| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09361068B2 |
System and method for using development objectives to guide implementation of source code
An information processing system, computer readable storage medium, and methods with an integrated development environment (IDE) to guide development of applications to implement a programming design objective. A method includes receiving, with a source code editor of the IDE, source code and a tag added to the source code, the tag indicating a programming design objective for the source code. The method includes invoking a source code analyzer that analyzes at least a portion of the source code and outputs a message in response to determining, based at least on the tag and the analyzing, that the at least a portion of the source code fails to conform to one or more constraints of the programming design objective indicated by the tag. One or more hints and proposals to fix the source code are displayed. |
| US09361066B2 |
Random number generator using ring oscillators with initial delay
Apparatus and method for a ring oscillator based random number generator with intentional startup delays timed for each ring to provide a uniform initial spreading of the ring oscillator transition edges. This invention adds a controlled incremental delay in the startup of each individual ring within the ring oscillator random number generator. Typically the delay units used in the ring oscillators themselves can be used to get a course delay between the start times of each ring. A subset of the rings start up with a particular course delay and different fine delays such that the transition edges of all the rings are spread out over the oscillation period. This spreading of the transition edges ensures the output of the random number generator are not a predictable sequence of ones and zeros based on a simultaneous startup of all rings at the same time. |
| US09361064B2 |
Methods and systems to compensate for non-linearity of a stochastic system
Determination of digital compensation to compensate for non-linearity of stochastic system configured to sample a phase difference, based on statistical analysis of calibration data generated by the stochastic system in response to a linear phase ramp. The stochastic system may include a set of stochastic sampler circuits to sample a phase difference at periodic events, and calibration data may include a digital value of set of stochastic samples for each of multiple events. The calibration data may include sequences of the digital values in which the digital values increment over a range of the stochastic system (i.e., between saturation states of the stochastic system). Statistical analysis may include histogram analysis to estimate the probability distribution of the calibration data. The stochastic system may be configured as part of a time-to-digital converter, which may be configured within a feedback loop of a digitally controllable phase lock loop. |
| US09361060B2 |
Distributed rendering synchronization control for display clustering
A method for content rendering in a clustered display network. The method includes assigning a role to each of multiple client display devices by a distributing display device. A rendering responsibility for each of the client display devices is assigned by the distributing display device. Received content is fed, by the distributing display device, to one or more display groups each including at least a portion of the client display devices. |
| US09361057B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method for executing image processing using multiple image processing units
An apparatus includes multiple image processing units configured to execute image processing on input data, which are connected in serial, and include two or more image processing units having the same image processing function. The image processing units include a transfer unit configured to transfer input first data to a next image processing unit without changing the data, and an image processor configured to execute image processing on the first data to output second data. At least one of the image processing units transfers the first data to the next image processing unit without changing the first data when the first data is input, and also outputs the second data. |
| US09361053B2 |
Confidential-sender email addresses for printing
In one example, an email address of a network-connected printer is stored. A print authorization code is stored. A confidential-sender email address is received and stored. After the receiving and storing of the confidential-sender email address, an email is received. The email is an email sent to the printer address, and includes a print job. Responsive to determining the email was sent from the confidential-sender address, the print job is stored. Responsive to receiving the print-authorization code, the print job is sent to the printer for printing. |
| US09361050B2 |
Management system and management method
A management system collects operation information of a network device and comprises a management unit configured to manage a condition and a period for distributing a setting value to the network device; a reception unit configured to receive the operation information of the network device; an acquisition unit configured to acquire device information of the network device; a determination unit configured to determine whether or not the operation information meets the condition; a decision unit configured to decide a setting value to be distributed to the network device; and a response unit configured to return the determined setting value to the network device when the acquisition of the setting value is requested from the network device via a network within the period. The response unit does not return the decided setting value to the network device when the acquisition of the setting value is requested outside of the period. |
| US09361046B1 |
Wireless data storage chassis
Various embodiments are directed to a data storage chassis for storing a plurality of non-specific storage drives, corresponding wireless controllers, and one or more radio adapters. The storage drives are operative to communicate with another network device over a network. A storage drive wirelessly communicates with other storage drives of the chassis, as well as one or more radio adapters of the chassis. The wireless controller corresponding to a storage drive is operative to wirelessly communicate with other wireless controllers corresponding to other storage drives and also with one or more radio adapters via wireless waveguides of the chassis. The one or more radio adapters are operative to communicate with other network devices external to the chassis and serve as access points to the chassis. Because the storage drives, the corresponding controllers, and the radio adapters communicate via wireless signals transmitted along waveguides, the chassis is a wireless chassis. |
| US09361044B2 |
Power-safe data management system
Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for recovering the system status and maintaining drive coherency after an unexpected power loss. In particular, these systems and methods reduce overhead for maintaining drive coherency by providing for pre-allocation of groups of write addresses and recording the pre-allocated groups of addresses to the non-volatile memory. Write processes can write to the pre-allocated group of addresses while the next group of addresses are pre-allocated and recorded to non-volatile memory. |
| US09361042B2 |
Accelerating internet small computer system interface (iSCSI) proxy input/output (I/O)
The present invention is a method for accelerating proxy Input/Output (proxyI/O). The method includes the step of receiving a command at a primary target storage system. The primary target storage system may be part of a clustered storage array. The command may be a command which was transmitted by an initiator system via a storage area network, and may include a request for data. The method further includes the step of forwarding the command to a session layer of the primary target storage system. Further, when a virtualization layer of the primary target storage system determines that a portion of the data requested in the data request is not stored by the primary target storage system, but is stored by a proxy target storage system included in the plurality of storage systems, the method further includes providing a proxyIO request to a proxy initiator of the primary target storage system. Further, the method may further include, based on the proxyIO request, generating a proxyDataIn request and providing the proxyDataIn request to an I/O controller for the primary target storage system. |
| US09361035B1 |
Performing copies in a storage system
A system and method for performing copy offload operations. When a copy offload operation from a first volume (pointing to a first medium) to a second volume (pointing to a second medium) is requested, the copy offload operation is performed without accessing the data being copied. A third medium is created, and the first medium is recorded as the underlying medium of the third medium. The first volume is re-pointed to the third medium. Also, a fourth medium is created, the second volume is re-pointed to the fourth medium, and the second medium is recorded as the underlying medium of the targeted range of the fourth medium. All other ranges of the fourth medium have the second medium as their underlying medium. |
| US09361028B2 |
Systems and methods for increasing restore speeds of backups stored in deduplicated storage systems
A computer-implemented method for increasing restore speeds of backups stored in deduplicated storage systems may include (1) identifying a backup that includes data stored in at least one data container within a deduplicated storage system, (2) detecting a subsequent backup that includes additional data, (3) calculating an amount of duplication between the additional data included in the subsequent backup and the data stored in the data container, (4) determining that the amount of duplication between the additional data and the data stored in the data container is below a predetermined threshold, (5) identifying at least one additional data container to store the additional data instead of deduplicating the additional data with respect to the data container, and then (6) storing the additional data in the additional data container to facilitate increasing a restore speed of the subsequent backup. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US09361026B2 |
Selective copying of track data based on track data characteristics through map-mediated peer-to-peer remote copy
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request to establish a Peer-to-Peer Remote Copy (PPRC) relationship between a primary storage system and a secondary storage system, and copying one or more data tracks of a primary storage device in the primary storage system to the secondary storage system without copying at least one other data track of the primary storage device to the secondary storage system. The one or more data tracks of the primary storage device comprise one or more data tracks of a first characteristic. Other portions of the primary storage device comprise one or more other data tracks of a second characteristic. |
| US09361024B1 |
Memory cell programming method, memory control circuit unit and memory storage apparatus
A memory cell programming method for a rewritable non-volatile memory module is provided. The method includes grouping physical erasing units of the rewritable non-volatile memory module at least into a first area and a second area, wherein a first programming parameter set is configured initially for writing a first kind of data into the physical erasing units of the first area and the upper physical programming units of the physical erasing units of the first area are not written with data. The method also includes adjusting the first set of programming parameters to obtain a second programming parameter set, and applying the second set of programming parameters to write a second kind of data into the physical erasing units of the second area, wherein the upper physical programming units of the physical erasing units of the second area are not written with data. |
| US09361022B2 |
Character input apparatus
A plurality of characters that are candidates for entry are displayed on a display surface of a display corresponding to an operation surface of a touch panel as character buttons. A touch detector judges whether a user touches the operation surface either with a single point or plural points, and detects a position touched by the user. An input receiver receives an entry of a character associated with a character button in the position touched by the user among the plurality of characters displayed on the display surface of the display. Then, the input receiver receives the entry of the character which varies in type depending on whether the user touches an area in the operation surface corresponding to an identical character button with a single point or plural points. |
| US09361019B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing web browser interface using gesture in device
An apparatus and method provide a web browser interface in a device. A method for providing a web browser interface in a device includes recognizing a gesture motion on an address window region of a web browser, determining a page switch-related function mapped to the recognized gesture motion, and performing the determined page switch-related function. |
| US09361017B2 |
Method of displaying information by category and electronic device
The present invention discloses a method of displaying information by category and an electronic device. The method is applied in an electronic device including a touch display unit, the method comprising: obtaining M pieces of information to be processed, where M is an integer no less than 2; determining, based on a predetermined rule, that a display priority for N pieces of information of the M pieces of information to be processed is a first priority, and a display priority for K pieces of information of the M pieces of information to be processed is a second priority, the N pieces of information to be processed being different from the K pieces of information to be processed, where N is an integer no less than 0 but no more than M, K is an integer no less than 0 but no more than M, and a sum of N and K is no more than M; and displaying the N pieces of information to be processed and the K pieces of information to be processed on the touch display unit in different display ways. |
| US09361016B2 |
Display and input device, and image forming apparatus
A display and input device of the present disclosure includes a display unit which displays plural objects in array with a predetermined spatial interval, and a touch panel which identifies plural positions touched by a user. The display unit enlarges an interval between two objects longer than the predetermined spatial interval upon an interval enlargement operation to touch two positions which include a position in a display area of at least one of the two objects and then enlarge an interval between the two positions. Under a status that the interval between the two objects is enlarged, the touch panel unit receives a destination confirmation operation to touch a destination position of an object to be moved in order to set the touched destination position to a destination of the object to be moved. |
| US09361015B2 |
Display apparatuses and electronic devices
Disclosed are display apparatuses and electronic devices including the same. The display apparatus includes a first driving layer, a second driving layer, a display layer arranged between the first and second driving layers, and a first processing unit. The display apparatus further includes a detection unit and a second processing unit. The display apparatus and the electronic device are configured to enable touch operation function with the structure of a common display apparatus, without incorporating any additional touch sensing layer. This reduces manufacture cost, and meets the requirement of a thinner and lighter display. |
| US09361014B2 |
Graphical user interface, display apparatus and control method thereof
A graphical user interface, a display apparatus and a control method thereof are provided. The display apparatus includes: a display unit which displays thereon an image comprising a plurality of user interface (UI) objects and a pointer; a pointer adjuster which generates the pointer and moves the pointer based on a user command for moving the pointer received from an input device; and a controller which controls the pointer adjuster to adjust a moving speed of the pointer according to a density of the UI objects displayed on the display unit. |
| US09361010B2 |
Imaging device, image processing method, and program thereof
An imaging device includes a display unit for displaying a video image being captured, an index operating unit for inputting an instruction for an index, and an index setting unit for setting as an index section, a section in the video image captured for a predetermined time period including a time point of a user's operation of inputting the instruction for the index, in response to one user's operation on the index operating unit while the video image is captured. |
| US09361004B2 |
Indicating organization of visitor on user interface of user engaged in collaborative activity with visitor
A method, system and computer program product for indicating an organization of a visitor on a user interface of a user engaged in collaborative activity with the visitor. The visitor attempting to engage in a collaborative action (e.g., participating in an online meeting, sharing files) with a user from a different organization is authenticated to confirm that the visitor has the right to engage in collaborative activity with the user from the different organization. The identification of the organization of the visitor is extracted from the information used to authenticate the visitor. The identification of the organization of the visitor is then displayed on the user interface of the user engaging in the collaborative action with the visitor. In this manner, the organization of the visitor is easily discoverable by the user without requiring the user to perform a time consuming search to determine the organization of the visitor. |
| US09360999B2 |
Method and apparatus for presenting media content
A method that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving a selection from a media device corresponding to a first media content, generating a play list at a server where the play list includes second media content that is associated with the first media content by at least one of genre, artist and being published in temporal proximity, and providing play list content comprising at least a portion of the first and second media content to the media device, where at least one of the generation of the play list and the providing of the play list content is based on metadata pointers associated with the first and second media content. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09360996B2 |
Intelligently enabled menu choices based on online presence state in address book
A computer implemented method for intelligently enabling menu choices includes rendering, on a client system, an address book user interface comprising information related to one or more contacts, selecting a contact from the address book user interface, determining an online presence state for the selected contact, enabling one or more menu options based upon the determined online presence state, with the menu options enabled for a first online presence state differing from the menu options enabled for a second online presence state, and presenting the enabled menu options to a user in a user interface. |
| US09360994B2 |
Partial-height panes as a method for optimizing palette layout and screen real estate usage
A tool panel docking application is described that manages the docking of tool panels and palettes on an edge of an IDE workspace. As the user selects to dock various tool panels, the IDE monitors the positioning of each panel so as not to overlap the content of any of the individual panels making up the combined docked palettes and that allow the user to select how much of the underlying workspace is obscured by the combined docked palettes. |
| US09360992B2 |
Three dimensional conditional formatting
Three dimensional, conditional formatting based data visualization is provided. Received underlying data may be analyzed and one or more portions of the underlying data that are of interest to a user determined. The portions may be selected actively by a user of automatically determined based on a variation of values in each portion, values of data points in each portion, a usage history of the user, and/or a credential of the user. A background image may be generated by converting the tabular data into a three dimensional image or selecting and image or a graphic associated with the underlying data. The visualization(s) may then be displayed over the background. Scenes may be selected for animated slide shows or movies. |
| US09360989B2 |
Information processing device, and method for changing execution priority
An information processing device includes a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to detect an instruction operation of drawing a trajectory of a position specified on a display screen so as to form the trajectory in a given shape, and change an execution priority of at least one program among a plurality of programs being executed when the instruction operation is detected. |
| US09360987B2 |
Browser supporting multiple users
A client machine initiates a browser instance of a browser. The client machine selects a first user identifying state for the browser instance prior to accessing any web pages by the browser instance, wherein the first user identifying state is associated with a first data structure set that comprises a first browser history, a first browser cache and/or a first cookie that are stored at the client machine. The client machine uses the first user identifying state in a session between the browser instance and a server. The client machine updates one or more of the first browser history, the first browser cache or the first cookie of the first data structure set based on the session without updating a second data structure set associated with a second user identifying state. |
| US09360986B2 |
Mode-switching in ultra mobile devices
Arrangements for managing displays of ultra-mobile devices (UMD's). Automatically or manually, a small-mode interface on a UMD screen, wherein one application window is visible, is switched to a large-mode interface. |
| US09360985B2 |
Method and system for automatically linking a cursor to a hotspot in a hypervideo stream
Automatically linking a cursor to a hotspot in a hypervideo stream comprising a plurality of video frames that are associated with at least one selectable hotspot include receiving a hypervideo stream of a first video frame associated with a selectable hotspot in a first activiation region of the first video frame, and determining whether a first position of a cursor is substantially within the first activiation region corresponding to the selectable hotspot. The cursor is associated with the selectable hotspot when the first position of the cursor is substantially within the first activiation region corresponding to the selectable hotspot in the first video frame. The hypervideo stream of a second video frame associated with the selectable hotspot in a second activation region different from the first activation region is received, and the cursor is automatically moved to a second position in the second video frame based on the association. |
| US09360984B2 |
Method and system for providing online flash game
The present invention relates to an online flash game system and method, a flash game web page providing method, a web server for providing web pages for flash game execution, and a storage medium for recording method programs. When a flash game execution is selected, a skin flash module performs a skin flash, which is a frame on a flash game screen, on a user terminal screen, and controls a UI flash module and a game contents flash module. The skin flash module displays the skin flash, which is a frame on the flash game screen, on the user terminal screen, and controls the UI flash module and the game contents flash module. |
| US09360983B1 |
Systems and methods for newsroom management with electronic-publish-point integration
Presently described are systems and methods for newsroom management with electronic-publish-point integration. One example embodiment takes the form of a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a set of steps to be carried out for submitting content to an electronic publish point. The set of steps includes providing a newsroom script to a user via a user interface; receiving a selected portion of an on-air text portion of the newsroom script from the user via the user interface; and retrieving, from a media database, media associated with the newsroom script. The set of steps further includes submitting content to the publish point, wherein the content includes text associated with the selected portion of the on-air text portion, and wherein the content further includes the retrieved media. |
| US09360980B2 |
Display panel, display device having a display panel and method of manufacturing a display device having a display panel
A display device and panel and manufacturing method with improved outdoor visibility and fewer defects caused by heat and chemicals used in manufacturing processes are disclosed. One inventive aspect includes a first substrate having light emitting structures, a second substrate formed on a first substrate, a touch sensing structure formed in a display region of a second substrate, a touch sensing structure control circuit unit and a polarization member. The polarization member is formed on the touch sensing structure and includes a circular polarization layer. The slow axis of the circular polarization layer is substantially perpendicular to a direction in which a polarization member and a touch sensing structure control circuit unit are arranged. |
| US09360978B2 |
Touch screen display device
A touch screen display device includes a plurality of pixels and a plurality of touch sensing units. Each touch sensing unit includes a sensing transistor, a first touch electrode between a gate electrode and a semiconductor layer of the sensing transistor, a second touch electrode spaced from the first touch electrode, and a coupling portion to couple the first and second touch electrodes. |
| US09360977B2 |
Input interface, handheld electronic device and method of producing an input interface
An input interface (3) comprises a display (23), a window (21) overlaid on the display (23), and a housing (13-15) supporting the window (21). A first sensor arrangement (31, 32) is configured to sense a position of a touch action on the window (21) in two dimensions. The first sensor arrangement (31, 32) comprises a first plurality of conductive traces (32). A second sensor arrangement (41-43) is configured to sense a magnitude of a force applied by the touch action onto the window (21). The second sensor arrangement (41-43) comprises a second plurality of conductive traces (41, 42) and a force sensing material (43). The first plurality of conductive traces (32) and the second plurality of conductive traces (41, 42) are positioned on an inner face (30) of the window (21) and attached to the inner face (30) of the window (21). The force sensing material (43) is attached to the inner face (30) of the window (21) such that the force sensing material (43) contacts the second plurality of conductive traces (41, 42). |
| US09360975B2 |
Capacitive sensor device with additional sensor electrode for determining mode of operation
A capacitive sensor device has at least one measuring electrode, at least one ground electrode, and an evaluation device being coupled with the at least one measuring electrode and being configured to detect a capacitive coupling between the at least one measuring electrode and a ground of the evaluation device.At least one ground electrode can be galvanically coupled with the ground of the evaluation device via a switch. The switching status of the switch can be changed by the evaluation device. The evaluation device is further adapted to detect a common-mode change of the capacitive coupling between the at least one measuring electrode and the ground of the evaluation device when the switching status of the switch changes. An input device, particularly a keyboard with a capacitive sensor device, as well as a method for operating a capacitive sensor device may be designed accordingly. |
| US09360972B1 |
Touch sensor conductor routing
An example apparatus includes a sensing area including a sensor matrix, a first conductor and a second conductor. The first conductor is coupled to a first sensor of the sensor matrix and is configured to be coupled to a sensing module. The second conductor is coupled to a second sensor of the sensor matrix and is configured to be coupled to the sensing module. In embodiments, the first sensor consumes a first area, the second sensor and a length of the first conductor reside within a second area that is smaller than or equal to the first area consumed by the first sensor, and the length of the first conductor is routed between an edge of the sensing area and the second sensor. |
| US09360968B2 |
Cursor control device and method of operation
We describe an apparatus including a plurality of sensing elements, a conductive layer, and a compressive layer interposed between the plurality of sensing elements and the conductive layer. The conductive layer can include a plurality of segments. A user applies a force to an actuator positioned over the conductive layer. The actuator changes a capacitance of at least one capacitor formed by at least one of the plurality of sensing elements, the conductive layer (at least one segment), and the compressive layer by reducing the distance between the at least one of the plurality of sensing elements and the conductive layer responsive to the applied force. The device measures and calculates a magnitude and direction of the force by measuring the change in the capacitance. |
| US09360958B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device, display device and information technology device
A display device is arranged so as to be able to conduct a touch detection action for sensing a region where a touch operation on a touch panel has been performed, to stop the touch detection action in the touch panel, and to specify a touch-detection-stop region. The display device includes an image-display-direction register. A processor writes parameters designating an image-display direction into the image-display-direction register based on a result of detection by a tilt detector. On condition that parameters stored in the image-display-direction register have been changed, the display device changes the touch-detection-stop region based on the parameters. The above function is mounted on a semiconductor integrated circuit device included in the display device. |
| US09360957B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device including a display driving circuit that drives a display panel, a touch detection signal driving circuit that applies a touch detection signal to a touch sensor, and a touch state detection circuit that receives a signal obtained by observing the touch sensor is configured as follows. A connection switching circuit that switches connection between a terminal and an internal circuit is included therein. The connection switching circuit switches connection with the terminal by selecting one of at least two of the display driving circuit, the touch detection signal driving circuit and the touch state detection circuit. A protection circuit which is capable of changing a protection voltage level is connected to the terminal, and the protection voltage level varies depending on the signal amplitude of the circuit selected by the connection switching circuit. |
| US09360950B2 |
Key control device for click pad
A key control device for a click pad is provided that includes a first driving member, a second driving member, a first connecting rod, and a second connecting rod. When the first driving member is pressed, it drives the first connecting rod for activating the key functions of the click pad. When the second driving member is pressed, it drives the second connecting rod and drives the first driving member to drive the first connecting rod to recover to the original position for shutting down the key functions of the click pad. The key control device controls the activation or shutdown of the key functions of the click pad. Because the key control device is hidden below a click pad of a notebook computer, the appearance of an electronic device is not effected. |
| US09360947B2 |
Input device with swing operation
An input device includes a printed circuit board for outputting a signal, a supporting base fixed on the printed circuit board, and a cap pivoted to the supporting base. A protrusion is formed on an end of the cap for contacting against the printed circuit board when the cap is not pressed down. The cap pivots relative to the supporting base when the cap is pressed down. The input device further includes a resilient conductive component disposed between the printed circuit board and the cap for being pressed by the cap to conduct the printed circuit board when the cap is pressed down. |
| US09360945B2 |
Object information derived from object images
Search terms are derived automatically from images captured by a camera equipped cell phone, PDA, or other image capturing device, submitted to a search engine to obtain information of interest, and at least a portion of the resulting information is transmitted back locally to, or nearby, the device that captured the image. |
| US09360942B2 |
Cursor driven interface for layer control
An approach for manipulating objects within a document whereby one or more objects are transposed between other objects in a display order. A first element of the plurality of elements is selected as the active element and a display interface is associated with the first element, and based on input received with respect to the interface element, the display order of the first element is changed in relation to the plurality of elements. |
| US09360940B2 |
Multi-pane interface
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for presenting content. In one aspect, a method includes determining that user interaction with a search result has occurred, where the search result was presented in a results pane of a display. A browsing pane is generated in which a landing page for the search result is presented. The browsing pane is presented over a portion of the results pane. The portion of the results pane is bounded by an edge of the display and a pane edge of the browsing pane, where the pane edge is located at an initial display location. A user swipe is determined to have occurred, and in response to the user swipe the pane edge is relocated to a target display location. |
| US09360936B2 |
Head mounted display apparatus
A head mounted display (HMD) apparatus is disclosed. The HMD apparatus comprises a pico projector, a lens, a half reflective film, an application processor, and an eyeglass frame. The half reflective film covers the lens. The application processor controls the pico projector to project a virtual image beam to the half reflective film. The eyeglass frame carries the pico projector, the lens, and the application processor. |
| US09360933B2 |
Virtual links between different displays to present a single virtual object
Virtual links are used between two different displays to represent a single virtual object. In one example, the invention includes generating a three-dimensional space having a first display of a real first device and a second display of a real second device and a space between the first display and the second display, receiving a launch command as a gesture with respect to the first display, the launch command indicating that a virtual object is to be launched through the space toward the second display, determining a trajectory through the space toward the second display based on the received launch command, and presenting a portion of the trajectory on the second display. |
| US09360932B1 |
Systems and methods for virtually displaying real movements of objects in a 3D-space by means of 2D-video capture
The disclosed method is intended for virtually reproducing real movements of an individual by 2D measurement of positions of two markers one of which is located, e.g., on a body trunk and another is held in a hand. A human being is selected as an object for implementation of the method based on specificity of movements of the body parts as a reaction of the muscle-joint sense in response to the visual information obtained through the visual channel. Video catching is performed by detecting the detectable elements such as LEDs attached to the markers by means of a web camera with visual matrix, and processing the video catching in a CPU into movement of a single cursor on the display. The method may find use in fitness, gaming, simulation, manipulation of antropometric robots, sport, medicine, etc. |
| US09360929B2 |
Display control apparatus, display control method, and program
A display control apparatus controls display of a transparent display which includes a screen configured to transmit light arriving from an object located on a side of a second surface so that the object is viewable from a viewpoint located on a side of a first surface which is an opposite surface to the second surface. The display control apparatus includes: an acquisition unit that acquires position information indicating relative positional relations between the transparent display and the viewpoint and between the transparent display and the object; and a display control unit that controls the display of the transparent display based on the position information. |
| US09360925B2 |
Power switching technique for archival data storage enclosure
A method of power management of a multiple-data-storage-devices enclosure is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving a network connection and power from a data connection port detachably coupled to a network cable; identifying a subset of data storage devices within the enclosure to activate; powering off components within the enclosure other than the subset of the data storage devices; for each data storage device in the subset that is not yet powered, activating the data storage device by: monitoring power consumption drawn from the data connection port; identifying a sequence of components associated with the data storage device, wherein the components within the sequence, when powered, together provide access to the data storage device; and powering on each component in the sequence when a previous component in the sequence has reached a steady state power consumption level, wherein when activating the data storage device, power supplied to power on the sequence of the components does not exceed a total power available from the data connection port. |
| US09360922B2 |
Data processing system, microcontroller and semiconductor device
In order to perform easily power cutoff of a device configuring a data processing system and to improve the power reduction effect at standby, the data processing system is configured with a microcontroller, a memory IC including a nonvolatile RAM array, and a power supply unit capable of controlling the power supply to the microcontroller and the memory IC, separately. When a control signal to control read and write of data to the nonvolatile RAM array is at a high level, the memory IC is enabled read and write of data to the nonvolatile RAM array. When the control signal is at a low level, the memory IC is disenabled read and write of data to the nonvolatile RAM array. The microcontroller sets the control signal at a low level, when the memory IC is shifted to a standby state by the power supply unit. |
| US09360921B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit, information processing apparatus, and control method
In a system large-scale integration (LSI) including a plurality of subsystems having a power shutdown mechanism, sometimes instantaneous power consumption of the LSI intensively increases at timing of supplying a clock for initialization due to a shift of a power mode of a subsystem. After power supply starts to return to a first subsystem and a second subsystem, an increase in power consumption during initialization is distributed by desynchronizing timing of clock supply to start initialization for the first subsystem and the second subsystem. |
| US09360920B2 |
Reducing power consumption in a fused multiply-add (FMA) unit of a processor
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a processor having a fused multiply-add (FMA) unit to perform FMA instructions and add-like instructions. This unit can include an adder with multiple segments each independently controlled by a logic. The logic can clock gate at least one segment during execution of an add-like instruction in another segment of the adder when the add-like instruction has a width less than a width of the FMA unit. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09360919B2 |
Preparing processing and input units of a computing device for a power transition before the transition occurs
A processing device includes a plurality of input units configured to input a process request; a plurality of processing units configured to execute a process corresponding to the process request input by the plurality of input units; a power control unit configured to transfer the processing device into a power saving state and to transfer the processing device back to a regular state from the power saving state; and an operation suppression control unit configured to send an operation suppression request to the plurality of input units and the plurality of processing units before the power control unit transfers the processing device into the power saving state, and to send an operation suppression release request to the plurality of input units and the plurality of processing units when the power control unit transfers the processing device back to the regular state from the power saving state. |
| US09360918B2 |
Power control for multi-core data processor
A multi-core data processor includes multiple data processor cores and a circuit. The multiple data processor cores each include a power state controller having a first input for receiving an idle signal, a second input for receiving a release signal, a third input for receiving a control signal, and an output for providing a current power state. In response to the idle signal, the power state controller causes a corresponding data processor core to enter an idle state. In response to the release signal, the power state controller changes the current power state from the idle state to an active state in dependence on the control signal. The circuit is coupled to each of the multiple data processor cores for providing the control signal in response to current power states in the multiple data processor cores. |
| US09360915B1 |
Dynamically controlling clocking rate of a processor based on user defined rule
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with controlling a clocking rate of a processor clock are described. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a register, a selector, and a clock gate. The register stores a set of bits arranged in a clocking pattern. In response to receiving an edge of a first clock signal, the selector selects a bit of the set of bits in the register. With each edge of the first clock signal, the selector selects a next bit in the clocking pattern. The clock gate implements a conjunction of the selected bit and the edge. The clock gate then outputs the conjunction of the selected bit and the edge as a second clock signal. |
| US09360912B2 |
Shutdown processing mode with forcible power off
An information processing apparatus includes a selection unit configured to select a mode of processing to be executed when a power supply state of the information processing apparatus is shifted from a first power supply state to a second power supply state, a determination unit configured to determine time necessary for executing the processing based on the mode selected by the selection unit, an execution unit configured to execute the processing in the mode selected by the selection unit, and a control unit configured to control the execution unit to execute the processing again when the processing has not been completed within the time determined by the determination unit. |
| US09360910B2 |
Systems, computer readable media, and computer programs for enhancing energy efficiency via systematic hybrid inter-processes integration
Systems, computer readable media, and program code for systematically providing enhanced energy efficiency of mega industrial sites and synergy with the adjacent community through advanced hybrid inter-systems energy integration targeting and solutions generation to achieve desired best levels of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions reduction, are provided. An exemplary system includes a computer and computer readable code for performing the operations of determining possible inter-processes integration energy consumption targets, selecting an energy-efficient inter-processes integration energy consumption target, determining the inter-processes energy integration combination providing for the energy efficient inter-processes integration energy consumption target, generating a plurality of technically viable industrial site inter-processes heat exchange system design alternatives, and assisting a user to identify the technically viable industrial site inter-processes heat exchange system design substantially providing for optimal total waste heat recovery between the respective functional areas. |
| US09360907B2 |
System and method for adaptive thermal management in a portable computing device
Various embodiments of methods and systems for adaptive thermal management techniques implemented in a portable computing device (“PCD”) are disclosed. Notably, in many PCDs, temperature thresholds associated with various components in the PCD such as, but not limited to, die junction temperatures, package on package (“PoP”) memory temperatures and the “touch temperature” of the external surfaces of the device itself limits the extent to which the performance capabilities of the PCD can be exploited. It is an advantage of the various embodiments of methods and systems for adaptive thermal management that, when a temperature threshold is violated, the performance of the PCD is sacrificed only as much and for as long as necessary to clear the violation before authorizing the thermally aggressive processing component(s) to return to a maximum operating power. |
| US09360906B2 |
Power management for multiple compute units
An interface couples a plurality of compute units to a power management controller. The interface conveys a power report for the plurality of compute units to the power management controller. The power management controller receives the power report, determines a power action for the plurality of compute units based at least in part on the power report, and transmits a message specifying the power action through the interface. The power action is performed. |
| US09360904B2 |
Mapped fan zone cooling system
A cooling system includes a chassis. A thermal sensor is located in the chassis. A plurality of fan zones are located in the chassis. Each of the plurality of fan zones includes at least one fan. A first mapping is provided between the thermal sensor and a first fan zone of the plurality of fans zone, and a second mapping is provided between the first fan zone and a second fan zone in the plurality of fan zones. A controller is coupled to the thermal sensor and the at least one fan in each of the plurality of fan zones. In response to receiving a signal from the thermal sensor, the controller is operable to activate the at least one fan in the first fan zone according to the first mapping and activate the at least one fan in the second fan zone according to the second mapping. |
| US09360903B2 |
System for controlling electric power supply to devices
A system for controlling an electric power supply to devices is provided. The system includes a plurality of power supply sources, devices operated by an electric power, and a control part that determines the power supply source to be used for supplying the electric power to the devices. Further, the control part controls the amount of electric power to be supplied to the devices by the determined power supply source. |
| US09360902B1 |
Loading mechanism of storage device
A loading mechanism of a storage device for accommodating a hard drive has a loading body and a second supporting arm. The loading body includes a loading base, a first supporting arm extending from one end of the loading base, and an assembling part provided on the loading base. The second supporting arm is laterally and slidably connected to another end of the loading base, and is disposed correspondingly to the first supporting arm. One end of the second supporting arm includes a stand disposed on the loading base and a sliding member disposed on the stand. The sliding member has an elastic engaging part being able to detachably connect to the assembling part. Therefore, the goal of quickly replacing hard disk without using any screws can be achieved. |
| US09360901B2 |
Retaining apparatus for hard disk drive
A hard disk retaining apparatus includes a main body and an indicating module is installed inside the main body, the indicating module includes a display button, a trigger button, and a display unit. When the hard disk drive is installed into the main body, the hard disk drive contacts the trigger button, pressing the display button, the display unit can display if the hard disk drive is installed into the hard disk retaining apparatus. When the hard disk drive is not installed into the main body, the display unit does not work. |
| US09360898B2 |
Method and terminal for providing user interface using tilt sensor and key input
A method of providing a user interface in a terminal equipped with a tilt sensor. The method includes sensing an input of a key. The method also includes sensing a tilt input by the tilt sensor after sensing the input of the key. The method further includes performing a function corresponding to a combination of the key and the tilt input, when the tilt sensor senses the tilt input. |
| US09360896B2 |
Low-profile hinge for an electronic device
Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device, such as a notebook computer or laptop, that includes a circuit board coupled to a plurality of electronic components (which includes any type of components, elements, circuitry, etc.). One particular example implementation of the electronic device may include a low-profile hinge design that includes a first segment that connects to a first element using a first coupler and to a second segment that connects to the first segment using a second coupler, where the second segment connects to a second element using a third coupler. The first coupler, the second coupler, and the third coupler may each have a first coupling arm and a second coupling arm and the first coupling arm can be offset from a plane of the second coupling arm by about five degrees to about forty-five degrees. |
| US09360895B2 |
Assembly and method for display device mounting
An assembly for mounting a display device in a vehicle. The assembly includes a mounting plate having opposite edges, a front surface extending therebetween, and a rear surface opposite the front surface. The mounting plate is mountable to the vehicle with the front surface of the mounting plate facing outward. The assembly includes a first locking mechanism disposed proximate one edge of the mounting plate and a second locking mechanism disposed proximate the other edge. Each locking mechanism includes a jaw extending over the front surface of the mounting plate and pivotable between closed and open positions. Each jaw includes a resiliently deformable biasing member connected to the jaw and biasing the jaw towards the closed position. The assembly includes an electrical connector attached to the mounting plate. The electrical connector has an opening for mating with another connector. |
| US09360891B1 |
Recessed USB port
A computer housing comprises a recessed Universal Serial Bus (USB) slot located along a top surface of a computer adjacent to the keyboard portion. The USB slot is recessed into the computer in order to allow a user to attach a USB mass storage device below a top surface portion in a secure position, thereby avoiding damage to the mass storage device if accidentally impacted while connected. |
| US09360890B2 |
Cover for an electronic device and electronic device with a cover
The invention relates to a cover comprising a decoration 11 which is visible to a user when the cover is connected to an electronic device. In order to enhance the functions provided by such a cover, it is proposed that the cover further comprises contact sensitive means 22, 23 arranged such that they generate an electrical signal when a part 12 of the decoration 11 associated to the contact sensitive means 22, 23 is touched, and connection means 24, 25 for electrically connecting the contact sensitive means 22, 23 to processing means. The invention relates equally to an electronic device with such a cover. |
| US09360886B2 |
Case assembly
A case assembly of an electronic device includes a first outer case and an inner case. The first outer case includes a holding groove and a holding plate for forming the holding groove. The holding plate includes a touching surface and a pressing surface that are opposite to each other, and the touching surface forms a part of the holding groove. The inner case is disposed on one side of the first outer case. The inner case includes a surface and at least one supporting component protruding from the surface. The at least one supporting component abuts against the pressing surface, and the inner case and the at least one supporting component are integrated together. |
| US09360884B2 |
Clocking for pipelined routing
An integrated circuit may have pipelined programmable interconnects that are configured to select between a routing signal stored in a register and the identical routing signal bypassing the register. The pipelined programmable interconnect may send the selected routing signal over a wire to the next pipelined programmable interconnect circuitry. The integrated circuit may also have clock routing circuitry to select respective clock signals for the registers in the different pipelined programmable interconnects. The clock routing circuitry may include first interconnects that convey region clocks, second interconnects that conveys routing clocks, a first selector circuit to select routing clocks among the region clocks, and a second selector circuit to select routing clocks for the respective registers. |
| US09360882B2 |
Vehicle pedal with index assembly for contacting sensor
A vehicle pedal comprising a housing for a pedal arm with a drum, a rotor coupled to the drum and including a contactor that slides against a strip of resistive material in the housing, and an assembly for setting and locking the index position of the rotor. In one embodiment, the rotor extends through a window that is defined in the housing and limits the movement of the rotor during the index setting operation. In one embodiment, a plastic pin that is either separate from or unitary with the rotor is fitted into a slot defined in the drum. In another embodiment, a potting material is deposited and cured in the slot in the drum for locking the pin in the slot. In another embodiment, the pin is unitary with the drum of the pedal arm and is press-fitted into a slot in the rotor. In a further embodiment, the drum and rotor include respective plates and the pin is a clip that locks the plates together. |
| US09360881B2 |
Drive circuit, integrated circuit device, and method for controlling charge pump circuit
A drive circuit includes an output circuit having an output node that outputs, to a charge pump circuit, a drive clock signal for driving the charge pump circuit. The output circuit generates the drive clock signal based on a first clock signal and a second clock signal that is a signal whose voltage level does not change in a period during which the voltage level of the first clock signal changes, and controls, based on the second clock signal, an impedance of the output node so as to be up, in a period before the voltage levels of the drive clock signal changes. |
| US09360879B2 |
Sense current generation apparatus and method
A sense current generation apparatus constituted of: a main electronically controlled switch arranged to provide a current path for an input current; a sense electronically controlled switch arranged to generate a sense current; a voltage matching circuit arranged to adjust the voltage across the first and second terminals of the sense switch to equal the voltage across the first and second terminals of the main switch, within a predetermined maximum error voltage, such that the sense current is representative of the input current; and a voltage governor arranged to: receive an indication of the voltage across the first and second terminals of the main switch; and responsive to the received voltage indication, adjust the control voltage of the main switch such that the absolute value of the voltage across the terminals thereof is maintained above a predetermined voltage threshold greater than a boundary of the error range. |
| US09360877B2 |
Negative voltage regulation circuit and voltage generation circuit including the same
A negative voltage regulation circuit includes an operational amplifier configured to receive a feedback voltage and an input voltage, a pull-up element configured to pull-up drive a first node based on output voltage of the operational amplifier, a load element coupled between the first node and a negative voltage terminal, a pull-down element configured to pull-down drive a final negative voltage output terminal using a voltage of the negative voltage terminal based on a voltage level of the first node, and a voltage division unit coupled between the final negative voltage output terminal and a pull-up voltage terminal, and configured to generate the feedback voltage by voltage division. |
| US09360873B2 |
Thermostat that the reactivity thereof is improved
A thermostat having improved reactivity may include a thermostat case having side connected to first and second passages, and a third passage formed between the first and second passages in a side direction, a valve body where first and second valves are formed to open/close the first and second passages, and a mounting space is formed in the valve body, an elastic member elastically pushing the valve body in a direction of the first valve such that the first valve closes the first passage, and a drive portion moving the valve body in response to contraction or expansion of a wax disposed in the mounting space. A flowing turn wall may be formed to correspond to the third passage such that a liquid flowing in through the second passage moves in a direction opposite to the third passage. |
| US09360867B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling driving device of self-driving vehicle
Provided are an apparatus and method for controlling a driving device of a self-driving vehicle, the apparatus includes, a data converting unit receiving sensor data from at least one sensor of the self-driving vehicle, and converting a format of the sensor data into a predefined format to generate integrated data, a driving control message generating unit determining a driving control response for controlling the driving device of the self-driving vehicle according to the integrated data to generate a driving control message that has a pre-defined common format, and a driving command signal generating unit converting a format of the driving control message into a message format corresponding to the driving device of the self-driving vehicle to generate a driving command signal. |
| US09360865B2 |
Transitioning from autonomous vehicle control to driver control
Data is obtained concerning at least one attribute of a vehicle operator. The attribute is used to determine an instruction for positioning a vehicle component during autonomous operation of the vehicle. Autonomous operation of the vehicle, including positioning the vehicle component according to the instruction, is performed. |
| US09360863B2 |
Data perturbation for wafer inspection or metrology setup using a model of a difference
Various embodiments for determining parameters for wafer inspection and/or metrology are provided. |
| US09360860B2 |
Entry detection device, robot, and entry detection method
An entry detection device includes first light marks and second light marks. A control signal corresponding to a part of the first light marks is an error detection code of the control signal corresponding to the other part of the first light marks. A first inspection value is generated based on a first part of a light receiving signal corresponding to the other part of the first light marks. A second inspection value is generated based on a reverse bit string of a third part of the light receiving signal corresponding to a part of the second light mark paired with the other part of the first light marks. An entry is detected based on the first inspection value and the second inspection value. |
| US09360857B2 |
Electrical discharge milling machine
The invention relates to electrical discharge milling machines using tool electrodes subject to longitudinal wear. The inventive discharge milling machine is equipped with a numerical controller executing at least one control cycle for compensating the wear considering the following steps: (a) determining the volume Q eroded by each discharge, (b) calculating the distance s travelled by the tool from one effective discharge to the next, (c) calculating the actual eroded linear volume M [m3/m] for at least one effective discharge, M forming a measurement sample from the values Q and s, (d) comparing said sample M with the corresponding set value C to generate an error D=C−M [m3/m], and (e) calculating and transmitting a command by the numerical controller intended to reduce this error D during the following cycle or cycles. |
| US09360855B2 |
Anomaly detection system for detecting anomaly in multiple control systems
An anomaly detection system for detecting an anomaly in a plurality of control systems comprises a plurality of analysis devices that are associated with the respective control systems and that acquire an event occurring in an associated control system and analyze the event to determine whether there is an anomaly. A first analysis device among the plurality of analysis devices determines whether an event occurring in the associated control system is to be indicated to a second analysis device among the plurality of analysis devices, and the second analysis device determines that there is an anomaly on condition that the event indicated by the first analysis device has correlation with an event indicated by an analysis device other than the first analysis device. |
| US09360850B2 |
Modular monitor and control system for cell sorter stream
A modular monitor and control system which monitors the fluid jet and droplet formation region in a stream-in-air cell or particle sorter and controls sheath fluid and sample flows via the first and second valves. The system includes a processor which receives digital video image signals of the fluid jet and droplet formation region in the sorter; continuously analyzes the digital image signals to determine a significant change in the digital image signal; and triggers at least a relay switch activation signal in response to a determined significant change. At least one relay switch which is separate from the cell sorter and in communication with the processor is connected with the first and second valves and configured to close the first and second valves upon activation of the relay switch via the relay switch activation signal. |
| US09360848B2 |
Reverse-osmosis water desalination plant
The invention relates to a reverse-osmosis water desalination plant comprising: a reverse-osmosis membrane unit (TP); at least one high-pressure pump (HP); a pressure-exchange-type energy collector (SRE) capable of transferring pressure from the concentrate leaving the membrane unit to a portion of the water to be treated; sensors for various operating parameters, in particular pressure, flow rate, temperature and salinity level, said sensors being provided at suitable locations; and control loops so that the various adjustable elements are maintained at a setpoint value. The plant also includes a secondary control system (D) comprising calculation means (26) programmed to determine, on the basis of the operating conditions of the plant supplied by the sensors, a combination of setpoint values for the flow rate of the high-pressure pump, the mixing ratio of the energy collector and the conversion ratio, which combination minimizes the energy consumption of the high-pressure pump. |
| US09360845B2 |
Vertical cavity surface emitting laser and atomic oscillator
A vertical cavity surface emitting laser includes: a substrate; and a laminated body which is provided over the substrate, wherein the laminated body includes a first mirror layer provided over the substrate, an active layer provided over the first mirror layer, and a second mirror layer provided over the active layer, in a plan view, the laminated body includes a first portion having a first width, a second portion having a second width, and a third portion which is provided between the first portion and the second portion and has a third width wider than the first width or the second width, and a resin layer which covers at least one portion of the first portion is provided. |
| US09360844B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method of frequency generation using an atomic resonator
Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of generating a frequency reference using a solid-state atomic resonator formed by a solid-state material including an optical cavity having color centers. A device may include a solid-state atomic clock to generate a clock frequency signal, the solid-state atomic clock including a solid state atomic resonator formed by a solid-state material including an optical cavity having color centers, which are capable of exhibiting hyperfine transition, wherein the solid-state atomic clock may generate the clock frequency signal based on a hyperfine resonance frequency of the color centers. The device may also include a compensator to compensate for a change in one or more attributes of the solid state atomic resonator, which are to affect the hyperfine resonance frequency of the color centers. |
| US09360837B2 |
Air-conditioning unit, image forming apparatus incorporating same, and air-conditioning channel switching method
An air-conditioning unit includes an air conditioner to control air temperature, a first channel to guide air supplied from the air conditioner to a conditioning target, a heat exchange channel through which the air supplied from the air conditioner exchanges heat with the conditioning target, a second channel to guide air from the conditioning target either outside the air-conditioning unit or to the air conditioner, and a channel switching unit to cause the air conditioner to suck in either external air or the air guided from the conditioning target. |
| US09360836B2 |
Image forming apparatus, method of controlling image forming apparatus, and program
An image forming apparatus is provided in which, in receiving a job and processing an image, a central processing unit (CPU) that can be cooled by a cooling unit to which electric power is supplied from a power supply unit controls a printing unit. The CPU, after a power state of the image forming apparatus is shifted to a second power state lower in power consumption than a first power state, recognizes that a receiving unit has received a job for returning from the second power state to the first power state. Then, the CPU performs adjustment such that start timing for supplying electric power from the power supply unit to the cooling unit is delayed. |
| US09360824B2 |
Image forming apparatus and process cartridge
An image forming apparatus is provided which includes an image bearer, a charger, an irradiator, a developing device to develop an electrostatic latent image on the image bearer with a toner to form a toner image, a transfer device to transfer the toner image onto a transfer medium, and a cleaner to remove toner particles remaining on the image bearer without being transferred. The toner includes a mother particle including a binder resin and a colorant and one or more external additives. At least one of the external additives includes primary particles having a number average particle diameter in the range of 0.05 to 0.30 μm. The cleaner includes an elastic body blade having a contact part with the image bearer. The contact part has a surface elastic modulus in the range of 15 to 25 N/mm2 and a surface friction coefficient in the range of 0.5 to 0.7. |
| US09360822B2 |
Photoconductor overcoat having radical polymerizable charge transport molecules containing two ethyl acrylate functional groups and urethane acrylate resins containing six radical polymerizable functional groups
An improved overcoat layer for an organic photoconductor drum of an electrophotographic image forming device is provided. The overcoat layer is prepared from a curable composition including a triphenylamine charge transport containing two ethyl acrylate functional groups and a urethane resin containing six radical polymerizable functional groups. The amount of the triphenylamine charge transport containing two ethyl acrylate functional groups in the curable composition is about 20 to about 80 percent by weight. The amount of the urethane resin containing six radical polymerizable functional groups in the curable composition is about 20 to about 80 percent by weight. This overcoat layer improves wear resistance of the organic photoconductor drum without negatively altering the electrophotographic properties, thus protecting the organic photoconductor drum from damage and ultimately providing a photoconductor with a longer useful life when compared to other organic photoconductors commercially available. |
| US09360820B2 |
Single blower providing cooling and air knife
Printing apparatuses include, among other components, a media path transporting sheets of print media in a process direction. A transfer station is located at a first location of the media path, and a fusing station is located at a second location of the media path (the second location is closer to the end of the media path (in the process direction) relative to the first location). Also, a single blower is located adjacent the fusing station, and two outlets receive air from the single blower. A first outlet (of the two outlets) provides air to the transfer station to reduce the temperature of the transfer station, and a second outlet (of the two outlets) is located between the transfer station and the fusing station and directs the sheets of print media toward one side of the media path. |
| US09360819B2 |
Printing apparatus and control method
A printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a feeding unit, a conveying unit including a pair of rollers, a printing unit, a control unit and a determination unit. The control can execute successive overlapped conveyance and skew correction. In the skew correction a leading edge of the printing medium abuts against the pair of rollers in a stop state. The determination unit determines whether to execute the successive overlapped conveyance. The control unit executes the skew correction of the succeeding printing medium at a timing according to a determination result of the determination unit. |
| US09360818B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image formation method having toner saving mode
Provided is an image forming apparatus that can fully reduce toner consumption. The image forming apparatus includes a memory part and a toner saving processing part. The memory part memorizes a toner saving table having a toner saving mode, a toner remaining threshold, a printing permission language, a language changing permission, and a changed classification. The toner saving processing part selects, when a specific fixed form document is printed according to a setup of the toner saving table memorized in the memory part, a language allowable to print with a least dot number for a specific fixed form document from a plurality of set languages. The toner saving processing part has a first saving mode that selects the language for each page when remaining toner amount is within a first range. |
| US09360817B2 |
Image forming apparatus, method for controlling image forming apparatus, and storage medium
If a cartridge is a predetermined cartridge, change of a toner LOW threshold value is permitted. On the other hand, if the cartridge is not the predetermined cartridge, change of the toner LOW threshold value is inhibited. |
| US09360813B2 |
Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes: an image processing unit; a discharge unit to which a recording medium is discharged; a first conveyance path for conveying the recording medium from the image processing unit to the discharge unit; a second conveyance path having a part overlapped with the first conveyance path and for reversing and conveying the recording medium from the overlapped part to the image processing unit through a path different from the first conveyance path; a first rotary member that is arranged at the overlapped part; and a control unit that controls the first rotary member, wherein the control unit makes the recording medium stand by at a position including at least the overlapped part before the recording medium is conveyed to the image processing unit through the second conveyance path. |
| US09360807B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer on which a toner image is formed, an intermediate transfer belt onto which the toner image transferred from the image bearer, a secondary transfer member, a guide assembly, and a biasing device. The secondary transfer member meets the intermediate transfer belt to form a secondary transfer nip in which the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt onto a recording sheet. The guide assembly disposed upstream from the secondary transfer member in a transport direction of the recording sheet guides the recording sheet at a position lower than the secondary transfer nip such that a leading end of the recording sheet contacts the secondary transfer member before entering the secondary transfer nip. The biasing device biases the secondary transfer member to move the secondary transfer member in one of a direction of bias and a vertical direction. |
| US09360804B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control method thereof
An image forming apparatus to control a distance between paper sheets by sensing a surface pattern of fed paper and a method of controlling the same is provided. The image forming apparatus may include a paper transport unit configured to transport paper, a paper sensing unit disposed in a transport path of the paper and configured to sense a surface pattern of the transported paper, and a controller configured to control the paper transport unit to adjust a distance between paper sheets based on a change in the sensed surface pattern of the paper. |
| US09360803B2 |
Image forming apparatus, fixing device, drying device, developer, and liquid droplets for use in image formation
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium by using a developer and an energy generating unit that generates energy that causes the developer on the recording medium, on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit, to generate heat. |
| US09360801B2 |
Image forming apparatus with removably attached toner leakage preventing member
An image forming apparatus includes a main housing, a drum unit, a developing unit, a toner container, and a paper conveyance unit. The drum unit includes a photosensitive drum. The developing unit includes a developer roller that develops a toner image on the photosensitive drum. The toner container contains toner. The paper conveyance unit is openable and closable. The image forming apparatus includes a toner leakage preventing member that is removably attached to the housing so as to extend through a space formed between the paper conveyance unit and each of the drum unit and the developing unit. |
| US09360797B1 |
Toner cartridge having a movable projection for providing installation feedback to an image forming device
A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a toner reservoir. An outlet port faces downward on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. A linkage is positioned on the first side of the housing and has an engagement surface that is accessible at the rear of the housing. A projection is positioned on the first side of the housing and is movable between a first position and a second position. The projection is operatively connected to the linkage such that the projection moves upward from the first position to the second position when the engagement surface receives a forward force that is toward the front of the housing. The projection extends outward sideways from the first side when the projection is in the second position. |
| US09360795B2 |
Method of supplying developing unit with toner and image forming apparatus using the same
A method of supplying a developing unit with toner and an image forming apparatus using the method are provided. The method may include supplying toner to a developing unit separate from a toner bottle in an image forming apparatus. The method includes: detecting a remaining amount of toner in the developing unit during printing; comparing the remaining amount of toner with a first reference value; if the remaining amount of toner is greater than the first reference value, continuing printing; and if the remaining amount of toner is not greater than the first reference value, determining whether to supply toner based on a preset mode. Deterioration of printing quality in a toner supply mode may be markedly reduced according to a user's settings. |
| US09360790B2 |
Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus
An optical scanning device that performs optical scanning across an object to be scanned with a light deflected, comprises: a deflection unit that causes a deflection mirror driven by a driving source to deflect the travel direction of light emitted from a light source and generates the light deflected; a resonator that includes a resonance space for reducing sound emitted from the deflection unit and a resonance passage communicating with the resonance space to direct sound from outside to inside the resonance space; a housing that accommodates the deflection unit and the resonator, and a partition wall that partitions a deflection unit accommodating space acting as a space for accommodating the deflection unit in the housing and a resonator accommodating space acting as a space for accommodating the resonator in the housing. |
| US09360789B1 |
Member for electrophotography, process cartridge and image forming apparatus
It is intended to provide a member for electrophotography that can inhibit the adhesion of dirt to the outer surface. The member for electrophotography has a substrate, an elastic layer on the substrate, and a surface layer on the elastic layer. The surface layer contains a binder resin and first particles, the surface of the surface layer has first convexes derived from the first particles, the first particles resulting in the first convex has an average inter-particle surface distance of 50 nm or less, the first particles have a number-average particle diameter of 200 nm or more and 1000 nm or less, and the surface of the surface layer has a universal hardness of 1.0 N/mm2 or more and 7.0 N/mm2 or less. |
| US09360787B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for forming an image with a plurality of overlapped images
An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming unit configured to form a first image to be transferred to a sheet with a first toner that is decolorizable and has a first brightness, and a second image forming unit configured to form a second image to be transferred to the sheet with a second toner that has a second brightness that is greater than the first brightness. At least a part of the first image transferred to the sheet is formed above the second image transferred to the sheet. |
| US09360784B2 |
Magenta toner for developing electrostatic latent images
A magenta toner for developing electrostatic latent images, wherein the magenta toner includes a magenta toner particle having a polymer binder and a colorant, wherein the colorant includes a magenta pigment or dye and a visible light-excitable nitride fluorescent substance. |
| US09360776B2 |
Alignment correction method for substrate to be exposed, and exposure apparatus
An alignment correction method includes: the step of detecting coordinates of a first observation point 14 and a second observation point 15 set in advance on a substrate to be exposed 1 that is being scanned in a scanning direction A, in order to observe an alignment deviation of the substrate to be exposed 1; the step of computing a correction amount based on a deviation between the detected coordinates and a reference line set in advance according to the first observation point 14 and the second observation point 15; and the step of correcting alignment of a subsequent substrate to be exposed 1 based on the computed correction amount. |
| US09360774B2 |
Lithographic apparatus with a deformation sensor
Disclosed is a lithographic apparatus comprising a member susceptible to deformation and a deformation sensor for measuring a deformation of said member. The deformation sensor comprises a first birefringence sensing element arranged to be subjected to stress in dependency of the deformation of said member and a light system configured to transmit polarized light through the first birefringence sensing element, wherein said polarized light has a first polarization state prior to being transmitted through the first birefringence sensing element. The deformation sensor further comprises a detector for detecting a second polarization state of the polarized light after being transmitted through the first birefringence sensing element and a calculation unit to determine the deformation of said member based on the first and second polarization state. |
| US09360771B2 |
Electrostatic clamp, lithographic apparatus, and device manufacturing method
An electrostatic clamp for use in holding an object onto a supporting table, the electrostatic clamp comprising: a multi-layer film comprising an electrode defined in an electrically conducting layer which is positioned between electrically insulating layers. |
| US09360769B2 |
Method of determining focus corrections, lithographic processing cell and device manufacturing method
A method of, and associated apparatus for, determining focus corrections for a lithographic projection apparatus. The method comprises exposing a plurality of global correction fields on a test substrate, each comprising a plurality of global correction marks, and each being exposed with a tilted focus offset across it; measuring a focus dependent characteristic for each of the plurality of global correction marks to determine interfield focus variation information; and calculating interfield focus corrections from the interfield focus variation information. |
| US09360768B2 |
Inspection method and apparatus
A method defines one or more monitoring target profiles, collects and stores initial calibration data of the metrology apparatus, compiling a library of spectra that would be observed from inspection of the monitoring target profiles using the metrology apparatus calibrated according to the initial calibration data. Some operations can be performed periodically, e.g., on a daily basis: obtaining current calibration data from the apparatus, modeling the effect of the current calibration data on the metrology apparatus operation, and using the result of the modeling and the contents of the library to determine any differences between one or more values of the initial calibration data and the current calibration data, and how these changes will be translated into changes in the measurement output for a given number of stacks and geometries. |
| US09360760B2 |
Pattern forming process and shrink agent
A negative pattern is formed by applying a resist composition onto a substrate, exposing the resist film, and developing the exposed resist film in an organic solvent developer. The process further involves coating the negative pattern with a shrink agent solution of a polymer comprising recurring units having a tertiary amino group in a C6-C12 ether, C4-C10 alcohol, C6-C12 hydrocarbon, C6-C16 ester or C7-C16 ketone solvent, baking the coating, and removing the excessive shrink agent for thereby shrinking the size of spaces in the pattern. |
| US09360755B2 |
Thickening phase for spin coating process
Among other things, one or more techniques and systems for performing a spin coating process associated with a wafer and for controlling thickness of a photoresist during the spin coating process are provided. In particular, a thickening phase is performed during the spin coating process in order to increase a thickness of the photoresist. For example, air temperature of down flow air, flow speed of the down flow air, and heat temperature of heat supplied towards the wafer are increased during the thickening phase. The increase in down flow air and heat increase a vaporization factor of the photoresist, which results in an increase in viscosity and thickness of the photoresist. In this way, the wafer can be rotated at relatively lower speeds, while still attaining a desired thickness. Lowering rotational speed of wafers allows for relatively larger wafers to be stably rotated. |
| US09360752B2 |
Pattern formation method
According to one embodiment, a pattern formation method is disclosed. The method is configured to transfer a shape of a pattern to a plurality of shot regions of an object using a mold including a first pattern region and a second pattern region aligned with the first pattern region. The method can include transferring the shape of the pattern to each of the plurality of shot regions sequentially in a first direction from the first pattern region toward the second pattern region when the shape of the pattern is transferred using the first pattern region. The method can include transferring the shape of the pattern to each of the plurality of shot regions sequentially in a second direction from the second pattern region toward the first pattern region when the shape of the pattern is transferred using the second pattern region. |
| US09360740B2 |
Actively stabilized payload support apparatus and methods
A payload stabilizer suitable for use with video camera payloads. The stabilizer has a feedback system providing supplemental torques to the payload through a gimbal while remaining responsive to direct operator control. |
| US09360739B2 |
Photographic and video mounting plate with deployable attachment point
A mounting plate for securing a photographic and video device to a stabilizing element. The mounting plate is affixed to the device using a fastener and includes a deployable attachment member movable between a retained position and deployed position. In the retained position, the mount is usable and attachable to a stabilizing element. In the deployed position, the mount is attachable to a strap or similar element using the attachment member. The device allows a user to easily and quickly affix the mount to both a strap and a stabilizing element. |
| US09360734B2 |
Vertical wire absorbing structure of compact camera module
A vertical wire absorbing structure of a compact camera module is disclosed. The vertical wire absorbing structure of a compact camera module absorbs an impact applied to a wire spring for coupling a lens holder and a spacer when a lens holder for, when a camera is severely shaken or a lens holder for correcting the shaking or automatically adjusting a focus of the camera is moved, correcting the shaking or automatically adjusting a focus of a lens due to an absorber disposed on or under a spacer. |
| US09360732B2 |
Display unit and method of driving same, as well as electronic apparatus
Provided is a display unit capable of improving display performance. The display unit includes an electrophoretic particle disposed between a pair of electrodes for each pixel; and a voltage control circuit applying a voltage for each pixel, to move the electrophoretic particle. The voltage control circuit counts, for each pixel, a number of applications of a first voltage and a number of applications of a second voltage, the first voltage being applied to move the electrophoretic particle towards one of the electrodes, and the second voltage being applied to move the electrophoretic particle towards the other of the electrodes. Further, at an arbitrary timing following start of display, when the number of applications of the second voltage in part of pixels is smaller than that in other pixel, the voltage control circuit applies the second voltage to the pixel with the smaller number of applications, to bring this smaller number of applications closer to the number of applications in the other pixel. |
| US09360731B2 |
Systems and methods for automated control of electrochromic glass
Automated shade systems may comprise controllers that use algorithms to control operation of the automated shade control system and components thereof, for example window coverings, glass having variable characteristics, and so forth. These algorithms may include information such as: 3-D models of a building and surrounding structures, shadow information, reflectance information, lighting and radiation information, information regarding one or more variable characteristics of glass, clear sky algorithms, log information related to manual overrides, occupant preference information, motion information, real-time sky conditions, solar radiation on a building, a total foot-candle load on a structure, brightness overrides, actual and/or calculated BTU load, time-of-year information, and microclimate analysis. |
| US09360730B2 |
Display panel, method for manufacturing the same, and display device comprising the same
A display panel, a method for manufacturing the display panel and a display device are provided. The display panel comprises a first transparent substrate (1) and a second transparent substrate (2) disposed opposite to the first transparent (1), the display panel further comprises a black matrix (3) disposed between the first transparent substrate (1) and the second transparent substrate (2), wherein the black matrix (3) together with the first transparent substrate (1) and the second transparent substrate (2) forms a plurality of pixel spaces separated from each other, electrochromatic material (4) disposed in each of the pixel spaces, and the display panel further comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, the plurality of pixel spaces being disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The method for manufacturing the display panel and the display device utilize the electrochromatic material instead of liquid crystals, thus having various advantages, such as a simple structure, simple manufacturing processes, low cost, good economic effect, good display effect and etc. |
| US09360729B2 |
Electrochromic lithium nickel group 6 mixed metal oxides
Multi-layer electrochromic structures comprising an anodic electrochromic layer comprising a lithium nickel oxide composition on a first substrate, the anodic electrochromic layer comprising lithium, nickel and a Group 6 metal selected from molybdenum, tungsten and a combination thereof, wherein (i) the atomic ratio of lithium to the combined amount of nickel, molybdenum, and tungsten in the anodic electrochromic layer is at least 0.4:1, respectively, (ii) the atomic ratio of the combined amount of molybdenum and tungsten to the combined amount of nickel, molybdenum and tungsten in the anodic electrochromic layer is at least about 0.025:1, respectively, and (iii) the anodic electrochromic layer exhibits an interplanar distance (d-spacing) of at least 2.5 Å as measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD), comprises at least 0.05 wt. % carbon, and/or has a coloration efficiency absolute value of at least 19 cm2/C. |
| US09360727B1 |
Pixel structure of display panel
A pixel structure of display panel includes a first thin film transistor device, a second thin film transistor device, a first passivation layer, a common electrode, a second passivation layer, a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode. The first passivation layer has a first opening partially exposing a first drain electrode of the first thin film transistor device and a second drain electrode of the second thin film transistor device. The common electrode has a second opening partially exposing the first drain electrode and the second drain electrode. The second passivation layer has a third opening partially exposing the first drain electrode and the second drain electrode. The first pixel electrode is electrically connected to the first drain electrode through the third opening, the second opening and the first opening, and the second pixel electrode is electrically connected to the second drain electrode through the third opening, the second opening and the first opening. |
| US09360724B2 |
Array substrate and display device
An array substrate and a display device are provided. The array substrate comprises: a plurality of gate lines arranged in parallel, a plurality of common electrode lines and a common electrode signal line which is disposed in a non-display region on the array substrate. Each of the gate lines corresponds to one common electrode line. Each of the common electrode lines is electrically connected with the common electrode signal line through a corresponding signal line through-hole region. The signal line through-hole region is provided with at least one identification through hole, the signal line through-hole region is configured for indicating a number according to a position of the identification through hole. The array substrate can reduce the frame width of the display device. |
| US09360722B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
To improve viewing angle characteristics by varying voltage which is applied between liquid crystal elements. A liquid crystal display device in which one pixel is provided with three or more liquid crystal elements and the level of voltage which is applied is varied between the liquid crystal elements is varied. In order to vary the level of the voltage which is applied between the liquid crystal elements, an element which divides the applied voltage is provided. In order to vary the level of the applied voltage, a capacitor, a resistor, a transistor, or the like is used. Viewing angle characteristics can be improved by varying the level of the voltage which is applied between the liquid crystal elements. |
| US09360719B2 |
Display device
A tip edge (31) of an FPC (30E) bonded at a most outward position in an arrangement direction (30D) of a plurality of FPCs (30) has an edge (32) inclined relative to an edge (3e) of a terminal region (3T) to face a center of a display panel (X). An IC chip (20E) facing the tip edge (31) of the FPC (30E) bonded at the most outward position is arranged parallel to the inclined edge (32) of the FPC (30E). |
| US09360716B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a thin film transistor substrate, a counter substrate that faces the thin film transistor substrate, a liquid crystal composition that is arranged between the thin film transistor substrate and the counter substrate, an oriented film that arranges orientation of the liquid crystal composition contacting with the thin film transistor substrate, a seal material that seals the liquid crystal composition between the two substrates, and a driver circuit. The driver circuit has a light transmission area that is formed inside of the driver circuit, and is higher in light transmittance than an area in which a non-transparent conductive film forming the driver circuit is formed, and a high sealing property area in which the seal material and an insulating film come into direct contact with each other between the light transmission area and an outer edge of the thin film transistor substrate. |
| US09360713B2 |
Method for manufacturing color filter, color filter, and display device
A method for manufacturing a color filter, the color filter, and a display device. The method for manufacturing the color filter includes: forming multiple transparent columnar objects in a pixel area of a substrate; forming on the substrate having formed thereon the transparent columnar object a black array that encircles to form the pixel area; and forming pixel resin layers in the pixel area, where the transparent columnar objects protrude outwards from the pixel resin layers to serve as columnar spacers. This allows for accurate control of the aperture size and aperture area of pores in the pixel area of the color filter. |
| US09360712B2 |
LCD device and manufacturing method thereof
The invention provides a liquid crystal display (LCD) device comprising a first substrate, a first electrode, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a main spacer and an auxiliary spacer. The first electrode is disposed on the first substrate and has a first thickness and a second thickness, wherein the first thickness is smaller than the second thickness. The second substrate and the first substrate are disposed oppositely. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The main spacer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and corresponding to a part of the first electrode having the first thickness. The auxiliary spacer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and corresponding to a part of the first electrode having the second thickness. |
| US09360711B2 |
Liquid crystal display
The embodiments of the present invention disclose a liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display comprises: a color filter substrate and an array substrate assembled together with a sealant, wherein an electrode is formed between an edge portion of an effective display region of the array substrate and the sealant, and the metal electrode is connected to a first DC power. |
| US09360709B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A TFT substrate and a counter substrate are bonded via a seal material. Alignment films are applied to entire surfaces of the TFT substrate and the counter substrate so as to realize even thickness of the alignment film. This allows a display region to be formed up to the area around the seal material. The alignment film is photo-alignment processed. An organic film formed of the material which is not photo-aligned is interposed between the alignment film and the seal material. High bonding strength between the organic film and the seal material improves reliability of a seal portion as well as reduces a frame region. |
| US09360707B2 |
IPS mode liquid crystal display device
With regard to an IPS liquid crystal display device in which a phase difference film is used as a polarizing plate protection film at the liquid crystal cell side of a polarizing plate, which is arranged at the viewing side of IPS liquid crystal cell, to provide a means for improving the re-workability of the phase difference film at production of the display device.The IPS mode liquid crystal display device according to the present invention has an IPS mode liquid crystal cell and a first polarizing plate and a second polarizing plate, which sandwich the IPS mode liquid crystal cell. Further, the first polarizing plate is positioned at the viewing side of the liquid crystal cell and is provided from the viewing side with a first polarizing plate protection film, a polarizer, and a second polarizing plate protection film; the second polarizing plate is positioned at the reverse side from the viewing side of the liquid crystal cell and is provided from the viewing side with a third polarizing plate protection film, a polarizer, and a fourth polarizing plate protection film; the second polarizing plate protection film has a film thickness of 30 to 60 μm and has a structure resulting from laminating a first optically anisotropic layer, which contains a polymer having a positive intrinsic birefringence, and a second optically anisotropic layer, which contains a polymer having a negative intrinsic birefringence; and the film thickness of the first polarizing plate protection film, the third polarizing plate protection film, and the fourth polarizing plate protection film are each 10 to 30 μm. |
| US09360705B2 |
Indoor/outdoor liquid crystal display apparatus including LED light source for improving luminance
A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a backlight unit, a liquid crystal panel, a first luminance increasing film, and a second luminance increasing film. The backlight unit upwardly emits light. The liquid crystal panel is disposed on the backlight unit to receive the light, and displays an image using characteristics of liquid crystal. The first luminance increasing film is interposed between the backlight unit and the liquid crystal panel, and increases luminance using a first prism part formed along an X-axis direction. The second luminance increasing film is interposed between the backlight unit and the first luminance increasing film, increases luminance using a second prism part formed along a Y-axis direction, and has a refractivity greater than the first luminance increasing film. |
| US09360700B2 |
Half-transmitting and half-reflecting color film substrate, manufacture method thereof and liquid crystal display device
A half-transmitting and half-reflecting color film substrate, manufacture method thereof and liquid crystal display device are provided. The half-transmitting and half-reflecting color film substrate comprises a transparent substrate (1) and a black matrix (2) arranged on the transparent substrate (1). The black matrix (2) has a plurality of notches, and a plurality of color filters (3, 4, 5) are arranged in the notches of the black matrix (2). The plurality of color filters (3, 4, 5) are used for presenting different primary color, wherein the first color filter (5) of the plurality of color filters (3, 4, 5) is made of negative photosensitive resin, and the other color filters (3, 4) are made of positive photosensitive resin. |
| US09360699B2 |
Display substrate and method of manufacturing the same
A display substrate is disclosed. In one aspect, the substrate includes a first substrate which includes a first display region, a first peripheral region and a first seal-line region and a second substrate facing the first substrate and including a second display region, a second peripheral region and a second seal-line region. The substrate also includes a sealing member formed on the first seal-line region and the second seal-line region to affix the first and second substrates and a color filter formed in the first display region. The substrate further includes a first dam formed using the same material as the color filter, formed in the first peripheral region, adjacent to the first seal-line region in the first peripheral region and a second dam formed using the same material as the color filter and formed adjacent to the first display region in the first peripheral region. |
| US09360698B2 |
Display device comprising a color filter layer wherein a black matrix pattern, a red pixel pattern, and a green pixel pattern are disposed in different layers
A display device and a manufacturing method are provided. The display device includes a blue light backlight source and a liquid crystal display panel, and the liquid crystal display panel comprises a first substrate, a second substrate. The first substrate or the second substrate includes a color filter layer which includes a black matrix pattern and a red pixel pattern and a green pixel pattern. The red pixel pattern and the green pixel pattern are quantum dot material thin film patterns respectively emitting red light and green light under the excitement of blue light. |
| US09360695B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes: a substrate; a gate line and a data line disposed on the substrate; a semiconductor layer disposed on the substrate; first and second field generating electrodes disposed on the substrate; and a first protecting layer formed from the same layer as the first field generating electrode and covering at least a portion of the data line. |
| US09360692B2 |
Display device and driving method thereof
A display device includes: a display panel including a pixel that includes a first subpixel and a second subpixel, the first subpixel displaying a first image based on a first gamma curve during a first period of a first frame and the second subpixel displaying a second image based on a second gamma curve during the first period of the first frame, where the first and second gamma curves are different; a gate driver configured to transmit a gate signal to the display panel; and a data driver configured to transmit a first data voltage based on the first gamma curve and a second data voltage based on the second gamma curve to the pixel, in which the pixel includes a voltage changing member which changes luminance of at least one of the first image and the second image during a second period of the first frame. |
| US09360691B2 |
Display substrate and method of repairing the same
A method of repairing a display substrate includes electrically separating a defective pixel circuit from a pixel electrode and irradiating a laser beam on first and second intersection regions. The laser beam is irradiated on the first intersection region to weld a pixel connection part to a first repair line. The pixel connection part is connected to the pixel electrode at the first intersection region, and intersects the first repair line. The first repair line includes a first welding hole at the first intersection region. The laser beam is irradiated on the second intersection region to weld a dummy connection part of a dummy circuit to a second repair line. The second repair line intersects the dummy connection part at the second intersection region, and is separated from the pixel circuit. The second repair line includes a second welding hole at the second intersection region. |
| US09360688B2 |
Electro-optical modulators with folded gate layers
An optical modulator may include a lower waveguide, an upper waveguide, and a dielectric layer disposed therebetween. In one embodiment, the lower waveguide may include a u-shaped region within an optical mode of the light passing through the optical modulator. By conforming the dielectric layer to the surfaces of the u-shaped region, the amount of area of the dielectric layer within a charge modulation region is increased relative to forming the dielectric layer on a single plane. Folding the dielectric layer in this manner may improve modulation efficiency. In one embodiment, the u-shaped region is formed by using ridge structures that extend from an upper surface of the lower waveguide towards the upper waveguide. To aid in lateral confinement of the optical mode, the dielectric layer may be deposited on one side surface of the ridge structures while a different dielectric material is deposited on the opposite side surface. |
| US09360687B2 |
Contact lens cleaning systems
A cleaning system configured to use a hydrogen peroxide solution to clean contact lenses. The cleaning system includes a reservoir to hold the cleaning solution and a complex base coupled to the reservoir to insure a hermetically closed reservoir environment. The complex base is separated into at least a first and a second segment. A lens holder assembly holds the lenses within the solution and is coupled to the complex base in the first segment. A motor is located in the second segment of the complex base to selectively introduce a catalyst to the cleaning solution. The cleaning system has additional features that permit the system to allow for the storage of the contact lenses by converting a neutralized cleaning solution into a storage solution to prevent recontamination. |
| US09360685B1 |
Eyeglasses clip device for climbing
An eyeglasses clip device for climbing has a body, two lens heads, and a pressing clamp. The body has a nose groove, two windows, two mounting recesses, and four guiding bars. The windows are formed through the body. The mounting recesses are formed in a front side of the body and are respectively formed around the windows. The guiding bars are forwardly formed on and protrude from the front side of the body respectively beside the mounting recesses. The lens heads are movably connected to the body respectively in the mounting recesses, and each one of the lens heads has an outer casing, a first lens, a second lens, and a mirror. The pressing clamp is detachably connected to the body between the lens heads and has a fixed frame and a pressing frame. |
| US09360679B2 |
Illumination device, projection type image display device, and optical device
To provide an illumination device and a projection type image display device that illuminate an area to be illuminated (image formation area) under conditions where speckle noise is less noticeable.An illumination device according to the present invention includes: a light source 11 that emits coherent light; an optical scanning section 15 that scans the coherent light emitted from the light source 11; and an optical path conversion system 21 configured to allow the coherent light scanned by the optical scanning section 15 to illuminate an area to be illuminated sequentially in an overlapping manner. An incident angle of the coherent light that enters respective points of the area to be illuminated changes with time. |
| US09360678B2 |
Light modulating module and image display
The disclosure provides a light modulating module attached on a display side of a reflective display apparatus, including: a light source portion capable of providing an illumination light beam, wherein the illumination light beam is capable of being transmitted to the reflective display apparatus, and the reflective display apparatus is adapted to reflect the illumination light beam to generate an image light beam; and an image light modulating device is disposed above the reflective display apparatus and disposed in a light path of the image light beam, wherein the image light modulating device is capable of modulating a direction and/or a polarization state of the image light beam, and the image light beam is emitted to either a left or right eye of a viewer to form an autostereoscopic image perceivable to the viewer after the image light beam passes through the image light modulating device. |
| US09360675B2 |
Optical phase space combiner
An optical component called the Phase Space Combiner (PSC) is designed to join several bundles of rays. The bundles of rays, when represented in ray phase-space, occupy non-connected regions before passing through the PSC, while their representation in ray phase space occupies a single simply connected region (without holes) after passing through the PSC. Obviously, when used in reverse way it splits one bundle in several parts. We present herein the idea of using Multiple Individual Optics, MIO, not for collimating the light from the LEDs but as a PSC. Then a Single Common Optics, SCO, which can be an optical train, is used to get the desired intensity pattern. This hybrid SCO and MIO strategy combines most of the advantages of both approaches. |
| US09360673B2 |
Interaction method in an aircraft cockpit between a pilot and his environment
An interaction method in an aircraft cockpit between a pilot and his environment. The cockpit includes a plurality of activation zones which each comprise an element of interest which is connected with the cockpit or the external environment thereof and which can be activated on the basis of the interaction of at least one movable member of the pilot's body with the activation zone. The method includes the steps of establishing, in a manner repeated over time, the spatial position of the movable member of the pilot's body and a comparison between such spatial position and the position of the activation zones and automatic activation of the activation zone in the environment of the pilot in order to inform the pilot about the availability of further interaction with the element of interest involved. The method improves the interaction between the pilot and his environment connected with the cockpit. |
| US09360672B2 |
Head mounted display device and control method for head mounted display device
A transmission type head mounted display device includes an image display unit including an image-light generating unit configured to generate image light on the basis of image data and emit the image light, the image display unit causing a user to visually recognize the image light as a virtual image and transmitting an outside scene in a state in which the image display unit is worn on the head of the user, and a control unit configured to set, as the image light that the control unit causes the user to visually recognize using the image display unit, specific image light generated on the basis of set specific image data and changing according to elapse of time. |
| US09360670B2 |
Display method and display device for augmented reality
A display device includes a first display unit, a second display unit, and a first image acquisition unit, a second image acquisition unit, an image processing unit, and an image output unit. A display method includes acquiring a first image and a second image by first image acquisition unit and second image acquisition unit respectively, both of the first image and the second image include the target image; determining a display information in accordance with the target image; determining a first display position in the first image and a second display position in the second image in accordance with the target image; displaying the first display image corresponding to the display information at the first display position and the second display image corresponding to the display information at the second display position. |
| US09360669B2 |
Display device
A display device, particularly for a vehicle, includes a base element and a combiner. The combiner moves by a drive mechanism between a position for use, in which a virtual image can be projected onto the combiner, and a stowed position. The drive mechanism includes a translation mechanism. |
| US09360668B2 |
Dynamically calibrated head-up display
A head-up display system includes a display unit including a projection unit configured to be positioned adjacent to a windshield, a display screen, and a controller. The projection unit is operable to project a current image generated by the controller onto a display screen. A position sensor is electrically coupled to the display unit and is operable to detect a position of an object with respect to the display unit. The controller is configured to dynamically update the current image based upon the position. A method of detecting an object is also disclosed. |
| US09360664B2 |
Micromechanical component and method for producing a micromechanical component
A micromechanical component and a method for producing a micromechanical component are described. The component has: a frame; a plate spring that is connected to the frame and that has a front side and a rear side facing away from the front side; a mirror element that is situated on the front side of the plate spring and is connected to the front side of the plate spring in such a way that the mirror element is suspended on the frame so as to be capable of displacement; and at least one piezoelectric strip that is connected to the rear side of the plate spring; the plate spring being elastically deformable through the application of an electrical voltage to the at least one piezoelectric strip in order to displace the mirror element. |
| US09360660B2 |
Methods and apparatus for laser scanning structured illumination microscopy and tomography
Certain examples provide a structured illumination microscopy system. The example system includes a laser source to generate excitation illumination directed toward a target. The example system includes a modulator to modulate the excitation illumination temporally in a controllable spatial pattern to be constructed on the target object to provide sub-diffractional resolution in a lateral direction with respect to the target. The example system includes two synchronized laser scanning mirror units in confocal arrangement, the laser scanning units to be synchronized and controlled by a computing device, a first of the scanning mirror units to receive the modulated excitation illumination and project the modulated excitation illumination on the target object and a second of the scanning mirror units to receive emission fluorescence from the target and project the emission fluorescence. The example system includes a detector to collect emission fluorescence from the target via the second of the scanning mirror units. |
| US09360657B2 |
Imaging lens module
An imaging lens module includes first, second, third and fourth optical lens elements that are arranged sequentially from an object side to an image side along an optical axis and that respectively have positive, positive, negative and negative refractive powers, and a fixed aperture stop that is disposed between the object side and the second optical lens element. The fourth optical lens element has an object-side surface and an image-side surface that has a concave surface segment near the optical axis. At least one of the object-side surface and the image-side surface of the fourth optical lens element has at least an inflection point. |
| US09360655B2 |
Lens barrel
A lens barrel includes at least one lens, the optical axis of the lens; the first frame (the fixed frame 900) having the first restricting portion (901, 902) and having an approximately cylindrical shape about the optical axis; the second frame (1000) having the cam groove (1036) and having an approximately cylindrical shape about the optical axis; the third frame (510) having the guide portion (511) which restricts inclination thereof with respect to the first contact portion (514) and the optical axis and having an approximately cylindrical shape about the optical axis; the drive arm (520) having a cam follower (523), the second restricting portion (524, 525) and the second contact portion (526), and having an approximately arcuate shape constituted of a portion of a circular cylinder about the optical axis or an approximately plate shape; the guide shaft (601) for guiding the guide in a movable manner in the optical axis direction; and the spring (603). The first restricting portion engages with the second restricting portion. The cam engages with the cam groove (1036). The drive arm moves approximately parallel to the optical axis due to the relative rotation of the second with respect to the first frame, the third is biased by the thus bringing the first contact portion and the second contact portion into contact with each other, and the third frame moves in the optical axis direction in an interlocking manner with the drive with the inclination of the guide being restricted by the guide. |
| US09360652B2 |
Lens barrel and image capturing apparatus
Provided is a lens barrel comprising a lens holding member that holds a lens; a guide axle that extends in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the lens; and an oil-retaining bearing that is fixed to the lens holding member, and into which the guide axle is slidably inserted. In the lens barrel, the guide axle and the oil-retaining bearing may be made of metal, and at least a portion of the lens holding member to which the oil-retaining bearing is fixed may be made of resin. |
| US09360646B2 |
Fiber optic ribbon cable
A fiber optic ribbon cable includes a fiber optic ribbon or stack of ribbons, strength members surrounding the ribbon or stack, and a jacket defining an exterior of the cable. The jacket forms a cavity through which the strength members and the ribbon or stack extend. The ribbon or stack has a bend preference, but the strength members are flexible and do not have a bend preference. Furthermore, the jacket is structured such that the jacket does not have a bend preference. The cavity is sized relative to the ribbon or stack in order to allow the same to bend and twist within the cavity with respect to the jacket as the cable bends, facilitating movement of the corresponding optical fibers to low-stress positions within the cavity and decoupling the bend preference of the ribbon or stack from transfer to the jacket. |
| US09360644B2 |
Laser die and photonics die package
A multi semiconductor device package includes a laser die and a photonics die. The laser die generates light and includes a laser facet that emits light from a light emitting surface. The photonics die modulates light emitted from the laser light emitting surface and includes a device side cavity that exposes an embedded waveguide optically connected with the laser facet. A laser die and photonics die attachment method includes positioning a device side of the laser die relative to a device side of the photonics die, engaging an alignment feature of the photonics die with an alignment feature of the laser die, installing the laser die within a device side recess of photonics die, electrically connecting the laser die with the photonics die, and optically connecting a laser facet of the laser die with an embedded waveguide of the phonics die. |
| US09360643B2 |
Rugged passively cooled high power laser fiber optic connectors and methods of use
There are provided high power laser connectors and couplers and methods that are capable of providing high laser power without the need for active cooling to remote, harsh and difficult to access locations and under difficult and harsh conditions and to manage and mitigate the adverse effects of back reflections. |
| US09360642B2 |
Optical receptacle and optical module provided with same
In an embodiment, an optical receptacle includes a first lens face that is disposed on a first surface 2a on a photoelectric conversion device 3 side in an optical receptacle main body so that a portion of light of the light of a light-emitting element 7 is incident thereon, a first reflective surface 14 that is disposed on a second surface 2b on the side opposite to the first surface 2a and reflects the light that has been incident on the first lens face 11, and a second reflective surface 16 that is disposed on the first surface 2a continuously with the first lens face 11 so that a remaining portion of light of the light of the light-emitting element 7 is incident thereon and reflects the incident remaining portion of light towards a light-receiving element 8 as monitor light are included. |
| US09360638B2 |
Optical transmission body, method for manufacturing the same, and optical transmission module
An optical transmission body includes a substrate having a through hole penetrating therethrough in a thickness direction thereof; a cladding member at least a part of which is positioned to be filled in the through hole, and which has an optical waveguide hole which is positioned inside the through hole and penetrates through the cladding member in a thickness direction thereof and a guide hole portion which is positioned away from the optical waveguide hole and is concave in the thickness direction; and a core member disposed inside the optical waveguide hole. |
| US09360637B2 |
Optical connector plug
In the optical connector plug, a length from the end face of the capillary of the ferrule to the front end surface of the flange in the axial direction is larger than a length from the front end of the forward portion of the first accommodation space of the plug frame to the rear end surface of the rearward portion of the plug frame in the axial direction, and in a state in which the front end surface of the flange is in contact with the rear end surface of the plug frame, the end face of the capillary is located in the second accommodation space. |
| US09360636B2 |
Re-terminable LC connector assembly and cam termination tool
An improved, reversibly terminable fiber stub connector assembly is provided that can be readily and positively terminated in the field using simple termination tools. This allows repositioning or replacement of fiber optic cable field fibers if termination is not acceptable in performance. The tool may be a hand-held tool, or used in conjunction with a connector support structure to provide simplified and expeditious field termination of fiber optic cables. The cam tool can include a throughbore that enables connection of a patchcord to the stub fiber of the connector during or shortly after termination without removal of the termination tool. Accordingly, field testing of the connection can be made at the site of termination. |
| US09360635B2 |
Dual-polymer fiber optic interface with melt-bond adhesive
A fiber optic termination includes a homogeneous flexible body comprising a first polymer comprising a plurality of grooves defined therein, each groove configured to receive a corresponding filament of the fiber optic ribbon; each groove carrying a coating comprising a second polymer, each coating forming a melt-bond adhesive for attaching the associated groove to a first portion of a corresponding filament while leaving a second opposing portion of the corresponding filament and lateral side portions of the corresponding filament between the first and second portions substantially accessible for connection to a mating component; wherein the first polymer has a first melting point that is higher than a second melting point of the second polymer causing the second polymer to melt to bond the filaments to the grooves without melting the first polymer when the second polymer is heated to a temperature between the first and second melting points. |
| US09360631B2 |
Optics assembly for high power laser tools
There is provided a high power laser rotational optical assembly for use with, or in high power laser tools for performing high power laser operations. In particular, the optical assembly finds applications in performing high power laser operations on, and in, remote and difficult to access locations. The optical assembly has rotational seals and bearing configurations to avoid contamination of the laser beam path and optics. |
| US09360630B2 |
Optical-electrical rotary joint and methods of use
The present invention relates generally to rotatable optical couplings, and more particularly to a manually separable and re-connectable optical-electrical rotary joint. The invention provides a manually separable optical-electrical rotary joint in which an optical signal and electrical signal are transmitted while a downstream component rotates relative to an upstream component, for example, as driven by a motor at the upstream component. Further, the downstream component can be easily manually unplugged from the upstream component. |
| US09360629B2 |
Waveguide type optical switch
A waveguide type optical switch that can reduce the number of intersections in a matrix optical switch having the configuration of connecting unit optical switches and optical combining devices or optical branching devices to have a connecting function from “multiple inputs to one output” to “one input to multiple outputs”. To reduce the number of intersections in an entire matrix optical switch, an optical combining device of M inputs and one output is divided into (M−1) pieces of unit optical combining elements each having two inputs and one output, which are arranged immediately after (N−1) pieces of respective output ports excluding one piece of the output port closer to the input in the matrix optical switch out of N pieces of the output ports in the optical switch of one input and N outputs. |
| US09360627B2 |
Method and apparatus providing compensation for wavelength drift in photonic structures
A method and apparatus are described which provide for wavelength drift compensation in a photonic waveguide by application of an electric field to a waveguide having a strained waveguide core. |
| US09360623B2 |
Bonding of heterogeneous material grown on silicon to a silicon photonic circuit
A method of fabricating a heterogeneous semiconductor wafer includes depositing a III-V type semiconductor epitaxial layer on a first wafer having a semiconductor substrate. The first wafer is then bonded to a second wafer having a patterned silicon layer formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein the III-V type semiconductor epitaxial layer is bonded to the patterned silicon layer of the second wafer. The semiconductor substrate associated with the first wafer is removed to expose the III-V type semiconductor epitaxial layer. |
| US09360622B2 |
Low loss optical crossing and method of making same
A low loss optical crossing and a method of making an optical crossing in a photonic integrated circuit. An optical crossing embodiment includes a crossing region having a crossing length, wherein a light path through the crossing region is laterally unbound; an input waveguide having an input crossing end and an input distal end, and coupled to the crossing region at the input crossing end, thereby partially forming the light path; and an output waveguide having an output crossing end and an output distal end, and coupled to the crossing region at the output crossing end, thereby partially forming the light path, wherein a crossing width of the output waveguide at the output crossing end is larger than a crossing width of the input waveguide at the input crossing end according to the crossing length, and wherein a lateral center of the output waveguide at the output crossing end is laterally displaced by an offset from a lateral center of the input waveguide at the input crossing end according to the crossing length. |
| US09360621B1 |
Flat-top mode generating device and arrayed waveguide grating having the same
Provided is a flat-top mode generating device. The flat-top mode generating device includes an input waveguide, a double-tapered structure connected to the input waveguide, and an input star coupler connected to the double-tapered structure. The double-tapered structure includes a first part having a first height hat is equal to that of each of the input waveguide and the input star coupler, and a second part disposed in the first part on the plane and having a second height that is less than the first height, the second part being tapered from the input star coupler toward the input waveguide. |
| US09360620B2 |
Thermal management for photonic integrated circuits
Embodiments of the invention describe apparatuses, systems, and methods of thermal management for photonic integrated circuits (PICs). Embodiments include a first device and a second device comprising including waveguides, wherein the first and second devices have different thermal operating conditions. A first region is adjacent to a waveguide of the first device, wherein its optical mode is to be substantially confined by the first region, and wherein the first region has a first thermal conductivity to dissipate heat based on the thermal operating condition of the first device. A second region is adjacent to a waveguide of the second device, wherein its optical mode is to be substantially confined by the second region, and wherein the second region has a second thermal conductivity to dissipate heat based on the thermal operating condition of the second device. In some embodiments, thermal cross talk is reduced without significantly affecting optical performance. |
| US09360618B2 |
Index matched grating inscription
The disclosed embodiments provide systems and methods for mitigating lensing and scattering as an optical fiber is being inscribed with a grating. The disclosed systems and methods mitigate the lensing phenomenon by surrounding an optical fiber with an index-matching material that is held in a vessel with an integrated interferometer (e.g., phase mask, etc.). The index-matching material has a refractive index that is sufficient to reduce intensity variations of the actinic radiation within the optical fiber. Some embodiments of the system include different vessels for holding the index-matching material, with the vessel having an interferometer integrated into the vessel. These vessels permit the optical fiber to be surrounded by the index-matching material while the gratings are written to the optical fiber. |
| US09360617B2 |
Mode filter with refractive index modification
The invention relates to a mode filter for reducing higher-order modes, with an optical fiber (1), which has a core (2) and a cladding (3) surrounding the latter, wherein the cladding (3) and core (2) have refractive indices that differ from one another. In order to develop an alternative to the prior art, the mode filter according to the invention is designed in such a manner that the fiber (1) has, in a transition region (4) between core (2) and cladding (3), at least one local refractive index modification region (5) which is arranged in the radially outer region of the core (2) and extends into the region of the cladding (3). |
| US09360616B2 |
Display apparatus and light emitting module thereof
A display apparatus comprising a display panel and a light emitting module disposed oppositely is provided. The light emitting module comprises a light guide plate, a plurality of light guide grooves and at least a light unit. The light guide plate has at least a light incident surface, a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first I surface. The light guide grooves are disposed on the first surface. Each light guide groove has a bottom, which is the portion of each light guide groove closest to the second surface, wherein the larger the distance from the bottom to the closest light unit, the smaller the distance from the bottom to the second surface. |
| US09360614B2 |
Quantum dot bar container and backlight unit including the same
Provided are quantum dot bar container and backlight unit. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a quantum dot bar container comprising a support including a guide groove formed along a major axis thereof; a cover having a major axis, the cover being orientable to align its major axis substantially parallel to the major axis of the support, the cover including a fixing groove formed along the major axis of the cover so as to face the guide groove; and a fixing portion coupling an end of the support to an end of the cover. The cover and the support are positioned so as to form a window therebetween, when the cover is oriented so that its major axis is substantially parallel to the major axis of the support. |
| US09360611B2 |
System, method and apparatus for contrast enhanced multiplexing of images
A volume holographic imaging system, apparatus and/or method enables the projection of a two-dimensional (2D) slice of a four-dimensional (4D) probing object A 4D probing source object is illuminated to emit or scatter an optical field. A holographic element having one or more recorded holograms receives and diffracts the optical field into a diffracted plane beam having spectral information. A 4-ftelecentric relay system includes a pupil filter on the relayed conjugate plane of the volume hologram and images the pupil of the volume hologram onto the front focal plane of the collector lens. A collector lens focuses the diffracted plane beam to a 2D slice of the 4D probing source object. The focused 2D slice is projected onto a 2D imaging plane. The holographic element may have multiple multiplexed holograms that are arranged to diffract light from the corresponding slice of the 4D probing source object. |
| US09360610B2 |
Borate birefringent crystal applicable to ultraviolet (UV) or deep ultraviolet (DUV) range, and growth method and use thereof
The present invention relates to a borate birefringent crystal applicable to ultraviolet (UV) or deep ultraviolet (DUV) range, with chemical formula of Ba2Mg(B3O6)2. The borate birefringent crystal belongs to a trigonal system, with space group of R-3 wherein a=0.70528(3) nm, c=1.65520(9) nm and Z=12. The barium magnesium borate birefringent crystal is negative uniaxial (ne |
| US09360604B2 |
Broad wavelength range chemically-tunable photonic materials
The present invention provides polymeric materials arranged as photonic crystals, or portions of photonic crystals, having properties which can be easily tuned over a large range of wavelengths upon exposure to an external stimulus. In some embodiments, the photonic crystals comprise at least one portion which can undergo a change in a physical, chemical, dielectric, or other property upon exposure to an altering stimulus, resulting in a change in a diffracted wavelength of electromagnetic radiation (e.g, light) by the photonic crystal. Embodiments of the invention may advantageously exhibit large stop band tunability and rapid response times. Photonic crystals of the invention may be useful in a wide variety of applications, such as colorimetric sensors, active components of simple display devices, electrically controlled tunable optically pumped laser, photonic switches, multiband filters, and the like. |
| US09360600B2 |
System and method for correcting the focus of a laser beam
Focus of a laser optical system can be corrected using a variable radius mirror having a focusing cavity and a separate cooling cavity. Pressure of a focusing material at a sufficiently low mass flow in the focusing cavity deforms a reflective surface mounted to the focusing cavity, changing its radius. Cooling material provided to the cooling cavity cools the variable radius mirror. A laser beam is reflected by the deformed reflecting surface to focusing optics, focusing the reflected laser beam on an EUV-emitting target, and minimizing a laser focus error by one or more of: maximizing a measured EUV power or minimizing a measured laser beam divergence. Providing focusing material at a deformation pressure and at a sufficiently low mass flow, and providing a separate cooling cavity, avoids perturbations in the reflective surface which would otherwise affect laser beam focus. |
| US09360597B2 |
Optical devices with spiral aperiodic structures for circularly symmetric light scattering
Optical devices including deterministic aperiodic patterning using spiral arrays exhibit circular symmetry in continuous Fourier space via polarization-insensitive planar diffraction. Far-field diffractive coupling in these structures leads to the formation of scattering resonances with circular symmetry and characteristic vortex behavior carrying orbital angular momentum. Plasmonic nanoparticle arrays with aperiodic spiral geometry can be used in fabrication of optical devices that benefit from polarization insensitive, enhanced light-matter coupling on planar surfaces, such as thin-film solar cells (enhanced light absorption and efficiency), photodetectors (enhanced light emission and efficiency), optical biosensors, and polarization devices. |
| US09360583B2 |
Apparatus and methods of locating downhole anomalies
Apparatus and methods are implemented to determine characteristics of geological formations in a well. One or more transmitters and receivers electrically imitate a moving antenna. The moving antenna produces a distribution of frequencies by utilizing the Doppler effect. Each anomaly in the well produces reflections with different frequency, amplitude and phase information. Location and characteristics of multiple anomalies can be identified simultaneously in a well. |
| US09360582B2 |
Correcting for magnetic interference in azimuthal tool measurements
Methods and systems that compensate for magnetic interference in azimuthal tool measurements. At least some method embodiments include a downhole logging method that includes taking measurements as a function of orientation from inside a borehole. The measurements are associated with different azimuthal bins, and an azimuthal direction is determined for each azimuthal bin. Because the tool rotates at a constant rate, the relative number of measurements associated which the different bins can be used to measure the effective sizes of the different bins and to redetermine the effective angles of the bins in the presence of magnetic interference. The tool measurements may include, but are not limited to, formation resistivity, magnetic field, and formation density. |
| US09360576B2 |
Methods and apparatus for generating deghosted seismic data
One embodiment relates to a method for deghosting seismic data from a marine seismic survey. The seismic data from the marine seismic survey is obtained, where the marine seismic survey was performed using multiple sub-sources towed at two or more different depths and fired at distinct time-delays. The seismic data is sorted into common receiver gathers, and the common receiver gathers are transformed from horizontal source coordinates to horizontal wavenumbers. For each selected frequency, a matrix operator is constructed, and an inversion procedure is applied to a system of equations based on the matrix operator to generate source-deghosted seismic data. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed. |
| US09360574B2 |
Piston-type marine vibrators comprising a compliance chamber
Disclosed are embodiments of a marine vibrator and methods of using. Embodiments of the marine vibrator may comprise a containment housing; a piston plate, wherein an internal volume of the marine vibrator is at least partially defined by the containment housing and the piston plate, the internal volume containing a first gas at a first gas pressure; a fixture coupled to the containment housing; a mechanical spring element coupled to the piston plate and the fixture; a driver coupled to the piston plate and the fixture, wherein the driver is configured to move the piston plate back and forth; and a compliance chamber in contact with the first gas, wherein the compliance chamber comprises a second gas at a second gas pressure. |
| US09360571B2 |
System and method for correction of vignetting effect in multi-camera flat panel x-ray detectors
A system and method for correcting vignetting distortion in an imaging sensor of a multi-camera flat panel X-Ray detector. A scintillator converts X-Ray radiation generated by an X-Ray source into detectable radiation. A displacement unit generates, during a calibration phase, relative displacement between the X-Ray detector and an X-Ray source at a plane parallel to the scintillator. The imaging sensor acquires, during the calibration phase, a first and a second partial images, the first partial image is acquired before the relative displacement is generated, and the second partial image is acquired after the relative displacement is generated. A relative displacement measurement unit measures the relative displacement. Coefficients of a preliminary inverse vignetting function are calculated based on differences between corresponding pixels of the two partial images. |
| US09360568B2 |
Method for processing data derived from an ionizing radiation detector
Measurements of electric charges obtained by the impact of ionizing radiation on a semiconductor detector are grouped in a histogram. Calibrations and data otherwise obtained are used to obtain acceptance probabilities of measurements, which are used to construct a histogram of events by weighting the measurements so as to exclude the influence of some factors (such as diffused radiation) or on the contrary to enhance this influence. |
| US09360562B2 |
Radiation imaging apparatus and radiation imaging system
To provide a radiation imaging apparatus and a radiation imaging system that can detect radiation with high accuracy, the radiation imaging apparatus includes: a detection unit in which conversion elements that convert radiation into an electric signal are arranged in a matrix shape; a radiation detection unit configured to detect an irradiation state of radiation; a drive circuit configured to drive the detection unit in accordance with the irradiation state detected by the radiation detection unit; and a radiographing kind setting unit configured to set a radiographing kind, wherein the radiation detection unit changes a radiation detection capability in accordance with the radiographing kind set by the radiographing kind setting unit. |
| US09360561B2 |
Radiation imaging apparatus, radiation imaging system, and control method for the radiation imaging apparatus
A radiation imaging apparatus includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix in which each pixel includes a conversion element configured to convert radiation into a charge and a switch element configured to transfer an electric signal based on the charge, a plurality of wirings arranged in the pixel array, and a detecting unit configured to detect radiation irradiation to the pixel array, in which the detecting unit includes a detecting circuit configured to detect the radiation irradiation to the pixel array on the basis of a plurality of currents flowing through the plurality of wirings detected for each of the plurality of wirings. |
| US09360558B2 |
GNSS receiver design testing
A GNSS receiver design is tested, which design includes software for generating position/time related data (DPT) based on raw digital data (dRAW) when the software is executed in a processing unit of the receiver. GNSS signals (SRF) are received via a radio frequency input device while moving the radio frequency input device along a route trajectory. The received GNSS signals (SRF) are fed to a radio-frequency front end of a Representative example of a receiver unit built according to the design to be tested. The radio-frequency front end produces raw digital data (dRAW) representing the received GNSS signals (SRF), and the raw digital data (dRAW) are stored in a primary data storage as a source file (Fsc). The source file (Fsc) is read from the primary data storage, and the source file (Fsc) is processed by means of the software to generate at least one set of position/time related data (DPT). Each set of position/time related data (DPT) is stored to a respective result file (Fres), and the result file(s) (Fres) is/are evaluated against reference data (Dref) to determine the performance of the design. |
| US09360553B2 |
System and method for fish finding using a sonar device and a remote computing device
The present invention generally relates to a fish finding sonar system. Specifically, this invention relates to a sonar device pairing with a remote computing device to provide information to an angler about what is under the surface of the water. Embodiments of the present invention include a sonar device and a remote computing device configured to allow the sonar device to wirelessly communicate with the remote computing device and the remote computing device to connect to a database to register and receive information about real-time fishing hotspots. |
| US09360551B2 |
Object information acquiring apparatus and control method thereof
Provided is an object information acquiring apparatus that generates image data inside an object on the basis of an acoustic wave propagating inside the object, which uses an object information acquiring apparatus having an acoustic detector receiving the acoustic wave, an object information distribution processor generating an object information distribution representing a property of inside of the object by using the acoustic wave, a reliability distribution generator generating a reliability distribution by using the object information distribution, a similarity distribution generator generating a similarity distribution indicating similarity between template data indicating a relation between a real image and an artifact in the image data, and the object information distribution, and a combination processor performing combination processing of the reliability distribution and the similarity distribution. |
| US09360541B2 |
Local shim coil within a local coil for local B0 homogenization in an MRT examination
A local coil for an imaging system, in particular an MRI scanner, is provided. The local coil is an MRI scanner local coil within which the head of a patient may be positioned, and that includes at least one shim coil. A conductor of a shim coil of the at least one shim coil is disposed in a region for a molded nape section of the patient. |
| US09360539B2 |
System and method for perfusion and diffusion MR imaging
A system for perfusion and diffusion MR imaging of a portion of patient anatomy includes an RF (Radio Frequency) signal generator for generating RF excitation pulses in anatomy and enabling subsequent acquisition of associated RF echo data. A magnetic field gradient generator generates anatomical volume select magnetic field gradients for phase encoding and readout RF data acquisition in a three dimensional (3D) anatomical volume. The RF signal generator and the gradient generator acquire within a single MR imaging scan, perfusion image data of the 3D volume, at least partially in the presence of contrast agent, and diffusion image data of the 3D volume. |
| US09360537B2 |
Method for contactless measurement of a relative position by means of a hall sensor
The present invention relates to a method for contactless measurement of a relative position of a magnetic field source, which produces a magnetic field and a magnetic field sensor in relation to each other. The present invention further relates to a corresponding displacement sensor. According to the present invention, the magnetic field sensor detects at least two spatial components (Bz, By) of the magnetic field and a position signal is produced from the measured components. The method comprises the following steps of calculating the position signal based on a quotient of the two magnetic field components; and correcting, before the quotient is calculated, the magnetic field component, which extends in a movement direction between the magnetic field source and the magnetic field sensor. |
| US09360536B2 |
Devices and methods using swipe detection
The present invention relates devices and methods using swipe detection. A swipeable computer of the present invention comprises a capacitive detector having an output, a switchable magnetic field sensor having an output, a memory unit, and a logic unit. The memory unit stores a standard capacitance change and a standard magnetic field change. The logic unit is electrically connected to the capacitive detector output, the switchable magnetic field sensor, the switchable magnetic field sensor output, and the memory unit. The logic unit of the swipeable computer is adapted to determine if the capacitive detector output corresponds to the standard capacitance change, to enable the switchable magnetic field sensor if the change in capacitance corresponds to the standard capacitance change, and to determine if the switchable magnetic field sensor output corresponds to the standard magnetic field change. |
| US09360535B2 |
Isotropic sensor for magnetic and electric fields
Isotropic sensor 1, which comprises three sensor units 2, provided with a lead wire winding 3 surrounded by a conducting screen 4, the screen 4 being interrupted in two first zones I1, I2 diametrically opposite, there being in one of said zones I1, I2 the terminals VB for measuring the currents induced, wherein the two ends of each screen segment 41, 42 in the first two zones I1, I2 are connected two by two by means of conductors 5, 6 and comprises two second zones I3, I4 of interruption disposed at a halfway point of each screen segment 41, 42, in such a way that it is possible to measure at high frequencies simultaneously, independently and with precision, both magnetic field B and electric field E. |
| US09360530B2 |
Method and system for energy storage capacity estimation of battery cells
An apparatus (100) includes at least one electrochemical cell (106) and at least one pass element (104) serially coupled with the electrochemical cell. A control circuit (102) is operable to open the at least one pass element when a charger (105) or power supply (107) is connected to the electrochemical cell for at least a predetermined time and to measure an open circuit voltage of the at electrochemical cell to determine a state of charge. The control circuit can then close the pass element to charge the electrochemical cell, determine an amount of the charge, and store an estimated energy capacity of the electrochemical cell based upon the open circuit voltage and the amount. |
| US09360529B2 |
Battery module and method of testing the same
A battery module may include a plurality of rechargeable batteries; a receiving member that inserts the rechargeable batteries; a protective circuit module that is fixed on the receiving member and that is electrically connected to the rechargeable batteries; a circuit connector that is connected to the protective circuit module and that has a plurality of terminals; and a battery connector that is electrically connected to the rechargeable batteries and that is coupled to the circuit connector. |
| US09360528B2 |
Method and system for voltage sense input
A circuit that includes a bridge rectifier configured to convert a sensed input signal into a rectified output signal and a regulator configured to convert the rectified output signal into a voltage source signal. The circuit further includes a variable period timer configured to be powered by the voltage source signal and to convert the rectified output signal into a low duty cycle timer signal in which 50% is a low duty cycle and the low duty cycle timer signal has a frequency that is correlated to an input voltage level of the sensed input signal, wherein the voltage sensing circuit is configured to operate on input voltage levels of sensed alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) input signals over one or more determined dynamic ranges. |
| US09360526B2 |
Methods for beaming
Improvements on the basic method used for BEAMing increase sensitivity and increase the signal-to-noise ratio. The improvements have permitted the determination of intrinsic error rates of various DNA polymerases and have permitted the detection of rare and subtle mutations in DNA isolated from plasma of cancer patients. |
| US09360525B2 |
Stacked via structure for metal fuse applications
A back end of the line (BEOL) fuse structure having a stack of vias. The stacking of vias leads to high aspect ratios making liner and seed coverage inside the vias poorer. The weakness of the liner and seed layers leads to a higher probability of electromigration (EM) failure. The fuse structure addresses failures due to poor liner and seed coverage. Design features permit determining where failures occur, determining the extent of the damaged region after fuse programming and preventing further propagation of the damaged dielectric region. |
| US09360524B2 |
Testing system for serial interface
A testing system includes a circuit board, and an inserting unit. The circuit board includes a first serial interface and a serial chip connected to the first serial interface. The first serial interface connects a second serial interface of a motherboard to receive a first signal of the second serial interface. The inserting unit includes a first plug connected to a pin Transmit Data of the first serial interface. The first plug connects a testing device. When the first signal is transmitted to the first serial interface by the second serial interface, the serial chip receives the first signal and sends the first signal back to the first serial interface. The first plug sends a second signal of the pin Transmit Data to the testing device to be tested. |
| US09360523B2 |
Display in a graphical format of test results generated using scenario models
A method for testing a system-on-a-chip (SoC) is described. The method includes parsing a file to determine functions to be performed components of the SoC. The method further includes receiving a desired output of the SoC and generating a test scenario model based on the desired output of the SoC. The test scenario model includes a plurality of module representations of the functions and includes one or more connections between two of the module representations. The desired output acts as a performance constraint for the test scenario model. The test scenario model further includes an input of the SoC that is generated based on the desired output, the module representations, and the one or more connections. The test scenario model includes a path from the input via the module representations and the connections to the desired output. |
| US09360519B2 |
Non-contact testing of printed electronics
Apparatus and methods for non-contact testing of electronic components printed on a substrate (3) are provided. Test circuits (11) are printed on the substrate (3) at the same time as the desired electronic component. The test circuits (11) are all optical and include a first portion (13) for providing electrical energy for the test circuit (11) and a second portion (15) for generating a detectable optical signal that is indicative of at least one electrical property of the electronic component. The test circuits are used in real time and minimize the production of unusable scrap in the printing of such products as ePaper. |
| US09360518B2 |
Circuit integrity detection system for detecting the integrity of a sensing wire in electrically heated textiles
A circuit integrity detection system for use in detecting the integrity of a sensing wire in a heating pad wherein the integrity of the sensing wire is checking the inputs from a first and second A/D converter connected to opposite ends of the sensing wire. |
| US09360516B2 |
Wireless multi-scan wire identifier
An apparatus for identifying the location of the terminal end of one or more wire pairs in a structure having a first end at a common origin, a microprocessor sequentially scans voltage applied on the first ends of each of the plurality of wire pairs, storing in memory a value relative to the voltage reading of the selected wire pair and identifying which wire pair has a change in value to a previously stored value when a user changes the status of the second end of each wire pair at the remote location. The microprocessor sends a wireless signal to a hand held device identifying the selected wire pair with the changed status and the user located at the remote location records the physical location of the second end of the wire pair relative to the identity of the first end of the wire pair. |
| US09360514B2 |
Thermal reliability testing systems with thermal cycling and multidimensional heat transfer
Devices, methods, and systems for facilitating heat transfer around an electronic component during thermal-cycle testing are presented. A system may include a core, a plurality of solid state heating/cooling devices, and a plurality of heat sinks. The core defines one or more cavities for receiving an electronic component. The system may include an air mover and a duct. In operation, the system may cool an electronic component to sub-ambient temperatures and heat it to above the boiling point of water. A method of thermal-cycle testing may include a core defining a cavity for receiving an electronic component, selectively inducing said heating/cooling devices to operate in a heating mode or a cooling mode, and measuring and recording conditions during the test. |
| US09360513B2 |
Method and system for determining parameters of a satellite signal
A method and system for determining parameters of a satellite signal present in a coaxial cable, the method including the steps of aligning two capacitive coupling sensors in proximity to a length of the coaxial cable, wherein the distance between the capacitive coupling sensors is below 10 centimeters; receiving from two capacitive coupling sensors a signal being a differential voltage in the coaxial cable between the locations of the capacitive coupling sensors wherein the voltage is relative to a voltage level in a coaxial cable; amplifying the differential voltage by a bandpass amplifier; detecting a valid DiSEqC command sequence being indicative of signal quality. |
| US09360505B1 |
Squelch detector
A squelch detector receives a first input signal, a second input signal, a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage. The first input signal and the second input signal are collaboratively defined as a differential input signal pair. The difference between the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage is defined as a squelch threshold. According to the squelch threshold, the squelch detector generates a detected signal to indicate whether the differential input signal pair is valid or not. |
| US09360504B2 |
Envelope detector circuit
An envelope detector circuit, suitable for use in RFID tags, includes a voltage doubler circuit and a biasing voltage generating circuit which comprises components matched respectively to rectifying components of the voltage doubler circuit. A rectifying component of this voltage doubler circuit is formed by a transistor controlled by the biasing voltage generating circuit which provides a biasing voltage to a control gate of this transistor, the biasing voltage generating circuit being arranged so as to permit a determined forward biasing current to flow through the transistor and further rectifying elements of the voltage doubler circuit. This embodiment provides fast, highly sensitive detection of envelope waveforms in input signals. Thanks to the matched rectifying components, efficiency variations due to variations in manufacturing process can be eliminated. The envelope detector circuit is further arranged for maintaining a stable detection independent of variations in temperature. |
| US09360501B2 |
Integrated electric field sensor
An electric field sensor includes one or more sensing electrodes connected to an integrated amplifier that bootstraps all parasitic capacitances at the sensor input to provide for a very high input impedance without the need for neutralization or other adjustments and calibration. The integrated amplifier for the electric field sensor further includes low-noise ESD/biasing structures to stabilize the DC-potential of the sensor with a minimum amount of added noise, leakage and parasitic capacitance. |
| US09360494B2 |
Rotation detector and method of producing a rotor in the rotation detector
A rotor (1b) includes a first cylindrical portion (10), and a second cylindrical portion (20) including a first partial circumferential surface (21) having a width narrower than that of the first cylindrical portion (10) in the circumferential direction, and a second partial circumferential surface (22) having a radius smaller than a radius of the first partial circumferential surface; the rotor, further, including a first to-be-detected portion having a plurality of teeth (15), and a second to-be-detected portion having at least one tooth (25), and wherein the at least one tooth of the second cylindrical portion and the tooth of the first cylindrical portion corresponding to the at least one tooth are formed in one operation by machining. |
| US09360490B2 |
Compositions, apparatus and methods for monitoring biomarkers
A single device to collect, transfer, and measure salivary nitric oxide analyte and metabolite, nitrite, a biomarker for nitric oxide, as well as, a method to assess the effects of diet and exercise on changing an individual's nitric oxide status and health. |
| US09360489B2 |
Method and kit for dynamic gene expression monitoring
This disclosure relates to methods and kits, systems for screening, diagnosing and prognosing a disease, disorder, or physiological state based upon temporal measurements and analysis of gene expression in a subject. |
| US09360485B2 |
Eukaryotic expression system and use thereof
Provided are a eukaryotic expression system and its applications. The eukaryotic expression system has a recombinant plant cell. The recombinant plant cell includes a first vector and a second vector. The first vector expresses a fusion protein containing an Asia tospoviral common epitope. The fusion protein containing Asia tospoviral common epitope consists of an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO. 1, and a predetermined protein fragment connecting to the Asia tospoviral common epitope. The above eukaryotic expression system is useful for monitoring the interaction between proteins via use of a specific peptide to tag the predetermined protein and demonstrates high sensitivity and stability. |
| US09360477B2 |
Polymer conjugate enhanced bioassays
Modified branched polymers are combined with bioactive agents which are one member of a binding pair for use in an assay. |
| US09360474B2 |
Multi-layer device for selectively determining magnesium ion
The invention relates to devices comprising a sensor layer capable of binding magnesium ions and a scavenging layer that preferentially binds to calcium ions in the presence of both magnesium ions and calcium ions. The sensor layers can comprise known or novel luminionophores. The invention further relates to methods of selectively detecting magnesium ion concentration in the presence of calcium ions. |
| US09360471B2 |
Anti-aging agents and methods to identify them
The present invention discloses novel mechanisms in the aging process and describes novel methods for high-throughput screening to identify, detect, and purify agents to be used for improving mitochondrial function, maintaining the cell cycle-arrested state in senescent and post mitotic cells, and thus preventing or treating age-related diseases or disorders associated with accelerated mitochondrial function loss, telomere dysfunction, and/or deterioration of the growth-arrested state. The present invention also discloses a number of compounds or compositions identified from this method. The present invention further provides the use of low doses of rapamycin or its analogs as a mimic of caloric restriction in preventing age-related diseases or disorders. |
| US09360468B2 |
Method for monitoring cell viability
A method for measuring through optical means temporally resolved, optical properties, and/or phenotypes that are linked to cellular homeostasis. Those temporal measurements enable the detection of cell regulation through various channels linked to homeostasis, in order to monitor cell viability. |
| US09360467B1 |
Apparatus and method for a dual chamber copper strip corrosion test of high vapor pressure products
An apparatus and method for copper strip corrosion testing of high vapor pressure hydrocarbon products using a dual test chamber system to provide over pressure protection to the chambers and containment of the liquid and vapor being tested. |
| US09360463B1 |
Method and system for testing a condition of a catalyst
A method for testing a condition of a catalyst is provided. The method includes providing a gas source in communication with the catalyst. The method also includes passing compressed gas from the gas source over the catalyst at normal operating temperature. The method further includes invoking a reaction with the catalyst based on the passage of the compressed gas. The method includes measuring a performance of the catalyst based on the reaction. |
| US09360454B2 |
Methods and kits for detection of coenzyme Q10
The invention provides methods for rapid and quantitative extraction and detection of coenzyme Q10 in a sample readily adaptable to high throughput screening methods. The invention further provides reagents and kits for practicing the methods of the invention. |
| US09360449B2 |
Functional monitoring of an electrolytic gas sensor having three electrodes, and hazard alarm and gas measuring device
An electrolytic gas sensor which is sensitive to a specific gas and has a working, reference and counter electrode is functionally monitored. A differential voltage between the reference and working electrodes is amplified and the potential of the counter electrode is regulated to minimize the differential voltage. Then a measured current flowing into the counter electrode approximately proportionally to the gas concentration of the gas to be detected arises. Independently of the determination of the gas concentration, a working, counter and reference voltage which is present at the three electrodes in each case is captured and monitored for an impermissible deviation. In an impermissible case an assigned error message is then output. Online monitoring of the gas sensor is thus possible and no interruption of the measurement operation for test purposes and additional components are required. |
| US09360446B2 |
Methods and systems for measuring and using the oxidation-reduction potential of a biological sample
Methods and systems for measuring and using the oxidation-reduction characteristics of a biological sample are provided. The system generally includes a test strip and a readout device. A fluid sample is placed in the test strip, and the test strip is in turn operatively connected to the readout device. The readout device provides a controlled current that is sent across the fluid in the sample chamber. In addition, the readout device identifies an inflection point or transition time at which the voltage between contacts of the test strip is changing at the highest rate. The oxidation-reduction capacity of the sample is taken as the integral of the current profile from the time at which current begins to be supplied to the sample to the identified transition time. |
| US09360444B2 |
Fluid sensor and method of using same
A fluid sensor and method for determining at least one parameter of a fluid of a wellbore is provided. The fluid sensor has a base positionable on a downhole tool and a pair of electrodes. The base is provided with insulation. The pair of electrodes is operatively positioned in the insulation. The pair of electrodes has a space therebetween for passage of the wellbore fluid therethrough. A first of the pair of electrodes is interlaced with a second of the pair of electrodes such that at least a portion of the second of the pair of electrodes is surrounded by the first of the pair of electrodes. A voltage applied across the pair of electrodes generates a current therebetween whereby at least one parameter of the wellbore fluid may be determined. The fluid sensor is deployable into the wellbore via the downhole tool. |
| US09360442B2 |
Detecting apparatus, power receiving apparatus, power transmitting apparatus, and contactless power supply system
There is provided a detecting apparatus including one or a plurality of magnetic coupling elements that include a plurality of coils, and a detector that measures an electrical parameter related to the one or plurality of magnetic coupling elements or to a circuit that at least includes the one or plurality of magnetic coupling elements, and determines from a change in the electrical parameter whether a foreign matter that generates heat due to magnetic flux is present. In the one or plurality of magnetic coupling elements, the plurality of coils are electrically connected such that magnetic flux produced from at least one or more of the plurality of coils and magnetic flux produced from remaining coils of the plurality of coils have approximately opposing orientations. |
| US09360437B2 |
Inspection device and method for a single-dose casing for a substantially transparent container for a substantially transparent liquid
An inspection assembly for inspecting an at least partially transparent single-dose casing of the envelope type, in which there is arranged a substantially transparent container for containing a substantially transparent liquid. The assembly includes a substantially point-like light source and a diffusive screen. The container is provided between the light source and the diffusive screen, which is a side of the casing itself, in order to project onto the screen a profile of luminous intensity that is recorded. |
| US09360436B2 |
Inspection device and inspection method
The disclosure provides an inspection device including a light source module, an image receiving module and a processing unit. The light source module emits a first incident light and a second incident light to a device under test (DUT). The image receiving module receives a first image corresponding to the DUT irradiated by the first incident light, and receives a second image corresponding to the DUT irradiated by the second incident light. The processing unit calculates the contrast ratio of the first image and the second image to obtain a high-contrast image for inspection. |
| US09360434B2 |
Optical inspection apparatus and method thereof
An object of the present invention is to provide an optical inspection apparatus that suppresses an influence of quantum noise and obtains superior defect detection performance even when an amount of light is small and a method thereof.In order to resolve the above problem, the present invention provides an optical inspection apparatus that includes a light source which radiates light to a sample; a light interference device which causes target light transmitted, scattered, or reflected from the sample and reference light to interfere with each other, such that strength of light after the interference becomes lower than strength of the target light; a photon counter which measures a photon number of the light after the interference by the light interference device; and a defect identifier which identifies the presence or absence of a defect, on the basis of a detected photon number obtained by the photon counter. |
| US09360429B2 |
SERS substrates
A surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate device, including a base substrate, a single or multiple layered nanostructure that contains metals, and a plasma coating. The nanostructure metal is selected from the group including silver, gold, platinum, copper, titanium, chromium, and combinations thereof. The plasma coating has a thickness of 1-200 nm and may locate on the nanostructure layer or on the base substrate. The plasma coating can precisely control the surface characteristics, including surface energy, hydrophilicity, and contact angle, of the SERS device and may then help to regulate the SERS substrate with well defined and uniform water/oil contact angle with small standard deviation. The water contact angle of the SERS substrate may range from 20 to 140 degrees. |
| US09360428B2 |
Interferometric focusing of guide-stars for direct wavefront sensing
Interferometric focusing (IF), rather than conventional geometric focusing, of excitation light onto a guide-star that is embedded deeply in tissue, increases its fluorescence intensity. The method can extend the depth of wavefront measurement and improve correction inside of tissues because of its ability to suppress both scattering of diffuse light and aberration of ballistic light. The results showed more than two times improvement in SNR and RMS error of the wavefront measurement. Although only ballistic light in the excitation path is corrected, the intensity after wavefront correction increased by 1.5 times. When applying IF to a two-photon microscope with a near infra-red laser, this method would further extend the measurement depth and achieve high SNR for the wavefront sensor. |
| US09360424B2 |
Device for calibrating a scatterometer
A calibration device is described for calibrating a scatterometer, which is designed in particular for measuring a particle concentration in exhaust gases of motor vehicles. The calibration device has at least one scattering body which emits scattered light having a defined intensity and distribution when irradiated with a light beam, the scattering body having an emission surface for the scattered light, to which is assigned at least one light sensor for detecting the scattered light exiting the emission surface. A screening body having at least one screen opening through which the scattered light exits in the direction of the at least one light sensor is assigned to the emission surface of the scattering body. |
| US09360421B2 |
Use of nuclear magnetic resonance and near infrared to analyze biological samples
In one aspect, the disclosure provides methods for using NMR and NIR to evaluate biological samples. In some embodiments, the methods include a step of performing a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analysis on a sample to obtain an NMR spectrum, a step of performing a Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) analysis on the sample to obtain an NIR spectrum, and/or a step of performing a data fusion analysis to evaluate the NIR spectrum. |
| US09360418B2 |
Nondestructive inspection using hypersound
A method and apparatus for inspecting an object. The apparatus comprises a wave generator and a detection system. The wave generator is positioned away from an object. The wave generator emits an ultrasonic wave in a direction towards a location on the object such that the ultrasonic wave encounters a portion of the object. The detection system is positioned at a same side of the object as the wave generator. The detection system detects a feature response of a feature within the portion of the object to the ultrasonic wave encountering the portion of the object. |
| US09360414B2 |
Light refraction imaging to measure liquid volume
A method to measure the volume of fluid present that relies on the pattern of light refraction as it passes though an airway surface liquid (ASL) meniscus. The method comprises allowing epithelial cells to grow on a membrane in a well so as to form a fluid meniscus about the perimeter of the well. The well is then illuminated by a light source. The illuminated cells in the well are then optically imaged by a scanner, a flat bed optical scanner, a camera, or any device capable of imaging. Microscopy may be used but is not needed, and high powered microscopy is certainly not needed. Then the imaging information from the cells in the well is used to determine a property of the meniscus in the well. Specifically, the imaging information can be analyzed to determine the dimensions, shape, and/or volume of the meniscus and the fluid in the well. |
| US09360411B2 |
Alternate inlet field testing apparatus
Embodiments of the invention provide a containment system having a primary air inlet and an alternate inlet. In one embodiment, a containment system includes a housing configured to retain a main filter, the housing having a primary air inlet and an access door configured to access an interior of the housing. The access door has an alternate airflow inlet. In another embodiment, an air distribution plate includes a front surface having a first edge and an opposing second edge, wherein the front surface is configured to allow air to pass therethrough. Flow resistance through the front surface is greater proximate the second edge relative the first edge. In yet another embodiment, a method for testing a filter includes closing a damper and flowing air into a containment housing through an inlet formed though an access door and across an air distribution plate to a filter, and testing the filter. |
| US09360409B2 |
Method for measuring viscoelastic modulus of substance, and apparatus for measuring viscoelastic modulus of substance
[Problem] A method for measuring a viscoelastic modulus of a substance and an apparatus for measuring the viscoelastic modulus of the substance are provided for allowing information on viscoelasticity of an adsorption substance to be expressed by moduli G′ and G″ which are generally used when expressing viscoelasticity, and for further allowing calculation of the viscoelastic modulus in real time.[Solution] In a system for forming a film by adsorbing a substance to the surface of a piezoelectric element or to a film fixed onto the piezoelectric element in a solution, at least two of N-th waves of the piezoelectric element are used, and at least two of a resonance frequency Fs, and half-value frequencies F1 and F2 (F2>F1) having half conductance values of a conductance value of the resonance frequency in each N-th wave are used to calculate a mass load term, a viscoelastic term (1), a viscoelastic term (2), and a viscoelastic term (3), and to calculate viscoelastic moduli G′ (storage elastic modulus) and G″ (loss elastic modulus) of the film. |
| US09360401B2 |
Sample stack structure and method for preparing the same
The present invention provides a sample stack structure with multiple layers. The sample stack structure has at least a substrate, an adhesive layer and a target layer. The target layer is directly sandwiched between the substrate and the adhesive layer. |
| US09360400B2 |
Sampling apparatus for determining the amount and uniformity of a delivered dose of drug and related methods
In an embodiment, the present invention is an apparatus, configured to collect emitted sample dose from a drug delivery device, wherein the sample dose is an aerosol, wherein the apparatus comprises a collection assembly and a removable plunger. |
| US09360399B2 |
Measuring probe for measurements in molten metal or slag
A measuring probe is provided for taking measurements in molten metal or slag, the probe including a measuring head having an immersion end and a rear end. At least one electrochemical sensor, one thermocouple, and one bath contact of the electrochemical sensor are arranged at the immersion end, and the thermocouple and electrochemical sensor each protrude from the immersion end adjacent to each other. The bath contact is formed from a strip of metal arranged around and between the thermocouple and the electrochemical sensor in appropriate manner, such that two chambers are formed that are open at the immersion end. The thermocouple is arranged in one chamber and the electrochemical sensor is arranged in the other chamber and both are held by fixation material. |
| US09360395B2 |
Method and device for dynamometer testing of a motor vehicle
A dynamometer test unit for use in dynamometer testing of a vehicle, where the vehicle includes at least a first wheel shaft and at least one first vehicle power source for providing power to the first wheel shaft. The first wheel shaft is, during testing, connected to a dynamometer test unit which includes a first individually controllable dynamometer power source for applying a first power to the first wheel shaft. The dynamometer test unit further includes a second individually controllable dynamometer power source for applying a second power to the first wheel shaft. The first and the second dynamometer power source apply a controllable power to the first wheel shaft during testing. The invention also relates to a dynamometer test system. |
| US09360394B2 |
Method for specifying a malfunction of an exhaust gas recirculation system of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle and corresponding diagnostic device
A method for specifying a malfunction of an exhaust gas recirculation system of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, including: setting a first operating point of the engine and a first operating state of the fresh air/exhaust gas system as vehicle conditioning in a first measurement setting; measuring volumetric efficiencies of the engine for the first measurement setting and for at least one additional measurement setting, and comparing the measured volumetric efficiencies with an engine characteristics map stored in a memory unit for volumetric efficiency values of the engine, and ascertaining whether a malfunction is present during the exhaust gas recirculation process based on the comparison; and specifying the malfunction of the exhaust gas recirculation system while taking into account the measuring results for the first measurement setting and for the at least one additional measurement setting and the stored engine characteristics map for volumetric efficiency values. |
| US09360392B2 |
Calibration of optical time domain reflectometry optical loss measurement in optical fibers having potentially dissimilar light backscattering efficiencies
Calibration of optical time domain reflectometry optical loss measurement in optical fibers having potentially dissimilar light backscattering properties is disclosed. For example, an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) can be employed to perform a single-ended optical loss measurement on an optical fiber before and after joinder (e.g., a splice) to determine the efficiency of the joinder. The individual optical fibers provided in a joined optical fiber may have dissimilar backscatter light collection efficiencies resulting in an erroneous OTDR optical loss measurement, because an OTDR assumes the backscatter light collection efficiency of the joined optical fiber is identical before and after joinder. An OTDR calibration factor is first determined before an OTDR optical loss measurement of the joined optical fiber is made. The OTDR calibration factor is used to correct any error in an OTDR optical loss measurement of the joined optical fiber. |
| US09360391B2 |
Multi-axis tilt sensor for correcting gravitational effects on the measurement of pressure by a capacitance diaphragm gauge
A system and method compensate for effects of gravity on the diaphragm of a capacitance diaphragm gauge (CDG). The CDG generates a measured absolute pressure value in response to an applied absolute pressure on an input of the CDG. The CDG is subjected to a variable orientation of the CDG with respect to the earth's surface that can cause inaccurate pressure measurements. A pressure measuring circuit generates a measured value of an applied absolute pressure provided to an input of the CDG. A tilt sensor generates at least one tilt sensor output value that is responsive to an orientation of the CDG with respect to the earth's surface. A processing system adjusts the measured absolute pressure value by a calibration factor to generate a calibrated absolute pressure value representing the applied absolute pressure, wherein the calibration factor is selected in response to the at least one tilt sensor output value. |
| US09360390B2 |
Pressure measuring instrument and substrate processing apparatus provided with the pressure measuring instrument
There is provided a pressure measuring instrument including: a detecting unit including the reference pressure chamber therein and formed in a cylindrical shape, the diaphragm being disposed inside the detecting unit; a communicating unit for providing communication between the diaphragm and the measurement pressure chamber, and formed in a circular tube shape having an inner diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the detecting unit; and an annular flow-path forming unit disposed between the detecting unit and the communicating unit, and configured to form a substantially annular path. The communicating unit introduces a gas of the measurement pressure chamber into the substantially annular path. The annular flow-path forming unit allows the gas introduced from the communicating unit to pass through the substantially annular path and to supply the passing gas to a side surface of the diaphragm. |
| US09360384B2 |
System, method, and device for sensing pressure of a fluid
A pressure sensor for sensing a pressure of a fluid includes a Bourdon tube that has a helical segment and an anvil. A portion of the anvil is positioned within the helical segment. The sensor also includes a dielectric material positioned between the portion of the anvil and the helical segment. The anvil, the dielectric material, and the helical segment form a variable capacitor. A capacitance of the variable capacitor changes based on a pressure applied to the Bourdon tube. |
| US09360382B2 |
Device for measuring a heat flux
The invention relates to a device for measuring a heat flux, comprising a thermopile formed of a plurality of thermojunctions of distributed type. The device is formed of a first and a second ceramic substrate (Ce1, Ce2), a first face of the first substrate (Ce1) is composed of cavities which are separated by ceramic spacers (Ca1, Ca2, Ca3, Ca4), the thermopile is placed on a second planar face of the first substrate which is located opposite the first face, the spacers of the first substrate are arranged beneath one thermojunction (Tj2, Tj4, Tj6, Tj8) in two of the thermopile, a face of the second substrate (Ce2) is composed of cavities which are separated by ceramic spacers (Ca5, Ca6, Ca7, Ca8, Ca9), the spacers of the second substrate rest on a thermojunction (Tj1, Tj3, Tj5, Tj7, Tj9) beneath which a spacer of the first substrate is not arranged. |
| US09360371B2 |
Sensor unit
The present disclosure provides a sensor unit that includes a mounting portion fixed on one side of the sensor unit; an elastic member including a first end and a second end, the first end being disposed on the mounting portion; a transmission portion configured to transmit a detectable signal, the transmission portion disposed on the second end of the elastic member; a reception portion configured to receive a reflection of the detectable signal; and a controller that determines whether the reflected signal indicates an impact, motion, or impending impact. |
| US09360369B1 |
System for determining average ellipsometric parameters for planar or non-planar shaped objects, and method of its use
A system for easily determining average ellipsometric parameters based on data obtained from two different locations on a planar or non-planar shaped object, along with its method of use. |
| US09360368B1 |
System and method for characterizing polarimetric response of a remote sensing instrument
Measuring the polarimetric response of an optical instrument includes the steps of: emitting light along an optical axis; receiving the light through first and second polarizers; and detecting the light received through the first and second polarizers, using a filter and a detector. A first set of measurements is obtained by measuring the intensity of light received through the first and second polarizers. A second set of measurements is obtained by placing an optical instrument along the optical axis in lieu of the filter and detector; and measuring the intensity of light received through the first polarizer, after the second polarizer has been removed. A third set of measurements is obtained using the optical instrument but having the second polarizer replace the first polarizer. The optical instrument may be characterized using the first, second and third sets of measurements. The characterization is completed without having to know the extinction ratios and the transmittance parameters of the polarizers. |
| US09360365B2 |
Optical sensor device for detecting a pulse of a living body
An optical sensor device includes a light emitter for emitting, to a living body, lights having two wavelengths and blinking at a predetermined frequency, and a light receiver for receiving the lights from the living body. The light receiver outputs first and second detection signals corresponding to the respective wavelengths. A filter circuit extracts, from the first and second detection signals, modulation signals that are obtained with amplitude modulation of signals of the predetermined frequency. The modulation signals are amplified by a post-amplifier and are taken into an arithmetic processing unit after being converted to digital signals by an AD converter. The arithmetic processing unit calculates DC components and AC components of the first and second detection signals by employing the modulation signals converted the digital signals. |
| US09360364B2 |
Sensory-and-logic system and method having ultraviolet light estimation from visible light
A method of measuring ultraviolet light includes observing an ultraviolet portion of ambient light with an ultraviolet light sensor, measuring an intensity of a visible portion of the ambient light with a visible light sensor, and estimating an intensity of the ultraviolet portion of the ambient light based on the measured intensity of the visible portion of the ambient light if the observed ultraviolet portion of the ambient light exceeds a threshold intensity. |
| US09360361B2 |
System and method for emulsion measurement and profiling
There is disclosed herein a method of measuring and profiling a process liquid in a process vessel. The process liquid includes an emulsion layer between two media of differing dielectric constants. An electromagnetic signal is generated and transmitted along a probe, defining a transmission line, extending into the vessel. The transmission line comprises a conductor in contact with the process liquid with an insulating coating on the conductor to maximize signal penetration in the process liquid. A reflected signal is received from the transmission line and a programmed controller is operatively connected to the probe for measuring characteristics of reflected signal energy along the transmission line for profiling the emulsion layer. |
| US09360360B2 |
System for measuring level of dry bulk material in container
A system for measuring a level of dry bulk material within a container has a columnar device supported vertically within the container. The columnar device has a closed lower end and openings through a sidewall thereof for allowing dry bulk material within the container to flow into and out of the columnar device. A load cell is used to measure a weight of the dry bulk material within the columnar device, which is then correlated to the level of dry bulk solids within the container. The columnar device and the sidewall openings therein can be provided in various shapes and configurations. |
| US09360358B2 |
Coriolis mass flow meter, vibrating tube density meter and vibrating sheet used therein
The present invention relates to a Coriolis mass flow meter, a vibrating tube density meter and a vibrating sheet used therein, and more particularly, to a vibrating sheet for use in a Coriolis mass flow meter or a vibrating tube density meter, the vibrating sheet having at least one welded connecting portion that is fixedly welded to the flow tube of the Coriolis mass flow meter or the vibrating tube density meter, the flow tube being excited to vibrate around a revolving axis at the welded junction of the vibrating sheet and the flow tube. The welded connecting portions of the vibrating sheet are only formed in the stress insensitive region of the vibrating sheet, wherein the stress insensitive region is the region of the vibrating sheet which has an angle of not more than 45 degrees with respect to the revolving axis. In addition, the present invention also provides a Coriolis mass flow meter and a vibrating tube density meter using the vibrating sheet. The present invention not only simplifies the process, but also improves the measurement precision and service life of the Coriolis mass flow meter and the vibrating tube density meter. |
| US09360357B2 |
Micromachined mass flow sensor with condensation prevention and method of making the same
The design and manufacture method of a silicon mass flow sensor made with silicon micromachining (a.k.a. MEMS, Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) process for applications of gas flow measurement with highly humidified or liquid vapors is disclosed in the present invention. The said silicon mass flow sensor operates with an embedded heater and an adjacent control temperature sensor beneath the integrated calorimetric and thermal dissipative sensing thermistors. When the condensation takes place at the surface of the said silicon mass flow sensor, the embedded heater shall be turned on to elevate the temperature of the supporting membrane or substrate for the sensing thermistors. The elevated temperature shall be adjusted to above the vaporization temperature with the feedback data of the adjacent temperature sensor such that the surface condensation due to the presence of the liquid vapors in a gas flow can be effectively eliminated. |
| US09360354B2 |
Vortex flowmeter
An installation hole, in which a detector is accommodated, is formed in a substantially central portion of a body of a vortex flowmeter. A first ring is formed on an annular wall that forms a boundary between a first aperture portion and a second aperture portion of the installation hole. In the detector, a detecting element made up from a piezoelectric element is accommodated in a holder. A pair of second rings is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the holder. By inserting the detector in the installation hole, the second rings are placed in sliding contact with the inner circumferential surface of the installation hole, and the first ring comes into abutment with a boundary region of the holder. Consequently, a seal is formed between the detector and the body by the first and second rings. |
| US09360351B2 |
Bed monitoring device
The invention relates generally to bed monitoring device for monitoring bodily activity of a person and in particular vital signs such as respiration, cardiac activity and body's physical movement, including the presence, absence, step out or even falling out of a person using a sleeping environment such as a bed; mattress; top-mattress, bedding such as mattress covers, and pillow covers; a pad; a futon and the like. Based on the monitoring of bodily activity, the bed-monitoring device further allows determining sleep comfort and sleeping position of the user. It accordingly provides a valuable R&D tool to manufacturers of sleeping articles like beds, mattresses, top-mattresses, futons and the like; but also in counselling consumers when buying sleeping articles under professional guidance. The bed monitoring device of the present invention is characterized in comprising an optical fiber fixed to or mixed into a flat body positioned within said sleeping environment. This optical fiber enables detection of bodily activity by measuring a polarization variation of light propagating through said optical fiber. Further integration of this device with other monitoring systems such as home automation and alarm systems is also possible. Further integration of this device with other monitoring systems such as home automation, bed automation and control systems, and alarm systems is also possible. |
| US09360347B2 |
Two-dimensional encoder system and method
Two dimensional encoder system and method designed to improve accuracy, compactness, stability, resolution, and/or light efficiency of metrology carried out with such system and method. Embodiments employ a novel retroreflector which while particularly useful in present invention, is believed to have more general utility in optical imaging systems and methods. |
| US09360342B2 |
Estimation of roadway travel information based on historical travel data
A system for navigation along a desired route on a desired future date may include a map interface operable to display a traffic condition and a travel time received via a communication network, and an automobile navigation network communicatively coupled to the communication network. The automobile navigation network may estimate the traffic condition and the travel time for travel along the desired route on the desired future date based on historical travel information, current traffic information and current weather information. Information regarding the estimated travel conditions may be automatically communicated to the map interface. The traffic condition may include geographic location information and/or route information. The historical travel information may include historical traffic information. |
| US09360340B1 |
Customizable presentation of navigation directions
Presentation of navigation directions in mapping applications is customized by obtaining navigation instructions that direct a user from a starting point to a destination. The navigation instructions are displayed via a user interface. For each of the navigation instructions, an individually operable user control for specifying an instruction-specific presentation rule is provided. Instruction-specific presentation rules are received prior to the user departing from the starting point toward the destination. The navigation instructions are presented during navigation in accordance with the received instruction-specific presentation rules. |
| US09360338B2 |
Presenting the viewability of a point of interest on a map
A method, system, and computer program product for presenting the viewability of a point of interest (POI) on a map are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A set of viewing coverage information is located. A subset of the viewing coverage information is associated with a point of observation on the map. A viewing coverage information corresponds to a view of the POI from the point of observation. The viewing coverage information comprises a viewing coverage fraction that represents a portion of the POI visible in the view. The point of observation is plotted corresponding to the subset of the viewing coverage information such that the point of observation is represented on the map as a visually distinct area on the map and has a corresponding combined viewing coverage value. A plot of the point of observation resulting from the plotting is presented on the map as an overlay. |
| US09360332B2 |
Method for determining a course of a traffic lane for a vehicle
In a method for determining a course of a traffic lane for a vehicle (10), structures that demarcate a trafficable space are detected in image data from an image acquisition unit (2), and these structures are plotted on a surroundings map (20) that subdivides the surroundings of the vehicle into a two-dimensional grid (20a) of cells (21). The position of the vehicle in the grid of the surroundings map is determined and updated by odometric data. The distance and the direction of the vehicle (10) relative to those cells (21b) of the grid (20a) having structures that demarcate the pavement and/or the traffic lane are determined. Brightness transitions in the image data are detected and are plotted on the cells (21) of the grid (20a). The course of the traffic lane (22) is determined from the cells with the detected brightness transitions. |
| US09360330B2 |
Information processing system for vehicle
Disclosed is an information processing system for a vehicle that calculates a recommended position of a driving operation in a predetermined area in which the driving operation is supported. The information processing system for a vehicle includes storage means for storing driving operation information of a driver and position information of the vehicle in each predetermined area so as to be associated with each other. The information processing system for a vehicle specifies a driving operation pattern of the predetermined area considering the state of the driving operation over the inside and outside of the predetermined area and determines the recommended position of the driving operation in the predetermined area according to the specified driving operation pattern, on the basis of the information stored in the storage means. According to this structure, even when some driving operations of a driving operation group included in the driving operation pattern are performed outside the area, it is possible to specify the driving operation pattern, determine the recommended position of the driving operation, and perform high-accuracy driving support suitable for the driver. |
| US09360327B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing traffic information associated with map requests
A method and apparatus for enabling users who request a map of a specified route to invoke a data session to see images of the key markers and a video session to see live views of key points along the route are disclosed. If traffic appears congested, the subscriber can request an alternative route from the network along with image and video sessions to verify the traffic conditions of the alternative route. |
| US09360326B2 |
Turning progress display apparatus, autopilot device and method of displaying turning progress
A turning progress display apparatus is provided. The turning progress display apparatus includes an azimuth information acquiring module configured to acquire azimuth information that is at least one of information of an orientation of a movable body, information of a traveling direction of the movable body, and information that changes cooperating with a change of the orientation of the movable body, a progress calculating module configured to calculate a progress of the turn based on the azimuth information acquired by the azimuth information acquiring module and a target value of the azimuth information, and a display unit configured to display the turning progress calculated by the progress calculating module. |
| US09360325B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating sketch map information in portable terminal
Provided is an apparatus and method for generating a sketch map in a portable terminal. The apparatus includes a sketch map generating unit. The sketch map generating unit collects information about route points of the portable terminal by using location information, generates a sketch map message including the route information, and shares the generated sketch map message with another user. |
| US09360323B2 |
Systems and methods for estimating movements of a vehicle using a mobile device
A method of computing an orientation of a mobile device in a vehicle includes collecting accelerometer data from the mobile device. The accelerometer data are subdivided into frames, each frame being a quantity of time in which a sample data point is taken. Statistics are calculated for each frame, including (i) a mean and (ii) a standard deviation of the magnitude of the acceleration vectors. Device usage delimiters, marking start and end points of a coherent block, are computed, the coherent block being consecutive frames in which the mobile device stays in the same orientation relative to the vehicle. A gravity vector is estimated using the statistics in coherent blocks. A nullspace is computed from the gravity vector, the nullspace being a plane orthogonal to the gravity vector. The accelerometer data is projected onto the nullspace, resulting in an estimated orientation of the mobile device in the vehicle. |
| US09360322B2 |
System and method for separating ambient gravitational acceleration from a moving three-axis accelerometer data
A method based on separating ambient gravitational acceleration from a moving three-axis accelerometer data for determining a driving pattern is presented. A server may receive telematics data originating from a client computing device and combine the telematics data. The server may estimate a gravitational constant to the combined telematics data and generate a function for pitch and a roll angle from the combined telematics data. The server may further determine a driving pattern using at least the pitch and the roll angle. |
| US09360319B2 |
Multiple sense axis MEMS gyroscope having a single drive mode
A gyroscope includes a first drive mass driven in a first drive motion along a first axis, the first drive motion generating a first sense motion of a first sense mass in response to rotation of the gyroscope. The gyroscope further includes a second drive mass driven in a second drive motion along a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. The second drive motion generates a second sense motion of a second sense mass in response to rotation of the gyroscope. A drive spring system interconnects the two drive masses to couple the first and second drive motions so that a single drive mode can be implemented. The sense motion of each sense mass is along a third axis, where the third axis is transverse to the other axes. The sense motion is translational motion such the sense masses remain parallel to the surface of the substrate. |
| US09360315B2 |
Bubble level
A bubble type level for determining the orientation of a structure that includes first and second differently oriented bubble vials that are secured within the level body in a manner such that if either of the bubble vials become broken or otherwise damaged, it can be easily replaced and the level need not be discarded. The bubble type level of the invention also includes a novel thumb screw type connector mechanism that enables the level to be removably interconnected with the structures to be leveled, such as conduit. The level further includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced magnets that are connected to various surfaces of the level and a bulls-eye level that is mounted on the top surface of the level body. |
| US09360312B2 |
MEMS element, electronic device, altimeter, electronic apparatus, and moving object
A MEMS element includes a substrate which includes a flexible portion, a fixation electrode which is provided on a principal surface of the substrate, and a movable electrode which includes a movable portion which is separated from the fixation electrode, overlaps with at least a portion of the fixation electrode in a plan view of the principal surface, and is driven in a direction intersecting the principal surface, and a fixation end connected to the principal surface. The fixation electrode and the movable electrode is disposed to correspond to the flexible portion. |
| US09360311B2 |
System and method for calculating the orientation of a device
A system and method for determining orientation of a vehicle is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a vehicle having a hinge joint such that sections of the chassis are capable of rotation with respect to each other. A first and second wheel is mounted to one and the other of the chassis sections, respectively. Vehicle geometric data defining a distance between the hinge joint and the centers of the first and second wheels, respectively, and the diameter of the wheels is provided. Surface geometric data defining the curvature of the surface can be provided. The angle of rotation about the hinge joint is measured. An orientation of the vehicle relative to the surface based on the vehicle geometric date, the surface geometric data, and the measured angle of rotation can be determined. A system and method for determining the orientation of an object is also provided. |
| US09360307B2 |
Structured-light based measuring method and system
A structured-light measuring method, includes: matching process, in which the number and the low-precision depth of a laser point are achieved by using the imaging position of the laser point on a first camera (21) according to a first corresponding relationship in a calibration database, and the imaging position of the laser point on a second camera (22) is searched according to the number and the low-precision depth of the laser point so as to acquire the candidate matching points, then the matching process is completed according to the imaging position of the first camera (21) and the candidate matching points of the imaging position of the first camera (21) on the second camera (22) so that a matching result is achieved; and computing process, in which the imaging position of the second camera (22) matching with the imaging position of the first camera (21) is achieved according to the matching result, and then the precision position of the laser point is determined by a second corresponding relationship in the calibration database. A structured-light measuring system utilizes the above measuring method. |
| US09360304B2 |
Method for measuring volumetric changes of object
Under a known pressure is externally applied to a reference member to which an optical fiber is fixed, test light is allowed to enter the optical fiber, and at least one of a reference Brillouin measurement for determining a reference Brillouin frequency shift amount based on the Brillouin scattering phenomenon, and a reference Rayleigh measurement for determining a reference Rayleigh frequency shift amount based on the Rayleigh scattering phenomenon is performed. A Brillouin measurement coefficient or a Rayleigh measurement coefficient is determined from these calculation results. An optical fiber is fixed to a sample member, the volumetric change of which is unknown, and the same sample Brillouin measurement or sample Rayleigh measurement is performed to determine the frequency shift amount. The volumetric change of the sample member is determined from the sample Brillouin or the sample Rayleigh frequency shift amount, and from the Brillouin or the Rayleigh measurement coefficient. |
| US09360296B2 |
System for calculation of material properties using reflection terahertz radiation and an external reference structure
A system for interpreting terahertz radiation includes a terahertz transmitter configured to output a pulse of terahertz radiation and a terahertz receiver configured to receive at least a portion of the pulse of radiation from the terahertz transmitter. The terahertz receiver is configured to output a signal based on the radiation received by the terahertz receiver. |
| US09360295B2 |
Rotational position sensing apparatus
A rotational position sensing apparatus includes a rotational position sensing magnet and a fixing member. The fixing member is made of a non-magnetic material and is fixed to a rotatable shaft of a rotor. The fixing member includes a plurality of projections, which radially inwardly project and are arranged one after another in a circumferential direction at an inner peripheral surface of a first peripheral wall portion within a space, which is defined by the first peripheral wall portion and a bottom wall portion and holds the rotational position sensing magnet. |
| US09360294B2 |
Magnetic sensors
Among other things, the disclosure features a system comprising a sensor, a DC magnetic field source, an AC magnetic field source, and a receiver. The sensor has an aspect ratio of 10:1 or higher and comprises a ferromagnetic material. The ferromagnetic material has a non-linear magnetization response, and the response contains a maximum point of non-linearity. The DC magnetic field source is adjustable for providing a magnetic excitation field to excite a magnetic field within the sensor. The provided magnetic excitation field has a range such that the excited magnetic field within the sensor is near the maximum point of non-linearity. The AC magnetic field source is configured to generate an AC magnetic field to cause the sensor to generate even harmonics. The receiver is configured to receive the even harmonics from the sensor for determining a position of the sensor. |
| US09360293B2 |
Contour band matching tool and methods
The invention is directed to tools and methods for matching a first ring to a second ring. The apparatus comprises a plurality of contour bands, each contour band having a contoured portion that differs from the contoured portion of the other bands. Preferably the bands differ by increments such that a wide range of matching can be performed to identify a correct contour, which is then provided to a manufacturer for creation of the matching band. |
| US09360292B2 |
Position monitoring for subsea bellow compensators
An arrangement for providing a variable volume size is described. The arrangement includes an outer bellow having an outer end wall closing the outer bellow at one end. The arrangement further includes an inner bellow having an inner end wall closing the inner bellow at one end, the inner bellow being arranged at least partly inside the outer bellow. The arrangement further includes a base at which another end of the outer bellow and another end of the inner bellow are attached. The arrangement further includes a position measuring apparatus for measuring at least one position indicative of a distance between the outer end wall and the inner end wall. |
| US09360289B2 |
Squaring and leveling tool
A multi-purpose squaring and leveling tool comprising a generally trapezoidal body, angled corners, and leveling inserts. The tool may be used for tradesman, pipe fitters, and home carpenters as a means of setting joints and other construction or repair. The shape of the tool allows for the squaring and leveling of joints around obstacles which may present barriers to traditional squaring tools. |
| US09360286B2 |
Rotationally stabilized guidable projectile and method for guiding the same
The invention relates to a rotationally stabilized projectile (1) for launching from a barrel, which projectile (1) comprises a front projectile part (22), a rear projectile part (20) comprising a rotating band (4), and an intermediate projectile part (21) comprising a freely rotatable middle section (2) arranged with guide wings (3) for improving the gliding capability and guidance capability during the gliding phase and end phase of the projectile. The guide wings (3) are arranged extensibly on the freely rotatable middle section (2), and the intermediate projectile part (21) also comprises a regulator device (14) for regulating the rotation of the middle section (2). The invention also relates to a method for guiding a rotationally stabilized projectile. |
| US09360284B1 |
Manufacturing process to produce metalurgically programmed terminal performance projectiles
The present invention in some aspects is directed to small arms ammunition and programmed upset characteristics thereof imparted to them using high energy beams. More particularly, the invention relates to ammunition and methods of making ammunition having predetermined patterns of engraving and/or cutting or hardening and/or annealing imparted in the ammunition's forward portion using a programming laser or electron beam system adapted for treating projectiles to effect predetermined and consistent upset configurations. |
| US09360281B1 |
Rapidly deploying ballistic barrier curtain
A ballistic barrier curtain deployment system deploys a ballistic resistive curtain using a deployment firing mechanism. The ballistic barrier curtain can protect military personnel, equipment, diplomats, celebrities, etc. The deployment firing mechanism utilizes an inflator unit that operates using the same principles as an airbag inflator. The curtain is stored in a barrier curtain storage channel. The deployment firing mechanism is located in a ballistic barrier curtain deployment mechanism integrated at each end of the storage channel. A curtain deployment support column extends vertically from the curtain deployment mechanism. Each edge of the curtain is supported by the support column. The inflator unit is activated upon an activation request from a visual monitor, an audible monitor, heat/thermal monitor, or a manual directive. The inflator unit drives each edge of the curtain vertically, deploying the curtain between the support columns. |
| US09360279B2 |
Device for signature adaptation and object provided with such a device
The invention pertains to a device for signature adaptation, comprising at least one surface element (100; 300; 500) arranged to assume a determined thermal distribution, wherein said surface element comprises at least one temperature generating element (150; 450a, 450b, 450c) arranged to generate at least one predetermined temperature gradient to a portion of said at least one surface element. Said at least one surface element (100; 300; 500) comprises at least one radar suppressing element (190), wherein said at least one radar suppressing element (190) is arranged to suppress reflections of incident radio waves. The invention also concerns an object provided with a device for signature adaptation. |
| US09360278B2 |
Sight apparatus and related methods
An aiming apparatus and associated methods for aiming a device such as a firearm are disclosed herein. In various aspects, the aiming apparatus may include a front sight configured as a post and a rear sight configured to include a notch. An image portion is formed on the front sight and a complementary image portion formed on the rear sight such that the image portion and the complementary image portion present a unitary image to a viewer of the front sight through the notch when the front sight is aligned with the rear sight, in various aspects. Note that this abstract is presented to meet requirements of the USPTO. This abstract is not intended to identify key elements of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein or to delineate the scope thereof. |
| US09360277B2 |
Multiple missile carriage and launch guidance module
A multiple missile carriage and launch guidance module comprising a plurality of missile launch rails that are each configured to carry and guide the launch of a missile and are carried on a common missile carriage wall in respective positions and orientations allowing for missile carriage and launch from the rails. |
| US09360271B1 |
Vibration damper
In at least one embodiment, a firearm comprises a stock comprising a vibration damper. The vibration damper comprises a first resilient member, a second resilient member and a mass. Each resilient member is attached to the stock and comprises a first material and a second material. Each of the first and second materials is elastomeric. The first material defines a body of the resilient member, the body defining apertures therein and spokes extending between adjacent apertures. The second material of each resilient member occupying an entire cross-section of each aperture defined in the first material of the resilient member. The mass is supported by said first and second resilient members. |
| US09360269B2 |
Mechanically-actuated pneumatic valve
A mechanically-actuated pneumatic valve can comprise an input port receiving compressed gas and one or more output ports. A face seal can be arranged in the valve body and be configured to move between two positions. In a first position, the face seal can permit compressed gas from the input port to be supplied to a first output port. In a second position, the face seal can vent compressed gas from the valve body through an exhaust port. An actuator, such as a pin or pin-shaped actuator, for example, can be configured and arranged to move the face seal from the first position to the second position. An actuator of an operative device could be configured to physically contact a surface of the pin-shaped actuator and drive the face seal to its second position. |
| US09360263B2 |
Propellant charge magazine and combat compartment equipped with a propellant charge magazine
A propellant charge magazine having a magazine housing in which propellant charges are disposed and that can be cooled by a device for distribution and/or discharge of cooling air disposed in, or within the immediate vicinity of, the propellant charge magazine. A cooling air distribution system can be disposed in a combat compartment housing, with an air discharge device thereof being disposed in an upper portion of the housing for guiding cooling air into a lateral area of the housing. A deflector guides the cooling air downwardly in the lateral area and upwardly in a central area of the housing. |
| US09360259B2 |
Heat exchanger and indoor unit provided with the same
A heat exchanger is provided in which a large number of plate-shaped fins are attached to outer peripheries of heat transfer tubes through which refrigerant flows. Three rows of heat transfer tubes are arranged along an air flow direction. An inlet side heat transfer tube in a case of using as an evaporator or an outlet side heat transfer tube in a case of using as a condenser has the smallest diameter. In a case where the most windward side heat transfer tube has the smallest diameter, a tube diameter of the most windward side heat transfer tube is D1, a tube diameter of the middle heat transfer tube is D2, and a tube diameter of the most leeward side is D3, D1 |
| US09360250B2 |
Process and apparatus for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation
The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation. In particular, it relates to a process for separation of air using three cryogenic distillation columns for the production of gaseous oxygen. Certain embodiments of the invention are particularly efficient for the production of gaseous oxygen at pressures between 30 and 45 bars abs, in which the oxygen is produced by removing liquid oxygen from a distillation column, pressurizing the oxygen and vaporizing the pressurized liquid by heat exchange with air. |
| US09360248B1 |
Beverage cooler with a separate, removable shaker receptacle
A beverage cooler having an insulated housing wherein the housing has a bottom and top with the top including a (i) center opening configured to receive a removable lid and (ii) a threaded member on an underside thereof and substantially circumscribing the center opening with the threaded member configured to removably receive a first shaker receptacle within a portion of a total volume defined by the housing. The first shaker receptacle may receive a second shaker receptacle therein such that the first shaker receptacle acts as a sleeve to keep the second shaker receptacle out of contact with a liquid in the beverage cooler. The first and second shaker receptacles may be removed by removing the top and unscrewing the first shaker receptacle from the threaded member on the underside of the top. |
| US09360247B2 |
Airtight container for refrigerator and refrigerator including the same
A refrigerator includes a case, a drawer, and a ventilation port opening/closing member. The case has a storage space formed therein and the drawer stores food and opens and closes the storage space while being supported by the case so as to be movable with respect to the case. The ventilation port opening/closing member ventilates the storage space. Here, the drawer includes a ventilation port for ventilating the storage space, and the ventilation port opening/closing member moves in the direction as the drawer to open and close the ventilation port. |
| US09360246B2 |
Under mount roller for crisper system
A refrigerator is provided that includes a crisper system having one or more moveable and removable drawers. The drawers include rollers extending downwardly and outwardly from the drawers to provide maximum storage volume. The rollers are configured to work with channels formed in a support system, which may be integrally formed with a bottom floor of a compartment of the refrigerator. Therefore, the rollers and channels of the support system provide easy access and removability of the drawers of the crisper system. |
| US09360243B1 |
Temperature control system and method TDSF plus
Versatile temperature control systems adaptable to many different applications employ different states and proportions of a pressurized dual phase medium in direct contact with a thermal load. In one aspect of the invention, thermal energy generated by pressurization of a gaseous medium is stored at a selected temperature level so that it is later readily accessible. In addition, in accordance with the invention temperature control of a two-phase medium can be exercised across selectable dynamic ranges and with different resolutions. In accordance with such features, the control can be exerted by varying the input flow rate of a mixture applied to a thermal load, or by controlling the back pressure of the flow through the thermal load.In accordance with another feature of the invention, substantial energy conservation can be effected by employing an ambient temperature evaporator configuration between the thermal load and the input to the compressor. This variant also utilizes the two-phase characteristics of the medium. Moreover, the system can be configured compactly utilizing a thermal reservoir for retaining thermal energy for special purposes. In a food processing system for providing a frozen product, for example, the thermal reservoir can be accessed to utilize the refrigerant itself in different operating modes, such as rapid heating and system cleansing. In the food processing application, target temperatures can be set and maintained on a platen which is to receive food ingredients using energy flows at two different enthalpies, to enable rapid freezing or temperature elevation. |
| US09360242B2 |
Methods, systems, and devices for producing a heat pump
Methods, systems, and/or devices are provided for producing a heat pump. In some embodiments, the heat pump may be driven by low temperature heat. The methods, systems, and devices may include tools and techniques for: precipitating a first material, where heat may be released from the precipitated first material; cooling the precipitated first material; dissolving the cooled precipitated first material into a second material to create a dissolved mixture, where heat may be absorbed into the mixture; and/or separating the first material and the second material from the dissolved mixture. |
| US09360241B2 |
Heat pump system
A heat pump system includes a heat pump circuit, a load distribution element, and a controller. The heat pump circuit includes low-stage and high-stage compression mechanisms having a fixed capacity ratio relationship. The load distribution element establishes a load distribution between first and second heat loads subjected to heating processes by heat exchange with refrigerant discharged from the low-stage and high-stage compression mechanisms, respectively. The controller performs distribution control to maintain a ratio of 1 between temperatures of the refrigerant discharged from the low-stage and high stage compression mechanisms and after heat exchange with the first and second heat loads, respectively. Alternatively, the controller performs distribution control to reduce a difference between the temperatures of the refrigerant discharged from the low-stage and high stage compression mechanisms and after heat exchange with the first and second heat loads, respectively. |
| US09360239B2 |
Refrigerator
Disclosed herein is a refrigerator. In the refrigerator, a water purifying unit including a filter unit to purify water supplied from a water supply source is arranged adjacent to a drawer type storage container in an otherwise useless space of a storage compartment. |
| US09360238B2 |
Refrigerating apparatus
A refrigerating apparatus includes an insulation housing including an inner box. The inner box has side plates and first and second refrigerating circuits including a first evaporation pipe and a second evaporation pipe, respectively. The first and second evaporation pipes are disposed on the side plates. The first and second evaporation pipes are bent so as to form a first comb shape and a second comb shape, respectively. The first and the second comb shapes form a nested structure. The first and second evaporation pipes include a first straight portion and a second straight portion extending the horizontal direction, respectively. A first distance between the first straight portion of the first evaporation pipe and the first straight portion of the second evaporation pipe and a second distance between the first straight portion of the second evaporation pipe and the second straight portion of the second evaporation pipe are substantially equal. |
| US09360237B2 |
Transcritical refrigerant vapor system with capacity boost
A refrigerant vapor compression system and method of operation are disclosed wherein the first (30a) and second (30b) compression stages of a two stage compression device are selectively configurable in a first arrangement and a second arrangement. In the first arrangement, the first and second compression stages operate in a series refrigerant flow relationship. In the second arrangement, the first and second compression stages (30a), (30b) operate in a parallel refrigerant flow relationship. |
| US09360232B2 |
Fluidized bed heat exchange apparatus for recovering heat of flue gas for producing high temperature water
A fluidized bed heat exchange apparatus of a flue gas heat recovery type for producing high temperature water. The fluidized bed heat exchange apparatus passes a waste heat of a combustion flue gas containing a high temperature water vapor emitted from a combustion apparatus subsequently through a water fluidized bed and a heat medium fluidized bed such that a hot water at a saturation temperature of a wet air produced from a latent heat of the combustion flue gas at the water fluidized bed is again heated at the heat medium fluidized bed which does not have a vapor condensation phenomenon, thereby producing a hot water at a temperature higher than the saturation temperature of the wet air. |
| US09360231B2 |
Insulation window
An insulation window for use with a water heater having a tank and a jacket together at least partially defining a circumferential void therebetween, the insulation window comprising: (a) a rigid polymer core including a continuous wall defining an internal through hole; (b) a first compressible layer overlapping a first side of the continuous wall to delineate a first opening in communication with the through hole; and, (c) a second compressible layer overlapping a second side of the continuous wall to delineate a second opening in communication with the through hole, where the first side of the continuous wall is generally opposite the second side. |
| US09360230B2 |
Air duct sealing system for obstructing or directing airflow through portions of an air duct system
The present invention discloses removable air duct sealing systems for obstructing and directing airflow through portions of an air duct system. Some systems include a support plate having an opening and a flexible connector having a catch and a tail, the catch for connecting the connector to an air duct system component and the tail for passing through the opening in the support plate. Some systems include a fastener connected to the support plate, the fastener being capable of interacting with the connector in dependence upon the positioning of the fastener. In some systems, the fastener has a catch capable of being configured in a position that prevents the fastener from moving in a direction relative to the flexible connector but will allow the fastener to move in another direction. Some systems also include a gasket for restricting airflow when the gasket is pressed toward the air duct system component. |
| US09360229B2 |
Facilitating ambient temperature measurement accuracy in an HVAC controller having internal heat-generating components
A thermostat may include one or more temperature sensors, and a processing system configured to be in operative communication with an HVAC system. The processing system may be configured to operate a first operating state characterized by relatively low power consumption and a corresponding relatively low associated heat generation, and a second operating state characterized by relatively high power consumption and a corresponding relatively high associated heat generation. During time intervals in which the processing system is operating in the first operating state, the processing system may process the temperature sensor measurements according to a first ambient temperature determination algorithm to compute the determined ambient temperature. During time intervals in which the processing system is operating in the second operating state, the processing system may process the temperature sensor measurements according to a second ambient temperature determination algorithm to compute the determined ambient temperature. |
| US09360227B2 |
Removable top fill tank
A reservoir system for an operating unit, such as a humidifier, includes a removable water tank configured to provide the operating unit with water. The removable water tank includes a primary reservoir for holding water, with an opening in the removable water tank fluidically connecting the primary reservoir with a secondary reservoir in the operating unit. A plunger is slidably disposed in the opening and movable between an open position in which the opening fluidically connects the primary reservoir to the secondary reservoir, and a closed position that seals the opening to fluidically disconnect the primary reservoir from the secondary reservoir. A float member in the secondary reservoir includes a buoyant main body and is configured to generate a force upon the plunger to urge the plunger into the open position according to the height of water in the secondary reservoir. |
| US09360226B2 |
Heat pump system
A heat pump system includes a heat-source-side refrigerant circuit and a controller. The heat-source-side refrigerant circuit has a plurality of usage units having usage-side heat exchangers. The plurality of usage units are connected to a heat source unit having a plurality of heat-source-side heat exchangers and a heat-source-side compressor configured to compress a heat-source-side refrigerant. The controller causes the plurality of heat-source-side heat exchangers to function as evaporators and radiators of heat-source-side refrigerant to perform an air-cooling operation and an air-warming operation using an aqueous medium. The heat pump system operates so that the heat-source-side condensing temperature is below 40° C. in the case that an outside air temperature is 25° C. or lower and the cooling and heating operations coexist. |
| US09360223B1 |
High velocity ignition system for ammunition
A high velocity ignition system for ammunition including an casing, a primer, a payload, a first propellant region, a flash tube, a second propellant and at least one channel. The casing has a base portion and a forward portion. The primer is provided in the base portion. The payload is provided proximate the forward portion. The first propellant region is located in the casing intermediate the primer and the payload. The flash tube substantially extends between the primer and the first propellant region. The second propellant region is located in the casing intermediate the first propellant region and the base portion. The at least one channel extends between the first propellant region and the second propellant region. A separator with a forward extending cup and a rearward extending cup has a cylindrical portion that engages the inside surface of the casing, spans the internal distance in the casing, and defines flash pathways between the primer and main propellant and between the main propellant and the secondary propellant. |
| US09360215B2 |
Combustor having a beveled grommet
A combustor includes a shell that at least partially defines a combustion chamber and a grommet mounted in the shell. The grommet has a body that defines a passage through the grommet that is operable to communicate air from outside the combustion chamber into the combustion chamber. The body carries a first surface, an opposite, second surface and a third surface that defines the passage and joins the first surface and the second surface. The third surface includes a bevel surface with respect to at least one of the first surface and the second surface. |
| US09360214B2 |
Catalytic combustion air heating system
A system for pre-heating a working fluid within a combustor includes a compressor for providing the working fluid to the combustor. An outer casing is disposed downstream from the compressor. The outer casing at least partially defines a high pressure plenum that at least partially surrounds the combustor. A combustion chamber is defined within the combustor downstream from the high pressure plenum. A catalytic combustor is disposed within the high pressure plenum upstream from the combustion chamber so as to provide thermal energy to the working fluid upstream from the combustion chamber. |
| US09360213B2 |
Valve leak detecting method and combustion equipment
A valve leak detecting method includes a started pressure setting step for opening and closing valves individually to set a pressure in a pipe, a first threshold value evaluating step for closing the valves, after the pressure being set to no less than the threshold value, and evaluating whether the pressure, after a specific time interval has elapsed, is at least threshold value, a second valve normalcy evaluating step for evaluating that one of the valves is operating properly or faultily if the pressure is at least or less than the threshold value, respectively, a second threshold value evaluating step for closing the valves and evaluating whether the pressure is less than the threshold value after a specific time interval has elapsed, and a first valve normalcy evaluating step for evaluating whether the valve is operating properly depending on the pressure being less or no less than the threshold value. |
| US09360210B2 |
Combustion method with cool flame base
A combustion method of a mixture composed of air and fuel uses a precious metal fiber membrane (1), wherein additional openings (3) for generation of a flame field with higher flames (8) are provided, the roots (7) of which are kept cool for NOx reduction, among other things. |
| US09360209B2 |
Method for controlling a combustion process, in particular in a firing chamber of a fossil-fuel-fired steam generator, and combustion system
A method for controlling a combustion process, in particular in a firing chamber of a fossil-fired steam generator, is provided. The method includes determining spatially resolved measuring values in the firing chamber. Spatially resolved measuring values are transformed into state variables that may be used for control engineering, and they are subsequently fed as actual values to control circuits. The changes in the controlled variables determined in the control circuits are divided among a plurality of actuators in a backward transformation considering an optimization target. A corresponding combustion system is also provided. |
| US09360208B2 |
Easy transportable vortex type gas lamp
A gas lamp includes first and second main structures. The first main structure forms a foundation of the gas lamp and includes a reservoir as a fuel tank. The second main structure is directly and releasably mounted atop of the first main structure. The second main structure includes a fluid guiding member, a carrier mechanism, a covering member, and a shield. The fluid guiding member defines a fluid entry zone and a fluid acceleration zone. The covering member includes the fluid acceleration zone circumferentially surrounded therein. The gas lamp includes the carrier mechanism adapted to be grasped, which facilitates disengagement of the first and second main structures for fuel refill and easy transportation of the second main structure. |
| US09360200B2 |
Cooling device for cylindrical, coupleable LED modules
A device and method are provided for controlling the temperature, in particular for cooling, of an LED lamp or LED modules of an LED lamp, e.g., for curing a light-cured pipe. The device includes: a fluid supply line and multiple heat exchangers connected to the supply line; multiple LEDs coupled to each heat exchanger with respect to heat transfer; and a fluid return line. The fluid supply and return lines are connected to each other in a fluid-tight manner by various combinations of L-pieces and T-pieces in or at the ends of the fluid supply and the return lines, so that the fluid flows from the LEDs in a spatially separated way and the fluid supply and return lines have at least two parallel fluid connections to each other, the heat exchangers being arranged in the fluid connections or constituting the fluid connections. |
| US09360199B2 |
Electric actuator system
An electric actuator system for hospital and care beds (1, 20) for adjusting e.g. the lying surface of the bed (1, 20). The actuator system is connected to one or more light sources (19, 23, 24), which may be switched on if a change in the patient's movement pattern and/or position in the bed (1, 20) is registered. The electric actuator system may thus help the patient navigate around the room. |
| US09360198B2 |
Adjustable output solid-state lighting device
A solid-state lighting device has user-engageable actuator physically manipulable by a user and accessible from an exterior of the device to adjust an amount of light output. The user-engageable actuator may take the form of a knob, slider, lever, or other manipulable surface or structure. The user-engageable actuator may extend partially or fully from a housing, or alternatively be recessed or otherwise within the housing with access provided via an aperture, slot or opening. Access may be directly by the user (e.g., finger) or via a tool (e.g., screw driver, Allen wrench, socket) manipulated by the user. The actuator may form part of an adjustment component (e.g., potentiometer, rheostat) which supplies an adjustable output to a drive circuit or electronics. The adjustment component may be electrically coupled to either a primary or secondary side of a transformer, which forms part of a power converter (e.g., flyback). |
| US09360194B2 |
Frame of backlight module, a backlight module and a display device
The present invention relates to display technology and more particularly to a frame of backlight module, a backlight module and a display device. The present invention can prevent occurrence of a chip on film crack (“COF”-Crack”) and formation of foreign matters. As for the frame of backlight module, barrier walls are disposed respectively on the opposite two sides of the frame, the vertical distance of the barrier wall located on at least one side of the frame is adjustable with respect to the center of the frame. Both the backlight module and the display device employ the above frame. |
| US09360193B2 |
Light-emitting diode tube and light-emitting diode tube fastener therefor
A light-emitting diode (LED) tube has a tube and at least one LED tube fastener. Each of the at least one LED tube fastener has a body and a magnetic core. The body has at least one insertion leg formed on a bottom thereof and connected to a top wall of the tube. The magnetic core is mounted in a top portion of the body to be magnetically attached to a lamp fixture when the LED tube is mounted on the lamp fixture such that the at least one LED tube fastener holds and supports the LED tube and the LED tube is not bent due to a weight thereof. |
| US09360185B2 |
Variable beam angle directional lighting fixture assembly
A directional lighting fixture having a variable beam angle that is easily adjusted. One or more lighting sources are disposed within a fixture housing. A removable cover is disposed over the open end of the housing. The cover comprises a micro lens structure that defines the beam angle of the light that is emitted from the fixture. The removable cover, or in some configurations portions of the cover, can be easily replaced by the end user to achieve a desired beam angle. |
| US09360184B2 |
Vehicle lighting system
A vehicle lighting system includes first and second lighting devices. The first lighting device has a first opening, and the second lighting device has a second opening. The first opening provides access to a first installation space on the first lighting device, and the second opening provides access to a second installation space on the second lighting device. The first and second installation spaces are essentially mirror images of one another. A first fan unit is located at the first opening and a second fan unit is located at the second opening. The first and second fan units are essentially mirror images of one another. |
| US09360178B2 |
LED light strip, backlight module and display device
The embodiments of the present invention provide an LED light strip, a backlight module, and a display device. The LED light strip includes a circuit board and further includes a plurality of LED illuminants that are electrically connected to the circuit board. The plurality of LED illuminants are arranged on the upper surface of the circuit board along a first direction, and intervals between the light-emitting centers of any two adjacent LED illuminants are not completely equal. The plurality of LED illuminants include light output surfaces perpendicular to the upper surface, wherein the light output surface of at least one LED illuminant is deflectively set at an acute angle with respect to the first direction or the reverse direction of the first direction. |
| US09360169B2 |
Lens, LED module and illumination system with asymmetric lighting distribution
An illumination system includes at least an LED module, and at least an illuminated area. The LED module includes an LED, and a lens mounted in light path of the LED. The lens includes a light source recess, a first light emitting surface, a critical reflecting surface, and a second light emitting surface intersecting with the first light emitting surface and being on same side with the first light emitting surface. The first light emitting surface can receive more light quantity than the second light emitting surface. Although the light emitted from the first light emitting surface may have greater attenuation than the light emitted from the second light emitting surface, light emitted from the first light emitting surface can make up the intensity losses of attenuation as the first light emitting surface receives more light quantity than the second light emitting surface. As a result, the illumination system 100 have uniform illumination pattern. |
| US09360168B2 |
Flexible electrical connection of an LED-based illumination device to a light fixture
An electrical interface module (EIM) is provided between an LED illumination device and a light fixture. The EIM includes an arrangement of contacts that are adapted to be coupled to an LED illumination device and a second arrangement of contacts that are adapted to be coupled to the light fixture and may include a power converter. Additionally, an LED selection module may be included to selectively turn on or off LEDs. A communication port may be included to transmit information associated with the LED illumination device, such as identification, indication of lifetime, flux, etc. The lifetime of the LED illumination device may be measured and communicated, e.g., by an RF signal, IR signal, wired signal or by controlling the light output of the LED illumination device. An optic that is replaceably mounted to the LED illumination device may include, e.g., a flux sensor that is connected to the electrical interface. |
| US09360167B2 |
LED module and LED lamp employing same
Provided is an LED module with which wide light distribution may be obtained even with a small number of attached LED devices, and which has a simple structure which may be easily assembled. An LED module includes a column-shaped mounting substrate and a plurality of LED devices. The mounting substrate has a structure further including an insulation layer between a first copper plate and a second copper plate. When mounting the plurality of LED devices on a leading end part of the mounting substrate, the first copper plate is used as the plus-side electrode, and the second copper plate is used as the minus-side electrode. |
| US09360165B2 |
LED lamp
An exemplary embodiment discloses a light-emitting diode (LED) lamp including a heat sink including a first surface and a second surface, and a substrate including a first surface and a second surface. The substrate disposed on the heat sink and the first surface of the heat sink contacts the second surface of the substrate. The LED lamp also includes at least one first LED disposed on the first surface of the substrate and a transparent cover connected to the heat sink and spaced apart from the substrate. The second surface of the heat sink is adjacent to the first surface of the heat sink. The second surface of the heat sink extends toward the transparent cover. At the least an end point of the second surface of the heat sink is disposed over an outer region of edges of the substrate. |
| US09360162B2 |
Pressure delivery system
The present invention relates to a pressure delivery system for delivering a gas. The pressure delivery system comprises a gas cylinder containing at least one gas, the gas cylinder comprising an outlet, and the gas in the gas cylinder having a first gas pressure. The system further comprising a pressure reduction valve positioned downstream of the outlet for reducing the first gas pressure to a second gas pressure. Furthermore, the invention relates to a dispensing system for dispensing beverages. |
| US09360151B2 |
Adjustable supporting device
An adjustable supporting device includes a pivotal connection device and two supporting members individually pivotally connected to the pivotal connection device. The pivotal connection device includes a rotational restriction mechanism including a driving part and a restricting part connected to the driving part. The restricting part is capable of being driven by the driving part so as to move relative to the supporting members. Therein, the restricting part is capable of entering limitation ranges of rotational restriction structures of the supporting members simultaneously for individually limiting rotation ranges of the supporting members relative to the pivotal connection device according to the rotational restriction structures. Therefore, by designing the above rotation ranges, the adjustable supporting device can avoid damage to a user due to an unexpected folding of the supporting members, before the restricting part entirely departs from the limitation ranges of the rotation ranges of the supporting members. |
| US09360145B2 |
Pot heat exchanger
A raw gas collection system for collecting raw gas from a plurality of aluminum smelting pots is equipped with a plurality of branch ducts (28d), each of which is arranged to channel a respective branch flow (38d) of raw gas from an aluminum smelting pot to a collection duct (26A), which is common to and shared by the branch ducts (28d). Each of said branch ducts (28d) is, near an outlet (52d) thereof, equipped with a curved section (50d) for aligning the branch flow (38d) with a flow direction of raw gas (27A) already present in the common collection duct (26A), and a constriction (54d) for accelerating the branch flow (38d) through the branch duct outlet (52d) into the common collection duct (26A). Furthermore, each of said branch ducts (28d) is equipped with a heat exchanger (40d) for removing heat from the respective branch flow (38d) of raw gas. The combined flow resistance of the constriction (54d) and the heat exchanger (40d) reduces the need for adjusting the respective branch flows (28d) using dampers, thereby reducing the power required to transport the raw gas. |
| US09360143B2 |
Quick-connect assembly for a fluid valve
A quick-connect assembly for connecting a fluid supply line, to a fluid valve, the assembly including a fluid supply line, a spacing element, a valve housing with an inlet and a transverse slot, and a spring clip. The valve housing has a face which includes an insertion end that defines a cavity having a valve housing stop. The spacing element and fluid supply line are adapted to be inserted into the cavity of the valve housing. The spring clip is configured to engage the valve housing and the fluid supply line after the spring clip is inserted into the transverse slot of the valve housing such that the fluid supply line is secured to the valve housing. |
| US09360140B2 |
Sealing device for a vehicle
A sealing device is insertable into a port having an internal wall. The device includes a seal member and a ring member operatively connected to each other. The seal member includes an inner seal surface defining a seal opening. The ring member includes an inner ring surface defining a ring opening. The seal opening and the ring opening share a common central axis. The seal member defines a first rib extending circumferentially around the seal opening, the first rib being raised a first height relative to the inner seal surface at the seal opening. The first rib is configured to be deformable in response to a compression force from the internal wall of the port when the seal member is inserted into the port. The seal member may define a second rib axially spaced from the first rib. |
| US09360139B1 |
Non-corrosive low friction pipe support
A pipe and pipe support interface structure comprised of a fiberglass C-shaped bearing surface saddle structure having a high strength, low friction, non-corrosive bearing surface block comprised of UHMWPE or other suitable polymer materials is disclosed. The bearing surface saddle structure is adhesively bonded to the exterior surface of a pipe following appropriate pipe surface preparation at locations where the pipe contacts a pipe support surface. The bearing surface block of the bearing surface structure provides an interface between the pipe and pipe support surface in order to protect the pipe from wear caused by bearing on a pipe support. The C-shaped bearing surface saddle structure described will increase the load bearing area of the pipe at the pipe support and serve to prevent wear on both the pipe and the pipe support. The C-shaped bearing surface saddle structure and method may be employed in the field as part of a maintenance and repair program. |
| US09360136B2 |
Double hangar
A pipe hanging assembly that includes a single piece of steel having a first upper horizontal section, second and third angled sections coupled to the first section, fourth and fifth vertical sections extending vertically from the second and third sections, respectively, sixth and seventh vertical sections extending vertically and parallel to the fourth and fifth sections, respectively, and eighth and ninth curved sections. The eighth curved section connects the fourth and sixth sections to form a first U-shaped holder, and the ninth curved section connects the fifth and seventh sections to form a second U-shaped holder, with the eighth section disposed at a different elevation than the ninth section. Two different pipes can be supported in the first and second U-shaped holder. |
| US09360134B2 |
Service line transport and deployment system
An extendable, service line positioning system is provided for the deployment, retraction, and transportation of service lines that provide necessary resources (e.g., electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and communication resources) to a drilling rig. The positioning system comprises a plurality of connected panels supportable of a service line coupled to a vertical post on a skid. The panels are movable between a retracted position above the skid or a deployed position beyond the skid. The positioning system thus advantageously enables a drilling rig to move short distances for pad drilling operations without having the need to move resource-providing equipment coupled to supply lines. |
| US09360131B2 |
Actuator adapter plate
A valve assembly for use in a piping system includes a valve having an inlet and outlet arranged for connection to the piping system, and further includes a valve body, a control element disposed in a flow passage, and a shiftable valve stem operatively coupled to the control element. Valve packing is disposed about the valve stem and is secured by a retainer assembly. An adapter plate is provided and is attached to the valve body by a plurality of gland bolts, with the adapter plate and the gland bolts cooperating to secure the retainer assembly. An actuator bracket is provided and includes a first portion and a second portion, with the first portion secured to the adapter plate by a plurality of fasteners, and an actuator is secured to the second portion of the actuator bracket by a plurality of fasteners, with the actuator having a control rod operatively coupled to the valve stem. |
| US09360129B2 |
Valve system
The present specification is directed to a valve that has an orifice closing member adjacent to an orifice through which fluid can flow, a displacement member having a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion is adjacent to the orifice closing member when the valve is in an open position, a first magnet and a second magnet where the first and second magnets are sufficiently proximate to the displacement member to exert a magnetic force on the displacement member, and an actuator for generating a magnetic field to move the displacement member toward the first magnet, cause the first portion to press against the orifice closing member, and cause the orifice closing member to close the orifice. |
| US09360121B2 |
Planter and seed meter for planting multiple seed varities
A seed planter and seed meter for planting different seed varieties based on the location of the machine in a field. A movable gate switches between seed varieties. The gate in one embodiment has three positions; one position opening a first seed passage to the meter and closing a second seed passage, a second position opening the second seed passage and closing the first seed passage and a third position closing both the first and second seed passages. Two other gate embodiments have only two positions, each position opening one seed passage and closing the other. |
| US09360118B2 |
Magnetic fluid seal
A magnetic fluid seal is provided, capable of producing a stable scaling performance by stably holding magnetic fluid in place between two members, even in cases when the two members become eccentric. The magnetic fluid seal includes: an annular magnetic circuit forming member that is disposed on a housing; an annular member that is disposed on a shaft; and a magnetic fluid that is magnetically held between axially opposing surfaces of the magnetic circuit forming member and the annular member. In addition, the annular member comprises a flexible member that is swayable so that a portion of the annular member that opposes the magnetic circuit forming member follows the magnetic circuit forming member. |
| US09360110B2 |
Transmission apparatus
In a dual clutch transmission, on one end side of a first input shaft connectable to an internal combustion engine via a first clutch, a planetary gear mechanism for a predetermined speed stage is provided, and a sun gear thereof is provided to rotate integrally with the first input shaft and an electric motor. A ring gear is fixed to a case, and a synchromesh mechanism is provided connectably and disconnectably with respect to the planetary gear carrier for selecting the predetermined speed stage. When the synchromesh mechanism is connected to the planetary gear carrier, rotation of the carrier is transmitted to the countershaft. The ring gear is attached to an annular attachment member to be fixed to the case. In a circumferential side surface of the attachment member, openings for inserting a shift fork and an opening for inserting a finger for the convenience of assembly work are provided. |
| US09360109B2 |
Method of controlling a synchronizer actuator fork of a transmission
A method of controlling movement of an actuator fork and attached synchronizer sleeve of a transmission through a pre-synchronization phase of a synchronization event at a pre-synchronization fork velocity below a breakaway velocity such that a strut is retained to the sleeve by a ball plunger for the duration of the pre-synchronization phase. A method of adjusting one of a pressure signal and a flow signal to an actuator piston to control movement of the actuator fork includes moving the fork from an initial disengaged position through a pre-synchronization phase of a synchronization event by controlling one of a pre-synchronization fluid pressure value and flow value, where the controlled pre-synchronization fluid value is less than a threshold value corresponding to a breakaway force of a ball plunger configured to selectively retain a strut assembly to a synchronizer sleeve operatively attached to the actuator fork. |
| US09360108B2 |
Gear shift lever lock system and method
A gear shift lever lock system and an apparatus and method for operating the gear shift lever lock are provided. The gear shift lever lock includes a lock solenoid having a lock pin movable between a first position inhibiting movement of a gear shift lever from a park position and a second position permitting movement of the gear shift lever from the park position. The apparatus is configured to receive a first signal from a brake sensor indicating that a brake pedal is depressed and a second signal from a park position sensor indicating that a gear shift lever is being moved from a resting position to a shifting position. The apparatus is configured to operate the lock solenoid to move the lock pin from the first position to the second position in response to receiving the second signal while it is indicated that the brake pedal is depressed. |
| US09360107B2 |
Transmission and method of controlling clutch during ratio change
A transmission and control method are disclosed which ensure proper stroke pressure and minimize torque transients during a shift event. The transmission includes a clutch having a torque capacity based on a fluid pressure, a torque sensor adapted to measure a torque value that varies in relationship to the torque capacity, and a controller. The method includes varying the fluid pressure around a predetermined value, measuring a resulting torque difference with the torque sensor, and adjusting a clutch control parameter if the resulting torque difference is less than a threshold value. |
| US09360104B1 |
Driveline thermal and lubricant flow management
A vehicle includes axle housing, a differential and a ring gear, a scraper port, and a reservoir. The housing has a cover forming a heat exchanger having a coolant side and a lubricant side. The differential and ring gear are configured to pump a lubricating fluid. The scraper port is disposed at a bottom of the heat exchanger adjacent to the ring gear and is configured to direct the lubricating fluid through the lubricant side of the heat exchanger. The reservoir is disposed at a top of the heat exchanger and is configured to receive and store the lubricating fluid from the lubricant side of the heat exchanger. |
| US09360099B2 |
V-pulley
A V-pulley includes a pulley body having a through hole provided at the center. Wheels are connected on the pulley body. An outer wheel is provided at each of two ends of the pulley body. Coaxial annular gears and annular inner wheels are alternately arranged between the two outer wheels. The diameter of a gear is less than that of an inner wheel. The outer wheels, the gears, and the inner wheels are fixedly connected through a connecting structure. The outer circumferential surfaces of the gears have meshing teeth disposed at an interval in a convex-concave manner. Two adjacent wheels and a gear between them form a V-belt groove. The opposite end surfaces of the two adjacent wheels form friction transmission belt groove side surfaces. The gear between the two adjacent wheels forms a mesh transmission gear. The belt groove side surfaces are inclined smooth surfaces. |
| US09360098B2 |
Strain wave drive with improved performance
An improved strain wave drive system employs an outer circular spline part and an outer dynamic spline part spaced apart by a gap from each other in a widthwise (axial) direction and each having a array of internally facing gear teeth, a two-part inner flexible spline (flexspline) having two different sets of externally facing toothed projections offset by a gap from each other across a width extending in a widthwise (axial) direction, a wave generator coupled to the central rotor or shaft for generating a wave impulse that displaces the inner flexspline toothed projections into mesh with those of the outer circular spline part and an array of roller bearings supporting an inner surface across the width of the flexspline in rolling line bearing contact. |
| US09360097B2 |
Lanced drive plate
A multi-use drive plate for a torque converter that includes an annular shaped inner portion defining a openings for connection to a front cover of a torque converter and an outer portion with a plurality of openings for receiving fasteners for connection to a motive force, such as an engine. A plurality of test tabs disposed axially from the annular shaped inner portion and extending radially outward each define a receiver opening with ramp surfaces on the annular shaped inner portion that extend between each one of the plurality of test tabs. Each of the ends of the ramping surfaces terminate at the receiver opening displaced from a middle portion of the ramp surface. |
| US09360083B2 |
Wheel weights
Wheel weight assemblies include a weight member (212) mounted on a clip member (211) for attachment to the rim of a vehicle wheel, with the clip and weight members being substantially encased in an injection molded housing. The weight member (212) may be composed of a plurality of individual plate elements. Spacing elements such as end caps (250) may be used to hold the plate elements together and locate them in the mold tool to ensure their correct positioning during the molding process. |
| US09360082B2 |
High speed flywheel
A high speed flywheel system for a vehicle, i.e. capable of running at speeds of 20,000 rpm or greater, the system comprising a flywheel mounted on a shaft and contained within a housing, and at least one bearing arrangement, wherein the bearing arrangement is mounted to the flywheel or the housing via an elastomeric component such as a ring and/or a metalastic bush, thereby to reduce NVH and prevent the resonant modes of the flywheel and housing interfering with one another. |
| US09360067B1 |
Hybrid laminate
A method of making a hybrid laminate whereby a first, thick base lamina has a plurality of piercing members or barbs and a second, onto which a second, thin interface lamina is impaled. The exposed tips of the barbs are clinched over to form rivet-like heads that clamp the two laminae together. By choosing the materials for the lamina, an interface surface can be provided for a wide range of other materials or objects to be attached by, for example, adhesive bonding. A disc brake pad is disclosed made from the instant hybrid laminate. |
| US09360065B2 |
Galvanic protection circuit for a brake disc-pad unit for a motor vehicle and kit and method thereof
An active corrosion protection circuit for a brake disc-pad unit of a motor vehicle includes one of a metal disc and a pad adapted to selectively block the disc. A direct electric voltage source and an electric conductor connectable to the electric voltage source and one of the disc and the pad forms an electric circuit causing a monopolar current flux between the disc and the pad when the pad blocks the disc so that the action of the current is localized in a contact zone between the disc and the pad. |
| US09360064B2 |
Power tool braking device
A power tool braking device, in particular a portable power tool braking device, for a portable power tool has at least one magnetic field braking unit. The power tool braking device comprises at least one drive unit which has at least one drive element, on which at least one braking element of the magnetic field braking unit is arranged. |
| US09360060B2 |
Ratchet wrench with a direction switching device
A ratchet wrench includes a direction switching device. The direction switching device includes two switching members for controlling the rotational direction of a gear, a resilient unit disposed among a body and the switching members for biasing the switching members away from the gear, and a ring unit disposed rotatably on the body. The ring unit includes a convex portion and a concave portion, and is operable to allow the convex portion and the concave portion to act on the switching members, so that one of the switching members comes into contact with the gear, while the other of the switching members is removed from the gear. When no external force is applied to the ring unit, the switching members are biased by the resilient unit to remove from the gear. |
| US09360058B2 |
Drive assembly including drive tab fixed to turbine shell and method of forming
A drive assembly for a torque converter is provided. The drive assembly includes a turbine shell including a rounded portion and an outer radial extension on an outer circumference of rounded portion; and a tab plate bonded to the outer radial extension of the turbine shell by adhesive. A method of forming a drive assembly for a torque converter is also provided. |
| US09360056B2 |
Hydraulic transmission control system and method thereof
The present disclosure provides a method of controlling a transmission of a powered vehicle. The method includes determining if the powered vehicle is in a launch condition, activating a solenoid, controlling a hydraulic valve to a first position, and providing hydraulic pressure from at least one of a first hydraulic pump and a second hydraulic pump to the hydraulic valve. The method also includes controlling the hydraulic pressure through the hydraulic valve to a first clutch, determining if the launch condition is complete, deactivating the solenoid after the launch condition is complete, controlling the hydraulic valve from the first position to a second position, and substantially limiting hydraulic pressure from passing through the hydraulic valve to the first clutch. |
| US09360051B2 |
Shaft bearing with a shaft seal
A shaft bearing with a shaft seal, in particular for water pumps in motor vehicles, arranges a special radial shaft seal inside the outer bearing ring. The seal is made up of a stable rear wall arranged at a certain distance from the water-side of the shaft seal and fixed in the outer bearing ring, a secondary lip seal adjacent to a water-side of the rear wall, a support body solidly fixed in position in the outer bearing ring and adjacent to the secondary lip seal and a primary lip seal fixed in position adjacent to the support body on the water side, i.e. on the pressure side and opposite to the support body as well as opposite the outer bearing ring. Leakage openings are also arranged in the outer bearing ring, between the water-sided shaft seal of the shaft bearing and the rear wall which is arranged at a distance therefrom. |
| US09360050B2 |
Bearing ring and a method for its manufacturing
A bearing ring (160, 260, 310, 410) exhibiting an inner (155, 255) and an outer (140, 240) periphery, also exhibiting a raceway (121, 221) for rolling elements on one of said peripheries, the bearing ring exhibiting a gear structure (131-138, 231-238) on one of said peripheries, as well as exhibiting at least one welding joint (151, 251). The welding joint has been formed by flash butt welding. Preferably, the gear structure (131-138, 231-238) and/or the raceway (121, 221) have been formed by rolling, machining or a combination thereof. |
| US09360048B2 |
Sliding member
Provided is a sliding member including a steel back metal layer and a sliding layer with a porous sintered layer and a resin composition. The porous sintered layer includes granular Fe or Fe alloy phase and Ni—P alloy phase for binding the Fe or Fe alloy phase grains with one another. The steel back metal layer is made of a carbon steel including 0.05-0.3 mass % of carbon and having a structure composed of ferrite phase and pearlite phase, and includes a low pearlite phase part in a surface thereof on a side of the sliding layer. The low pearlite phase part has a ratio of the pearlite phase is lowered by 50% or more compared with the pearlite phase at a central part in a thickness direction of the steel back metal layer. The Ni—P alloy phase may cover the entire surface of the steel back metal layer. |
| US09360046B2 |
Multiple row combination ball bearing
A multiple row combination ball bearing 10 includes at least two rows of ball bearings 11A and 11B. A counterbore 12d is formed on a groove shoulder 12c of an outer ring 12 of the respective ball bearings 11A and 11B. The respective ball bearings 11A and 11B have an inner and outer diameter dimension and a width dimension corresponding to a standard bearing of the ISO standard. An extension line L of a contact angle α of the ball bearing 11A passes through an axial direction end plane 12e of the ball bearing 11B which is adjacent to the ball bearing 11A at one side in the axial direction. The extension line L of the contact angle α of the adjacent ball bearing 11B passes through the axial direction end plane 13e of the ball bearing 11A. |
| US09360045B2 |
Double row tapered roller thrust bearing for improved loading capacity
A double row thrust bearing assembly (10) includes a bottom plate (11) having inner and outer conical raceways (12, 13), a top plate (14) with a flat raceway (15), and respective sets of identically formed inner and outer rollers (16, 17) mounted on respective inner and outer cages (18, 19). When the bearing is fully assembled, the apices of the inner and outer rollers directed at the same point (A) on an axis (X) of the bearing. Various relationships with respect to the size and shapes of the rollers are determined in order to maximize the bearing assembly's load carrying capacity while occupying the same spatial envelope as that of a single row thrust bearing assembly (BA) which can only support a lesser load. |
| US09360042B2 |
Bearing sleeve for air bearing
An air bearing assembly is provided that includes a bearing sleeve that has two slots side-by-side having rectangular profiles for engaging the ends of first and second bearing foils for supporting a shaft of a dual-stage compressor. The first rectangular-profile slot, which may be made using a broaching process, is designed to receive first ends of the first bearing foil and the second bearing foil. The second rectangular-profile slot, which may also be made using a broaching process, is designed to receive a second end of the second bearing foil. This dual-slot design replaces the complex “L” shaped single slot design of conventional bearing sleeves, allowing for high-volume, low-cost manufacturing of the bearing sleeves. The dual-slot design also provides for robust engagement of the bearing foils with the bearing sleeves, while allowing easy assembly and installation of the air bearing assemblies. |
| US09360040B2 |
Polymer filled capped nut
Capped nuts are provided with an polymer in the top portion of the capped nut. The polymer may be disposed between the inner surface of the cap and a nut body. The polymer may extend into a top opening in the nut body and contact an inner wall of the opening in the nut body. |
| US09360039B2 |
Cage nut having a retaining device and method for producing same
The invention relates to a cage nut (1) having a retaining device, and to a method for producing the same. The cage nut (1) comprises a nut (4) having a radially protruding rectangular flange (5) and a threaded sleeve-like seat (6) for a screw. A retaining means (7) having a through-opening (8), through which the sleeve-like screw seat (6) passes, engages in a bracket-like manner over the rectangular flange (5) of the nut. A retaining collar (9), which surrounds the sleeve-like screw seat (6) of the nut (4), is supported on the retaining means (7) in the region of the through-opening (8). The retaining collar (9) is one-piece and has first and second cover elements (10, 11) covering the through-opening (8) of the retaining means (7) on both sides. The cover elements (10, 11) are mechanically connected via a connecting bush (12) concentrically adjoining the screw seat (6). The connecting bush (12) is radially spaced from the through-opening (8). |
| US09360038B2 |
Mounting mechanism
Disclosed herein is a mounting mechanism such as a drift tube mounting mechanism for mounting a drift tube provided in a drift tube accelerator vessel 10 via an elongate holding element 14. The mounting mechanism comprises a biasing mechanism comprising one or more disc spring members 46 for axially biasing the elongate holding element 14 with respect to the vessel towards a mounting position. The mounting mechanism further comprises a screw 58 having a head portion 60 and a shaft portion, said shaft portion comprising a threaded portion 64 for screwing into the elongate holding element 14. The mounting mechanism further comprises a bushing 66 comprising a sleeve portion 68 receiving at least a part of the screw shaft and separating the one or more disc spring members 46 from said screw shaft portion. The screw head portion 60 is configured to receive the axial biasing force generated by the one or more disc spring members 46. |
| US09360036B2 |
Fastener assembly
A fastener assembly of fastening members formed from connected and collated fasteners mounted in non-contacting clips, for feeding into a fastening tool. The fastening members are driven by a powered fastening tool into deck boards and joists for building a deck or driven into alternate workpieces for building other structures. |
| US09360035B2 |
Rod-to-tube adapter
A universal rod-to-tube adapter for mounting a rod in a tube holder, wherein the rod-to-tube adapter snugs and rotationally aligns the rod and eliminates rattle and vibration. The rod-to-tube adapter includes both a column centering collar formed as a truncated cone with a central aperture formed therethrough between its base and apex thereof and has resiliently compressible side walls, and a base centering collar formed as a cup with a cross-wise slot is formed in a base thereof, and a plurality of resiliently collapsible semi-rigid centering members extending therefrom adjacent to the base. |
| US09360034B2 |
Locking device and method for fixation of components to tubes
A locking device designed to lock objects to tubes or other elongated elements that generally comprises one or more lock plates and lock housings. In one exemplary embodiment, when assembling the locking device to a tube, two lock housings are put together with open sides against each other around a tube with a dimension corresponding to approximately half of a recess which is found on the lock housing's sides and are oriented in the tube's axial direction. The two lock housings form a closed geometry around the tube. Lock plates are used to connect the two lock housings together. By applying a screw in a threaded hole in one of the lock housings' cover, the through tube is pressed against an opposite lock housing at substantially the same time as the lock plates hold the lock housings together. |
| US09360033B2 |
Device for detachable fastening of an assembly part
A device for detachable fastening of an assembly part on a receptacle, the device including a base having a contact flange, at least one clamping arm formed on the contact flange, which snaps resiliently into a clamping position in a radial latching direction. An axial insertion opening is formed in the contact flange. A mandrel is removably inserted into the insertion opening. The mandrel extends as far as a blocking actuation section in a blocking position accommodated in the insertion opening to limit a displacement of the clamping arm from the clamping position or widen the clamping arm in the latching direction into the clamping position. The clamping arm includes an actuation release section which can be actuated by an actuating pin inserted via the insertion opening to urge the clamping arm resiliently from the clamping position opposite to the latching direction. |
| US09360032B2 |
Fastening system for connecting non-load bearing wall to truss
A fastener assembly for connecting a non-load bearing wall to a truss comprises a fastener with a sleeve retained on the fastener and axially displaceable along the fastener. The fastener has unthreaded shank portion and the sleeve is disposed about the unthreaded shank portion. The sleeve has a length less than the axial length of the unthreaded shank portion. The fastener assembly is employed to form a truss/non-load bearing wall connection system, wherein the non-load bearing wall is disposed below the truss and has a top plate with at least one bore. A fastener assembly is disposed in each bore and threaded into the truss so that a gap is formed between the truss and its top plate. Upon deflection of the truss, one or more fasteners vertically slide axially relative to its associated sleeve. |
| US09360031B2 |
Fastening method of composite material parts
In a method of fastening composite material parts, a first smoothness of a first fastener is measured which is arranged to a first countersink through-hole which is formed in a first fastened work as stacked composite material parts. A second countersink depth is determined based on the first smoothness. A second countersink through hole with a second countersink depth is formed in a second fastened work as the composite material parts. The second fastened work is fastened using the second fastener arranged to the second countersink through-hole. |
| US09360029B2 |
Frictional Coupling
A coupling between a first surface and a second surface is disclosed. The first surface includes a first shape and has a surface roughness average that is less than or equal to about 500 microinches (13 microns). The second surface includes a second shape and projections, in a preselected pattern, forming at least a portion of the second surface. The first shape of the first surface and the second shape of the second surface are substantially complementary. The projections are configured to produce a friction fit between the first surface and the second surface when the first and the second surfaces are biased against each other. An average elastic compressive range, substantially equal to the surface roughness average of the first surface, is associated with the projections. |
| US09360028B2 |
Hydraulic drive and hydraulically operable working tool
A hydraulic control, for example of a hydraulically operable working tool, includes a hydroconsumer that can be acted upon against a permanent force via a pressure source, and a switching valve with working power/pressure control function reacting against a spring force depending on a pressure and/or through flow volume. The switching valve connects the hydroconsumer with a tank for a return stroke of the hydroconsumer when the pressure source is switched off. The hydroconsumer can be hydraulically stopped with the return stroke via the pressure source by a pressure pulse and/or through flow volume pulse. In a hydraulically operable working tool, the hydroconsumer can be hydraulically stopped in the return stroke even before a predetermined end position is reached by switching on the pressure source. |
| US09360024B2 |
Hydraulic drive
The invention relates to engineering hydraulics, in particular to hydraulic drives with closed working fluid circulation. The hydraulic drive contains a hydraulic accumulator connected with a drive motor. The hydraulic pump is connected through pressure and drainage pipelines to a hydraulic distributor connected through pressure-drainage pipelines to a double-acting hydraulic motor with piston and rods. Between the pressure and drainage pipelines is connected a check valve. The hydraulic flow distributor, is made crane-type, three-position, six-way, consisting of a cylindrical body closed on one side with a cover, the other side with a pressure washer, on the shaft is mounted a control lever. In the cylindrical body and the shaft are made in two levels create alternately pressure and drainage flow passages. The hydraulic drive has a wide range of manufacturing and operating capabilities, large capacity and speed, positional accuracy of the actuators, compactness, low weight and high reliability. |
| US09360018B2 |
Pump system
The invention relates to a pump system comprising at least one pump unit, a control unit for controlling the pump unit and at least one sensor, wherein the sensor is connected to a data detection module which is spatially separate from the control unit and detects the output signals of the sensor, the data detection module comprises an output interface, at which it provides the detected sensor signals and/or data derived therefrom, and the control unit is provided with an input interface for the acquisition of signals or data from the output interface. |
| US09360017B2 |
Pump assembly having an integrated user interface
A pump assembly includes a permanent magnet motor having a stator with coil windings, a rotor assembly having a shaft and an impeller attached to the shaft, with the shaft being driven by the stator and the impeller driving fluid through the pump assembly, and a control module having a controller and a user interface. The controller measures characteristics of the stator, the controller determines at least one of the flow rate and the pressure of the fluid moved through the pump assembly based on the characteristics measured, and the user interface is configured to display an output representative of the flow rate. A method of operating a pump includes the steps of measuring at least one operating characteristic of the pump utilizing the controller integrated with the pump, determining a flow characteristic of the pump based on the at least one measured operating characteristic, and displaying the determined flow characteristic on a user interface integrated with the pump. |
| US09360014B2 |
Chopper pump with mixing nozzles for a sewage wet-well
Systems and methods for conditioning sewage having entrained solids which clog sewage pumps, are disclosed. Systems include a sewage pump, a chopper pump, and a mixing nozzle connected to the chopper pump. Specifically, the sewage pump is a non-clog centrifugal pump having an inlet for drawing fluid into the pump and an outlet for discharging the fluid into a pipe, while the chopper pump has an inlet for drawing fluid into the pump and an outlet for discharging the fluid into the wet-well. The chopper pump may be positioned either in or adjacent to the wet-well. The mixing nozzle fluidly coupled to the chopper pump discharge, is positioned in the wet-well. Methods include the steps of positioning a chopper pump within the wet-well, drawing in liquid sewage, including the entrained solids, reducing the size of entrained solids, and discharging the sewage and reduced size solids into the wet-well. |
| US09360013B2 |
Scroll pump having axially compliant spring element
A scroll pump includes a frame, a stationary plate scroll, an orbiting plate scroll, a tip seal(s), an eccentric drive mechanism which drives the orbiting plate scroll, and an axial compliance system. The eccentric drive mechanism includes a crankshaft, and bearings and a counterbalance disposed on the crankshaft. The counterbalance is mounted so as to be slidable along the crankshaft in the axial direction of the crankshaft. The axial compliance system includes a flexure and one set of springs for pre-loading the bearings. The flexure is interposed between one of the bearings and the counterbalance. The flexure allows the orbiting plate scroll to move away from the stationary plate scroll in the case of an assembly process which would otherwise result in the tip seal(s) being too forcefully engaged with the plate of the opposing plate scroll. |
| US09360010B2 |
First and second pumps in a common housing with parallel flow
A pump (1) having a housing (15) with a suction-side fluid inlet (4) and with a pressure-side fluid outlet (5), having a first pump unit (2, 11) and having a second pump unit (3, 12), the first pump unit being connected hydraulically in parallel with respect to the second pump unit, wherein the housing (15) is of modular construction and has a first housing part (3), which houses the first pump unit (11), and also a second housing part (14), which houses the second pump unit (12), wherein the fluid inlet (4) of the housing (15) forms in each case one fluid connection to the first and to the second pump unit (2, 3, 11, 12), and wherein the fluid outlet (5) of the housing (15) forms in each case one fluid connection to the first and to the second pump unit (2, 3, 11, 12). |
| US09360006B2 |
Primary piston correction during transfer
A method for controlling operation of a pump unit, where the pump unit includes a primary piston pump having a primary piston and a secondary piston pump having a secondary piston. The primary piston pump is fluidically connected with the secondary piston pump. The primary piston pump includes an inlet valve and an outlet valve, and the pump unit operates periodically according to a pump cycle. The method includes determining a fluid pressure of fluid dispensed by the pump unit, and performing a closed loop control of a position of the primary piston in dependence on the fluid pressure of the fluid dispensed by the pump unit during a first time interval of the pump cycle. |
| US09360005B2 |
Auxiliary device for an agricultural working machine
An auxiliary device for an agricultural working machine includes a hydraulic pump unit designed to pump a hydraulic fluid at a predetermined working pressure; a drive unit connected to the hydraulic pump unit that drives the hydraulic pump unit at the working pressure; a hydraulic drive having a drive-fluid inlet connected to a pump-fluid outlet of the hydraulic pump unit via a pressure line (P1, P2) and a drive-fluid outlet connected to a pump-fluid inlet via a supply line (S); and a fluid exchange device having a fluid supply line connected to the supply line (S) for a controlled supply of the hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic circuit of the working machine and a fluid discharge line connected to the supply line (S) upstream of the fluid supply line for the controlled discharge of the hydraulic fluid from the supply line (S) into the hydraulic circuit. |
| US09360001B2 |
Suction valve for a refrigeration compressor and its mounting process
The compressor comprises a valve plate, to be affixed to a compressor block, and a suction valve (V) formed by a spacer body, having a median opening and a flexible vane, which has a fixing end portion provided with a contour, symmetrical or asymmetrical, in relation to a longitudinal axis (X) of the flexible vane and which presents peripheral edge portions to be seated against respective inner edge portions of the median opening for restricting coplanar, linear and angular displacements of the flexible vane in relation to the spacer body upon seating the flexible vane against the valve plate, in the interior of the median opening. |
| US09359996B2 |
Variable wind turbine having a power dissipating unit; a method of operating a power dissipating unit in a wind turbine
A variable speed wind turbine is provided. The variable speed wind turbine comprises a generator, a power converter for converting at least a portion of electrical power generated by the generator, the power converter comprising a generator-side converter, a grid-side converter and a DC (direct current) link therebetween, a power dissipating unit operatively coupled to the DC-link, and a controller. The controller is adapted to receive a request to reduce power output from the wind turbine, determine a feed forward power signal based on a reference generator power and a desired turbine power, and operate the power dissipating unit based on the feed forward power signal. |
| US09359995B2 |
Apparatus for rotating the nacelle of a wind turbine
The present invention provides an apparatus for the controlled rotation of a nacelle of a wind turbine, which includes a control device and n of yaw brakes. In standstill operation, the n yaw brakes are actuated to impart a standstill holding moment M1 for holding the nacelle, and the n yaw brakes impart a substantially equal first holding moment. In tracking operation, the n yaw brakes are actuated to impart a tracking holding moment, M2, which is lower than the standstill holding moment M1 (M1>M2). The control device, in tracking operation, actuates a number m of the n yaw brakes to generate substantially the same constant holding moment M3, where M1/n>M3>M2/n, and where the other (n−m) yaw brakes are actuated to generate substantially the same constant holding moment M4, where m*M3+(n−m)*M4˜=M2, and M1/n>M2/n>M4. |
| US09359991B2 |
Energy conversion systems and methods
An energy conversion system may include a stationary structure, a rotatable structure configured to rotate relative to the stationary structure, wherein the rotatable structure defines an axis of rotation. The system may further include at least one blade member mounted to and extending radially outward from the rotatable structure, the at least one blade member being configured to interact with fluid currents flowing in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation to cause the rotatable structure to rotate about the axis of rotation, and at least one bearing mechanism disposed to provide at least one of a radial and axial bearing between the rotatable structure and the stationary structure as the rotatable structure rotates about the stationary structure. The system may be configured to convert rotation of the rotatable structure to at least one of electricity and hydrogen production. |
| US09359989B2 |
Control device for engine, method of controlling engine, engine starting device, and vehicle
A vehicle includes a starter used for starting an engine and including an actuator performing an engagement operation with a pinion gear and a motor rotating the pinion gear that are separately controllable. When starting the engine by the user's key operation, a start request signal caused by the key operation is delayed in a delay circuit to output a control signal for driving the motor. When restarting an engine after the engine is automatically stopped, a malfunction detection unit detects a malfunction in the delay circuit based on a control signal for driving the actuator and the control signal for driving the motor. |
| US09359987B2 |
Injector
An injector for the metered ejection of a fluid, in particular fuel, has a housing and a plastic extrusion coating, which encloses the housing, and from which the housing protrudes at an upper housing end on the fluid inlet side and at a lower housing end on the fluid ejection side. To achieve a so-called “fording capability” of the injector, the peripheral separation point of the housing and the plastic extrusion coating, at the lower end of the plastic extrusion coating, is sealed, preferably with the aid of a sealing collar. |
| US09359985B2 |
Fluid injector actuator with resilient armature overtravel feature
An actuator for a valve assembly includes a body having an internal surface defining a bore therein, the internal surface including a first body shoulder at least partly facing a longitudinal direction defined along a longitudinal axis of the bore; a first armature disposed within the bore, the first armature being configured to generate a force in response to a first electromagnetic field acting thereon; a first stem operatively coupled to the first armature and a first valve of the valve assembly; a first pair of shoulders disposed on the first stem, the first pair of shoulders at least partly facing one another and defining a first stem circumferential groove therebetween; and a first valve travel spacer disposed about the first stem circumferential groove, and disposed in interference with the first body shoulder along the longitudinal direction. |
| US09359982B2 |
Air cleaner assembly and filter element providing improved dynamic wall stiffness
An air cleaner assembly and a filter element reduce wall noise by rigidly coupling the movement of opposing air cleaner housing sidewalls through the installed filter element. The sidewalls are rigidly coupled through the filter element with the sidewalls coupled to move together in unison such that wall deflection forces created by the pressure pulsations tend to cancel each resulting in improved dynamic stiffening of the air cleaner walls and reduced wall noise. |
| US09359980B2 |
Intake system
Provided is an intake system that enables extension of an intake air introduction pipe without increasing the external dimension of the intake system. The intake system comprises: a plurality of branch pipes (27-30) which are arranged one next to the other and communicate at downstream ends thereof with a plurality of intake ports (14) provided in an engine (10), respectively, each branch pipe extending from the downstream end thereof to an upstream end thereof in a curved manner; an intake chamber (26) communicating with the upstream ends of the branch pipes; and an intake air introduction pipe (25) having a downstream end communicating with the intake chamber, wherein the intake air introduction pipe has a section that extends in a space defined between the branch pipes and the engine in a direction of arrangement of the branch pipes. |
| US09359978B2 |
Turbo purge module hose detection and blow off prevention check valve
A valve assembly used as part of a vapor purge system, which uses a vacuum created by a venturi nozzle to direct purge vapor from a canister through the purge system, and into an intake manifold. The valve assembly includes a check valve which closes the flow path to prevent the uncontrolled venting of hydrocarbon rich purge vapor directly to the atmosphere, and provides an on-board diagnostic (OBD) check to make sure the system is functioning properly. The check valve is typically open because of a pressure balance around the check valve, allowing the turbo bleed flow, as well as the purge vapor, to pass through the check valve and into an air box. If the hose is disconnected, there is a pressure drop across the valve, which causes the check valve to close, preventing the release of hydrocarbons in the purge vapor to the atmosphere. |
| US09359972B2 |
Multi axis slide carriage system
A multi axis slide carriage system includes a channeled track, a slide, a shaft and a slide carriage bracket. The channeled track extends along a first axis. The slider slides along the first axis within the channeled track, and includes a slider segment aperture extending therein along a second axis. The shaft includes a slider segment connected to a carriage bracket segment. The slider segment slides along the second axis within the slider segment aperture. The slide carriage bracket is positioned adjacent to the channeled track, and is connected to the carriage bracket segment. |
| US09359971B2 |
System for controlling deposits on cylinder liner and piston of reciprocating engine
A system includes a reciprocating engine having a cylinder liner and a piston disposed within the cylinder liner. The cylinder liner includes an inner wall and extends around a cavity. The inner wall includes a first axial end, a second axial end, a piston travel portion, and a top portion. The top portion is nearer to the first axial end of the cylinder liner than to the second axial end of the cylinder liner. The top portion has a first surface finish with a first roughness average (Ra1) greater than approximately 2 μm and a total waviness (Wt) less than approximately 0.1 mm. The piston is configured to move in a reciprocating manner within the cylinder liner. The piston includes a top land configured to be radially opposite the top portion of the inner wall of the cylinder liner when the piston is at a top dead center position. |
| US09359970B2 |
Output control device for internal combustion engine
An output control device for an internal combustion engine mounted on an electrically powered vehicle has a power generator driven by the engine, a drive battery that saves a power generated by the power generator and detects an SOC value of a power saving state, and a drive motor that propels a vehicle by using the power generated by the power generator or the power saved in the drive battery, and controls an output of the engine at a time of power generation of the power generator. The output control device sets an engine output determination value corresponding to a boundary at which an operation state of the engine shifts from stoichiometric operation to enriched operation, and limits an output of the engine to equal to or less than the engine output determination value in correspondence with the detected SOC value of the drive battery. |
| US09359959B2 |
Anti-icing system for a gas turbine
A system includes a gas turbine system that has a turbine, a combustor, and a compressor having an air intake. The air intake is configured to supply an air flow to the compressor. The system also includes a fluid injection system that has a fluid wash system configured to inject a wash fluid into the gas turbine system via the air intake. The fluid wash system includes an injector configured to inject the wash fluid into the gas turbine system and an anti-icing system configured to inject an anti-icing fluid into the gas turbine system via the air intake. The anti-icing system is configured to inject the anti-icing fluid into the gas turbine system via the injector. |
| US09359954B2 |
In-line removable heat shield for a turbomachine suspension yoke
A heat shield device for a yoke suspending an engine from an aircraft is provided. The device includes panels able to be fixed to the yoke, at least one of the panels extending radially in the direction of the axis of the engine, and a component configured to be fixed to the engine and including a groove shaped in such a way that the lower end of the panel can be inserted into it. |
| US09359950B2 |
Gas turbine engines having plasma flow-controlled intake systems
Embodiments of a Gas Turbine Engine (“GTE”) are provided, as are embodiments of a plasma flow-controlled intake system for deployment on a GTE. In one embodiment, the GTE includes a turbine section, a combustion section upstream of the turbine section, a compressor section upstream of the combustion section, and intake section upstream of the compressor section. The intake section includes a plenum, a first inlet fluidly coupled to the plenum, and a flow-obstructing structure projecting into the plenum and having an outer surface impinged by the airflow directed into the plenum through the first inlet during operation of the GTE. A first array of plasma actuators is disposed on flow-obstructing structure and, when activated, suppresses vortex shedding of the air flowing over the outer surface of the flow-obstructing structure. |
| US09359949B2 |
Distributed bleed system temperature management
A distributed bleed system temperature management scheme utilizes a distributed, closed loop temperature protection function. By allowing consumer systems to limit the consumer flow to meet a specified bleed system outlet temperature (which may be different for each consumer or group of consumers), each system can be penalized according to their level of importance. The closed loop approach allows optimization of the performance reduction instead of relying on conservative assumptions as is done with conventional systems. In some embodiments, each consumer system may have a different temperature limit at which the consumed flow is limited to maintain a given bleed system exit temperature. The temperature setpoints may be separated by a minimum temperature, based on sensor and controls tolerances, to ensure that the flow limiting functions do not interact with each other. |
| US09359946B2 |
Internal combustion engine and method for manufacturing the same
An internal combustion engine having an anodic oxidation coating formed on at least a part of a wall surface that faces a combustion chamber, wherein the anodic oxidation coating has voids and nano-holes smaller than the voids; at least part of the voids are sealed with a sealant derived by converting a sealing agent; and at least a part of the nano-holes are not sealed. |
| US09359942B2 |
Turbocharger waste gate
A method for operating turbocharger waste gate of a turbocharged engine is disclosed. In one example, the method operates the waste gate synchronous with engine operation via a mechanical coupling between the waste gate and a camshaft or a crankshaft. The approach may reduce turbocharger lag and improve turbocharger efficiency. |
| US09359940B2 |
Direct manifold boost assist device with throttle body manifold volume isolation
Methods and systems are provided for adjusting intake airflow through two induction passages. In response to increased torque demand, intake airflow may be directed through a first induction passage including an exhaust-driven turbocharger compressor and through a second induction passage including an electric compressor. Further, after the turbocharger compressor increases speed, intake airflow may be directed again through the first induction passage to further increase boost. |
| US09359938B2 |
Turbocharger and a component therefor
A component for turbocharger applications, in particular in diesel engines, made of an iron-based alloy having an austenitic base structure which has a carbide structure. |
| US09359937B2 |
Two-cycle engine and engine tool comprising the same
The two-cycle engine comprises a first scavenging opening and second scavenging opening on the inner peripheral wall of a cylinder bore, and a first scavenging passage and second scavenging passage connecting the first scavenging opening and second scavenging opening to the crank chamber. The first and second scavenging passages are provided with an outflow direction change device directing the outflow of an air-fuel mixture flowing out from near the top dead center of the first and second scavenging openings into the cylinder bore and the outflow of the air-fuel mixture flowing out from near the bottom dead center of the first and second scavenging openings into the cylinder bore in different directions. |
| US09359935B2 |
Spark-ignition internal combustion engine having wall portion separating at least the two cylinders
The application relates to spark initiation under varied aircharge density and composition. An engine is disclosed comprising at least two cylinders with spark plugs therein; an integrated exhaust manifold, the integrated exhaust manifold having a wall portion and an adjustable shutoff element within the wall portion wherein the wall portion divides exhaust pipes of the at least two cylinders and the adjustable shutoff element allows exhaust gas from a first cylinder into an exhaust pipe of an adjacent cylinder. Hot exhaust gas may be taken into an adjacent cylinder serving as ignition gas and allowing the engine of the present disclosure to undergo spark ignition at low loads, or autoignition at high loads. |
| US09359933B2 |
Thermostatic valve assembly
A thermostatic valve assembly for a cooling system of an internal combustion engine provided with a radiator is provided. The thermostatic valve assembly includes a valve body having an inlet from the radiator, an inlet from the engine and an outlet to the engine. A main valve plate opens and closes the pathway of a cooling fluid from the radiator. A wax element is placed in a chamber of the valve body in fluid communication with the inlets and the outlet. The wax element has a piston mechanically connected to the main valve plate at a distal end. A main spring keeps the main valve plate closed until a target temperature of the cooling fluid coming from the engine is reached. An auxiliary valve plate opens and closes a direct pathway of the cooling fluid from the radiator to the chamber in which the wax element is placed. |
| US09359930B2 |
System for an exhaust gas aftertreatment system and support structure
Various systems are provided for an exhaust aftertreatment system that includes a support platform, a plurality of isolated legs coupled to the support platform, a plurality of catalysts arranged in parallel with one another and supported above the support platform by the plurality of isolated legs, and an aftertreatment outlet manifold coupled above the plurality of catalysts. |
| US09359929B2 |
Honeycomb structure and manufacturing method of the same
A honeycomb structure includes a tubular honeycomb structure body having porous partition walls to define and form a plurality of cells and an outer peripheral wall, and a pair of electrodes disposed on a side surface of the honeycomb structure body. An electrical resistivity of the honeycomb structure body is from 1 to 200 Ωcm, each of the pair of electrodes is formed into a band-like shape extending in an extending direction of the cells of the honeycomb structure body, one electrode in the pair of electrodes is disposed on a side opposite to the other electrode in the pair of electrodes via a center of the honeycomb structure body, the honeycomb structure body has a central region and an outer peripheral region, and an electrical resistivity of the central region is lower than an electrical resistivity of the outer peripheral region. |
| US09359928B2 |
Air-assisted reductant delivery system
A pump assembly (214) for an exhaust treatment system is provided that may include a housing (220), a gas flow path (259), a reductant flow path (239) and a pump (224). The housing may include a first inlet (236) configured to receive a reductant from a tank (210), a second inlet (252) configured to receive a gas from a gas compressor (13), and an outlet (262) through which the gas and the reductant exit the housing. The gas flow path may extend between and fluidly communicate with the second inlet and the outlet. The reductant flow path may extend between and fluidly communicate with the first inlet and the outlet. The pump may be at least partially disposed within the housing and may include a motor in a heat transfer relationship with gas flowing through the gas flow path. |
| US09359920B2 |
Variable valve actuating mechanism for OHV engine
An OHV engine comprises a first and second cam carried by a camshaft rotatably supported by a crankcase to be rotatively actuated by a crankshaft, first and second lower rocker arms pivotally supported by a lower rocker shaft adjacent to each other, and configured to be actuated by the first and second cams, respectively, a clutch member mounted on the second rocker arm in an axially slidable and rotationally fast manner, the clutch member being axially moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the clutch member being provided with an engagement recess configured to receive a corresponding engagement projection of the first lower rocker arm for a joint pivotal movement of the first and second lower rocker arms when the clutch member is at the engaged position, and an actuator for causing the clutch member to move axially between the engaged position and the disengaged position. |
| US09359919B1 |
Recuperated Rankine boost cycle
An improvement to Rankine type heat recovery power cycles by adding heat source heat exchanger(s) in parallel with the existing recuperator(s) and in series with the existing heat source exchangers. |
| US09359915B2 |
Power generation control system, power generation apparatus, and control method for rankine cycle system
A power generation control system includes a converter and a controller. The converter controls a generator of a Rankine cycle system, the Rankine cycle system including an expander, the generator, which is interconnected to the expander, a pump which feeds a working fluid, and an evaporator which evaporates a working fluid. The controller causes the converter to execute, in at least one of a startup operation and a shutdown operation of the Rankine cycle system, first control in at least one of a startup operation and a shutdown operation of the Rankine cycle system such that the expander is prevented from expanding a working fluid if the working fluid at an outlet of the evaporator contains a liquid component while the pump is operating. |
| US09359914B2 |
Silencing and cooling assembly with fibrous medium
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an assembly including a fibrous medium having a plurality of substantially corrugated channels therein, the plurality of substantially corrugated channels being permeable to a flow of fluid therethrough; a distributor in contact with the fibrous medium, and including an aperture therein for transmitting a liquid coolant through the distributor; and at least two acoustic shields coupled to the fibrous medium and proximal to opposing sides of the distributor. |
| US09359911B2 |
Wind turbine having heliplatform arrangement and method of using same
A wind turbine for generating electrical energy may include a tower, a nacelle at the top of the tower, and a rotor coupled to a generator within the nacelle. The wind turbine further includes a cooler including a spoiler and at least one cooler panel projecting above a roof of the nacelle. A heliplatform includes a support structure extending from the nacelle and at least partially integrated with the cooler. The wind turbine may also include a crane coupled to the nacelle and configured to move between a first stowed position underneath the nacelle roof and a second operational position. In the operational position, the crane is selectively positionable over the heliplatform. A method of using the wind turbine and crane is also disclosed. |
| US09359910B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring operational gas turbine engine housing displacement and temperature by a distributed fiber optic sensing system utilizing optical frequency domain reflectometry
Operational gas turbine engine housing or casing dynamic strain, temporary or permanent displacement and/or temperature is measured by a distributed fiber optic sensing system (DFOSS) utilizing optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) that is coupled to the turbine engine housing. The DFOSS/OFDR system measures localized variances in strain along the length of an optical fiber (OF), which are correlated with turbine engine housing displacement. Temperature influence on the measured localized strain variances is accounted for by obtaining temperature information from an another measurement system or by taking the same type OFDR measurements on unrestrained optical fiber (OF) and deriving compensated strain measurements that are not temperature influenced. The derived strain measurements along the DFOSS are correlated with housing displacement. Other embodiments include separate displacement measuring modules, each including DFOSS optical fibers, coupled along the engine housing. |
| US09359908B2 |
Film riding seal assembly for turbomachinery
An aerodynamic seal assembly for a rotary machine includes multiple sealing segments disposed circumferentially intermediate to a stationary housing and a rotor. Each of the segments includes a shoe plate with a forward load-bearing section and an aft load-bearing section configured to generate an aerodynamic force between the shoe plate and the rotor. The shoe plate includes at least one labyrinth teeth facing the rotor and positioned between the forward load-bearing section and the aft load-bearing section. The sealing segment also includes at least one spring connected to a pedestal located about midway of an axial length of the shoe plate and to a stator interface element. Further, the sealing segment includes a rigid segmented secondary seal attached to the stator interface element at one first end and in contact with the pedestal of the shoe plate at one second end. |
| US09359900B2 |
Exhaust diffuser
An exhaust diffuser includes an outer shroud and an inner shroud radially separated from the outer shroud so as to define a fluid passage between the outer shroud and the inner shroud. A strut extends between the outer shroud and the inner shroud. The strut generally includes an outer surface, a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first side and a second side. At least one turbulator may be positioned along a radial span of the strut. The at least one turbulator extends generally outwardly from the strut outer surface. The turbulator extends across the leading edge of the strut from the first side to the second side of the strut. |
| US09359898B2 |
Systems for heating rotor disks in a turbomachine
A system includes a turbomachine. The turbomachine includes at least one rotor disk. The system also includes a rotor disk heating system configured to resistively heat at least a portion of the at least one rotor disk via an electrical current or voltage applied to the portion of the at least one rotor disk. |
| US09359896B2 |
Opposed-piston engine having a single crankshaft coupled to the opposed pistons by linkages with pivoted rocker arms
An opposed-piston engine with a single crankshaft has a rocker-type linkage coupling the crankshaft to the pistons that utilizes a rotatable pivot rocker arm with full-contact plain bearings. A rocker-type linkage utilizes a rotatable pivot bearing with an eccentric aspect to vary translation of piston linkage along the axial direction of a cylinder, which shifts the top dead center (TDC) and bottom dead center (BDC) locations of a piston so as to change the volume of charge air compressed during the power stroke. |
| US09359895B2 |
Cutting bit retaining assembly
A cutting bit retaining assembly for mounting a cutting bit at a cutting machine includes a holder body having a through bore to receive a bit shaft. A retainer acts against the holder body and bit shaft and includes a first and second abutment member that provides a reliable and constant locking force between the body and the shaft. |
| US09359886B2 |
System and method for providing a replenishable receptacle for tagger and/or tracer material in a wellbore
This disclosure relates to systems and methods associated with a replenishable receptacle for tagger and/or tracer material in a wellbore. The system may include a receptacle configured to contain tracer material and release tracer material into fluid flowing in a wellbore responsive to the fluid flowing adjacent to the receptacle. The tracer material includes a distinctive element or chemical configured to facilitate determining information associated with movement of fluid in the wellbore. A rate of the release of the tracer material may be related to a rate of flow of the fluid in the wellbore. The receptacle may be further configured to be refilled with tracer material responsive to the tracer material contained by the receptacle being depleted. Refilling the receptacle may be performed via one or more of a wireline, a coiled tubing, a tractor, a robot, a work-string and/or tubing from a light intervention vessel, and/or other approaches. |
| US09359881B2 |
Processes and systems for drilling a borehole
Processes and systems for drilling a borehole wherein a gravitational energy term, a torsional energy term, a hydraulic energy term and a hydromechanical specific energy which is the sum thereof may be determined using real-time data and compared against corresponding setpoints. The hydraulic energy term may include a hydraulic energy reduction factor so as to account for the distance between the fluid nozzle of the drill bit and the rock and may include the kinematic viscosity of drilling fluid. One or more drilling parameters, such as weight on bit, revolutions per minute, drilling fluid flow rate, or combinations thereof, may be adjusted based upon such comparison to approximate the least amount of energy required to destroy and remove a given unit volume of rock. The setpoints may be changed manually or automatically at the direction of the user. |
| US09359878B2 |
Split flow pipe separator
The current disclosure relates to multiphase fluid separation via a multiphase separation system. The multiphase separation system is configured to feed a multiphase fluid into an inlet line within the separation system. The multiphase fluid is configured to flow through a divide and be split into separate lines of similar diameter. A control volume is also connected at the end of the separate lines, and the control volume has a diameter greater than the separate lines of similar diameter. The control volume includes outlet lines, and is configured to adjust fluid flow rate at an outlet line. Also included in the current disclosure is a sand boot connected to the separate lines that is oriented vertically with respect to the separate lines, and is configured to collect and remove sand accumulated in the multiphase separation system. |
| US09359875B2 |
Artificial lift tool
The present invention relates to an artificial lift tool for being introduced in a wellbore or a casing and submerged in well fluid. The artificial lift tool extends in a longitudinal direction from a top end adapted to be connected to a wireline to a bottom end. The tool comprises a motor unit and a pump unit. Furthermore, invention relates to a production well wherein the artificial lift tool is submerged in a well fluid; to the use of the artificial lift tool for providing artificial lift in a well; and to a method for providing artificial lift in a well. |
| US09359873B2 |
Method for running conduit in extended reach wellbores
A method for inserting a conduit into a wellbore includes inserting the conduit into the wellbore until an upper end of a predetermined section thereof is disposed proximate a selected position in the wellbore and reducing pressure in the conduit to a predetermined pressure. |
| US09359869B2 |
Stimulation method
A stimulation method involves arranging a fluid-activated gun in a well through a well head and/or a blowout preventer, dividing the well into a first and a second part, the first part being closer to the well head and/or blowout preventer than the second part, pressurizing the first part of the well with a hot fluid, the hot fluid having a temperature which is higher than the temperature of the formation at a downhole point of injection, activating the fluid-activated gun, thereby converting energy from the pressurized hot fluid into mechanical waves, directing said mechanical waves into the formation, and injecting the hot fluid into the formation simultaneous to activation of the fluid-activated gun via the hot fluid. |
| US09359864B2 |
Method and apparatus for actuating a downhole tool
The presently disclosed technique provides a method for operating a valve in a wellbore by: applying a first fluid pressure to a bore of the valve; trapping the first fluid pressure in a portion of the valve; reducing the pressure in the bore of the valve to a second fluid pressure thereby creating a pressure differential between the portion of the valve and the bore of the valve; and opening the valve responsive to the pressure differential. The valve may employ a first piston disposed in the body to trap a first fluid pressure in a chamber to create a differential pressure across a second piston when a second fluid pressure is applied to open the valve to fluid flow therethrough. The valve and the method may be used to actuate another valve downhole. |
| US09359858B2 |
Wellbore fluid treatment process and installation
A method for isolating a perforated interval of a well, the well including a casing liner having a wall with a plurality of perforations therethrough forming the perforated interval, the method comprising: providing a tool including a tubular body including an inner diameter and an outer surface, a first open end and a second open end, the first and second open ends providing access to the inner diameter; and a sealing element to isolate a mid region of the outer surface from the first open end and the second open end; positioning the tool in the well with the tubular first open end adjacent and above an uppermost perforation of the perforated interval and the second open end adjacent and below a lowermost perforation of the perforated interval; and installing the tool in the well with the sealing element sealing between the tubular body and the casing wall above the uppermost perforation of the perforated interval and below the lowermost perforation of the perforated interval to isolate fluid flow between the perforations and the inner diameter. |
| US09359852B2 |
Systems and methods for tethering subsea blowout preventers to enhance the strength and fatigue resistance of subsea wellheads and primary conductors
A system for tethering a subsea blowout preventer (BOP) includes a plurality of anchors disposed about the subsea BOP and secured to the sea floor. In addition, the system includes a plurality of tensioning systems. One tensioning system is coupled to an upper end of each anchor. Further, the system includes a plurality of flexible tension members. Each tension member extends from a first end coupled to the subsea BOP to a second end coupled to one of the tensioning systems. Each tensioning system is configured to apply a tensile preload to one of the tension members. |
| US09359839B2 |
Variable diameter pipe clamp apparatus and torque module therefore
A combination for making up and breaking out pipe at an oil rig site includes a torque module and at least one pipe clamp apparatus. The torque module includes a pair of hydraulic motors, a torque transmission driven by the motors, a herringbone gear segment driven by the transmission to rotate the torque module, and a pair of clamp cylinders actuated by the transmission. The at least one pipe clamp apparatus is actuated by at least one of the clamp cylinders to apply a uniform gripping load around a pipe that is pipe diameter independent. |
| US09359836B2 |
Device for compensation of wave influenced distance variations on a drill string
Device (11) for compensation of wave induced distance variations to a drill string between a floating drill rig and a seabed-fixed installation, comprising an extendable cylinder/piston unit (12) which is arranged to be able to compensate when the load exceeds a pre-determined threshold value. The cylinder (13) of the cylinder/piston unit (12) comprises a non-compressible liquid at both sides of a piston (14) positioned substantially in the middle of the cylinder (13) and is prevented from fluid communication with the surroundings. A control valve (19) is arranged to activate the device (11) by opening for fluid communication between the cylinder (13) and a gas containing accumulator (17) when the load exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The device is characterized by being a complete, self-supported unit comprising cylinder (13), piston (14) on a piston rod (15), accumulator (17), control valve (19) and drainage tank (20). |
| US09359835B2 |
Pipe drive sealing system and method
A pipe drive system includes a gripping device configured to couple with a pipe element. A housing of the gripping device is configured to extend over and at least partially around a distal end of the pipe element. Torsional clamp devices are configured to engage an outer circumferential surface of the pipe element with frictional engagement features that extend radially inward from the housing. A sealing mechanism is configured to shift a pipe seal relative to the housing and into engagement with the distal end of the pipe element and to facilitate fluid flow through the gripping device into the pipe element. |
| US09359826B2 |
Formation-engaging structures having retention features, earth-boring tools including such structures, and related methods
An earth-boring tool includes a formation-engaging structure with a formation-engaging surface at a distal end and a side surface between a proximal end and the distal end along a central axis of the formation-engaging structure. A generally linear recess may be formed in the side surface along an axis oriented at a non-parallel angle relative to the central axis of the formation-engaging structure. A generally helical recess may be formed in the side surface, and the generally helical recess may intersect the generally linear recess. Earth-boring tools may include such formation-engaging structures. Methods may be used to form such formation-engaging structures. |
| US09359824B2 |
Method for reducing intermetallic compounds in matrix bit bondline
An apparatus and method for manufacturing a downhole tool that reduces failures occurring along a bondline between a cemented matrix coupled around a blank. The cemented matrix material is formed from a tungsten carbide powder, a shoulder powder, and a binder material, wherein at least one of the tungsten carbide powder or the shoulder powder is absent of any free tungsten. The blank, which optionally may be coated, is substantially cylindrically shaped and defines a channel extending from a top portion and through a bottom portion of the blank. The absence of free tungsten from at least one of the tungsten carbide powder or the shoulder powder reduces the reaction with iron from the blank, thereby allowing the control and reduction of intermetallic compounds thickness within the bondline. |
| US09359823B2 |
Systems and methods of adjusting weight on bit and balancing phase
Disclosed are systems and methods of balancing weight distribution between downhole cutting tools. One system includes a drill bit arranged at a distal end of the bottom-hole assembly, a first sensor sub arranged proximate to the drill bit and configured to monitor one or more operational parameters corresponding to the drill bit, a reamer axially-offset from the drill bit on the bottom-hole assembly, a second sensor sub arranged proximate to the reamer and configured to monitor one or more operational parameters of the reamer, and a communications module communicably coupled to the first and second sensor subs and configured to communicate one or more corrective action signals when the one or more operational parameters of the drill bit and the reamer surpass a predetermined operating threshold. |
| US09359820B2 |
Non-slip ladder base device
A ladder base device having a base platform and a pair of socket-like receptacles for receiving the ends of a pair of ladder rails. The receptacles are pivotally attached to the platform and the platform is reversible with different surfaces for frictional engagement with different types of ground or floor surfaces on each side. |
| US09359818B1 |
Utility holding device
A utility holding device is suitable for carrying tools and materials at a construction site. The utility holding device is especially useful for carrying tools and materials for an electrician or a plumber. The wheels provide mobility. The ladder attachment permits a utility holding device to be safely used with a ladder. The scaffold attachment permits a utility holding device to be safely used with a scaffold. |
| US09359817B2 |
Dual-use modular carbon-fiber ladder and bridge
A dual-use ladder and bridge modular system preferably includes tubes, gussets, flanges, and/or joints. In a preferred embodiment, the tubes, gussets, flanges, and/or joints are made of carbon fiber. A method connects and disconnects modular carbon fiber ladder segments. Another method creates a lightweight carbon-fiber beam with exceptionally high stiffness and strength using a combination of carbon-fiber braid material, uni-directional cloth, and pultruded carbon-fiber strips. A carbon fiber ladder segment and tube connectors are also disclosed. |
| US09359815B2 |
Device for controlling the actuation of a group for moving a curtain/awning
A device for actuating a curtain/awning in a double glazing includes a pulley supported by support elements connected to connection elements integrally connected to a wall of the double glazing at the movement group. A ring of cord is partially wound around the pulley and is maintained taught by a tensioning element, it too connected to the wall of the double glazing. By applying a tension to the cord ring, a torque is generated tending to rotate the pulley. The torque is transmitted by suitable transmission elements to the group for moving the curtain/awning. The support elements of the pulley are separated from the connection elements for values of tension applied to the cord ring that are greater than a pre-established limit value. The separation cancels the tension of the cord. |
| US09359812B2 |
Window covering
A window covering includes a liner attached to a first rail and window covering material attached to the first rail and the liner such that the window covering material is moveable from a retracted position to an extended position when the liner is moved from its retracted position to its extended position. The window covering material can be configured to define a first number of folds when the window covering material is moved to the retracted position of the window covering material. The liner can be configured to define a second number of folds when the liner is moved to the retracted position of the liner. The second number of folds can be a number of folds that is at least 50% larger than the first number of folds formed in the window covering material when it is moved to its retracted position. |
| US09359811B2 |
Sill drainage member
A sill drainage member for a window assembly which can include at least one sash. The sash includes a window pane in a frame which can be a single or double glazed window. The sill drainage member has an elongate body with an upper surface and lower surface. The upper surface includes drainage means which is adapted to drain moisture from a window sash. The sill drainage member is adapted to be located and fixed underneath a window sash. A method of installing the sill drainage member with slope blocks and double glazing units is also included and a method of retro fitting double glazed units in wooden sashes. |
| US09359805B2 |
Security safe and self-service terminal provided with same
Disclosed are a security safe (1) and a self-service terminal provided with the security safe (1), wherein the security safe comprises a safe body (10) with a safe door (11) on at least one side thereof, the safe door (11) is provided with a safe door locking engagement system (12), and the safe door locking engagement system (12) comprises a movable latch (121) for achieving the locking engagement between the safe door (11) and the safe body (10). The locking engagement system (12) also comprises a brittle part fixedly provided on the inner side of the safe door (11), the brittle part controls at least one safe pin (123), and when the brittle part is broken the safe pin (123) keeps the movable latch (121) locked. The security safe (1) can solve the problem that there are weak areas in existing safes, and it has low cost and high reliability. |
| US09359804B2 |
Wall partition movement systems and methods
At least one panel including a trolley is fed to a first drive mechanism of a plurality of drive mechanisms adjacent a main track configured to engage the trolley of the at least one panel. The first drive mechanism is initiated to drive the at least one panel to a second drive mechanism of the plurality of drive mechanisms to move the at least one panel farther along the main track. |
| US09359803B1 |
Door for laser engraving device
A powered mechanism to open and close a door to a housing for a laser engraving device, with an arrangement that allows the powered mechanism to separate from the door so that the powered mechanism does not exert any force on any obstacle that the door may encounter when closing. |
| US09359800B2 |
Hood opening and closing device for zero tail type construction machinery
The present invention relates to a hood opening and closing device for zero tail type construction machinery that is used to open and close a swing type hood, at which a hinge portion is mounted on a fuel tank in a left-right direction. The hood opening and closing device for zero tail type construction machinery according to the present invention includes: a first sheet that is mounted on an outer side surface of a fuel tank; a pivot plate that is pivotally fixed to the hinge portion which is mounted on the first sheet; the swing type hood that is connected to an upper end of the pivot plate and is opened and closed in the left-right direction through a circular movement about the hinge portion; a second sheet that is mounted on an upper surface of the fuel tank; and a gas spring which has one end fixed to the second sheet and the other end fixed to a bottom surface of the swing type hood and supports, opens, and closes the swing type hood. |
| US09359799B2 |
Hinge mechanisms and foldable furniture
Embodiments generally relate to hinge mechanisms. Many of the hinge mechanism embodiments may be used in foldable furniture. The foldable furniture may be a foldable seat or table. The hinge mechanism may include a central cylinder with a body defining a hinge axis. The central cylinder may have rotate channel(s) transverse to the hinge axis and locking channels extending axially from the rotate channel(s). Collar(s) may couple with the central cylinder and may include pin(s) that protrude inwardly into the rotate channel(s) and locking channel(s) of the central cylinder. In some embodiments, an intermediate cylinder may be disposed between the central cylinder and the collar(s). The intermediate cylinder may have slots corresponding to the rotate channel(s) of the central cylinder. When pin(s) and locking channel(s) are aligned, the central lock cylinder may move axially to lock the collars in a desired angular position (e.g., a deployed or folded configuration). |
| US09359796B2 |
Locking arrangement for a motor vehicle lid
A locking arrangement for a pivotable lid of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The locking arrangement includes an axially displaceable guided bolt which releasably engages with the lid. A rotatably mounted rocker is coupled to the bolt. A slotted link guide is arranged on a circumferential side of the rocker about its axis of rotation. The slotted link guide has a channel and a sliding element which is guided therein. The channel has an engagement position and counteracts movement of the sliding element out of the engagement position against a predetermined passage direction. The locking arrangement can be alternately brought into and out of engagement with the lid through successive axial displacements in order to lock or unlock the lid. |
| US09359795B1 |
Motion sensing combination lock
A motion sensing combination lock having a plurality of sensors disposed upon a lock body, each of said plurality of sensors disposed sensible of obstructions imposed most proximal thereto, whereby a touch-free combination code is enterable by position of a user's hand between at least two of the plurality of sensors in a specific sequence to effect touch-free operation of a lock. |
| US09359791B2 |
Rekeyable lock assembly with blown cylinder protection
A rekeyable lock cylinder includes a plug body with a keyway opening along a longitudinal axis and a multiple of channels transverse to the axis. A rekeying feature located adjacent to the keyway opening. |
| US09359789B2 |
Security assembly for use with a security console
A security assembly for use with a security console having a body and a door. The body of the security console has a plurality of walls defining an interior of the security console. The door of the security console is rotatably coupled to a first wall of the plurality of walls along a fixed edge of the door and movable between open and closed positions to provide and restrict, respectively, access to the interior of the security console. The security assembly comprises first and second cooperating members. The first cooperating member is configured to be mounted to the door near a free edge of the door. The second cooperating member is configured to be mounted to an inner surface of a second wall of the plurality of walls near an edge of the second wall, such that when the door is in the closed position, the first cooperating member is configured to securely engage the second cooperating member to restrict lateral deflection of the second wall relative to the free edge of the door. The edge of the second wall is adjacent to the free edge of the door when the door is in the closed position. |
| US09359784B2 |
Fast transportable drilling rig system
The present invention discloses a high-capacity drilling rig system that includes novel design features that alone and more particularly in combination facilitate a fast rig-up and rig-down with a single set of raising cylinders and maintains transportability features. In particular, a transport trailer is disclosed having a first support member and a drive member which align the lower mast portion with inclined rig floor ramps and translate the lower mast legs up the ramps and into alignment for connection. A pair of wing brackets is pivotally deployed from within the lower mast width for connection to the raising cylinder for raising the mast from a horizontal position into a vertical position. A cantilever is pivotally deployed from beneath the rig floor to a position above it for connection to the raising cylinder for raising the substructure from a collapsed position into the erect position. |
| US09359783B1 |
Aircraft shelter
An aircraft shelter comprises a rear shelter section for covering a rear section of an aircraft in a protective manner. A front shelter section extends from the forward edge of the rear shelter section and is movable between a closed position for covering all or at least a substantial portion of the front aircraft section in a protective manner and an open position for enabling entry and exit of the aircraft. The front section cover is made of a flexible fabric material and is supported in the closed position by a front support beam and a front support post. The aircraft shelter will protect various types of aircraft from the elements, occupies a small footprint, and is easily manufactured and installed without the need for significant site preparation work or foundation. The aircraft shelter could optionally be locked in its closed position to reduce risk of theft. |
| US09359782B2 |
Automated pool cleaning vehicle with scrubbing elements
Disclosed herein is a submersible pool cleaning vehicle (PCV) having both cleaning and scrubbing structures. The PCV includes spaced wheels and wheel covers over the wheels include scrubbing elements. The PCV also includes a cleaning brush which dislodges particulates and facilitates the particulates being sucked into the intakes and then a filtering member. In one exemplary embodiment, the PCV includes wheel covers that have embedded scrubbing elements. In another exemplary embodiment, the scrubbing elements extend from the wheel covers and have a plurality of circular members. |
| US09359780B2 |
Methods and apparatus for restoring, repairing, reinforcing and/or protecting structures using concrete
Methods are provided for repairing an existing structure to cover at least a portion of the existing structure with a repair structure. Such methods comprise mounting one or more standoff retainers to the existing structure; coupling one or more standoffs to the standoff retainers such that the standoffs extend away from the existing structure; coupling one or more cladding panels to the standoffs such that the panels are spaced apart from the structure to provide a space therebetween; and introducing a curable material to the space between the panels and the existing structure, the panels acting as at least a portion of a formwork for containing the curable material until the curable material cures to provide a repair structure cladded, at least in part, by the panels. Corresponding apparatus for effecting such methods are also provided. |
| US09359779B2 |
Space saving anchor point for a concrete structure
A space saving anchor point for a concrete deck or column. The anchor point includes an external rigid member that attaches to the elongated receiver box and becomes embedded into the concrete. The external rigid member may be a T-shaped bracket with an elongated main flange and two parallel side flanges or two L-shaped brackets each with a main flange and a perpendicularly aligned side flange. Formed between the two side flanges on the T-bracket is a center space that receives an elongated receiver box. The elongated box is a partially enclosed structure with a lower opening that communicates with an interior cavity. Extending between the side flanges and transversely through the interior cavity is a rod with its opposite ends that extend laterally from the sides of the side flanges and become covered with concrete. Attached to the portion of the rod located inside the elongated box's interior cavity is an elongated connector plate. The connector plate is assembled on the rod and is configured to rotate around the rod and move longitudinally inward inside the interior cavity to hidden position or moved outward from the interior cavity partially exposing the plates' second opening. |
| US09359775B2 |
Substructure for supporting a wood flooring and flooring system comprising the same
The present invention relates to a substructure unit (1) for a flooring system (10), said substructure unit (1) comprising a first series (2) of panels (3) arranged in parallel and being fixed under a second series (4) of panels (3) arranged in parallel, said first series and second series (2 and 4) of panels (3) being arranged in a criss-cross manner to form a diagonal lattice, said panels (3) of said first and second series (2, 4) having bevelled cut ends (5, 6) extending outwardly from said lattice to form coupling means to interconnect at least two substructure units (1). |
| US09359774B2 |
Mechanical locking system for panels and method of installing same
Floor panels are provided with a mechanical locking system including a flexible locking element in a locking groove which during a horizontal motion is displaced vertically. |
| US09359772B2 |
Wall panel assembly
A wall panel assembly includes a panel having a main wall portion and sidewall portions extending away from the main wall portion, a plurality of frame members each having opposing end portions and a first channel extending between the opposing end portions, and a plurality of corner members. Each corner member has a pair of conjoined frame member coupling portions each for coupling with a corresponding end portion of a corresponding one of the frame members for defining a support frame for supporting the panel. Each frame member coupling portion has a second channel extending therealong normal to each of the first channels. Fasteners extend through the sidewall portions of the panel into the first channels and second channels to couple the panel with the support frame. |
| US09359765B2 |
High speed granule delivery system and method
A high speed granule delivery system and method is disclosed for dispensing granules in intermittent patterns onto a moving asphalt coated strip in the manufacture of roofing shingles. The system includes a granule hopper and a rotationally indexable pocket wheel in the bottom of the hopper. A series of pockets are formed in the circumference of the wheel and the pockets are separated by raised lands. A seal on the bottom of the hopper seals against the raised lands as the wheel is indexed. In use, the pockets of the pocket wheel drive through and are filled with granules in the bottom of the hopper. As each pocket is indexed beyond the seal, it is exposed to the moving asphalt coated strip below and its granules fall onto the strip to be embedded in the hot tacky asphalt. Well defined patterns of granules are possible at high production rates. |
| US09359764B2 |
Foundation spacer
A stackable foundation spacer is adapted for automated distribution. The foundation spacer includes a lower bearing surface adapted to be placed on a foundation support surface for the concrete, a first support surface adapted to support the reinforcement grid in a plurality of support points, and an outer circumferential side wall connecting the lower bearing surface with the first support surface. The outer circumferential side wall is inclined outwards from the lower bearing surface to the first support surface with an angle α, and the shape of the first support surface is larger than a mesh in the reinforcement grid that is to be supported. Distribution of foundation spacers can be automated by using a hand-held or automatic feeder device. Further, a reinforcement grid can be supported by a foundation spacer regardless of the position of the spacer. |
| US09359763B2 |
Light-weight load-bearing structures reinforced by core elements made of segments and a method of casting such structures
The invention relates to a light-weight load-bearing structure, reinforced by core elements (2) of a strong material constituting one or more compression or tension zones in the structure to be cast, which core (2) is surrounded by or adjacent to a material of less strength compared to the core (2), where the core (2) is constructed from segments (1) of core elements (2) assembled by means of one or more prestressing elements (4). The invention further relates to a method of casting of light-weight load-bearing structures, reinforced by core elements (2) of a strong material constituting one or more compression or tension zones in the structure to be cast, which core (2) is surrounded by or adjacent to a material of less strength compared to the core (2), where the core (2) is constructed from segments (1) of core elements (2) assembled and hold together by means of one or more prestressing elements (4). |
| US09359761B2 |
Joint filling strip
A joint filling strip has a uniform cross-section along its length that defines a top portion and a shaft portion coupled to the top portion. The top portion includes a rectangular section. The shaft portion includes at least one pair of opposing fins spanning a distance that is greater than a width of the rectangular section. |
| US09359760B2 |
Concrete flooring
An improved concrete floor arrangement is formed from a single cast piece or alternatively a plurality smaller cast pieces linked together to form a floor surface. The floor is arranged in the form of a grid. |
| US09359759B2 |
Ecological construction systems for buildings with green walls
The present invention relates to a ecological construction system for buildings with green walls. The system is based on the provision of an integral wall structure, one of the section of which comprises concrete and steel reinforced formwork as the main supporting structure, while the remaining part of the section comprises hollow cavities and arrangements of punched sections on the front or rear surface thereof, with drip-irrigation pipes and nozzles being provided therein. Plastic containers are housed in, and fixed to the punched arrangements distributed on the front or rear wall, which containers form a means for supporting natural or artificial substrates (soil, mineral fibers or wools) and also for the cultivation of plants, a channel being provided in the lower part of the wall structure for collecting, filtering and conveying water to a container for reincorporating said water into the irrigation system. The resulting system allows the growth of plants and vegetation on green walls for construction purposes and can be used on all types of new or existing buildings. |
| US09359756B2 |
Steel beam support embed and methods of use thereof
An apparatus and method is disclosed that allows for the efficient installation and connection of steel beams to a concrete foundation. A steel beam support embed according to the present disclosure can be readily set in place during the forming of the concrete foundation via detachable anchors, thus allowing the installer to avoid rebar or other foundation components that would otherwise need to be moved or adjusted for proper placement of the embed. A steel beam support embed as disclosed herein also, after its installation in the concrete foundation, provides for adjustable connection to a steel beam without the need for field welding. |
| US09359754B2 |
Mounting assembly for a toilet
A mounting assembly is used to fix a toilet on a toilet flange and contains two L-shaped brackets fixed on the toilet flange and each having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion. The horizontal portion has an internally raised portion, an externally raised portion, and a locating groove. The internally raised portion is retained in each arcuate slot of the toilet flange, and the locating groove is horizontally formed on the peripheral fence. The horizontal portion further has a recess for inserting an extension of the second bolt, so that the extension screws with a nut. The vertical portion has a plurality of openings defined thereon, so that the first bolt inserts into the through hole of each longitudinal fence to screw with one of the plurality of openings, such that the toilet is positioned on the toilet flange by ways of the mounting assembly. |
| US09359746B1 |
Over and under combined sewer overflow/stormwater conveyance chambers
A tunnel design used to convey combined or sanitary sewage during wet weather events is disclosed. The design comprises an over chamber and an under chamber in releasable coordination with each other. The over chamber comprises an open canal and the under chamber comprises a box culvert. |
| US09359742B2 |
Shovel
A shovel including a power storage device; and an electrically driven part driven by discharge electric power from the power storage device. The power storage device includes a lower housing having a bottom panel and side panels; at least two power storage modules arranged at a distance from each other in a first direction on the bottom panel and configured to charge and discharge electrical energy; a first rib formed on the bottom panel of the lower housing, arranged between the two power storage modules, and configured to extend in a second direction intersecting in the first direction; and a second rib formed on the bottom panel of the lower housing, configured to extend in the first direction, and formed continuously with the first rib. |
| US09359741B2 |
Wind turbine generator foundation with pressure-dispersive high strength pre-stressed anchors
Disclosed is a wind turbine generator foundation with pressure-dispersive pre-stressed anchor rods or anchor ropes. The foundation comprises a pile cap, a plurality of foundation piles arranged circumferentially at the bottom of the pile cap at uniform spacing, and a wind turbine generator tower connected to an upper part of the pile cap. |
| US09359739B2 |
Guy anchor remediation apparatus
A reinforcing system and/or means for reinforcing guyed structures or guyed construction techniques by supplementing or retrofitting the current anchoring system with a revised anchoring system which attaches or adapts to the current anchoring system. |
| US09359736B2 |
Auger snow-removing machine
An auger snow-removing machine includes left and right forward rotation augers rotatable in a first direction during snow removal and left and right reverse rotation augers rotatable in a second direction opposite the first direction during the snow removal. The forward and reverse rotation augers are coaxially disposed in alignment in a width direction of an auger housing within the housing. Distal ends of the left forward rotation auger and the right reverse rotation auger have phases set to substantially simultaneously reach a lowermost location when the forward and reverse rotation augers rotate. Distal ends of the right forward rotation auger and the left reverse rotation auger have phases set to substantially simultaneously reach the lowermost location when the forward and reverse rotation augers rotate. |
| US09359734B2 |
Snow plow-blower
A snow plow-blower operates as a snow plow, snow blower, or as a snow plow-blower combination. The device includes a plow head blade optionally having retractable/pivotal scoop wings and a cavity with an aperture with blower doors and a blower unit. The snow blower unit includes an auger and impeller to move snow into the unit and force it out of a discharge chute. Blower doors are provided over the snow blower unit cavity to prevent snow from entering into the cavity when the blower is off. Optionally, the blower doors move along a track and rest flush against the plow head to open and close off access to the cavity. Alternatively, the blower doors are hingedly mounted to pivot to open and closed positions. The blower doors may be constructed to operate as blower blades to direct snow into the blower unit; alternatively, separate blower blades are provided to optimize snow removal and mitigate jamming/clogging. |
| US09359733B2 |
Folding snow shovel
A foldable shovel structured for scooping/pushing is provided. The disclosed foldable shovel includes two arcuate members that are hinged together at one end. In the folded configuration the two arcuate members are nested. Further, the coupling device includes a locking disk assembly structured to allow the arcuate members to be configured in different positions relative to each other. Thus, the foldable shovel may be optimally configured as either a scooping device or a pushing device. |
| US09359731B2 |
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for clearing a surface using pressurized air
Provided are apparatuses, methods, and systems to clear a road surface of debris, water, or other contaminants. A system for clearing a road surface is provided including an air knife with an elongate orifice extending along a line, a frame configured to support the air knife in a position substantially parallel to a plane defined by the road surface, and a tow bar coupled to the frame, where the tow bar is pivotable relative to the frame along an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface. The system may include a mounting plate connected to the tow bar, where the mounting plate is pivotably mounted to the frame. The air knife may be supplied with pressurized air to clear the road surface of debris. A guide wheel may be attached to the frame, where the guide wheel is configured to rotate about an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface. |
| US09359724B2 |
AKD composition and manufacture of paper and paperboard
AKD cellulosic composition obtainable by flowing a stream of a cellulosic suspension through a shearing device and in which a molten alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) is metered in to the stream of cellulosic suspension in or prior to the shearing device. The AKD cellulosic composition is particularly suitable in the manufacture of sized paper and paperboard. |
| US09359723B2 |
Machine for producing fiber-containing web material, in particular tissue paper
A machine for producing fiber-containing web material, in particular tissue paper, includes a permeable dewatering belt for transporting fiber-containing source material used for producing web material from a forming section to a suction/pressing section, and a press belt assembly assigned to the suction/pressing section. The source material is received in the suction/pressing section between the press belt assembly and the dewatering belt and the press belt assembly presses the source material and the dewatering belt against a suction assembly of the suction/pressing section. The press belt assembly has a single press belt providing a source material contact surface. |
| US09359721B2 |
Soft feel printed fabric and method of producing same
Woven, unfinished textiles or yarns may be made softer and more brightly-colored by a method which comprises treating a yarn to weave fabric by sizing the yarn to weave fabric; desizing the sized fabric; bleaching the desized fabric; reducing the number of electrolytes on the bleached fabric; pre-softening the fabric having fewer electrolytes; fabric printing the pre-softened fabric; and finishing the fabric printed fabric. A fabric printed textile comprising a self cross-linked low glass transition temperature acrylic binder film on fibers of a fabric printed textile, where the fibers are impregnated with a polysiloxane polymer. |
| US09359719B2 |
Self-crosslinkable polysiloxane-modified polyhydroxy polyurethane resin, process for producing said resin, resin material comprising said resin, and artificial leather produced utilizing said resin
A problem is to provide, in the field of polyhydroxy polyurethane resins the development of applications of which has not moved ahead by conventional technologies, a self-crosslinking polyhydroxy polyurethane resin, which enables to provide products, such as imitation leathers, excellent in abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, heat resistance and the like, and moreover, which is useful from the viewpoint of a reduction in greenhouse gas, contains carbon dioxide incorporated and fixed therein, and is responsive to environmental conservation. Provided are a self-crosslinking, polysiloxane-modified, polyhydroxy polyurethane resin having masked isocyanate groups in a structure of a polysiloxane-modified, polyhydroxy polyurethane resin derived from a reaction of a 5-membered cyclic carbonate compound and an amine-modified polysiloxane compound and having polysiloxane segments therein; a production process of the self-crosslinking resin; a resin material containing the self-crosslinking resin; and an imitation leather composed of a base fabric and a resin composition composed of the self-crosslinking resin as its principal component and impregnated in or laminated on the base fabric. |
| US09359716B2 |
Device for mangling laundry items
Belt mangles, in which a revolvingly driven mangle belt runs along on the outside of the mangle body which is curved in a trough-like manner, convey in an entrained manner laundry items to be mangled along a smooth flattening face of the mangle body. Slippage between the mangle belt and the laundry items, which causes the quality of mangling to suffer, can occur. A mangle belt is provided with a structured outer face to bear on the laundry items to be entrained. The outer face is formed from a needled felt from highly temperature-resistant man-made fibers. On account of the structuring of the outer face of the mangle belt, a rough entrainment face or adhesion face, respectively, for the laundry items, that ensures slippage-free entrainment of the laundry items by the mangle belt while conveying the laundry items along the flattening face of the mangle body, is created. |
| US09359715B2 |
Laundry treatment apparatus and control method thereof
A control method of a laundry treatment apparatus, the control method including a drying operation with a circulation process for resupplying air discharged from a tub back into the tub, an exhaust process for discharging some of the air supplied into the tub, a suction process for supplying air outside of the tub into air circulated via the circulation process, and a heating process for heating the air to be supplied into the tub. Furthermore, the control method may include a motion execution operation for rotating a drum based on first motion during implementation of the drying operation, the drum being rotatably mounted in the tub and storing laundry therein. |
| US09359709B2 |
Dryer appliance with features for limiting air leakages
A dryer appliance is provided. The dryer appliance includes a cabinet and a drum mounted therein. The dryer appliance also includes a heating assembly. A duct extends between the heating assembly and an opening defined by a back wall of the drum. A seal is positioned at the opening of the back wall and extends between the duct and the back wall of the drum. |
| US09359708B2 |
Fabric treating machine
A fabric treating machine includes a spray nozzle for spraying water supplied from a water supply passage into an inner tub and a spray nozzle combining unit for combining the spray nozzle with a case. Fabric loaded in the inner tub can be effectively soaked through the spray nozzle. Furthermore, a spray direction of the spray nozzle can be accurately adjusted when the spray nozzle is fitted in the case, and thus the spray nozzle can be easily fitted in the case and water sprayed through the spray nozzle can be prevented from overflowing. |
| US09359698B2 |
Shedding apparatus for waste selvage in a loom
A shedding apparatus for waste selvage includes a pair of first swing levers and a pair of second swing levers for forming an open shed of selvage yarns. The drive force to the swing levers is transmitted by cranking through a drive shaft which is coaxial with the sun gear of a planetary gear mechanism. The crank mechanism using the cranking includes a crank, first end of which is fixedly connected to the drive shaft for rotation therewith, a drive lever for transmitting a rotational force to the swing levers, and a connecting rod connected between second end of the crank and the drive lever. A ratio between an eccentric distance of the crank and a length of the drive lever is less than 1. |
| US09359690B2 |
Process for growing silicon carbide single crystal and device for the same
Provided is a method for manufacturing a silicon carbide single crystal using a solution process including coming a seed crystal substrate for growing silicon carbide into contact with a Si—C alloy solution including at least one additive metal and growing the silicon carbide single crystal on a seed crystal for growing silicon carbide, including feeding a silicon feedstock into an alloy solution when a molar ratio of Si and the additive metal is lower than an initially set value as the reaction progresses. The method increases a crystal growth speed, maintains the growth speed, and prevents the growth from unwillingly stopping when the silicon carbide single crystal is manufactured using a solution growth process. |
| US09359689B2 |
Synthesis, capping and dispersion of nanocrystals
Preparation of semiconductor nanocrystals and their dispersions in solvents and other media is described. The nanocrystals described herein have small (1-10 nm) particle size with minimal aggregation and can be synthesized with high yield. The capping agents on the as-synthesized nanocrystals as well as nanocrystals which have undergone cap exchange reactions result in the formation of stable suspensions in polar and nonpolar solvents which may then result in the formation of high quality nanocomposite films. |
| US09359687B1 |
Separation of alpha emitting species from plating baths
A non alpha controlled Tin including Tin and a trace amount of Polonium is utilized as a plating anode to selectively plate Tin upon a plating cathode. Tin may be selectively plated by pulse plating the non alpha controlled Tin with current control to suppress plating of Polonium upon the plating cathode. Tin may also be selectively plated by pulse plating the non alpha controlled Tin with potential control to suppress plating of Polonium upon the plating cathode. Tin may also be selectively plated by pulse and reverse plating to plate out Polonium upon a filtering cathode. Tin may also be selectively plated by plating out Polonium upon a filtering cathode within a concentrate. Tin may also be selectively plated by plating out purified Tin upon a filtering cathode, separating the purified Tin from the filtering cathode, and utilizing the purified Tin to plate Tin upon the plating cathode. |
| US09359683B2 |
Method of forming metal and metal alloy features
Electric potential, current density, agitation, and deposition rate are controlled to deposit metal alloys, such as tin based solder alloys or magnetic alloys, with minimal variations in the weight ratios of alloying metals at different locations within the deposited metal alloy feature. Alternative embodiments include processes that form metal alloy features wherein the variation in weight ratio of alloying metals within the feature is not necessarily minimized, but is controlled to provide a desired variation. In addition to metal alloys, alternative embodiments include processes for improving the deposition of single metal features. |
| US09359673B2 |
Apparatus and method for atomic layer deposition
A proximity heads for dispensing reactants and purging gas to deposit a thin film by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) includes a plurality of sides. Extending over a portion of the substrate region and being spaced apart from the portion of the substrate region when present, the proximity head is rotatable so as to place each side in a direction of the substrate region, and is disposed in a vacuum chamber coupled to a carrier gas source to sustain a pressure for the proximity head during operation. Each side of the proximity head includes a gas conduit through which the reactant gas and the purging gas are sequentially dispensed, and at least two separate vacuum conduits on each side of the gas conduit to pull excess reactant gas, purging gas, or deposition byproducts from a reaction volume between a surface of the proximity head facing the substrate and the substrate. |
| US09359672B2 |
Reaction system for growing a thin film
An atomic deposition (ALD) thin film deposition apparatus includes a deposition chamber configured to deposit a thin film on a wafer mounted within a space defined therein. The deposition chamber comprises a gas inlet that is in communication with the space. A gas system is configured to deliver gas to the gas inlet of the deposition chamber. At least a portion of the gas system is positioned above the deposition chamber. The gas system includes a mixer configured to mix a plurality of gas streams. A transfer member is in fluid communication with the mixer and the gas inlet. The transfer member comprising a pair of horizontally divergent walls configured to spread the gas in a horizontal direction before entering the gas inlet. |
| US09359670B2 |
Sputtering device for forming thin film and method for making thin film
A device and a method of facing target sputtering are provided, which can easily change magnetic flux line patterns between facing targets, thereby enabling to conveniently perform a plurality of kinds of sputtering such as facing target sputtering with facing mode, facing target sputtering with mixed mode composed of facing mode and magnetron mode. Thus, the device and the method of facing target sputtering effective for each material is provided. The sputtering device for forming a thin film in which a pair of target holders 2 having targets 1 arranged thereon is provided so as to arrange targets faced to each other. A pole group including a plurality of pole elements having at least a different pole direction is arranged at the back side of the target holders opposite to surfaces on which the targets are arranged. The pole elements are any of a permanent magnet 4, a yoke 7, 8 and an electromagnet 13 or a combination of them. The device includes magnetic flux-line pattern control means for changing magnetic flux-line pattern 5 between the targets faced to each other by moving at least part of the pole elements or changing at least either one of field intensity and direction. |
| US09359669B2 |
Method for improved cathodic arc coating process
A method of forming targets for cathodic arc deposition of alloy bond coats for turbine engines components consists of melting a base alloy containing aluminum and other metals, adding grain boundary strengthening alloy additions, and casting the melt to form a cylindrical billet that is subsequently sectioned into puck shaped targets. The grain boundary strengthening additions minimize intergranular fracture of the targets during high current operation of the arc coating process. |
| US09359666B2 |
Rapid crystallization of heavily doped metal oxides and products produced thereby
A method of making a doped metal oxide comprises heating a first doped metal oxide with a laser, to form a crystallized doped metal oxide. The crystallized doped metal oxide has a different crystal structure than the first doped metal oxide. |
| US09359665B2 |
Method of manufacturing swage mount having a mixture of conductive material and a coating material
A swage mount is manufactured for attaching a head suspension assembly to a head actuator arm for a hard disk drive. A conductive material is deposited on a predetermined part of the swage mount. A coating material is deposited on the swage mount including the predetermined part. Heat is applied to the swage mount, forming a mixture of the conductive material and the coating material. The mixture is conductive and supports a reliable connection between the swage mount and other disk drive components. Furthermore, the mixture enhances cleanliness by reducing particles shed from the swage mount. The conductive material is preferably gold, and the coating material is preferably nickel-based. |
| US09359664B2 |
Tough iron-based bulk metallic glass alloys
A family of iron-based, phosphor-containing bulk metallic glasses having excellent processibility and toughness, methods for forming such alloys, and processes for manufacturing articles therefrom are provided. The inventive iron-based alloy is based on the observation that by very tightly controlling the composition of the metalloid moiety of the Fe-based, P-containing bulk metallic glass alloys it is possible to obtain highly processable alloys with surprisingly low shear modulus and high toughness. |
| US09359663B2 |
Manufacturing method for hot press formed steel member
Provided is a method for manufacturing a hot press formed steel member that has high strengths, an excellent balance between strength and ductility, and good deformation properties upon crush on collision (crashworthiness). The manufacturing method is highly efficient and allows a high degree of freedom with respect to the shape to be formed. The method manufactures a steel member by heating a steel sheet having a specific chemical composition and subjecting the steel sheet to at least one time of hot press forming. In the method, the heating temperature is equal to or higher than the Ac3 transformation temperature, and a starting temperature of the hot press forming is in the range from the heating temperature to martensite start (Ms) temperature. Cooling from [(Ms temperature)−150° C.] down to 80° C. is performed so that a tempering parameter (λ) specified by Expression (1) is in the range from 7100 to 8030. |
| US09359662B2 |
Iron-carbon master alloy
An iron-carbon master alloy is described, with a C content of 0.3 to 8 wt % and an upper limit of alloying metals Ni<10 wt %, P<4 wt %, Cr<5 wt %, preferably<1 wt %, Mn<5 wt %, preferably<1 wt %, Mo<3 wt %, W<3 wt %, Cu<1 wt %, a particle size of >20 μm and a hardness of <350 HV 0.01, and a method for the manufacture of said master alloy. |
| US09359660B2 |
6XXX aluminum alloys, and methods for producing the same
New 6xxx aluminum alloy bodies and methods of producing the same are disclosed. The new 6xxx aluminum alloy bodies may be produced by preparing the aluminum alloy body for post-solutionizing cold work, cold working by at least 25%, and then thermally treating. The new 6xxx aluminum alloy bodies may realize improved strength and other properties. |
| US09359658B2 |
Nickel-based superalloy, mechanical component made of the above mentioned super alloy, piece of turbomachinery which includes the above mentioned component and related methods
A nickel-based superalloy particularly suitable for the fabrication of mechanical components for a piece of turbomachinery that it comprises the following elements in percentage by weight: chromium between 3% and 7%; tungsten between 3% and 15%; tantalum between 4% and 6%; aluminum between 4% and 8%; carbon less than 0.8%; the remaining percentage of nickel plus impurities. |
| US09359657B2 |
Method for leaching a sulphidic metal concentrate
A method for leaching a sulfidic metal concentrate in hydrometallurgical production of metal in a leaching process from which hot water vapor containing off-gas is conducted out and to which an acid solution warmed up to an elevated temperature is conducted. The acid solution is warmed up to an elevated temperature by bringing off-gas of the leaching step into direct contact with the acid solution. |
| US09359656B2 |
Direct smelting process
A molten bath-based process for direct smelting metalliferous material and producing molten metal in a direct smelting vessel that contains a molten bath that has a metal layer that is at least 900 mm deep. The process includes selecting operating parameters of the process so that feed material (solid material and carrier gas) is injected from above the metal layer into the metal layer via at least one solids injection lance with sufficient momentum to penetrate to a depth of at least 100 mm below a nominal quiescent surface of the metal layer to cause upward movement of molten material and gas from the metal layer. |
| US09359654B2 |
Mist cooling apparatus and heat treatment apparatus
The mist cooling apparatus (3) includes: a cooling system (30) which includes a nozzle (35, 35A) that sprays cooling liquid in a form of a mist onto a treatment object which has been heated and provided in a cooling furnace (10), and a pump (33) that is driven by a drive source and thereby makes the cooling liquid flow toward the nozzle (35, 35A); and a second cooling system (40) which operates in response to a stoppage of the drive source, and thereby cools the treatment object. |
| US09359650B2 |
Biomass pre-treatment for co-production of high-concentration C5- and C6-carbohydrates and their derivatives
Described is a method of processing biomass to separate it into a liquid fraction enriched in solubilized C5-sugar-containing oligomers and C-5 sugar monomers and a solid fraction enriched in substantially insoluble cellulose and C6-sugar-containing oligomers. The method includes the steps of reacting biomass with a solvent system comprising water, at least one lactone, or at least one furan, or at least one cyclic ether, and at least one acid, for a time and at a temperature to yield the liquid and solid fractions. The liquid and solid fractions may then be separated. Gamma-valeroloactone is a preferred lactone for use in the solvent system. Tetrahydrofuran is a preferred furan species for use in the solvent system. |
| US09359648B2 |
Markers for pre-cancer and cancer cells and the method to interfere with cell proliferation therein
A novel family of human mitochondrial RNAs, referred to as chimeric RNAs, which are differentially expressed in normal, pre-cancer and cancer cells, are described. Oligonucleotides targeted to the chimeric RNAs are provided. The described oligonucleotides or their analogs can be used for cancer diagnostics and cancer therapy as well as for research. In one embodiment of this invention, these oligonucleotides hybridize with the sense or with the antisense mitochondrial chimeric RNAs, and the result of the hybridization is useful to differentiate between normal proliferating cells, pre-cancer cells and cancer cells. In another embodiment of the invention, the compositions comprise oligonucleotides that hybridize with the human chimeric RNAs resulting in cancer cell and pre-cancer cell death, while there is no effect in normal cells, constituting therefore, a novel approach for cancer therapy. |
| US09359643B2 |
Discrimination of blood type variants
The present invention provides a method for detecting the presence or absence of, or for discriminating between, blood type variants, including RHD*r′s, RHD*DIIIa and RHD*DIVa-2. The method comprises amplifying by PCR a sample obtained from a human subject at intron 3 of the RHD gene locus. The invention also provides products, in particular, probes, primers and kits for use in the method of the invention. |
| US09359639B2 |
Method for the detection of multiple single nucleotide variations or single nucleotide polymorphisms in a single tube
The present invention discloses a method for detecting multiple single nucleotide variations or polymorphisms in a single reaction tube, and the oligonucleotide, the probe, the set of probes, the kit used, as well as the use thereof. Specifically, it relates to a method for identifying the genotype of multiple single nucleotide variation or SNP sites from the melting temperature of a kind of artificial melting temperature tag sequence (AMTS) and the type of fluorescence labels. |