| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09336083B2 |
Apparatus and methods of programming memory cells using adjustable charge state level(s)
Apparatus and methods are disclosed, including a method of programming involving determining an error rate for the memory cells, and programming the memory cells using a charge state level for a charge state that is based at least in part on the determined error rate. |
| US09336081B2 |
Data writing and reading method, and memory controller and memory storage apparatus using the same for improving reliability of data access
A data writing method for a rewritable non-volatile memory module is provided. The present method includes compressing an original data to generate a first data and determining whether the length of the first data is smaller than a predetermined length. The present method also includes outputting the first data as a compressed data when the length of the first data is not smaller than the predetermined length. The present method further includes generating an ECC code corresponding to the compressed data, generating an ECC frame according to the compressed data and the ECC code, and writing the ECC frame into the rewritable non-volatile memory module. Accordingly, when data corresponding to the original data is read from the rewritable non-volatile memory module, error bits in the data can be corrected and the original data can be restored according to the ECC code. |
| US09336073B1 |
Write fault modulation
Systems and methods are disclosed for write fault modulation. In an embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a circuit configured to adjust a write fault value for a data storing system based on a circumferential point of a target data storage location, and write data based on the write fault value. The write fault value may represent an amount of off-track deviation of a data writing system within which data writing operations may be performed. In another embodiment, a memory device may store instructions that cause a processor to perform a method including receiving a write command including write data, determining a write fault threshold for a circumferential point of a target location of the write data, performing, using a transducer, a write operation at the circumferential point based on the write fault threshold, and suspending the write operation when a positional deviation of the transducer exceeds the write fault threshold. |
| US09336071B2 |
Administering incomplete data communications messages in a parallel computer
Administering incomplete data communications messages in a parallel computer that includes a plurality of compute nodes, with each compute node including a processor and a messaging accelerator, includes: transmitting, by a source messaging accelerator to a destination messaging accelerator, a message, including processing a messaging descriptor describing the message and setting, in the message descriptor, a flag indicating the message has been sent; transmitting, by the source messaging accelerator to a destination messaging accelerator responsive to processing an acknowledgement request descriptor corresponding to the message, a request for acknowledgment of receipt of the message; receiving, by the source messaging accelerator from the destination messaging accelerator, a negative acknowledgment (NACK) indicating that the message was not received at the destination messaging accelerator; and clearing, by the source messaging accelerator in the message descriptor, the flag indicating that message has been sent. |
| US09336070B1 |
Throttling of application access to resources
A method and apparatus of a device that modifies an application sleep state of a running application is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the device detects an event associated with the running application. In addition, the device evaluates one or more run-time characteristics of the running application. The device further determines if the running application is a candidate to have the application sleep state of this running application modified based on the monitored one or more run-time characteristics of the running application and the detected event. If the running application is a candidate to have the application sleep state of this running application modified, the device sends a message to the operating system of the device indicating how the application sleep state of the running application is to be modified, where the device includes a virtual memory subsystem that pages data of the running application between volatile storage to non-volatile storage. |
| US09336057B2 |
Assigning jobs to heterogeneous processing modules
A processing system is described which assigns jobs to heterogeneous processing modules. The processing system assigns jobs to the processing modules in a manner that attempts to accommodate the service demands of the jobs, but without advance knowledge of the service demands. In one case, the processing system implements the processing modules as computing units that have different physical characteristics. Alternatively, or in addition, the processing system may implement the processing modules as threads that are executed by computing units. Each thread which runs on a computing unit offers a level of performance that depends on a number of other threads that are simultaneously being executed by the same computing unit. |
| US09336055B2 |
Apparatus and method for predicting processing performance
An information processing method includes acquiring sets of execution information of a plurality of information processes executed by a first information processing apparatus, converting the usage time in each set of execution information into usage time on a second information processing apparatus, executing a resource allocation process of allocating the resource of the second information processing apparatus to a first information process during the converted usage time, allocating the resource of the second information processing apparatus to a second information process for idle time not allocated to the first information process during the converted usage time, and accumulating virtual run time of the allocated resources, and estimating execution time when executing the plurality of information processes on the second information processing apparatus on the basis of the accumulated virtual run time. |
| US09336054B2 |
Method and apparatus for configuring resource
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for configuring a resource and an apparatus. The method includes: allocating a system resource to a currently active application sub-scenario in an application according to recorded system resource occupation information of the application sub-scenario of the application, where the system resource occupation information of the application sub-scenario of the application includes the system resource occupation information recorded when the application sub-scenario works in a process of testing the application after the application sub-scenario of the application is defined. With the present invention, the system resource is configured for the application sub-scenario at a single attempt. Therefore, enough system resources are ensured to meet the requirements for running the currently active application sub-scenario of the application, the running performance is ensured, and the adjustment time and the power consumption are saved. |
| US09336051B2 |
Programmable controller with multiple processors using a scanning architecture
Operating a programmable controller with a plurality of processors. The programmable controller may utilize a first subset of the plurality of processors for a scanning architecture. The first subset of the plurality of processors may be further subdivided for execution of periodic programs or asynchronous programs. The programmable controller may utilize a second subset of the plurality of processors for a data acquisition architecture. Execution of the different architectures may occur independently and may not introduce significant jitter (e.g., for the scanning architecture) or data loss/response time lag (e.g., for the data acquisition architecture). However, the programmable controller may operate according to any combination of the divisions and/or architectures described herein. |
| US09336050B2 |
Server device, log transferring method, and log transferring system
A server device includes a virtualization control unit, a storing unit, and a transferring unit. The virtualization control unit operates a virtual machine that is a virtualized computer to control a migration of the virtual machine with another server device. The storing unit stores therein a log, in an associated manner with the virtual machine, that is created by the virtual machine. When the virtual machine is migrated to the other server device, the transferring unit transfers, to the other server device, the log of the virtual machine targeted for a migration stored in the storing unit. |
| US09336049B2 |
Method, system, and program for scheduling jobs in a computing system
Embodiments of the present invention include a job scheduling system configured to schedule job execution timings in a computing system; the job scheduling system comprising: a job information receiving module configured to receive job information defining a job pending execution in the computing system, the job information including an indication of computing hardware resources required to execute the job, and an indication of an allocation of application licenses required to execute the job; and a job execution scheduler configured to schedule execution of the job at a timing determined in dependence upon the availability of both the indicated computing hardware resources and the indicated application licenses. |
| US09336046B2 |
Transaction abort processing
A transaction executing within a computing environment ends prior to completion; i.e., execution is aborted. Pursuant to aborting execution, a hardware transactional execution CPU mode is exited, and one or more of the following is performed: restoring selected registers; committing nontransactional stores on abort; branching to a transaction abort program status word specified location; setting a condition code and/or abort code; and/or preserving diagnostic information. |
| US09336045B1 |
System and method for application isolation
A system, method, and computer readable medium for providing application isolation to one or more applications and their associated resources. The system may include one or more isolated environments including application files and executables, and one or more interception layers intercepting access to system resources and interfaces. Further, the system may include an interception database maintaining mapping between the system resources inside the one or more isolated environments and outside, and a host operating system. The one or more applications may be isolated from other applications and the host operating system while running within the one or more isolated environments. |
| US09336042B1 |
Performing virtual machine live migration within a threshold time by adding available network path in multipath network
An estimated time to migrate a VM from a source hypervisor to a target hypervisor is calculated. The estimated time is compared to a threshold time and based on the estimated time meeting the threshold time, a migration of the VM from the source hypervisor to the target hypervisor via the network is initiated. Based on the estimated time not meeting the threshold time, it is determined whether an additional path can be added to the network between the source hypervisor and the target hypervisor. If an additional path cannot be added to the network, a migration of the VM from the source hypervisor to the target hypervisor via the network is initiated. If an additional path can be added to the network, the additional path is added and the migration via the network is initiated. |
| US09336041B2 |
Fabric distributed resource scheduling
Embodiments perform centralized input/output (I/O) path selection for hosts accessing storage devices in distributed resource sharing environments. The path selection accommodates loads along the paths through the fabric and at the storage devices. Topology changes may also be identified and automatically initiated. Some embodiments contemplate the hosts executing a plurality of virtual machines (VMs) accessing logical unit numbers (LUNs) in a storage area network (SAN). |
| US09336038B2 |
Refreshing memory topology in virtual machine operating systems
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method and technique for refreshing memory topology in virtual machine operating systems is disclosed. The method includes: responsive to receiving, by an operating system of a virtual machine, a notification of an affinity change relative to workload memory resources, polling a hypervisor for updated memory affinity data; determining, for each logical memory block of the workload memory resources, whether an affinity string for the respective logical memory block has changed; responsive to determining that the affinity string for the respective logical memory block has changed, identifying a data structure of the logical memory block maintained by the operating system; and updating affinity information in the data structure based on the change to the affinity string of the logical memory block. |
| US09336037B2 |
Analytics platform spanning a unified subnet
Determination and indication of operational performance of deployments in an expert integrated system that has multiple deployments, with each deployment having multiple patterns. The determination is based upon pipe analytics, with the pipe analytics being performed over a common subnet that includes both the analytics platform and the management nodes of each deployment of the multiple deployments. |
| US09336036B2 |
System method for memory virtualization control logic for translating virtual memory in space of guest memory based on translated codes in response to memory failure
A virtualization based system comprises a host and a plurality of virtual machines that may each comprises a guest memory. A virtual machine monitor has access to underlying platform hardware in the system and may control physical resources in the platform. The platform hardware comprises a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. Further, the VMM may manage guest software including guest operating systems running on the virtual machines. A binary translation logic may replace guest memory writing instructions corresponding to a hot spot in guest application with translated codes to generate a mirrored content for the guest memory. The binary translation logic may combine one or more of the guest memory writing instructions in a region and keep the region atomic. The processor may execute the translated codes in an atomic region together to write a content in the guest memory and a mirrored content in a mirroring memory. The VMM may allocate a memory region in the host memory for the mirroring memory. The guest memory comprises one or more guest memory pages and the mirroring memory may comprise one or more mirroring memory pages. The VMM may add an offset to a virtual address of a guest memory page to obtain a virtual address of a mirroring memory page. The VMM may manage or emulate a guest page table comprising a mapping between virtual address to guest physical addresses for the guest memory. The VMM may synchronize a shadow page table with the mapping in the guest page table. The shadow page table comprises a mapping of virtual addresses to host physical addresses for the guest memory and a mapping of virtual addresses to host physical addresses for the mirroring page. Upon a memory failure in the guest memory page, the VMM may restore the content of the corrupted guest memory page from the mirroring memory page. |
| US09336035B2 |
Method and system for VM-granular I/O caching
Methods are presented for caching I/O data in a solid state drive (SSD) locally attached to a host computer supporting the running of a virtual machine (VM). Portions of the SSD are allocated as cache storage for VMs running on the host computer. A mapping relationship is maintained between unique identifiers for VMs running on the host computer and one or more process identifiers (PIDs) associated with processes running in the host computer that correspond to each of the VM's execution on the host computer. When an I/O request is received, a PID associated with I/O request is determined and a unique identifier for the VM is extracted from the mapping relationship based on the determined PID. A portion of the SSD corresponding to the unique identifier of the VM that is used as a cache for the VM can then be accessed in order to handle the I/O request. |
| US09336033B2 |
Secure identification of execution contexts
A virtual-machine-based system that identifies an application or process in a virtual machine in order to locate resources associated with the identified application. Access to the located resources is then controlled based on a context of the identified application. Those applications without the necessary context will have a different view of the resource. |
| US09336031B2 |
Managing allocation of hardware resources in a virtualized environment
Hardware resources in a virtualized environment are managed. Via at least one processor external to a physical host that hosts a plurality of virtual machines, resource statistics are received pertaining to hardware resources of the physical host that are allocated to each of the plurality of virtual machines. External to the physical host and in real time, the resource statistics are analyzed to determine whether allocation of the hardware resources to each of the plurality of virtual machines is optimized. When the allocation of the hardware resources to at least one of the virtual machines is not optimized, in real time, at least one resource allocation message is communicated to the physical host, the resource allocation message indicating at least one hardware resource that is to be allocated to, or de-allocated from, the at least one virtual machine. |
| US09336029B2 |
Determination via an indexed structure of one or more partitionable endpoints affected by an I/O message
A data processing system includes a processor core, a system memory including a first data structure including entries mapping requester identifiers (IDs) to partitionable endpoint (PE) numbers and a second data structure, and an input/output (I/O) subsystem including an I/O bridge and a plurality of PEs each including one or more requesters each having a respective requester ID. The I/O host bridge, responsive to receiving an I/O message including a requester ID, determines a PE number by reference to a first entry from the first data structure, and responsive to determining the PE number, accesses a second entry of the second data structure utilizing the PE number as an index, where the second entry indicating one or more of the plurality of PEs affected by the message. The I/O host bridge services the I/O message with reference to each of the plurality of PEs indicated by the second entry. |
| US09336026B2 |
Methods and apparatus for simulating a distributed business process
Methods and apparatus for simulating a distributed business process are disclosed. The methods and apparatus simulate an interdependent business process, such as a financial transaction system, in a secure distributed manner. Each business entity that is part of the interdependent business process models itself on a local client device at any chosen level of detail. A simulation server connects the separate client based simulations into one large simulation. Details of each local simulation may be hidden from other simulation participants. However, interruptions in business flow caused by simulated disruptions introduced at the simulation server and/or a client device are propagated to all of the effected simulation participants via the simulation server. In addition, if a client based model is not available, the server supplies a software agent to replace the inputs and outputs normally associated with that portion of the overall simulation. |
| US09336024B1 |
Clustering for parallel processing
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for clustering for parallel processing. One of the methods includes providing virtual machines with an interface to a shuffle service, the shuffle service executing external of the virtual machines. The method includes receiving data records through the interface, each data record having a key and a value. The method includes partitioning the data records, using the shuffle service, according to the respective keys. The method includes providing a part of the partitioned data records through the interface to the virtual machines, wherein data records having the same key are provided to the same virtual machine. Each of the virtual machines can execute on a host machine and each of the virtual machine is a hardware virtualization of a machine. |
| US09336022B2 |
Universal serial bus (USB) device and a USB system including the same
A universal serial bus (USB) device includes a first memory and a second memory. The first memory is configured to store L different function drivers, and during a first operation, the second memory is configured to be loaded with M different function drivers from the first memory and, during a second operation, the second memory is configured to maintain N function drivers among the M function drivers while being loaded with A different function drivers from the first memory, wherein M≦L, N |
| US09336018B2 |
Mechanism for class data sharing using extension and application class-loaders
The present disclosure involves systems, methods, and/or computer-readable mediums for reducing load time of an application. The systems, methods, and/or computer-readable mediums store metadata in an archive prior to execution of an application. The metadata corresponds to a type of class loading operation used to load a class required by the application, where different types of class loading operations perform different security checks as a part of loading classes. During execution of the application, based on the metadata and based in part on a request for the class loading operation to load the class, it is determined whether the class is stored in the archive. When the class is stored in the archive, a particular type of class loading operation loads the class from the archive and the system checks that the particular type of the class loading operation matches the type of the class loading operation in the metadata. |
| US09336016B2 |
Registration of applications and complimentary features for interactive user interfaces
An exemplary computer-implementable method includes receiving a call from an application executing on a host computer, the host computer having a collection of graphical user interfaces, and, in response to the call, registering the application whereby the registering comprises providing one or more entry points for the application wherein each entry point corresponds to at least one of the graphical user interfaces of the collection of graphical user interfaces. Various other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US09336012B2 |
Global data establishment for storage arrays controlled by a plurality of nodes
A plurality of data arrays are coupled to a plurality of nodes via a plurality of adapters. The plurality of adapters discover the plurality of data arrays during startup, and information about the plurality of data arrays are communicated to corresponding local nodes of the plurality of nodes, wherein the local nodes broadcast the information to other nodes of plurality of nodes. A director node of the plurality of nodes determines which data arrays of the plurality of data arrays are a current set of global metadata arrays, based on the broadcasted information. |
| US09336008B2 |
Shared function multi-ported ROM apparatus and method
Various embodiments may be disclosed that may share a ROM pull down logic circuit among multiple ports of a processing core. The processing core may include an execution unit (EU) having an array of read only memory (ROM) pull down logic storing math functions. The ROM pull down logic circuit may implement single instruction, multiple data (SIMD) operations. The ROM pull down logic circuit may be operatively coupled with each of the multiple ports in a multi-port function sharing arrangement. Sharing the ROM pull down logic circuit reduces the need to duplicate logic and may result in a savings of chip area as well as a savings of power. |
| US09336006B2 |
High-performance parallel traffic management for multi-core platforms
A method of traffic management implemented in a multi-core device comprising a first core and a second core, the method comprising receiving a first plurality of data flows for the first core and a second plurality of data flows for the second core, assigning a first thread running on the first core to the first plurality of data flows, assigning a second thread running on the second core to the second plurality of data flows, processing the first plurality of data flows using the first thread, and processing the second plurality of data flows using the second thread, wherein at least one of the first plurality of data flows and at least one of the second plurality of data flows are processed in parallel. |
| US09336003B2 |
Multi-level dispatch for a superscalar processor
In an embodiment, a processor includes a multi-level dispatch circuit configured to supply operations for execution by multiple parallel execution pipelines. The multi-level dispatch circuit may include multiple dispatch buffers, each of which is coupled to multiple reservation stations. Each reservation station may be coupled to a respective execution pipeline and may be configured to schedule instruction operations (ops) for execution in the respective execution pipeline. The sets of reservation stations coupled to each dispatch buffer may be non-overlapping. Thus, if a given op is to be executed in a given execution pipeline, the op may be sent to the dispatch buffer which is coupled to the reservation station that provides ops to the given execution pipeline. |
| US09336002B2 |
Data structures for efficient tiled rendering
One embodiment of the present invention includes a method for performing a multi-pass tiling test. The method includes combining a plurality of bounding boxes to generate a coarse bounding box. The method further includes identifying a first cache tile associated with a render surface and determining that the coarse bounding box intersects the first cache tile. The method further includes comparing each bounding box included in the plurality of bounding boxes against the first cache tile to determine that a first set of one or more bounding boxes included in the plurality of bounding boxes intersects the first cache tile. Finally, the method includes, for each bounding box included in the first set of one or more bounding boxes, processing one or more graphics primitives associated with the bounding box. One advantage of the disclosed technique is that the number of intersection calculations performed for each cache tile is reduced. |
| US09335998B2 |
Multi-core processor system, monitoring control method, and computer product
A multi-core processor system includes a given core among multiple cores, wherein the given core is configured to detect execution of a process by the cores; and generate upon detecting the execution of the process, a specific thread that saves state information indicating an executed state of the process and an executed state of each thread to be monitored of the process. |
| US09335996B2 |
Recycling error bits in floating point units
A mechanism for recycling error bits in a floating point unit is disclosed. A system of the disclosure includes a memory and a processing device communicably coupled to the memory. In one embodiment, the processing device comprising a floating point unit (FPU) to generate a result value from applying an operation on floating point number inputs to the FPU and generate an error value using the result value. The FPU also writes the result value to a first register of the processing device dedicated to storing results from the operation of the FPU and writes the error value to a second register of the processing device dedicated to storing errors from the operation of the FPU. |
| US09335990B2 |
Method, a system, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium for supporting application development
An application development support method of the present disclosure is for generating an application by building resources including a library and a manifest file. The method includes extracting, when there are a plurality of versions of a platform being an operation target for the application, the library commonly required by all the versions of the platform from a specified resource storing area. The method includes identifying and extracting the library that is required other than commonly required by all the versions of the platform from the specified resource storing area. The method includes inquiring about a public interface relating to an un-extracted library in the specified resource storing area. The method includes generating a manifest file for a difference detected when inquiring about the public interface. The method includes connecting the generated manifest file with an existing manifest file. |
| US09335989B2 |
Building a pattern to define a topology and application environment using software components and software updates/fixes from external repositories from multiple vendors
A method, system and computer program product for building a pattern. An external framework engine identifies the software components, as well as code updates and/or code fixes, from the external repositories associated with different vendors. The framework engine then generates metadata using the identified software components and code updates and/or code fixes which may be used to determine the relationships between the software components. Furthermore, the framework engine generates configuration metadata to successfully link software components with a relationship. The framework engine then displays the software components available to be used to build the pattern, including the relationship linkages between the software components with a relationship along with the configuration metadata required to make a successful linkage. In this manner, the user will be able to build a pattern using software components provided from different vendors and be able to understand the relationship linkages between the software components. |
| US09335988B2 |
Managing build variants in a common repository
A system includes determination of first coordinates in a repository coordinate system associated with a seed component corresponding to a target build result of a first code building system, the seed component comprising a projection method between the repository coordinate system and a variant coordinate system of the first code building system, determination of second coordinates in the variant coordinate system, the second coordinates associated with an execution environment of the target build result, determination of third coordinates in the repository coordinate system based on the first coordinates, the second coordinates and the projection method, and association of the target build result with the third coordinates. |
| US09335985B2 |
Desktop image management for virtual desktops
A desktop image management system is described that can efficiently distribute updates to virtual desktops running on host servers in a data center. The system is comprised of a central server and multiple agents, each agent installed on a virtual machine. When a VM receives an update from the central server, the files are stored in a single instance store on the host server. The agent running on the VM then creates a corresponding stub file (empty of content) on the VM for each file in the single instance store. The agent further marks the stub file to indicate that the stub file is mapped to the single instance store. When the guest operating system requests to read the stub file, the virtual disk layer of the host server detects that the requested block has been marked and fetches the content of the file from the single instance store. |
| US09335984B2 |
Data transmission method, transmission-source information processing apparatus, data transmission system, and data transmission program
A data transmission method for transmitting data from a transmission-source information processing apparatus to a plurality of information processing apparatuses, includes: selecting an information processing apparatus from among the plurality of information processing apparatuses functioning as a relay information processing apparatus relay-transmitting data to another information processing apparatus, in accordance with the number of information processing apparatuses; transmitting the data to the relay information processing apparatus; and relay-transmitting the data received from the transmission-source information processing apparatus to the another information processing apparatus. |
| US09335983B2 |
Method and system for displaying a non-installed android application and for requesting an action from a non-installed android application
A method of operating an appliance operating the ANDROID operating system in which code of a calling application is operative to send to the ANDROID operating system or other application an Intent object. The Intent object encapsulates an “Activity Action” string and optional auxiliary data relating to the Intent object. The user is presented with a user interface comprising not currently installed applications capable of handling the Intent. Upon user selection of an application not currently installed on the appliance operating the ANDROID operating system, the selected application is installed on the appliance. Subsequently the matching activity in the installed application is launched. Afterwards the Intent is passed to the Activity, capable of handling the aforementioned Intent, in the now launched application. |
| US09335982B1 |
Processor emulation using multiple translations
Examples described herein emulate a processing architecture using multiple translations of the same source binary. A first translation binary includes compiler optimizations not present in a second translation binary. During runtime, a dispatcher directs control flow of a CPU when branch instructions are reached. Specifically, a dispatcher directs a CPU to execute instructions in the first translation binary, and accesses the second translation binary when an instruction is to a target that is not addressable in the first translation binary. The first and second translation binaries enable a target processing architecture to emulate a source processing architecture without just-in-time compilation or other runtime interpretation. |
| US09335979B1 |
Data type visualization
A device, including one or more processors, may obtain program code, determine a group of variables based on the program code, execute the program code, determine values of the group of variables based on the executing of the program code, determine a dynamic range of a characteristic for each variable based on the values, generate a visualization that presents the dynamic range of the characteristic for the group of variables, and provide the visualization for display. |
| US09335974B2 |
System and method for determining and displaying design complexity of a software design
A system, method and software product determine and display a complexity designation of a software design based upon a hierarchical functional decomposition design model. Within a development server, a number of decomposition levels in the software design, a number of subgraphs in the software design, and a number of processes in the software design are determined. A complexity designation for the software design based upon the number of decomposition levels and the average number of processes in the subgraphs is then determined and displayed. |
| US09335973B2 |
Quantum random number generator
A quantum random number generator (QRNG) and a photon generator for a QRNG are provided. The photon generator may be operated in a spontaneous mode below a lasing threshold to emit photons. Photons emitted from the photon generator may have at least one random characteristic, which may be monitored by the QRNG to generate a random number. In one embodiment, the photon generator may include a photon emitter and an amplifier coupled to the photon emitter. The amplifier may enable the photon generator to be used in the QRNG without introducing significant bias in the random number and may enable multiplexing of multiple random numbers. The amplifier may also desensitize the photon generator to fluctuations in power supplied thereto while operating in the spontaneous mode. In one embodiment, the photon emitter and amplifier may be a tapered diode amplifier. |
| US09335969B2 |
Method of entropy randomization on a parallel computer
Method, system, and computer program product for randomizing entropy on a parallel computing system using network arithmetic logic units (ALUs). In one embodiment, network ALUs on nodes of the parallel computing system pseudorandomly modify entropy data during broadcast operations through application of arithmetic and/or logic operations. That is, each compute node's ALU may modify the entropy data during broadcasts, thereby mixing, and thus improving, the entropy data with every hop of entropy data packets from one node to another. At each compute node, the respective ALUs may further deposit modified entropy data in, e.g., local entropy pools such that software running on the compute nodes and needing entropy data may fetch it from the entropy pools. In some embodiments, entropy data may be broadcast via dedicated packets or included in unused portions of existing broadcast packets. |
| US09335966B2 |
Methods and apparatus for unsupervised wakeup
Methods and apparatus for unsupervised wakeup of a device including receiving a first acoustic event at a first time and a second acoustic event at a second time, wherein scores of the first and second acoustic events are above a first threshold identifying the first and second acoustic events as wakeup candidates for a wakeup phrase for an unsupervised wakeup of a device. It is determined that the first acoustic event is above a second threshold, which is higher than the first threshold, and that the second acoustic event is above a third threshold, which is higher than the first threshold. Occurrence of a wakeup event can be determined based upon acoustic similarity of the events. |
| US09335964B2 |
Graphics server for remotely rendering a composite image and method of use thereof
A graphics server for remotely rendering a composite image and a method of use thereof. One embodiment of the graphics server includes: (1) a graphics renderer configured to render updates for a plurality of graphics windows within the composite image and (2) a display processing unit (DPU) configured to identify changed portions of the composite image and provide the changed portions to an encoder for encoding and subsequent transmission. |
| US09335961B2 |
Printing system and information processing apparatus
In an information processing apparatus, a data transmission portion transmits print data to an image forming apparatus, and a first detection portion detects communication terminals existing in a communication range of a near field wireless communication. In addition, a terminal selection portion selects one or a plurality of communication terminals from among the communication terminals detected by the first detection portion, and an authorization portion gives print authority of the print data transmitted from the data transmission portion, to the communication terminal selected by the terminal selection portion. On the other hand, in an image forming apparatus, a printing permission portion permits printing of the print data corresponding to the print authority, when the communication terminal having the print authority exists in the communication range of the near field wireless communication. |
| US09335959B2 |
Image forming apparatus operable to form data based on driver type, method of controlling image forming apparatus, and storage medium
An image forming apparatus is provided, including a storage unit configured to store print data, a reception unit configured to receive device information for identifying a device to print the print data, and a control unit configured to determine whether the stored print data stored is generated by a printer driver common to a plurality of models or by a printer driver corresponding to a model of the device identified by the received device information, and to restrict printing of the stored print data if the stored print data is not generated by the printer driver common to the models and if the stored print data is not generated by the printer driver corresponding to the model of the device identified by the received device information. |
| US09335954B2 |
Customizable backup and restore from nonvolatile logic array
Design and operation of a processing device is configurable to optimize wake-up time and peak power cost during restoration of a machine state from non-volatile storage. The processing device includes a plurality of non-volatile logic element arrays configured to store a machine state represented by a plurality of volatile storage elements of the processing device. A stored machine state is read out from the plurality of non-volatile logic element arrays to the plurality of volatile storage elements. During manufacturing, a number of rows and a number of bits per row in non-volatile logic element arrays are based on a target wake up time and a peak power cost. In another approach, writing data to or reading data of the plurality of non-volatile arrays can be done in parallel, sequentially, or in any combination to optimize operation characteristics. |
| US09335952B2 |
System and method for polling the status of memory devices
A memory controller and methods thereof suitable for operating a system utilizing multiple memory bus channels and/or multiple banks of memory devices on each channel wherein the memory devices is polled only when necessary. The memory controller includes means for determining a status of each individual memory device of the plurality of memory devices, a channel controller for each memory bus channel, and at least one status register on which is stored a plurality of bits. The channel controller maintains a derived status of each individual memory device based on the current and previous status data. Each individual bit of the plurality of bits of the status register corresponds to an individual memory device of the plurality of memory devices and indicates the derived status of the individual memory device which are used to determine whether to check for a queued command destined for the individual memory device. |
| US09335944B2 |
In-place change between transient and persistent state for data structures on non-volatile memory
Methods and apparatus related to in-place change between transient and persistent state for data structures on non-volatile memory are described. In one embodiment, controller logic causes a change in a state of a first portion of one or more non-volatile memory devices between a persistent state and a transient state and without moving data stored in the first portion of the one or more non-volatile memory devices. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed. |
| US09335943B2 |
Method and apparatus for fine grain memory protection
An apparatus and method for fine grain memory protection. For example, one embodiment of a method comprises: performing a first lookup operation using a virtual address to identify a physical address of a memory page, the memory page comprising a plurality of sub-pages; determining whether sub-page permissions are enabled for the memory page; if sub-page permissions are enabled, then performing a second lookup operation to determine permissions associated with one or more of the sub-pages of the memory page; and implementing the permissions associated with the one or more sub-pages. |
| US09335942B2 |
Methods and structure for LUN masking in a switching device
Methods and structure for masking of logical unit numbers (LUNs) within a switching device coupled with one or more storage enclosures. Each storage enclosure defines one or more logical volumes each identified by a LUN within the storage enclosures. The switching device gathers LUN definition information regarding each LUN defined by each storage enclosure coupled with the switching device. LUN access permission information may be provided by an administrative node/user defining a level of access permitted or denied for each host system for each LUN for each storage enclosure. The switching device then intercepts a REPORT LUNS command from any host directed to a storage enclosure and responds with only those LUNs to which the requesting host system has permitted access. Further, any other SCSI command intercepted at the switching device directed to a LUN to which the host system does not have access is modified to identify an invalid LUN. |
| US09335941B1 |
Crash consistency
A method, system, and computer program product comprising using a tracking structure to map a first portion and a second portion of a non-volatile storage medium to a logical representation of the non-volatile storage medium; wherein the first portion is presented by the logical representation as writable storage and using the tracking structure to enable the logical representation to present the data written to the second portion as the data corresponding to the write in the first portion. |
| US09335939B2 |
RAIDed memory system
A memory system and a method for managing the system is described. The system is configured such a plurality of system controllers, which may be RAID controllers, receive requests from the external environment and distribute the requests to a plurality of memory modules such that data may be stored in the memory modules. A global sequence number is assigned to the data of a data stripe so that the operations related to the data stripe are performed in an ordered manner so that the data remains consistent. A plurality of system controllers may comprise a domain and access a plurality of memory controllers and a plurality of domains may include at least one common memory module. |
| US09335938B2 |
Optimized transfer and storage of highly denormalized data in an in-memory data grid
A method for transferring and storing a data set associated with an in-memory data grid (IMDG) is provided. The method may include identifying at least two data object instances associated with the data set based on a determined relationship between the at least two data object instances. The method may also include performing a field relation analysis on the identified at least two data object instances and recording the field relation analysis. The method may include receiving a request for a data object associated with the data set. The method may include determining if an optimization can be performed on the data object. The method may include omitting a field value associated with the data object based on the determined optimization. The method may include inflating the omitted field value into the data set associated with the data object request and returning the data set with the inflated field value. |
| US09335937B2 |
Method of operating a flash memory system using a migration operation
A method of operating a memory system includes; storing data in a buffer region of the nonvolatile memory, later issuing a migration request directed to the data stored in the buffer region and executing a migration operation to move the data from buffer region to a main region of the nonvolatile memory device. Upon completion of the migration operation, marking a migration operation completion time, and after an initial verify shift (IVS) time has elapsed following the migration operation completion time, updating a mapping table associated with the data in view of the executed migration operation. |
| US09335936B2 |
Event based tagging of storage system commands
An indication of an event occurrence is received. The indication of the event occurrence is associated with a severity. A tag associated with the indication of the event occurrence is determined. It is determined whether the tag is the same as a preceding tag. In response to a determination that the tag is not the same as the preceding tag, a component is notified of the event occurrence, the tag is stored for later use, and an indication of the severity associated with the indication of the event occurrence is stored. |
| US09335933B2 |
Equalization for high speed input/output (I/O) link
Described are systems and apparatuses to mitigate the timing margin loss caused by inter-symbol interference (ISI) in high speed input/output (I/O) interfaces. Data dependent jitter (DDJ) compensation techniques that may be utilized in the transmission or receiving circuitry of the I/O interface, including capturing bit data values of a data signal prior to an identified data transition, and delaying/advancing the transmission/reception the data signal or a corresponding clock signal based on these bit data values. |
| US09335932B2 |
Storage unit selection for virtualized storage units
Performance information for storage units located at a virtual data center is determined by executing storage administrator logic whose execution is controlled by a management entity different than the virtual data center provider. Performance expectations are automatically determined based on the determined performance information. In response to determining that a particular storage unit is incompatible with performance expectations applicable to the particular storage unit, embodiments cause a reduction in utilization of the particular storage unit. Based on determined performance information, another embodiment determines that a performance pattern indicating a physical co-location of a first storage unit and a second storage unit has occurred. In response to determining that the performance pattern indicating a physical co-location of a first storage unit and a second storage unit has occurred, the embodiment disables use of a selected storage unit of the first storage unit or the second storage unit for at least a particular purpose. |
| US09335931B2 |
System and method for making snapshots of storage devices
A system and method for making snapshots of storage devices are provided. A method for making a snapshot of a volume includes setting the volume to a read-only mode, receiving an access attempt for the volume, and if the access attempt is a write access attempt, buffering information associated with the write access attempt in a buffer, and updating a snapshot indicator based on the information associated with the write access attempt, where the snapshot indicator includes block information regarding a block in the volume that is a target of the write access attempt. The method also includes if the access attempt is a read access attempt, providing read information requested in the read access attempt, where the read information is based on the volume, or a combination of the snapshot indicator, the buffer, and a buffer indicator. |
| US09335930B2 |
Performing asynchronous discard scans with staging and destaging operations
A controller receives a request to perform staging or destaging operations with respect to an area of a cache. A determination is made as to whether one or more discard scans are being performed or queued for the area of the cache. In response to determining that one or more discard scans are being performed or queued for the area of the cache, the controller avoids satisfying the request to perform the staging or the destaging operations or a read hit with respect to the area of the cache. |
| US09335929B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor storage system
A nonvolatile semiconductor storage system has multiple nonvolatile semiconductor storage media, a control circuit having a media interface group (one or more interface devices) coupled to the multiple nonvolatile semiconductor storage media, and multiple switches. The media interface group and the multiple switches are coupled via data buses, and each switch and each of two or more nonvolatile chips are coupled via a data bus. The switch is configured so as to switch a coupling between a data bus coupled to the media interface group and a data bus coupled to any of multiple nonvolatile chips that are coupled to this switch. The control circuit partitions write-target data into multiple data elements, switches a coupling by controlling the multiple switches, and distributively sends the multiple data elements to multiple nonvolatile chips. |
| US09335926B2 |
Display apparatus for sensing touch input and touch input method thereof
A display apparatus is provided. The display apparatus includes a communication interface configured to communicate with a plurality of image input devices, a display configured to display a plurality of images provided by the plurality of image input devices on a single screen, a storage configured to store screen scale information of the plurality of image input devices, a sensor configured to sense a touch input on one image of the plurality of images, and a controller configured to convert actual touch coordinate values of an entire screen of the display into relative touch coordinate values corresponding to an image input device which provides a touched image in which the touch input is sensed, according to the screen scale information of the image input device which provides the touched image in response to the touch operation being sensed, and transmit the converted relative touch coordinate values to the image input device which provides the touched image. |
| US09335922B2 |
Electronic device including three-dimensional gesture detecting display
An electronic device includes a display, a plurality of antennae arranged and constructed to emit a signal and to receive backscatter from the signal, and a processor operably coupled to the antennae to utilize the received backscatter to detect location and at least one of size and shape of an object spaced from the display. |
| US09335917B2 |
System and method for providing enhanced HMI navigation
A method and apparatus is provided for enhancing an HMI (Human Machine Interface) mechanism to include continuous, sequential, and time-based navigation capabilities. Airspace data associated with a flight plan is received, and the airspace data associated with a region of the flight plan is displayed. A time scale substantially coextensive with the region is also displayed. To view a future region of the airspace, the time scale on the display is moved in a first direction, and to view a previous region, the time scale on the display is moved in a second, substantially opposite direction. |
| US09335913B2 |
Cross slide gesture
Techniques relating to scrolling, object selection, and object moving are discussed. Strokes are inputted by a user, for instance using a touch sensitive surface. Strokes are directed to a scrollable surface with objects therein. Strokes that end before meeting a condition select the objects, and strokes then end after meeting the condition move the objects or representations thereof. The condition may be a distance. Selection may only occur when strokes meet a threshold condition such as having a particular direction (e.g., perpendicular to a direction for scrolling the surface) or moving a minimal distance. Strokes in a scrolling direction (e.g., horizontal) may scroll the surface in that direction and strokes in another direction (e.g., vertical) may both select and move the objects. Objects selected may slide on rails before moving. |
| US09335912B2 |
GUI applications for use with 3D remote controller
A remote wand for controlling the operations of a media system is provided. The wand may be operative to control the movement of a cursor displayed on screen by the position and orientation at which the wand is held. As the user moves the wand, the on-screen cursor may move. The user may use the wand to control a plurality of operations and applications that may be available from the media system, including for example zoom operations, a keyboard application, an image application, an illustration application, and a media application. |
| US09335910B2 |
System and method for reduction of inadvertent activation of medical device during manipulation
Inadvertent activation of a portable medical device such as an ambulatory infusion pump can be reduced by locking a touchscreen of the device when it is indicated that an uninterrupted operation is to be performed. When a processor receives a device operation input from the touchscreen that indicates an uninterrupted operation is to be performed on the portable device, the touchscreen is automatically locked such that touch input at the touchscreen is not processed by the processor to navigate between or among menu screens or set pump parameters. Following completion of the uninterrupted operation, the touchscreen can be unlocked. In one embodiment, the touchscreen can be unlocked by selection of an unlock icon on the touchscreen. |
| US09335907B2 |
User interface including content from an accessory
An electronic device can receive a request from an accessory to provide a user interface for display on a display of the accessory. In response to receiving the request, the electronic device can generate a user interface that includes a region that is reserved for displaying content provided by the accessory. The electronic device can initiate display of the user interface on the display of the accessory. |
| US09335906B2 |
Information processing apparatus, control method thereof, and recording medium
An information processing apparatus includes a decision unit configured to determine whether the existence of the plurality of content data pieces is to be displayed using individual information corresponding to each piece of the content data or using representative information that combines the content data pieces into one based on the display position of the information indicating existence of each piece of the content data, and a display control unit configured to control a display unit to display the information indicating existence of the content data based on the display position based on a determined result of the decision unit. The display control unit controls the display unit to change a display form of the representative information according to whether at least one of the plurality of content data pieces of which existence is displayed by being combined into the representative information satisfies a predetermined condition. |
| US09335903B2 |
Integrated media user interface
An integrated media user interface is described. In an implementation, a user interface is output that includes a plurality of representations of media, each of the media rendered by the mobile device through execution of a respective one of a plurality of applications. Responsive to selection of at least one of the representations, a corresponding application is located to render the media represented by the at least one said representation. The media represented by the selected representation is rendered through execution of the located application. |
| US09335901B1 |
Grid-based user interface system
A system for displaying data comprises an interface and a processor. The interface is configured to receive an indication of a matrix element for expansion. The processor is configured to provide a matrix for display. The matrix includes a plurality of matrix elements. The processor is configured to provide a modified matrix for display, in the event that the matrix element is selected for expansion. The modified matrix for display includes a matrix element expanded and matrix elements compressed based at least in part on the matrix element selected. |
| US09335900B2 |
Recognizing selection regions from multiple simultaneous input
Selection regions can be recognized from multiple simultaneous inputs. Input selection regions are calculated from simultaneous contacts on a multi-touch input display surface. Computer system users can use natural and/or more intuitive hand gestures to select items on an input/display surface. Selection regions can be dynamically adjusted to in response to detected changes in contact at different locations on a surface. For example, selection region changes can be updated in essentially real-time as fingers are added and moved on the multi-touch input display surface, and as the surface is scrolled. The calculation of selection regions can vary based on an application and/or operating system context. |
| US09335899B2 |
Method and apparatus for executing function executing command through gesture input
There are provided a method and an apparatus for executing a function executing command through a gesture input, and more particularly, a method and an apparatus for executing a function executing command by recognizing a gesture input performed in a text input field displayed on a touch screen display. The method for executing a function executing command through a gesture input includes displaying a keyboard window for inputting text and a text input field for displaying the text inputted by the keyboard window on a touch screen display; recognizing a gesture input performed in the text input field; and executing a function executing command corresponding to the gesture input only when the text displayed in the text input field is not selected. A user can intuitively execute function executing commands by recognizing a gesture input in a text input field with ease when the function executing command is input through a touch screen display. |
| US09335894B1 |
Providing data input touch screen interface to multiple users based on previous command selections
A method and apparatus of providing a touch sensitive interface to multiple users is disclosed. Example may include a method and apparatus to create a user menu option that a user may select to operate a particular application. The method may include determining an event has occurred based on a user selection operation and storing the occurrence of the event in memory, and determining the user's last command executed and storing the last command in the memory. Further operations may include identifying a sequence of events stored in the memory that match the user's last command executed and providing the menu option to the user based on the identified sequence of events stored in the memory, and prompting the use to select the menu option. |
| US09335892B2 |
Select drag and drop operations on video thumbnails across clip boundaries
A computer-implemented method includes displaying, within a user interface in a digital media system, a media pane, and a project pane, displaying, within the media pane, a thumbnail group representing a media item, the thumbnail group comprising one or more thumbnails, enabling a user to select, from the thumbnail group, a segment of the media item, and enabling a user to transfer the selected segment to the project pane. |
| US09335890B2 |
Method and apparatus for user interface of input devices
A 3 dimensional (3-D) user interface system employs: one or more 3-D projectors configured to display an image at a first location in 3-D space; one or more sensors configured to sense user interaction with the image and to provide user interaction information; and a processor configured (i) to receive the user interaction information from the one or more sensors; (ii) to correlate the user interaction with the image; and (iii) to provide one or more indications responsive to a correlation of the user interaction with the image, including displaying the image at a second location in 3-D space. |
| US09335889B2 |
Method and device for processing network element object information in 3D topology view
A method and a device for processing network element object information in a three-dimensional (3D) topology view are provided. The method includes: in response to a user's operation of selecting a first network element object in the 3D topology view displayed in a window, sending a first instruction to a back-end server; receiving position coordinates and size information of the first network element object from the back-end server; and adjusting position coordinates of the first network element object in the window according to a size of the window and the position coordinates of the first network element object, multiplying the size information of the first network element object by a preset zoom factor to zoom the first network element object, and redisplaying the zoomed first network element object at the adjusted position coordinates in the window. Thus, the user can identify the network element object quickly in the window. |
| US09335887B2 |
Multi display device and method of providing tool therefor
A multi display device includes a first body including a first display, a second body including a second display, a hinge configured to connect the first and second bodies, and a controller configured to display a toolset including tools corresponding to an operation state of the multi display device on a screen of at least one of the first and second displays when a user manipulation to display a toolset is input, and to perform an operation corresponding to the selected tool when one tool is selected from the toolset. |
| US09335885B1 |
Generating user interface for viewing data records
A computer-implemented method may include receiving a query for information from a data set, wherein the query can be represented logically by a query graph having a plurality of vertices, wherein at least a first vertex includes a first variable that can be used to select a first subset of records within the data set that correspond to a value of the first variable. The method may also include generating, by at least one processor of a computing system, a browsable user interface to select information in the data set based on the vertices of the query graph, the browsable user interface including a first parameter node corresponding to the first vertex, wherein selection of the first parameter node displays a plurality of first value nodes representing different subsets of records that correspond to different values of the first variable of the first vertex. |
| US09335882B2 |
Display device with touch sensor, and electronic apparatus
According to an aspect, a display device with a touch sensor has a display function and a touch sensor function. The display device includes: a panel unit that comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, and a display function layer between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first electrode on the first substrate; a second electrode on the second substrate; a third electrode on the second substrate; and a capacitor for the touch sensor function. The capacitor is formed between either of the first electrode and the second electrode and the third electrode, or between both the first electrode and the second electrode and the third electrode. The frame portion outside the display area comprises, on the first substrate side thereof, a peripheral circuit, and the second electrode is provided in a position more distant upward from the peripheral circuit than the first electrode. |
| US09335881B2 |
Touch screen panel
Disclosed here is a touch screen panel capable of implementing a double routing structure without increasing the number of pads of a pad part by implementing some sensing lines of first and second sensing lines that are electrically coupled to first and second sensing cells arranged on a display region, in the double routing structure, and electrically coupling the sensing lines implemented in the double routing structure to the pads of the pad part through connection patterns. |
| US09335874B2 |
Validated touchscreen stylus interaction method
A system and method are provided for validating a signature on a touchscreen using a smart stylus. Software residing on a touchscreen device disables touch input from sources other than the stylus. In one embodiment, the stylus wirelessly transmits a stylus identifier to the touchscreen device to identify the stylus to the device. The stylus may also have a stylus tip that produces an encoded voltage pulse sequence that is used to identify the stylus to the device. A stylus ID is associated with an encoded voltage pulse. The touchscreen device can look up the stylus ID in a database, determine the encoded voltage pulse associated with the stylus ID, and determine that a voltage pulse transmitted by the stylus tip is the pulse associated with the stylus ID, thus validating the source of data input on the touchscreen. |
| US09335873B2 |
Method of compensating for retransmission effects in a touch sensor
In one embodiment, a method of compensating for retransmission effects in a touch sensor includes, in response to measuring a touch input on a display, generating a first matrix comprising a plurality of first measurements associated with a plurality of capacitive nodes of a touch sensor. The method also includes estimating an amount of retransmission associated with the touch input by generating a first vector comprising one or more second measurements associated with one or more first electrode lines of the touch sensor, generating a second vector comprising one or more third measurements associated with one or more second electrode lines of the touch sensor, and calculating an outer product of the first and second vectors. The method includes generating a revised indication of the touch input based on the first matrix and the estimated amount of retransmission. |
| US09335871B2 |
Surface panel and method of manufacturing the same
The surface panel includes a transmissive resin layer and a sensor film closely attached to a back surface of the resin layer. The sensor film includes a base film, a frame-shaped decorative portion on a front surface of the base film, and a transmissive electrode layer and right and left wiring layers on a back surface of the base film. The sensor film is closely attached to and along the back surface of the resin layer. The right and left wiring layers are closely attached to the corresponding right and back-surface left portions. Consequently, the area that is allocated for the transmissive region and the electrode layer can be increased. |
| US09335870B2 |
Touch-display crosstalk
Clamping of a circuit element of a touch screen, such as a gate line of the display system of the touch screen, to a fixed voltage is provided. The circuit element can be clamped during a touch phase and unclamped during a display phase of the touch screen. A gate line system of a touch screen can include a first transistor with a source or drain connected to a first gate line, a second transistor with a source or drain connected to a second gate line, and a common conductive pathway connecting gates of the first and second transistors. A synchronization system can switch the first and second transistors to connect the first and second gate lines to a fixed voltage during a touch phase, and can switch the first and second transistors to disconnect the first and second gate lines from the fixed voltage during a display phase. |
| US09335867B2 |
Light-based touch surface with curved borders
A light guide for a light-based touch-sensitive surface, including first and second curved panels having substantially similar curvatures, wherein light undergoes a first refraction by the first curved panel as it enters the light guide, and undergoes a second refraction by the second curved panel as it exits the light guide, the second refraction being the inverse of the first refraction, and wherein one of the panels is curved in a horizontal plane parallel to the surface and forms a curved rim for the surface. |
| US09335864B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting a multitouch event in an optical touch-sensitive device
A touch sensitive optical control device comprising a set of light emitters 14, 22 and light detectors 18, 24 arranged relative to a touchable surface 30 such that light transmitted by the emitters is received by the detectors along multiple intersecting beams which pass transversely of the surface and touching the surface at a beam interrupts the light transmitted along the beam. Candidate touch points T1, T2, F1, F2 are defined at the intersections of interrupted beams and are confirmed or not as actual touch points by examining test beams 40, 42, 54, 56 near to or coincident with the candidate touch point. |
| US09335862B1 |
Virtual multi-device navigation in surface computing system
An approach is provided in which a touchscreen computing system generates a first virtual device instance and a second virtual device instance on a touchscreen in response to detecting a first physical device and a second physical device in proximity to the touchscreen computer system. The touchscreen computer system detects a touch gesture on the touchscreen that indicates a request to wirelessly connect the first physical device to the second physical device. As such, the touchscreen computer system sends instructions to the first physical device to establish a wireless connection with the second physical device. |
| US09335855B2 |
Top-emitting OLED display having transparent touch panel
A top-emitting OLED display having a transparent touch panel includes a substrate, an upper cover plate, an OLED device, a capacitive touch device, and a protective layer. The OLED device is stacked on the substrate, and the capacitive touch device is stacked on upper surface of the upper cover plate. The capacitive touch device includes a capacitor structure which is composed of a first transparent conductive layer, an isolating layer, and a second transparent conductive layer. The protective layer is disposed on top of the capacitor structure. |
| US09335853B2 |
Display device including sensor units and driving method thereof
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a display device including a plurality of sensing unit groups consisting of a plurality of sensing units and arranged in a matrix form. The display device further includes a plurality of gate lines connected to the plurality of sensing units included in a first sensing unit group, at least one sensing signal line connected to the plurality of sensing units, a scan driver transmitting gate signals to the gate lines, and a sensing signal processor processing a sensing signal transmitted by the sensing signal line. The gate lines transmit the gate signals according to different gate clock signals. |
| US09335850B2 |
Touch screen guide
A touch screen guide is provided that includes an edge-shaped frame disposed on a surface of a touch screen and both ends of an inside surface of the edge-shaped frame includes first guide grooves. A menu guide has both ends movably inserted into the first guide grooves of the frame, a substantial center is longitudinally provided with a moving space, and upper and lower portions of an inside are provided with second guide grooves. A touch guide includes upper and lower portions movably inserted into the second guide grooves of the menu guide and a substantial center is provided with an insertion space. Accordingly, a user may recognize which button is being operated when touching the touch screen viewing the screen to prevent the touch screen from being erroneously operated, thereby improving the convenience of use and the marketability. |
| US09335848B2 |
Apparatus for providing a three dimensional tactile display of an electronic device
An apparatus providing a three dimensional tactile sense on a display of an electronic device. The apparatus comprises two layers. The bottom layer is a set of channels that form a matrix along x and y axes. The top layer comprises a matrix of small transparent columns. When the user interface provides the sensation of a three dimensional surface, the corresponding x and y coordinates that are mapped to the three dimensional surface are inflated. The change in volume forces a subset of columns upward in the direction orthogonal to the plane of the screen. |
| US09335845B2 |
Selective accelerometer data processing methods and apparatus
A computer-implemented method for reducing extraneous input in a portable device programmed to perform the method includes displaying with the portable device, a text entry interface via a display to a user of the portable device, receiving with the portable device, one or more taps on a portion of the portable device other than the display, wherein the one or more taps is associated with a first action, while displaying with the portable device, an interface other than a text entry interface via the display to the user, the method includes performing with the portable device, the first action in response to the one or more taps, and while displaying with the portable device, a text entry interface via the display to the user, the method includes inhibiting with the portable device, the first action in response to the one or more taps. |
| US09335840B1 |
Flexible circuit board based force sensor
A flexible circuit board based force sensor is disclosed. A flexible circuit having a first metal pad and a second metal pad, the flexible circuit board is folded so that the first metal pad functioning as a top metal pad and the bottom metal pad functioning as a bottom metal pad. A force sensing material is configured in between the top metal pad and the bottom metal pad to form a force sensor. An electronic drawing system adopts the flexible circuit board based force sensor in an electronic pen for sensing pressures applied against the pen tip of the electronic pen. |
| US09335839B1 |
Graphic artistic tablet computer
The flat display assembly for producing artistic visual effects using a stylus includes a housing. A stand is operationally coupled to the housing. The stand is positionable on a support surface so the housing is retained in an upright position. A processor is coupled to the housing. An electronic memory is coupled to the housing and the processor. A display is coupled to the housing and the processor so the display is accessible to a user. A directional control is coupled to the housing and the processor. The directional control controls a cursor on the display. An actuator is coupled to the housing and the processor. A speaker is coupled to the housing and the processor so the speaker emits an audible sound. A stylus may be gripped by a user. |
| US09335838B2 |
Tagging of written notes captured by a smart pen
A system and a method are disclosed for organizing content collected in a pen-based computing system. A plurality of groups of stroke data are obtained. Each group of stroke data is associated with a timestamp based on the timing of strokes made by the smart pen. The groups of stroke data are grouped into one or more snippets based on a temporal proximity of the timestamps and spatial proximity of the stroke data. A request to associate a snippet to a tag is received. An association between the snippet and the tag is stored responsive to the request. |
| US09335834B2 |
Electronic fluidic indicator and method of indicating
The invention relates to providing detection of an exposure to a physical or chemical phenomenon and revealing information as a response to the exposure. A microfluidic device (20) comprises a microchannel (22) filled at least partly with at least one substance and a conductor (29) providing an intersection area (23a-23d) with the microchannel (22). As a result of exposure to the physical or chemical phenomenon directed to the microchannel (22) or to the substance in the microchannel (22) the microfluidic device (20) is arranged to control electromagnetic characteristic of the conductor (29) in the intersection area (23a-23d). An indicator device (45) comprises the microfluidic device (20) that is connected to means for indicating (40) to indicate the exposure to the phenomenon by giving a visual, sound, scent and/or electhcomagnetic indication. Further a method for detecting exposure to a physical or chemical phenomenon and indicating the exposure is presented. |
| US09335831B2 |
Computer keyboard including a control unit and a keyboard screen
An ergonomic writing apparatus including a keyboard screen integrated in the ordinary screen image, alternatively an independent keyboard screen, which interacts with a control unit. When the control arm/lateral joystick is moved, then two cursors which can be moved independently of each other and simultaneously, are displaceable over the columns of characters in the keyboard image. A choice of keys in the keyboard windows and control of the ordinary PC functions is realized by finger keys. |
| US09335827B2 |
Gesture input systems and methods using 2D sensors
A gesture input system with a two-dimension (2D) image sensor and a processing module is provided. The 2D image sensor obtains a plurality of images of a user. The processing module determines positions of an object and a face of the user in a first image of the plurality of images, and determines an operation area for the user according to the positions of the object and the face. Also, the processing module generates a control command according to the subsequent images to the first image of the user within the operation area. |
| US09335823B2 |
Systems and methods for haptically-enabled conformed and multifaceted displays
One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a touch-sensitive surface, which includes: a first surface on a first plane; and a second surface adjacent to the first surface, wherein the second surface is on a second plane different from the first plane. The illustrative system also includes a haptic output device configured to receive a haptic signal and output a haptic effect. Further, the illustrative system includes a processor coupled to the haptic output device and the touch-sensitive surface, the processor configured to: determine an event; determine the haptic effect based at least in part on the event; determine the haptic signal based at least in part on the haptic effect; and transmit the haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to the haptic output device. |
| US09335820B2 |
Method and system for correcting gaze offset
A method of correcting gaze offset in an image of at least one individual having eyes is disclosed. The method comprises: processing the image to extract location of at least one eye over the image, processing the image to replace imagery data associated with each location of each eye with replacement data thereby providing a corrected image, and transmitting the corrected image to a display device. The replacement data are preferably previously-recorded imagery data which respectively correspond to the same eye but a different gaze. |
| US09335819B1 |
Automatic creation of sleep bookmarks in content items
Features are disclosed for facilitating content presentation and consumption based on input regarding a user's gaze. Gaze tracking or eye tracking information can be obtained from, e.g., a user-facing camera. A content presentation system can determine whether the user's eyes have closed and how long they have closed, whether the user's gaze is directed at the portion of content currently being presented or at some other location, etc. Based on such determinations, presentation of content may be modified. In some cases, a current presentation position may be changed, highlights may be applied, a special bookmark may be generated, etc. |
| US09335814B2 |
Adaptively controlling low power mode operation for a cache memory
In an embodiment, a processor includes a plurality of cores each to independently execute instructions, a cache memory including a plurality of portions distributed across a die of the processor, a plurality of sleep circuits each coupled to one of the portions of the cache memory, and at least one sleep control logic coupled to the cache memory portions to dynamically determine a sleep setting independently for each of the sleep circuits and to enable the corresponding sleep circuit to maintain the corresponding cache memory portion at a retention voltage. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09335813B2 |
Method and system for run-time reallocation of leakage current and dynamic power supply current
A method and system for dynamic or run-time reallocation of leakage current and dynamic power supply current of a processor. In one embodiment of the invention, the processor uses the variation in the leakage current of the processor to reduce the maximum current dissipation or power supply current of the processor (ICCmax). By reducing the maximum current dissipation, the system cost can be reduced as a less expensive power delivery system is required in one embodiment of the invention. |
| US09335809B2 |
Volatile memory storing system data during low power mode operation and monitoring the voltage supplied to the memory during low power mode
Apparatus and method for operating a device in a low power mode. In accordance with some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a memory and a system on chip (SOC) integrated circuit. The SOC has a first region with a processing core and a second region electrically isolated from the first region as an always on domain power island with a power control block. In response to a sleep command, the processing core transfers system data to the memory and the power control block enters a low power mode in which no electrical power is supplied to the first region. In response to a wake up command, power is restored to the first region and the processing core performs a reinitialization operation responsive to status information communicated by the power control block indicative of a state of the system during the low power mode. |
| US09335808B2 |
Indicating critical battery status in mobile devices
An integrated circuit such as a SoC may indicate the critical battery status without powering-on a substantial portion including the host processing cores. The SoC may include a microcontroller, which may cause the critical battery status data to be stored in a static memory and the display unit may retrieve such data from the static memory to display a visual symbol on the screen. The other portions of the SoC such as the dynamic memory, system agent, media processors, and memory controller hubs may be powered-down while the critical battery status is displayed in the visual form on the screen. |
| US09335806B2 |
Power supply circuit for central processing unit
A power supply circuit for a central processing unit (CPU) includes a comparing circuit, first to third switch circuits, first and second compensation circuits, a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller, a first power circuit connected to a first output pin of the PWM controller, and a second power circuit connected to a second output pin of the PWM controller. When a motherboard operates normally, the comparing circuit outputs a first control signal to control the first and third switch circuits to be turned on. The second switch circuit is turned off. The first compensation circuit provides a compensation signal to the PWM controller. When the motherboard is powered off, the comparing circuit outputs a second control signal to control the first and third switch circuits to be turned off. The second switch circuit is turned on. The second compensation circuit provides a compensation signal to the PWM controller. |
| US09335803B2 |
Calculating a dynamically changeable maximum operating voltage value for a processor based on a different polynomial equation using a set of coefficient values and a number of current active cores
In an embodiment, a processor includes voltage calculation logic to calculate a plurality of maximum operating voltage values each associated with a number of active cores of the plurality of cores, based at least in part on a plurality of coefficient values. In this way, the processor can operate at different maximum operating voltages dependent on the number of active cores. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09335801B2 |
Frame and electronic device having the same
A frame to be assembled to a housing of an electronic device is provided. The frame includes a first material portion and a second material portion. The first material portion has a first thermal conductivity coefficient, and the second material portion has a second thermal conductivity coefficient. The first material portion is connected to the second material portion, and the first thermal conductivity coefficient is greater than the second thermal conductivity coefficient. A stiffness of the second material portion is greater than a stiffness of the first material portion. A heat generating element of the electronic device dissipates heat by the first material portion, and the heat generating element is disposed to be corresponding to the first material portion. An electronic device having said frame is also provided. |
| US09335798B1 |
Assembly structure for data storage device of server
An assembly structure for a data storage device of a server includes a tray (60), a frame (100), and a transverse movement member (200). The tray (60) has a guiding pillar (10). The frame (100) is disposed on the tray (60). The frame (100) includes a side wall (110) and a hook plate (112) disposed on a surface of the side plate (110). The transverse movement member (200) is connected to the hook plate (112) of the side plate (110) and is movable transversely. The transverse movement member (200) includes a guiding slot (220) movable with respect to the guiding pillar (10) and includes a restriction recess (230) restricting the hook plate (112) from moving transversely. Accordingly, this simple structure can achieve handy operation, and allows quick assembly and disassembly of the data storage device without the use of any tool. |
| US09335794B2 |
Configurable ergonomic keyboard for computing devices
A configurable keyboard. The configurable keyboard includes a base with a top face, and a top edge. A position adjustable panel containing keyboard keys. The position adjustable panel is attached to the base by a position adjustment device. The position adjustment device includes a shaft and a first connector. The shaft is attached, towards a bottom end, to the base. The first connector connects the position adjustable panel to the shaft. |
| US09335793B2 |
Cover attachment with flexible display
A tablet device with a flexible cover is disclosed. Thin flexible display technology can be integrated into the flexible cover without affecting the overall form factor of the cover or tablet device. Adding the integrated display to the flexible cover greatly enhances the overall functionality of the tablet device. |
| US09335789B2 |
System and apparatus for mounting a handheld electronic device
A device for selectively and releasably mounting a handheld electronic device to a surface. The device includes a mounting plate and a base plate. The mounting plate includes a top surface having a female connector. The mounting plate may be secured to the surface. Alternatively, the mounting plate may include a rigid member extending around a recess through the surface. The base plate receives the handheld electronic device within a first side thereof and includes a male connector spaced and extending from a side of the base plate opposite the first side. The male connector has a size and shape similar to the size and shape of the recess. Insertion of the male connector into the recess and rotation of the male connector to be misaligned with the recess causes the base plate and handheld electronic device to be releasably locked to the mounting plate. The male connector on the base plate or the mounting plate may also be used detached from a surface as a handle for holding the electronic device when in use. |
| US09335786B2 |
Adapter facilitating blind-mate electrical connection of field replaceable units with virtual backplane of computing rack
A system for the management of rack-mounted field replaceable units (FRUs) that affords the enhanced availability and serviceability of FRUs provided by blade-based systems but in a manner that accommodates different types of FRUs (e.g., in relation to form factors, functionality, power and cooling requirements, and/or the like) installed within a rack or cabinet. |
| US09335785B2 |
Systems and methods of clock synchronization between devices on a network
An exemplary method of synchronizing a master clock and a slave clock comprises transmitting a plurality of packets between a master device and a slave device, calculating a first skew between a first pair of the plurality of packets at the slave device and a second skew between the first pair at the master device, calculating a ratio between the first skew and the second skew, providing a slave clock frequency correction to the slave device, calculating a first packet trip delay using a time that the master device initiates sending a packet to the slave device, a time the master device receives a response from the slave device, a corrected time the slave device receives the packet, and a corrected time the slave device initiates sending the response, calculating a first offset based on the first packet trip delay, and providing the first offset to the slave device. |
| US09335783B2 |
Controller shifting device
A controller shifting device for interconnecting an armrest and a controller of a powered wheelchair includes an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism includes a casing, a first connection seat connected to the casing for connection with the armrest, and a second connection seat connected to the casing for installation of the controller. When the casing rotates from an operating position to a folded position, the second connection seat is lowered for placing the controller below the armrest. |
| US09335782B2 |
Ratchet mechanism including lockable pinion assembly
A manually operable ratchet mechanism includes a pinion assembly comprised of a handle connected to a shaft. The handle and shaft are mounted on a housing to allow the shaft to be rotated as a consequence of a user manually rotating the handle. The shaft carries a pinion configured to engage a toothed rack to incrementally move the rack in discrete steps relative to the housing. Additionally, a rotatable detent member is provided which rotates with the shaft as the handle is rotated. The rotatable detent member cooperates with a fixed detent member on the housing to define discrete detent positions which provide discrete step tactile feedback to the user. The handle is mounted for (1) axial rotation with respect to the shaft axis and additionally for (2) pivotal movement between locked and unlocked positions around a pivot axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the shaft axis. In the unlocked position, the shaft and rotatable detent member can rotate relative to the housing as the handle is turned. In the locked position, the rotatable detent member is forced into firm engagement with the fixed detent member to prevent axial rotation of the shaft. |
| US09335781B2 |
Remote control for controlling machinery
A remote control for controlling machinery that includes a multifunction identifier device incorporating key and starter button functions, the multifunction identifier device including a central body, in which electronic elements are housed, which is assembled with a bearing, the central body including a central part which is closed in the lower portion by an additional part inside which there is housed a magnet, the multifunction identifier device being coupled to an external push button panel by an adjustment ring. |
| US09335778B2 |
Reference voltage generating circuit
A reference voltage generating circuit with extremely low temperature dependence is provided. The reference voltage generating circuit includes a BGR circuit which generates a bandgap reference voltage; a bandgap current generating circuit which generates a bandgap current according to the bandgap reference voltage; a PTAT current generating circuit which generates a current proportional to the absolute temperature; and a linear approximate correction current generating circuit which compares the current generated by the PTAT current generating circuit and the bandgap current to generate a correction current, and the BGR circuit adds, to the bandgap reference voltage, a correction voltage generated based on the correction current. |
| US09335771B2 |
Feedforward control method and apparatus
A feedforward control method, which includes: determining, whether the input voltage rapidly changes or slowly changes; when the input voltage rapidly changes, determining, a first feedforward gain coefficient corresponding to the difference between a input voltage reference value and a first input voltage measurement value acquired by a high-speed low-precision analog-to-digital converter in a current sampling period; when the input voltage slowly changes, determining a second feedforward gain coefficient which is a ratio of the input voltage reference value to a second input voltage measurement value acquired by a low-speed high-precision analog-to-digital converter in the current sampling period; and using the first or the second feedforward gain coefficient as a feedforward gain coefficient of a current input voltage, multiplying the feedforward gain coefficient by an output value of a feedback loop of an output voltage, so as to control stable output of the output voltage. |
| US09335769B2 |
System for determining ambient temperature
A mechanism for indicating ambient temperature of an enclosure from temperatures determined within the enclosure. The temperatures may be obtained from two or more sensors at each of two or more locations within the enclosure. The enclosure may include heat generating components such as electronics. The enclosure may also incorporate one or more dynamic components that emanate sudden amounts of heat. The present mechanism compensates for such heat sources with a compensating scheme. |
| US09335766B1 |
Static obstacle detection
A vehicle is provided that may distinguish between dynamic obstacles and static obstacles. Given a detector for a class of static obstacles or objects, the vehicle may receive sensor data indicative of an environment of the vehicle. When a possible object is detected in a single frame, a location of the object and a time of observation of the object may be compared to previous observations. Based on the object being observed a threshold number of times, in substantially the same location, and within some window of time, the vehicle may accurately detect the presence of the object and reduce any false detections. |
| US09335764B2 |
Virtual and augmented reality cockpit and operational control systems
Architecture for a multimodal, multiplatform switching, unmanned vehicle (UV) swarm system which can execute missions in diverse environments. The architecture includes onboard and ground processors to handle and integrate multiple sensor inputs generating a unique UV pilot experience for a remote drone pilot (RDP) via a virtual augmented reality cockpit (VARC). The RDP is monitored by an operational control system and an experienced control pilot. A ground processor handles real-time localization, forwarding of commands, generation and delivery of augmented content to users, along with safety features and overrides. The UVs onboard processors and autopilot execute the commands and provide a redundant source of safety features and override in the case of loss of signal. The UVs perform customizable missions, with adjustable rules for differing skill levels. RDPs experience real-time virtual piloting of the UV with augmented interactive and actionable visual and audio content delivered to them via VARC systems. |
| US09335761B2 |
Procedure classification for industrial automation
A processing component that executes one or more industrial control procedures is provided. A procedure class component implements at least one instance of the industrial control procedures, where the instance is dynamically adapted to a parameter of equipment that operates the industrial control procedure. |
| US09335758B2 |
Portable wireless sensor
The present disclosure provides an apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor device. The apparatus includes a portable device. The portable device includes first and second sensors that respectively measure first and second fabrication process parameters. The first fabrication process parameter is different from the second fabrication process parameter. The portable device also includes a wireless transceiver that is coupled to the first and second sensors. The wireless transceiver receives the first and second fabrication process parameters and transmits wireless signals containing the first and second fabrication process parameters. |
| US09335757B2 |
Numerical controller with auxiliary command execution function
When a program command read from a machining program is an auxiliary command, a command associated with the auxiliary command is transmitted. Monitoring of reception of a completion signal corresponding to the command is started. When the completion signal is not received, and when the auxiliary command is a command indicating the unnecessity of waiting to receive the completion signal, determination is made as to whether or not a condition for ending the monitoring of the completion signal corresponding to the auxiliary command is satisfied without receiving the completion signal. When the condition is satisfied, an error process is executed to end the execution of the machining program. |
| US09335751B1 |
Dynamic performance based cooling control for cluster processing devices
Methods, systems, and apparatus for cooling control in a datacenter. In one aspect, a method includes, for each processing device in a cluster of processing devices configured to perform a distributed task, wherein each processing device is thermally controlled by a cooling system that controls cooling to each processing device on an individual basis, determining whether the processing device is operating within a performance target for the cluster of processing devices; for each processing device determined to not be operating within the performance target for the cluster, generating a respective control signal to adjust the cooling delivery to the processing device to cause the performance of the processing device to be within the performance target for the cluster of processing devices; and for each processing device determined to be operating within the performance target for the cluster, maintaining the cooling delivery to the processing device. |
| US09335750B2 |
Light fixture adapter (LFA) security monitoring
A security monitoring system/method implementing distributed Internet-based environmental monitoring and control is disclosed. The system utilizes a smart gateway power controller (SGPC) configured for new/retrofit installation into electrical power distribution networks to allow controlled connection of an AC power source to a customer load device under direction of local or remote Internet direction. The SGPC may also be configured with sensors to detect motion, audio, video, visual images, smoke, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, light/darkness, and other environmental data. The SGPC may be configured using a local web-based graphical user interface (GUI) to relay collected sensor information to a remote web browser hosted on a remote computing device. The GUI may incorporate a configuration/setup interface allowing mapping of sensor data to information associated with the sensor location and triggered security reports to occur based on collected sensor data. |
| US09335749B2 |
Semiconductor data processing apparatus and engine control apparatus
The reliability in detection of toothless part is improved. A first counter counts a clock signal from an initial value for each of pulse intervals of a predetermined event pulse train and the count value of the first counter is held in a register for each of pulse intervals. Further, the second counter counts the clock signal from an initial value so that the count value thereof is equal to plural times of the count value of the first counter for each of the pulse intervals. A timer function which can detect any of a first state in which the count value of the first counter is equal to or larger than a first reference value and a second state in which the count value of the second counter is equal to or smaller than the value held in the register for each of the pulse intervals is adopted. |
| US09335748B2 |
Energy management system
An energy management system uses an expert engine and a numerical solver to determine an optimal manner of using and controlling the various energy consumption, producing and storage equipment in a plant/communities in order to for example reduce energy costs within the plant, and is especially applicable to plants that require or that are capable of using and/or producing different types of energy at different times. The energy management system operates the various energy manufacturing and energy usage components of the plant to minimize the cost of energy over time, or at various different times, while still meeting certain constraints or requirements within the operational system, such as producing a certain amount of heat or cooling, a certain power level, a certain level of production, etc. In some cases, the energy management system may cause the operational equipment of the plant to produce unneeded energy that can be stored until a later time and then used, or that can be sold back to a public utility, for example, so as to reduce the overall cost of energy within the plant. |
| US09335743B2 |
Electronic timepiece and method for controlling display operation of electronic timepiece
An electronic timepiece includes a display section, a display control section, a reception section, a clock section, a timing section, a leap second acquisition section, a time correction section that corrects internal time information by using time information acquired by the timing section, and a leap second correction section that corrects the internal time information by using leap second information acquired by the leap second acquisition section. In a case where the operation of the timing section is followed by the operation of the leap second acquisition section, the time correction section corrects the internal time information by using the time information acquired by the timing section, and the display control section causes the display section to display, before the leap second acquisition section acquires the leap second information, time based on the internal time information corrected by the time correction section. |
| US09335740B2 |
Timepiece capable of integrally indicating time and physical quantities
With conventional timepieces, information about target physical quantities, target achievement, and time has been indicated using separate displays, thereby making it difficult for users to instantly understand whether or not a target has been achieved. Therefore, a timepiece comprising a dual-purpose scale for integrally indicating time and physical quantities, a physical quantity information acquisition unit for obtaining the information about the physical quantities described above, a physical saving quantity information acquisition unit for obtaining physical saving quantity information indicating the physical quantity to be obtained by the current time within a time segment, a time display unit for displaying the time on the dual-purpose scale, an achieved value information acquisition unit for obtaining information on a quantity achieved up to the current time for the physical quantity, and a quantity variance display unit for indicating the variance in quantity obtained from achieved value and physical saving quantity is proposed. |
| US09335739B2 |
Timepiece able to indicate the sunrise or sunset anywhere in the world
The timepiece comprises means for indicating the sunrise and sunset taking account of seasonal variations. These means comprise a sphere reproducing the terrestrial globe, a shell arranged concentrically to the sphere and arranged to demarcate one portion of the terrestrial globe where it is night from another portion where it is day by indicating the position of the Earth's terminator. The shell can pivot about the globe on two axes perpendicular to each other. The shell is driven by the movement so as to rotate at a rate of one revolution per 24 hours about the polar axis. A disconnecting mechanism is controlled by an annual cam which has a profile representative of the tilt of the Sun with respect to the equatorial plane. The disconnecting mechanism controls the tilt of the shell about the axis by means of a drive shaft concentric to the polar axis. |
| US09335738B2 |
Barrel
A timepiece barrel includes a drum defining a first compartment and a superimposed second compartment; a first tubular hub secured to a first cover and housed at least partially in the first compartment; a second tubular hub secured to a second cover housed at least partially in the second compartment. Each compartment contains a spring wound into a spiral and an inner first end of which collaborates with the first and second hubs respectively and a second end of which collaborates with the drum. The compartments are open on the side of the covers and the first and second covers are free with reference to the drum and are each provided with peripheral teeth, while the drum has no teeth. |
| US09335731B2 |
Process unit
A process unit includes a drum frame supporting a photoconductor drum and a development frame supporting a development roller. The development cartridge is swingably supported by the drum frame at a coupling joint provided at a first side of the development frame and a support portion provided at a second side of the development frame. A center of rotation of the development roller is located in a position shifted from a line segment connecting a center of rotation of the coupling joint and a center of rotation of the photoconductor drum to an upstream side with respect to a direction of rotation of the coupling joint as viewed in an axial direction of the development roller, such that the development roller is pressed against the photoconductor drum by the action of the rotatory force received by the coupling joint. |
| US09335728B2 |
Image forming apparatus having developer cartridges and cartridge supporting member
An image forming apparatus includes process units and developer cartridges; a process unit supporting member; a cartridge supporting member; and a moving mechanism. Each developer cartridge includes a transporting member configured to transport developer to a corresponding process unit. The moving mechanism is configured to move each transporting member between a communicated position, in which developer is transported to the corresponding process unit, and an interrupted position, in which transporting of developer to the corresponding process unit is interrupted. The transporting member positioned in the interrupted position allows the cartridge supporting member to move from an attached position to a withdrawn position and allows the process unit supporting member to be withdrawn, and the transporting member positioned in the communicated position prevents the cartridge supporting member from moving from the attached position to the withdrawn position and prevents the process unit supporting member from being withdrawn. |
| US09335727B2 |
Drum cartridge including a coupling accommodating roller movement
A drum cartridge and a method are disclosed. An example of the drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a first cleaning roller, and a second cleaning roller. The drum cartridge includes a first cleaning gear rotatable with the first cleaning roller, a second cleaning gear rotatable with the second cleaning roller and engaging with the first cleaning gear, a drum gear being rotatable with the photosensitive drum, a first idle gear engaging with the drum gear, a second idle gear engaging with the first idle gear, and a coupling joining the second cleaning gear and the second idle gear, the coupling being rotatable in unison with the second cleaning gear and the second idle gear. |
| US09335722B2 |
Drum unit removably mountable to supporting unit of image forming apparatus
A drum unit is removably mountable to a supporting unit of an image forming apparatus. The drum unit includes a pair of side plates; and a plurality of photosensitive drums. The pair of side plates face each other and are apart from each other in a first direction. The plurality of photosensitive drums are supported by the pair of side plates such that an axial direction of each photosensitive drum is parallel to the first direction and such that each photosensitive drum is movable relative to the pair of side plates. Each side plate has a plurality of urging members and a plurality of stoppers such that one of the urging members corresponds to one of the photosensitive drums and to one of the stoppers. Each urging member is configured to urge a corresponding photosensitive drum toward a corresponding stopper. |
| US09335720B1 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a rail member and an intermediate transferring device. The rail member mounted to a frame. The intermediate transferring device attachably/detachably mounted to the rail member. The intermediate transferring device includes a toner carrier, a cleaning member, a first transmission mechanism and a second transmission mechanism. The toner carrier is driven to be rotated by a driving source, and configured to carry a toner image. The cleaning member is driven to be rotated by the driving source, and configured to remove a toner which remains on the toner image carrier. The first transmission mechanism configured to transmit a driving force of the driving source to the toner image carrier. The second transmission mechanism configured to transmit the driving force of the driving source to the cleaning member. The first transmission mechanism and the second transmission mechanism are arranged between the frame and the rail member. |
| US09335718B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a rotatable first developer carrier; a tray on which a recording sheet is to be discharged; a switchback roller configured to rotate in a first rotating direction to convey the recording sheet in a direction coming close to the tray, and a control device configured to switch a rotating direction of the switchback roller from the first rotating direction to a second rotating direction opposite to the first rotating direction after rotation of the first developer carrier is stopped. |
| US09335716B2 |
Image forming apparatus provided with contacting-separating member capable of moving developing roller relative to photosensitive drum
An image forming apparatus includes: a casing; photosensitive drums juxtaposed with each other in a juxtaposed direction; developing units each including a developing roller; an opening-closing member; and a first contacting-separating member. The opening-closing member is movable between an open position and a closed position. The first contacting-separating member is provided at the opening-closing member and movable relative to the casing in the juxtaposed direction for moving, in a state where the opening-closing member is at the closed position, the developing roller between an adjacent position adjacent to or in contact with the corresponding photosensitive drums and a separated position spaced apart from the corresponding photosensitive drums. |
| US09335715B2 |
Member moving mechanism and image forming apparatus including same
A member moving mechanism includes a moving member movable in first positive and negative directions, a moved member that moves in second positive and negative directions when the moving member moves, a belt member connecting the moving member to the moved member, a belt-member guide member, an openable-closable cover engaged with the moving member, a first biasing member that biases the moved member in the second negative direction, and a second biasing member that biases the moving member in the first positive direction with a biasing force larger than that of the first biasing member. The moving member moves in the first positive direction with the biasing force of the second biasing member when the openable-closable cover moves in an opening direction, while the moving member moves in the first negative direction against the biasing force of the second biasing member when the openable-closable cover moves in a closing direction. |
| US09335712B2 |
Method for measuring lubricant-induced surface roughness and image forming apparatus
A method applicable to an image forming apparatus with a lubricant to be applied to a surface of a photoreceptor for measuring surface roughness of the surface of the photoreceptor after lubricant application, the method including: a first step of measuring a surface profile of the photoreceptor and obtaining first data indicating the surface profile; a second step of generating second data on the basis of the first data, the second data indicating arithmetic mean roughness Ra within a predetermined range; and a third step of calculating a difference value ΔRa between second data before lubricant application and second data after lubricant application obtained by performing the first and second steps both before and after the lubricant is applied to the photoreceptor. |
| US09335710B2 |
Electric power supply control device which can increase power converting efficiency
An electric power supply control device comprises a first converter, at least one second converter, and an electrical voltage control unit. The second converter can work in intermittent oscillation, and converts outputting electrical voltage from the first converter. The electrical voltage control unit controls the outputting electrical voltage of the first converter, so that the outputting electrical voltage is equal to or less than a minimum value of upper limits of operating electrical voltage of the second converter, and is more than or equal to a maximum value of lower limits of operating electrical voltage of the second converter, and at least one of the second converter performs low electric power behavior. |
| US09335705B1 |
Rotor bearing member, photoconductor unit including the same, and image forming apparatus
A rotor bearing member is attached to a support body. The support body includes a guide section that supports a first member and a second member such that the first member and the second member are movable toward a rotor. The first member includes a rotary shaft and rotates about the rotary shaft thereof while being in contact with the rotor. The second member includes a rotary shaft extending along the rotary shaft of the first member and cleans a surface of the first member while rotating in contact with the first member. The rotor bearing member includes a first bearing member and a second bearing member that rotatably support the rotary shaft of the second member and the rotary shaft of the first member, respectively, while the first bearing member and the second bearing member abut each other. |
| US09335704B2 |
Sheet conveyance device and image forming apparatus that promptly reduces generation of electromotive force during jam process
A sheet conveyance device includes: a motor; an ON-OFF control unit, which selectively executes an ON control and an OFF control on the motor; a rotation control unit, which selectively executes a first-direction control and a second direction control; a jam detecting unit; an interlock switch; and a setting unit. The first-direction control sets a rotation direction of the motor as a first direction when the motor is rotated by the ON control. The second direction control sets the rotation direction of the motor as a second direction opposite to the first direction when the motor is rotated by the ON control. The setting unit sets the ON-OFF control unit to perform the ON control and sets the rotation control unit to perform the second direction control when the jam is detected by the jam detecting unit and the interlock switch has been turned off. |
| US09335701B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a storage section and a job executing section including a printing section and a finishing processing section. The finishing processing section performs stapling processing on a paper sheaf based on a stapling pattern designated by a user that stipulates position and number of one or more stapling points. The storage section stores a threshold sheet number as a determination criterion for whether to execute damage restriction processing. When a target paper sheaf is smaller than the threshold sheet number, the job executing section executes, as the damage restriction processing, one or more of: first processing of ejecting paper without stapling processing; second processing of performing stapling processing after increasing the number of sheets in the target paper sheaf to the threshold sheet number; and third processing of performing stapling processing at a larger number of stapling points than stipulated by the designated stapling pattern. |
| US09335698B2 |
Transferable page countdown for a replaceable unit between image forming devices
An electrophotographic image forming device according to one embodiment includes a controller configured to provide a page countdown for a replaceable toner cartridge of the image forming device on a display screen. The controller, upon detecting a toner cartridge that is out of usable toner, is configured to determine a number of pages remaining for a page countdown associated with the toner cartridge. The controller is configured to determine whether a toner sump of an imaging unit positioned in the image forming device to receive toner from the toner cartridge contains sufficient toner to print the number of pages remaining for the page countdown associated with the life of the toner cartridge. The controller is configured to continue the page countdown if the imaging unit contains sufficient toner and to reset the page countdown if the imaging unit does not contain sufficient toner. |
| US09335692B1 |
Fixing device, image forming apparatus, pressing device, and urging device
A fixing device includes a first rotary member; a second rotary member that is in contact with the first rotary member and presses a recording medium passing therethrough; a heating member that heats a contact area; a first support member supporting the first rotary member from inside so as to be in contact with the second rotary member; a second support member supporting the first support member and switchable between states in which it is in contact with and separated from the first support member; a first urging-force applying member attached to the second support member and urging the second and first support members against the second rotary member; a second urging-force applying member disposed between the first and second support members; and a switching member via which the first and second support members are switched between states in which they are in contact with and separated from each other. |
| US09335691B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, a pressing member and a temperature sensor. The fixing belt is arranged rotatably. The pressuring member is arranged rotatably and configured to come into pressure contact with the fixing belt so as to form a fixing nip. The pressing member is configured to press the fixing belt to the pressuring member side. The temperature sensor is inserted into the pressing member. The pressing member has a through hole penetrating from a face at the fixing nip side to an insertion part of the temperature sensor. |
| US09335680B2 |
Image forming apparatus having fixing device that responds to request when using decolorable ink
An image forming apparatus includes: a first image forming unit which forms a first image on a first recording medium with a first material that is not thermally decolorizable; a second image forming unit which forms a second image on a second recording medium with a second material that is thermally decolorizable; a fixing device which is on a common carrying path shared by the first recording medium and the second recording medium and fixes the first image to the first recording medium; and a controller which controls the fixing device so that a temperature of the fixing device is lower than a decolorizing temperature of the second material when the second recording medium reaches the fixing device. |
| US09335677B2 |
Fixing apparatus for fixing images formed on sheet and image forming apparatus provided with this fixing apparatus
A fixing apparatus comprises a fixing nip width adjustment unit configured to adjust the fixing nip width of a fixing nip portion; a braking force generation motor configured to generate an effective braking force in the direction to hinder rotation of an upper pressure roller; and a control unit configured to perform restore control for rotating the upper pressure roller and a lower pressure roller by driving a drive motor and speed keeping control for keeping the rotational speed of the braking force generation motor no higher than a predetermined speed during the restore control in a non-fixing period in which the fixing nip width adjustment unit is controlled to decrease the fixing nip width smaller than in a fixing period and a braking force is applied to the fixing side member by the braking force generation motor. |
| US09335676B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a cooling conveyor to cool a recording material having an image fixed by heat while sandwiching and conveying the recording material. The cooling conveyor includes a conveyance belt, a cooling member, and a cooling unit. The conveyance belt sandwiches and conveys the recording material. The cooling member absorbs heat of the recording material via the conveyance belt. The cooling unit maintains the cooling member at low temperature. The cooling conveyor performs control of stopping the cooling unit in a standby state of the image forming apparatus, activating the cooling unit and performing a preliminary cooling operation to decrease temperature of the cooling member after a shift from the standby state to image forming operation, and then bringing the recording material into contact with the conveyance belt. |
| US09335675B1 |
Image forming apparatus and transfer voltage setting method
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image with toner, an image carrier, a transfer unit that transfers an image from the image carrier to a medium, and a power supply control unit that applies a transfer bias generated by superimposing an AC bias and a DC bias to the transfer unit. Multiple first images are transferred to a medium, the first images being formed by setting one of an amplitude value of the AC bias, and a DC bias value representing a value of the DC bias to a fixed value and changing the other one at a preset interval. Multiple second images are transferred to a medium, the second images being formed by setting the one of the amplitude value and the DC bias value to a fixed value different from the fixed value, and changing the other one at a preset interval. |
| US09335670B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming system
An image forming apparatus includes a conveying unit that conveys a recording medium S from an introduction conveying section to a transfer section. The conveying unit includes: a conveyance supporting base that is supported so as to be able to be inserted into and detached from the apparatus body via a movement mechanism, and a plurality of conveying members that is attached to the conveyance supporting base in a detachable manner, and that forms a conveying path through which the recording medium is conveyed. |
| US09335667B1 |
Carrier for two component development system
A two component development system includes a plurality of toner particles that include a colorant and a plurality of toner carrier particles that include a magnetic carrier core having a D50 diameter in a range from about 30 microns to about 40 microns, and a surfactant-polymer coating, the coating being present in an amount in a range from about 0.5 percent by weight to about 1.5 percent by weight of the toner carrier particle. |
| US09335663B2 |
Seal, cleaning unit with seal, transfer unit with seal, developing unit with seal, process cartridge with seal, image forming apparatus with seal, and image forming method
A seal is provided to contact a rotating body installed in an image forming apparatus. Pencil hardness of the sealing element is about 2H or more and a water drop contact angle thereof is about 90 degrees or more. |
| US09335660B2 |
Developer case and image forming apparatus
A developer case includes a case main body and a carrier tank. The case main body includes a toner containing space and a merging space. The toner containing space contains a toner. The merging space communicates to the toner containing space. The carrier tank is attachably/detachably installed to the case main body. The carrier tank includes a carrier containing space. The carrier containing space contains a carrier and communicates to the merging space. The toner conveyed from the toner containing space and the carrier conveyed from the carrier containing space are merged with each other in the merging space and discharged to an outside. |
| US09335655B2 |
Developing cartridge
A process cartridge, which includes a developing cartridge and a photosensitive cartridge for use with an image forming apparatus including a driving force output part and a feeding part, is provided. The developing cartridge includes a developer carrier, a first electrode provided at one side thereof, and a driving force receiving part provided at another side thereof and aligned with the first electrode such that the driving force receiving part overlaps the first electrode in a side view. The photosensitive cartridge, to which the developing cartridge is removably mounted, includes a photosensitive member, and a second electrode that contacts the first electrode when the developing cartridge is mounted in the photosensitive cartridge and that contacts the feeding part when the photosensitive cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus. The first electrode is pressed toward the driving force receiving part by contact with the second electrode. |
| US09335654B2 |
Development device
A development device includes a first frame and a second frame. The second frame is configured to be combined with the first frame by fixing first, second and third walls of the first frame to the second frame. The first and second walls are disposed opposite to each other, and the third wall is configured to connect the first and second walls. An opening is formed by the combined first and second frames. The first frame includes first and second engageable portions, and the second frame includes third and fourth engageable portions, such that engagement of the first and second engageable portions with the third and fourth engageable portions brings the first and second frames into alignment. The first and second engageable portions are disposed between the first wall and the second wall. |
| US09335646B2 |
Electrophotographic photosensitive member, method of producing electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus
Provided are an electrophotographic photosensitive member in which a variation in the light-area potential is suppressed even when the electrophotographic photosensitive member is repeatedly used for a long time in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment, a method of producing the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus that include the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a support, an undercoat layer, and a photosensitive layer, wherein the undercoat layer contains a urethane resin and zinc oxide particles whose surfaces have been treated with a particular amount of an aminosilane compound. |
| US09335644B2 |
Electron transport material, electrophotographic photoreceptor, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
Provided is an electron transport material represented by formula (1): wherein X represents an oxygen atom or ═C(CN)2; R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, and R7 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group; R8, R9, and R10 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group, an aralkyl group, an aryl group, —R11—O—R12, or —R13—CO—O—R14; R11 represents a linear or branched alkylene group; R12 represents a linear or branched alkyl group; R13 represents a single bond or a linear or branched alkylene group; and R14 represents a linear or branched alkyl group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group, provided that at least two or more groups of R8, R9, and R10 represent a group other than a hydrogen atom. |
| US09335643B2 |
Process for processing surface of electrophotographic photosensitive member and process for producing electrophotographic photosensitive member
In the cross-section perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, when an arc which is a line at the intersection of the cross-section with a contacting face (face where the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the molding member contact), is represented by an arc AB, the center of a circle of the cross-section of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is represented by a center O, and the point at the intersection of a straight line via the center O among straight lines of a direction of the pressure contact of the molding member with the arc AB is represented by an intersection C, the uneven structure on the surface of the molding member transfers to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member so that ∠AOC and ∠BOC satisfy the following formulas (1) and (2), respectively: 0.5°≦∠AOC≦45° (1), and 0.5°≦∠BOC≦45° (2). |
| US09335634B2 |
Display manufacturing method and photo alignment process
A display manufacturing method comprises steps of: moving a first substrate and a second substrate by a conveying apparatus; and implementing a first exposure and a second exposure of the first substrate and a first exposure and a second exposure of the second substrate by at least one light emitting element when the conveying apparatus drives the first and second substrates to pass through the light source module. When the first exposures of the first and second substrates are implemented, the moving directions of the first and second substrates are opposite, or when the second exposures of the first and second substrates are implemented, the moving directions of the first and second substrates are opposite. A photo alignment process is also disclosed. |
| US09335633B2 |
Positive resist composition and patterning process
A positive resist composition is provided comprising a polymer comprising recurring units having a carboxyl or phenolic hydroxyl group substituted with an acid labile group and recurring units of 4-pyrone ester, and having a Mw of 1,000-500,000. The resist composition has a satisfactory effect of suppressing acid diffusion and a high resolution, and forms a pattern of good profile and minimal edge roughness after exposure. |
| US09335632B2 |
Positive resist composition and patterning process
A positive resist composition is provided comprising a polymer comprising recurring units having a carboxyl and/or phenolic hydroxyl group substituted with an acid labile group and recurring units of tert-butyl or tert-amyl-substituted hydroxyphenyl methacrylate and having a weight average molecular weight of 1,000-500,000. The resist composition has a satisfactory effect of suppressing acid diffusion and a high resolution, and forms a pattern of good profile and minimal edge roughness after exposure. |
| US09335628B2 |
Curable composition for imprints, patterning method and pattern
A curable composition for imprints which comprises a polymerizable compound having at least one of a fluorine atom and a silicon atom, a photopolymerization initiator, and a compound having a functional group capable of bonding to a substrate exhibits good patternability in transferring patterns, particularly micropatterns. |
| US09335623B2 |
Thermally developable imaging materials
A thermally developable material comprising a support and having thereon at least one thermally developable imaging layers comprising in reactive association at least one non-photosensitive source of reducible silver ions, at least one reducing agent for said reducible ions, at least one binder comprising vinyl butyral repeat units and vinyl alcohol repeat units, and at least one crosslinker comprising an isocyanate group, where the thermally developable material has a composition that exhibits an equivalent weight ratio of the vinyl alcohol repeat units in the at least one binder to the isocyanate groups in the at least one crosslinker of at least 75. |
| US09335617B2 |
Projector
This projector is configured to allocate a first projection laser beam corresponding to a first image signal and a second projection laser beam corresponding to a second image signal different from the first image signal to a first area and a second area not overlapping with the first area, respectively, to project the first projection laser beam and the second projection laser beam. |
| US09335616B2 |
Optical device utilized in laser projector
An optical device utilized in a laser projector includes a circulatory air channel, a phosphor wheel disposed in the circulatory air channel, a thermal exchanger partially disposed in the circulatory air channel, and an air guiding component disposed in the circulatory air channel for guiding an air provided by the thermal exchanger toward the phosphor wheel. The temperature of the air passing through the phosphor wheel is lower than an environment temperature. |
| US09335615B2 |
Projector light source having cooling ports with rotating opening and closing device
A light source device includes a light source, a reflector that reflects light emitted from the light source, a light source housing accommodating the light source and the reflector and including a plurality of introduction ports through which cooling air is introduced, and a plurality of outlet ports communicating with the plural corresponding introduction ports, the outlet ports through which the introduced cooling air goes out, and an opening and closing device opening and closing the plural introduction ports. The plural introduction ports are disposed around a center shaft of the opening and closing device. The plural outlet ports are disposed along an opening of the reflector. The opening and closing device has a rotating member which rotates in accordance with the position of the light source device to selectively open and close the plural introduction ports. |
| US09335614B2 |
Projection systems and methods using widely-spaced projectors
A theater utilizes multiple projectors that are widely spaced. The wide spacing of the projectors reduces hot spotting that occurs on flat, curved, retro-reflective, and other types of screens. The projectors are spaced widely apart and generally are placed at opposite sides of the theater. The wide spacing causes a trapezoidal distortion or effect which may be electronically compensated for by, for example, changing pixel locations on modulators of the projectors such that same (or corresponding) pixels modulated in both projectors are ultimately projected onto a same pixel area of the screen. The invention is particularly advantageous in polarization based 3D systems which generally require high directivity screens where hot spotting and related crosstalk are common. |
| US09335608B2 |
Filter holder and sunshade for a camera
A camera accessory comprising a frame 34 having an opening for the lens, a filter holder rotatably attached to the frame, and at least one sunshade 6-8 attached to the frame, whereas the filter holder comprises a ring 13/14 with outer diameter matching the diameter of the frame opening, whereas the ring has an opening of a diameter sufficiently larger than the lens diameter to prevent the ring being visible in the frame when using the accessory, whereas the filter holder has a filter slot 15/16 attached to the ring on one side of the frame, and a lens ring attachment element 14 attached to the ring on the other side of the frame, whereas the frame and sunshade are rotatable around the longitudinal axis of the lens independent of rotating the filter holder around the longitudinal axis of the lens. |
| US09335606B2 |
Device for achieving multi-photon interference from nitrogen-vacancy defects in diamond material
A device for achieving multi-photon interference is provided based on nitrogen-vacancy defects in diamond material. Nitrogen-vacancy defects having a narrow band width and a similar emission frequency are identified within a high quality diamond material. The device has an excitation arrangement configured to individually address nitrogen-vacancy defects and optical outcoupling structures for increasing outcoupling of photons from each nitrogen-vacancy defect. A tuning arrangement is configured to tune the emission from each nitrogen-vacancy defect to reduce differences in frequency and the photons are overlapped. A detector is provided to detect the photon emissions. The detector is configured to resolve sufficiently small differences in photon detection times such that tuned photon emissions from the nitrogen-vacancy defects are quantum mechanically indistinguishable resulting in quantum interference between indistinguishable photon emissions from different nitrogen-vacancy defects. |
| US09335604B2 |
Holographic waveguide display
A holographic waveguide display comprises: a source of light; at least one switchable grating layer comprising a multiplicity of grating regions each switchable between a diffracting state and a non diffracting state; means for spatio-temporally modulating light from the source to provide image light comprising at least one beam deflector for scanning the light in at least one of two orthogonal directions and at least one modulator for amplitude modulating the light. A first scanned angular range of light is diffracted through a first area into a first field of view by a first set of grating regions, and through a second area into to the first field of view by a second set of grating regions. Each grating region of the first and second sets has a first grating function. The first and second areas lie within an exit pupil of the display. |
| US09335594B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having improved electrostatic discharge resistance
A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate and liquid crystal. The first substrate includes pixel electrodes, a peripheral circuit and a dummy wiring. The peripheral circuit and the dummy wiring are provided outside a pixel area in which the pixel electrodes are arranged. The second substrate is opposed to the first substrate through the liquid crystal. The second substrate includes a translucent conductive film that is provided on an opposite side of the second substrate to a side where the liquid crystal is present. The dummy wiring is located on an outer peripheral side of the substrates than the peripheral circuit and is provided independently of the peripheral circuit in terms of circuit. The dummy wiring is grounded outside the first substrate. |
| US09335591B2 |
Array substrate, display panel and display device
An array substrate including a plurality of pixel units each including a 2×2 sub-pixel area matrix, where each of the sub-pixel areas includes three sub-pixel electrodes. The strip electrode of at least one of the sub-pixel electrodes from each of the first sub-pixel area and the third sub-pixel area is parallel to a first direction, and the strip electrode of at least one of the sub-pixel electrodes from each of the second sub-pixel area and the fourth sub-pixel area is parallel to a second direction. The first direction intersects with the second direction. Also, a first area is defined by the sub-pixel electrodes including the strip electrodes parallel to the first direction and the sub-pixel electrodes including the strip electrodes parallel to the second direction, and the first area is provided with a sub-pixel electrode. |
| US09335589B2 |
Display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
A display apparatus includes a first display substrate, a second display substrate which faces the first display substrate and is coupled to the first display substrate, first and second spacers disposed on one of the first and second display substrates, and a transparent electrode disposed between the one of the first and second display substrates and the first spacer. |
| US09335583B2 |
Liquid crystal display device comprising an adhesive layer with first and second adhesive surfaces formed between a liquid crystal panel and a backlight unit
Provided is an LCD device for preventing light leakage. The LCD device includes a liquid crystal panel, a backlight unit, and an adhesive layer. The backlight unit is disposed under the liquid crystal panel, and emits light. The adhesive layer is formed between the liquid crystal panel and the backlight unit, and includes a first adhesive surface adhered to the backlight unit and a second adhesive surface adhered to the liquid crystal panel. The first and second adhesive surfaces are alternately disposed along at least one side of the backlight unit. |
| US09335580B2 |
Display device and electronic apparatus
According to an aspect, a display device includes: a display surface on which pixels each including sub-pixels of a plurality of colors are two-dimensionally arrayed; a reflective member; a first substrate provided with the reflective member; a second substrate arranged to face the first substrate; a color filter provided with filters of at least two colors corresponding to the sub-pixels; and a scattering member provided on the second substrate. A main viewing angle direction of the display device is a direction intersecting with the display surface. The color filter is formed such that a change in transmittance of the filters per pixel in the main viewing angle direction is smaller than a change in transmittance of the filters per pixel in a direction orthogonal to the main viewing angle direction in a direction parallel to the display surface. |
| US09335575B2 |
Surface protection panel and liquid crystal image display device
A novel surface protection panel is provided, with no rainbow colors appearing within the display screen or shading occurring, even when the display screen is viewed through sunglasses equipped with polarization lenses. Proposed is a surface protection panel disposed on the outer side of a liquid crystal display panel, that is to say, on the visible side of the liquid crystal display panel in a liquid crystal image display device equipped with a liquid crystal display panel. The surface protection panel has a constitution which a gas barrier transparent resin film having a gas barrier layer is layered on one side or on each side of a transparent synthetic resin plate, and the surface protection panel has a property which both the transparent synthetic resin plate and the gas barrier transparent resin film are non-stretched substantially, non-oriented or uniaxially oriented. |
| US09335572B2 |
Image display apparatus
A liquid crystal prism element includes a pair of opposing substrates, a plurality of triangular prisms which have a ridge line extending in a Y axis direction and are arranged between the opposing substrates so as to be aligned along an X axis direction, and a liquid crystal layer formed between the opposing substrates. Each triangular prism has an inclined surface located on a center side of the opposing substrate in the X axis direction, an inclined surface located on a lateral side of the opposing substrate in the X axis direction, and a bottom surface. Both of the two inclined surfaces of a triangular prism provided at least in a portion of a region on the opposing substrate are formed so as to not be perpendicular to the opposing substrate. |
| US09335570B2 |
Optical-waveguide-element module
An object of the present invention is to provide an optical waveguide element module where the bonding wires can be prevented from disengaging or disconnecting so as to provide high reliability. Another object is to provide an optical waveguide element module that can be made compact and where an increase in the manufacturing cost can be minimized. An optical waveguide element module having: a waveguide substrate 1 on which an optical waveguide (not shown) and control electrodes (E1 to E4) for controlling light waves that propagate through the optical waveguide are formed; external substrates (21 to 24) having wire circuits (TM1, C1), which are connected to control electrodes electrically, disposed proximity to the waveguide substrate; a housing 3 in which the external substrate and the waveguide substrate are arranged; and terminals (T21 to T24) which are connected to an external electric circuit (not shown) for supplying electrical signals to the control electrode or deriving electrical signals from the control electrode provided with the housing, wherein relay electrode pads (CP1, CP4) which are electrically isolated from both of the wiring circuit and the control electrode are formed in any portion of the waveguide substrate 1 and the external substrates (21 to 24), and at least one bonding wire (W21, W22, W41, W42) is connected from a control electrode to the terminal or from the wire circuit to the terminal via the relay electrode pad. |
| US09335568B1 |
Electro-optic grating modulator
An optical-waveguide grating modulator is compatible with high-frequency electrical modulation signals of limited bandwidth. The modulator comprises an optical grating formed in an optical waveguide constructed from electro-optic (EO) material and an electrode that is an RF waveguide or RF transmission line that conducts a traveling-wave electromagnetic (EM) field and that contains a portion of the optical-grating waveguide with a continuous grating. The RF input modulation signal is coupled into an RF EM field that propagates through the RF waveguide or transmission line in a direction that is parallel to the direction the light propagates in the optical-grating waveguide and that EM field overlaps the optical-grating waveguide. The light travels along the optical-grating waveguide preferably at the same velocity as the RF EM field travels along the RF waveguide or transmission line. |
| US09335565B2 |
Attachable optical element arrangements and methods
A light attenuating optical arrangement for assembly to an eye-shielding device includes an optical element having an electronically controlled guest-host liquid crystal cell for variably attenuating transmission of light, the liquid crystal cell including first and second plastic substrates. A controller is electrically connected to the liquid crystal cell and is configured to selectively supply a voltage across the liquid crystal cell. The controller is provided with a means for electrically connecting the controller to a power source, and a means for attaching the controller to the eye-shielding device. The optical element is provided with a means for attaching an outer periphery of the optical element to a surface of a viewing lens of an eye-shielding device. |
| US09335564B2 |
Multifocal diffractive ophthalmic lens using suppressed diffractive order
A multifocal ophthalmic lens includes an ophthalmic lens and a diffractive element. The ophthalmic lens has a base curvature corresponding to a base power. The diffractive element produces constructive interference in at least four consecutive diffractive orders corresponding a range of vision between near and distance vision. The constructive interference produces a near focus, a distance focus corresponding to the base power of the ophthalmic lens, and an intermediate focus between the near focus and the distance focus. A diffraction efficiency of at least one of the diffractive orders is suppressed to less than ten percent. |
| US09335563B2 |
Multi-ring lens, systems and methods for extended depth of focus
Systems and methods for providing enhanced image quality across a wide and extended range of foci encompass vision treatment techniques and ophthalmic lenses such as contact lenses and intraocular lenses (IOLs). Exemplary IOL optics can include an aspheric refractive profile imposed on a first or second lens surface, and a diffractive profile imposed on a first or second lens surface. The aspheric refractive profile can focus light toward a far focus. The diffractive profile can include a central zone that distributes a first percentage of light toward a far focus and a second percentage of light toward an intermediate focus. The diffractive profile can also include a peripheral zone, surrounding the central zone, which distributes a third percentage of light toward the far focus and a fourth percentage of light toward the intermediate focus. |
| US09335562B2 |
Method and apparatus for ophthalmic devices comprising dielectrics and liquid crystal polymer networks
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing a variable optic insert into an ophthalmic lens. The variable optic insert may have surfaces within that have differing radii of curvature. A liquid crystal layer may be used to provide a variable optic function and in some embodiments, the liquid crystal layer may comprise polymer networked regions of interstitially located liquid crystal material. An energy source is capable of powering the variable optic insert included within the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is cast-molded from a silicone hydrogel. The various ophthalmic lens entities may include electroactive liquid crystal layers to electrically control refractive characteristics. |
| US09335558B2 |
Illumination device and display device
An illumination device including a light source section including a laser light source, and allowing a laser light beam emitted from the laser light source to be output intermittently at a predetermined frequency; an optical element through which the laser light beam passes; and a driver section changing a coherency of the laser light beam by driving the optical element at a predetermined drive frequency. Expressions (1) |2×f2−n1×f1|≧20 or (2) |2×f2−n2×f1|≦3, (3) f2≧20 or (4) f2≦3, and (5) |f2−n1×f1|≧20 or (6) |f2−n3×f1|≦3 are satisfied, where f1 denotes the predetermined frequency in Hz, f2 denotes a variation frequency of luminance in illumination light output from the optical element in Hz, the variation frequency being generated by the driving of the optical element, n1 denotes an arbitrary integer of 0 to 10 both inclusive, and n2 and n3 denote respective predetermined integers of 0 to 10 both inclusive. |
| US09335554B2 |
Stereoscopic image display and method for manufacturing the same
A stereoscopic image display and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The stereoscopic image display includes a display panel, a polarizing plate positioned on a display surface of the display panel, a patterned retarder film positioned on the polarizing plate, and a pattern layer positioned between the display surface of the display panel and the polarizing plate. The pattern layer has a pattern groove provided with an air layer therein. The pattern groove has a wide lower part contacting the display surface of the display panel and a narrow upper part contacting the polarizing plate. |
| US09335553B2 |
Content-adaptive parallax barriers for automultiscopic display
In exemplary implementations of this invention, two LCD screens display a multi-view 3D image that has both horizontal and vertical parallax, and that does not require a viewer to wear any special glasses. Each pixel in the LCDs can take on any value: the pixel can be opaque, transparent, or any shade between. For regions of the image that are adjacent to a step function (e.g., a depth discontinuity) and not adjacent to a sharp corner, the screens display local parallax barriers comprising many small slits. The barriers and the slits tend to be oriented perpendicular to the local angular gradient of the target light field. In some implementations, the display is optimized to seek to minimize the Euclidian distance between the desired light field and the actual light field that is produced. Weighted, non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) is used for this optimization. |
| US09335551B2 |
Welding techniques using multi-wavelength beam combining systems
A system and method for decreasing the optical pathway length, varying the characteristics of a WBC system. Through the various embodiments and techniques described herein, high-brightness multi-wavelength output systems may be combined into a single laser system to achieve a more efficient and a higher quality weld between two weld partners. Additionally, the present disclosure provides methods and techniques that account for the differences between dissimilar metals, namely metals having dissimilar thicknesses, melting points, thermal conduciveness, and/or thermal expansion coefficients. |
| US09335547B2 |
Head-mounted display device and method of controlling head-mounted display device
A transmissive head-mounted display device includes an image display unit that generates image light representing an image, allows a user to visually recognize the image light, and transmits outside scenery when worn on a head of a user, a detection unit that detects at least one of a line-of-sight direction of the user and a shielding object that is located at a predetermined distance from an eye of the user and shields a line of sight of the user, and a control unit that performs control of the image light based on the detected detection result. |
| US09335545B2 |
Head mountable display system
A head mountable display system includes a visual image system, a head mountable display device including a display screen, and a headset pose sensor system. A controller is configured to generate a camera image based upon the image data, generate an augmented reality overlay based upon the position and the orientation of the operator's head relative to the work site, determine an image to be rendered on the head mountable display based upon the camera image and the augmented reality overlay, and render the image on the display screen. |
| US09335543B2 |
Optical scanner, image display device, head mount display, and heads-up display
An optical scanner includes: a movable plate which includes a light reflection unit; a first torsion bar which oscillatably supports the movable plate around a first axis; a first displacement member which is connected to the first torsion bar; a second torsion bar which oscillatably supports the first displacement member around a second axis; a second displacement member which is connected to the second torsion bar; and an actuator which is installed on the second displacement member and applies a displacement to the second displacement member so as to apply torsional deformation and bending deformation to the second torsion bar, in which the first displacement member includes a frame member surrounding the movable plate, and a damper which has a smaller thickness than that of the frame member and extends in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the second torsion bar extends from the frame member. |
| US09335541B2 |
Stereoscopic glasses using dichroic and absorptive layers
Filter glasses for use with a stereoscopic digital display system that displays stereoscopic images including left-eye images and right-eye images. The left-eye images are formed with light in a plurality of left-eye spectral bands, and the right-eye images are formed with light in a corresponding plurality of spectrally-adjacent right-eye spectral bands. The filter glasses include a left-eye filter and a right-eye filter, each of which includes a dichroic filter stack and one or more absorptive filter layers. Each of the filters transmits 50% or more of the light in the corresponding eye spectra bands, while providing less than 5% crosstalk. A frame is used to position the right-eye filter in front of an observer's right eye and to position the left-eye filter in front of the observer's left eye. |
| US09335535B2 |
Image acquisition device
Size reduction is achieved while also achieving both high sensitivity and high pixel density. Provided is an image acquisition device including an image acquisition element that acquires an image of a sample, a closed container that accommodates and seals the image acquisition element therein, a camera body that accommodates the closed container, and a displacement member that moves the image acquisition element relative to the camera body in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the image acquisition element. At least a portion of the displacement member is disposed outside the closed container. |
| US09335534B2 |
Specimen slide having reference points
A specimen slide (100) having a sample region (101) in which a sample (200) that can be investigated microscopically can be arranged, and that comprises reference points (A-Z, 1-24, a-j, α-κ) arranged at least in the sample region (101), is proposed. The reference points (A-Z, 1-24, a-j, α-κ) are embodied in such a way that on the basis of an identification of at least a stipulated number of reference points (A-Z, 1-24, a-j, α-κ) in an arbitrary sub-region (102) of the sample region (101), the position of the arbitrary sub-region (102), and/or at least one position therein, on the specimen slide (100) can be unequivocally determined A method for determining and/or retrieving a position on a corresponding specimen slide, and a corresponding sample investigation system, are likewise subjects of the invention. |
| US09335533B2 |
Adjustable total internal reflectance microscopy (TIRFM) illuminator apparatus
A new apparatus and method of delivering light to the hack aperture of a High Numerical Aperture (NA) Microscopy Objective lens for Total Internal Reflectance Microscopy (TIRFM) is provided. The apparatus and method include pumping light generated by a laser through an optical fiber which is optically coupled to the objective lens by a collimating optical element, such as, for example a lens or prism. The apparatus and method also include providing a fiber axial translator which is mechanically adjustable for focusing the laser light optically coupled to the objective lens. The apparatus also includes a mechanical coupler for mechanically coupling the apparatus to the object lens such that the laser light optically coupled to the objective lens can be adjusted to exceed, or not exceed, a critical angle associated with TIRFM illumination. |
| US09335531B2 |
LED lighting using spectral notching
LED lighting using optical elements with spectral notching is disclosed. Embodiments of the invention provide an optical element and LED devices and systems using such an optical element, where spectral notch filtering introduced by the optical element improves the color rendering index (CRI) of emitted light. In some embodiments of the invention, the optical element is made to act as a notch filter by including a rare earth compound such as neodymium oxide in or on the material of which the optical element is made. A color pigment can also be used to impart notch-filtering properties to an optical element. An optical interference film can also be used. The optical element may be included in an LED device such as a multichip component or may be used as an enclosure or reflector for an LED lighting system such as a lamp or fixture. |
| US09335530B2 |
Planar solar energy concentrator
A solar concentrator, comprising: a substantially planar light insertion layer being made of light-transmissive material and including: an optical entry surface, an array of optical redirecting elements, and an array of optical exits being, each of the optical redirecting elements receiving and redirecting light towards an optical exit; a substantially planar light guide layer being made of light-transmissive material and including: a first surface for receiving light exiting the light insertion layer, a second surface opposite the first surface, the first and second surfaces being structured and arranged with one respect to the other such that light entering the light guide layer is guided to at least one optical output surface via a series of reflections; and an array of optical apertures optically interconnecting the light insertion layer and the light guide layer formed by at least one deformed optical coupling element. A method of manufacture thereof is also disclosed. |
| US09335529B2 |
Catoptric array with spatial filter
According to one embodiment, the imaging device array in an embodiment has plural imaging devices formed integrally, imaging the light that is output from the exit surface imaged at the image point including an incidence surface for the incidence of light, plural reflective surfaces including four reflective surfaces for reflecting the light from the incidence surface, and an exit surface that outputs light that has gone through the plural reflective surfaces, in which the plural imaging devices are arranged as an array, and a surface for ameliorating the propagation of light other than the light reflected from the reflective surfaces to the exit surface is formed on the periphery of at least one reflective surface among the plural reflective surfaces. |
| US09335525B2 |
Optical lens, image-capturing device and optical touch system
An optical lens is configured in front of an image-capturing lens of an image-capturing device. A light-emitting unit of the image-capturing device emits a light beam. The optical lens includes a pair of peripheral compensation portions and a central diverging portion. Each peripheral compensation portion has a first convex surface and a first concave surface arranged opposite to the first convex surface. The central diverging portion is arranged between the peripheral compensation portions, and has a second concave surface and an oppositely arranged light incident surface. The second concave surface is arranged between the first convex surfaces. The light incident surface is arranged between the first concave surfaces. The optical axis of the light beam sequentially aligns with the light incident surface and the second concave surface. The light rays of the light beam pass through the first concave surface and the first convex surface in sequence. |
| US09335522B2 |
Photographing optical lens assembly, image capturing unit and electronic device
A photographing optical 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. The first lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region. The second lens element has refractive power. The third lens element has positive refractive power. The fourth lens element has refractive power. The fifth lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region and an image-side surface being convex in a paraxial region. The sixth lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region and an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region, and the image-side surface thereof has at least one inflection point. |
| US09335519B2 |
Optical image capturing system
The present disclosure illustrates an optical image capturing system which comprises, 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. The first lens element with a refractive power has a convex object-side surface. The second through fifth lens elements have refractive powers, and the object-side surfaces and the image-side surfaces of the four lens elements are aspheric. The sixth lens element with a negative refractive power has a concave object-side surface, an object-side surface and an image-side surface of the sixth lens elements are aspheric, and at least one of the object-side and the image-side surfaces has an inflection point. When specific conditions are satisfied, the optical image capturing system has a better optical path adjusting ability to improve imaging quality. |
| US09335517B2 |
Imaging lens system
This invention provides an imaging lens system including, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface; a second lens with negative refractive power; a third lens having a concave image-side surface; a fourth lens with positive refractive power; a fifth lens with negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface, at least one surface thereof having at least one inflection point; and an aperture stop disposed between an imaged object and the third lens. The on-axis spacing between the first lens and second lens is T12, the focal length of the imaging lens system is f, and they satisfy the relation: 0.5<(T12/f)×100<15. |
| US09335516B2 |
Imaging lens and imaging device provided with the same
An imaging lens substantially consists of five lenses consisting of, in order from the object side: a first lens having a positive refractive power and having a meniscus shape with the convex surface toward the object side; a second lens having a biconcave shape; a third lens having a positive refractive power and having a meniscus shape with the convex surface toward the image side; a fourth lens having a positive refractive power and having a convex surface toward the image side; and a fifth lens having a negative refractive power, wherein a predetermined conditional expression is satisfied. |
| US09335515B2 |
Imaging lens and imaging device provided with the same
An imaging lens with five lenses arranged as, in order from the object side, a first lens with a positive refractive power and a meniscus shape with a convex surface directed toward the object side, a second lens with a biconcave shape, a third lens with a negative refractive power and a meniscus shape with a convex surface toward the image side, a fourth lens with a positive refractive power, and a fifth lens with a negative refractive power, where an image-side surface of the fifth lens includes a concave surface and at least one inflection point, and a predetermined conditional expression is satisfied that achieves a high imaging performance from a central angle of view to a peripheral angle of view, while achieving reduction of an entire length of the lens. |
| US09335511B2 |
Lens module
There is provided a lens module, including: a first lens having positive refractive power, an object-sided surface thereof being convex; a second lens having negative refractive power, an image-sided surface thereof being concave; a third lens having positive refractive power; a fourth lens having negative refractive power, an image-sided surface thereof being convex; and a fifth lens having negative refractive power, an image-sided surface thereof being concave, wherein the fourth lens satisfies Conditional Expression 1, f 4 f < - 3.0 [ Conditional Expression 1 ] where f is an overall focal distance of an optical system and f4 is a focal distance of the fourth lens. |
| US09335510B2 |
Display with electromechanical mirrors for minimizing display borders
An electronic device may be provided with a display mounted in a housing. The display may have an array of display pixels that provide light to a user. The array of display pixels may form active display structures with a rectangular shape. The rectangular active display structures may be surrounded by an inactive border region. Reflector structures may be used to reflect light that is emitted from peripheral portions of the active display structures to a portion of the display overlapping the inactive border region, thereby providing the display with an effective active area that is larger than the area of the active display structures. The reflector structures may include rotatable reflectors. Control circuitry may use a rotatable positioner to rotate rotatable reflector structures in synchronization with controlling which pixel data is displayed by the display pixels in the peripheral portions of the active display structures. |
| US09335506B2 |
Translational optic alignment locking device
An optical device includes a housing enclosure, a lens cell holder mounted to the housing enclosure by a retainer, a lens assembly mounted to the lens cell holder such that the lens assembly is configured to translate in an axial direction; and a radial space defined between the lens cell holder and the retainer that is sized to accommodate adjustment of the lens cell holder and the lens assembly in a radial direction with respect to the housing enclosure. A method of adjusting a line of sight of the optical device includes (i) positioning the lens assembly against the housing enclosure; (ii) adjusting the radial position of the lens assembly until a pre-determined line of sight requirement is achieved; and (iii) fixing the lens assembly to the housing enclosure of the optical device to preserve the radial position of the lens assembly with respect to the housing enclosure. |
| US09335504B2 |
Fiber distribution hub with swing frame and wrap-around doors
A fiber distribution hub (FDH) provides an interface between an incoming fiber and a plurality of outgoing fibers. The FDH includes a cabinet, at least one door pivotably mounted to the cabinet, and a frame pivotably mounted within the cabinet. The doors wrap around the sides and the front of the cabinet to provide access to both the front and sides of the frame when the doors are open. The frame can pivot out of the cabinet through the open doors to enable access to the rear of the cabinet and the rear side of the frame. The frame includes a termination region and a splitter region. The frame can include a storage region and/or a pass-through region. |
| US09335502B1 |
Fiber optic cable arrangement
A fiber optic cable arrangement includes a core, a sheath surrounding the core and being strain locked to the core, and at least one optical fiber positioned within the sheath being strain locked to the core. |
| US09335501B1 |
Breakaway bundled interlocking drop fiber
The present disclosure relates to a bundled cable system. The bundled cable system includes a first communication cable that has a first sheathing and a second communication cable that has a second sheathing. The first sheathing has a first tab and groove disposed on the first sheathing. The second sheathing has a second tab and groove disposed on a portion of the second sheathing. The bundled cable system also includes a member connecting the first sheathing to the second sheathing to form a slot between the first sheathing and the second sheathing. The slot is about the size of a third communication cable and is configured to receive the third communication cable. |
| US09335499B2 |
Optical module
An optical module includes a horizontal base plate, a lens mounted on the base plate, a fiber sleeve, and a board lock. The lens has a front end face and a rear end face corresponding to the front end face. The fiber sleeve is mated with the rear end face of the lens. The fiber sleeve has a front surface and a rear surface. The board lock is mounted at a rear of the fiber sleeve. The board lock has a strain relief base and a cover locking to the strain relief base. The strain relief base has a front wall and a pogo pin forwardly extending beyond the front wall. The fiber sleeve defines a receiving hole in the rear surface for fixing the pogo pin. The cover is retained to the base plate. |
| US09335497B2 |
Opto-electric hybrid board
An opto-electric hybrid board includes: an electric circuit board including an insulative layer having front and back surfaces, and electrical interconnect lines formed on the front surface of the insulative layer; an optical element mounted on a surface of the electric circuit board with the electrical interconnect lines formed thereon; and an optical waveguide including a core and formed on the back surface of the insulative layer of the electric circuit board. The core includes at its end portion a reflecting surface capable of reflecting alight beam to propagate the light beam between the core and the optical element. The insulative layer is made of a light-transmissive material. A portion of the insulative layer corresponding to an optical path between the reflecting surface of the core and the optical element is in the form of a lens portion. |
| US09335495B2 |
Optical module
An optical modulator includes: laser diodes disposed in parallel with each other, each laser diode having a different lasing wavelength; optical waveguides disposed in parallel with each other with first ends facing the laser diodes; an optical isolator inserted between the laser diodes and the optical waveguides and attenuating return light reflected from the optical waveguides toward the laser diodes; a lens focusing light emitted from the laser diodes onto the optical waveguides through the optical isolator; an optical switch selecting one of the light beams exiting from the optical waveguides; and an optical modulator modulating the light beam selected by and output from the optical switch. |
| US09335493B2 |
Liquid displacing optical coupling assemblies
According to various embodiments, an optical assembly may include a ferrule element having a fiber guiding portion separated from an in-wall locating feature by an access region, and a lens element positioned opposite access region and aligned with the in-wall locating feature. The optical assembly also includes an optical component coupled to and extending through the fiber guiding portion and the access region such that a proximal end of the optical component is positioned within the in-wall locating feature. The optical component includes a coated portion that is coated with an insulator in positions proximate to the fiber guiding portion and an uncoated portion substantially free of the insulator in positions proximal to the in-wall locating feature. The optical assembly also includes a lens cover coupled to the ferrule element and positioned proximate to the lens element. |
| US09335486B2 |
Method and apparatus for aligning a large diameter optical fiber
A method for aligning an optical fiber that includes: directing a laser beam into a beam splitter to generate a pair of beams that are directed to a pair of reflectors that redirect the pair of beams such that the pair of beams intersect with each other and go to a pair of power detectors; and moving an optical fiber into the paths of the pair of beams until power detected at each of the pair of detectors is minimized. |
| US09335485B2 |
Using an optical expander/condenser to achieve a compact beam structure for a multi-channel optical rotary joint
The multiple channel fiber optic rotary joint of this invention can transmit an increased number of optical signals simultaneously through the de-rotating mechanism without increasing the size of the de-rotating mechanism. It also allows for the recapturing of the signals with relative ease. This is accomplished through the use of an optical condenser and/or an optical expander that reduces or expands the overall all beam structure without significantly altering the relative structure. The expanders and condensers are inverse structures in that if an optical signal is condensed when passing from right to light through the condenser it is expanded when passing left to right through the same condenser. |
| US09335480B1 |
Optical alignment using multimode edge couplers
An edge coupling method comprising positioning a first photonic device such that a first edge coupler of the first photonic device is at least partially aligned with a first alignment waveguide of a second photonic device and such that a second edge coupler of the first photonic device is at least partially aligned with a second alignment waveguide of the second photonic device, wherein the first edge coupler widens towards an edge of the first photonic device and the second edge coupler widens towards the edge, and wherein the first edge coupler and the second edge coupler are optically coupled to each other by an interconnect, transmitting a light through the first alignment waveguide, detecting the light at the second alignment waveguide, and aligning the first photonic device and the second photonic device based on the detecting. |
| US09335478B2 |
Suppression of back reflection in a waveguide
A structure for guiding electromagnetic radiation, including: a substrate; a waveguide provided on the substrate and having a first end for receiving electromagnetic radiation and a second end; and an anti-reflection region provided at the second end of the waveguide on the substrate, the length and the width of the anti-reflection region being optimized to suppress back reflection of radiation that reaches the second end. |
| US09335477B2 |
Spatial division diversity in photonic integrated circuits
An apparatus includes a plurality of input optical couplers and a plurality of output optical couplers. The input optical couplers are placed in a pattern to receive light from multiple locations of an end face of an input multimode optical fiber (MMOF). The output optical couplers are placed in a pattern to provide light to multiple locations of an end face of an output MMOF. The apparatus further includes a plurality of single-mode optical paths. Each of the paths is connected to a corresponding one of the input optical couplers and a corresponding one of the output optical couplers. |
| US09335476B2 |
Multiple purpose optical connecting element
The disclosure generally relates to sets of optical waveguides such as optical fiber ribbons, and fiber optic connectors useful for connecting multiple optical fibers such as in optical fiber ribbon cables. In particular, the disclosure provides an efficient, compact, and reliable optical fiber connector that incorporates a unitary substrate combining the features of optical fiber alignment and redirection of the optical beam to a connected optical fiber. |
| US09335472B2 |
Planar optical waveguide device and DP-QPSK modulator
A planar optical waveguide device, includes: two input portions that are waveguides that have the same width, are parallel to each other, and have rectangular cross-sections; a wide portion that is a linear waveguide and is connected after the two input portions; a tapered portion that is connected after the wide portion and that is a multi-mode waveguide which has a tapered shape having a width decreasing gradually and through which at least TE1 propagates; and an output portion that is connected after the tapered portion and that is a multi-mode waveguide which has a rectangular cross-section and through which at least TE1 propagates. The planar optical waveguide device forms a high-order mode conversion combining element that outputs the TE0, which is input to the two input portions, as the TE1 from the output portion. |
| US09335469B2 |
Planar optical branching circuit
Embodiments relate to a branching waveguide circuit where two or more waveguides branch from a main waveguide defining between them an intermediate region ranging from said main waveguide. The intermediate region comprises a plurality of holes of cladding material extending from the top of the core layer into intermediate material, said holes being arranged so that the depth of said holes increases away from said main waveguide with an average slope of the hole depth versus distance to main waveguide. This way, loss due to transition between the main and branching waveguides may be reduced. |
| US09335465B2 |
Optical fiber and optical fiber preform
An optical fiber containing an alkali metal element and exhibiting low attenuation as well as excellent radiation resistance is provided. The optical fiber of the present invention has a core region and a cladding region enclosing the core region. The core region contains alkali metal elements by an average concentration of 0.2 atomic ppm or more. The attenuation at a wavelength of 1550 nm after irradiating with the radiation of 0.10 Gy or more of cumulative absorbed dose increases by 0.02 dB/km or less as compared with the attenuation exhibited prior to radiation exposure. |
| US09335463B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a display part operable to display an image; and a bezel part disposed at an edge of the display part, wherein at least a portion of a front surface of the display part and a front surface of the bezel part are coplanar. |
| US09335461B2 |
Light guide plate and forming mould thereof, and backlight module
The present invention relates to the field of display technologies, and in particular, to a light guide plate, a forming mould and a backlight module. The light guide plate comprises a transparent substrate and a light shielding member, wherein the transparent substrate comprises a light outgoing surface, a bottom surface opposite to the light outgoing surface, a light incoming side and a non-light incoming side, and the light shielding member is integrally connected with the non-light incoming side of the transparent substrate. The light at the edge of the light guide plate is shielded by the non-transparent light shielding member, so that the reflection between the light and a plastic frame may be prevented effectively, and the problem may be avoided that light leakage and bright line appear at the edge of the light guide plate. |
| US09335459B2 |
Optical member, display device having the same and method of fabricating the same
Disclosed are an optical member, a display device including the same, and a method of fabricating the same. The optical member includes a host layer; a plurality of first wavelength conversion particles in the host layer; and a plurality of second wavelength conversion particles in the host layer, wherein the first wavelength conversion particles include compound semiconductors, and the second wavelength conversion particles include phosphors. |
| US09335458B2 |
Backlight unit and liquid crystal display device using the same
A backlight unit and an LCD device using the same are provided. The backlight unit includes a light guide panel, a light source unit disposed at a rear-direction lower end of the light guide panel, an optical film disposed in a front direction of the light guide panel to face the light source unit and configured to reflect light emitted from the light source unit, and an optical sheet part disposed in the front direction of the light guide panel, and configured to change a travel direction of the light, which is output from the light guide panel, to a direction vertical to the light guide panel. |
| US09335457B2 |
Fabric with light emitting layer
A textile fabric has at least one fabric layer with warp and weft threads and at least one light emission layer abutting onto the first fabric layer in a flat manner and is connected to this and is formed for the conduction and the emission of light. This arrangement provides a textile fabric that provides ambient illumination. |
| US09335456B2 |
Light source module
The present disclosure relates to a light source module which includes a light source and a plurality of fibers. The light source has a light emitting surface. The fibers are arranged on the light emitting surface of the light source. Each fiber includes a light input part contacting the light emitting surface and a light output part opposite to the light input part. The light output part of each fiber extends upwardly and outwardly from the light input part for guiding light from forward to outside. |
| US09335454B2 |
Color filter and display apparatus including the same
A color filter used for a display element formed in combination with a display layer that displays white and black, includes only a first subsidiary pixel displaying a first color as a coloring pixel, and a second subsidiary pixel displaying a second color being a complementary color of the first color. |
| US09335452B2 |
System and method for capturing images
Systems and methods for capturing images are disclosed. An image capture device includes two or more apertures for directing light to an image sensor device. In some embodiments, each of the apertures admits light from a different direction relative to the image sensor device. Some embodiments include one or more electrically switchable mirror elements configured for directing light from at least one of the one or more apertures to the image sensor. Upon application of a first signal, a first electrically switchable mirror element enters a reflective mode for reflecting light from a first aperture of the one or more apertures to the image sensor device. Upon application of a second signal, the first electrically switchable mirror element enters a transmissive mode for transmitting light from a second aperture of the one or more apertures to the image sensor device. |
| US09335450B2 |
Optical element and method for manufacturing the same
An optical element includes a lens and a light diffusion layer formed on the lens. The lens includes a light incident face and a light emerging face. The light emerging face includes a concave face opposite to the light incident face and a convex face surrounding the concave face. The convex face is covered by the light diffusion layer. The concave face is exposed outside the light diffusion layer. A method for manufacturing the optical element is also disclosed. |
| US09335447B2 |
Fresnel lens with light-scattering preventive feature
A Fresnel lens including a plurality of sawtooth-shaped projections, with each projection including a first surface at a first angle and a second surface at a second angle. Each first surface has top and bottom edges and each second surface has top and bottom edges. Each projection has a top intersection where the top edge of the first surface intersects the top edge of the second surface. Adjacent projections have a bottom intersection where the bottom edge of the second surface of a first one of the adjacent projections intersects the bottom edge of the first surface of a second one of the adjacent projections. The lens portion is opaque at the top intersection of the projections, at the bottom intersection of adjacent projections, and on the first surface between the top intersection and the bottom intersection. |
| US09335446B2 |
Adjustable refractive optical device
A method of making a lens having adjustable optical power is disclosed. The lens is adjustable by relative lateral translation of at least two lens elements. The method may comprise providing a function yielding optical properties of the lens from starting geometries for the lens elements; refining the function to approximate required gaze angle optical performance over a range of said lateral translation; and using the refined function to derive geometries for making the lens elements. The function may comprise first and second functional parts respectively for the lens elements, and the method comprises using the function to derive geometries for making the lens elements, wherein the function relates optical path difference to a position across the lens elements, and the rate of change of curvature of the first functional part with position is different to the rate of change of curvature of the second functional part with position. There is also disclosed a lens having adjustable optical power. The lens is adjustable by relative lateral translation of at least two lens elements. The adjustable lens may be used for corrective eyeglasses. |
| US09335443B2 |
Anti-reflective lenses and methods for manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to a method of applying an anti-reflective coating to an optical surface of a mold. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a lens mold having an optical surface; forming a layer of a super hydrophobic material over the optical surface, wherein the super hydrophobic material contains an amount of dipodal silane that is a relative percentage of the super hydrophobic material; forming an anti-reflective coating layered structure over the layer of the super hydrophobic material; and forming a layer of a coupling agent deposited with a monolayer thickness to the anti-reflective coating layered structure using vapor deposition under aprotic conditions or by dip coating or spin coating using a solution of a coupling agent in an aprotic solvent. |
| US09335439B2 |
Photoelectric coupling module
A photoelectric coupling module includes a substrate, a photoelectric unit, and a lens module. The substrate carries at least two alignment marks for correct and absolute positioning of the lens module on the substrate. The photoelectric unit is positioned on the substrate. The lens module defines at least two through holes aligned with the alignment marks. |
| US09335438B2 |
Systems and methods for real time monitoring of gas hydrate formation
Disclosed are systems and methods for monitoring a drilling fluid for the formation of gas hydrates. One system includes a borehole containing a drilling fluid being circulated therethrough, a first optical computing device arranged in the borehole and having at least one integrated computational element configured to optically interact with the drilling fluid and detect one or more gas hydrates present therein, and at least one detector arranged to receive optically interacted light generated from optical interaction between the at least one integrated computational element and the drilling fluid, the at least one detector being configured to generate a first output signal corresponding to a characteristic of the one or more gas hydrates. |
| US09335437B2 |
Casing inspection using pulsed neutron measurements
A method for evaluating wellbore conduit condition includes using measurements of at least one of (i) inelastic gamma rays made during emission a burst of neutrons into the conduit from within the conduit at at least one spaced apart location from a position of the emission and (ii) epithermal neutrons or capture gamma rays therefrom detected at at least two spaced apart locations from the position of the emission within a selected time after the emission. The at least one of the measurements of inelastic gamma rays and epithermal neutron or capture gamma ray counts are characterized to estimate an amount of loss of iron in the conduit. |
| US09335433B2 |
Dielectric tool-based formation porosity logging system and methods
A method and system for calculating formation porosity is presented. The method includes calculating formation porosity of a borehole by obtaining complex dielectric constant measurements with a high frequency dielectric tool. Next, a dielectric constant of formation water is derived from the complex dielectric constant measurements. Finally, a formation porosity is determined based at least in part on the measured complex dielectric constant and the derived dielectric constant formation water. |
| US09335432B2 |
Semi-permeable terrain geophysical data acquisition
A method, a system and an apparatus of semi-permeable terrain geophysical data acquisition is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a front extension with a set of front stability margins. In addition, the apparatus also includes a rear extension with a set of rear stability margins. The method also includes a set of data measuring instruments that automatically adjust and calibrate geophysical data related to a characteristic of a semi-permeable terrain such that a measurement captured through the set of data measuring instruments accurately reflects a magnitude of a measurement related to a motion of the apparatus. |
| US09335425B2 |
Modelling of ToF-DOI detector arrays
The invention is directed to several crystal arrangements for time-of-flight (ToF) positron emission tomography (PET) with depth of interaction (DOI) encoding for high spatial, energy and timing resolution. Additionally, several implementations of the ToF-DOI PET detector arrays are proposed with related measurements which all show that no timing degradation is visible in the used setup for first photon trigger for digital silicon photo multipliers (dSiPMs). |
| US09335421B2 |
Digital silicon photomultiplier for TOF-PET
A radiation detector includes an array of detector pixels each including an array of detector cells. Each detector cell includes a photodiode biased in a breakdown region and digital circuitry coupled with the photodiode and configured to output a first digital value in a quiescent state and a second digital value responsive to photon detection by the photodiode. Digital triggering circuitry is configured to output a trigger signal indicative of a start of an integration time period responsive to a selected number of one or more of the detector cells transitioning from the first digital value to the second digital value. Readout digital circuitry accumulates a count of a number of transitions of detector cells of the array of detector cells from the first digital state to the second digital state over the integration time period. |
| US09335419B2 |
Wireless network hybrid positioning
Methods and apparatuses for position determination and other operations. In one embodiment of the present invention, a mobile station uses wireless signals from a plurality of wireless networks (e.g., with different air interfaces and/or operated by different service providers) for position determination (e.g., for data communication, for obtaining time and/or frequency information, for range measurement, for sector or altitude estimation). In one embodiment of the present invention, mobile stations are used to harvest statistical data about wireless access points (e.g., the locations of mobile stations that have received signals from the wireless access points, such as from cellular base stations, wireless local area network access points, repeaters for positioning signals or other wireless communication transmitters) and to derive location information (e.g., position and coverage area of the wireless access points) for the wireless networks from the collected statistical data. |
| US09335417B2 |
Satellite receiver and system employing server for identifying satellite state
Provided is a system and method for transmitting a satellite state to a satellite receiver to determine use or non-use of a satellite signal in positioning estimation. A satellite navigation system includes at least one satellite, a satellite control center for controlling the at least one satellite, and a server. The server transmits satellite state information about the at least one satellite identified through the satellite control center to the satellite receiver. The satellite receiver restricts the use of the satellite signal for positioning estimation when the satellite state is identified as erroneous. |
| US09335415B2 |
Modulated laser range finder and method
A laser range finder including a laser configured to project a laser beam onto a target object thereby causing a target beam to be reflected from the target object, wherein the laser beam has a frequency, and wherein the frequency is modulated at a known rate, a first beam splitter positioned to split a reference beam from the laser beam, a second beam splitter positioned to receive the target beam and the reference beam, wherein the target beam and the reference beam are coherently combined, the coherently combined beams establishing a difference frequency, and a detector configured to measure the difference frequency. |
| US09335412B2 |
Sonar transducer assembly
A sonar transducer assembly configured for imaging of an underwater environment is provided herein. The sonar transducer assembly includes at least one transmit-only transducer element positioned within a housing and aimed outwardly and downwardly. The at least one transmit-only transducer element is configured to transmit sonar pulses to insonify a first volume. The sonar transducer assembly further includes at least one receive-only transducer element positioned within the housing and aimed outwardly and downwardly. The at least one receive-only transducer element is configured to receive sonar returns from the sonar pulses within a second volume. The second volume is smaller than the first volume and aimed so as to be wholly contained within the first volume. The housing is mountable to the water craft so as to enable rotation of the transducer elements with respect to the water craft. Corresponding systems and methods are also provided. |
| US09335409B2 |
Bistatic inverse synthetic aperture radar imaging
A bistatic synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging system and method include: combining each radar return pulse from airborne radar platforms with a sinusoid; deskewing each reduced radar return pulse; estimating motion parameters based on a maximum likelihood estimation (MLE); performing MLE motion correction to generate motion-corrected radar return pulses; acquiring position and velocity estimates of the airborne radar platforms and scattering locations; defining bistatic range and velocity vectors; defining new bistatic range and velocity vectors in a new set of orthogonal axes; projecting vector distance differences between the radar scattering locations along the new set of orthogonal axes to generate new range and velocity measurements along the new set of orthogonal axes; converting the new range and velocity measurements to map Doppler frequency into cross-range; and forming a bistatic SAR image in range and cross-range based on cross-range extent derived from the Doppler frequency mapping. |
| US09335405B2 |
Enhanced RF detection system
A radio frequency (RF) obstacle detection system of a vehicle includes an RF radar module that transmits an initial RF signal having a first signal strength and to receive at least one reflected RF signal having a second signal strength based on the initial RF signal. A radar reflector module is coupled to the vehicle and disposed at a first distance remotely located from the RF radar module. The radar reflector module receives the RF signal generated by the RF radar module and efficiently retroreflects the RF signal to generate a reflected signal having a second signal strength back to the RF radar module. A control module determines a second distance between the radar reflector module and at least one obstacle remotely located from the vehicle based on the reflected signal provided by the radar reflector module and a received signal induced by the at least one obstacle. |
| US09335404B2 |
Ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and power supply
An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus in comprising a transformer, a first power source and a second power source, an ultrasound transducer, a processor, and a driving part. The transformer comprises a primary winding and a secondary winding. The first power source and the second power source are connected to the primary winding. The ultrasound transducer is driven by the voltage induced to the secondary winding, and transmits ultrasound waves to a subject, and receives reflected waves reflected by the subject to output the received signal. The processor implements processing on the received signal to generate ultrasound wave images. The driving part drives to change the voltage among a first level voltage based on the first power source, a second level voltage based on the second power source, and a third level voltage between the first level voltage and the second level voltage. |
| US09335402B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting target object
A target object detection apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a transmitter, a receiver, a threshold determiner, a parameter setter, a parameter selector, and a timing controller. The transmitter repeatedly transmits a transmission pulse at a transmission timing. The receiver receives a reception signal at a reception timing set based on the transmission timing. The threshold determiner determines whether an amplitude value of the reception signal exceeds a predetermined threshold at every sampling point and counts the number of sampling points at which the amplitude value of the reception signal exceeds the threshold. The parameter setter sets a plurality of different parameters for controlling the transmission timing. The parameter selector selects the parameter from the parameter settings, to minimize the number of sampling points counted by the threshold determiner. The timing controller controls the transmission timing, based on the parameter selected by the parameter selector. |
| US09335401B2 |
Full analog microwave sensor for multiple range selection and ultra-low power consumption
A microwave sensor adjusts its sensing range based on a range gate selected from multiple range gates. An active antenna module transmits a first FMCW signal toward a target based on the selected range gate and for receiving second FMCW signal reflected from the target. A modulating module is used for generating modulation signal. The bandwidth of the first FMCW signal depends on an amplitude of the modulation signal. A first demodulator is used for demodulating the first FMCW signal and the second FMCW signal to generate beat frequency. A second demodulator is used to demodulate the beat frequency signal to generate a Doppler signal. An indentifying circuit is used for generating a triggering signal based on a voltage difference between integral of the Doppler signal from an object within the rage gate and an integral of clutter. |
| US09335400B2 |
Indoor positioning using camera and optical signal
A method for detecting a collector device in an indoor area associated with imaging devices covering the area includes a plurality of collector devices emitting markers to the imaging devices coupled to a server. The imaging devices capture the images of the collector devices including the markers. The images are processed in order to determine the current positions of the collector devices corresponding to the markers. The server and the collector device communicate with each other and match a current position corresponding to the collector device among the plurality of collector devices. |
| US09335397B2 |
Method for radio communication between a radio beacon and an onboard unit, and radio beacon and onboard unit therefor
Selective radio communication between a radio beacon and an onboard unit of a vehicle passing the radio beacon comprising: in the onboard unit determining the current heading of the onboard unit and transmitting information thereon to the radio beacon; in the radio beacon checking whether the heading indicated in the heading information is within predetermined boundaries, and if so, carrying out a radio communication with the onboard unit. |
| US09335396B2 |
MCU-based compensation and calibration for MEMS devices
A sensor system includes a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor, a processor, measurement circuitry, stimulus circuitry and memory. The MEMS sensor is configured to provide an output responsive to physical displacement within the MEMS sensor to the measurement circuitry. The stimulus circuitry is configured to provide a stimulus signal to the MEMS sensor to cause a physical displacement within the MEMS sensor. The measurement circuitry is configured to process the output from the MEMS sensor and provide it to the processor. The processor is configured to generate stimulus signals and provide them to the stimulus circuitry for provision to the MEMS sensor. The processor is configured to monitor the output from the measurement circuitry corresponding to the physical displacement occurring in the MEMS sensor, calculate MEMS sensor characteristics based on the output, and update calibration values based on the output. Methods for monitoring and calibrating MEMS sensors are also provided. |
| US09335395B2 |
Magnetic resonance system and method for frequency calibration of the magnetic resonance system
In a method for frequency calibration in a magnetic resonance system in a volume section containing an unknown number of determined substances, the predetermined volume section is excited with RF pulses and subsequent echo signals are recorded at different times and spectral information is determined for each of the echo signals, from which a peak value in the spectral information and an associated relaxation time are determined. Dependent on the relaxation time, a substance is determined for each peak value. A frequency adjustment substance dependent of the magnetic resonance system is then implemented. Multiple peak values in the spectral information of the echo signals can be determined. |
| US09335388B2 |
Reference material for NMR, sample tube for NMR, capillary for NMR, and method for measuring NMR for a sample
Disclosed is a reference material for NMR, including a nitrogen-containing compound or oxygen-containing compound and a reagent for shifting a chemical shift for the nitrogen-containing compound or oxygen-containing compound. Disclosed is a sample tube for NMR, being obtainable by providing a reference material for NMR to a first tube closed at one end, providing a second tube closed at one end into the first tube, and fusing the other end of the first tube and the other end of the second tube and sealing a gap between the other end of the first tube and the other end of the second tube. |
| US09335387B2 |
Ventilation method and ventilation system for a magnetic resonance imaging system
This invention discloses a ventilation system for an MRI system, including: a hydrodynamic rotating device, a primary coolant water pipe, a secondary coolant water pipe, a fan and air outlet; the water outlet of the primary coolant water pipe is connected to the water inlet of the hydrodynamic rotating device, while the water inlet of the secondary coolant water pipe is connected to the water outlet of the hydrodynamic rotating device; with the impetus provided by the coolant water from the primary coolant water pipe, the hydrodynamic rotating device drives the fan near the air outlet to rotate, discharging the coolant water into the secondary coolant water pipe. Furthermore, the invention discloses a ventilation method for an MRI system. Ventilation efficiency is improved significantly with the system and method provided by this invention. |
| US09335379B2 |
Product outer shell to inhibit consumer disassembly
A product outer shell containing its own record of any private and unwarranted disassembly includes a first outer element, a second outer element detachably connected with the second outer element, a consumer disassembly inhibiting structure. The consumer disassembly inhibiting structure includes a circuit board, a plurality of special conductive bodies, a plurality of general conductive bodies, and a positioning plate. The special conductive bodies and general conductive bodies all have the same structures and each is secured on the circuit board to electrically connect to a chip located on the circuit board. A conductive piece is positioned on the positioning plate and is coupled with the special conductive bodies. The chip is configured to record electric connections between the special conductive bodies and the conductive piece, the original electric connections being changed to other or no connections after any disassembly of the product outer shell. |
| US09335376B2 |
Test architecture for characterizing interconnects in stacked designs
The disclosed ring-oscillator-based test architecture comprises a plurality of boundary scan cells coupled to a plurality of interconnects and control circuitry. Each of the plurality of boundary scan cells can be configured to operate as, based on control signals, a conventional boundary scan cell or any bit of an asynchronous counter. The control signals are supplied by the control circuitry. |
| US09335369B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a test bump pad, a first bump pad coupled to a first through-silicon-via (TSV), a second bump pad coupled to a second TSV, a latching unit, coupled between the test bump pad and the first bump pad, suitable for storing data, and a switching unit suitable for selectively coupling the first bump pad to the second bump pad in response to a test operation control signal. |
| US09335363B2 |
Missing or broken neutral monitoring circuit for split phase electrical distribution configurations
A circuit for indicating a broken or missing neutral in a split phase electrical distribution configuration having an unbalanced load includes: a voltage divider configured to divide the voltage difference between a first line and a second line and to output the divided voltage difference as a virtual neutral; a rectifier including an input of the virtual neutral, the neutral, and an output, the rectifier configured to rectify a voltage difference between the virtual neutral and the neutral; a determination circuit including an input of the rectified voltage difference, a reference voltage and an output, the determination circuit configured to determine if the neutral is missing or broken based on the rectified voltage difference and the reference voltage; and an indicator circuit configured to indicate when the neutral is missing or broken based on the output of the determination circuit. |
| US09335352B2 |
Branch circuit monitor power measurement
In a digital branch circuit monitor, compensation for the phase error is accomplished by selecting a voltage sampled at a time temporally offset from the sampling time of the current by an interval quantifying the phase shift of the secondary current relative to the primary current that is characteristic of a current transformer. |
| US09335347B2 |
Method and apparatus for massively parallel multi-wafer test
Disclosed herein is a cost effective, efficient, massively parallel multi-wafer test cell. Additionally, this test cell can be used for both single-touchdown and multiple-touchdown applications. The invention uses a novel “split-cartridge” design, combined with a method for aligning wafers when they are separated from the probe card assembly, to create a cost effective, efficient multi-wafer test cell. A “probe-card stops” design may be used within the cartridge to simplify the overall cartridge design and operation. |
| US09335345B1 |
Method for planarity alignment of waveguide wafer probes
A “theta” angle adjustment method for waveguide probes uses an adjustable solid parallelepiped that allows the wafer probes to be fastened to the auxiliary equipment under correcting “theta” angles and a flange holding and securing bracket that allows one waveguide section to rotate against the other. The alignment procedure requires one of both flanges to have its aligning pin holes and fastening screw threads replaced by circular (oval) holes, allowing the waveguide sections to rotate axially against each-other. The Theta angle is adjusted by repeated trial and error fastening and unfastening the securing bracket under firm pressure of the probe body against the solid support parallelepiped. |
| US09335343B1 |
Contactor for reducing ESD in integrated circuit testing
A test contactor is provided. The test socket includes a printed circuit board (PCB) that transfers electrical signals through a plurality of PCB traces. The plurality of PCB traces couples a signal source to a signal destination. The test contactor also has a first test contact that couples to a first signal pathway from the plurality of PCB traces, whereby the first test contact may be utilized for transferring the electrical signals. The test contactor also has a second test contact that is coupled to a second signal pathway from the plurality of PCB traces, whereby the second test contact may be utilized to provide a ground voltage. The first test contact and the second test contact are of different lengths. A method of testing an integrated circuit is also provided. |
| US09335342B2 |
Scanning tunneling microscope and method of displaying observation image
A scanning tunneling microscope includes a probe, a control unit that controls a distance between that probe and a sample, a voltage applying unit that supplies a direct current voltage between the probe and the sample, a measurement unit that measures a tunneling current that flows between the probe and the sample by the direct current voltage, an extraction unit that extracts as an observation value a specified frequency component from instantaneous values of the tunneling current measured by the measurement unit, and an observation information generation unit that generates observation information that includes information relating to at least one of a chemical state and an internal structure of a surface of the sample on the basis of the observation value extracted by the extraction unit. |
| US09335337B2 |
Apparatus for gripping and holding diagnostic cassettes
The apparatus is a mechanism for acquiring, holding, and enabling the movement of a cassette-shaped article, such as a reagent or sample cassette, which may be part of an automated diagnostic analyzer, such that the apparatus can tolerate a significant degree of cassette misplacement and/or misalignment during the acquisition maneuver. The mechanism furthermore enables simultaneous two-dimensional movement of the acquiring gripper jaws such that the inter-jaw distance decreases at the same time as movement in an upward vertical direction is provided while the jaw movement is adequately smooth so as not to disturb the physical state of the sample. |
| US09335335B2 |
Automatic analyzer
Provided is an automatic analyzer capable of detecting not only clogging and air suction of the dispensation probe but also a decrease in the dispensation quantity caused by a bubble film, air bubbles or a highly viscous sample. Each of a sample/reagent suction operation time and a sample/reagent discharge operation time of a probe is segmented into multiple time sections. For each of the time sections determined by the segmentation, a parameter is calculated by applying a detected pressure waveform to an approximation formula. For each of the time section, the presence/absence of a dispensation abnormality is judged by comparing the calculated parameter with a parameter in cases of normal dispensation. An automatic analyzer capable of judging the presence/absence of an abnormality specific to each time section and making abnormality judgments difficult for conventional techniques can be realized. |
| US09335329B2 |
Diagnostic prediction of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus
The present invention pertains to a diagnostic assay for the diagnosis of an autoimmune disease. The present invention provides an improved diagnostic assay for the diagnosis of an autoimmune disease, particularly rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). In particular the invention pertains to a method of determining in a sample of a subject the presence of two or more antibodies comprising the step of determining whether an antibody is present in a sample that specifically recognizes a hnRNP-DL polypeptide or a fragment thereof or a splice variant thereof and the further step of determining whether at least one further antibody is present in the sample that specifically recognizes a at least one other hnRNP polypeptide which is not sequence homologue to said hnRNP-DL polypeptide or fragments thereof or splice variants thereof, and/or said CCP peptide and/or a polypeptide comprising at least the Fc-part of IgG, respectively. The invention also relates to polypeptides, protein sets and antibodies that may be used in such methods and assays and for therapeutic use in RA and SLE patients. |
| US09335327B2 |
Isolation and detection of cancer cells
Provided are methods of using polycarbonate filters to isolate and detect cancer cells in a biological fluid, particularly biological fluids, such as urine, that contain very low concentrations of cancer cells. The characterization of the isolated cells for the presence or absence of cancer specific proteins is useful for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. |
| US09335325B2 |
Immunodominant Mycobacterium tuberculosis peptides from cell wall proteins for early diagnosis and immunization
A number of peptide epitopes and fragments from three Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) cell wall proteins have been identified as early antigens that induce antibodies early during Mtb infection in humans. The proteins are Proline-Threonine Repetitive Protein (PTRP), PE-PGRS51, and LipC. These peptides, alone or in mixtures, or as parts of fusion polypeptides or peptide multimers, are useful as antigens for serological detection of early in infection by detecting the presence of early antibodies against these proteins, thereby permitting earlier diagnosis of Mtb infection than was heretofore possible by conventional means. The above peptides and other peptide-based compositions are also used as immunogens for inclusion in TB vaccines. Also provided are methods for early diagnosis of Mtb infection and for immunizing a subject to prevent or treat Mtb infections and tuberculosis. |
| US09335324B2 |
Assay method and kit for assay employing sensor chip for fluorescent measuring apparatus utilizing surface plasmon-field enhanced fluorescence spectrometry
An assay method with use of a sensor chip which includes a metal member, a self-assembled monolayer (SAM), and ligands on a support, and is configured to be used for a fluorescence measuring apparatus with utilization of a surface plasmon-field enhanced Fluorescence Spectrometry, including the steps of: forming a hydrophilic high molecule layer on the self-assembled monolayer in the sensor chip; immobilizing the ligands at least one of in the hydrophilic high molecule layer and on the surface of the hydrophilic high molecule layer; and bringing a moisturizer in contact with the hydrophilic high molecule layer. |
| US09335323B2 |
Method for sorting of pluripotent cells
A method for sorting pluripotent cells using a compound which is eliminated from the pluripotent cells through the MDR1 transporter. |
| US09335318B2 |
Apparatus for recognizing the discard state of a high-strength fiber rope in use in lifting gear
The present invention relates generally to lifting gear such as cranes which use high-strength fiber ropes instead of steel ropes. In this respect, the invention in particular relates to an apparatus for recognizing the discard state of a high-strength fiber rope in use at such lifting gear comprising a detection device for detecting at least one rope parameter as well as comprising an evaluation unit for evaluating the rope parameter and for providing a discard signal in dependence on the rope parameter evaluation. In accordance with the invention, the detection device of the apparatus for recognizing the discard state comprises a plurality of differently configured detection means for a magnetic, mechanical, optical and/or electronic detection of a plurality of different rope parameters which can be evaluated by the evaluation unit individually and/or in combination with one another for recognizing the discard state. |
| US09335316B2 |
Bisphenol A compounds useful as markers for liquid hydrocarbons and other fuels and oils
A compound having formula (I), wherein R1 and R2 independently represent hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl groups, and G represents hydrogen or at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of C1-C18 alkyl and C1-C18 alkoxy; provided that when R1 and R2 represent hydrogen, G does not represent hydrogen, 4-methyl, 4-methoxy, 3-methoxy, 2,6-dipropargyl, 4-vinyl, 4-ethynyl or 3-ethynyl. |
| US09335309B2 |
Fluidic valve with selectively switchable storage paths
A sample separation apparatus includes a fluidic valve including a first inlet fluidically coupled to one of a first fluid drive and a second fluid drive, and a second inlet fluidically coupled to the other of the first fluid drive and the second fluid drive. The fluidic valve includes at least two different sets of storage paths, wherein each set of storage paths comprises a first storage path. The first storage path of a first set of said at least two sets of storage paths has a first volume, and the first storage path of a second set of said at least two sets of storage paths has a second volume different from the first volume. The fluidic valve is configured for selectively switching one set of the least two sets of storage paths to the first inlet and the second inlet. |
| US09335308B2 |
Chromatography system, signal processing apparatus, chromatography data processing apparatus, and program
A chromatography system has a multi-channel detection device including a flow cell, optics for directing light from light sources to the flow cell and outputting light that has passed through the flow cell, and a multi-channel detector. The optics has a function of dispersing light in wavelength in an optical path. The detector receives the light dispersed in wavelength. The multi-channel detection device also has a signal processing part connected to the detector. The chromatography system has a data processing apparatus. The signal processing circuit has a function of calculating an absorbance by absorbance=−log10(I/I0) using the intensity I of light having a wavelength to be measured that is outputted from the detector and a reference intensity I0 of light that is an average of intensities of light having different wavelengths that is produced at the same point of time as the light having a wavelength to be measured. |
| US09335302B2 |
Probe approach for DGS sizing
An ultrasonic detection assembly detects a characteristic in a test object. The ultrasonic detection assembly includes a phased array probe positioned in proximity to a peripheral surface of the test object. The phased array probe includes a plurality of transducer elements. The transducer elements of the phased array probe transmit a sound beam into the test object. The sound beam is movable by the phased array probe within the test object to detect the characteristic. A method of detecting a characteristic in the test object with the ultrasonic detection assembly is also provided. |
| US09335300B2 |
Saw mode-based surface defect system/method
Various approaches for assessing a part for a defect are disclosed and that are based upon SAW modes. In one embodiment, a part-under-test (120) is excited. One or more SAW modes (206) are identified in the frequency response (240/260) of the part-under-test (120). A SAW mode area (248/266) in the frequency response of the part-under-test (120) is compared with a baseline SAW mode area (238/258) of a baseline frequency response (230/250) (and which may be associated with an acceptable part). This comparison may be used to determine if the part-under-test (120) may be characterized defective in at least some respect. |
| US09335297B1 |
Flow sensing device
A non-invasive, hands-free “water flow device” senses when water is and is not flowing and can give the user a visual display, of the real time water flow duration and quantity of water used by a shower (or other water dispensing device), for example. The water flow device may use an acoustic transducer (e.g., a microphone) to sense the acoustic waves generated by the flow of water during a shower. For example, the flow or lack of flow of water may be determined by analyzing the acoustic signature and/or amplitude of sounds (e.g., within a certain frequency range) in the shower. |
| US09335295B2 |
Multiple laminar flow-based particle and cellular separation with laser steering
The invention provides a method, apparatus and system for separating blood and other types of cellular components, and can be combined with holographic optical trapping manipulation or other forms of optical tweezing. One of the exemplary methods includes providing a first flow having a plurality of blood components; providing a second flow; contacting the first flow with the second flow to provide a first separation region; and differentially sedimenting a first blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components into the second flow while concurrently maintaining a second blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components in the first flow. The second flow having the first blood cellular component is then differentially removed from the first flow having the second blood cellular component. Holographic optical traps may also be utilized in conjunction with the various flows to move selected components from one flow to another, as part of or in addition to a separation stage. |
| US09335292B2 |
Electrochemical proximity assay
The present disclosure includes an electrochemical proximity assay (ECPA) which leverages two aptamer or antibody-oligonucleotide probes and proximity-dependent DNA hybridization to move a redox active molecule near an electrically conductive base. The ECPA of the present disclosure produces rapid, quantitative results, enabling point-of-care use in the detection of biomarkers of disease. |
| US09335291B2 |
Fill sufficiency method and system
Described and illustrated herein are one exemplary method and a measurement system having a meter and a test strip. The test strip has a first working electrode, reference electrode and second working electrode. In this method, acceptable fill data from known first current and known second current are used to predict an estimated second current at proximate the second time period (for a given batch of test strips) during the test sequence. The estimated second current at proximate the second time interval is then compared with a measured actual second current at proximate the second time interval during an actual test to determine if the measured actual second current is substantially equal to or within an acceptable percent deviation from the estimated second current so as to determine sufficient volume of a physiological fluid sample in the test strip. |
| US09335290B2 |
Integrated test device for optical and electrochemical assays
This invention relates generally to test devices and methods for performing optical and electrochemical assays and, more particularly, to test devices having the ability to perform optical and electrochemical assays on a sample and to methods of performing optical and electrochemical assays using such test devices. The present invention is particularly useful for performing immunoassays and/or electrochemical assays at the point-of-care. |
| US09335289B2 |
Bioprobes and methods of use thereof
Disclosed are biomolecule based bioprobes that exhibit improved water solubility and monolayer-forming properties with substantially little or no aggregation that can appreciably interfere with binding of the bioprobes to a target nucleotide. The bioprobes may be used in conjunction with a suitable reporter system to detect very small quantities of biological markers. The bio-probes comprise a nucleobase sequence capable of hybridizing to a target nucleotide; and at least one charged functional group attached to said nucleobase sequence. Also disclosed are biosensors, and sensing devices that comprise the bio-probe. Further disclosed are suitable electrochemical reporter systems for use with bioprobes. Methods of use of these devices and probes, including for the detection of target biomarkers, including biomarkers for cancer cells or pathogens, are also included. |
| US09335286B2 |
Method and device for monitoring at least a characteristic of a block made of a building material
A monitoring device includes an electric supply line to be buried in the block of building material, to convey signals and to be AC supplied so as to generate voltage and current stationary waveforms. The device also includes primary inductors coupled to the electric supply line at positions corresponding to peaks of at least one of the voltage and current stationary waveforms. The device also includes integrated monitoring circuits to be buried in the block of building material, with each integrated monitoring circuit including an integrated sensor to sense at least one physical characteristic, and a secondary inductor magnetically coupled to a respective primary inductor to supply the integrated sensor, and communicate through the electric supply line. |
| US09335285B2 |
Method for measuring acid strength in reaction medium using trimethylphosphine oxide and 31P NMR
A method to determine the strength of an acid in a medium is disclosed. The method includes (I) providing multiple samples comprising trimethylphosphine oxide (TMPO), the acid, and the medium, wherein the multiple samples have different [H+]/[TMPO] ratios, [H+] is the concentration of hydrons in the sample in mole·liter−1, and [TMPO] is the concentration of TMPO in the sample in mole·liter−1. (II) The 31P chemical shifts of the multiple samples are measured by 31P NMR and compared to standardized samples to determine the acid strength of the medium. |
| US09335282B2 |
X-ray topography apparatus
Provided is an X-ray topography apparatus capable of separating a desired characteristic X-ray which enters a sample from an X-ray which is radiated from an X-ray source, and increasing an irradiation region of the desired characteristic X-ray. The X-ray topography apparatus includes: the X-ray source for radiating the X-ray from a fine focal point, the X-ray containing a predetermined characteristic X-ray; an optical system including a multilayer mirror with a graded multilayer spacing which corresponds to the predetermined characteristic X-ray, the optical system being configured to cause the X-ray reflected on the multilayer mirror to enter the sample; and an X-ray detector for detecting a diffracted X-ray. The multilayer mirror includes a curved reflective surface having a parabolic cross section, and the fine focal point of the X-ray source is provided onto a focal point of the curved reflective surface. |
| US09335279B2 |
Pre and post cleaning of mask, wafer, optical surfaces for prevention of contamination prior to and after inspection
A method and apparatus for preventing or minimizing contamination on a critical surface is disclosed. The method and apparatus for preventing or minimizing contamination on the critical surface may be an integrated component of an inspection system, and the cleaning process may be applied prior to the inspection process (may be referred to as pre-cleaning) which may greatly reduce photon-induced contamination. In addition, the cleaning process in accordance with the present disclosure may also be applied upon completion of the inspection process (may be referred to as post-cleaning). |
| US09335275B2 |
Device and method for identifying anomalies on instruments
The present invention relates to a device for identifying anomalies on medical instruments, having a data processing installation and an instrument analyzing unit. The data processing installation has a display unit, a database, a first interface and an evaluation unit and the instrument analyzing unit has a support and at least one camera. The at least one camera is arranged and oriented such that it can capture image data from medical instruments arranged on the support from at least one perspective, and the data processing installation is designed such that it uses the first interface to receive image data from the at least one camera and can store the received image data in the database. Further, it can use the evaluation unit to examine said image data for regions which have anomalies. In addition, the invention also relates to an according method. |
| US09335274B2 |
Optical inspection of containers
An apparatus and method for inspecting a container having a base and a mouth, wherein light is directed through the container base into the container, and out of the container through the container mouth, using at least first and second light sources operatively disposed adjacent to each other beneath the container base and having differing operating characteristics. Light transmitted through the container mouth is sensed, and a composite image of the container mouth may be produced from two or more images of portions of the container mouth. |
| US09335273B2 |
Apparatus and methods for the characterization of the dielectric response of borehole fluids using a photonic bandgap microwave resonant cavity
A method for characterizing the dielectric response of a fluid includes receiving the fluid into a portion of a flow line that is disposed proximate to a photonic bandgap (PBG) resonant cavity so that a dielectric permittivity of the fluid affects a frequency response of the resonant cavity. The method further includes providing electromagnetic waves to the resonant cavity and measuring a frequency response of the resonant cavity in the presence of the fluid in the flow line. The method further includes determining a property of a resonant mode of the resonant cavity using the frequency response and determining a property of the fluid using the property of the resonant mode. |
| US09335261B2 |
Time-domain spectroscopy and time-domain spectroscopic analysis system
The time-domain spectroscopy analysis system includes a splitter for splitting pulsed light entered, a variable delayer for delaying timing of a first part of the pulsed light split by the splitter, an electromagnetic wave generator for converting a second part of the pulsed light split by the splitter into an electromagnetic wave, a detector for detecting measurement data from a pulse having passed through a measurement object subjected to the electromagnetic wave emitted from the electromagnetic wave generator, and the pulse outputted from the variable delayer, and a comparator for detecting a phase difference between the pulsed light before being entered into the electromagnetic wave generator and the pulsed light outputted from the variable delayer, wherein a result obtained by the comparator is fed back to the variable delayer. |
| US09335252B2 |
Screening device for screening plant specimens
A screening device (110) for screening at least one plant specimen (112) in a plurality of plant specimens (114) is disclosed. The screening device (110) comprises a detector (116) adapted for acquiring spatially resolved images (117). The screening device (110) further comprises at least one selection device (118) adapted for selecting a single plant specimen (120) or a group of plant specimens (122) from the plurality of plant specimens (114) for imaging by the detector (116). The selection device (118) comprises a deflection device (124) adapted for deflecting electromagnetic waves propagating between the plant specimens (112) and the detector (116). |
| US09335249B2 |
Tape adhesion test system
Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide a tape adhesion test system. The test system applies a pulling force to an outer layer of tape adhered to an inner layer of tape through an adhesive bond, while the inner layer of tape is secured to a portion of the test system. The pulling force is measured when the adhesive bond between the outer layer of tape and the inner layer of tape breaks. |
| US09335246B2 |
Methods for detecting coincident sample events, and devices and systems related thereto
In some aspects of the present disclosure, methods of detecting coincident sample events are provided. The methods include receiving a first set of signal data representing detected signals from a flow cytometer system; detecting, with a peak detection module, one or more peaks within the signal data; and cancelling, with a successive cancellation module, one or more individual sample events from the signal data at corresponding time indexes, wherein the cancellation of more than one individual sample event is successive. Devices and system related thereto are also provided. |
| US09335240B2 |
Method of measuring an interaction force
A system and method of measuring an interaction force is disclosed. One embodiment includes providing a method of measuring an interaction force including providing a microelectromechanical transducer. The transducer includes a body, a probe moveable relative to the body, and a micromachined comb drive. The micromachined comb drive includes a differential capacitive displacement sensor to provide a sensor output signal representative of an interaction force on the probe. The probe is moved relative to a sample surface. An interaction force is determined between the probe and the sample surface using the sensor output, as the probe is moved relative to the sample surface. |
| US09335236B2 |
Device for sampling dust or solid particles in particular for the detection of explosives
It comprises a handle (1), an air flow amplifier (8) leading to a retention means (2) such as a cyclone via a passage (3), and a compressed air inlet device (7, 9) in the amplifier (8) that creates a strong suction of outside air, through the nozzle (4) capable of capturing even fine particles of low content up to a measurable quantity. Being completely devoid of electricity, this device is useful in hazardous atmospheres, in particular for detecting the presence of explosives after analysis of the particles collected by this device. It makes it possible to sample particles in extreme conditions of high or low temperatures. |
| US09335235B2 |
Exhaust gas sampling device
An exhaust gas sampling device is intended to heat or cool a temperature of sampled exhaust gas flowing through a sampling line to a desired temperature in accordance with various exhaust gas conditions and usage conditions of the sampling line irrespective of a temperature of the exhaust gas flowing through an exhaust pipe, and includes the sampling line for sampling the exhaust gas to be introduced into an analyzing instrument; a plurality of heating parts provided along the sampling line from an upstream side to a downstream side for heating the exhaust gas flowing through the sampling line; and a temperature control part for individually setting set temperatures of the plurality of heating parts using the temperature of the exhaust gas in the exhaust pipe and a target temperature of the exhaust gas in an outlet side of the heating part located in the most downstream as parameters. |
| US09335234B2 |
Method for determining deterioration of dry clutch for hybrid vehicle
A method for determining deterioration of a dry clutch mounted between an engine and a motor of a hybrid vehicle includes determining whether an entry condition to determine the deterioration of the dry clutch is satisfied. Roughness of the dry clutch is determined when the entry condition is satisfied. A deviation between the roughness of the dry clutch and a reference value is calculated, and the deviation is compared with a threshold value. A roughness counter of the dry clutch is increased when the deviation is larger than the threshold value. The roughness counter of the dry clutch is compared with a boundary value. It is determined that the dry clutch deteriorates when the roughness counter of the dry clutch is larger than the boundary value. |
| US09335233B2 |
In-pipe leak detection based on pressure gradient
Leak detection system. The system includes a structure sized to fit within a pipe for supporting at least one sensing element near an inside wall of the pipe, whereby a pressure gradient at a leak in the pipe will cause the sensing element to respond. Structure is provided for detecting movement or deformation of the sensing element, the movement or deformation indicating the presence of a leak. In a preferred embodiment, the structure includes two spaced-apart rings for supporting the at least one sensing element. The sensing element is a diaphragm in a preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the sensing element is supported for movement with respect to the ring structure which includes sensing circuitry for detecting the movement to indicate a leak. Other embodiments employ different sensing elements that respond to pressure gradients near leaks. |
| US09335232B2 |
Network manageable advanced gas sensor apparatus and method
Mechanical, electronic, algorithmic, and computer network facets are combined to create a highly integrated advanced gas sensor system. The sensor system, utilized with gas insulated high voltage switchgear products, deployed by electric utility end users in replacement and expansion cycles, function to detect and mitigate atmospheric pollution caused by leaking SF6. As its associated gas insulated tank is charged with 10 to 350 lbs. of SF6, each gas sensor monitors its local cache of gas, accurately sensing and computing fractional percentage losses (emissions) and gains (maintenance replacement) in SF6 mass, storing data in onboard data logs, and communicating data when triggered by detection events or in response to remote requests over a hierarchical communications network, a process that continues without labor until a fractional leak is automatically detected and reported creating the opportunity for early leak mitigation. |
| US09335229B2 |
Load distribution estimation
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. |
| US09335228B2 |
Dynamometer system control device
Provided is a dynamometer system control device capable of stable and highly responsive control. This dynamometer system control device is provided with a torque control device which outputs a torque command signal on the basis of an output signal (LC_det) of a load cell, and with a characteristic vibration suppression circuit which corrects the torque command signal to suppress the characteristic vibration of an oscillator and which inputs said signal to an inverter as a control input signal. The circuit is provided with a differential compensator which performs a differentiation operation on a load cell approximation signal (Pmdl_det) calculated using an approximation equation in a secondary delay canonical form in a vibration output calculation unit, and with a subtractor which corrects the torque command signal by subtracting the output signal from the compensator from the torque command signal (Tdy_ref). |
| US09335227B2 |
Device for determining torque and associated measuring method
Torque transmitted via a drive shaft of a motor is contactlessly determined using organic magnetoresistive semiconductor element, unlike known torque sensors that can generate greatly fluctuating measurement signals even at a constant torque. The organic magnetoresistive semiconductor element is mounted on a drive shaft or a coupling thereof. For this purpose, a field generator is provided, which is rigidly connected to the drive shaft or the clutch and which in the environment of the drive shaft generates a magnetic field that is dependent upon the torque. In the environment, the OMR semiconductor element is arranged to be stationary. The OMR semiconductor element has two electrodes between which a voltage source generates an electrical voltage. |
| US09335225B2 |
Deformation sensor package and method
A deformation sensor package includes a housing having a base and a peripheral wall extending from the base. The base and peripheral wall define two cavities each configured to receive a potentiometer, such as a string potentiometer. The peripheral wall defines two apertures formed between a respective cavity and an exterior of the housing. Each aperture is configured to allow for the passage of a moveable sensing end of an associated potentiometer therethrough. |
| US09335218B2 |
Digital imaging bolometer and method of measuring photon radiation in a pixelated image
A digital bolometer architecture provides dynamic control of a simultaneous integration time for all pixels, with a temporal response that is more uniform than conventional bolometers and lacks frame cross-talk from decay tails, and which supports sub-frame measurement for on readout computational imaging. This is accomplished by replacing resistive pixel temperature sensing with continuous optical interferometric measurement and subsequent signal accumulation. Balanced reference sensors allow rejection of temperature differences across the thermal sink. The thermal time constant of the pixels is substantially reduced and the lost SNR is recovered by integration of the measured signals, using a programmable integration time. |
| US09335217B2 |
Pyroelectric aluminum nitride MEMS infrared sensor with selective wavelength infrared absorber
A MEMS sensor for detecting electromagnetic waves in a particular frequency range is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the MEMS sensor comprises a bottom substrate layer; a first electrode layer over the substrate layer; a pyroelectric layer over the first electrode layer; and a second electrode layer over the pyroelectric layer; wherein a top electrode layer is patterned with a periodic structure that has a periodicity less than or equal to target infrared wavelength. |
| US09335214B2 |
Apparatus and methods for selecting light emitters
Provided are devices and methods for grouping light emitters and devices including the same. Embodiments of such methods may include selecting a portion of the light emitters using a region of a multiple axis color space that is configured to represent each of a plurality of colors as at least two chromaticity coordinates. The region may be proximate a predefined point on the multiple axis color space and includes a major axis having a first length and a minor axis having a second length that is less than the first length. |
| US09335210B2 |
Techniques for lumen maintenance and color shift compensation
Techniques are disclosed for maintaining consistent lumen output of a lighting assembly over time. By maintaining a consistent lumen output, it is possible to maintain acceptable color stability where color mixing of multiple outputs is used. The lighting assembly may be any lighting configuration that might suffer from lumen depreciation and/or color drift over time, and may include any type(s) of light source(s) that may be monitored and driven accordingly. The lighting assembly, in addition to light source(s), includes a photo detector and a directed light source, such as a laser. The directed light source provides a golden sample for use in calibrating the photo detector, which in turn monitors lumen output of the light source(s). Drive signals are adjusted to account for lumen depreciation of the monitored light source(s). |
| US09335207B2 |
Optical sensor and mounting interface
A sensor includes an enclosure having a housing and a lower cassette that cooperate to provide a sealed volume in which an optical sensor assembly is enclosed and protected. The optical sensor assembly includes a circuit board with a light source and a light detector. The sensor assembly further includes a light pipe that guides light from the sensor onto a target and a lens guides reflected light from the target onto the light detector. Lower ends of the light pipe and the lens are supported by a recess in the lower cassette. Upper ends of the light pipe and the lens are supported by an upper cassette. The upper cassette is positively located and mounted to the circuit board and received in an internal receptacle in the lower cassette. Mounting the lower cassette to the housing encloses the optical sensor assembly in the proper alignment. |
| US09335199B2 |
Device for storage of an operating fluid for a motor vehicle, method for mounting the device, method for monitoring the device and motor vehicle
A device for storing or supplying an operating fluid includes a tank with an interior space and a protrusion which protrudes into the interior space and has a circumferential surface. At least one electrode for determining a filling level is disposed radially, running around the circumferential surface. Methods for mounting such a device and for monitoring a reserve filling level as well as a motor vehicle are also provided. |
| US09335194B2 |
System or a method for measuring flow of fluid or gas
A system or a method for measuring flow in a flow duct has at least two ultra sound transducers. The flow of air in a duct is measured by one or more transducers transmitting beams of ultra sound controlled by a microcontroller based electronic system in which the microcontroller stores a vector of data samples for each direction of transmission, which vector includes an appropriate number of N samples forming a frame, the microcontroller multiplying each value of the frame which a complex number. Based on the result, the microcontroller calculates the flow in the duct. As a result, an efficient flow measurement of air flowing in a duct can be achieved. |
| US09335193B2 |
Ultrasonic flow measuring device having a concave reflective surface that cancels dispersion and method for ascertaining flow velocity, respectively volume flow, of a fluid
An ultrasonic flow measurement device for ascertaining flow velocity, respectively volume flow, of a fluid, especially a gas or a liquid, using a travel-time difference method, comprising: a measuring tube having a straight measuring tube axis; at least one transmitter for transmitting an acoustic signal; at least one receiver for receiving the acoustic signal; and at least one reflection surface for reflecting the acoustic signal. The transmitter and the receiver are arranged on the tube wall of the measuring tube in such a manner that they can transmit the acoustic signal inclined or perpendicularly to the flow direction of the fluid, wherein at least one reflection surface is embodied concavely in a preferential direction; and a method for ascertaining flow velocity, respectively volume flow, of a fluid. |
| US09335190B1 |
Fitting for use in fuel gas systems and applications using same
A fitting is for use in a fuel gas system having an access port for providing access to the system. The fitting includes a fitting body and a valve core. The fitting body includes: a first end for providing mating connection of the fitting body to the access port, a second end for providing connection of an accessory, and a central bore of at least 13/64″ through the fitting providing an opening through the fitting body between the first end and the second end. The valve core is removably received in a valve receiving means of the fitting body, and includes a valve operator actuatable to open a fluid connection between the first end and the second end. The valve core is removable from the fitting body so that an unobstructed volume of the central bore can be available for a flow of fuel gas into the system. |
| US09335189B2 |
Apparatus for introducing an object into a pipe
A device for introducing an object into a pipe is disclosed. The device includes a guide that is disposed on a pipe and a positioning unit that is movably guided on the pipe in an introduction direction by means of the guide. The positioning unit that supports a carrier that can be introduced into the pipe by moving the positioning device in the introduction direction. The positioning device is coupled to the pipe with a linear one-way clutch operable in a blocked state when the positioning device is moved against the introduction direction. |
| US09335187B2 |
Methods for assembling devices using pressure indicator adhesives
Pressure indicator pressure sensitive adhesive may contain microspheres that burst and release indicator when subjected to pressure and thereby produce a detectable indication of how much pressure has been applied when forming an adhesive joint between opposing structures. Electronic device structures can be assembled using the pressure indicator pressure sensitive adhesive. A camera or other sensor may monitor joint formation. The camera can gather infrared image data, visible light image data, or ultraviolet light image data. Sensor data such as magnetic or ultrasonic sensor data can also be collected on an adhesive joint. Joint inspection can be performed on test structures and production structures and corresponding adjustments made to the joint formation process. Positioners and other equipment that compresses the pressure indicator pressure sensitive adhesive can be adjusted in real time or calibrated using information about the condition of the pressure indicator pressure sensitive adhesive. |
| US09335186B2 |
Index error estimating apparatus, index error calibrating apparatus, and index error estimating method
An index error estimating apparatus used for an index error calibrating apparatus that has a grating disk supported by a rotation shaft and four detectors arranged on the grating disk. The index error estimating apparatus includes a detected value synthesizer that calculates a linear sum by multiplying by a predetermined coefficient each of detected values obtained from each of the at least four detectors; and a Fourier component identifier that uses a Fourier component of the linear sum and identifies a Fourier component of the index error. |
| US09335185B2 |
Encoder, motor with encoder, and servo system
The encoder includes a plurality of slit tracks, a point light source, two first light-receiving arrays, two second light-receiving arrays, and a third light-receiving array. The plurality of slit tracks respectively comprises a plurality of reflection slits arranged along a measurement direction. The point light source is configured to emit diffusion light to the plurality of slit tracks. The two first light-receiving arrays are disposed sandwiching the point light source in a width direction substantially orthogonal to the measurement direction. The two second light-receiving arrays are disposed sandwiching the point light source in the measurement direction. The third light-receiving array is configured to receive light reflected by the slit track comprising an incremental pattern that differs in pitch from other incremental patterns, and is disposed at a position in a direction where the first light-receiving array is disposed than the point light source. |
| US09335182B2 |
Vehicle navigation systems and methods for presenting information originating from a mobile device
Vehicle navigation systems and methods for presenting information originating from a mobile device on a vehicle navigation system display of a vehicle are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of presenting information originating from a mobile device on a vehicle navigation system display of a vehicle includes receiving, by a vehicle navigation system, application data from an application operating on the mobile device, wherein the application data from the application represents an entity in proximity to the vehicle. The method further includes displaying an icon representing the application data from the application on a map presented on the vehicle navigation system display. The icon is positioned on the map according to a geographic location of the entity. |
| US09335178B2 |
Method for using street level images to enhance automated driving mode for vehicle
A method that utilizes high-definition street level images provided by a network of stationary traffic cameras to identify potential hazards or concerns located beyond the range of vehicle mounted devices, and to provide an advanced warning or to take some other remedial action in response thereto. In one embodiment, the method uses multiple items taken from the street level images to corroborate a potential concern before saving that concern to a concern profile where the concern is linked or otherwise associated with a particular geographic zone. By taking remedial actions well in advance of a potential concern, the method provides more opportunity to adjust or otherwise address the potential concern, which can be particularly advantageous when the host vehicle is being operated in an automated driving mode. |
| US09335175B2 |
Crowd-sourcing indoor locations
Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for constructing a scalable model of an indoor space using crowd-sourced inertial navigation system (INS) signals from mobile devices. By tracking INS signals from a number of participating users, the user's trajectories can be estimated as they move their mobile devices indoors. The estimated trajectories can be scored against similar routes taken by other users. Routes with the highest scores are then laid out over a map of the indoor space to identify areas most often traveled to and from landmarks and distances between the landmarks. |
| US09335165B2 |
Sighting device
The invention relates to a sighting device containing at least one self-luminous light source and at least one element made of a light-guiding and/or light-collecting material. Preferably, the self-luminous light source is embodied as a tube or ring and this light source is arranged in at least a portion of the length of the tube or ring, or along its entirety, and most preferably uses a tritium gas-containing element. |
| US09335163B2 |
Trailer length estimation in hitch angle applications
A vehicle system for estimating a trailer length is disclosed and includes a first sensor for measuring a wheel steer angle and a second sensor for measuring a hitch angle. A processor is in communication with the first and second sensors and is operable to determine a wheel steer angle change and a hitch angle change. The processor performs a first computation if the wheel steer angle change and the hitch angle change satisfy a threshold requirement and performs a second computation if at least one of the wheel steer angle change and the hitch angle change does not satisfy the threshold requirement. |
| US09335161B2 |
Rotation angle measuring device
A rotation angle measuring device provided with a fixed unit and a movable unit relatively rotating with respect to the fixed unit, comprising a light source installed on either one of the fixed unit or the movable unit and for emitting a detection light and a reference position signal light, a polarizing plate for converting a detection light emitted from the light source to a polarized light, a polarized light rotating unit for rotating the polarized light around an optical axis of the light source as the center, a reference position signal light emitted at a reference rotating position of the polarized light, a stationary polarizing plate provided on either one of the fixed unit or the movable unit and to stand still with respect to a rotation of the polarized light, a photodetection sensor provided on the fixed unit or on the movable unit and for receiving the polarized light passing through the stationary polarizing plate and the reference position signal light, and an arithmetic unit for calculating a detection waveform of a change of light amount based on a signal from the photodetection sensor, for detecting the reference position signal light and for calculating a relative rotation angle between the fixed unit and the movable unit from a phase of the detection waveform and a predetermined detection reference phase when the reference position signal light is detected. |
| US09335160B2 |
Profile measuring apparatus
According to one embodiment, a profile measuring apparatus comprises a profile measuring unit, a position acquiring unit, a profile calculating unit, a deflection detecting unit, and a controlling unit. The profile measuring unit has a projecting unit to project a pattern onto a measured object, and an imaging unit to image the pattern. The position acquiring unit acquires a position of the profile measuring unit. The profile calculating unit calculates a profile of the measured object, based on image information from the imaging unit and position information from the position acquiring unit. The deflection detecting unit detects deflection of the projecting unit. The controlling unit executes active correction for the profile measuring unit and/or passive correction for the profile calculating unit, based on the deflection of the projecting unit detected by the deflection detecting unit. |
| US09335159B2 |
Methods and devices for reducing errors in Goos-Hänchen corrections of displacement data
An exemplary method involves, in a system comprising a tool that performs a task on a workpiece, a method for determining displacement of the workpiece relative to the tool. Respective displacements of loci of at least a region of the workpiece are mapped using a Goos-Hänchen-insensitive (GH-insensitive) displacement sensor to produce a first set of physical displacement data for the region. Also mapped are respective displacements, from the tool, of the loci using a GH sensitive sensor to produce a second set of optical displacement data for the region. Goodness of fit (GOF) is determined of the second set of data with the first set. According to the GOF, respective GH-correction (GHC) coefficients are determined for at least one locus of the region. When measuring displacement of the at least one locus in the region relative to the tool, the respective GHC coefficient is applied to the measured displacement to reduce an error that otherwise would be present in the measured displacement due to a GH effect. |
| US09335155B2 |
Imaging apparatus, image processing apparatus, and image processing method
An imaging apparatus includes a reconstruction unit configured to reconstruct a tomographic image of a predetermined range of a measurement object based on interference light produced by interference between returning light of measurement light from the measurement object and reference light, and a generation unit configured to, for each pixel value row in a depth direction of the tomographic image, generate a two-dimensional image based on a pixel value selected in order of magnitude of the pixel values. |
| US09335154B2 |
Systems and methods of angle-resolved low coherence interferometry based optical correlation
Systems and methods of angle-resolved low coherence interferometry based optical correlation are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes directing a sample beam towards a sample for producing a scattered sample beam from the sample. The method also includes receiving the scattered sample beam at a multitude of scattering angles in at least two directions. Further, the method includes cross-correlating the scattered sample beam with a reference beam to produce a two-dimensional angle and depth resolved profile of the sample scattered beam. The method also includes processing the two-dimensional angle and depth scattered profile to obtain correlated information about scattering structures in the sample. |
| US09335152B2 |
Rotation angle detection device
The present invention relates to a rotation angle detection device mainly used for rotation angle detection of a steering wheel of an automobile and the like.In the rotation angle detection device of the present invention, support portions for supporting lower surfaces of magnets and retention portions for retaining upper surfaces of the magnets are provided in respective accommodation portions of first and second detection bodies. The magnets are turned in the accommodation portions, and the magnets are press-fitted into lower surfaces of the retention portions so as to be retained and fixed between the support portions and the retention portions. Thereby, an inexpensive rotation angle detection device in which the magnets can be easily and reliably installed in the detection bodies with a simple configuration without individually using holders can be realized. |
| US09335150B2 |
Conductor length measurement device and conductor length measurement method
Probes of a conductor length measurement device are connected to piping, and an output voltage is applied to the piping through the probes. A frequency spectrum curve is subsequently calculated by subjecting a voltage signal to FFT. Resonant frequencies of the piping are then determined from this frequency spectrum curve, and the total length of the piping is calculated on the basis of the resonant frequencies. The total length of the piping can therefore be easily measured without the need to install, for example, any measurement instruments at branch terminals. |
| US09335149B2 |
Displacement sensor for contactlessly measuring a position by means of a plurality of magnetic field sensors arranged in series
The present invention relates to a displacement sensor for contactlessly measuring a position of a magnet relative to a reference point. The displacement sensor comprises the magnet which can be displaced along a movement axis, a plurality of magnetic field sensors which are arranged in series and which are arranged parallel with the movement axis of the magnet and a calculation unit for forming a position signal which indicates the position of the magnet relative to the reference point. The plurality of magnetic field sensors which are arranged in series are arranged in such a manner that the displacement measurement ranges of adjacent magnetic field sensors overlap in an overlap range. The calculation unit is constructed in such a manner that, if the position of the magnet is contained in an overlap range, it forms the position signal on the basis of output signals which are output by the magnetic field sensors whose displacement measurement ranges overlap in the overlap range; and, if the position of the magnet is not contained in an overlap range, it forms the position signal on the basis of the output signal which is output by the magnetic field sensor, in the displacement measurement range of which the magnet is located. The overlap range between two displacement measurement ranges of adjacent magnetic field sensors is selected in such a manner that the total error of the position signal formed by the calculation unit in that overlap range is smaller than a maximum tolerable error. |
| US09335148B2 |
Touch panel system, and capacitance value distribution detecting device having noise determining section
Realized is an electrostatic capacitance value distribution detecting device capable of determining whether or not external noise exists. An electrostatic capacitance value distribution detecting circuit (2) of an aspect of the present invention drives vertical signal lines (VL) to output, from horizontal signal lines (HL), electric charges corresponding to electrostatic capacitances, and then drives the horizontal signal lines to output, from the vertical signal lines, electric charges corresponding to the electrostatic capacitances. The electrostatic capacitance value distribution detecting device includes a noise detecting section (8) which determines whether or not external noise exists. |
| US09335147B2 |
Manual positioning device
A manual positioning device includes at least one receiver, a reference network, a first switch, and at least one second switch. The at least one second switch, together with the first switch, is configured to switch at least two different reference signal paths for determining reference signals on the reference network. |
| US09335146B1 |
Dimensional measurement apparatus for a cylindrical object
According to exemplary inventive practice, a cylindrical object is secured by a rotatable mechanism. Via a motor controller and corresponding motor actuators, a computer exercises motional control as follows: (i) rotation of the rotatable mechanism, and hence of the cylindrical object, about the cylindrical axis; (ii) linear movement of a positionally adjustable LVDT along the cylindrical axis; and, (iii) linear movement of the positionally adjustable LVDT perpendicular to the cylindrical axis. The computer varies the rotational position of the cylindrical axis, varies the Cartesian planar/spatial position of the positionally adjustable LVDT, and receives measurements taken by the positionally adjustable LVDT under these varying conditions. Based on the measuremental input, the computer evaluates the surface profile of the cylindrical object. Exemplary inventive practice may also provide for at least one fixed LVDT providing measurements relating to cylindrical length and/or cylindrical end surface profile (e.g., in terms of axial perpendicularity). |
| US09335143B2 |
Form measuring apparatus and method of registering coordinate system for rotary table
A form measuring apparatus includes a probe for measuring a measured object; a rotary table on which the measured object is placed; and a coordinate system calculator calculating coordinate axes configuring a coordinate system for the rotary table. The coordinate system calculator calculates, based on a position of a master ball fixated to the rotary table, a center of a circle traced by the master ball when the rotary table is rotated; calculates a rotary table coordinate system having the center of the circle as an origin point; and corrects coordinates of the origin point based on a calibrated diameter value of a gauge fixated to the rotary table, a first diameter value of the gauge measured by a first measurement in which the probe approaches the gauge in a first direction, and a second diameter value of the gauge measured by a second measurement. |
| US09335139B2 |
Simulation chamber and method for setting off explosive charges contained in freight in a controlled manner
The invention relates to a simulation chamber for setting of explosive charges contained in freight in a controlled manner under simulated conditions, comprising a closed explosion chamber (1), into which the freight (2) is introduced and in which real-time conditions are specified that match ambient conditions of the freight (2) on an intended transport path. In order to further develop such a simulation chamber in such a way that even explosive charges that cannot be detected by means of the hitherto existing examination and testing methods can be recognized, a mobile radio testing unit (4) is provided according to the invention, by means of which a mobile radio device contained in the freight (2) can be detected. |
| US09335138B2 |
Combination hand tool for molding and trimming bullets, and crimping a rimfire case to a bullet to make a rimfire cartridge
A rimfire reloading tool for making rimfire cartridges is disclosed. The tool includes first and second handles connected by a hinge. A bullet mold is formed by two bullet mold heads located opposite each other on the first and second handles. The bullet mold is formed when the first and second handles are brought together. First and second clipping portions are located opposite of each other on the first and second handles and clip excess metal from the formed bullet. First and second crimping portions are located opposite each other and crimp a case onto the formed bullet when the first and second handles are brought together, thereby providing a rimfire cartridge. |
| US09335135B2 |
Rear-deploying mechanical broadhead
Rear-deploying mechanical broadheads may be provided having stationary blades that open only through movement of a drive pin/key secured within a slot or chamber in the body of the broadhead. The drive pin/key may act as bleeder blades, thereby forming a mechanical broadhead with bleeder blades. The stationary blades may be pinned to the tip of the broadhead through blade pins, thereby keeping the blades stationary during flight toward a target and lessening the likelihood that the broadhead may be errant in its movement toward a target. |
| US09335131B2 |
Illumination device with selective incapacitating power
An emitter emits a wavelength included in the visible and/or infrared spectrum to illuminate a scene. An observation system is configured to deliver an image representative of the illuminated scene to an observer. The emitter is configured to deliver a light emission by at least one flash with a luminous power greater than a threshold generating dazzling. The observation system presents a first operating condition and a second operating condition of the observed scene to the observer, the second operating condition transmitting less luminous power than the first operating condition. A synchronization circuit is configured to synchronize the emitter and the observation system so that the observer is not dazzled during the emission phase of the emitter. |
| US09335128B2 |
Anti-ballistic chair
An Anti-Ballistic chair having a back portion, a seat portion, and an Anti-Ballistic panel within at least one of the back portion, and the seat portion, wherein the Anti-Ballistic portion comprises at least a first layer of Anti-Ballistic material formed from high-strength synthetic fibers extending in a first direction, and at least a second layer of Anti-Ballistic material formed from high-strength synthetic fibers extending in a second direction, different from the first direction. |
| US09335127B1 |
System and method for defense against radar homing missiles
A defensive interceptor missile is provided for defending a target against a radar-homing attack missile. A Missile Anti-Ship Kill Enhancement System (MASKES) comprises a defensive missile with digital RF memory device for (a) receiving radar signals from an attack missile, (b) processing received attack missile signals, and (c) transmitting amplified, Doppler shifted signals toward the attack missile such that the attack missile would interpret signals as being reflected off ship and target the source of the reflective signal, the defensive interceptor missile. |
| US09335121B2 |
System and method of locating prey
A method includes receiving location data corresponding to a physical location of a user at a computing device and receiving prey data corresponding to a relative position of an animal at the computing device from a gun scope. The method further includes determining a location of the animal relative to the computing device based on the location data and the prey data. |
| US09335119B2 |
Sighting apparatus for use with a firearm that discharges ammunition having multiple projectiles
A weapon system comprises a firearm configured for discharging ammunition having multiple projectiles and a sighting apparatus integral with the firearm. The sighting apparatus outputs a beam of light having a generally round shape. The sighting apparatus is oriented such that a centerline longitudinal axis of a barrel of the firearm extends through the beam of light. The sighting apparatus includes a light beam size selector for allowing a cross-sectional size of the beam of light at a fixed reference location external to the sighting apparatus to be selectively adjusted by a shooter of the firearm to a plurality of different cross-sectional sizes. |
| US09335118B1 |
Fiber optic weapon sight
The embodiments of the disclosed invention relate to fiber optic weapon sights that use a reflector to direct ambient light to a fiber optic rod, and thus can provide weapon sights that are bright, or at least visible, in a variety of lighting condition. In one instance, the reflector can have a concave shape, such as a spherical or parabolic shape, that can focus ambient light on the fiber optic rod and thereby significantly increase the brightness of the weapon sight. The embodiments of the present invention can accordingly provide enhanced fiber optic front and/or rear sights for weapons including rifles, pistols, and shotguns. |
| US09335113B1 |
Quick and stable claw attachment assembly systems for firearm and firearm stands
A claw mounting system for a firearm stand engages with a sling stud of a firearm so that the firearm can be securely attached with the firearm stand. The claw mounting system includes an elastically loaded claw assembly, a securing member, and a bracket member as the securing member is threadly engaged with a sleeve portion of the bracket member while a left claw member and a right claw member of the elastically loaded claw assembly are tensionaly connected to each other through a spring-tension unit. The left claw member and the right claw member are also hingedly connected to a first tab of the bracket member through a retainer channel and a retainer pin. The claw mounting system greatly reduces the mounting process time of a firearm by remaining in a stable vertical position during attachment and detachment of a firearm stand. |
| US09335111B2 |
Anti-bounce lightweight hammer for firearm
Disclosed is an anti-bounce firearm hammer including a hammer member mountable in a firearm for pivotal movement about an axis. The hammer member includes a head portion with a strike face radially spaced from the pivot axis. A mass is attached to and movable with the hammer member in a direction substantially toward and away from the strike face. The mass has freedom of movement such that the mass will continue to move a limited distance independent of the hammer member after pivotal movement of the hammer member has stopped. |
| US09335108B2 |
Firearm magazine loader
A firearm magazine loader. The magazine loader includes an ammunition holder adapted for receiving and holding ammunition from a tray in the same arrayed configuration in which the ammunition was held in the tray. The magazine loader includes a holder adapted for holding ammunition in an array including multiple columns and rows. The magazine loader includes a carrier and a biasing member biasing the carrier for movement. The magazine loader includes a movable carrier and a stop. The stop engages ammunition held in the carrier for indexing movement of the carrier. The magazine loader includes a plunger oriented for plunging ammunition from the carrier in a direction transverse to a direction of travel of the carrier. The magazine loader includes a slot sized and shaped for receiving a round of ammunition and configured for permitting the round of ammunition to slide along a length of the slot. |
| US09335107B2 |
Speed reloader for bolt action fixed rifle
A loading apparatus for use with a firearm, which may be most suited for use with a bolt-action rifle having an internal magazine. The loading apparatus comprises an arcuate shaped body having a coextensive track, flap member, and access slot, and a guidance element, all of which combine to provide an apparatus that increases the ease and speed of loading the firearm. |
| US09335106B1 |
Adjustable gas block
An adjustable gas block is used to regulate the flow rate of gas from a barrel to an action in a gas-operated firearm. The adjustable gas block uses a movable body with an opening having a width and length, the width of the opening varying in size as a function of its length. The movable body is transversely positioned relative to a conduit between the barrel and the action, such that movement of the body and its opening relative to the conduit serves to regulate the flow rate of gas between the barrel and the action. |
| US09335100B2 |
Ash and solids cooling in high temperature and high pressure environment
Disclosed are cooling and depressurization system equipment, arrangement and methods to cool solid particles from a coal gasifier operating at high temperature and pressure. Ash needs to be continuously withdrawn from a circulating fluidized bed gasifier to maintain the solids inventory in the gasifier. The supports for the cooling surfaces are located on the lower temperature upper section of the primary cooler. The cooled solids along with the fluidizing gas exits the primary cooler to a secondary receiving vessel where the solids can be further cooled by conventional means. The fluidizing and entrained gas entering the secondary vessel is filtered and vented through a vent pressure control valve. The column of cooled solids in the secondary vessel is depressurized by a continuous depressurization system to low pressures which are sufficient for conveying the solids to silos for disposal. |
| US09335099B2 |
Heat exchanger comprising a heat exchanger bundle and a housing
The invention relates to a heat exchanger (10) comprising a heat-exchange core (12) and a housing (14) inside which the core (12) is housed, the core (12) comprises a stack of plates (16) and the housing (14) comprises a body in at least one first and one second portions. According to the invention, at least one of the portions is in contact with one end of each of the plates (16) of the stack of the core (12). The core (12) is brazed to the housing (14). |
| US09335094B2 |
Engine exhaust-driven heating device for use in portable surface drying equipment
An engine exhaust-driven heating device generates a high volume, steady stream of hot gas by passing an exhaust stream from a gasoline, propane, natural gas, or combustible fueled internal combustion engine through a catalyst that reduces the atmospheric emissions of the stream and liberates the energy of the pollutants in the stream. The device then combines the catalytic-treated air stream with a fresh air stream to further react with remaining pollutants and generate additional heat. The hot gas may be used to dry a variety of surfaces and, when integrated without other components typically found in surface drying equipment, provides an ideal system for use in a variety of moderate- to large-sized portable surface drying equipment. The heating device provides a reliable and continuous heat source and, when integrated into a controlled delivery system, dries the moisture from a surface faster and more effectively than prior art heating devices. |
| US09335081B2 |
Ice maker and ice making method using the same
Provided is an ice maker, which includes an upper tray, a lower tray, and a rotation shaft. Upper cells of hemispherical shapes are arrayed in the upper tray. Lower cells of hemispherical shapes are arrayed in the lower tray that is rotatably connected to the upper tray. The rotation shaft is connected to a rear end of the lower tray and a rear end of the upper tray to rotate the lower tray relative to the upper tray. A rotation guide part rounded with a predetermined curvature is disposed in a region where the lower tray contacts the upper tray while the lower tray is rotated. |
| US09335080B2 |
Temperature system having an impurity filter
A temperature control system for controlling a temperature of a device under test includes a fluid source and a cooling device reducing a temperature of the fluid supplied by the fluid source and outputting the fluid having the reduced temperature to a device under test. A filter is positioned between the device under test and the cooling device to filter out ice particles that lead to significant charge generation in order to prevent the device under test from being subjected to high voltages as a result of static charge generation. |
| US09335074B2 |
Air-conditioning apparatus
An air-conditioning apparatus includes at least a use side heat medium flow control device and a heat medium flow switching device disposed in an outlet side of the heat medium passage of a use side heat exchanger, and a heat medium backflow prevention device disposed in an inlet side of the heat medium passage of a use side heat exchanger. |
| US09335072B2 |
Air-conditioning apparatus
To provide an air-conditioning apparatus that reduces large refrigerant noise generated when changing an operation mode. In an air-conditioning apparatus, when switching to a second operation mode from a first operation mode, switching to the second operation mode is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed after controlling either or all of expansion devices, controlling either or all of second flow switching devices, and controlling either or all of a first on-off device and a second on-off device such that a pressure difference of a heat source side refrigerant before and after each of the expansion devices is smaller compared to that in an operation state of the first operation mode. |
| US09335070B2 |
Refrigerating apparatus
A refrigerating apparatus includes an insulation housing including an inner box. The inner box has first and second side plates and a first curved corner connecting the first and second side plates; and a first refrigerating circuit including a first compressor and a first evaporator constituted by a first evaporation pipe, the first evaporation pipe including a first portion extending a horizontal direction and a second portion extending a vertical direction. The first portion of the first evaporation pipe is disposed to contact to the first and second side plates and the first curved corner of the inner box, and the second portion of the first evaporation pipe is disposed outside of the first portion of the first evaporation pipe at the first curved corner so that the first portion of the first evaporation pipe locates between the first curved corner and the second portion of the first evaporation pipe. |
| US09335068B2 |
System and method for temperature limiting in a sealed solar energy collector
Insulated solar panels that provide a solar thermal collector with means for limiting stagnation temperatures and preventing damage include: temperature limiting is provided by the insulated solar panel, isolating internal components from the environment, using passive closed systems within the sealed solar thermal collector, while also allowing alternative implementations as active systems and/or portions of the temperature limiting system outside the sealed solar thermal collector. A heat pipe can be used as a passive thermal switch, where the temperature induced action at a predetermined temperature causes an abrupt transition from a state of thermal isolation to a state of strong thermal coupling. Additionally, a set of siphon circulation pipes provides a passive closed system for temperature limiting. |
| US09335066B2 |
Water heating system
A water heating system including a water container having a cold water inlet that connects to a water supply, a hot water outlet, a water heater outlet and a water heater inlet; an instantaneous water heater mounted to the water container and having a tank supply inlet connected to the water heater outlet, a tank supply outlet connected to the water heater inlet, a burner, and a heat exchanger located adjacent the burner between the tank supply inlet and the tank supply outlet; a pump connected between the water container and the instantaneous water heater that moves water between the water container and the instantaneous water heater; and a controller that operates the pump and the burner. |
| US09335057B2 |
Real-time control of exhaust flow
A flow control system for controlling exhaust flow can measure effluent escaping from the exhaust hood at a given flow rate. An interferometric detector can measure fluctuations in fluid properties external to and/or in the vicinity of the exhaust hood. The flow control system may vary a flow rate of the exhaust hood and/or control exhaust hood structures responsive to the measurements to contain the effluent while minimizing the exhaust of air from the occupied space. |
| US09335054B2 |
Gas oven with electric and gas heating elements
A method of operating an oven having a cooking cavity and a gas heating element provided at a lower portion of the cooking cavity and an electric heating element provided at an upper portion of the cooking cavity. |
| US09335053B2 |
Gas ignition switch
The present invention provides an improved gas ignition switch, which comprises a gas switch main body, a closer assembly, a knob assembly, a pressing plate, a inching switch and an electronic ignition device, and the outside of the gas switch main body is further configured with an enclosure. The enclosure covers the inching switch and the corresponding pressing plate, so as to separate the corresponding positions of the inching switch and the pressing plate from the outside environment. |
| US09335052B2 |
Cross-fire tube mounting assembly for a gas turbine engine combustor
According to one aspect of the invention, a combustor assembly for a pair of adjacent combustors includes a first passage formed in a liner of a first combustor and a flow sleeve disposed outside the liner of the first combustor, wherein the flow sleeve includes a window and a second passage aligned with the first passage. The assembly also includes a cross-fire tube disposed in the first passage to provide fluid communication between the first combustor and a second combustor and a retention clip disposed through the window to urge the cross-fire tube against an outer surface of the liner to enable the cross-fire tube to receive fluid through the first passage. |
| US09335049B2 |
Combustor liner with reduced cooling dilution openings
A combustor liner is arcuate in shape and defines an axis and a circumferential direction. The combustor liner includes a first row of dilution openings and a second row of dilution openings. The first row runs in the circumferential direction. The second row runs parallel to the first row and is axially spaced from the first row. Each dilution opening of the second row overlaps in an axial direction a portion of each of two adjacent dilution openings of the first row. |
| US09335047B2 |
Glow plug and method for manufacturing same
A glow plug includes a cylindrical housing having an axial hole which extends in the direction of an axis and provided with, on an outer circumferential surface thereof, a screw portion for being screwed into a mounting hole of an internal combustion engine, and a heater member inserted into the axial hole in a state where at least front end portion thereof projects from a front end of the housing. The housing includes a tool engagement portion which is provided at a rear end side than the screw portion and to which a tool is engaged when the being mounted to the internal combustion engine. An inner circumference of the tool engagement portion has a shape which follows an outer circumferential shape of the tool engagement portion. |
| US09335044B2 |
Cover for a chimney
The invention consists in a cover for a chimney, the cover comprising: a housing adapted to surround at least an upper end of a chimney, the housing having an expansion area for receiving emissions from the upper end of the chimney; a diffuser for diffusing the emissions from the upper end of the chimney into the expansion area; at least one air inlet for introducing air into the expansion chamber; at least one outlet for enabling air or emissions to be exhausted from the expansion chamber; wherein the housing is adapted such that emissions exiting the upper end of the chimney are diffused and expanded into the expansion chamber and a reduced pressure is created within the housing for drawing emissions from the upper end of the chimney into the expansion chamber. |
| US09335023B2 |
Quantum dot lens and manufacturing method thereof
The present application relates to a quantum dot lens and a manufacturing method thereof, wherein the quantum dot comprises a lens body in the form of a rotator, a light incident surface and a light exit surface are formed on the lens body, the centers of the light incident surface and the light exit surface are located in the center axis of the lens body; and quantum dot materials are filled inside the lens body. The quantum dot lens can be used with a single LED. Since the light excited from the quantum dot materials can directly meet the need of increasing the light emitting angle, the quantum dot lens has no need to be used with a second lens for light distribution; the quality of the backlight used in the backlight illumination can be improved; and the high gamut in the direct type backlight can be achieved. |
| US09335021B2 |
Motor vehicle with turn signal repeater glazing
An automobile vehicle including at least one glazing unit capable of operating as a direction indicator light, the glazing unit including: a first transparent sheet including first and second main faces, and an edge face; one or more light sources, each including a light-emission face opposite the edge face, connected to emit a flashing light synchronized with flashing of other direction indicator lights of the vehicle; a mechanism for extraction of light in at least one region of the first main face or the second main face of the first sheet or situated in a thickness of the first sheet, the extraction mechanism emitting, when illuminated by the light sources, an auto yellow light; and a mechanism rendering opaque situated toward inside of the vehicle with respect to the extraction mechanism and totally masking the extraction mechanism to render the extraction mechanism invisible from the inside of the vehicle. |
| US09335020B2 |
Lamp for vehicle
Provided is a lamp for a vehicle, which can form a predetermined repetition image with the use of a signal lamp installed at an outside mirror of a vehicle. The lamp for a vehicle includes: a mirror housing; and a signal lamp configured to be installed on a surface of the mirror housing, wherein the signal lamp includes a reflection unit, a lens unit disposed at the front of the reflection unit and having a half mirror, and a light source unit disposed between the reflection unit and the lens unit having one or more light sources and a light guide, thereby generating a light pattern having repetition image with an original image of the light guide and one or more reflected images of the original image. |
| US09335016B2 |
Vehicle headlight
A vehicle headlight can be configured such that the size of the vehicle headlight which includes a semiconductor laser element employed as a light source is reduced. The vehicle headlight can includes: a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a front-to-rear direction of a vehicle body; a light-emitting device including a semiconductor laser element configured to emit a laser beam and a light-transmitting member configured to absorb and convert the wavelength of at least part of the laser beam from the semiconductor laser element; and a first reflection surface configured to reflect the light from the light-emitting device so as to transmit and project forward the resulting light through the projection lens. The vehicle headlight can further include: a light detection unit configured to detect a light beam of a specific color, the light detection unit being disposed between the projection lens and the light-emitting device and below the optical axis; a second reflection surface configured to reflect the light beam from the light-emitting device toward the light detection unit, the second reflection surface being disposed ahead of the front end of the first reflection surface; and a control unit configured to control the semiconductor laser element in accordance with a detection result provided by the light detection unit so that the semiconductor laser element does not emit the laser beam. |
| US09335012B2 |
Light bar structure and light source device
A light bar structure is disclosed in the present invention. The light bar structure includes a housing whereinside an accommodating space is formed, and the accommodating space is for accommodating a light unit. The housing includes an engaging portion for engaging with the light unit to constrain a movement of the light unit at a first direction, and a contacting portion for contacting against the light unit to constrain a movement of the light unit at a second direction different from the first direction. The light bar structure further includes an isolating component disposed on a bottom inside the housing, and two conductive components disposed on the isolating component for electrically connecting two electrodes of the light unit. |
| US09335006B2 |
Saturated yellow phosphor converted LED and blue converted red LED
SSL lamps or luminaires are disclosed that combine blue, yellow (or green) and red photons or emissions to generate light with the desired characteristics. In different embodiments according to the present invention, the blue emission is not provided by an LED chip or package having a blue LED coated with a yellow phosphor, with blue light leaking through the yellow phosphor. Instead, the blue light component can be provided by other types of LED chips in the SSL luminaire such as one having a blue LED covered by a different colored conversion material, with blue light from the blue LED leaking through the different colored conversion material. In one embodiment, the blue component can be provided by an LED chip comprising a blue emitting LED covered by a conversion material that absorbs blue light and re-emits red light, with a portion of the blue light from the LED leaking through the red conversion material. |
| US09335003B2 |
Cargo tank for extremely low temperature substance carrier
A cargo tank for an extremely low temperature substance carrier according to the present invention arranges a first cargo tank wall having a primary corrugated panel to prevent cracks caused by contraction and easily absorb impact caused by liquefied gas sloshing to prevent defects occurring in the cargo tank, forms auxiliary corrugation on each of the first, second and third cargo tank walls to prevent defects caused by contraction and more easily absorb impact caused by liquefied gas sloshing, and selectively applies the first to third cargo tank walls having different structures to respective parts of the cargo tank where different sloshing phenomena occur to improve reliability of the cargo tank. |
| US09335001B1 |
Weight supporting apparatus and method
An apparatus for partially supporting a vehicle is provided especially for a vehicle having a very limited area on its underside within which to safely apply an upward force, including vehicles with a small distance between the bottom of the chassis and the ground such as a sports car which allows the user to position a lifting jack at the proper access jack point for lifting a portion of the vehicle, and lifting the jack and vehicle portion upwardly to a desired height. The legs of the jack stand can be temporarily inserted into a support member engaging the vehicle and the jack. The jack stand includes a support member with open ends telescopically connected to a pair of rigid legs that are curved and each of the legs are telescopically attached to supporting bases using locking pins. Once the jack stand is installed, the lifting jack can be removed. |
| US09335000B2 |
Aseptic connectors for bio-processing containers
Disclosed herein are apparatuses and methods for installing a sterilized peripheral in a bio-processing vessel or component. One aspect is an aseptic peripheral connection assembly for installing a sterilized peripheral in a bio-processing vessel or component via an aseptic connector affixed to the vessel or component. The aseptic peripheral connection assembly may include a carrier, an applicator, and a removable hermetic sealing tab. |
| US09334996B2 |
Joint structure
Joint structure includes a joint plug assembly and a joint outlet assembly. The joint plug assembly includes a plug body, a sealing member, and a flexible member. The plug body defines a receiving channel including a first receiving hole and a second receiving hole communicating with the first receiving hole. A diameter of the second receiving hole is smaller than that of the first receiving hole. The plug body includes a spherical outer surface. The flexible member biases the sealing member to block the second receiving hole. The joint outlet assembly includes an outlet body and a pin. The outlet body defines a latching groove, and the latching groove forms a spherical inner surface. The pin is received in the latching groove and defines at least one groove along a longitudinal direction thereof. |
| US09334990B2 |
Coupling device for a tube
A coupling device for a tube includes a pressure element comprising first and second pressure element segments for exerting a clamping force on the tube. The pressure element includes surfaces that converge towards each other in a radial direction away from the tube and that are directly or indirectly disposed against support elements. The first pressure element segment is placed proximally and the second pressure element segment distally with respect to the tube. The first and the second pressure element segments are each provided with contact surfaces that abut and co-operate with each other at a predetermined incline in relation to the longitudinal axis of the tube such that during tension strain between the coupling and the tube, the first pressure element segment is caused to clamp the tube more tightly and the second pressure element segment endows an increased force on the support elements. |
| US09334989B2 |
Low carryover high pressure fluidic fitting
Described is a fitting for coupling fluidic paths which facilitates secure and low leak rate fluid flow through a fluidic path junction such as a junction in a liquid chromatography system or other chemical analysis instrument. Fluid containing various mixtures of chemical samples can pass through the junction at high pressure with little or no trapped residue remaining in a volume at the connection. According to various embodiments, a face seal is achieved between two separate fluidic path features. In some embodiments, the sealing of the fluidic paths is aided by the use of a compliant polymer seal. The seal facilitates intimate contact between adjacent surfaces and significantly limits or prevents the entry of fluid under high pressure into an unswept volume. Thus the risk of carryover and its adverse effect on measurements is reduced or eliminated. |
| US09334985B1 |
Multi-layer pressure actuated extendable hose
A self-actuated linearly retractable and extendible hose for use in transporting fluids (liquids, gases, solid particles, and combinations of these) between a source location and an output location can be implemented as an extendible hose comprising a biasing element, a sealing layer, and a reinforced cover layer. The sealing layer forms a sealed conduit for transporting the fluids, and the reinforced cover layer on the outside provides radial and longitudinal strength for the sealing layer. The hose can be operated by increasing internal pressure within the hose relative to ambient pressure. When the hose is pressurized by a fluid source, the internal pressure of the hose overcomes the retracting force of the biasing element and the hose extends. When the fluid source is turned off or disconnected from the hose, internal pressure is reduced and the biasing element exerts a tension force on the hose causing the hose to retract. |
| US09334983B2 |
Hoop winding method for reinforcing the axial strength and the internal pressure strength of a tube
The hoop winding method allows to manufacture a reinforced tube by carrying out the following operations: depositing a reinforcing layer 2 around metal tube 1, then imposing a tensile force at the metal tube ends so as to plastically deform the metal tube by applying a pressure P2 in enclosure Z2, the force being determined to introduce a compressive stress in the metal tube after release of the force, and imposing a pressure P1 in enclosure Z1 in order to apply a pressure onto the inner wall of the metal tube so as to plastically deform the metal tube, the pressure being determined to introduce a compressive stress in the metal tube after release of the pressure. The fact that the two enclosures Z1 and Z2 are distinct and independent allows pressures P1 and P2 to be applied independently of one another. Thus, the method allows independent radial and axial prestresses to be applied so as to optimize the strength of the hoop-wound tube. |
| US09334981B2 |
Conduit hanger
The hanger member for supporting a conduit or bundle of wires is provided as a one piece unitary member. The hanger member has a planar first leg with an open recess extending inwardly from a first side edge of the first leg and a second leg coupled to the first leg along adjoining top edges defined by a fold line. The second leg has an open recess from a second side edge where the open recess is aligned with the open recess in the first leg to define a conduit passage. The bottom portion of the first leg and the bottom portion of the second leg are spaced apart a distance for connecting to the conduit. The top portions of the first leg and second leg are superimposed and continuous with each other for attaching directly to a support structure. |
| US09334979B2 |
Oil drain valve apparatus and method
An oil drain valve including a ball valve having at least one valve opening that is exposed to an external environment through a housing, the ball valve including a drain opening for releasing oil through an opening of the housing. The housing is rotatable about the ball valve in a first rotational direction to move the ball valve from the open state to a closed state with respect to the housing. A method of draining oil from a vehicle including providing an oil drain valve having a housing and a ball valve, rotating a housing about a ball valve, opening the ball valve with respect to the housing, accepting oil into the housing through the ball valve, and releasing oil through a conduit at a bottom of the oil drain valve. |
| US09334978B2 |
Valve device for a hydraulic circuit, and oil-pump regulating arrangement
A valve device for a hydraulic circuit includes an actuator unit, a valve unit and an opening. The actuator unit comprises an electromagnetic circuit comprising a movable armature, a core, a coil configured to be supplied with a current and a flux guiding means, and a space arranged in a valve interior between the armature and the core. The valve unit comprises an outlet, an inlet arranged between the outlet and the space in the valve interior, a valve seat arranged between the inlet and the outlet, and a valve closing body connected with the armature. The valve closing body is spring-loaded towards the valve seat. The opening is arranged at an end of the valve unit opposite to the space. The opening comprises a valve tappet arranged therein. The valve tappet is pressure-loaded and displaceable counter to the valve closing body in an opening direction. |
| US09334967B2 |
Axial valve
The invention relates to an axial valve comprising an actuator (15) and a center tube (19). The actuator comprises a stationary element (16) and a closing element (17), and the center tube (19) is placed axially in relation to an axial extension of the stationary element (16). The center tube (19) is in a fixed position relative to the stationary element (16). Fluid, such as refrigerant, is intended for flowing through the valve and through the center tube. The center tube (19) comprises orifices (22) for fluid passage. The closing element (17) is placed axially to an axial extension of the center tube (19) and is movable axially along the center tube between a first position, where the closing element closes the orifices (22) of the center tube, thereby not allowing fluid to pass the orifices, and a second position, where the orifices (22) are open, thereby allowing fluid to pass the orifices. |
| US09334965B2 |
Gas seal assembly
Provided is a gas seal assembly which includes: an inner sleeve in which a rotation axle is inserted; a rotational sealing sleeve inserted into the inner sleeve; a sealing sleeve contacting the rotational sealing sleeve; a forcing sleeve forcing the sealing sleeve towards the rotational sealing sleeve by contacting the sealing sleeve; a seal housing separated by a predetermined distance from the forcing sleeve and the sealing sleeve and supporting the forcing sleeve; and an elastic part mounted between the seal housing and the forcing sleeve and providing a restoring force to the forcing sleeve, wherein the seal housing protrudes in a center direction of the rotation axle and includes a supporting protrusion for supporting one end of the forcing sleeve. |
| US09334964B2 |
Gland packing
A gland packing having required characteristics is obtained by finding relationships between required characteristics and the value of the limiting oxygen index, and adequately defining the level of the required characteristics. The gland packing is configured by twisting or braiding a single or plurality of yarns that are formed by twisting fibers having a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 21 to 30, preferably 22 to 26. The fibers contain fibers in which a flat ratio is defined as 1.1 to 4, the flat ratio being a value which is obtained by dividing the maximum value of an interval between two parallel straight lines in a state where a section of each of the fibers is interposed between the straight lines, by the minimum value. The fibers contain fibers in each of which a sectional shape has one or more recesses having a depth of 0.4 μm or more. |
| US09334963B2 |
Gland packing
A gland packing having required characteristics is obtained by finding relationships between required characteristics and the value of the limiting oxygen index, and adequately defining the level of the required characteristics. The gland packing is configured by twisting or braiding a single or plurality of yarns that are formed by twisting fibers having a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 21 to 30, preferably 22 to 26. The fibers contain fibers in which a flat ratio is defined as 1.1 to 2, the flat ratio being a value obtained by dividing the maximum value of an interval between two parallel straight line in a state where a section of each of the fibers is interposed between the straight lines, by the minimum value. The fibers contain fibers in each of which a sectional shape has one or more recesses 1 having a depth h of 0.4 μm or more. |
| US09334961B2 |
Cover for a cylinder arrangement, cylinder arrangement, and automatic transmission
A cover is provided for a cylinder arrangement having at least one cylinder. The cover is suitable for sealingly covering a cylinder opening of the cylinder. At least one sensor unit for capturing a measurement variable within the cylinder is integrated in the cover. |
| US09334960B2 |
Piston ring with a wear-resistant cobalt coating
A piston ring is provided having a bottom surface, a top surface, an inner diameter surface and at least one running surface. A wear protection coating substantially entirely of cobalt is applied to the at least one running surface to protect the base material of the piston ring. Specifically, during operation of an engine, the more durable cobalt wear resistant coating, not the base material which may be steel or cast iron, is in sliding contact with a cylinder wall. The cobalt coating may be applied through, for example, electrodeposition or plasma spraying. |
| US09334956B2 |
Piston unit
A piston unit for a radial piston machine includes a piston and a roller or a roller element. The roller or roller element has a circular cylindrical jacket apart from a chamfer. A hydrostatic pressure- or force-relief element is provided in a contact area between the piston and the roller. The hydrostatic pressure- or force-relief element forms a pressure field in the contact area. The roller or roller element also has one or two end-face holes. Due to the hole(s), the roller is slightly weakened at the associated end section such that Hertzian stress is reduced at the same associated end section. |
| US09334953B2 |
Control apparatus for vehicle power transmission mechanism
In a control apparatus for a vehicle power transmission mechanism (automatic transmission) having a transmission equipped with at least an input shaft connected to a drive source mounted on a vehicle, an output shaft connected to the input shaft via a speed ratio change mechanism, and a clutch (start clutch) which transmits a rotation of the output shaft to driven wheels and whose engaging force is regulated, a clutch output rotation change rate is calculated, and the clutch engaging force is corrected to decrease when the calculated output rotation change rate is a positive value, and the clutch engaging force is corrected to increase when the calculated output rotation change rate is a negative value, thereby enabling to suppress clutch juddering occurred due to a difference between input and output rotational speeds of the clutch. |
| US09334952B2 |
Shift control device for vehicle
There are provided an operational member and a body portion supporting the operational member rotatably from a home position and movably in a vehicle longitudinal direction from its rotated position. A shift range is changed to a drive range or a reverse range when the operational member is moved in the vehicle longitudinal direction from the rotated position after the operational member is rotated in a specified direction from the home position. A shift mode is changed to a first mode or a second mode, which have different gear ratios from each other, when the operational member is moved in the vehicle longitudinal direction from the rotated position after the operational member is rotated in an opposite direction to the specified direction from the home position. |
| US09334949B2 |
Rotary shifting device with motorized knob
A shifter apparatus, according to one embodiment, is configured for operating a transmission controller of a vehicle and includes a selection knob that is rotatable between first and second angular positions for selecting an operating mode of the transmission controller. The shifter apparatus also includes a swing arm that is pivotal between an unlocked position spaced from the selection knob and a locked position engaged with the selection knob to prevent rotation thereof. Further, the shifter apparatus includes a motor configured to pivot the swing arm from the locked position to the unlocked position when a disengagement condition is satisfied for selecting a different operating mode. The shifter apparatus may also include a drive gear that is movable to an engaged position between the motor and the selection knob, such that the motor may automatically rotate the selection knob from the first angular position to the second angular position. |
| US09334948B2 |
Split electronic transmission range selection systems and methods with electronic button shifter
A system for selecting a transmission range in a vehicle includes a plurality of range selection buttons configured to individually select corresponding ones of a plurality of ranges. A plurality of sensing circuits are configured to generate sense signals based on positions of corresponding ones of the plurality of range selection buttons. A park range selection button is configured to select a park range. A park sensing circuit is configured to generate sense signals based on a position of the park range selection button. A button state module is configured to output state signals corresponding to the plurality of range selection buttons based on the sense signals from the plurality of sensing circuits. A control module is configured to select a range based on the sense signals from the park sensing circuit and the state signals from the button state module. |
| US09334947B2 |
Device for sequential cleaning lubricating a drive chain, in particular of a motorcycle
The present invention relates to a device (100) for sequential cleaning and lubricating a drive chain (200) of a motorcycle, which comprises a housing (10) having top and bottom casings (12, 14) connected together in such a way that the housing is partitioned into a plurality of compartments (30, 40, 50) into which the chain is enclosed. Nozzles (70) are arranged within each compartment of the housing and placed radially inwards onto the chain to supply medium onto the chain. Brushes (60) are attached in the interior of at least one of the compartments of the housing in such a way that bristles (60a) of the brushes are positioned towards and in contact with the chain. At least one drain trap region (14a) is formed inside the bottom casing of each compartment of the housing to collect and drain the residue of medium. Such device achieves reliable and efficient cleaning and lubrication of the drive chain by rapid transferring of cleaning and lubricating material from multiple directions. |
| US09334940B2 |
Powered axle differential
A power transfer assembly is described for power transmission from a power source to one or more rotating components. The power transfer assembly includes a power source capable of providing torque output, a first one-way clutch configured to receive torque input from the power source, and a second one-way clutch configured to receive torque input from the power source. The first one-way clutch is configured to transmit at least a first portion of the received torque input to a first half-axle. The second one-way clutch is configured to transmit at least a second portion of the received torque input to a second half-axle. |
| US09334938B1 |
Compact drive apparatus
A hydrostatic transaxle with a bypass mechanism is disclosed, the transaxle having a center section engaged to a housing, an axial piston pump disposed on the center section and driven by an input shaft, and an axial piston motor disposed on the center section having a cylinder block engaged to a motor shaft. The pump is controlled by a swash plate having a pair of openings through which the input shaft and a bypass actuation rod pass. The bypass actuation rod has a cam formed on a first end that engages a block lift member. When the bypass actuation rod is rotated, the cam causes the block lift member to engage and lift the cylinder block of the axial piston motor off of the center section. A brake mechanism using brake puck disposed in a pocket formed in the center section is also disclosed. |
| US09334937B2 |
Floating nut and carriage assembly
A linear guide including a guide rail, a carriage, a drive screw and a connection arrangement is provided. The guide rail defines a linear travel path. The carriage is mounted to the guide rail for motion along the linear travel path. The drive screw is operably mounted to the guide rail. The connection arrangement couples the drive screw to the carriage to convert rotary motion of the drive screw to linear actuation of the carriage along the linear travel path. The connection arrangement provides a single degree of linear freedom between the drive screw and the carriage in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the linear travel path. The single degree of linear freedom permits relative motion between the screw and the carriage to relieve internal binding between the relative components. |
| US09334935B2 |
Moving mechanism, electronic component transport device, electronic component inspection device
A moving mechanism includes a first moving body arranged to move in a first direction relative to a support, a second moving body provided on a side of the support with the first moving body therebetween, and moves in a second direction intersecting the first direction relative to the first moving body, and a first vibrating body arranged in the support and biased to press the moving body or is arranged in the first moving body and biased to press the support. A direction in which first and second grooves face each other intersects a direction in which the support and the moving body face each other, and a biasing direction in which the first vibrating body is biased intersects the direction in which the first and second grooves face each other and the direction in which the support and the moving body face each other. |
| US09334932B2 |
Intelligent belt drive system and method
In one aspect the invention relates to a tensioner that is capable of precognitively anticipating when it is desirable to increase the tension in a belt or other endless drive element so as to prevent belt slip prior to events that would raise the risk of it. |
| US09334931B2 |
Belt drive mechanism, belt drive apparatus, and pulley
A belt drive mechanism includes a plurality of pulleys and a belt made from a metal material and wound around the plurality of pulleys. Around the entire circumference of an outer peripheral surface of at least one of the plurality of pulleys, a swelling portion is formed to swell outward in a radial direction of the pulley. The swelling portion includes a first part having a larger swelling amount and a second part having a smaller swelling amount, the first part having a larger linear expansion coefficient than the second part. |
| US09334922B2 |
Fluid-filled vibration damping device
A fluid-filled vibration damping device including: a pressure-receiving chamber; an equilibrium chamber; a partition member having a communication aperture through which the two chambers communicate; and an elastic rubber plate superposed to cover the communication aperture from a pressure-receiving chamber side. The elastic rubber plate includes one or more contact retaining portions that are provided on an outer peripheral edge thereof and retained in contact against the partition member, and a deformation-allowing region that is provided between circumferentially opposite ends of one or two of the contact retaining portions of the elastic rubber plate and that is elastically deformable based on pressure differential between the two chambers. A gap is formed between the deformation-allowing region and the partition member so that a communication passage is constituted by including the gap through which the two chambers communicate with each other. |
| US09334917B2 |
Suspension damper assembly
The present invention provides a damping device and a method for assembling the damping device. The damping device includes an outer tube and an inner tube disposed concentrically along a center axis defining a chamber, with a diaphragm located between the inner tube and outer tube dividing the chamber. A gas charge seal is secured over the chamber between the outer tube and inner tube. An inner clamp is in a sealing engagement with the inner tube and holds the diaphragm in place. A waist defines a sealing surface adjacent to outer tube. The diaphragm extends from under the inner clamp and through a “U” shaped turn back towards the waist. An upper clamp axially aligns with the waist and holds the diaphragm into the waist of the outer tube, sealing the diaphragm to the outer tube. |
| US09334916B2 |
Roll-off piston for an air spring rolling-lobe flexible member
A roll-off piston for an air spring rolling-lobe flexible member, the interior of the roll-off piston is connected to the interior of the air spring. The roll-off piston includes two parts, namely, a pot-shaped piston lower part and a piston upper part connected in an air-tight manner to the lower part. A support for a stop buffer is integrated in the roll-off piston. The support includes two interacting parts, of which one part is configured as part of the piston upper part and the other part is configured as part of the pot-shaped lower part and extends from the base thereof. Both support parts interact in order to absorb forces acting substantially axially. |
| US09334910B2 |
Lock member for fixedly locking a disc brake rotor on a bicycle hub
A lock member for fixedly locking a disc brake rotor on a bicycle hub includes a base body, a first engagement portion engaged with a first coupling surface, which is included in a coupling portion that couples a rotor base body of the disc brake rotor to the bicycle hub, and a second engagement portion engaged with a second coupling surface, which is included in the bicycle hub. At least one of the first and second engagement portions includes a flexible member that projects from the base body. |
| US09334907B2 |
Clutch assembly
A clutch, having an outer race, an inner race, a wedge plate radially arranged between the outer race and the inner race and including an outer circumferential surface, an inner circumferential surface, and a radially continuous space connecting the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface, and a locking assembly including a displaceable locking component. For a free-wheel mode, the inner and outer races are rotatable with respect to each other. For a locking mode, the locking component is displaceable within the radially disposed space of the wedge plate to engage the wedge plate to radially expand the wedge plate and non-rotatably connect the inner race, the wedge plate, and the outer race. |
| US09334903B2 |
Rotation transmitting member, coupling directly connected to shafts, and shaft connecting mechanism
A more durable rotation transmitting member for a coupling directly connected to shafts has: drive-side rotation transmitting cushion to which an input shaft is directly connected; and a hub to which an output shaft is directly connected. Two parallel flat surfaces are formed on the outer periphery of the front end of the input shaft, and a shaft hole receives the front end of the input shaft and is formed in the rotation transmitting cushion. Surfaces of the inner wall of the shaft hole protrude toward the axis (O) to face input shaft front end flat surfaces. Each protruding surface comprises two flat sloped surfaces extending in the direction of the axis (O). When the input shaft starts to rotate, each front end flat of the front end comes into surface contact with one of the protruding surface sloped surfaces which faces the flat surface. |
| US09334898B2 |
Lamination sleeve with an axial hydraulic fitting port
A centrifugal gas compressor radial magnetic bearing (125) may include windings (126), a lamination sleeve (130), and a lamination (127). The lamination (127) aligned with the windings (126) may provide for efficient operation of the radial magnetic bearing (125). The centrifugal gas compressor shaft (120) may include a tapered region (118) with an adjacent shelf (124) for alignment with the forward surface (131) and taper of the lamination sleeve (130). The lamination sleeve (130) may include one or more axial hydraulic fitting ports (136) for coupling the lamination sleeve (130) and shaft (120) with an interference fit. |
| US09334896B2 |
Drive shaft module for a construction machine
A drive shaft module for a material conveyor system of a construction machine comprises a drive shaft and at least one first mounting which is designed to hold the drive shaft at at least one first bearing location. The drive shaft comprises different segments which are joined by friction welding, and the mounting is connected to the drive shaft such that the complete drive shaft module may be detachably fixed, in a preassembled state, in or at the construction machine. |
| US09334895B2 |
Tapped insert for cylindrical bore and installation equipment for such insert
The present invention relates to a tapped insert for cylindrical plain bore (30) of a part A1 comprising a cylindrical body (10), characterized in that said cylindrical body (10) comprises an inner bore (11) of frusto-conical shape, and at least one longitudinal slot (12, 12′) extending into the cylindrical body (10) and communicating with said frusto-conical inner bore (11) and characterized in that the tapped insert also comprises a core (20) of frusto-conical shape complementary with said frusto-conical inner bore (11) of the cylindrical body (10), said core (20) comprising a inner tapped aperture (21), said cylindrical body (10) and said core (20) being such that said tapped insert can be holded in position and locked in said cylindrical bore (30) to equip said cylindrical bore with an inner taping. |
| US09334893B2 |
Blind rivet and fastening arrangement with a blind rivet
A blind rivet for joining components made of plastic has a hollow rivet body with an elongated shank and a flange and, located in the bore of the rivet body, a mandrel with a mandrel shank, a drawing end, and a mandrel head. The shank of the rivet body has a first section adjoining the flange and a second section adjacent thereto. The second section is designed to form a flange that lies flat against the component located on the inaccessible side. The strength of the first section is increased with respect to the strength of the second section in such a manner that the outside diameter of the first section does not increase or increases only slightly during setting of the blind rivet. |
| US09334891B2 |
Bracket assembly
In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a bracket assembly comprising a bridge which in turn comprises a central span, a wing attached to the central span, an arm receiving slot; and one or more alms comprising a central region and a flange, wherein said central region and said flange are connected by an offset; the bridge and said arm being adapted to be coupled together. In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a joint comprising a first work piece and a second work piece; a bracket assembly comprising a bridge comprising a central span, having a wing extending from said central span at approximately equal angles, said bridge further comprising a arm receiving slot; and a arm comprising a central region connected by an offset to a flange, said arm further comprising a bridge receiving slot wherein said arm receiving slot and said bridge receiving slot engage thereby mating said bridge and said arm; and fastening means to connect the bracket assembly to said work pieces. The present disclosure also provides a method of using the bracket assembly to assembly furniture. |
| US09334889B2 |
Method of arranging mounting devices on weldable polymers and suitable strap parts
A method of providing, by high-frequency welding of at least two construction parts (4,4′) containing polymer material weldable by high-frequency welding to an assembled large unit in which said construction parts are comprised, fastener means (1) on said unit, said fastener means being intended for anchoring and building up said unit. The fastener means (1) are made of an electrically conductive material, and a primer layer (2) is arranged on a surface of the fastener means (1) and is bonded by means of a first hardening. A material weldable by high-frequency welding is arranged on top of said primer layer and is bonded thereto by means of a second hardening for building up a connecting layer (3). The invention also relates to anchoring parts (5) for use for that purpose. |
| US09334882B2 |
Hydraulic circuit for progressive engagement of a hydraulic device
The present invention relates to a hydraulic circuit comprising: an accumulator (11) a hydraulic device (1) a primary line (12) and a secondary line (13) connecting each said accumulator (11) to the hydraulic device (1), the primary line (12) comprising a restriction (14) and a primary distributor (15) adapted to selectively connect the hydraulic device (1) to the accumulator (11) or to a tank (R), the secondary line (13) comprising a secondary distributor (16) alternating between a first configuration in which it blocks the secondary line (13), and a second configuration in which it is passing, said secondary distributor (16) being controlled via the pressure within the primary line (12) downstream of the primary distributor (15) relative to the hydraulic accumulator (11), such that switching from the first to the second configuration of the secondary distributor (16) takes place only when the pressure in the primary line (12) reaches a threshold value. |
| US09334880B1 |
Reversible inline jet siphon
An inline jet siphon comprises a hollow body for connecting inline of a hose, the body including a through opening for passing liquid therethrough; a jet nozzle including a discharge opening disposed within the body, the discharge opening for being disposed in a direction axially of the through opening; and a handle operably connected to the nozzle, the handle being operably associated with the nozzle to reverse the direction of the discharge opening. |
| US09334878B2 |
Vortex generators for generating vortices upstream of a cascade of compressor blades
A blade assembly for a turbomachine compressor includes a plurality of individual devices acting on the flow. The individual devices are provided upstream of the blade assembly and are formed at least so as to generate vortices. Each of the individual devices is arranged on an upstream face of a shroud around which a recirculating flow passes, circulating in a cavity. The recirculating flow is reinjected into the principal flow such that the individual devices act simultaneously on the principal flow and on the recirculating flow. |
| US09334877B2 |
Fan arrangement
A fan arrangement (1), in particular for cooling an engine system, comprising: an impeller (10) having one or more blades (4) which in operation convey a medium in the direction of an axis of rotation of the impeller (10) from an inlet side (E) to an outlet side (A); a housing shroud (6) having a base part (61) which extends in the direction of the axis of rotation and surrounds the impeller (10) completely or partially, wherein, on an end of the base part (61) oriented towards the outlet side (A) of the impeller (10), there is provided a discharge flow element (63) which extends radially outwards from the end of the base part (61). |
| US09334873B2 |
Side-channel compressor with symmetric rotor disc which pumps in parallel
A pump comprising a regenerative pumping mechanism having a generally disc-shaped rotor mounted on an axial shaft for rotation relative to a stator. The rotor has first and second surfaces each having a series of shaped recesses formed in concentric circles thereon, and a stator channel formed in a surface of the stator which faces one of the rotor's first or second surfaces. The rotor divides the a gas flow path into sub-flow paths such that gas can flow towards the outlet simultaneously along both the first surface and the second surface of the rotor. |
| US09334871B2 |
Fan rotation speed adjusting system
A fan rotational speed adjusting system includes a power supply unit, a fan, a current detecting circuit and a temperature detecting circuit. The current detecting circuit detects a first DC voltage from the power supply unit, compares the first DC voltage with a first reference voltage, and outputs a first adjusting voltage. The temperature detecting circuit detects a temperature change of the power supply unit, and outputs a second adjusting voltage. The temperature detecting circuit receives the first adjusting voltage, compares the first adjusting voltage and the second adjusting voltage with a second reference voltage, and outputs a third DC voltage to the fan. The fan rotates in the corresponding rotational speed, and dissipates heat for the power supply unit. |
| US09334870B2 |
Systems and methods for programming of a cooling fan arrangement
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method that comprises, based upon receipt of a mode command, changing an operating mode of a fan motor controller of a fan to a serial port communication protocol, programming a memory of the fan motor controller with an operating parameter of the fan, and based upon receipt of a serial port command, changing the operating mode of the fan motor controller from the serial port communication protocol to another protocol. |
| US09334868B2 |
Fan
A fan includes a motor, an impeller and a heat dissipating structure. The impeller includes a hub and a plurality of first blades. The hub receives the motor, and the hub comprises at least a heat dissipating hole. The first blades are disposed around the hub. The heat dissipating structure is disposed outside the hub. The heat dissipating structure includes a baffle and at least a second blade extending from the baffle and disposed corresponding to the heat dissipating hole. |
| US09334866B2 |
System and apparatus for reducing thrust forces acting on a compressor rotor
A system and method of counterbalancing an aerodynamic thrust force generated by the impellers of a centrifugal compressor is disclosed. A rotor assembly includes a rotatable shaft disposed within a housing, and having a plurality of impellers axially-spaced from each other and coupled to the rotatable shaft for rotation therewith. Adjacent impellers along the rotatable shaft are each separated from each other with a stationary wall having one or more magnets coupled thereto. The magnets are disposed axially-adjacent a hub-side of each impeller such that the one or more magnets magnetically-attract each impeller toward the adjacent stationary wall, thereby reducing a net impeller thrust of the rotor assembly. |
| US09334863B2 |
Pump
A pump includes a plurality of pumping stages comprising a respective plurality of pumping mechanisms driven by one or more drive shafts for pumping fluid through the pumping stages from a pump inlet at a high vacuum stage to a pump outlet at a low vacuum stage; a lubrication chamber housing a bearing assembly for supporting the drive shaft for rotational movement, the drive shaft extending from the high vacuum stage to the lubrication chamber through an opening of a head plate of the lubrication chamber; an inter-stage purge port through which gas can enter the pump at an inter-stage location downstream of the high vacuum; a lubrication chamber purge port located in the lubrication chamber through which purge gas can flow from a source of purge gas; wherein the inter-stage port is connected to the lubrication chamber for controlling the pressure of purge gas in the lubrication chamber. |
| US09334862B2 |
Electric oil pump with discharge pressure stabilization
A pump housing of a gear pump and a stator of an electric motor are fastened to each other with bolts via a front insulator. Dowel pins are inserted in respective through-holes that are formed in the front insulator at equal intervals in a circumferential direction so as to be located next to insertion holes for the bolts. Respective end portions of each dowel pin are in contact with a bottom face of the pump housing and a pump-side surface of the stator core, and the pump housing and the front insulator are fixed to each other such that a slight gap is formed between the pump housing and the front insulator. |
| US09334859B2 |
Helium management control system
A helium management control system for controlling the helium refrigerant supply from a common manifold supplies cryogenic refrigerators with an appropriate helium supply. The system employs sensors to monitor and regulate the overall refrigerant supply. An appropriate supply of helium is distributed to each cryopump. If the total refrigeration supply exceeds the demand, or consumption, excess refrigerant is directed to cryogenic refrigerators which can utilize the excess helium to complete a current cooling function more quickly. If the total refrigeration demand exceeds the total refrigeration supply, the refrigerant supply to some or all of the cryogenic refrigerators will be reduced accordingly so that detrimental or slowing effects are minimized based upon the current cooling function. |
| US09334858B2 |
Disc pump with perimeter valve configuration
A disc pump valve includes an elliptical pump base having at least one aperture extending through the base. The base comprises a first end wall and a sealing surface. The pump includes an isolator overlying the base and having an isolator valve aperture extending through the isolator at or near the periphery of the isolator and partially overlying a cavity formed by the base to form an outlet. In addition, the disc pump includes a valve flap disposed between the pump base and the isolator. The flap has apertures arranged about its periphery, beyond the periphery of the cavity but underlying an isolator valve aperture. The flap seals against the sealing surface to close the pump outlet and prevent fluid from flowing from the outlet into the cavity and flexes away from the sealing surface to allow fluid to pass from the cavity through the pump outlet. |
| US09334857B2 |
Hydraulic pump
A pump including a cylinder body having first and second ends and a cylinder bore, a plug shaft including first and second ends and a plug shaft bore, wherein the first end of the plug shaft is fixed relative to the cylinder body, and wherein the second end of the plug shaft includes a stop, a first piston received within the cylinder bore to partially bound a first gas chamber and a hydraulic fluid chamber, the first piston being received over the plug shaft and axially moveable relative to the plug shaft, a socket shaft including first and second ends and a socket shaft bore, the socket shaft bore being configured to sealingly receive the plug shaft, a second piston received within the cylinder bore to partially bound a second gas chamber and the hydraulic fluid chamber, the second piston being connected to the socket shaft. |
| US09334856B2 |
System and method of photoionization of fullerene and derivative clusters for high thrust-density ion thrusters
The present invention is for a system and a method of VUV photoionization of fullerene and derivative clusters followed by their thermal effusion for a practical energy-efficient and economically-viable high thrust density ion thruster. By taking advantage of the state-of-the-art high intensity VUV photon sources, present invention is able to provide much softer ionization with minimal internal energy deposition than the ionization in the electron impact or charge exchange type ionization in plasma environment used in conventional ion thrusters. Because the invention eliminates the need of additional gas for forming discharge plasma, it permits simpler and lighter structures than the conventional fullerene thrusters with significantly enhanced propellant-usage efficiencies, thrust to power ratios, and thrust to weight ratios. Because the present invention employs softer VUV photoionization, it permits the usage of heavier and more complex fullerene derivatives, nanotubes, and nanotube derivatives than fullerene clusters for fuels without significantly fragmenting them. |
| US09334855B1 |
Hall thruster for use with a condensable propellant
A Hall thruster for use with a condensable propellant including a plasma accelerator including an anode for providing plasma discharge, a distributor for distributing the condensable propellant in a liquid or vaporized state, and an electric circuit including a cathode for emitting electrons attracted to the anode and for neutralizing ion flux emitted from the plasma accelerator. A condensable propellant feed system includes a storage vessel for storing the condensable propellant and providing liquid condensable propellant at a controlled pressure. A condensable propellant flow controller includes a pressure reducing device for controlling the flow rate of the liquid condensable propellant. A vaporizer at or above the vaporization temperature of the liquid condensable propellant vaporizes the liquid condensable propellant at a predetermined vaporization rate and flow rate. A magnetic circuit structure includes a magnetic field source for establishing a transverse magnetic field in the plasma accelerator that creates an impedance to the flow of the electrons toward the anode to create plasma in the plasma accelerator for accelerating ionized condensable propellant through the plasma accelerator to create a flux of ions. |
| US09334852B2 |
Lightning protection system for a wind turbine
A lightning protection system for a wind turbine with a tower, a nacelle, a blade hub and a blade attached to the blade hub is provided. The lightning protection system includes an inner conductor inside the blade, an outer conductor arranged outside the blade and in electrical communication with the inner conductor, a collecting conductor arranged at the front end of the nacelle and in electrical communication with the outer conductor and a down-conductor connected to ground and in electrical communication with the collecting conductor. The outer conductor and the collecting conductor have substantially a same distance to the rotational axis. Further, a wind turbine with such a lightning protection system is provided. |
| US09334849B2 |
Floating tower frame for ocean current turbine system
The present invention provides a floating tower frame for an ocean current turbine system comprising multiple rotors, which is designed to generate electrical power or high pressure seawater for reverse osmosis or fresh water production from steady (gyre) or tidal currents. Turbines are mounted near the base of a plurality of floating towers held in parallel between a horizontal truss structure above water and a horizontal wing at the base of the towers, below the surface. The center of gravity of the system is located in the bottom one third of the towers below the water line, while the center of buoyancy is in the top third of the towers below the surface, and the entire structure floats vertically, with respect to the towers. |
| US09334848B2 |
Wave generator
A wave power generator is provided, and, more particularly, a wave power generator, which has a simple structure leading to improved cost efficiency and high energy conversion rate and is able to be installed in anywhere, so that practicality and a value of wave as a clean energy resource may be enhanced, is provided. The wave power generator includes a raft vessel configured to be in a shape of disk and filled with water; a water turbine configured to be installed on a central axis of the raft vessel; and a mooring chain configured to be connected to the raft vessel to thereby determine a location where the raft vessel is to float. |
| US09334841B1 |
Differential fueling between donor and non-donor cylinders in engines
A method of controlling an engine includes injecting a first fuel and a second fuel to each of a donor cylinder group and a non-donor cylinder group of the engine. The method also includes injecting a higher fraction of the first fuel into the donor cylinder group in comparison to the first fuel being injected into the non-donor cylinder group. Further, the method includes injecting a lower fraction of the second fuel into the donor cylinder group in comparison to the second fuel being injected into the non-donor cylinder group. Furthermore, the method includes recirculating an exhaust emission from the donor cylinder group to the non-donor cylinder group and the donor cylinder group and combusting a mixture of air, the first fuel, the second fuel and the exhaust emission from the donor cylinder group in both the donor cylinder group and the non-donor cylinder group. |
| US09334840B2 |
Series plus parallel metering pressure regulation system for a thermal efficient fuel metering system
An engine fuel system and methods are provided. The engine fuel system includes a supply arrangement for providing an outlet flow of fuel to a bypass metering arrangement. The bypass metering arrangement in turn provides a metered flow of fuel to a parallel metering system including a primary regulated circuit and one or more secondary metering circuits. The bypass metering arrangement is operable to maintain a substantially constant pressure differential across a fuel metering valve thereof, as well as provide the metered flow of fuel in response to downstream pressure demands of the parallel metering system. |
| US09334838B2 |
Air filter cartridge for I.C. motors, method for its manufacture and air filter incorporating said cartridge
Air filter cartridge for I.C. motors, including a body in which there are defined, in the flow direction of the air to be filtered, an upstream face and a downstream face of the cartridge, wherein the body includes at least one pair of panels of filtering material provided in a substantially V-shaped arrangement, so that at least one channel for the passage of air is define between the panels of the at least one pair of panels, wherein the filtering material of at least one of the panels includes a corrugated sheet of filtering material, wherein, on opposite surfaces thereof, a succession of corrugations and grooves are defined. The invention further concerns the method of manufacturing the cartridge as well as a filter equipped with the cartridge. |
| US09334837B2 |
Microcondenser device and evaporative emission control system and method having microcondenser device
A microcondenser device for an evaporative emission control system includes a housing having an inlet for receiving fuel vapor and a condensation outlet for discharging condensed fuel vapor, and a porous element disposed in the housing and fluidly interposed between the inlet and the condensation outlet for absorbing the fuel vapor received through the inlet. The microcondenser device further includes a thermoelectric element in thermal contact with the porous element for removing heat from the fuel vapor absorbed by the porous element to condense the fuel vapor. |
| US09334836B2 |
Evaporation fuel processing device
The present invention provides an evaporation fuel processing device including: a passage formed inside so as to allow a fluid to flow through the passage; a tank port and a purge port formed on one end side of the passage; an atmospheric air port formed on the other end side of the passage; and adsorbent layers filled with adsorbent which can adsorb evaporation fuel components, the adsorbent layers being provided in the passage, wherein a region which is constituted of three or more adsorbent layers and separating parts for separating the adjacent adsorbent layers, and in which a total volume of the adsorbent layers is set smaller than a total volume of the separating parts, is provided on an atmospheric air port side of the passage. |
| US09334835B2 |
Derate strategy for EGR cooler protection
Methods and systems for controlling the conditions of a coolant for the cooler of an exhaust gas recirculation system are disclosed. The system determines coolant pressure at predetermined location of the cooler. The system also senses the actual temperature of the coolant at a predetermined location of the cooler. The system also determines a coolant boiling temperature at the determined coolant pressure. Using the determined coolant pressure, the system may control engine operation so as to prevent coolant from reaching boiling in the cooler. An engine derate power factor may be determined to control the amount of fuel delivered to the engine, such as reducing the amount of fuel delivered through the fuel injectors. The amount of delivered fuel may be derated until an adjusted coolant temperature falls a predetermined amount below the coolant boiling temperature. |
| US09334833B2 |
Turbocharger system
A turbocharger system for ensuring a sufficient exhaust gas recirculation (“EGR”) amount in all operating conditions, and reducing NOx emission from an engine. The system includes an EGR controller that re-circulates a part of exhaust gas discharged from the engine to an intake side. The turbocharger is a power-assisted turbocharger including an electric motor that assists a drive force of a compressor. The EGR controller controls an amount of exhaust gas recirculated to the intake side so as to inhibit the generation of NOx regardless of an amount of oxygen necessary for combustion of the engine. An electric motor control unit drives the electric motor, by the control of the EGR controller, when the amount of oxygen necessary for the combustion of the engine is deficient. |
| US09334828B2 |
Bore bridge and cylinder cooling
An engine has a cylinder head with a deck face defining first and second chambers adjacent to one another and separated by a bore bridge. The body defines a first cooling jacket and a second cooling jacket configured to operate at a lower pressure than the first cooling jacket. The first cooling jacket is positioned substantially between the deck face and the second cooling jacket. The first cooling jacket has a series of passages intersecting the deck face and configured to receive coolant from a cylinder block cooling jacket. The second cooling jacket has an inlet passage intersecting the deck face adjacent to the bore bridge and configured to receive coolant from the cylinder block cooling jacket to cool the bore bridge. |
| US09334825B2 |
Fuel supply apparatus for internal combustion engine
A drive circuit (52) that is commonly provided with respect to two fuel injection valves (24R and 24L) for the same cylinder, and drive the two fuel injection valves (24R and 24L) for the same cylinder on the basis of a command from an ECU (40), is provided. An electric conduction line (52) that electric current supplied to the two fuel injection valves (24R and 24L) flows through, is provided. The electric conduction line (52) includes a common section (56a) one end of which is connected to the drive circuit (52), and branch sections (56b) which are sections following the other end of the common section (56a) that the electric conduction line (56) branches off at and on which the two fuel injection valves (24R and 24L) for the same cylinder are respectively installed. The electric current value I flowing through the common section (56a) is detected. An electric resistance (58) that is inserted in the branch section (56b) for the fuel injection valve (24L), is provided. A fuel injection valve, at which an occurrence of abnormality concerning electric conduction is recognized, out of the two fuel injection valves (24R and 24L) for the same cylinder, is detected on the basis of the magnitude of the electric current value I. |
| US09334821B2 |
Fuel injection control apparatus for engine
A fuel injection control apparatus for an engine, which makes an appropriate increasing correction to a fuel amount at the time of restart after the stop period of the engine, thereby making it possible to cut down on the amounts of NOx emissions, is provided. The fuel injection control apparatus comprises an injection volume control unit for controlling a fuel injection volume, a supplied oxygen amount detection unit for detecting a supplied oxygen amount, an activity determination unit for determining whether or not an exhaust purification catalyst is in an active state, and an amount increasing correction unit for making an increasing correction to the fuel injection volume in accordance with the detection results of the supplied oxygen amount detection unit and the determination results of the activity determination unit. |
| US09334815B2 |
System and method for improving the response time of an engine using model predictive control
A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a model predictive control (MPC) module and an actuator module. The MPC module generates predicted parameters based on a model of a subsystem and a set of possible target values. The MPC module generates a cost for the set of possible target values based on the predicted parameters and at least one of weighting values and references values. The MPC module adjusts the at least one of the weighting values and the reference values based on a desired rate of change in an operating condition of the subsystem. The MPC module selects the set of possible target values from multiple sets of possible target values based on the cost. The actuator module adjusts an actuator of the subsystem based on at least one of the target values. |
| US09334812B2 |
Fuel supply control system for multi-fuel internal combustion engine
An object of the present invention is to restrain the emission amount of unburned fuel components while restraining the consumption of fuel with relatively high ignitability in a multi-fuel internal combustion engine. The present invention resides in such a fuel supply control system for a multi-fuel internal combustion engine that a first fuel with relatively high ignitability and a second fuel with relatively low ignitability are used as fuels and the first fuel is used as an ignition source to mixedly combust the first fuel and the second fuel, wherein a supply amount Qd of the first fuel is adjusted on the basis of a difference ΔRH between a first heat generation rate RHd which is a heat generation rate given when assuming that only the first fuel is combusted and an actual heat generation rate RHa which is a heat generation rate given when the fuels are actually combusted (S105 to 107, S109). |
| US09334805B2 |
Firewall, pylon of aircraft, and aircraft
In order to provide a firewall that is capable of preventing flame passage through a through-hole without any sealant in a connecting part of a component in which a fastener through-hole is formed, a firewall 50 is provided which can prevent a flame from leaking out of the connecting part which connects a first member 51 to a second member 55, particularly through the fastener through-hole TH defined therein. In the firewall 50, the connecting part is a part of a fire-protection chamber 52. As sealing pieces 51d and 51e which also constitute a part of the fire-protection chamber 52 are in contact with each other, the flame is unable to enter into a closed space CA. Thus, the flame would not reach the connecting part, thereby preventing the flame from leaking out of the firewall 50 to the outside of a nacelle 23. |
| US09334800B2 |
Method of controlling turbine equipment and turbine equipment
To provide a method of controlling a turbine equipment and a turbine equipment capable of carrying out a starting operation of controlling a load applied to a speed reducing portion while complying with a restriction imposed on an apparatus provided at a turbine equipment. The invention is characterized in including a speed accelerating step (S1) of increasing a revolution number by driving to rotate a compressing portion and a turbine portion by a motor by way of a speed reducing portion, a load detecting step (S2) of detecting a load applied to the speed reducing portion by a load detecting portion, and a bypass flow rate controlling step (S3) of increasing a flow rate of a working fluid bypassed from a delivery side to a suction side of the compressing portion when an absolute value of the detected load is equal to or smaller than an absolute value of a predetermined value and reducing the flow rate of the bypassed working fluid when equal to or larger than the absolute value of the predetermined value. |
| US09334799B2 |
Method of estimating the intensity of the knocking of an internal combustion engine by inversion of a wave equation
A method of real-time estimation of the intensity of the knocking of an internal combustion engine utilizing a vibratory sensor is disclosed which is useful for control of internal combustion. A vibratory signal representing vibrations of the engine is continuously acquired as a function of the crankshaft angle. A model of a wave equation propagating through the cylinder-head is constructed. The coefficients of a Fourier decomposition of the vibratory signal are determined in real time by inverting the dynamics of the wave equation model using an estimator. The energy contained in the signal is computed by summing the squares of the coefficients of the Fourier decomposition. A parameter correlated with the intensity of knocking equal to the square root of the maximum of the energy is determined in real time. |
| US09334796B2 |
Coal-to-liquid systems and methods
A Coal-to-Liquid Fuels production process by which carbon dioxide (CO2) exhaust by-products are significantly reduced, if not eliminated, through a system comprising the generation of a first hydrogen (H2) product and carbon from coal and generating carbon monoxide (CO) by reacting the Carbon (C) with CO2. A second hydrogen (H2) product is generated through catalyzation of water, methane reformation, electrolysis of water, or other reaction processes. Carbon monoxide (CO) is reacted with the first and second hydrogen (H2) products to form a first hydrocarbon group having Olefins. The first hydrocarbon group, as Olefins, are further reacted to form C1-40 alcohols, Kerosene, Gasoline, Diesel Fuel, and Jet Fuel, and combinations thereof. At least a portion of the finished fuel blends are optionally used to generate electricity for use in the fuels production process or for distribution to an external power grid. Kerosene, Gasoline, Diesel Fuel, and/or Jet Fuel are optionally blended with C1-C40 alcohol combinations for most efficient utilization of all available Carbon and to improve combustion characteristics of the finished fuels. |
| US09334794B2 |
Rotary internal combustion engine with pilot subchamber and ignition element
A rotary engine including an insert in one of the walls of the outer body having a pilot subchamber defined therein communicating with the internal cavity of the engine. An ignition element extends in an element cavity defined through the insert adjacent the subchamber. A portion of the element is in communication with the subchamber through a communication opening defined in the insert between the element cavity and the subchamber. The communication opening has a cross-section smaller than a corresponding cross-section of the portion of the element. An outer body for a rotary engine and a method of combusting fuel in a rotary engine are also provided. |
| US09334791B2 |
Charge air cooler condensation control
Embodiments for controlling condensate in a charge air cooler are provided. One example method for an engine includes cooling intake air through a charge air cooler and adjusting a vibration device of the charge air cooler based on charge air cooler condensation conditions. |
| US09334790B2 |
System and method for discharging liquid out of an intake tract of a turbocharger arrangement
The invention relates to a method for discharging liquid from an intake tract of a turbocharger arrangement including a charge air cooler. As such, a charge air cooler may include a liquid collector including a switchable valve downstream of a charge air cooler. The switchable valve may be adjusted following the determination of an opening frequency and an opening duration based on a liquid collector temperature and a liquid collector pressure. |
| US09334789B2 |
Two stroke engine porting arrangement
A gas transfer port system for a cylinder of a two stroke internal combustion engine; said cylinder provided with a fixed separator plate dividing said cylinder into an upper section and a lower section; a piston in said cylinder reciprocating between said separator plate and a cylinder head; and wherein an annular skirt descending from said separator plate forms at least a portion of an annular well between said skirt and an internal surface of said cylinder; said well sealed at the bottom such that said cylinder is isolated from a crankcase of said engine; said gas transfer port system including at least one long gas transfer port connecting a lower portion of said annular well with a gas transfer port outlet aperture in a wall of said cylinder. |
| US09334787B2 |
Curved plate for exhaust reversion prevention
An exhaust reversion prevention plate is installed within the exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine in order to prevent a phenomenon known as reversion, which causes a reduction of power available to the engine. A curved plate is affixed within the exhaust pipe with a threaded stud welded to the plate. The curved plate has a wave shape resembling a sinusoidal wave with several peaks and valleys, which are angularly spaced equally around the central axis of the curved plate. |
| US09334782B2 |
Exhaust gas purification device for general-purpose engine
An exhaust gas purification device for a general-purpose engine includes a crankcase and a cylinder block provided continuously on an upper portion of the crankcase and inclined to one lateral side of the crankcase. A catalytic converter is provided in an exhaust muffler of the engine. A downstream end of a secondary air introduction pipe is connected to an exhaust pipe upstream of the muffler. A dedicated air filter is connected through a one-way valve to an upstream side of the secondary air introduction pipe. The filter is disposed between the crankcase and a lower surface of the cylinder block. The secondary air introduction pipe is arranged so as to meander on one side of the cylinder block. Accordingly, the device can be employed without increasing an outer size of the engine, and can also securely introduce secondary air into an exhaust system, thereby enhancing an exhaust gas purifying effect. |
| US09334781B2 |
Vertical ultrasonic decomposition pipe
An exhaust treatment component for treating an exhaust produced by an engine. The exhaust treatment component includes a housing, a first exhaust treatment component substrate positioned within the housing, and a dosing module for dosing a reagent exhaust treatment fluid into the exhaust. The dosing module is secured to the housing and positioned upstream of the first exhaust treatment component substrate. An ultrasonic transducer is positioned between the dosing module and the first exhaust treatment component substrate. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to emit a plurality of ultrasonic waves into the exhaust including the reagent exhaust treatment fluid. |
| US09334780B2 |
Injection device for injecting a fluid and motor vehicle having an injection device
An injection device for injecting a fluid into an exhaust-gas treatment device includes an injector positioned in an injector holder. The injector has a supply opening and a component of the injector holder extends into the supply opening. The injection device is suitable, in particular, for supplying a urea/water solution into an exhaust-gas treatment device of a motor vehicle. The component is preferably rigid in the longitudinal direction and can be compressed in the radial direction by way of a deformable rubber shell, in order to compensate for the volumetric expansion of the solution if it freezes. A motor vehicle having the injection device is also provided. |
| US09334779B2 |
Exhaust gas purification device for internal combustion engine
An exhaust gas purification device has: a catalyst to purify exhaust gas by reduction of nitrogen oxide included in the exhaust gas discharged from a combustion chamber of the engine, which catalyst has a purification efficiency of the nitrogen oxide varying depending on a temperature of the catalyst; a supply means capable of supplying a reduction agent for the reduction of the nitrogen oxide to the exhaust gas guided to the catalyst; and a control means having a configuration capable of controlling the temperature of the catalyst depending on an operating condition of the engine. The device has a configuration to prohibit controlling the temperature of the catalyst when a condition of being incapable of supplying the reduction agent in an amount corresponding to the temperature of the catalyst is satisfied, even if the temperature of the catalyst needs to be controlled. |
| US09334774B2 |
Control system and method for preventing hydrocarbon slip during particulate matter filter regeneration
An engine control system includes an injection determination module and an injection regulation module. The injection determination module determines a desired rate of hydrocarbon (HC) injection into exhaust gas produced by an engine for regeneration of a particulate matter (PM) filter. The injection regulation module increases a rate of HC injection from a first rate to the desired rate during a predetermined period before regeneration of the PM filter, wherein the predetermined period is based on a difference between a predetermined temperature and a temperature at an outlet of an oxidation catalyst (OC). |
| US09334772B2 |
Particulate filter control system and method
A system and method for controlling the operation of a particulate filter is disclosed. The objective of this control system is to manipulate the properties and spatial distribution of contaminant material accumulated in filters to reduce filter pressure drop and associated deleterious impacts of the contaminant material on filter performance. |
| US09334767B2 |
Roller lifter lubrication guide
A roller lifter or hydraulic roller lifter, including a lifter body, a roller, axle, internal piston assembly and a lubrication guide depression at a lower wall of the lifter body to direct lubricant to the roller and roller axle. |
| US09334761B2 |
Power compounder
An apparatus and method is disclosed wherein mechanical power is returned to a prime mover producing waste heat. The apparatus includes a working fluid configured to receive thermal energy from the waste heat, a collector to hold the working fluid, an evaporator fluidly coupled to the working fluid collector for transferring the waste heat to the working fluid to change the working fluid to vaporized working fluid, a feed pump to cause the working fluid to flow between the working fluid collector and the evaporator, an expander fluidly coupled to the evaporator to receive the heated working fluid to create rotational mechanical power, and a condenser to cool the expanded working fluid. The expander is mechanically associated with the prime mover directly or via a clutch. |
| US09334758B2 |
Steam turbine moisture removal system
A drain system (10) for connection to a steam turbine (14). The drain system comprises a main drain line (20) providing a main flow path and a bypass drain line (28) providing a bypass flow path parallel to the main flow path. The main drain line and the bypass drain line are external to the steam turbine. The drain system further comprises a drain orifice assembly (22) within the main drain line, with the drain orifice assembly accessible during operation of the steam turbine. The main drain line and the bypass drain line are connected to a drain path (24) for carrying condensate and contaminants from the steam turbine. |
| US09334748B1 |
Pro system using a hollow fiber membrane with superparamagnetic nanoparticle draw solution
An array of hollow fiber membranes is grouped into bundles is submerged in an enclosed pure-water bath. The bundles are potted into top and bottom membrane headers such that the fiber lumen (the inside of the hollow fiber) is open to the inside of the membrane header and the pure feedwater is prevented from leaking into either the header or into the inside of a hollow fiber. Pure water penetrates the hollow fiber membrane. In accordance with pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) principles, the permeate and draw solution within the lumen are transported to at least one hydroturbine where electricity is generated. The draw solution contains superparamagnetic nanoparticles that are prevented from proceeding beyond a magnetic field. The system has a heater to improve its efficiency. |
| US09334739B2 |
Gas turbine engine rotor assembly optimization
A method for optimizing a rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The rotor assembly includes rotating parts including a first journal and one or more rotor disks. The method includes determining vector components for a total parallelism vector for each rotating part, determining a total parallelism sum including determining a magnitude of each total parallelism vector and adding the magnitudes into a single sum, and determining a minimum value for the total parallelism sum including selecting the rotor disk build angles and the second journal build angle that result in the smallest value for the total parallelism sum. |
| US09334734B2 |
Robot for mining manganese nodules on deep seafloor
A robot for mining a manganese nodule on a deep sea floor. The apparatus includes a plurality of moving apparatuses detachably disposed in parallel with each other; a mining apparatus installed to a front end of the moving apparatuses to mine a manganese nodule; a transferring apparatus installed to an upper portion of the moving apparatuses to crush the manganese nodule in a constant size or less such that the manganese nodule is transferred to an external; a power control measuring unit installed to an upper portion of the moving apparatuses for providing power to the moving apparatuses and controlling operations of the mining apparatus and the transferring apparatus; a structure frame for connecting the moving apparatuses to each other and for supporting the mining apparatus, the transferring apparatus and the power control measuring unit; and a buoyancy unit installed to a top end of the structure frame. |
| US09334730B2 |
Tips for pick tools and pick tools comprising same
Tips for pick tools and pick tools comprising same are provided. The tip comprises an impact structure formed joined at a non-planar boundary surface of a substrate. The boundary surface includes a depression. The impact structure comprises super-hard material and has a working end including an apex opposite the depression. The boundary surface of the substrate comprises a ridge at the periphery of the depression and a generally tapered circumferential region depending away from the ridge towards a side of the tip, a lowest point of the depression being directly opposite the apex. |
| US09334729B2 |
Determining fluid composition downhole from optical spectra
Obtaining in-situ optical spectral data associated with a formation fluid flowing through a downhole formation fluid sampling apparatus, and predicting a parameter of the formation fluid flowing through the downhole formation fluid sampling apparatus based on projection of the obtained spectral data onto a matrix that corresponds to a predominant fluid type of the formation fluid. |
| US09334728B2 |
Oil well production analyzing system
An oil well production analyzing system receives production fluid samples from the oil well according to an automated sampling schedule. The fluid samples are received within a degassing cylinder and separated into a liquid phase and a gas phase, with the liquid phase automatically transferred to a sampling cylinder for water cut analysis. Once the liquid phase has been transferred to the sampling cylinder, a piston within the degassing cylinder automatically evacuates all fluid from the cylinder in preparation of receiving a subsequent fluid sample from the oil well. |
| US09334724B2 |
System and method for operating a pump in a downhole tool
A method includes pumping fluid from outside of a downhole tool through a flowline of the downhole tool with a pump and taking first measurements, using at least one sensor, within the flowline during a first stage of pumping the fluid. The method further includes estimating a saturation pressure of the fluid, via a processor, based on the first measurements and a saturation pressure model generated based on second measurements taken using the at least one sensor during a second stage of pumping the fluid, and operating the pump to maintain a fluid pressure in the flowline greater than the estimated saturation pressure. |
| US09334722B1 |
Dynamic oil and natural gas grid production system
The dynamic oil and natural gas grid production system includes a plurality of “mini” or localized gathering centers for receiving crude oil from a plurality of remote oil wells. Each of the plurality of localized gathering centers includes a heat exchanger for receiving and heating the crude oil, an oil-gas separator in communication with the heat exchanger for separating the crude oil into natural gas and secondary oil, and a three-way separator in communication with the oil-gas separator for receiving the secondary oil and separating the secondary oil into tertiary oil and effluent water. First, second and third flow lines are in communication with each of the plurality of gathering centers for receiving and transporting the natural gas, effluent water and tertiary oil to a centralized gathering center. |
| US09334720B2 |
Tubless proppant blending system for high and low pressure blending
Fracturing slurries are prepared on the fly using a solids pump to feed the solid such as a gel into a liquid stream of normally water for pumping downhole with a large capacity triplex pump. The solids pump is preferably a Posimetric® style which delivers the solid into the fluid pipeline in a manner that keeps fluid from backing into the solids hopper above the solids pump. A separate fluid tank is connected to a fluid pump to pressurize a suction line to a boost pump before reaching the triplex pump and pumping into the subterranean formation. The solids pump can deliver between the fluid and boost pumps in which case the solids go through the triplex pump or alternatively the solids can be delivered into the higher pressure discharge line of the triplex pump. |
| US09334719B2 |
Explosive pellet
An explosive pellet for characterizing a fracture in a subterranean formation is provided. The pellet can include a casing having a detonation material and an explosive material disposed within the casing. The pellet can also include a nonexplosive material moveably disposed within the casing. Movement of the nonexplosive material can generate a predetermined amount of energy in the form of friction-generated heat sufficient to detonate the explosive material. |
| US09334717B2 |
Enhanced oil recovery method
A method for producing oil from a fractured oil bearing formation is provided in which an oil recovery formulation comprising water and dimethyl ether is introduced into a fracture in the formation to mobilize oil, the mobilized oil is contacted with water or brine, and the mobilized oil is produced from the formation at a location positioned upwards from the fracture. |
| US09334715B2 |
Pressure-activated switch
A first end of a conductive spring is embedded in a wall of a large chamber of a piston housing. The spring is held in tension by a second end of the spring being pinned against a bead contact by a trigger pin. The diameter of the piston and a tensile breaking strength of the trigger pin are selected so that the trigger pin is breakable and the tension in the spring is releasable upon the presence of a predetermined pressure difference between a pressure on the contact side of the piston and a pressure on the pinning side of the piston. Release of tension in the spring closes an electrical circuit. |
| US09334714B2 |
Downhole assembly with debris relief, and method for using same
A tool assembly and method for completing a well are provided. The tool includes debris relief features that enable use in solids-laden environments, for example in the presence of sand. Forward and reverse circulation pathways to the isolated interval are present to allow clearing of debris from the wellbore annulus while the sealing device remains set against the wellbore. |
| US09334708B2 |
Flow control device, method and production adjustment arrangement
A flow control device includes, a body defining at least a portion of a flow passageway, at least one movable member in operable communication with the body, movable between at least a first position that provides a first restriction to flow through the flow passageway and a second position that provides a second restriction to flow through the flow passageway, and a circuit in operable communication with the at least one movable member that is configured to sense conductivity of fluid flowing through the flow passageway and to promote movement of the at least one movable member to move from the first position to the second position in response to a change in conductivity of fluid flowing through the flow passageway. |
| US09334706B2 |
Top drive pipe spinner
The present invention relates generally to a Top Drive Pipe Spinner (TDPS). The TDPS is a tool that allows for the setting of casing without a specialized crew or any additional power source. By employing the weight of the existing top drive to set slips on the casing collar, the TDPS allows one casing to be threaded onto the next in a timely and efficient manner. The casing tongs of the TDPS use passive release weight to release the casing collar from the casing to allow for the successive insertion of another casing section. The top drive spins the TDPS and compresses the unit onto the casing, then lifts the unit and releases the casing when desired. |
| US09334705B1 |
Subsea connector
A subsea connector for connecting an upper subsea component to a lower subsea component of a drilling, production, or completion system. The subsea connector includes locking members configured to move radially inward to engage the upper and lower subsea components in a locked position, and radially outward to return to an unlocked position. The locking members are hydraulically or mechanically actuatable. The subsea connector particularly may include a locking member such as a dog or collet connector disposed in the subsea connector to lower the bending moment of the system, thereby increasing the bending capacity of the system. |
| US09334700B2 |
Reverse cementing valve
A method and apparatus for conducting a reverse flow operation. The apparatus may be lowered into a wellbore on a work string, and includes an opening device, a closing device, and a locking device disposed in a housing. Pressurized fluid supplied through the work string may actuate the opening device to open fluid flow through ports in the housing. Pressurized fluid from the annulus may be supplied through the port in the reverse flow direction to actuate the locking device to enable fluid flow up through the work string back to the surface, and to release the closing device. Pressurized fluid supplied through the work string may actuate the closing device to close fluid flow through the ports in the housing. |
| US09334699B2 |
Drill cuttings conveyance systems
A drill cuttings conveyance system includes a collection tank that includes a screw conveyor and a chamber operable to accommodate drill cuttings, the screw conveyer extending along a longitudinal axis of the collection tank from a first end of the chamber to a second end of the chamber; a port disposed at the second end of the chamber of the collection tank, the port including a channel operable to direct the drill cuttings from the chamber of the collection tank; a pump including an inlet connected to the port and operable to receive drill cuttings from the port, an outlet, and a pumping mechanism operable to direct the drill cuttings through the outlet of the pump; and a drag chain conveyor in communication with the chamber of the collection tank via an auxiliary opening, the drag chain conveyor being operable to remove drill cuttings from the collection tank. |
| US09334697B2 |
Riser recoil damping
An apparatus for use with a subsea well includes an upper riser part, a lower riser part, and a weak link coupling the upper and lower riser parts together; and a mechanism coupled between the upper and lower riser parts for damping recoil of the upper riser part following a breaking of the weak link, damping resulting from a plastic deformation of a component or components of the mechanism occurring as the upper and lower riser parts separate. |
| US09334693B2 |
Vertical-screw-auger conveyer feeder
A conical feeder is attached to a vertically conveying screw auger. The feeder is equipped with scoops and rotated from the surface to force-feed regolith the auger. Additional scoops are possible by adding a cylindrical section above the conical funnel section. Such then allows the unit to collect material from swaths larger in diameter than the enclosing casing pipe of the screw auger. A third element includes a flexible screw auger. All three can be used in combination in microgravity and zero atmosphere environments to drill and recover a wide area of subsurface regolith and entrained volatiles through a single access point on the surface. |
| US09334691B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling or limiting rotor orbit in moving cavity motors and pumps
A moving cavity motor or pump, such as a mud motor, comprising: a rotor, a stator, and one or more apparatus for constraining (i.e., controlling or limiting) the movement of the rotor relative to the stator. |
| US09334680B2 |
Support device having variable security level
A support apparatus having a variable security level, including a tray structured for receiving a portable electronic device, the tray having a mounting interface structure on an outside backing surface thereof. An unsecurable retainer mechanism is structured for releasably retaining the portable electronic device in the tray. A variable level security mechanism is structured for securably retaining the portable electronic device in the tray, the variably securable latching element including: having a latching element that is movable between a latched configuration, for example, relative to the tray for securably latching a portable electronic device in a tray, and an unlatched configuration, a plunger-type security element that is movable between a secured configuration for alternatively securing the latching element in the latched and unlatched configurations thereof, and an unsecured configuration, and a lock element that is coupled to the security element for alternatively locking the security element in the secured and unsecured configurations thereof. |
| US09334676B2 |
Lock assembly
An electrically controllable lock assembly (20) including a lock bolt (28), a first hub (36), a second hub (68), a first hub locker (64), a second hub locker (72), a first driver (62) and a second driver (70). The lock bolt (28) is movable between a latching position and an unlatching position. The first hub (36) is adapted to move the lock bolt (28) in response to movement of a first handle. The second hub (68) is adapted to move the lock bolt (28) in response to movement of a second handle. The first hub locker (64) is positionable to selectively prevent or allow movement of the lock bolt (28) in response to torque being applied to the first hub (36) from the first handle. The second hub locker (72) is positionable to selectively prevent or allow movement of the lock bolt (28) in response to torque being applied to the second hub (68) from the second handle. The first driver (62) is electrically controllable to position the first hub locker (64) to thereby selectively prevent or allow movement of the lock bolt (28) in response to torque being applied to the first hub (36) from the first handle and the second driver (70) is electrically controllable to position the second hub locker (72) to thereby selectively prevent or allow movement of the lock bolt (28) in response to torque being applied to the second hub (68) from the second handle. |
| US09334668B2 |
Modular drilling rig system
Modular transfigurable drilling rig system composed of multiple components, which system is transfigurable between a transport mode in which the components of the system are transportable and an operational mode in which the components are assembled to a drilling rig which is adapted to drill into a well centre in the ground. |
| US09334664B2 |
Hybrid operating room for combined surgical and fixed imaging services in an ambulatory surgical center
An ambulatory surgical center can include a hybrid operating room. The hybrid operating room can include at least one lead-shielded wall, a floor, and a ceiling. The ambulatory surgical center can also include an imaging device disposed in the hybrid operating room. The ambulatory surgical center can further include an operating table disposed in the hybrid operating room. The ambulatory surgical center can additionally include a power room adjacent to the operating room. The power room can include a power supply for the imaging device. The ambulatory surgical center can also include a conduit from the power room to the imaging device configured to deliver power to the imaging device. |
| US09334659B2 |
Insulating floor underlayment
A flooring material having a textile pad substructure with a density of greater than 10 pounds per cubic foot is provided. The textile pad has reinforcement and binding fibers. The binding fibers are thermoplastic and are used to bind the reinforcement fibers together. The pad is created by heating and compressing a fibrous textile batt so that it has a density of greater than 13 pounds per cubic foot. |
| US09334657B2 |
Floor covering
Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove. |
| US09334656B2 |
Handrail for staircase or ramp
An improved handrail for a staircase or ramp. In one embodiment, the handrail includes an elongated member such as a cylinder or bar that spans the length of the staircase or ramp and a riser barrier. The riser barrier has an extender portion and a riser portion. The extender portion of the riser barrier keeps the elongated member a sufficient distance horizontally from the riser portion that a person can slide his or her hand on the rail without interference. The riser portion projects vertically a sufficient distance above the elongated member to deter sliding down the elongated member. Thus, sliding on the member is deterred, while the function of the cylinder as a handrail is preserved. |
| US09334655B2 |
Ventilated roof system with ridge vent
A roofing system in a building structure having a ridge vent includes strips of composite material having a base material adapted to form a hermetic seal with the top surface of a roofing section and recesses in a top surface in which an air permeable material can be positioned. A strip is applied to roof sections adjacent to each side of a ridge vent so that a ridge cap can overlay the strips in spaced relation from the underlying roof sections and be sealingly secured to the roof sections. The strip material establishes a barrier between the ridge cap and the roof sections through which air can pass, but through which the passage of rain and insects is inhibited. |
| US09334652B2 |
Paneling system
A paneling system (100) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The paneling system (100) comprises a panel (101) and one or more fastening elements (102). The one or more fastening elements (102) are coupled to the panel (101). The one or more fastening elements (102) extend from a first edge (110) of the panel (101) to a second edge (111) of the panel (101). |