| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09652140B2 |
Page search method and electronic device supporting the same
The present disclosure relates to a page search function, and provides a page search method and electronic device supporting the same. The page search method for an electronic device includes: identifying information elements contained in a page to be output on a display unit of the electronic device; assigning indexes to the information elements for distinction in consideration of types of the information elements; arranging the indexes on a scroll bar region corresponding to the page; and outputting a composite scroll bar containing the scroll bar region on which the indexes are arranged. |
| US09652134B2 |
Avatars reflecting user states
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for creating and using customized avatar instances to reflect current user states are disclosed. In various implementations, the user states can be defined using trigger events based on user-entered textual data, emoticons, or states of the device being used. For each user state, a customized avatar instance having a facial expression, body language, accessories, clothing items, and/or a presentation scheme reflective of the user state can be generated. When one or more trigger events indicating occurrence of a particular user state are detected on the device, the avatar presented on the device is updated with the customized avatar instance associated with the particular user state. |
| US09652118B2 |
System and method for generating a color palette based on audio content
A computer-implemented system and method of determining a color palette to be associated with an audio selection is presented. The system and method includes receiving an audio selection, sending data associated with the audio selection to a music information server and receiving information about the audio selection, sending the information to a color palette server that selects one or more color palettes based on the information, receiving the color palettes from the color palette server, associating one of the color palettes with the audio selection, and sending the associated color palette and audio selection to one or more third parties using a mode of social media. |
| US09652117B2 |
Displaying a representation of data in conditions of limited visual space
A method for displaying information in a computer system having a visual display device with available display space for displaying representations of a plurality of data items, includes receiving the plurality of data items to provide received data items, and representing the received data items with abstract visual elements on the visual display device to provide displayed abstract visual elements. An interaction with a displayed abstract visual element is received to provide a selected abstract visual element in accordance with the received interaction. A data item represented by the selected abstract visual element is displayed on the visual display device in accordance with the received interaction. |
| US09652114B2 |
System for facilitating in-person interaction between multi-user virtual environment users whose avatars have interacted virtually
Described is a system for facilitating in-person interaction between multi-user virtual environment (“MMVE”) users. The system facilitates in-person interaction between the users if they have interacted virtually in MMVE via their respective avatars. |
| US09652111B2 |
Method and system for quickly arranging multiple windows and mobile apparatus thereof
A method and a system for quickly arranging multiple windows for a mobile apparatus are provided. The method includes monitoring a window arrangement driving event at an application layer and when the window arrangement driving event is generated, transferring the window arrangement driving event from the application layer to a frameworks layer. The method also includes identifying a current arrangement mode and selecting a new arrangement mode according to the current arrangement mode; obtaining the window objects currently operated on the mobile apparatus; calculating a display position and a display size for each of the obtained window objects according to the new arrangement mode; and displaying the window objects on the touch screen of mobile apparatus according to the calculated display position and display size. Accordingly, the window objects can be quickly arranged by the method to effectively enhance the efficiency of multi-operation on the mobile apparatus. |
| US09652110B2 |
Relaying device for relaying image data from an image processing device to a server
The relaying device may generate a first type of image data selection screen data for causing the display unit of the image processing device to display a first type of image data selection screen having a first display pattern, in a case where the folder type information regarding the selected folder indicates that the selected folder is a first type of folder used for storing a first type of image data. The relaying device may generate a second type of image data selection screen data for causing the display unit of the image processing device to display a second type of image data selection screen having a second display pattern which is different from the first display pattern, in a case where the folder type information regarding the selected folder indicates that the selected folder is a second type of folder used for storing a second type of image data. |
| US09652103B2 |
Detection device and display device with detection function
[Problem] To prevent detachment of overcoat layer which covers at least a part of a terminal formed on a substrate.[Measure to solve the problem] According to one embodiment, a detection device includes a substrate, detection electrode, terminal formed of a metal material, lead, coating layer, conductive adhesion layer, and circuit board. The lead connects the electrode and the terminal. The coating layer covers the electrode and the lead, and partly covers the terminal. The adhesion layer covers a part of the terminal exposed from the coating layer and covers a part of the coating layer. The circuit board is connected to the terminal with the adhesion layer interposed therebetween. At least in an overlapping area where the conductive adhesion layer covers the coating layer, the metal material that forms the terminal includes a shape that the metal material is partly removed. |
| US09652102B2 |
Touch panel
A touch panel includes a plurality of touch sensing groups. Each of the touch sensing groups includes a central electrode, a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes. The central electrode includes a main body, and has a wavy contour. The first electrodes and the second electrodes are disposed at two sides of the main body along a direction, respectively. Each of the first electrodes includes a first inner edge adaptively spaced from a first edge of the central electrode. Each of the second electrodes includes a second inner edge adaptively spaced from a second edge of the central electrode. One first electrode of the first electrodes overlaps two adjacent second electrodes of the second electrodes in another direction. |
| US09652099B2 |
Array substrate and manufacturing method thereof, touch display device
An array substrate and its manufacturing method, and a touch display device are disclosed. A display area of the array substrate includes a plurality of thin film transistor (11), first transparent electrodes (12), second transparent electrodes (13) and a transparent insulation layer (16) that contacts the second transparent electrodes (13); the transparent insulation layer (16) is a conductor when a voltage applied thereon is larger than a predetermined voltage, and is an insulator when the voltage applied therein is less than the predetermined voltage. The second transparent electrodes (13) include first sub-electrodes (131) arranged into a plurality of rows in a first direction and insulated from each other, and second sub-electrodes (132) arranged into a plurality of rows in a second direction and insulated from each other, the first direction is intersected with the second direction. The problems such as noise, visual artifacts, insensitive to touch, or the like caused by unbalance of charges can be avoided. |
| US09652090B2 |
Device for digital communication through capacitive coupling
A computing device configured to communicate with an input device. The computing device includes a processor, a touch interface, such as a touch screen, and a receiving unit. The touch interface is configured to detect an input signal corresponding to an object approaching or contacting a surface. The receiving unit is configured to receive, through the touch interface, at least one input signal from the input device, and the receiving unit amplifies the at least one input signal creating at least one amplified input signal. Additionally, at least one of the processor or the receiving unit analyzes the at least one amplified input signal and creates at least one output digital signal corresponding to the at least one input signal. |
| US09652089B2 |
Touch panel stackup
A touch panel stackup comprises a substrate having a substantially transparent first region and a substantially opaque second region, a sensing electrode detecting a tactile signal, a conductive circuit electrically coupled with the sensing electrode, and a masking element configured on the second region of the substrate, wherein the sensing electrode, the conductive circuit, and the masking element are integrally formed on the substrate. |
| US09652083B2 |
Integrated near field sensor for display devices
A transmissive element including a diffractive and/or refractive pattern can be used with a display screen of a computing device to allow the display screen to function as a near field optical sensor (NFOS). The NFOS can be used to detect shadows cast on the display screen, and/or bright objects detected near the display screen, which can be used to determine the relative position of one or more features with respect to the device. These features can be, for example, the fingers or thumbs of a user attempting to provide input to the computing device. The device can support motion or gesture detection using cameras of the device, and touch input using touch screen functionality, but the NFOS can enable the device to also track motion in the dead zone between the field of view of the cameras and the touch screen. |
| US09652078B2 |
Display device
A display device is configured to (a) detect presence or absence of noise or water droplet adhesion based on current flowing through a plurality of detection electrodes upon supply of a touch panel scanning voltage to m divided blocks of the counter electrode, and (b) distinguish between noise and water droplet based on the current flowing through the detection electrodes on the assumption that a (m+1)th counter electrodes exists in addition to the m divided blocks of the counter electrode, and the touch panel scanning voltage is supplied to the (m+1)th counter electrode, which is in synchronization with the touch panel scanning voltage supplied to the m divided blocks of the counter electrode. |
| US09652077B2 |
Touch screen testing platform having components for providing conductivity to a tip
A touch screen testing platform may be used to perform repeatable testing of a touch screen enabled device using a robotic device tester and a controller. The platform may use various types of conductive tips that engage the touch screen, thereby simulating human behavior. The platform may perform multi-touch operations by employing multiple tips that can engage the touch screen simultaneously. The tips activate a touch screen from at least a trace of conductive coating located on nonconductive components of the robotic device tester. |
| US09652075B2 |
Display device with capacitive touch sensor with slit formed in a surface of a detecting electrode opposed to a scanning electrode to realize detection with high accuracy
An information input device including a touch panel configured to be provided with a touch sensor that detects a position at which a sensing object is brought close to a sensing surface. In this information input device, the touch sensor has a scanning electrode and a detecting electrode that is opposed to the scanning electrode with the intermediary of a dielectric substance, and is a capacitive sensor whose electrostatic capacitance changes if the sensing object is brought close to the detecting electrode. Furthermore, a slit is formed in a surface of the detecting electrode opposed to the scanning electrode. |
| US09652070B2 |
Integrating multiple different touch based inputs
For integrating multiple different touch based inputs, a method is disclosed that includes detecting a pressure at a screen pressure module, enabling a first touch module based on the pressure exceeding a pressure threshold value, and integrating input from a second touch module and the first touch module, the input from the first touch module and the second touch module being concurrently received. |
| US09652069B1 |
Press hard and move gesture
A method. The method may include obtaining force information regarding an input force applied by an input object to a sensing region of an input device. The method may include determining, using the force information, that the input force exceeds a first force threshold. The method may include determining, using the force information, whether the input force exceeds a second force threshold. The method may include obtaining positional information for an input object in the sensing region of the input device. The method may include determining, using the positional information, that a change in position of the input object is less than a distance threshold when the input force exceeds the second force threshold. The method may include performing an interface action within a graphical user interface in response to determining that the input force decreases below at least the second force threshold. |
| US09652067B2 |
Input apparatus, input method and program
There is provided an input apparatus including: a pressure detecting unit which detects press pressure of an operational body applied to a virtual key having one or more input candidates allocated selectively; and an input control unit which varies a selection state of the one or more input candidates selectively allocated to the virtual key for every pressing operation having, as a single time of pressing operation, timing that the press pressure detected by the pressure detecting unit exceeds a predetermined selection threshold value or timing that the press pressure becomes smaller than the selection threshold value as being attenuated after exceeding the selection threshold value. |
| US09652065B2 |
Touch panel and method for manufacturing touch panel
A touch panel includes a first substrate, a first electrode formed on the first substrate, a second substrate, and a second electrode formed on the second substrate. The first electrode includes a number of first conductive patterns extending in a first direction. The second electrode includes a number of second conductive patterns extending in a second direction. Both the first conductive patterns and the second conductive patterns include a number of parallel first metal wires and a number of parallel second metal wires perpendicularly crossing with the first metal wires. A first angle is defined between the first metal wires of the first conductive pattern and the first direction. A second angle is defined between the first metal wires of the second conductive pattern and the second direction. The first angle is different from the second angle. |
| US09652062B2 |
Display control device, display control method, recording medium, and image processing apparatus
A display control device includes: a display; a touch panel being capable of detecting a gesture; a judgment portion that judges whether or not a screen displayed on the display allows users to operate a display data object with a gesture; a memory; an image generator that determines an image size, that generates an image data object identical with the display data object in the determined image size, and that stores the generated image data object on the memory, upon the screen being judged as allowing users to operate the display data object with a gesture; and a display controller that updates the display data object with the image data object generated by the image generator and stored on the memory, in response to a gesture being performed on the screen, the screen being judged as allowing users to operate the display data object with a gesture. |
| US09652058B2 |
Active capacitives stylus, sensor controller, related system and method
A method may be executed by one or more active capacitive styluses and a sensor controller connected to sensor electrodes. The method includes: a discovery step, executed by the sensor controller, of repeatedly sending out a discovery packet for detecting any of the active capacitive styluses; a discovery response step, executed by a first active capacitive stylus among the one or more active capacitive styluses, by which the discovery packet is detected, of returning a response packet to the discovery packet; a configuration step, executed by the sensor controller, of transmitting a configuration packet including time slot designation information that designates a first time slot to the first active capacitive stylus; and a data transmission step, executed by the first active capacitive stylus, of transmitting operation state data indicative of an operation state of the first active capacitive stylus using the designated first time slot. |
| US09652057B2 |
Top mount clickpad module for bi-level basin
An input device for use with an electronic system. The input device includes: a substantially planar input surface comprising a capacitive sensor layer configured to sense positional information for an input object, the input surface having a first zone and a second zone, wherein the second zone is configured to deflect in response to force applied to the second zone by the input object; a stiffener substrate having a first portion affixed to a bottom surface of the first zone, and at least one finger extending parallel to and spaced apart from the second zone; and an actuation mechanism disposed between the finger and the second zone. |
| US09652047B2 |
Visual gestures for a head mounted device
Visual gestures in a display device allow a user to select and activate features in a display of the display device. A sensor of the display device tracks an eye gaze of a user directed at a display of the display device. A visual gesture module identifies a predefined trigger zone in the display. A virtual object application displays a virtual object in the display based on the eye gaze of the user and the predefined trigger zone. |
| US09652044B2 |
Proximity sensor-based interactions
An application programming interface is provided that allows applications to request and receive distance measurements from multiple proximity sensors arranged on a computing device such as a smart phone or tablet. Users can input ranges of values to the applications by moving objects such as hands and fingers towards and away one or more of the multiple proximity sensors. Applications can use the ranges of values provided by the proximity sensors to allow for more nuanced and precise user interfaces than what is typically available using the binary output associated with a capacitive display. The values provided by the proximity sensors can be combined with values from one or more other sensors such as accelerometers to provide additional user interface options. |
| US09652043B2 |
Recognizing commands with a depth sensor
Recognizing a command may include monitoring a tangible reference with a depth sensor, maintaining a virtual reference approximately on calibrated three dimensional coordinates of the tangible reference, maintaining a touch space adjacent the virtual reference, and recognizing a command when a predetermined object enters the touch space. |
| US09652041B2 |
Haptic device with linear resonant actuator
A haptic output device having an actuator and a processor is presented. The actuator is configured to generate a haptic effect. The processor is configured: (i) to communicate a driving signal to the actuator, wherein the driving signal comprises at least one cycle of a periodic signal, and wherein the driving signal has a first frequency that is different than a resonant frequency of the actuator; (ii) to determine, based on the first frequency of the driving signal, a starting time of a braking signal, wherein a frequency of the braking signal is the resonant frequency of the actuator; (iii) to determine, based on the first frequency of the driving signal, an amplitude of the braking signal; and (iv) to communicate the braking signal to the actuator at the determined starting time and at the determined amplitude. |
| US09652040B2 |
Sculpted waveforms with no or reduced unforced response
An electronic device may generate a canceling component that reduces or eliminates the unforced response for a base waveform applied to a component haptic output device of the electronic device. The electronic device may create a sculpted waveform that has no or reduced unforced response and may store the created sculpted waveform. The electronic device may apply the sculpted waveform to the component haptic output device. In one embodiment, a space of at least possible parameters may be defined. Canceling component corresponding to points in the space may be iteratively tested. A heat map may be generated based on the unforced response cancellation or elimination of the canceling components corresponding to the points. Based at least on the heat map, a canceling component may be selected. A sculpted waveform may then be generated by combining the base waveform with the canceling component. |
| US09652034B2 |
User interface based on optical sensing and tracking of user's eye movement and position
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for optical sensing and tracking of eye movement. In one aspect, a method for tracking the movement of an eye includes emitting light toward an eye of a user using multiple light sources substantially equally spaced from a photodetector module of a device, receiving at the photodetector module at least a partial retroreflection of the light emitted by each of the multiple light sources retroreflected from the eye, and determining a positional parameter of the eye based on differential values of the at least partial retroreflections corresponding to the multiple light sources. |
| US09652031B1 |
Trust shifting for user position detection
A device configured with a user interface (UI) that changes based on a position of a user determines the position of the user through multiple data sources including camera based head tracking and output from motion sensors such as a gyroscope. Each data source may output its own estimated head position. The device may apply a reliability weight to the head position determined by each data source. A composite head position is then determined from the weighted position. The composite position is then used to render the UI. |
| US09652026B2 |
System and method for peak dynamic power management in a portable computing device
Various embodiments of methods and systems for dynamically adjusting a peak dynamic power threshold are disclosed. Advantageously, embodiments of the solution for peak dynamic power management optimize a peak dynamic power threshold based on estimations of real-time leakage current levels and/or actual power supply levels to a power domain of a system on a chip (“SoC”). In this way, embodiments of the solution ensure that a maximum amount of available power supply is allocated to dynamic power consumption for processing workloads at an optimum performance or quality of service (“QoS”) level without risking that the total power consumption (leakage power consumption+dynamic power consumption) for the power domain exceeds the power supply capacity. |
| US09652023B2 |
Power management system
A vehicle communication system facilitates hands-free interaction with a mobile device in a vehicle or elsewhere. Users interact with the system by speaking to it. The system processes text and processes commands. The system supports wireless technology for hands-free use. The system handles telephone calls, email, and SMS text messages. The user can customize the device via a user profile stored on an Internet web server. The system also includes a plurality of power conservation features. |
| US09652018B2 |
Adjusting power consumption of a processing element based on types of workloads to be executed
Methods and apparatus relating to multi-level CPU (Central Processing Unit) high current protection are described. In one embodiment, different workloads may be assigned different license types and/or weights based on micro-architectural events (such as uop (micro-operation) types and sizes) and/or data types. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed. |
| US09652017B2 |
System and method of analyzing audio data samples associated with speech recognition
A particular apparatus includes a coder/decoder (CODEC) including a first processor and a first buffer. The first processor is configured to analyze audio data samples to detect a keyword. The CODEC is configured to store a set of audio data samples at the first buffer. The apparatus also includes an application processor configured to receive the set of audio data samples from the CODEC via a bus and configured to initialize a speech recognition engine (SRE) based on the set of audio data samples. The application processor is configured to initialize the bus based on an indication from the CODEC that the keyword is detected. |
| US09652009B2 |
Current regulation circuit, power over Ethernet system, and method
A current regulation circuit includes a number of current regulation units. Each of the current regulation units includes a sampling unit, a mean conversion unit, a current integration unit, a comparison unit, and a voltage conversion unit. The sampling unit outputs sampling current signals according to output current signals of a POE port. The mean conversion unit converts the sampling current signals into mean current signals. The current integration unit integrates and converts the mean current signals output by the number of current regulation units into output reference current signals. The comparison unit compares the mean current signals with the reference current signals, and outputs comparison signals based on the comparison. The voltage conversion unit regulates the output current signals according to the comparison signals output by the comparison unit. A POE system and method are also provided. |
| US09652005B2 |
Thermal solution for wearable devices by using wrist band as heat sink
A heat transfer component of a smart watch captures at least a portion of heat emitted by one or more electronic components located within an enclosure of the smart watch. The heat transfer component transfers at least a portion of the captured heat to a wrist band outside the enclosure of the smart watch. The wrist band allows for dissipation of at least a portion of the transferred heat through at least one surface of the wrist band. |
| US09651994B1 |
Docking station with anti-theft mechanism for portable electronic device
The present invention is to provide a docking station applicable to a portable electronic device and having an anti-theft mechanism, which includes a positioning base having a top side concavely provided with a positioning space and a first abutting surface provided adjacent to one end of the positioning base and facing the positioning space; a sliding base movably connected to an opposite end of the positioning base and provided with a second abutting surface facing the positioning space, wherein the first and second abutting surfaces are respectively and protrudingly provided with a first plug and a second plug configured to be inserted into and thereby connected with corresponding sockets of the portable electronic device; a first fastener and a second fastener respectively provided at the sliding base and the positioning base and capable of being fastened together to prevent the sliding base from moving with respect to the positioning base. |
| US09651988B2 |
Handheld electronic device responsive to tilting
PDAs can be used to provide their users with various functions. One such function is the ability to contact other users who are stored in the PDA as contacts, for example by telephone of text message. The decision as to whether or not a particular user should be contacted may be influenced by the location of that user. For example, if a contact is nearby, then it may be more likely that the user of the PDA would want to contact them. The present embodiments provide a PDA on which the location of one or more contacts can be displayed. Furthermore, the location of a particular contact can be shown on a map on the screen of the PDA simply by tilting the PDA through a predetermined angle about a horizontal axis. Thus, the map can be displayed in an intuitive and straightforward manner. |
| US09651987B2 |
Portable display device
A portable display device may include a display unit configured to display an image, the display unit including: a first display portion configured to display an image; a second display portion configured to display an image, the second display portion disposed spaced apart from the first display portion; and a connection portion configured to connect to the first display portion and the second display portion to each other; and an input unit configured to slide into and out from the display unit, wherein one of the first display portion and the second display portion is configured to rotate around the connection portion, and the first display portion and the second display portion configured to form an expanded display portion. |
| US09651984B2 |
Feed-forward time transfer mechanism for time synchronization
A feed-forward, time transfer mechanism is provided for time synchronization in a computer network. A device in a network receives a timestamp from a time synchronization master of the device that is associated with a clock message from the master. The device generates a new clock message for one or more slaves of the device and sends a new timestamp associated with the new clock message to the one or more slaves that is based on the timestamp received from the master, a determined amount of transmission delay between the device and the master, and an elapsed time between when the device received the clock message from the master and when the device generated the new clock message for the one or more slaves. |
| US09651980B2 |
Bandgap voltage generation
A bandgap reference voltage generator includes a first and a second bipolar junction transistor, which is biased at a lower current per unit emitter area than that of the first transistor. Accordingly, the base to emitter voltage of first transistor is higher than that of the second transistor and a delta VBE is generated at the base of the first transistor with respect to the base of the second transistor. A first voltage divider generates a divided voltage of a VBE (fractional VBE) at a first center node. The fractional VBE is added to the VBE of the first transistor and subtracted from the VBE of the second transistor by closed loop feedback action to generate a temperature compensated reference voltage at the base of second transistor. The reference voltage can be amplified to higher voltage levels by using a resistor divider at the base of second transistor. |
| US09651977B2 |
Three-phase power conversion with power factor correction operational day and night
System and method for controlling power factor correction (PFC) for three-phase AC power conveyed via a three-phase AC power grid. Currents and voltages on the grid are monitored and used to generate waveform data enabling dynamic control of switching circuitry used in controlling one or more phase offsets between the currents and voltages. |
| US09651976B2 |
System and method for offline and online substation switching
Systems and methods are disclosed that may use GPS, barcodes, RF signals, or other electronic technologies, individually or in combination, to identify a location of a substation at which a switching operation is to occur. At the substation location, a device camera or other optical or radio frequency reading apparatus may be used to scan a barcode or other visible indicia to confirm that the correct device or component is being switched before progressing to the next step in the switching order. RF identification, magnetic striping, and other technologies may also be used. |
| US09651968B2 |
Linear power regulator device with variable transconductance driver
The present invention pertains to a linear power regulator device that includes an internal pass device, a driver device having a driver output arranged to drive the internal pass device via the driver output. The linear power regulator device also includes an external connection connectable or connected to an external pass device; and the driver device is arranged to drive the external pass device via the driver output and the external connection. |
| US09651967B2 |
Power supply with integrated voltage clamp and current sink
Various exemplary embodiments relate a system and method for supplying power. The system may include an input/output port, a regulator, and a clamp. The regulator may supply power to the input/output port in a first mode, sink current from the input/output port in a second mode, and be disabled in a third mode. The clamp may be disabled in the first and second modes, and may limit the voltage at the input/output port below a first value in the third mode. |
| US09651963B2 |
Integrated regulator, in particular a voltage regulator, and a control unit for occupant protection means
An integrated regulator is described, in particular a voltage regulator for occupant protection means in a vehicle, including a regulating element, which converts an input signal into an output signal having a predefined value, and a trigger circuit, which activates the regulating element to generate the output signal having the predefined value. A configuration circuit is provided, which receives and evaluates at least one configuration signal and deactivates the regulating element as a function of the evaluation. |
| US09651957B1 |
Adjustable non-dissipative voltage boosting snubber network
This disclosure describes a non-dissipative snubber circuit configured to boost a voltage applied to a load after the load's impedance rises rapidly. The voltage boost can thereby cause more rapid current ramping after a decrease in power delivery to the load which results from the load impedance rise. In particular, the snubber can comprise a combination of a unidirectional switch, a voltage multiplier, and a current limiter. In some cases, these components can be a diode, voltage doubler, and an inductor, respectively. |
| US09651954B2 |
Fuel supply system and earth-moving machine
A fuel supply system includes: a fuel supply facility capable of supplying fuel; an earth-moving machine capable of traveling toward the fuel supply facility; and a control apparatus that acquires execution permission information indicating whether or not fuel can be supplied to the earth-moving machine, and is capable of executing control based on the acquired execution permission information, wherein when the control apparatus determines that fuel cannot be supplied to the earth-moving machine based on the execution permission information at a time of supplying the fuel to the earth-moving machine, the control apparatus executes entry restriction control for restricting an entry to the fuel supply facility by the earth-moving machine. |
| US09651950B2 |
Mission re-planning for coordinated multivehicle task allocation
A system and methods for mission re-planning are presented. Vehicles are monitored in real-time, and an incapacitated vehicle from among the vehicles that performs an incomplete task is detected. A remaining coverage set comprising a remaining coverage area for each of the vehicles is determined. A travel distance from a task completion location of each of the vehicles to a stopped point of the incapacitated vehicle is calculated to provide a travel set. An extra coverage set is determined based on the travel set and the remaining coverage set, and an incomplete coverage area for the incomplete task is calculated. The extra coverage set is compared to the incomplete coverage area and the remaining coverage area to provide a sufficiency list, and an assigned vehicle is selected from the vehicles based on the sufficiency list. |
| US09651946B1 |
Automated schedule calculation for controlling a constellation of satellites
Particular embodiments also include a optimization and simulation service that can analyze different variables for scheduling the satellites. The optimization and simulation service operates automatically to schedule satellites and ground stations to obtain their highest attainable performance relative to the system operator's goals as well as to respond to various unexpected behavior or events and performance variations, modifying the schedule accordingly. The optimization and simulation service leverages the sparsity of the system in the optimization such that the optimization and simulation service can calculate the change in utility for one satellite without reference to unimpacted satellite schedules. This allows the schedule to be calculated efficiently and provides optimum usage of the satellites. |
| US09651944B2 |
Unmanned aerial vehicle piloting authorization
Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) piloting authorization implementations are presented that authorize a pilot to operate a UAV in regulated airspace. In general, a UAV authorization system is employed which incorporates a control authorization unit into a UAV controller device and a control instruction authentication unit into a UAV. The control authorization unit obtains a signed digital certificate associated with a UAV pilot, checks that it is signed by a trusted signatory, and then determines that it is currently valid using cloud or server based validation service. If the digital certificate is currently valid, the pilot is allowed to initiate control instructions via the UAV controller device. The signed digital certificate is attached to any control instructions initiated by the pilot before transmission to the UAV. The control instruction authentication unit goes through a similar procedure to authenticate any received control instruction before allowing the UAV to execute the instruction. |
| US09651942B2 |
Process control arrangement for a plant of process and/or automation technology connecting a superordinate communication plane with fieldbus systems
A process control arrangement (PKA), having a number of fieldbus systems (DP1, PA1, FH), especially different fieldbus systems (DP1, PA1, FH), and having a number of fieldbus interfaces (PAP1, PAP2, PAP3), wherein each of the fieldbus systems (DP1, PA1, FH) is connected to at least one of the fieldbus interfaces (PAP1, PAP2, PAP3), wherein the fieldbus interfaces (PAP1, PAP2, PAP3) serve for communication between the fieldbus systems (DP1, PA1, FH) and a communication plane (ET2) superordinated to the fieldbus systems, only a first of the fieldbus interfaces (PAP1) is directly connected to the superordinated communication plane (ET2), and wherein the fieldbus interfaces (PAP1, PAP2, PAP3) are connected in series with one another beginning with the first of the fieldbus interfaces (PAP1). |
| US09651939B2 |
Numerical controller having display function of physical data of machine tool
A numerical controller having a display function for comparing data at a predetermined position regardless of a change in a processing condition. The numerical controller comprises a numerical controlling part which controls each drive axis based on a predetermined position command; a position data obtaining part which obtains position data of each axis and a tool representative point of the machine tool; a movement distance calculating part which calculates movement distance of the axis and the tool representative point based on the obtained position data and dimensional information of each component of the machine tool; a physical data obtaining part which obtains physical data of each axis and the tool; a data converting part which converts the obtained time axis-based physical data into movement distance-based data; a distance-based data storing part which stores the movement distance-based data; and a displaying part which displays the movement distance-based data. |
| US09651937B2 |
Computing device and method for compensating coordinates of position device
A computing device compensates a coordinate of a position device for a computerized numerical control (CNC) machine. The computing device generates a point cloud according to contour points of the position device. The computing device deletes selected contour points from the point cloud upon the condition that the distance corresponding to each selected contour point exceeds a predetermined threshold. The computing device calculates an average coordinate of the contour points which are remained in the point cloud. |
| US09651933B2 |
Peak detection circuit and method
A circuit is provided for detecting peaks of a sinusoidal input signal includes circuitry for generating first and second sinusoidal output signals that are out of phase with one another and with the sinusoidal input signal. A comparator block compares the sinusoidal output signals to determine instances where the amplitudes of the first and second sinusoidal output signals cross over each other. The sinusoidal output signals may lead the sinusoidal input signal somewhat so that, after taking into account processing delay, the indicated crossover instances substantially coincide with peaks in the sinusoidal input signal such that a trigger signal generated by the circuit accurately indicates the timing of the peaks. |
| US09651930B2 |
Remote controlling method, communication device, and computer-readable storage medium recorded with computer program for performing remote control
A mobile device is provided with a communication unit which performs communication via wireless communication, a display unit, and a display control unit which controls the display unit to display a setting input screen for allowing the user to input setting of a household electrical device. The communication unit transmits a request signal for checking whether there is a person in the vicinity of the household electrical device before the setting input screen is displayed by the display control unit. The display control unit controls the display unit to display a setting input disable screen indicating that setting of the household electrical device is not received without causing the display unit to display the setting input screen when there is a person in the vicinity of the household electrical device. |
| US09651929B2 |
HVAC system control integrated with demand response, on-site energy storage system and on-site energy generation system
A thermal behavior model of a building may be constructed based on time series data. Based on the constructed thermal behavior model, forecasted zone temperature and energy usage for a next control time period may be predicted. An objective function may be constructed based on at least a dynamically priced grid energy cost, occupant comfort matrix, and one or more of: energy storage system cost and associated operational cost, and energy generation system cost and associated green house emission cost and associated operational cost. Constraints may be constructed based on at least the forecasted zone temperature values and energy usage values for the next control time period. A control profile of the HVAC system and sourcing decision of energy load of the HVAC system may be determined simultaneously based on the objective function and the plurality of constraints. |
| US09651928B2 |
Method for controlling information apparatus and computer-readable recording medium
The present disclosure is a method for controlling an information apparatus having a third display and being used in an information management system, the method causing a computer of the information apparatus to: display a display screen representing at least one floor plan of a building on the third display; display device icons representing target devices including a first target device and a second target device on the display screen, the device icons being movable by dragging the device icons; and when it is sensed that a device icon representing the second target device is dropped on a device icon representing the first target device, output to the information management system a first control command for displaying a confirmation screen on a first display of the first target device, the confirmation screen being for confirmation of a state of the second target device. |
| US09651923B2 |
Bump-less transfer term for proportional action controllers that eschew the integral action term
In automatic process-control systems, the integral action term in Proportional plus Integral action (P+I) control is used primarily to prevent any continued deviations from a set-point, and concomitantly to secure a bump-less transfer from manual control to automatic control. However, there are serious set-backs when using the integral action term for level controls, due to the liability of the integral action term to cause overflows from vessels, which can result in disastrous oil-spills, when a process is on automatic control. Hence, to secure a bump-less transfer without the integral action term, an alternate method is necessary. The method advocated calls for an additional term, which has been termed as a Bump-less Transfer ‘BT(t)’ term, to be included into the control algorithm. This term accepts deviations from the set-point, and even brings about sufficient deviation from the set-point to secure a bump-less transfer, since deviations within the proportional band are normally acceptable for level controls. |
| US09651922B2 |
Wristwatch with a touch screen and method for displaying on a touch-screen watch
Wristwatch (1) comprising: a digital matrix display (4); a two-dimensional sheet of touch-sensitive glass (3) provided with a plurality of electrodes (10, 11, 12) for detecting the movements of at least one finger along two different directions; a processing circuit laid out so as to interpret the signals from said electrodes and to scroll cards (23, 220-225, 210-213) on said display (4) in order to lastingly replace the initially displayed card (23) with another card; wherein the scrolling direction depends on the direction of said movement. |
| US09651920B2 |
Magnetic and/or electrostatic resonator
A timepiece resonator including a mobile component ring-shaped about an axis and capable of oscillation about an axis, and a drive member subjected to a torque inside a timepiece movement. The resonator is an annular magnetic or electrostatic resonator whose mobile component is periodically excited under action induced by motion of the drive member. The drive member can exert a contactless effort on the mobile component. The mobile component includes a first quantity of first pole pieces magnetically or electrically charged at a first pitch angle, and the drive member includes a second quantity of second pole pieces magnetically or electrically charged at a second pitch angle different from the first pitch angle, arranged to cooperate in attraction or in repulsion with the first pole pieces, such that the mobile component and the drive member together form a speed reducing or increasing mechanism. |
| US09651918B2 |
Method and apparatus for holographic recording
Provided is a holographic recording method in which an interference fringe between a reference beam and a signal beam, modulated according to information regarding a plurality of hologram pixels, is recorded on a holographic recording medium, the holographic recording method including multiplexing-recording the interference fringe of the plurality of hologram pixels such that at least a part of the interference fringe recorded of neighboring hologram pixels of the plurality of hologram pixels is overlapped. |
| US09651916B2 |
Cartridge having storing medium and image forming apparatus using the cartridge
A cartridge insertable into a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a first unit including a first bearing portion for supporting an image bearing member, a second unit including a second bearing portion for supporting a developer carrying member, and a storing medium including an electrical contact. The second bearing portion is provided inside the first bearing portion with respect to a rotational axis direction of the image bearing member. At least a part of the storing medium is supported by the second unit and is provided at a position outside the second bearing portion and inside an outermost configuration of the first unit with respect to the rotational axis direction. The electrical contact is faced toward a downstream with respect to an inserting direction of the cartridge into the main assembly. |
| US09651914B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes image forming stations including respective electro photographic photosensitive drums; an image transfer belt contactable to the drums; image transfer rollers, contactable to the transfer belt to urge the belt to the drums for transferring the toner images from the drums onto the belt, the rollers being provided with respective rotational shafts about an axis of which the rollers are rotatable; and a slidable member slidable in a direction in which the stations are arranged to retract the rollers away from the corresponding drums, the slidable member being provided with inclined surfaces contactable to the shafts, the inclined surfaces being disposed at such positions that the rollers are retracted from respective drums sequentially with the movement of the slidable member in the direction. |
| US09651912B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus (100) includes a sheet feed section (120), an image forming section (180), a sheet feed roller (21), a pair of registration rollers (41), a pair of intermediate rollers (31), a first detection section (S1), a control section (10), and a storage section (50). The control section (10) calculates a sheet interval (T1) between a preceding sheet (Pa) and a succeeding sheet (Pb) based on a detection result of the first detection section (S1). The control section (10) determines based on the sheet interval (T1) and an ideal sheet interval (Ta), a second-linear-velocity period (T2) in which either or both a linear velocity (Vs) of the sheet feed roller (21) and a linear velocity (Vm) of the pair of intermediate rollers (31) are adjusted to a second linear velocity (V2). |
| US09651904B2 |
Fuser unit including belt guide
A fuser unit of this disclosure includes: an endless belt, a nip member; a belt guide; a first member, which has a contact surface configured to be in contact with the belt guide; and a second member, which includes a guide portion to guide the belt guide in a guide direction, wherein the belt guide comprises: a restraining part, which is arranged to be in contact with an end surface of the endless belt and which is spaced apart from the first member, an inner surface guide, which guides the inner circumferential surface of the endless belt, and a protrusion, which protrudes from the restraining part towards the contact surface of the first member and is arranged to be in contact with the contact surface of the first member. |
| US09651903B2 |
Fixing device and image-forming apparatus using the same
When changing the turn-on/off patterns, a controller of a fixing device sets a control interval of the turn-on/off pattern so as to be longer than a first period of time that does not exert any influence to a flicker value and to be shorter than a second period of time that does not exert any influence to a response to temperature control. The controller of the fixing device selects a third turn-on/off pattern in which power difference between power of a first turn-on/off pattern before the change in the turn-on/off pattern and power of a second turn-on/off pattern after the change in the turn-on/off pattern is smaller than a set reference power difference. |
| US09651900B2 |
Image formation apparatus and information processing device for correcting color misregistration
An image formation apparatus includes: image formation units mounted in series in a conveyance direction of a transfer object and that form images and correction patterns of different color developers on the transfer object; a sensor that detects a color misregistration, by the emission of a detection light to the correction pattern on the transfer object and the reception of a reflection light from the transfer object; an identification unit that identifies, out of the image formation units, a first image formation unit using a first developer which is the developer with the lowest reflectance, based on reflectance information indicating reflectances of the developers for the image formation units, or based on color information indicating the colors of the developers for the image formation units; and a corrector that corrects the color misregistration with respect to the first image formation unit identified by the identification unit. |
| US09651899B2 |
Image forming apparatus with belt steering apparatus
A steering roller autonomously steers an intermediate transfer belt. A pre-secondary-transfer roller is disposed at a position upstream of and adjacent to a driving roller also functioning as a transfer inner roller, and includes a rubber material on at least a surface thereof. This suppresses movement of the intermediate transfer belt even when a lateral-deviation converging position is changed by the change of position of the driving roller having large frictional force due to the pressing force of a secondary transfer roller. Hence, the belt deviation amount is reduced, and the time until lateral deviation converges is shortened. |
| US09651898B2 |
Belt module and belt member exchanging method
A belt module including a replacement belt member to be supported by a supporting portion of an image forming apparatus includes an endless belt member, and a protecting sheet, provided along an inner peripheral surface of the belt member, for suppressing deformation of the belt member by an external force and for protecting the inner peripheral surface of the belt member. |
| US09651897B2 |
Image forming apparatus apparatus positioning magnets by contact faces of shaft and bearing and restraining action of force from guide part by clearance between shaft and bearing
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a development device and a guide part guiding the development device to the image carrier. The development device includes a magnet roller, which includes a shaft having magnets arrayed circumferentially, and a cover member, which include a bearing part engaged with the guide part as the shaft is inserted thereinto. The shaft and the bearing part include an engaged part and an engaging part restricting a circumferential position of the magnet and including contact faces provided along an action direction of force from the guide part to the bearing part when the bearing part is engaged with the guide part and the development device approaches the image carrier. A clearance is provided between an outer circumferential face of the shaft and an inner circumferential face of the bearing part at an upstream side in the action direction from the contact faces. |
| US09651893B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method of controlling image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a development device, a toner container which includes data indicating whether the toner container is an installation toner container or a replacement toner container and a memory storing the value of a remaining amount related item, a supply portion, a read/write portion which performs the reading and writing of the memory and a control portion which reduces the present value of the remaining amount related item according to the number of sheets printed. When in a state where installation has already been performed, the installation toner container is attached, the control portion stores, in the memory, a value based on the remaining amount of toner before the installation. |
| US09651889B2 |
Image forming device with exposure unit and pressing member
An image forming device includes a photoconductive body, an exposure unit configured with a plurality of light emitting elements aligned in a predetermined direction, the exposure unit being adopted to expose the photoconductive body to light emitted by the light emitting elements, a frame configured to support both sides of the exposure unit in the predetermined direction, the frame having a reference portion configured to position the exposure unit in the predetermined direction in contact with an end of the exposure unit in the predetermined direction, and a pressing member provided to one of the frame and the exposure unit, the pressing member being configured to press the end of the exposure unit against the reference portion. |
| US09651888B2 |
Electroconductive member with a surface layer including a porous body having a continuous open pore
The electroconductive member has an electroconductive support and a surface layer formed on the electroconductive support, wherein the surface layer has a porous body having a continuous open pore, and the electroconductive member satisfies the following (1) and (2):(1) in a specific condition, a surface potential of the electroconductive member, after an elapse of 10 seconds since a completion of a discharge is 10 V or more; and(2) when applying a direct voltage between a polyethylene terephthalate film as a member to be charged and the electroconductive member, and charging the polyethylene terephthalate film, |Vd|≧|Vin|−|Vth| is satisfied within a range of |Vin|>|Vth|, wherein, Vd represents a charge potential of the polyethylene terephthalate film, Vin represents a voltage applied between the electroconductive member and the polyethylene terephthalate film, Vth represents a discharge starting voltage. |
| US09651883B2 |
Toner
A toner comprising a toner particle containing an amorphous polyester resin, a crystalline polyester resin and a wax, wherein in a cross-section of the toner by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), domains of the wax and crystals of the crystalline polyester resin are present, the area occupied by the domains of the wax is 0.5% to 8.0% and the area occupied by the crystals of the crystalline polyester resin is 0.5% to 8.0% of the cross-sectional area of the toner, the number-average diameter Dw of the domains of the wax is 60 nm to 240 nm, the aspect ratio of the crystals of the crystalline polyester resin is 5.0 to 25.0, and the number-average diameter Dc of major axis lengths of the crystals of the crystalline polyester resin is 0.8 to 2.0 times the Dw. |
| US09651880B2 |
Electrophotographic photoreceptor, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a conductive substrate, an undercoat layer provided on the conductive substrate and including metal oxide particles, and a photosensitive layer provided on the undercoat layer, wherein, at the time of performing Cole-Cole plot analysis with respect to the undercoat layer, an angular frequency ωmax, at which a maximum complex impedance component is obtained, falls within a range of 2 (rad)≦ωmax≦10 (rad). |
| US09651878B2 |
Organic photoconductor and electrophotographic apparatus and process cartridge including the organic photo conductor
An organic photoconductor including an electrically conductive substrate, a photosensitive layer disposed on the electrically conductive substrate, and a protection layer disposed on the photosensitive layer, wherein the protection layer includes a polymer composition and a plurality of electrically conductive metal oxide particles, and wherein the polymer composition is a product of a curing reaction with a multifunctional spherical dendrimer, a first multifunctional acryl compound having a urethane bond, and a second multifunctional acryl compound having a silicon-containing group and a fluorine-containing group. |
| US09651876B2 |
Measurement apparatus, lithography apparatus, and article manufacturing method
A measurement apparatus includes: an imaging unit positioned with fixing with respect to a first member; a first detector configured to detect a position of a stage with reference to a second member; a second detector configured to detect fluctuation of a position of the first member with reference to the second member; and a control unit configured to obtain the position of the mark from an image of the mark sensed by the imaging unit while controlling a relative position of the stage relative to the second member so as to reduce fluctuation of a relative position of the mark relative to the imaging unit due to the fluctuation of the position of the first member based on detection results of the first and second detectors. |
| US09651873B2 |
Liquid immersion member, exposure apparatus, exposing method, method of manufacturing device, program, and recording medium
A liquid immersion member used in an immersion exposure apparatus, and capable of forming a liquid immersion space on a surface of an object opposite to an emitting surface of an optical member which emits exposure light. The liquid immersion member includes a first member that includes a first part disposed at surrounding of an optical path of the exposure light, and in which a first opening part, through which the exposure light is able to pass, and a first liquid supply part, is disposed at at least a portion of surrounding of the first opening part and capable of opposing the surface of the object, are provided at the first part, and a second member includes a first liquid recovery part which can be opposing the surface of the object and is movable with respect to the first member outside the first part with respect to the optical path. |
| US09651869B2 |
Film portion at wafer edge
A method for preparing a wafer includes forming a film layer on a substrate of the wafer; coating the film layer with a photoresist layer; exposing a first portion of the photoresist layer to a beam of light; and patterning a second portion of the photoresist layer after performing exposing the first portion of the photoresist layer. A cross-link reaction is caused on the first portion of the photoresist layer and the first portion of the photoresist layer is converted to a reacted first portion of the photoresist layer. The reacted first portion of the photoresist layer is near an edge of the wafer. The second portion of the photoresist layer is different from the reacted first portion of the photoresist layer. The second portion of the photoresist layer is converted to a patterned second portion of the photoresist layer. |
| US09651867B2 |
Compound and composition for forming lower film of resist pattern, and method for forming lower film using same
Disclosed are a compound and composition for forming a lower film, which are used in a process for forming a resist pattern by means of the directed self-assembly of a block copolymer (BCP). Also disclosed is a method for forming a lower film using same. The compound for forming a lower film of a resist pattern according to the present invention has the structure of formula 1 of claim 1. |
| US09651862B2 |
Drop pattern generation for imprint lithography with directionally-patterned templates
Imprint lithography methods that incorporate depositing droplets of polymerizable material in patterns that improve fill time performance when employing directionally-oriented imprint templates. The patterns are based on grid arrays formed of repeating sets of rows of droplets oriented along fast and slow axes, with droplets of each row offset along the slow axis relative to droplets in adjacent rows. |
| US09651861B2 |
Directed self-assembling composition for pattern formation, and pattern-forming method
A directed self-assembling composition for pattern formation includes a block copolymer. The block copolymer includes a polystyrene block having a styrene unit, and a polyalkyl (meth)acrylate block having an alkyl (meth)acrylate unit. The block copolymer has a group that is bound to at least one end of a main chain of the block copolymer and that includes a hetero atom. |
| US09651858B2 |
Binary photomask blank, preparation thereof, and preparation of binary photomask
A binary photomask blank has a light-shielding film on a transparent substrate, the light-shielding film composed mainly of transition metal M and Si, or M, Si and N, and having an optical density of at least 3.0. The light-shielding film includes a layer containing M, Si and N so as to meet the formula: B≦0.68×A+0.23 wherein A is an atomic ratio M/Si and B is an atomic ratio N/Si, and has a thickness of up to 47 nm. The binary photomask blank has a thin light-shielding film capable of fully shielding exposure light. |
| US09651857B2 |
Mask and method for forming the same
A photomask includes a low thermal expansion material (LTEM) substrate, a patterned opaque layer over the LTEM substrate, and a patterned capping layer over the opaque layer. The patterned capping layer includes a transition metal material for suppressing haze growth, such as metal oxide, metal nitride, or metal oxynitride. The material in the capping layer reacts with a hydrogenic compound from a lithography environment to for an atomic level hydrogen passivation layer. The passivation layer has superior ability to suppress photo-induced haze defect growth on the photomask surface, to improve production cycle time and reduce the production cost. |
| US09651856B2 |
Source, target and mask optimization by incorporating contour based assessments and integration over process variations
Methods and systems for determining a source shape, a mask shape and a target shape for a lithography process are disclosed. One such method includes receiving source, mask and target constraints and formulating an optimization problem that is based on the source, mask and target constraints and incorporates contour-based assessments for the target shape that are based on physical design quality of a circuit. Further, the optimization problem is solved by integrating over process condition variations to simultaneously determine the source shape, the mask shape and the target shape. In addition, the determined source shape and mask shape are output. |
| US09651850B2 |
Image processing system and method for object tracking
A telescoping monopod apparatus including a holder configured to hold an image acquisition module having a field of vision, and a support holding a mirror to be in proximity to a lens of the image acquisition module, the mirror is configured to enable the image acquisition module to capture an image outside the field of vision, and a body housing a control component and an electronic component configured to actuate the telescoping monopod apparatus and the support. The body is operatively connected to the holder. A tracking method including receiving an input from a user, detecting, by an image acquisition module, a feature, and adjusting a mirror to track the feature. |
| US09651846B2 |
Particles for electrophoretic displays
This invention relates to particles for electrophoretic displays, a process for their preparation, electrophoretic fluids comprising such particles, and electrophoretic display devices comprising such fluids. |
| US09651840B1 |
Array substrate and method of repairing broken lines therefor
Disclosed are an array substrate and a method for repairing broken lines thereof. By forming a via in an organic layer to correspond to each of the intersections between gate scan lines and source-drain data lines and depositing a second passivation layer in the via to form an aperture, a U-shaped long line can be directly laser welded to two of the apertures at two opposite sides of a broken site of one of the gate scan lines and source-drain data lines to recover connection between the two apertures of the broken line. This method saves an operation of removing an organic layer with laser and effectively reduces the machine laser loss in removing the organic layer so as to improve the repair efficiency and the repair success rate. |
| US09651835B2 |
Display panel
A display panel (100A) includes a display region (DA) including a plurality of pixel regions and a frame region provided around the display region. The display region includes an organic insulating layer (22) provided on a display medium layer side of a pixel TFT. The frame region includes a seal portion (32), a driving circuit (30), and an extended portion of the organic insulating layer. The extended portion of the organic insulating layer is provided on a display medium layer side of driver TFTs (30A, 30B) and has at least one opening (22a) which is positioned outer than the driver TFTs and which reaches an underlayer. The seal portion (32) overlaps at least part of the driver TFTs and covers at least part of the at least one opening (22a) provided in the extended portion of the organic insulating layer. |
| US09651834B2 |
Liquid crystal display comprising a pixel electrode having a transverse stem, a longitudinal stem, and a plurality of minute branches
A liquid crystal including: a first substrate; a pixel electrode disposed on the first substrate and including a first subpixel electrode and a second subpixel electrode disposed in one pixel area; a second substrate facing the first substrate; and a common electrode disposed on the second substrate, wherein an area of a region occupied by the first subpixel electrode is less than an area of a region occupied by the second subpixel electrode. Each of the first and second subpixels has a cross-shaped stem and minute branches extending from it to improve side visibility quality and gray scale uniformity. |
| US09651833B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device is provided. The liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate and a pixel electrode disposed on the first substrate, the pixel electrode including a cross stem and a plurality of minute branches extending from the cross stem. The cross stem includes a horizontal stem and a vertical stem crossing the horizontal stem. The liquid crystal display device further includes a second substrate facing the first substrate, a common electrode disposed on the second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer including liquid crystal molecules interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. Each of the minute branches includes a first side forming an angle of about 45° with the horizontal stem and a second side forming an angle of less than about 45° with the horizontal stem. |
| US09651831B2 |
Liquid crystal device and electronic apparatus
A third external connection terminal electrically connected to a peripheral electrode line is disposed between a first external connection terminal electrically connected to a data signal supply line, and a second external connection terminal electrically connected to a scan signal supply line, and the peripheral electrode line is disposed so as not to planarly intersect with the data signal supply line and the scan signal supply line. |
| US09651829B2 |
Seal pattern of liquid crystal display device having a seal insertion groove and a plurality of anti-spreading grooves
The present disclosure relates to a liquid crystal display device and a fabricating method thereof. The device includes a thin film transistor formed on a lower substrate, a pixel electrode formed on the lower substrate, a planarization layer formed on an entire surface of the lower substrate, a black matrix formed on the upper substrate, a color filter layer formed on a upper substrate, partition walls formed on the upper substrate and forming a space corresponding to a seal pattern insertion groove, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the lower substrate and the upper substrate, and a seal pattern inserted between the seal pattern insertion groove located on the non-display region of the lower substrate and the upper substrate and the partition walls. |
| US09651823B2 |
Backlight source and display device
A backlight source and a display device are provided. The backlight source includes a backplate (1), a light source (2) and a diffuser plate (3). The light source (2) is provided on a face of the backplate (1), the diffuser plate (3) is parallel to the face of the backplate (1), and the diffuser plate (3) is provided at a side of the backplate (1), where the light source (2) is provided, and is opposite to light source (2); and a support pole (31) is further provided between the diffuser plate (3) and the backplate (1), and the support pole (31) and the diffuser plate (1) are made of a same material and formed integrally. |
| US09651820B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a polaroid and a polarization analyzer having a transparent plate with a quadrangle structure
A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel, a polaroid for polarizing light positioned on a light incident side of the liquid crystal panel, and a polarization analyzer positioned on a light emission side of the liquid crystal panel. The polarization analyzer includes a transparent plate. The transparent plate being arranged at a set angle with a light emission surface of the liquid crystal panel, such that the transparent plate analyzes polarization of light emitted from the light emission surface of the liquid crystal panel. Because the polaroid is used only on the light incident side of the liquid crystal panel, while the transparent plate is used instead of a polaroid on the light emission side of the liquid crystal panel, a reduction in the material cost of the liquid crystal display device can be achieved. |
| US09651816B2 |
Display panel, display apparatus having the same and method for displaying image using the same
A display panel includes a first substrate, a first transparent electrode disposed on the first substrate, and to which a first voltage is applied in a display mode which an image is displayed, a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer disposed on the first transparent electrode having photosensitive polymer molecules and liquid crystal molecules, and a second transparent electrode disposed on the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer and to which a second voltage is applied in the display mode. |
| US09651815B2 |
Self-capacitance in-cell touch screen and method of manufacturing the same, liquid crystal display
A self-capacitance in-cell touch screen including a glass array substrate, thin film transistors disposed on the substrate, and pixel electrodes electrically connected with the thin film transistors, a planarizing layer between the pixel electrodes and the thin film transistors. The transparent touch control sensing electrode, a first insulation layer, a second insulation layer, and a metal connection line are disposed on the planarizing layer in sequence. The metal connection line is electrically connected to the touch control sensing electrode through via holes. The first insulation layer is between the planarizing layer and the pixel electrode, and the second insulation layer is located on the pixel electrode. The touch control sensing electrodes are common electrodes to transfer a common voltage and a touch scan signal by time-sharing during a period of displaying one frame image. A method of manufacturing self-capacitance in-cell touch screens and a liquid crystal displays is also disclosed. |
| US09651814B2 |
Embedded touch display device
An embedded touch display device includes a first substrate (100) and a second substrate (200) which are opposite to each other, a liquid crystal display unit and a capacitive touch unit disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The liquid crystal display structure includes a pixel electrode layer (120), a common electrode layer and a liquid crystal layer (30), the pixel electrode layer (120) and the common electrode layer are located on two sides of the liquid crystal layer (30), and liquid crystal (30) in the liquid crystal layer (30) is ferroelectric liquid crystal. |
| US09651813B2 |
Liquid crystal paper
Disclosed is liquid crystal paper and an erasing device that is not permanently connected to the liquid crystal paper. A sheet of liquid crystal paper includes flexible polymeric substrates. A polymer network or a spacer network, in which bistable cholesteric reflective liquid crystal material is dispersed, is disposed between two of the substrates. Optional alignment layers or optional electrically conductive layers sandwich the liquid crystal material therebetween. An optional layer of light absorbing material is disposed near one of the substrates. Application of pressure to an upper substrate changes a focal conic nonreflective texture of the liquid crystal material to a reflective planar texture. The erasing device applies a voltage or heat for erasing the paper by changing the reflective planar texture to the focal conic nonreflective texture. |
| US09651808B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display frame and a display module. The display frame includes multiple side frame pieces, multiple corner frame pieces and a back cover. Each side frame piece has a predetermined length. The multiple corner frame pieces are connected to the multiple side frame pieces, for forming an accommodating space surrounded by the multiple side frame pieces and the multiple corner frame pieces. The back cover is assembled with a side of the multiple side frame pieces and a side of the multiple corner frame pieces, and covers the accommodating space. The display module is disposed inside the accommodating space of the display frame. |
| US09651800B2 |
Temple and eyewear having the same
An eyewear includes a lens unit and two temples each having a fixed segment, a movable segment, at least one connecting portion and a flexible elastic portion. For each temple, the connecting portion interconnects the fixed segment and the movable segment. The movable segment is pivotable between an open position and a folded position. The elastic portion is integrally formed with and interconnects the fixed segment and the movable segment. When the movable segment is moved between the open position and the folded position, the elastic portion is deformed for generating a restoring force to drive the movable segment to pivot to one of the open position and the folded position from the other one of the open position and the folded position. |
| US09651795B2 |
Image display device
An image display device includes: a light source that emits a beam having a spreading angle in a first direction and a spreading angle in a second direction, which is smaller than the spreading angle in the first direction, in a direction perpendicular to the first direction; an afocal optical system member that has a focal point and changes the beam emitted by the light source into a parallel beam; an anisotropic diffusion plate that is arranged at the focal point and that widens at least the spreading angle in the second direction; a vibration unit that vibrates the anisotropic diffusion plate; a fly-eye lens array on which the parallel beam emitted from the afocal optical system member becomes incident; an image display element that modulates the beam that has passed through the fly-eye lens array into image display light. |
| US09651792B2 |
Image display apparatus
The present disclosure provides an image display apparatus having excellent light converging characteristics. The image display apparatus includes: a liquid crystal prism element including a prism array in which a plurality of prisms are arranged, a liquid crystal layer laminated on the prism array, and electrodes provided at position corresponding to the respective prisms which form the prism array; a control section configured to control a voltage to be applied to each electrode; and a position detection section configured to detect a viewing position of a user. The control section is able to apply the same or different voltages to the respective electrodes provided at the positions corresponding to the respective prisms, on the basis of a result of the detection of the viewing position by the position detection section. |
| US09651791B2 |
Viewing device, stereo projection system, and use of cyanine dyes in a supramolecular J-aggregate configuration
A viewing device for a stereo projection system, having a first and a second viewing window, each having an optically filtering filter layer system, wherein each viewing window has a filter spectrum in the visual spectral range having a plurality of pass bands that are separated from each other by blocking regions, and wherein each pass band of the filter spectrum of the first viewing window is covered by an associated blocking region of the filter spectrum of the second viewing window. Each filter layer system can be designed as an absorption filter layer system having a plurality of substances absorbing in differing spectral ranges, wherein at least one of the absorbing substances is a cyanine dye in the supramolecular configuration of a J-aggregate. |
| US09651790B2 |
Prism for projection optical system and optical system having same
A prism for a projection optical system included in a projector including an illumination light source, an illumination optical system, and a projection optical system, includes: a first surface that totally reflects a beam of one of the illumination light and the projection light and transmits a beam of the other; and a second surface that is opposed to the first surface with an air gap therebetween and transmits a beam passing through the first surface, wherein the first surface has an antireflective film having an average reflectivity of a s-polarized reflectivity and a p-polarized reflectivity at a center angle of a transmitted beam of 2% or lower in three wavelength ranges including a first wavelength range of blue, a second wavelength range of green, and a third wavelength range of red. |
| US09651789B2 |
See-Through computer display systems
Aspects of the present invention relate to providing see-through computer display optics. |
| US09651787B2 |
Speaker assembly for headworn computer
Aspects of the present invention relate to speaker assemblies for head worn computers. |
| US09651786B1 |
Systems and methods for augmented reality devices with light security
Apparatus and method of reducing light leakage from display devices are described. An embodiment of reducing light leakage from display devices includes providing an optical shutter that is configured to block light from a display device from being emitted into the ambient environment when the display device is in a bright state and configured to display visual information to the user. The optical shutter can be configured to transmit light from the ambient environment to the user when the display device is not displaying visual information. |
| US09651782B2 |
Wearable tracking device
Provided are a tracking display system, a tracking display program, a tracking display method, a wearable device using these, a tracking display program for the wearable device, and a manipulation method for the wearable device that enhance the manipulability of a program in a stereoscopic space. The tracking display system of the present invention includes: a display unit that displays a view object in a virtual space; a detection unit that detects an image of a target in a real space, the target being for selecting the view object; and a control unit that controls at least a position of the view object. Further, the control unit displays the view object such that the view object tracks a motion of the target, in a case where the control unit determines that the view object and the image of the target overlap with each other in the display unit. |
| US09651776B2 |
Scanner apparatus
A scanner apparatus includes: a scanner having a mirror that is driven into resonance in a first direction; a scanner holder holding the scanner and rotatable about an axis extending in a direction parallel to the first direction; and a driver that oscillates the scanner holder, and the scanner holder includes: a first holding portion holding the scanner; a second holding portion connected to the first holding portion and holding the driver; a connecting portion connected to the second holding portion; and an elastic portion connected to the connecting portion and having elasticity. |
| US09651773B2 |
Optical device, image display device, and method of manufacturing optical device
An optical device includes a glass plate, a movable section adapted to support the glass plate, shaft sections adapted to support the movable section so as to be able to oscillate around an oscillation axis, a support section adapted to support the shaft sections, a permanent magnet provided to the movable section, and a coil disposed so as to be opposed to the permanent magnet, and generating a magnetic field acting on the permanent magnet, and the support section has a window section through which a gap between the permanent magnet and the coil can visually be recognized. |
| US09651772B2 |
Arrangement for the actuation of at least one element in an optical system
An arrangement for the actuation of an element in an optical system. The arrangement includes first actuation and second actuation units for tilting the element about at least two different tilting axes. The first and second actuation units respectively include a flexure unit arranged outside an area defined by the element. Each flexure unit includes a first flexing element, rotatable with respect to a first axis of rotation, and a second flexing element, rotatable with respect to a second axis of rotation. For each flexure unit, the two associated axes of rotation intersect at a virtual connecting point of the flexure unit concerned to the optical element. The virtual connecting point is arranged in the area defined by the element and defines a rotating point for the element. |
| US09651770B2 |
Interference filter, optical filter device, optical module, and electronic apparatus
A variable wavelength interference filter includes a stationary substrate, a stationary reflecting film disposed on the entire surface of the stationary substrate opposed to a movable substrate, and formed of a multilayer film, a movable reflecting film opposed to the stationary reflecting film, and a first mirror electrode disposed on the stationary reflecting film. |
| US09651763B2 |
Co-aperture broadband infrared optical system
The present invention discloses a co-aperture broadband infrared optical system, belonging to the field of infrared optical system. The system realizes long wave infrared (LWIR) imaging and broadband infrared spectrum measurement, and solves the problems of limited optical path layout, large volume and high cost of an optical system. The present invention includes a Cassegrain lens, a spectroscope, a reflector, several lens groups, an FPA interface and an optical fiber interface. Light (2 μm˜12 μm) is incident to the Cassegrain lens to be focused, then is split by the spectroscope, where 50% of the LWIR light (8 μm˜10 μm) passes through the lens group for aberration correction, and the image plane is focused again at the imaging interface. The other 50% of the LWIR light (8 μm˜10 μm) and the infrared reflected light (2 μm˜8 μm and 10 μm˜12 μm) pass through the lens group, and are reflected by the reflector, then focused at the optical fiber interface. The present invention is compact in overall structure and convenient and flexible to use, has relatively low cost, and can be integrated into an image-spectrum associated detection device to implement automatic detection and tracking, which can be widely used in civil and military fields such as environmental monitoring and infrared guidance. |
| US09651760B2 |
Imaging lens and imaging apparatus
An imaging lens consists essentially of, in order from the object side, a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, a stop, and a positive third lens group. Focusing is effected by moving only the second lens group along the optical axis direction. Each of the first lens group and the third lens group includes at least three positive lenses and at least two negative lenses. The imaging lens satisfies the condition expression (1) below: 0.53<−f2/f<0.9 (1), where f2 is a focal length of the second lens group, and f is a focal length of the entire system when the imaging lens is focused on an object at infinity. |
| US09651759B2 |
Photographing lens system, image capturing unit and electronic device
A photographing lens system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element and a sixth lens element. The second lens element has positive refractive power. The third lens element has a concave image-side surface, wherein both object-side and image-side surfaces thereof are aspheric. The fourth lens element has a convex image-side surface, wherein both object-side and image-side surfaces thereof are aspheric. The fifth lens element has negative refractive power, wherein both object-side and image-side surfaces thereof are aspheric. The sixth lens element has a concave image-side surface, wherein both object-side and image-side surfaces thereof are aspheric, and at least one of the two surfaces thereof has at least one inflection point. The photographing lens system has a total of six lens elements. |
| US09651753B2 |
Fiber optic ribbon cable
A fiber optic ribbon cable includes a stack of fiber optic ribbons, strength members surrounding the stack, and a jacket defining an exterior of the cable. The jacket forms a cavity through which the stack and the strength members extend. The stack has a bend preference, but the strength members are positioned around the stack or are flexible in bending such that the strength members 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 stack in order to allow the stack to bend and twist within the cavity with respect to the jacket as the cable bends, facilitating movement of the optical fibers of the fiber optic ribbons to low-stress positions within the cavity and decoupling the bend preference of the stack from transfer to the jacket. |
| US09651749B1 |
Interposer with opaque substrate
An interposer comprising a substrate having at least a top surface and a bottom surface, the top and bottom surfaces being substantially parallel; at least one series of bottom cavities on the bottom surface; at least one expansion cavity contiguous with the at least one series of bottom cavities, the at least one expansion cavity being larger than each of the bottom cavities; a perimeter defined on the bottom surface around the bottom cavities; at least one alignment fiducial on the top surface for cooperating with a corresponding fiducial on the detachable optical interface to optically couple an optical conduit attached to the detachable optical interface with at least one optical device; and the at least one optical device mounted to the substrate on at least a portion of the perimeter, the optical device configured to emit a diverging light beam or receive a non-diverging light beam. |
| US09651747B1 |
Fiber pigtail assembly with integrated lid enabling optical fiber mobility
An optical fiber component includes an optical fiber array and at least one fiber lid. The optical fiber array has a plurality of individual optical fibers extending between a first end and an opposing second end. The fiber lid has a first surface and an opposing second surface. A portion of the second surface is attached to a portion of the optical fiber array adjacent the second end so as to partially define an adhesion region of the optical fiber component and a compliance region of the fiber pigtail assembly to enable high-yield fiber re-alignment in grooves. |
| US09651741B2 |
Simplified fiber optic connectors having lenses and method for making the same
Disclosed are optical connectors having lenses along with methods for making the same. In one embodiment, the optical connector includes a fiber body having a front portion with a plurality of fiber guides, and a connector body having a plurality of connector body fiber guides that lead to a plurality of lenses at a front portion of the connector body. The fiber body attaches to the connector body and may align a plurality of optical fibers to the lenses at the front portion of the connector body. One embodiment has the fiber body configured as a crimp body with a barrel at a rear portion for attaching a fiber optic cable. |
| US09651739B2 |
Photonic integration platform
A SOI device may include a waveguide adapter that couples light between an external light source—e.g., a fiber optic cable or laser—and a silicon waveguide on the silicon surface layer of the SOI device. In one embodiment, the waveguide adapter is embedded into the insulator layer. Doing so may enable the waveguide adapter to be formed before the surface layer components are added onto the SOI device. Accordingly, fabrication techniques that use high-temperatures may be used without harming other components in the SOI device—e.g., the waveguide adapter is formed before heat-sensitive components are added to the silicon surface layer. |
| US09651737B2 |
Optical communication system having filter with index selectable material and related methods
An optical filter device may include an optical fiber having a core and a cladding surrounding the core, the optical fiber having a tapered portion. The optical filter device may include an index selectable material surrounding the tapered portion and having an index of refraction being selectable based upon a physical characteristic. The optical filter device may include a device configured to change the index selectable material to select the index of refraction to selectively filter out a mode within the optical fiber. |
| US09651731B2 |
Light guide plate, manufacturing method of the same and display device comprising the same
A manufacturing method of the light guide plates, a light guide plate made by the method and a double-side display device comprising the light guide plate. The manufacturing method of a light guide plate comprises: forming a plurality of alternating first grooves (101) and second grooves (102) on a surface of a transparent substrate (100); forming a first reflective layer (300) on a surface of the first groove (101); and forming a transparent protective layer (500) on the entire surface of the substrate. According to the present disclosure, a light guide plate is provided that can be used in the double-side display device. |
| US09651729B2 |
Reflective display comprising a frontlight with extraction features and a light redirecting optical element
A display includes a reflective spatial light modulator having a reflective surface, a lightguide comprising a core layer, a first cladding layer, and a light emitting region comprising a plurality of light extraction features arranged in a pattern that varies spatially in the light emitting region to frustrate totally internally reflected light propagating within the core layer such that light exits the core layer in the light emitting region into the first cladding layer. A light redirecting optical element is optically coupled to the second side of the first cladding layer, and includes a plurality of light redirecting features directing frustrated totally internally reflected light from the plurality of light extraction features toward the reflective spatial light modulator. |
| US09651728B2 |
Variable index light extraction layer with microreplicated posts and methods of making the same
Variable index light extraction layers (100) that contain a plurality of microreplicated posts (120) are described. The variable index light extraction layers contain a plurality of microreplicated posts (120), a first region including a first lower-index substance (130) and a second region including a second higher-index substance (140). Optical films can use the variable index light extraction layers (100) in front lit or back lit display devices. |
| US09651725B2 |
Multilayer optical films having side-by-side mirror/polarizer zones
A reflective film includes interior layers that selectively reflect light by constructive or destructive interference, the layers extending from a first to a second zone of the film. In the first zone, the layers operate substantially as a reflective polarizer; in the second zone they operate substantially as a mirror. The layers may thus provide a first reflective characteristic in the first zone wherein normally incident light of one polarization state is substantially reflected and normally incident light of an orthogonal polarization state is substantially transmitted, and a second reflective characteristic in the second zone wherein normally incident light of any polarization state is substantially reflected. The film may have a first thickness in the first zone that is substantially the same as a second thickness in the second zone. Alternatively, the second thickness may be substantially less than the first thickness. Related methods, articles, and systems are also disclosed. |
| US09651724B2 |
Photo-luminescent display system and methods
Disclosed are embodiments of photo-luminescent display systems and photo-luminescent visual elements creating eye-catching displays of visual advertising or marketing messages that are very effective at generating interest, engagement, and loyalty in the viewing public. Photo-luminescent pigment containing visual elements are illuminated by one or more remotely located emitters at a first wavelength that is outside the human visual spectrum. In response, the visual elements then radiate at one or more wavelengths within the human visual spectrum. Additional features control unwanted reflections and unwanted transmission of radiation at the first wavelength. Additional features control the uniformity of radiation of one or more wavelengths within the human visual spectrum. |
| US09651721B2 |
Retroreflector with low refractive index backing
A retroreflective article and method is provided. The retroreflective article includes a first transparent layer having a back surface with retroreflective prisms, and a planar front surface that has an index of refraction n1. A second transparent layer having an index of refraction n2 is less than n1 overlies the back surface of the first layer. The second layer includes an array of uniform nanostructures of transparent material that define pores having a width that is less than one half of the wavelength of visible light. The nanostructures may be an array of parallel, same-sized nanorods that are obliquely oriented with respect to the first transparent layer, or a grid-like or parallel array of tapered nano-ridges of uniform size that define tapered pores or tapered grooves. The second layer preferably has a porosity greater than 60% so that the resulting index of refraction n1 is no larger than about 1.20. |
| US09651720B2 |
Anti-glare surface treatment method and articles thereof
A glass article including: at least one anti-glare surface having haze, distinctness-of-image, surface roughness, and uniformity properties, as defined herein. A method of making the glass article includes, for example: depositing deformable particles on at least a portion of a glass surface of the article; causing the deposited deformable particles on the surface to deform and adhere to the surface; and contacting the surface having the adhered particles with an etchant to form the anti-glare surface. A display system that incorporates the glass article, as defined herein, is also disclosed. |
| US09651719B2 |
Aperture for night vision goggles for use in aircraft simulator or other simulators
An aperture mechanism for night vision goggles (NVG) has a first end, a second end, a lens engaging portion, and a cone portion. A lens engaging portion has a recession allowing attachment of the aperture mechanism to a light admitting end of the NVG. A cone portion is opposite the lens engaging portion. Together the lens engaging portion and the cone portion form an aperture. The aperture mechanism increases the depth of field of the NVG for applications involving small object-to-goggle distances, such as in simulators or simulator environments. In a simulator system, the aperture mechanism can be attached to NVG such that at least a portion of light from a display screen is blocked. The light output of the display screen can be increased such that the depth of field remains higher but the image produced does not become darker. |
| US09651717B2 |
Optical lens
An optical lens includes a central optical portion and a mounting portion around the central optical portion. The central optical portion has a bottom and defines a central cavity recessed upwardly from the bottom. The central cavity is provided for receiving a light source therein. The bottom defines at least a frosted portion around the central cavity and at least a microstructure portion around the at least a frosted portion. A roughness of the at least a microstructure portion is larger than a roughness of the at least a frosted portion. The roughness of each of the at least a microstructure and frosted portion is gradually decreased alone a direction toward the central cavity. |
| US09651716B2 |
Polarizing plate and image display device comprising same
The present invention relates to a polarizing plate including: a polarizer; and a protective layer formed on at least one surface of the polarizer, in which the protective layer is a cured product of a radical curable composition including: (A) a radical polymerizable compound having at least one hydrophilic functional group in a molecule thereof; (B) a phosphate-based compound having three (meth)acryl groups in a molecule thereof; and (C) a radical initiator, and an image display device including the same. |
| US09651713B2 |
Optical product and spectacle plastic lens
An optical product includes an optical multilayer film on an optical product base, a color of reflected light of the optical multilayer film satisfies a condition of 0.27≦x≦0.31 and 0.30≦y≦0.36 in a chromaticity diagram (x,y,Y) of a CIE color system, reflectance is always 1 percent or less in a wavelength range from 420 nanometers (nm) to 680 nm, both inclusive, Y is 0.5 percent or less, and the optical multilayer film has a total of seven layers, in which a first layer is counted from an optical product base side, and odd layers are low refractive index layers and even layers are high refractive index layers, and an optical film thickness of a sixth layer is greater than or equal to 0.530λ, and not greater than 0.605λ when λ represents a design wavelength (any value in a range from 480 nm to 520 nm, both inclusive). |
| US09651712B2 |
Polymer composition with heat-absorbing properties
The invention relates to polymer compositions for the production of mouldings, in particular spectacles and eye-protection equipment, which comply with the provisions of EN 169 (welder protection standard) and EN 1836/2005 (signal light detection). The compositions and mouldings are in particular processable at temperatures above 265° C., recyclable and have a notched impact strength of at least 65 kJ/cm2, and they comply with the required optical standards mentioned above. |
| US09651708B2 |
Method of mapping reservoir fluid movement using gravity sensors
The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for acquiring multi-component gravity information for an earth formation. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to estimating the movement of fluid in an earth formation using at least one gravimeter configured to generate multi-component gravity information. The method may include estimating density changes in the earth formation. The method may include estimating a position of the at least one gravimeter. The apparatus may include a multi-component gravimeter configured to estimate gravity vectors for each vector component. |
| US09651706B2 |
Fiberoptic tuned-induction sensors for downhole use
A method of sensing electromagnetic (EM) fields downhole may include filtering a voltage signal induced in a coil antenna by an EM field to produce a filtered signal, said filtering being performed by a resonance tuning filter, and applying the filtered signal to a piezoelectric element to modify a strain of an optical fiber. A sensing system may include a cable deployed downhole and coupled to an interface unit. The cable has an optical fiber coupled to an array of downhole sensors, each sensor having a coil antenna coupled by a resonance tuning filter to a piezoelectric element that modifies a strain in the optical fiber in accordance with a signal induced in the coil antenna by an electromagnetic field. The interface unit measures a backscattered light to monitor the signal from each sensor in the array. |
| US09651705B2 |
Reducing conductive casing effect in transient cased-hole resistivity logging
A first broadband magnetic field is induced at a first transmitter position in a well bore drilled through a formation. A first formation magnetic field induced by the first broadband magnetic field is detected at a first receiver position. A second formation magnetic field induced by the first broadband magnetic field is detected at a second receiver position. A second broadband magnetic field is induced at a second transmitter position in the well bore. A third formation magnetic field induced by the second broadband magnetic field is detected at the first receiver position. A fourth formation magnetic field induced by the second broadband magnetic field is detected at the second receiver position. A formation property is computed using a function of the first, second, third, and fourth formation magnetic fields, wherein the function reduces the effect of a casing on the computation of the formation property. |
| US09651701B2 |
Ferromagnetic incident detecting and logging arrangement
An arrangement for association with an MRI and detecting presence of ferrous material and discriminating out far field magnetic disturbance. The arrangement includes a detector configured to monitor the magnetic field and includes an array of sensors arranged about the periphery of an opening in a spaced arrangement such that each sensor is associated with a different portion of the opening. Each of the sensors is configured to output a signal having a value indicative of the sensed magnetic field at the associated portion of the opening. The arrangement includes a corrector configured to correct each signal value from the change in response to the far field magnetic disturbance and to provide respective corrected signal values. The arrangement includes a processor configured to use the corrected signal values to determine a ferrous-indicating limit is exceeded and to provide a safety response that addresses the ferrous-indicating limit exceed condition. |
| US09651695B2 |
Construction and application of angle gathers from three-dimensional imaging of multiples wavefields
One embodiment relates to a technological process for identifying a potential subsurface structure below a body of water. Three-dimensional seismic sensor data that includes at least two measured components is obtained. Up-going and down-going wavefields comprising multiples wavefields are constructed from the three-dimensional seismic sensor data by applying wavefield separation. The up-going and down-going wavefields are extrapolated to a reflector surface below a water bottom. An imaging condition is applied at the reflector surface to generate images that include information from the multiples wavefields. Angle gathers are constructed, where each angle gather is constructed by gathering the images generated using the multiples wavefields for a range of illumination angles. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed. |
| US09651691B2 |
Methods and systems for land seismic surveying
Methods and apparatuses for land seismic survey are provided. The methods and apparatuses utilize spatial derivatives of a seismic wavefield to interpolate, regularize or extrapolate seismic data. The methods and apparatuses may considerably reduce land seismic field efforts and/or compensate data gaps. |
| US09651690B2 |
Temperature compensation for thin film transistors in digital x-ray detectors
A digital radiographic detector uses predetermined calibration information corresponding to a first operating temperature of the detector. The calibration data is accessible by the detector to compensate a radiographic image captured by the detector at a second operating temperature different than the first operating temperature. The operating temperature of the detector is monitored at approximately the time at which the radiographic image is captured at the second temperature. |
| US09651686B2 |
X-ray detectors having photoconductors including current resistance layers
An X-ray detector includes a substrate, a plurality of pixel electrodes on the substrate, a photoconductor covering the plurality of pixel electrodes, or a common electrode on the photoconductor. The photoconductor includes at least two photoconductor layers. The photoconductor may also include a current resistance layers disposed between the at least two photoconductor layers. The current resistance layer is configured to reduce current flow between the at least two photoconductor layers. |
| US09651682B2 |
Device and method of scintillating quantum dots for radiation imaging
A radiation imaging device includes a radiation source and a micro structured detector comprising a material defining a surface that faces the radiation source. The material includes a plurality of discreet cavities having openings in the surface. The detector also includes a plurality of quantum dots disclosed in the cavities. The quantum dots are configured to interact with radiation from the radiation source, and to emit visible photons that indicate the presence of radiation. A digital camera and optics may be used to capture images formed by the detector in response to exposure to radiation. |
| US09651679B1 |
Application of GPS signal processing to attitude determination and communication
The present invention is a method for dynamically determining attitude of a mobile platform via a system implemented on-board the platform. The method includes providing initialization data for the platform from a memory of the system to a processor of the system, the initialization data including platform position platform velocity data, and platform heading for a first point in time. The method includes receiving RF signals via an antenna array of the system at a second point in time subsequent to the first point in time. The method includes providing RF inputs including the received signals from the antenna array to a receiving unit of the system, and then from the receiving unit to a processor of the system. The processor then processes the signals and, based on the processed signals and initialization data, determines an attitude of the platform, the attitude corresponding to the second point in time. |
| US09651675B2 |
Estimating frequency of a GNSS enabled device based on time stamps
A GNSS enabled device that is communicatively coupled to a network, receives time stamps via the network. The time stamps are generated based on reference clock signals within the network. GNSS receiver clock signal frequency may be adjusted based on the time stamps. When GNSS satellite signals and/or SRN signals are not available, the time stamps enable synchronization with GNSS satellites. Network clock signals and/or time stamps may be generated by an access point, a DSL modem, a cable modem and/or a primary reference clock within the network. A series of time stamps may be utilized for adjusting frequencies. Clock signals may be generated for adjusting frequencies based on a comparison between time stamps and oscillator or mixer output. Clock signals are generated for baseband, intermediate and/or RF frequency signal processing. GNSS satellite signals may be demodulated, correlated with a pseudonoise code sequence and/or synchronized based on the time stamps. |
| US09651674B2 |
Devices, systems and methods for providing location information over a cellular network
The disclosure provides devices, systems, and methods for approximating the location of a mobile communication device. A base station transceiver (BTS) broadcasts assistance data across a control channel. The assistance data is received by a mobile communication device in communication with the BTS. The assistance data includes location information for the BTS, and Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) information associated with the BTS. The assistance data can be broadcast by incorporating these fields in a control channel between the BTS and the mobile communication device. A-GPS devices correlate the received assistance data with a GPS almanac in order to connect to a set of positioning satellites. Devices without a GPS receiver or devices unable to connect to a satellite correlate the received assistance data to a known approximate location, by referring to a database stored on the device or on the network. |
| US09651669B2 |
Method for detecting anomaly satellite in multi-reference stations environment and apparatus using detecting method
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for identifying an anomalous satellite in a multi-reference station environment. |
| US09651667B2 |
Combined cycle slip indicators for regionally augmented GNSS
Methods and apparatus for determining a precise position of a rover located within a region are presented using rover observations comprising code observations and carrier-phase observations of GNSS signals on at least two carrier frequencies over multiple epochs. Correction data is received for each of the epochs at least one code bias per satellite. Synthetic reference data is generated for each of the epochs from the correction data for a synthetic station location. A determination is made for each epoch whether a cycle slip has occurred. Upon determining that a cycle slip has occurred, values of any variables of a set of state variables which are affected by the cycle slip are reset. Each epoch of rover observations and correction data is used to estimate updated values for the set of state variables including a set of ambiguities and coordinates of a precise rover position. |
| US09651665B2 |
Positioning systems
A method is provided whereby a group of receivers local to one another make GNSS measurements of a number of satellites, from one or multiple different GNSS's, and by combining the measurements of the same satellites made by the different receivers it is possible given sufficient conditions to determine the positions of the receivers and the satellite errors such that the positions obtained are equivalent to those obtained from a traditional differential GNSS system, without the need for a static reference receiver at a known location. |
| US09651663B2 |
Distance measurement apparatus
A distance measurement apparatus comprises an acquisition section which counts time between a first timing when an output of a photodiode built in a semiconductor laser exceeds a first threshold value because a laser element of the semiconductor laser starts to output laser light and a second timing when the output of the photodiode exceeds a second threshold value higher than the first threshold value because the laser light is reflected by a measurement object and returns to the laser element, and acquires the counted time as flight time of the laser light from a moment when the laser light is output to a moment when the laser light is reflected by the measurement object and returns to calculate a distance from the laser element to the measurement object or displacement of the distance. |
| US09651662B2 |
Interventional navigation using 3D contrast-enhanced ultrasound
A method for interventional navigation using 3D contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging includes acquiring a reference 3D CEUS volume and tracking information during a useful lifetime of a contrast enhancement agent administered to the anatomy. Real-time tracked tissue images are acquired during the interventional procedure. In addition, a corresponding CEUS multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) for at least one of the acquired real-time tracked tissue images is generated. At least one of the acquired real-time tracked tissue images is displayed along with the corresponding CEUS MPR. The displayed real-time tracked tissue image includes at least an image of the instrument within the desired portion of the anatomy and the CEUS MPR corresponds to the displayed real-time tracked tissue image. Thus, the contrast enhanced image information and tissue image information are concurrently display for the interventional navigation at least subsequent to the expiration of the contrast enhancement useful lifetime. |
| US09651659B2 |
Methods and systems for determining vehicle position in an automatic vehicle identification system
Methods of estimating vehicle location in a roadway using an automatic vehicle identification system are described. The methods involve receiving a set of response signals from a vehicle-mounted transponder at points in time and determining a range rate of the transponder relative to the antenna at each point in time; identifying a minima in the magnitude of the range rate; estimating a first position of the transponder at a first time corresponding to the occurrence of the minima; estimating a velocity of the vehicle based upon one or more of the determined range rates; and estimating a second position of the transponder based upon the first position and the velocity. |
| US09651658B2 |
Methods and systems for LIDAR optics alignment
A method is provided that involves mounting a transmit block and a receive block in a LIDAR device to provide a relative position between the transmit block and the receive block. The method also involves locating a camera at a given position at which the camera can image light beams emitted by the transmit block and can image the receive block. The method also involves obtaining, using the camera, a first image indicative of light source positions of one or more light sources in the transmit block and a second image indicative of detector positions of one or more detectors in the receive block. The method also involves determining at least one offset based on the first image and the second image. The method also involves adjusting the relative position between the transmit block and the receive block based at least in part on the at least one offset. |
| US09651656B2 |
Real-time location system in wireless sensor network
A real-time location and tracking system includes location markers programmed with location information of the locations that the location markers are affixed to and a mobile RTLS tracking system to read location information from nearby location markers and a mobile RTLS monitoring and display system. The system is configured to receive signals from the mobile RTLS tracking system that includes a microprocessor and memory that control the functionality of the mobile RTLS monitoring and display system to display status and geo coordinates of the mobile RTLS tracking system. |
| US09651653B2 |
Positioning reference signal (PRS) generation for multiple transmit antenna systems
A method of providing Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information to a mobile station is disclosed. In some embodiments, the OTDOA assistance information may comprise Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) assistance information including antenna switching assistance information for at least one cell. In one embodiment, the method may be implemented on a location server for the cell. |
| US09651651B1 |
Imaging-based frequency receiver device calibration
A method for calibrating a frequency receiver device (FRD) includes obtaining an image of a visually unique object having a visually unique pattern, the visually unique object disposed at a known location; detecting a match by comparing the pattern to a list of pre-determined patterns; upon detecting a match, determining a relative location of the FRD from the pattern based on the pattern and a new broadcast frequency of a frequency originator device (FOD) from a lookup table correlating a plurality of patterns, their corresponding known locations and a broadcast frequency of at least one corresponding FOD for each of the plurality of patterns and determining the location of the FRD from the FOD based on the relative location of the FRD from the known location of the pattern; and synchronizing a clock of a FRD and a clock of a FOD based on said new frequency of the FOD. |
| US09651650B2 |
Positioning in wireless communication systems
A method for reporting positioning data from a node B in a cellular communication system comprises performing (210), in a node B, of a measurement of a time of radio signal propagation concerning signalling with a first user equipment within a coverage of the node B. The measurement gives a time value. The time value is coded (212), in the node B, as a multi-symbol time report sequence. Auxiliary positioning information data concerning the first user equipment is obtained (214) in the node B. At least one symbol of the multi-symbol time report sequence is modified (216) (218) in the node B, for representing the auxiliary positioning information data. The modified multi-symbol time report sequence is reported from the node B. A positioning method, a node B and a positioning node are also disclosed. |
| US09651648B1 |
Phase difference of arrival geolocation
Geolocation is performed by receiving, at a plurality of non-earthbound platforms each moving in a known manner within a spatial coordinate system, a radio frequency (RF) signal transmitted from a transmitter at an unknown location on earth within the spatial coordinate system. For each of the platforms, a phase change of the received frequency carrier is measured over the same duration of time. The measured phase changes are combined to determine the transmitter location. |
| US09651645B2 |
Systems and methods for reduced off-resonance blurring in spiral imaging
Systems, methods of reducing off-resonance blurring in acquired magnetic resonance imaging data. The method includes acquiring a first set of spiral interleaf data for each of one or more spiral-in/out interleaves by performing a first sampling each of one or more locations in k-space along a first redundant spiral-in/out trajectory, and acquiring a second set of spiral interleaf data for each of the one or more spiral-in/out interleaves by performing a second sampling of each of the one or more locations in the k-space along a second redundant spiral-in/out trajectory, wherein the second redundant spiral-in/out trajectory corresponds to a time-reversed trajectory of the first redundant spiral-in/out trajectory. The method may yet further include combining the first set of spiral interleaf data and the second set of spiral interleaf data with an averaging operation such as to reduce artifacts. |
| US09651641B2 |
Image processing apparatus, K-space generation method, magnetic resonance image apparatus, and control method of magnetic resonance image apparatus
A magnetic resonance (MR) image processing system includes a data collection unit that acquires image data from a target region of an object. A navigator unit acquires a motion signal indicating motion comprising motion of at least a portion of an object. A data processing unit derives k-space data for a k-space data array from the acquired image data, by acquiring k-space data for a first portion of the k-space from the acquired image data in response to the motion signal indicating motion is within a predetermined range and acquiring k-space data for a second portion of the k-space from the acquired image data irrespective of the predetermined range. |
| US09651640B2 |
Magnetic resonance system and method for slice-selective detection and correction of incorrect magnetic resonance image data in slice multiplexing measurement sequences
In a magnetic resonance (MR) method system for slice-selective detection and correction of incorrect magnetic resonance data, a first acquisition sequence is implemented to acquire MR data from a first slice of the examination subject that is associated with a chronologically first coherence curve of the magnetization; a second acquisition sequence is implemented to acquire MR data from a second slice of the examination subject that is associated with a chronologically second coherence curve of the magnetization. In slice multiplexing measurement sequences that are characterized by the simultaneous use of the transverse magnetization of the first and second slice within the first and second acquisition sequences slice-selective errors can be detected and corrections made. |
| US09651638B2 |
Method and device for determining a magnetic resonance system activation sequence
A method and a control sequence determination device for determining a magnetic resonance system activation sequence are described. The magnetic resonance system activation sequence includes a multichannel pulse train with a plurality of individual HF pulse trains to be emitted in a parallel manner by the magnetic resonance system by way of different independent high-frequency transmit channels. In this process, a multichannel pulse train is calculated with a predefined target magnetization using an HF pulse optimization method, with optimization taking place with respect to a setpoint deviation of an HF local exposure value from an HF global exposure value. A method for operating a magnetic resonance system and a magnetic resonance system with the control sequence determination device are also described. |
| US09651636B2 |
Single-chip three-axis magnetic field sensing device
A single-chip three-axis magnetic field sensing device is provided. This single-chip three-axis magnetic field sensing device comprises a substrate, a first sensing module, a second sensing module, a third sensing module and at least one coil. The substrate includes a surface. The first sensing module comprises at least one first magnetoresistive element and is configured to sense a first magnetic field component substantially parallel to the surface. The second sensing module comprises at least one second magnetoresistive element and is configured to sense a second magnetic field component substantially parallel to the surface. The third sensing module comprises at least one third magnetoresistive element and is configured to sense a third magnetic field component substantially perpendicular to the surface. Wherein one of the first magnetoresistive element and the second magnetoresistive element and the third magnetoresistive element is disposed right above or right below the at least one coil. |
| US09651634B2 |
Brake master cylinder for stably detecting magnetic flux density
A brake master cylinder includes a BLS module to control the switching on of a brake lamp according to an operation of a piston provided to reciprocate within a cylinder body. The BLS module includes: a magnet fixed to a guide hole formed in the cylinder body in a lengthwise direction of the cylinder body; an actuating member coupled to the piston so as to be moved together with the piston as the piston is moved; a Hall sensor installed in the cylinder body at a location corresponding to the magnet for detect the magnetic flux density of the magnet; and a shielding member slidably provided in the guide hole and moved by the actuating member for shielding the Hall sensor from the magnet. |
| US09651632B1 |
Illumination device and temperature calibration method
An illumination device comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a method for calibrating the illumination device is provided herein. According to one embodiment, the method may include subjecting a first LED to a first ambient temperature, measuring a forward voltage developed across the first LED upon applying a relatively small drive current to the first LED, detecting at least a first, a second and a third luminous flux output from the first LED upon successively applying at least a first, a second and a third drive current to the first LED, and storing results of the measuring and detecting steps within the illumination device to calibrate the first LED at the first ambient temperature. In some embodiments, the first LED may be subjected to a second ambient temperature, which is different from the first ambient temperature, and the method may repeat the steps of measuring, detecting and storing to calibrate the first LED at the second ambient temperature. |
| US09651626B2 |
Electric capacity measurement apparatus with temperature compensation and temperature compensation method thereof
An electric capacity measurement apparatus with temperature compensation and a temperature compensation method thereof are provided. The electric capacity measurement apparatus includes an electric capacity measurement circuit, a non-volatile memory, a temperature measurement circuit and a control circuit. The electric capacity measurement circuit is configured to obtain an input current signal and compensate the input current signal according to a present invalid current range or a present zero current offset to obtain an electric capacity signal. The non-volatile memory is configured to store a plurality of test parameters at different temperatures related to the electric capacity measurement circuit in a test stage. The temperature measurement circuit measures a present temperature value of the electric capacity measurement circuit in an operation stage. The control circuit generates a present invalid current range or a present zero current offset according to the present temperature value and the plurality of test parameters. |
| US09651621B2 |
System for and method of semiconductor fault detection
A method of detecting one or more faults in a semiconductor device that includes generating one or more secondary node lists from a primary node list. The primary node list includes one or more nodes. Each node of the one or more nodes of the primary node list is associated with a corresponding secondary node list of the one or more secondary node lists. The method also includes generating a test pattern set from the secondary node list and a fault list. The fault list identifies one or more faults. |
| US09651618B2 |
Electronic device and method for state retention
An electronic device may include a set of two or more scan chains and a buffer chain. Each of the scan chains includes a sequence of stateful elements connected in series, and each of the scan chains is arranged to hold a string having a length identical to the length of the respective scan chain. The strings of the scan chains are shifted in parallel from the scan chains into the memory unit and back from the memory unit into the respective scan chains. The store operation and the restore operation each include at least N0 elementary downstream shift operations. The set of scan chains includes a short chain and a detour chain, and the short chain has a length N1 which is shorter than N0. The set of scan chains further includes a buffer chain. The output end of the short chain is coupled to an input end of the buffer chain. The buffer chain is provided at least partly by the detour chain. |
| US09651610B2 |
Visible laser probing for circuit debug and defect analysis
Visible laser probing is described. In one example a probe device has a laser configured to provide a laser beam at a visible wavelength, an objective lens positioned in front of the laser to focus the laser beam on an active region of an integrated circuit through a back side of an integrated circuit die, and a detector positioned to receive a reflected laser beam reflected from the active region through a back side of the die, through the objective lens. The detector is configured to detect an amplitude modulation of the reflected laser beam wherein the amplitude modulation is attributable to the electric field at the active region. |
| US09651604B2 |
Grounding grid breakpoint diagnostic method for transient electromagnetic method
A grounding grid breakpoint diagnostic method for a transient electromagnetic method, based on a transient electromagnetic detection apparatus. The method comprises: (101) disposing a test line at a position above a grounding grid to be diagnosed on the ground, and determining coordinates of a detection point; (102) obtaining information about coordinates of the detection point, and coinciding the center of the transient electromagnetic detection apparatus with the coordinates of the detection point; (103) performing, by the transient electromagnetic detection apparatus, measurement along the test line point by point, so as to obtain measurement data; (104) processing, by using diagram forming software, the measurement data to form a longitudinal resistivity cross-section diagram of the detection point according to a preset formula; (105) determining whether a breakpoint occurs at the detection point according to the longitudinal resistivity cross-section diagram. The method does not depend on a design material of a grounding grid, and can implement non-excavation grounding grid breakpoint diagnosis without outage, thereby reducing economic losses in a diagnosis process. |
| US09651603B2 |
Method and power converter for determining cell capacitor degradation in a converter cell
A method and arrangement for determining a capacitor degradation parameter associated with the degree of degradation of a cell capacitor in a converter cell of a power converter including a plurality of identical converter cells, including redundant converter cells, which converter cell, prior to determining the capacitor degradation parameter, has been bypassed. The method includes a) obtaining a measurement parameter value associated with discharging of the cell capacitor, forming a dc-link, from a measurement start voltage level at a measurement start time to a measurement end voltage level at a measurement end time, and b) determining a value of the capacitor degradation parameter based on the measurement parameter value. |
| US09651602B2 |
Device and method for monitoring and switching a load circuit
The invention relates to a device for monitoring and switching a load circuit, having an input part and an output part, having switching inputs to connect a controller to the input part, having switching outputs to connect at least one load circuit with at least one load to be switched to the output part, having at least one load switch to switch, in particular to switch on and off, the at least one load, having at least one fault detection circuit to detect a fault in the load circuit and to generate at least a first fault signal in the output part, and having a galvanic isolation stage for galvanically isolated transmission of this first fault signal and/or a second fault signal derived from this first fault signal from the output part to the input part. According to the invention the input part has an input circuit which converts switching commands of the controller incoming via the switching inputs into switching processes of the load switches. The transmitted fault signal is made available via the switching inputs for evaluation. |
| US09651601B2 |
Circuit arrangement for cable checking, cable testing, cable diagnosis and/or cable fault localization and device with a circuit arrangement of that type
The invention relates to circuit arrangements for cable checking, cable testing, cable diagnosis and/or cable fault localization with a voltage source having a first voltage multiplier for a positive voltage and a second voltage multiplier for a negative voltage current sources that are connected to one another in combination with the voltage multipliers to generate a test voltage over the load impedance of the cable to charge and discharge the load capacitance of the cable and a control device that is interconnected with the voltage source and the current sources and devices with a circuit arrangement of that type. The circuit arrangements distinguish themselves, in particular, by the fact that arbitrary voltage curves of different amplitudes can be generated through the cable as the impedance acting as the test specimen. |
| US09651600B2 |
Power up detecting system
A power up detecting system for generating one of a first power up detecting signal and a second power up detecting signal as the final power up detecting signal, according to power provided by a power supplier. The power up detecting system comprises: a power up detecting module, controlled by a control signal to generate the first power up detecting signal in a first mode and to generate the second power up detecting signal in a second mode, wherein a voltage level of the first power up detecting signal is transited when the power reaches a first predetermined voltage value, and the voltage level of the second power up detecting signal is transited when the power reaches a second predetermined voltage value; where the first predetermined voltage value is higher than the second predetermined voltage value. |
| US09651599B2 |
Measurement system for characterising a device under test
The present invention relates to a measurement system for characterizing a device under test (DUT) wherein impedance is controlled or varied over a set of measurement conditions and a parameter or a set of parameters measured for each measurement condition. The measurement system comprises at least one impedance control device, signal separation hardware connected with the impedance control device, receiving means for measuring electrical quantities related to characteristics of the DUT and for converting the measured electrical quantities, a data processing unit connected to the receiving means and adapted to provide characteristics of the device under test based on the converted electrical quantities, whereby the at least one impedance control device is integrated into the signal separation hardware. |
| US09651596B2 |
System and apparatus for measuring capacitance
Systems and methods for determining a capacitance on a device-under-test (“DUT”). An example implementation includes a voltage signal generator that generates a voltage signal alternating between a high voltage and a low voltage at regular time intervals. The voltage signal generator causes a DUT current to flow in the DUT. The DUT current comprises a leakage current and a capacitance measurement current in response to the voltage signal. A current signal generator receives the DUT current from the DUT. The current signal generator generates a cancellation current signal alternating between high and low values at the regular time intervals of the voltage signal such that the cancellation current signal cancels the leakage current through the DUT. A signal measurement circuit receives the capacitance measurement current remaining after the leakage current is canceled to generate an output voltage having an output voltage value used to determine a capacitance of the DUT. |
| US09651594B2 |
Battery remaining power predicting device and battery pack
A battery remaining power predicting device is provided which is equipped with a first voltage detection portion which detects the voltage of a battery, a second voltage detection portion which detects a voltage across a current sense resistor for detecting a load current, a controller which predicts the remaining power of the battery, based on the values of the voltages detected by the first and second voltage detection portions, and a constant current source which allows a constant current to flow through the current sense resistor. The controller is configured to calculate a resistance value of the current sense resistor, based on the detected voltage of the second voltage detection portion when the load current flows, and the detected voltage of the second voltage detection portion when the load current and the constant current flow. |
| US09651591B2 |
Method for using an accurate adjustable high-frequency phase-detector
The method determines an input phase differential (Δφ) between two input signals. A phase detector is provided that has pairs of transistors and a first impedance (R1) connected to a first branch carrying a first signal (Iout_left) and a second impedance (R2) connected to a second branch carrying a second signal (Iout_right). The first signal (Iout_left) in the first branch is set as a first sum of a common mode output signal (Icm) and a differential mode output signal (Idm). The second signal (Iout_right) in the second branch is set as a second sum of the common mode output signal (Icm) minus the differential mode output signal (Idm). A relationship between the first impedance (R1) and the second impedance (R2) is adjusted until a differential mode output voltage (Vdm) of the phase detector is zero. The input phase differential (Δφ) is determined when the differential mode output voltage (Vdm) is zero. |
| US09651590B2 |
Health monitor for turbine flow meter
A monitor module for a turbine flow meter includes a receiver that receives a sequence of pulses sent by the turbine flow meter. A frequency identifier identifies a frequency of the pulses in the sequence of pulses and a mean identifier identifies a mean frequency of frequencies of pulses. An alert system uses the mean frequency to determine when an alert should be issued. |
| US09651588B2 |
Power detecting circuit
A power detecting circuit for a power supply module is disclosed. The power detecting circuit includes a current detecting module, a micro control unit (MCU), a correcting circuit. The current detecting module is electrically coupled to the power supply module and configured to detect an output current value of the power supply module. The micro control unit (MCU) is electrically coupled to the current detecting module. The correcting circuit is electrically coupled to the MCU and configured to correct the output current value of the power supply module. The MCU is configured to calculate an output power value of the power supply module according to the output current value and a preset output voltage value or a tested output voltage value of the power supply module and display the output power value via a display module. |
| US09651585B2 |
Via layout techniques for improved low current measurements
System and methods for use and fabrication of a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB may include a node and a plurality of rows of vias that may be configured to establish a plurality of current pathways away from the node. The node may be a sensitive node and the plurality of current pathways may reduce leakage current at the node responsive to a signal applied to the node. Each row of the plurality of rows of vias may be offset with respect to adjacent rows of vias in a horizontal plane of the PCB. The PCB may have multiple layers and the node may be on an exterior surface layer or an interior layer. The vias may be mirco-vias, buried-vias, or through-vias. |
| US09651581B2 |
High current sensors
Embodiments relate to high current sensors having generally flat conductors. In an embodiment, the conductor is formed of a non-magnetic material such as copper or aluminum and has a coarse slot, one that reduces the cross-sectional area for current flow by a factor of about two. The slot also functions as an aperture in which the sensor package can mounted, thereby protected from environmental influences. |
| US09651576B2 |
Low-side coaxial current probe
A method and apparatus for non-intrusively measuring flowing currents and/or voltage on the inner conductor of a coaxial cable is introduced herein. In particular, a resultant low-impedance element is coupled concentrically to the shield at a desired insertion point of the coaxial cable. A pair of conductive leads provided by the resultant low-impedance element is thereafter monitored for derived flowing currents that are in direct proportion to but of opposite polarity to the current within the inner conductor of the coaxial cable. |
| US09651573B2 |
Method for controlling the operation of a positioning system of a train
The invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of a positioning system (10) of a train, the system (10) including: a toothed tone wheel (12), three sensors (18, 20, 22) for detecting the presence of a tooth, arranged spatially so that six possible and different positions of the wheel (12) may be represented by six possible logic states of the three sensors (18, 20, 22), the six states being different, the method including a step for: detecting states corresponding to the signals delivered by the three sensors (18, 20, 22), comparing the detected states with the values of the six logic states, determining the operating state of the system (10) according to the comparison. |
| US09651566B2 |
Method for determining the propensity for calcification
The present invention relates to a method for determining the propensity of a fluid for calcification characterized by the following steps: (i) adding a soluble calcium salt and a soluble phosphate salt to a sample of the fluid; (ii) incubating the sample at conditions allowing the formation of calciprotein particles (CPPs); and (iii) determining one or more of the following: (a) the rate of the formation of primary and/or secondary CPPs; (b) the amount of primary and/or secondary CPPs; and/or (c) the rate of the transition of primary CPPs into secondary CPPs, wherein an increase in one or more of (a), (b) and/or (c) of step (iii) indicates an increased propensity of the fluid for calcification. |
| US09651565B2 |
Fish sexual characteristic determination using peptide hormones
Fish sexual characteristics are determined by measuring the concentration in fish serum, plasma or whole blood of one or more peptide hormones of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily (TGF-β superfamily). The disclosed method and an accompanying field test kit may be used in sturgeon aquaculture to cull out young male fish so that increased time and resources may be devoted to the further rearing of female fish for caviar production. The method and test kit may also be used for wild fish life history studies. |
| US09651558B2 |
Bacterial surface display and screening of thioether-bridge-containing peptides
The invention relates to bacterial cell surface display of post-translationally modified heterologous proteins. Provided is an isolated nucleic acid construct encoding a proteinaceous substance comprising, from the N-terminus to the C-terminus, at least (a) an N-terminal a lantibiotic leader sequence; (b) an amino acid sequence of interest to be post-translationally modified to a dehydroresidue- or thioether-bridge containing polypeptide; (c) a hydrophilic cell-wall spanning domain; (d) a sortase recognition motif; (e) a hydrophobic membrane spanning domain and (f) a C-terminal charged membrane anchoring domain. Also provided is a Gram-positive host cell expressing the construct, as well as a library of host cells. |
| US09651556B2 |
Aptamers and diagnostic methods for detecting the EGF receptor
The present invention provides aptamers that specifically bind to the EGF receptor in a sample, and diagnostic and analytical methods using those aptamers. In some embodiments, the aptamers include a 3′ cap. In some embodiments, the 3′ cap is an inverted deoxythymidine. In some embodiments the aptamers include a spacer and at least one moiety selected from the group consisting of binding pair member and a detectable label, wherein the spacer is attached to the 5′-end of the aptamer and the moiety is attached the 5′ end of the spacer. In some embodiments the spacer is hexaethylene glycol. In some embodiments, the binding pair member biotin. In some embodiments the detectable label is a fluorophore. |
| US09651551B2 |
Methods and systems useful for foodborne pathogen detection
Described are methods and systems useful in the processing of food samples to detect pathogenic cells in the samples. Embodiments include homogenizing a food sample, digesting solids of the homogenized food sample, and removing lipids from the homogenized food sample. Cells in the sample can then be concentrated using hollow fiber membrane filtration. Regeneration cycles can enable multiple reuses of the hollow fiber membrane filter. Systems and processes herein can be automated, under the control of a computer. |
| US09651550B2 |
Automated immunoanalyzer system for performing diagnostic assays for autoimmune and infectious diseases
A quantitative method for diagnosing an autoimmune disease or an infectious disease comprising performing an automated diagnostic assay, comprising: incubating a capture reagent with a streptavidin-coated medium to form a solid phase complex, wherein the capture reagent is a biotinylated autoantigen or infectious disease antigen; washing the solid phase complex to remove excess capture reagent; incubating the solid phase complex with a serum sample to form an immune complex; washing the immune complex to remove any unbound sample; incubating the immune complex with a conjugate to create an immune-conjugate complex; washing the immune-conjugate complex to remove any unbound conjugate; introducing a substrate capable of generating a quantifiable response; and calibrating the response generated from introducing the substrate. |
| US09651545B1 |
Devices and formulations for detecting, screening and monitoring levels of certain constituents in bodily fluids and method
A device is disclosed for conducting a non-invasive analysis of a bodily fluid to determine the presence and level of a certain constituent carried by the bodily fluid. An indicator formulation of the device changes color in response to exposure to the constituent to provide a visible indication of the presence and level of the constituent carried by the bodily fluid. A carrier substrate of the device is constructed of a material having voids providing a high void volume within the substrate. The device is made by applying a chromagen to the carrier substrate to create a chromagen-laden carrier member. Then, a selected reagent having a particular constituent-specific formulation is applied to the chromagen-laden member. The selected reagent then combines with the chromagen thereby establishing the indicator formulation within the carrier substrate in place for reception of a sample of the bodily fluid. |
| US09651540B2 |
Urine sample testing apparatus and apparatus for processing measurement result of urine sample
A urine sample testing apparatus may include a urine qualitative measuring section configured to acquire a measurement result for each of a plurality of urine qualitative measurement items and a urine sediment measuring section configured to acquire a measurement result for each of a plurality of urine sediment measurement items. The apparatus may also include an operation part that can specify a combination of one of the plurality of urine qualitative measurement items and one of the plurality of urine sediment measurement items. An information processing unit may be included and configured to determine whether a first measurement result of the urine sample obtained by the urine qualitative measuring section and a second measurement result of the urine sample obtained by the urine sediment measuring section have a predetermined relationship with respect to the urine qualitative measurement item and the urine sediment measurement item included in the specified combination. |
| US09651535B2 |
Method and arrangement for determining a fuel quality
In a method and an arrangement for determining a fuel quality of a fuel for a combustion engine fuel is conveyed from a low pressure fuel tank to a high-pressure volume, and injected into at least one cylinder of the combustion engine. A control valve is provided for controlling directly or indirectly the amount of fuel injected into the at least one cylinder. An actual value of a timing signal of the control valve is compared to a reference value of the timing signal of the control valve and a fuel quality parameter is derived from a difference between the actual value and the reference value of the timing signal of the control valve and/or that a fuel quality parameter is derived from a gradient of the pressure increase during a build-up phase of the pressure in the high-pressure volume compared to a reference value of the gradient of the pressure increase in the high-pressure volume. |
| US09651532B2 |
Multi-point gas detector
A gas detection apparatus includes a housing which carries a plurality of light emitting diodes which are coupled in parallel and which emit substantially the same wavelength of radiant energy. A closed loop control circuit maintains the radiant energy output of the diodes at substantially a predetermined value. The radiant light radiant light and a sample of a gas of interest are directed to a sensing position at which a gas responsive tape is positioned. Reflected light from the tape is detected at a sensor displaced from the tape. A light collecting element can be positioned between the coupled diodes and the sensing position. |
| US09651528B2 |
Diarylamine-based fluorogenic probes for detection of peroxynitrite
Provided herein are improved fluorogenic compounds and probes that can be used as reagents for measuring, detecting and/or screening peroxynitrite. The fluorogenic compounds of the invention can produce fluorescence colors, such as green, yellow, red, or far-red. Also provided herein are fluorogenic compounds for selectively staining peroxynitrite in the mitochondria of living cells. Provided also herein are methods that can be used to measure, directly or indirectly, the presence and/or amount of peroxynitrite in chemical samples and biological samples such as cells and tissues in living organisms. Also provided are high-throughput screening methods for detecting or screening peroxynitrite or compounds that can increase or decrease the level of peroxynitrite in chemical and biological samples. |
| US09651527B2 |
Ring shaped counter electrode to improve beam stability and compound sensitivity on a ceramic tile type microfluidic device
An interface for a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a microfluidic substrate, tile or cartridge 1 comprising a liquid chromatography separation column and an electrospray emitter 2. A counter electrode 4 is arranged downstream of a tip of the electrospray emitter 2 and is arranged and adapted to direct ions towards an atmospheric pressure interface or ion inlet aperture 5 of a mass spectrometer. |
| US09651526B2 |
Liquid chromatograph
A liquid chromatograph has a mobile phase delivery section including, between mobile phase channels connected respectively to a plurality of mobile phase containers and a delivery pump, channel switching valves for selecting one of the mobile phase channels. This liquid chromatograph whose channel switching valves have a hierarchical structure including at least two stages includes a valve connection state setting section that is configured to set the connection state between the channel switching valves and the connection state between the channel switching valves and the mobile phase channels, and further includes a per channel total delivery amount calculation section that is configured to calculate the total delivery amount of mobile phase per mobile phase channel based on a connection state according to the valve connection state setting section, the delivery amount per unit time by the delivery pump, and the operation time of the delivery pump. |
| US09651524B2 |
Method of ultrasonic inspection of as-cast titanium alloy articles
A method is provided of non-destructively inspecting titanium alloy articles in the as-cast condition using ultrasonic waves to detect internal flaws, comprising modification of grain structure in the as-solidified ingot structure by the addition of trace boron to various titanium alloys. The ability to ultrasonically inspect as-cast billets combined with improved hot workability provided by trace boron enhancement permits an economical method of manufacture of titanium alloy articles destined for high performance applications. |
| US09651522B2 |
Method of analyzing a plurality of ferromagnetic particles
The invention relates to a method of analyzing a plurality of ferromagnetic particles (1). The method comprises the following steps: a) aligning the particles (1) of this plurality in such a manner that each of the particles is oriented substantially in the same direction; b) fixing the particles (1) of said plurality in the alignment; c) exposing the internal regions of the particles (1) as aligned in this way; d) determining the nature of each of the particles and grouping the particles by category as a function of their natures; and e) in each category, determining the metallurgical structure and the chemical composition of one or more of the particles. |
| US09651520B2 |
Microfluidic interface for a microchip
A capillary electrophoresis system which provides a microfluidic chip for capillary electrophoresis and a microfluidic interface module which fluidicly couples the microfluidic chip to external fluid sources and or external repositories. |
| US09651517B2 |
Ceramic heater and gas sensor element using the same
A ceramic heater has a plate substrate made of ceramic and a conductive layer. The conductive layer has a heating section and a pair of lead sections. When receiving electric power, the conductive layer generates heat. The lead sections are formed at one section on the plate substrate adjacent to each other in a width direction and formed along a longitudinal direction on the plate substrate. The heating section is formed to meander on the other section in the plate substrate and both ends of the heating section are connected to the lead sections, respectively. In particular, central sections formed at a central area of the heating section in the width direction and the longitudinal direction have a resistance value which is lower per unit length than a resistance value of other linear shaped sections of the heating section. |
| US09651514B2 |
Integrated pH and conductivity sensor and manufacturing method thereof
Disclosed is a pH and conductivity sensor including a carrier comprising a plurality of conductive tracks and an exposed conductive area defining a reference electrode connected to a first track of said plurality of conductive tracks, a sensing device mounted on the carrier and connected to at least a second track of said plurality of conductive tracks, the sensing device including an exposed surface that is sensitive to H+ concentrations, and a plurality of electrodes adjacent to the exposed surface, an encapsulation covering the carrier, said encapsulation including a first cavity exposing a surface of the sensing device, and a second cavity exposing the exposed conductive area. |
| US09651510B2 |
Voltage measuring apparatus with temperature abnormality detection function and power conversion apparatus
A voltage measuring apparatus is configured to measure voltage between a positive terminal and a negative terminal of a device, and the voltage measuring apparatus includes: a PTC thermistor that is connected to one of terminals of the device; and a measuring circuit that measures voltage of one of the terminals through the PTC thermistor with respect to a specified reference potential and voltage of the other of the terminals with respect to the reference potential. The voltage measuring apparatus detects temperature abnormality of the device or components associated with the device. |
| US09651504B2 |
Fano resonance microwave spectroscopy of high absorption matter
The invention is a method of Fano resonance microwave spectroscopy of high absorption matter. The method comprises: embedding a magnetic-dipolar-mode (MDM) ferrite disk in the microwave cavity, loading a sample of the high absorption matter in the microwave cavity, using a bias magnetic field to tune the MDM resonance frequency of the ferrite disk to the resonance frequency of the cavity; and observing the symmetric Lorentz-like lineshape of the resonance peaks that are obtained. |
| US09651501B2 |
Device and method for recording contaminations in a hydraulic system
The invention relates to a contamination recording apparatus (12) for recording contaminations in a flowing hydraulic fluid (10) to be examined in aircraft (11a), which comprises a conveying device (14) for conveying the flowing hydraulic fluid (10), a light source (34) for exposing the hydraulic fluid (10) flowing in the conveying device (14) to light (46), and a detection device (36) for recording a fraction of the light (46) absorbed by the exposed hydraulic fluid (10), the light source (34) being formed in order to emit light (46) having a wavelength in the near-infrared range. The invention furthermore relates to a hydraulic system (11) equipped with such a contamination recording apparatus (12) and to an aircraft (11a), and also to a method for recording contaminations in a hydraulic fluid (10) flowing in a hydraulic system (11) of an aircraft (11a). |
| US09651499B2 |
Configurable image trigger for a vision system and method for using the same
This invention provides a trigger for a vision system that can be set using a user interface that allows the straightforward variation of a plurality of exposed trigger parameters. Illustratively, the vision system includes a triggering mode in which the system keeps acquiring an image of a field of view with respect to objects in relative motion. The system runs user-configurable “trigger logic”. When the trigger logic succeeds/passes, the current image or a newly acquired image is then transmitted to the main inspection logic for processing. The trigger logic can be readily configured by a user operating an interface, which can also be used to configure the main inspection process, to trigger the vision system by tools such as presence-absence, edge finding, barcode finding, pattern matching, image thresholding, or any arbitrary combination of tools exposed by the vision system in the interface. |
| US09651498B2 |
Optical method and system for detecting defects in three-dimensional structures
A method and system are presented for use in inspection of via containing structures. According to this technique, measured data indicative of a spectral response of a via-containing region of a structure under measurements is processed, and, upon identifying a change in at least one parameter of the spectral response with respect to a spectral signature of the via-containing region, output data is generated indicative of a possible defect at an inner surface of the via. |
| US09651495B2 |
Signal noise reduction for imaging in biological analysis
A system and method for characterizing contributions to signal noise associated with charge-coupled devices adapted for use in biological analysis. Dark current contribution, readout offset contribution, photo response non-uniformity, and spurious charge contribution can be determined by the methods of the present teachings and used for signal correction by systems of the present teachings. |
| US09651494B2 |
Fluorescent probes for monitoring voltage by photo-induced electron transfer
Compounds and methods for determining transmembrane potential, monitoring changes in transmembrane potential, and/or drug screening are provided. In one aspect, compounds of the invention have a structure according to the formula: E-M-A, wherein A is a fluorophore, selected from xanthenes, coumarins, cyanines, bimanes, and difluoroboradizaindacenes, charged at physiological pH; M is a molecular wire; and E is a hydrophobic moiety, wherein A and E are capable of being involved in a photo-induced, intramolecular electron transfer that quenches the fluorescence of A in response to a voltage condition. When in use, compounds of the invention are membrane-impermeant and oriented within the cell membrane such that the charged moiety localizes at the outer leaflet of the lipid bilayer and the hydrophobic moiety and molecular wire associate with the hydrophobic portion of the lipid bilayer. The rate of electron transfer, fluorescence intensity, and quenching are altered in response to changes in transmembrane potential. |
| US09651493B2 |
Systems and methods for camera-based image processing in microscopy instruments
Systems and methods for executing super-resolution microscopy of a specimen with most of the image processing performed in a camera of a fluorescence microscopy instrument are described. In one aspect, the camera includes one or more processors to execute machine-readable instructions that control excitation light output from a multi-channel light source, control capture of intermediate images of the specimen, and perform image processing of the intermediate images to produce a final super-resolution image of the specimen. |
| US09651490B2 |
Amine-substituted tricyclic fluorescent dyes
The present invention relates to polycyclic compounds of the general formula (I) which are distinguished by an amine substituent NR6R7 on the central carbon atom of the chromophore, to processes for their preparation, and to the use thereof for the determination of analytes. |
| US09651485B1 |
Systems and methods for using multiple light detecting optoelectronic components of a hazard detection system to determine a smoke condition of an environment
Apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for handling temperature variation with optoelectronic components of a hazard detection system are described herein. A power characteristic of an optoelectronic component of the hazard detection system may be used to determine a temperature of an environment of the hazard detection system. A power characteristic of an optoelectronic component of the hazard detection system may be used to determine a smoke condition of an environment of the hazard detection system. Optoelectronic components of the hazard detection system may be optically coupled to determine a smoke condition of an environment of the hazard detection system. Multiple optoelectronics of the hazard detection system may be operative to detect forward scatter and back scatter of one or more types of light to determine a characteristic of a hazard particle. |
| US09651478B2 |
Analyzer
The analyzer according to the embodiment comprises an irradiation optical part that irradiates a mixture inside reaction tubes with light from a light source. Moreover, a detection optical part detects light transmitted through the mixture. Moreover, the irradiation optical part comprises a first optical element in which the light source is disposed at the front focal position and that concentrates light from the light source. Moreover, a second optical element guides light transmitted through the first optical element to the reaction tubes. In addition, an incident numerical aperture adjustment member is provided at the rear side of the first optical element and adjusts the numerical aperture when light from the light source is incident on the reaction tubes. |
| US09651477B1 |
Method and apparatus for simultaneous observation of three-degrees of vibrational freedom using single heterodyne beam
A laboratory system has demonstrated the measurement of three degrees of vibrational freedom simultaneously using a single beam through heterodyne speckle imaging. The random interference pattern generated by the illumination of a rough surface with coherent light can be exploited to extract information about the surface motion. The optical speckle pattern is heterodyne mixed with a coherent reference. The recorded optical data is then processed to extract three dimensions of surface motion. Axial velocity is measured by demodulating the received time-varying intensity of high amplitude pixels. Tilt, a gradient of surface velocity, is calculated by measuring speckle translation following reconstruction of the speckle pattern from the mixed signal. |
| US09651475B2 |
Optical sensor apparatus and method of producing optical element used in optical sensor apparatus
An optical sensor apparatus includes a light receiving element configured to produce an output according to a light receiving state, and an optical element including a reflecting layer including a metal film, and being arranged such that at least some of incident light on the light receiving element is light that is reflected by the reflecting layer. The optical element further includes a corrosion resistant layer for suppressing corrosion of the reflecting layer, and the reflecting layer includes a surface covered by the corrosion resistant layer formed by vapor plating. |
| US09651469B1 |
Electrostatic particle sensor
The present disclosure is directed to an integrated multi-chip module (MCM) sensor assembly having at least one electrostatic sensor and a circuit board. The electrostatic sensor includes an outer housing with an electrode and an amplifier configured therein. The electrode includes a first end and a second end separated by a predetermined length. The second end includes a sensing face that is substantially flush with an edge of the outer housing. Further, the electrode contains a plurality of electrons configured to respond to one or more charged particles that flow past the sensing face by moving either towards or away from the second end. Thus, the amplifier is electrically coupled to the electrode so as to detect a particle level flowing past the sensing face as a function of the electron movement. Moreover, the circuit board is configured within the outer housing and is electrically coupled to the sensor. |
| US09651461B2 |
Method for washing rock samples
A method and an associated apparatus for washing rock samples, which is particularly suited to the washing and preparation of rock samples obtained from oil and gas wells. In one embodiment there is provided a method of washing rock samples involving a plurality of discrete rock samples; providing a plurality of sequentially arranged discrete washers each of which is spaced from a respective washing position and configured to direct a washing flow of water towards said washing position; and automatically conveying said samples relative to said washers so that each sample moves in succession through said washing positions for sequential washing by each said washer. |
| US09651460B2 |
Liquid reagent storage and operation of analytical devices
Improved mechanisms for storing and introducing liquid volumes in a liquid handling device and, in particular, improved mechanisms for rupturing a liquid storage package to introduce liquid into the device, improvements to the stability of a liquid receiving chamber inside the device and improvements to liquid handling in the receiving chamber are achieved. |
| US09651459B2 |
Gasoline blend spot sampling system and method
A gasoline blend spot sampling system and method including an adjustable volume mechanism for retaining an adjustable volume of gasoline for sampling, a coolant system integrated with the adjustable volume mechanism, and a sample collection assembly using a blunt-end tube for use with an open-mouthed bottle. Various three-way valves are actuated to route gasoline through various stages of a sampling process, from a gasoline fast loop to a purge loop to a gasoline capture stage to a sample bottling stage. |
| US09651458B2 |
Method and system for auto safety verification of AGV sensors
A method and system for auto safety verification of automatic guided vehicle (AGV) sensors is presented. An auto safety verification test can be performed autonomously by the AGV to ensure that sensors on the AGV are configured correctly and working properly. The auto safety verification test avoids human errors that exist in manual verification tests and significantly reduces the amount of time required to verify sensors on the AGV. |
| US09651456B2 |
Dual HEGO method for identification and mitigation of air-fuel imbalance faults
Systems and methods for identifying and mitigating air-fuel imbalance faults specific to an engine cylinder are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprises indicating a cylinder imbalance by comparing time-aligned readings from exhaust gas oxygen sensors, the exhaust gas oxygen sensors positioned symmetrically opposite each other within an exhaust passage downstream of a catalyst. In this way, an air-fuel imbalance fault may be accurately detected in a non-uniform exhaust flow so that mitigating actions can be taken, resulting in reduced tailpipe emissions. |
| US09651452B2 |
Method and device for controlling a powertrain test stand
Disclosed are a method and a control device for controlling a powertrain test stand comprising a driving machine and a driven machine. According to the invention, a torque supplied by the driving machine is controlled, a reference variable (Mx) for controlling the torque of the driving machine in order to dampen vibrations between the driving machine and the driven machine being modified depending on a current speed (nist) of the driving machine in relation to a predefined value (Mist), the reference variable (Mx) being determined from a model of a virtual tire. |
| US09651446B1 |
Appliance leak detector kit
The appliance leak detector kit provides for completely mechanical leak detection with a red flag notification. A channel with a spring within is accessible via a longitudinal division within a rear side. A pair of holes in the rear side provides a spring anchor. The spring is extended outwardly from one of a pair of slots in the front wide, and fastened to a flagpole with flag. Another slot of the pair of slots provides for the flag to be held within the channel by a liquid soluble adhesive until a moisture wicked by an absorbent material migrates to the adhesive. The moisture causes the flag to release and pop distally from a front side of the channel, wherein a user notices a leak. A pair of absorbent material projections provides for a pair of slats that are part of the kit to install a remainder of the kit. |
| US09651442B2 |
Ultrasonic measurement
A fluid 10 is contained within a chamber 12. The chamber wall 14 has an inner surface 16 exposed to the fluid 10 and an outer surface 18 separated from the inner surface 18 by the material 20 of the wall 14. Ultrasound 22 is introduced into the material 20. Measurement of the time of flight of the ultrasound 22 through the body 20 allows a measurement to be made of the pressure of the fluid 10. |
| US09651441B2 |
Pressure sensor device with high sensitivity and high accuracy
The voltages output from a low-pressure MEMS sensor are increased by increasing the sensitivity of the sensor. Sensitivity is increased by thinning the diaphragm of the low pressure sensor device with corner trench. Nonlinearity increased by thinning the diaphragm is reduced by simultaneously creating a cross stiffener to the bottom side of the diaphragm. A rim, anchors, and a stiffener pad can also be added to further stiffen the thinner diaphragm and further reduce pressure nonlinearity. |
| US09651438B2 |
Sensor arrangement structure
A sensor arrangement structure includes an output shaft provided with a disc portion at a leading end portion thereof. An output shaft cover has an inner surface portion disposed along and close to the disc portion. The disc portion is provided with ribs, the ribs extending in a radial direction of the disc portion while protruding toward the inner surface portion. A detector is disposed more inward in the radial direction of the disc portion than the ribs. |
| US09651430B2 |
Method and device for detecting at least one pulsed light source for a vehicle
For detecting at least one pulsed light source, light emitted by the pulsed light source being detected by a detector unit, a method includes detecting a first image parameter of the light of the light source using a first exposure time; detecting at least a second image parameter of the light of the light source using an at least second exposure time, the first exposure time and the at least second exposure time being different, and the detector unit being set to a predetermined value between the detection of the first image parameter and the detection of the at least second image parameter, the first image parameter and the at least second image parameter chronologically consecutively representing the same spatial location; and evaluating the at least second image parameter to detect a pulsed light source when at least the at least second image parameter meets a predetermined criterion. |
| US09651428B2 |
Battery system temperature monitor
A battery system including a plurality of battery cells and at least one electronic unit having a circuit board and a temperature measuring device with at least two infrared temperature sensors arranged on and operatively connected to the circuit board and configured to measure a temperature of a predetermined measurement region on a surface of the battery cells. |
| US09651424B2 |
LIBS analyzer sample presence detection system and method
A LIBS analyzer and method includes a laser configured to produce a plasma on a sample at a focal point on the sample and a spectrometer responsive to radiation emitted from the plasma and configured to produce an output spectrum. A detector is positioned to detect low intensity pre-firing radiation produced by the laser and reflected off the sample from the focal point. The intensity of the low intensity pre-firing radiation is compared to a predetermined minimum and the laser pump sequence is halted if the intensity of the low intensity pre-firing radiation is less than the predetermined minimum. |
| US09651421B2 |
Device including multi-function circuitry having optical detectors and method of flip-chip assembly therefor
A device includes a substrate is substantially transparent and includes a contact surface and an interface surface. The interface surface includes a plurality of electrical contacts. The device further includes a semiconductor die, which includes a plurality of connections, a first photo detector and a second photo detector. Each of the plurality of connections includes a connection bump formed thereon to couple to the plurality of electrical contacts of the interface surface of the substrate. The plurality of connections positioned relative to the first and second photo detectors to alter a directional response of at least one photo detector of the plurality of photo detectors. |
| US09651420B2 |
Light sensor assembly
A light sensor assembly includes a base configured to be fixedly mounted to a housing of a light fixture. The base holds contacts configured to be electrically connected to terminals of the light fixture. A photocell module is provided on the base and includes a photocell electrically connected to the contacts. A sensor lid is coupled to the base. The sensor lid has a lightpipe directing light from an exterior of the sensor lid to the photocell. The sensor lid is variably positionable at different angular positions relative to the base to change an orientation of the lightpipe relative to the photocell. |
| US09651419B2 |
Speckle reduction method and apparatus
An apparatus adapted for confocal imaging of a non-flat specimen comprising a coherent light source for producing a light beam, imaging optics adapted to focus the light beam into at least one spot on a surface of a specimen, and a detector adapted to receive and detect light reflected from the specimen surface. The imaging optics comprise at least one optical component located so that the light reflected from the specimen surface passes therethrough on its way to the detector. The optical component is movable so as to move the at least one spot, within a range of movement, to a number of distinct locations in a plane perpendicular to the apparatus' optical axis, within the detector's integration time. |
| US09651418B2 |
Fiber sensing system based on a bragg grating and optical time domain reflectometry
Optic fiber sensor characterized in that the sensing fiber is provided with a continuous Bragg grating covering the entire fiber length which is dedicated to sensing and along which spatially resolved measurements are performed. |
| US09651417B2 |
Scanning depth engine
Mapping apparatus includes a transmitter, which emits a beam comprising pulses of light, and a scanner, which is configured to scan the beam, within a predefined scan range, over a scene. A receiver receives the light reflected from the scene and to generate an output indicative of a time of flight of the pulses to and from points in the scene. A processor is coupled to control the scanner so as to cause the beam to scan over a selected window within the scan range and to process the output of the receiver so as to generate a 3D map of a part of the scene that is within the selected window. |
| US09651414B2 |
Filling device and method for detecting a filling process
A filling device for a weighing device includes a loading device for the feeding of products, a transport area, which is supplied with products from the loading device, at least one sensor for capturing and forwarding of product occupation information on the transport area, and a control means. The at least one sensor is thereby formed to capture at least a partial area of the transport area and the control means is formed to divide the area captured by the at least one sensor virtually in a multiplicity of sectors. Further, a method for performing of a monitoring and capturing process of a filling of a filling device is disclosed. |
| US09651413B2 |
Weight monitoring system for attachment to an object supported above a foundation
A bin monitoring system functions both as a device for lifting the bin and as a weighing system for monitoring or measuring the level of feed or other product in a bin. Various embodiments and methods of retrofitting the bin monitoring system to existing bins are provided. Further, the accuracy provided by various embodiments enables one to accurately predict when the bin will be empty. Thus, a feed mill, for example, can be aware of anticipated needs days in advance, allowing the feed mill to better optimize its scheduling and deliveries. |
| US09651411B2 |
Electromagnetic flowmeter and self-diagnosing method of exciting circuit unit thereof
An electromagnetic flowmeter using a square wave excitation method includes a differential amplifier which outputs a detection signal; an analog-digital converter which converts the detection signal into a digital detection signal; a timing control circuit which generates a sampling signal for sampling the digital detection signal; an calculation unit which executes a flow rate calculation process and a abnormality judging process at a same time. The flow rate calculation process acquires a flow velocity output signal by sampling the digital detection signal in a flat portion in a positive/negative excitation section. The abnormality judging process acquires a differential output signal by sampling the digital detection signal in a rising/falling portion in the positive/negative excitation section, and obtains a differential noise from the flow velocity output signal and a differential output signal, and judges abnormality of the exciting current by comparing a differential noise with a detection threshold level. |
| US09651406B2 |
Battery-history information management apparatus, battery-history information management method, battery-history information management system, and power storage apparatus
A battery history information management device for managing history information of a secondary battery includes: a connection determination unit which determines whether a charge/discharge device connected to the secondary battery is (i) a first charge/discharge device connected via a communication network to a server which manages the history information or (ii) a second charge/discharge device not connected to the server; a battery history recording unit which records, when it is determined that the charge/discharge device is the second charge/discharge device, charge/discharge history for second charge/discharge device into battery history data; and a history upload control unit which transmits, when it is determined that the charge/discharge device is the first charge/discharge device, the battery history data to the server via the first charge/discharge device. |
| US09651404B2 |
Optical encoder having an optical portion comprising dual lenses and an aperture portion positioned in relation to a moiré grating
An optical encoder comprises an illumination source, a scale grating extending along a measuring axis direction, an optical portion, a moiré grating, and a detector portion. The optical portion comprises an aperture portion for spatial filtering of scale light from the scale grating. The moiré grating is configured to receive the spatially filtered scale light and output a spatially modulated fringe pattern toward the detector portion. The optical portion outputs the spatially modulated scale light to form a primary interference fringe pattern with a primary fringe pitch PPF. The detector portion comprises at least N respective detector elements positioned to detect N respective spatial phases of the periodic spatially modulated fringe pattern, where N is an integer that is at least three, and each respective detector element has a width dimension DW that is at least as large the primary fringe pitch PPF along a direction of the fringe displacement. |
| US09651397B2 |
Navigation route scheduler
Various embodiments relate to scheduling a future navigation route. A user may select one or more points of interests (POIs) along a route to be routed to in the future. The one or more POIs may be within a geographic vicinity of the vehicle in which the user is travelling when the user makes the selection. The user may also input a future date and/or time for routing to the selected POI. The user selected POI and the date and/or time may comprise routing event information, which may be stored in memory for future routing. |
| US09651395B2 |
Navigation systems and associated methods
Navigation systems and associated methods for providing navigation services are provided. Information associated with a desired route for a vehicle, such as a route between a current location and a desired destination, may be determined. Additionally, contextual information associated with the vehicle may be identified. Based upon the desired route and the contextual information, a direction may be generated for presentation to one or more users, and the generated direction may be output for presentation. |
| US09651391B1 |
Social journey
Methods, computer-readable media, software, and apparatuses provide a system that may facilitate communications between drivers who share a route. The system may allow communications to be sent from one driver to another driver and allow drivers to post queries to other drivers sharing a route. Computing devices in the vehicle may collect route data for the system to evaluate and to use in identifying drivers sharing a route. |
| US09651389B2 |
Generation of location area boundaries
One embodiment provides a method including: utilizing at least one processor to execute computer code that performs the steps of: receiving at least one location map comprising a plurality of possible routes; identifying at least one location area configuration, wherein the location area configuration identifies a location, relative to the at least one location map, of at least one location area boundary segment; computing a utility of the at least one location area configuration, wherein the utility comprises an identification of any usefulness of identifying a route comprising at least one identified sub-route and wherein the at least one sub-route is identified using the at least one location area boundary segment; identifying at least one prominent location area boundary segment, wherein a prominent location area boundary segment comprises a location area boundary segment having a computed utility exceeding a predetermined threshold; and generating a location area map comprising a plurality of identified prominent location area boundary segments, wherein the location area map defines boundaries of a location area. Other variants and embodiments are broadly contemplated herein. |
| US09651387B2 |
Portable navigation system
A portable navigation module and its method of operation are disclosed for seamlessly providing navigation and positioning information to a user. The module comprises: means, such as a GPS receiver, for receiving a first set of navigational information from an external source, such as satellites; and an inertial sensor unit for generating a second set of navigational information at the module. The navigational information is used by a processor programmed with a core algorithm, to identify the mode of conveyance algorithm and an orientation or misalignment algorithm. The algorithm utilizes the navigational information, aided by the mode of conveyance information and the orientation information, to produce a filtered navigation solution (which comprises position, velocity and attitude). The solution is suitably displayed, preferably on a detachable display unit.The system has the following attributes: the solution is produced seamlessly, even if one source of navigational information is temporarily out of service; the accuracy of the solution is assisted by use of the mode of conveyance and orientation information; and there is no requirement for the module to be permanently aligned with the direction of movement of the conveyance platform. |
| US09651386B2 |
Apparatus and method for calculating distance between vehicles
An apparatus and method for calculating a distance between vehicles to receive position movement information of a subject vehicle and position movement information of an object vehicle from a global positioning system and calculate a distance between the moved subject vehicle and the moved object vehicle based on a position movement distance of the subject vehicle and a position movement distance of the object vehicle at predetermined time as the sum of a vector when calculating the position movement information of the subject vehicle and the position movement information of the object vehicle over time using a dead reckoning formula. |
| US09651379B2 |
Eliminating ring laser gyro backscatter
A ring laser gyroscope (RLG) block is provided. The RLG block includes a first corner bordered by a first portion of a first side and a first portion of a third side; a second corner bordered by a first portion of a second side and a second portion of the third side; and a third corner bordered by a second portion of the second side and a second portion of the first side. The first portion of the first side shifts the first corner laterally in a lasing plane of the RLG block, toward the second corner, and perpendicular to a first normal of a first mirror when a temperature change contracts the RLG block; and shifts the first corner laterally away from the second corner, and perpendicular to the first normal when the temperature change causes an expansion of the ring laser gyroscope block. |
| US09651377B2 |
Yaw rate sensor having three sensitive axes and method for manufacturing a yaw rate sensor
A yaw rate sensor includes: a first sensor structure having a first oscillating mass and configured to detect a first yaw rate around a first axis of rotation; a second sensor structure having a second oscillating mass and configured to detect second and third yaw rates around second and third axes of rotation, respectively; and a drive structure coupled to the first and second oscillating masses. The first oscillating mass is drivable into a first drive oscillation along a first oscillation direction, and the second oscillating mass is drivable into a second drive oscillation along a second oscillation direction different from the first oscillation direction. The first axis of rotation is perpendicular to the first oscillation direction, and the second and third axes of rotation are perpendicular to the second oscillation direction. |
| US09651371B2 |
Inclination angle calculation device
An inclination angle calculation device comprises a motion detector for detecting motions of a traveling object during travel, in two directions included in a cross-section surface of the traveling object, the two directions being orthogonal with each other; and an arithmetic unit for calculating an inclination angle of the traveling object during travel in the cross-section surface, using a frequency of the motion in one of the two directions and a rolling frequency in the other direction of the two directions. |
| US09651368B2 |
Planar waveguide apparatus configured to return light therethrough
A waveguide apparatus includes a planar waveguide and at least one optical diffraction element (DOE) that provides a plurality of optical paths between an exterior and interior of the planar waveguide. A phase profile of the DOE may combine a linear diffraction grating with a circular lens, to shape a wave front and produce beams with desired focus. Waveguide apparati may be assembled to create multiple focal planes. The DOE may have a low diffraction efficiency, and planar waveguides may be transparent when viewed normally, allowing passage of light from an ambient environment (e.g., real world) useful in AR systems. Light may be returned for temporally sequentially passes through the planar waveguide. The DOE(s) may be fixed or may have dynamically adjustable characteristics. An optical coupler system may couple images to the waveguide apparatus from a projector, for instance a biaxially scanning cantilevered optical fiber tip. |
| US09651359B2 |
Dual wavelength dual interferometer with combiner-splitter
The system includes a dual interferometer sub-system including a first and second channel. The system includes an illumination source. The illumination source includes a first laser source disposed along a first input path and a second laser source disposed along a second input path. The illumination sources includes a combiner-splitter element optically coupled to an output of the first laser source and an output of the second laser source and is configured to combine light of a first wavelength from the first laser source and light of a second wavelength from the second laser source. The combiner-splitter element is further configured to split the combined light into a first channel and a second channel of the dual interferometer sub-system, where the first and second each receive a portion of the light of the first wavelength and the light of the second wavelength. |
| US09651357B1 |
Systems and methods for determining strand position in a post-tensioned tendon
In one embodiment, systems and methods for determining the positions of strands in a post-tensioned tendon involve positioning a magnet in close proximity to the outer surface of a tendon, moving the magnet around the periphery of the tendon, and measuring the force of attraction between the magnet and strands within the tendon at multiple angular positions of the tendon. |
| US09651354B2 |
Calibration free distance sensor
One or more embodiments are directed to a magnet configured to be coupled to an object under test, an array of sensors configured to measure a magnetic field associated with the magnet, and a circuit configured to obtain voltage readings based on the measured magnetic field from the array of sensors and compute a distance between the array of sensors and the magnet based on the obtained voltage readings. |
| US09651349B2 |
Brake-shoe tool for use with brake-shoe lining
A brake-shoe tool is for use with a brake-shoe lining. The brake-shoe tool includes an elongated rigid linear shaft assembly and a plurality of rigid flat plate members each rotatably mounted to the elongated rigid linear shaft assembly. Each of the rigid flat plate members includes a flat planar surface in rotating contact arrangement with a neighboring instance of the flat planar surface. A free end extends from the flat planar surface. The free end presents an elongated edge having a unique length. The elongated edge is configured to be positioned adjacent to a thickness of the brake-shoe lining in such a way that each instance of the elongated edge is positionable to and visually comparable against the thickness of the brake-shoe lining. |
| US09651346B2 |
Combination gas operated rifle and subsonic cartridge
A method of operating a gas operated automatic or semi-automatic weapon that has a bolt that locks by a partial rotation of the bolt with respect to a bolt carrier, the bolt carrier in communication with a gas port on the barrel of the weapon, the method comprising utilizing the gas pressure from a cartridge received from a port in the barrel to unlock the bolt, and utilizing the expansion of a telescoping cartridge in the chamber to recycle the weapon after the bolt is unlocked. In embodiments the cartridge is a 5.56 mm cartridge. In embodiments, the propellant driving the projectile does not provide enough gas pressure to recycle the weapon and the telescoping cartridge supplements the needed power for recycling sufficient to accomplish the recycling. The invention include the telescoping cartridge providing a projectile with lethal energy and recycle capability for gas operated rifles. The subsonic cartridge may have at least 80 ft lbs of energy and operates subsonically. |
| US09651345B2 |
Method for producing a ring-shaped or plate-like element
The invention relates to a method for producing a ring-shaped or plate-like element, in particular for a metal-sealing material-feedthrough, in particular for devices which are subjected to high pressures, preferably igniters for airbags or belt tensioning devices, whereby a blank, especially in the embodiment of a wire-shaped material is provided and the blank is subjected to processing so that a feedthrough-opening can be incorporated into a ring-shaped or plate-like element created from the blank. |
| US09651341B2 |
System for the detection and classification of buried unexploded ordnance
A sensor system for detecting buried metal objects such as unexploded ordnance and the collection of data for the classification of the detected objects based on parameters extracted from the collected data includes a wheeled cart, positioned on which is an array of transmitter coils for transmitting a series of excitation signals onto the area of interest and a sensor array of receiver coils and preamplifiers for receiving back the resultant eddy current decays emitted by the buried objects, a computer, and data acquisition electronics for acquiring and storing the received decays as decay data within the computer. The incoming EMI data are digitized and a data fitting process is performed to extract fit location and shape parameters. These data can be transferred to other data analysis systems for comparison to previously recorded signatures to determine whether the received decay data from the area of interest is attributable to buried metal objects or conversely to an object constituting an anomaly. |
| US09651338B2 |
Scope adjustment device
A riflescope is provided with a detachable digital ocular lens group that enables vision enhancement functions, e.g. night vision, zoom, etc while being replaceable with a regular ocular group in the event of power failure or faulty components. To ensure accuracy of the digital ocular lens group, a non-visible marker, e.g. IR marker, may be placed on a reticle that can be detected by a photo-sensor of the digital ocular. A processor can use the detected position of the marker to calibrate the digital display of the digital ocular. |
| US09651334B2 |
Paintball feedgate
Among other things, there is shown embodiments of a feedgate for a paintball loader having vanes or paddles that permit supplying paintballs into the loader but limit or inhibit escape of paintballs from the loader through the supply hole. Embodiments can include a frame, which may be a single piece or multiple-piece structure, and an insert with flexible vanes or paddles. Embodiments can include a pivotable cap, and/or the insert can snap into the frame. |
| US09651323B1 |
Telescopic recoil system for firearms
A telescopic recoil system for a firearm having a receiver and a bolt carrier includes a recoil system base, an axle fixed to the base, a central buffer tube slidably mounted on the axle, an axle buffer spring between the base and central buffer tube, biasing the central buffer tube away from the base, an outer tube slidably mounted on a forward portion of the central buffer tube, a spring buffer tube slidably mounted on a rearward portion of the central buffer tube, a rear buffer spring between the base and spring buffer tube, biasing the spring buffer tube away from the base, a central spring between the spring buffer tube and outer tube, biasing the outer tube away from the spring buffer tube and away from the base and an exchangeable spring between the outer tube and the bolt carrier, biasing the outer tube away from the bolt carrier. |
| US09651317B2 |
Heat exchanger and air conditioner
A first header collecting pipe is divided into an upper space corresponding to an upper heat exchange region and a lower space corresponding to a lower heat exchange region. The lower space is divided into a plurality of communication spaces corresponding respectively to auxiliary heat exchange parts of the lower heat exchange region. A second header collecting pipe is divided into a communication space corresponding to both of a first main heat exchange part and the third auxiliary heat exchange part, and into communication spaces corresponding respectively to other main heat exchange parts and the other auxiliary heat exchange parts. Each of pairs of communication space and communication space is connected to an associated one of communication pipes. |
| US09651315B2 |
Fin of heat exchanger and heat exchanger
A heat exchanger and fins thereof are provided. The fin includes a plurality of first fin units and a plurality of second fin units which are arranged in parallel and alternately, and each first fin unit includes a first louver facing an inflow direction of fluid, and each second fin unit includes a second louver facing the inflow direction of the fluid, the first louver and the second louver are arranged in parallel, and the first louver and the second louver are staggered in the inflow direction of the fluid to form a first space between the first louver and the second louver, and at least one of first louvers or at least one of second louvers has a varied width. |
| US09651313B2 |
Particulate heat transfer fluid and related system and method
A heat transfer system and related method of heat transfer is provided. The heat transfer system includes a tubular receiver positioned to receive heat from a heat source, the receiver comprising one or more enclosed tubes configured for gravity-driven flow of a particulate heat transfer fluid therethrough in a dense, unfluidized state having a particle volume fraction of at least about 25%; and at least one storage vessel in fluid communication with the tubular receiver and positioned to receive the heat transfer fluid therefrom, wherein the particulate heat transfer fluid includes a plurality of particles of a metal-containing material having a melting point of greater than 800 C, the heat transfer fluid being substantially free of a liquid component. |
| US09651309B2 |
Pressing arrangement
The present invention relates to an arrangement for treatment of articles by hot pressing. The pressing arrangement for treatment of articles by hot pressing comprises a pressure vessel including: a furnace chamber comprising a heat insulated casing and a furnace adapted to hold the articles. A heat exchanger unit is arranged below said furnace chamber and adapted to exchange thermal energy with pressure medium when the pressure medium is passing through said heat exchanger unit. According to the present invention, at least one first and second inlet or aperture, respectively, for passage of alternating warm and cold pressure medium are arranged in the heat insulated casing in proximity to the heat exchanger unit (i.e. at approximately same the height as, above or below the heat exchanger unit). The at least one second inlet (or lower inlet) is below the at least one first inlet (or upper inlet) but at same height as or below the heat exchanger unit. |
| US09651306B2 |
Method for drying seal materials for ignition devices
A method for drying a seal material for use in manufacturing an ignition device, e.g., a spark plug. A free-flowing or loose seal material having a moisture content is provided and brought together with a desiccant for a time sufficient to produce a dry seal material by reducing the moisture content of the loose seal material to a desired level. Thereafter, the dry seal material and the desiccant may be separated from one another so that the dry seal material can be used to form a seal within an internal bore of a spark plug. |
| US09651305B2 |
Lyophilization system and method
System and method for lyophilization or freeze-drying is provided. During the freezing step, the material or solution to be frozen is initially brought to a temperature near or below its freezing temperature after which the pressure in the freeze-dryer chamber is reduced to induce nucleation of the material. |
| US09651300B2 |
Semi-closed loop LNG process
A semi-closed loop system for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) that combines certain advantages of closed-loop systems with certain advantages of open-loop systems to provide a more efficient and effective hybrid system. In the semi-closed loop system, the final methane refrigeration cycle provides significant cooling of the natural gas stream via indirect heat transfer, as opposed to expansion-type cooling. A minor portion of the LNG product from the methane refrigeration cycle is used as make-up refrigerant in the methane refrigeration cycle. A pressurized portion of the refrigerant from the methane refrigeration cycle is employed as fuel gas. Excess refrigerant from the methane refrigeration cycle can be recombined with the processed natural gas stream, rather than flared. |
| US09651297B2 |
Power supplies for lighted shelves in a refrigerator
Illustrative embodiments of systems and methods for powering lighted shelves in refrigerator appliances are described. In one embodiment, a refrigerator appliance may comprise a cabinet having a temperature-controlled compartment defined therein, a shelf ladder disposed at least partially in the temperature-controlled compartment and providing a plurality of shelf mounting positions, the shelf ladder comprising an electrical bus including first, second, and third conductors, the second conductor configured to supply power at a first current level when electrically coupled to the first conductor, the third conductor configured to supply power at a second current level when electrically coupled to the first conductor, and a first adjustable shelf carrying a first lighting device, the first adjustable shelf being removably mountable in one of the plurality of shelf mounting positions such that the first lighting device is electrically coupled between the first conductor and the second conductor. |
| US09651296B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator includes a body configured to be equipped with a storage, a door configured to be hinge-engaged with the body to open or close the storage, a water supply line configured to respectively supply water provided from a water source to an ice maker placed in the storage and a dispenser placed outside the door. One or more filters are configured to be engaged with the water supply line, and one or more bypass valves for respective water tanks are configured to be engaged with the water supply line at a part which is lower than an engagement point of the one or more filters. The one or more water tanks are configured to be placed inside the door and to be detachably engaged with the bypass valve for water tank. |
| US09651295B2 |
Refrigerator
Disclosed herein is a refrigerator including a cabinet (10) defining a first storage region (2) for storing food, a door (20) opening and closing the first storage region (2) and filled with a thermal insulator therein, a gasket (26) provided on an inner surface of the door (20) and sealing the first storage region (2) from outdoor air by forming a sealing boundary when the door (20) closes the first storage region (2), a first hinge member (40) rotatably connecting the door (2) to the cabinet (10), a container (100) defining a second storage region for storing food and received in the first storage region (2), a second hinge member (200) rotatably connecting the door (20) to the container (100), and a connection member (260) structurally coupled to the second hinge member (200) within the door (20), in order to prevent distortions of a direction and a position of a rotary shaft (206) of the second hinge member (200) relative to a rotary shaft (42) of the first hinge member (40). |
| US09651291B2 |
Twisting mechanism for separating ice blocks from the ice making tray
Disclosed are an ice maker and a refrigerator including the ice maker. An exemplary ice making tray of the ice maker or refrigerator includes an ice separating protrusion that extends outwardly from one surface. The refrigerator includes ice separating levers connected by hinges to the tray housing, with the ice making tray therebetween, and at least one of which has a groove that rotates an ice separating protrusion of the ice making tray together while rotating around the hinges, and includes a handle that is longer than the ice making tray, in front of the ice making tray. |
| US09651290B2 |
Thermoelectrically cooled mold for production of clear ice
An ice maker has a mold with a first piece and a second piece. A cavity within the mold includes a first reservoir in the first piece and a second reservoir in the second piece that align to substantially enclose the cavity. A fluid intake aperture in the first piece extends to the cavity for injecting water therein. A thermoelectric device has a cold side thermally coupled to the exterior surface of the second piece. The thermoelectric device transfers heat from the cold side to a hot side to provide a first temperature to the mold. A removable cooling source is thermally coupled to the hot side of the thermoelectric device. The cooling source is configured to reduce the temperature of the hot side to allow the cold side to provide a second temperature that is cooler than the first temperature to freeze the water in the cavity. |
| US09651287B2 |
Air-conditioning apparatus
A computing device calculates a quality of a refrigerant flowing out of an expansion device on the basis of an inlet liquid enthalpy calculated on the basis of a temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion device, and a saturated gas enthalpy and a saturated liquid enthalpy calculated on the basis of a temperature or pressure of the refrigerant flowing out of the expansion device; calculates a liquid-phase concentration and a gas-phase concentration of the refrigerant flowing out of the expansion device on the basis of the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant flowing out of the expansion device; and calculates a composition of the refrigerant circulating in a refrigeration cycle on the basis of the calculated quality, liquid-phase concentration, and gas-phase concentration. |
| US09651283B2 |
Refrigerant channel switching unit
A refrigerant channel switching unit is disposed between a heat source unit and a utilization unit to switch flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant channel switching unit includes a first refrigerant pipe connected to a suction gas communicating pipe extending from the heat source unit, a second refrigerant pipe connected to a high-low pressure gas communicating pipe extending from the heat source unit, a third refrigerant pipe connected to a gas pipe extending to the utilization unit, a coupling portion, a first switch valve mounted to the first refrigerant pipe, and a second switch valve mounted to the second refrigerant pipe. The coupling portion is connected to the first, second and third refrigerant pipes. The First second and third are coupled through the coupling portion. |
| US09651279B2 |
Condensation and humidity sensors for thermoelectric devices
According to certain embodiments disclosed in the present application, a climate controlled seating assembly includes a thermal module. The thermal module comprises at least one inlet channel, at least one outlet channel and a thermoelectric device (e.g., Peltier circuit) positioned upstream of the outlet channel. In one embodiment, the seating assembly includes a sensor positioned within an interior of the thermal module and configured to detect the presence of a liquid, such as water, condensation or other fluids, on or near said sensor. In certain arrangements, the sensor is configured to detect the presence of a liquid by measuring an electrical resistance or capacitance across a portion of the sensor. A climate control system can include a separator gasket located within a housing of a fluid module and at least partially between the cold passage and the hot passage. In some embodiments, the separator gasket comprises one or more wicking materials. The separator gasket can be configured to transport liquids from the cold passage to the hot passage. |
| US09651278B2 |
Method for manufacturing a vacuum solar thermal panel and related vacuum solar thermal panel
A method for manufacturing a vacuum-tight envelope for a vacuum solar thermal panel includes: joining edge to edge a first metal strip to a second metal strip in order to form a bi-metal strip, and then joining together the opposite ends of said bi-metal strip in order to form a closed loop; after said joining step, forming said first metal strip into a peripheral frame and said second metal strip into a peripheral belt; after said joining and forming steps, sealing the free edge of the peripheral belt to a glass front plate; after said joining and forming steps, joining a metal bottom plate to the peripheral frame. |
| US09651277B2 |
Concentrating solar collector and pre-formed fresnel array reflector panel
Apparatus for a concentrating solar collector is disclosed, comprising: A nested main frame and reflector carriage with vertically folding one-piece preformed reflector support panels, to which individually replaceable pieces of mirror-like material of various kinds may be mounted to make a Fresnel-type array. A hand-winch operated cable system provides for a full range of reflector altitude adjustment. An alignment guide allows assessment of solar tracking alignment without gazing toward the focal area. A griddle-like flattop receiver is used for frying foods, and an adjustable rack facilitates suspension of cooking pots in the focal area to receive unobstructed, concentrated solar energy. Also described is a method for making the reflector support panels. One embodiment of the apparatus has a lower frame portion substantially forming a rolling chassis. An additional embodiment describes lower frame structure for a fixed location installation. |
| US09651274B2 |
Duct with paint sealant
An HVAC component and method of forming the HVAC component, including a duct having a first surface and a second surface movable between an unassembled position and an assembled position is provided, wherein the method includes (a) applying a paint sealant to one of the first and the second surfaces; (b) one of drying or curing the applied paint sealant; and (c) moving the first and second surfaces from the unassembled to the assembled position, the paint sealant forming a sealed interface between the assembled first surface and second surface. |
| US09651273B2 |
Programmable thermostat for a room
A programmable room thermostat adjusts heating and cooling distribution based on one or more pre-selected temperatures, also controls appliances such as entertainment systems and lights, and may be powered by replaceable batteries or household current. The room thermostat monitors the air temperature in the room, which is defined as a zone, and determines whether heating or cooling is needed. Programmable settings for the room thermostat accommodate 24-hour and seven-day cycles, and are capable of applying the user's preferences based on the time of day and the day of the week. When the room reaches the desired temperature, the room thermostat signals a central thermostat to close the damper. The settings of each room thermostat in the home or office may be controlled and adjusted via the user's smartphone or other mobile electronic device. |
| US09651269B2 |
Device and method for minimizing the effect of ambient conditions on the operation of a heat exchanger
A method of minimizing the effect of wind on a heat exchanger system includes setting the pivot angle of a wind deflector to an initial angle; collecting and recording a current reading of one of an outlet temperature sensor, a wind speed sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, or a heat exchanger inlet air pressure sensor; comparing the current reading of the sensor to a previous reading; and changing the pivot angle of the wind deflector from an initial angle when the current sensor reading is changed from the previous reading. |
| US09651267B2 |
Cooling and hot water supply system and cooling and hot water supply method
A combined air-conditioning and hot water supply system simultaneously executes the cooling operation of a use unit and the hot water supply operation of a hot water supply unit, wherein the combined air-conditioning and hot water supply system operates in a cooling priority mode when the temperature differential ΔTwm between a set hot water supply temperature Twset and the inlet water temperature Twi of a plate water-heat exchanger is smaller than a priority operation determination threshold M that is set in advance, and operates in a hot water supply priority mode when the temperature differential ΔTwm becomes equal to or higher than the priority operation determination threshold M. This simultaneous execution of cooling and hot water supply operations prevents hot water from running out. |
| US09651261B2 |
Combustion turbine engine combustor basket igniter port alignment verification tool and method for validating igniter alignment
A combustion turbine engine combustor igniter port alignment and dimensional verification tool is insertable in guide tube and igniter boss portions of the igniter port. The tool has concentrically nested outer and inner sleeves, having respective circumferential profiles that are separately slidably insertable within corresponding igniter port guide tube and igniter boss portions that have inner circumferential profiles in conformance with minimal dimension specifications. Concentric alignment of the guide tube and igniter boss is validated by inserting the nested outer and inner sleeves into the igniter port. The verification tool is capable of validating igniter port alignment and dimensions before the combustor is installed in a combustion turbine engine. |
| US09651259B2 |
Multi-injector micromixing system
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a system having components for premixing fuel and air prior to combustion within a combustion chamber. The system includes a plurality of mixing tubes configured to receive and to mix fuel and air. Each mixing tube is paired with a fuel injector, and the fuel injector is positioned axially within a portion of the mixing tube. Fuel is injected from the fuel injector into the respective mixing tube, and air flows radially into each mixing tube through one or more apertures formed on the mixing tube. The fuel and air are mixed within the mixing tube and are deposited into a combustion chamber for combustion. |
| US09651256B2 |
Gravity-style furnace subunit inside a gas-induced draft furnace
A gravity-style furnace subunit for a gas-induced draft furnace. A heat conduction tube configured to be located inside of a gas-induced draft furnace cabinet, the heat conduction tube being separated from a row of draft-induced heat conduction tubes inside the cabinet. A burner assembly having a burner tube located within the heat conduction tube through an inlet opening of the heat conduction tube. The burner assembly permits air flow through the inlet opening into the heat conduction tube. A pilot assembly located within the heat conduction tube and adjacent to the burner tube. A thermopile module having located adjacent to a flame outlet of the pilot assembly within the heat conduction tube. A gas valve configured to control gas flow to the burner assembly, the gas valve electrically coupled to the thermopile module and to actuate gas flow there-through when the thermopile module generates a predefined voltage difference. |
| US09651255B2 |
Control facility for a burner system
A control facility is provided for a burner system having a burner, actuators with which the supply of fuel and air to the burner is set, and an ionization electrode arranged in the flame zone. The control facility is equipped with a flame amplifier at the ionization electrode to generate an ionization signal and a positioning facility which, in control operation, positions a first actuator and regulates a second actuator by using a corresponding target value for the ionization signal. The positioning facility carries out a control operation in a first test step, it shifts the actuators toward a supply ratio corresponding to an air coefficient above the stoichiometric value of λ=1 and in so doing captures the ionization signal in a second test step, and it calculates a target value from this and from stored data in a third test step. Correction of drift therefore takes place. |
| US09651251B2 |
Methods and systems for controlling gas temperatures
Methods and systems for controlling the temperature of a heated flue gas stream downstream of a multi-part heat exchanger within a desired operating range through the use of a fluid bypass line which bypasses one or more sections, but not all sections, of the multi-part heat exchanger. In some but not necessarily all embodiments some fluid flow is maintained through the heat exchanger at all times. In one embodiment, the method includes sensing a temperature in said flue gas stream in proximity to an intermediate header of said multi-part heat exchanger and controlling a position of a bypass line control valve to control an amount of fluid passing through a fluid bypass line that bypasses the section of the multi-part heat exchanger between an inlet header and the intermediate header based on said temperature in said flue gas stream in proximity to the intermediate header of said multi-part heat exchanger. |
| US09651250B2 |
Systems and methods for transporting and collecting bio-waste
A system for transporting and collecting bio-waste without the use of water as a carrier of the bio-waste is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of bio-waste carts configured to receive and transport bio-waste along a plurality of predefined pathways to a central chute. The system further comprises a bio-waste depository associated with the central chute. The system further comprises a transport system comprising a plurality of locomotive devices configured to advance and return the plurality of bio-waste carts along predefined pathways and through tunnel-like structures to and from the central chute. |
| US09651243B1 |
Multi-purpose lightbulb
A lighting device for use with one or more other networked devices is disclosed. In embodiments, the lighting device may comprise an outer globe, a diffuser, a plurality of light pipes, an outer cowling, a power input connector, a power control printed circuit board, a communication and control printed circuit board, an indicator printed circuit board, one or more microprocessors, an auxiliary device, and an LED lighting printed circuit board. In embodiments, the lighting device may communicate with one or more other networked devices, such as second lighting devices, mobile phones, servers, remote controls, and/or home or office automation equipment. The lighting device may be powered through a light socket. |
| US09651238B2 |
Thermally dissipated lighting system
A lighting system or luminaire can comprise two environmentally sealed housings. One of the housings can house one or more light emitting diodes. The other housing can house a driver for supplying electricity to the light emitting diode or diodes. The housings can be nested together. For example, one of the housings can extend partially into a cavity of the other housing. A portion of the cavity can remain unfilled when the housings are nested, to provide an air gap between the two housings. The air gap can be environmentally exposed, for example exposed to moisture when the lighting system is mounted outdoors. |
| US09651237B2 |
LED light apparatus
Provided are an illumination device and a light fixture including the illumination device. The illumination device includes a body formed of a thermally-conductive material that includes a planar heat transfer surface and a fastener that is compatible with a base that couples the body to the light fixture. A substrate formed, at least in part from a dielectric material supports an array of light emitting diodes and a plurality of contacts electrically connected to the light emitting diodes. A thermally-conductive planar surface is provided to the dielectric material of the substrate to be placed in thermal communication with the heat transfer surface and conduct heat generated by the light emitting diodes to the body. |
| US09651223B2 |
Light-emitting apparatus with fastening of optical component to pedestal through light-emitting substrate through-hole, illumination light source having the same, and lighting apparatus having the same
A light-emitting apparatus includes a pedestal, a substrate, an LED, an optical component, and a fastener. The LED is mounted on the substrate, and the substrate includes a first through-hole. The substrate is disposed on the pedestal. The optical component is disposed in the emission direction of light from the LED. The fastener passes through the first through-hole and fastens the optical component to the pedestal. A portion of the pedestal or a portion of the optical component is inserted in the first through-hole. |
| US09651219B2 |
Light bulb assembly having internal redirection element for improved directional light distribution
A light assembly includes a cover having an upper portion and a redirection portion. The cover has a longitudinal axis and a housing that is coupled to the cover. A lamp base is coupled to the housing. A circuit board is disposed within the housing. The circuit board has a plurality of light sources thereon. An internal redirection element is coupled to the circuit board and has a curvilinear shaped surface for reflecting a first portion of light from the plurality of light sources through the redirection portion of the cover and transmitting a second portion of light therethrough. |
| US09651217B2 |
Lens assembly
A lens for forming a predetermined pattern from a light source includes a first region of an inner surface configured to receive light from the light source and to bend the light into a first line segment. The lens includes a second region of the inner surface configured to receive the light from the light source and to bend the light into a second line segment perpendicular to the first line segment, the first line segment forming a cross of a “T” and the second line segment forming the stem of the “T”. |
| US09651212B1 |
Light assembly
The present disclosure provides a light assembly including a housing and a lens secured to the housing. The lens cooperates with the housing to define an interior region therebetween. The light assembly also includes a first light module disposed in the interior region. The first light module is selectively operable to emit light that is transmitted through the lens. The light assembly further includes a second light module selectively operable to emit light that is transmitted through the lens. At least a portion of the second light module is integrated into the lens. |
| US09651211B2 |
Multi-function optical system with shared exit optic
A light for a vehicle. Two or more light guides each project a sheet of light to a common projection lens, but in different directions. Each light guide is selectively actuable by the driver. The projection lens receives the sheets of light, expands them in the horizontal direction, and projects them in the same general direction as received. Thus, the driver can selectively illuminate various regions of the terrain. |
| US09651210B2 |
Light source module for motor vehicle headlamps
The invention relates to a light-source assembly, comprising at least one laser light source, a photoluminescence element, which is designed in such a way that, as the result of incident laser light, a mixed light distribution can be emitted by using photoluminescence and which is arranged in such a way that the laser light of the at least one laser light source can be radiated onto the photoluminescence element, and at least one light-emitting diode for emitting a supplemental light distribution, wherein the at least one laser light source, the photoluminescence element, and the at least one light-emitting diode are fastened to a common carrier component as an assembly. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle headlamp having such a light-source assembly. |
| US09651209B2 |
Modular driver module for light fixtures with LED luminaires
A driver module is configured to generate the drive signals necessary to drive an LED or an array of LEDs of one or more LED luminaires. The driver module may, but need not, be located remotely from the LED luminaires. Since the driver module provides the drive signals, the LED luminaires do not need to have their own driver electronics, and as such, can be rendered in a more aesthetically pleasing and cost effective manner. As an example, the driver module may be located within a junction box or escutcheon plate associated with a light fixture and the LED luminaires can be mounted in the existing sockets of the light fixture. The internal wiring of the light fixture may be used to carry the drive signals provided by the driver module to the LED luminaires via the sockets of the light fixture. |
| US09651208B2 |
Portable light chargeable from different sources
A portable light or device may comprise: a housing for receiving a battery; a light source or other operating element in the housing; an electrical switch actuatable from outside the housing; a control circuit in the housing connecting the operating element in circuit with a battery for selectively energizing the operating element responsive to the electrical switch; a first electrical charging port on the housing coupled to the battery by the control circuit for charging the battery; and a second electrical charging port on the housing coupled to the battery by the control circuit for charging the battery. The second electrical charging port may include a USB connection for receiving battery charging current. |
| US09651207B2 |
Oxychloride phosphor, light emitting device, lighting apparatus, and vehicle
An oxychloride phosphor of the present disclosure includes divalent Eu arranged as an augmenting agent, at part of locations. The locations correspond to site of at least two kinds of predetermined substances included in a host crystal. A rate of the number of the divalent Eu with respect to the sum of the number of moles of the predetermined substance and the number of moles of the divalent Eu is less than 2%. When the predetermined substance is represented by A, the oxychloride phosphor is represented by a general formula of xAO.yEuO.SiO2.zCl. In this formula, A represents Sr and Ca, or Sr, Ca, and Mg, y indicates a value of not less than 0.002 and not more than 0.02, x+y indicates a value of more than 1.00 and not more than 1.30, and z indicates a value of not less than 0.20 and not more than 0.70. |
| US09651205B2 |
Lighting device with light shielding pattern and video display device using the same
A lighting device has a reflection sheet; an LED having an optical element arranged at a predetermined distant position away from the reflection sheet and being used for emitting light in a direction in parallel with a light emitting surface of the lighting device in a space between the reflection sheet and the optical element; and an optical sheet provided on the light emitting surface side of the optical element. A light shielding pattern is provided at a position corresponding to the LED on the light emitting surface side of the optical element, and the light shielding pattern is configured by stacking a plurality of light shielding layers in which the light shielding layer positioned closest to the optical element side is made of a white ink, and in which at least one of the other light shielding layers is made of a mixed color ink. |
| US09651204B2 |
Backlight and display device having the same
The backlight according to the present disclosure may include a monochromatic laser diode, a reflector and a beam-expanding prism. The monochromatic laser diode and the beam-expanding prism may be arranged on the reflector, and monochromatic laser beams from the monochromatic laser diode may be expanded after being reflected by the beam-expanding prism. |
| US09651203B2 |
Light panel system
In at least one embodiment, a light panel system includes a system carrier with a carrier front face. Multiple organic light emitting diodes are arranged in a uniform grid on the carrier front face. An electronics driver is fitted to or in the system carrier. The light panel system can be handled and mounted as a single unit. |
| US09651199B1 |
Hydrogen supply method and system
A method and system for supplying additional hydrogen from a reservoir of stored hydrogen in a salt cavern to a hydrogen pipeline to assist in meeting customer demand for hydrogen is provided. Contaminants introduced while the stored hydrogen stream is in the salt cavern may cause the crude hydrogen stream to not have the required product purity specification. The stored hydrogen is removed from the salt cavern as a crude hydrogen stream and thereafter diluted with higher purity hydrogen formed from the pipeline to form a hydrogen product stream at or below the product purity specification. The hydrogen product can be formed without removal of any of the contaminants in the crude stream, thereby creating a more cost effective and simplified supply process compared to conventional processes employing a salt cavern for hydrogen supply. |
| US09651185B2 |
Line connector for media lines
A line connector having a connector piece with at least one junction portion for junction connection to a media line or to an assembly, a transitional portion contiguous to the junction portion, and a flow duct. In at least the region of the transitional portion, an electrical heating element for the media line is provided in an arrangement at least partially surrounding the flow duct. The connector piece, together with the heating element, is surrounded by an outer cladding. At least one of the junction portions is designed as a hollow, cylindrical receptacle for directly plugging in the end of the media line, the media line being capable of being fastened in a materially integral manner. The junction portion including, at least in regions, a material transparent to laser beams in such a way that the media line can be fastened by way of laser welding. |
| US09651180B2 |
Fuel line connector and method of making
A fuel line connector assembly that includes first and second connectors. The first connector includes a ramp having an inner core and an outer skin surrounding at least a part of the inner core. The inner core extends through the ramp at a location adjacent a radially extending retaining surface for at least a portion of the radial extent of the retaining surface. The second connector has a hook wherein, when the first and second connectors are brought together and secured to each other, the hook inhibits separation of the first and second connectors by bearing again the retaining surface. The first connector is made by coinjection molding a connector body having the outer skin and inner core with the inner core extending through the ramp to a sacrificial portion, and then severing the sacrificial portion from the ramp leaving the inner core exposed at an apex of the ramp. |
| US09651176B2 |
Elongate element for flexible pipe body and method
An elongate element (300) for a flexible pipe body (100) and method of producing the same are disclosed. The method includes inserting a first fiber element (304) in a crush resistant elongate tube element (302), wherein the first fiber element is suitable for monitoring at least one of strain, temperature and acoustic properties; inserting a further fiber element (306) in the tube element, wherein the further fiber element is suitable for curing a matrix material (308); and inserting a matrix material into the tube element to fill at least a length of the tube element such that the first and further fibers elements within that length are surrounded by matrix material. |
| US09651175B2 |
Seamless steel pipe for line pipe
There is provided a seamless steel pipe for line pipe, wherein a chemical composition consists, by mass percent, of C: 0.03-0.10%, Si: ≦0.50%, Mn: 1.0-2.0%, P: ≦0.050%, S: ≦0.005%, Cr: 0.05-1.0%, Mo: 0.01-0.30%, Al: 0.001-0.10%, N: ≦0.01%, Ni: 0.04-2.0%, Ca: 0.0005-0.0050%, Cu: 0-2.0%, Ti: 0-0.05%, Nb: 0-0.05%, V: 0-0.10%, the balance: Fe and impurities, and satisfies the conditions of Cu+Ni: ≧0.10%, and Mo+V: ≦0.30%, wherein in a scale formed on the surface of the steel pipe, metal particles consisting mainly of Ni or Cu having an average circle-equivalent diameter of 0.1-5 μm exist, and a distance from a boundary between the base metal of the steel pipe and the scale to a region in which the metal particles do not exist is 20 μm or longer. |
| US09651174B2 |
Wall mounted receiver
This invention presents a wall mounted receiver to accommodate insulated or non-insulated pipes and at least one inlet or portal for at least one pipe conduit or wiring per portal and with a high degree of flexibility and unique mechanical connection security; this receiver is arranged to receive the piping from any directional angle with a unique flexible inlet capability; without limitation, this receiver is for use with refrigeration or air conditioning equipment and related connections, such as insulated pipes, non-insulated pipes, condensation piping, conduit and wiring. The receiver can be mounted to different wall surface types without the assistance of a wall bracket; can also be fit into tight space service areas depending on refrigeration equipment requirements; can be installed in new construction applications; and can also upgrade existing installations without the need to cut the existing piping. |
| US09651171B2 |
Nut-washer assembly for channel framing
A fitting for channel framing includes a coupling component and a washer secured to the coupling component. At least a portion of the coupling component has a generally dovetail cross-sectional shape configured for reception in an external fitting groove of the channel framing. The washer engages outside surfaces of a second side of the channel framing at opposite sides of the external fitting groove when the coupling component is received in the external fitting groove. |
| US09651168B2 |
Implementation of a fluid transportation pipe with flexible hold
The invention relates to the implementation of a fluid transportation pipe. In order to achieve this, the pipe is equipped with a ballasting system, and, along a laying axis, the pipe, thus equipped, is immersed in a fluid having movement, such as the sea. A ballast mass of the ballasting system then substantially causes at least this ballasting system to sink. |
| US09651163B2 |
Component for a magnetic actuator as well as a method for its manufacture
A single-piece component for a magnetic actuator, in particular for fuel injection, including an internal pole, a magnetic sleeve, and a non-magnetic separating sleeve, the internal pole, the magnetic sleeve and the separating sleeve being integrated into the single-piece component. A method for manufacturing a single-piece component for an magnetic actuator with the aid of a two-component powder injection molding method. |
| US09651160B2 |
Anti-flutter check valve
A check valve includes a housing, a hinge pin connected to the housing, and a flap with a cam surface having stability points, the flap rotatably connected to the hinge pin. The check valve further includes a stop pin connected to the housing, a spring mounted on the stop pin, the spring having an arm, and a detent element mounted on the arm of the spring. The spring urges the detent element to be in contact with the cam surface and the flap is stable when the detent element is located at one of the plurality of stability points. |
| US09651153B1 |
Axle assembly and contamination self-trapping seal
A seal for an axle assembly can include a support, sealant layer, lip, and flange. The support can include an outer member and a wall. The outer member can extend axially. The wall can extend radially inward from a first end of the outer member. The sealant layer can coat an outer surface of the outer member to form a fluid-tight seal between the outer surface of the outer member and a bore of the housing. The lip can extend radially inward of the wall. The lip can form a fluid-tight seal between the wall and an outer surface of the shaft. The flange can extend radially outward of a first end of the outer member while not forming a fluid-tight seal with the interior bore. The flange and the outer member can define a channel axially between the first end of the outer member and the sealant layer. |
| US09651149B2 |
Open center hydraulic flushing system and method
An open center flushing valve for a hydraulic system including a hydraulic circuit and a fluid flushing system, where the flushing valve has multiple positions that each include a fluid exhaust path through the flushing valve. Any of the flushing valve positions couples the hydraulic circuit to the fluid flushing system through a fluid exhaust path for that position. The flushing valve can include unpowered and powered positions. The hydraulic circuit can have two sides separately coupled to the flushing valve where in a powered position, only one side of the hydraulic circuit is coupled to the fluid flushing system through the flushing valve, and in an unpowered position both sides of the hydraulic circuit are coupled to the fluid flushing system through the flushing valve. In a powered position, the lower pressure side of the hydraulic circuit can be coupled to the fluid flushing system through the flushing valve. |
| US09651145B1 |
Transmission gear shifting
A fixed-gear transmission including a plurality of planetary gear sets and a plurality of clutches is described. A method for controlling the fixed-gear transmission includes commanding a first iteration of a skip-at-sync transmission shift and monitoring clutch slip of an oncoming holding clutch associated with the skip-at-sync transmission shift during execution of the shift, which includes monitoring synchronization of the on-coming holding clutch and a maximum clutch slip overshoot value. A progressive clutch pressure ramp rate for the oncoming holding clutch is adaptively controlled in response to the clutch synchronization of the on-coming hold clutch during execution of a subsequent iteration of the skip-at-sync transmission shift. |
| US09651144B2 |
Method of controlling a hydraulic pressurization system of a transmission
The present disclosure relates to a method of controlling a vehicle. The method includes receiving a signal indicative of the vehicle being in a stop condition or in the process of stopping. The method also includes activating an auxiliary hydraulic pressurization system in response to the signal and regulating a hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic control system of a transmission. A drive unit is disabled such that a main pump of the hydraulic control system discontinues providing hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic control system. The hydraulic pressure is maintained at a hold pressure in the hydraulic control system by the auxiliary hydraulic pressurization system. |
| US09651142B2 |
Differential carrier temperature sensing method
A method of sensing an internal temperature of a differential carrier includes providing a differential carrier temperature sensing package with an electronic circuit board having a first temperature sensor that is in thermally conductive contact with a thermal conductor, where the thermal resistance of the package and thermal conductor is given and known as RENC. The package is extended through an opening in a differential carrier that has a fluid in it. The first temperature sensor senses a differential fluid temperature TSNS. The electronic circuit board further has a second temperature sensor, whereby the thermal resistance of the circuit board is a given known resistance RPCB. The second temperature sensor senses an internal package temperature TPCB within the package. Consequently, an internal temperature of the differential is calculated from the equation: TINT=TSNS(1+RENC/RPCB)−TPCB(RENC/RPCB). |
| US09651141B2 |
Method for controlling a motor vehicle transmission
A method for controlling a motor vehicle transmission having a transmission actuator to actuate the vehicle transmission, having a vehicle clutch with a clutch actuator to actuate the vehicle clutch, having a first control unit which has a memory area that is unambiguously assigned to it, having a second control unit which has a memory area that is unambiguously assigned to it. |
| US09651139B2 |
Automatic transmission shifter
Disclosed is an automatic transmission shifter which comprises a shifter body, and a shift lever. The shifter body comprises a housing having a gate, and a lever contact noise-preventing element. The shift lever comprises a lever shaft and a locking piece. The lever contact noise-preventing element comprises a shaft contact noise-preventing portion configured to prevent contact noise between the lever shaft penetrating the gate and the shifter body, and a locking piece contact noise-preventing portion integrally formed with the shaft contact noise-preventing portion and configured to prevent contact noise between the locking piece and the shifter body. The housing and the lever contact noise-preventing element are formed by a double molding process. |
| US09651138B2 |
Speed control assembly for a self-propelled walk-behind lawn mower
A speed control mechanism for controlling selective engagement of the self-propelled transmission assembly for a walk-behind lawn mower is provided. The speed control mechanism is also configured to control the relative output speed of the transmission assembly. The speed control mechanism includes a speed engagement assembly and a speed adjustment assembly, wherein the speed engagement assembly includes a pair of rotatable levers for causing the transmission assembly to actuate between a disengaged position and an engaged position and the speed adjustment assembly includes a rotatable knob for causing the relative output speed of the transmission assembly to the wheels of the lawn mower to increase or decrease. |
| US09651136B2 |
Transfer case with aluminum yoke
A transfer case for a normally rear wheel drive vehicle having selectively engageable front wheel drive is provided. The transfer case includes a rear housing with a main drive shaft aperture and an aluminum cast front housing threadably connected with the rear housing. The front housing has a main drive shaft aperture axially aligned with the rear housing main drive shaft aperture. The front housing has an integrally formed cylindrical yoke forming an isolation mount for receiving a polymeric isolator allowing for connection of the transfer case with a chassis structure of the vehicle. The cylindrical yoke has a cylindrical preform therein. |
| US09651133B2 |
Phased joint cam
The present disclosure relates to a system that uses linear actuators to generate a torque on a shaft. In an example implementation, a system may include a shaft and an attached cam. The cam includes an involute portion. The system also includes a first linear actuator and a second linear actuator configured to move along a first axis and a second axis, respectively. The linear actuators are configured to detachably couple to the cam based on at least a reference angle of the shaft. That is, as the shaft rotates about its rotational axis at the reference angle, the first and the second linear actuators may couple to, and decouple from, various portions of the cam. As the linear actuators couple to, and decouple from, the various portions of the cam, different rotational torques and/or different ranges of such torques may be imparted onto the shaft. |
| US09651124B2 |
Oil pumping unit with pinion reciprocating on rack
An oil pumping unit with pinion reciprocating on rack has a base, a housing, crown block, a steel wire rope, a motor, a reducer, a pinion, and a rack. Rack seats are fixed on the inner sides of the front portion of the housing and the rack is secured on the rack seats. The two inner sides of the housing are guiding rails for the reciprocating frame. At each of the four corners of the reciprocating frame, a horizontal guiding wheel and a longitudinal guiding wheel are mounted, connecting to a pendulous frame via a hinge. The rear interior portion of the housing has a power cable box mounted, in the middle of which is an opening. Shelves are mounted on the upper portion of the housing. The steel wire rope (5) passes through the shelves. |
| US09651123B2 |
Cone with member CVT for which belt tension can be reduced
A CVT 6 (FIG. 9) comprising of two substantially identical CVT 4's. Each CVT 4 comprises of two cones that are coupled by a transmission belt. The driving cones of the CVT 4's are mounted on a common shaft, and the driven cones of the CVT 4's are mounted on a common shaft. For each CVT 4, one of its cones is mounted on its shaft using an adjuster, which uses an indexing mechanism, that can lock or release the rotational position of its cone relative to the shaft it is mounted. Each CVT 4 has a tense side tensioning/support pulley and a slack side tensioning/support pulley (FIG. 6) which can provide and remove slack as needed to allow for axial position changing of a cone for all operating conditions of their CVT without breaking/excessively stretching a transmission belt. |
| US09651111B2 |
Fluid-filled vibration damping device
A fluid-filled vibration damping device including a vibration damping device main unit which has a main rubber elastic body elastically connecting first and second mounting members, and a fluid chamber whose wall is partially constituted by the main rubber elastic body. The vibration damping device main unit further includes a temporary joint member locked on the second mounting member and temporarily coupled thereto in an axial direction, and an annular sealing part provided to the temporary joint member and overlapped on the second mounting member in the axial direction with a sealing rubber sandwiched therebetween for achieving a temporary seal. A sealing coupling member is mounted on the second mounting member while exerting a pressing force in a direction of overlapping on the second mounting member and the temporary joint member for increasing a compression ratio of the sealing rubber and achieving a full seal. |
| US09651110B2 |
Cylinder apparatus
A stopper mechanism includes a second cylinder disposed at an end in a first cylinder, a second piston disposed so as to be able to move according to a movement of a piston rod to be fitted into the second cylinder, and an annular piston ring having ends in a circumferential direction by being partially cut off. A circumferential groove is formed on an outer circumferential of the second piston. The circumferential groove includes a bottom surface, a one-side end surface, and an opposite-side end surface. The piston ring is axially movably disposed in the circumferential groove. The piston ring includes axial abutment portions, and radial abutment portions at the both ends of the piston ring. When the piston ring abuts against the one-side end surface of the circumferential groove, a first passage is forced between the one-side end surface and an end surface of the piston ring. |
| US09651109B2 |
Shock absorber and suspension apparatus
A shock absorber includes a telescopic tube member configured to include a vehicle body side tube and a vehicle wheel side tube, a cap member that closes an upper side opening of the vehicle body side tube, a cylinder erected in an axial center portion of the vehicle wheel side tube, a piston rod held by the cap member and configured to enter and exit the cylinder, a reservoir formed between the tube member and the cylinder, a cap interior passage formed in the cap member and configured to connect the rod interior passage to the reservoir, a plurality of valve bodies provided in series or in parallel midway in the cap interior passage, and a plurality of adjusters attached to the cap member and configured to be capable of adjusting a valve opening pressure or an opening amount of the plurality of valve bodies. |
| US09651097B2 |
Friction clutch assembly
A friction clutch having first and second clutch members, a plurality of first clutch plates, a plurality of second clutch plates and a first electromagnet. The first clutch member is formed of a first magnetically susceptible material. The first clutch plates are axially slidably and non-rotatably coupled to the first clutch member and are formed of a second magnetically susceptible material. The second clutch plates are axially slidably and non-rotatably coupled to the second clutch member. The second clutch plates are interleaved with the first clutch plates. The first electromagnet has a first pole that is magnetically coupled to the first clutch member. The first clutch plates are driven apart from one another when the first electromagnet is operated to generate a magnetic field. |
| US09651096B2 |
Tripod seal feature
An adapter for sealing an outer joint portion of a joint assembly, the adapter includes a main body having an aperture for receiving an outer joint portion, the aperture including an inner sealing surface. The inner sealing surface has a plurality of track portions and a plurality and root portions, where each root portion includes a root midpoint and two track connecting points. The track connecting points connect the root portion to the track portion. The root portion includes a first root radius and an offset root radius, where the first root radius is measured from a first center, and the offset root radius is measured from an offset center. The offset center is located closer to the center axis of the adapter than the first center. Each root portion includes the first root radius at the track connecting point, and gradually transitions to the offset root radius. |
| US09651095B2 |
Coupling
A displacement compensating coupling comprises a first coupling member, a second coupling member and connecting elements for connecting the coupling members. The coupling members are each made in one piece from composite material and have a first flange portion for attachment to one of the drive elements, a diaphragm portion that extends radially outwardly from the first flange portion, a second flange portion and a tube portion extending from an outer circumference of the diaphragm portion to the second flange portion. Each of the tube portions has two or more recesses that are spaced from each other in circumferential direction. In a first relative position of the coupling members, the recesses of the first coupling member face the recesses of the second coupling member, and in a second relative position the recesses of the first coupling member and of the second coupling member are offset in circumferential direction. |
| US09651088B2 |
Ball retainer, slide apparatus comprising same and mold for manufacturing same
A ball retainer for a slide apparatus and a mold for manufacturing the same. The ball retainer includes, in a width direction, a first extension part and a second extension part that are extended from a center line, forming a pre-determined angle with each other, in a length direction, a body part formed in the center, and a pair of holding parts. Each holding part is respectively formed at each end of the body part. Each holding part includes a plurality of ball insertion grooves for inserting balls that are spaced apart in the length direction. Expansion parts each having an expanding cross-sectional area are respectively formed at both sides in the length direction of the first extension part and the second extension part. |
| US09651083B2 |
Ring for attaching a bolt to a support and assembly obtained
A fastener ring (1a) for fastening to a rod (201a) on a support (200a), which fastener ring comprises both a body (2a) through which an axial orifice (3) passes that serves to receive said rod (201a), and flexible tabs (4, 5, 6) extending radially towards the main axis (A) of the axial orifice (3) and serving to co-operate with the rod (201a) to hold it stationary axially, the flexible tabs (4, 5, 6) including a set of star-shaped tabs (4), each of which comprises a tongue (40) secured to the body (2a), and extended by a star-shaped head (41) made up of a rounded radial tip (42) and of two radially rounded side cheeks (43) remote from the body (2a), the width (L2) of the tongue (40) being less than the maximum width (L1) of the star-shaped head (41). An assembly comprising a part for assembly (100a) that is provided with such a fastener ring (1a) for fastening to a support provided with at least one rod. |
| US09651073B2 |
Locking mechanism for telescoping members
A locking mechanism for inner and outer telescoping members includes a housing fixedly attached to the axial outer end of the outer telescoping member. A cam member is mounted on the housing for pivotal movement between a locking position applying pressure urging a pressure pad in a radial through opening in the housing against the outer surface of the inner telescoping member to lock the inner telescoping member against axial movement relative to the outer telescoping member, and an unlocking position releasing the applied pressure. |
| US09651071B2 |
Glass panel clamp
A fitting (10) is formed from by clamping first and second clamp bodies (12,14) of composite plastic material together, each of the clamp bodies being covered by a pressed stainless steel shell (36,38). Each of the clamp bodies (12,14) defines a grip formation (16) that faces a recess (26), so that an edge of a glass panel can be gripped between the grip formations (16)—preferably with soft pads (18). Fasteners such as bolts pass through apertures (24,25) extend through the shells (36,38) and bodies (12,14), to hold the entire fitting (10) together and to exert a gripping force on the glass panel. |
| US09651061B2 |
Hydraulic control apparatus and method
A hydraulic control apparatus is disclosed which includes an unloading valve controlling part; an command value calculating part configured to calculate, based on an operation amount of an operation member for changing a position of the directional control valve and a discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump, a virtual negative control pressure, and calculates a control command value for the hydraulic pump based on the virtual negative control pressure; and a correcting part configured to operate under the situation where the directional control valve is in such a state that the fluid path to the hydraulic actuator is closed, wherein the correcting part corrects the control command value or a parameter, which is used in calculating the control command value, such that a discharge flow rate of the hydraulic pump is a predetermined flow rate. |
| US09651060B2 |
Casing for turbomachine blisk and turbomachine equipped with said casing
A casing for a blisk of a turbomachine including an internal coating made of an abradable material, and a plurality of circumferential slots arranged in the coating of abradable material, the casing further including a circumferential cavity formed in the coating of abradable material, into which cavity the slots open, the slots opening into the cavity and extending between the cavity and an internal surface of the casing. A turbomachine can include such a casing and a blisk. |
| US09651058B1 |
T-shaped fan blade arm attachment
A T-shaped fan blade arm attachment is disclosed for securing ceiling fan blades to a rotor of a ceiling fan motor. The fan blade arms have T-shaped ends with an elastomeric ring disposed adjacent the T-shapes ends. A mounting bracket has mounting holes with opposed slots for receiving the T-shaped ends of the fan blade arms. The opposed slots are preferably aligned at an angle to the horizontal when mounted to a ceiling fan motor. The mounting bracket has a flat surface exteriorly disposed on the mounting bracket adjacent to respective ones of the mounting holes. The mounting bracket has two cams with lock grooves disposed on interior surfaces of the mounting bracket, adjacent to respective ones of the mounting holes. The T-shaped ends insert into the mounting holes and are rotated to guide the T-shaped ends of the fan blade arms into the lock grooves. |
| US09651057B2 |
Blower assembly including a noise attenuating impeller and method for assembling the same
A blower assembly includes a housing including an outlet and a cutoff point positioned proximate the outlet. The blower assembly also includes an impeller including a plurality of blades that each includes a tip portion including a radially outer edge and a transition point that divides the radially outer edge into a first portion and a second portion. The impeller is positioned within the housing such that a first radial gap is defined between the cutoff point and the first portion and a second radial gap is defined between the cutoff point and the second portion. The first radial gap includes a constant width that is shorter than a width of the second radial gap. |
| US09651056B2 |
Turbo fan and air conditioning apparatus
A turbo fan blade front edge has, between a main-plate-side blade front edge and a shroud-side blade front edge, a projecting blade front edge that distances from a blade rear edge (located in a rotation direction A) as it becomes further away from a main plate, which curves to a position away from a rotation center. In a range close to the main plate, a main-plate-side front-edge skirt portion distances from the blade rear edge and inclines away from the rotation center as it becomes closer to the main plate. A main-plate-side blade rear edge, close to the main plate of the blade rear edge, is substantially perpendicular to the main plate and a shroud-side blade rear edge, close to a shroud, is inclined so as to gradually distance away from the blade front edge (behind in the rotation direction A) as it becomes further away from the main plate. |
| US09651055B2 |
Slurry pump impeller
A slurry pump impeller which includes a front shroud and a back shroud each having an inner main face with an outer peripheral edge and a central axis, a plurality of pumping vanes extending between the inner main faces of the shrouds, the pumping vanes being disposed in spaced apart relation. Each pumping vane includes a leading edge in the region of the central axis and a trailing edge in the region of the outer peripheral edges of the shrouds with a passageway between adjacent pumping vanes. Each passageway has associated therewith a discharge guide vane, each discharge guide vane being disposed within a respective passageway and located closer to one or the other of the pumping vanes and projecting from the inner main face of at least one of the or each shrouds. |
| US09651053B2 |
Bleed valve
A bleed valve having a piston with a sealing member, the piston being displaceable between a first position to seal an aperture of a fluid conduit and an opposed second position spaced apart from the aperture to allow the working fluid therethrough. The bleed valve also has a guiding assembly with at least one guide wheel mounted to the piston and being displaceable therewith along a guide rail. The guide wheel has a guide groove extending inwardly from an outer rolling surface. The guide rail has a rail surface with a guide protrusion. The guide groove and the guide protrusion are complementary and in rolling contact with one another. The bleed valve also has a displacement mechanism for displacing the piston between the first and second positions. A compressor with a bleed valve and method for controlling bleeding of a working fluid are also discussed. |
| US09651046B2 |
Pre-compression dual spring pump control
A variable capacity vane pump (20) is provided having a pump control ring (44) that is moveable to alter the capacity of the pump (20). A control chamber (60) is formed between the pump casing (22) and the control ring (44). The control chamber (60) is operable to receive pressurized fluid to create a force to move the control ring (44) to reduce the volumetric capacity of the pump (20). A primary return spring (56) acts between the control ring (44) and the casing (22) to bias the control ring (44) towards a position of maximum volumetric capacity. A shaft is coupled at one end to the control ring and a second end of the shaft is positioned a predetermined distance from the casing (22). A secondary return spring (62) is mounted about the shaft and is configured to engage the control ring (44) after the control ring (44) has moved a predetermined amount. The secondary return spring (62) biases the control ring (44) towards a position of maximum volumetric capacity. The secondary return spring (62) acts against the force of the control chamber (60) to establish a second equilibrium pressure. |
| US09651041B2 |
Operating handle assembly for hand air pump
An operating handle assembly used with a pump to constitute a hand air pump is disclosed, including a handgrip unit having a handgrip and a pivot, and a pumping rod unit pivotally connected to the handgrip unit and turnable about a pivot center relative to the handgrip unit. The pumping rod unit includes a pivot pivotally located at the pivot of the handgrip, and a piston rod coupled to a piston hole of the pump and axially movable relative to the pump between a received position and a first extended position and turnable about the pivot center within a predetermined angle between the first extended position and a second extended position when the piston rod reaches the first extended position. |
| US09651034B2 |
Variable displacement swash-plate compressor
A variable displacement swash-plate compressor includes an actuator that is configured to change the inclination angle of a swash plate. The actuator includes a movable body that moves along a drive shaft axis. The movable body includes an acting portion that is configured to push the swash plate with the pressure in a control pressure chamber. The swash plate includes a receiving portion that contacts and is pushed by the acting portion. The acting portion and the receiving portion contact each other at an acting position. A drive-shaft-parallel line segment is defined that contains the acting position and connects a proximal end of the acting portion and a proximal end of the receiving portion to each other, while extending in parallel with the drive shaft axis. The drive-shaft-parallel line segment is shorter when the inclination angle of the swash plate is maximized than when the inclination angle is minimized. |
| US09651032B2 |
Submersible power generators and method of operating thereof
A submersible liquid-vapor generator (LVG) includes an evaporator portion in heat transfer communication with a heat energy source. The LVG also includes a magnetic field apparatus coupled in flow communication with the evaporator portion. The LVG further includes a condenser portion coupled in flow communication with the magnetic field apparatus. The LVG also includes a hybrid working fluid including nanoparticles. The evaporator portion, the magnetic field portion, and the condenser portion at least partially define a hybrid working vapor flow path. The LVG further includes an electrically non-conductive wick structure coupled in flow communication with the evaporator portion and the condenser portion. The wick structure at least partially defines a hybrid working liquid flow path extending between the condenser portion and the evaporator portion. |
| US09651031B2 |
Reservoir temperature differential electrical generator
A reservoir temperature differential generator is partially submergible in a water body and a temperature differential is sensible between each of a first end, disposed above the water-air interface, and a second end submerged beneath the water surface. A volatile working fluid having a low boiling point is circulated between each of a first and second heat exchanger to effect phase change and drive a heat engine for generation of electrical energy. A plurality of sensors is included to monitor real-time environmental conditions, and thus direct a fluid circuit between a sensed maximum temperature and a sensed minimum temperature. The fluid circuit, maintained interior to the present device, is forcibly reversible between each of the first and second heat exchangers to maintain phase change of the working fluid across a maximized temperature differential in response to changing environmental conditions. |
| US09651027B2 |
Apparatus for extracting power from fluid flow
An apparatus for extracting power includes a track and an airfoil coupled to the track. The track includes first and second elongate sections, where the first elongate section is positioned above the second elongate section. The airfoil includes a suction surface lying between a pressure surface and the track, and is moveable in opposite directions when alternately coupled to the first elongate section and second elongate section. |
| US09651026B2 |
Wind turbine with electromagnetic wave transmission system
A wind turbine includes at least one blade (5a) and apparatus for converting movement of the at least one blade (5a) in electric energy. The wind turbine also includes at least one antenna (6a) included in the at least one blade (5a), and a transmitter circuit (70) for feeding the antenna (6a) with a signal (71) to be radiated. |
| US09651025B2 |
Tornado fan
A tornado fan for cooling a room may include a stand member to support the tornado fan, a motor member to connect to the stand member and to rotate a fan blade of the tornado fan, and a cage member to enclose the motor member and fan blade. The fan blade may be substantially planar and includes a semi circle cross-section, and the stand member may include a platform to connect to the motor member. The motor member may include a platform to connect to the platform of the stand member, and the cage member may include a platform to connect to the platform of the motor member and the platform of the stand member. The motor member may include a stopper platform to connect to the fan blade, and the motor member may include a traverse pin to cooperate with the stopper platform. |
| US09651018B2 |
Power generating assembly
A power generating assembly for generating electricity from a flowing medium includes an enclosure. The enclosure includes an elongated duct along which the medium flows. The duct defines a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction. The duct includes a converging inlet nozzle having a span in the lateral direction. At least one pair of turbines is arranged within and on either side of the duct in the lateral direction. The turbines are rotated in opposite directions by the flowing medium. The turbines have a span in the lateral direction. The span of the converging inlet nozzle is at least the span of the at least one pair of turbines. A generator is interconnected with each turbine of the at least one pair of turbines via a drive means such that the generator rotates with rotation of the turbines. |
| US09651014B2 |
Double source battery charger
A system and method for a double source battery charger of an engine-generator. The double source battery charger of the engine-generator includes an electric starter and a battery. The electric starter is selectively energized by the battery to start an engine of the engine-generator. The double source charger maintains the battery at a desired charge such that the battery has sufficient charge to energize the electric starter. The double source battery charger is selectively coupled to one of two power sources to charge the battery: an alternator of the engine-generator and an external AC source, such as a standard 120 Volt or 240 Volt wall outlet. As a result, the battery is charged by either power from a wall outlet or, if the generator is running, by power provided from the alternator. |
| US09651013B2 |
Low leakage seat valve guide
An apparatus for setting a clearance has a movable body and a valve guide. A valve body is disposed along the axis of the movable body, and a bore hole is formed in the movable body. The bore hole is formed on the axis and includes a first bore with a first diameter, a receiving surface, and a second bore. A tool having a forward surface is inserted into the bore hole and pressed against the receiving surface. The flow of a fluid between the guide cylinder and the movable body is determined and compared against a standard. If it does not meet the criteria, the force is adjusted and reapplied until it meets the desired value. |
| US09651011B2 |
Valve assembly for an injection valve and injection valve
A valve assembly for an injection valve includes a valve body having a cavity with a fluid inlet portion and a fluid outlet portion, a valve needle axially movable in the cavity between a closing position preventing a fluid flow through the fluid outlet portion and further positions releasing the fluid flow through the fluid outlet portion, an electro-magnetic actuator unit that actuates the valve needle, and includes an axially movable armature in the cavity and a disc element fixedly coupled to the valve needle and configured to limit the axial movement of the armature relative to the valve needle towards the fluid outlet portion. An armature spring biases the armature away from the disc element for establishing a fluid-filled gap between the armature and the disc element. The armature is axially displaceable towards the disc element against the armature spring bias to reduce an axial size of the gap. |
| US09651004B2 |
Method and system for vacuum generation using a throttle comprising a hollow passage
Various systems and methods are described for generating vacuum within an engine intake. A system may comprise an intake throttle including a throttle plate, where the throttle plate may comprise a hollow interior passage, which in turn may be coupled to a vacuum consumption device. When vacuum is demanded by the vacuum consumption device, the throttle plate may be adjusted to increase airflow through the interior passage and vacuum may be generated at a constricted portion of the interior passage by flowing intake air through the interior passage of the throttle plate. |
| US09651003B2 |
System and method for improving canister purging
Systems and methods are provided for improving a purge flow from a canister via a canister purge valve in a boosted engine. One method comprises adjusting an opening of a shut-off valve to regulate compressor bypass flow through an aspirator, during boosted conditions, to generate vacuum at the aspirator. The vacuum is applied downstream of a solenoid valve and upstream of a sonic choke within a canister purge valve. |
| US09650999B2 |
Recirculated exhaust gases distribution device, corresponding inlet manifold and corresponding inlet module
Disclosed is a recirculated exhaust gases distribution device (11) of an inlet manifold (3) for an air inlet module configured to supply at least one internal combustion engine cylinder with a flow of air containing inlet gases and/or recirculated exhaust gases (EGR gases), the distribution device (11) including a recirculated exhaust gases distribution duct (13), the distribution duct (13) including first means (15) for injection of recirculated exhaust gases into the flow of air for supplying at least one cylinder. The distribution device (11) further includes a control member (17) that is arranged in the distribution duct (13) and is configured to modulate the flow of recirculated exhaust gases injected by the first injection means (15). |
| US09650997B2 |
Rotary turbo rocket
A turbojet is combined with a co-axially integrated rotary rocket to form a propulsion system called a Rotary Turbo Rocket that can function as a turbojet, as an afterburning turbojet, as an Air Turbo Rocket, or as a rotary rocket. The Rotary Turbo Rocket can operate in any of these propulsion modes singularly, or in any combination of these propulsion modes, and can transition continuously or abruptly between operating modes. The Rotary Turbo Rocket can span the zero to orbital flight velocity speed range and/or operate continuously as it transitions from atmospheric to space flight by transitioning between operating modes. |
| US09650988B2 |
Pistons with complex shaped piston crowns and manufacturing processes
A steel piston with an oil gallery, and process for forming a steel piston oil gallery channel, which corresponds to the complex shape of the combustion bowl in the piston crown. The piston crown is made by a cast metal or powder metal forming process. The oil gallery channel is formed to the basic shape that corresponds to the shape of the walls of the combustion bowl. Machine-turning surfaces in the oil gallery channel can be machine-finished as desired. Surfaces in the oil gallery which cannot be machined with conventional turning operations, such as recesses and protrusions into the channel, are left in the original as-formed condition. |
| US09650986B2 |
Cylinder for application on an internal combustion engine
A cylinder for an internal combustion engine may include a metallic cylinder body and an amorphous diamond-like hard carbon film disposed on an internal peripheral surface of the cylinder body. The amorphous diamond-like carbon film may include a roughness ranging from Rz 0.5 μm to Rz 4.0 μm. |
| US09650983B2 |
Method of controlling fuel injection in an internal combustion engine
A method of controlling fuel injection in an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder with an associated fuel injector for performing injection events is proposed, wherein for each injection event a pulse width is determined with which the injector is kept open to spray a desired quantity of fuel. When the quantity of fuel of a given fuel injection event is greater than a learning threshold, a split fuel injection is performed, whereby a first, low injection pulse and a second, complementary injection pulse are executed. Data representative of a closing time and/or an opening time of the fuel injector is determined in respect of the first, low injection pulse and a learned correction value is elaborated based on the closing time and/or opening time, the learned correction value being subsequently used for injection control. |
| US09650981B1 |
Adjustment of measured oxygen storage capacity based on upstream O2 sensor performance
A vehicle system includes an upstream oxygen monitoring module that monitors an upstream exhaust oxygen sensor and determines an upstream transition period based on a time at which the upstream exhaust oxygen sensor detects a rich-to-lean fueling transition. A delay determining module determines a delay period associated with the upstream exhaust oxygen sensor's detection of the fueling transition. An upstream correcting module determines a corrected upstream transition period based on the upstream transition period and the delay period. A downstream oxygen monitoring module monitors a downstream exhaust oxygen sensor and determines a downstream transition period based on the response of the downstream exhaust oxygen sensor to the fueling transition. An oxygen storage capacity (OSC) determining module determines an OSC period based on the corrected upstream transition period and the downstream transition period. A catalyst fault detection module selectively adjusts operating parameters of the engine based on the OSC period. |
| US09650979B2 |
Control device for internal combustion engine
A target air amount for achieving a requested torque is back-calculated from the requested torque using a parameter that provides a conversion efficiency of an air amount to torque. The value of the parameter gradually changes to lower the conversion efficiency as the requested torque decreases from a second reference value towards a first reference value. The first reference value is calculated based on the engine speed. The second reference value is calculated based on an air amount with which the first reference value is achieved under a second air-fuel ratio, and a first air-fuel ratio. The target air-fuel ratio is set to the first air-fuel ratio when the requested torque is greater than the first reference value, and is switched from the first air-fuel ratio to the second air-fuel ratio when the requested torque decreases to a value equal to or less than the first reference value. |
| US09650977B2 |
Method and system for torque control
Methods and systems are provided for detecting air-fuel ratio imbalances across all engine cylinders. In one example, a method (or system) may include indicating cylinder imbalance based on each of the exhaust air-fuel ratio, exhaust manifold pressure, and cylinder torque weighted by a confidence factor, where in the confidence factor is determined based on operating conditions. |
| US09650975B2 |
Method and controller of exhaust gas recirculation to protect valve stick
A method of controlling an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for preventing a valve from sticking may include performing, by an ECU, an EGR Cooler By-Pass Valve (ECB V/V) normal mode for operating an ECB V/V under a low temperature and low load condition to prevent fouling of an EGR cooler and overcooling of an EGR gas, when an EGR is controlled with a vehicle driven, and performing, by the ECU, an ECB V/V self-cleaning mode for operating an ECB V/V in consideration of an engine condition when the OFF-state of the ECB V/V is determined and an ECB V/V sticking detection mode for detecting sticking of the ECB V/V in continuous performing, cold performing, and in-driving performing in consideration of an opening amount of the ECB V/V when a fixed state of the ECB V/V is determined. |
| US09650970B2 |
Power generator control apparatus of vehicle and control method thereof
Disclosed are a vehicle power generation control method and an apparatus thereof, wherein, when conditions: a gear is in a target gear state, the gear is in a locked state, a handbrake is in a parking state, opening of an accelerator is in a zero state, an emergency stop switch is in a state of sending a signal, and a temperature of a generator is in a state of a working temperature are established at the same time, the vehicle awaits orders to switch to the power generation mode, otherwise a warning signal is sent. After the vehicle enters into the power generation mode to make the generator generate power to supply power, when the conditions aforementioned are established at the same time, the power generation action is continuously performed, and electricity is cut off from the vehicle when any one of the conditions is not established. |
| US09650964B2 |
Accessory gearbox with a starter/generator
An assembly for a gas turbine engine comprising an accessory gearbox comprising a drive gear and pinion gear and a starter/generator mechanically mounted to the accessory gearbox. The starter/generator comprising a housing and a portion of a rotatable shaft with a safety disconnect where the safety disconnect is located within the housing of the starter/generator. |
| US09650959B2 |
Fuel-air mixing system with mixing chambers of various lengths for gas turbine system
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for premixing fuel and air prior to combustion within a combustion chamber. The system includes a plurality of fuel injectors and a plurality of mixing tubes, wherein each mixing tube has a first portion for receiving one of the plurality of fuel injectors and a second portion having a mixing chamber that is configured to mix fuel and air. The length of the mixing chamber varies among the plurality of mixing tubes to allow for different mixing times. |
| US09650958B2 |
Combustor cap with cooling passage
A combustor cap for a combustor chamber of a combustion system is provided. The combustor cap includes a plate member including: a plurality of openings for accommodating a plurality of fuel nozzles of the combustion system; a cooling passage extending through a plane of the plate member; an entrance opening to the cooling passage; and an exit opening from the cooling passage to a side of the plate member opposite to the combustion chamber. |
| US09650954B2 |
Gas turbine engine with distributed fans
A gas generator has at least one compressor rotor, at least one gas generator turbine rotor and a combustion section. A fan drive turbine is positioned downstream of a path of the products of combustion having passed over the at least one gas generator turbine rotor. The fan drive turbine drives a shaft and the shaft engages gears to drive at least three fan rotors. |
| US09650953B2 |
Gas turbine
A gas turbine is provided and includes a compressor, which via an air intake inducts and compresses air; a combustion chamber, in which a fuel is combusted using the compressed air, producing a hot gas; and a turbine, equipped with turbine blades, in which the hot gas is expanded, performing work. A first device is provided in order to cool turbine blades with compressed cooling air. The first device includes at least one separate compressor stage which produces compressed cooling air independently of the compressor. |
| US09650952B2 |
Variable compression ratio internal combustion engine
A variable compression ratio internal combustion engine is equipped with a variable compression ratio mechanism that changes an engine compression ratio depending on the rotational position of a first control shaft arranged in an oil pan, and an actuator that changes and holds the rotational position of the first control shaft, and a linking mechanism configured to link the actuator and the first control shaft. The linking mechanism has a lever linked to the first control shaft, and a connecting pin configured to rotatably link the tip of an arm part extending radially outward from the center of the first control shaft and one end of the lever. At least when having been set to the highest compression ratio, the first connecting pin is configured to be submerged below an oil level of the oil pan. |
| US09650950B2 |
Carburetor for a hand-guided power tool and hand-guided power tool
A carburetor for a hand-guided power tool has a carburetor housing and a carburetor rotor supported rotatably in the carburetor housing about an axis of rotation. A needle is disposed on the carburetor rotor and projects into a fuel opening of the carburetor. An adjusting element is operatively connected to the needle so as adjust a position of the needle relative to the carburetor rotor. The adjusting element has an engagement contour that is to be engaged by a tool for adjusting the adjusting element. A securing contour that is fixedly connected to the carburetor rotor is provided. The securing contour, at any point of the securing contour, has a spacing to the axis of rotation of at least approximately 10 mm. |
| US09650949B2 |
EGR rate control for internal combustion engine with dual exhaust-ported cylinders
A method of using exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in an internal combustion engine. At least two of the cylinders are “dual exhaust-ported cylinders” having two exhaust ports. For each of these cylinders, one of the exhaust ports is connected to the EGR loop and the other of the exhaust ports is connected to the main exhaust line. These cylinders are controlled such that one exhaust port is open and the other exhaust port is closed during each engine cycle, and are operated, on a cycle-by-cycle basis so that all of the exhaust produced by a cylinder may be delivered to the EGR loop at any cycle. The number of cylinders operating as EGR cylinders per engine cycle is in response to a desired EGR rate. |
| US09650942B2 |
Engine control coordination with grille shutter adjustment and ambient conditions
Methods and systems are provided for reducing corrosion of a charge air cooler and preventing engine misfire due to condensate formation. In response to an engine controller determining a condensate forming location within a charge air cooler, a grille shutter system is adjusted, moving the condensate region to a different location in the charge air cooler. Grille shutter orientation may also be controlled in response to vehicle operating conditions and condensate-forming weather conditions. |
| US09650940B2 |
Thermal management system for vehicles
A vehicle thermal management system includes a heat medium-heat medium heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a first heat medium drawn into and discharged from a first pump and a second pump, and a second heat medium circulating through an engine cooling circuit. A first switching valve switches between a state in which the first heat medium discharged from the first pump flows, and another state in which the first heat medium discharged from the second pump flows, with respect to the plurality of devices and the heat medium-heat medium heat exchanger. The second switching valve switches between a state in which the first heat medium flows into the first pump, and another state in which the first heat medium flows into the second pump, with respect to the plurality of devices and the heat medium-heat medium heat exchanger. |
| US09650936B2 |
Abnormality detection apparatus for exhaust gas purification apparatus
An object of the present invention is to detect an abnormality in an exhaust gas purification apparatus having an NSR catalyst and an SCR catalyst disposed on a downstream side of the NSR catalyst more favorably. Air-fuel ratio reduction control is executed to reduce NOx occluded to the NSR catalyst when an integrated value of an amount of NOx flowing into the NSR catalyst reaches an upper limit value of an amount of NOx that can be occluded to the NSR catalyst in a normal condition. It is determined whether or not the exhaust gas purification apparatus is in an abnormal state on the basis of a NOx purification ratio of the exhaust gas purification apparatus calculated at this time. |
| US09650933B2 |
In-line decomposition reactor pipe with exhaust assist
An exhaust assisted pipe assembly including an outer portion having an opening for receiving dosed reductant from a dosing module and an inner portion disposed within the outer portion. The inner portion defines a main flow path for receiving a first portion of a fluid from an upstream source, and the inner portion and the outer portion cooperatively define a first flow path and a second flow path. The first flow path is configured to direct a second portion of the fluid from the upstream source past the opening for receiving dosed reductant and into the main flow path to increase momentum of the dosed reductant into the main flow path. The second flow path is configured to direct a third portion of the fluid from the upstream source toward the dosed reductant to decrease the momentum of the dosed reductant in the main flow path. |
| US09650932B2 |
Insulated reductant tank
An insulated reductant tank that is arranged so that it has an insulated upper portion and a tapered lower portion, the reductant tank configured to allow frozen reductant to move into the insulated upper portion and reduce the damage that frozen reductant can cause to a reductant tank when the frozen reductant expands. The insulated reductant tank can include at least one header configured to draw reductant from the reductant tank and supply the reductant to an exhaust aftertreatment system, an insulation layer lining an upper portion of the reductant tank, a tapered lower portion, and at least one baffle configured to control a flow of reductant. |
| US09650927B2 |
Systems and methods for closed crankcase ventilation and air filtration
A system for providing air to an internal combustion engine is described. The system includes a crankcase ventilation unit that separates oil from the unrefined blowby gas and discharges refined blowby gas. A conduit delivers the refined blowby gas to an air cleaner housing. The air cleaner housing includes a first chamber that receives intake air through a first port, a second chamber that receives intake air from the first chamber and refined blowby gas from the conduit through a second port, and a third chamber that receives a mixture of intake air and refined blowby gas from the second chamber and discharges the mixture through a third port. A primary filter element filters the intake air as it passes from the first chamber to the second chamber. A secondary filter element filters the mixture as it passes from the second chamber to the third chamber. |
| US09650925B2 |
System and method of augmenting low oil pressure in an internal combustion engine
A system and method of providing supplementary oil flow to an oil circuit of an internal combustion engine is described. The primary oil supply is from a mechanical oil pump. The supplementary oil supply is provided using a control system, one or more sensors, and an electrical oil pump. The system is beneficial in circumstances where the mechanical oil pump provides insufficient oil flow, including during engine shutdown. |
| US09650923B2 |
System and method for safe valve activation in a dynamic skip firing engine
A variety of methods and devices for controlling the operation of the intake and exhaust valves in an internal combustion engine during skip fire operation are described. In various embodiments, an exhaust valve monitor or other suitable mechanism is used to detect exhaust valve actuation faults. When an exhaust valve actuation fault is detected for a particular cylinder, the corresponding intake valve is deactivated (or not activated) in circumstances when it would otherwise be activated in order to prevent the intake valve from opening into a cylinder that contains high pressure combustion gases. The described approach is particularly beneficial when skip fire operation is combined with cylinder deactivation so that air is not pumped through the cylinders during the skipped working cycles. |
| US09650921B2 |
Centrifugal process to eliminate air in high pressure chamber of hydraulic lash adjuster
A method for adding fluid to an hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) comprises the steps of placing the HLA in to a centrifuge, the centrifuge having a fluid container, placing a sufficient amount of a first fluid in the fluid container to fluidly communicate with at least one fluid port of the HLA, and spinning the HLA at a first speed sufficient to move the first fluid in to at least the second of two fluid chambers in the HLA. |
| US09650920B2 |
Method of generating a high-speed airflow
Disclosed in the present invention is a method of generating a high-speed gas flow, utilizing a device comprised of a gas pipe, a circulating pipe and a starting and controlling system. The starting and controlling system is comprised of one or a combination of any two or more of a refrigerator, a circulating pump and a heat exchanger. The method comprises the following operation steps: filling the device with a working medium; activating the starting and controlling system; after having been pressurized under liquid state, the working medium absorbing heat and being gasified, entering the gas pipe, and generating the high-speed gas flow. The method may utilize a low quality heat source to convert a low-speed gas flow into a high-speed or extremely high-speed gas flow with relatively high use value. Thus, thermal energy carried by the fluid in the nature may be converted into mechanical energy efficiently. |
| US09650917B2 |
Nacelle with hinged cowl doors enabling access to the engine
A nacelle for an engine has outer and inner cowl doors that are independently rotatable about offset hinge lines. A connection device is provided for selectively connecting the outer and inner cowl doors so as to cause them to open simultaneously. The inner cowl door is arranged to rotate by a greater angle than the outer cowl door so as to improve access to the engine for maintenance purposes. |
| US09650914B2 |
Turbine blade for a gas turbine engine
A turbine blade for a gas turbine engine comprises an airfoil having a pressure side, a suction side, a span direction and a chord-wise direction. The airfoil has an airfoil span on a pressure line being a projection of the stacking line onto the pressure side. The airfoil has a plurality of chords extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the airfoil. A generally round dimple is disposed on the pressure side. The dimple is contained in an area extending on the stacking line between 0% and 23% of the airfoil span from the inner end, and in the chord-wise direction between 0% of a first chord and 82% of a second chord from the leading edge. The dimple is configured to initiate fracture of the blade at a predetermined speed of rotation. A method of preventing rupture of a disk of a turbine rotor is also presented. |
| US09650911B1 |
Variable geometry turbine
A variable geometry turbine comprises a turbine wheel and a primary inlet passage of variable axial width. The turbine has a secondary inlet passage provides a flow path for a working fluid which circumnavigates at least part of the primary inlet passage. A seal element and one or more apertures are cooperable to selectively allow or prevent fluid flow through the secondary inlet passage. The turbine wheel is of the radial-inflow axial-outflow type and secondary inlet passage has an outlet configured to direct working fluid to exit the secondary inlet passage in a direction which has an axial component in the opposite direction to the direction of axial outflow of the turbine wheel. |
| US09650909B2 |
Multi-stage compressor fault detection and protection
In certain embodiments, a system includes a controller configured to obtain an inter-stage pressure measurement between stages of a multi-stage compressor. The controller is also configured to identify actual damage in the multi-stage compressor based at least in part on the inter-stage pressure measurement. |
| US09650906B2 |
Slotted labyrinth seal
A seal for use in a machine, such as a machine with rotating members, includes a labyrinth seal with multiple fins. The seal is slotted and is designed to limit fluid flow to the desired amount from the high pressure side of the seal to the low pressure side of the seal inside partially or exclusively radially extending cavities between two rotating members. The rotating members may operate at different speeds with a common axis of rotation. The seal remains effective when the rotating members move axially in relation to one another despite the fins having a component parallel to the axis of rotation. |
| US09650902B2 |
Integral fan blade wear pad and platform seal
A fan section for a gas turbine engine includes a fan hub having a slot. A platform is supported by the fan hub. A fan blade has a root that is received in the slot. A wear pad is provided between the fan hub and the root and includes a flap integral with the wear pad to provide a seal relative to the platform. A fan blade for a gas turbine engine includes an airfoil extending from a root. A wear pad is secured to the root and has a free end providing a flap canted toward the root. |
| US09650898B2 |
Airfoil with variable profile responsive to thermal conditions
An airfoil includes an airfoil body having a first section and a second section that differ by coefficient of thermal expansion. The second section is arranged in thermomechanical juxtaposition with the first section such that the first section and the second section cooperatively thermomechanically control a profile of the airfoil body responsive to varying thermal conditions. |
| US09650892B2 |
Blended mapping for estimating fluid composition from optical spectra
Optical spectral data associated with a formation fluid flowing through a downhole formation fluid sampling apparatus is obtained. Based on the obtained optical spectra data, a plurality of measures each relating the formation fluid to a corresponding one of a plurality of different fluid types are estimated. Blending coefficients each corresponding to a different one of the different fluid types are determined and utilized with the predetermined mapping matrices, each corresponding to a different one of the different fluid types, to obtain a blended mapping matrix. A parameter of the formation fluid is then predicted based on a projection of the obtained spectral data onto the blended mapping matrix. |
| US09650891B2 |
Obtaining and evaluating downhole samples with a coring tool
Samples of hydrocarbon are obtained with a coring tool. An analysis of some thermal or electrical properties of the core samples may be performed downhole. The core samples may also be preserved in containers sealed and/or refrigerated prior to being brought uphole for analysis. The hydrocarbon trapped in the pore space of the core samples may be extracted from the core samples downhole. The extracted hydrocarbon may be preserved in chambers and/or analyzed downhole. |
| US09650890B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for evaluating well performance using deviations in real-time well measurement data
An apparatus for analyzing the output of a plurality of oil wells. The apparatus comprises: i) a plurality of test headers coupled to the plurality of wells via a field testing infrastructure; and ii) a test separator configured to select a first well for testing and to receive a multiphase fluid flow from a first one of the plurality of test headers, the first test header associated with the first well. The test separator is further configured to: iii) separate the multiphase fluid flow into a gas phase stream and a liquid phase stream; iv) measure a plurality of parameters of the gas phase stream and the liquid phase stream over a current period; v) for each of the plurality of parameters, determine a mean value, a standard deviation, a maximum value, and a minimum value in the current period; and vi) determine if a standard deviation associated with a first parameter exceeds a first threshold of a mean value associated with the first parameter. If the standard deviation exceeds the first threshold, the test separator flags the first oil well as having a problem. |
| US09650889B2 |
Downhole signal repeater
A repeater for use downhole in an oil or other well for detecting a sound or other signal that originates further downhole and generating a signal or indication perceptible uphole or at or above the rig floor. The signal may be a change in the weight of the rig measured at the rig floor caused by driving a counterweight against a stop at the repeater. |
| US09650886B2 |
Extending the life of a compromised umbilical
A method of using an umbilical between a surface location and an underwater location of an underwater fluid extraction well system is provided. The umbilical includes an electrical power conductor configured to transmit electrical power at a first frequency from a source at the surface location to the underwater location. The method comprises detecting that the umbilical has been compromised by the ingress of water. In response thereto, the method comprises converting electrical power from the source to electrical power at a second frequency, wherein the second frequency is lower than the first frequency or DC electrical power; transmitting the electrical power at the second frequency or DC electrical power to the underwater location via the conductor; and converting, at the underwater location, the electrical power at the second frequency or DC electrical power to electrical power at a frequency used by the underwater equipment of the well system. |
| US09650884B2 |
Use of downhole isolation valve to sense annulus pressure
A method of drilling a wellbore includes deploying a drill string into the wellbore through a casing string disposed in the wellbore. The casing string has a pressure responsive element and a hydraulic line in communication with the element and extending along the casing string. While drilling the formation, the method includes monitoring a pressure of the hydraulic line to ensure control of the formation. |
| US09650882B2 |
System for detecting leakage in a pump used in hydraulic fracturing
A system for detecting leakage in a pump includes a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, multiple third pressure sensors, and a controller. The first pressure sensor is configured to output a pressure value associated with a suction manifold of the pump. The second pressure sensor is configured to output a pressure value associated with a discharge manifold of the pump. The third pressure sensors are configured to output a pressure value associated with the cylinders of the pump. The controller is disposed in communication with the first pressure sensor, the second pressure sensor, and the third pressure sensors. The controller is configured to determine amplitude of a leak, and a location of the leak in the pump on the basis of pressure values received from the first pressure sensor, the second pressure sensor, and the third pressure sensors. |
| US09650880B2 |
Waveform anti-stick slip system and method
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for rotating a drill string to overcome issues related to static friction during drilling. An embodiment includes a drive system configured to rotate the drill string through variable angular displacements and at variable rotation speeds based on control signals received by the drive system, and a control system configured transmit the control signals to the drive system, wherein the control system is configured to generate the control signals based on pipe characteristics within the drill string and friction values associated with the drill string to establish a rotation pattern of the drive system to approach a desired effective reach of surface torque generated by the drive system on the drill string. |
| US09650876B2 |
Method of balancing resource recovery from a resource bearing formation
A method of recovering resources from a resource bearing formation includes selectively injecting a fluid into the resource bearing formation through one or more injector wells, extracting a resource from the resource bearing formation through one or more production wells, receiving at a sweep pattern controller, an input from each of the one or more production wells indicating an amount of the resource extracted over a period of time, determining, in the sweep pattern controller, an adjusted sweep pattern for the formation that substantially equalizes production from each of the one or more production wells, and signaling each of the one or more injector wells, from the sweep pattern controller, to selectively inject the fluid to establish the adjusted sweep pattern in the formation. |
| US09650871B2 |
Safety indicator lights for hydraulic fracturing pumps
A hydraulic fracturing system includes an electrically powered pump that pressurizes fluid, which is piped into a wellbore to fracture a subterranean formation. System components include a fluid source, an additive source, a hydration unit, a blending unit, a proppant source, a fracturing pump, and an electrically powered motor for driving the pump. Also included with the system is a signal assembly that visually displays operational states of the pump and motor, thereby indicating if fluid discharge lines from the pump contain pressurized fluid. The visual display of the signal assembly also can indicate if the motor is energized, so that the discharge lines might soon contain pressurized fluid. |
| US09650862B2 |
Flow and fluid conditioning pressure reducing valve or device
A flow and fluid conditioning pressure reduction device includes an inlet and an outlet. The pressure reduction device is distinctive in that it comprises at least one relatively long flow bore conduit shaped as a spiral or a spiral arranged on the surface of a cone or frustum. Each spiral shaped conduit includes at least one, preferably at least three rotations and each spiral shaped conduit preferably is closely packed; the conduit has been arranged between the inlet and the outlet, has reduced flow cross section area, and the length, the cross section area and the number of the spiral shaped conduits in line determine the pressure reduction of a given fluid at a given flow rate. |
| US09650861B2 |
Bridge plug tool
A bridge plug tool for use in a well, comprising: a tool body; a mandrel (3) extending through the tool body; a setting sleeve (2) positioned on the tool body; a packer module (4,5,6) located below the setting sleeve, the packer module having an expanded position in which its outer surface is expanded radially with respect to the tool body and a contracted position in which its outer surface is substantially the same as that of the tool body; and an anchor module (9,10,11) located below the packer module, the anchoring module comprising anchor elements moveable between an expanded position in which the anchor elements extend radially from the tool body and a contracted position in which the anchor elements are substantially aligned with the surface of the tool body; wherein the mandrel extends through the sleeve, packer module and anchor module; the mandrel and setting sleeve are relatively moveable between an axially extended position and an axially contracted position; and wherein the mandrel and setting sleeve engage the anchor module and packer module such that relative movement of the mandrel and setting sleeve between the axially extended and axially contracted positions correspondingly moves the anchor module and packer module between the respective contracted and expanded positions. The use of the sleeve and mandrel arrangement allows setting and release mechanisms to be protected from the external environment of the tool. |
| US09650849B2 |
Drilling rig rod handling apparatus
A drill rod handling apparatus is configured to feed rods to and from a drill string created by a drill rig. The apparatus includes a gripper unit configured to contact and hold a rod to be transported to the drill rig and an alignment tool mounted at the gripper unit to provide correct mating of the rod ends during coupling. |
| US09650846B2 |
Completion systems including reduced stress expandable control lines
A production string for use in a wellbore is disclosed. The production string includes an expansion joint having a first tubular that slides along a second tubular, and a control line extending from a location above the expansion joint to a location below the expansion joint. The control line is placed around the first tubular in a helical fashion that includes a plurality of coils. At least some of the coils in the plurality of coils are connected to each other by a flexible member to limit stretch between the connected coils when the control line is stretched. |
| US09650845B2 |
Apparatus for improving flanged connections
The connector includes a sleeve (4) which is screwed on to a thread (18) provided on an upper axial end of the lower riser section (1). The sleeve (4) encloses a lower end of an upper riser section (2) and is retained thereto. Once the sleeve (4) is secured to the lower riser section, this loosely secures the upper riser section (2) to the lower riser section (1). A tensioning tool then stretches the sleeve (4) upwardly and a retaining collar (5) is then maneuvered in order to retain the sleeve (5) in this tensioned state after the release of the tensioning tool. This creates a preloaded connection between the upper riser section (2) and the lower riser section (1). |
| US09650841B2 |
Support apparatus for supporting down hole rotary tools
A portable mast assembly is comprised of a skid assembly having a horizontally oriented frame comprised of longitudinally extending support beams and a mast assembly having at least two vertically extending columns that are supported directly upon a longitudinally extending mast beam without an intervening track or roller. A means for moving the mast beams along the top of the extending support beams of the frame without a roller is provided. |
| US09650840B2 |
Method and apparatus for erecting a drilling rig
A method for erecting a drilling rig and an apparatus therefor having a mast, a base, a floor support, legs arranged between the base and the floor support, a primary lifting ram in engagement with the mast, and a floor support lifting ram, is disclosed. The method involves raising the mast with the primary lifting ram, raising the floor support with the floor support lifting ram to an intermediate height, engaging the primary lifting ram with the floor support and raising the floor support from the intermediate height to full working height with the mast lifting ram. |
| US09650837B2 |
Multi-chamfer cutting elements having a shaped cutting face and earth-boring tools including such cutting elements
A cutting element for an earth-boring tool includes a substrate and volume of superabrasive material positioned on the substrate. The volume of superabrasive material includes a cutting face having at least one recess extending into the volume of superabrasive material and/or at least one protrusion extending outward from the volume of superabrasive material. The volume of superabrasive material includes a first chamfer surface having a peripheral edge and a radially innermost edge. The peripheral edge of the first chamfer surface is located proximate a cutting edge of the volume of superabrasive material. A radial width of the first chamfer surface is between about 0.002 inch and about 0.045 inch. The volume of superabrasive material also includes a second chamfer surface having a peripheral edge and a radially innermost edge. The peripheral edge of the second chamfer surface is located adjacent the radially innermost edge of the first chamfer surface. |
| US09650830B1 |
Pleated blinds between A-pillars of a car
Pleated blinds between A-pillars of a car comprise: two pleated blinds, set on trims of A-pillars on both sides of windshield; two upper end holders, set on upper section of outer sides of the two pleated blinds respectively and fastened on upper edges of the trims of A-pillars on both sides of windshield; two slip handles, set on middle section on inner sides of the two pleated blinds respectively; two intermediate holders, set on middle section on outer sides of the two pleated blinds respectively; several glue films, distributed on middle and under sections on outer sides of the pleated blinds and fixing the two pleated blinds on the trims of A-pillars on both sides; and a pleated blinds guiding line, connected on the upper end holder of the pleated blinds for guiding and support, when the pleated blinds are unfolded; thereby, the pleated blinds are stably fixed on the trims of A-pillars without destroying the trims of A-pillars, and can be easily unfolded or folded. |
| US09650829B2 |
Cord drive for coverings for architectural openings
A covering for architectural openings includes a cord drive with a pulley that is supported by a bearing surface which lies in the plane of the cord. |
| US09650827B2 |
Garage door roller system
A garage door roller system for preventing damage to a vehicle or a garage door when the garage door is opening or closing. The garage door roller system generally includes a garage door arm which is connected at an upper end thereof to a carriage of a garage door opener. A first end of a connector is connected to the garage door arm, and a second end of the connector is connected to the garage door. One or more rollers are connected to a lower end of the garage door arm, with a portion of the rollers being positioned lower than the lower end of the garage door arm. The rollers are adapted to roll across an obstruction when the garage door is opening or closing to prevent damage to the obstruction as well as the garage door arm. |
| US09650825B2 |
Vehicle door
A vehicle door is provided with: a rear glass holder that holds door glass and has a first rear fastening hole: and a carrier plate having a second rear fastening hole fastened to the first rear fastening hole. The rear glass holder has a first rear engagement section. The carrier plate has a second engagement section engaged by the first rear engagement section. In the engaged state, the first rear fastening hole is offset below the second fastening hole. The offset amount of the first rear fastening hole and the second rear fastening hole is greater than the engagement margin of the first rear engagement section and the second engagement section. |
| US09650822B2 |
Fenestration unit with sash retention
A fenestration unit, such as a window, having an upper sash and a lower sash can be configured to permit separate and independent movement of the upper sash and the lower sash when desired, while restraining the upper sash from movement caused by movement of the lower sash. A fenestration unit having a single movable sash can also be configured to provide securement of the single movable sash against undesired vertical movement. |
| US09650821B2 |
Hinge assembly
A hinge assembly for connecting together upper and lower separable sections of a column comprises an upper member for attachment to the lower end of an upper column section and a lower member for attachment to the upper end of a lower column section. |
| US09650819B2 |
Hinge holder for a steel door frame
A holder for securing a leaf of a hinge to a steel door frame has a first U-shaped housing part having two end walls, a bight wall connecting the two end walls, and respective mounting flanges projecting from the end walls and securable to the door frame. A complementarily second housing part defines a cavity with the first housing part and has a cover plate, a pair of end plates having outer faces bearing on inner faces of the end walls, and a front plate extending between the end plates and from a front edge of the cover plate and formed with a cutout through which a hinge leaf can extend into the cavity. A clamp in the cavity can secure the hinge leaf to the housing parts. There is a snap connection between the front plate and the first housing part. |
| US09650817B2 |
Deformable outside handle rear hook or plunger
A handle for doors of motor vehicles includes an outer portion that can be grasped by a user, and an inwardly-extending plunger or hook that operably interconnects the handle to the door latch via a bell crank (that is part of the handle base or chassis depending on the type of handle architecture used). The plunger is made of a ductile material such as metal, and includes a crumple zone that causes the plunger to deform axially and/or bend sidewardly in the event an axial and/or a bending impact load. |
| US09650811B2 |
Locking mechanism for a meter box
A locking mechanism includes a bracket configured for mounting on a wall of a securable box and receiving a lock body to selectively secure a cover to the securable box preventing access to an interior of the box. The mechanism further includes a blade that is movable relative to the bracket between a locked position and an unlocked position to secure or remove the blade and bracket to or from a securable box wall respectively. The blade and bracket can be secured to and removed from the securable box without an operator's hand extending into the interior of the box. |
| US09650806B2 |
Door handle assembly for a motor vehicle
A door handle assembly for a motor vehicle has a handle mount, a handle and a coupling device, wherein the handle is coupled to the coupling device in the region of its second handle end which provides a door handle assembly in a structurally simple manner, in which the play in the longitudinal direction of the handle mount, and thus the clearance in the opening in the door panel for the handle ends, is reduced to a minimum. This is achieved in that the second handle end of the handle and a deflection lever of the mechanical coupling device are moveably coupled to one another by a pivotable and hinge-like articulated connection of the second handle end in relation to the deflection lever, when the handle has been actuated. |
| US09650803B1 |
Tubular insert for excavated hole with safety cover
A tubular insert sleeve system comprises a tubular insert sleeve for insertion into an excavated hole and a snug fitting and removable safety cover adapted to extend over the upper end of the tubular insert sleeve in order to cover the excavated hole. One or more sleeve fastening apertures are defined through the tubular insert sleeve adjacent the upper end thereof, and are adapted to receive one or more vermiform fasteners for fastening the safety cover to the tubular insert sleeve. Preferably, the sleeve fastening apertures are in the form of handles. In some embodiments, one or more cover fastening apertures are defined through the safety cover and the cover fastening aperture(s) cooperate with the sleeve fastening aperture(s) to receive the vermiform fastener(s) to fasten the safety cover to the tubular insert sleeve. |
| US09650802B2 |
Tilt tower assembly and a method of using the same, and a method to ship and assemble a tilt tower
An antenna tower is provided having one or more antennae at the removed end thereof, which tower is configured for ease of maintenance of the antenna by a serviceman standing on the ground and servicing the antenna. Applicants' antenna tower includes a fixed vertical base or mast tube, fixed to the ground and having a removed end. At or near the removed end of the base tube, a swing tube is pivotally attached. The swing tube has a first end removably coupled to a near end of the base tube, and a removed end extending beyond the removed end of the base tube. Attached to the removed end of the swing tube is a pivotally mounted configured member or pivot tube. The pivotally mounted elongated member receives an antenna thereupon. The pivot tube is removably coupled to the swing tube to allow the pivot tube to rotate. |
| US09650800B2 |
Curb system for a concrete container
A curb system for a concrete container is disclosed. The curb system includes a base slab having a planar mounting surface and a wall positioned on the planar mounting surface. An inner curb is positioned on the planar mounting surface adjacent to an inner surface of the wall, and an outer curb is positioned on the planar mounting surface adjacent to an outer surface of the wall. A first expandable waterstop is positioned between the inner curb and the inner surface of the wall. A first waterstop is positioned between the inner curb and the planar mounting surface. |
| US09650799B2 |
Automated swimming pool cleaner having an angled jet drive propulsion system
A self-propelled cleaning apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface of a pool or tank includes a housing having a front portion as defined by the direction of movement of the apparatus when propelled by a water jet, an opposing rear portion and adjoining side portions defining the periphery of the apparatus, and a baseplate with at least one water inlet. Rotationally-mounted supports are coupled proximate the front and rear portions of the housing to enable movement of the apparatus over the submerged surface. A water pump is configured to draw water and debris from the pool through the inlet for filtering. A stationary directional discharge conduit is in fluid communication with the pump and has at least one discharge opening through which a pressurized stream of water forming the water jet is directionally discharged at an acute angle with respect to the surface over which the apparatus is moving. |
| US09650793B2 |
Adjustable guide line holder
The adjustable guide line holder is a mason's guide line holder, including a housing having an adjustable longitudinal width for secure reception within a brick pocket of a gable. The housing includes outer and inner portions respectively having first and second sets of top, bottom and side walls. The inner portion is received within the outer portion such that the first and second side walls are longitudinally opposed with respect to one another, with the inner and outer portions being adjustably slidable with respect to one another such that the housing has an adjustable longitudinal width. A vertical support is received within the inner portion and extends between the top and bottom walls thereof. A cross member is mounted to the vertical support, such that one end of a masonry guide line may be secured to the cross member. |
| US09650791B2 |
Integrated fiber cement and foam as insulated cladding with enhancements
An integrated fiber cement and foam cladding system is provided that incorporates foam or similar light weight material to improve the insulation capacity of the cladding system. The system includes at least a fiber cement layer and a foam layer disposed on the backside of the fiber cement layer. The system improves the R-value of the building, a measure of the building's resistance to transferring heat or thermal energy. |
| US09650787B2 |
Single layer foldable reinforced bullnose hip and ridge cap shingle
A single layer foldable reinforced bullnose hip and ridge cap shingle is cut from a single layer web of shingle material. The hip and ridge cap shingle includes an exposed portion, a tapered portion, and a portion in between that will be folded to form a bullnose edge. Two spaced apart perforated fold lines extend transversely across the shingle and two spaced apart transversely extending strips of reinforcing scrim material flank the perforated fold lines. To form a bullnose hip or ridge cap shingle, the shingle is folded first along one of the perforated fold lines and again along the other perforated fold line. This creates an exposed edge portion that is four layers thick and this extreme edge takes on a pleasant rounded bullnose appearance covered with granules. The reinforcing scrim is located at the edge and reinforces the bullnose edge to prevent cracking at the fold. |
| US09650786B2 |
Sealing louvers for roof structures
Louvered roof systems are provided with one or more louvers. Such louvers can be combined in an assembly that is movable between an open condition and a closed condition. In the closed condition, louvers in the assembly engage one another. In such engagement, a leg extending generally transversely from one louver may include a wing that extends generally transversely to the leg and that abuts a surface of an adjacent louver. Additionally or alternatively, in such engagement, a leg extending transversely from one louver may be received in a notch in an adjacent louver. |
| US09650785B2 |
Reusable architectural wall
A reusable architectural wall is provided which provides a cost-effective space-dividing wall structure formed of internal support rails joined by a lightweight, cost effective facing panel on each panel side, which preferably is formed of standard architectural materials such as gypsum board, R-board and the like. The wall is structurally rigid, field cuttable, installable horizontally or vertically and has a substantial acoustic reduction, cable carrying capacity, and HVAC capability. |
| US09650784B2 |
Modular units for insulating concrete forms
Embodiments of modular building units (blocks) are disclosed that can be stacked to provide insulating concrete forms (ICFs). The blocks are formed of a foamed polymer material, such as foamed polyurethane. The blocks, when assembled together in an ICF, are configured to form one or more vertical columns of concrete and one or more horizontal beams of concrete intersecting the one or more columns, in a manner of post and beam construction. The blocks can be tightly interlocked with other blocks in a construction process. The disclosed blocks can include significant interior space for rebar and concrete to be inserted to construct the structure. Molds and methods for producing modular units are also disclosed. The molds and methods enable rapid production and removal of modular building units from the molds. Methods of constructing structures using the modular building units are also disclosed. |
| US09650783B2 |
Flame resistant laminate
A flame resistant laminate is described, which distinguishes itself by its low heating value ≦3 MJ/kg according to ISO 1716 and thanks to its special multilayer structure has excellent mechanical characteristics and an extraordinarily good stability under changing climatic conditions (hot/humid/cold/dry). The laminate according to the invention comprises several mineral and glass fiber non-woven fabrics with different functionalities and components. This includes high-filled non-woven fabrics, B-stage binders and other additives. Its great mechanical strength as well as the extraordinarily good stability under changing climatic conditions (hot/humid/cold/dry) allow its reasonable use in many areas where until now exclusively laminates according to EN 438 are used and beyond. |
| US09650782B2 |
Exterior insulation mortar for cold weather and method for constructing exterior insulation system using same
Disclosed are an exterior insulation mortar for cold weather which may prevent freezing and improve strength at temperatures below 0° C., and an exterior insulation system using the same. |
| US09650781B2 |
Deployable truss with orthogonally-hinged primary chords
A deployable truss with modified primary orthogonal joints. The construction of these joints causes the center-hinged primary chords on opposite sides of a truss bay to fold inward in a plane orthogonal to the folding planes of the side diagonals while the two secondary chords fold in planes orthogonal to the plane of the in-folding primary chords. This provides for stiffness and stability during deploy and retract. The unique joint configuration permits the truss to deploy one bay at a time in a stable manner while having lateral bending stiffness, and the truss thus can extend and retract in a sequential manner. It can deploy integral flat panels nested between the secondary folding chords, or use cross bracing in lieu of panels. The truss can be triangular, square or rectangular in cross-section. A powered support frame may be used in conjunction with the truss. |
| US09650780B2 |
Hanger bracket
A hanger bracket for mounting a skewed beam at a junction of two adjacent beams includes a supporting section configured to support the skewed beam. Fixing flanges are substantially perpendicular to the supporting section and are configured for attaching the bracket to the adjacent beams. The fixing flanges lie in different planes to each other. Reinforcing faces are located between the supporting section and each of the fixing flanges. The reinforcing faces are inclined relative to the supporting section and fixing flanges. The hanger bracket includes holes in the supporting section or reinforcing faces configured to secure the skewed beam to the hanger bracket. |
| US09650777B1 |
Toilet assembly
A toilet assembly includes a base that may be positioned on a support surface. A bowl is positioned on the base. The bowl may collect a user's waste. An actuator is coupled between the base and the bowl. The actuator may adjust a height of the bowl with respect to the base. A lever is coupled to the actuator. The lever may actuate and de-actuate the actuator. |
| US09650776B2 |
Flush toilet
A flush toilet wherein at least a portion of the exterior part of an exterior member installed on a rim portion can be easily installed and registered at the height of the rim outer wall upper sloped surface, and seen from the toilet lateral direction, the border between at least a part of the exterior part of the exterior member and the rim outer wall upper sloped surface appears as a single aligned straight line, imparting an aesthetic impression to the user. The rim portion of the flush toilet of the invention includes a rim outer wall upper sloped surface being positioned in an outside of an upper region of the rim outer wall portion, and at least a portion of the exterior part is disposed at the height of the rim outer wall upper sloped surface. |
| US09650772B2 |
Float lock for a flush valve reservoir
A flush valve system may comprise a rail guide configured to extend between upper and lower portions of the flush valve system in a toilet tank. A float may be slidably coupled to the rail guide and be configured to be received by a reservoir associated with the float. The float may comprise a closed upper surface with a mating pocket and one or more circumferential walls extending from the closed upper surface. A lock mechanism may be slidably received by the mating pocket of the float. The lock mechanism may comprise one or more bias arms to fixedly engage the lock mechanism to the float and one or more locking members to fixedly engage the lock mechanism to the rail guide. |
| US09650768B2 |
Shower valve system
A valve assembly for a shower/tub system is provided. The assembly includes a valve body assembly having a molded base, a first inlet connection fitting configured to fluidly attach a first fluid source to the molded base, a second inlet connection fitting configured to fluidly attach a second fluid source to the molded base, a first outlet connection fitting configured to fluidly attach a shower fixture to the molded base, and a second outlet connection fitting configured to fluidly attach a tub nozzle to the molded base. |
| US09650765B2 |
Plumbing outlet box with integrated mounting features
Plumbing outlet boxes, such as for connecting washing machines, ice makers, and other plumbed appliances to plumbing systems, are provided that can be attached to each other without the use of separate connectors or mounting brackets. In particular, plumbing outlet boxes are described that include receiving features and mounting tabs extending outwardly from the side walls. The receiving features and mounting tabs are arranged such that the plumbing outlet box has rotational symmetry. In this way, receiving features may be engaged with mounting tabs of an adjacent plumbing outlet box regardless of the relative orientation of the mating plumbing outlet boxes. |
| US09650761B2 |
Shovel and method of controlling shovel
A shovel includes an internal combustion engine, a hydraulic pump connected to the internal-combustion engine, a generator connected to the internal-combustion engine, and a control part that controls the generator. The control part increases an electric generation load of the generator before a hydraulic load of the hydraulic pump increases. |
| US09650760B2 |
Work vehicle
A control device of a wheel loader obtains a first ratio between a value corresponding to a target traveling distance for the wheel loader, when it travels to a discharge position where an excavated substance is discharged after an excavation with a bucket, and a value corresponding to a target elevation amount for an elevation of a boom after a motion is started. The control device also obtains a second ratio between a value corresponding to an actual traveling distance after the wheel loader starts its motion to the position where the excavated substance is discharged after the excavation with the bucket, and a value corresponding to an actual elevation amount of the boom after the motion is started. The control device then controls a transmission toque transmitted to a drive wheel from an engine in order that a difference between the first ratio and the second ratio becomes zero. |
| US09650758B2 |
Method and device for braking rotating and/or slewing gears
Device and process for braking rotating and/or slewing gears of work machines comprising at least one dynamic service brake for decelerating a rotating and/or pivotal movement of the rotating and/or slewing gear, and at least one static holding brake (16), by means of which the rotating and/or slewing gear can be locked in one position, wherein at least one sensor (14) is assigned to the dynamic service brake (11a) and/or to the static holding brake (16), said sensor detecting the current movement of the rotating and/or slewing gear, and the sensor (14) being connected to a controller (13, 19) that detects an actuation of the dynamic service brake (11, 11a) said controller actuating the static holding brake (16) when in case of continued rotating and/or pivoting movement of the rotating and/or slewing gear when a dynamic service brake (11a) is still actuated. |
| US09650757B2 |
Construction machine
A construction machine includes a substantially vertical firewall located in front of an engine, which is mounted to a main swing frame of the machine. The firewall may include a plurality of partition plates, and a plurality of elastically deformable protruding plates connected along lower ends of the partition plates. A lateral plate connected to a bottom plate of the swing frame may be fitted between the elastically deformable protruding plates and the lower ends of the partition plates to fix the lower ends of the partition plates to the main swing frame of the machine. The lateral plate may be located in front of a lower part of the engine. |
| US09650756B2 |
Stick for linkage assembly of machine
A stick for a linkage assembly of an implement system includes a stick body and a stick joint assembly. The stick body defines a neutral axis and includes a pair of sidewalls in lateral spaced relationship to each other, a top portion extending between the pair of sidewalls, and a bottom portion extending between the pair of sidewalls, which define an interior cavity. The stick joint assembly includes a stick joint tube and a stick joint reinforcement plate. The stick joint tube extends between and is connected to the sidewalls. The stick joint reinforcement plate is connected to one of the pair of sidewalls and includes a pair of arms extending from a central portion. The ends of the first and second arms of are disposed along the neutral axis of the stick body. |
| US09650755B2 |
Display system of excavating machine, excavating machine, and display computer program of excavating machine
A display system of excavating machine includes a vehicle state detection unit configured to detect information related to a current position and a posture of the excavator as an excavating machine; a storage unit configured to store at least position information of a target surface indicating a target shape of an object to be worked; a bucket tilt detection unit configured to detect a tilt angle of the bucket; and a processing unit configured to obtain an angle between the edge and the target surface from a position of the edge of the bucket obtained based on the tilt angle of the bucket and the information related to a current position and a posture of the excavator and to display posture information indicating information related to a posture of the bucket on a screen of a display unit based on the obtained edge tilt angle. |
| US09650750B1 |
Animal waste collecting device
An animal waste collecting device for collecting and disposing of animal waste. The animal waste collecting device includes a rigid, elongated handle having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes an eyelet thereon so as to allow the elongated handle to be hung from a hook or similar support. The second end is removably secured to a bag and cable tie assembly, wherein the cable tie is configured in a loop and secured to the open upper end of the bag. The bag is used to collect animal waste, wherein the rigidity of the cable tie allows the bag to remain open. The cable tie is pulled through a locking mechanism in order to seal the bag after animal waste has been collected therein. The cable tie assembly is removably secured to the second end of said elongated handle by a clip. |
| US09650747B2 |
Device and procedure to determine a size of contact representing the contact state of a compactor roller upon the substrate to be compacted
Device to determine a size of contact representing a contact state between a compactor roller and a substrate to be compacted, encompassing a compactor roller rotatable in at least one acquisition circumference area around a compactor roller axis and at least one contact sensor generating a contact signal, wherein the contact signal indicates a contact start and a contact end of an acquisition circumference area upon the substrate to be compacted. |
| US09650746B2 |
Pulp molding process and paper-shaped article made thereby
A pulp molding process and a paper-shaped article made thereby are provided. The pulp molding process comprises the steps of providing a composite having at least one fiber material, performing a pulp-dredging step including a first pre-compression forming step, performing a compression thermo-forming step, and performing an edge-cutting step for forming a paper-shaped article, wherein the composite comprises 20 to 99 parts by weight of a superior short fiber material for forming the paper-shaped article for eliminating the crosslinking effect. The paper-shaped article made by the pulp molding process comprises a cave having a transversal width of from 0.5 mm to 8 mm. |
| US09650745B2 |
Oil-in-water emulsions
The invention relates to oil-in-water emulsions based on fatty alcohols and mono- or diesters of glycerol and the use thereof as antifoams or deaerators for aqueous compositions. The oil phase of the emulsions according to the invention consists to at least 95% by weight of the following constituents: a) 40 to 95% by weight, based on the total weight of the oil phase, of a mixture of at least two alcohols as component A, consisting of: a1) at least one alkanol having 12 to 30 carbon atoms as component A1, a2) at least one mono- or diester of glycerol with at least one fatty acid having 14 to 24 carbon atoms as component A2; b) 0.1 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the oil phase, of at least one further component B, which is selected from esters of C12-C36-alkanecarboxylic acids with polyglycerol, amides of C12-C36-alkanecarboxylic acids with alkylenediamines or oligoalkyleneamines, and esters of C12-C36-alkanecarboxylic acids with C12-C36-alkanols, and mixtures thereof, c) 4.9 to 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the oil phase, of at least one further component C, which is selected from organic substances which are liquid at 50° C. and 1013 mbar, at atmospheric pressure have a boiling point above 200° C., and at 25° C. and 1013 mbar have a solubility in water of less than 0.1 g/l. |
| US09650744B2 |
Suction roll with sensors for detecting operational parameters
An industrial roll includes: a substantially cylindrical shell having an outer surface and an internal lumen; a polymeric cover circumferentially overlying the shell outer surface, wherein the shell and cover have a plurality of through holes that provide fluid communication between the lumen and the atmosphere; and a sensing system. The sensing system includes: a plurality of sensors embedded in the cover, the sensors configured to sense an operating parameter of the roll and provide signals related to the operating parameter; at least one signal-carrying member connected with at least one of the sensors, wherein the signal-carrying member includes openings that align at least partially with some of the through holes of the shell and cover; and a processor operatively associated with the sensors that processes signals provided by the sensors. |
| US09650743B2 |
Sealing device, suction roll and method for producing and/or processing a paper, cardboard or tissue web
A sealing device seals a pressure or vacuum zone of a roller having a roller sleeve which is movable in relation to the sealing device. The sealing device has a sealing strip with an upper side forming a sealing face and a lubricant channel adjoining the sealing face and is formed by at least one groove-type depression in the sealing strip, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the sealing strip. When the sealing device is installed, the sealing face and the opening of the groove-type depression face toward the inner side of the roller sleeve. The lubricant channel is hooked up to a supply line which at least in portions runs within the sealing strip and delivers lubricant between the inner side of the roller sleeve and the sealing face. The sealing strip, at each of its two ends, has a wall delimiting the lubricant channel in its length. |
| US09650740B2 |
Pressing mat
A pressing mat for ironing elements of material that can be placed on a support surface for ironing that includes a backing board layer and a composite material layer superimposed adjacent one another and secured together near the peripheral edges of each layer. The composite material layer has a foam layer and a fabric layer and is positioned such that the fabric layer is adjacent to the backing board layer with the foam layer providing an exterior surface. Alternatively, the pressing mat may be comprised of two pressing board assemblies superimposed adjacent to one another and secured together such that the backing board layers are adjacent to each other and the foam layers provide the exterior surface. In this alternative embodiment, the entire exterior surface of the pressing mat consists of the foam layer. The pressing mat may be configured for folding. |
| US09650737B2 |
Laundry treating apparatus
A laundry treating apparatus includes a cabinet, a door, a first hinge including a first shaft and a first shaft receiving unit, a second hinge including a second shaft and a third shaft configured to rotatably fix the second shaft to the cabinet and to define a second rotational axis of the door, a third hinge including a fourth shaft and a fourth shaft receiving unit such that the fourth shaft is detachably received in the fourth shaft receiving unit, a first switching unit provided in the door, a second switching unit provided in the door, the second switching unit being configured to close the fourth shaft receiving unit, and a withdrawal prevention unit configured to detachably couple second switching unit to the third hinge when the second switching unit closes the fourth shaft receiving unit. |
| US09650728B2 |
Processing method for fiber material used to form biocomposite component
The present invention is directed to plant fiber-reinforced biocomposite thermoplastic and/or resin compositions and a method for reinforcing thermoplastic resins. The present invention provides a use for the cellulose portion of a plant material, which is the portion left over after processing the selected plant materials to separate the cellulose in a mechanical process that does not damage the internal molecular structure of the cellulose fraction, enabling the cellulose fraction to chemically bond with the thermoplastic resin to enhance the reinforcement of the resin or thermoplastic biocomposite composition. |
| US09650727B2 |
Reactor gas panel common exhaust
A substrate processing system is described that has a reactor and a gas panel, and a common exhaust for the reactor and the gas panel. An exhaust conduit from the reactor is routed to the gas panel, and exhaust gases from the reactor are used to purge the gas panel. Gases from the reactor may be cooled before flowing to the gas panel. |
| US09650722B2 |
Chrome-plated part and manufacturing method of the same
An nickel plating layer (5a) intended for corrosion current distribution is formed over a body (2), and a 0.05 to 2.5 micrometers thick surface chrome plating layer (6) made of trivalent chromium is formed on the surface thereof using basic chromium sulfate as a source of metal. Further on the same, a not less than 7 nm thick chromium compound film (7) is formed by cathode acidic electrolytic chromatin. The corrosion distribution nickel plating layer (5a) has a function of forming a microporous structure, a microcrack structure, or the both of the same in the surface chrome plating layer (6). |
| US09650721B2 |
Highly efficient sodium hypochlorite generation apparatus capable of decreasing disinfection by-products
The present invention relates to a highly efficient sodium hypochlorite generation apparatus capable of decreasing disinfection by-products, which is a chlorine disinfection device for on-site generation and produces sodium hypochlorite solution by electrolyzing sodium chloride aqueous solution on site, thereby requiring no additional liquefied chlorine storage equipment or disaster prevention equipment and securing flexibility of installation and operation while not being regulated by a high-pressure gas safety control act.The highly efficient sodium hypochlorite generation apparatus of the present invention capable of decreasing disinfection by-products comprises: a diaphragm electrolytic bath comprising an anode room into which a sodium chloride aqueous solution flows, a cathode room into which water flows, and a cation exchange membrane for dividing the anode room and the cathode room; an anode water storage tank for storing chlorine gas and anode water generated by the electrolysis of the anode room; a cathode water storage tank for storing sodium hydroxide generated by the electrolysis of the cathode room and discharging hydrogen gas; and a gas/liquid contact portion in which the chlorine gas supplied from the anode water storage tank reacts with the sodium hydroxide generated at the cathode water storage tank to produce sodium hypochlorite, wherein the sodium hypochlorite generation apparatus further comprises a water-splitting electrodialysis tank for producing hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide using a sodium chloride aqueous solution and water to supply the same as anode water and cathode water, respectively.The present invention can provide a highly efficient sodium hypochlorite generation apparatus capable of decreasing disinfection by-products which can minimize the generation of chlorate ions (ClO3−), by-products, by increasing the chlorine generation efficiency of an anode and adjusting a material balance in case of gas/liquid contact. In addition, since it is possible to provide chemicals generated using salt only to a diaphragm sodium hypochlorite generation apparatus, a highly efficient sodium hypochlorite generation apparatus capable of decreasing disinfection by-products with excellent safety and economic efficiency can be provided without using expensive chemicals that are difficult to handle. |
| US09650720B2 |
Method for surface-modifying neural electrode
In a method for surface-modifying a neural electrode, a neural electrode array is formed, first and second metal nanoparticles having different solubilities with respect to an etching solution are simultaneously electrode-deposited on a surface of the neural electrode array, and the second metal nanoparticles are selectively etched using the etching solution, thereby forming a porous structure including the first metal nanoparticles on the surface of the neural electrode array. |
| US09650719B1 |
Method for electroless plating of palladium phosphorus directly on copper, and a plated component therefrom
A solution comprising a palladium compound and a polyaminocarboxylic compound has been found to be suitable as a bath for electroless plating of palladium onto copper. Use of such a solution produces a plated component comprising a copper surface and a palladium plated coating having a thickness of between 0.01 micrometers (μm) and 5 μm. A method for electroless plating of palladium onto a copper surface of a component includes preparing a bath having a palladium compound and a polyaminocarboxylic compound. The copper component is submerged in the bath to plate a palladium layer on the copper surface of the component. The component resulting from the plating method has a palladium layer plated on the copper surface. |
| US09650716B2 |
Patterning continuous webs with protected electrically-conductive grids
A method is used to provide an electrically conductive article. The method includes: (i) providing a continuous polymeric web of a transparent polymeric substrate; (ii) forming a first photocurable pattern on at least a first portion on a first supporting side of the continuous polymeric web using a photocurable composition comprising metal particles; (iii) exposing the photocurable pattern to form a photocured pattern on the first portion of the first supporting side; (iv) electrolessly plating the photocured pattern with an electrically-conductive metal to form an electrically-conductive metal pattern; and (v) forming a dry outermost polymeric coating over at least part but not all of the electrically-conductive pattern, the dry polymeric coating having a dry thickness of less than 5 μm, an integrated transmittance of at least 80%, and comprising a non-crosslinked thermoplastic polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) that is equal to or greater than 65° C. |
| US09650715B2 |
Method of forming metal-containing film
Provided are a semiconductor device manufacturing method and a substrate processing apparatus that are capable of increasing a work function of a film to be formed, in comparison with a related art. The method comprises: (a) supplying a metal-containing gas simultaneously with one selected from the group consisting of an oxygen-containing gas, a halogen-containing gas and combinations thereof into a processing chamber accommodating the substrate; and (b) supplying a nitrogen-containing gas with one of the oxygen-containing gas, the halogen-containing gas and the combinations thereof into the processing chamber. |
| US09650711B2 |
Efficient and simple method for metalorganic chemical vapor deposition
The present invention provides a method of preparing metal or metal oxide particles on a substrate by forming a reaction mixture of a metal or metal oxide precursor and a substrate, and heating the reaction mixture at reduced pressure, such that metal or metal oxide particles are formed on the substrate. |
| US09650710B2 |
Sputtering device and sputtering method
One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a sputtering device and a sputtering method. By using the sputtering device according to the present embodiment, characteristics of a deposition layer formed at the organic light emitting display apparatus may be improved, thereby improving electric characteristics and image quality of the organic light emitting display apparatus may be improved. |
| US09650708B2 |
High-strength flat steel product and method for producing same
A flat steel product having a tensile strength of at least 1200 MPa and consists of steel containing (wt %) C: 0.10-0.50%, Si: 0.1-2.5%, Mn: 1.0-3.5%, Al: up to 2.5%, P: up to 0.020%, S: up to 0.003%, N: up to 0.02%, and optionally one or more of the elements “Cr, Mo, V, Ti, Nb, B and Ca” in the quantities: Cr: 0.1-0.5%, Mo: 0.1-0.3%, V: 0.01-0.1%, Ti: 0.001-0.15%, Nb: 0.02-0.05%, wherein Σ(V, Ti, Nb)≦0.2% for the sum of the quantities of V, Ti and Nb, B: 0.0005-0.005%, and Ca: up to 0.01% in addition to Fe and unavoidable impurities. The flat steel product has a microstructure with (in surface percent) less than 5% ferrite, less than 10% bainite, 5-70% untempered martensite, 5-30% residual austenite, and 25-80% tempered martensite, at least 99% of the iron carbide contained in the tempered martensite having a size of less than 500 nm. |
| US09650702B2 |
Nitridable piston rings
A steel material composition in particular for manufacturing piston rings and cylinder liners, which has a good nitriding capability, contains the following elements in the given proportion related to 100% by weight of the steel material composition: 0.5-1.2% by weight C, 4.0-20.0% by weight Cr, 45.30-91.25% by weight Fe, 0.1-3.0% by weight Mn, 0.1-3.0% by weight Mo, 2.0-12.0% by weight Ni, 2.0-10.0% by weight Si and 0.05-2.0% by weight V. It can be manufactured by manufacturing a melt of the starting materials and casting the melt into a prefabricated mold. Nitridation of the steel material composition which is obtained leads to a nitridized steel material composition which, by virtue of the manufacture with gravity casting, exceeds the properties of tempered cast iron with nodular graphite. |
| US09650698B2 |
Nickel-chromium alloy having good processability, creep resistance and corrosion resistance
The invention relates to a nickel-chromium alloy comprising (in wt.-%) 29 to 37% chromium, 0.001 to 1.8% aluminum, 0.10 to 7.0% iron, 0.001 to 0.50% silicon, 0.005 to 2.0% manganese, 0.00 to 1.00% titanium and/or 0.00 to 1.10% niobium, 0.0002 to 0.05% each of magnesium and/or calcium, 0.005 to 12% carbon, 0.001 to 0.050% nitrogen, 0.001 to 0.030% phosphorus, 0.0001 to 0.020% oxygen, not more than 0.010% sulfur, not more than 2.0% molybdenum, not more than 2.0% tungsten, the remainder nickel and the usual process-related impurities, wherein the following relations must be satisfied: Cr+Al≧30 (2a) and Fp≦39.9 (3a) with Fp=Cr+0.272*Fe+2.36*Al+2.22*Si+2.48*Ti+0.374*Mo+0.538*W−11.8*C (4a), wherein Cr, Fe, Al, Si, Ti, Mo, W and C is the concentration of the respective elements in % by mass. |
| US09650696B2 |
Method for producing an aluminium alloy foam by moulding
A method for producing an aluminum alloy foam wherein an aluminum alloy, in molten form, infiltrates the interstices of a preform of silicon elastomer elements, by means of a conventional molding process, typically a low-pressure process, followed by the elimination of the preform broken down into silica powder during the molding cycle and/or an additional baking cycle. |
| US09650695B2 |
Method for treating lead anode slime
The present invention relates to a method of treating lead anode slime having high fluorine and arsenic content, in particular to a method comprising smelting of the lead anode slime and cleaning the produced off gases in a one or more wet gas cleaning stages. |
| US09650694B2 |
Treatment of high sulphur solids
A process of treating a solid material containing lead and elemental sulphur, by feeding the solid material to a furnace containing a bath of molten slag under conditions such that elemental sulphur burns in the furnace to form sulphur dioxide and lead in the solid material is oxidized and reports to the slag, then removing a gas stream containing sulphur dioxide from the furnace, and finally removing a lead-containing slag from the furnace. |
| US09650691B2 |
Injector nozzle quenching process for piping systems
A quenching process for quenching a flowing first fluid with a flowing second fluid may involve a first hollow pipe for containing the flowing first fluid and a second hollow pipe for containing the flowing second fluid; dividing the flowing second fluid into a first baffle flow along a first side of a longitudinal baffle and a second baffle flow along a second side of the longitudinal baffle within the second hollow pipe; providing a transverse baffle protruding from the longitudinal baffle for directing the first baffle flow from a first baffle flow outlet and the second baffle flow from a second baffle flow outlet in the second hollow pipe and into the flowing first fluid in the first hollow pipe; and configuring an area of the first baffle flow outlet area to be greater than or equal to an area of the second baffle flow outlet area. |
| US09650690B2 |
High-strength steel sheet and method of producing molten steel for high-strength steel sheet
A high-strength steel sheet includes: 0.03 to 0.20% of C, 0.08 to 1.5% of Si, 0.5 to 3.0% of Mn, 0.05% or less of P, 0.0005% or more of S, 0.008 to 0.20% of acid-soluble Ti, 0.0005 to 0.01% of N, more than 0.01% of acid-soluble Al, and 0.001 to 0.04% of one or both of Ce and La in terms of mass %; and the balance including Fe and inevitable impurities. The ratio of (Ce+La)/acid-soluble Al is equal to or more than 0.1 and the ratio of (Ce+La)/S is in the range of 0.4 to 50 in a mass base, and the density of the number of inclusions, having a circle equivalent diameter of 2 μm or less, which are present in the steel sheet is equal to or more than 15/mm2. |
| US09650686B2 |
Extreme thermophilic bacteria of the genus Caldicellulosiruptor
A method for converting lignocellulosic biomass material to a carboxylic acid comprising the step of contacting the lignocellulosic biomass material with a microbial culture for a period of time at an initial temperature and an initial pH, thereby producing an amount of a carboxylic acid; wherein the microbial culture comprises an extremely thermophilic bacteria strain selected from the group consisting of Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB041C, Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB087C, Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB103C, Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB104C, Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB107C, Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB101C, and Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004C, and wherein the lignocellulosic biomass material is converted in a single step process as part of a consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) system. |
| US09650683B2 |
Primer for amplifying farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase from mango
The present invention discloses primers for amplifying farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase gene, having sequence selected from the group consisting of Seq Id. nos. 1-3 and 5-7, from mango. Also disclosed herein is a novel nucleotide sequence of sequence ID no. 8 encoding said amplified farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS) for enzyme production in an artificial system thus generating the desired flavor in food products. |
| US09650680B2 |
MicroRNAs and uses thereof
Described herein are novel polynucleotides associated with prostate and lung cancer. The polynucleotides are miRNAs and miRNA precursors. Related methods and compositions that can be used for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of those medical conditions are disclosed. Also described herein are methods that can be used to identify modulators of prostate and lung cancer. |
| US09650679B2 |
HSA-MIR-146B-5P-related nucleic acids and uses thereof
Described herein are polynucleotides associated with prostate and lung cancer. The polynucleotides are miRNAs and miRNA precursors. Related methods and compositions that can be used for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of those medical conditions are disclosed. Also described herein are methods that can be used to identify modulators of prostate and lung cancer. |
| US09650678B2 |
Methods for identifying an increased risk of anthracycline-related cardiotoxicity
Methods of identifying a subject having an increased risk of developing anthracycline-related cardiotoxicity are provided. Such methods may include isolating a DNA sample from a biological specimen from the subject; genotyping the DNA sample to determine a copy number of a variant allele that increases the risk of developing chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity; and identifying the subject as having an increased risk of developing anthracycline-related cardiotoxicity when the copy number is at least one. In some embodiments, the methods may include optimally administering a therapeutically effective dose of a chemotherapy agent or an alternative non-cardiotoxic chemotherapeutic agent to the subject. |
| US09650676B2 |
Leukocyte MicroRNAS for use in diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis
Methods for diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis are described. Methods utilize the recognition that leukocyte miRNAs can be dramatically dysregulated subjects suffering from endometriosis. Accordingly, leukocyte miRNAs, as well as polynucleotides encoding the miRNAs, can be utilized in the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. |
| US09650675B2 |
Restriction endonucleases and their uses
A restriction endonuclease with a recognition sequence 5′-TCGA-3′. The restriction endonuclease is sensitive to the presence of a modified cytosine residue in the recognition sequence. Methods and kits using the restriction endonuclease with a recognition sequence 5′-TCGA-3′ are also disclosed. |
| US09650674B2 |
Nucleic acid probes and methods of using the same
The present invention provides a composition comprising a fluorescent nucleic acid probe that can be cleaved by enzymatic and non-enzymatic means, and methods of using the same. Advantageously, the nucleic acid probe may be used to detect and quantify nucleic acid cleavage in vitro, in situ, ex vivo, and in vivo. |
| US09650670B2 |
Capacitive feedback (transimpedance) amplifier
A polynucleotide sequencer comprising an integrated and multiplexed network of patch clamp capacitive integrator-differentiator amplifiers with small feedback capacitors using pseudo-resistors. |
| US09650669B2 |
Integrated optoelectronic read head and fluidic cartridge useful for nucleic acid sequencing
A detection apparatus having a read head including a plurality of microfluorometers positioned to simultaneously acquire a plurality of the wide-field images in a common plane; and (b) a translation stage configured to move the read head along a substrate that is in the common plane. The substrate can be a flow cell that is included in a cartridge, the cartridge also including a housing for (i) a sample reservoir; (ii) a fluidic line between the sample reservoir and the flow cell; (iii) several reagent reservoirs in fluid communication with the flow cell, (iv) at least one valve configured to mediate fluid communication between the reservoirs and the flow cell; and (v) at least one pressure source configured to move liquids from the reservoirs to the flow cell. The detection apparatus and cartridge can be used together or independent of each other. |
| US09650668B2 |
Use of longitudinally displaced nanoscale electrodes for voltage sensing of biomolecules and other analytes in fluidic channels
Devices for detecting an analyte are provided. Devices for voltage sensing of analytes may comprise a plurality of fluidic channels defined in a substrate, each channel having a pair of sensing electrodes disposed in or adjacent to the fluidic channel and defining a detection volume for sensing voltage therein. At least one pair of electromotive electrodes for applying potential along at least one fluidic channel is provided as well. |
| US09650667B2 |
Method for reducing adapter-dimer formation
Methods are provided for ligating a 3′ adapter and a 5′ adapter to a target polynucleotide so as to avoid adapter dimer formation. Embodiments of the methods include adding a blocking oligonucleotide after the first ligation in which a 3′ adapter is ligated to the target polynucleotide so that the blocking oligonucleotide is capable of hybridizing to excess 3′ adapter and the ligated 3′ adapter. Subsequently, a 5′ adapter is ligated to the target polynucleotide thus avoiding adapter dimer formation. |
| US09650666B2 |
Processes for detecting or quantifying nucleic acids using an array of fixed or immobilized nucleic acids
This invention provides novel compositions and processes for analyte detection, quantification and amplification. Nucleic acid arrays and libraries of analytes are usefully incorporated into such compositions and processes. Universal detection elements, signaling entities and the like are employed to detect and if necessary or desirable, to quantify analytes. Amplification of target analytes are also provided by the compositions and processes of this invention. |
| US09650665B2 |
Detection of nucleotide variation on target nucleic acid sequence by PTO cleavage and extension assay
The present invention is generally drawn to a novel method and a kit for detecting nucleotide variations by a PTOCE (PTO Cleavage and Extension) assay with PTO-NV. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to a novel method and a kit for detecting a nucleotide variation on a target nucleic acid sequence by a PTOCE assay with PTO-NV having a non-base paring moiety. |
| US09650658B2 |
Methods to produce bolaamphiphilic glycolipids
This disclosure relates to the field of the microbial production of specific types of glycolipids that are potentially useful as replacements for petroleum-based detergents and emulsifiers. This disclosure, more specifically, discloses the usage of yeasts having a dysfunctional acetyltransferase for producing high amounts of bolaamphiphilic glycolipids when using conventional and cheap substrates. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to yeasts having a dysfunctional acetyltransferase optionally combined with a dysfunctional lactonase and/or second glucosyltransferase. The latter microorganisms are capable of producing high amounts of bolaamphiphilic sophorolipids. |
| US09650655B2 |
Production of fatty alcohols from engineered microorganisms
Recombinant microorganisms are provided which have been engineered to produce fatty alcohols. Also provided are recombinant microorganisms which comprise a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a fatty alcohol reductase enzyme and an introduced polynucleotide encoding a β-ketoacyl acyl carrier protein synthase. |
| US09650654B2 |
Making C4+ products in bacteria
Methods of making C4+ hydrocarbon feedstocks using anaerobic microbes are described. |
| US09650648B2 |
Methods and compositions for treatment of a genetic condition
Methods and compositions for a genetic disease are provided. |
| US09650642B2 |
Genetically modified cyanobacteria for the production of ethanol
The invention provides novel compositions of matter for the production of ethanol from carbon dioxide and water. Particularly, the invention provides photoautotrophic organisms having a first and second genetic modification, wherein the first genetic modification improves the ethanol production from organisms having the second genetic modification. |
| US09650640B2 |
Constructs for expressing transgenes using regulatory elements from Panicum ubiquitin genes
Provided are constructs and methods for expressing a transgene in plant cells and/or plant tissues using the regulatory elements, including the promoters and/or 3′-UTRs, isolated from Panicum virgatum ubiquitin genes. |
| US09650638B2 |
Aptamer for periostin and anti-cancer composition including same
This disclosure relates to DNA aptamer specifically binding to periostin, which is cancer-related protein, a composition for inhibiting cancer and/or cancer metastasis and/or a composition for diagnosis of cancer and/or cancer metastasis, comprising the same as an active ingredient, wherein the aptamer has different binding mechanism from the existing antibodies, and thus, may inhibit and diagnose cancer/cancer metastasis more effectively. |
| US09650635B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions comprising small interfering RNA inhibitors of NOX3
This invention relates to a method of identifying a modulator of an NADPH oxidase, whereby said modulator is suitable as a lead compound and/or as a medicament for the treatment and/or prevention of hearing loss and/or phantom hearing, the method comprising the steps of (a) contacting a test compound with a protein, wherein said protein (i) comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3 or 5, or (ii) is encoded by a nucleic acid comprising or consisting of the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 23 or 24, or (iii) is a fragment of the protein according to (i) or (ii) and exhibits NADPH oxidase activity, or (iv) has a sequence at least 75% identical with the protein according to (i) or (ii) or with the fragment according to (iii) and exhibits NADPH oxidase activity, and optionally with one or more NADPH oxidase subunits, under conditions allowing binding of said test compound to said protein or, if present, said subunit(s); (b) optionally determining whether said test compound binds to said protein or, if present, said subunit(s); and (c) determining whether (ca) said test compound, upon contacting in step (a); or (cb) said test compound, upon binding in step (b) modulates the expression and/or activity of said protein or, if present, said subunit(s). Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, medical uses and diagnostic uses of compounds of the invention. |
| US09650633B2 |
Composition for controlling stem cells pluripotency, containing LIN28A methylation inhibitor, and method for screening for LIN28A methylation inhibitor
Provided is a composition for controlling pluripotency of stem cells including an LIN28A methylation inhibitor and a screening method of the LIN28A methylation inhibitor, and more particularly, a composition for controlling pluripotency of stem cells including an inhibitor controlling methylation of 135th lysine of LIN28A that is methylated by SET7/9, or a composition for treating cancer, and a screening method of the inhibitor, wherein the screening method includes (a) contacting a candidate material with a cell, the cell having a gene introduced thereinto; (b) measuring a methylation level of the 135th lysine of the LIN28A; and (c) selecting an inhibitor controlling methylation of the 135th lysine of the LIN28A. That is, the present invention relates to a composition for controlling pluripotency of embryonic stem cells, or an anti-cancer composition, and a screening method of the inhibitor. The method of the present invention is possible to screen materials capable of controlling pluripotency of embryonic stem cells or materials having anti-cancer activity, and the materials screened by the method of the present invention may control pluripotency of embryonic stem cells and inhibit growth of cancer cells, which is effective for disorders of stem cell differentiation or preparation of cancer therapeutic agents. |
| US09650632B2 |
Oligomers
Molecules are provided for inducing or facilitating exon skipping in forming spliced mRNA products from pre-mRNA molecules in cells. The molecules may be provided directly as oligonucleotides or expression products of vectors that are administered to a subject. High rates of skipping can be achieved. High rates of skipping reduce the severity of a disease like Duchene Muscular Dystrophy so that the disease is more like Becker Muscular Dystrophy. This is a severe reduction in symptom severity and mortality. |
| US09650629B2 |
Clonal pre-amplification in emulsion
Disclosed is a process for clonal pre-amplification of a nucleic acid involving the steps of (i) providing a plurality of different nucleic acid molecules (b) attaching adaptor sequences to the 3′ ends and 5′ ends of the nucleic acid molecules (c) preparing a water in oil emulsion wherein the majority of water droplets comprises one or none member of the plurality of different nucleic acid molecules (d) clonally amplifying the plurality of different nucleic acid molecules. In particular, the different nucleic acid molecules are mRNA molecules. |
| US09650623B2 |
Improving the solubility of an alkaline protease in a liquid detergent by amino acid substitution
Providing an alkaline protease exhibiting an improved solubility in a liquid detergent. A mutant alkaline protease consisting of the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID No: 2 or an amino acid sequence having 80% or more sequence identity therewith, in which at least one amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of the amino acid residues at predetermined positions of the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID No: 2 or corresponding positions thereto are substituted. |
| US09650612B2 |
Method of producing a polypeptide or virus of interest in a continuous cell culture
Described herein is a chemostat-like continuous cell culture system that combines certain advantages of perfusion open systems and chemostat open systems to improve the culturing of mammalian cells, e.g., genetically modified cells, particularly in serum-free or chemically-defined media. The continuous culture system described herein involves culturing mammalian cells in a continuous cell culture system, which comprises a cell retention device, wherein the cell culture system has a dilution rate (D) of less than about 2 d−1, and a cell density of less than about 2×107 cell/mL. Also described herein is a method for producing a polypeptide and/or virus of interest in a continuous cell culture, the method comprising culturing mammalian cells expressing the polypeptide and/or virus of interest in a continuous cell culture system, which comprises a cell retention device, wherein the cell culture system has a dilution rate (D) of less than about 2 d−1, and a cell density of less than about 2×107 cell/mL; and recovering the polypeptide and/or virus of interest from medium of the cell culture system. |
| US09650611B2 |
Mammary artery derived cells and methods of use in tissue repair and regeneration
An isolated mammalian internal mammary artery-derived cell is disclosed. Furthermore, methods of isolating the mammalian internal mammary artery-derived cell are disclosed. The cell is useful in tissue engineering technologies, specifically in vascular tissue engineering. |
| US09650608B2 |
Activating adipose-derived stem cells for transplantation
A method of preparing a stem cell preparation is provided. The method includes steps of collecting adipose tissue from a mammal, contacting that adipose tissue with an enzyme preparation to digest fat and connective tissue and preserve stem cells and collecting those stem cells. In addition a kit is provided for preparing a stem cell preparation. |
| US09650605B2 |
Generation of neural stem cells from undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells
The present invention relates to the generation of neural cells from undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells. In particular it relates to directing the differentiation of human ES cells into neural progenitors and neural cells and the production of functioning neural cells and/or neural cells of a specific type. The invention also includes the use of these cells for the treatment of neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease. |
| US09650604B2 |
Equine amniotic membrane-derived mesenchymal stem cells
The present invention relates to equine amniotic membrane-derived mesenchymal stem cells (eAM-MSCs) and a preparation method thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to equine amniotic membrane-derived mesenchymal stem cells, which show negative immunological responses to all of the human markers CD19, CD20, CD28, CD31, CD34, CD38, CD41a, CD62L, CD62P and CD200, and positive immunological responses to all of the human markers CD44, CD90 and CD105, and have the ability to be maintained in an undifferentiated state for 14 passages or more and the ability to differentiate into ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm-derived cells. |