| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09317239B2 |
Image processing apparatus, server, and image processing system
Provided is an image processing apparatus including an image processing device configured to execute an image process, a processor; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, causing the apparatus to perform determining a reservation request amount which is a processing amount of the image process to be requested to the server, based on execution information of the image process, requesting permission for the processing amount within the reservation request amount determined by the determination unit, to the server, before the image process is executed by the image processing device; and controlling the image processing device to execute the image process within a reservation amount which is the permitted processing amount permitted by the server, after the requesting. |
| US09317237B2 |
System and method for automated digital RFID printing and integration
A system for automated RFID printing and integration is disclosed. The system includes an automated digital RFID printer utilized in combination with server system from a client/server system. The system also includes a corresponding method for automated RFID printing and integration as well as a non-transitory computer storage media having instructions stored thereon which, when executed, execute a method for automated RFID printing and integration. |
| US09317234B2 |
Computer readable information recording medium storing preview display program, preview display apparatus and preview display method
A computer readable information recording medium stores a preview display program that performs, when executed by one or more processors, functions of a part configured to determine setting information for imposition type; a part configured to determine setting information for finishing; and a part configured to display preview images for a state after bookbinding in a case where the setting information for imposition type, determined by the part configured to determine setting information for imposition type, includes a setting of magazine or mini book and the setting information for finishing, determined by the part configured to determine setting information for finishing, includes a setting for carrying out the bookbinding, and display preview images for a state before the bookbinding in the other cases. |
| US09317230B2 |
Management apparatus, control method therefor, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for managing power control
A management apparatus comprises: management unit which manages a power control rule for a change of a state of the one or more information processing devices; determination unit which determines whether or not the power control ability of the information processing device matches the power control rule; and setting unit which sets the managed power control rule to the information processing device if it has been determined that the power control ability of the information processing device matches the managed power control rule, and sets a new power control rule that matches the power control ability of the information processing device if it has been determined that the power control ability of the information processing device does not match the managed power control rule. |
| US09317227B2 |
Printing management device and method, printing management system, printing system information processing device and recording medium for deciding a printout condition
A printing management device includes: a customer property DB configured to accumulate history data for each customer; a printer property DB configured to record printer property data for each of multiple printers; target image quality index decision means configured to decide a target image quality index by the use of the history data of the customer property DB; and printout condition decision means configured to decide/output output conditions with reference to the printer property DB according to order information and the target image quality index. |
| US09317224B1 |
Quantifying utilization of a data storage system by a virtual storage unit
The contributions of a virtual storage unit to the utilization of a data storage system may be quantified. A utilization score may be determined for each virtual storage unit for one or more functional components of the data storage system, for example, a front-end adapter, back-end adapter or interface physical storage unit. A utilization score may be determined for the data storage system as a whole by combining the component utilization scores of the virtual storage unit. Component and/or system utilization scores may be visually presented to a user in a manner that enables the user to assess the relative contributions of the virtual storage units to utilization of the component or overall system, respectively. What-if scenarios may be considered using the utilization scores to determine the consequences of moving one or more virtual storage units from one data storage system to another, and a live migration may result. |
| US09317223B2 |
Method and apparatus for automated migration of data among storage centers
A method for controlling the storage of data among multiple regional storage centers coupled through a network in a global storage system is provided. The method includes steps of: defining at least one dataset comprising at least a subset of the data stored in the global storage system; defining at least one ruleset for determining where to store the dataset; obtaining information regarding a demand for the dataset through one or more data requesting entities operating in the global storage system; and determining, as a function of the ruleset, information regarding a location for storing the dataset among regional storage centers having available resources that reduces the total distance traversed by the dataset in serving at least a given one of the data requesting entities and/or reduces the latency of delivery of the dataset to the given one of the data requesting entities. |
| US09317217B1 |
Wiping and verifying storage devices
Systems and methods for wiping and verifying the wiping of a data storage device where the dirtying of blocks of the storage device is tracked and only the dirtied blocks are scanned to verify if the storage device has been sufficiently wiped. |
| US09317216B1 |
SMR auto-tiering
A method, computer program product, and computing system for initiating a relocation process to move local data from an SMR-based storage tier within an auto-tiering data system to a different storage tier within the auto-tiering data system. The local data is located within one or more sectors of the SMR-based storage tier. The local data is copied from the SMR-based storage tier to the different storage tier. The one or more sectors of the SMR-based storage tier are unmapped. |
| US09317214B2 |
Operating a memory management controller
A memory management controller operatively coupled to a plurality of memory modules, the memory management controller including processing logic configured to: identify a plurality of memory tiers in the plurality of memory modules, each memory tier characterized by different operational characteristics; allocate a spare block of memory in each memory tier; identify a data characteristic for each of the one or more blocks of data in a plurality of memory tiers; migrate, in dependence upon the operational characteristics of each memory tier and the data characteristic for each of the one or more data blocks in the plurality of memory tiers, data in a first memory tier to the spare block of memory in a second memory tier; and migrate data in the second memory tier to the spare block of memory in the first memory tier. |
| US09317212B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a storage device
A mass storage device such as a disk drive or SSD (solid state drive) employs optimization logic for reduced power consumption in a host personal electronic device that identifies and prioritizes performance and power trade-offs by considering user expectations, user presence and application responsiveness. The storage device receives commands and information from the host device indicative of user expectations about application invocation, data freshness, and usage patterns, and determines a operational state indicative of behavior settings for reducing power consumption while maintaining the performance constraints required by the user expectations. The granularity of performance considerations communicated from the host device to the mass storage device is expanded to permit the storage device to determine, based on performance constraints from user expectations, appropriate and specific power reduction measures for maintaining the user experience. |
| US09317209B2 |
Using external memory devices to improve system performance
The invention is directed towards a system and method that utilizes external memory devices to cache sectors from a rotating storage device (e.g., a hard drive) to improve system performance. When an external memory device (EMD) is plugged into the computing device or onto a network in which the computing device is connected, the system recognizes the EMD and populates the EMD with disk sectors. The system routes I/O read requests directed to the disk sector to the EMD cache instead of the actual disk sector. The use of EMDs increases performance and productivity on the computing device systems for a fraction of the cost of adding memory to the computing device. |
| US09317208B2 |
Data row cache for an acid compliant in-memory row store in a page-based RDBMS engine
A system, method and a computer-readable medium for reducing a contentious access of data in memory system storage by simulating an online transaction processing business lifecycle, are provided. The memory storage system determines a type of data, where the type of data corresponds to access frequency of data. The data is stored in a row-based format in a row-based storage, a page-based format in a page-based storage and a compressed format in a compressed storage based on the determined type of data. The data is also transferred between the row-based storage, the page-based storage and the compressed storage according to predefined criteria. |
| US09317198B2 |
Multi display device and control method thereof
A multi display apparatus includes a first body comprising a first display, a second body comprising a second display, a hinge to connect the first and second bodies to each other, a first imaging unit provided on the first body, a second imaging unit provided on the second body, and a controller to recognize a user's gesture using a plurality of images photographed at the first and second imaging units, and perform a corresponding control operation in response to the recognized user gesture. The controller recognizes the user's gesture using a movement of a user object within recognition ranges of the respective imaging units. As a result, the operation of the multi display apparatus can be controlled more easily and conveniently. |
| US09317190B2 |
User terminal device for displaying contents and methods thereof
An electronic device including a display of a main surface area and a curved surface area extended from the main surface area, and a controller configured to control the electronic device operable in a first mode in which information is displayed only on the curved surface area and a second mode in which information is displayed on at least one of the main surface area and the curved surface area, control the display to present a first user interface (UI) for accepting or rejecting the incoming call only on the curved surface area, in response to receiving an incoming call while in the first mode, and control the display to present a second UI for accepting or rejecting the incoming call on at least one of the main surface area and the curved surface area, in response to receiving an incoming call while in the second mode. |
| US09317189B1 |
Method to input content in a structured manner with real-time assistance and validation
A user-defined, structured input is received via an element included in a user interface. In real time, an active input from the user-defined, structured input is selected based at least in part on context associated with the user interface. A context-sensitive rule that applies to the active input is determined. Guidance associated with the active input and the context-sensitive rule is provided in real time via the user interface. |
| US09317187B2 |
Web browser operation method and operation apparatus
There is provided a web browser operation method and operation apparatus capable of preferably setting an access restriction function for restricting access of a web browser to be used by an unspecified number of users. First, content acquired from a web server is displayed on a display based on a format described in the content. An operation tool for performing operations related to processing of the content is also displayed on the screen. When an operation instruction is inputted by a user with the use of the operation tool, processing related to the displayed content is performed based on the operation instruction. In this case, restrictions are set on operation instructions by the user among operation instructions, and selection by the user of tool portions corresponding to the set restrictions, among tool portions which can be specified by the operation tool, are set as disabled. |
| US09317179B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing recommendations to a user of a cloud computing service
A method and apparatus is disclosed for transferring digital content from a computing cloud to a computing device and generating recommendations for the user of the computing device. |
| US09317175B1 |
Integration of an independent three-dimensional rendering engine
Systems and approaches provide for a user interface (UI) that is based on the position of a user's head with respect to a computing device. In particular, a three-dimensional (3D) rendering engine that is independent of a particular operating system can be integrated with the UI framework of the operating system such that a window or view into a fully 3D world can be drawn using the independent renderer. This window or view can then be laid out and manipulated in a manner similar to other elements of the UI framework. Further, the 3D window or view can be configured to monitor head tracking data as input events to the UI framework. The contents of the window or view can be redrawn or rendered based on the head tracking data to simulate three-dimensionality of the content. |
| US09317173B2 |
Method and system for providing content based on location data
Apparatus and methods are provided to implement a technique for using location information to identify and select movies or other content. In one implementation, an application for a device such as a smart phone or tablet computer uses location information to identify a movie that corresponds to the location, e.g., by fictional location or by where shots were filmed. Variations leverage the combination of user or target physical location and location information from a movie. |
| US09317169B2 |
Display device
A display device is configured in a display state to allow the common electrode to function as an electrode for display and a scanning electrode for a touch panel, to which a common voltage and a first scanning pulse voltage are supplied, and to allow a detection circuit to detect a touched position based on the voltage detected by the first and the second detection electrodes. In a display stop state, the first detection electrode is configured to function as a temporary scanning electrode, and the detection circuit is configured to supply a second scanning pulse voltage to the first detection electrode so as to detect existence of a swipe based on the voltage detected by the second detection electrode. |
| US09317165B2 |
Single layer touch-sensitive display
A touch sensor panel having co-planar single-layer touch sensors fabricated on a single side of a substrate is disclosed. The drive and sense lines can be fabricated as column-like patterns in a first orientation and patches in a second orientation, where each column-like pattern in the first orientation is connected to a separate metal trace in the border area of the touch sensor panel, and all patches in each of multiple rows in the second orientation are connected together using a separate metal trace in the border area of the touch sensor panel. The metal traces in the border areas can be formed on the same side of the substrate as the patches and columns, but separated from the patches and column-like patterns by a dielectric layer. |
| US09317164B2 |
Capacitive position sensor system
A capacitive position sensor system is provided for determining the position of an object, wherein the object is positioned within a sensitive area of the capacitive position sensor system and changes the capacitance of capacitors being arranged underneath the object. |
| US09317163B2 |
Signal processing circuit of a touch screen
A signal processing circuit of a touch screen panel is provided. A signal processing circuit can include a plurality of driving lines and sensing lines intersecting on the touch screen panel, a plurality of sensing channels connected to the sensing lines respectively and configured to detect whether a touch is performed by sensing mutual capacitance on intersecting nodes of the driving lines and the sensing lines, a distortion detection unit configured to detect whether distortion due to noise occurs on the basis of output voltages of the sensing channels, and a control unit configured to operate switches to alternate the circuit between a distortion mode and a normal mode, depending on whether noise is detected. |
| US09317159B2 |
Identifying actual touch points using spatial dimension information obtained from light transceivers
A system comprises a touch-screen having multiple light transceivers configured to emit and detect light. The system also comprises processing logic coupled to the light transceivers, where the processing logic is configured to obtain spatial dimension information of multiple possible touch points on the touch-screen using the detected light. The processing logic uses the spatial information to predict which of the multiple possible touch points comprise actual touch points and which of the multiple possible touch points comprise phantom touch points. |
| US09317157B2 |
Clustered scan method of a capacitive touch device
A clustered scan method of a capacitive touch device has steps of simultaneously providing driving signals in one driving cycle to multiple driving lines including the (i−j)th drive line to the (i+k)th drive line, and simultaneously providing driving signals in a next driving cycle to the drive lines including some of the drive lines driven in the previous driving cycle with a sum of the driving signal in each driving cycle greater than zero. When the stimulated drive lines include a bordering drive line, the driving lines are determined according to a relationship among i, j and k. Accordingly, the signal to noise ratio of the touch device can be increased and the adverse effect for common ground occurring between a measuring system and a human body can be reduced so that the multi-finger positioning issue can be resolved. |
| US09317156B2 |
Mobile device rejection of unintentional touch sensor contact
Mobile device rejection of unintentional sensor contact. An embodiment of a mobile device includes a first touch sensor to detect contact by a user of the mobile device for input of gestures by the user, a memory to store indicators of unintentional contact to the first touch sensor, and a processor to evaluate contact to the first touch sensor. The processor compares a contact with the first touch sensor to the indicators of unintentional contact to determine if the contact is unintentional, and the mobile device rejects the contact as an input to the mobile device if the contact is determined to be unintentional and accepts the contact as an input to the mobile device if the contact is determined to be intentional. |
| US09317155B2 |
Ruggedized wearable electronic device for wireless communication
Particular embodiments described herein provide for a wearable electronic device, such as a bracelet, watch, wristband or armband that includes a circuit board coupled to a plurality of electronic components (which may include any type of components, elements, circuitry, etc.). One particular implementation of a wearable electronic device may include a strap portion and a display portion. The display portion may include a display; one or more input elements configured to receive one or more interactions that may be associated with: selecting a preconfigured message to communicate and selecting one or more other electronic devices to which to communicate a preconfigured message. The wearable electronic device may further include wireless communication circuitry configured to communicate a selected preconfigured message to one or more selected other electronic devices. |
| US09317154B2 |
Method and apparatus for sensing utilizing tiles
An apparatus for sensing includes a computer. The apparatus includes one or more individual sensing tiles in communication with the computer that form a sensor surface that detects force applied to the surface and provides a signal corresponding to the force to the computer which produces from the signal a time varying continuous image of force applied to the surface, where the surface is contiguous, and detected force can be sensed in a manner that is geometrically continuous and seamless on a surface. A method for determining locations of tiles of a sensor. |
| US09317145B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer readable medium
An information processing apparatus includes: a display device including a touch panel configured to detect a touch position where the touch panel is touched by a user operation, wherein display information is displayed on the display device; a display information storage unit configured to store the display information; an information display controller configured to display the display information on the display device; a touch position acquisition unit configured to acquire the touch position in response to the user operation on the display information; a region setting unit configured to set a certain region in the display information based on the touch position; a target information extraction unit configured to extract a target information from the certain region; a target information storage unit configured to store the target information; and a target information display controller configured to display the target information on the display device. |
| US09317144B2 |
Electronic device, handwriting input recognition system, and method for recognizing handwritten input thereof
A handwriting input recognizing method comprises following steps. Recognize an initial touch point of a touch. Determine an input region associated with the initial touch point. Display the input region. Recognize and display a handwritten input in the input region. Determine whether there is a handwritten input reaches the boundary of the input region. If yes, recognize and display the letters associated with the handwritten input and determine whether the input region receives another handwritten input during a predefined time duration. If yes, determine the sting of letters associated with the handwritten input is a first portion of a complete word, and the sting of letters associated with the another handwritten input is a last portion of the complete word. Combine the first portion and the last portion into a complete word. display letters of the first portion and the last portion in a substantially same size. |
| US09317143B2 |
Information input device
The information input device includes first detecting portion, second detecting portion, first positioning portion, second positioning portion, first information acquiring portion, and second information acquiring portion. The first information acquiring portion is configured to acquire information that is written on a paper sheet overlapping with a cover sheet positioned by the first positioning portion, based on the position of the writing tool detected by the first detecting portion. The second information acquiring portion is configured to acquire information that is written on a paper sheet overlapping with a cover sheet positioned by the second positioning portion, based on the position of the writing tool detected by the second detecting portion. |
| US09317142B2 |
Pen dock for electronic device
An aspect provides an information handling device, including: one or more processors; a memory device that stores instructions executed by the one or more processors; and a housing that contains the one or more processors and the memory device; the housing having a substantially rectangular shape with a length and height dimension that exceed a width dimension; and the housing further comprising a shaped pen dock running along an end of the housing defining the width dimension. Other aspects are described and claimed. |
| US09317134B2 |
Proximity object tracker
Object tracking technology, in which controlling an illumination source is controlled to illuminate while a camera is capturing an image to define an intersection region within the image captured by the camera. The image captured by the camera is analyzed to detect an object within the intersection region. User input is determined based on the object detected within the intersection region and an application is controlled based on the determined user input. |
| US09317130B2 |
Visual feedback by identifying anatomical features of a hand
A method (62) for providing visual feedback to a user having a hand (14) and operating a graphical user interface (28) on a display (24) using an input device (10). The input device (10) includes an image sensor (46) and an input element (40) defining an input surface (42), the input element (40) being at least partially transparent. The method (62) includes: with the hand (14) substantially adjacent to the input element (40), acquiring a hand image of the hand (14) through the input element (40) using the image sensor (46); identifying predetermined anatomical features (13) in the hand image and associate with each a corresponding feature location indicative of a position of the predetermined anatomical features (13) relative to the input surface (40); and displaying cursors (34, 61) in a window (30) of the graphical user interface (28) at positions relative to the window (30) that correspond to the feature locations relative to the input surface (40). |
| US09317126B2 |
Head-mounted display device, control method for the head-mounted display device, and authentication system
A head-mounted display device that enables a user to simultaneously visually recognize a virtual image and an outside scene includes a photographing unit configured to photograph at least a part of a visual field direction of the user in a state in which the user wears the head-mounted display device and acquire a motion of the user; a track acquiring unit configured to acquire a track of the motion of the user from the motion photographed by the photographing unit; and an authentication processing unit configured to authenticate, using the track acquired by the track acquiring unit, whether the user is a proper user. |
| US09317125B2 |
Searching of line pattern representations using gestures
The gesture-based searching of a line pattern representation amongst a collection of line pattern representations. Upon detecting an input gesture, a computing system matches the input gesture against each of multiple pattern representations. Each line pattern representation represents a line pattern having a changing value in a first dimension as a function of a value in a second dimension. At least some of the matched set may then be visualized to the user. The input gesture may be a literal line pattern to match against, or might be a gesture that has semantic meaning that describes search parameters of a line pattern to search for. The matched set may be presented so that a display parameter conveys a closeness of the match. |
| US09317122B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes: a touch panel 30; an elastic member 70 that supports the panel 30 to be capable of vibration in a position of an opening 11 of a housing 10; a vibration unit 60 that vibrates the panel 30; a display unit 40 on a rear side of the panel 30 with space therebetween; a substrate 50 on a rear side of the unit 40 with space therebetween; and a support portion 13 provided in the housing 10 to support a periphery of the rear of the unit 40. A surface 31 of the panel 30 and a surface 15 of the housing 10 are provided with a flexible member 20 over a gap 14 between a periphery of the panel 30 and the housing 10. The unit 40 is supported air-tightly to the portion 13 around the periphery of the rear of the unit 40. |
| US09317118B2 |
Touch surface for simulating materials
A system for simulating materials using touch surfaces includes a touch surface, an actuator and/or an temperature control device, and a control unit. The control unit controls the actuator or the temperature control device to cause at least a portion of the touch surface to simulate a material. Such control may include utilizing the actuator to vibrate the surface to simulate the tactile sensation of texture. Such control may also include utilizing the temperature control device (such as a Peltier device) to control the temperature of the surface in order to simulate the thermal conductivity of a material. In some cases, the temperature control may be performed utilizing a temperature sensor to adjust the temperature of the surface. In various cases, the vibration and/or temperature may be varied over time, such as in response to one or more touches detected using one or more touch sensors. |
| US09317115B2 |
Instruction system with eyetracking-based adaptive scaffolding
A digital instructional environment leverages an infrared eye-tracker to monitor a learner's reading and viewing of text and simulations for subject matter. The system detects out-of-order reading/viewing patterns that could lead to poor comprehension. The digital learning environment communicates with other tutorial components including simulation environments, pedagogical agents and may respond in real-time to such patterns with messages that guide learners (knowledge acquirers) to return to effective reading/viewing patterns so as to promote effective construction of mental model(s) developed during knowledge acquisition/learning. |
| US09317114B2 |
Display property determination
A display apparatus may include an optical element having thereon an information area; an eye tracker configured to detect an activity of at least one pupil within eyes; a processor configured to change a display property of the information area based at least in part on the activity of the at least one pupil. |
| US09317113B1 |
Gaze assisted object recognition
An electronic device can attempt to determine a gaze direction of a user, which can be used to determine an object of interest to the user. Determining the gaze direction helps to reduce the search space and reduce processing requirements for identifying the object. Image information can be captured that includes the object of interest, which then can be analyzed to recognize the type of object. Upon recognizing the object, the user can be provided with information about the object, which in some cases can depend at least in part upon a current context or location of the object. If the object is a networked device, the user can potentially be provided with input options for controlling the device. |
| US09317109B2 |
Interactive image projection accessory
An accessory facilitating interaction with a projected image at least partially sourced by the image generation device. The accessory receives an input image from a device, and projects at least a derived image of the input image onto a surface on which the accessory sits. For instance, the accessory might project the input image itself, or perhaps some post-processed version of the input image. A camera system captures data representing user interaction with the projected image. Based on this data, an image input event is detected, and then communicated to the device. For instance, if the image generation device were a touch-sensitive device, the device may respond to the user contacting the projected image the same as it would if the user touched the image generation device at the same corresponding location. Embodiments described herein also relate color compensation of a displayed image. |
| US09317108B2 |
Hand-held wireless electronic device with accelerometer for interacting with a display
A device and method for interacting with a display using an accelerometer sensitive to tilt about two perpendicular axes and a third signal having a magnitude responsive to user input. The device and method allow a user to change a characteristic of an object on the display by converting pitch information, roll information, and a linear dimension into Cartesian coordinates for use by the display. |
| US09317103B2 |
Method and system for selective power control for a multi-media processor
A method and system for controlling power is provided. The system is configured to selectively control a plurality of power control domains. The system may be configured to process audio data in at least one of the domains. The system may be configured to output audio data, while one or more of the power control domains is suspended. |
| US09317102B2 |
Power control for cache structures
Techniques are disclosed relating to reducing power consumption in integrated circuits. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a cache having a set of tag structures and a power management unit. The power management unit is configured to power down a duplicate set of tag structures in responsive to the cache being powered down. In one embodiment, the cache is configured to provide, to the power management unit, an indication of whether the cache includes valid data. In such an embodiment, the power management unit is configured to power down the cache in response to the cache indicating that the cache does not include valid data. In some embodiments, the duplicate set of tag structures is located within a coherence point configured to maintain coherency between the cache and a memory. |
| US09317101B2 |
Techniques for multimedia playback
Various embodiments are generally directed to an apparatus, method and other techniques for receiving multimedia information at a computing device and receiving one or more of power information and bandwidth information for the computing device. In various embodiments, video processing may be disabled for the computing device when the power information is below a power threshold or bandwidth information is below a bandwidth threshold and an audio only portion of multimedia information may be sent to one or more output devices coupled to the computing device. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09317100B2 |
Accelerated cache rinse when preparing a power state transition
Methods, integrated circuit devices, and fabrication processes relating to power management transitions of a compute unit comprising a cache are presented. One method includes, responsive to an indication that the compute unit is attempting to enter a low power state, detecting at least one line of the cache differing from the corresponding line in memory, writing differing data from the at least one differing line to the memory, flushing at least one remaining differing line of the cache, and permitting the compute unit to enter the low power state, wherein the detecting and the writing are performed at a first frequency prior to the indication and at a second frequency subsequent the indication, and the second frequency is higher than the first frequency. |
| US09317096B2 |
Performance aware idle power management
Methods, systems, and media are provided for power management. The power management includes, but is not limited to storing at a computer system a history of canceled entries into a low power state that interrupted a transition of the unit from an active mode to the low power state and disallowing transition of the unit into the low power state when a number of canceled entries indicated by the history of canceled entries exceeds a canceled entry threshold. |
| US09317094B2 |
Distributed power delivery to a processing unit
Technology is provided for distributed power delivery to a processing unit on a printed circuit board. In one example, a printed circuit board includes a processing unit coupled to multiple power channels, including first channels on a first side of the processing unit, and second channels on a second side of the processing unit. The printed circuit board further includes a first power supply coupled to the processing unit via the first channels, and a second power supply coupled to the processing unit via the second channels. The processing unit is configured to receive a total current, including currents drawn substantially simultaneously from the first power supply and the second power supply. The total current is about equivalent to a current the processing unit would draw from a single power supply. |
| US09317093B2 |
Computer system selectively directing power to a battery from either a backup power supply or a normal power supply based on a reduction of voltage measured from one or more detection circuits
A backup power supply device that is used as a backup for a normal power supply device that includes a first converter configured to convert a first alternating-current voltage into a first direct-current voltage and a second converter configured to convert the first direct-current voltage into a second direct-current voltage includes a first detector that is coupled to an output of the first converter and outputs a first detection signal when the first direct-current voltage is lower than a first predetermined value; a third converter that converts a second alternating-current voltage into a third direct-current voltage; a battery that is charged by the third direct-current voltage; and a first switch that connects an output of the battery or an output of the third converter to an input of the second converter based on the output of the first detection signal. |
| US09317091B2 |
Electronic device, method of controlling power supply, and recording medium storing power supply control program
An electronic device includes a power generation device that generates electricity, a charging battery that charges electricity, and a power supply device that receives power supply from the outside power source. The electronic device selects at least one of the power generation device, the charging battery, and the power supply device as a power supply source to supply electric power to each unit of the electronic device that is operating, based on an operating state of the electronic device or operation being performed by the electronic device. |
| US09317084B2 |
Thermal displacement compensating device and method for a machine tool
In a thermal displacement compensating device and a thermal displacement compensating method for a machine tool, a block temperature obtaining section obtains temperatures of respective blocks based on temperature information detected by temperature sensors wherein temperatures in each of the respective blocks into which a column is divided to be pluralized are defined as a uniform value. An FEM analysis section performs a structural analysis by a finite element method based on the temperatures of the respective blocks obtained by the block temperature obtaining section and infers thermal displacement amounts of the column. A compensation value calculation section calculates a compensation value for a machining command position based on the thermal displacement amounts of the column inferred by the FEM analysis section. A compensation section compensates the machining command position by the compensation value obtained by the compensation value calculation section. |
| US09317083B2 |
Thermal regulation for solid state memory
A chassis for a storage system contains a digital chamber that houses conventional electronic components and a thermal chamber that houses non-volatile solid state memory such as flash memory. A temperature regulating system monitors temperature within the digital chamber to keep the components therein below their maximum junction temperature. The temperature regulating system tightly regulates the temperature of solid state memory chips to within a nominal operating temperature range selected to extend the lifetime and/or improve the endurance and reliability of the solid state memory. The temperature regulating system may regulate different memory chips to different nominal temperatures based on the operations being performed and lifetime factors for the memory chips including current health and prior use. |
| US09317082B2 |
Controlling operation of temperature sensors
Techniques are disclosed relating to controlling power consumption of temperature sensors in integrated circuits. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit is disclosed that includes a temperature sensor that is configured to determine a temperature of the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit also includes a sensor controller that is configured to vary power consumption of the temperature sensor based, at least in part, on the determined temperature. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit may determine a sampling rate of the temperature sensor based, at least in part, on the determined temperature and a temperature threshold of the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may then vary the power consumption of the temperature sensor by periodically disabling the temperature sensor based on the determined sampling rate. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit may also vary the power consumption of the temperature sensor based on the operating state of one or more processing cores in the integrated circuit. |
| US09317081B2 |
Disk drive carriers and mountable hard drive systems with improved air flow
The side profile of a hard drive assembly may be configured with one or more open areas to allow cooling air to pass side-to-side through a lateral flow channel provided by a cavity defined in the base portion of the hard drive assembly. Corresponding and complementary open areas may be also be defined in mating drive carrier assembly side components to allow passage of lateral side-to-side cooling air through the base portion flow channel of a hard drive assembled to the drive carrier assembly to form a mountable hard drive system that is installed into a storage enclosure. The at least partially aligned open flow areas of the assembled hard dive assembly and drive carrier assembly may cooperate to reduce air flow impedance across multiple rows of hard drive systems through a storage enclosure. |
| US09317080B2 |
Local cooling unit and cooling system
The local cooling unit according to an aspect of the present invention includes a housing having a cavity formed in the housing, an air inlet port which is provided in a bottom surface of the housing and which takes in exhaust heat air from the electronic device, an evaporator which is provided in the housing and which evaporates a refrigerant by heat exchange with air sucked in from the air inlet port to cool the air, the refrigerant passing through an inside of the evaporator, an air outlet port which is provided in a side surface of the housing and which exhausts the air cooled by the evaporator, and a fan which is provided on a side of the air inlet port or a side of the air outlet port of the housing and which moves the air from the air inlet port to the air outlet port. |
| US09317073B2 |
Device off-plane surface touch activation
A computing device includes a housing and a display assembly having a screen. The housing at least partially circumvents the screen so that the screen is viewable. A touch sensor is provided with a portion of the housing having a different planar orientation than a remainder of the housing. For example, the touch sensor may be provided with a portion of the housing that is off-plane with the screen of the display assembly. A processor is provided within the housing to detect a first user interaction with the touch sensor, and to interpret the first user interaction as a first user input. The processor further executes one or more instructions in response to the first user input. |
| US09317072B2 |
Hinge mechanism with preset positions
A hinge mechanism with preset positions is described. In at least some implementations, the hinge mechanism enables a support component to be adjustably attached to an apparatus, such as a computing device. The support component can be rotated via the hinge mechanism to various positions to provide support for different orientations of the computing device. In at least some embodiments, a hinge mechanism utilizes preset hinge positions that enable a support component to be placed at different preset positions. For instance, the hinge mechanism is configured such that an attached support component tends to “snap” into various preset positions. |
| US09317069B2 |
Electronic device enclosure
An electronic device enclosure includes a base and a footpad. The base includes a bottom plate having an outer surface and an inner surface opposite to the outer surface. A receiving slot is defined in the bottom plate. The footpad includes a securing member and a rotating member rotatably attached to the securing member. The rotating member includes a clipping portion. The securing member is detachably attached to the inner surface of the bottom plate, the rotating member is attached to the outer surface of the bottom plate, and the clipping portion extends though the receiving slot to engage with the securing member. |
| US09317060B2 |
Apparatus and method for assembling large electronic displays
Provided herein is an electronic display assembly for use with a housing as well as a method for assembling an electronic display assembly within a housing. The assembly preferably contains an electronic display module having an electronic display secured within a mounting frame having a top and bottom surface. Top brackets and bottom brackets may be secured to the mounting frame and then secured to the interior of the housing. A front glass assembly can also be secured to the brackets. In some embodiments the housing may contain interior hangers which correspond to hangers that are fastened to the mounting frame of the electronic display module. |
| US09317050B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling converter in full cell vehicle
A method and apparatus for controlling a converter of a fuel cell vehicle that uses a power control value generated based on an inverter DC terminal voltage as a reference value, and generates a current reference signal based on the reference value is provided. More specifically, the method and apparatus output a final reference signal that generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal by compensating for the current reference signal based on output terminal current of the converter. A peak value is then increased by amplifying a triangular wave signal, and the amplified triangular wave signal and the compensated final reference signal according to the current reference signal change rate are compared. A PWM signal having a predetermined duty ratio is then generated to control the converter. |
| US09317047B2 |
Adaptive reactivation of phases deactivated by phase-shedding in multi-phase voltage regulators
In a multi-phase power supply voltage regulator functioning at a nominal switching frequency, one or more phases are kept off for optimizing energy efficiency at relatively low load conditions. Reactivation of stand-by phases in response to a load increase transient is made more efficiently by exploiting information already present in the output voltage control loop. The technique comprises a) deriving from the control loop information on the equivalent nominal switching frequency given by the product of the nominal switching frequency by the number of active phases; b) updating at every beat of a clock signal the instantaneous value of the equivalent switching frequency; c) determining the band of equivalent switching frequency values to which the instantaneous value belongs; d) logically combining the equivalent switching frequency information with a determined band of output current level, for switching on one or more stand-by phases in response to a load increase transient. |
| US09317046B2 |
Variable output heating control system
A variable output heating control system includes a user interface, an operating parameter sensor, a controller, a combination control valve, a plurality of variable flow valves, and a plurality of burners. The user interface allows a user to enter operating parameters, such as a set temperature. The operating parameters sensor provides measured parameters, such as a measured temperature. The controller receives the set temperature and the measured temperature and generates commands to control the flow of gas, based on the set temperature and the measured temperature. The combination control valve shuts off the flow of gas from an external gas source based on a command from the controller. The plurality of variable flow valves vary the flow of gas that is received from the combination control valve and supplied to the burners. The plurality of burners provide heat based on the combustion of gas that is received from the plurality of variable flow valves. |
| US09317042B2 |
Pitch feedback control splitting for helicopters with redundant actuators
Embodiments are directed to generating, by a processing device, a feedback command for an aircraft based on a reference input and an output response of the aircraft, and analyzing, by the processing device, the feedback command to allocate control to a plurality of control surfaces over a plurality of separate frequency bands. |
| US09317041B2 |
Rotor moment feedback for stability augmentation
Embodiments are directed to obtaining at least one measurement of blade bending associated with at least one blade of at least one rotor of an aircraft, processing, by a device comprising a processor, the at least one measurement to obtain moment data, obtaining data from an inertial measurement unit (IMU), and processing, by the device, the moment data and the data from the IMU to generate a command configured to stabilize the aircraft. |
| US09317039B2 |
Inverted pendulum type vehicle
An inverted pendulum type vehicle for improving the steering performance and the comfort of the vehicle. A control device of an inverted pendulum type vehicle including a moving motion unit driven by an actuator device controls the actuator device so that the position of the center of gravity of the entirety of an occupant riding on an occupant riding section and the vehicle is shifted from the position of a balance state in the request direction of movement of the center of gravity of the occupant recognized from a predetermined kind of state of the vehicle. |
| US09317036B2 |
Flight control for flight-restricted regions
Systems, methods, and devices are provided for providing flight response to flight-restricted regions. The location of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be compared with a location of a flight-restricted region. If needed a flight-response measure may be taken by the UAV to prevent the UAV from flying in a no-fly zone. Different flight-response measures may be taken based on the distance between the UAV and the flight-restricted region and the rules of a jurisdiction within which the UAV falls. |
| US09317035B2 |
Remote operation system
When a moving body is remotely operated, a delay in transmission of an image and information acquired from the moving body becomes a problem since immediate transmission of an operation to the moving body cannot be expected. When a frame rate is decreased or a resolution is reduced to decrease the amount of image data to prevent transmission delay of the image data, it is difficult to grasp motions of other moving bodies. As a result, when a certain amount of time is required to transmit a camera image and a moving obstacle, the movement of the obstacle and the movement of the moving body are estimated. The estimated image is generated based on a current image, and is presented to an operator via a monitor. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce instability and a risk associated with transmission delay to safely operate the moving body. |
| US09317034B2 |
System and method for inventory management using mobile drive units
A method for inventory management includes deploying a first mobile drive unit having first dimensions and deploying a second mobile drive unit having second dimensions, the first and second dimensions being different. The first and second mobile drive units are operable to transport inventory items to a plurality of inventory stations in the same workspace. |
| US09317033B2 |
Control of the autonomous mode of bimodal vehicles
A control of autonomous vehicles, and a method for controlling at least one autonomous ground vehicle configured to adopt two operating modes, including a manual mode in which the driving depends on driving instructions from the driver of the vehicle, and an autonomous mode, in which the driving depends on data received from sensors configured to provide information on surroundings of the vehicle, and on data received by a navigation system, the method including: authorizing the autonomous mode only when the vehicle is within an area determined by defined boundaries; receiving reservation data from a user interface; generating a set message to be transmitted to the vehicle in accordance with the received reservation data; and transmitting the set message to the vehicle such that the vehicle autonomously performs a movement corresponding to the transmitted set message. |
| US09317029B2 |
Predictive control and virtual display system for a numerically controlled machine tool
A numerically controlled machine tool, and method for control thereof, to display virtual two-dimensional future positions to be adopted by a workpiece and by the machine tool in a pre-set predictive time window. The system and method calculate target coordinate values defining positions of the tool along axes of the machine tool on the basis of a machining program. While machining is in progress, a processor receives the calculated target coordinate values to generate and display image data on the basis of the target coordinate values and of stored mathematical models of the machine, of the workpiece, and of the tool. |
| US09317028B2 |
Electric motor control device
An electric motor control device for performing tandem control for driving one movable component includes, for each electric motor, a position controller, a speed controller, and a current controller. Further, each electric motor also has a preload controller for adding a preload torque to a torque command Tm calculated by the speed controller, and to a torque command Ts calculated by the speed controller. The preload controller calculates a minimum necessary preload torque for eliminating backlash in accordance with a position of the movable component. |
| US09317026B2 |
Method for determining the unique natural thermal lag (NTL) of a building
The invention provides an improved method for determining the natural thermal lag (NTL) of a building, where the improvement includes using the 15 minute interval energy usage data for the building, and data the external temperature to determine the NTL. This improved method has the advantage of being independent of any need to acquire data regarding internal temperature of the building in question. |
| US09317025B2 |
Parameter selection and calculation system for control valves
A parameter selection and calculation system for control valves has a file manage unit for integrating and storing the files generated in operation. In that, the control valve specification table for control valves of similar forms can be stored in one control valve design file instead of being stored in various different files. Furthermore, a language selection unit provides the function that a user can select a desire language for operating. Moreover, a user can enter into a numerical input unit for inputting related design parameters for a specific control valve or getting related design parameters by selected proper control valve forms in the control valve design database. Then these data are formed as control valve parameter tables acceptable by the control valve logic operation unit. Then the control valve logic operation unit will operate to get a control valve specification table by using the control valve parameter tables. |
| US09317022B2 |
Controlling power generators and chillers
A method of meeting a power demand of a power consumption unit is disclosed. A forecasted power demand for a power demand scenario for the power consumption unit is determined and a probability of occurrence of the power demand scenario is determined. An objective function for operating at least one power supply device is created that includes the forecasted power demand of the power demand scenario and the determined probability of occurrence of the power demand scenario. A substantial minimum of the objective function is located to determine a schedule for operating the at least one power supply device to meet the forecasted power demand. The at least one power supply device may be operated according to the determined schedule to meet the power demand of the power consumption unit. |
| US09317018B2 |
Portable e-wallet and universal card
Universal cards are used in place of all the other traditional cards which a person may want to carry. The universal card can include a short range communications transceiver to communicate with a mobile device. The mobile device can include a user interface and an e-wallet application so that the user can interface with the e-wallet application for programming the universal card via the short range communication link. Once programmed, the universal card emulates a function of a traditional card. |
| US09317015B2 |
Timepiece anti-trip mechanism
Anti-trip mechanism for limiting the travel of a timepiece balance including a pin projecting from a staff, including a flexible multistable or bistable element carrying an anti-trip stop member and which is fixed, via flexible and elastic connecting members, to a rigid structural element of a timepiece movement. One end of said anti-trip stop member is arranged, according to the angular position of the balance, to interfere with the trajectory of the pin, and to perform the function of a stop if the balance exceeds its normal angular travel.Each anti-trip stop member includes two arms whose respective ends each interfere with the trajectory of the pin. |
| US09317013B2 |
Method of producing drive element for a timepiece barrel including a barrel arbor and mainspring
A method for fabricating a barrel arbor for a timepiece includes wire drawing a bar to form a continuous profile, projecting or re-entrant relative to a support sector having a touching-up axis parallel to the bar axis, and whose section matches that of complementary hooking to be made on the arbor and, in a touching-up operation, machining the complete external contour of the arbor. A drive element includes a determined spiral-coiled mainspring including at an inner end hooking having a defined profile and an arbor produced by this method including the support sector for supporting the first coil, and a complementary hooking having a complementary profile to the profile for pivoting together with the mainspring. |
| US09317008B2 |
Image forming apparatus employing cleanerless system
An image forming apparatus includes a developing roller and a photosensitive drum configured to rotate about a first axis, and has a peripheral surface. The developing roller is configured to contact the photosensitive drum and is configured to supply developer to the photosensitive drum by rotating about a second axis positioned lower than the first axis in a vertical direction to form a visible image on the peripheral surface. Extraneous matter on the peripheral surface is recovered only by the developing roller. |
| US09317007B2 |
Image forming apparatus having housing, exposing member disposed in the housing, and process cartridge mounted in the housing
An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a cartridge, and an exposing member. The housing is formed with an opening. The cartridge is configured to be detachably mounted in the housing through the opening. The cartridge is provided with an image bearing member, and a holding part configured to be held by a user so as to remove the cartridge from the housing. The exposing member is disposed in the housing and configured to emit a laser light to the image bearing member in an emitting direction so as to expose the image bearing member to the laser light. The cartridge is mounted in the housing at a side opposite to the opening with respect to a trajectory of the laser light. |
| US09317005B2 |
Image forming apparatus for determining remaining amount of developer in developer container
An image forming apparatus includes a developing unit that contains developer and that is detachable; and a detection member that includes a detected electrode and that moves around a rotation shaft in the developing unit, an electrostatic capacitance sensor electrode that is provided on an outer side of the developing unit, an electrostatic capacitance sensor that detects an electrostatic capacitance between the detected electrode and the electrostatic capacitance sensor electrode and that outputs data related to the detected electrostatic capacitance, and a CPU that determines an amount of the developer in the developing unit based on the data output from the electrostatic capacitance sensor. |
| US09317004B1 |
Handle and positioning stop assembly for a replaceable unit of an electrophotographic image forming device
A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a housing having a photoconductive drum rotatably mounted thereon. The photoconductive drum has a rotational axis. A guide channel on an exterior of the housing extends parallel to the rotational axis of the photoconductive drum and is positioned to guide insertion of the housing into the image forming device. A positioning stop on the housing is movable between a latching position and an unlatching position. In the latching position the positioning stop obstructs at least a portion of the guide channel to limit the travel of the replaceable unit in the image forming device parallel to the rotational axis of the photoconductive drum. A release handle on the housing is operatively connected to the positioning stop to move the positioning stop from the latching position of the positioning stop to the unlatching position of the positioning stop. |
| US09317003B2 |
Toner container and image forming apparatus including thereof
An apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of rotation portions provided each rotatably, in alignment with each other. A lever is provided to integrally swing with one of rotation portions or one of coupling portions that is disposed at one end in alignment direction of rotation portions and coupling portions. An opening/closing mechanism is provided to open and close a toner discharge outlet, which is formed on a housing of a toner container, as the coupling portion, which is disposed at one end in the alignment direction, rotates. An interlocking mechanism, which causes adjacent coupling portions to rotate in conjunction with each other, and an interlocking mechanism, which causes adjacent rotation portions to rotate in conjunction with each other, are disposed alternately on coupling portions side and on rotation portions side, from one end to the other end in the alignment direction. |
| US09317002B2 |
Image forming apparatus including an angle-adjustable operating member
An image forming apparatus includes an operating member operated by an operator to give an instruction on operation; a top exterior member that is formed with a holding recess in which the operating member is arranged; a first mounting part provided on the holding recess, on which the operating member is mounted in a first posture in which the operating member is inclined by a first inclination angle with respect to the top exterior member; and a second mounting part provided in the holding recess, on which the operating member is mounted in a second posture in which the operating member is inclined by a second inclination angle different from the first inclination angle with respect to the top exterior member. The operating member is configured to be selectively mounted either on the first mounting part or on the second mounting part with use of a mounting member. |
| US09317000B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming cartridge supporter, and image forming unit
An image forming apparatus has a body frame and a slide frame. The slide frame is configured to be pulled out from the body frame along a sliding direction. A plurality of image forming cartridges is detachably mounted on the slide frame. A plurality of electrode members is mounted on the slide frame and aligned along the sliding direction so as to correspond to the image forming cartridges. A body-side contact portion of each of the electrode members is electrically connected to the body frame. A cartridge-side contact portion of the electrode member is electrically connected to the image forming cartridge. The image forming cartridge is connected to the body via the corresponding electrode member when the slide frame mounting the image forming cartridges is inserted to the body frame. |
| US09316997B2 |
Image forming apparatus that selectively recycles developer
An image forming apparatus that includes an image bearer, a developing device to develop a latent image, a transfer device to transfer a developed image from the image bearer, a developer collecting device to collect developer remaining on the image bearer, and a waste-developer container to contain developer to be disposed. The apparatus also includes a switching determiner to perform a determination of a preferred transfer amount of developer in a target period, an estimation of an accumulative consumption of developer in the target period, a determination of whether to dispose or reuse collected developer, and a determination of whether to perform switching between disposal and reuse of the collected developer based on comparison between the preferred transfer amount and the estimated accumulative consumption of developer. The apparatus also includes a switching controller to cause the developer collecting device to perform the switching between disposal and reuse. |
| US09316995B2 |
Low profile light scanning device and image forming apparatus therewith
A light scanning device includes a housing, a plurality of permeable members, a plurality of cleaning members, a plurality of cleaning holders, a linear member, and a driving unit. The plurality of permeable members close the respective plurality of the emission ports. The plurality of cleaning holders extend over the plurality of the permeable members adjacent to one another. The plurality of the cleaning holders each have a holding unit that holds at least the two cleaning members. The linear member is connected to the plurality of the cleaning holders. The driving unit causes the linear member to run circularly. The cleaning members each slide on the corresponding permeable member in association with the linear member running circularly. The cleaning holders each connected to the linear member at a center of the holding unit in an extending direction of the holding unit. |
| US09316993B2 |
Electrophotographic patterning of an image definition material
A method is disclosed in the context of a system comprises an electrophotographic subsystem, a transfer subsystem, an imaging member, and an inking subsystem. The electrophotographic subsystem comprises a photoreceptor, a charging subsystem, an exposure subsystem, and a development subsystem. In operation, the photoreceptor is charged areawise. An exposure pattern is formed by the exposure subsystem on the surface of the charged photoreceptor to thereby write a latent charge image onto the photoreceptor surface. The image is developed with an image defining material, such as a dampening fluid. The image defining material forms a negative pattern of the image to be printed. This negative image is then transferred to the reimageable surface. The negative image is then developed with ink. The inked image may be transferred to a substrate. |
| US09316992B2 |
Light scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus
A light scanning apparatus including: an optical box configured to hold a light source and contain a deflecting device configured to deflect a light beam to scan the photosensitive member; and an electric wire bundle electrically connected to the deflecting device, the electric wire bundle being laid in a space between an outer wall and an inner wall of the box, wherein the electric wire bundle extends over the inner wall from the inside of the inner wall, is laid in the space, and extends over the outer wall from the space to the outside of the box, and a portion at which the bundle extends over the outer wall is provided closer to an opening portion of an image forming apparatus than a portion at which the bundle extends over the inner wall when the light scanning apparatus is mounted to a mounting portion of the image forming apparatus. |
| US09316991B2 |
Developer cartridge
A developer cartridge includes a case, a developer carrying member, a developer supplying member, a cap, an electrode, and a fixing member. The case has a first side wall formed with a toner fill-hole and a second side wall facing the first side wall in a particular direction. The cap is configured to seal the toner fill-hole. The electrode is configured to supply a bias voltage to at least one of the developer carrying member and the developer supplying member. The fixing member is configured to fix the electrode to the cap such that the electrode is disposed in superposed relation to the cap in the particular direction. |
| US09316982B2 |
Fixing device, image forming apparatus
A fixing device is provided with a magnetic flux generating unit, first and second rotary bodies, a fixing belt, a temperature sensing portion, a stopped time measuring portion, an abnormality determination portion, and a heating delay portion. The fixing belt extends between the first and second rotary bodies, and is heated by the first rotary body. The temperature sensing portion is disposed downstream of the first rotary body and senses the temperature of the fixing belt. The stopped time measuring portion measures a time period after heating has been stopped before an instruction to start heating is inputted. The abnormality determination portion determines any abnormality in the fixing belt based on a change in temperature after heating has started. When a stopped time is shorter than a pre-configured time period, the heating delay portion delays the start time via magnetic flux based on the instruction to start heating. |
| US09316980B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image formation method that paper does not stop in registration roller position
Provided is an image forming apparatus made to shorten time of a first copy (first page copy of a manuscript.) In the image forming apparatus, primary feeding (feeding from a sheet paper cassette to a resist position roller) and secondary feeding (feeding from a resist position roller) are performed continuously. When a first copy is performed, based on warm-up information, print engine, such as a feed roller, a transfer part, a fixing part, and an ejection roller, is set up. Paper will be fed when the setup is completed. The setup of print engine that performs operation required for printing is performed before feeding by using the warm-up information. Therefore, the time of the first copy is shortened. |
| US09316979B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a first roller contacting a fixing belt to generate a rotation friction force therebetween to rotate the fixing belt and a second roller contacting the fixing belt to exert a first inhibition force to the fixing belt in a direction opposite a direction of rotation of the fixing belt. A separation aid is disposed downstream from a fixing nip formed between the fixing belt and a pressure rotator in the direction of rotation of the fixing belt to decrease a curvature of the fixing belt and exert a second inhibition force to the fixing belt in the direction opposite the direction of rotation of the fixing belt. The second inhibition force is added to the first inhibition force to obtain a combined inhibition force that is smaller than the rotation friction force between the fixing belt and the first roller. |
| US09316977B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes an exciting coil to generate a magnetic flux and a heat generation layer disposed opposite the exciting coil to generate heat by the magnetic flux from the exciting coil. A temperature sensitive magnetic body, disposed opposite the exciting coil via the heat generation layer, obtains and loses 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 made of a non-magnetic material having an electrical resistivity smaller than an electrical resistivity of the temperature sensitive magnetic body. The degausser is disposed opposite the exciting coil with an interval in a range of from about 4.2 mm to about 8.2 mm. |
| US09316974B2 |
Fixing device having thermally-conductive member connected to thermo-electric conversion element, image forming device, and induction heating device
A fixing device thermally fixes an unfixed image onto a sheet through heat of a heating body that is heated through electromagnetic induction, the fixing device including an excitation coil generating flux for heating the heating body; one or more core members disposed opposite the heating body with respect to the excitation coil; a thermo-electric conversion element disposed farther from the excitation coil than the core members; and a thermally conductive member connected to the excitation coil and to a heat-absorbing face of the thermo-electric conversion element, transferring heat from the excitation coil to the thermo-electric conversion element. |
| US09316972B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body rotatable in a given direction of rotation and a pressing rotary body pressed against the fixing rotary body to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A heater is disposed inside the fixing rotary body to heat the fixing rotary body. A reflector, disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotary body via the heater, reflects light emitted from the heater onto the fixing rotary body. The reflector includes a movable portion movable relative to the heater to direct the light emitted from the heater onto a variable heating span of the fixing rotary body spanning in an axial direction thereof. The variable heating span varies depending on a width of the recording medium in the axial direction of the fixing rotary body. |
| US09316971B2 |
Image forming method for forming toner image on recording medium
A method for forming a toner image on a recording medium includes receiving a job, rotating a pressing rotary body in a predetermined direction of rotation, rotating a flexible endless belt disposed opposite the pressing rotary body to form a nip therebetween, turning on a belt heater disposed opposite to an inner circumferential surface of the flexible endless belt, conveying the recording medium bearing the toner image through the nip, turning off the belt heater for a predetermined first time period after the recording medium is discharged from the nip while the flexible endless belt and the pressing rotary body rotate, stopping the flexible endless belt and the pressing rotary body, turning on the belt heater when a predetermined second time period elapses after stopping the flexible endless belt and the pressing rotary body, and turning off the belt heater. |
| US09316970B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for controlling power supply to heater of fixing unit based on resistance value of heater
An image forming apparatus for heating and fixing a toner image formed on a recording medium, includes: a feeding unit configured to respectively set recording media of different sizes; a plurality of heating units with heat generation parts, which generate heat by receiving a supply of power, each heat generation part being at a different position on the respective heating unit; a control unit configured to individually control the supply of power or a power interruption to the plurality of heating units in accordance with the size of the recording medium set in the feeding unit; and a detection unit configured to detect the current value of the heating unit to which power is supplied. |
| US09316969B2 |
Fuser control device and image forming apparatus
A fuser control device includes a heat application part for heat supply, a fuser part that has a passage region where a print medium passes through and a not-passage region that is located at both sides of the passage region where the print medium does not pass through, and a first temperature detection part that detects a first temperature of the passage region, a second temperature detection part that detects a second temperature of the not-passage region, and a heat application controller that changes a target temperature according to the first detection temperature and the second detection temperature, and performs the heat generation such that a temperature of the fuser part approaches the target temperature. |
| US09316968B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a heater disposed opposite and heating the fixing rotary body. A heat shield is movable in a circumferential direction of the fixing rotary body and interposed between the heater and the fixing rotary body to shield the fixing rotary body from the heater. A driver is connected to the heat shield to drive and move the heat shield within a circumferential moving span in the circumferential direction of the fixing rotary body. An abnormal temperature detector detects an abnormal temperature of the fixing rotary body that is not lower than a predetermined temperature. The abnormal temperature detector is disposed opposite a circumferential outboard span outboard from the circumferential moving span of the heat shield in the circumferential direction of the fixing rotary body. |
| US09316967B2 |
Image forming apparatus with pressure contact separation section to separate fixing side member and backside supporting member from each other
An image forming apparatus includes: a sheet conveyance section; an image forming section; a fixing section; a driving section configured to rotate a back side supporting member; a pressure contact separation section; and a cooling section configured to cool down the back side supporting member. The sheet feeding path has a configuration in which a long sheet makes contact with the back side supporting member when the fixing side member and the back side supporting member are separated from each other. During cooling-down or warming-up of the fixing section, the pressure contact separation section separates the fixing side member and the back side supporting member from each other, the cooling section cools down the back side supporting member, and the driving section rotates the back side supporting member. |
| US09316963B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing member, at least one reflective optical sensor, a heat shielding member, and a processor. The fixing member fixes an image on a recording medium moving in a first axis direction. At least one reflective optical sensor emits light toward the fixing member and receives light reflected by the fixing member. The heat shielding member is arranged between the fixing member and the at least one reflective optical sensor, has a light passing part through which light directed to the fixing member from the at least one reflective optical sensor and light reflected by the fixing member and directed to the at least one reflective optical sensor passes, and prevents heat transfer from the fixing member to the at least one reflective optical sensor. The processor is configured to obtain a surface state of the fixing member on the basis of an output signal from the at least one reflective optical sensor. |
| US09316961B2 |
Image forming apparatus that uses a common motor for driving a plurality of gear mechanisms
An image forming apparatus includes a driving source, a supply roller which supplies a recording sheet, a fixing device, a fixing driving gear mechanism which transmits a driving force of the driving source to the fixing device, a supply driving gear mechanism which transmits the driving force to the supply roller, and a control device. The control device controls the driving source to rotate in one direction when a temperature of the fixing device exceeds a predetermined temperature, and to rotate in a reverse direction when the temperature is the predetermined temperature or lower. The fixing driving gear mechanism includes a mechanism which interrupts a transmission of the driving force when rotating in the reverse direction. The supply driving gear mechanism includes a mechanism which causes a rotating direction of the supply roller to be the same when the driving source rotates in both directions. |
| US09316959B2 |
Fixing device
A fixing device includes: a fusing member; a heater; a nip member; a reflection member; a stay; and a backup member. The fusing member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space and is circularly movable. The inner peripheral surface is in sliding contact with the nip member. The reflection member reflects a radiant heat from the heater toward the nip member. The reflection member includes a reflection portion and an extending portion. The stay covers the reflection portion and supports the nip member. The extending portion extends outside of the stay. The backup member provides a nip region in cooperation with the nip member upon nipping the tubular flexible fusing member between the backup member and the nip member. The extending portion extends between the nip member and the stay. The extending portion is positioned exclusively downstream of the reflection portion in a sheet feeding direction. |
| US09316951B1 |
Magnetic roll having a smoothed release pole for a dual component development electrophotographic image forming device
A magnetic roll for transporting a dual component developer mix according to one embodiment includes a core having at least one permanent magnet that has a plurality of circumferentially spaced magnetic poles generating a magnetic field. A cylindrical sleeve is positioned around the core. The sleeve is rotatable relative to the core about a rotational axis in an operative rotational direction. At portions of the magnetic roll positioned axially inward from axial ends of the core, a magnitude of a total magnetic field strength of the magnetic field decreases by 1.5 mT/degree or less in the operative rotational direction at a radius of 0.5 mm beyond an outer circumferential surface of the sleeve throughout an area of ±15 degrees from an angular position of the magnetic roll at which a tangential component of the magnetic field is equal to zero at a release pole of the plurality of magnetic poles. |
| US09316950B2 |
Development device, process cartridge, image forming apparatus incorporating same, and developer amount adjustment method therefor
A development device is operable in multiple different speed modes and includes a developer bearer to carry developer, a developer regulator to adjust an amount of developer carried on the developer bearer, and multiple developer conveyance members disposed facing the developer bearer to transport developer in a longitudinal direction to circulate developer inside the development device. The multiple developer conveyance members including a first developer conveyance member to supply developer to the developer bearer and a second developer conveyance member to transport developer collected from the developer bearer. The development device executes developer amount balance adjustment in which a driving velocity of at least the multiple developer conveyance members is increased from a driving velocity in a lower-speed mode for a predetermined period after image development in the lower speed mode is completed and before image development in a higher speed mode is started. |
| US09316943B1 |
Supply device, developing device, and image forming apparatus
A supply device for a liquid developer includes plural supply members, and a control section, wherein each of the supply member has a cylindrical shape with recesses disposed on an outer peripheral surface, faces a developing member developing while rotating, draws up the liquid developer accommodated in an accommodation section while rotating, supplies the liquid developer to the outer peripheral surface of the developing member, and is arranged along a rotation direction of the developing member, and wherein the control section controls a rotation starting time for the plural supply members so that a position of a peak of a thickness of the liquid developer supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the developing member by a first supply member is different from a position of a peak of a thickness of the liquid developer supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the developing member by a second supply member. |
| US09316942B2 |
Reflection detection apparatus and apparatus using the same
The reflection detection apparatus includes multiple light-receiving elements configured to detect a pattern formed on an object by receiving a reflected light from the object, and a selector configured to select a first light-receiving element group from the multiple light-receiving elements. The selector is configured to select the first light-receiving element group that includes one or more light-receiving elements each mainly receiving a specularly reflected light from an area of the object where no pattern is formed among the multiple light-receiving elements, on a basis of outputs from the multiple light-receiving elements. The detection of the pattern is made on a basis of an output from the first light-receiving element group. |
| US09316938B2 |
Toner and developer
A toner including a non-crystalline polyester resin and a crystalline polyester resin, wherein a tetrahydrofuran soluble component of the non-crystalline polyester resin has a weight-average molecular weight of 3,000 to 8,000 measured by gel permeation chromatography, and wherein the toner has a glass transition temperature A before an extraction process of the toner with methanol and a glass transition temperature B after the extraction process of the toner with methanol, and a difference between A and B (B−A) is 2.0° C. or less. |
| US09316937B2 |
Toner for electrostatic image development
Provided is a toner for electrostatic image development that has good low-temperature fixability, also has long-term heat-resistant storage stability and can form an image with unevenness in gloss suppressed. The toner for electrostatic image development includes toner particles. The toner particles have a domain-matrix structure in which a first domain phase including a crystalline polyester resin A and a second domain phase including a crystalline polyester resin B are dispersed in a matrix phase including a vinyl resin. The average diameter of the first domain phase is 400 to 900 nm, and the average diameter of the second domain phase is 10 to 200 nm. The melting point of the crystalline polyester resin A and the melting point of the crystalline polyester resin B are each 95° C. or lower. |
| US09316936B2 |
Colored toners
The disclosure describes a pigment of certain surface area for use in toner. |
| US09316935B2 |
Toner for electrostatic latent image development, electrostatic latent image developer, toner cartridge, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A toner for electrostatic latent image development is disclosed. The toner for electrostatic latent image development includes toner particles, the toner particles includes a binder resin and a release agent, and the toner has a linear thermal expansion coefficient in accordance with JIS K 7197-1991 of from about 6×10−5/C.° to about 1×10−3/C.°. An electrostatic latent image developer, a toner cartridge, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus are also disclosed. |
| US09316933B2 |
Electrophotographic photoreceptor and image forming apparatus including the same
An electrophotographic photoreceptor having a photosensitive layer formed on a conductive substrate, wherein the photosensitive layer contains oxygen-containing fluorinated fine particles in a surface layer thereof, and the oxygen-containing fluorinated fine particles have an oxygen composition ratio of 0.9 to 3.0% by atom based on the whole composition of the fine particles according to an X-ray fluorescence composition analysis. |
| US09316927B2 |
Substrate holder, lithographic apparatus, device manufacturing method, and method of manufacturing a substrate holder
A substrate holder for a lithographic apparatus has a planarization layer provided on a surface thereof. The planarization layer provides a smooth surface for the formation of a thin film stack forming an electronic component. The planarization layer is of substantially uniform thickness and/or its outer surface has a peak to valley distance of less than 10 μm. The planarization layer may be formed by applying two solutions of different concentration. A surface treatment may be applied to the burls to repel a solution of the planarization layer material. |
| US09316925B2 |
Methods for monitoring source symmetry of photolithography systems
A method for monitoring the source symmetry of a photolithography system is provided. The method includes providing a first reticle; and providing a second reticle. The method also includes forming first bottom overlay alignment marks on a first wafer using the first reticle; and forming first top overlay alignment marks on the first bottom overlay alignment marks using the second reticle. Further, the method includes forming second bottom overlay alignment marks on a second wafer using the first reticle; and forming second top overlay alignment marks on the second bottom overlay alignment marks using the second reticle. Further, the method also include measuring a first overlay shift; measuring a second overlay shift; and obtaining an overlay shift caused by the source asymmetry based on the first overlay shift and the second overlay shift. |
| US09316924B2 |
Lithographic apparatus, excimer laser and device manufacturing method
A CD-pitch dependency for a lithographic pattern printing process is related to the spectral intensity distribution of radiation used for projecting the pattern. A CD-pitch dependency can vary from one system to another. This can result in an iso-dense bias mismatch between systems. The invention addresses this problem by providing a lithographic apparatus including an illumination system for providing a projection beam of radiation, a projection system for projecting a patterned beam onto a target portion of a substrate, and a substrate table for holding the substrate, with a controller to provide an adjustment of the spectral distribution of radiant intensity of the projection beam. The adjustment of the spectral intensity distribution is based on data relating to an iso dense bias, and comprises a broadening of the spectral bandwidth or a change of shape of the spectral intensity distribution. |
| US09316922B2 |
Lithography projection objective, and a method for correcting image defects of the same
A lithography projection objective for imaging a pattern in an object plane onto a substrate in an image plane. The projection objective comprises a multiplicity of optical elements along an optical axis. The optical elements comprise a first group of optical elements following the object plane, and a last optical element, following the first group and next to the image plane. The projection objective is tunable or tuned with respect to aberrations for the case that the volume between the last optical element and the image plane is filled by an immersion medium with a refractive index substantially greater than 1. The position of the last optical element is adjustable in the direction of the optical axis. A positioning device is provided that positions at least the last optical element during immersion operation such that aberrations induced by disturbance are at least partially compensated. |
| US09316921B2 |
Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and method for producing device
An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by irradiating exposure light on the substrate through liquid. The exposure apparatus has a substrate holder for holding the substrate, a substrate stage capable of moving the substrate held by the substrate holder, and a temperature adjusting system for adjusting the temperature of the substrate holder. The temperature of the substrate is controlled so that there is no difference in temperature between the substrate and the liquid, thereby preventing a reduction in exposure accuracy resulting from variation in temperature of the liquid. |
| US09316920B2 |
Illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus with a birefringent element
The disclosure concerns an illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus. The illumination system includes a mirror arrangement which has a plurality of mirror units and at least one element arranged in front of the mirror arrangement in the light propagation direction to produce at least two different states of polarization incident on different mirror units. The mirror units are displaceable independently of each other for altering an angle distribution of the light reflected by the mirror arrangement. |
| US09316917B2 |
Measuring method, stage apparatus, and exposure apparatus
An exposure apparatus can mitigate the impact of fluctuations in the refractive index of ambient gas, and improve, for example, stage positioning accuracy. An exposure apparatus radiates an exposure illumination light to a wafer on a wafer stage through a projection optical system, and forms a prescribed pattern on the wafer, and comprises: a scale, which is provided to the wafer stage; a plurality of X heads, which detect information related to the position of the scale; a measurement frame that integrally supports the plurality of X heads and has a coefficient of linear thermal expansion that is smaller than that of the main body of the wafer stage (portions excepting a plate wherein the scale is formed); and a control apparatus that derives information related to the displacement of the wafer stage based on the detection results of the plurality of X heads. |
| US09316912B2 |
Positive type resist composition for use in liquid immersion exposure and a method of forming the pattern using the same
A positive type resist composition for use in liquid immersion exposure comprises: (A) a resin having a monocyclic or polycyclic cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon structure, the resin increasing its solubility in an alkali developer by an action of acid; (B) a compound generating acid upon irradiation with one of an actinic ray and a radiation; (C) an alkali soluble compound having an alkyl group of 5 or more carbon atoms; and (D) a solvent. |
| US09316904B2 |
Imprint method, and imprint apparatus for implementing the same
An imprint method includes, in the peeling step of peeling a mold off the material layer to be transferred, a region-of-contact recognition operation of recognizing and determining a region of contact of the mold with the material layer to be transferred, a center-of-gravity locating operation of determining a center of gravity of a morphology of the thus recognized region of contact on the basis of that morphology, and a peeling operation of determining a point of force for applying peeling force to the mold or the imprinting substrate in relation to the center of gravity determined by the center-of-gravity locating operation, thereby acting the peeling force on the point of force. |
| US09316894B2 |
Projecting apparatus
A projecting apparatus includes a chassis, an optical engine, a first fan set and a second fan set. The first fan set is disposed in the chassis and located at a first air outlet, and is configured to drive air to flow via a first air inlet into the chassis to form a first air flow. The first air flow flows out of the chassis via the first air outlet. The second fan set is disposed in the chassis and located at a second air outlet, and is configured to drive air to flow via the first air inlet into the chassis to form a second air flow. The second air flow flows out of the chassis via the second air outlet. A flow direction of the first air flow at the first air outlet is perpendicular to that of the second air flow at the second air outlet. |
| US09316893B2 |
Projection display apparatus
A projection display apparatus includes: a substantially box-shaped enclosure having a bottom surface portion, the bottom surface portion having an ventilation groove and an air inlet formed through a wall of the ventilation groove; an air sucking fan provided in the enclosure and forming an air flow flowing through the air inlet into the enclosure, and a filter through which the air flowing through the air inlet into the enclosure passes. |
| US09316892B2 |
Projection device
A projection device includes a first and a second tilting mirror matrix, each including a plurality of tilting mirrors. A cover glass covers the tilting mirrors. An imaging lens system includes a relay lens system which images the tilting mirrors of the first tilting mirror matrix onto the tilting mirrors of the second tilting mirror matrix. Thus light reflected by the tilting mirrors of the first tilting mirror matrix onto tilting mirrors of the second tilting mirror matrix, and a projection lens system, which projects light reflected by tilting mirrors of the second tilting mirror matrix, in order to produce an image, is provided. The imaging lens system further includes a correction element which corrects at least one image error caused by the light obliquely passing through the cover glasses. |
| US09316890B2 |
Projector positioning
A method and apparatus is provided for identifying information to facilitate adjusting a projector's position to achieve a specified projected image on a projection surface. In an embodiment, a computing device comprising one or more sensors, which have a known spatial relationship with a projector, includes a position adjustment service configured to identify, based at least in part on the known spatial relationship between the one or more sensors and the projector, a current position of the projector relative to positions of a plurality of reference points that define a projection surface. The position adjustment service is further configured to determine a target position for the projector, determine differences between the current position of the projector and the target position for the projector, and perform one or more actions based upon the determined differences between the current position of the projector and the target position for the projector. |
| US09316887B2 |
Optical modulator and optical transmitter
An optical modulator includes a package that accommodates therein a first substrate and a second substrate different from the first substrate, and outside the package, a flexible circuit board. The first substrate has plural optical modulating units disposed thereon in parallel and each including a Mach-Zehnder optical waveguide. Plural first signal line paths corresponding to the optical modulating units are disposed on the second substrate. Plural second signal line paths corresponding to the optical modulating units are disposed on the flexible circuit board. Electrical lengths of the second signal line paths are different from one another. Electrical lengths of signal paths that span from input ends of the second signal line paths corresponding to the optical modulating units to base points on signal electrodes, via the first signal line paths, are equal to one another. |
| US09316884B2 |
Device and system for reflective digital light processing (DLP)
Aspects of the present invention include systems for reflective digital light processing (DLP). Embodiments include a light source, a plurality of optically reflective switching devices each having an optically reflective layer in contact with a substrate; a circuit means and power source; controller logic; a projection means; and a display means; wherein each of said plurality of devices is a capable of receiving light from said light source and thereafter reflecting said received light in direct response to a reflective state condition of said each device. |
| US09316881B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
It is an object of the present invention to apply a sufficient electrical field to a liquid crystal material in a horizontal electrical field liquid crystal display device typified by an FFS type. In a horizontal electrical field liquid crystal display, an electrical field is applied to a liquid crystal material right above a common electrode and a pixel electrode using plural pairs of electrodes rather than one pair of electrodes. |
| US09316872B2 |
Liquid crystal display device that expands the transmissive area
An array substrate includes a semiconductor layer, a first insulating film covering the semiconductor layer, a gate line extending in a first direction on the first insulating film, a second insulating film covering the gate line, a source line extending in a second direction orthogonally crossing the first direction on the second insulating film. A contact portion is formed on the second insulating film. The contact portion contacts with the semiconductor layer. A third insulating film covers the source line and exposing the contact portion and the second insulating film in a circumference of the contact portion. |
| US09316871B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method for fabricating the same
The invention provides a liquid crystal display, including: a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a first flat electrode formed thereon; a first alignment layer formed on the first flat electrode; a second substrate disposed oppositely to the first substrate, wherein the second substrate includes a gate line, a data line and a second flat electrode, wherein the gate line intersects with the data line to define a pixel region, the pixel region includes at least one sub-pixel electrode region, and an area of the second flat electrode is smaller than that of the first flat electrode; a second alignment layer formed on the second flat electrode; and a liquid crystal layer formed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the liquid crystal layer has chirality, wherein the sub-pixel electrode region has a multidomain pretilt angle. |
| US09316868B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and method for fabricating the same
A liquid crystal display panel and a method for fabricating the same are disclosed. The liquid crystal panel comprises a first substrate (1), a second substrate (2) and a liquid crystal layer (3) sandwiched between the first substrate (1) and the second substrate (1), wherein protrusions (4) are respectively disposed on a side of the first substrate (1) adjacent to the liquid crystal layer (3) and a side of the second substrate (2) adjacent to the liquid crystal layer (3). |
| US09316863B2 |
Display system with distributed LED backlight
A display system with a distributed LED backlight includes: providing a plurality of tile LED light sources, each tile LED light source having a tile and a plurality of similar LED light sources on each tile connected for emitting light therefrom; orienting the plurality of tile LED light sources for illuminating a display from the back of the display; and integrating the plurality of tile LED light sources into a thermally and mechanically structurally integrated distributed LED tile matrix backlight light source. |
| US09316856B2 |
Method of driving touch sensing display panel and display apparatus for performing the same
In a method of driving touch sensing display panel and a display apparatus for performing the method, image data are outputted to the touch sensing display panel during an active period of a frame, the touch sensing display panel comprising a display substrate including a switching element connected to a data line extending in a column direction and a gate line extending in a row direction, and a touch sensing substrate including a light sensing part connected to a read-out line substantially parallel to the data line and a scan line substantially parallel to the gate line. A sensing signal is read out through the read-out line during a blanking period of the frame. |
| US09316852B2 |
Lens with diffusion structure and backlight module incorporating the same
A lens for an LED backlight module includes a main lens body and a diffusion structure consisting of a plurality of micro lenses. The main lens body includes a light incident face for receiving light from an LED light source and a light exit face opposite to the light incident face thereof. Light leaves the lens from the light exit face. The micro lenses of the diffusion structure are formed on the light exit face of the main lens body. Each micro lens is annular and has a generally triangular cross section. Each micro lens includes a first light scattering surface and a second light scattering surface intersecting with the first light scattering surface. The micro lenses are arranged in a series of concentric circles with regard to a center of the lens. A backlight module source incorporating the lens and the LED light source is also provided. |
| US09316848B2 |
Ophthalmic devices with stabilization features
The present invention, as described above and as further defined by the claims below, provides methods for creating an Ophthalmic Lens with Stabilizing Features and a Rigid Insert, where the Stabilizing Features may orient the Ophthalmic Lens when placed on an eye. In some embodiment, the Stabilizing Features may be included as a unique Reactive Monomer Mixture with separate properties than the encapsulating RMM. Other embodiments may include Stabilizing Features comprising separate insert pieces. In alternate embodiments, the Rigid Insert may include the Stabilizing Features, such as, for example, through thermoforming techniques. |
| US09316846B2 |
Systems and methods to provide high brightness diode laser outputs
A high brightness, high power laser output is produced using a technique of splitting the outputs of multiple laser diode sources into two polarization states, wavelength combining the first polarization state from the multiple laser diodes, separately wavelength combining the second polarization state from the multiple laser diodes, and recombining the two polarized wavelength combined beams using a polarization combiner. |
| US09316845B2 |
Illumination unit and display unit
There are provided an illumination unit capable of reducing formation of a double image in three-dimensional display and a display unit including the same. An illumination optical system configured to generate linear illumination light formed by two-dimensionally arranging a plurality of linear illumination light beams or a plurality of point-like illumination light beams, and a reflective plate configured to reflect the linear illumination light are included. The reflective plate reflects the linear illumination light to or close to a plane passing through a part that generates the linear illumination light and being perpendicular to a plane including the reflective plate. |
| US09316842B2 |
Slit grating and display device
There are provided a slit grating and a display device. The passive slit grating according to embodiments of the invention comprises a plurality of grating structures. Each of the grating structures is symmetric about its axial line in a length direction, and an edge in the length direction for each of the grating structures has a non-linear shape. Among adjacent edges of any two of the grating structures that are adjacent, the position of a protrusion at one edge corresponds to the position of a recess at another edge. |
| US09316840B2 |
Methods and apparatus for reducing plenoptic camera artifacts
Methods and apparatus for reducing plenoptic camera artifacts. A first method is based on careful design of the optical system of the focused plenoptic camera to reduce artifacts that result in differences in depth in the microimages. A second method is computational; a focused plenoptic camera rendering algorithm is provided that corrects for artifacts resulting from differences in depth in the microimages. While both the artifact-reducing focused plenoptic camera design and the artifact-reducing rendering algorithm work by themselves to reduce artifacts, the two approaches may be combined. |
| US09316837B2 |
Display stand
A display stand is provided, the display stand comprising: a frame; a display holder attached to the frame, the display holder configured to hold a display in a substantially downward facing position; and, a mirror holder attached to the frame, the mirror holder located under the display holder, the minor holder configured to hold a mirror in a substantially upward facing position below the display and tilted at an angle thereto. |
| US09316836B2 |
Wearable device with input and output structures
A head-wearable device includes a center support extending in generally lateral directions, a first side arm extending from a first end of the center frame support and a second side arm extending from a second end of the center support. The device further includes an extension arm configured to present information to the user via a display element. The extension arm extends at least partially along the first side arm on a first side of the center support and further extends from the first side arm to a display end that supports the display element in a position on a second side of the center support. The extension arm has a joint therein configured for movement of the display element at least in a direction having a lateral component relative to the center support. |
| US09316834B2 |
Head-mounted display device with foveated pixels
A head-mounted display device having: an image display element displaying a two-dimensional image; an eyepiece magnifying and projecting the image displayed by the image display element; and a holder holding the image display element and the eyepiece, so that the viewer's eyeball sees, through the eyepiece, a magnified virtual image of the image displayed by the image display element. The image display element is a two-dimensional display device having the shape of a matrix, composed of a central portion which is flat, and a left side portion and a right side portion each of which has a sheet-like shape whose cross-section along a horizontal plane is curved toward the eyepiece away from the extension line of the central portion. In the image display element, pixels in the left and right side portions and are greater in size than pixels in the central portion. |
| US09316833B2 |
Optical configurations for head worn computing
Aspects of the present invention relate to optical systems in head worn computing. |
| US09316832B2 |
Collimating optical device and system
There is provided a light-guide, compact collimating optical device, including a light-guide having a light-waves entrance surface, a light-waves exit surface and a plurality of external surfaces, a light-waves reflecting surface carried by the light-guide at one of the external surfaces, two retardation plates carried by light-guides on a portion of the external surfaces, a light-waves polarizing beamsplitter disposed at an angle to one of the light-waves entrance or exit surfaces, and a light-waves collimating component covering a portion of one of the retardation plates. A system including the optical device and a substrate, is also provided. |
| US09316827B2 |
LifeBoard—series of home pages for head mounted displays (HMD) that respond to head tracking
To assist with hands-free computing, the Head Mounted Display or Headset Computer utilizes a series of user configurable Home Pages that contain the shortcuts and widgets the user wants. This allows the user to design a user interface environment which gives him the information he wants, in the order he wants. |
| US09316826B2 |
Grayscale patterns from binary spatial light modulators
Brightness-by-column grayscale and spatial Σ-Δ modulation grayscale allow grayscale patterns to be produced using a binary spatial light modulator as fast as the bright/dark switching speed. |
| US09316823B2 |
Switchable high and low magnification lightweight microscope lens structure
A switchable high and low magnification lightweight microscope lens structure has a first microscope unit, a second microscope unit and a hinge. The first microscope unit has a first microscope lens having a first adhesive piece adhesively attached to an inner side of the first microscope unit with a hole formed through the first adhesive piece. The second microscope unit has a second microscope lens with a magnification higher than that of the first microscope lens having a second adhesive piece adhesively attached to an inner side of the second microscope unit. The hinge has two fixed arms, a pivoting block and a pivoting pin. The fixed arms are formed on and protrude from one edge of the first microscope unit. The pivoting block are formed on and protrudes from one edge of the second microscope unit, and mounted between the fixed arms. |
| US09316822B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging apparatus
There is provided a zoom lens including a first lens group having negative refractive power, a second lens group having positive refractive power, a third lens group having negative refractive power, and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power, the lens groups being arranged in order from an object side to an image side. The second lens group includes a front group having positive refractive power, and a rear group having positive refractive power, the front and rear groups being arranged in order from the object side to the image side. The front group includes a positive lens, a positive lens, a negative lens, and a positive lens, the lenses being arranged in order from the object side to the image side. The rear group includes at least one positive lens. |
| US09316819B2 |
Imaging lens system
This invention provides an imaging lens system, in order from an object side to an image side comprising: a first positive lens element having a convex object-side surface at a paraxial region and a convex image-side surface at the paraxial region; a plastic positive second lens element having a concave object-side surface at the paraxial region, a convex image-side surface at the paraxial region, and both of the object-side and image-side surfaces being aspheric; and a plastic negative third lens element having a concave object-side surface at the paraxial region, a concave at the paraxial region and convex at a peripheral region image-side surface, and both of the object-side and image-side surfaces being aspheric. |
| US09316818B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging apparatus
In a zoom lens in which a first lens group having a negative refractive power and a second lens group having a positive refractive power are disposed in order from the object side and zooming is performed by moving the first and the second lens groups, the first lens group is formed of a first lens having a negative refractive power, a second lens, a third lens having a negative refractive power, and a fourth lens having a positive refractive power. Then, when the focal length of the second lens, the focal length of the entire system at the wide angle end, the focal length of the first lens group, and the focal length of the second lens group are taken as fG12, fw, f1, and f2 respectively, the zoom lens is configured to satisfy conditional expressions give below: 0.00 |
| US09316816B2 |
Image pickup lens
An image pickup lens includes a first lens with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface, a second lens with negative refractive power, a third meniscus lens having a concave image-side surface, a fourth meniscus lens having a convex image-side surface, and a fifth lens with negative refractive power as a double-sided aspheric lens having a concave object-side and image-side surfaces near an optical axis; wherein following conditional expressions (9) and (12) are satisfied; 1.0<|(r3+r4)/(r3−r4)|<1.3 (9) −1.1 |
| US09316814B2 |
Optical imaging lens and electronic device comprising the same
An optical imaging lens set includes a first lens element to a sixth lens element from an object side toward an image side along an optical axis. The first lens element has negative refractive power. The second lens element has an object-side surface with a convex portion in a vicinity of periphery. The third lens element has an object-side surface with a convex portion in a vicinity of periphery. The fifth lens element has an image-side surface with a convex portion in a vicinity of the optical axis. The sixth lens element has an object-side surface with a concave portion in a vicinity of its periphery. |
| US09316813B2 |
Lens module
There is provided a lens module including: a first lens of which both surfaces are convex; a second lens having a meniscus shape concave toward an image; a third lens having a shape convex toward the image; a fourth lens having a meniscus shape convex toward the image; a fifth lens having a meniscus shape concave toward the image; and a stop disposed in front of an object side of the first lens, wherein when SD is a diameter of the stop and f is an overall focal length of the lens module, SD/f<0.45 is satisfied. |
| US09316812B2 |
Mobile device and optical imaging lens thereof
Present embodiments provide for a mobile device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens comprises five lens elements positioned sequentially from an object side to an image side. Through controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces and/or the refracting power of the lens elements, the optical imaging lens shows better optical characteristics and the total length of the optical imaging lens is shortened. |
| US09316811B2 |
Photographing lens assembly, image capturing device and mobile terminal
A photographing lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, and a sixth lens element, which has a total of six non-cemented lens elements with refractive power. The first lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The second lens element with refractive power has an object-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. The third and the fourth lens elements have refractive power. The fifth lens element with negative refractive power has an object-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof and an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. The sixth lens element with refractive power has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. |
| US09316809B2 |
Image capturing lens system, imaging device and mobile terminal
An image capturing lens system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element and a fourth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The second lens element with refractive power has an object-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof and an image-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The third lens element with negative refractive power has an object-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. The fourth lens element with refractive power has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof, wherein an object-side surface and the image-side surface of the fourth lens element are aspheric. The image capturing lens system has a total of four lens elements with refractive power. |
| US09316808B1 |
Optical assembly for a wide field of view point action camera with a low sag aspheric lens element
An optical assembly for a point action camera with a wide field of view has multiple lens elements configured to provide a field of view in excess of 150 degrees. One or more lens elements has an aspheric surface with an approximately 30 microns or less sag and an approximately 25 microns/millimeter or less aspheric sag slope. |
| US09316803B2 |
Efficient fiber usage within pre-terminated fiber devices
A pre-terminated fiber optic connector is provided for coupling electronic components and devices. A multi-fiber optical cable assembly or multi-fiber interconnection module can facilitate optical coupling while maximizing available optical path bandwidth inherent to standard connectors. In an embodiment, a “2×24/24 to 2×20/24+1×8/12” configuration can be employed. |
| US09316802B2 |
Optical fiber cable having reinforcing layer of tape heat-bonded to jacket
An optical fiber cable includes an optical fiber; a sheet of reinforcing tape rolled around a majority of an annular sidewall of the optical fiber; and a jacket surrounding the rolled sheet of reinforcing tape. The sheet has parallel longitudinal edges that are circumferentially spaced from each other to form a longitudinal slit along a length of the sheet of reinforcing tape. The reinforcing tape is formed of a polymeric material having uni-directionally oriented molecules along the length of the sheet. The jacket is heat-bonded to the sheet of reinforcing tape. |
| US09316801B1 |
Communication cables incorporating twisted pair separators
Twisted pair communication cables incorporating twisted pair separators are described. A cable may include at least one twisted pair of insulated conductors extending lengthwise. A dielectric separator may also extend lengthwise within the cable, and a cross-section of the separator may include at least two portions positioned at an angle to one another. The portions of the separator may form one or more cavities in which one or more corresponding conductors of the twisted pair may be positioned or situated. A jacket may then be formed around the twisted pair and the separator. |
| US09316798B2 |
Optical assembly
An optical assembly includes a circuit board including an electrically conductive path formed by printed wiring technology, a photoelectric conversion element connected to the circuit board via the electrically conductive path, a resin member made of light transmissive synthetic resin and attached to the circuit board, and a shielding member made of metal. The resin member includes a sleeve into which a ferrule attached to an end of an optical fiber is inserted and integrally includes a lens through which an optical path passes. The optical path extends between the sleeve and the photoelectric conversion element. The shielding member is connected to the circuit board and arranged to cover the photoelectric conversion element. The shielding member includes a window through which the optical path extends to the photoelectric conversion element. |
| US09316791B2 |
Secure SC optical fiber connector and removal tools
An optical fiber connector plug having an anti-snag guide to prevent the plug from being caught on corners and edges when an attached cable is being pulled around corners and edges during installation and removal of the optical fiber connector plug. The optical fiber connector plug includes a unique arrangement of different width apertures corresponding to a removal tool having corresponding different width prongs to be received by the apertures to release the optical fiber connector plug from a coupling adapter. |
| US09316788B2 |
Laser to chip coupler
A method and an apparatus for butt-coupling an input beam incoming from a photonic device of a second optical element to a primary photonic chip at an input interface of the primary photonic chip is disclosed. The primary photonic chip comprises a coupling apparatus. The light from the input beam is butt-coupled to the coupling apparatus. The coupling apparatus comprises a plurality of more than one single mode optical paths on the primary photonic chip. The single mode optical paths are strongly coupled to each other at the input interface of the primary photonic chip. Regions of strongly coupled single mode optical paths can correspond to one or both of distinct but highly coupled waveguides or waveguides fully merged into a multi-mode section. |
| US09316787B1 |
Continuous evanescent perturbation gratings in a silicon photonic device
A method of fabricating a silicon photonic device and a system including a silicon photonic device are described. The method includes forming a photoresist layer on a silicon layer and patterning a mask formed on the photoresist layer. The patterning defines a primary optical waveguide region, a first evanescent perturbation grating region on a first side of the primary optical waveguide region and a second evanescent perturbation grating region on a second side, opposite the first side, of the primary optical waveguide. The first evanescent perturbation grating region and the second evanescent perturbation grating region are defined as continuous regions along a length of the silicon photonic device. The method also includes etching the photoresist layer and the silicon layer according to a pattern of the patterned mask. |
| US09316783B2 |
Optical devices including assistant layers
A waveguide including a top cladding layer, the top cladding layer including a material having an index of refraction, n1; an assistant layer, the assistant layer positioned adjacent the top cladding layer, the assistant layer including a material having an index of refraction, n2; a core layer, the core layer positioned adjacent the assistant layer, the core layer including a material having an index of refraction, n3; and a bottom cladding layer, the bottom cladding layer positioned adjacent the core layer, the bottom cladding layer including a material having an index of refraction, n4, wherein n1 is less than both n2 and n3, n3 is greater than n1 and n4, and n4 is less than n3 and n2. |
| US09316782B2 |
Coverless linear light source light guide with hooded bracket
A coverless linear light source light guide with hooded bracket for holding a light emitting diode (LED) module to the light guide is disclosed. The hooded bracket is disposed around the light receiving end of the light guide and comprises a hood top, a hood back, two hood sides, and two hood grasps disposed on the hood sides. The hood back comprises the light receiving end of the light guide where light enters the light guide. The hood grasp comprises grasping elements that mate with grasping elements of the LED module to securely hold the LED module to the light guide. The hooded bracket ensures that the distance between the LED module and the light guide and the angle of the LED module and the light guide is constant which maintains optimal alignment and proximity in order to conserve received light intensity and maintain uniformity of emitted light. |
| US09316781B2 |
Linear light source device and planar light source device
A linear light source device comprises a wiring substrate in a rectangular shape and having a wiring pattern formed thereon, a plurality of light emitting elements arranged on the wiring substrate in a longitudinal direction of the wiring substrate and connected with the wiring pattern on the wiring substrate, and a sealing resin that seals the light emitting elements, wherein the linear light source device is to be arranged on a side surface of a light guiding plate to form a planar light source device, and an external connection terminal is arranged on a surface of the wiring substrate that is opposite to a surface of the wiring substrate where the light emitting element are arranged and in a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the wiring substrate, and connected with the wiring pattern. |
| US09316779B1 |
Shaping reflective material for controlling lighting uniformity
In some examples, a lighting apparatus includes a light guiding component having a reflective material disposed on at least one surface. The reflective material may be shaped to have desired light reflecting and/or diffusing properties to provide a more uniform light distribution, such as for lighting an electronic display or other surface. In some cases, the reflective material may be a white tape having a reflective light-diffusing surface. The light reflecting material may be cut or otherwise shaped to provide the desired light reflecting and/or diffusing properties. As one example, the amount of the reflective material located over a central axis of light emitted by a light source may be greater than the amount reflective material located between light sources. This disclosure also describes techniques for assembling electronic devices in a component stack to provide enhanced display lighting uniformity. |
| US09316777B2 |
Backlight assembly and display apparatus having the same
A backlight assembly having a light emitting module and a lower receiving container, the light emitting module including a first light source configured to generate a first light and a quantum dot rail configured to generate a second light from the first light the light emitting module is disposed under a display panel to provide the display panel with the second light, and the lower receiving container is configured to receive the light emitting module and the display panel. |
| US09316774B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having heat radiation sheet
A display device having a heat radiation sheet to prevent temperature rise is provided. The display device includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel; a light emitting diode (LED) substrate on which a plurality of LEDs are mounted; a light guiding plate disposed below the LED substrate and configured to guide light emitted from the LEDs to the LED substrate; and a heat radiation sheet disposed below the light guiding plate and the LED substrate and configured to discharge heat generated from the LEDs. |
| US09316773B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for production of a stretched film
In a stretching zone (Z2) included in a plurality of zones for performing temperature control for heating or cooling of a film, the plurality of zones being arranged in the conveyance direction of the film, the film is stretched in a direction tilted in relation to the width direction of the film. The film is heated by a heating unit (11) having a heating region (H) positioned facing the conveyed film and positioned along a direction intersecting at an intersection angle φ with the conveyance direction in the plane of the film, in at least one zone including the stretching zone (Z2) and positioned further downstream in the conveyance direction from the stretching zone (Z2). At this time the intersection angle φ of the heating region (H) is adjusted in accordance with the orientation direction of the film stretched in the stretching zone (Z2). |
| US09316772B2 |
Producing polarization-modulating optical element for microlithography system
Methods of producing a polarization-modulating element that modulates a polarization state of incident light into a predetermined polarization state, the polarization-modulating element being used with an illumination optical apparatus, include preparing an optical material having optical activity, and providing the optical material with a circumferentially varying thickness profile and a central region that is an aperture having no optical activity. The thickness profile is set so that light in a linearly polarized state having a direction of polarization substantially along a single direction, is transformed into light in an azimuthal polarization state having a direction of polarization substantially along a circumferential direction or into light in a radially polarized state having a direction of polarization substantially along the radial direction. |
| US09316769B2 |
Optical film
An optical film, a reflective polarizing plate and a display device are provided. For example, the optical film may be used in the reflective polarizing plate which may enhance the efficiency of light utilization of a display device such as a liquid crystal display device and improve the brightness. |
| US09316763B2 |
Submarine topography six-dimensional grid mapping method
The present invention discloses a submarine topography six-dimensional grid mapping method, and particularly to a method based on known discrete bathymetric data points. According to the present invention, a submarine topography six-dimensional grid mapping method including X-coordinate, Y-coordinate, water depth, slope, second derivative and measuring time is established, a submarine topography three-dimensional grid on the basis of discrete water depth data and measuring time is formed, and then submarine slope and second derivative of each grid point are calculated and the measuring time is superposed simultaneously, thus forming a submarine topography six-dimensional grid technical method. The present invention comprises a plurality of steps: establishing a submarine topography six-dimensional grid structure and a topography dimension grid, establishing a time dimension grid, establishing a slope dimension grid, and establishing a second derivative dimension grid. The present invention has the advantages of being accurate in mapping data, convenient to operate, wide in application range, little in influence of natural weather and the like in the process of Chinese coastal mapping and marine demarcation. |
| US09316760B2 |
Mobile aircraft inspection system
A system for scanning aircraft for concealed threats is provided. The system comprises a vehicle and a manipulator arm attached with a scanning head that can be maneuvered in multiple directions to completely scan an aircraft from the outside. The system uses transmission based X-ray detection, backscatter based X-ray detection or a combination thereof, in various embodiments. The system also includes gamma-ray and neutron detectors, for detection of nuclear and radioactive materials. |
| US09316758B2 |
Earth surveying for improved drilling applications
Methods and apparatuses for geophysical surveying are disclosed. In one embodiment, a marine vehicle may obtain magnetic measurements in a location around a drilling site. The magnetic measurements may be used to calculate a localized disturbance magnetic field resulting from, for example, solar flares. The localized disturbance magnetic field may be used to calculate a declination value and, thus, a wellbore position with improved accuracy. |
| US09316757B2 |
Removal of fracture-induced anisotropy from converted-wave seismic amplitudes
The present disclosure provides a system and method for inferring one or more physical property parameters of a subsurface media by inverting converted wave data acquired during a seismic survey. Composite seismic traces are generated at a plurality of survey azimuths (step 609). These composite traces are composed such that their amplitudes are free of effects of subsurface anisotropy. At least one of the generated composite seismic traces is then inverted by isotropic inversion to determine a property parameter of the subsurface media (step 623). |
| US09316754B2 |
Seismic acquisition system including a distributed sensor having an optical fiber
A seismic acquisition system includes a distributed optical sensor (having an optical fiber) and an interrogation subsystem configured to generate a light signal to emit into the optical fiber. The interrogation subsystem receives, from the distributed optical sensor, backscattered light responsive to the emitted light signal, wherein the backscattered light is affected by one or both of seismic signals reflected from a subterranean structure and noise. Output data corresponding to the backscattered light is provided to a processing subsystem to determine a characteristic of the subterranean structure. |
| US09316753B2 |
Neutron spectrometer
A neutron spectrometer that is more accurate, faster, and more-portable than conventional spectrometers includes an organic scintillator responsive to neutrons and gammas and an inorganic scintillator that captures neutrons. A processor receives signals representative of scintillations in the organic scintillator and in the inorganic scintillator and discriminates neutron signals from gamma signals. The processor also determines pulse areas for neutron moderating signals and performs unfolding based on the determined pulse areas to produce a neutron energy spectrum and/or dose information. |
| US09316751B2 |
Imaging detector with anti-aliasing filter in the readout electronics and/or photosensor
An imaging apparatus (400) includes a detector array (412) with at least one detector tile (418). The detector tile includes a photosensor array (422) with a two dimensional array of individual photosensitive detector pixels (424) located within a non-photosensitive area (426). The imaging apparatus also includes readout electronics (432) coupled to the photosensor array and including individual readout channel wells (602, 604) corresponding to the individual detector pixels. The imaging apparatus also includes an anti-aliasing filter (800) for a detector pixel that is located in at least one of a region of the photosensor array corresponding to the detector pixel or a region of the readout electronics corresponding to the detector pixel. |
| US09316740B2 |
Method and system for localizing mobile communications terminals
A method of determining a geographic position of a user terminal including a receiver of signals of a global navigation satellite system, the method including the user terminal: performing pseudo-range measurements related to a plurality of signals received from transmitters of the global navigation satellite system; calculating a first estimated position thereof by a weighted least square method; calculating post-fit residuals for the first estimated position; comparing the calculated post-fit residuals to a first threshold and: in case the first threshold is exceeded, calculating a second estimated position using a Monte-Carlo method, otherwise retaining the first estimated position as the geographic position of the mobile communications terminal. |
| US09316738B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a mobile device beyond an area of interest boundary
A mobile wireless system (10) includes a transmitter such as a satellite (18) that broadcasts wireless signals such as boundaries for specific areas to a mobile receiving device (22). Mobile receiving device (22) may include an antenna (26) and a mobile receiving device (28). A locating receiver (50) is used to generate locating signals so that a determination may be made to the location of the mobile receiving device. When the location is outside an area of interest the area of interest may be extended to provide services to the mobile device. |
| US09316734B2 |
Free-hand scanning and imaging
Wideband synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging. A probe transmits a signal through its aperture incident to an object located in a medium of interest remotely from the probe. The probe receives through the aperture a plurality of nonuniformly sampled reflected signals from the object as the probe moves in a measurement plane located a predetermined distance from the object. A processor executes a SAR-based reconstruction algorithm to generate an image. |
| US09316733B2 |
W-band, ultra-wide band (UWB) trajectory detector
An ultra-wideband (UWB) radar imaging system is carried by a mobile platform—such as an aircraft—the UWB radar imaging system including multiple UWB radar sensors; the UWB radar sensors transmitting a high resolution radar signal using an array of power amplifiers and corresponding polarizing antenna arrays to form spatial power combining and beam forming from each UWB radar sensor; and receiving reflections using an array of low noise amplifiers and corresponding antenna arrays to form spatial power combining from the reflections at each. UWB radar sensor; processing the radar sensor data from the UWB radar sensors by an imaging processor for detecting a ballistic projectile; and providing trajectory information of a detected ballistic projectile on a display. Trajectory modeling enables fusing the radar sensor data with optical or thermal imaging data and the trajectory information to display a probable source location of the detected ballistic projectile. |
| US09316732B1 |
Standoff screening apparatus for detection of concealed weapons
A walk-through screening station scans individuals to detect contraband such as a concealed weapon or improvised explosive device (IED) using ultra wideband (UWB) radar sensing and imaging systems employing wafer scale active array antennas. UWB radar and advanced imaging technology enable automated threat recognition and display for monitoring personnel. The station may scan subjects passing close to or within an aperture width of an array of radar transceivers. Direct calibration by use of reflectors positioned at known locations in the image may be used to implement scanning and imaging so close to the array. The scanning station may employ an easy-to-set-up pair of panels that may be readily deployed by security providers wherever access control—such as to a meeting place or transportation boarding—is needed. Imaging and display processing may provide an abstract display—such as a stick figure representation of anatomy—to address privacy issues and concerns. |
| US09316731B2 |
Low-cost tracking system
A method of tracking a second electronic device with respect to a first electronic device is disclosed. The method includes transmitting a first waveform of a first frequency along a first fixed path associated with the first device. A second waveform having a frequency based on the first frequency is wirelessly transmitted from the first device to the second device along a first wireless path. The second waveform is wirelessly transmitted from the second device to the first device along a second wireless path. The first and second waveforms are received at the phase comparator circuit. A first phase relationship of the received first waveform is then compared to a second phase relationship of the received re-transmitted waveform. A coordinate of the second device is determined with respect to a reference coordinate based on the comparing. |
| US09316730B2 |
Monitoring device and monitoring method
A monitoring device includes a memory configured to store first and second background information related to positional information of a fixed object existing in a detection area of a radar device that receives a reflected wave from an object existing at an emission destination of an emitted radar wave and detects position and moving velocity information of the object as detection information of the object; and a processor configured to detect, upon receiving a first specified signal, a temporary fixed object existing in a detection area of the radar device by using the detection information and the first background information stored in the memory, and to detect, upon receiving a second specified signal, a movement object existing in the detection area of the radar device by using the detection information and the second background information stored in the memory. |
| US09316724B2 |
Optoelectronic sensor for the detection of objects
An optoelectronic sensor (10), in particular a laser scanner, for the detection of objects in a monitored zone (20) having a more than one scanning plane is provided which comprises a light transmitter (12) for the transmission of a light beam (16), a drive (28) for generating a rotational movement, a deflection unit (18, 62) rotatable about an axis of rotation (30) by the drive (28) for the periodic deflection of the light beam (16), a light receiver (26) for generating a received signal from the light beam (22) remitted or reflected from the monitored zone (20), and comprising an evaluation unit (46) which is configured for the detection of the objects on the basis of the received signal, wherein the deflection unit (18, 62) can be tilted in order to vary the scanning plane. In this connection the drive (28) tilts the deflection unit (18, 62) at the same time as the rotational movement. |
| US09316722B2 |
Systems and methods for providing ATC overlay protocols
An embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for modulating a signal to include broadcast data, modulating the signal to include an overlay message comprising an address and data for an intended recipient, and transmitting the modulated signal including both the broadcast data and the overlay message including the address and data for the intended recipient. Another embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for modulating a plurality of signal transmissions to include broadcast data, modulating the plurality of signal transmissions with an overlay message wherein the overlay message comprises a respective plurality of data segments, and transmitting the plurality of signal transmissions including both the broadcast data and the overlay message including the respective plurality of data segments. Further embodiments of the present invention set forth additional methods and related systems. |
| US09316716B2 |
Dynamic attitude measurement method of star sensor based on gyro's precise angular correlation
The disclosure discloses a dynamic attitude measurement method of a star sensor based on gyro's precise angular correlation. On the basis that a dynamic compensation is performed on each of the measurement exposure frames of the star sensor and a fixed star matching vector matrix having dynamic error and noise influence is obtained in a prior art, a transform matrix between every two adjacent measurement frames of the star sensor is precisely measured by a unit including three gyros fixedly coupled with the star sensor. The transform matrix correlates the matched vector matrixes of the adjacent measurement frames of the star sensor. Finally, a correlated measurement equation is established with a series of correlated measurement frames, which is corresponding to processing a series of measurement frames as a single measurement frame. |
| US09316715B2 |
Process and system for calibrating a first loop feature value estimation method using a first locally measurable loop characteristic and a first set of parameters
A process for calibrating a first loop feature value estimation method using a first locally measurable loop characteristic and a first set of parameters, includes taking measurements of the first locally measurable loop characteristic for a plurality of loops, and obtaining a reference data set representing reference estimates of the loop feature value. The reference estimates are obtained by performing a calibrated second loop feature value estimation method using a second locally measurable loop characteristic and a second set of parameters. The method further includes determining calibrated parameters so as to minimize a deviation between the reference estimates and estimates obtained by applying the first estimation method to the measurements using the calibrated parameters as the first set of parameters. |
| US09316708B2 |
Patient support apparatus for a medical imaging apparatus and a medical imaging apparatus having the patient support apparatus
A patient support apparatus for a medical imaging apparatus, such as a magnetic resonance apparatus, is proposed. The patient support apparatus has a couch, a lifting unit for vertical movement of the couch, a travel unit, and at least one sensor unit to detect at least one weight variable for determining the weight of a patient. The at least one sensor unit has at least one sensor element, which is disposed on the lifting unit and/or on the travel unit. |
| US09316706B2 |
Minimum magnetic field detection systems and methods in magnetoresistive sensors
Embodiments relate to magnetoresistive sensors suitable for both angle and field strength sensing. A sensor can comprise two magnetoresistive (xMR) sensor components for sensing two different aspects/characteristics of a magnetic field. The first xMR sensor component can be configured for magnetic field angle or rotation sensing, while the second xMR sensor component is configured for magnetic field strength sensing. The second xMR sensor component can be configured for magnetic field strength sensing in two dimensions. In an embodiment, the second xMR sensor can be sensitive to lower magnetic fields, while the first xMR sensor can be sensitive to relatively higher magnetic fields. In an exemplary operation, the second xMR sensor can determine whether the field sensed with respect to angle or rotation by the first xMR sensor component is of sufficient strength to increase the accuracy of the angle or rotation of the field sensed by the first xMR sensor. |
| US09316705B2 |
Vertical hall effect-device
A vertical Hall effect device is provided and includes a Hall effect layer having a first, second, third, and fourth Hall effect region, which are at least partly decoupled from each other. The Hall effect layer has first and second opposite faces and the vertical Hall effect device has a terminal composition comprising a first, second, third and fourth terminal. A low ohmic connecting composition at the first face connects the terminal composition with contacts of the Hall effect regions so that at each Hall effect region the terminal composition is connected to a same first number of at least two contacts being connected to the respective Hall effect region at the first face. The second and third terminals selectively output an electrical signal responsive to a magnetic field, and the first and fourth terminals selectively output the electrical signal responsive to the magnetic field. |
| US09316704B2 |
Magnetic sensor and forming method
The present disclosure relates to a MEMS device with a magnetic film disposed on a first substrate, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, the magnetic film is disposed on a planar front surface of the first substrate such that depositing and patterning processes of the magnetic film is improved. A sensing gap of a MEMS device associated with the magnetic film is located between the magnetic film and a recessed lateral surface of a second substrate. The second substrate is bonded to the first substrate at front surfaces of the first and second substrate. Forming the magnetic film on the planar front allows for patterning of the magnetic film without leaving unwanted residues of magnetic material. Without the unwanted residue of magnetic material, less contamination from the magnetic material is introduced after dry etching and passivation processes, improving yield and reliability of the MEMS device. |
| US09316701B1 |
Real-time small-signal stability assessment of power electronic-based components in contemporary power systems
A novel method for real-time small-signal stability analysis for power electronic-based components in a power system. The method is based on impedance measurement techniques and Generalized Nyquist Criterion. The method is capable of real-time application. The method may be used to monitor a system in real-time by perturbing the system persistently and utilizing the system's responses to calculate source/load impedance in time-domain and based on d-q impedance measurement theory. Time-domain results may be transferred to frequency-domain results by taking advantage of a fast Fourier transform algorithm (or optionally discrete Fourier transformer for discrete systems) and monitoring the system's stability by obtaining a Nyquist contour and employing Generalized Nyquist Criterion or unit circle criterion. |
| US09316700B2 |
Medical infusion pump with power source voltage logging and method for logging a power source voltage in a medical infusion pump
A medical infusion pump and a method for logging a power source voltage of a medical infusion pump are disclosed. The medical pump may include a power source, a processor, and a voltage supervisor which responds if a voltage (VDD) drops to a response voltage level which is above a reset voltage level of the processor. When the voltage supervisor responds, the processor start logging the voltage (Vbat) of the power source in a memory, thus generating a voltage log. The memory maintains the logged data when the power supply by the power source is interrupted, thus enabling retrospective analysis of the voltage log. |
| US09316698B2 |
Electrical device power management
An electrical device includes a memory storing a value indicative the remaining available rated capacity of one or more batteries. The stored value is changed in use to reflect reducing capacity. The initial stored value is chosen so that there is a very high (e.g. >99.9%) confidence that the one or more batteries will provide at least the capacity indicated by the initial stored value. This reduces the chance of failure during emergency procedures. The one or more batteries may be integral to the electrical device. An override facility is provided. |
| US09316697B2 |
Management system and estimating method for battery parameter
The present invention relates to a battery parameter management system and a battery parameter estimation method which are capable of simply estimating parameters of elements forming a battery equivalent model having a simple structure. The battery parameter system includes an amperemeter, a voltmeter, a control switch unit, and a processor, and the battery parameter estimation method includes supplying a pulse current, estimating resistance of an internal resistor, estimating capacitance of an internal capacitor, and estimating parameters of dynamic elements. |
| US09316694B2 |
Battery monitoring system with time-based diagnostic activation
A battery is provided that includes a battery monitoring system integrated within the battery. The battery monitoring system includes a diagnostic system configured to monitor or store at least one parameter of the battery. Additionally, the battery monitoring system also includes a receiver communicatively coupled to the diagnostic system. Furthermore, the battery monitoring system includes a transmitter communicatively coupled to the diagnostic system and configured to activate upon receipt of a first wireless signal by the receiver and to transmit a second wireless signal indicative of the at least one parameter of the battery. |
| US09316692B2 |
Tap clock and enable control of scan register, flip-flop, comparator
The disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus for providing expected data, mask data, and control signals to scan test architectures within a device using the falling edge of a test/scan clock. The signals are provided on device leads that are also used to provide signals to scan test architectures using the rising edge of the test/scan clock. According to the disclosure, device test leads serve to input different test signals on the rising and falling edge of the test/scan clock which reduces the number of interconnects between a tester and the device under test. |
| US09316690B2 |
Data recirculation in configured scan paths
An Automated Test Equipment (ATE) system is configured to test a Device Under Test (DUT). The ATE system stores a Procedure Description Language program. The ATE system interprets the program, thereby causing a configured scan path to be set up in the DUT and causing bit values to be loaded into that scan path. During testing, it is sometimes desirable to change only bit values in certain scan path bit locations. In a data recirculation operation, the ATE system shifts bit values, on a bit-by-bit basis, out of the configured scan path via the TDO terminal of the DUT and shifts back in either the shifted out bit value or a replacement bit value. The shift back into the configured scan path occurs via the TDI terminal of the DUT so that each bit value in the scan path is replaced with its previous value or a replacement value. |
| US09316689B2 |
Scheduling of scenario models for execution within different computer threads and scheduling of memory regions for use with the scenario models
A method for testing a system-on-a-chip (SoC) is described. The method includes parsing a file to determine functions to be performed components of the SoC. The method further includes receiving a desired output of the SoC and generating a test scenario model based on the desired output of the SoC. The test scenario model includes a plurality of module representations of the functions and includes one or more connections between two of the module representations. The desired output acts as a performance constraint for the test scenario model. The test scenario model further includes an input of the SoC that is generated based on the desired output, the module representations, and the one or more connections. The test scenario model includes a path from the input via the module representations and the connections to the desired output. |
| US09316685B2 |
Probe card of low power loss
A probe card, which is used to transmit power signals and test signals from a tester to a DUT, includes a pin base, a plurality of signal pins, a signal conducting circuit and at least one power conducting circuit. The signal pins are made of conductive materials, and each contacts the DUT with an end thereof; the signal conducting circuit has a first resistance, and electrically connects the tester and the other end of one of the signal pin to transmit the test signals to the DUT; the power conducting circuit has a second resistance which is much less than the first resistance, and electrically connects the tester and the other end of one of the signal pin which is not connected with the signal conducting circuit to transmit the power signals to the DUT. |
| US09316683B2 |
Apparatus for testing electronic devices
An apparatus is described for burn-in and/or functional testing of microelectronic circuits of unsingulated wafers. A large number of power, ground, and signal connections can be made to a large number of contacts on a wafer. The apparatus has a cartridge that allows for fanning-in of electric paths. A distribution board has a plurality of interfaces that are strategically positioned to provide a dense configuration. The interfaces are connected through flexible attachments to an array of first connector modules. Each one of the first connector modules can be independently connected to a respective one of a plurality of second connector modules, thereby reducing stresses on a frame of the apparatus. Further features include for example a piston that allows for tight control of forces exerted by terminals onto contacts of a wafer. |
| US09316681B2 |
Systems and methods for test circuitry for insulated-gate bipolar transistors
A driver circuit for testing a saturation level in an insulated gate bipolar transistor (“IGBT”) includes a comparator having a first input coupled to a reference voltage and a second input coupled to a saturation test node, and a first transistor having a first current electrode coupled to the first input of the comparator, a second current electrode coupled to a supply voltage, and a control electrode coupled to a first output of a test circuit. The first output is associated with a test initiation function of an internal test process. A second transistor has a first current electrode coupled to a control electrode of the IBGT transistor, a second current electrode coupled to the supply voltage, and a control electrode coupled to a second output of the test circuit. The second output is associated with an over-current indication of the internal test process. |
| US09316680B2 |
Method, device and circuitry for detecting a failure on a differential bus
An exemplary embodiment relates to a method for detecting a failure on a differential bus. The method may include: determining an allowed voltage range of the differential bus based on a minimum load and a maximum load; comparing a differential bus voltage with the allowed voltage range; and determining a failure state in case the differential bus voltage is outside the allowed voltage range. |
| US09316676B2 |
System and method for monitoring an electrically-connected system having a periodic bahavior
A method for monitoring a system having an electrical connection, the connection having at least two phases and respective currents, the system having a periodic behavior, the method including the steps of: connecting sensors to measure respective currents of two phases of the electrical connection; transforming the measured currents to create initial current information; making an initial determination of a normal operation of the system; performing training and modeling of the system, following the initial determination of normal operation of the system, the training and modeling including further current measurements yielding modeled current information; monitoring the system, including instant current measurements to yield instant current information indicative of instant operation status of the system; and making an instant determination of operation status of the system by comparing the instant current information with the modeled current information. |
| US09316672B2 |
Power strip and power measurement method
A power strip includes: a first power line; a second power line between which and the first power line a power supply voltage is applied; a jack portion; a current meter configured to measure a current being supplied to an external electrical device from the jack portion; a first photocoupler including a first light emitting diode connected between the first power line and the second power line and configured to output a first output signal whose level is changed when the power supply voltage exceeds a first threshold; and a computing unit configured to calculate a power value by using instantaneous values of the current measured by the current meter and instantaneous values of the power supply voltage estimated from the length of a period when the level of the first output signal is changed. |
| US09316671B2 |
Method for sensing a fault in a power system based on travelling wave currents
A fault sensing system for a power system including a protected unit is disclosed. The fault sensing system is adapted to sense a fault in the protected unit. The fault sensing system includes at least one current sensing unit adapted to sense at least one first current in a first position in the protected unit and at least one second current in the second position in the protected unit and at least one voltage sensing unit adapted to sense at least one first voltage in the first position and at least one second voltage in the second position, and at least one processing unit. The at least one processing unit is adapted to model any distortion, attenuation and/or delay of the waveform of a wave due to propagation of the wave in the protected unit by means of a propagation function, determine at least one first travelling wave current in the first position based on the at least one first current and the at least one first voltage, determine at least one second travelling wave current in the second position based on the at least one second current and the at least one second voltage, estimate at least one of the at least one first travelling wave current and the at least one second travelling wave current by applying the propagation function to the at least one second travelling wave current or to the at least one first travelling wave current, respectively, on a condition that the at least one first travelling wave current is estimated, compare the estimated at least one first travelling wave current with the determined at least one first travelling wave current, on a condition that the at least one second travelling wave current is estimated, compare the estimated at least one second travelling wave current with the determined at least one second travelling wave current, and, based on the comparison or comparisons, determine whether there is a fault in the protected unit. |
| US09316669B2 |
Measurement probe providing different levels of amplification for signals of different magnitude
A measurement probe comprises at least one input port configured to receive an input signal generated in relation to a device under test (DUT), and an amplification unit configured to amplify the input signal with a first gain where the input signal has a first amplitude, and further configured to amplify the input signal with a second gain lower than the first gain where the input signal has a second amplitude greater than the first amplitude. |
| US09316668B2 |
Determination of local contact potential difference by noncontact atomic force microscopy
A method for determining a value of a local contact potential difference by noncontact atomic force microscopy. For one or more cantilever positions above a surface of a sample: i) performing two atomic force microscopy measurements, using an oscillating cantilever, ii) thereby determining two distinct voltage values of DC voltage applied between the cantilever and the sample, and iii) obtaining a value of a local contact potential difference based, at least in part, on the two distinct voltage values determined. Wherein substantially similar distinct values indicate a substantially similar value of frequency shifts of cantilever oscillation, as measured for each of said distinct values. |
| US09316664B2 |
High frequency disturbance detection and compensation
A disturbance correction device comprises a disturbance detector configured to detect and output a high frequency component of a measurement signal from an inertial sensor and a level converter coupled to the output of the disturbance detector. The level converter is configured to convert the high frequency component to a direct current (DC) signal. The disturbance correction device also comprises a compensator coupled to an output of the level converter and configured to compare the DC signal with a plurality of thresholds. When the DC signal passes one of the plurality of thresholds, the compensator is further configured to output a respective process noise increment to a Kalman filter. The respective process noise increment corresponds to the passed threshold. |
| US09316663B2 |
Intelligent field shaping for magnetic speed sensors
The present disclosure provides for techniques to improve the sensitivity of magnetic sensor systems. One embodiment of a magnetic sensor system includes a magnetic biasing body comprised of a hard magnetic material and including a recess therein. The recess corresponds to a magnetic flux guidance surface of the magnetic biasing body. The magnetic sensor system also includes a magnetic sensing element arranged in or proximate to the recess. A magnetic flux concentrator, which is made of a soft magnetic material, is disposed in the recess between the magnetic flux guidance surface and the magnetic sensing element. Other techniques are also described. |
| US09316662B2 |
Automated analyzer and maintenance method for same
An automated analyzer includes a conveyance mechanism to convey a specimen, an analysis portion to analyze the specimen, and a device cover to cover a movable mechanism including the conveyance mechanism. The automated analyzer is provided with an interlock mechanism and an interlock release mechanism. The interlock mechanism stops an operation of the movable mechanism when the device cover is opened. The interlock release mechanism disables all or part of the interlock mechanism. The interlock mechanism is enabled when a lever 301 is in contact with a safety switch 302. The interlock mechanism is disabled or partially disabled when the lever 301 is not in contact with the safety switch 302. This enables to prevent a user from inadvertently touching the movable mechanism including a hazard region during analysis of the automated analyzer or a maintenance task. Only a specific maintenance task can be performed with the device cover opened. |
| US09316661B2 |
Devices, systems and methods for loading samples
Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices and system that can be used to fill a sample cell. In some examples, the system can be configured with a pressure device configured to provide a negative pressure to accelerate filling of the cell with the sample. In some embodiments, the negative pressure can be used to fill a flow cell at a selected fill rate. |
| US09316660B2 |
Reagent preparation apparatus and specimen processing system
This reagent preparation apparatus prepares a reagent supplied to a measurement portion measuring a specimen with the reagent. The reagent is prepared from a first liquid and a second liquid different from the first liquid. The reagent preparation apparatus comprises a reagent preparation portion preparing the reagent and a control portion acquiring reagent information related to the reagent prepared by the reagent preparation portion, acquiring supply time information related to a time when the reagent prepared by the reagent preparation portion was supplied to the measurement portion and outputting the reagent information and the supply time information. |
| US09316653B2 |
Use of soluble forms of the Desmoglein I protein for the purposes of screening for anti-ageing active agents
The invention relates to the use of one or more complexed or noncomplexed, soluble peptide form(s) of Desmoglein I, as a marker for evaluating the effectiveness of active agents and/or of treatments, in particular anti-ageing active agents and/or treatments, with regard to an epidermis. |
| US09316652B2 |
Method for diagnosing Lyme disease using a cellular immunological test
The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing Lyme disease in a subject, the method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a sample from said subject, (b) contacting said sample with a source of Borrelia antigens and (c) determining the expression level of a pro-inflammatory cytokine in said sample at the end of step (b). |
| US09316650B2 |
Detection and removal of misfolded proteins/peptides
The invention concerns the field of detecting and quantifying misfolded proteins/peptides. In particular the detection and quantification of misfolded proteins/peptides in body fluids, on cell surfaces of humans and mammals, the detection of misfolded proteins/peptides in reagents to be tested for scientific research and/or diagnostic use and in pharmaceutical medication or their additives and it concerns as well the removal of misfolded proteins/peptides from reagents to be tested for scientific research and/or for diagnostic purposes and from pharmaceutical medication or their additives. Furthermore the invention includes substances to identify and methods to detect bio-films, a method to examine hemocompatibility of materials and a method to optimize therapeutical products, and to provide reagents microorganisms to charge with for more reliable diagnostics and quality control of biopharmaceuticals and identification substances for the screening for preliminary stages of amyloids that can be used for technical purposes. |
| US09316645B2 |
Methods, compositions and kits for imaging cells and tissues using nanoparticles and spatial frequency heterodyne imaging
Methods, compositions, systems, devices and kits are provided herein for preparing and using a nanoparticle composition and spatial frequency heterodyne imaging for visualizing cells or tissues. In various embodiments, the nanoparticle composition includes at least one of: a nanoparticle, a polymer layer, and a binding agent, such that the polymer layer coats the nanoparticle and is for example a polyethylene glycol, a polyelectrolyte, an anionic polymer, or a cationic polymer, and such that the binding agent that specifically binds the cells or the tissue. Methods, compositions, systems, devices and kits are provided for identifying potential therapeutic agents in a model using the nanoparticle composition and spatial frequency heterodyne imaging. |
| US09316644B2 |
Method for establishing the sensitivity of tumours to capecitabin and test kit
The invention relates to a method for establishing the sensitivity of tumors towards capecitabine, if applicable in combination with Docetaxel or Paclitaxel or the humanized antibody Herceptin, or COX-2 inhibitors or angiogenesis inhibitors and test kit.Fields of application of the invention are the pharmaceutical industry and bio-sciences: biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, medicine and medicinal technology. |
| US09316642B2 |
Soluble immunoreactive treponema pallidum TpN47 antigens
The invention concerns soluble variants of Treponema pallidum antigen 47 (TpN47 antigen) comprising at least domain B, or at least domains A and B, optionally domain D of the complete TpN47 protein molecule with the proviso that all antigens lack domain C (amino acid residues 224 to 351) of TpN47. The Tpn47 antigens can be fused to a chaperone. Moreover, the invention covers DNA encoding the antigens, a method of producing these antigens as well as the use of these antigens in an immunodiagnostic assay for the detection of antibodies against Treponema pallidum in an isolated sample. |
| US09316640B2 |
Devices and methods for detection of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL)
The present invention provides methods and devices for detecting the presence of biomolecules in a biological sample, such as PVL, PBP2a and SPA. |
| US09316639B2 |
Use of gelsolin to diagnose and treat inflammatory diseases
The invention relates to the use of gelsolin to treat inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis) and to the use of gelsolin to diagnose, monitor, and evaluate therapies of inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis). |
| US09316637B2 |
Sensors using high electron mobility transistors
Embodiments of the invention include sensors comprising high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) with capture reagents on a gate region of the HEMTs. Example sensors include HEMTs with a thin gold layer on the gate region and bound antibodies; a thin gold layer on the gate region and chelating agents; a non-native gate dielectric on the gate region; and nanorods of a non-native dielectric with an immobilized enzyme on the gate region. Embodiments including antibodies or enzymes can have the antibodies or enzymes bound to the Au-gate via a binding group. Other embodiments of the invention are methods of using the sensors for detecting breast cancer, prostate cancer, kidney injury, glucose, metals or pH where a signal is generated by the HEMT when a solution is contacted with the sensor. The solution can be blood, saliva, urine, breath condensate, or any solution suspected of containing any specific analyte for the sensor. |
| US09316636B2 |
Method and system for determination of molecular interaction parameters
A method of determining kinetic parameters for a reversible molecular interaction between a ligand immobilized to a solid support surface and a binding partner to the ligand in solution, comprises sequentially, without intermediate regeneration or renewal of the immobilized ligand, flowing a plurality of fluid volumes containing different known concentrations of the binding partner over the solid support surface, monitoring the momentary amount of binding partner bound to the solid support surface related to time and solution concentration of binding partner and collecting the binding data, and determining the kinetic parameters by globally fitting a predetermined kinetic model for the interaction between the binding partner and the immobilized ligand to the collected binding data, which model allows for mass transport limitation at the solid support surface. An analytical system for carrying out the method, a computer program, a computer program product and a computer system for performing the method are also disclosed. |
| US09316635B2 |
Sheath fluid systems and methods for particle analysis in blood samples
Aspects and embodiments of the instant disclosure provide a particle and/or intracellular organelle alignment agent for a particle analyzer used to analyze particles contained in a sample. An exemplary particle and/or intracellular organelle alignment agent includes an aqueous solution, a viscosity modifier, and/or a buffer. |
| US09316633B2 |
Methods for identifying inhibitors of solute transporters
Provided herein are methods for identifying and characterizing agents that alter the volume of a cell. Methods are provided for rapid screening and identification of an agent that alters the capability of a small, neutrally charged solute transporter to transport the solute across a cell membrane. The methods described herein may be used to identify and characterize inhibitors of urea transporters, to identify and characterize inhibitors of aquaporins, and to identify and characterize inhibitors of other small, neutrally charged solutes such as glucose. |
| US09316632B2 |
Methods of screening chemotherapeutic agents and treating cancer
Methods for selecting chemotherapeutic agents for treating a cancer are provided that include the steps of providing a cancer cell sample having a population of bulk cancer cells and a population of cancer stem-like cells, culturing a first portion of the cancer cell sample in a hydrodynamic focusing bioreactor under microgravity conditions and for a period of time to selectively enhance the population of cancer stem-like cells and selectively kill the population of bulk cancer cells, contacting the cancer stem-like cells with one or more chemotherapeutic agents, and then selecting the one or more chemotherapeutic agents for treating the cancer if there is an increase in an amount of cytotoxicity. Methods for treating a cancer are also provided in which the identified chemotherapeutic agents are administered to a subject. Further provided are methods for identifying a test compound useful for treating a cancer. |
| US09316630B2 |
Anti-clog and non-metallic debris detector for lubrication system inlet
A contaminant detection system for use in a fluid distribution system includes a first detector assembly including an inlet housing and detector screen through which fluid in the fluid distribution system passes and a first sensor to detect a first type of contaminant caught in the detector screen; and a second detector assembly including a second sensor which activates when the inlet housing or detector screen is clogged to detect whether the fluid contains a second type of contaminant when the first sensor does not detect the first type of contaminant. |
| US09316628B2 |
Spectroscopic characterization of seafood
A method and apparatus for field spectroscopic characterization of seafood is disclosed. A portable NIR spectrometer is connected to an analyzer configured for performing a multivariate analysis of reflection spectra to determine qualitatively the true identities or quantitatively the freshness of seafood samples. |
| US09316627B2 |
Method and device for determining gas component inside a transparent container
A device for determining existence of a gas component inside a space of a glass unit includes detecting unit and calibration units. The detecting unit includes laser beam emitting elements emitting laser beam towards the space and detecting elements for detecting reflections of emitted laser beams. The calibration unit includes a calibration chamber having the same gas component as inside the space, and a reflector. The laser beam emitting and detecting elements are arranged to emit and receive beams at an angle so that the focus of the laser spot locates between the laser emitting and detecting elements and outside the line connecting them at the same position in relation to the detecting unit during the measuring process. The detecting and calibration units are movable in relation to each other for calibration purpose so that the laser beam travels through the chamber and the focus spot hits the reflector. |
| US09316625B2 |
Mass spectrometer
Every time a target sample is injected from an injector (12) of an LC unit (1) and a mass spectrometry for a target component in the sample is performed, a CD voltage applied to a conversion dynode of an ion detector (29) is switched. For each of the multiple CD-voltage levels, a data collector (32) collects noise data during a period of time where no component is present and intensity data of an ion originating from the target component, while the SN ratio calculator (33) calculates an SN ratio. After the actual measurement is completed, an optimum CD voltage determiner (34) compares the SN ratios calculated for each CD voltage, finds the CD voltage which gives the highest SN ratio, and stores this voltage in an optimum CD voltage memory (42) as an optimum CD voltage for the analysis conditions at that point in time and for the m/z of the analysis target. According to this method, even when the flow rate of the mobile phase is particularly high or when a hard-to-vaporize mobile phase is used, the CD voltage is appropriately set and a detection signal is obtained with high SN ratios. |
| US09316623B2 |
Micro-scale passive vapor preconcentrator/injector
A passive and reusable preconcentrator/injector device for measuring gas-phase analytes and methods of use. The device includes an upper plate defining an array of micro-scale diffusion channels and a lower plate secured to the upper plate. The lower plate defines a cavity for a reusable collection material in fluid communication with the micro-scale diffusion channels. An integral heating unit is provided adjacent the lower plate and configured for heating the cavity. A loading port may be included for introducing the reusable collection material into the cavity. An inlet port and an outlet port are provided, both in fluid communication with the cavity. The device may include a fluidic manifold system comprising a plurality of conduits disposed between the adsorbent cavity and the outlet port. |
| US09316622B2 |
Microwave vibration sensors
A vibration sensor includes a probe body with a vibration isolator operatively connected to the probe body for isolation of the probe body from vibrations of a structure to be monitored for vibration. A waveguide is operatively connected to the probe body to convey microwaves to and from a surface for sensing vibration of the structure to be monitored for vibration. |
| US09316620B2 |
Structural damage detection system, device and method
The present invention relates to a structural damage detection method for detecting damage of a structure. The method comprises scanning the surface of the structure with a tapper tapping with a tapping force at a predetermined frequency band while scanning; measuring the response signals transmitted from the surface of the structure; transforming the measured signals to acquire the signal spectrum at each position of the structure surface; intercepting from the signal spectrum a spectrum envelope; calculating a damage indicator at each position of the structure surface; and determining a position where the damage indicator changes abruptly as a position of structural damage. The present invention further relates to a structural damage detection system utilizing the structural damage detection method and a structural damage detection device for use therein. |
| US09316614B2 |
Alcohol-measuring device with fast operational readiness
An alcohol-measuring device includes a mouthpiece (1), designed to enable a test subject to release breathing air into the mouthpiece, an electrochemical sensor (6), in fluidic connection with the mouthpiece (1) to measure alcohol in the breathing air of the test subject and a control unit. The sensor (6) has at least two heating elements (9, 10), one heating element arranged on the front side and one heating element arranged on the rear side of the sensor (6). The control unit (4) is electrically connected to the heating elements to supply electrical energy for the heating elements. The control unit (4) is set up to heat the heating elements each to a desired temperature. The control unit (4) is also electrically connected to the sensor (6) in order to determine the value of the alcohol concentration in the breathing air of the test subject. |
| US09316613B2 |
Pipets containing electrolyte and electrodes
Apparatus comprises a pipet comprising first and second channels separated by a septum and having a tip at which each of the first and second channels is open; an electrolyte solution contained within both the first and second channels of the pipet; a first electrode extending into the electrolyte in the first channel of the pipet; a second electrode extending into the electrolyte in the second channel of the pipet; means for applying a potential difference between the first and second electrodes; means for measuring alternating current components of a current flowing to or from the first electrode; means for applying an oscillatory perturbation to the pipet; and means responsive to the alternating current measured to be flowing to or from the first electrode to adjust a position of the pipet such as to control a separation between the tip of the pipet and a surface of interest. |
| US09316607B2 |
Adjustable, retractable probe insertion assembly
An adjustable insertion assembly for an electrochemical sensor includes an electrode holder to receive the sensor, having a distal aperture to permit process fluid to contact the sensor. A receptacle slidably receives the holder, for a sliding range of motion extending from fully inserted to fully retracted positions. An open distal end portion of the receptacle extends through a wall of a process fluid vessel, so that the aperture is open to the process fluid when fully inserted, and closed when fully retracted. A leverage member is releasably movable relative to the receptacle, and moves with a captured extension. An abutment of the receptacle engages the extension so that movement of the leverage member in opposite directions alternately clamps and releases the electrode holder relative to the receptacle to substantially prevent and permit movement at substantially any point within the range of movement. |
| US09316601B2 |
Detection values processing apparatus
The invention relates to a detection values processing apparatus. Energy-dependent detection values are provided, which are indicative of polychromatic radiation (4) after having traversed an examination zone (5). The radiation is filtered by a filter (15) which comprises K-edge filter material. A component decomposition technique is applied to the detection values for determining K-edge attenuation values being first component attenuation values, which are indicative of an attenuation caused by the K-edge filter material, and additional component attenuation values, which are indicative of an attenuation caused by additional components of the examination zone, wherein an image of the examination zone is reconstructed from the additional component attenuation values. An image can therefore be reconstructed, which is not adversely affected by the filter, because the K-edge attenuation values are not used for reconstructing the image. This can improve the quality of the reconstructed image. |
| US09316599B2 |
Device for inspecting ceramic sphere
Provided are a sintered ceramic and a ceramic sphere which are inhibited from suffering surface peeling due to fatigue resulting from repetitions of loading and can attain an improvement in dimensional accuracy when subjected to surface processing and which have excellent wear resistance and durability. A ceramic-sphere inspection device is also provided with which a ceramic sphere is inspected for a flaw present in the surface layer and for snow flakes without destroying the ceramic sphere. The device is a ceramic-sphere inspection device (100) in which a ceramic sphere (S) is rotatably supported in a given position and illuminating light emitted from a light projector (110) is detected with a light receiver (120) to evaluate the state of the inner part of the surface layer, and has been configured so that the light receiver (120) does not detect the light emitted from the light projector (110) and reflected at the surface of the ceramic sphere. |
| US09316598B2 |
Method of detecting foreign material on upper surface of transparent substrate using polarized light
Provided are an apparatus and a method of detecting a foreign material capable of detecting only a foreign material on a surface of a substrate except for a foreign material on a lower surface of the substrate in a manufacturing process of a transparent substrate passing light therethrough, such as a glass substrate used in a flat panel display (FPD) such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a plasma display panel (PDP), a sapphire wafer used in some of semiconductors, or the like, and in a pattern forming process in a manufacturing process of the FPD and the semiconductor using the transparent substrate. |
| US09316597B2 |
Detection of spurious information or defects on playing card backs
Methods and systems detect markings or flaws on the backs of playing cards. The method includes: providing ambient radiation at a gaming table and reflecting some of that radiation off a back surface of a playing card; capturing reflected radiation with a radiation sensor; the radiation sensor transmitting signals based on the reflected radiation captured by the radiation sensor; the transmitted signals providing data that contains image data of the back of the playing card; and displaying an image of the back of the playing card based on the image data. The transmitted signals provide image data of the back of the playing card and are also received by a processor that evaluates or compares that data. The system may be an installed casino system (with eye-in-the-sky technology), a portable box, or a component within a shuffling device or dealer shoe. |
| US09316596B2 |
Apparatus and method for inspecting matter and use thereof for sorting recyclable matter
An apparatus and a method for inspecting matter and the use thereof for sorting recyclable material including transparent material are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a lighting unit for projecting a concentrated diffused lighting onto the matter to generate a specular reflected light beam representative of the inspected matter. The apparatus comprises an imaging unit mounted according to a given imaging angle with respect to the projected concentrated diffused lighting for imaging the specular reflected light beam to provide image data representative of the inspected matter. The apparatus comprises an analyzing unit for analyzing the image data and providing matter characterization data based on the specular reflected light beam representative of the inspected matter. |
| US09316589B2 |
Method for evaluating oxide semiconductor thin film, and method for quality control of oxide semiconductor thin film
This method for evaluating an oxide semiconductor thin film includes evaluating the stress stability of an oxide semiconductor thin film on the basis of the light emission intensity of luminescent light excited when radiating an electron beam or excitation light at a sample at which the oxide semiconductor thin film is formed. The stress stability of the oxide semiconductor thin film is evaluated on the basis of the light emission intensity (L1) observed in the range of 1.6-1.9 eV of the luminescent light excited from the oxide semiconductor thin film. |
| US09316587B2 |
Processes for quantitative or qualitative detection of single-stranded or double-stranded nucleic acids
This invention provides for compositions for use in real time nucleic acid detection processes. Such real time nucleic acid detection processes are carried out with energy transfer elements attached to nucleic acid primers, nucleotides, nucleic acid probes or nucleic acid binding agents. Real time nucleic acid detection allows for the qualitative or quantitative detection or determination of single-stranded or double-stranded nucleic acids of interest in a sample. Other processes are provided by this invention including processes for removing a portion of a homopolymeric sequence, e.g., poly A sequence or tail, from an analyte or library of analytes. Compositions useful in carrying out such removal processes are also described and provided. |
| US09316581B2 |
Method, apparatus, and article to facilitate evaluation of substances using electromagnetic energy
Sampling device geometry reduces specular reflectance, using lenses to focus electromagnetic energy to predominately return scattered rather than reflected electromagnetic energy to detector(s), reducing effect of non-matte surfaces and/or window. Sampling device includes inherent automatic optical calibration, and optionally thermal calibration. Calibration detectors are optically isolated with respective emitters. |
| US09316577B1 |
Oscillatory particle analyzer
A low cost, compact, opto-mechanical system for particle analysis is disclosed. In embodiments of this disclosure, the system includes: a holder configured to rigidly secure a container that contains a liquid sample; an actuator configured to repetitively rotate the holder N degrees in a first direction and M degrees in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein N and M are real numbers greater than zero; a radiation source configured to generate a beam of radiation, the radiation source being rigidly attached to the holder; and a detector configured to receive radiation that is at least one of scattered, reflected, diffracted, refracted, or radiated from one or more particles within the liquid sample in response to the beam of radiation being incident upon the one or more particles. |
| US09316574B2 |
Sensor controller
A sensor controller for a particulate matter detection sensor includes a heater configured to heat an attachment portion so as to burn and remove particulate matter attached to the attachment portion, a learning portion for obtaining a sensor detection value immediately after burning and removing the particulate matter due to heating of the heater. The leaning portion calculates a sensor standard value based on the obtained sensor detection value in a state where the particulate matter is removed, and stores the sensor standard value as a learning value. Furthermore, a correcting portion corrects the sensor detection value based on the sensor standard value stored by the learning portion. |
| US09316573B2 |
Non-metallic debris monitoring system
A system and method to detect particles in a fluid stream. The system includes a separator configured to separate particles from bubbles passing through the fluid stream and a sensor configured to detect the particles. The method includes passing the fluid stream through the separator, separating the particles from bubbles passing through the fluid stream, and detecting the presence of the particles. |
| US09316570B2 |
Two-layer tension measurement system for compression garments
A two layer compression garment measuring system that displays a pressure indicia when the garment is stretched, wherein the pressure indicia is displayed by moving from a position under an opaque layer of material (at low or no pressure) to a position under a window or transparent or translucent layer of material (at higher pressure). When the indicia can be seen by an observer through the window or transparent or translucent layer, then the higher pressure has been reached. The viewed indicia optionally displays the pressure level. In various optional designs, the location of attachment between the two spaced-apart locations is adjustable, or the length of the upper layer is adjustable such that the attachment location can be aligned with the indicia. A design having a free ended upper layer is also included. |
| US09316569B2 |
Micro electro-mechanical heater
A sub-micron scale property testing apparatus including a test subject holder and heating assembly. The assembly includes a holder base configured to couple with a sub-micron mechanical testing instrument and electro-mechanical transducer assembly. The assembly further includes a test subject stage coupled with the holder base. The test subject stage is thermally isolated from the holder base. The test subject stage includes a stage subject surface configured to receive a test subject, and a stage plate bracing the stage subject surface. The stage plate is under the stage subject surface. The test subject stage further includes a heating element adjacent to the stage subject surface, the heating element is configured to generate heat at the stage subject surface. |
| US09316568B2 |
Experimental method for simulating impact rock-burst
An experimental method for simulating an impact rock-burst, comprises the following steps: making a rock sample having a through hole or a half hole; loading initial static stresses of three directions onto the rock sample; then loading dynamic load(s) by 0.5-10 minutes, to determine whether a spalling phenomenon appears on an internal surface of the hole; if appears, and the rock sample is further damaged, determining and recording a failure course, if not appears, increasing the static stress(es) or the intensity of the dynamic load, then repeating the experiment procedure as far as the rock sample goes into the failure course, then determining and recording the failure course, and ending the expierment. The impact rockburst induced by dynamic load is simulated in the rock sample successfully, and by sudying mechanical mechanisms of the rock-burst, the present application lays foundations for gradually understanding and mastering the nature of real rock burst. |
| US09316567B2 |
Automotive rattle detection system
A system for detecting rattles, squeaks and other annoying sounds in a vehicle can include a vibration generator and a clamping device configured to attach to the vehicle. |
| US09316563B2 |
Method of testing image sensor and related apparatus thereof
A method of testing an image sensor having a plurality of sensing units includes: utilizing the image sensor to generate a plurality of sensing results respectively corresponding to a plurality of captured images, wherein each sensing result includes a plurality of sensing values respectively generated by the sensing units; and generating a testing result which indicates a performance of the image sensor according to changing of the sensing results. |
| US09316561B2 |
Device and method for measuring the leakage rate from reference pressure lines onboard an aircraft
A device for testing pneumatic circuits and for measuring the leakage rate from reference pressure lines onboard an aircraft, connected to a plenum chamber. The device includes a multi-pressure system, comprising several sensors each connected to a reference pressure line, first solenoid valves arranged on the input channels to this multi-pressure system, and connected to the reference pressure lines through first connectors, second solenoid valves arranged on the reference pressure lines, a pressure controller module that is connected to all the first solenoid valves through a second connector, an electronic board that controls the solenoid valves and calibration of the multi-pressure system, a control device. The invention also relates to a method making use of this device. |
| US09316560B2 |
Hydrostatic test tool and method of use
Hydrostatic testing tool and methods for testing a test article, such as a hose or container having an external threaded aperture. The preferred testing tool includes a housing, a piston and a collet body having a plurality of collet segments collectively forming a cylindrical inner perimeter having a variable diameter, each collet segment having a threaded surface on the inner perimeter such that the piston can selectively actuate the collet body to vary the diameter of the inner perimeter. In preferred embodiments, the hydrostatic testing tool utilizes a handle assembly that is arranged and configured such that only one hand is needed to operate the hydrostatic testing tool. |
| US09316556B2 |
Knock control apparatus for an internal combustion engine
A knock control apparatus for an internal combustion engine can remove regularly generated noise vibration in a simple and appropriate manner. The apparatus includes a knock sensor, a crank angle sensor, a vibration waveform detection unit that detects a vibration waveform of a knock natural frequency component, a vibration waveform average value calculation unit that calculates a vibration waveform average value corresponding to a noise vibration waveform by filtering the vibration waveform over a plurality of ignition cycles, a noise vibration waveform removal unit that removes the noise vibration waveform by subtracting the vibration waveform average value from the vibration waveform, a knock determination threshold value calculation unit that calculates a threshold value based on a peak value of the vibration waveform after removal of the noise vibration waveform, and a knock determination unit that determines whether a knock has occurred, by comparing the peak value with the threshold value. |
| US09316554B1 |
Fiber optic analyte sensor with integrated in situ total pressure correction
A fiber optic analyte sensing needle employing an analyte-partial-pressure-sensitive photoluminescent probe, characterized by (i) a void volume channel extending axially along the length of the lumen between the inner surface of the tube and the outer surface of the fiber optic filament, and (ii) a total pressure sensor in pressure communication with the distal tip of the needle via the void volume channel, whereby total pressure of a volume sampled by the sensing needle can be routinely measured and used in pressure compensation of analyte-concentration values calculated from the analyte-partial-pressure readings taken from the analyte-partial-pressure-sensitive photoluminescent probe. |
| US09316552B2 |
Differential pressure sensing die
A differential pressure sensor includes a pressure sensing die comprising a semiconductor die, having a thinned portion forming a diaphragm. The diaphragm includes piezo-resistive elements that exhibit varying resistance based on force exerted on the diaphragm. A first support structure is bonded to a first surface of the semiconductor die, having an aperture defined through the support structure such that a first surface of the diaphragm is exposed through the aperture. A second support structure is bonded to the opposite side of the semiconductor die having an aperture aligned with the opposing side of the diaphragm. Electrical components in electrical communication with the piezo-resistive elements are arranged outside the region defined by the bond between the first and second support structures and the semiconductor die. An oil-filled volume may be defined between the semiconductor die and a harsh medium which transmits a fluid pressure to the die without the harsh medium contacting the die. |
| US09316550B2 |
Shock sensor with bistable mechanism and method of shock detection
A shock sensor includes: a supporting body; a bistable mechanism, configured to switch from a first stable mechanical configuration to a second stable mechanical configuration in response to an impact force applied along a detection axis and such as to supply to the bistable mechanism an amount of energy higher than a transition energy; and a detection device, coupled to the bistable mechanism and having a first state, when the bistable mechanism is in an initial stable mechanical configuration and a second state, after the bistable mechanism has made a transition from the initial stable mechanical configuration to a final stable mechanical configuration. The bistable mechanism includes at least one elastic element, constrained to the supporting body in at least two opposite peripheral regions and defining a first concavity in the first stable mechanical configuration and a second concavity, opposite to the first concavity, in the second stable mechanical configuration. |
| US09316548B2 |
Measuring arrangement for determining amount of heat
A measuring arrangement comprising a heat meter having a flow sensor, a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor and computing means. The first temperature sensor serves to register a temperature in the feed line of the heat exchanger and the second temperature sensor serves to register a temperature in the drain line of the heat exchanger. The computing means serves to calculate the amount of heat exchanged. A first transfer function, which serves to determine the temperature in the feed line based on a measurement signal of the first temperature sensor, is stored in the computing means; a second transfer function is stored in the computing means; wherein the first transfer function differs from the second transfer function; and the second transfer function serves to determine the temperature in the drain line based on a measurement signal of the second temperature sensor. |
| US09316547B1 |
Method for determining time-resolved heat transfer coefficient and adiabatic effectiveness waveforms with unsteady film cooling
A new method for determining heat transfer coefficient (h) and adiabatic effectiveness (η) waveforms h(t) and η(t) from a single test uses a novel inverse heat transfer methodology to use surface temperature histories obtained using prior art approaches to approximate the h(t) and η(t) waveforms. The method best curve fits the data to a pair of truncated Fourier series. |
| US09316544B2 |
Electronic thermometer and method for manufacturing the same
Provided is an electronic thermometer that is inexpensive, has fast thermal response, and suppresses bending and directional misalignment of the lead of the temperature sensor during assembly of the electronic thermometer. The electronic thermometer includes: a temperature sensor that includes a temperature sensing unit that measures the body temperature of a measurement subject and a lead having one end that is fixed to the temperature sensing unit; a hollow housing that houses the lead, and in which the temperature sensing unit is arranged on the tip side; a printed circuit board to which the other end of the lead is fixed; and an assembly that includes the printed circuit board and is housed in the housing. The assembly includes an extension portion extending toward the tip side of the housing. The extension portion has a guide portion that orients the extending direction of the lead. |
| US09316540B1 |
Compact spectrometer
A spectrometer for measuring a spectral signature of an object comprises fringe generating optics for use with a camera and a processor. The fringe generating optics are formed of front optics and birefringent optics. The front optics comprises a diffuser adapted to receive light from the object. The birefringent optics is adapted to receive light from the diffuser and to generate interference fringes. The camera is adapted to receive the interference fringes and the processor generates the spectral signature of the object. This spectrometer is an improved Fourier transform spectrometer suitable for use with digital cameras, such as cameras found in mobile devices. |
| US09316538B2 |
Light measuring device, printing apparatus, and image display apparatus
A light measuring device can measure, in one place, a plurality of lights guided from different places. The light measuring device includes a spectroscope configured to selectively transmit light having a desired wavelength, a plurality of light guiding units configured to guide measurement target light to the spectroscope, and a light receiving unit configured to receive the light emitted from the spectroscope. The light guiding units are provided in positions where different lights are respectively made incident on incident ends of the light guiding units as the measurement target light and positions where emission ends of the light guiding units respectively emit lights to different positions of the spectroscope. The spectroscope emits the lights, which are made incident from the light guiding units, respectively from different positions. The light receiving unit separately receives the lights emitted from the different positions of the spectroscope. |
| US09316537B2 |
Sorting materials using a pattern recognition, such as upgrading nickel laterite ores through electromagnetic sensor-based methods
A system and method of sorting mineral streams, for example laterite mineral ores, into appropriately classified valuable and waste streams for maximum recovery of value from the mineral stream, e.g., a stream of minerals includes receiving response data indicating reflected, absorbed or backscattered energy from a mineral sample exposed to a sensor, where the mineral sample is irradiated with electromagnetic energy. The system determines spectral characteristics of the mineral sample by performing spectral analysis on the response data of the mineral sample and identifies a composition of the mineral sample by comparing the spectral characteristics of the mineral sample to previously developed spectral characteristics of samples of known composition. The system then generates a sort decision for the mineral sample based on the comparison, where the sort decision is used in diverting the mineral sample to a desired destination e.g. pyrometallurgical treatment stages, or to a waste stream. |
| US09316529B2 |
Optical sensor device and image display device
There is provided an optical sensor device that, even when the frame is slimmed, can cause the sensor unit to leave or enter the frame smoothly, as well as can accommodate position shifts of the image display panel caused by activation and resulting heat generation thereof. An optical sensor device 1 includes a main body frame 2, a sensor unit 3 including an optical sensor 108, guide members 16 configured to guide the sensor unit 3, and drive means configured to move the sensor unit 3 to a measurement position. The sensor unit 3 is provided with, on both sides thereof, slide members 31. The sensor unit 3 moves obliquely forward along slopes 162 formed on front portions of the guide members 16, and a shading member 9 disposed on the sensor unit 3 contacts a display screen 101a of the image display panel. After making a measurement, the sensor unit 3 moves obliquely backward and is stored in the main body frame 2. |
| US09316524B2 |
Visual indicator with sensor
A fluid level gauge includes a housing having a first end and a second end, and a window disposed in the housing, proximate to the first end. The fluid level gauge further includes an optical sensor disposed in the housing, proximate to the second end. A prism is disposed in the housing, between the optical sensor and the window, such that the prism and the window define a fluid chamber therebetween. The housing further includes a plurality of through holes that provides a fluid path from outside the housing to the fluid chamber. |
| US09316522B2 |
Visual indicator with sensor
A fluid level gauge includes a housing having a first end and a second end, and a window disposed in the housing, proximate to the first end. The fluid level gauge further includes an optical sensor disposed in the housing, proximate to the second end. A prism is disposed in the housing, between the optical sensor and the window, such that the prism and the window define a fluid chamber therebetween. The housing further includes a plurality of through holes that provides a fluid path from outside the housing to the fluid chamber. |
| US09316518B2 |
Method for measuring the flow rate of a multi-phase liquid
The method for measuring the flow rate of a multi-phase liquid determines the speed of sound and the density of each phase, and determining the speed of sound in each of the phases of the liquid within a working temperature range. The amplitudes of the vibrations of the pipe along which the multi-phase liquid flows and the frequencies corresponding thereto are determined A range of frequencies with maximum amplitude values is selected. The measured range of frequencies is divided into three parts—the low frequencies corresponding to the gas phase, the mid-frequencies corresponding to the oil phase, the high frequencies corresponding to the water phase. In each of the parts of said frequencies the maximum values of the amplitude are isolated after the use of fast Fourier transforms. Then the volumetric flow rate of each phase of the liquid is calculated on the basis of a given formula. |
| US09316516B2 |
Magnetic excitation circuit for electromagnetic flow meter
A magnetic excitation circuit is used as a circuit for providing a magnetic excitation electric current based on a magnetic excitation power supply voltage to a magnetic excitation coil of an electromagnetic flow meter. The magnetic excitation circuit includes four voltage storing circuits that store and output a driving voltage that is charged by a common driving voltage. The voltage storing circuits are connected respectively between the control terminals and the output terminals of four switching elements. When the four switching elements are turned ON in relation to a positive interval or a negative interval, the four switching elements operate by the driving voltages that are outputted from the respective voltage storing circuits. |
| US09316512B2 |
Nondestructive inspection system for difficult to access areas
A method for inspecting an object. A support structure physically associated with a first sensor and a second sensor is moved to an area for inspection. The support structure is in a first configuration and the first sensor and the second sensor are positioned about an axis extending through the support structure when the support structure is in the first configuration. The support structure is changed from the first configuration to a second configuration. The first sensor and the second sensor are configured to generate information when the support structure is in the second configuration. |
| US09316510B2 |
Method and device for detecting the position of a conveyor
A method for detecting the position of a conveyor, comprising the steps of: providing on the conveyor belt an irregular marking, constituted by marks and the like that are detectable optically; by means of a vision device, detecting portions of the marking at preset time intervals; comparing a detection performed by the vision device with a previously performed detection, in order to determine the extent and direction of the movement. |
| US09316508B2 |
Magnetic encoder for producing an index signal
A magnetic encoder has a high resolution track including a plurality of North/South pole pairs defining a plurality of pole junctions, and a reference track including a North/South pole pair defining a North/South pole junction aligned with a first pole junction of the high resolution track, and a South/North pole junction aligned with a second pole junction of the high resolution track. Only a single pole junction of the high resolution track is positioned between the first and second pole junctions of the high resolution track. |
| US09316505B2 |
Analysis method, and analysis apparatus
An analysis method executed by a computer, the analysis method includes: detecting a plurality of staying points where one or more mobile bodies stayed in accordance with a plurality of trace data associated with trajectories of the one or more mobile bodies; comparing, in accordance with the plurality of trace data, a first ending time of stay in a first staying point selected from among the plurality of staying points with second ending times of stay in one or more second staying points which are similar to the first staying point; and determining feature of the first staying point in accordance with a result of the comparison. |
| US09316502B2 |
Intelligent mobility aid device and method of navigating and providing assistance to a user thereof
An intelligent navigation device is provided for actively collecting data about a user and the surrounding environment, drawing helpful inferences, and actively aiding the user in navigation, environmental awareness, and social interaction. The intelligent navigation device may include cameras for detecting image data regarding the surrounding environment. The intelligent navigation device may include a GPS unit, an IMU, and a memory for storing previously determined user data. The intelligent navigation device may include a processor for determining a desirable action or event based on the image data, data detected by the GPS unit or the IMU, or a recognized object in the surrounding environment. The processor may further determine a destination and provide navigation assistance to the user for reaching the destination. The intelligent navigation device may convey output data using a display, a speaker, a vibration unit, a mechanical feedback unit, or an electrical stimulation unit. |
| US09316497B2 |
Level sensor
A level sensor for a motor vehicle includes a housing, a rotor rotatably mounted on the housing, and a printed circuit board enclosed in the housing. The printed circuit board includes at least one stator and is connected to a plug which can be attached to an opening in the housing, and seals the opening thereby. The printed circuit board and electronic components are readily and permanently protected against environmental influences. Housing has a chamber for accommodating the printed circuit board, and the opening is allocated to the chamber. The chamber is closed on all sides, with the exception of the opening. The printed circuit board can be inserted in the chamber in the manner of a drawer and can be positioned therein. |
| US09316492B2 |
Reducing the impact of charged particle beams in critical dimension analysis
Measuring a feature on a wafer, the feature including at least two edges. Scanning the wafer with an electron beam over the length of a first scan interval that includes at least a portion of a first edge of the feature. Preventing the electron beam from illuminating the wafer while moving the scan position of the electron beam across a portion of the wafer to a second scan interval that includes at least a portion of a second edge of the feature. Scanning the wafer with an electron beam over the length of the second scan interval. Determining a distance between the first and second edges of the feature. |
| US09316490B2 |
Method and system for measuring patterned substrates
A system and method of measuring feature depth using a common path auto-correlation low coherence interferometer including a light source having an output directed toward a first beam splitter, the first beam splitter directing at least a portion of a light beam from the light source toward a sample having two reflective interfaces including a top surface reflective interface and a feature bottom reflective interface. The first beam splitter can also pass toward a second beam splitter each of a reference light beam reflected from the top surface interface and a measurement light beam reflected from the feature bottom reflective interface. The second beam splitter directs the reference light beam to a first mirror and the measurement light beam to a second mirror and combines a reflected measurement light beam from the second mirror and a reflected reference light beam from the first mirror to form an interference pattern. |
| US09316488B1 |
Force measurement system
A system includes an emitter of electromagnetic radiation combined to the object and aligned with a detector for detecting the electromagnetic radiation from the emitter. A processor in communication with the detector is calibrated to recognize a change in alignment between the electromagnetic radiation from the emitter and the detector. The processor translates the change in alignment to the amount of force applied to the object. |
| US09316484B2 |
Fringe shift measurement system having an optical phase mask with phase-shifted first and second halves
A fringe shift measurement system is provided and includes an optical phase mask configured to receive light fringes from optical flats. The optical phase mask has first and second halves, each half having alternating patterns of opaque rings and transparent rings. The first half pattern is phase-shifted with respect to the second half pattern. The first and second halves are configured to alternately block the light fringes or allow the light fringes to pass through the optical phase mask. A splitter is configured to direct the light fringes from the optical phase mask in desired directions. Concentrators are positioned to receive light fringes from the splitter and configured to focus the light fringes in a desired location. Detectors are configured to receive the focused light fringes from the concentrators and configured to convert the focused light fringes into digital signals. A control unit is configured to analyze the digital signals. |
| US09316483B2 |
OCT swept laser with high coherence signal extraction
An optical coherence tomography system utilizes an optical swept laser that has improved coherence length in the swept optical signal. This is accomplished using an intra-cavity element that extracts the tunable optical signal at the optimal location within the laser's resonant cavity. Generally this location is between the intracavity tuning element and the cavity's gain element so that light coming from the tuning element is extracted. In general in lasers, the gain element adds noise and chirp and this degrades the tunable optical signal's coherence length. |
| US09316479B2 |
Capacitance based clearance probe and housing
A capacitance based clearance probe has a partial sensor housing mounted on a surface and a sensor rod anchored in the partial sensor housing. The sensor rod extends into a sensor opening in the surface such that the partial sensor housing and the surface combine to operate as a complete sensor housing. |
| US09316468B2 |
Bullet
The invention provides a bullet. The bullet comprises a bullet-shaped body of a first metal composition, which body has a hollow cavity defined therein along the axis of the bullet with an opening at the point of the bullet shaped body. The bullet further comprises a plunger of a second composition, preferably metal, which metal is harder than the first metal, and shaped generally complementary to the hollow cavity. Hollow empty cavities may preferably be provided between the plunger and the hollow. |
| US09316466B2 |
Driver's hatch
The present invention is a driver's hatch for an armored vehicle. The hatch includes a dome hatch for normal operations and a pop-up section. The pop-up section, when in the lowered position allows the cab to freely rotate above it. When in the raised position, the pop-up section allows the driver to look out of the vehicle through transparent armor windows and thus remain under armor protection. |
| US09316460B2 |
One hand operational combo sight device
A sight device includes a mounting base for detachably mounting on the firearm, a sight unit upwardly extended from the mounting base, and a sight arrangement provided at the mounting base at a position underneath the sight unit, wherein the sight arrangement includes first and second modules. The first sight module includes a first light housing frontwardly extended from the mounting base and a first light unit supported in the first light housing for generating a light beam parallel to a bore axis of the firearm and close to the bore axis of the firearm to reduce an off-axis bore height. The second sight modules includes a second light housing frontwardly extended from the mounting base and spaced part from the first light housing, and a second light unit supported in the second light housing for illumination. |
| US09316458B2 |
Elastomerically self-grasping spear holder for underwater sling
An elastomerically self-grasping spear holder for an underwater sling. A cylindrical spear holder has a ring-shaped front part, a solid rear part and a center part containing only two support arms of limited circumferential extent. An elastomeric constrictor placed over the support arms has sides that have a smaller dimension than the diameter of the spear holder. When a spear is placed within the spear holder, the sides of the elastomeric constrictor grip the spear by compression so that the spear is held in position without being held by the operator. The rear part of the spear holder is solid, with a recess on the front surface to receive the rear end of the spear, and a through hole to receive the elastic band connected to a frame. |
| US09316455B2 |
Spring for a trigger slide of a pistol
A pistol with a trigger spring which assists the trigger movement counter to the force of a restoring spring and acts at one end on the trigger slide and at the other end directly or indirectly on the housing of the pistol. In order further to improve the trigger spring, it is provided that said trigger spring is a helical spring which is loaded in compression and the interior of which contains a guide pin which, in the region of one of the ends thereof, has a transverse bolt with which said guide pin rests in a groove fixed on the housing, and which, in the region of the other end thereof, holds a first end region of a hook in a movably mounted manner, the second end region of which hook is of U-shaped design, and in that part of the trigger slide is mounted in said U-shaped end. |
| US09316454B2 |
Secure smartphone-operated gun lock with means for overriding release of the lock
A gun lock device, which may be configured to be disposed on or adjacent a gun to alternatively prevent or enable firing, includes a data receiver, a data memory and a logic device for determining whether a potential gun user's biologic data received by the receiver is the same, or substantially the same, as biologic data stored in the data memory. A separate smartphone is provided to collect and transmit the biologic data to the data receiver of the gun lock device. The logic device also responds to a gun control signal transmitted by the smartphone to lock the gun when the smartphone is located in a proscribed area, such as within a school zone or outside a secured area such as an airport or shopping mall. |
| US09316449B2 |
Heat exchanger tank and related apparatuses
A heat exchanger (such as a radiator) that provides for a consistent tank-to-header joint location. The tank generally includes at least two indentations and at least one isolator having a base at least partially disposed in one of the indentations and a coupler extending from the base for coupling the tank to at least one other component of the heat exchanger. |
| US09316447B2 |
Thermal interface material
There is provided a thermal interface material, TIM, a thermal interface application comprising such a TIM, and corresponding methods for providing the material and the thermal interface. The TIM comprises a TIM layer in which an activable shrinkage material is distributed, such that upon activation of the shrinkage material the thickness of the TIM layer is increased. In the thermal interface application, where the TIM (400) is arranged between a heat generating component (20) and a heat conducting element (30), the increase in thickness of the TIM layer is utilized to increase the contact pressure on mating surfaces. The TIM is sandwiched between the heat generating component and the heat conducting element before the activation of the shrinkage material, and the distance (h) between the heat generating component and the heat conducting element is restricted such upon activation of the shrinkage material, the restricted maximum height (h) between the heat generating component and the heat conducting element in combination with the TIM increasing the thickness of the TIM layer, the contact pressure on the mating surfaces is increased. |
| US09316444B2 |
Apparatus for conveying and pre-heating a metal charge for a melting plant and connected method
Apparatus for continuously conveying and pre-heating a metal charge inside a container of a melting plant, comprising at least a conveyor channel, having walls to convey the metal charge, and at least a hood defining a conveyor tunnel and/or an expansion chamber. The hood is disposed above the conveyor channel for the transit of at least part of the fumes exiting from the container, and the conveyor channel cooperates with apertures to discharge the fumes. The apertures cooperate with at least a fume diverting channel defining at least a first expansion compartment, located substantially vertical or sub-vertical, connected both to the apertures and also to at least a channel to take in the fumes. |
| US09316442B2 |
Dryer
A dryer is provided. The dryer may include a main body having an inner space formed therein, a fixed drum provided in the inner space of the main body, and a tumbling device coupled to the drum. The fixed drum may have a non-circular cross-section as it is rotated. The tumbling device may tumble laundry items received in the fixed drum as it slides along an inner circumferential surface of the fixed drum. |
| US09316438B2 |
Method and assembly for handling containers in a freeze dryer
Method for transfer of containers, such as vials (101), between a freeze dryer (1) that is located at a first location and a separate transport vehicle (30) that is mobile with respect to the freeze dryer, wherein the freeze dryer (1) comprises a freeze dryer housing (2) with an access opening (11) towards an inner freeze drying chamber (10) inside the freeze dryer housing (2), multiple shelves (21-24) that are arranged spaced apart above each other inside the freeze dryer chamber (10) and each provided with a horizontally extending first flat supporting surface (25) for supporting the containers, wherein the mobile transport vehicle (30) comprises a mobile undercarriage (31) supporting a storage housing (33) with an access opening (40) towards an inner storage chamber (39), a carrier provided with a second flat supporting surface (58) for supporting the containers inside the storage housing (33), and a container shifter (60) for pushing out containers away from the second flat supporting surface (58) in a pushing out direction parallel to the second flat supporting surface (58). |
| US09316437B2 |
Microwave vacuum-drying of organic materials
An apparatus 20 for microwave vacuum-drying organic materials such as foods and bioactives has a plurality of microwave generators 50 actuated so as to cause interference between their respective microwave streams and evenly distribute the microwave energy across the vacuum chamber 34. The microwave-transparent window 36 in the chamber is arranged so the organic material to be dried is moved across it on a conveyor belt 60 and the microwave energy passing into the chamber 34 immediately encounters the organic materials, thus attenuating the energy and reducing arcing. |
| US09316435B2 |
Electricity generation method using an air gas separation unit and a combustion unit
For a plant comprising a gas/air separation unit supplying a boiler and a boiler-fed unit for compression and/or purification of CO2, the quantity of fumes sent to the compression and/or purification unit is modified according to the sale price of the electricity generated and/or the cost of venting the fumes. |
| US09316434B2 |
Process for producing liquid and gaseous nitrogen streams, a gaseous stream which is rich in helium and a denitrided stream of hydrocarbons and associated installation
This process includes the cooling of an introduction stream (72) inside an upstream heat exchanger (28). It includes the introduction of the cooled introduction stream (76) into a fractionating column (50) and the tapping at the bottom portion of the column (50) of the denitrided stream of hydrocarbons. It also includes the introduction of a stream (106) rich in nitrogen obtained from the head portion of the column (50) into a separation container (60) and the recovery of the head gaseous stream from the separation container (60) in order to form the stream (20) which is rich in helium. The liquid stream (110) is obtained from the bottom of the first separation container (60) is separated into a liquid nitrogen stream (18) and a first reflux stream (114) which is introduced as reflux into the head of the fractionating column (50). |
| US09316433B2 |
Ethane recovery methods and configurations
Contemplated methods and configurations use a cooled ethane and CO2-containing feed gas that is expanded in a first turbo-expander and subsequently heat-exchanged to allow for relatively high expander inlet temperatures to a second turbo expander. Consequently, the relatively warm demethanizer feed from the second expander effectively removes CO2 from the ethane product and prevents carbon dioxide freezing in the demethanizer, while another portion of the heat-exchanged and expanded feed gas is further chilled and reduced in pressure to form a lean reflux for high ethane recovery. |
| US09316431B2 |
Method of regulating a refrigeration device by storing thermal energy during non-peak hours for use during peak hours in order to shift refrigeration device operation to non-peak hours
The present invention is a method of regulating a refrigeration device by storing thermal energy during non-peak hours for use during peak hours in order to shift refrigeration device operation to non-peak hours. In a first iteration, a real-time temperature of the refrigeration device is cooled to a target temperature over a first time duration. The refrigeration device compressor and fan are disabled over a second time duration and the real-time temperature is allowed to slowly rise, never exceeding an established maximum temperature. The real-time temperature is periodically monitored over the first time duration and the second time duration and adjustments are made for a subsequent iteration if the target temperature is reached before the end of the first time duration, if the target temperature is not reached during the first time duration, and if the maximum temperature is reached during the second time duration. |
| US09316424B2 |
Multi-stage cooling system with tandem compressors and optimized control of sensible cooling and dehumidification
A cooling system has a plurality of separate cooling stages including an upstream cooling stage having an upstream cooling circuit and a downstream cooling stage including a downstream cooling circuit, which are each a direct expansion cooling circuit including a tandem compressor. Each tandem compressor includes a fixed capacity compressor and a variable capacity compressor. A controller controls the fixed capacity compressor and variable capacity compressor of each tandem compressor based on a Call for Cooling, which of a plurality of ranges the Call for Cooling falls within, and whether the Call for Cooling is ramping up or ramping down. |
| US09316423B2 |
Container refrigeration apparatus
A container refrigeration apparatus includes: a refrigerant circuit which performs a refrigeration cycle, and includes a main circuit sequentially connecting a compressor, a condenser, a main expansion valve and an evaporator, and a hot gas bypass circuit through which a refrigerant compressed in the compressor bypasses the condenser and the main expansion valve to flow into the evaporator; and a compressor control section which controls operating speed of rotation of the compressor during heating operation for heating inside of a container by the evaporator while returning the compressed refrigerant from the compressor to the compressor through the hot gas bypass circuit and the evaporator so that a temperature inside the container reaches a target temperature. |
| US09316418B2 |
Apparatus for achieving cryogenic temperature in movable system
An apparatus for achieving a cryogenic temperature in a movable system, includes a rotating table, a vacuum chamber which is fixed on the rotating table, a cryogen-free refrigerator which has a cooling section inside the vacuum chamber, an inner cylinder which is fixed to a bottom of the rotating table, an outer cylinder which stores the inner cylinder such that the inner cylinder is rotatable and includes an outward and return gas port which is provided to be continuous with gas passages, a compressor which circulates gas to the cryogen-free refrigerator through the outward and return gas passages, and a rotary joint for wiring which is fixed to the inner cylinder and rotatably conducts electricity, wherein a piece of internal wiring is led through a through-hole and a hole, and electricity is supplied to a piece of equipment on the rotating table through the piece of internal wiring. |
| US09316415B2 |
Film mirror, production process of same and reflection device for solar power generation comprising same
There are disclosed a film mirror, which can be prevented from decrease in specular reflectance when a silver layer that serves as a reflective layer is deteriorated, is lightweight and flexible, can be produced at low cost, can have an enlarged surface area, can be produced on a large scale, exhibits excellent light stability and weather resistance, and exhibits good specular reflectance to solar light; a process for producing the film mirror; and a reflection device for solar power generation, which is equipped with such a film mirror. The film mirror comprises at least an adhesive layer, a silver reflection layer and an upper adjacent layer as constituent layers provided on the resin substrate sequentially in this order, in which at least the upper adjacent layer contains a binder and a corrosion inhibitor for silver. |
| US09316414B2 |
Photovoltaic power generation apparatus comprising a cylindrical light-collecting device
The present invention relates to a photovoltaic power generation apparatus comprising a light-collecting device which collects light to solar cell modules regardless of the migration path of the sun. Photovoltaic power generation involves enabling solar energy to be absorbed into solar cell modules and generating electricity from the solar energy. The photovoltaic power generation apparatus of the present invention comprises: said light-collecting device, which eliminates the need for tracking and moving along with the sun; a small number of solar cell modules which track and move along with the sun; and a device for moving the modules, wherein the photovoltaic power generation apparatus of the present invention generates electricity by means of the light-collecting device, the solar cell modules, and the device for moving the modules, thus significantly reducing the cost of installing and operating photovoltaic power generation facilities. |
| US09316413B2 |
Selectable efficiency versus comfort for modulating furnace
A furnace controller for a modulating furnace that helps provide a balance between energy efficiency and occupant comfort across various burner firing rates and/or across various circulating blower speeds. In some cases, the furnace controller can be configured to permit a user to customize operation of the furnace in accordance with their particular needs and/or desires with respect to efficiency and comfort. A selection may be made between an energy efficiency setting and a user comfort setting. Then, a plenum parameter such as a discharge air temperature (DAT) or discharge air flow (DAF) may be regulated in accordance with the selected setting. |
| US09316406B2 |
Process chamber incorporating an arrangement for injecting gaseous fluid thereinto
A process chamber (5) has an interior space (39). In the interior space (39), there is a receiving region (15) for workplaces (3). The process chamber (5) has an opening (12, 14) for the entry and exit of workplaces (3). The process chamber includes an arrangement (17, 19, 25, 29, 33, 37, 35) for injecting gaseous fluid into the interior space (39). The arrangement for injecting gaseous fluid has at least one nozzle (17, 19) for producing a fluid flow curtain (21, 23) between the opening (12, 14) and the receiving region (15) for workplaces (3). |
| US09316404B2 |
Heat pump with integral solar collector
The present invention generally relates to heat pumps that utilize at least one solar receiver operating with the same working fluids. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a hybrid solar heat pump comprised of at least one microchannel heat exchanger with integral solar absorber, at least one compression device as the heat pump for concurrent compression to a higher pressure and mass flow regulator of the working fluid, and at least one working fluid accumulator with the entire system operating with the same working fluid. |
| US09316403B2 |
Hot water recovery
The concepts relate to reducing energy loss associated with hot water systems. One example includes a cold water line and a hot water line and an end use fixture in fluid flowing relation with the cold and hot water lines and configured to control water flow therefrom. This example also includes a water heater having an intake or inlet in fluid flowing relation to the cold water line and an outlet in fluid flowing relation to the hot water line. The example includes an automatic hot water recovery apparatus positioned in fluid flowing relation to the cold water line proximate to the water heater, the automatic hot water recovery apparatus configured to draw hot water back into the water heater from the hot water line subsequent to hot water usage at the end use fixture. |
| US09316402B2 |
Heat pump
A heat pump including a boiler is disclosed. The heat pump may include a quick-hot-water-supply tank and the boiler, which may be operated selectively based on a temperature of external air or an electric power rate per unit heat quantity. |
| US09316392B2 |
Gas burner having means for reversibly fixing the cover
Gas burner (1) for a cooking hob (14) comprising: a burner cup (2) constrained to the cooking hob, onto which at least one burner body (3) is mounted, and at least one superior cover (5), which can be removably coupled to said burner body, as well as at least one annular flame diffuser (4), designed to produce at least one flame crown. The burner is also provided with means (9, 9′, 10) for reversibly fixing the superior cover to the burner cup. The reversible fixing means comprise at least one male part (9, 9′) integral to the cup and at least one female part (10) integral to the cover, or vice-versa, in which the male part can be inserted into the female part and is movable within the female part between at least one reciprocal holding position and at least one reciprocal release position. |
| US09316389B2 |
Modular LED heat-dissipating device
A modular LED heat-dissipating device includes an LED circuit board, a heat-conducting adhesive layer, a heat-dissipating structure, and a wire terminal module. The LED light source illuminates by power supplied via the wire terminal module. Heat generated from the LED light source is dissipated by the heat-dissipating structure. This device does not dissipate heat by a lamp housing. So the lamp housing can be made of, but not limited to, plastic, thereby decreasing a production cost of the LED lamp. In addition, the modular LED heat-dissipating device can fit various kinds of lamp housings. When the LED light source breaks down, the modular LED heat-dissipating device and the lamp housing can be easily separated to replace or repair the LED light source. |
| US09316382B2 |
Connector devices, systems, and related methods for connecting light emitting diode (LED) modules
Connector devices, systems, and related methods for connecting light emitting diode (LED) modules to thermal substrates and/or optical elements are disclosed. In some aspects, a connector device can include a connector body having a first side configured to engage an LED module and a second side configured to engage an optical element for mechanically coupling the LED module to the optical element. The connector device can further include a housing configured to receive a portion of an electrical wire for electrically coupling the LED module to the electrical wire. A connector system can include an annular body defining an opening and at least one LED module disposed in a portion of the connector. The connector can be configured to cover a portion of the LED module and leave another portion of the LED module exposed or visible. |
| US09316379B2 |
Landscape lighting systems having light diverting elements and light intensity controllers
A landscape lighting system includes a plurality of light fixtures, each light fixture having an LED, and a plurality of interchangeable light diverting elements adapted to be secured over the LED. Each light diverting element has a unique light diversion angle associated therewith, whereby only one of the light diverting elements is secured over the LED at any one time. The system includes a light intensity controller for communicating with each light fixture. The light intensity controller has a control element that enables an operator to selectively increase and decrease the intensity of the light generated by the LED. |
| US09316377B2 |
Photoluminescent illuminator
An illuminator and a method for fabricating the illuminator are disclosed. The illuminator comprises at least a light source and a discriminator. The light source comprises one or more luminescent layers that substantially convert the energy of a primary electromagnetic radiation to an output radiation. The discriminator comprises one or more layers that substantially transmit the primary electromagnetic radiation to the one or more luminescent layers and reflect at least a portion of the output radiation from the one or more luminescent layers to the viewing hemisphere. A method for applying the illuminator to an object is also disclosed. |
| US09316372B2 |
Light emitting device and vehicle lamp
A light emitting device can include a head portion including a surface including a convex portion, a back surface on the opposite side, and a through hole penetrating a tip surface of the convex portion and the back surface; a light-transmitting member including a surface and a back surface on the opposite side, the back surface including a first recess to be fitted to the convex portion; an adhesive bonding part of the surface of the head portion around the convex portion to the back surface of the light-transmitting member while the convex portion is fitted to the first recess and the first recess covers the through hole; a semiconductor light emitting element that emits light passing through the through hole for irradiation of the light-transmitting member; and an optical system condensing the light from the semiconductor light emitting element and locally irradiates the light-transmitting member with the light. |
| US09316370B2 |
Pathway lighting system for tunnels
A light unit used in train tunnels is readily mountable and removable from a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket allows the battery backup system and light engine to be gravity mounted in manner that allows for quick and easy mounting and removal while also resisting vibrations and wind. A quick disconnect fitting can be used with the power cord to allow the units to be removed and replaced as needed. The light unit integrates the light engine with a battery backup system so that the entire light and battery unit is removed and replaced when necessary. |
| US09316367B2 |
Multi-fuel lantern
A lantern comprising a tank, a chimney, an ignition bowl, and a chimney tube. There is also a mixing subassembly, a fuel line, a nozzle and a chimney cap. There is an igniter subassembly, an outflow subassembly and a pump. The igniter subassembly is angled to the right, and inward, providing more efficient heating of the outflow subassembly upper heating tube and loop. A outflow tube, which carries the fuel, has two external dimensions, which provides for more efficient fuel heating. |
| US09316365B1 |
Retrofit solar powered lighting assembly for flagpole
The present invention is an assembly that changes retrofits a flagpole with a solar powered area light, whereby the flag is removed from connection with the residential flagpole and stored. The assembly optionally includes a remote control so that a user can select from a number of operational modes for area lighting. The assembly also includes support bar connectors formed from two parts that are usable in either a connection of a support bar to the top of the flagpole or for connecting the support bar to the top of a downward directed solar lighting fixture. |
| US09316364B2 |
Illumination device for a balloon
An illumination device for mounting inside a balloon comprises a light source, such as LED, and a battery power source for the light source, both mounted in a housing. The housing is provided as an inner part of a first plastics material in which the battery power source is housed and an outer casing of a second plastics material, which at least partially surrounds the inner part and provides a cover for the light source. The second plastics material is transparent and resiliently deformable and may be a thermoplastics elastomer. In preferred embodiments the housing is provided as a one-piece unit which is a co-molding of the first plastics material and the second plastics material, and which is provided as two mating sections hingedly connected to each other. |
| US09316363B2 |
Lighting device
A lighting device may be provided that includes a light emitter including a plurality of LEDs; a reflective plate disposed on the light emitter; a diffuser plate disposed in a direction in which light emitted from the LED is irradiated; a case including the light emitter disposed therein and including a bottom plate and a side wall extending from both side ends of the bottom plate; and a connecting member extending from the side wall of the case and including a bracket coupler on at least one side thereof. The light emitter is disposed between the bottom plate of the case and the diffuser plate. |
| US09316361B2 |
LED lamp with remote phosphor and diffuser configuration
An LED lamp or bulb is disclosed that comprises a light source, a heat sink structure and an optical cavity. The optical cavity comprises a phosphor carrier having a conversions material and arranged over an opening to the cavity. The phosphor carrier comprises a thermally conductive transparent material and is thermally coupled to the heat sink structure. An LED based light source is mounted in the optical cavity remote to the phosphor carrier with light from the light source passing through the phosphor carrier. A diffuser dome is included that is mounted over the optical cavity, with light from the optical cavity passing through the diffuser dome. The diffuser dome can disperse the light passing through it into the desired emission pattern, such as omnidirection. In one embodiment, the light source can be blue emitting LED and the phosphor carrier can include a yellow phosphor, with the LED lamp or bulb emitting a white light combination of LED and phosphor light. |
| US09316360B2 |
Light source unit, light source device, and display apparatus
A light source unit is used in a multiply combined manner, and includes a light source element having a substrate and one or more light emitting elements disposed on the substrate. The light source unit is configured such that when a plurality of the light source units are arranged in cascade, the light source element in the light source unit comes to in electric connection with another light source element in an adjacent light source unit. Thereby, the plurality of light source units may emit light at the same time. Thus, the structure similar to rod-shaped light source such as CCFL is achieved. |
| US09316358B2 |
System for detecting and determining the type of an inflatable device being coupled with an air supply device
A system for detecting and determining the type of an inflatable device being coupled with an air supply device is disclosed. The inflatable device includes an inflatable unit connected to a connector via an air delivery line. The air supply device includes a pressurized air supply unit and a pressure detection unit connected to a coupler. The connector is coupled with the coupler via several air inlet pipes. One of the air inlet pipes is a blocked pipe, a relative position of which on the connector varies with the type of the inflatable unit. The pressure detection unit determines the inflatable unit type by detecting the relative position of the blocked air inlet pipe, and the pressurized air supply unit supplies air of suitable pressure to the inflatable unit according to the type thereof, enabling the inflatable unit to properly massage a user's muscles to improve the blood circulation thereof. |
| US09316355B2 |
Cylinder preparation for high purity acetylene
This invention relates in part to a method for preparing a pressure vessel for receiving high purity acetylene at elevated pressure. The method involves providing a porous filler-containing pressure vessel, deep cleaning the porous filler-containing pressure vessel, purifying a solvent, and charging the purified solvent into the deep cleaned, porous filler-containing pressure vessel. The pressure vessel is then charged with high purity acetylene for storage, transport and/or delivery of the high purity acetylene. The high purity acetylene may be useful as a source material for depositing carbon and carbon-containing films in semiconductor applications. |
| US09316354B2 |
Methods and apparatus to couple components to a fuel tank
Apparatus and methods to couple fuel components to a fuel tank are described. An example method includes forming a guide within a cavity of a fuel tank, positioning a carrier on the guide, and sliding the carrier along the guide. |
| US09316353B2 |
Power output discharge circuit
The present invention relates to a power output discharge circuit including: an output filter module configured to receive and filter an input voltage and to output the filtered output voltage to a load; an output charge module configured to charge the output filter module when a power source module is plugged into a system cabinet; and an output discharge module configured to cooperate with the output charge module to discharge the output filter module when the power source module is pulled out of the system cabinet. With an implementation of the power output discharge circuit according to the invention, whether the power source module is pulled out of the system cabinet can be monitored in real time, and upon detecting the power source module being pulled out of the system cabinet, the output discharge module can be started rapidly, and the voltage across the output port can be lowered below a safety voltage in a very short period of time. |
| US09316351B2 |
Cradle apparatus and method for rotating and linearly displacing an electronic device
A case construction encases an electronic device and enables a user to rotatably and linearly displace the electronic device relative to a select surface of the case construction. The case construction includes a case with a cradle-receiving surface, a cradle sized and shaped to removably receive an electronic device, and a device-to-surface anchor assembly. The cradle includes a centralized region having an oblong aperture and adjustable arm assemblies. The oblong aperture defines a cradle displacement zone segment. The device-to-surface anchor assembly secures the cradle device to the cradle-receiving surface and is cooperable with the oblong aperture for enabling a user to linearly and rotatably displace the centralized region along the cradle displacement zone segment. Certain methodology for displacing an electronic device relative to select surfacing so as to position the electronic device in a select orientation relative to the select surfacing is further provided. |
| US09316350B2 |
Extendable arm and structure using the same
An extendable arm (30) is formed by a plurality of cross units (31) arranged in one direction and pivotally coupled to each other, and each of the cross units is formed by two rigid members (31a, 31b) that are pivotally coupled at a central coupling point (c) so as to cross over each other to form an X-shape. In order for the extendable arm (30) to follow a curved-line path when being extended and contracted, each of the rigid members (31a, 31b) has such a curved shape that coupling points (d, e) at both ends of the rigid member are shifted toward one side from a longitudinal axis passing through the central coupling point (c). |
| US09316349B1 |
Large capacity articulating clamp assembly
An articulating clamp assembly for traffic control assemblies. The clamp assembly includes first and second clamp members. The first clamp member, or tube saddle, has a rear face designed for attachment to a bracket tube. The rear face of the second clamp member is attachable either to the end of a mast arm by a tenon sleeve or to the side of the mast arm by cables or bands. The front ends of the first and second clamp members have inter-engaging serrated faces that allow adjustable engagement of the two clamp members. Each clamp member defines a continuous end-to-end conductor path, and the articulating ends are formed to create a continuous and substantially straight conductor path through the joint in the assembled clamp. In this way, the path of a conductor from the mast arm to the bracket tube is substantially straight facilitating the installation of large diameter conductors. |
| US09316343B2 |
Portable concrete molding machine
An adjustable mounting assembly (80) for a machine, such as a portable concrete molding machine (10), has a plurality of base plates (81), each base plate (81) having a plurality of holes and/or slots (82) therethrough arranged in a pattern to enable a number of different motors/engines (50, 150) to be mounted thereon. Each base plate (81) has a hinge assembly (83) along one side, which releasably receives a hinge pin (84) releasably engagable in support member(s) on the machine (10) to allow quick interchange of different motors/engines (50, 150), each with a respective base plate (81). An adjusting stud (89) on the opposite side enables adjustable inclination of the base plate (81) relative to the machine (10), to so enable a flexible drive assembly (52), interconnecting the motor/engine (50, 150) fitted to the machine (10), and the input shaft (53) on the machine (10), to be selectively tensioned when a motor/engine (50, 150) is fitted to the machine (10) (or to be de-tensioned for a motor/engine (50, 150) interchange.) |
| US09316342B2 |
Multilayered sheet
This invention pertains to a layered sheet comprising a flame resistant wet-laid nonwoven carrier having a first and second surface and an inorganic refractory layer adjacent to at least one surface of the carrier wherein the refractory layer has a dry area weight of from 15 to 50 gsm, the bond strength between the refractory layer and the surface of the carrier is at least 0.25 lb/in, wherein the carrier comprises from 40 to 70 weight percent of aramid fibers and from 30 to 60 weight percent of polymeric binder, is hydrophilic, has a smoothness on at least one surface of no less than 250 Sheffield units, a thickness of from 0.025 to 0.175 mm and a density of from 0.25 to 0.60 g/cc. Preferably the carrier is in the form of a paper. |
| US09316341B2 |
Coating compositions, applications thereof, and methods of forming
Equipment having a protective coating layer for use in abrasive environments, e.g., sulfur-containing environments, is disclosed. The coating is formed from a single-component feedstock, as a Fe-based alloy composition comprising at least two refractory elements selected from Cr, V, Nb, Mo and W in an amount of up to 30% each and a total concentration of up to 40%. In one embodiment, the coating is applied by thermal spraying, followed by heat treatment for at least a portion of the refractory elements in the coating to fuse into the substrate forming a metallurgically bonded coating. The coating has an adhesion strength of at least 7,000 psi measured according to ASTM D4541. The coating layer is further characterized as being impermeable to corrosive environments showing no pin holes in the ferroxyl test according to ASTM A967 Practice E. |
| US09316339B1 |
Method and apparatus for repair of polyolefin pipes and structures
A method and apparatus for repairing polyolefin structures such as polyethylene piping. The repair method involves a bi-material co-extruded film that homogenously attaches to the poly olefin pipe surface and enables bonding of either epoxy or polyurethane composite material to the overall structure. The method involves surface cleaning with a solvent, attaching the co-extruded film, and applying a heat-activated shrink tape. The surface is heated to activate the bonding process of the film to the PE surface and to create a compressive force via the shrink tape. Once accomplished, the shrink tape may be removed and either a fiber reinforced polyurethane system or a fiber-reinforced epoxy system is applied and allowed to cure. |
| US09316336B2 |
Penetration fitting unit for seal-connection between a wall and a pipe passing through
A penetration fitting unit for seal-connection between a wall and a pipe passing through a wall opening. The unit has a cylindrical sleeve having inlet and outlet ends which internally define a tubular passage. Between the inlet and outlet ends there is at least one limit stop element protruding outwardly from the outer surface of the cylindrical sleeve having a locking ring that can be coupled with the cylindrical sleeve at the outlet end thereby forming a seat for the wall. A heat transfer apparatus is interposed between the limit stop element and the sleeve outlet end. The heat transfer apparatus is placed at a portion of the cylindrical sleeve's outer surface and has a first area at least partially overlapping with respect to the seat for the wall and a second area overlapping with a portion of internal surface of the locking ring. |
| US09316333B2 |
Underwater cable deployment system and method
An underwater cable deployment system for deploying an ocean bottom cable on the seabed including a cage having a lower frame and an upper frame, which lower frame is adapted to receive the ocean bottom cable and the upper frame is connected to an umbilical cable mounted on a vessel, the upper frame being removably attached to the lower frame, guiding and tensioning means for deploying the ocean bottom cable on the seabed, the lower frame further including a recording unit which is connected to the ocean bottom cable and is adapted to record data detected by at least one sensor unit of the ocean bottom cable and an electrical power unit adapted to provide power to the recording unit and to the ocean bottom cable. |
| US09316332B2 |
Marine pipeline-installation tower and tensioning assembly
A marine pipeline-installation tower comprising at least two opposing legs, and one or more tensioning assemblies supported by the opposing legs for surrounding and supporting an intermediate pipeline during installation, at least one of the intermediate tensioning assemblies comprising two or more discrete segments, the segments being moveable between: a closed position wherein the segments are conjoined to form an enclosing pipeline annulus able to support the pipeline between the legs of the tower; and an open position wherein at least two of the segments are disconnected and separate. In this way, a better clearance is achievable between the parts of the segments able to form the enclosing pipeline annulus when the segments are in their open position, because the segments are able to be disconnected and separate despite still being supported within the limited room between the fixed legs of the tower. |
| US09316330B2 |
Apparatus for flow regulation
An apparatus for regulating the flow of a fluid from a source to a target location comprises a housing defining a fluid inlet configured to communicate with a fluid source and a fluid outlet configured to communicate with a target location, and a flow path extending between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet. An inlet valve assembly is mounted in the flow path and comprises a valve seat and a valve member configured to cooperate with the valve seat to regulate flow through the flow path. A balance arrangement is provided and is configured to balance the effect of fluid pressure acting on the inlet valve assembly. |
| US09316329B2 |
Hydraulic high pressure valve controller using the in-situ pressure difference
A hydraulic valve controller that uses an existing pressure differential as some or all of the power source for valve operation. In a high pressure environment, such as downhole in an oil or gas well, the pressure differential between the inside of a pipe and the outside of the pipe may be adequately large to drive a linear slide valve. The valve is operated hydraulically by a piston in a bore. When a higher pressure is applied to one end of the bore and a lower pressure to the other end, the piston moves in response to the pressure differential and drives a valve attached to it. If the pressure differential is too small to drive the piston at a sufficiently high speed, a pump is provided to generate a larger pressure differential to be applied. The apparatus is conveniently constructed using multiport valves, which can be rotary valves. |
| US09316326B2 |
Selectable valve assembly for a vehicle transmission
A hydraulic valve assembly for controlling a clutch in a vehicle transmission. The valve assembly includes a housing with a first port for connection to a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, a displaceable sealing piston disposed within the housing, a valve spring for displacing the sealing piston, a snap-spring having first and second equilibrium positions, and an overstroke spring. In the first equilibrium position a spring force displaces the sealing piston to uncover the first port to enable fluid flow through the valve, and in the second equilibrium position the valve spring displaces the sealing piston to block the first port to block fluid flow through the valve. Moving from the first equilibrium position to the second equilibrium position includes displacing the overstroke spring. |
| US09316325B2 |
Air purging pressure regulating valve
A valve housing receives a spool and the spool has a regulating chamber selectively communicating a supply line to a return line. The spool is biased in one direction by a spring force and there is a second force biasing the spool in an opposed direction with the second bias force being provided by a fluid pressure within a hydraulic system associated with the pressure regulating valve. The amount of communication between the supply port and the return port is regulated by a position of the spool as the bias force from the fluid pressure change. Damper chambers are provided on opposed sides of the spool and serve to dampen a speed of movement of the spool and a supply line for supplying fluid into the damper chambers through check valves. The supply line serves to assist in purging air outwardly of the damper chambers. |
| US09316323B2 |
Hydraulic mechanism for valves
A valve assembly includes a first piston member displaceably disposed within a first chamber. A second piston member is coupled to a valve closure element, such as a diaphragm, and the second piston member is disposed within a second chamber. A longitudinal displacement of the first piston member relative to the first chamber causes hydraulic fluid disposed within the first chamber to longitudinally displace the second piston member such that the valve closure element engages a valve seat to close the valve assembly. The area of the second piston member is greater than that of the first piston member to multiply the force provided by an actuator that displaces a valve stem coupled to the first piston member. |
| US09316322B2 |
Split seat shear valve
A gate valve has a gate valve seat for sealing a valve body to a gate of the gate valve. The valve seat extends from a flow passage of the valve body into a cavity of the valve body parallel to an axis of the flow passage. The cavity is perpendicular to the flow passage, and the gate is disposed within the cavity. The valve seat has a tubular body having a face for contact with a gate, and an end opposite the face adjacent to and in contact with the valve body. The valve seat also includes a sleeve positioned on an inner diameter of the tubular body, the sleeve adapted to receive a shear force for shearing a member extending through the flow passage, the inner sleeve having an adjustable length. |
| US09316321B2 |
Multi-piece flow control apparatus for use with fluid valves
Multi-piece flow control apparatus for use with fluid valves are described. An example flow control apparatus described herein includes a sleeve having first and second ends, the first end including a lip. A valve plug tip is disposed in the sleeve and has a shoulder engaged with an inner surface of the lip. An insert is disposed in the second end of the sleeve and engaged with the valve plug tip to urge the shoulder of the valve plug tip against the inner surface of the lip. The insert has an opening to receive a stem of the valve. |
| US09316318B2 |
Sensorized sealing system
The present invention relates to a sealing system comprising a seal that retains a liquid in a space between two concentrically mounted and relatively rotatable components. According to the invention, the sealing system comprises at least one magneto-elastic resonance sensor for measuring at least one parameter of interest associated with the sealed liquid, based on a detected resonant frequency of the at least one sensor. |
| US09316317B2 |
Sealing apparatus
A sealing apparatus includes: a case having a hollow portion; a shaft passing through the hollow portion; and a sealing member sealing between the case and the shaft, and including a resin ring and a ring-shaped rubber cap. The rubber cap includes a base portion and a lip portion. The lip portion includes a first lip contacting the resin ring and a second lip configured to contact an inner peripheral surface of the case. If a pressure of a first chamber of the lip portion side is lower than a pressure of a second chamber at the side of the base portion, the second lip is separated from the case to relieve the pressure of the second chamber to the first chamber. The base portion includes a first restricting surface for restricting the base portion from moving, and a second surface for restricting the base portion from moving. |
| US09316311B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a shift-by-wire transmission
A method of controlling a shift-by-wire transmission is provided. The method monitors a setting of a shift assembly that sets a select gear from gearing of the transmission. A motor is activated to adjust the setting of the shift assembly when the monitoring of the shift assembly indicates that the then current setting of the shift assembly is outside of a course window of a desired gear. The course adjustment window is centered about a nominal target position for the desired gear while being within an acceptable range of the select gear. The motor is shut off when the monitoring of the setting of the shift assembly indicates the setting is within a fine adjustment window of the desired gear. The fine adjustment window is also centered about the nominal target position for the desired gear. The fine adjustment window is narrower than the course adjustment window. |
| US09316310B2 |
Working machine
A pressure control valve for controlling a travel primary side pressure that is a pressure of a primary side of a travel operation device is controlled by a control unit, thus the travel primary side pressure is controlled, and thereby a traveling speed is intended to be increased, preventing an engine stall. |
| US09316304B2 |
Shifting apparatus for vehicle
A shifting apparatus for a vehicle may include a lever position guide that is provided inside a gear lever box at which a gear lever is located, and has a reference position and multiple gear positions connected to the reference position, an elastic part engaged to the gear lever and the gear lever box and configured to return the gear lever to the reference position when the gear lever deviates from the reference position and thus is located at any one of the multiple gear positions, and a controller that shifts a gear range according to a preset shifting order when the gear lever moves between the reference position and the multiple gear positions, and shifts the gear range to a preset gear range when the gear lever is located at any one of the multiple gear positions for a longer time than a setting time. |
| US09316300B2 |
Ball type CVT with powersplit paths
A variable transmission comprises an input shaft; three planetary gear sets; a Ravigneaux gear set; a variator comprising, a first ring assembly, a second ring assembly, a carrier assembly; various arrangements of brakes and clutches; and the output shaft. The variable transmissions comprise a continuously variable mode, an infinitely variable mode, or a combination thereof and can provide an input-coupled powersplit solution function. At least one configuration of the variable transmission comprises a direct drive mode. |
| US09316299B2 |
Hydrodynamic coupling device, in particular a torque converter
A hydrodynamic coupling arrangement, particularly torque converter, includes a housing arrangement which is filled or fillable with fluid, an impeller, a turbine, a lockup clutch, a torsional vibration damping arrangement with an input region and an output region, wherein a first torque transmission path and parallel thereto a second torque transmission path and a coupling arrangement for superposing the torques transmitted via the torque transmission paths are provided between the input region and the output region. The torsional vibration damping arrangement further includes at least in the first torque transmission path a phase shifter arrangement for generating a phase shift of rotational irregularities transmitted via the first torque transmission path relative to rotational irregularities transmitted via the second torque transmission path. |
| US09316298B2 |
Sliding member
A swash plate type compressor is arranged with a plurality of semispherical shoes and a disc shaped swash plate. A resin coating is formed on a surface and a rear surface (sliding surface) of the swash plate which slides with the shoe. The resin coating includes a structure whereby multiple hexagonal cylinder bodies are fabricated on a surface of a substrate and an end surface of each cylinder body forms a sliding surface which slides with the shoe. In addition, a honeycomb shaped groove is formed at an adjacent position of each cylinder body forming a storage part of a lubricant O and a container part for foreign objects.The swash plate can be provided with excellent wear resistance, seizure resistance and lubrication retention. |
| US09316297B2 |
Screw motion mechanism and damping apparatus using same
The screw motion mechanism includes: a threaded shaft having an outer peripheral surface provided with a helical thread groove, the threaded shaft having at least one axial end coupled to a first structural body; a nut member held in a rotatable manner with respect to a second structural body which is movable in an axial direction of the threaded shaft with respect to the first structural body, the nut member being threadedly engaged with the threaded shaft; and a spherical joint for coupling the at least one axial end of the threaded shaft to the first structural body, the spherical joint including: a spherical portion; and a sphere receiving portion for housing the spherical portion. When assuming an axial force applied to the threaded shaft as a variable, a line of a rotational torque intersects with a line of a sliding torque in a graph. |
| US09316295B2 |
Toothed-rack steering gear
A rack and pinion steering gear for a motor vehicle may include a steering pinion, which is connected to a steering shaft and is engaged with a gear rack that is movably mounted in a housing, and may further include a pressure piece arranged in the housing in a pressure piece bore, and which may keep the gear rack engaged free from play with the steering pinion. A pressure piece for a rack and pinion steering gear may include an outer metallic casing inserted with a press fit into the pressure piece bore, at least one elastomer damping element, in particular an elastomer casing, arranged in the metallic casing, with a metallic pressure piece core enclosed by the at least one elastomer damping element. |
| US09316290B2 |
Epicyclic gearing with a gearing housing
A planet stage of an epicyclic gearing includes a gearing housing with a ring gear arranged in a fixed position, at least two planet wheels mounted in a planet web that has at least one cheek, and a sun wheel. The planet web is connected to an input shaft, and there is a connection between the input shaft and a component of a further planet stage. The planet stage of the epicyclic gearing, in particular the planet web, has a reduced torsional loading. The reduced torsional loading is achieved in that the connection is a connecting web which is connected to that cheek of the planet web which is acted upon by an admission of load/moment, and is arranged in the region between two planet wheels and within the ring gear. |
| US09316285B2 |
Bolt plate fastener assembly for conveyor belts
A belt fastener is provided where, in one form, a washer is assembled on a bolt that extends through a recessed aperture in a lower plate of the belt fastener. An inclined cup wall of the lower plate extends toward the recessed aperture and is for seating of the bolt head thereagainst with the shank extending through the aperture. In accordance with one aspect, the washer is sized to fit into the area of the aperture so that when an upper plate is applied to the belt ends for clamping the belt ends between the upper plate and the lower plate, the washer can be shifted into the aperture area and, if necessary, into the recess formed by the cup. In this manner, the washer is not extruded over the lower cup in contrast to larger washers of prior belt fasteners. |
| US09316284B2 |
Anti-cogging apparatus and methods for reducing cogging of rotating shaft
An apparatus improves rotation of a rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft has a cyclical cogging torque acting thereon in a first direction. The apparatus includes a support member, first and second anti-cogging members, a cam surface and an abutment member. The support member is adjacent the rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft is operable to rotate relative to the support member. The second anti-cogging member is coupled to the rotatable shaft for rotation with the rotatable shaft. The cam surface is included on one of the first anti-cogging member and the second anti-cogging member. The abutment member is coupled to the other one of the first anti-cogging member and the second anti-cogging member. The abutment member is operable to abut against the cam surface to provide an anti-cogging torque to the rotatable shaft in a second direction that opposes the first direction to at least partially offset the cogging torque. |
| US09316283B2 |
Velocity-proportional active vibration damping
An active vibration damper has a damping device arranged on a vibration-susceptible mechanical structure. A force can be injected directly into the vibration-susceptible mechanical structure with the damping device. A damping force which damps a vibration of the mechanical structure is determined by a control device of the active vibration damper with reference to an absolute movement of the mechanical structure in space. A damping drive of the damping device which is arranged on the mechanical structure is activated by the control device in accordance with the determined damping force such that the determined damping force is injected into the mechanical structure with the damping drive. The control device determines the damping force such that the damping force is proportional at all times to the instantaneous velocity of the mechanical structure. |
| US09316279B2 |
Vibration isolator with low elevation seismic restraint
A vibration isolator with low elevation seismic restraint comprises a support member, at least two vibration isolating members, a top plate, a seismic snubber and a snubber limit plate. The vibration isolating members, are seated on the support member opposing end portions. The top plate has a middle portion and opposing end portions, wherein the top plate spans over the vibration isolating members, such that the vibration isolating members are between the support member and the top plate. The seismic snubber has a shaft element that is mounted to the top plate on one end. A snubbing limit plate is mounted to the support member such that it spans the U shaped support member middle portion, wherein the shaft member second end is between the snubbing limit plate, and the support member. The shaft member passes through the support member via a through-hole, and a first snubber element mounted to the shaft element second end, such that seismic movement is limited by the snubbing limit plate and the support plate. |
| US09316277B2 |
Combined vehicle brake
A combined vehicle brake having a hydraulically actuable driving brake and an electromechanically actuable parking brake device. In a brake housing, a hydraulic operating pressure space is bounded by a brake piston chargeable with hydraulic pressure medium to carry out normal braking. The brake piston is actuable along a longitudinal axis of the piston, and the parking brake device acts on the brake piston by a gearing converting the rotational movement of an electromechanical actuator into a translation movement and bringing about an actuation of the brake piston in order to carry out parking brake operations and keeping the brake piston in the actuated position. The gearing has a threaded spindle and a threaded nut which are in contact with each other via a plurality of rolling bodies. The frictional moment transmitted by the further axial bearing is higher than the returning torque of the threaded spindle. |
| US09316271B2 |
Adaptive control of a linear actuator
A vehicle or other system includes hydraulic fluid, an actuatable device such as a clutch that includes a linear actuator, e.g., a clutch piston. The linear actuator is moveable via a pressure from the fluid to actuate the actuatable device. A position sensor measures and outputs a position of the linear actuator as a position signal. A controller is programmed to generate increasing and decreasing position-to-pressure (PTP) curves via measurement of the position, at a predetermined time, in response to a series of respectively increasing and decreasing pressure step commands. The controller adjusts the PTP curves using a calibrated set of offsets, locates a PTP point in a hysteresis range between the adjusted PTP curves, and controls the device using the PTP point. The offsets may include a temperature of the fluid, velocity of the linear actuator, and/or an engine speed. |
| US09316270B2 |
Clutch control device in power unit for vehicle
A solenoid body is attached to an outer surface side of a clutch cover attached to an engine main body so as to cover a pair of hydraulic clutches. A hydraulic control solenoid valve for controlling pressure of a hydraulic oil from an oil pump, a single switching valve for alternatively selecting hydraulic chambers of the pair of hydraulic clutches to be supplied with the hydraulic oil from the hydraulic control solenoid valve, and a shift solenoid valve for controlling operation of the switching valve are attached to the solenoid body. |
| US09316266B2 |
Parallel link mechanism, constant velocity universal joint, and link actuator
A parallel link mechanism includes proximal end side and distal end side link hubs, and three or more link mechanisms. Each link mechanism is a trinodal link mechanism including four revolute pairs, and includes proximal side and distal side end link members and an intermediate link member. In each revolute pair of the link mechanism, a pair of pair constituent members is connected to each other via a bearing. A shaft portion provided in one pair constituent member is fitted on an inner periphery of an inner ring of the bearing, and an annular inner face forming portion provided in the other pair constituent member is fitted on an outer periphery of the outer ring of the bearing. The shaft portion and the annular inner face forming portion define a sealing structure which regulates flow of a lubricant between inside and outside of the bearing. |
| US09316263B2 |
Cage for a toroidal roller bearing
A cage for separating rollers in a toroidal roller bearing. The cage comprises a first and second annular ring, a plurality of elongated axial members interposed between the first and second annular ring to thereby form a number of roller pockets. The cage further presents a portion extending radially inwardly on at least one of the first and second annular ring. The portion further extends in at least a part of the circumference of the at least one first and second annular ring. The radially outer peripheral surface of the annular ring presenting the portion presents axial grooves at least at the circumference having the portion, wherein each axial groove is located at the axial end face of each roller pocket in such a way that a roller can be inserted and pulled out via the axial groove into and out of each roller pocket. |
| US09316261B2 |
Linear guide system
Linear guide system has a guide element and one or more rotating bodies, movable according to a linear motion along the guide element and constrained to a structure to be supported and moved along the guide element. Each rotating body has at least one roller with an outer ring resting on a contact surface of the guide element, and at least one substantially cylindrical stem. At least one safety supporting device is connected to a structure to be supported and the one or more relating bodies. Under the normal load conditions of the linear guide system, the safety supporting device allows for the normal linear motion of the rollers along the contact surface. When load higher than a given threshold is applied on the linear guide system, the safety supporting device rests on the contact surface, discharging the load there. |
| US09316260B2 |
Tilling implement and bearing assembly for use therewith
A tilling implement for use with a farm vehicle includes a frame, a tilling element attached to the frame, a bearing assembly configured to allow the tilling element to rotate relative to the frame. The bearing assembly can include a first race, a second race spaced apart from the first race to define a gap therebetween, a bearing rotatably disposed within the gap to allow relative movement between the first race and the second race, a seal including a flexible protrusion having a distal end that presses against the first race to seal off the gap, and a stop positioned adjacent to the flexible protrusion configured to prevent the distal end of the protrusion from bending towards the bearing. |
| US09316255B2 |
Split cage and roller bearing
A split cage includes a plurality of cage segments, each of the cage segments having a pair of rim portions, and a pair of cage bar portions, the cage bar portions and the rim portions defining a pocket that accommodates a tapered roller. Turning of each of the cage segments is guided by the tapered roller, the cage segments being arranged in a circular pattern along the circumferential direction of the split cage, in an annular space between an inner ring and an outer ring. A radial clearance between a radially inner portion of a pocket-side face, which is a side face of each of the cage bar portions, and the outer peripheral face of the tapered roller is set larger than an amount of change in the pitch circle radius of the cage segment when the cage segment is displaced radially outward due to thermal expansion. |
| US09316253B2 |
Sintered bearing
A maximum diameter (d) of each of surface openings formed in a bearing surface through melting of Sn metal powder as a binder is set within a range of 0 μm |
| US09316248B2 |
Load-indicating washer
A direct tension indicator (2), including a base element (11) and a cover element (13) that is arranged on the base element (11) and at least one indicator element (4) that is arranged between the base element (11) and the cover element (13) in order to display an axial force acting between the base element and the cover element. The indicator element (4) includes a dilatant material. |
| US09316239B2 |
Hydraulic control system in a continuously variable transmission
A hydraulic control system in a continuously variable transmission (2) is provided with a pump (40) for supplying hydraulic fluid, a main line (41), a line pressure valve (V3), an auxiliary line (42) and a auxiliary pressure valve (V9). The line pressure valve (V3) being arranged to control a line pressure LP in the main line (41) by discharging a surplus of hydraulic fluid supplied by the pump (40) into the auxiliary line (42). The auxiliary pressure valve (V9) is arranged to variably control auxiliary pressure AP in the auxiliary line (41), preferably in dependence on the line pressure LP in the main line (41). |
| US09316229B2 |
Motor and fan
A base plate of a motor includes an inner bottom plate portion and an elevated portion. A land portion is arranged on an upper surface of a portion of a circuit board which overlaps with the inner bottom plate portion in a plan view, or on a portion of the circuit board which overlaps with the elevated portion in the plan view. A conducting wire extending from a coil is electrically connected to the land portion. This structure enables the conducting wire to be connected to the land portion on the circuit board without the conducting wire being drawn outward beyond an outer circumferential end portion of the base plate. The axial position of the conducting wire connected to the land portion and the axial position of the base plate at least partially overlap with each other. |
| US09316228B2 |
High-flow-capacity centrifugal hydrogen gas compression systems, methods and components therefor
Hydrogen gas compression systems that each include a multistage centrifugal compressor in which each stage has an inlet-to-outlet pressure rise ratio of about 1.20 or greater. In one embodiment, the multistage compressor includes six high-speed centrifugal compressors driven at a speed of about 60,000 rpm. The compressor has an output of more than 200,000 kg/day at a pressure of more than 1,000 psig. The compressors for the compression stages are distributed on both sides of a common gearbox, which has gearing that allows axial thrusts from the compressors to be handled effectively. Each stage's compressor has a unique impeller, which is secured to a support shaft using a tension-rod-based attachment system. In another embodiment, the multistage compressor is driven by a combustion turbine and one or more intercoolers are provided between compression stages. Each intercooler is cooled by coolant from an absorption chiller utilizing exhaust gas from the combustion turbine. |
| US09316226B2 |
Gas compressor for reducing oscillation in a housing thereof
A gas compressor can efficiently reduce an oscillation (damping) generated in a housing even if the oscillation generated in a cylinder is directly propagated to the housing during operating. Each of a plurality of ribs extends from a respective one of the fitting units to the vicinity of a position where an outer surface of a rear side block of a compressing mechanism unit received in the housing is fitted (pressingly fitted) to an inner surface of the housing. The ribs are integral formed on the outer surface of the housing. |
| US09316222B2 |
Double-action sucker-rod well pump
A pump includes a two-stepped cylinder with cavities and a lower intake valve, and is connected to a tubing-string via a sub, which includes an upper intake valve and discharge valve. A hollow plunger is arranged in the cylinder below and above the cavities. The plunger is connected to a hollow rod and has a lower discharge valve and a through-hole provided above the lower discharge valve to provide communication between the plunger cavity and a chamber formed as said plunger is moved downwards in a lower step of the cylinder. An upper step of the cylinder includes an inner diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the tubing-string. The upper discharge valve is a bush arranged on the rod with longitudinal movement upwards along said rod with excess pressure in the cylinder cavity above the plunger, and downward movement in the liquid under its own weight. |
| US09316220B2 |
Electronic control method and system for a piezo-electric pump
A method actuates a pumping device that has an optimal driving voltage. The pumping device includes a pumping chamber that has a pumping membrane, an inlet and an outlet chamber, a voltage controlled actuator connected to the pumping membrane, a stop position defined by a mechanical stop, and a sensor for determining whether the pumping membrane has reached the mechanical stop. The method performs a learning and working phase. The learning phase is adapted to determine the optimal driving voltage. |
| US09316214B2 |
Bag in box beverage pump
A pump operated with compressed gas is disclosed herein. The pump has two separate cylinders which share a common wall. Pistons are attached to a common shaft that runs through the common wall. The pistons are disposed within each of the cylinders. The pistons divide the cylinders into gas and liquid chambers. The liquid chambers of the cylinder form a liquid system and are in fluid communication with the liquid inlet and outlet. The gas chambers of the cylinders form a gas system and are in communication with gas inlet and outlet. A manifold switching mechanism controls routing of compressed gas to either one of the gas chambers to operate the gas operated pump. The pump may also have an automatic shutoff valve which shuts off operation of the pump when liquid from a liquid source has been depleted. |
| US09316213B2 |
Plasma drive
A plasma drive includes a plurality of plasma thrusters arrayed in each of at least one array of plasma thrusters. Plasma thrust may be generated sequentially or in a pulse from each array. Circuitry is adapted to selectively fire each thruster in each array according to a digitally controlled progression. The controlled firing progression collectively provides a cumulative thrust vector for each array. In a turbine drive embodiment the controlled progression causes sequential firing of the thrusters in each array, and the arrays in sequence. The controlled progression allows for directional control of the combined cumulative thrust vectors. |
| US09316212B2 |
Superelastic shape memory alloy overloading and overheating protection mechanism
An actuation assembly adapted for driving a load and protecting against overloading and overheating conditions, includes an actuator defining a stroke when exposed to an activation signal, and further includes a protection device comprising a superelastic shape memory alloy element connected in series to and cooperatively configured with the actuator, and operable to both produce a secondary work output path for the actuator and discontinue the signal. |
| US09316207B2 |
Fault detection device for wind power generator and means of judgment thereof
A fault detection device and its means of judgment for wind power generator, which mainly has a first detection device installed at the joint between the vane of wind power generator and the connection part of the pivot, meanwhile, the first detection device is to detect a vane pitch angle (βm). In addition, the pivot is installed with a second detection device for detection of a measured rotational speed of vane (Ωrotor-m), meanwhile, on the generator of the wind power generator, it is installed with a third detection device so as to detect a measured power value (Pm) and measured three phase mean voltage value (Vac-m), in addition, on the wind direction and wind speed transmitter, it is installed with a fourth detection device so as to detect a measured wind speed value (Um). |
| US09316205B2 |
Determining loads using various sensor locations
A system and method for pressure based load measurement are provided. The system and method measure at least one pressure differential on an airfoil and determine at least one aerodynamic load associated with the at least one pressure differential. The determined at least one load is used to modify characteristics of the airfoil to increase efficiency and/or avoid damage. The determined at least one aerodynamic load may be further utilized to balance and/or optimize loads at the airfoil, estimate a load distribution along the airfoil used to derive other metrics about the airfoil, and/or used in a distributed control system to increase efficiency and/or reduce damage to, e.g., one or more wind turbines. |
| US09316202B2 |
Anti-oscillation apparatus and technique for securing wind turbine blades against oscillations
The invention relates to a method of operating a wind turbine (1) to guard against oscillations of the wind turbine blades (5) when they are at a standstill or idling at low speeds, and to a wind turbine blade anti-oscillation apparatus (10). The apparatus comprises a releasably attachable blade cover (10) that provides a non-aerodynamic surface for a region of the blade. This has been found to prevent air flow adhering to the blade and periodically detaching in a phenomenon known as vortex shedding, and therefore prevents oscillations of the blade becoming problematic. The blade cover can comprise a sleeve (10) of a net-like material, that can be positioned on the blade either before installation or in the field by service engineers using guide lines 16 and 17. |
| US09316200B2 |
Laser-induced spark ignition for an internal combustion engine
A laser spark plug for an internal combustion engine has at least one laser unit for guiding, shaping, and/or for producing laser radiation, a combustion chamber window, and a housing which has, at the side of the combustion chamber window situated opposite the laser unit, a screen for the passage of the laser radiation guided, shaped, and/or produced by the laser unit into a combustion chamber, the screen having a first end facing the combustion chamber and a second end facing away from the combustion chamber, the inner contour of the screen having an extremal cross-section in a region that is situated at a distance both from the first and second ends. |
| US09316198B2 |
Methods and systems for assisted direct start control
Methods and systems are provided for pressurizing a transmission hydraulic circuit including a transmission mechanical pump coupled to an engine though a gearbox. One example method comprises, during an engine start, adjusting a speed ratio between the transmission pump and the engine between a first speed ratio and a second speed ratio, the pump rotating faster relative to the engine at the first speed ratio as compared with the second speed ratio. In this way, the pump may be driven at different speed ratios relative to the engine to provide better pressurization in the transmission. |
| US09316197B2 |
Method for starting an internal combustion engine
A method for starting an internal combustion engine, particularly a stationary gas engine, includes driving the engine by at least one starter motor. The starting process is interrupted once the starter motor has been started if the angular acceleration of the internal combustion engine remains below a predefinable acceleration value and/or if, within a predefinable first time period, the actual rotational speed remains below a predefinable first rotational speed threshold value and/or if, within a predefinable second time period, the average rotational speed of the internal combustion engine remains below a predefinable second rotational speed threshold value. The starter motor is designed as a pneumatic starter motor and the compressed air supply thereof is controlled by a compressed air valve which can be switched between a fully opened position and a fully closed position, the pneumatic starter motor being started by the compressed air valve being fully opened. |
| US09316196B2 |
Vehicle controller
A vehicle controller is installed in a vehicle and controls one or more operations of the vehicle. The vehicle controller includes a control unit that: (i) outputs a first code for authentication to a judging apparatus which judges whether to permit starting of a driving apparatus of the vehicle when a request for starting the driving apparatus is obtained from an information processor which is located outside the vehicle, (ii) controls locking and unlocking of doors of the vehicle when a request for door lock control is obtained from the information processor, and (iii) obtains from the judging apparatus an authentication result of whether the first code and a second code for authentication which the judging apparatus uses are identical. When obtaining the request for door lock control, the control unit controls the locking and unlocking of the doors based on the authentication result. |
| US09316193B2 |
High-pressure pump
Disclosed is a high-pressure pump which can easily be installed in an internal-combustion engine. Specifically disclosed is a high-pressure pump 1 provided with a mounting member 100. The mounting member 100 is fixed to a pivot 70 so as to keep such an attitude of a rocker arm 60 that the protruding end part of the pivot 70 is positioned within a concave 65a formed on a second end 65 of the rocker arm 60 and that the outer circumferential surface of the protruding end part of the pivot 70 is apart from the inner circumferential surface of the concave 65a by coming in contact with an arm body 62 of the rocker arm 60 to resist a turn of the rocker arm 60 around a roller 61 under the weight thereof, before a plunger 50 is brought into contact with a first end 64 of the rocker arm 60, and so as to come out of contact with the arm body 62 when the rocker arm 60 turns in reverse to the turn under the weight thereof, after the plunger 50 is brought into contact with the first end 64. |
| US09316191B2 |
Valve assembly for an injection valve and injection valve
A valve assembly for an injection valve may comprise a valve body including a central longitudinal axis, the valve body comprising a cavity with a fluid inlet portion and a fluid outlet portion, a valve needle axially movable in the cavity, the valve needle preventing a fluid flow through the fluid outlet portion in a closing position and releasing the fluid flow through the fluid outlet portion in further positions, the valve needle comprising a ring element extending radially and arranged at an axial end of the valve needle facing away from the fluid outlet portion, and an electro-magnetic actuator unit being designed to actuate the valve needle. |
| US09316190B2 |
High-pressure fuel injection valve for an internal combustion engine
A high-pressure fuel injection valve may include a control valve having an actuator, a high-pressure fuel connection and a low-pressure fuel connection. A control plunger and nozzle needle are aligned longitudinally in the valve stem and the valve tip. Together with the control plunger, the receiving chamber of the control plunger forms a closing control chamber delimited by the upper control plunger surface, and an opening control chamber delimited by the lower control plunger surface. Each control chamber is hydraulically connected via a feed throttle to the high-pressure fuel connection and via a return throttle to the low-pressure fuel connection. The control valve opens and closes the fuel return between the return throttles and the low-pressure fuel connection depending on the operation. The flow values of the feed throttles and of the return throttles are selected such that the high-pressure fuel injection valve opens and closes based on actuation of the control valve. |
| US09316189B2 |
Fuel injection device for an internal combustion engine, and associated method
A fuel injection device and associated method are provided. An injector body defines an axial bore and has a nozzle exit extending into the combustion chamber. The injector body receives fuel within the bore and channels the fuel through the nozzle exit into the combustion chamber. A flow rate control member is movably disposed within the injector body bore and is actuatable by a first actuator to move with respect to and to interact with the nozzle exit to control a flow rate of the channeled fuel. A pintle member is movably disposed within a flow rate control member bore and is actuatable by a second actuator, independently of the flow rate control member, to move with respect to the flow rate control member and to interact with the nozzle exit to control a spray angle of the channeled fuel. The flow rate and spray angle are thereby independently controllable. |
| US09316188B2 |
Direct-injection internal combustion engine with outwardly opening injection nozzle, and method for operating an internal combustion engine of said type
A direct-injection engine having a cylinder in which a combustion chamber is jointly formed by a piston crown of a piston, which is movable along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, and a cylinder head, and an injection nozzle, which is arranged in the cylinder head on the opposite side of the piston crown eccentrically, spaced apart from the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, for the direct injection of fuel, which injection nozzle has a nozzle needle movable in a nozzle body, wherein the needle in the open position of the nozzle is moved into the combustion chamber, opening up an annular gap arranged between the nozzle body and needle. |
| US09316187B2 |
Diesel fuel system with advanced priming
This invention relates to an aerating device for a fuel system, and in particular, to an aerating device for a fuel system supplying fuel to an engine from a fuel tank. The invention includes, for example, a solenoid valve accessing a flow path to the fuel tank, and a control unit opening a closing the solenoid valve, such that opening of the solenoid valve permits fuel and air to flow back through the flow path to the fuel tank and naturally separate. |
| US09316185B2 |
Intake air cooling apparatus for stationary internal combustion engine
A water-saving intake air cooling apparatus for a stationary internal combustion engine includes a primary intake air cooler, a high temperature side intake air cooler, and a low temperature side intake air cooler in an intake air passage upstream and downstream of a turbo charger. A first radiator transfers cooling water to an absorption chiller. The absorption chiller transfers cooling water to the primary intake air cooler and to the low temperature side intake air cooler. A second radiator transfers cooling water to the high temperature side intake air cooler. A third radiator cools lubricating oil flowing through a lubricating oil circulation space. Steam is generated by an exhaust heat boiler provided in an exhaust gas passage, and the steam is supplied to the absorption chiller as a heat source. Such use of the first, second, and third radiators, reduces the need for cooling water. |
| US09316181B2 |
Fluid valve
The invention relates to a fluid valve, in particular for the exhaust gas from a motor vehicle engine, comprising a body (30) defining a main duct (31) and an auxiliary duct (32) for the flow of fluid, which auxiliary duct opens into the main duct (31). The valve also comprises: a flap (1) that can move between a closed position, preventing communication between the two ducts (31, 32), and an open position, allowing communication between said ducts (31, 32); and a gasket (2) against which the flap (1) bears when in the closed position. In addition, the above-mentioned body comprises a housing (37) for a motor for actuating the flap (1). According to the invention, the body (30) is configured to define a fluid lamina (38) between the gasket (2) and the housing (37). |
| US09316180B2 |
Internal combustion engine
In an exhaust gas turbocharger system for charging an engine including a compressor arrangement at a charging fluid side LL and a turbine arrangement at an exhaust gas side AG, a further compressor which is driven by a separate controllable drive and whose primary side is connected to the charging fluid side LL while its secondary side is connected to the exhaust gas side is provided for compressing charge air taken from the charging fluid side and supply it to the exhaust gas side for assisting driving the exhaust gas turbines so as to maintain them at relatively high speeds in transition periods including engine idling. |
| US09316179B2 |
Secondary air supply device for internal combustion engine
A secondary air supply device for an internal combustion engine, the secondary air supply device includes a secondary air supply passage, an air pump, a control valve, a pressure sensor and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to: (a) when the control valve is opened so that the secondary air supply passage is opened and the air pump is driven, control the air pump to maintain driving of the air pump and control the control valve to close so as to close the secondary air supply passage; (b) calculate a differential pressure between a maximum pressure and a convergence pressure of the pressures within the secondary air supply passage since just after the secondary air supply passage is closed; and (c) calculate a flow amount of secondary air supplied from the secondary air supply passage supplied to the exhaust gas passage based on the differential pressure. |
| US09316174B2 |
Liner hanger with spherical washers
A liner assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a liner defining an inner surface exposed to exhaust gases and a duct spaced radially outward of the liner. A hanger assembly supports the liner relative to the duct. The hanger assembly includes a body segment attached to the liner and first and second washers defining a gap therebetween that receives a portion of the body segment. The gap between the washers and the body segment provides for relative movement caused by differences in thermal growth within the liner. An attachment member extending between the body section and the duct includes spherical ends that are seated on the first and second washers to accommodate misalignments during assembly. |
| US09316173B2 |
Cylinder liner with bonding layer
A cylinder liner for an engine block assembly of an internal combustion engine is provided. The cylinder liner includes a liner member formed of cast iron and presenting an outer surface. A first portion of the outer surface of the liner member is machined to a reduced outside diameter. An aluminum-based material is then thermally sprayed onto the machined first portion, while a second portion of the outer surface remains uncoated. The coated cylinder liner is then placed in a mold, and another aluminum-based material is cast around the coated cylinder liner to form the engine block assembly. During the casting process, the two aluminum-based materials form a strong intermetallic bond between the liner member and the engine block. |
| US09316172B2 |
Reducing enrichment due to minimum pulse width constraint
Methods and systems are provided for maintaining stoichiometry of an exhaust gas during operation of a fuel injector at a threshold pulse width. In response to operation of a fuel injector at the threshold pulse width and a rich exhaust gas air-fuel ratio, airflow is increased to the intake manifold. Engine actuators may also be adjusted to maintain torque during the increased airflow while operating the fuel injectors at the threshold pulse width. |
| US09316171B2 |
Internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine includes fuel injection valves and an ECU. In the internal combustion unit, predetermined injection is performed when the bed temperature of a catalyst is lower that a predetermined temperature. In the predetermined injection, fuel is injected from a first fuel injection valve, from among the fuel injection valves, within the valve opening period of an intake valve, and fuel is injected from a second fuel injection valve, from among the fuel injection valves, within the valve opening period of an exhaust valve. In the internal combustion engine, a first injection amount is specifically injected from the first fuel injection valve in the predetermined injection. |
| US09316159B2 |
Gas turbine engine with transmission
A gas turbine engine with a transmission having a first rotatable member coupled to an engine spool, a second rotatable member coupled to a compressor rotor, and coupled rotatable members defining at least first and second alternate transmission paths between the first and second members. Each transmission path defines a different fixed transmission ratio of a rotational speed of the second member on a rotational speed of the first member. |
| US09316152B2 |
Active control of bucket cooling supply for turbine
A cooling gas flow control device for a turbine rotor that is internally located between the compressor and the turbine section of a turbine is disclosed. The cooling gas flow control device has a shape memory material that is used to actively adjust the cooling gas flow to internal parts of the turbine section between, including the buckets. |
| US09316126B2 |
Method for determining a phase position of an adjustable camshaft
A method for determining a phase position of an adjustable camshaft of an internal combustion engine having a sensor wheel and a camshaft adjuster. The phase position of the camshaft is determined on the basis of phase flank interrupts triggered by the sensor wheel and a model which depends on at least one performance characteristic of the camshaft adjuster. |
| US09316125B2 |
Thermal energy conversion system
A power generation system includes a first vessel having a generally constant volume and a second vessel having a variable volume. Thermal energy is supplied to an ideal gas within the first vessel in order to raise its temperature and pressure. The thermally compressed gas is then released into, and expands the volume of, the second vessel. The expanding volume of the second vessel expands raises a mass and/or strains an elastic member, thus storing gravitational and/or elastic potential energy. This stored potential energy can be released on demand by evacuating the second vessel, typically into a third vessel, and used to power a generator. Preferably, the potential energy is used to coupled to the generator using a planetary gear drive, such that a relatively small number of input rotations yields a relatively large number of output rotations. |
| US09316124B2 |
Power generating system and method by combining medium-and-low temperature solar energy with fossil fuel thermochemistry
The present invention provides a power generating system by combining medium-and-low temperature solar energy and fossil fuel with thermochemical process, the system comprising: a material supply device configured to store fossil fuel; a material mixing device configured to mix the fossil fuel with non-reacted reactant; a material metering device configured to control an amount of material fed to a material preheating device in unit time; a material preheating device configured to heat the material; a solar energy absorption and reaction device configured to drive the fossil fuel by using solar thermal energy absorbed to make a decomposition reaction or reforming reaction, through which the solar energy is converted to chemical energy of hydrogen-rich fuel, obtaining solar-energy fuel; a solar energy heat collecting device configured to collect the solar energy with low energy flux density to medium-and-low temperature solar thermal energy with high energy flux density, so as to provide heat to decomposition reaction or reforming reaction; a condenser configured to cool reaction products; a gas-liquid separating device configured to perform gas-liquid separation for the cooled mixture; a fuel bypassing device configured to adjust a proportion of solar-energy fuel for storage to that for generating; a gas storing tank to store solar-energy fuel; a power generating apparatus to burnt the solar-energy fuel to output power. The invention achieves a higher efficiency of usage of solar energy. |
| US09316123B2 |
Power generation system and processes thereof, including adsorbing heat exchangers for CO2 capture from fossil fuel consumption
The present invention generally relates to power generation systems configured to absorb and capture a component, such as carbon dioxide, in a flue gas for later sequestration or utilization, wherein heat generated in the sorption process is captured for use in the power generation system. In some examples, the heat of sorption is used to preheat fluids in one or more systems of the power generation system to reduce the heating load on the subsystem. By using the heat of sorption, the carbon dioxide capture and sequestration process not only reduces or eliminates the concentration of carbon dioxide in the flue gas, but reduces or eliminates the parasitic effect of carbon dioxide capture and sequestration on power generation. |
| US09316119B2 |
Turbomachine secondary seal assembly
An exemplary turbomachine secondary ring seal assembly includes a base portion that extends circumferentially about an axis and a protrusion extending from the base portion toward the axis. The protrusion has a sealing surface that contacts a support to limit movement of a fluid from a first axial side of the base portion to a second opposite axial side of the base portion. The sealing surface faces the axis. The sealing surface may also face in a radial direction. |
| US09316116B2 |
Method and damping device for vibration damping of a blade of a turbomachine as well as turbomachine
A method for vibration damping of at least one blade of a turbomachine, wherein initially at least one damping element is arranged on the blade such that it can move in the axial direction, employs a damping element having a larger permeability constant than the blade (μrD>μrB), and then a magnetic field acting in the radial direction is generated at least temporarily during rotation of a rotor hub of the turbomachine in order to adjust the mass of the damping element in real time. A damping device includes, for example, a ferromagnetic damping element as well as a magnetic field source, and a turbomachine. |
| US09316115B2 |
Turboengine wash system
A system for cleaning gas turbine engines is described. More specifically, methods and apparatuses for cleaning stationary gas turbines and on-wing turbofan engines found on aircraft are disclosed that includes a trailer-mounted, automated low-pressure water delivery system, additive and detergent injection system, nozzle and manifold technology, and active waste water effluent collector system. The system will deliver the liquid cleaning medium at a specific pressure, temperature and flow rate to optimize the atomization that occurs at the nozzles. |
| US09316114B2 |
Recovering speed in driveline assembly
Aspects of the disclosure include apparatuses and program products for recovering speed in a driveline assembly. An apparatus in one embodiment may include: a sensor measuring a shaft speed of a rotatable shaft within a driveline assembly, wherein the driveline assembly includes: a load coupled to the rotatable shaft, a primary power source coupled to the load through the rotatable shaft to deliver a first power output to the load, and a secondary power source coupled to the load through the rotatable shaft to deliver a second power output to the load, wherein the second power output is less than the first power output; and a controller in communication with the secondary power source and the sensor, wherein the controller increases the second power output in response to the shaft speed being less than a minimum speed threshold. |
| US09316111B2 |
Active turbine tip clearance control system
An active tip clearance control (ATCC) system of a gas turbine engine includes an ejector to selectively drive an air flow passing through the ATCC system. A high pressure air flow as a motive flow of the ejector is controlled by a valve according to engine operation requirements. |
| US09316110B2 |
High porosity abradable coating
An abradable coating for a gas turbine engine includes a bond coat, an intermediate layer, and a porous layer. The bond coat includes a metal coating and a thickness from 0.152 millimeters to 0.229 millimeters. The intermediate layer includes a ceramic material and a thickness from 0.051 millimeters to 0.381 millimeters. The porous layer includes a porous ceramic material. The porous layer also includes a porosity greater than thirty-five percent of a volume of the porous layer. The porous layer further includes a thickness from 0.127 millimeters to 1.524 millimeters. |
| US09316106B2 |
Expanding lock pin for turbine side entry blade
An expanding lock pin for side entry turbine blades for turbines, including steam turbines compensates for worn or oversize mating pin grooves formed in rotor steeples and blade roots. The expanding pin expands circumferentially to fill the oversize mating groove. In one embodiment of the expanding lock pin a tapered plug mates with a mating tapered aperture formed in the pin. As the plug is driven into the pin its circumference increases. The expanding lock pin eliminates the need to re-machine worn or oversize pin grooves or machine new grooves. |
| US09316105B2 |
Turbine blade
A blade for a rotor of a turbine includes an airfoil, a shroud and a platform. The platform includes a top plate, a shank and a fixing part. An upstream wall projects in the circumferential direction away from the shank and extends from the top plate toward the fixing part, the upstream wall at least partially covering an upstream side of the shank. A downstream wall projects in the circumferential direction away from the shank and extends from the top plate toward the fixing part, the downstream wall at least partially covering a downstream side of the shank. A recess is disposed in at least one of the upstream wall and the downstream wall. The recess has an open side facing in a same direction as a respective one of the upstream wall and the downstream wall, in which the recess is disposed, is projecting. |
| US09316101B2 |
Hybrid vehicles with radial engines
A radial cam engine with an optimized cam configuration can provide improve performance over crankshaft internal combustion engines. The cam configuration can include a flat-top or flat bottom piston motion, multiple lobe cam configurations, matching piston force with torque/force ratio in combustion phase, asymmetry piston motions for improved power transfer during combustion phase, and/or offset piston and cam configurations. The radial cam engine can be used in vehicles, such as hybrid vehicles. |
| US09316096B2 |
Enhanced oil recovery screening model
This invention relates to enhanced oil recovery methods to improve hydrocarbon reservoir production. An enhanced oil recovery screening model has been developed which consists of a set of correlations to estimate the oil recovery from miscible and immiscible gas/solvent injection (CO2, N2, and hydrocarbons), polymer flood, surfactant polymer flood, alkaline-polymer flood and alkaline surfactant-polymer flood. |
| US09316095B2 |
Autonomous inflow control device having a surface coating
An autonomous inflow control system for use downhole comprises a flow ratio control system comprising one or more fluid inlets, and a pathway dependent resistance system comprising a vortex chamber. The one or more fluid inlets provide fluid communication between the flow ratio control system and the pathway dependent resistance system, and at least one of the one or more fluid inlets comprises a super hydrophobic surface. |
| US09316093B2 |
Sequestration of greenhouse gasses by generating an unstable gas/saline front within a formation
A method is provided for sequestration of a greenhouse gas in a water-laden formation by injection of a fluid comprising greenhouse gas (GHG) into a formation under conditions suitable for generating an unstable front of said greenhouse gas within the formation. The injection may comprise a first stage wherein a gas phase comprising CO2 is injected into the formation, followed by a second stage comprising injecting an aqueous liquid into the formation, to thereby generate an unstable front within the formation that results in relatively rapid dissolution of the injected CO2 within the formation water. The cyclic nature of the injection, alternating between GHG and water injection, can be repeated for a number of times until the carrying capacity of the formation is deemed to have been reached. |
| US09316090B2 |
Method of removing a dissolvable wellbore isolation device
A wellbore isolation device comprises: a first layer, wherein the first layer: (A) comprises a first material; and (B) defines a cavity containing a dissolution medium, wherein a chemical reaction of at least the dissolution medium causes at least a portion of the first material to dissolve. A method of removing the wellbore isolation device comprises: introducing the wellbore isolation device containing the dissolution medium into the wellbore; and allowing the chemical reaction to occur. |
| US09316089B2 |
Seat apparatus and method
A downhole fracturing system including a seat assembly having a plurality of like-sized openings therein. Each of the like-sized openings has a cross sectional area complementary to a corresponding plurality of objects such that each of the objects is matable therewith to substantially inhibit fluid flow through each like-sized opening. The objects have dimensions insufficient to mate with an opening in a next adjacent upstream seat assembly. A method of hydraulic fracturing is also included. |
| US09316086B2 |
Downhole tool and method of use
A composite member for a downhole tool that includes a resilient portion; and a deformable portion having at least one groove formed therein, wherein the resilient portion and the deformable portion are made of a first material, and wherein a second material is disposed around the deformable portion and at least partially fills into the at least one groove. |
| US09316079B2 |
Method and apparatus for milling a zero radius lateral window in casing
A flexible milling assembly for milling an orifice through a well casing. The milling assembly can include a drive yoke, and a plurality of straight and split yoke assemblies—all linked together and to a cutter head with universal blocks that enable the components to pivot relative to each other. A string of joint tubing connected to a prime mover on the surface is used to lower the milling assembly into a well and supply the driving torque. A split shoe coupled to a guide tube is positioned within the well casing where the orifice is to be milled. The milling assembly is guided through a curved passage within the split shoe to bring the cutter head into contact with the well casing. A protector assembly can be provided to enclose and protect the milling assembly when it is tripping into and out of the well casing. |
| US09316078B2 |
Inductive shearing of drilling pipe
Induction shearing may be used to cut a drillpipe at an undersea well. Electromagnetic rings may be built into a blow-out preventer (BOP) at the seafloor. The electromagnetic rings create a magnetic field through the drillpipe and may transfer sufficient energy to change the state of the metal drillpipe to shear the drillpipe. After shearing the drillpipe, the drillpipe may be sealed to prevent further leakage of well contents. |
| US09316074B2 |
Resettable selective locking device
A lock system works in combination with a mandrel to allow selective operation and disabling of a downhole tool. In the specific situation of a Smart Collet® the tool is locked from being able to find support when engaged to a mating profile as the tool is moved between landing locations. A lower housing features an external dog that in response to rotation takes with it a collet ring with circumferentially oriented fingers. An outer housing cams the collet heads into a respective groove in the mandrel. Reversal of such relative rotation between the upper and lower housings allows the collet heads to spring out of the mandrel groove for the unlocked position. The lock is adapted for use in a variety of tools. The rotation to unlock and then lock is accomplished by dog interaction with shaped internal profiles in a surrounding tubular assembly at strategic locations where needed. |
| US09316072B2 |
Valve for communication of a measurement while drilling system
A valve for communication of a measurement while drilling system includes a first structure having a central portion and one or more elongate portions radially extending from the central portion, and a second structure having one or more portions which substantially bound a central orifice region and one or more elongate orifice regions radially extending from the central orifice region. At least one of the first structure and the second structure is configured to be rotated about a rotation axis to produce a relative rotation between the first structure and the second structure such that a flow path through which mud can flow varies as the at least one of the first structure and the second structure rotates about the rotation axis. The central portion has a maximum inscribed circle encircling the rotation axis and having a first radius and the central orifice region has a maximum inscribed circle encircling the rotation axis and having a second radius greater than the first radius. |
| US09316071B2 |
Contingent continuous circulation drilling system
A method for deploying a tubular string into a wellbore includes: injecting fluid through a top drive and flow sub into a top of the tubular string and lowering the tubular string into the wellbore. The flow sub: connects the tubular string top to a quill of the top drive, is in a top injection mode, and has a closed port and an open bore. The method further includes halting injection of the fluid through the top drive and lowering of the tubular string. The method further includes, while injection and lowering are halted: disconnecting the flow sub from the tubular string top; adding one or more tubular joints to the tubular string and connecting the flow sub to a top of the added joints. The method further includes resuming injection of the fluid through the top drive and lowering of the tubular string. |
| US09316069B2 |
Guide device for coiled tubing
A coiled tubing guide-in device is applied to oil field coiled tubing operation and used for guiding a coiled tubing into injector head gripper blocks. The coiled tubing guide-in device mainly consists of a slip connecting head, a locking sleeve, a floating sleeve, a guide head, and a traction steel rope. In the structure of the slip connecting head, a cone of an expansion plug is arranged in a slip sleeve. A lower end of a tightening nut is a convex spherical body. At a lower end of the tightening nut, an end of a traction steel rope is fixed in a rectangular groove at the lower end of the tightening nut through a threaded pin. In the structure of the locking sleeve, an upper end surface of a spherical support body is a concave spherical surface. An inner conical sleeve and an outer conical clamping sleeve are arranged in a cylindrical space. A spherical head is fixed on inner screw threads of the spherical support body. The number of combined locking bodies ranges from 4 to 15. A lower end of the floating sleeve at the lowest end is connected with a conical guide body through the traction steel rope. The effect is that the coiled tubing is fast and safely pulled out of a tubing reel and guided into the injector head gripper blocks through a guider. |
| US09316066B2 |
Redeployable subsea manifold-riser system
A subsea manifold-riser system is redeployed from a first production location to a second production location. A manifold module is lowered to the ocean floor at the first production location using a marine riser as a running tool by adding threaded pipe sections to the upper end of the marine riser. The manifold module is raised from the ocean floor at the first production location for redeployment at the second production location using the marine riser as a retrieval tool by removing threaded pipe sections from the upper end of the marine riser. |
| US09316065B1 |
Vortex controlled variable flow resistance device and related tools and methods
A vortex-controlled variable flow resistance device ideal for use in a backpressure tool for advancing drill string in extended reach downhole operations. The characteristics of the pressure waves generated by the device are controlled by the growth and decay of vortices in the vortex chamber(s) of a flow path. The flow path is designed to produce alternating primary and secondary vortices—one clockwise and one counter-clockwise—where the primary vortex is stronger and produces higher backpressure than the secondary vortex. This in turn generates alternating weak and strong pressure pulses in the drill string. The weak pulses may be barely perceptible so that the effective frequency of the pulses is determined by the stronger primary vortices. |
| US09316064B2 |
Riser system for transporting a slurry from a position adjacent to the seabed to a position adjacent to the sea surface
A riser system for transporting slurry from the seabed to the sea surface. The riser system comprises a first and second riser, a slurry pump system (17) to transport slurry up one of the risers, and a waste water pump system (107) to return waste water down one of the risers. The slurry pump system and the waste water pump system are selectively connectable to each of the risers to allow each riser to be either a slurry riser (1) or a waste water riser (2). With this arrangement, if a slurry riser develops a leak partway along its length the waste water riser can be converted into a slurry riser such that operation can continue. |
| US09316063B2 |
Transmitting power within a wellbore
A system for applying power into a wellbore. The system can include a casing, a tubing string, a first and second isolator sub, a power source, and an electrical device. The casing has a first cavity running therethrough. The tubing string is disposed within the first cavity without contacting the casing, where the tubing string has a second cavity running therethrough. The first isolator sub is mechanically coupled to the tubing string and positioned between the neutral section and the power-transmitting section of the tubing string. The power source is electrically coupled to the power-transmitting section of the tubing string below the first isolator sub. The second isolator sub is mechanically coupled to the tubing string and positioned between the bottom neutral section and the power-transmitting section of the tubing string. The electrical device is electrically coupled to a bottom end of the power-transmitting section of the tubing string. |
| US09316059B1 |
Polycrystalline diamond compact and applications therefor
Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) including a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table having a structure for enhancing at least one of abrasion resistance, thermal stability, or impact resistance. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a PCD table. The PCD table includes a lower region including a plurality of diamond grains exhibiting a lower average grain size and at least an upper region adjacent to the lower region and including a plurality of diamond grains exhibiting an upper average grain size. The lower average grain size may be at least two times greater than that of the upper average grain size. The PDC includes a substrate having an interfacial surface that is bonded to the lower region of the PCD table. Other embodiments are directed methods of forming PDCs, and various applications for such PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies. |
| US09316057B2 |
Rotary drill bits with protected cutting elements and methods
A rotary drill bit with cutting elements operable to control depth of cut and rate of penetration during formation of a wellbore are provided. Respective sets of secondary cutting elements and primary cutting elements may also be disposed on exterior portions of a rotary drill bit. A number of blades may extend from exterior portions of the drill bit with a number of cutting elements disposed on exterior portions of each blade. Each cutting element may include a substrate with a cutting surface disposed thereon. A respective protector may extend from the cutting surface of one or more cutting elements to limit depth of penetration of the associated cutting element into adjacent portions of a downhole formation and/or to control rate of penetration of an associated rotary drill bit. |
| US09316051B2 |
Window cover system with spring drive arrangement
A spring drive system useful for window covers is disclosed, which comprises one or more coil spring drives or flat spring drives and the combination whose elements are selected from one or more of a group which includes (1) a band or cord transmission which provides varying ratio power transfer as the cover is opened and closed; (2) gear means comprising various gear sets which provide frictional holding force and fixed power transfer ratios; (3) a gear transmission which provides fixed ratio power transfer as the cover is opened or closed; (4) crank mechanisms; (5) brake mechanisms; and (6) recoiler mechanisms. The combination permits the spring drive force to be tailored to the weight and/or compression characteristics of an associated window cover such as a horizontal slat or pleated or box blind as the cover is opened and closed. |
| US09316046B2 |
Viewing panel unit and structures comprising the viewing panel unit
There is disclosed a viewing panel unit, comprising: a first panel and a second panel; a drive mechanism for moving the first panel relative to the second panel; and an abutment member mounted so as to have a fixed spatial relationship relative to the second panel, wherein: the first panel comprises a coupling member; the drive mechanism comprises a drive member configured to engage with the coupling member such that rotation of the drive member imparts a linear motion to the first panel via the coupling member; and the drive mechanism is configured such that a first impact surface of the drive member is brought into contact with a surface of the abutment member to stop the drive member when the drive member is rotated through a maximum angle in a first sense. |
| US09316044B2 |
Tailgate rock guard structure for pick-up trucks
A structure attached to a tailgate of a loading bed of a vehicle includes a first planar portion that positions substantially over a gap created between the tailgate and the loading bed, in a horizontally laid position of the tailgate, to prevent debris from falling into the gap. A second portion of the structure includes a first surface attached to a lower portion of the tailgate, and a second curved surface adapted to face the loading bed in the horizontal position of the tailgate. |
| US09316038B2 |
Factory programming of paired authorization codes in wireless transmitter and door operator
Disclosed herein is a process for pairing one or more wireless transmitters with a power head unit of a barrier opening system prior to delivering the system to the end user. In one facility, an authorization code of a wireless transmitter is received and passed to a printer that prints an encoded label with indicia corresponding to the authorization code. The so-encoded label is affixed to the wireless transmitter or its packaging or pallet. In another facility, the encoded label is thereafter scanned, and the authorization code is deciphered and stored in a database. The power head is programmed with the identical code by placing the power head into a learn mode, retrieving the deciphered authorization code from the database, and transmitting the retrieved code to the power head using a test transmitter while the power head is in the learn mode, with the power head thereafter moved out of the learn mode, thereby pairing the transmitter with the power head. The so-programmed power head and wireless transmitter are then packaged for sale and distribution to the end user of the barrier opening system. |
| US09316035B2 |
Blind hinge used for furniture
A blind hinge used for furniture, comprising a movable cup seat provided on the furniture door body, a regulating base provided on the main body of furniture, a rotary arm connected between the movable cup seat and the regulating base as well as an torsion spring designed to generate start-stop acting force on the movable cup seat at least, wherein two torsion springs are respectively mounted on the notches on both sides at the bottom of the movable cup seat; The torsion spring at least comprises a first supporting leg with one end extending into the cup body of the movable cup seat and being connected with it as well as a second supporting leg with another end being extended into the cup body of movable cup seat and being connected with the rotary arm. |
| US09316033B2 |
Door safety latch
A door latch assembly for engagement in a mounted position at or adjacent to a side edge of a door which abuts a door frame stop upon a full closure of the door into a surrounding door frame. The device features an angled or biased latch member which employs an end to engage the door stop molding of a door jamb and thereby secure the door in a slightly open position and prevent a full opening of the door. The latch member is engaged to a side edge of the door using frictional engagement or mechanical engagement. The latch member is releasable from either side of the door without placing a user's fingers in between the door and jamb. |
| US09316025B2 |
Actuating motor set of electronic lock
An actuating motor set includes a mounting base; a motor; a transmission set including a worm gear formed with a tooth, wherein two opposite ends of the worm gear respectively defining are a pushing end and a restoring end; and a spring including an engagement part and an abutment part. The engagement part is engaged with the tooth, and an inner diameter of the abutment part is larger than an outer diameter of the tooth. The spring is pushed spirally by the tooth upon rotation of worm gear, and thus moving back and forth on an axial direction of the worm gear. The spring idles when it is moved to the pushing end due to lack of engagement therewith, and the spring also idles when it is moved the restoring end due to lack of engagement therewith. |
| US09316023B2 |
Cylinder body for a cylinder for locks
A cylinder body for a cylinder for locks, including at least a first pin channel and a second pin channel for guiding body pins and at least one third pin channel for guiding a locking bar of a cylinder core. |
| US09316016B2 |
Rotary ground auger base and stand for supporting decoys and sporting equipment
A rotary mounting stand for removably holding a decoy, camera or there selected device upright on the ground. The stand includes an upright rod with a helical coil or flights forming an auger having a point at the lower distal end to be fixedly and removably screwed into the ground to support the stand in an upright position. The top end of the rod forming the stand shape cap configured, sized and shaped to correspond to the mounting base of a selected device to be supported on the stand. Just above the helical coil at least two outward extending legs extend normal to or perpendicular to the vertical rod forming a base when the auger portion is screwed into the ground. The distal end of each of the legs are bent or angled to extend upward perpendicular from the ground a selected distance forming handles for the purpose of rotating the auger into the ground. The auger is intended to be cranked until the at least two outward extending legs come to bear against the ground for increased lateral support. |
| US09316013B1 |
Concealed shelter
An apparatus and associated method contemplating an underground shelter having an open-top enclosure and a base. A linkage assembly selectively moves the base between an opened position and a closed position. A lifting mechanism lifts the base in opposition to a force of gravity on the base in the opened position. A concealment object is supported upon the base to conceal the existence of the underground shelter below. |
| US09316010B2 |
Safety swimming pool apparatus
Apparatus usable with a safety swimming pool incorporating a buoyant submersed rescue floor is described. In one instance, a winch coupling a gear motor to a cable drum via an electrically disengageable clutch is used as a device to re-deploy the buoyant floor to the bottom after a rescue. In another instance a solar powered dedicated power supply is used to power the trigger/sensor subsystem. In yet another instance an electro-mechanical circuit for sensing and triggering a rescue episode is described. |
| US09316009B2 |
Method and apparatus to fill and fire proof holes in concrete floors of commercial buildings utilizing a precast plug
The present apparatus and method relates in general to sealing a hole in a floor with a precast plug. A precast plug is created by pouring a wet aggregate mix into a form mold and thereafter inserting a pre bent rod into the uncured mixture, positioning it such that the center of the rod rests in the center of the form mold and the ends of the rod extend outward near the top of the form mold. The mix is then cured. The precast plug may then be transported to the hole that it is destined to fix. Grooves may be carved on either side of the hole to accommodate the rod's ends. The interior of the hole and the exterior of the plug may then be covered with a sealant, after which the plug may be inserted into the hole. Once the sealant cures, the hole is fully repaired. |
| US09316006B2 |
Building panels
Flooring material including sheet-shaped floor elements with a mainly square or rectangular shape. The floor elements are provided with edges, a lower side and an upper decorative layer. The floor elements are intended to be joined by means of joining members. The floor elements are provided with male joining members on a first edge while a second edge of the floor elements are provided with a female joining member. The male joining member is provided with a tongue and a lower side groove while the female joining member is provided with a groove and a cheek, the cheek being provided with a lip. The floor elements are provided with a male vertical assembly joining member on a third edge while a fourth, opposite, edge is provided with female vertical assembly joining member. |
| US09316005B2 |
Stain-eating flooring
A flooring is disclosed including a substrate having a coating composition thereon, the coating composition comprising a hardenable film-former and at least 0.5 weight percent of an oxidizing agent sufficient to decolorize a stain on the film-former is disclosed, wherein the oxidizing agent comprises hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorite, and organo-chlorine bleaches and will at least partially decolorize a plurality of stains when applied to the hardened coating, allowed to stand for one hour at room temperature, and evaluated by visual observation of the stain under average overhead fluorescent illumination. The oxidizing agent is not consumed as a catalyst or initiator to polymerize or otherwise cause a reaction in the floor coating before it is applied and before it has hardened. A coating composition of the invention may include from about 0.8 to about 5 weight percent oxidizing agent and the film-former forms a hardened film resistant to rinsing with tap water. |
| US09316001B2 |
Roof drainage system
A pitched roof structure including a plurality of roof tiles and a roof aperture in the roof tiles and accommodating a roof component, such as a rooflight, characterised in that precipitation leaking from the vicinity of the roof aperture is directed away from the aperture and under the roof tiles to the roof eave. |
| US09316000B2 |
Method of replacing a previously-installed daylighting panel
A support structure for supporting loads on a sloping metal panel roof includes first and second side rails, an upper diverter, and a lower closure. An upstanding web of the upper diverter extends upwardly from the panel flat. An elongate lower flange extends from the upstanding web and is disposed against the metal roof panel. Opposing rib mating webs are on opposing sides of the lower flange. On a first side of the lower flange, a diversion leg of the lower flange is between the upstanding web and one of the rib mating webs. On the second side of the lower flange, the second rib mating web meets the upstanding web. The lower flange extends from the upstanding web to a distal end thereof up-slope of the lateral leg. The lower flange and the first and second rib mating webs can, collectively, define a common distal end of the upper diverter. |
| US09315999B1 |
Ridge tile or solar panel attachment system for a roof
An improved solar panel attachment system for a roof and method for its use include a pedestal that has a plurality of protrusions and keyways located along its bottom wall surface and extending along the length of the pedestal. The pedestal is placed into a paddy of foam adhesive laid along a roof underlayment and the keyways receive and engage with the expanding adhesive for bonding the pedestal directly to the roof without the need for mechanical fastening. The protrusions provide spacing between the bottom wall surface and the roof so that an adequate amount of foam adhesive resides between these wall surfaces and those structures. Attaching means are secured to the top wall surface so that the pedestal may be used to securely mount (or secure) a solar panel or other object to a roof. |
| US09315991B2 |
Connector for suspended metal ceiling framework and ceiling employing same
A connector for a ceiling framework including profile sections crossing one another at right angles for connecting the profile sections by being fitted to ends of certain profile sections which fit into apertures pierced in other profile sections. The connector includes two parts, a primary clip and a secondary clip, the two parts being associated with one another via a meltable mechanism capable of melting at a temperature of a fire to separate the two parts. In a fire, the secondary clips become detached allowing the primary clips to fit more deeply into the apertures of the profile sections, making it possible to absorb expansions due to heat of the fire and keep the framework and the ceiling sections it supports in place. The connector can be applied to the field of building construction, for example. |
| US09315981B2 |
Separator module for a stormwater gully chamber
A separator module for a stormwater gully chamber is disclosed, the separator module comprising: a partition arrangement which, in use, divides the chamber into an upper region and a lower region, the partition arrangement comprising: an inlet chute having an opening which, in use, provides an inlet to the lower region from the upper region; an outlet chute having an opening which, in use, provides an outlet from the lower region to the upper region; and a weir separating the outlet chute from the inlet chute; wherein at least a portion of the partition arrangement is flexible so as to allow an external diameter of the partition arrangement to be adjusted to fit different sized chambers. |
| US09315977B1 |
Valve apparatus for regulating fluids through a pipe
Apparatuses manage the flow of fluids, such as, for example, water, through pipes. Specifically, the apparatuses of the present invention create a backward pressure in fluid traversing the pipe, wherein the backward pressure within the pipe provides compression of the fluid effectively compressing entrapped gas bubbles within the fluid, allowing more accurate water meter measurements. The apparatuses comprise spring seats for holding springs therein in alignment, and further comprise conically-tapered apertures for providing improved water flow through the apparatuses. Moreover, the apparatuses of the present invention provide backflow prevention. Systems and methods for managing fluids are further provided. |
| US09315973B2 |
Fire hydrant cover including a controller coupled with a transceiver and a lock mechanism
A protective-fire-hydrant-cover comprising an operating-nut-extender and a protective-fire-hydrant-casing. The operating-nut-extender is firmly coupled with an operating-nut of a fire-hydrant such that when the operating-nut-extender rotates, the operating-nut rotates therewith, the operating-nut-extender includes an inner-groove exhibiting a substantially circular shape. The protective-fire-hydrant casing includes a lock-mechanism therein, which includes a latch. The latch moves between at least a locked and un-operable position and an unlocked position. The protective-fire-hydrant-casing fits over the operating-nut-extender such that it covers the operating-nut-extender and the latch aligns with the groove. When the latch moves to locked and un-operable position the latch enters the inner-groove thus internally locking the protective fire-hydrant-casing with the operating-nut-extender thus locking the protective fire-hydrant-cover onto the fire-hydrant. When the latch is in locked and un-operable position, the protective-fire-hydrant-casing may freely rotate about the operating-nut-extender. When the latch moves to the unlocked position, the protective-fire-hydrant-casing unlocks from the operating-nut-extender. |
| US09315970B2 |
Stress and/or accumulated damage monitoring system
A system provides stress and/or accumulated damage monitoring on earth moving equipment, such as excavators, trucks, electric rope shovels and drills, hydraulic shovels, wheel loaders and graders. The system includes: strain gauges (51-60), each gauging strain at one of multiple strain gauge locations; a data acquisition unit (41) to acquire real-time strain data from the strain gauges (51-60); a processor and memory (42) to process the acquired real-time strain data to calculate one or more measures of actual accumulated damage and/or actual instantaneous stress; and at least one output device (37) to provide information comparing the measures with corresponding reference values. |
| US09315966B2 |
Arm for construction machine with upper ends of rear plate protruding upward
An arm of a hydraulic excavator is formed as a box-shaped structural body surrounded by left and right side plates, an upper plate, a lower plate, and a thick rear plate. An upper end of the thick rear plate is protruded upward from an outer surface of the upper plate. Upper ends of a pair of arm cylinder brackets joined to an outer surface of the thick rear plate are arranged higher than the outer surface of the rear thick upper plate and lower than the upper end of the thick rear plate. As a result, in each of the arm cylinder brackets, a joint area with the thick rear plate can be ensured large, and joint strength can be improved. |
| US09315965B1 |
Flood control system panels for subway entrance
A cover system for covering an entrance of an underground structure. The cover system comprises a frame structure attached to a foundation of the entrance; and a seal gasket configured to provide a seal between the frame structure and the foundation and between the frame structure and a panel of the cover system. The panel further includes a plurality of engagement members that engage the panel with the frame structure. |
| US09315962B2 |
Fiber block planting system
A fiber block planting segment suitable for controlling erosion and stabilizing soil is described that comprises an elongated fiber block formed of a densely packed elongated thick fibrous material having at least one channel formed therein for receiving a plant to be planted in the soil. The fiber block is enclosed in a sleeve or wrap of fiber mesh. The fiber block and mesh can be made of coir fibers. |
| US09315961B2 |
Self-anchoring turf reinforcement mat and reusable sediment filtration mat
A three dimensional high strength tightly woven turf reinforcement mat (TRM) or reusable sediment filtration mat designed to trap soil particles in water flow and provide a shear plane to prevent soil wash-out from within and beneath the mat. The mat includes a corrugated body structure integrally extruded or interwoven with a bottom layer that together form a plurality of parabolic sediment entrapment chambers. As sediment bed load moves with water flow into the woven structure, water flow forces sediment through openings in the woven surface of the corrugated body structure and into the chambers where the captured sediment serves as ballast to self-anchor the mat. The mat may also be incorporated during manufacture and/or during/after installation with polyacrylamides, chitosans or other soil flocculating/aggregating chemicals for increased sediment aggregation and capturing. |
| US09315954B2 |
Artificial turf
An artificial turf has a base layer, a multiplicity of blades fixed to and projecting upward from the base layer, and a mass of infill between the blades and on the base layer. The infill is formed of elongated plastic fibers each having a longitudinally extending inner part of a predetermined first plastic and a longitudinally extending outer part bonded to the inner part and of a predetermined second plastic different from the first plastic. |
| US09315950B2 |
Paving stones
Generally L-shaped, square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, parallelogram and other-shaped paving stones with inter-fitting vertical spacers forming serpentine side contact surfaces that provide enhanced stone-to-stone interlocking in both water-permeable and water-impermeable paving installations. |
| US09315948B2 |
Cable transportation system for moving transportation units along a track
A cable transportation system configured to move transportation units along a designated or given track has a switch with a first movable guide having one degree of freedom, along an operating plane, between two designated or given positions; a second movable guide having one degree of freedom, along the operating plane, between two designated or given positions; and a third and a fourth movable guide connected rigidly to each other and having one degree of freedom, along the operating plane, between two designated or given positions; the first, second, third and fourth movable guide being configured so that the first and second movable guide each define a continuation of the third or fourth movable guide. |
| US09315944B2 |
Sheet manufacturing apparatus and method for manufacturing sheet
A present sheet manufacturing apparatus, which manufactures a sheet including defibrated material and whiteness enhancer, is provided with a defibrating unit configured to defibrate a stock material that includes fibers, a whiteness enhancer feeding unit configured to feed the whiteness enhancer to the defibrated material defibrated in the defibrating unit. A feeding amount of the whiteness enhancer is changed based on whiteness information of the stock material or the defibrated material. |
| US09315941B2 |
Sheet manufacturing apparatus and sheet manufacturing method
A sheet manufacturing apparatus is provided with a defibrating unit configured to defibrate a defibration object in the atmosphere, a mixing unit configured to mix additive agents including resin into a defibrated material, a moisture-adjusting unit configured to adjust moisture in a mixture of the defibrated material and the additive agents, and a heating unit configured to heat the moisture-adjusted mixture. |
| US09315938B2 |
Elevator with hoisting and governor ropes
An elevator may include: a hoisting machine; hoisting ropes; a traction sheave that includes grooves; and diverting pulleys. Each of the hoisting ropes may individually contact one of the grooves. Each hoisting rope may include steel wires of circular, non-circular, or circular and non-circular cross-section, twisted together to form strands. The strands of each hoisting rope may be twisted together to form the hoisting rope. A thickness of each of the hoisting ropes may be greater than or equal to 2.5 mm and less than or equal to 8 mm. A cross-sectional area of the steel wires of the hoisting ropes may be greater than 0.015 mm2 and less than 0.2 mm2. The strength of the steel wires may be greater than 2,700 N/mm2 and less than 3,000 N/mm2. |
| US09315934B2 |
Washing machine
Provided is a washing machine including an auxiliary washing unit configured with an auxiliary washing space formed separately from a main washing space formed in a rotating tub, and a discharging assembly by which the auxiliary washing space and the main washing space are selectively in communication with each other. Through such a structure, auxiliary washing may be independently performed, and washing efficiency may be enhanced. |
| US09315925B2 |
Layered product and textile product comprising the same
The present invention provides a layered product, which, when processed into a textile product by sewing, fusing, or the like, overcomes such a practical restriction that a knit must be used on the side to be subjected to a sealing treatment, makes the sealing treatment easier, has intact appearance and touch feeling, and is lightweight. The layered product comprises a flexible film and a woven fabric layered thereon at the side to be subjected to the sealing treatment in processing the layered product into the textile product. The layered product has a total cover factor (CFtotal) from 700 to 1400, calculated from the cover factors of the warp and the weft constituting the woven fabric. CFtotal=CFm+CFt CFm: cover factor of warps CFt: cover factor of wefts |
| US09315923B2 |
Process for preparing yarn derived from aramid copolymer fiber having low residual sulfur
The present invention concerns processes for producing a yarn comprising polymer comprising imidazole groups, the process having the following steps: (a) spinning a solution of polymer in sulfuric acid to give rise to a plurality of dope filaments; (b) coagulating the plurality of dope filaments into a multi-filament as-spun yarn; and (c) washing the as-spun multi-filament yarn with an aqueous acid comprising a halide or an aqueous salt comprising a halide or combination thereof. |
| US09315921B2 |
High heat-resistant member, method for producing the same, graphite crucible and method for producing single crystal ingot
A high heat-resistant member includes a graphite substrate including isotropic graphite and a carbide coating film including a carbide, such as tantalum carbide, and covering a surface of the graphite substrate, the carbide coating film having a randomly oriented isotropic grain structure in which crystallites having a size indexed by a full width at half maximum of a diffraction peak of an X-ray diffraction pattern of not more than 0.2° from (111) planes are accumulated at substantially random. The orientation of the carbide coating film is determined by whether degree of orientation (F) in any Miller plane calculated based on an XRD pattern using the Lotgering method is within a range from −0.2 to 0.2. |
| US09315911B2 |
Electrolyzer apparatus
An electrolyzer apparatus includes an anode tank having an anode and a cathode tank having a cathode which are provided separately from each other. The anode tank includes a feed opening for feeding electrolytic solution into the tank, an anode aeration device for feeding aeration air to the fed electrolytic solution, and a gas extraction pipe for guiding gas generated from the anode tank to outside the tank. A communication pipe allows the amount of electrolytic solution fed into the anode tank to flow into the cathode tank, and via the electrolytic solution in the communication pipe, electric conduction becomes possible between the anode and the cathode. An amount of gas generated by an electrolysis reaction inside the anode tank is discharged to the outside of the anode tank via the gas extraction pipe together with the aeration air. The electrolytic solution introduced into the cathode tank is discharged continuously. |
| US09315910B2 |
Methods and devices for the production of hydrocarbons from carbon and hydrogen sources
Devices and methods are described for converting a carbon source and a hydrogen source into hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, for alternative energy sources. The influents may comprise carbon dioxide gas and hydrogen gas or water, obtainable from the atmosphere for through methods described herein, such as plasma generation or electrolysis. One method to produce hydrocarbons comprises the use of an electrolytic device, comprising an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte. Another method comprises the use of ultrasonic energy to drive the reaction. The devices and methods and related devices and methods are useful, for example, to provide a fossil fuel alternative energy source, store renewable energy, sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, counteract global warming, and store carbon dioxide in a liquid fuel. |
| US09315909B2 |
Molecular molybdenum persulfide and related catalysts for generating hydrogen from water
New metal persulfido compositions of matter are described. In one embodiment the metal is molybdenum and the metal persulfido complex mimics the structure and function of the triangular active edge site fragments of MoS2, a material that is the current industry standard for petroleum hydro desulfurization, as well as a promising low-cost alternative to platinum for electrocatalytic hydrogen production. This molecular [(PY5W2)MoS2]x+ containing catalyst is capable of generating hydrogen from acidic-buffered water or even seawater at very low overpotentials at a turnover frequency rate in excess of 500 moles H2 per mole catalyst per second, with a turnover number (over a 20 hour period) of at least 19,000,000 moles H2 per mole of catalyst. |
| US09315908B2 |
Electrolytic cell for producing chlorine—sodium hydroxide and method of producing chlorine—sodium hydroxide
There is provided a method of production of chlorine.sodium hydroxide capable of being operated stably and economically by preventing calcium from being deposited in an ion exchange membrane. The liquid retention layer 3 having a liquid retention amount per unit volume of the liquid retention layer of 0.10 g-H2O/cm3 or more and 0.80 g-H2O/cm3 or less is put between the ion exchange membrane 12 and the gas diffusion electrode 16. Calcium ions transferred through the ion exchange membrane 12 easily diffuse, thereby making it possible to suppress increase in an electrolytic voltage and drop in current efficiency generated by deposition of the calcium ions inside the ion exchange membrane 12. |
| US09315904B2 |
Material deposition using powder and foil
The loss of aluminum content during the laser (20) deposition of superalloy powders (16) is accommodated by melting pure aluminum foil (14) with the superalloy powder to increase a concentration of aluminum in the melt pool (24) so that the resulting layer of deposited material (26) has a desired elemental composition Foils, screens or strips of any material may be melted with powders to achieve any desired cladding composition, including a graded composition across a thickness of a clad layer (50). |
| US09315902B2 |
Composition for chemical conversion treatment and method of manufacturing a member having a black film formed from the composition
The present invention provide a composition for a chemical conversion treatment capable of forming a chemical conversion film having both an excellent black appearance such that the L-value of the film is 28 even when the film is formed from the composition which has been aged, and good corrosion resistance. The composition is a water-soluble composition and comprising a trivalent chromium-containing substance, a cobalt-containing substance, a sulfur compound, and an organic phosphonate compound consisting of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of organic phosphonic acids, ions of organic phosphonic acids, and organic phosphonates, and a nickel-containing substance as needed. It is preferable that the content of the trivalent chromium-containing substance be 1 to 10 g/L in chromium content equivalent, that the content of the cobalt-containing substance be 0.1 to 10 g/L in cobalt content equivalent, that the content of the sulfur compound be 0.1 to 10 g/L, and that the content of the organic phosphonate compound be 0.1 to 20 g/L. When the composition further contains a nickel-containing substance, the content in nickel content equivalent is preferably 0.10 to 10 g/L. |
| US09315900B2 |
Isolation of microwave sources through bellows
A bellows which forms a flexible coupling between the lid of a processing chamber and an antenna feed through. One embodiment provides an apparatus comprising a chamber body having a chamber lid, a feed through extending through the chamber lid, an antenna coupled to and extending through the feed through to an internal volume of the chamber body, and a bellows comprising a first flange, the first flange coupled to the feed through, a second flange, the second flange coupled to the chamber lid, and a center portion extending between the first flange and the second flange. |
| US09315891B2 |
Methods for processing a substrate using multiple substrate support positions
In some embodiments, a method for processing a substrate in a process chamber having a substrate support configured to move in a direction perpendicular to a top surface of a cover ring of a process kit may include positioning the substrate support in a first position such that a top surface of the substrate is positioned about 3 mm above to about 10 mm below a top surface of a cover ring of a process kit disposed about the periphery of the substrate support; performing a plasma deposition process while the substrate support is in the first position; moving the substrate support to a second position such that the top surface of the substrate is disposed about 3 mm below to about 15 mm above the top surface of the cover ring; and performing a plasma etch process while the substrate support is in the second position. |
| US09315886B1 |
Desensitization of aluminum alloys using pulsed electron beams
A method for desensitizing an aluminum alloy is presented. A desired location on the surface of an aluminum alloy sample is exposed to a controlled pulsed electron beam. The pulsed electron beam heats a shallow layer of the metal alloy having a desired depth at the desired location on the surface of the sample to a temperature between a solvus temperature and an annealing temperature of the metal alloy to controllably reduce a degree of sensitization of the metal alloy sample at the desired location, an extent of a reduction in the degree of sensitization being controllable by varying at least one of a voltage, a current density, a pulse duration, a pulse frequency and a number of pulses of the electron beam. |
| US09315884B2 |
Watch-making or clock-making component comprising an amorphous metal alloy
The invention relates to a watch-making or clock-making component comprising an amorphous metal alloy corresponding to the formula: FeaCobNicNbdVeBfTag, in which: 0 |
| US09315881B2 |
Polycrystalline diamond, polycrystalline diamond compacts, methods of making same, and applications
Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDC”) exhibiting enhanced diamond-to-diamond bonding. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table bonded to a substrate. At least a portion of the PCD table includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality of interstitial regions includes a metal-solvent catalyst. The plurality of diamond grains exhibit an average grain size of about 30 μm or less. The plurality of diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst collectively exhibit an average electrical conductivity of less than about 1200 S/m. Other embodiments are directed to PCD, employing such PCD, methods of forming PCD and PDCs, and various applications for such PCD and PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies. |
| US09315879B2 |
System and method for recovering precious metals from precursor-type ore materials
The present invention provides a system and method for recovering a precious metal from a geologic material. The system and method may include combining a geologic material containing a precious metal present in a non-bulk state with a first stage flux composition. The combination may be milled to provide a first stage mixture. The first stage mixture may be sintered for a first period of time at a first temperature and a second period of time at a second temperature. The second temperature may be greater than the first temperature. Sintering may promote the transition of a portion of the precious metal from a non-bulk state to a bulk state. A first stage sintered material may be recovered with a content of at least about 0.15 weight percent of the precious metal in the bulk state. |
| US09315876B2 |
Press-formed product and method for producing same
There is provided a useful method for producing a press-formed product without causing disadvantages such as hardness variation, which product has favorable formability in a level so as to be able to be produced by deep drawing, and which method is carried out by heating a thin steel sheet to a temperature not lower than an Ac3 transformation point thereof; and then cooling the thin steel sheet at a rate not lower than a critical cooling rate, during which the thin steel sheet is formed into the press-formed product, wherein the forming is started from a temperature higher than a martensitic transformation start temperature Ms thereof, the cooling rate is kept to be 10° C./sec. or higher during the forming, and the forming is finished in a temperature range not higher than the martensitic transformation start temperature Ms. |
| US09315875B2 |
Method of refining molten iron
In a molten iron refining method by charging molten iron and a cold iron source into a converter type refining vessel, supplying a material containing CaO with an oxygen source dissolving the cold iron source and conducting molten iron desiliconization, removing at least a part of the produced slag as an intermediate slag removal, and supplying a slag-forming agent and an oxygen source to the molten iron for dephosphorization, a silicon-containing material or a combination of it and carbonaceous material is added in the desiliconization then carried out under conditions such that the slag basicity (mass % CaO/mass % SiO2) in the desiliconization completion is more than 0.5 but less than 1.5 and a molten iron temperature in the desiliconization completion is more than 1280° C. but less than 1350° C. and more than 30 mass % of the slag produced in the desiliconization is removed from the vessel in the intermediate slag removal. |
| US09315870B2 |
Method for detecting methylation of colorectal cancer specific methylation marker gene for colorectal cancer diagnosis
The present invention relates to a method for detecting methylation of the bowel-cancer-specific methylation marker GPM6A (NM_201591, glycoprotein M6A) gene in order to diagnose bowel cancer, and more specifically relates to a method for providing information for diagnosing bowel cancer by detecting the methylation of a bowel-cancer-specific marker gene that is specifically methylated in bowel cancer cells. The method for detecting methylation and a diagnostic composition, kit and nucleic-acid chip according to the present invention can be used to advantage in diagnosing bowel cancer more accurately and quickly than by normal methods as they permit bowel cancer to be diagnosed at the initial genetic transformation step and so allow early diagnosis. |
| US09315868B2 |
Diagnostic method using PALB2
The present invention provides a method for detecting mutations in the PALB2 gene in pancreatic cancer patients and in individuals having a family history of pancreatic cancer. Methods are also provided for diagnosing a predisposition to pancreatic cancer, for predicting a patient's response to pancreatic cancer therapies, and for treating pancreatic cancer, based on presence of a PALB2 mutation or abberant PALB2 gene expression in a patient. |
| US09315866B2 |
Combination of MAL and CADM1 markers for HPV induced invasive cancers and their high-grade precursor lesions
The inventors now have developed a (molecular) diagnostic marker based on MAL alterations, in particular reduced MAL mRNA and protein expression as well as MAL promoter hypermethylation, to identify human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced high-grade precancerous lesions such as premalignant cervical lesions of invasive cervical cancer, and high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced precursor lesions of non-cervical invasive cancers within, cell material obtained via scraping, lavage or by other means and/or tissue. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of the MAL gene (including its promoter) and the gene products thereof as marker for HPV-induced high-grade premalignant lesions, allowing early detection and better treatment option for the individual patient. |
| US09315864B2 |
Heteroarylcyanine dyes with sulfonic acid substituents
Heteroaryl cyanine dyes bearing sulfonic acid substituents are of use in various assays, including single molecule nucleic acid sequencing. Exemplary heteroaryl cyanines dyes include or more reactive functional group, which is of use to covalently conjugate the cyanine dye to a carrier molecule. An exemplary carrier molecule is an analyte molecule or other molecule of interest, for example, a nucleotide oligophosphate. |
| US09315862B2 |
Aptamer regulated nucleic acids and uses thereof
The invention relates to trans-acting ligand-responsive nucleic acids and uses thereof. In particular, a ligand responsive nucleic acid comprises an effector domain and an aptamer domain that is responsive to a ligand. |
| US09315861B2 |
Enhanced ligation reactions
In some embodiments, methods for ligating nucleic acid ends comprise: conducting a nucleic acid ligation reaction in the presence of at least one agent that generates a ligatable terminal 5′ phosphate group by removing an adenylate group from a terminal 5′ phosphate of a nucleic acid. In some embodiments, an aprataxin enzyme can catalyze removal of an adenylate group from a terminal 5′ phosphate of a nucleic acid. In some embodiments, methods for ligating nucleic acid ends comprise: conducting a nucleic acid ligation reaction in the presence of an aprataxin enzyme under conditions suitable for ligating nucleic acid ends. |
| US09315860B2 |
Conjugates of nucleotides and method for the application thereof
The invention relates to a novel method for enzymatically marking nucleic acid chains (target sequences) by using nucleotide conjugates. Said nucleotide conjugates are capable of binding specifically to the target sequence under reaction conditions and of being incorporated in the complementary growing strand by means of a polymerase. The nucleic acid chains marked with such conjugates can be bound to the solid phase. The marking can be carried out in parallel with the enzymatic amplification of target sequences. |
| US09315859B2 |
DDAO compounds as fluorescent reference standards
According to the present teachings, methods and compositions are provided that utilize at least one reference dye of formula (I): In some embodiments, a method comprises measuring a detection signal of a reporter dye and at least one reference dye of formula (I). In some embodiments, a composition comprises a reference dye of formula (1), a buffer, a selection of nucleotides and a protein. |
| US09315852B2 |
Nucleic acid-labeled tags associated with odorant
A nucleic acid tag comprising a nucleotide-support platform attached to a nucleic acid molecule, an odorant, and an encapsulant. Unique nucleic acid-containing tags containing an odorant are seeded at one or more geographic locations. Using odorant-detection systems, the person or object of interest is examined for the presence of one or more of the odorant, thereby revealing the presence of the seeded nucleic acids and eliminating the expense and time associated with unnecessary screening. The geographic location associated with each detected nucleic acid is used to backtrack the item's path or extrapolate a probable point of origin. |
| US09315845B2 |
Process for the continuous enzymatic hydrolysis of proteins
A continuous process and device for the enzymatic hydrolysis of proteins is disclosed. |
| US09315840B2 |
Biomass processing system, saccharide solution production method using biomass feedstock, alcohol production method
A biomass processing system includes: a hydrolysis processing unit that decomposes, under a high-temperature/high-pressure condition, biomass feedstock in a processing tank having a gas-liquid interface, and removes a lignin component and a hemicellulose component; a biomass solid content discharge unit that discharges a biomass solid content 20 which is a hot water insoluble element; a slurrying vessel that subjects the discharged biomass solid content to slurrying; and a hot water discharge liquid introducing line L2 that introduces, into the slurrying vessel 21, a hot water discharge liquid 16 including a biomass hot-water soluble element. |
| US09315837B2 |
Desaturases of a green microalga and uses thereof
Isolated proteins which are at least partially encoded by polynucleotide sequences encoding novel desaturases are provided together with a composition which includes these isolated proteins. A transgenic plant, a transgenic alga, or a transgenic seed transformed by the polynucleotides encoding proteins which are at least partially encoded by novel desaturases are also provided. The invention also includes a process for making a very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid in a transformed cell, a transgenic alga, or a transgenic plant expressing the isolated protein or proteins which are at least partially encoded by the polynucleotide sequences encoding novel Δ5, Δ6, or Δ12 desaturases. |
| US09315829B2 |
Methods for intracellular delivery of nucleic acids
A method for intracellular delivery of isolated naked nucleic acids into a biological tissue or organ, that includes (a) contacting the tissue or organ with an efficient amount of at least one active corticosteroid, and (b) contacting the tissue or organ treated in step b with an efficient amount of isolated naked nucleic acids, wherein step (a) is carried out for a period of time ranging from at least five minutes to at most two hours and being immediately followed by step (b). |
| US09315826B2 |
Nucleic acids containing a synthetic codon-optimized Sin Nombre virus full-length M gene
The invention contemplates a new synthetic, codon-optimized Sin Nombre virus (SNV) full-length M gene open reading frame (ORF) that encodes a unique consensus amino acid sequence. The SNV ORF was cloned into a plasmid to form the first stable recombinant SNV full-length M gene that elicits neutralizing antibodies. The gene can be engineered into a vaccine system, and is useful to protect mammals against infection with Sin Nombre virus. |
| US09315825B2 |
Pharmacologically induced transgene ablation system
The present invention relates to gene therapy systems designed for the delivery of a therapeutic product to a subject using replication-defective virus composition(s) engineered with a built-in safety mechanism for ablating the therapeutic gene product, either permanently or temporarily, in response to a pharmacological agent—preferably an oral formulation, e.g., a pill. The invention is based, in part, on the applicants' development of an integrated approach, referred to herein as “PITA” (Pharmacologically Induced Transgene Ablation), for ablating a transgene or negatively regulating transgene expression. In this approach, replication-deficient viruses are used to deliver a transgene encoding a therapeutic product (an RNA or a protein) so that it is expressed in the subject, but can be reversibly or irreversibly turned off by administering the pharmacological agent; e.g., by administration of a small molecule that induces expression of an ablator specific for the transgene or its RNA transcript. |