method may include determining a first air flow measurement value for a first air flow through the filter, determining a first energy consumption value associated with generating the first air flow through the filter, determining a first ratio between the first air flow measurement value and the first energy consumption value, determining a second air flow measurement value for a second air flow through the filter, determining a second energy consumption value associated with generating the second air flow through the filter, and determining a second ratio between the second air flow measurement value and the second energy consumption value. The filter may then be replaced based on a comparison between the determined first and the determined second ratio. |
| US09207725B2 |
Disassembly mechanism for rapidly disassembling an expansion card
The present invention discloses a disassembly mechanism including a plate, at least one guiding component, at least one constraining component and a pushing component. The plate is installed on a circuit board of an electronic device, at least one opening and a slot are formed on the plate. The slot sheathes a socket on the circuit board. The at least one guiding component is for guiding the plate to move in a guiding direction. The at least one constraining component is disposed on the at least one guiding component for constraining movement of the plate in the guiding direction. The pushing component is connected to the plate and is for moving with the plate synchronously, so as to push the expansion card to separate from the socket. |
| US09207722B2 |
Tablet and monitor support systems
Support systems and related methods for supporting tablets and monitors. A stand that includes a monitor support portion configured to support a monitor and a tablet support portion configured to support a tablet. |
| US09207713B1 |
Location-based device docking
Multiple device rests may be placed in different locations for use with a portable device such as a smartphone, tablet computer, controller, gaming device, etc. Upon being placed in one of the device rests, the portable device receives an identifier that identifies the particular device rest and/or the location of the device rest. In response, the portable device is configured to initiate an action that has been previously associated with the particular device rest and or its location. |
| US09207709B2 |
Storage device assembling module and electronic apparatus using the same
A storage device assembling module for assembling a storage device in an electronic apparatus includes a main frame, an adapter, and at least one handgrip. The main frame includes a chute forming a receiving space for receiving the storage device and positioning. The adapter is combined with the main frame and includes a first connecting port connected electrically to the storage device and a second connecting port connected electrically to a circuit board. The location of the first connecting port is closed to the chute, and the connecting direction of the first connecting port is substantially perpendicular to the connecting direction of the second connecting port. Each handgrip is connected pivotally to at least one side of the main frame which is away from the circuit board. The storage device assembling module can substantially be perpendicularly detached from the circuit board by pulling the at least one handgrip. |
| US09207706B2 |
Generating monotonically increasing TOD values in a multiprocessor system
Generating monotonically increasing time-of-day values in a multiprocessor system is provided. Synchronization impulses are received by a processor of the multiprocessor system, and an execution of a read instruction of a time-of-day value within a processor of the processors is refused, if the execution of the read instruction of the time-of-day value is requested after a predefined time after a synchronization impulse of the synchronization impulses, and if a trigger signal, indicative of new data received by a related memory system, has been received after the predefined time, wherein the memory system is external to the processor. |
| US09207703B1 |
Method and apparatus for client application customization
Methods and apparatus to provide client application customization including requesting and receiving, by a client browser on a client machine, a first file from a server, running the first file as a client application, which looks to identify user preferences on the client machine, reading, parsing and loading into memory, by a computer processor on the client application, the identified user preferences as action scripts, and rendering the application using the action scripts. This arrangement saves server resources by customization being performed locally. |
| US09207701B2 |
Supply voltage generating circuit
A supply voltage generating circuit that enables a reduction in chip area includes: a booster for outputting a boosted voltage upon generating the boosted voltage by charge pumping of a capacitor element; a power-supply step-down unit for stepping down voltage of an external power supply to a voltage within a breakdown-voltage range of the capacitor element, and applying the stepped-down voltage to the power supply of the booster; and a switch element for switching between application of the external power supply to the power supply of the booster directly or via the power-supply step-down unit. The booster comprises multiple stages of booster circuits. The thicknesses of gate oxide films of capacitor elements constituted by MOS transistors included in respective ones of the booster circuits are the same and are made smaller than the thickness of a gate oxide film of a MOS transistor included in a load circuit having the output of the booster at its power supply. |
| US09207700B2 |
Solar power system and control system
In a case in which a local solution to current-voltage characteristics is generated by way of a partial shade, it has been difficult to perform control for causing a solar cell to operate at a maximum power point efficiently in terms of power and at a low cost. During steady state operation, an MPPT control unit 1 for performing the normal hill climbing method is selected, and if the change amount of the output current of the solar cell is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, an MPPT control unit 2 for increasing the variation width of the output voltage of the solar cell to greater than the hill climbing method is selected. By way of such control, it is possible to achieve both efficient operation in a steady state and avoidance of a local solution to a partial shade at a low cost. |
| US09207690B2 |
Thermal cycling
A processing apparatus includes a carrier receiving region configured to receive a sample carrier with at least one channel that carries at least one sample. The apparatus further includes a thermal control device configured to thermal cycle the sample carrier when the sample carrier is installed in the carrier receiving region, thereby thermal cycling the sample carried therein. The apparatus further includes a thermal control system configured to control the temperature control device based on a predetermined set of target sample temperatures and a temperature map, which maps the predetermined set of target sample temperatures to a set of temperatures of the temperature control device. The set of temperatures of the temperature control device is different from the predetermined set of target sample temperatures, and the set of temperatures of the temperature control device thermal cycle the sample carrier with the temperatures of the predetermined set of target sample temperatures. |
| US09207688B2 |
Aircraft bleed system and method of controlling an aircraft bleed system
An aircraft bleed system includes a low pressure supply port for delivering a first fluid at a first pressure. Also included is a high pressure supply port for delivering a second fluid at a second pressure, the second pressure greater than the first pressure. Further included is a feedback circuit in operable communication with the high pressure supply port for receiving the second fluid. The feedback circuit includes a first branch configured to route the second fluid to a high pressure control piston for manipulating the high pressure control piston between a high pressure closed position and a high pressure open position. The feedback circuit also includes a second branch configured to route the second fluid to a low pressure control piston moveably disposed within the high pressure control piston for manipulating the low pressure control piston between a low pressure closed position and a low pressure open position. |
| US09207683B2 |
Flow meter device and method of operation
A flow meter device is coupled to at least one sensor that measures a flow speed and provides status signals from which the flow speed can be determined. The flow meter receives and processes the flow measurement data provided by the at least one sensor. The at least one sensor is enabled at defined time instances for a defined interval time. The flow meter receives at least one status signal from the sensor each time the sensor is enabled and processes the status signals to generate a trigger event when certain conditions arise. A processing unit wakes up from a sleep mode when a trigger event is generated by the flow meter device. |
| US09207674B2 |
Autonomous moving robot and control method thereof
An autonomous moving robot includes: a distance sensor; an estimation unit configured to estimate a self position based on a distance measured by the distance sensor and map information; a normal line calculating unit configured to calculate a plane based on the distance and calculate the normal line of the plane; and a determination unit configured to calculate a histogram representing a distribution of normal line angles indicating a direction of the normal line and determines whether information of the distance sensor is insufficient based on the calculated histogram. The autonomous moving robot autonomously moves based on the self position estimated. At least one of a control process of changing a measurement direction of the distance sensor, a process of changing an estimation method of the self position, or a control process of taking a predetermined safety action is performed when the determination unit determines that the information is insufficient. |
| US09207666B2 |
Methods and apparatus to display localized process control objects
Example methods and apparatus to display localized process control objects. A disclosed example method includes receiving a request to view a process control object associated with a process control system, selecting a device description file based on the process control object, the device description file including a tag, selecting a set of locale templates based on a locale associated with the request, selecting a locale template from the set of locale templates based on the process control object, and processing the process control object for display by inserting portions of the selected locale template into the tag in the device description file. |
| US09207661B2 |
Dual core architecture of a control module of an engine
A control system for a control module of a vehicle includes a first integrated circuit (IC) core of a primary processor that generates a first control signal using a central processing unit (CPU). A second IC core of the primary processor generates a second control signal using a second CPU and generates a remedial control signal based on the first control signal and the second control signal. |
| US09207660B2 |
Bladders, compartments, chambers or internal sipes controlled by a web-based cloud computer system using a smartphone device
A computer system comprising a Web site and/or a cloud array of computers wherein the system is configured to have a connection to a smartphone or other mobile computer device and the system is configured to use the device to control a configuration of: computer-controlled bladders, compartments, chambers and/or internal sipes located in footwear soles of a device user. The system is further configured to control the configuration of bladders, compartments, chambers and/or internal sipes by using the device and the connection to: transmit data to the system for storage and/or shared or independent processing and/or analysis: process data received from the sensors located in footwear soles of the device user and a sensor including a gyroscope and/or an accelerometer in the device; and use the processed data to alter a configuration of the bladders, compartments, chambers and/or internal sipes. |
| US09207659B1 |
System and method for automating electrical devices at a building structure
An electrical control system for automatically controlling the operation of a plurality of electronic control units, each of which is operatively connected to one or more electrical devices. The electronic control units are configured to communicate with a client device having access to a user application configurable by a user. The user application is configured to automatically control the operation of the electrical devices, which include consumer appliances used at a home or business to perform functions such as cooking, cleaning, lighting, heating or refrigeration. Each of the electrical devices is operatively connected to one or more of the control units, each of which is programmed to operate according to the user application which is stored in the client device and/or the cloud as a user application. |
| US09207658B2 |
Added features of HEM/HEG using GPS technology
A GPS-based energy management system for a home network is provided that includes a plurality of enemy consuming devices. The system comprises a central controller operatively connected to each energy consuming device, and one or more GPS-enabled devices configured to communicate with the central controller. The central controller is programmed to modify the behavior of the energy consuming devices based on the location of at least one member of a home network. |
| US09207648B2 |
Watch having microphone
A watch includes a sound input body and a main body. The main body include an interface unit, a first electromagnetic coil unit, a signal processing unit, and a control unit. The sound input body includes a microphone and a second electromagnetic coil unit. The second electromagnetic coil unit generates inducted electromagnetic filed in response to an electric signal generated by the microphone. The first electromagnetic coil unit coupling the second electromagnetic coil unit generates electric signal in response to the electromagnetic field. The signal processing unit filters algorithm of the electric signal. The control unit recognizes the electric signal amplified by the signal amplification unit to execute corresponding function. |
| US09207647B2 |
Personal alarm system
A personal alarm system that only wakes up the intended user includes an appliance worn near the eye. The personal alarm system emits radiation of a particular wavelength onto the eye or eyelid of the intended user and a predetermined moment to wake up the intended user. |
| US09207646B2 |
Method and apparatus of estimating/calibrating TDC gain
A method of estimating gain of a time-to-digital converter (TDC) includes: capturing a TDC output sample; calculating a gradient in response to the TDC output sample; and adjusting a TDC normalizing gain based on the calculating step. Another method of calibrating gain of a TDC includes: capturing a phase error which is derived from a TDC output sample, a reference phase and a variable phase; calculating a gradient in response to the phase error; and adjusting a TDC normalizing gain based on the calculating step. |
| US09207640B2 |
Flexible escape mechanism with no pallet lever
An escape mechanism including a flexible single-piece mechanism for transmission of impulses between an impulse pin of a balance, and teeth of an escape wheel. Each tooth includes a lever with a pin that can be actuated by a lifting piece, a low level of the wheel carrying the pins on a same level as stop members of a plate, and a high level carrying the lifting pieces. The impulse pin pivots a lever opposite thereto, either to cause the pin to cooperate in abutment with the second stop member, or to move the lifting piece thereof opposite the first stop member and to cause the pin to bypass the second stop member, allowing the wheel to rotate to a next tooth. |
| US09207632B2 |
Developing cartridge provided with detection body
A receiving member configured to receive a driving force from outside is mounted on a first side wall on an opposite side from a developer accommodating portion and is rotatable around a first axis line parallel to the longitudinal direction. A rotating member is rotatably provided between the first and second side walls and configured to be rotated by the driving force received by the receiving member. A detection body is mounted on the second side wall on an opposite side from the developer accommodating portion and includes a detected part which is detected by a detecting unit. The detection body advances outwards in the longitudinal direction with respect to the second side wall and retracts inwards in the longitudinal direction with respect to the second side wall by the driving force received by the receiving member. |
| US09207628B2 |
Image forming apparatus provided with structure for receiving liquid
An image forming apparatus includes a casing, an image-forming unit, a circuit board for controlling operations of the image-forming unit, a receiving unit for receiving liquid entering into the casing. The casing includes: a wall portion constituting a top surface and positioned upward of the image-forming unit; a first frame supporting the circuit board; and a second frame opposing the first frame in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to a vertical direction. The wall portion includes a first member and a second member positioned adjacent to each other to provide a first gap therebetween. The image-forming unit is disposed between the first frame and the second frame. The receiving unit is positioned below the first gap and includes a receiving wall for receiving the liquid entering into the casing through the first gap, the receiving wall being slanted downward toward the second frame. |
| US09207625B2 |
Lubricant supply device, process unit, image forming apparatus, and process unit manufacturing method
A lubricant supply device includes a solid lubricant, a lubricant holder to hold the solid lubricant, a lubricant supply member to supply lubricant to a lubrication target, a pressing member to press the solid lubricant toward the lubricant supply member, and a pressing force adjuster to change an amount of pressing force exerted by the pressing member. |
| US09207617B2 |
Sheet transfer apparatus and image forming apparatus
A disclosed apparatus includes a first unit upstream of a first path to transfer a sheet; a second unit upstream of a second path to transfer another sheet from opposite side of the first path; a third unit on a combined path of the first and second paths to transfer the sheets downstream; and a first member provided where the first and second paths meet to guide the sheets to the combined path. The third unit is a nip unit including elements forming a nip. One of the elements on the second path side is a belt unit. The first member has a downstream edge extending in a sheet width direction. The downstream edge has a first part facing the nip part and a second part not facing the nip part. The second part is located downstream of the first part in the sheet transfer direction. |
| US09207610B2 |
Control device, image forming apparatus, non-transitory computer readable medium, and control method
Provided is a control device including a reception unit that receives an instruction of an image quality adjustment from a user, a changing unit that changes, when the instruction is received by the reception unit, an image forming condition in an image forming section from a first condition to a second condition, and an output unit that outputs first information indicating the first condition and second information indicating the second condition in association. |
| US09207609B2 |
Print boost
A method of printing is provided comprising: assigning a first set of image performance parameters from a plurality of image performance parameters to an associated image job; communicating the initially assigned first set of image performance parameters of the associated image job to an image marking engine; determining a queue of other image jobs assigned to the image marking engine, wherein the other image jobs are queued before the associated image job; and, assigning a second set of image performance parameters to the associated image job. The second set of image performance parameters can alter the first set of image performance parameters. The altering of the first set of image performance parameters to the second set of image performance parameters reduces a print duration to complete printing of the associated image job. The altering can further include reordering the queue of print jobs. |
| US09207608B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming system
An image forming apparatus includes a communication part that performs communication with an external device; an image processing part that processes image data that is received by the communication part and that is for forming an image; an image forming part that forms an image of the image data processed in the image processing part; and a power supply controller that controls power supplied to the communication part, the image processing part, or the image forming part. The communication part includes a memory part that stores status information of the image forming apparatus, and a server part that performs communication with the external device, and the power supply controller supplies power to only the communication part in a power saving mode during a standby period, and the server part responds to a status information reference request and a status information update request from the external device. |
| US09207606B2 |
Image forming apparatus
According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus which has a function of performing an erasing process of erasing an image formed on a recording medium and an image forming process of forming an image on the recording medium is provided. The image forming apparatus automatically performs the erasing process when a state where an operation panel does not receive a process request from a user continues during a predetermined time or more. |
| US09207603B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus with velocity difference setting means
Disclosed herein are a fixing device and an image forming apparatus including: a rotatable fixing side member; a rear side member that rotates in pressure contact with an outer peripheral surface of the fixing side member, the rear side member forming a fixing nip portion for conveying a sheet on which a toner image is formed in a sandwiching manner in conjunction with the fixing side member; and velocity difference setting structure for setting a velocity difference between a surface velocity of the rear side member and a surface velocity of the fixing side member, wherein the rear side member and the fixing side member rotate with a velocity difference set by the velocity difference setting structure. |
| US09207599B2 |
Fixing device
A fixing device having: a first rotating member rotating in a first rotational direction; a second rotating member contacting the first rotating member and thereby forming a nip through which a printing medium passes, wherein the second rotating member rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction; a heating unit heating the first rotating member in a heating section not overlapping with the nip when viewed in a plan view in the predetermined direction; and a first reflective member facing at least a part of a portion of the first rotating member that is located on a downstream side in the first rotational direction relative to the heating section but on an upstream side in the first rotational direction relative to the nip, the first reflective member having a reflection surface on the side facing the first rotating member. |
| US09207594B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes an exciting coil and a heat generator disposed opposite the exciting coil. The heat generator includes a heat generation layer disposed opposite the exciting coil to generate heat by a magnetic flux from the exciting coil and a temperature sensitive magnetic body disposed opposite the exciting coil via the heat generation layer to obtain and lose magnetism at a temperature defined by a Curie temperature by composition adjustment to selectively create a heating region and a non-heating region of the heat generation layer. A degausser is disposed opposite the heat generator and made of a non-magnetic material having an electrical resistivity smaller than that of the temperature sensitive magnetic body. A holder contacting and supporting the degausser is disposed inboard from a lateral edge of the degausser and outboard from a lateral end of the exciting coil in a longitudinal direction of the degausser. |
| US09207593B2 |
Image heating apparatus and image forming apparatus
An image heating apparatus includes an image heating member configured to heat an image on a recording medium, a heat source heating the image heating member from an inside thereof, an image heating temperature detecting member detecting the surface temperature of the image heating member, an external heating member heating the image heating member from an outside of the image heating member, a cooling fan cooling a surface of the image heating member, and a control portion. The control portion is configured to execute a first mode of controlling the temperature detected by the image heating temperature detecting member under a predetermined control condition to a target temperature while executing a preceding job and a second mode of switching the predetermined control condition while maintaining the setting of the target temperature while processing the preceding job. |
| US09207589B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus including same
A fixing device includes an endless belt or a fixing belt; a pressure member to contact an outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt; a nip forming member disposed at an interior side of the fixing belt and contacting the pressure member via the fixing belt; a heat source disposed at an interior side of the fixing belt to heat the fixing belt with radiant heat, a plurality of shielding members disposed between the heat source and the fixing belt and movable between a shielding position where the shielding member shields a non-sheet passing area on the fixing belt from the radiant heat from the heat source and a retracted position; and a controller to move the plurality of shielding members between the shielding position and the retracted position at a predetermined time. |
| US09207586B2 |
Image forming device
An image forming device has multiple image forming units that form developing agent images, an intermediate transfer member to which developing agent images are transferred from selected image forming units, and a transfer member for transferring the developing agent images from the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium, using a voltage supplied from a voltage supply unit. The voltage supply unit varies the voltage supplied to the transfer member, either before or after or both before and after the developing agent images are transferred from the intermediate transfer member to the recording medium, according to the number of selected image forming units or their disposition. |
| US09207577B2 |
Toner cartridge having shutter lock mechanism
A toner cartridge for use in an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein. The housing has an exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir. A shutter is positioned at the exit port that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The shutter is biased toward the closed position. A linkage is operatively connected to the shutter to open the shutter upon being actuated by a first engagement feature in the image forming device. An interlock is operatively engaged with the linkage and biased toward a locked position preventing the linkage from opening the shutter. The interlock is movable to an unlocked position that is disengaged with the linkage when the interlock is actuated by a second engagement feature in the image forming device permitting the linkage to open the shutter. |
| US09207573B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method
An image forming apparatus includes multiple image forming units each accommodating an image bearer and a developer bearer to develop a latent image formed on the image bearer. Each of the image forming units other than a prescribed image forming unit runs in an ordinary reverse rotation mode, in which at least one of the image bearer and the developer bearer rotates in an opposite direction during a non-image formation time period. The prescribed image forming unit runs in a special reverse rotation mode, in which at least one of the image bearer and the developer bearer rotates in the opposite direction during the non-image formation time period based on a differentiated one of a rotation time period, a start timing, a rotational speed, and a frequency of operation from those of the other image forming units, or does not run in the special reverse rotation mode. |
| US09207572B2 |
Developer container and image forming device
A developer container includes a casing having a developer accommodating chamber and a waste-developer accommodating chamber, conveying member, a conveying-member accommodating unit, and a supporting member. The conveying member conveys waste developer in a longitudinal direction of the waste-developer accommodating chamber. The conveying-member accommodating unit accommodates the conveying member therein and has a first opening and a second opening. The first opening is provided in an upstream end portion and allows the waste developer to move from outside of the conveying-member accommodating unit to the inside of the conveying-member accommodating unit. The second opening allows the waste-developer to move from the inside of the conveying-member accommodating unit to the waste-developer accommodating chamber. The supporting member is provided on the casing. The supporting member supports the conveying-member accommodating unit such that the conveying-member accommodating unit is movable in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction relative to the casing. |
| US09207571B2 |
Image forming apparatus and toner case
This image formation device is provided with a toner case (6), a developer body (83) and a developer (12). The toner case (6) includes a case body (22) having a discharge port (35), and a case-side shutter (28) for opening and closing the discharge port (35). A replenishing port (88) for accepting the toner is provided to the developer body (83). The developer (12) includes a developer-side shutter (98) for opening and closing the replenishing port (88). When the toner case (6) has been mounted on the developer (12) and the case-side shutter (28) is displaced from a position where the discharge port (35) is closed to a position where the discharge port (35) is open, the case-side shutter (28) pushes and displaces the developer-side shutter (98) from a position where the replenishing port (88) is closed to a position where the replenishing port (88) is open. |
| US09207569B2 |
Image forming apparatus, control method therefor, and storage medium storing control program therefor
An image forming apparatus that is capable of reducing an effect of variation of specific inductive capacity of toner due to environmental variation with a small detection error when the remaining toner amount is detected. The image forming apparatus forms an image with an electrophotographic system. A container unit stores toner. A toner detection unit has sensor modules that are arranged at positions where the toner is stagnated in the container unit, and that show different electrostatic capacities with respect to the same toner thickness. An electrostatic capacity detection unit detects the electrostatic capacities of the sensor modules. A determination unit determines a remaining toner amount in the container unit based on the electrostatic capacities of the sensor modules that are detected by the electrostatic capacity detection unit. |
| US09207567B2 |
Cap configuration for a toner cartridge
Aspects described herein relate to a cap for a toner cartridge. In one example, the cap may be configured to close a toner supply opening of the toner cartridge. According to one or more aspects, the cap may include a sealing or covering portion configured to cover the toner supply opening and a shaft portion for rotatably supporting a to-be-detected rotary member. The to-be-detected rotary member 56 is rotatably supported around and fitted onto the shaft portion. Therefore, even if a toner supply opening of a cartridge is provided in a sidewall of the housing on a side where the to-be-detected rotary member is provided, e.g., a left sidewall, the toner supply opening and the to-be-detected rotary member can be provided in such a manner as to overlap each other. |
| US09207565B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus provided with same
A developing device includes a development housing, a developer carrier, a toner carrier, a bias applying unit, a leakage detecting unit, a bias control unit and a leakage detection control unit. The developer carrier carries a developer layer. The toner carrier receives the toner from the developer layer and supplies the toner to an image carrier. The bias applying unit includes one transformer and applies direct-current voltages and alternating-current voltages to the developer carrier and the toner carrier. The leakage detecting unit detects leakage occurring between the image carrier and the toner carrier or between the toner carrier and the developer carrier. The leakage detection control unit detects a value of an inter-peak voltage at which the leakage occurs and determines whether the leakage occurs between the image carrier and the toner carrier or between the toner carrier and the developer carrier. |
| US09207564B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a holding roller which holds thereon developer attached on the image carrier, a transfer member which transfers a developer image on the image carrier to a transfer medium, a collection device which collects the developer on the holding roller via the image carrier, and a control device which executes a collection control of causing the developer held on the holding roller to move to the image carrier such that the collection device collects the developer via the image carrier. The control device applies to the holding roller a first discharge bias having a polarity same as the developer after the collection control starts until a first time elapses and thereafter applies to the holding roller a second discharge bias having a polarity same as the developer and having an absolute value larger than the first discharge bias. |
| US09207561B2 |
Image forming apparatus for controlling misalignment in image forming position between colors
An image forming apparatus that forms a color image by layering toner images of different colors includes: a photoreceptor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed through charging and exposure; an exposure unit performing exposure-scanning on the photoreceptor in accordance with image signal; an intensity determination unit determining exposure intensity according to image forming condition; and a timing determination unit determining a timing of inputting image signal for each scanning line, wherein the exposure unit has a delay duration differing depending on the exposure intensity and being from input of image signal of each pixel to be exposed to exposure of the pixel at the exposure intensity, and the timing determination unit obtains the delay duration corresponding to the exposure intensity, and determines the timing such that image signal of an initial pixel to be initially exposed is input the delay duration before the initial pixel is exposed. |
| US09207560B2 |
Laser light control device and image forming apparatus
A laser light control device includes: a photodiode disposed, along with a semiconductor laser, at a location capable of receiving laser light reflected on a polygon mirror after emitted from the semiconductor laser can be received; a semiconductor laser drive control section; and a comparison circuit configured to compare an output voltage of the photodiode and a reference voltage corresponding to a reference amount of light of the semiconductor laser. The semiconductor laser drive control section uses a timing with which the semiconductor laser drive control section receives from the comparison circuit an output indicating that the voltage output from the photodiode is larger than the reference voltage to generate a light emission start timing with which the semiconductor laser starts to emit laser light based on an image signal. |
| US09207554B2 |
Image forming apparatus having improved image quality
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device which forms an image on a rotation member, a sensor, and a controller. The controller executes an overlapping pattern detection processing which detects a positional deviation amount using an overlapping pattern including a plurality of overlapping marks with overlapped colorant images of two colors, a non-overlapping pattern detection processing which detects a positional deviation amount using a non-overlapping pattern including a plurality of marks, each having a single color, and an execution processing which executes the overlapping pattern detection processing or the non-overlapping pattern detection processing based on a condition. |
| US09207552B2 |
Classifying apparatus, classifying method, toner and method for producing the toner
A classifying apparatus including a cylindrical casing, a powder material feeding port, a louver ring disposed in the casing to be in communication with the powder material feeding port in a horizontal direction, a center core, a separator core, a dispersion chamber defined by the center core and an inner wall of the casing at the powder material-fed side, a classification chamber defined by the center core, the separator core and a side inner wall of the casing, and a flow path encircling the louver ring, wherein in a horizontal cross section of part of the classifying apparatus where the part contains the powder material feeding port and the louver ring, the louver ring is located at a position where the louver ring does not intersect with an extended line of a wall surface of the powder material feeding port at the side of the louver ring. |
| US09207544B2 |
Method for simulating an aerial image
An aerial image is generated by imaging an object with the use of an imaging optic, the object being illuminated by an illuminating optic by using a light source emitting illuminating radiation, the illuminating optic having a pupil plane. A first data set is defined to represent the object, a second data set is defined to represent the intensity distribution of the illuminating radiation in the pupil plane of the light source, and the aerial image is calculated from the first and the second data set, in which the resolution of the second data set varies according to the intensity or according to the location of the pupil plane. A microscope includes an imaging optic for imaging an object, a detector for capturing an aerial image of the object, and a processing unit for simulating aerial images generated by the microscope. |
| US09207540B1 |
Integrating functional and fluidic circuits in joule-thomson microcoolers
A method includes etching one or more fluidic channels into a first substrate made of a first material according to a first spatial pattern. The method also includes, after etching the fluidic channels, then separately etching a space in the first substrate according to a different second pattern that includes at least one connection between at least two different portions of the fluidic channels. The method still further includes depositing a different second material into the space. The method yet further includes bonding a different second substrate to the first substrate to enclose the fluidic channels to configure them to contain or pass one or more fluids. For fabricating a Joule-Thomson cooler, the first substrate is made of a first thermally insulating material; the second material is a thermally conducting material; and the second substrate is made of a second thermally insulating material. |
| US09207539B1 |
Automatic optimization of etch process for accelerated yield ramp with matched charged particle multi-beam systems
The present application discloses methods, systems and devices for using charged particle beam tools to pattern and inspect a substrate. The inventors have discovered that it is highly advantageous to use write and inspection tools that share the same or substantially the same stage and the same or substantially the same designs for respective arrays of multiple charged particle beam columns, and that access the same design layout database to target and pattern or inspect features. By using design-matched charged particle beam tools, correlation of defectivity is preserved between inspection imaging and the design layout database. As a result, image-based defect identification and maskless design correction, of random and systematic errors, can be performed directly in the design layout database, enabling a fast yield ramp. |
| US09207538B2 |
Applications of semiconductor nano-sized particles for photolithography
Semiconductor nano-sized particles possess unique optical properties, which make them ideal candidates for various applications in the UV photolithography. In this patent several such applications, including using semiconductor nano-sized particles or semiconductor nano-sized particle containing materials as highly refractive medium in immersion lithography, as anti-reflection coating in optics, as pellicle in lithography and as sensitizer in UV photoresists are described. |
| US09207527B1 |
System and method for decorating a pumpkin
A system and method for decorating a vegetable, such as a pumpkin, is provided. The system includes a base frame disposed within an aperture defined in the pumpkin, and a cover having a design or image associated therewith that is selectively coupled to the base frame. The base frame may be a flexible, frusto-conical ring that has an outer edge positioned adjacent to an outer surface of the pumpkin. The outer edge may be at least partially formed of a magnetic material, and the cover may be formed of a material that is attracted to the magnetic material of the base frame to selectively attach the cover to the base frame. The system may include a colored sheet positioned behind the cover, and a protective backing positioned behind the colored sheet to provide protection from the heat generated from the light source within the pumpkin. |
| US09207522B2 |
Light source unit and projector
The invention includes an excitation light source, a light distribution adjusting member on which excitation light from the excitation light source is incident, and a luminescent material which emits luminous light of a different wavelength from that of the excitation light by the excitation light which passes through the light distribution adjusting member being shone on thereto, wherein the excitation light source is disposed so that the excitation light is incident on a light incident surface of the light distribution adjusting member at a predetermined angle. |
| US09207519B1 |
Self-photographing mount device
A self-photographing mount device for holding a camera equipped user device at a distance from a user, comprising: a mounting structure having at least two corner mounting elements for mounting a camera equipped user device in parallel to a mounting plane; an extendable shaft having a handle at a proximal end thereof; and a hinge mounted on one of the at least two corner mounting elements to allow pivotal rotation of the extendable shaft from a folded position to an open position; when in the folded position, the extendable shaft is adjacent to the mounting plane and parallel to a diagonal of a back panel of the camera equipped user device; and when in the open position, the extendible shaft forms a wide angle with the mounting plane. |
| US09207518B2 |
360° imaging system
A 360 degree camera imaging system comprising a first horizontal boom having a first end, a second end, and a middle section; a second horizontal boom having a first end and a second end; a first vertical arm having a first end and a second end; a second vertical arm having a first end and a second end; and a mounting bracket. The first horizontal boom is connected to the first end of the second horizontal boom by a first rotatable pivot proximate the middle section of the first horizontal boom, and the second end of the second horizontal boom is connected to the mounting bracket. The first end of the first vertical arm is affixed to the first end of the first horizontal boom, and the first end of the second vertical arm is affixed to the second end of the first horizontal boom. A camera is mounted to the first vertical arm, and a backdrop is mounted to the second vertical arm. |
| US09207513B2 |
Nanocrystal-polymer nanocomposite electrochromic device
Described is an electrochromic nanocomposite film comprising a solid matrix of an oxide based material, the solid matrix comprising a plurality of transparent conducting oxide (TCO) nanostructures dispersed in the solid matrix and a lithium salt dispersed in the solid matrix. Also described is a near infrared nanostructured electrochromic device having a functional layer comprising the electrochromic nanocomposite film. |
| US09207511B2 |
Liquid crystal display device, driving method of the same, and electronic appliance including the same
An object is to provide a liquid crystal display device in which low power consumption can be achieved. A first substrate includes a terminal portion, a switching transistor, and a pixel circuit including a pixel electrode is provided. A second substrate includes a counter electrode. A liquid crystal element is interposed between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode. A potential to be input to the counter electrode is supplied from a terminal portion through the switching transistor. A semiconductor layer included in the switching transistor is an oxide semiconductor layer. |
| US09207509B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
Disclosed are a liquid crystal display device and a method for fabricating the same. The liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates joined to and facing each other, a TFT formed in each pixel of an active area on the first substrate, a first discharge line formed in a non-active area on the first substrate, a protective layer formed over the entire surface of the first substrate, including the TFT and the first discharge line, a second discharge line surrounding an outer region of the first discharge line in the non-active area on the first substrate, a plurality of contact holes passing through the protective layer to expose a portion of the first discharge line, a connection pattern branching from the second discharge line, and covering the respective contact holes, and an electrostatic discharge layer formed on the outside surface of the second substrate. |
| US09207506B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes: a first insulation substrate; a gate line disposed on the first insulation substrate; a first data line and a second data line disposed on the first insulation substrate; a color filter disposed on the first insulation substrate and disposed between the first data line and the second data line; a first light blocking member disposed on the first data line and the second data line; and a second light blocking member disposed on the color filter and the first light blocking member, extending in the same direction as the gate line, and overlapping the first light blocking member on the first data line and the second data line. |
| US09207505B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and fabrication method of a conductive substrate
A liquid crystal display device includes: a first substrate; a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate; and a plurality of liquid crystal molecules disposed between the first and second substrates. The first substrate includes a transparent substrate, an insulator layer formed on a surface of the transparent substrate and formed with a plurality of grooves, and a pixel electrode formed on a surface of the insulator layer and formed with a plurality of electrode slits. |
| US09207501B2 |
Electrophoretic display panel and manufacturing method thereof
An electrophoretic display panel includes a driving substrate and an electrophoretic display substrate. The driving substrate includes a first base material, driving electrode patterns, conductive lines, and a shielding layer. The first base material has a first configuration region and a second configuration region. The driving electrode patterns are located inside the first configuration region. The conductive lines are respectively connected to the driving electrode patterns and respectively extend from the first configuration region to the second configuration region. The shielding layer shields the conductive lines and exposes the driving electrode patterns. The electrophoretic display substrate includes a second base material located opposite to the first base material, an electrode layer, and display media. The electrode layer is disposed on the second base material and between the first and second base materials. The display media are disposed between the electrode layer and the driving electrode patterns. |
| US09207500B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus
To provide a segment display-type liquid crystal display apparatus that readily prevents display flaws caused by disconnection. The apparatus displays a predetermined pattern shape, comprising a first and a second electrode disposed so that a portion of each overlaps, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the electrodes. The first electrode comprises hollow parts open in accordance with the pattern shape, and a plurality of first openings, each having a first area extending in a first direction. The region where the electrodes overlap is divided into a first region demarcated by a portion of a contour of a hollow part and a first boundary part wherein the distance in the first direction between contours of a hollow part is 1.5 times the length of the first area, and a second region other than the first region, and the plurality of first openings is disposed correspondingly in the first region. |
| US09207494B2 |
Display device and method of manufacturing the same
A display device includes a display area and a non-display area, a first alignment layer disposed on a first substrate, a second alignment layer disposed on a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer; and a groove disposed in the non-display area of the second substrate to correspond to at least a portion of an end portion of the second alignment layer. The groove is provided along at least one side of the display area and is configured to be filled by an alignment solution used to from the second alignment layer and prevent the alignment solution from dispersing to other areas of the second substrate. |
| US09207493B2 |
Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus includes a back light unit that has a light source, an optical member that is arranged so as to face the irradiation direction of the light of the light source, and a spacer that supports the optical member from the light source side and is arranged in a state in which the optical member is arranged parallel to the direction of gravity or inclined with respect to the direction of gravity, and a display panel that is arranged so as to be superimposed on the optical member of the back light unit. In the back light unit, the number of spacers arranged in an upper half area of the optical member with respect to the direction of gravity is configured to be smaller than that of the spacers arranged in a lower half area of the optical member with respect to the direction of gravity. |
| US09207492B2 |
Back light unit and method for assembling the same
A back light unit is disclosed, of which thinness is easily provided. The back light unit comprises at least one light source substrate having one surface provided with at least one light source and the other surface provided with a connector to which a driving power source for driving the light source is input; a bottom cover receiving the light source substrate therein, wherein the bottom cover includes at least one opening, so that the connector is projected to the outside of the bottom cover, the opening passing through a rear surface of the bottom cover. |
| US09207488B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and liquid crystal display apparatus having the same
A liquid crystal display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a first polarizing element disposed under the first substrate, the first polarizing element including a first polarizing layer and a second polarizing layer having different refractive indexes, the first polarizing layer having been stretched in a direction substantially parallel to a transmitting axis of the first polarizing element, and a second polarizing element disposed on the second substrate, the second polarizing element having been stretched in a direction substantially perpendicular to a transmitting axis of the second polarizing element. |
| US09207486B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a light shielding layer overlapping outermost conductive patterns of an electrode
A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a first substrate, a first electrode on the first substrate, a second electrode overlapping the first electrode and including a plurality of conductive patterns elongated in a first direction, and a light shielding layer overlapping an outermost conductive pattern of the second electrode. |
| US09207485B2 |
Flexible transparent liquid crystal display and method for preparing same
There is provided a flexible transparent liquid crystal display (10) comprises a first flexible substrate (101) provided with a common electrode layer (102); a second flexible substrate (105) provided with an array of pixel electrodes (103) and thin film field effect transistors (104); wherein at least one bi-stable state polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer (106) is provided between the first flexible substrate (104) and the second flexible substrate (105). There is also provided a method for preparing the same, which can increase the efficiency of the process for preparing the flexible transparent liquid crystal display. |
| US09207478B2 |
Liquid crystal display module and array substrate
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display module comprising: a liquid crystal panel including a color filter substrate and an array substrate that are oppositely arranged to form a cell, a black matrix being arranged at a position close to an edge of the color filter substrate; and a bezel arranged around the liquid crystal panel, wherein a light shielding layer is arranged in a region around the array substrate and close to an edge of the array substrate, and a first angle β1 between a line from an outer edge of the light shielding layer to an inner edge of the bezel and a display surface of the liquid crystal panel is less than a second angle β2 between a line from an outer edge of the black matrix to the inner edge of the bezel and the display surface of the liquid crystal panel. |
| US09207476B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
A liquid crystal display device includes: a liquid crystal panel; a backlight unit under the liquid crystal panel, the backlight unit including a light emitting diode (LED) assembly supplying a light and a light guide plate transmitting the light from the LED assembly to the liquid crystal panel; a main frame surrounding the backlight unit, the main frame including a flat portion for supporting the LED assembly and a guide wall for guiding the LED assembly, the guide wall including at least one concave portion; and a light shielding tape on the guide wall and the LED assembly, the light shielding tape including at least one open portion corresponding to the at least one concave portion. |
| US09207474B2 |
Display apparatus
A lower case for a display apparatus includes a receiving part and a sidewall part. The receiving part has a planar bottom plate extending in a first direction and a side portion substantially perpendicular to and extending from the bottom plate in a second direction normal to the bottom plate. The sidewall part is disposed along an edge of the bottom plate that forms a first receiving space with the bottom plate for receiving a backlight assembly having a light source assembly. The sidewall part further includes a first sidewall not adjacent to the light source unit, a second sidewall adjacent to the light source unit, and a third receiving space surrounding the first receiving space for receiving a wire. |
| US09207471B2 |
Vertical alignment type liquid crystal display apparatus having improved display uniformity
A mono domain vertical alignment type liquid crystal display apparatus to be multiplex driven is provided whose display uniformity at a large pretilt angle (near 90°) is improved. Waveform A is applied to a liquid crystal cell of a mono domain vertical alignment type, the waveform A having a duty not lower than 4 and a frame frequency of f. The frame frequency f is determined from a pretilt angle θp, and is a frequency not lower than 60 Hz at a pretilt angle of 88.5°≦θp<89.6° or a frequency not lower than [120×(θp−89.6)+60] Hz at a pretilt angle of 89.6°≦θp≦89.9°. |
| US09207470B2 |
Polarizer support member and lighting-inspection equipment having the same
The present invention belongs to the technology field of a tool for testing an optical property of a structural member, and discloses a polarizer support member of a lighting-inspection equipment and a lighting-inspection equipment. By providing a connecting portion at each corner region of the support plate, and providing a fixing member which is detachably connected with the connecting portion at a location on the frame of the lighting-inspection equipment corresponding to each connecting portion, the forces applied to the support plate between the connecting portions and the fixing members are balanced so as to remain the support plate in a horizontal state, thus, the supporting stability of the support plate is ensured and the damage to the panel or other parts due to the sag of one end of the support plate is avoided. In addition, the structure of the support member is simple and the installation and detachment of the support is easy. The lighting-inspection equipment having the above polarizer support member as its upper polarizer support member can stably support the upper polarizer support member, and have a better inspection effect. |
| US09207462B2 |
Correction optical apparatus, image blur correction apparatus, and image capturing apparatus
A correction optical apparatus configured to correct an image blur includes a rotating member rotatably supported, a sliding member movable in a first direction, a movable member configured to be movable in a second direction and support a correction lens, a first driving unit provided between the rotating member and the sliding member, and a second driving unit provided between the sliding member and the movable member. The image blur is corrected by driving of the first and second driving units. When the image blur correction is not to be performed, a regulating member provided on the rotating member is made to engage with an engaging portion provided on the movable member by driving of the first driving unit, thereby regulating translation of the movable member. |
| US09207460B2 |
Patterned retarder type display device having black strips and manufacturing method therefor
The present disclosure relates to a patterned retarder type display device having a black strip and a method for manufacturing the same. The present disclosure suggests a patterned retarder type display device comprising: a first substrate having a display area in which unit pixels are disposed in a matrix type and a non-display area surrounding the display area; a second substrate joined with the first substrate by a sealant disposed in the non-display area; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; a plurality of a horizontal black strip disposed along a horizontal border distinguishing the unit pixel on an outer surface of the first substrate; and an outer strip covering the non-display area on the outer surface of the first substrate. |
| US09207459B2 |
2D/3D switchable image display device
A two-dimensional (2D)/three-dimensional (3D) switchable image display device is provided. The 2D/3D switchable image display device forms gradation of an image in a light modulation panel, provides color to light beams that penetrate a plurality of electro-wetting prisms arranged in correspondence to the plurality of pixels of the image, and adjusts the direction of the light beam such that the light beams of the pixels of the image are directed towards at least two different view zones in a 3D mode and such that the light beams maintain their paths in a 2D mode. |
| US09207455B2 |
Electronic correction based on eye tracking
A head mountable display (HMD) system comprises an eye position detector comprising one or more cameras configured to detect the position of each of the HMD user's eyes; a dominant eye detector configured to detect a dominant eye of the HMD user; and an image generator configured to generate images for display by the HMD in dependence upon the HMD user's eye positions, the image generator being configured to apply a greater weight to the detected position of the dominant eye than to the detected position of the non-dominant eye. |
| US09207453B2 |
Mirror rotating apparatus
A mirror rotating apparatus includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The stationary portion includes a detection sensor configured to detect rotation of the rotating portion. The rotating portion includes a mirror portion whose outside surface includes a plurality of mirror surfaces that face radially outward. The mirror portion includes a rotation detection surface opposite to the detection sensor, and a balance correction portion defined by a groove or a projection extending in a circumferential direction in the rotation detection surface. The balance correction portion locates a center of gravity of the mirror portion closer to the rotation axis. The rotation of the rotating portion causes the balance correction portion to pass through a region to which light is emitted from the detection sensor. |
| US09207449B2 |
Electrowetting display device, method of driving the same, and method of manufacturing the same
An electrowetting display device includes first and second substrates facing each other and separated from each other, a cell region between the first and second substrates, the cell region including a pixel region and a reservoir region, a first fluid and a second fluid in the cell region, the first fluid being conductive and flowing according to an electrowetting principle and the second fluid being non-conductive and not mixed with the first fluid, and an electrode unit turning on and off the pixel region, the electrode unit including a pixel electrode coated with an insulating material and at least one reservoir electrode coated with the insulating material to promote flow of one of the first fluid and the second fluid into the reservoir region. |
| US09207446B2 |
Scanning space observation optical system
An optical system has a rotary scanning mirror, an optical instrument and an optical image rotation device. The rotary scanning mirror receives an incident beam of rays and returns an input beam along a first axis. The optical instrument receives the input beam from the scanning mirror and returns an output beam parallel to the input beam along a second axis in a direction opposite to the input beam towards the optical rotation device. The optical image rotation device is positioned on the second axis and receives the output beam. The scanning mirror has an axis of rotation aligned on the first axis. The optical image rotation device has an axis of rotation aligned on the second axis. The optical system comprises a common driving device for rotationally driving the optical image rotation device and the scanning mirror about their respective rotation axes. |
| US09207429B2 |
Camera lens
A compact camera lens composed of the following five lenses in this sequence proceeding from the object side: a first positive meniscus lens, wherein the concave surface of the first positive meniscus lens faces away from the object side; a second negative lens, wherein the object-side surface of the second negative lens is concave; a third positive lens, wherein the image-side surface of the third positive lens is convex; a fourth biconvex lens; and a fifth negative lens. The fourth biconvex lens and the fifth negative lens are in each case cemented with one another. The object-side surface of the third positive lens and the image-side surface of the fifth negative lens are of aspherical form. The objective is particularly robust, compact, has a large aperture and very good imaging characteristics. It is suitable for example as an objective of an exterior mirror replacement camera in the automotive field. |
| US09207424B2 |
Lens device
An object is to provide a lens device that can share a cable and can prevent the unnecessary exposure of the cable, and an imaging apparatus that includes the lens device. A lens device according to an embodiment of the invention, includes a lens barrel, a control unit that is provided on the lens barrel, a cable of which one end is connected to the control unit and the other end is connected to the imaging apparatus main body, and a housing portion in which the cable is wound and housed and which is provided with an opening through which the cable is led out. The cable is housed in a circumferential direction of the lens barrel, and a length of a portion of the cable led out through the opening is changed by the change of a length of a housed portion of the cable. |
| US09207416B2 |
Optical connector interconnection system and method
A method for connecting adjacent computing board devices. A source computing board may be provided. An optical engine attaches to the source computing board. A plurality of source optical connectors couples to the optical engine. A first optical connector may be positioned at a location on the source computing board for a first preset type of computing component on an adjacent computing board. A second optical connector may be positioned at a fixed coordinate related to the first optical connector on the source computing board. |
| US09207414B2 |
Optical engine
An optical engine includes a fiber joint, a fiber pad, and a photoelectric module. The fiber joint, has a fiber installation part and an optical signal output part. The fiber installation part is for accommodating a plurality of fibers, the optical signal output part includes a plurality of fiber positioning through holes running through the optical signal part. Each fiber plugs into one terminal of each positioning through hole and outputs an optical signal via the other terminal of the positioning through hole. The fiber pad is disposed on the fiber installation part and has a plurality of fiber guiding grooves for guiding the fibers to the corresponding fiber positioning through holes. The photoelectric module has a plurality of photoelectric components. Each photoelectric component is aligned with one of the positioning through holes for converting the optical signals coming from the fiber positioning through holes into electric signals. |
| US09207411B2 |
Fiber connector
A fiber connector includes a case, a light emitting element, and a fiber. The case includes a lower seat and a fiber receiving portion connected to one end of the lower seat. The lower seat defines a receiving recess with an end surface. An optical coupling portion protrudes downward from the end surface. The fiber receiving portion defines a blind hole. The light emitting element is received in the receiving recess and faces the optical coupling portion. The fiber is received in the blind hole. Light rays emitted from the light emitting element are converged to the fiber by the optical coupling portion. |
| US09207406B2 |
Fiber optic rotary joints, methods practiced thereby, and fiber optic devices
This invention provides a fiber optic rotary joint (20) for enabling the transmission of digital optical signals across the interface between facing surfaces (26, 29) of a rotor and a stator (21, 22), comprising: a plurality of light sources (42A, 42B, 42C, . . . ) mounted on one of the rotor and stator, each light source including a first light source (43C) arranged to selectively generate a first optical signal at a first wavelength and a second light source (43C′) arranged to selectively generate a second optical signal at a second wavelength; a first plurality of light emitters (25) spaced along a first arc distance of the surface of the one of the rotor and stator for transmitting optical signals received from the light sources toward the facing surface of the other of the rotor and stator; a first plurality of first optical fibers severally communicating respective ones of the light sources with respective ones of the light emitters for conveying optical signals from each respective light source to the associated emitter; a second plurality of light receptors (31) spaced along a second arc distance on the surface of the other of the rotor and stator; and at least one light detector (36, 40) mounted on the other of the rotor and stator; and a second plurality of second optical fibers severally communicating respective ones of the light receptors with the light detector(s). The light sources, first optical fibers, light emitters, light receptors, second optical fibers and detector(s) are so configured and arranged that the aggregate propagation delay of the optical signal transmitted from the light sources to the detector(s) is less than about one-quarter of the bit width of the optical signal. The fiber optic rotary joint is capable of transmitting the optical signal across the interface with reduced jitter. |
| US09207400B2 |
T-shape polarization beam splitter based on photonic crystal waveguide
A photonic crystal waveguide T-polarization beam splitter, comprising a photonic crystal waveguide with a completely forbidden band; after the input end (1) of the photonic crystal waveguide inputs an incident wave in any polarization direction into the polarization beam splitter, a TE component is outputted from a TE output end (2), and a TM component is outputted from the TM output end (3) of the beam splitter. The polarization beam splitter has a small size, high polarization and high light transmission efficiency, facilitates integration and has high efficiency, is suitable for large scale optical path integration, and achieves the functions of polarizing and beam splitting for different wavelengths. |
| US09207392B2 |
Backlight unit, display device therewith, and lighting system therewith
Embodiments relate to a backlight unit, a display device therewith, and a lighting system therewith, the backlight unit including a first reflector and a second reflector, at least one light source disposed between the first reflector and the second reflector, an upper cover plate and a lower cover plate separate from each other, and a heat dissipation unit for holding the light source and being disposed between the upper cover plate and the lower cover plate to dissipate heat from the light source. |
| US09207388B2 |
Light source module
A light source module including a light guide plate, a first light-emitting device and a second light-emitting device is provided. The light guide plate has a first surface, a second surface and a light incident surface. The light incident surface includes a first and second light incident sub-surfaces and a first end, wherein the second light incident sub-surface is oblique relative to the first light incident sub-surface. The first light-emitting device is disposed beside the first light incident sub-surface, and the second light-emitting device is disposed beside the second light incident sub-surface. The light guide plate has a visual area, and the visual area has a first corner located beside the first end, a light-emitting range of the second light-emitting device covers the first corner, and the second light incident sub-surface is located between the first end and the first light incident sub-surface. |
| US09207386B2 |
Backlight unit and liquid crystal display module including the same
A backlight unit for a display device includes a light guide plate; a reflective sheet under the light guide plate; a lamp at least one side of the light guide plate and providing a light into the light guide plate; and an optical sheet disposed on the light guide plate and including a first lenticular sheet, the first lenticular sheet including a base film for diffusing the light through the light guide plate, a first lenticular lens disposed on a front surface of the base film and having a half-cylinder shape and a first printing pattern on at least one edge of a rear surface of the base film. |
| US09207384B2 |
Backlight asymmetric light input wedge
A backlight is disclosed and includes a visible light transmissive body primarily propagating light by TIR with a light input surface and a light output surface and a light guide portion and a light input portion. The light guide portion has a light reflection surface and a light emission surface. The light input portion has opposing side surfaces that are not parallel. One of the opposing surfaces is co-planar with either the light emission surface or the light reflection surface. A light source is disposed adjacent to the light input surface. The light source emits light into the light input portion. A reflective layer is disposed adjacent to or on the opposing side surfaces. |
| US09207383B2 |
Backlight unit and liquid crystal display device using the same
Discussed are a backlight unit and an LCD device using the same. The backlight unit according to an embodiment includes a light source; a light guide plate facing the light source; a plurality of protrusion patterns provided on the bottom of the light guide plate; an optical sheet disposed on the light guide plate; and a reflector disposed under the light guide plate, wherein each of the plurality of protrusion patterns has a cross-sectional structure comprising a first side that is a portion of the bottom of the light guide plate, a second side that extends from one end of the first side, and a third side that extends from the other end of the first side. |
| US09207382B2 |
Light unit having light guide member with receiving holes with round part
Disclosed is a light unit. The light unit includes a printed circuit board formed thereon with a plurality of LEDs and a light guide member having receiving holes to receive the LEDs. At least one round part having a predetermined curvature is formed at an edge defined in an intersection between an upper surface and an inner surface of the receiving hole. Since the round part is formed at the edge in the receiving hole receiving the LED at the portion of the light guide member, the light distribution is improved so that the light efficiency is increased. |
| US09207381B2 |
Backlight unit and liquid crystal display apparatus
In order to prevent unevenness in planar light and reduce power consumption, a backlight unit A that emits planar light towards a front side thereof has a light-shielding part 500 provided on a package 50 at least on a front side of the backlight unit. The package 50 has an LED module 5 that surrounds an LED chip 51 that is a light source, and the light-shielding part 500 protrudes towards a light receiving face 22 of a light guide plate 2. |
| US09207377B2 |
Artificial lighting system
An artificial lighting system. The artificial lighting system generates electromagnetic radiation at a source location, and outputs the electromagnetic radiation at a target location. The output is in the form of electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum and/or photosynthetically active radiation. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation is focused and distributed through one or more lenses to provide increased intensity. For target locations that are physically remote from the source location, optical waveguides and components distribute the electromagnetic radiation. Some embodiments incorporate an automated emitter allowing the output of the artificial lighting system to be moved at the target location. The artificial lighting system seeks to provide high intensity electromagnetic radiation to the target while minimizing the exposure of the target to the heat generated by the light source. |
| US09207376B2 |
Illumination apparatus, image sensor unit, image reading apparatus, and image forming apparatus
An illumination apparatus includes: a light guide that is formed in a rod shape and includes a positioning portion that is formed at one end in a longitudinal direction, and light incident surfaces that are formed at two end faces in the longitudinal direction; and light sources that are arranged in the vicinity of the light incident surfaces, respectively, and that emit light that is incident on the incident surfaces. The light guide is formed by injection molding. A gate portion for supplying a resin material during injection molding opens at a position that corresponds to a tip face of the positioning portion. |
| US09207374B2 |
Color filtering array substrate and the manufacturing method thereof
A color filtering array substrate and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The color filtering array substrate includes a glass substrate (20) having a display area and a non-display area, a first metallic layer above the glass substrate, an insulation layer (22) above the first metallic layer, a second metallic layer above the insulation layer (22), a color filtering layer (23) formed between the insulation layer (22) and the second metallic layer, and a transparent conductive layer above the second metallic layer. The first metallic layer is for forming a first peripheral metallic layer (21) in the non-display area and to form a first internal metallic layer in the display area. The second metallic layer is for forming a second peripheral metallic layer (26) in the non-display area and to form a second internal metallic layer in the display area. The color filtering layer includes a color portion arranged in the display area and a blocking portion arranged in an interleaved portion of the first peripheral metallic layer and the second peripheral metallic layer. |
| US09207369B2 |
Optical modulator and method of manufacturing the optical modulator
An optical modulator includes a dielectric layer and a metal layer arranged on the dielectric layer. In the optical modulator, a first light of a first frequency and a second light of a second frequency that are incident upon the metal layer exit from the metal layer at different refractive angles due to surface plasmon generation. |
| US09207368B2 |
Light shielding lens for protective eyeglasses
A light-shielding lens which can cut ultraviolet or visible radiation having wavelengths of 430 nm and shorter or of 500 nm and shorter and which can sufficiently satisfy users' demand for its color. The lens contains 0.01 to 2 parts by mass of an indole-based ultraviolet absorbing dye having a melting point of 140 to 150° C., based on 100 parts by mass of a synthetic resin forming the lens, and preferably further contains an oil-soluble dye, whereby the lens can cut ultraviolet and visible radiation having wavelengths of 430 nm and shorter. Since the predetermined amount of the indole-based ultraviolet absorbing dye is sufficiently dissolved in the synthetic resin, it efficiently reveals its expected function. The lens can thus cut ultraviolet and visible radiation having wavelengths of 430 nm and shorter, or even 500 nm and shorter, while keeping highly transparent light color. |
| US09207366B2 |
Camera module
Disclosed is a camera module. The camera module includes a lens barrel; a first lens unit having a first outer peripheral shape in the lens barrel; a second lens unit having a second outer peripheral shape in the lens barrel; and a housing coupled with the lens barrel. |
| US09207357B2 |
Non-crystalline materials having complete photonic, electronic, or phononic band gaps
The invention provides an article of manufacture, and methods of designing and making the article. The article permits or prohibits waves of energy, especially photonic/electromagnetic energy, to propagate through it, depending on the energy band gaps built into it. The structure of the article may be reduced to a pattern of points having a hyperuniform distribution. The point-pattern may exhibit a crystalline symmetry, a quasicrystalline symmetry or may be aperiodic. In some embodiments, the point pattern exhibits no long-range order. Preferably, the point-pattern is isotropic. In all embodiments, the article has a complete, TE- and TM-optimized band-gap. The extraordinary transmission phenomena found in the disordered hyperuniform photonic structures of the invention find use in optical micro-circuitry (all-optical, electronic or thermal switching of the transmission), near-field optical probing, thermophotovoltaics, and energy-efficient incandescent sources. |
| US09207356B2 |
System and method for estimating a reservoir parameter using joint stochastic inversion of multisource geophysical data
A system and a method for estimating a reservoir parameter are provided. The method includes calculating a plurality of priors using a Markov random field, the plurality of priors comprising probability distributions of a plurality of litho-types; calculating posterior distributions based on the priors, the posterior distribution depending upon measured geophysical data, geophysical attributes and reservoir parameters; and determining at least a portion of litho-types in the plurality of litho-types that correlate most with the measured geophysical data. |
| US09207354B2 |
Apparatus and method for estimating characteristics of a sensor containing interferometer
In one aspect, an apparatus for estimating a characteristic of a sensor is disclosed that in one embodiment may include a chamber housing sensor, wherein the sensor includes a suspended movable force mass having an opening therethrough, a first partially reflective member that moves with the force mass and a second partially reflective member spaced from the first partially reflective member, a source of buoyant fluid configured to supply the buoyant fluid to the chamber at a plurality of pressures, a device for directing light to the first and second partially reflective members at a plurality of angles, a detector for providing signals corresponding to light passing through the second partially reflective member corresponding to each of the plurality of angles and each of the plurality of pressures, and a processor for determining the characteristic of the sensor from the signals provided by the detector. |
| US09207353B2 |
Method and system of resin evaluation using pulsed neutron tools
Resin evaluation using pulsed neutron tool. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: interrogating an area behind a casing material within a borehole with a plurality of neutrons; obtaining a count rate of inelastic gammas of a first gamma detector for a particular borehole depth, wherein the inelastic gammas comprise gammas emitted in inelastic collisions of the plurality of neutrons with matter behind the casing material; determining an inelastic carbon-oxygen ratio from the inelastic count rate of the first gamma detector; and determining an indication of the composition of the matter behind the casing material from the inelastic carbon-oxygen ratio from the inelastic count rate of the first gamma detector. |
| US09207352B2 |
Method and apparatus for initialization of a tool configured to be moved along a wellbore
An apparatus for initializing a tool configured to be moved along a wellbore includes at least one directional reference system configured to provide data indicative of an orientation of the at least one directional reference system with respect to a reference direction. The apparatus further includes a mounting portion configured to be mechanically coupled to the tool such that the tool has a predetermined orientation with respect to the at least one directional reference system. |
| US09207344B2 |
Combining geomechanical velocity modeling and tomographic update for velocity model building
A method for updating a velocity model of a subsurface of the earth is described herein. A tomographic update to the velocity model of the subsurface may be performed to generate a tomographic velocity model update. A geomechanical velocity model update of the subsurface may be calculated. The geomechanical velocity model update may be combined with the tomographic velocity model update. |
| US09207340B2 |
Marine seismic streamer cable with noise suppressing sensor support
A seismic streamer includes at least one elongated strength member. The seismic streamer further includes a substantially rigid sensor holder coupled to the strength member and fixed in position relative to the strength member. The streamer includes at least one particle motion sensor coupled to the sensor holder and fixed in position relative to the sensor holder. |
| US09207339B2 |
Optical seismic sensor systems and methods
Disclosed is an optical seismic sensor system for measuring seismic events in a geological formation, including a surface unit for generating and processing an optical signal, and a sensor device optically connected to the surface unit for receiving the optical signal over an optical conduit. The sensor device includes at least one sensor head for sensing a seismic disturbance from at least one direction during a deployment of the sensor device within a borehole of the geological formation. The sensor head includes a frame and a reference mass attached to the frame via at least one flexure, such that movement of the reference mass relative to the frame is constrained to a single predetermined path. |
| US09207328B2 |
System and method for determination of attitude for projectile
Disclosed is a system for determination of attitude for a projectile in flight. The system includes at least one antenna mounted on the projectile. Each antenna is configured to receive Global Positioning System (GPS) signals. Further, the system includes a signal receiving unit communicably coupled to the each antenna to receive the GPS signals and to ascertain the earth referenced velocity vector. The system also includes a plurality of magnetometers for ascertaining a projectile referenced earth's magnetic field vector. Moreover, the system includes a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to utilize a known projectile referenced velocity vector and a stored prediction of the earth referenced earth's magnetic field vector along with the measured earth referenced velocity vector and the measured projectile referenced earth's magnetic field vector to determine the attitude of the projectile. Further disclosed is a method for determination of attitude for a projectile in flight. |
| US09207321B2 |
Ultrasound system having variable lookup table and method for managing variable lookup table
Disclosed is an ultrasound system including a variable lookup table. The ultrasound system includes the variable lookup table, a data acquiring unit to acquire ultrasound data, a lookup table generating unit to generate a variable lookup table according to the acquired ultrasound data, a three-dimensional (3D) rendering unit to perform 3D rendering with reference to the generated variable lookup table, and a display unit to display the 3D rendering result. |
| US09207319B2 |
Collision-avoidance system for ground crew using sensors
A ground crew collision-avoidance system includes a plurality of radar sensor modules that each emit a radar signal, receives at a radar detector radar return signals corresponding to reflections of the emitted signal from a ground object, and transmits radar information associated with the received radar signal reflections reflected from the ground object, wherein each of the plurality of radar sensor modules are uniquely located on a surface of an aircraft that is at risk for collision with a ground object while the aircraft is being towed; a gateway unit that receives the radar information transmitted from the radar sensor module and transmits information associated with the received radar information; and a ground crew alert indicator that receives the information transmitted by the gateway unit and that presents a graphical alert icon on a display. The display indicates a likelihood of collision between the aircraft and the ground object. |
| US09207317B2 |
Passive millimeter-wave detector
Disclosed are passive millimeter wave detection devices that in some embodiments are useful for detecting objects such as weapons obscured underneath clothing. Also disclosed are methods for detecting objects using millimeter waves, in some embodiments, objects such as weapons, obscured underneath clothing. |
| US09207316B2 |
Radar for rejecting and looking past surface reflections
A multi-modal ground penetrating radar includes a radar set configured to launch predistorted double-sideband (DSB) suppressed-carrier modulated continuous waves (CW) to illuminate and penetrate a ground surface. A variable frequency modulator is connected to modulate a continuous wave (CW) carrier frequency generator within the radar set to yield a double-sideband suppressed carrier output. A lateral single-file array of antennas is configured to be flown closely over the surface of the ground. A multiplexing switch is connected to the array of antennas and configured to selectively switch individual ones of the antennas to the radar set. Any early arriving signals returned from geologic clutter and surface reflections are suppressed in synchronous detection in relation to signals received by the array of antennas from less shallow depths. Interesting objects below the ground surface are detected and located by the late arriving signal reflections. |
| US09207315B1 |
Metal detector with motion sensing
A metal detector has a motion sensor such as an accelerometer to determine direction, speed, duration and acceleration of search loop motion. The search loop motion information from the motion sensor is utilized in mode selection, signal processing, target analysis, and information display. |
| US09207313B2 |
MIMO angle estimation with simultaneous mainlobe jammer cancellation
A radar system includes a transmit antenna array having subarrays disposed at predetermined positions. An orthogonal waveform signal is directed to a corresponding one of the subarrays. On receive, an adaptive processor derives a plurality of adaptive weight factors from a plurality of receive signals and applies them to the receive signals to obtain a jammer cancelled signal. That signal is separated into its orthogonal waveform components by passing it through a bank of correlators. The correlator system provides a plurality of unique receive signals substantially corresponding one-to-one to the unique transmit subarrays. The receive beamformer derives an angular estimate of at least one target relative to boresight from the unique receive signals. |
| US09207310B2 |
Locating apparatuses by means of audio signals using a deterministic data channel
A locating device for locating at least one apparatus which is arrangeable on board a transport unit, for example an aircraft, a locating system having such a locating device and at least one apparatus to be located, an aircraft having a locating system of this type, an associated method for locating at least one apparatus which is to be located and is arrangeable on board a transport unit, for example on board an aircraft, and a computer program for carrying out the method. The locating device includes a detecting unit for detecting a wireless audio signal transmitted by the apparatus to be located; and a computing unit for determining the distance of the apparatus to be located from the detecting unit based on the wireless audio signal and on a first information signal assigned to the audio signal and transmitted via a first deterministic data connection. |
| US09207306B2 |
Level measurement instrument fiducial detection method
A process measurement instrument includes a fiducial and is adapted for detection of the fiducial. The instrument includes an interface circuit comprising a drive circuit for transmitting a pulse signal at the fiducial and at a target of interest and a receive circuit receiving reflected echoes of the pulse signal and developing an analog receive signal representative of the reflected echoes. A processing circuit is operatively coupled to the interface circuit for receiving the analog receive signal and comprising a threshold detector detecting if the analog receive signal is above a select threshold value. A controller is operatively coupled to the processing circuit and responsive to leading and trailing edges of the reflected echo for the fiducial and determining an average of the leading and trailing edges to determine location of the fiducial. |
| US09207302B2 |
Fully-automatic verification system for intelligent electric energy meters
A fully-automatic verification system for intelligent electric energy meters comprises a plurality of verification units for automatic verification of the electric energy meters, main transport lines for connecting the verification units, and a verification management system for coordinating the work of the verification units. The main transport lines comprise upper transport lines for transporting boxes carrying electric energy meters to be verified to the verification units and lower transport lines for transporting the boxes carrying the electric energy meters back to the warehouse. The verification system for electric energy meters can implement fully-automatic verification, thus enhancing the efficiency and the verification accuracy. |
| US09207299B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging system and magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
A magnetic resonance imaging system measures the temperature of a morbid region to be heated in thermotherapy and controls a scan unit to execute an imaging operation in synchronism with heating by a heating device, and generates measurement temperature data on the basis of the phase change of magnetic resonance signals at different generation times obtained by the imaging operation. |
| US09207298B2 |
Techniques, systems and machine readable programs for magnetic resonance
The present disclosure provides various methods and systems for performing magnetic resonance studies. In accordance with many embodiments, image or other information of interest is derived from super radiant pulses. |
| US09207297B2 |
System and method for a mode balanced parametric amplifier
The exemplary embodiments are related to systems and methods for a mode balanced parametric amplifier. Exemplary embodiments relate to a balanced parametric circuit including a first resonant structure including a first plurality of varactor diodes and a second resonant structure including a second plurality of varactor diodes. The first and second resonant structures are coupled to form a coupled structure having at least two orthogonal resonant modes, where a first resonant mode is resonant at a first frequency of an input signal and a second resonant mode is resonant at a second frequency of a pump signal. Further, the pump signal is used to one of amplify the first signal at the first frequency or mix and amplify the first signal to a frequency higher than the first frequency. |
| US09207292B2 |
Magnetoresistive device and method for manufacturing the same
A magnetoresistive device includes a carrier, an xMR-sensor, a magnetic layer formed above an active xMR-region of the xMR-sensor and an insulating layer arranged between the xMR-sensor and the magnetic layer. |
| US09207290B2 |
Magnetic field sensor for sensing external magnetic field
A magnetic field sensor for sensing an external magnetic field is disclosed. The magnetic field sensor includes at least two magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) elements disposed on an underlying electrode. Each of the MTJ elements is formed by a synthetic antiferromagnetic layer, a barrier layer and a free layer sequentially stacked together. A top electrode is then connected to the free layers. The free layer can be a single free layer, a composite free layer, a synthetic antiferromagnetic free layer or an alloy free layer. When a current is applied to a metal circuit passing over or below the MTJ elements, free magnetic moments generated by the MTJ elements are anti-parallel to each other along a reference axis, and the angles between the magnetic moments created by the MTJ elements and the reference axis are 40 to 50 degrees and 130 to 140 degrees, respectively. |
| US09207289B2 |
Magnetic property analyzing method and apparatus
A magnetic property analyzing apparatus calculates vector potentials of each of elements to which an analyzing target is segmented by meshing, using an average magnetization obtained for each of the elements, and performs a magnetic field analysis of sub-grids arranged along one direction within each of the elements. An average magnetization with respect to each of the elements is calculated by performing a time integral on a LLG (Landau Lifshitz Gilbert) equation using a magnetic field obtained from the magnetic field analysis in order to perform a magnetic property analysis. |
| US09207287B2 |
Apparatus and method for estimating voltage of secondary battery including blended cathode material
An apparatus for estimating a voltage of a secondary battery which includes a cathode including a first cathode material and a second cathode material with different activating voltage ranges, an anode including an anode material and a separator for separating the cathode from the anode. The apparatus includes a control unit configured to estimate a voltage of a secondary battery based on a circuit model including a first cathode material circuit, a second cathode material circuit and an anode material circuit, each circuit modeled to change its voltage according to a State Of Charge (SOC) of the electrode material corresponding the circuit and a current flowing through the circuit. |
| US09207285B1 |
Automatic determination of multi-frequency baselines for battery testing
Baseline values for battery testing are automatically determined for individual batteries, battery cells, or networks of batteries. Impedance information is obtained from individual batteries and adjusted for operating conditions at a site of use (e.g., temperature, age, connection topology and user-entered information). Population-referenced baselines are automatically calculated from the group of individual-referenced baselines. All baselines can be continually updated and improved. The state of charge and state of health characteristics of batteries in the network can be automatically determined by comparison of measured impedance, and other values, to the baselines. |
| US09207272B2 |
Test handler that rapidly transforms temperature and method of testing semiconductor device using the same
A test handler and a test method of a semiconductor device using the same includes a plurality of chambers to provide a sealed inner space accommodating a first tray on which semiconductor devices are mounted, a test module electrically connected to the semiconductor devices in the chambers to perform a test process of the semiconductor devices, and a sort part to load and unload the first tray in the chambers and to sort semiconductor devices determined to be failed in the test process. The plurality of chambers have a fluid path circulating a coolant or a heat medium in the walls so that a temperature of the plurality of chambers is rapidly changed at the test process of the semiconductor devices between a first temperature that is less than room temperature and a second temperature that is greater than room temperature. |
| US09207269B2 |
Automatically detecting in-band but out-of-span power in a frequency-domain test and measurement instrument
A test and measurement instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention automatically detects excessive in-band but out-of-span energy and notifies the user of the condition. |
| US09207265B1 |
Dimmer detection
In at least one embodiment, a lighting system receives an input signal, such as a supply voltage, that can be affected by a dimmer. The supply voltage can be affected by a dimmer when, for example, a dimmer phase cut (i.e. chopped) the supply voltage. A dimmer detection system of the lighting system determines if a dimmer is affecting the supply voltage. In at least one embodiment, the dimmer detection system also determines a type of the dimmer, such as detecting if the dimmer is a leading edge or trailing edge dimmer. In at least one embodiment, the dimmer detection system provides dimmer type data to one or more other circuits such as a switching power converter controller. The one or more other circuits utilize the dimmer type data to affect their operation. |
| US09207263B2 |
Dynamic oscilloscope triggering
A test and measurement instrument includes an input terminal to receive a signal, acquisition circuitry to capture a plurality of triggered acquisitions, trigger circuitry to cause a trigger event responsive to trigger criteria, and a controller to dynamically reconfigure the trigger criteria between triggered acquisitions. The controller is configured to dynamically reconfigure the trigger criteria from the first set of trigger criteria to subsequent sets of trigger criteria between each of the triggered acquisitions. A method is disclosed for scanning information associated with an initial triggered acquisition and, depending on the nature of the scanned information, dynamically adjusting the next or any subsequent set of trigger criteria. |
| US09207260B2 |
Probe block, probe card and probe apparatus both having the probe block
The present invention provides a probe block, which comprises 1) a conductive base on which a first groove is formed, 2) a pair of signal transmitting probes which have dielectric covers and are placed parallel to each other in the first groove, and 3) a ground probe which is in contact with the conductive base, wherein front portions of the signal transmitting probes and the ground probe protrude from the conductive base to form signal transmitting probe needles and a ground probe needle, respectively. The probe block of the present invention has excellent high frequency responses characteristics and is easy for maintenance. |
| US09207258B2 |
Composite wire probes for testing integrated circuits
An electrical probe of an aspect includes a high yield strength wire core. The high yield strength wire core includes predominantly one or more materials selected from tungsten, tungsten-copper alloy, tungsten-nickel alloy, beryllium-copper alloy, molybdenum, stainless steel, and combinations thereof. The high mechanical strength wire core has a yield strength of at least 1 gigapascal (GPa) at temperature of 250° C. The electrical probe also includes a low electrical resistivity layer concentrically around the high yield strength wire core. The concentric layer includes predominantly one or more materials selected from silver, gold, copper, and combinations thereof. The low electrical resistivity layer has an electrical resistivity of no more than 2×10−8 Ohm-meters. The electrical probe has an outer cross-sectional dimension of the electrical probe that is no more than 50 micrometers. Between 60 to 85% of the outer cross-sectional dimension is provided by the high mechanical strength wire core. Between 10 to 30% of the outer cross-sectional dimension is provided by the low electrical resistivity layer. |
| US09207252B2 |
Speed detection apparatus and driving mechanism control apparatus
A speed detection apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store time when each of first and second sensors detects an arbitrary detection mark and an address corresponding to the detection mark. The speed detection apparatus further includes a same mark detection time identification unit configured to identify, based on output information from a reference speed detection unit, time when the first and second sensors detect the same mark, based on the address and the time stored in the storage unit, and a relative speed calculation unit configured to calculate, based on output information from the same mark detection time identification unit, a speed of the first sensor and the second sensor relative to a scale member. |
| US09207251B2 |
User interaction with automated analytical apparatus
A method of interaction between an automated analytical apparatus for performing an analytical process and a user is disclosed comprising displaying all features necessary for performing the analytical process on a display which is mounted on the apparatus. |
| US09207247B2 |
Biomarkers of musculoskeletal disease
The present invention relates, in general, to biomarkers of musculoskeletal disease and, in particular, to methods of diagnosing musculoskeletal disease, and/or predicting disease progression, by assaying for such biomarkers. The invention further relates to compounds and compositions suitable for use in such methods. |
| US09207246B2 |
Method and device for immunoassay using nucleotide conjugates
A composition of matter for use in an immunoassay devices and method comprising a signal antibody, e.g., FAB fragment, covalently linked to a first nucleotide; and one or more signal elements, e.g., signal enzymes such as ALP or fluorescent dyes, each covalently linked to a second nucleotide, wherein the first nucleotide has one or more repeated sequences, and the second nucleotide is bound to one of the one or more repeated sequences on said first nucleotide, and wherein the ratio of the signal antibody to the signal element is controlled by the number of repeated sequences. |
| US09207245B2 |
Systems and methods for detection and quantification of analytes
Devices, systems, and methods for detecting molecules of interest within a collected sample are described herein. In certain embodiments, self-contained sample analysis systems are disclosed, which include a reusable reader component, a disposable cartridge component, and a disposable sample collection component. In some embodiments, the reader component communicates with a remote computing device for the digital transmission of test protocols and test results. In various disclosed embodiments, the systems, components, and methods are configured to identify the presence, absence, and/or quantity of particular nucleic acids, proteins, or other analytes of interest, for example, in order to test for the presence of one or more pathogens or contaminants in a sample. |
| US09207243B2 |
Use of GLUT4 inhibitors and DNA damaging agents for treating multiple myeloma
Methods of treating cancer comprising administering inhibitors of glucose transporters (GLUTs) are provided. Methods of predicting whether a cancer will respond to treatment with a GLUT inhibitor also are provided. |
| US09207240B2 |
Method of efficient extraction of protein from cells
Methods for producing a protein extract from cells, such as cells or cellular samples containing viral proteins, are provided. In general terms, the methods may involve: increasing the pH of the cells to a pH of at least about pH 10.0 to produce an intermediate composition, and then, in the presence of a non-ionic detergent such as a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, neutralizing the pH of the intermediate composition to produce the protein extract. Such methods can be used in conjunction with methods for detecting one or more target proteins in a sample, such as viral proteins. Systems, kits and compositions for practicing the subject methods are also provided. |
| US09207239B2 |
Kits, compositions and methods for detecting a biological condition
The present invention provides kits, apparatus and methods for determining a biological condition in a mammalian subject, the method includes incubating a specimen from a patient with at least one composition in a kit for a predetermined period of time to form at least one reaction product, when the subject has said biological condition, and receiving an indication of the at least one reaction product responsive to at least one reporter element in the kit thereby providing the indication of the biological condition in the subject. |
| US09207238B2 |
Anti-FOLR1 antibody
The present invention provides an anti-human FOLR1 antibody against diseases associated with human FOLR1-expressing cells, which specifically recognizes and binds to an amino acid sequence of human FOLR1 or a conformational structure thereof and also has a high effector activity such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity activity (ADCC activity). The present invention can provide a monoclonal antibody which specifically recognizes and binds to the amino acid sequence of human FOLR1 or the conformational structure thereof and also has ADCC activity and CDC activity, or an antibody fragment thereof, a DNA encoding the antibody, a vector comprising the DNA, a transformant obtained by introducing the vector, a method for producing the antibody or the antibody fragment thereof using the transformant, and a therapeutic agent and a diagnostic agent comprising the antibody or the antibody fragment as an active ingredient. |
| US09207236B2 |
Highly simplified lateral flow-based nucleic acid sample preparation and passive fluid flow control
Highly simplified lateral flow chromatographic nucleic acid sample preparation methods, devices, and integrated systems are provided for the efficient concentration of trace samples and the removal of nucleic acid amplification inhibitors. Methods for capturing and reducing inhibitors of nucleic acid amplification reactions, such as humic acid, using polyvinylpyrrolidone treated elements of the lateral flow device are also provided. Further provided are passive fluid control methods and systems for use in lateral flow assays. |
| US09207233B2 |
ELISPOT method having two filter systems
An ELISPOT method for in vitro diagnosis and/or in vitro therapy monitoring of infections and/or infectious diseases comprising incubating eukaryotic cells with an antigen, measuring the number of immunocompetent cells which secrete at least two different cytokines as a reaction to the antigen, and in measuring the immunocompetent cells, visualizing the cells with the aid of at least two different dyes and at least two different filter sets, the filter sets comprising narrowband filters. |
| US09207226B2 |
Apparatus and method for analyzing drilled submarine sediment on ship
Provided are an apparatus and a method for analyzing drilled submarine sediment on a ship. The apparatus includes: a core temperature measuring unit measuring temperatures of each portion of the drilled core positioned on a ship; a gas content analyzing unit analyzing a kind and a content of gases included in a submarine sediment sample collected from the drilled core in a state in which it is positioned on the ship; and a salinity measuring unit measuring salinity of the submarine sediment sample collected from the drilled core in a state in which it is positioned on the ship. |
| US09207224B1 |
Method for expressing protein quality of flour
A method for expressing protein quality of a grain powder includes mixing the grain powder with water using a mixing apparatus to form a mixture. The torque applied to the mixing apparatus by the mixture during mixing is measured as a function of time. Mechanical energy applied to the mixture is calculated from the measured torque. The protein quality is expressed as the measured torque as a function of mechanical energy. |
| US09207222B2 |
Method to adjust gas concentration in fluids
A method to adjust gas concentration in a fluid and a device thereof is provided. The method includes configuring a container of a second volume (VC) to receive a first volume (VL) of the fluid into the container. The second volume (VC) of the container is determined based on an initial concentration (Ci) of the first gas in the fluid, a target concentration (Cf) of the first gas in the fluid, a partition coefficient (φ) of the first gas, and the first volume (VL) of the fluid for obtaining the target concentration (Cf). |
| US09207220B1 |
Fully automated analytical method for determination of chloroethers in water and urine sample
A fully automated flow assisted-solid-phase microextraction (FA-SPME) is developed for the determination of chloroethers in aqueous samples. A CTC CombiPAL autosampler coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is used to automate the extraction process. In this method, the SPME fiber is exposed to a sample in direct immersion. After exposure, the fiber is desorbed at the injection port of GC-MS. |
| US09207218B2 |
Capillary column
There is provided a capillary column comprising a flat cross section and a desired theoretical plate number and having both high resolution and high sample load capacity. The capillary column 1 comprising a stationary phase on an inactivated inner surface, which is used in gas chromatography, comprises a narrow part 3 formed in a central part of a cross section of internal space and a bulge part 4 formed on each of both sides of the narrow part 3. |
| US09207206B2 |
Apparatus and methods for ion mobility spectrometry
A method of ion mobility spectrometry comprising: (i) introducing a packet of ions into a drift space; (ii) passing the ions through the drift space wherein the ions separate according to their ion mobility; and (iii) reflecting or deflecting the ions that have passed through the drift space back into the drift space wherein the ions can further separate according to their ion mobility. The reflecting or deflecting takes place in a region at lower pressure than the drift space. The drift space may be re-used multiple times to extend the separation path length. The regions of low pressure preferably allow inertial ion motion wherein the mean free path between ion collisions with gas is significantly longer than in the stages of ion mobility separation. The low pressure reflecting or deflecting region enables a time of flight focusing of ions to be provided without ion mobility separation occurring therein. |
| US09207203B2 |
Two-dimensional electron gas sensor and methods for making and using the sensor
The disclosed technology generally relates to a sensor and methods for making and using the same, and more particularly relates to a sensor configured to sense the presence of at least one fluidum. In one aspect, a sensor for sensing a fluidum in a space adjoining the sensor comprises a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) layer stack. The sensor additionally comprises a gate lying adjacent to at least part of the 2DEG layer stack and configured to electrostatically control the electron density of a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in the 2DEG layer stack. The sensor further comprises a source electrode contacting the 2DEG layer stack for electrically contacting the 2DEG. The 2DEG layer stack of the sensor comprises a contact surface contacting the space and provided to contact molecules of the fluidum which is desired to be detected, and the gate of the sensor comprises a doped semiconductor bottom layer of the 2DEG layer stack in electrical contact with at least one gate electrode, where the doped semiconductor bottom layer being located at a side of the 2DEG layer stack opposing the contact surface. |
| US09207202B2 |
Gas sensor element, gas sensor equipped with gas sensor element, and method of producing gas sensor element
A gas sensor element has a solid electrolyte of an oxygen ion conductivity, a target gas electrode formed on one surface of the solid electrolyte, a reference gas electrode formed on the other surface of the solid electrolyte, a porous diffusion resistance layer through which the target gas passes to reach the target gas electrode, and a catalyst layer formed on an outer surface of the porous diffusion resistance layer. The target gas electrode is formed around the porous diffusion resistance layer. The catalyst layer contains noble metal catalysts. The noble metal catalysts contain at least rhodium and palladium. A content of rhodium is not less than 10 mass % and a content of palladium is not less than 20 mass % to the entire of the noble metal catalysts. |
| US09207195B2 |
High-energy X-ray-spectroscopy-based inspection system and methods to determine the atomic number of materials
The application discloses systems and methods for X-ray scanning for identifying material composition of an object being scanned. The system includes at least one X-ray source for projecting an X-ray beam on the object, where at least a portion of the projected X-ray beam is transmitted through the object, and an array of detectors for measuring energy spectra of the transmitted X-rays. The measured energy spectra are used to determine atomic number of the object for identifying the material composition of the object. The X-ray scanning system may also have an array of collimated high energy backscattered X-ray detectors for measuring the energy spectrum of X-rays scattered by the object at an angle greater than 90 degrees, where the measured energy spectrum is used in conjunction with the transmission energy spectrum to determine atomic numbers of the object for identifying the material composition of the object. |
| US09207194B2 |
Phase-sensitive two-dimensional neutron shearing interferometer and Hartmann sensor
A neutron imaging system detects both the phase shift and absorption of neutrons passing through an object. The neutron imaging system is based on either of two different neutron wavefront sensor techniques: 2-D shearing interferometry and Hartmann wavefront sensing. Both approaches measure an entire two-dimensional neutron complex field, including its amplitude and phase. Each measures the full-field, two-dimensional phase gradients and, concomitantly, the two-dimensional amplitude mapping, requiring only a single measurement. |
| US09207192B1 |
Monitoring dielectric fill in a cased pipeline
An inspection system employs a cased pipeline structure, a pulse generator system, a data acquisition system, and a processing system. The cased pipeline structure comprises a casing pipe structure, a carrier pipe structure arranged within the casing pipe structure to define an annular space, and fill material arranged within the annular space. The pulse generator system is configured to apply an electromagnetic signal to the cased pipeline structure. The data acquisition system is configured to detect electromagnetic signals propagating along the cased pipeline structure. The processing system analyzes electromagnetic signals detected by the data acquisition system for signal characteristics indicative of an anomaly in the cased pipeline structure. |
| US09207190B2 |
Method for nondestructive testing of optical discontinuities in monolithic transparent polycrystalline ceramic articles
A method of non-destructive detection of solid inclusions with varying sensitivities but highly congruent positional identification by both short-wavelength and long-wavelength methods. The short-wavelength method consists of lateral scatter (LS) and the long-wavelength method consists of THz imaging. The LS method was able to detect all agglomerated inclusions, transparency variations, voids, and localized phase differences. The THz imaging was able to routinely detect solid inclusions and index inhomogeneity. In combination, the LS and THz imaging methods were able to detect all relevant types of material variation, so that the combination of the two non-destructive testing methods provides a solution capable of detecting the full array of critical material variations in transparent polycrystalline ceramic materials. |
| US09207187B2 |
Device for inspecting raised fiber state of web members of sanitary articles and method of the same
A device for inspecting a raised fiber state of a web member of a sanitary article, the web member having, on at least one face, fiber raisable parts that come off from the one face in a predetermined dispersed arrangement pattern, new exposed parts being created on the one face when the fiber raisable parts come off to be raised, wherein the inspection device includes an image capturing processing part that captures an image of the one face and creates as a planar image data, a data of a planar image of the one face, a binarization processing part that performs, when creating a binarized image based on the planar image data, a binarization process so that areas in which images of the new exposed parts in the planar image are captured, are included in an image specified by one value of two values in the binarized image, and a quality judgment processing part that performs quality judgment of the raised fiber state based on a value indicating a size of the image. |
| US09207186B2 |
Method and arrangement for measuring blowing structures of a prestressed disc
A method for measuring blowing structures of a prestressed disc is described. The method has the steps of: (a) irradiating at least one analysis area of the disc with linearly polarized light from a radiation source at an angle of incidence and recording an image at least of the analysis area at an angle of observation using at least one detector, (b) supplying the image to an evaluation unit, and (c) using the evaluation unit to read a brightness profile along an analysis line on the image, to determine the local maxima and the local minima of the brightness profile, and to determine an intensity index by means of the difference between a brightness mean of the local maxima and a brightness mean of the local minima. |
| US09207182B2 |
Analysis method of vibrational spectra
A plurality of Raman spectral datasets of an unknown sample acquired under the same measurement conditions is selected in a plurality of Raman spectral data items having different spectral profiles acquired by setting different measurement conditions in a plurality of unknown mixed samples, a spectrum acquired under the same measurement conditions as those of the Raman spectral dataset of the unknown sample is selected in the spectra of the benchmark molecule to be classified, a PCA loading is calculated from the Raman spectral dataset of the unknown sample, the correlation between the calculated PCA loading and the selected spectrum of the benchmark molecule to be classified is calculated, and the PCA loading having a highest correlation with the spectrum of the benchmark molecule to be classified is determined in the PCA loadings calculated from a plurality of Raman spectral datasets of the unknown sample having different measurement conditions. |
| US09207179B2 |
Fluorescence observation apparatus
A fluorescence observation apparatus, including: a light source configured to irradiate a subject with reference light and excitation light; and one or more processors including hardware, wherein the one or more processers are configured to implement: a fluorescence-image generating portion configured to generate a fluorescence image; a reference-image generating portion configured to generate a color reference image; an extraction portion configured to extract a fluorescence region from the fluorescence image; a motion-effect generating portion configured to generate a frame image bringing about an effect that is visually time-varying with a variation quantity depending on a gradation value of the fluorescence region, in a region corresponding to the fluorescence region; and a synthesis portion configured to add the frame image to any of a plurality of color-component images constituting the reference image to synthesize a synthetic image. |
| US09207169B2 |
Laser spectrometer and method for measuring concentration of a gas component in a measurement gas
A laser spectrometer and method for measuring gas component concentration in a measurement gas, wherein light intensity from a wavelength-tunable laser diode is detected after irradiation of the measurement gas and a reference gas, and the concentration of the gas component is determined based on reduction of the light intensity by the absorption of light at the position of a selected absorption line of the gas component, and the position of the absorption line of the gas component is referenced based on a selected absorption line of the reference gas, and wherein there is a mixed operation consisting of actual measurements of fast concentration changes of the gas component to be measured and a short reference/standardization phase for wavelength referencing, line locking and standardization, where the duration of the actual measurement is measured such that measuring conditions remain constant and do not deviate from those during the reference/standardization phase. |
| US09207168B2 |
Monitoring for disturbance of optical fiber
Problems of excessive fading in systems for monitoring single-mode optical fiber for disturbances are addressed by launching into the fiber polarized light having at least two different predetermined launch states of polarization whose respective Stokes vectors are linearly-independent of each other; downstream from the first location, receiving the light from the fiber; analyzing the received light using polarization state analyzer having at least two different analyzer states of polarization that are characterized by respective Stokes vectors that are linearly-independent and detecting the analyzed light to provide corresponding detection signals; deriving from the detection signals measures of changes in polarization transformation properties of the fiber between different times that are invariant under a non-reflective unitary transformation on either the launch states or the detection states; and, on the basis of predefined acceptable physical disturbance criteria determining whether or not the measures are indicative of a reportable physical disturbance. |
| US09207162B2 |
Imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus, comprising a holder that holds a specimen container carrying a biological specimen, an imager that images the specimen in the specimen container, a sterilizer that supplies a drug or electromagnetic waves having a sterilization effect to the holder, and a controller that performs a sterilization process of supplying the drug or the electromagnetic waves to the holder by controlling the sterilizer at least either before or after imaging the specimen by the imager. |
| US09207157B2 |
System and method for determining a state of compaction
A system for determining a state of compaction of a work material includes a roller having a vibration system. A controller is configured to determine the speed of the machine, determine an inclination of the machine, and determine an inclination power change based upon the inclination and the speed of the machine. The controller is also configured to determine the gross power loss resulting from the compaction operation, determine a vibration compensation factor based upon vibration characteristics of the vibration system, and determine the state of compaction of the work material based upon the inclination power change, the power loss, and the vibration compensation factor. |
| US09207154B2 |
Method and system for creep measurement
A method and system for monitoring creep in an object are provided. The creep monitoring system includes a creep sensor assembly that includes at least one image pattern pair disposed on a surface of the object. The creep monitoring method includes receiving information from the creep sensor assembly regarding an observed creep and an offset associated with the object, correcting the observed creep using the information regarding the offset and outputting the corrected information relative to the creep. |
| US09207153B2 |
Test jig
Provided is a test jig including a jig main body having, at an end portion thereof, an insertion part into which an electrode lead is inserted and a fixing member detachably coupled to the insertion part to fix the electrode lead inserted to the insertion part, wherein the insertion part includes insertion faces outwardly extending from both end portions of the jig main body, and coupling faces extending from the insertion faces toward insides of the jig main body and brought into contact with the fixing member, and thus a tensile test is performed on an ultrasonic-welded portion of the electrode lead without an additional cell. |
| US09207149B2 |
Drive-train testing system
The present invention provides a drive-train testing system that is capable of generating a large drive torque without increasing the size of a motor that simulates an engine. The drive-train testing system inputs a drive torque, which is generated according to a torque command which contains an alternating-current component having an excitation frequency, to an input shaft of a workpiece in order to evaluate the performance of said workpiece. This system is equipped with a first motor, a second motor, a torque meter for detecting a torque which acts upon the shaft between the workpiece and the second motor, and a resonance suppression circuit that divides the torque command into a first torque command and a second torque command so as to suppress torsional resonance on the basis of a value detected by the torque meter. |
| US09207147B2 |
Method for predicting a rotational speed of a crankshaft in an internal combustion engine
Method for predicting a rotational speed (n) of a drive shaft (16) in an internal combustion engine (13), wherein a past rotational speed (n) of the drive shaft (16) is determined, characterized in that in order to determine a theoretical rotational speed (nT1, nT2) of the drive shaft (16) at a future point in time (tT1, tT2), the change in the rotational speed (n) between two past events (P01, P11; P02, P12) occurring at different times is used, one rotational speed (n01, n11; n02, n12) and one point in time (t01, t11; t02, t12) being assigned to each event, wherein one point in time (t01, t02) is an earlier point in time and the other is a later point in time (t02, t12), which therefore lies before the predicted point in time (tT1, tT2), wherein a gradient (m) is determined for a period between the two events (P01, P11; P02, P12) and is used as the basis for deducing a theoretical future rotational speed (nT1, nT2) at the future point in time (tT1, tT2), such that in order to determine the theoretical rotational speed (nT1, nT2) of the drive shaft (16) at the future point in time (tT1, tT2), the determined gradient (m) is used to determine the theoretical rotational speed (nT1, nT2) at the future point in time (tT1, tT2), on the basis of the later point in time (t02, t12), thus determining whether the theoretical rotational speed (nT1, nT2) actually occurred before the future point in time (tT1, tT2) or not until afterwards. |
| US09207145B1 |
System and method for null-lens wavefront sensing
A method of measuring aberrations in a null-lens including assembly and alignment aberrations. The null-lens may be used for measuring aberrations in an aspheric optic with the null-lens. Light propagates from the aspheric optic location through the null-lens, while sweeping a detector through the null-lens focal plane. Image data being is collected at locations about said focal plane. Light is simulated propagating to the collection locations for each collected image. Null-lens aberrations may extracted, e.g., applying image-based wavefront-sensing to collected images and simulation results. The null-lens aberrations improve accuracy in measuring aspheric optic aberrations. |
| US09207142B2 |
Engine ventilation system diagnostics using pressure measurement
A system comprising an engine including a chamber; an air intake coupled to the engine; a pressure sensor disposed in fluid communication with the air intake and disposed between the air intake and the chamber; and a processor configured to determine a breach in a ventilation system of the chamber in response to the pressure sensor. |
| US09207141B2 |
Burst pressure monitoring device employed in a pressure transmitter
The invention relates to a burst pressure monitoring device intended to be employed in a pressure transmitter (1), said pressure transmitter comprising a body (10), an inlet duct (11) formed on the body and intended to receive a fluid, a sensor member on which the inlet duct emerges, said sensor member being intended to measure a pressure and to deliver an output electrical signal representative of the measured pressure, said burst pressure monitoring device being intended to be positioned inside the inlet duct (11) of the pressure transmitter (1) and comprising two parts (21a, 21b) assembled together, the two assembled parts forming an internal fluid flow channel (22) comprising one or more successive chicanes (220). |
| US09207140B2 |
Differential pressure transmitter with intrinsic verification
The present invention provides a dual sensor differential pressure transmitter with a single fill fluid volume that intrinsically eliminates process and environmental performance influences, increases signal level while substantially reducing product costs. |
| US09207135B2 |
Method and device for carrying out a brake test on trailer vehicles and/or semitrailer vehicles
A method carries out a brake test on trailer vehicles and/or semitrailer vehicles. The method senses a semitrailer or trailer which has been newly hitched to the towing vehicle, initializes an on-board brake test for the semitrailer brake system or trailer brake system, initiates at least one defined braking process by the semitrailer brake system or trailer brake system after a defined distance has been traveled, and senses and determines the braking effect of the at least one defined braking process as a braking effect actual value which is compared with a braking effect setpoint value which is present. An information signal is output which takes into account the evaluation result. |
| US09207132B2 |
Stress measurement sensor
A stress measurement sensor provided with a sensor element that operates according to the SAW principle, comprising a base composed of a first material and the sensor element, which is fixed to the base with a joining material, is to be developed such that it can also be used at higher temperatures and has improved measurement properties. In addition, it is suggested that the joining material be a glass solder. |
| US09207125B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form a measurement image on a sheet, a measurement unit configured to emit light to the measurement image, and measure light reflected from the measurement image, a selection unit configured to select one of a first mode for feeding a sheet, forming a measurement image on the sheet with the image forming unit, and measuring the measurement image on the sheet with the measurement unit, and a second mode for feeding a chart on which a measurement image has already been formed, and measuring the measurement image on the chart with the measurement unit without performing image formation with the image forming unit, and a control unit configured to control the measurement unit to perform measurement of the measurement image according to the mode selected by the selection unit. |
| US09207122B2 |
Fourier-transform interferometer with staircase reflective element
An apparatus for performing Raman spectral analysis of a sample is described, comprising a coherent light source, an first optical chain to direct the coherent light to impinge on the sample, a second optical chain to direct the scattered light onto a diffraction grating, and a third optical chain to direct the diffracted light onto detection array. The diffraction grating is a plurality of alternating-slope stairsteps, wherein the portion of the step disposed parallel to the base of the diffraction grating is disposed so as to be orthogonal to the path of the scattered light from the second optical chain. The zeroth-order fringe is selected by a slit and directed onto camera. The resultant interferogram is Fourier transformed to produce a representation of the Raman spectrum. |
| US09207120B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting multiple infrared bands
A dual-band infrared detector is provided. The dual-band infrared detector includes a first absorption layer, a barrier layer coupled to the first absorption layer, and a second absorption layer coupled to the barrier layer. The first absorption layer is sensitive to only a first infrared wavelength band and the second absorption layer is sensitive to only a second infrared wavelength band that is different from the first infrared wavelength band. The dual-band infrared detector is capable of detecting the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band by applying a first bias voltage of a first polarity to the first absorption layer and by applying a second bias voltage of a second polarity that is opposite the first polarity to the second absorption layer, wherein the first bias voltage and the second bias voltage each have a magnitude of less than about 500 mV. |
| US09207119B2 |
Active spectral control during spectrum synthesis
A spectral feature of a pulsed light beam produced by an optical source is estimated by modifying the wavelength of the pulsed light beam based on a predefined repeating pattern having a pattern period including a plurality of steps, the modification including shifting the wavelength of the pulsed light beam by a wavelength offset from a baseline wavelength for each step in the pattern period; measuring the wavelength of the light beam for each step in the pattern period as the wavelength is modified across the pattern; and estimating a spectral feature of the pulsed light beam over an evaluation window that includes all of the steps within the pattern period based at least in part on the measured wavelength of the light beam for each step in the pattern period. |
| US09207118B2 |
Apparatus, system and method for scanning monochromator and diode array spectrometer instrumentation
A system and method for determining bias in a spectrometer is described. One embodiment includes a method for determining bias in a spectrometer system, the method comprising over-scanning a grating in a near-zero-response wavelength range; and determining a bias based on the over-scanning. This methodology allows for over-scanning a grating in a near-zero-response wavelength range as a substitute for using shutters or other mechanisms to block light from entering a detector in the system. |
| US09207114B2 |
Photoelectric conversion device
A photoelectric conversion device includes a circuit board, a first light emitting module, a first light receiving module, a second light emitting module, a second light receiving module, and an optical coupling member. The light emitting modules and the light receiving modules are mounted on the circuit board. The optical coupling member includes a first reflective surface obliquely connected to the light incident surface, four converging lenses, a second reflective surface, and a third reflective surface. The converging lenses are formed on the light incident surface. The first reflective surface defines a recess for receiving the second and third reflective surfaces. The third converging lens is fed by the second reflective surface and the fourth converging lens is fed by the third reflective surface. |
| US09207110B2 |
Liquid level detecting device
A liquid level detecting device includes a first detecting part that has a first electrode extending in a vertical direction in the tank and opposing to a ground electrode and detects a first electrostatic capacity between the first electrode and the ground electrode, a second detecting part that has a second electrode extending in the vertical direction in the tank and opposing to the ground electrode and detects a second electrostatic capacity between the second electrode and the ground electrode, and a difference calculating part that calculates a difference between the first electrostatic capacity detected by the first detecting part and the second electrostatic capacity detected by the second detecting part as a capacity difference and determines whether the liquid level in the tank is above a warning threshold. |
| US09207109B2 |
Flow sensor with improved linear output
A flow sensor assembly includes a flow sensor for sensing a flow parameter. The flow sensor may provide a flow sensor output signal that is related to the sensed parameter. A control block operatively connected to the flow sensor may receive a measure related to the flow rate of the fluid stream and drive the heater of the flow sensor to a heater temperature, such that the heater temperature may be dependent on the flow rate of the fluid stream, which causes the analog output of the flow sensor to be relatively linear over an expected operating range of flow rates. |
| US09207108B2 |
Fluid mass flow measurement apparatus and method
A meter controller comprises a first input, a second input, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive first and second volumetric flow measurements and to calculate a quasi fluid density value required to cause the first volumetric flow measurement to equal the second volumetric flow measurement. The processor is further configured to subtract a first fluid density value from the quasi fluid density value for calculating a density correction factor. The density correction factor is subtracted from the first fluid density value to calculate a corrected second density value. The corrected second density value is applied to at least one of the first volumetric flow measurement and the second volumetric flow measurement for calculating a mass flow rate measurement. |
| US09207106B2 |
System and method for incident detection with spatiotemporal thresholds estimated via nonparametric quantile regression
Systems and methods for incident detection are provided. A system for incident detection includes a network including at least one detector for detecting events in the network, a detection module capable of processing data from the at least one detector, and a calibration module capable of calibrating a plurality of bands for the incident detection based on a plurality of decision variables, wherein the plurality of bands define thresholds that are time-varying for all measurement locations in the network, and the thresholds are estimated using nonparametric quantile regression. |
| US09207102B2 |
Anti-lock brake rotor tone ring cartridge and shaft guide
An anti-lock brake rotor tone ring cartridge has an inner piece and an outer piece. The outer piece fits at least partially within the inner piece so as to prevent the axial movement of the inner piece. A tone ring is located on the inner piece. |
| US09207100B2 |
Magnetic position sensor with field direction measurement and flux collector
The present disclosure relates to a magnetic position sensor with field direction measurement and a flux collector. The disclosure proposes to measure two magnetic induction components at one and the same point, harmonizing the amplitude of the two magnetic induction components using flux collectors so as to have a ratio of the amplitudes of these two components close to one. For this purpose, the disclosure provides a contactless position sensor including at least one permanent magnet, emitting a magnetic field, at least one detection element sensitive to the direction of the magnetic field, and at least one pair of flux collectors, the permanent magnet being capable of moving in a direction of displacement and having a direction of magnetization that can be continuously varied according to the direction of displacement. Each flux collector has at least one portion, provided with an end, extending substantially along the direction of displacement of the magnet. The ends of a pair of flux collectors define a gap oriented along the direction of displacement of the magnet. The detection element is positioned outside the gap and substantially equidistant from the ends. |
| US09207091B2 |
Drive assistance device
A stopping vehicle estimating unit estimates one of a number of stopping vehicles and a length of a stopping vehicle line of different vehicles that are stopping at a traffic light along an estimated driving route ahead of the own vehicle closer to the traffic light than the own vehicle, based on a position information of a site at which a traffic light is provided, an own vehicle position, an own vehicle speed, and traffic information. A passable time zone estimating unit estimates a passable time zone during which the own vehicle is able to pass by the traffic light, based on the one of the number of stopping vehicles and the length of the stopping vehicle line that have been estimated by the stopping vehicle estimating unit, and on schedule information. |
| US09207087B2 |
Server, navigation system, vehicle navigation system, and method for providing images of vehicle navigation system
Disclosed are a server, a navigation system, a vehicle navigation system, and a method for providing images of a vehicle navigation system. According to the present invention, the vehicle navigation system processes image data obtained through a vehicle black box and transmits the processed image data to a server or a user terminal. |
| US09207086B2 |
Method for determining location of vehicle
A method for determining the location of a vehicle may include: determining, by a controller, whether first location information of a vehicle is normally received through a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver; determining whether two or more infrastructure devices exist within a reference distance from the vehicle; and determining the location of the vehicle according to whether the first location information of the vehicle is normally received and whether two or more infrastructure devices exist. |
| US09207080B2 |
Method and device for angular measurement with compensation of non-linearities
Method of angular measurement by a resonator associated with a vibration setting device and with a vibration detector, which are linked to a processing circuit through which there travel control signals and measurement signals, the method comprising the steps of digitizing the measurement signals and of deducing an angular measurement from the measurement signals. The method comprises the steps of performing a spectral analysis of the digitized measurement signals so as to detect harmonic distortions therein and correcting at least some of the signals travelling through the processing circuit so as to attenuate the non-linearities. |
| US09207075B2 |
Multi-angle levels and plumbing methods
Multi-angle levels and plumbing methods are described. In one aspect, a multi-angle level has a body made up of a base section and a rotating section rotatably secured to the base section. A leveling mechanism is disposed on the rotating section. |
| US09207074B2 |
Distance measurement apparatus, and distance measurement method
A distance measurement method, includes measuring a distance to an object by means of a distance measurement circuit of a distance measurement apparatus and by scanning a light beam; designating a first mode which controls a projection angle of the light beam so that sampling positions in a given number of successive scans do not overlap, when the distance to the object is greater than or equal to a threshold value, by using the processor; and designating a second mode which controls the projection angle of the light beam so that the sampling positions overlap in each scan, when the distance to the object is less than the threshold value, by using the processor. |
| US09207073B2 |
Active object detection sensor
An optical divider is disposed, in front of at least one of the transmitter and receiver elements, therebetween, and at least one of a transmission and reception side, and has a plurality of optical dividing pieces each having an optical deflection surface on which an angle of a detection ray is varied to a plurality of angles for dividing the detection ray toward a plurality of division areas. The optical deflection surface on at least one of the transmission and reception side is set to have a given angle, to assign at least one of the detection ray from the transmitter elements and toward the receiver elements, to a given division area, such that a combination of the transmitter and receiver elements forming one of the division areas is different from a combination of the transmitter and receiver elements forming another one of the division areas. |
| US09207072B2 |
Leaf area index measurement system, device, method, and program
A leaf area index measurement system includes: imaging means for capturing an image of a measurement target plant and outputting the captured image; a light source placed either on a side of the measurement target plant opposite to the imaging means or at a position of the measurement target plant; intensity calculation means for calculating an intensity of light when the light source emits light, based on the captured image output from the imaging means; and leaf area index calculation means for calculating a leaf area index, based on the intensity of light calculated by the intensity calculation means. |
| US09207068B2 |
Displacement sensor, in particular for use in a subsea device
A displacement sensor for sensing the displacement of a movable component is provided. The displacement sensor includes a displacement transmission mechanism configured to reduce a large displacement provided at its input into a smaller displacement at its output. The displacement sensor further includes a fiber optic displacement sensor, wherein the output of the displacement transmission mechanism is coupled to the fiber optic displacement sensor. |
| US09207064B2 |
Optical tomographic image acquisition apparatus and method of acquiring optical tomographic image which adjusts reference position that acquires optical tomographic image based on sheath interference signal
An optical tomographic image acquisition apparatus includes a light source unit emitting light; a light dividing device dividing the light from the unit into measurement light and reference light; a projecting device arranged inside a tubular sheath to project the measurement light onto an object; a combining device combining reflected light reflected from the object or the sheath and the reference light; an interference light detecting device detecting interference light between the reflected light and the reference light; an interference signal acquiring device acquiring an interference signal; a tomographic image acquiring device acquiring an optical tomographic image; and a reference position adjustment section detecting a sheath interference signal that is an interference signal of the reflected light reflected from the sheath from the interference signals and adjusts an optical tomographic image reference position as a reference to acquire the optical tomographic image based on the detected sheath interference signal. |
| US09207057B2 |
Device for height measurement having a headpiece
A device for measuring the height of persons, the device including a vertical element and a headpiece arranged on the vertical element so as to be freely positionable. The headpiece is arranged so that it is rotatable relative to the vertical element by a rotational joint. An axis of rotation of the rotational joint is arranged obliquely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the vertical element. |
| US09207056B2 |
Portable instrument for measuring dimensions
Portable instrument for measuring dimensions, comprising a scale, a position sensor capable of being displaced relative to the scale and a watertight housing defining an internal volume comprising the display, the electronic reading circuit and a power source. Additional functional layers, for example an over-molded elastomer thermoplastic layer and a metallic plate, protect the instrument and add to it specific tactile and visual qualities. |
| US09207048B1 |
Multi-ply heterogeneous armor with viscoelastic layers and hemispherical, conical, and angled laminate strikeface projections
An armor system with a composite laminate having at least four alternating layers (two bi-layers) of a first material and a second material, the first material having a lower acoustic impedance than the second material. The first material is a viscoelastic polymer with a glass transition temperature less than the expected operational temperature range, and the second material can be a hard material such as steel, aluminum, or ceramic. The laminate can include many alternating layers of elastomer and hard material, and can be adhered or affixed to a thicker armor substrate. The second material layer can be a layer of hollow or solid spheres. Additional protective elements such as front surface hemispheres or conical projections, and corrugated panels can be added to improve resistance to armor piercing rounds, explosively formed penetrators, or other threats. |
| US09207047B2 |
Anti-ballistic protective assemblies
Provided is an anti-ballistic protective assembly including a plurality of layers of anti-ballistic material including at least two types of anti-ballistic materials, and an enclosure which is at least partially injection molded over the plurality of layers of anti-ballistic material and retains the plurality of layers of anti-ballistic material in a mutually compressed operative orientation. |
| US09207033B2 |
Firearm suppressor baffle
A baffle for use in a firearm suppressor to decrease the amount of sound and flash upon the firing of a firearm on which the suppressor is attached. The baffle comprises a hollow cone-shaped main member having a vertex connected to a base by an annular side surface. The base and the vertex are centered at an elongate central axis of the main member and the side surface has a baffle entry aperture extending therethrough. The baffle entry aperture extends along the side surface in the direction of the base and is offset from the elongate central axis of the main member. In use, the cone-shaped main member is located in a non-centered position within the suppressor such that the vertex is offset from a bore extending through the suppressor and the baffle entry aperture is aligned with the bore of the suppressor. |
| US09207032B2 |
Slide stop support mechanism
To prevent inertial forces from inadvertently releasing the slide of a semi-automatic pistol into battery, a slide stop retention mechanism is mounted on the frame. A finger extends from the mechanism and pivots under the force of a biasing spring into engagement with the slide stop when the slide is in the open position. The finger supports the slide stop. A force applied to the slide stop, either manually or via a cam on the slide when the slide is pulled back and released, will move the finger out of its supporting position and allow the slide to move to battery. |
| US09207031B2 |
Weapon with thermal management components
A weapon includes a cover system that extends a length. The cover system includes an opening that extends through the length of the cover system. The weapon includes a barrel that extends through the opening of the cover system. The cover system includes a composite material that is configured to provide thermal insulation relative to heat emitted from the barrel. |
| US09207029B2 |
Ammunition magazine follower
An ammunition magazine follower comprises a main bottom member defining an upper and lower surface. The upper surface comprises a substantially flat portion and a parallel ridge portion, where the flat and ridge portions are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the main bottom member. One or more guides are arranged on the lower surface for guiding the follower in the magazine. An urging member such as a spring, when installed in a magazine, urges the follower away from the magazine bottom. The guide comprises at least one end wall projecting perpendicularly away from the lower surface of the main bottom member. The end wall comprises a moveable tap, where the upper part of the tap is biased and projects partly above the upper surface of the main bottom member. |
| US09207027B1 |
Rifle dry-fire apparatus and method
A rifle lower receiver has a trigger well and a magazine well. A hammer is disposed in the trigger well and configured to pivot from a first hammer position to a second hammer position in response to moving a trigger from a first trigger position to a second trigger position. A gear member attached to the lower receiver has a predefined number of gear teeth and a locking pin extending from the gear member. A pawl is connected to the trigger and operationally engages the gear member to increment the gear member once per trigger pull. Upon reaching a predefined number of trigger pulls, the locking member locks the trigger. A release lever on the lower receiver is operably configured to advance the gear member one increment to unlock the trigger. A method of dry-fire training is also disclosed. |
| US09207025B2 |
Methods for promoting nucleate boiling
Method for promoting nucleate boiling on an interior surface of a vessel for boiling fluid in an industrial process, the method comprising the steps of: providing the vessel having the interior surface; controllably depositing a scale layer having a non-zero thickness onto the interior surface; monitoring an average thickness, x, of the deposit of the layer; and maintaining the average thickness, x, of the layer below a predetermined value or within a predetermined range of values during the operational life of the vessel, wherein x |
| US09207024B2 |
Patterned heat sink layer for eliminating lateral thermal bloom
The embodiments disclose at least one predetermined patterned layer configured to eliminate a physical path of lateral thermal bloom in a recording device, at least one gradient layer coupled to the patterned layer and configured to use materials with predetermined thermal conductivity for controlling a rate of dissipation and a path coupled to the gradient layer and configured to create a path of least thermal conduction resistance for directing dissipation along the path, wherein the path substantially regulates and prevents lateral thermal bloom. |
| US09207022B2 |
Cooling jacket
A cooling jacket for cooling an electric motor is provided. The cooling jacket has one or more than one wave-shaped pipe, covering the electric motor, for conducting working fluid, wherein each wave-shaped pipe has a forwarding portion and a reversed portion, parallel to the axis of the electric motor, for conducting the working fluid to flow in opposite directions, wherein the forwarding portion includes at least two forwarding sub-pipes, and the reversed portion includes at least two reversed sub-pipes; and a turning portion, connected between the forwarding portion and the reversed portion. |
| US09207021B2 |
Geothermal air conditioning for electrical enclosure
An electrical equipment cabinet coupled to a closed loop in turn coupled to a groundwater source for exchanging heat energy with the closed loop for air-conditioning the interior of the electrical equipment cabinet. In the absence of a groundwater source a slinky loop is used as a substitute. The slinky loop is buried in the ground or located in a body of water located on or below ground. |
| US09207020B2 |
Double flow-circuit heat exchange device for periodic positive and reverse directional pumping using a bidirectional pump
A double flow-circuit heat exchange device for periodic positive and reverse directional pumping having at least two bi-directional fluid pumps. The bi-directional fluid pumps produce positive pressure or negative pressure at fluid ports on two sides of the bi-directional heat exchange device to periodically pump the fluid in positive and reverse flowing directions. During operation of the periodically positive and reverse pumping, the directional flow of the fluid in first and second flow fluid circuits are maintained in different flowing directions. |
| US09207019B2 |
Heat recovery for bitumen froth treatment plant integration with sealed closed-loop cooling circuit
A system and process for recovering heat from a bitumen froth treatment plant use a sealed closed-loop heat transfer circuit. The system has a heat removal exchanger associated with the plant and receiving hot froth treatment process stream; heat recovery exchanger; the circuit; and an oil sands process fluid line. The circuit includes piping circulating heat exchange media having uncontaminated and low fouling properties. The piping includes a supply line to the heat removal exchanger and a return line for providing heated media to the recovery exchanger. The circuit has a pump for pressurizing the heat exchange media; a pressure regulator for regulating pressure of the media. The pump and the pressure maintain the media under pressure in liquid phase. The oil sands process fluid is heated producing a cooled media for reuse in the heat removal exchanger. High and low temperature heat removal exchangers can be used. |
| US09207018B2 |
Sub-wet bulb evaporative chiller system with multiple integrated subunits or chillers
A cooling system integrating a plurality of evaporative chillers, which each cool water to below ambient wet bulb temperature. In an air-to-air heat exchanger of each chiller, the incoming airstream used to evaporate water from the water stream is first cooled indirectly using the cooled air that is exhausted from a saturator of an adjacent chiller or subunit. By pre-chilling the air without adding moisture, each of the chillers of the cooling system is able to achieve water temperatures below the ambient wet bulb temperature. The system integrates or “daisy chains” multiple sub-wet bulb evaporative chillers or subunits such that the cool air output from one subunit is used to pre-cool the incoming air of another neighboring unit. To this end, adjacent units have their heat exchangers fluidically connected together (e.g., air flow output from each saturator is passed as cool return air through channels of an adjacent heat exchanger). |
| US09207012B2 |
Spill containing refrigerator shelf assembly
The specification discloses a method for containing spills on shelving and the like, and the resulting support members made in accordance with the method, by providing the generally flat top surface of a support with a hydrophobic surface which is arranged in a spill containment pattern and which is generally in the plane of the top surface of the support. The majority of the top surface of the support consists of one or more spill containment areas which are of a non-hydrophobic nature and which are bounded by the hydrophobic surfaces, such that spills on the shelving collect in the non-hydrophobic spill containment area or areas and are prevented from spreading by the hydrophobic surfaces. |
| US09207011B2 |
Food container and refrigerator having the same
A food container allowing the inner space of the food container to be appropriately divided with a minimum number of components and a refrigerator having the same. The food container includes a case defining an accommodation space therein, an inner surface of the case being provided with a stepped portion, a divider assembly to partition the accommodation space as desired, the divider assembly having one side slidably seated on the stepped portion. |
| US09207010B2 |
Refrigerator
There is disclosed a refrigerator including an inner case that defines an exterior appearance of a storage space, an outer case spaced apart a predetermined distance from the inner case, a vacuum space provided between the inner case and the outer case, with being maintained vacuum, to insulate the inner case from the outer case, and a porous filter filled in the vacuum space to restrain conductivity generated by gas existent in the vacuum space. |
| US09207005B2 |
Device for separating lubricant from a lubricant-refrigerating gas mixture discharged from at least one refrigerant compressor
The separating device according to the invention comprises a body delimiting a separating chamber, at least one inlet orifice emerging in the separating chamber and intended to be connected to a discharge orifice of the refrigerant compressor so as to allow a lubricant-refrigerating gas mixture to be introduced into the separating chamber, at least one lubricant outlet orifice emerging in the separating chamber and intended to be connected to a lubricant pan formed in the refrigerant compressor. The separating device comprises a first measuring means arranged to measure the temperature of the lubricant contained in the lubricant pan formed in the refrigerant compressor, and a regulating means arranged to regulate the temperature of the lubricant separated in the separating chamber as a function of the temperature of the lubricant measured by said first measuring means. |
| US09207003B2 |
Intermittent absorption system with a liquid-liquid heat exchanger
The intermittent absorption system with a liquid-liquid heat exchanger includes two generator/absorber units that operate out-of-phase, a solar collector unit, a dephlegmator, a condenser unit, an evaporator, and valves to control the flow of aqua-ammonia coolant through the system. The system operates on a two-day cycle. On the first day, during the daytime, the first generator/absorber unit generates liquid ammonia, while on the second day of the cycle, the roles are reversed, the second generator/absorber unit generating liquid ammonia. At the start of each day, one generator/absorber unit is partially pressurized and the other partially depressurized by liquid-liquid heat exchange between their heat exchangers, followed by disconnecting the heat exchangers from each other and connecting the generator to the solar collector to complete pressurization. The liquid-liquid heat exchange between the generator/absorber units reduces the heat required from the solar collector to generate liquid ammonia refrigerant, improving the coefficient of performance. |
| US09207002B2 |
Contaminant separator for a vapor-compression refrigeration apparatus
Apparatuses and methods are provided for facilitating cooling of an electronic component. The apparatus includes a vapor-compression refrigeration system, which includes an expansion component, an evaporator, a compressor and a condenser coupled in fluid communication. The evaporator is coupled to and cools the electronic component. The apparatus further includes a contaminant separator coupled in fluid communication with the refrigerant flow path. The separator includes a refrigerant cold filter and a thermoelectric array. At least a portion of refrigerant passing through the refrigerant flow path passes through the cold filter, and the thermoelectric array provides cooling to the cold filter to cool refrigerant passing through the filter. By cooling refrigerant passing through the filter, contaminants solidify from the refrigerant, and are deposited in the cold filter. The separator may further include a refrigerant hot filter coupled to a hot side of the thermoelectric array for further filtering the refrigerant. |
| US09206993B2 |
HVAC controller with utility saver switch diagnostic feature
An HVAC controller may display a user query on the display of the HVAC controller, which queries the user as to whether a utility saver switch is installed and in use. The HVAC controller may take into account whether a utility saver switch is installed and in use when determining, logging and/or reporting out diagnostic faults of the HVAC system. |
| US09206988B2 |
Cooker
A cooking appliance includes a muffle having walls to delimit a cooking chamber. The muffle has a front face provided with a loading opening which is delimited peripherally by a front edge of the muffle. A lighting apparatus has at least one light source which is configured to light up the cooking chamber and/or to display information. The at least one light source is disposed outside the cooking chamber and in front of the front edge of the muffle when the cooking appliance is viewed from the front. |
| US09206985B2 |
Integrated cooktop assembly
Methods and apparatus are disclosed regarding a gas range and an integrated cooktop assembly. The integrated cooktop assembly may be formed as a single, continuous surface. Some embodiments of the cooktop assembly may include a bowl portion, a burner portion, a grate portion, and a cooktop portion. |
| US09206983B2 |
Internal combustion engine hot gas path component with powder metallurgy structure
A hot gas path component (100) including: a metallic substrate (102) disposed beneath an outer surface (112) of the component (100) that is exposed to a hot gas present during operation of an internal combustion engine; a thermal barrier coating (TBC) (110) disposed on the metallic substrate (102) and defining a first portion (118) of the component outer surface (112); and a powder metallurgy structure (104) bonded to the metallic substrate (102) and in contact with the TBC (110). |
| US09206981B2 |
Gas valve unit comprising an actuation mechanism for a solenoid valve
A gas valve unit for setting a gas volume flow supplied to a gas burner of a gas appliance includes a valve housing, an actuation pin for setting an opening cross section of the gas valve unit, a shutoff valve, and a linearly displaceable connecting element for transferring a movement of the actuation pin to the shutoff valve. The connecting element has at least one spring which can be embodied as a compression spring or as a coil spring. |
| US09206977B2 |
Illumination assembly for garment
An illumination assembly structured to be supported on an individual, including a garment worn by the individual, having a base connectable to the garment and an adjustment assembly connected to the base. An illumination source is connected to the adjustment assembly and moveable therewith relative to the base. The adjustment assembly is disposed in movable interconnecting relation between the illumination source and the base and is cooperatively structured therewith to facilitate adjustable, multi-directional movement and multi-positional placement of the illumination source on the base. The base may be removably connected to a mounting structure connected to the garment, wherein the mounting structure is dimensioned and configured to be unobtrusive when not connected to the base and disposed in underlying relation to an over garment. |
| US09206976B1 |
Light emitting diode (LED) lighting device with heat sink
A light emitting diode (LED) lighting device including a circuit configured to energize a surface mount LED lamp having an integral LED heat sink with a source of power. The LED lighting device further includes a printed circuit board having a first side, a second side and a metallic thermal connector extending from the first side to the second side. The surface mount LED lamp is attached to the first side with the LED heat sink in contact with the metallic thermal connector. The LED lighting device further includes a fixture configured to hold the printed circuit board and position a metallic heat sink on the second side of the printed circuit board in contact with the metallic thermal connector. |
| US09206975B2 |
Non-glare reflective LED lighting apparatus with heat sink mounting
A lighting apparatus having an axial heat pipe, will a light source, e.g., light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”), mounted on a proximate end of the axial heat pipe so as to face a reflector, the heat pipe passing through the reflector, and the distal end of the heat pipe on the other side of the reflector having a heat sink for dissipating the heat generated by the LEDs, with the heat sink having multiple heat dissipating fins. |
| US09206972B1 |
Compact LED device with cooling fan
A light emitting diode (LED) light bulb device can comprise a semiconductor chip comprising an input coupled to an AC power supply and a plurality of DC power outputs, a plurality of banks of LEDs coupled to the plurality of DC power outputs, and a fan coupled in parallel with a first of the plurality of banks of LEDs. The fan can be coupled to the first bank of LEDs through a filter comprising a diode, a resistor, and a capacitor. The capacitor can be coupled in parallel with the fan and be configured to supply a voltage to the fan while the plurality of banks of LEDs are alternately receiving power. The LED light bulb device can further comprising a WiFi receiver and include a height in a range between 2.5-6.875 centimeters and include a volume small enough to be enclosed in a standard j-box housing. |
| US09206970B2 |
Linear LED lamp tube with internal driver and interconnect to line voltage and methods of installing the same
In various embodiments, a light emitting diode (LED) lamp tube is provided along with a method of installing the LED tube lamp into a lighting fixture. In various embodiments, the LED tube lamp comprises: a tube; at least one LED positioned within the tube; a driver circuit positioned within the tube, the driver circuit comprising a set of electrical connecting wires; and a passage formed through at least a portion of the tube, the passage configured to receive there-through the set of electrical connecting wires. In various embodiments, the LED lamp tube comprises: a tube; at least one LED positioned within the tube; at least one end cap disposed on an end of the tube and at least one pin secured thereon wherein at least part of the pin is disposed outside of the tube and the at least one pin is electrically isolated from the at least one LED. |
| US09206965B2 |
Semiconductor photonic package
A method for assembling a semiconductor photonic package device includes bonding a portion of a first surface of a semiconductor die portion to a portion of a carrier portion, bonding a single mode optical ferrule portion to a portion of the first surface of the semiconductor die portion, and disposing a cover plate assembly in contact with the optical ferrule portion and the carrier portion. |
| US09206964B2 |
Convertible lighting fixture for multiple light sources
A convertible lighting fixture includes a first housing defining a first compartment and a second housing defining a second compartment and movably attached to the first housing. The lighting fixture further includes a mounting plate attached to the second housing, a light source attached to the mounting plate and electrically connected to a power source disposed within the first compartment, and a cover substantially surrounding the light source. In at least one embodiment, the lighting fixture includes a wire harness configured to electrically connect the power source with the light source, wherein the wire harness includes a plurality of wires, a harness jacket surrounding the plurality of wires, and a sealant disposed within the harness jacket, wherein the sealant at least partially fills voids within the harness jacket and prevents liquids from translating through the wire harness. |
| US09206961B1 |
LED elevated light fixture and method
Disclosed are elevated lights and methods of maintaining illumination in elevated lights for an airfield. The elevated lights have a substrate having a mounting surface, LEDs, a reflector, and an LED driver circuit. The LEDs are disposed on the mounting surface of the substrate and configured such that a primary illumination axis of each LED is oriented along a longitudinal axis of the elevated light. The reflector is configured such that the light emitted from the LEDs is reflected radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elevated light. The driver circuit is configured to provide a current to the LEDs and detect failure of one or more of the LEDs. Illumination is maintained by providing a current to the LEDs, detecting a voltage change across the LEDs, determining, based on the voltage change, LED failure, and altering the provided electrical current in order to maintain illumination. |
| US09206954B2 |
Light source unit and vehicular lamp
A vehicular lamp includes a light source unit that is attached to one of a lamp body and a reflector. The light source unit includes a semiconductor light emitting element that is a light source; a plurality of conductive members formed into a predetermined three-dimensional shape by press working a conductive metal material; and a housing that is formed of an insulating material. The plurality of conductive members each include: an element mounting portion to which the semiconductor light emitting element is mounted, a heat dissipating portion that dissipates heat generated when the semiconductor light emitting element emits light, and a connecting portion to which a connector that supplies power to the semiconductor light emitting element is connected. The housing holds the plurality of conductive members in a spaced apart state. |
| US09206953B2 |
Lighting assembly and method
A lighting assembly for installing through a fitting aperture defined by a handrail. The lighting assembly including: a retaining element that is removably insertable through the fitting aperture; a body device for providing a light source, the body device comprising a coupling element releasably engageable to the retaining element; and wherein, with the retaining element inserted through the fitting aperture and located within the handrail, insertion of the body device through the fitting aperture enables the coupling element to engage the retaining element thereby releasably retaining the body device. |
| US09206949B2 |
Retractable end-cap for LED tube
Embodiments of an end-cap for an LED tube are described. In one aspect, an end-cap for an LED tube may include an end-cap housing, at least one elastic component, and a connecting assembly. The end-cap housing may include at least one power pin thereon and configured to connect to an external power source. The elastic component may reside inside the end-cap housing. The end-cap housing may connect to a first end of the connecting assembly via an extendable connection and a second end of the connecting assembly opposite to the first end thereof connects to a body of the LED tube through at least one power connector. The power connector may connect to the at least one power pin when the elastic component is pressed. The power connector may remain separate from the at least one power pin when the elastic component is not pressed. |
| US09206947B2 |
LED module, LED illumination means, and LED lamp for the energy-efficient reproduction of white light
An LED module, selectively comprising at least zero, one, or a plurality of LEDs from Group B and/or Group G and/or Group R and at least one or more LEDs from Group P. The concentration of phosphors/phosphor mixtures of the LEDs in Group P is selected such that the photometric efficiency (lm/W) thereof is at or near the maximum as a function of the CIE x-coordinates. |
| US09206943B2 |
Extension rod device working with fixer for handheld, portable, mobile devices
An extension rod device working with a fixer for handheld, portable, mobile devices, and includes a rod body whose two ends are detachably attached with a positioning frame and a securing member. The positioning frame is adjustable to hold a mobile device, and the securing member secures the rod body and the positioning frame onto an external article, so as to suspend the mobile device. The extension rod device is capable of being easily and quickly mounted on or dismounted from any nearby handrail. When the positioning frame and the securing member are detached from the two ends of the rod body, the rod body can function as a portable personal article. |
| US09206940B2 |
Structure including a frame having four sides and a closed cross-section structural member
A structure including a structural member configured like a frame with four sides is disclosed. A closed cross-section structural member serving as a reinforcing material is provided in a crossing corner of the structural member. The closed cross-section structural member includes two horizontal portions separated from each other in a thickness direction of the structural member and extending in an in-plane direction of the structural member and two vertical portions one of which connects first ends of the two horizontal portions together and the other of which connects second ends of the two horizontal portions together. The closed cross-section structural member includes a first opening formed therein facing an inner-peripheral flat surface of the structural member and a second opening formed therein facing inside of the structural member. |
| US09206937B2 |
System and device for monitoring a movable plug element(s) in a pipeline
A friction pig 2 and system for monitoring one or more physical properties upstream and/or downstream of the friction pig 2 when in use in a pipe 1 is disclosed. The friction pig comprises at least one sensor 7 connected to the friction pig 2 for sensing and acquiring data related to one or more physical properties concerning the friction pig 2 or fluid upstream and/or downstream of the friction pig 2; means for receiving instructions from a remote control unit 12; means for carrying out instructions; and means for transmitting the acquired data to the remote control unit 12, thus enabling monitoring of one or more physical properties. Friction pigs preferably comprise friction plugs, for example high-friction plugs, for use in pipeline isolation. The invention is also described by a system comprising at least two friction pigs 2, 4 for measuring one or more physical properties when used in a pipe. |
| US09206934B2 |
Heated hose assembly
A heated hose assembly may include a flexible hose and a heating element. The flexible hose defines an internal water channel and includes first and second hose couplings secured to first and second ends, respectively. The first end is opposite the second end. The heating element extends from the first hose coupling to the second hose coupling through the flexible hose. The heating element is configured to heat the first and second hose couplings and the flexible hose. |
| US09206932B2 |
Tube verifier
There is provided a tube connector for connecting between a fluid sampling tube and a fluid analyzer, the tube connector includes an end face adapted to identify the tube connector, said end face comprising a reflecting surface having one or more reflective regions adapted to reflect light at a predetermined range of wavelengths. |
| US09206927B2 |
Utility conduit supporting device, system, and method
A utility conduit supporting device, system, and method for quickly and inexpensively securing multiple conduits, including cables, pipes, or other utility lines, to structural members such as I-beams and other planar or curved structural members, includes one or more clamping members, such as one or more beam clamps, and one or more elongate platforms with spaced apart connections for attachment members, e.g., conduit clamps. The device and method can be used to install utility conduits in multiple orientations, to readily fit between, over, under, or away from existing installations when additional conduits are needed, without having to measure, drill, and tap conduit supporting straps and without having to disassemble and reassemble existing installations, and to make use of void, unused spaces on structural members. |
| US09206926B2 |
Float device
A float device for use in a body of water includes a float configured to transform between a deflated state and an inflated state. The float includes at least one internal chamber. The float includes a manual inflation value configured to provide a passageway for adding gas to the at least one internal chamber and a deflation valve configured to provide a passageway for releasing gas from the at least one internal chamber. A float attachment member is attached to the float, such that when the float is placed in the body of water, the float attachment member is underwater. |
| US09206924B2 |
Stinger for a pipeline laying vessel
A stinger (1) for a pipeline laying vessel, the stinger includes at least one track (3) which in use at least partly surrounds a firing line along which the pipeline (5) is laid, and at least one pipeline support (6) for supporting the pipeline, which pipeline support is movable along said track. |
| US09206923B2 |
Rotary shaft seals
Rotary shaft seals are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a valve body and a shaft extending into the valve body. The shaft is to rotate relative to the valve body. The example apparatus also includes a seal. The seal is disposed outside of the valve body and fixedly coupled to the valve body and the shaft to provide a fluid seal between the shaft and a cavity within the valve body. |
| US09206922B2 |
Remotely operated shutoff valve
A remotely operated safety valve is provided for terminating flow through the valve. The safety valve includes an electromagnet for holding the safety valve open, and a swing plate for closing the safety valve. A power supply is provided for powering the electromagnet, and an electrical conductor extends between the shutdown switch, the power supply, and the electromagnet. A connector spaced along the conductor is separable during a separation of a towing vehicle from the towed vehicle. The safety valve automatically closes in response to one of activation of the shutdown switch or the termination of power to the electromagnet. |
| US09206919B2 |
Corrosion and deposition protected valve apparatus and method
An expandable and contractible shield around a bellows in a valve protects the bellows from corrosive gases and solid particles in the valve chamber. In a manifold valve assembly with multiple outlet ports and multiple valves in a common valve chamber, a respective expandable and contractible shield around each respective bellows of each respective valve in the assembly separates each bellows from corrosive gases and solid particles in the common valve chamber regardless of whether one or all of the valves in the assembly is opened or closed. |
| US09206917B2 |
Positioning structure of water guiding duct in faucet valve base
A water guiding duct positioning structure in a faucet valve base is disclosed, which may include a valve seat, at least two water guiding ducts, and a position limiting member, wherein a valve chamber is located at upper portion of the valve seat to receive a water control valve, and bottom portion of the valve seat is connected with two water inlet tubes and a water outlet tube, which have horizontal slits located at the outer periphery of the water inlet and outlet tubes for the position limiting member to plug in. The water guiding duct has a connector collar, which is installed with a water sealing ring and has at least one ring slot. The position limiting member has a horizontal holding plate, one end of which has a shoulder portion extending both sides from the holding plate. |
| US09206916B1 |
Dual-purpose tire inlet valve connector
A dual-purpose tire inlet valve connector has a housing, a plunger mounted in a plunger chamber in the housing, multiple steel balls mounted around a periphery of the plunger, a push post and a compression spring mounted inside the plunger, multiple plunger springs mounted between the plunger and the housing, a pressing lever mounted on a top of the housing to abut against a top end of the plunger, and a sealing collar mounted on a bottom of the plunger chamber. The steel balls can be driven by the motion of the plunger and the springs activated by the pressing lever to hold the push post or release the push post for the plunger to abut against and position an American or French tire inlet valve inserted in the dual-purpose tire inlet valve connector to fulfill a universal and fast connection therewith and a smooth air-charging job. |
| US09206914B2 |
Check valve
A check valve is provided. The check valve includes a position limiting member, a back-flow preventing member and a lid body. The back-flow preventing member is disposed between the position limiting member and the lid body, and a blocking portion of the back-flow preventing member is flexible. When the blocking portion is impacted by an external water source, a gap will be formed between an external peripheral verge of the blocking portion and a stepped portion of the position limiting member to allow the water source to flow through the position limiting member. When the blocking portion is impacted by a reverse water source, the external peripheral verge of the blocking portion is abutted against the stepped portion to unallow the water source to flow through the position limiting member. |
| US09206908B2 |
Pin mechanism
A pin release mechanism which includes a release pin, a bias spring, a spring guide, a moveable ball retainer and a solenoid assembly. The release pin is axially movable from a first to a second position. The bias spring is connected to the release pin and exerts a force biasing the release pin towards the second position. The spring guide receives the bias spring interacts with ball bearings. The moveable ball retainer is connected to the bias spring and has a locked position in which ball bearings radially interfere with the movement of the release pin and prevents movement of the release pin from the first to the second position by engaging the release pin, and an unlocked position in which the ball bearings may move radially, disengaging the release pin, and engaging the ball retainer, to allow the release pin to move from the first towards the second position. |
| US09206903B2 |
Locking collar for cylindrical cavity
A locking collar to be inserted into a cylindrical cavity or lumen of a device for securing mechanical elements from moving axially within the cavity. The collar includes two semi-circular cylindrical segments hinged together with an opposed single slit to allow easy installation within the cavity and pushed into position against the installed elements without the need to disassemble a device. The collar is a substantially cylindrical rigid member with an outer diameter closely matching the inner bore diameter of the cavity and includes an opening at the slit to receive a securing screw member to urge the two segments apart to engage the inner bore surface of the cavity and fix the collar in place thereby locking the elements in place. |
| US09206899B2 |
Pistons
Pistons are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a piston defining a chamber and a circumferential groove in communication with the chamber. At least a portion of the chamber is to be substantially filled with a fluid. The example apparatus also includes a piston ring disposed in the chamber and the groove. The fluid is to apply a first pressure to the piston ring to enable the piston ring to apply a second pressure to a cylinder wall. The second pressure is to be greater than the first pressure. |
| US09206896B2 |
Engine-off auxiliary hydraulic pressurization system and method for a transmission
An auxiliary hydraulic pressurization system for use with a vehicle including a transmission having a hydraulic reservoir, a hydraulic circuit, and a main pump is disclosed herein. The auxiliary hydraulic pressurization system includes an auxiliary pump and a controller. The auxiliary pump has a low side adapted to be coupled to the hydraulic reservoir and a high side adapted to be coupled to the hydraulic circuit. The controller is electrically connectable to the auxiliary pump and is configured to turn on the auxiliary pump in response to receipt of a signal indicating that the vehicle is in a stop condition to maintain hydraulic pressurization of the hydraulic circuit of the transmission when the vehicle is in the stop condition. |
| US09206894B2 |
Control device and control method for speed change device
One of two clutches etc. engaged concurrently with each other to establish a second speed, a third speed, or a fourth speed is determined in advance as an abnormal-time engagement element that is kept engaged when an abnormality occurs in which one different clutch or brake is engaged during concurrent engagement of the two clutches etc. The other of the two clutches etc. is determined in advance as an abnormal-time slipping element that is caused to slip when such an abnormality occurs. During concurrent engagement of the two clutches etc., a hydraulic pressure (target hydraulic pressure) to be supplied to the abnormal-time engagement element is set to be higher than a hydraulic pressure (target hydraulic pressure) to be supplied to the abnormal-time slipping element. |
| US09206891B2 |
Support structure for a ball screw
A support structure for a ball screw includes a base, two pivot seats mounted on the base, a screw disposed between the two pivot seats, at least one guide rail fixed on the base, a first guide block fixed on the base and provided with a first slanting surface, a second guide block fixed on the base and provided with a second slanting surface, a support seat slidably mounted on the guide rails and located below the screw, a nut unit sleeved on the screw and slidably disposed on the guide rails, and a drive assembly fixed at the nut unit. The support structure for a ball screw has a simple structure, a low maintenance cost and a longer service life. |
| US09206886B2 |
Chain tensioner
A chain tensioner includes a shoe including a first spring-receiving slot and a second spring-receiving slot. The first slot includes a first side wall and a first installation tab. The second slot includes a second side wall and a second installation tab. A stack of one or more leaf springs is installed into the first and second spring-receiving slots over first and second installation tabs, and a first end of the stack is laterally retained in the first slot between the first installation tab and first side wall, and a second end of the stack is laterally retained in the second slot between the second installation tab and second side wall. The installation tabs are necessarily lower in height than first and second side walls to allow the spring stack to be installed thereover. The first and second installation tabs are each located in an outboard position and the first and second side walls are located in an inboard position. The outboard position enables the installation tabs to capture the spring stack despite the lower height. |
| US09206884B2 |
Multistage transmission
A four-stage multi-gear transmission in which the carrier of a fourth gearset (4) is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a housing (72), a ring gear of a first gearset (1) is connected rotationally fixed to a sun gear (41) of the fourth gearset (4), a drive input (70) can couple, via a first clutch (61), a sun gear (11) of the first gearset (1), a ring gear (42) of the fourth gearset (4) can couple, via a second clutch (62), a drive output (71), a carrier (13) of the first gearset (1) can couple, via a first brake (51), a housing (72) and the sun gear (11) of the first gearset (1) can couple, via a second brake (52=), the housing (72). Varying other couplings within the multi-gear transmission can provide a range of transmissions with similar properties. |
| US09206881B2 |
Rigid speed reducer with internal and external tooth profile tooth-enveloping
A rigid speed reducer with internal and external tooth profile tooth-enveloping. The rigid speed reducer includes first- and second-level speed-reducing mechanisms. The first-level speed-reducing mechanism includes: an eccentric gear; rotary arm bearing; externally-meshing curved gear; and gear pins fixed on a first supporting frame and externally meshed with the externally-meshing curved gear. The second-level speed-reducing mechanism includes: an eccentric transmission gear; rotary arm bearing; internally-meshing curved gear, which is internally meshed and fitted with the gear pin; and an output disk linked with an output shaft. The eccentric transmission gear is in transmission connection with the externally-meshing curved gear through a dowel pin. The internally-meshing curved gear is in transmission with the output disk through a transmission pin. A first reinforcing frame is arranged at one side of the externally-meshing curved gear, and a second reinforcing frame is arranged at one side of the internally-meshing curved gear. |
| US09206878B2 |
Vehicular vibration reduction apparatus
A vehicle vibration reduction apparatus (1) includes: an inertial mass body (30) that is connected to a rotary shaft (13) of a power transmission apparatus (5) such that the inertial mass body (30) is capable of transmitting power, wherein the rotary shaft (13) of a power transmission apparatus (5) is capable of transmitting rotary power from a travel drive source (4) to a drive wheel (10) of a vehicle (2); and a switching apparatus (40) that is provided on a power transmission path between the rotary shaft (13) and the inertial mass body (30) and that is capable of switching between a first path (42) on which the rotary shaft (13) and the inertial mass body (30) are connected to each other via an elastic body (41), and a second path (43) on which the rotary shaft (13) and the inertial mass body (30) are connected to each other without passing through the elastic body (41). Thus, the vehicle vibration reduction apparatus (1) can reduce vibration appropriately. |
| US09206869B2 |
Brake disk
A brake disk includes a body and at least two heat dissipation members. The body has an annular portion defined thereon, and the annular portion of the body defines a central axis. The annular portion has a brake portion for a bike brake device to clamp the brake portion. The body has at least one assembling portion extended toward the central axis for connecting with a bike hub. At least one connecting portion is formed between the assembling portion and the brake portion. The connecting portion has at least one first fixing portion formed thereon. The two heat dissipation members are respectively located on two corresponding lateral sides of the body. Each heat dissipation member has at least one second fixing portion, the second fixing portion is fixedly assembled to the first fixing portion. |
| US09206862B2 |
Enhanced dual clutch transmission
A dual clutch transmission (DCT) with double-range change. In one embodiment, the dual clutch transmission includes odd and even lay shafts and a separate range change shaft for each, thereby providing a range change for both the odd and even gear sets. The input shaft may include an extension gear that can be selectively driven by the inner input shaft or the outer input shaft to provide additional gear pairings. The extension gear may include a synchronizer on each face to allow it to be coupled to either the outer or inner input shaft. The transmission may include a reverse shaft coupled with the even lay shaft. The transmission may include a dual half synchronizer having a single hub and a split sleeve. The parts of the split sleeve are separately movable to allow independent synchronization of two pairs of rotating components. |
| US09206858B2 |
Plug-in constant velocity joint
A plug-in constant velocity joint has an outer race and an inner race. The inner race has a plurality of splines and inner tracks. A cage is located between the outer race and the inner race. A boot sleeve is disposed against the inner race and has a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion. The first end portion defines a race seat and is in contact with an end of the inner race. The second end portion defines an inner ridge, a sleeve channel and an outer ridge. A boot assembly is coupled to the outer race and comprises a boot retainer and a boot. A plug-in stub shaft is engaged with the boot sleeve and both are drivingly engaged into the inner race. |
| US09206856B2 |
Coupling
A coupling for transmitting torque from a drive element to a driven element has a drive-side connector rotatable about a drive-side rotation axis and a plurality of drive-side fasteners angularly spaced on the drive-side connector around the drive-side axis of the drive-side connector. A load-side connector rotatable about a load-side rotation axis carries a plurality of load-side fasteners spaced on the load-side connector around the drive-side rotation axis. A plurality of connecting elements each have a pair of opposite ends. Respective swivel joints are each connected without length compensation between one end of a respective one of the connecting elements and a respective one of the drive-side fasteners. Further respective swivel joints are each connected without length compensation between a respective one of the other ends of the connecting elements and a respective one of the load-side fasteners. |
| US09206853B2 |
Tolerance ring assembly
A tolerance ring has a band (16) with outwardly extending corrugated protrusions forming waves (2) which engage a surface (8) of the bore (4) in a housing (5). At one end of the tolerance ring is an outwardly flared guide surface (15a) extending axially from the band (16). The guide surface (15a) acts as an enlarged entrance to the band (16) from a shaft (3) to be mounted in the bore (4) by insertion into the tolerance ring. The use of the guide surface (15a) assists assembly and reduces or eliminates particle production. It is also possible for the corrugated portions to extend inwardly, for the guide surface to be inwardly flared, and for the tolerance ring to be mounted on the shaft prior to insertion in the bore. |
| US09206850B2 |
Sensor-equipped bearing device for wheel having integrated in-wheel motor
To provide a sensor equipped and in-wheel motor incorporated bearing device for a vehicle wheel, which is capable of accurately detecting a rotating condition of a vehicle drive wheel and is effective to accurately control an electric drive motor or an automotive vehicle, the sensor equipped and in-wheel motor incorporated bearing device includes a wheel support bearing assembly for rotatably supporting a hub of the vehicle drive wheel, an electric drive motor providing a rotation device source for the vehicle drive wheel, and a speed reducing mechanism interposed between the electric drive motor and the wheel support bearing assembly. A rotation detecting device is also provided for detecting the rotation of an output shaft of the speed reducing mechanism. |
| US09206848B2 |
Rolling bearing unit
Radial passages (22) that penetrate from the inner diameter side to the outer diameter side of a retainer (8) are provided between inner wall surface portions (14) of a pocket (10) facing each other in an axial direction of the retainer and a rolling element (6) so that the radial passages (22) serve as a grease reservoir as well as a grease passage for allowing the grease adhering to the rolling element (6) to move onto an outer ring raceway surface (4a). The radial passages (22) are made up of arc-shaped spaces (18) between the rolling element (6) and the inner wall surface portions (14) of the inner wall surface of a pocket (10) and segment shaped spaces (20) between the rolling element (6) and arcuate recesses (16) at the four corners of the pocket (10). |
| US09206844B2 |
Slide member and method of manufacturing slide member
A slide member provided with an overlay composed of a Bi-based material. A slide member includes a substrate; and an overlay including Bi or a Bi alloy provided over the substrate. A surface portion (surface-most portion) of the overlay includes an oxide layer in which a bismuth oxide, is scattered. The content of the bismuth oxide in the oxide layer represented by oxygen content is equal to or greater than 0.5% mass % and equal to or less than 8.0 mass %. The orientation intensity ratio of the main orientation plane of Bi or Bi alloy crystals in the overlay is 50% or greater. The main orientation plane of the bismuth oxide crystals in the oxide layer is the (220) plane or the (201) plane. |
| US09206843B2 |
Method of producing bushing and piece with bushing
This disclosure relates to bushings produced with adapted dovetails for production on a carrying web of a progressive stamping machine at a plurality of stations. The bushing includes a regular shape male dovetail inserted into an irregular shape crenellated female opening at the conclusion of a plurality of operations at stations on a progressive stamping machine. Once the bushing is bent in shape, in a subsequent step, the regular shape male dovetail is punched to lock in place into the irregular shape crenellated female opening. |
| US09206838B2 |
Idler and bearing assembly and a method of manufacturing same
The assembly comprises a bearing unit (10) with outer (11) and inner (12) rings and an outer wheel (20) of plastic material which is overmolded onto the outer bearing ring and is adapted for being engaged by a driving belt. A sleeve unit (30) is integral with the inner bearing ring (12). The sleeve unit includes one or more rigid tubular spacers (31, 32) and a central, plastic tubular core (33). The spacers (31, 32) are axially aligned with the inner bearing ring (12) and abut against one or both of the opposite sides (14, 15) of the inner bearing ring (12). The central tubular core (33) is overmolded into and axially extending along radially inner cylindrical surfaces (16, 34, 35) of both the inner bearing ring (12) and tubular spacer(s) (31, 32). |
| US09206837B2 |
Ball joint dust cover
In an elastic ball joint dust cover structured such that a spherical head portion formed in one end of a ball stud is retained within a socket, a shaft in the other end of the ball stud is fastened to a knuckle, a large-diameter opening portion is fixed and retained to an outer peripheral surface of the socket, a small-diameter portion having a reinforcing ring embedded therein is retained to the shaft, the reinforcing ring is constructed by a tubular portion, and a flange portion extending from an end portion of the tubular portion toward the shaft, and is integrated with the small-diameter portion in such a manner that a side surface of the flange portion at a side of the knuckle and an inner peripheral surface of the flange portion facing a peripheral surface of the shaft are exposed. |
| US09206835B2 |
System and method for repairing and sealing portions of a roof structure, method and apparatus for manufacturing sealing elements
A roofing sealing system and method is provided. The roofing nail seal is disposed substantially concentrically over a roofing nail. The roofing nail seal includes a body portion with an upper surface and a lower surface. An adhesive is affixed to the lower surface of the body portion for application to a head of the roofing nail. |
| US09206834B2 |
Floating fastener
A floating fastener includes a mounting base member affixed to a first panel member and including a relatively smaller lower outer perimeter, a relatively larger upper outer perimeter, an outer stop flange extending around a top side of the upper outer perimeter, a bottom mounting neck and a cushion ring mounted in a locating groove around the lower outer perimeter, a rotary fastening member inserted through the mounting base member for locking a second panel member to the first panel member through a rotary motion, and a cap member affixed to a head of the rotary fastening member outside the mounting base member and having an inside bottom stop flange coupled to the mounting base member and axially slidable along the upper and lower outer perimeters and stoppable at the bottom side of the outer stop flange of the mounting base member. |
| US09206833B2 |
Fastener with discrete head cap
A threaded fastener comprises a fastener body having a threaded portion, a tool engaging surface, and a head cap receiving bore. The head cap receiving bore has a head cap bearing surface and a head cap retaining surface. A head cap has a rigid base and a central stem extending from the base. The head cap stem is disposed in the head cap receiving bore. The head cap base has a body bearing surface in contacting or near-contacting engagement with the head cap bearing surface. The head cap base further has a head cap outer surface. A head cap retainer interconnects the head cap stem and head cap retaining surface. The head cap retainer comprises a material of sufficient strength and rigidity to retain the head cap on the fastener body in a high-strength, axially non-deformable interconnection that holds the head cap in a substantially fixed and immovable axial position. |
| US09206831B2 |
Dual pitch thread
Disclosed herein is an object that has two threads of different pitches. The two threads overlap and may have a common starting point. The object may be any type of threaded insert, including those commonly referred to as a type of nut or rivet such as a clinch-nut, a weld-nut and a rivet-nut. Also disclosed is a system having a part and the disclosed insert installed onto it. Embodiments of the invention reduce the likelihood of damage when a screw is miss-matched with a similarly sized but different threaded hole. |
| US09206830B2 |
Flexible positioning post
A flexible positioning post includes a base, a metal post and a plurality of metal elastic pieces. The base has an upper surface. The metal post has a first end and a second end opposite to each other, and the first end is connected to the upper surface of the base. Each of the metal elastic pieces has a fixed end and a free end opposite to each other. The fixed end is securely assembled at the second end of the metal post, and the free end is adjacent to the upper surface of the base and bent toward the metal post to form a bending portion. Consequently, upon receiving a foreign force, the free end of each of the metal elastic pieces is moved toward the metal post; conversely, once the foreign force is removed, the free end of each of the metal elastic pieces is moved resiliently. |
| US09206827B2 |
Wall mount organization system
The present disclosure relates generally to workspace organization systems, and more particularly to wall-mounted systems for use in workspace organization. In one embodiment, a system configured to couple to a wall includes a mount configured to be detachably couple to the wall, the mount including a frame having opposing front and rear surfaces, and a panel detachably coupled to the mount, the panel configured to detachably support at least one accessory. |
| US09206825B2 |
Connecting structure
A connecting structure for use between a wind wheel of a blower and a motor shaft in combination with the wind wheel (1) and the connecting structure including a shaft sleeve (3). The wind wheel (1) includes a bottom plate (11), and the bottom plate (11) is convex to form a sleeve cover (12). A bottom surface and a side surface of the shaft sleeve (3) is wrapped by the sleeve cover (12). A thread (21) is arranged on an end of the shaft (2). A shaft step (22) is arranged on the shaft (2) at an inner side of the thread (21). The thread (21) arranged on the end of the shaft (2) is inserted into a threaded hole (31) arranged inside the shaft sleeve (3). The shaft step (22) is attached to a top surface of the shaft sleeve. |
| US09206824B2 |
Frame connector assembly for large portable frameworks
A frame connector assembly is configured to releasably, rigidly, and safely join large frame members to one another to form temporary structures. A connector assembly typically comprises a housing, a hoop element, a first cam block, a second cam clock and a rotatable actuator adapted to be engaged by a torquing tool. The housing is secured within the first frame member. Rotation of the actuator causes the threadedly-engaged second cam element to force movement of the first cam element in a direction opposing a spring bias. The hoop element is resultingly pulled toward the housing, along with a cleat or other detent element which is affixed to the second frame member. The housing can be manufactured inexpensively by way of extrusion. The frame connector assembly is adaptable to facilitate rapid construction and disassembly of various frame joint configurations, including end-to-face joints, and mitered 90-degree joints. |
| US09206823B2 |
Modular cylindrical seat system
Modulatable integrated system for connecting at least two cylindrical elements (9) composed of a rigid vertical rod (1) connected to at least three solid rings (2, 3, 4) capable of containing the cylinders and having analogous diameter, characterized in that the three solid rings are connected to the rigid rod (1) in a manner so as to form three separate levels that are equidistant from each other, parallel to each other and orthogonal to the axis of the rigid rod (1), and are arranged in a manner such that two of the solid rings (2 and 4) are perfectly superimposed. |
| US09206822B2 |
Device for monitoring the position and movement of a brake pedal
A device for monitoring the position and movement of a brake pedal for motor vehicles, including a power assist brake actuating unit. The brake actuating unit having a master cylinder fastened to the brake power assist unit, a housing and at least one piston displaceable in a linear manner in the master cylinder, and a position indicator for monitoring the position of the brake pedal. The position indicator transmits signals to a sensor element connected to an electronic control unit. The position indicator is provided on a support coupled to the movement of the control valve housing or to the movable wall that is supported by the control valve housing. The support is guided in a housing of a sensor element, and the housing of the sensor element penetrates in a vacuum-tight manner the power assist unit housing and the housing of the master cylinder having a first housing section. |
| US09206821B2 |
Hydraulic switching mechanism for mobile hydraulics, mobile hydraulic machine and valve unit
A hydraulic switching mechanism for the mobile hydraulics of, for example, hydraulic excavators, with a valve block, with electrohydraulically activatable valve units for controlling the movement of a working cylinder whose cylinder chambers can be selectively connected to a pump connection for hydraulic fluid, to a tank connection or to one another, and with pre-control valves for activating the valve units, wherein the hydraulic switching mechanism, by means of separate tank valve units and pump valve units, and also a suitable pre-control system, makes it possible to achieve a directional control valve function and a directly controlled and superimposed pre-controlled lowering braking function, a maximum pressure safeguarding of the cylinders and a proportional throttle valve function for the controlled displacement under negative load forces in the direction of movement and braking in an emergency; and mobile hydraulic machines having such a hydraulic switching mechanism and also to valve units therefor. |
| US09206818B2 |
Axial flow compressor
An axial flow compressor includes: an electric motor including a rotating shaft; a compression portion including a driving shaft connected without a speed-up gear to the rotating shaft of the electric motor and a rotor rotating together with the driving shaft, the compression portion driving the driving shaft and thereby compressing a working fluid; and a velocity reducing portion having a space for reducing the flow velocity of a working fluid discharged from a discharge opening of the compression portion. The rotating shaft of the electric motor is connected to the end of the driving shaft on the side of the discharge opening; and the velocity reducing portion is disposed so as to surround the electric motor. |
| US09206815B2 |
Fan, molding die, and fluid feeder
A centrifugal fan includes a plurality of fan blades arranged spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction. The fan blade has an inner edge portion disposed on an inner peripheral side and an outer edge portion disposed on an outer peripheral side. The fan blade has a blade surface including a pressure surface and a suction surface. When cut along a plane orthogonal to a rotation axis of the fan, the fan blade has a blade cross section having concave portions formed at the pressure surface and the suction surface. A plurality of fan blades include fan blades having blade cross sections of different shapes. With such a configuration, the fan has an excellent air-blowing capacity while preventing noise. A molding die for use in production of the fan and a fluid feeder including the fan are also provided. |
| US09206809B2 |
Electronic device, and control device and method for controlling fan employed in the electronic device
An electronic device includes a fan and a control device for controlling the fan. The control device includes a control unit, a first signal generation unit and a second signal generation unit each connected to the fan. The control unit has a first signal output terminal and a second signal output terminal. In use, the control unit first enables the first signal output terminal to generate a speed adjusting signal to control the fan. The control unit further detects whether a speed measurement signal is received from the fan, and enables the second signal output terminal to generate the speed adjusting signal to control the fan, if no speed measurement signal is received. |
| US09206808B2 |
Fan blade system with multiple spaced layers of blades and centrifugal fan using same
A fan blade system with multiple spaced layers of blades and a centrifugal fan using same are disclosed. The centrifugal fan includes a housing, in which the fan blade system is mounted. The fan blade system includes a hub, and a first and a second blade group outward extended from a circumferential wall of the hub to axially space from each other. The housing includes a main housing portion and a secondary housing portion integrally formed on one side of the main housing portion. When the fan blade system is mounted in the housing, the two blade groups are separately located in the main housing portion and the secondary housing portion to produce higher airflow pressure and more air volume. With these arrangements, the centrifugal fan can have upgraded performance and be manufactured with reduced labor, time and material costs. |
| US09206807B2 |
Preload disk spring, assembly structure thereof, and fan using same
A preload disk spring assembly structure for applying a preload to a bearing includes a first and a second main body correspondingly connected to each other face to face. The first main body is provided with at least one first retainer, at least one first notch, and at least one first protruded portion. Similarly, the second main body is provided with at least one second retainer, at least one second notch, and at least one second protruded portion. When the first and the second main body are aligned with each other such that the first retainer is tightly engaged with the second notch, the first notch is tightly engaged with the second retainer and the first protruded portion correspondingly contacts with the second protruded portion, the first and the second main body are brought to assemble together and form an integral body. |
| US09206806B1 |
Solids pump having feed guides
A system includes a solid feed pump that includes a housing, a rotor disposed in the housing, a curved passage disposed between the rotor and the housing, an outlet coupled to the curved passage, and a plurality of solid feed guides extending across the curved passage adjacent the outlet. Each solid feed guide of the plurality of solid feed guides is configured to direct solid feed within the curved passage towards the outlet, and each solid feed guide of the plurality of solid feed guides is disposed at a different respective circumferential location along the curved passage relative to a rotational axis of the rotor. |
| US09206804B2 |
Compressor for vehicle with reduced vibrations
With regard to a scroll compressor, a compression portion is rotatably connected with one end portion of a rotating shaft. A first shaft portion formed at one end portion of the rotating shaft is supported through a first bearing by a partition. A second shaft portion formed at the other end portion of the rotating shaft is supported through a second bearing by a cylindrical shaft support. A coil spring is interposed between a second inner race of a second bearing and a spring receiving portion of the rotating shaft which faces the second inner race in the shaft direction of the rotating shaft. The structure reduces vibration toward the shaft length direction of the rotating shaft and minimizes common vibrations together with vehicle side vibrations. |
| US09206802B2 |
Pump or turbine for incompressible fluids
A rotatable drive shaft in the swash pump or turbine for liquids is supported by one bearing at each end. An integrated motor or dynamo uses the same two bearings. The compound first bearing supports a slanted section of the drive shaft placed inside the inner swash sphere, and transfers rotational power to the attached nutatable swash plate. The second bearing confines rotation of the drive shaft in a defined axis. Either one of the bearings is made to prevent axial movement of the drive shaft, preventing swash pump misalignment. A resilient drive, and an immersed pump are described. |
| US09206799B2 |
Mounting arrangement for a resonant spring in a linear motor compressor
The compressor of the invention comprises: a block with a cylinder; a movable assembly formed by a piston reciprocating in the cylinder and coupled to an actuating means by a rod; and a resonant spring having a first and a second diametrical end portion which are attached to the movable assembly by a first fixation means (MF1) and, to the block, by a second fixation means (MF2) which is adjustably attached to the block and to said second end portion so as to affix the latter to the block in a position defined along the displacement of the resonant spring in three directions orthogonal to one another and defined by the direction of the axis of the resonant spring, by the diametrical direction of the second end portion and by the diametrical direction orthogonal to said two first directions, and also along the angular displacement of said second end portion around said three directions orthogonal to each other. |
| US09206798B2 |
Hydraulic pump control apparatus and method of construction machine
In a hydraulic pump control apparatus and method of a construction machine, the control apparatus includes a pump control unit for controlling discharge pressure of a pump driven by an engine. The control unit includes: a pressure setting value calculating unit which calculates a pressure setting value based on an engine output torque estimating value or an engine RPM; and a breakdown treating unit selects one of the pressure setting value and a pressure command value according to a breakdown of the swash plate angle sensor to output the selected value. Since the pump is controlled according to a pressure setting value calculated based on the engine output torque estimating value, the absorption torque value of the pump does not exceed the maximum torque value of the engine even when the swash plate angle sensor breaks down, and related engine stoppage is prevented even during a high-load operation. |
| US09206797B2 |
Bellows for a pump device
A bellows pump having an inlet passage, interior chamber and discharge passage and also having a base and unitary valve member. The pump possesses an improved valve configuration as well as an improved bellows/base configuration, among other things. |
| US09206793B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating air pressure in eco-friendly vehicle
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for generating air pressure in an eco-friendly vehicle that includes an engine driven air compressor operated by an engine, an electric air compressor operated by a battery, and an air tank connected to an outlet of the engine driven air compressor and to an outlet of the electric air compressor so as to store air which is pressurized. A method for generating air pressure in an eco-friendly vehicle includes an operation start air pressure determination step to compare air pressure in the air tank with operation start air pressure, an engine drive determination step to determine whether or not the engine is being operated when the air pressure is less than the operation start air pressure, an electric air compressor operation step to operate the electric air compressor, and an engine driven air compressor operation step to operate the engine driven air compressor accordingly. |
| US09206792B2 |
Hydraulic pressure supply system of automatic transmission
A hydraulic pressure supply system of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may generate low hydraulic pressure and high hydraulic pressure using oil stored in an oil pan and may supply the low hydraulic pressure and the high hydraulic pressure respectively to a low pressure portion and a high pressure portion. |
| US09206790B2 |
Linear actuator device
The invention relates to a linear actuator device comprising a shaft (1) which can be displaced with respect to a casing (3), where said shaft (1) can be located in a first position in which it is actuated by elastic means (4), being maintained immobile by contact with a support element (5) which conveys its load to an intermediate element (6) which in turn conveys its load to an activating element (7); the shaft (1) being able to be located in a second position, in which the activating element (7) is rotated with respect to its position in the first position, such that said intermediate element (6) is housed in a housing (8) which the activating element (7) has, which allows displacing the support element (5) such that the shaft (1) is not in contact with said support element (5). |
| US09206789B2 |
Memory alloy-actuated apparatus and methods for making and using the same
Improved actuator apparatus and methodologies for manufacturing and using the same. In one exemplary embodiment, the actuator apparatus includes an SMA filament that: (1) minimizes size and increases stroke length via a serpentine-like routing of the SMA filament within the device itself; (2) reduces power consumption as a result of a relatively flat stroke force as a function of stroke displacement operating profile; (3) enables the actuator assembly to remain in a fully actuated state, at a consistent stroke force, for longer periods of time; and (4) is also fully reversible so as to be capable of use in both push-based and pull-based actuator applications. Methods of operation and manufacturing associated with the aforementioned actuator apparatus are also disclosed. |
| US09206788B2 |
Electrical generator
[Problem] To provide a electrical generator capable of obtaining a more stable power generation by preventing a spindle body from tilting and swinging to the right and left due to centrifugal force acting on the spindle body.[Solution] A electrical generator (1) has: a rotating body (2) that rotates in a vertical plane about a rotating shaft (21) supported substantially horizontally; a rotation drive means (3) for rotating the rotating body (2); a plurality of power generation motors (4) disposed at equal intervals on the same circular orbit centered on the rotating shaft (21) of the rotating body (2); and a spindle body (5) hung at the motor rotating shaft (42) of each of the power generation motors (4). The spindle body (5) weighs such that when the rotating body (2) is rotated at a predetermined rotational speed, the gravity thereof is larger than the centrifugal force acting on the spindle body (5), and the center of gravity thereof is set close to the motor rotating shaft (42). |
| US09206785B2 |
Wind turbine
A vertical axis wind turbine system is provided that converts wind energy into electrical or mechanical energy. The turbine comprises at least one turbine rotor with a plurality of curved blades for receiving head-on wind generated airflow. Shield means mountable around at least a portion of the rotor serve to protect the upstream-moving blades from head-on wind airflow and thereby reduce drag. In one embodiment, load compensation means are provided to adjust the moment of inertia of the turbine rotor. One or more of the turbine rotor blades is hollow and defines a closed volume for holding a fluid, the fluid being displaceable in use through baffle means towards or away from the vertical axis of the rotor as the rotational velocity of the rotor changes. |
| US09206780B2 |
Automatic start and stop of a portable engine driven power source
The present embodiments provide a control system and method that is able to automatically start and/or stop a portable engine-driven power source. For example, in one embodiment, a system includes an engine-driven power source having an engine, a compressor driven by the engine, a sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a demand for air pressure from the compressor and a second signal indicative of no demand for air pressure from the compressor. The engine-driven power source also includes a controller configured to stop the engine in response to the second signal. |
| US09206775B2 |
Fuel preheating using electric pump
A fuel system for an auxiliary power unit includes a mechanical fuel pump, an electric fuel pump, and a controller. The mechanical fuel pump provides fuel flow to the auxiliary power unit and has an output dependent upon an operational speed of the auxiliary power unit. The electric fuel pump is located in flow series with the mechanical fuel pump. The controller causes the electric fuel pump to circulate and thereby warm fuel prior to start up of the auxiliary power unit. |
| US09206770B2 |
Purge method of canister in FFV, and purge mechanism of canister in FFV using the method
In an FFV (flexible fuel vehicle) on which an internal-combustion engine using alcohol blended fuel in mounted, the remaining amount of fuel vapor presumed to remain in a canister in accordance with a usual purge processing is presumed based on an alcohol concentration in the alcohol blended fuel. According to this remaining amount, the size of the tank side channel which is a channel in a canister near the connection section with a connection pathway (tank line) with a fuel tank is adjusted by a canister throttle control means, and/or, the timing of opening and closing of an intake valve is changed by a variable valve timing mechanism. Thereby, the desorption rate (the amount of desorption) of fuel vapor from adsorption material in a canister is adjusted, and the concentration of the fuel included in purge gas is adjusted. As a result, even when the change of the remaining amount of the fuel vapor adsorbed by the adsorption material in the canister and/or the uneven concentration distribution of an alcohol component within the canister occur, the accuracy of an air/fuel ratio control in the FFV can be raised, and the discharge of a toxic substance can be suppressed effectively. |
| US09206769B2 |
Internal combustion engine having dedicated EGR cylinder(s) with intake separate from intake of main cylinders
A method and system for using an internal combustion engine with dedicated EGR cylinders to provide an adjustable EGR rate to the main (non dedicated) cylinders. The dedicated EGR cylinder(s) are configured to receive fresh air via a fresh air intake or to receive a portion of the mixture of fresh air and EGR gas via the same mixed intake line that delivers intake to the main cylinders. If the dedicated EGR cylinder(s) receive only fresh air, the main cylinder(s) receive EGR at higher EGR rate. If the dedicated EGR cylinder(s) receive only the portion of fresh air and EGR gas, the main cylinder(s) receive EGR at a lower EGR rate. The EGR rate to the main cylinder(s) may be adjusted between these rates in response to operating conditions of the engine. |
| US09206768B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining abnormality in exhaust gas recirculation amount
An absolute value of a deviation of an actual EGR ratio, calculated in a current operational status of an engine 1, from a target EGR ratio set on the basis of current operational status of the engine 1 is acquired and is multiplied by a quotient, as gain, acquired from division of a feedback correction amount of opening degree of an EGR valve 12 by an upper limit of the feedback correction amount to determine normality when an acquired product is close to “0” and determine higher degree of abnormality the further the product is away from “0”. |
| US09206764B2 |
Engine arrangement for enhanced cooling
A cylinder liner and piston configuration for an internal combustion engine includes features for improving the cooling of the piston. Specific ratios and dimensions are included to optimize the features of the cylinder liner and piston. Also included are unique piston features that assist in achieving some of the specified dimensions and ratios. |
| US09206755B2 |
Air/fuel ratio controller and control method
An air/fuel ratio controller (6) and a method that uses an upstream control loop to maintain a given optimum air/fuel ratio (λopt), whereas the optimum air/fuel ratio (λopt) is determined in the controller (6) in an downstream control loop by adding incremental offset (Δλ) to the air/fuel ratio set-point (λSP) of an upstream control loop while monitoring a NOx sensor (10) output. The air/fuel ratio set-points (λSP) at two turning points (SP1, SP2) in the NOx sensor (10) output are used to calculate a new optimum air/fuel ratio set-point (λopt) as mean value of the air/fuel ratio set-points (λSP1, λSP2) at the turning points (SP1, SP2). |
| US09206752B2 |
Air handling system for an opposed-piston engine in which a supercharger provides boost during engine startup and drives EGR during normal engine operation
The air handling system of a turbocharged opposed-piston engine with uniflow scavenging includes an a supercharger operable to provide boost during startup and to drive EGR during normal engine operation. |
| US09206743B2 |
Arrangement of components of a wind power plant
An arrangement of components (12, 13, 30) for a wind power plant. A first component (12, 13) has a flange (15, 130) having a flange contact surface (121, 122, 133). A second component (30) has a flange-mounting surface (131, 132) for a flange (15, 130) of the first component (12, 13). Alternatively, the second component (12, 13) has a flange (15, 130) having a flange contact surface (122, 133) and the flange contact surface (122, 133) of the first component (12, 13) and the flange-mounting surface (131, 132) of the second component (30) are arranged opposite each other, or the flange contact surfaces (122, 121) of the components are arranged opposite each other. At least one flange contact surface (121, 122, 133) of a flange (15, 130) and/or the flange-mounting surface (131, 132) of the second component (30) has an outer coating made of a chrome-steel alloy. |
| US09206740B2 |
Liquid injection inlet particle separator systems and methods
An inlet particle separator system for a vehicle engine includes a separator assembly and a liquid injection system. The separator assembly defines an inlet flow path for receiving inlet air and includes a scavenge flow path and an engine flow path downstream of the inlet flow path. The separator assembly is configured to separate the inlet air into scavenge air and engine air such that the scavenge air is directed from the inlet flow path into the scavenge flow path and the engine air is directed from the inlet flow path into the engine flow path. The liquid injection system is coupled to the separator assembly and configured to introduce a diffused liquid into the inlet air flowing through the separator assembly. |
| US09206739B2 |
Method of increasing the safety of a power plant, and a power plant suitable for implementing the method
The present invention relates to a method of increasing the safety of a power plant (10) provided with at least one heat engine (1, 2) and a gearbox (BTP), said engine (1, 2) driving said gearbox (BTP), said gearbox (BTP) having a lubrication system implemented using an aqueous medium stored in a reserve (30), in which method a fluid comprising water is injected into said heat engine (1, 2) to increase the power developed by the heat engine (1, 2) without increasing the temperature of a member of the heat engine (1, 2), or to decrease said temperature without modifying the power developed by the engine (1, 2), said fluid being taken from said reserve (30). |
| US09206738B2 |
Free piston engines with single hydraulic piston actuator and methods
Free piston engines having a free piston having a first piston diameter in a cylinder with a combustion chamber on a first side of the first piston and a piston rod having a second diameter fastened to a second side of the first piston and extending to a single second piston having a third diameter smaller than the first diameter, but larger that the second diameter, the single second piston extending into a hydraulic cylinder, the second piston having a first hydraulic area defined by the third diameter in a first hydraulic chamber, and a second hydraulic area defined by the area between the third diameter and the second diameter in a second hydraulic chamber, and valving to control the coupling of a high pressure, a low pressure and a reservoir to the first and second hydraulic chambers to control the free piston. |
| US09206735B2 |
Actuator and valve linkage
A system can include a linkage that includes a turnbuckle component fixed between extensions of a rod end, a turbine assembly that includes a rotatable wastegate poppet arm connected to a pivotable wastegate valve control arm coupled to the rod end of the linkage by a peg, and an actuator that includes a translatable rod connected to the turnbuckle component of the linkage to pivot the wastegate valve control arm and rotate the wastegate poppet arm. Various other examples of devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US09206733B2 |
Turbocharger assembly with direct-mounted bearing housing
A turbocharger pressurizes an airflow for delivery to an internal combustion engine having a cylinder block, a cylinder head, and an oil supply passage formed in at least one of the cylinder block and the cylinder head. The turbocharger includes a bearing housing having a mounting flange for direct mounting to one of the cylinder block and the cylinder head to thereby establish fluid communication with the oil supply passage. The bearing housing also includes a journal bearing, a thrust bearing assembly, and a rotating assembly. The mounting flange defines an oil feed opening configured to correspond to an oil supply passage in one of the cylinder block and the cylinder head and to direct oil to the journal bearing and the thrust bearing assembly when the mounting flange is attached to the engine. An internal combustion engine employing such a turbocharger is also disclosed. |
| US09206726B2 |
Exhaust mode selector system
The present invention is an exhaust mode selector system which is able to control an exhaust system, as the exhaust system changes to accommodate various driving conditions. The exhaust system includes various exhaust flow paths to configure the exhaust system for operating in a highway mode, used for when the vehicle is operating on the highway, and a city mode, used for when the vehicle is operating under city driving conditions. A controller is able to position one or more valves to various configurations to transition between city driving and highway driving. Each of the valves being configurable provides for optimization of the balance between required power, fuel economy, and noise reduction. |
| US09206719B2 |
Enhanced CRT enablement based on soot mass stored in particulate filter
An exhaust treatment system to treat exhaust gas includes a particulate filter and a pressure sensor. The particulate filter is configured to trap soot contained in exhaust gas. The pressure sensor is configured to output a pressure signal indicative of a pressure differential of the particulate filter. The exhaust treatment system further includes a soot mass module configured to determine a soot mass. The soot mass is indicative of an amount of soot stored in the particulate filter based on the pressure differential and a soot model stored in a memory device. The exhaust treatment system further includes a continuously regenerating trap (CRT) compensation module configured to generate a variable CRT threshold. The CRT compensation module selectively outputs a CRT compensation value that modifies the soot model based on comparison between the NOx flow rate and the soot mass-based variable CRT threshold. |
| US09206717B2 |
Active sound absorbers
The present invention relates to an active sound absorber (3) for an exhaust system (1) of an internal combustion engine, preferably of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (7), a connecting pipe (8) for the acoustic and fluidic connecting of the housing (7) with the exhaust system (1), an active membrane (10) which in the housing (7) separates a front volume (12), fluidically connected with the connecting pipe (8), from a back volume (13), and an actuator (11) for vibration stimulation of the active membrane (10).A risk of damage by condensate in the back volume (13) can be reduced by at least one condensation line (14), which fluidically connects the back volume (13) with the front volume (12), in which vapor contained in the exhaust gas condenses, and which directs the condensate which occurs to the front volume (12). |
| US09206716B2 |
Mechanically controllable valve drive arrangement
A mechanically controllable valve drive arrangement includes gas exchange valves each having cylinders associated therewith, a camshaft comprising a peripheral contour, a bearing, an adjusting lever comprising a first end and a second end, a valve lift adjustment device comprising a control shaft which acts on the first end, and a transmission arrangement associated with a respective gas exchange valve. The adjusting lever is supported in the bearing. Each transmission arrangement comprises at least one intermediate lever arrangement comprising an engagement element, and an intermediate lever comprising a working cam, and at least one pivot lever arrangement comprising a pivot lever. The working cam is operatively connected to the pivot lever. The intermediate lever is operatively connected to the peripheral contour. The engagement element is operatively connected to the valve lift adjustment device. The second end of the adjusting lever is operatively connected to the engagement element. |
| US09206715B2 |
High-toughness cobalt-based alloy and engine valve coated with same
A surface hardening material being excellent in impact resistance and having abrasion resistance is provided. Provided are: a high-toughness cobalt-based alloy containing 25.0 to 40.0 mass % of Cr, 0.5 to 12.0 mass % of a sum of W and/or Mo, 0.8 to 5.5 mass % of Si, and 0.5 to 2.5 mass % of B, 8.0 mass % or less of each of Fe, Ni, Mn, and Cu, and 0.3 mass % or less of C, the sum amount of Fe, Ni, Mn, and C being 10.0 mass % or less, and the remainder comprising 48.0 to 68.0 mass % of Co and unavoidable impurities; and an engine valve coated with the same. |
| US09206713B2 |
Arrangement of a volume accumulator
A stator (20) for a camshaft adjuster (4). The stator (20) has an outer part (50) for concentrically holding a rotor (22) with vanes (34) arranged around the rotor (22) and a segment (52) projecting from the outer part (50) for engaging between two vanes (34) of the rotor (22), in order to form, together with the two vanes (22), pressure chambers (44) of the camshaft adjuster (4). Here, the segment (52) has a cavity (70) for holding a hydraulic fluid from the pressure chambers (44). |
| US09206712B2 |
Variable valve timing device
A variable valve timing device that allows a valve timing of an engine valve to be varied by relatively rotating a vane rotor and a housing. The variable valve timing includes a lock mechanism that releases the locking in accordance with the application of a lock releasing oil pressure. A crank angle CCA at which the application of the lock releasing oil pressure is instructed can be varied in accordance with an engine speed NE so that the lock releasing oil pressure rises at a crank angle in which cam torque is suitable for lock releasing. |
| US09206711B2 |
Lash adjuster
A lash adjuster includes a body, a plunger inserted into the body and having a bottom wall with a valve hole and a peripheral wall having an oil passage hole, and a partitioning member. The partitioning member is inserted into the plunger and has an oil passage end located above the oil passage hole in an inserted state. The partitioning member has a recess defining an oil passage together with the peripheral wall. The partitioning member defines a low-pressure chamber reserving hydraulic fluid and has, together with the recess, a press-fit portion abutting against an inner periphery of the peripheral wall when the partitioning member is inserted into the plunger. Consequently, the partitioning member has a deformed cross-sectional shape except for a circular shape when cut at a same height as the oil passage hole. The partitioning member has a same cross-sectional shape over its entire height. |
| US09206710B2 |
Combined cycle hybrid vehicle power generation system
An integral combined cycle electric power generation system capable of generating electricity in any environment in which a fluid, such as air, moves relative to the system. Preferably this system is integrated with a hybrid airplane, though it is applicable in a number of other scenarios including, but not limited to, integration with: locomotives, ships, automobiles, trucks, and wind turbines. An exterior surface of the machine in which the system is thermally integrated is a condenser in a closed loop Rankine or Brayton cycle. |
| US09206709B2 |
Method for the installation control in a power plant
A method for the installation control in a power plant is provided. A functional value of a target function based on a physical model is generated for a plurality of sets of variables, from respectively a set of environment variable and the respective set of variables, the functional value is allocated to the respective sets. The set of variables is selected to be transmitted to a control device of the power plant, whose allocated functional value complies with a predefined optimization criterion. In addition to a starting set and a set determined on the basis of the starting set and the functional value allocated thereto using a gradient method, the number of sets of variables further includes a set selected by a random generator. In addition, a control apparatus for a power plant using the method and a power plant using the control apparatus are provided. |
| US09206708B2 |
Direct contact condenser for a steam turbine and having a first cooling water spraying mechanism spraying cooling water downstream and a second cooling water spraying mechanism spraying cooling water in multiple directions
A steam turbine direct contact condenser prevents cooling water sprayed from spray nozzles from reaching turbine blades of an axial-flow turbine, while introducing turbine exhaust gases exhausted by a steam turbine in the horizontal direction to cool such gases. The condenser includes an exhaust gas inlet part that introduces the turbine exhaust gases containing steam of the steam turbine and non-condensable gases in the horizontal direction, a steam cooling chamber that sprays cooling water to the introduced turbine exhaust gases to cool them, and a water storage disposed at the bottom of the steam cooling chamber that stores condensed water cooled from the steam and the cooling water. The steam cooling chamber includes a first cooling water spraying mechanism and a second cooling water spraying mechanism. |
| US09206705B2 |
Sealing device and gas turbine having the same
In a sealing device which seals between an outside space between an outer side in the radial direction of an external diffuser which has a tubular shape and forms an exhaust channel through which combustion gas rotating a rotor of a gas turbine passes in the inner side in the radial direction and an outside member which is disposed outside the external diffuser with an interval between them in the radial direction, and the exhaust channel by an end of the external diffuser, a first seal plate group and a second seal plate group in which a plurality of seal plates, which extend to the outer side in the radial direction from the end of the tubular external diffuser and reach the outside member, are laminated in contact with each other, and a spacer which maintains the first seal plate group and the second seal plate group with an interval in an axial direction in which a rotational axis of the rotor extends are provided. |
| US09206689B2 |
Rotary compressor with vibration reduction and oil control
A rotary compressor having an improved supporting structure and a smaller size thereof, reducing the vibration and noise and providing various fields of application other than an air conditioner, the rotary compressor provided with a compression part and a driving part and including a first case forming an external appearance of the rotary compressor, a second case provided inside the first case and provided with the compression part and the driving part at an inner side thereof, and a supporting member configured to support the second case and provided at an inner side of the first case. |
| US09206687B2 |
Mining roof support system
A support system for a mining roof includes a base, a cylinder coupled to the base and configured to extend and retract, a pivot mechanism coupled to the cylinder, a roof support beam coupled to the pivot mechanism and configured to contact a surface of the mining roof, wherein the roof support beam and the pivot mechanism are raised relative to the base when the cylinder is extended and lowered relative to the base when the cylinder is retracted, and a support structure coupled to the base on a first end and coupled to the pivot mechanism on a second end, the support structure being configured to limit movement of the roof support beam about an axis provided by the cylinder. |
| US09206686B2 |
Cutter tool
A cutter tool that includes a shank by which the tool is releasably retainable within a tool holder, an enlarged shoulder or heel provided at one end of the shank and adapted, in use, to abut a seating surface of a tool holder and limit the penetration of the tool holder into a receiving aperture of the tool holder, and an integral blade provided beyond the enlarged shoulder or heel and terminating in a carbide or other tip. The tool is provided with a zone of weakness such that if subjected to fracture forces, a fracture will be encouraged to propagate from the zone of weakness in a particular desired manner. |
| US09206685B2 |
Apparatus for the milling cutting of rock, minerals or other materials
A mining apparatus includes two tool drums, which are arranged rotatably side by side in twin arrangement on a drum carrier and which are respectively provided with a plurality of tool carriers which support cutting tools arranged over the periphery of the tool drums and which can be rotatingly driven and the shaft axes of which run substantially transversely to the drum axle. The shaft axes of the tool carriers of the first tool drum span a first conical surface about the drum axis and the shaft axes of the tool carriers of the second tool drum span a second conical surface about the drum axis, where the conical surfaces are open to opposite sides and are preferably oriented such that they are mutually inclined in an O-arrangement. |
| US09206684B2 |
Artificial lift equipment power line communication
A system can include a transformer and a rectifier to derive DC power from AC power at a wye point of an electric motor; a sensor that includes a sensor signal output to output a sensor signal; a telemetry driver that includes a DC power input to receive the derived DC power and that includes an input to receive the sensor signal and an output to output a data signal representing the sensor signal; and circuitry to deliver the data signal representing the sensor signal to the wye point of the electric motor. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US09206682B2 |
Boring element for a ground boring device
A boring element of a ground boring device includes a housing having a receptacle, a transmitter arranged in the receptacle of the housing and supported in the receptacle for movement in a longitudinal-axial direction of the boring element, and a front buffer connecting the transmitter with the housing. The transmitter moves towards a rear in the receptacle as a result of a deformation of the front buffer, when a rear percussive impulse is applied to the boring element, without the transmitter coming directly into contact with another part of the boring element. |
| US09206680B2 |
Compositions and methods for identifying and modifying carbonaceous compositions
This invention generally relates to natural gas and methylotrophic energy generation, bio-generated fuels and microbiology. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides nutrient amendments and microbial compositions, e.g., consortia, that are both specifically optimized to stimulate methanogenesis, or for “methylotrophic” or other conversions. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides methods to develop nutrient amendments and microbial compositions that are both specifically optimized to stimulate methanogenesis in a given reservoir. The invention also provides methods for the evaluation of potentially damaging biomass formation and scale precipitation resulting from the addition of nutrient amendments. In other embodiments, the invention provides methods for simulating biogas in sub-surface conditions using a computational model. |
| US09206678B2 |
Zonal contact with cementing and fracture treatment in one trip
Systems and methods for fracturing multiple zones in a wellbore are provided. Cement can be pumped through a work string into a first annulus formed between a liner and a wall of the wellbore. One or more first contact valves in the liner can be opened with the work string. Fluid can flow through the work string and the one or more first contact valves to fracture a first zone. One or more second contact valves in the liner can be opened with the work string. Fluid can flow through the work string and the one or more second contact valves to fracture a second zone. |
| US09206677B2 |
Adjustable vane diffuser insert for electrical submersible pump
A pump having an insert between an impeller and diffuser, where the insert includes an annulus that is in communication with fluid flow passages in the impeller and diffuser. The passages and annulus define a fluid flow path through the pump. Vanes are provided in the annulus that can pivot and vary the cross sectional area of the fluid flow path. Regulating the fluid flow path area alters the flow rate where the pump operates at its maximum efficiency. Thus by monitoring flow through the pump, the vanes can be adjusted so the flow rate of maximum efficiency corresponds to the actual flow rate. |
| US09206673B2 |
Wellbore servicing fluid system and methods of use
A wellbore servicing method comprising circulating an invert emulsion fluid through a wellbore to form a filter cake within the wellbore, wherein the invert emulsion fluid comprises an oleaginous fluid, a non-oleaginous fluid, and an acid-sensitive surfactant, contacting at least a portion of the filter cake with an emulsion reversing fluid, wherein the emulsion reversing fluid comprises an acid precursor, wherein the acid precursor is not an acid, and wherein the acid precursor is configured to generate a quantity of acid after a predetermined delay period beginning at placement within a wellbore, allowing the emulsion reversing fluid to remain in contact with the filter cake for a soak period, and removing the filter cake from the wellbore. |
| US09206670B2 |
Independent dual actuated subsurface safety valve
A downhole valve for use in a well has a closure device that is biased closed to seal against flow through the central bore of the valve. A plurality of pistons are each coupled to a respective hydraulic control line into the valve. Each piston is adapted to reside in an actuated position, supporting the closure open, when at least a specified hydraulic pressure is supplied through its control line, and to reside in an unactuated position, not supporting the closure open, when at least the specified hydraulic pressure is not present in its control line. The valve has a chamber containing a hydraulic fluid hydraulically coupling the pistons to support any piston not receiving the specified hydraulic pressure in an unactuated position. In certain aspects, when the piston is in the unactuated position, it seals against communication of fluid with its respective control line using a static-type seal. |
| US09206663B2 |
Bore protector
The invention provides a bore protector for a tubing hanger, the bore protector is to be arranged in a tubing hanger in a spool in a subsea production Xmas tree for through tubing rotary drilling (TTRD) in an existing production well. The bore protector is distinctive in that it comprises a means to be releasably fastened in at least one of: the spool in the Xmas tree and the tubing hanger, and a wear sleeve extending down into the tubing hanger, covering the tubing hanger sealing surfaces for the tubing hanger plugs, the wear sleeve comprises a shoulder at or near an upper end, the shoulder is arranged on a below positioned seat of a main part of the bore protector, in which position the wear sleeve is releasably fastened. |
| US09206661B2 |
Universal frac sleeve
A wellhead assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the wellhead assembly includes a universal frac sleeve assembly for isolating portions of a wellhead assembly from pressurized fracing fluid. The universal frac sleeve assembly may include an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve, and a seal. Axial movement of the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve causes the seal to expand radially, thereby forming a seal within the wellhead assembly. |
| US09206658B1 |
Controlling cable spooling systems
A system for electronically controlling a reel assembly for deploying a cable, hose or umbilical connection may include an electronic control unit and an electro-pneumatic drive. The electronic control unit may receive input from an operator and cause the electro-pneumatic drive to operate to control a cable spool. For example, the electronic control unit may allow an operator to rotate the reel, stop rotation of the reel, increase or decrease the speed of rotation of the reel, increase or decrease pressure and/or line tension, and/or select between a normal mode of operation and a tensioning mode of operation. The electronic control unit may include a touchscreen. The electro-pneumatic device may include electric components, pneumatic components, and/or electro-pneumatic components. An electrical interface may be provided for connecting a remote control unit. The electrical interface may be wired or wireless. The remote control unit may enable an operator to control one or more reel assemblies and may allow an operator to take over control of a reel assembly via the remote control unit. Sensors may be provided on a turn down sheave that directs the cable, hose or umbilical connection toward a BOP stack. The sensors may provide information to the electronic control unit, such as a measured line tension and/or a length of cable, hose or umbilical connection that has been deployed. |
| US09206655B2 |
360 degree shoulder clamp elevator and method of use
A self-balancing, shoulder type elevator is comprised of two opposing jaws pivotally connected to a hinge plate. The jaws are engaged for rotation at the hinge plate by corresponding sets of gear teeth. Hangers on said jaws attach the elevator to suspending bails. An offset alignment linkage pivotally attaches each jaw to the hinge plate and a rotatable spindles pivotally attached perpendicular to the jaws. The alignment linkage maintains the spindles angularly congruent in orientation with the bails when the opposing jaws are pivoted open and closed. |
| US09206653B2 |
Device for uncoupling a drill string, drilling system comprising such a uncoupling device, and use of such a system
A device for uncoupling a drill string, the device including, in a longitudinal direction: a first structure that is intended to be attached to a drill string tube; a second structure that is intended to hold a cutting tool for drilling and is translatable relative to the first structure; and a thruster assembly between the first structure and the second structure. The thruster assembly is configured to exert a thrusting force on the second structure to separate the second structure from the first structure, the thrusting force being constant for every position of the second structure relative to the first structure. |
| US09206652B2 |
Connection system for subsea connection of a subsea umbilical to a subsea appliance
A connection system for subsea connection of a subsea umbilical to a subsea appliance, the system comprising a termination box fixed to the umbilical; a first coupling part mounted to the termination box; a second coupling part; a connection unit, to which the termination box is slidably mounted; and a landing unit, which has a fixed position in relation to the second coupling part. Guide members are provided on the connection unit and the landing unit for guiding the connection unit into a correct position in relation to the landing unit when the connection unit is lowered downwards into contact with the landing unit. The termination box is displaceable axially forwards in relation to the connection unit by means of an actuating unit so as to bring the first coupling part into contact with the second coupling part. |
| US09206648B2 |
Cementing whipstock apparatus and methods
A system and method facilitate sidetracking by eliminating one or more trips downhole. A sidetracking system includes a whipstock assembly and a stinger assembly. The stinger assembly has a stinger which extends at least partially through the whipstock assembly. The stinger is coupled to a sub of the sidetracking system by a releasable latch mechanism, such as a shear pin or collet. |
| US09206642B2 |
Turnstile access-control device
A turnstile personnel access-control device (1) has one or more blocking arms (2, 3) connected to a drive element (5) mounted on a carrier (4) such that the blocking arms are rotatable about a main axis or shaft (11). The blocking arms (2, 3) assume a blocking position and at least one free position in dependence upon the rotation of the drive element (5). Each blocking arm (2, 3) includes a flat component (6, 7) that is mounted to rotate about a longitudinal axis (8, 9) thereof in dependence upon the rotation of the drive element (5). In the blocking position of the blocking arms (2, 3), one such flat component assumes a pre-defined angular position with respect to the vertical, whereas in the free position, this flat component (6, 7) is rotated such that passage of a person is allowed. |
| US09206641B2 |
Adjustable roller shade mounting bracket
Presented is a roller shade mounting bracket. The bracket includes a main bracket that includes a top member defining a plurality of elongated openings extending therethrough, where each elongated opening is dimensioned and arranged for receiving a mounting screw and enabling movement along a first axis. The bracket further includes a first sub-bracket movably coupleable to the main bracket, where the first sub-bracket is movable along a second axis. The bracket further includes a second sub-bracket movably coupleable to the first sub-bracket and coupleable to a roller shade motor or a roller shade idler, where the second sub-bracket is movable along a third axis and rotatable about the first axis. |
| US09206639B2 |
Positioning device of window covering
A positioning device for a window covering includes a base, two clamping members, and an operating member. The base has a main recess and a cord bore, and the cord bore is communicated with main recess, and a cord is inserted into the cord bore and passes through the main recess. The clamping members are movably received in the main recess of the base, and the cord passes through a space between the clamping members. The operating member is connected to the base for rotation to drive the clamping members to move. While the operating member is turned, the clamping members will be moved toward each other to clamp the cord. |
| US09206637B2 |
Automatic water sensor window opening system
A system can automatically open at least one window of a vehicle when the vehicle is being submerged in water. The system can include a water collector and a water sensor, and when the water sensor detects water in the water collector, at least one window of the vehicle opens. |
| US09206632B1 |
Safety gate hinge assembly used with a safety gate
A safety gate assembly includes a safety gate hinge bracket that works with a safety gate or door to allow secure mounting of the safety gate within a conventional door jamb connected to a conventional and existing door hinge. |
| US09206631B2 |
Deadbolt security device
A deadbolt security device clamps onto an interior deadbolt knob and prevents unlocking of the deadbolt door lock even with a key. While clamped onto the deadbolt knob the device has a shaft and a hook that extends around a door handle of the door to completely preventing turning of the deadbolt lock mechanism. This device is comprised of upper and lower clamp members that are movable toward each other to tightly grip the deadbolt interior knob or away from each other to permit easy removal of the device from the door. |
| US09206630B2 |
Magnetic closure for electronic device cases
The magnetic closure for an electronic device case includes a first member detachably attached to an end of a front cover of the case and a second member directly or indirectly attached to a side wall of the electronic device such that the first and second members are magnetically attractable to each other for closing the front cover of the case onto the front surface of the electronic device. The first member is configured to form a clip structure, having a clip base extending to a bend portion and a clip arm extending back along the clip base from the bend portion wherein the clip arm is biased against the clip base. The first member further includes a sliding stopper which is formed by making a “”-shaped hole on the clip base and bending up the part surrounded by the hole. |
| US09206625B2 |
Padlock with fully integrated dual unlocking system
A padlock with a dual unlocking system, namely, a key mechanism and a combination mechanism. The key mechanism has a bolt or latch passing through a pole/pole cover secured around a portion of a shackle, the bolt in contact with the shackle so as to prevent movement of the shackle relative to the key mechanism when the key mechanism is in a locked state. The bolt/latch is able to move relative to the shackle to allow the shackle to move relative to the housing and pole so as to release the toe of the shackle from the housing when the key mechanism is in an unlocked state. The combination mechanism allows clutches to move relative to the housing into a lock open position when dials are in an opening combination that allows the pole to move relative to the housing so as to release the toe. |
| US09206622B2 |
Energy absorbing lock systems and methods
A door lock secures a door when closed within a doorframe. The lock includes a bolt guide, a bolt, a bolt actuator, and a bolt receiver. The bolt includes a first portion that is adjacent to a proximal end and a second portion that is adjacent a distal end of the bolt. The actuator moves the bolt along the bolt guide between a locked position and an unlocked position. The second portion extends beyond the guide when in the locked position and is received by the receiver. The bolt deforms within the receiver and thereby predominantly absorbs energy from an intrusion load. A maximum deformation of the bolt prior to failure of the lock from the intrusion load is at least 4%, 25%, or 120% of a thickness of the bolt. A maximum deformation of the bolt prior to failure of the lock may be at least 40%, 55%, or 72% of a maximum overall deflection of the lock. The receiver may include a deformation guide that guides deformation of the bolt. |
| US09206616B2 |
Negative stiffness device and method
Negative stiffness systems and methods for seismic protection of a structure is described. A system can include a negative stiffness device having a first linkage pivotably connected to an anchor frame at a first pivot point and pivotably connected the movement frame at a second pivot point. The negative stiffness device can include a spring having a first end operably coupled to the anchor frame and a second end operably coupled to a movement frame. In a rest state, the spring can be compressed to exert a preload force to the first linkage and the anchor frame and not displace the first linkage and the movement frame. In an engaged state, the spring can be configured to apply a force to the first linkage such that the movement frame is displaced in a same lateral direction of a seismic load. The spring force can be amplified by the first linkage. |
| US09206615B2 |
Mobile support apparatus
A mobile support apparatus that includes one or more extension and retraction devices and a unit that is releasably attachable to vertical members of the apparatus such that the apparatus can be extended in one or more stages to a vertical height that is substantially greater than the height of the fully retracted apparatus. The mobile support apparatus is useful for a multitude of new and existing construction-related applications. |
| US09206614B2 |
Stay-in-place formwork with engaging and abutting connections
An apparatus for a formwork assembly comprises a plurality of elongated panels connectable to one another in edge-adjacent relationship. The plurality of panels comprise first and second edge-adjacent panels connectable to one another at a connection between a male connector component of the first panel and a female connector component of the second panel. The female connector component comprises a female engagement portion which defines a principal receptacle and the male connector component comprises a male engagement portion which is received in the principal receptacle to form the connection. The female connector component comprises a first abutment portion and the male connector component comprising a second abutment portion which abuts against the first abutment portion to form the connection. The first and second abutment portions are located outside of the principal receptacle. |
| US09206612B2 |
Trim connection systems and methods
Implementations of the present invention provide systems, methods, and apparatus for securing trim to interior and/or exterior walls and wall portions. In particular, at least one implementation includes a system for connecting and securing trim elements without additional adjustments and/or fitting thereof. Moreover, the system for connecting and securing trim elements can improve accuracy and increase the speed of assembly, thereby reducing time and expense associated with installing trim to a building. |
| US09206610B2 |
Wall panel, wall panel kit and method
A wall panel that can be secured along an associated wall structure is formed from a thin-walled material having a substantially uniform thickness. The wall panel includes first and second longitudinally-extending edges, and first, second and third wall portions. A first interengagement feature extends lengthwise along the first wall portion, and a second interengagement feature extends lengthwise along the second wall portion. The first and second interengagement features are dimensioned to cooperate with one another to operatively provide a non-visual indicator of a positive interengagement between two wall panels. A wall panel kit and a method of manufacture are also included. |
| US09206608B2 |
Wall lath securing system
A lath securing system is provided that is configured to durably retain wire lath in a spaced position from a wall that is to be coated, the system comprising a retaining member for retaining a section of wire lath therein to restrain the wire lath in a secure position; and a fastening member comprising rigid means for securing the retaining member to the wall so that when the retaining member is fastened to the wall, the section of wire lath within the retaining means is secured in a spaced position away from the wall so as to permit application of wall coating without significant movement of the wire lath. |
| US09206607B2 |
Clamps for panels
A clamp securable to an edge of a panel at an edge thereof is disclosed. The clamp comprises two clamping members that are drawn together when an elongate locating component is advanced into a space between two formations comprised in the clamping members. The formations hook around the locating component from opposite sides so that as the locating component pushes them apart, the clamping members are drawn together. Contact between the clamping members fixes the distance between clamping surfaces of the clamping members, between which the panel is held. |
| US09206606B2 |
Insulated standing seam roof panel
A roof panel includes a fascia plate having a pair of vertical legs extending from opposite edges of the fascia plate with a receptacle formed into an upper end of each of the pair of vertical legs so that the receptacle opens outwardly relative to the fascia plate. An insulating foam is bonded to the fascia plate and to a liner plate that has a tongue and groove formed on opposite edges of the liner plate. |
| US09206605B2 |
Connector arrangement for a wall panel system
A connector arrangement for a wall panel system is provided which includes connector blocks that join serially-adjacent wall panel frames together in proper alignment with each other. These corner blocks also are matable with a system of spacer strips, light block strips, single-side trim covers and multi-side trim covers which enclose the connector blocks and connector structure. A corner spline arrangement is also provided between adjacent trim covers which spline extends vertically and defines a closed corner, right-angled corner between the interconnected trim covers. |
| US09206601B2 |
Contour crafting extrusion nozzles
An automated extrusion construction system may include an extrusion nozzle configured to extrude construction material in a substantially horizontal direction against an elongated and substantially vertical surface. An extrusion nozzle may have a height adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the height of an outlet in response to level deviations in the surface on which the construction material is extruded by the extrusion nozzle. An automated extrusion construction system may include a slicing mechanism configured to controllably slice through the extruded layer. |
| US09206598B2 |
Construction block lock
The Construction Block Lock deals with a method to build block walls without the use of mortar by inserting a separate part between the bottom of a block and the top of the block it is resting on that fits the cores in the blocks locking the blocks in alignment. Assembly, disassembly and reassembly is clean and simple; essentially a stacking operation. For temporary assemblies and shipping no additional treatment would be necessary and in some cases for permanent assemblies may not be either. |
| US09206597B2 |
Unitized post tension block system for masonry structures
An improved mortar less masonry structure comprising a plurality of concrete masonry units connected to each other by metal bars and metal threaded fasteners thereby forming a reinforcing skeletal system for a post tensioned structure. The improved system has been developed for use in constructing various types of masonry structures. The improvements of the system feature masonry units with recessed channels, pocket channels, or fully embedded bars as anchors. The bolt acts as the tendon for the post tensioning system which traverse the hollow cavities as ducts. Other new features teach a strong and durable full plate anchor and high strength tendons for defensive and anti-terrorism structures. This is an improved building system that demountably couples each individual masonry unit by a bar and bolt system. This coupling results in stronger, faster, and cheaper construction of masonry structures. |
| US09206595B2 |
Handmade structure system
A system of integrated structural components, designed to fit and connect together using no tools other than human hands, allowing persons with little or no construction experience to assemble floored/partitioned/roofed structures of variable shape(s) and surface area(s). Flooring panels are inserted and secured into flooring frames that have been inserted and secured into frame connectors. Flooring frames may be anchored into an outdoor installation surface for long term use. Certain configurations of the frame connector allow for the installation of variable height partition supports, as well as partition panels. A special configuration of the flooring frame allows for wheeled implement/conveyance access to the floored surface from the surrounding surface. Open, unfloored areas may be created within the periphery of a structure. Roof panels are installed onto and supported by roof brackets, roof beams and integrated gutter sections. Precipitation is conveyed to downspout pipes and fittings via downspouts. |
| US09206591B2 |
Flushing device with odour extraction
A flushing device (1) comprises an extraction device (2) for extracting odours from a sanitary device such as a toilet bowl or a urinal, a cistern (3) for holding flushing water, a fill valve (4) for filling the cistern (3) and a flush unit (5) for providing flushing water, wherein the flush unit (5) comprises a flush valve (6) with an overflow pipe (7) and an actuator element (8) for operating the flush valve (6). The extractor unit comprises a fan (9) for extracting air through an air duct (10), which extends at least partially through the cistern (3), and a filter element (11) for filtering the air, wherein the filter element (11) represents the end of the air duct (10). The actuator element (8), fan (9) and filter element (11) are mounted on a common housing (12), particularly arranged in a common housing (12). |
| US09206590B2 |
Water supply apparatus
The present invention provides a water supply apparatus capable of performing a backup operation, without lowering water supply capability, when a failure has occurred in one control substrate due to surge or noise caused by lightning or due to lifetimes of various sensors, by switching to the other control substrate, and capable of reliably performing the backup operation by means of devices that prevent failure of the control substrates. The water supply apparatus (1) includes: a plurality of pumps (3); a plurality of inverters (INV) each configured to change and control a rotational frequency of a corresponding one of the plurality of pumps (3); and a plurality of control substrates (CN) configured to control the plurality of inverters (INV). When an abnormality occurs in one control substrate, other control substrate backs up the one control substrate to thereby allow the water supply apparatus to continue its operations. The one control substrate, the plurality of inverters (INV), and the other control substrate are connected in series by communication lines. A switch (SW1) for turning on and off a communication is provided on the communication lines. |
| US09206589B2 |
System and method for controlling machines remotely
Systems and methods for remotely controlling machines includes generating, on a display device associated with a remote control console, a first image associated with a position of the machine at a first time period. A virtual position of the machine is estimated based at least on the first position and at least one operating parameter associated with the machine. A virtual image of the machine relative to the first image is generated on the display device, the virtual image of the machine corresponding to the estimated virtual position of the machine. |
| US09206587B2 |
Automated control of dipper swing for a shovel
Systems and methods for compensating dipper swing control. One method includes, with at least one processor, determining a direction of compensation opposite a current swing direction of the dipper and applying the maximum available swing torque in the direction of compensation when an acceleration of the dipper is greater than a predetermined acceleration value. The method can also include determining a current state of the shovel and performing the above steps when the current state of the shovel is a swing-to-truck state or a return-to-tuck state. When the current state of the shovel is a dig-state, the method can include limiting the maximum available swing torque and allowing, with the at least one processor, swing torque to ramp up to the maximum available swing torque over a predetermined period of time when dipper is retracted to a predetermined crowd position. |
| US09206586B2 |
Control system for a machine for digging and/or drilling soil and digging and/or drilling machine including such a system
A control system for a machine for digging and/or drilling earth, wherein the machine for digging and/or drilling earth comprises a digging head arranged to dig the soil, a flexible load-bearing cable arranged to support the digging head during normal operation, at least a first winch and a second winch, each of which in turn comprises a drum about which at least part of the flexible load-bearing cable can be wound, and a motor arranged to actuate the drum; the control system has an electronic control unit adapted for controlling the movement of the winches and a velocity sensor device arranged in each branch of load-bearing cable coming out from the winches adapted for monitoring the movement of the load-bearing cable. |
| US09206583B2 |
Void protection system
A void protection system for a mining shovel having an operator input device includes an independent metering valve assembly including one or more fluid source-cylinder valves for fluidly connecting the fluid source to the hydraulic cylinder. The system also includes a sensor assembly for monitoring the fluid pressure within the rod end and the head end of the hydraulic cylinder, and a control module. The control module is configured to monitor movement of the operator input device, monitor pressure within the hydraulic cylinder, increase the opening of the corresponding fluid source-cylinder valve and increase fluid flow from the fluid source to fill corresponding end of the hydraulic cylinder until pressure in the corresponding end of the hydraulic cylinder is above a first threshold pressure. |
| US09206582B2 |
Coupler
A locking mechanism to secure a coupler's jaw, and a coupler incorporating the locking mechanism. |
| US09206578B1 |
Ground rod driving tool
A ground rod driving tool and method of use is presently disclosed. The ground rod driving tool has a longitudinally extending first component part with a ground rod stop and a sleeve extending from the stop, the sleeve is configured to slidingly receive a portion of a ground rod. A longitudinally extending second component part has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is configured to cooperate with an end portion of a ground rod and the second end may have a guide rod extending therefrom. |
| US09206577B2 |
Impact tool assembly and method of assembling same
A tool assembly is described herein. The tool assembly includes a housing assembly that includes a first end, a second end, and an inner surface that defines a cavity that extends between the first end and the second end along a longitudinal axis. A rod assembly is slideably coupled to the housing assembly and is orientated within the housing cavity such that a portion of the rod assembly extends outwardly from the housing first end. An impact assembly is positioned within the housing cavity and is orientated between the rod assembly and the housing second end. The tool assembly is operable in a first operating mode wherein the rod assembly is movable with respect to the impact assembly, and a second operating mode wherein the impact assembly contacts the rod assembly to move the rod assembly outwardly from the housing. |
| US09206576B2 |
Compactor roller for a soil compactor
The invention relates to a compactor roller for a soil compactor, comprising at least one exchangeable holder (22) on an outer circumference in order to attach a rolling tool (16). |
| US09206572B2 |
Traveling screen machine
A traveling screen machine having an active screen section arranged transverse to the flow direction of a liquid stream is suggested, wherein the endless screen belt is formed as an endless screen belt that is flexibly foldable, compressible or bendable transverse to its direction of movement. |
| US09206571B2 |
Movable floating moorage
A movable floating moorage including a set of n parallel floating booms, each comprising a main pontoon and secondary pontoons extending in a transverse direction. Some of the secondary pontoons are in register with one another in two adjacent booms and are adapted to bear on one another in the transverse direction. The moorage includes two series of n+1 lines actuated by winches and including, for each boom, two lines extending from this boom in two opposite ways in the transverse direction and connected respectively, either to an adjacent floating boom, or to a fixed anchorage. The booms are connected together and to any fixed support solely by these two series of lines. |
| US09206568B2 |
Height adjustable snow blower shroud
A height adjustable auger shroud for a snow blower comprises a pair of wheels secured to a lower portion of the opposing sides of the shroud. The wheels are secured to the shroud by a pair of levers. Each lever comprises a first and second plate. The first plate is positioned against the shroud, and includes an upper arcuate perimeter having a series of notches along the upper perimeter line. The second plate is rotatably connected to the first plate, and includes a lever arm on one vertical half of the plate, and a wheel attachment on the opposing half of the plate. Actuation of the lever arm in relation to the first plate raises or lowers the wheel in relation to the shroud, thereby altering the distance between the shroud and the ground surface. |
| US09206566B2 |
Automatic four leg leveling for cold planers
A method for leveling of a machine on a surface, and a machine for the same, is disclosed. The method may comprise equalizing the legs of the machine prior to extending or retracting the legs of the machine to raise or lower the machine during non-milling operational status. The method may also comprise extending or retracting the legs during milling operational status while maintaining the relative lengths of each leg. |
| US09206561B2 |
Edging system for unit pavement system
A method of installing an edging system for a unit pavement system includes inserting a main body section of a plate-like stake in a generally horizontal direction underneath at least one paver unit of the plurality of paver units and into a granular material layer upon which the unit pavement system is supported. The method further includes positioning a vertical section of an edge restraint under a horizontal cap section of the plate-like stake such that the vertical section of the edge restraint is arranged parallel to a vertical section of the plate-like stake and underneath a horizontal cap section of the plate-like stake. The method also includes driving a fastener into a ground surface until the fastener engages a horizontal section of the edge restraint. A plate-like stake including a main body section and a clip, which is separate from the main body section, is also disclosed. |
| US09206553B2 |
Basecoat composition and associated paperboard structure
A paperboard structure including a paperboard substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface and a basecoat applied to the first major surface and/or the second major surface, the basecoat including a pigment component, the pigment component including all pigments in the basecoat, wherein the pigment component has a median particle size between about 3 and about 8 micrometers, and wherein at most about 15 percent by weight of the pigment component has a particle size smaller than 1 micrometer. |
| US09206552B2 |
Absorbent plastic pigment with improved print density containing and recording sheet containing same
A core/shell particle is provided, comprising: a water-absorbent, dye-fixing polymeric core, comprising: (a) a multivalent cation and a polymerization product of a monoethylenically unsaturated carbonyl-group containing monomer; (b) a nitrogen-containing polymer; or (c) a combination of (a) and (b); and a water-insoluble, porous polymeric shell, surrounding all or a portion of said core. A paper sizing or coating composition which incorporates the core/shell particles is provided. Recording sheets which include the composition, methods of making the composition and recording sheets, and methods for making an image are provided. |
| US09206550B2 |
Anti-counterfeit method for random texture and recognizer thereof
An anti-counterfeit method for random textures and a recognizer thereof The method includes: A. selecting texture material 2 with texture elements 1 distributed randomly; B. a recognition system storing inherent recognition features J of texture elements 1; C. extracting random features S of distribution of texture element 1 and storing in the recognition system, texture material 2 being anti-counterfeit identification 3; D. the recognition system extracting features J′ and random features S′ of texture elements 1′ to be recognized on anti-counterfeit identification 3′, and comparing respectively features J′ with recognition features J as well as random features S′ and random features S. If the compared results do not match, anti-counterfeit identification 3′ is judged not to be anti-counterfeit identification 3. Otherwise, anti-counterfeit identification 3′ is judged to be anti-counterfeit identification 3. The method can prevent inherent features of a texture element from being imitated and deceived by printed texture elements. |
| US09206546B2 |
Moisture-permeable waterproof fabric and process for producing same
A moisture-permeable waterproof fabric which has a well-balanced combination of moisture permeability and waterproofing properties and has excellent strength, in particular, tensile strength, is provided without increasing environmental burden. A synthetic-polymer solution comprising a synthetic polymer consisting mainly of a polyurethane, fine inorganic particles, and a polar organic solvent is applied to one surface of a fibrous fabric and then brought into contact with a gaseous phase in which waterdrops having an average particle diameter of 1-30 μm have been evenly dispersed, thereby making the synthetic polymer semisolid. The fabric is then immersed in water to completely solidify the polymer and thereby obtain a moisture-permeable waterproof fabric comprising the fibrous fabric and, united to one surface thereof, a microporous film of a single-layer structure comprising the synthetic polymer consisting mainly of a polyurethane (the number of micropores having a pore diameter of 0.1-5 μm is (5-200)×104/mm2 in a vertical cross-section, and the film has a tensile strength of 3-80 MPa, a moisture permeability as measured by the calcium chloride method of 6,000 g/m2·24 hr or higher or a moisture permeability as measured by the potassium acetate method of 6,000 g/m2·24 hr or higher, and a water pressure resistance of 60 kPa or higher). |
| US09206543B2 |
Dryer monitoring
A dryer monitoring system receives dryer information from one or more sensors concerning operation of one or more dryers, such as clothes dryers. For example, the dryer monitoring system may receive temperature and/or humidity information from one or more dryers. The dryer monitor analyzes the dryer data to determine whether textiles in the dryer are dry. The dryer monitor may analyze one or more states and/or one or more indicators (patterns in the dryer data) during the dryness determination. |
| US09206540B2 |
Washing machine
A structure of a driving part provided to a washing machine is disclosed. The present application provides the washing machine comprising a tub configured to store wash water therein; a drum rotatably installed in the tub and accommodating laundry therein; a driving shaft connected to the drum; at least one bearing configured to support the driving shaft; a motor mounted to an outer surface of a rear wall of the tub and connected to the driving shaft; and a bearing housing comprising a hub configured to accommodate the at least one bearing and a flange provided around the hub and coupled to a stator of the motor, the bearing housing buried in the rear wall of the tub. |