| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09678441B2 |
Mask pattern generation method and optical image calculation method
In a method for generating, with a computer, a pattern of a mask, a pattern on an object plane of a projection optical system is set, shifted plural pupil functions are generated, a matrix containing the generated plural pupil functions is defined, an image of the pattern on the object plane is calculated by generating a vector obtained by transposing and complex-conjugating a vector containing, as components, values of the pupil functions at origin coordinates on a pupil plane from among components of the matrix, and performing convolution integral between the pattern on the object plane and a Fourier transform of a product of the vector and the matrix, an assist pattern for the pattern on the object plane is generated using the calculated image, and a pattern of the mask including the pattern on the object plane and the assist pattern is generated. |
| US09678440B2 |
Projection exposure method, system and objective
A projection exposure method includes exposing an exposure area of a radiation sensitive substrate with at least one image of a pattern of a mask in a scanning operation. The scanning operation includes moving the mask relative to an effective object field of the projection objective and simultaneously moving the substrate relative to an effective image field of the projection objective in respective scanning directions. The projection exposure method also includes changing imaging properties of the projection objective actively during the scanning operation according to a given time profile to change dynamically at least one aberration of the projection objective between a beginning and an end of the scanning operation. |
| US09678434B2 |
Grid refinement method
Lithography methods disclosed herein accommodate shrinking pattern dimensions. An exemplary method includes receiving a pattern to be transferred to a workpiece by a pattern generator. The pattern generator is divided into a first segment set and a second segment set based on the pattern, such that a collective exposure dose from the first segment set and the second segment set satisfies an exposure dose specified by the pattern. The first segment set is offset from the second segment set in a first direction, and segments in the first segment set and segments in the second segment set are offset from each other in a second direction different than the first direction. The method further includes exposing the workpiece according to the first segment set and the second segment set. |
| US09678432B2 |
Optical assembly for increasing the etendue
An optical system has a light source having an original etendue of less than 0.1 mm2 for an illumination system for projection lithography. An optical assembly serves for simultaneously increasing the etendue of a used emission of the light source. The optical assembly is embodied such that an increase in the etendue by at least a factor of 10 results. A component of the optical assembly that is impinged on is displaced relative to the light source such that an impingement region of the emission of the light source on the optical component of the optical assembly varies temporally. |
| US09678423B2 |
Resist composition, method for forming resist pattern, acid generator and compound
A resist composition which generates acid upon exposure and exhibits changed solubility in a developing solution under action of acid, and which includes a base component (A) which exhibits changed solubility in a developing solution under action of acid and an acid-generator component (B) which generates acid upon exposure, the acid-generator component (B) including a compound (B0-1) represented by general formula (b0) shown below (in the formula, Yx01 represents a divalent linking group; n represents an integer of 1 to 3; and M′m+ represents an organic cation having a valency of m. |
| US09678417B2 |
Light source unit including laser diodes as light sources and microlens array and projector
A projector includes a light source unit comprising a microlens array having a first area and a second area having a wider interval than that of the first area, a first light source configured to emit light to be incident on the first area, and a second light source configured to emit light to be incident on the first area and the second area, wherein the microlens array diffuses the lights emitted from the first light source and the second light source by microlenses thereof, a collective lens collecting diffuse lights diffused by the microlens array, a display device on which the diffuse lights collected by the collective lens are shone to produce projected light, a projection optical system guiding the projected light produced by the display device, and a control unit controlling the display device and the light source unit. |
| US09678412B2 |
Projection lens system having magnification changing function and projector
A zoom lens is a projection lens which is composed of a negative first lens group, a negative second lens group, a positive third lens group, a negative fourth lens group, a fifth lens group, and a positive sixth lens group in order from the enlargement conjugate side, and changes magnification by changing the intervals between the lens groups. At least the second, third, and fifth lens groups move when the magnification is changed, and the third lens group moves from the enlargement conjugate side to the reduction conjugate side when the magnification is changed from a telephoto end to a wide angle end. An aperture stop is disposed between the surface closest to the reduction conjugate side of the third lens group and the surface closest to the enlargement conjugate side of the fifth lens group, and is approximately telecentric on the reduction conjugate side. |
| US09678408B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the same
Provided is a zoom lens including a plurality of lens units, in which an interval between each pair of adjacent lens units is changed during zooming, the plurality of lens units include a lens unit BR arranged closest to image side in zoom lens, which moves in optical axis direction during focusing and a lens element A arranged adjacent to lens unit BR on object side, having refractive power of sign opposite to that of lens unit BR, in which lens element A consists of a single lens or a cemented lens, and distance between surface closest to image side of lens element A and image plane at wide angle end, distance between surface closest to image side of lens element A and surface closest to object side of lens unit BR at wide angle end, and focal length of zoom lens at wide angle end are each appropriately set. |
| US09678405B2 |
System and method for high-intensity ultrashort pulse compression
A system comprising a laser emitting an ultrashort pulse beam; and a dielectric bulk medium having a refractive index depending on intensity, the bulk medium broadening the laser beam homogeneously versus transversal spatial coordinates, and a method for compressing high energy femtosecond laser pulses, comprising propagating the laser beam inside a dielectric bulk medium having a refractive index depending on the beam intensity, the bulk medium broadening the laser beam homogeneously versus transversal spatial coordinates; and compressing a resulting broadened spectrum. |
| US09678399B2 |
Array substrate, method of repairing the same, display panel and display device
An array substrate, a method of repairing the same, a display panel and a display device are disclosed. A data-line repair line, which is connected with a data line and insulated from a common electrode, is provided in each pixel area in an array substrate and an orthogonal projection of the data-line repair line on a base substrate has an overlapped area with an orthogonal projection of a sub-electrode or a connection line of a common electrode on the substrate. Therefore, if a breakage occurs to a data line at its overlapped area with a gate line on the array substrate, it is able to repair the breakage via the date line repair line and a portion cut out of the common electrode. |
| US09678398B2 |
Structure and method for obtaining capacitance in array substrate
A structure and a method for obtaining capacitance in an array substrate are disclosed. The structure comprises a first conductive region, arranged in a same layer as a first conductive layer of said array substrate; a second conductive region, arranged in a same layer as a second conductive layer of said array substrate, wherein said second conductive region overlaps with said first conductive region partly or totally; a first measurement region, connected with said first conductive region; and a second measurement region, connected with said second conductive region. The capacitance of the corresponding capacitor of the sub pixel can be detected by the structure, thereby providing data basis for judging the performance and quality of the sub pixel and the liquid crystal display panel. |
| US09678393B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel, display apparatus and method for driving the display apparatus
A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a display apparatus and a method for driving the display apparatus capable of providing a LCD panel having good display quality are provided. The liquid crystal display panel comprises: a first substrate (11) and a second substrate (21) opposite to each other, a pixel array provided on the first substrate (11), and a liquid crystal layer (3) between the first substrate (11) and the second substrate (21). The liquid crystal display panel further comprising a first common electrode (12) disposed on a side of the first substrate (11) close to the liquid crystal layer (3) and a second common electrode (22) disposed on a side of the second substrate (21) close to the liquid crystal layer (3). A first pixel electrode (1) and a second pixel electrode (2) are disposed on the first substrate (11). The second common electrode (22) has no overlap region directly facing the first pixel electrode (1) and/or the second pixel electrode (2). |
| US09678392B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel
A liquid crystal display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer arranged between the first and second substrates, and a secondary spacer. The secondary spacer has a bottom face fixed to the first substrate and a top face forming a gap with respect to the second substrate. The top face of the secondary spacer is provided with a first electrode and the second substrate is provided, at a location corresponding to the top face of the secondary spacer, with a second electrode. When the liquid crystal panel is driven and depressed, the first electrode electrically engages the second electrode so that a pixel electrode of the liquid crystal display panel at the depressed site is electrically connected to the ground thereby eliminating a high voltage difference between the pixel electrode and a common electrode. |
| US09678391B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
In a liquid crystal display device, a TFT substrate and a counter substrate are bonded by a sealing material, with a liquid crystal interposed between the two substrates. An alignment film has a two-layer structure of a lower alignment film not subjected to photo alignment treatment and an upper alignment film subjected to photo alignment treatment and contacting the liquid crystal. A hollow with an increased film thickness is formed in an end portion of the lower alignment film. An end portion of the upper alignment film is determined by the hollow of the lower alignment film. The material, process conditions, or other conditions of the lower alignment film for easy control of outer end dimensions can be selected to easily control the profile of the alignment film as a whole. Thus, it is possible to avoid the reduction of reliability due to the reduction of the bonding strength between the sealing material and the alignment film. |
| US09678390B2 |
Mask plate, photo-alignment method and liquid crystal display device
The disclosure is related to a photo-alignment method, comprising the following steps. A top panel and a bottom panel each with an alignment film are provided; a mask plate for shielding the top panel and the bottom panel is provided, and a transparent section of the mask plate is disposed; an ultraviolet is emitted along a first incident direction by the mask plate for exposing the alignment film of the top panel and the bottom panel; the transparent section of the mask plate is adjusted, an ultraviolet is emitted along a second incident direction by the mask plate for exposing the alignment film of the top panel and the bottom panel. The manufacture of the alignment film in the whole liquid crystal display device can be accomplished by a mask plate undergoing exposure twice, so that the exposure times decrease and the process is simplified. |
| US09678389B2 |
Multi-domain liquid crystal display panel and method for preparing the same
Disclosed are a multi-domain liquid crystal display panel comprising an upper substrate and a lower substrate, wherein at least one of the substrates includes a glass substrate, a conventional alignment layer coated on the surface of the glass substrate, and a polymer alignment layer having a different alignment direction from that of the conventional alignment layer and a method for preparing the same. In the present invention, a smectic/cholesteric liquid crystal polymer is formed from the mixture of liquid crystal polymerizable monomers having smectic phase (Sm)-cholesteric phase (N*) transition, and multiple liquid crystal alignments in a single pixel are formed by adjusting the polymerization temperature, the thickness of the polymer layer, and the amount of the smectic liquid crystal polymerizable monomer, thereby realizing a multi-domain display by the subsequent masking treatment and ultraviolet irradiation. The method for preparing the same is simple, novel, low-cost, and easy to achieve. |
| US09678388B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
To provide a vertical alignment liquid crystal display device capable of achieving a high-definition image display. Tilt directions of liquid crystal molecules when a voltage is applied are within a plane that is in parallel to a border between a first pixel and a second pixel, and are different by 180 degrees between the first and second pixels. The first pixel is constituted with three sub-pixels for R, G, and B arranged in a direction in parallel to the border. Similarly, the second pixel is constituted with three sub-pixels for R, G, and B. The tilt directions of the liquid crystal molecules when a voltage is applied are different by 180 degrees from each other between the sub-pixels for R of the first and second pixels, between the sub-pixels for G of the first and second pixels, and between the sub-pixels for B of the first and second pixels. |
| US09678387B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display including a first substrate; a second substrate facing the first substrate; an alignment layer disposed on at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and including a reactive mesogen; and bumps disposed adjacent to a surface of the alignment layer, wherein the alignment layer comprises a main chain and a plurality of side chains connected to the main chain, and the side chains comprise a polymerization inhibiting agent group. |
| US09678385B2 |
Apparatus for manufacturing alignment layer, and method of manufacturing liquid crystal display device by using the same
An apparatus for manufacturing an alignment layer includes: a dispenser which supplies an alignment material; an anilox roll, onto which the alignment material supplied from the dispenser is applied; a printing roll which is engaged and rotated with the anilox roll; and a resin plate attached to an outer peripheral surface of the printing roll, where the resin plate receives the alignment material applied onto the anilox roll and prints the alignment material to a targeted substrate, in which the resin plate comprises a first area and a second area surrounding the first area, first convex portions and first concave portions are disposed in the first area, second convex portions and second concave portions are disposed in the second area, and an area of each second convex portion is larger than an area of each first convex portion. |
| US09678384B2 |
Retardation film, composition, method of manufacturing retardation film, polarizing plate and liquid crystal display device
An object of the present invention is to provide a film capable of giving a necessary retardation without degrading the contrast. The present invention provides a retardation film formed from a composition which includes a polymer compound, a rod-like liquid crystal compound and a photo-reactive compound, wherein the polymer compound has a side chain which has one or more azo groups and/or cynnamate groups, and 3 or more and 10 or less arylene groups; the side chain further has an optionally substituted amino group, or a hydrocarbon group at the terminal; an absolute value of difference between an SP value of the polymer compound and an SP value of the photo-reactive compound is 1.1 or less; and an in-plane retardation of the film at wavelength of 550 nm is 10 nm or more and 200 nm or less. |
| US09678383B1 |
Method and apparatus for light diffusion
An apparatus includes a substrate and an LED attached to the substrate via conductive pads on a first side of the LED. The LED includes a first reflective element disposed adjacent the first side of the LED so as to reflect light in a direction away from the substrate, and a second reflective element disposed adjacent a second side of the LED that opposes the first side of the LED. The second reflective element disposed so as to reflect light primarily in a direction toward the substrate. |
| US09678382B2 |
Light unit and a LCD liquid crystal display comprising the light unit
Provided is a light unit including a plurality of LED light sources formed on a PCB, a resin layer stacked on the PCB to diffuse and guide emitted light forwards, and a diffusion plate having an optical pattern printed thereon to shield light emitted from the LED light sources. The optical pattern is composed of a diffusion pattern implemented as at least one layer, or a combination of the diffusion pattern layer and a light shielding pattern. The light unit forms an optical pattern for shielding or diffusing light on a surface of a light diffusion plate of the back-light unit, and combines a diffusion pattern and a metal pattern to attain uniformity of light and realize a yellow-light shielding effect, thus leading to a reliable light quality. |
| US09678381B2 |
Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus
A liquid crystal device includes first pixels and second pixels which are adjacent to one another and are partitioned by light shielding portions. The liquid crystal device also includes an element substrate, an opposing substrate which is disposed to oppose the element substrate, a liquid crystal layer which is disposed between the element substrate and the opposing substrate, first micro lenses which correspond to the first pixels which are disposed on the opposing substrate, and second micro lenses which correspond to the second pixels and have different lens diameters from the first micro lenses. A boundary between the first micro lenses and the second micro lenses is disposed in a region which overlaps the light shielding portions in plan view. |
| US09678380B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display includes: a substrate including a display region and a non-display region, a light leakage preventing layer disposed on the substrate along the non-display region, a step providing layer disposed on the light leakage preventing layer, and a hydrophobic layer disposed on the step providing layer. |
| US09678377B2 |
Touch structure, LCD panel and display device
Provided are touch structure, LCD panel and display device. The touch structure comprises a plurality of first signal lines; a plurality of second signal lines, a plurality of crossing points being formed by cross arrangement of the plurality of first signal lines and the plurality of second signal lines which are insulated from each other; a plurality of touch units, corresponding to the plurality of crossing points one to one, wherein when one touch unit of the plurality of touch units is touched, the first signal line and the second signal line which form a crossing point corresponding to the touch unit generate electrical signals respectively; a controller, connected to the plurality of first signal lines and the plurality of second signal lines respectively, for calculating a contact position based on the electrical signal of the first signal line and the electrical signal of the second signal line respectively. |
| US09678375B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display component, a plastic frame, and a rear frame. The plastic frame supports the display component near an edge portion of the display component from a rear side of the display device relative to the display component. The rear frame is disposed on the rear side of the display device relative to the display component. The rear frame includes a fixing component that fixedly couples at least the plastic frame relative to the rear frame. The fixing component has an inner bent component that extends forward and inward of the display device from an edge part of the rear frame. |
| US09678373B2 |
Device for the temporal shaping of the amplitude and phase of ultrashort light pulses
A device for the temporal shaping of the amplitude and phase of ultrashort pulses, includes: —a birefringent waveguide 1 of main axis Δ consisting of a nematic liquid crystal 2 located between a photoconductive material 3 and a substrate 4, —two transparent electrodes, one of which 5 is located between the nematic liquid crystal 2 and the substrate 4, and the other 6 such that the photoconductive material 3 is located between the other electrode 6 and the nematic liquid crystal 2, and —projection optics 7 for projecting a programmable optical mask 8 onto the photoconductive material 3. |
| US09678370B2 |
Carrier-depletion based silicon waveguide resonant cavity modulator with integrated optical power monitor
A carrier-depletion based silicon waveguide resonant cavity modulator includes a silicon waveguide based resonant cavity. The resonant cavity includes an optical modulation section and an optical power monitoring section. The optical power monitoring section includes an integrated lateral PIN diode including a doping compensated I region having a high defect density and a low net free carrier concentration. The doping compensated I region may be formed by performing a P-type implantation step and an N-type implantation step with overlapping ion implantation windows. |
| US09678368B2 |
Self-dimming system
To provide a self-dimming system including: a main body section which is configured by a pair of transparent substrates arranged to face each other and to be separated from each other, and a frame body holding the pair of transparent substrates and forming a gap together with the pair of transparent substrates; a dimming section which is arranged in the gap and provided with a dimming element whose optical properties are reversibly changed by hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of the dimming element; a power-generating equipment which is arranged in the main body section; a hydrogen suction and discharge section which, when receiving electric power generated in the power-generating equipment, generates hydrogen by performing electrolysis and supplies the hydrogen to the gap and which, when not receiving electric power generated in the power-generating equipment, generates electric power by using the hydrogen in the gap; and control means which controls whether or not electric power generated in the power-generating equipment is supplied to the hydrogen suction and discharge section. |
| US09678364B2 |
Method and apparatus for forming sunglass lenses with a predetermined gradient
A method for forming sunglass lenses with a predetermined optical gradient, namely a polarized gradient, or transmissivity gradient in which a gradient pattern is provided on an oriented sheet. The oriented sheet is incorporated into a lens to provide the lens with the associated gradient. |
| US09678363B2 |
Optical article with gradient photochromism
The present invention is drawn to an optical article comprising: (a) a photochromic substrate comprising at least one photochromic dye, and (b) an interference coating having a specific gradient thickness providing for a gradient reflectance. It also pertains to a process for making such an optical article. |
| US09678362B2 |
Optical device provided to an eye glass or a helmet having a voltage control unit that switches a voltage cyclically
An optical device comprises: a transmittance changing unit that is provided in front of an eye of a user, and changes transmittance for light from the outside according to a voltage being applied; and a voltage control unit that controls a voltage to be applied to the transmittance changing unit by switching cyclically between a high voltage and a low voltage, wherein the voltage control unit switches the voltage at a cycle that is shorter than the sum of time required for transmittance of the transmittance changing unit to stabilize when changing from a minimum value to a maximum value by switching a voltage and time required for transmittance of the transmittance changing unit to stabilize when changing from a maximum value to a minimum value by switching a voltage. |
| US09678354B2 |
Glassless multi-view display apparatus and control method thereof
A display apparatus is provided. The display apparatus includes a display panel comprising a plurality of pixels including a plurality of sub-pixels, and arranges and displays a multi-view image in an arrangement pattern. The display panel includes a polarizing film disposed on a back surface of the display panel and which transmits, to the display panel, light having a first polarization direction to an area corresponding to a first part of each of the sub-pixels, and light having a second polarization direction to an area corresponding to a second part of the sub-pixels. a polarizing panel disposed on a back surface of the polarizing film and configured to adjusts the first and second polarization directions of the light transmitted by the polarizing film, and a controller configured to control a driving state of the polarizing panel to sequentially provide the first and second polarization directions for one image frame section. |
| US09678353B2 |
Three-dimensional glasses and three-dimensional display system
The present disclosure discloses three-dimensional glasses and a three-dimensional display system, which provide a wearer with a better three-dimensional visual effect and reduce dizziness and fatigue of the wearer. The three-dimensional glasses include a frame including two lens frames, each lens frame having an engagement part; two lenses rotationally assembled in the engagement parts of the two lens frames, respectively; and at least one counterweight member fixed to a periphery of each of the lenses and rotating the lens to an equilibrium position. When the two lenses are at the equilibrium positions, a transmission axis of one of the two lenses is parallel to a polarization axis of a left eye image of a three-dimensional display apparatus and a transmission axis of the other one of the two lenses is parallel to a polarization axis of a right eye image of the three-dimensional display apparatus. |
| US09678350B2 |
Laser with integrated multi line or scanning beam capability
A method and system for providing illumination is disclosed. The method may include providing a laser having a predetermined wavelength; performing at least one of: beam splitting or beam scanning prior to a frequency conversion; converting a frequency of each output beam of the at least one of: beam splitting or beam scanning; and providing the frequency converted output beam for illumination. |
| US09678347B2 |
Glasses-type mobile terminal
A glasses-type mobile terminal includes a frame, a fixing body, a moving body and a joint. The frame is wearable on a user's head. The fixing body is coupled to one side of the frame. The moving body has a display unit for providing a user with visual information, and is disposed at the front based on user's eyes. The joint has one end coupled to the fixing body and the other end tiltably connected to the moving body so that the position of the moving body is controlled. |
| US09678344B2 |
Virtual image display apparatus with registration mechanism
A wearer of a virtual image display apparatus can adjust the position of the virtual image display apparatus relative to the position of each of the wearer's eyes by using a registration mechanism while checking a marker member that is a positioning member, whereby an optimum adjusted position is readily achieved. Further, registration according to person-to-person differences in the position of each of the eyes can be readily achieved, whereby it is not necessary to increase the light flux width of image light in advance or provide the image light with a margin so that the wearer can recognize an image even when the position of the eye deviates from a normal position to some extent, and the size of the apparatus will not increase. |
| US09678342B2 |
Information processing device, display control method, and program
An apparatus includes a user action state obtaining circuit configured to obtain an action state of a user; and a display control circuit configured to control a display to modify display information based on the action state. |
| US09678341B2 |
Head-up display apparatus
A head-up display (HUD) apparatus and a method of using the HUD apparatus are described. The HUD apparatus includes a first optical module configured to display a two dimensional (2D) image, a second optical module configured to display a three dimensional (3D) image and arranged at a predetermined angle relative to the first optical module, a separation module arranged on an optical path of the first and second optical modules to reflect a light of the first optical module and to project a light from the second optical module, and an optical system configured to output the light having passed the separation module. |
| US09678339B2 |
Display, in particular for a motor vehicle
A display, in particular for a motor vehicle, includes a projection module for generating an image in order to project it in the normal viewing direction of a user of the display, along an optical path. The display also includes a reflecting and/or displaying element, which is movable between various display positions. The display also includes a holder for the reflecting and/or displaying element. The holder can be moved vertically between various positioning states. |
| US09678336B2 |
Lens assembly
A lens assembly includes a lens barrel, a plurality of lenses and at least one light-shielding member. The lens barrel extends along an axis and includes a peripheral wall that surrounds the axis and defines a receiving chamber. The peripheral wall has open and aperture-forming ends that are opposite to each other and respectively adjacent to image and object sides of the lens assembly. The lenses are disposed in the receiving chamber in sequence along the axis between the aperture-forming and open ends. The light-shielding member is disposed in the receiving chamber and includes an annular light-shielding body and an adhesive layer for positioning the annular light-shielding body relative to at least one of the lenses. |
| US09678334B1 |
Oscillating mirror line based image transformation
An image forming apparatus performs periodic line based image transformation in order to correct for irregularities in a mirror and for mechanical disturbances that may occur during the rotation of the mirror. The irregularities of the mirror and the mechanical disturbances that occur during the rotation of the mirror may be measured at installation or may be measured during an operation of the image formation apparatus. The characteristics of the mirror are stored as configuration data, which is referenced by a direction of rotation. The image forming apparatus adjusts image data according to the configuration data. The adjustment may occur through data manipulation in stored image data. Alternatively, the adjustment may occur through the control of a pixel rate used to modulate the image data into a transmitted laser beam. The image data may be received by a host device or the image data may be generated by a scanner. |
| US09678331B1 |
Optical path switching device
An optical path switching device is configured to selectively direct electromagnetic radiation toward one detector of a plurality of detectors. The switching device includes a platform, a mirror mount rotatably mounted on the platform by a bearing, a mirror coupled to the mirror mount, and an active actuator configured to rotate the mirror mount with respect to the platform a predetermined amount to direct electromagnetic radiation toward a desired detector. |
| US09678326B2 |
Generating perspective views in microscopy
A microscope includes a spatial light modulator configured for adjusting the perspective angle of a view imaged at the light detector. The spatial light modulator is positioned at a pupil plane, or at an equivalent conjugate plane thereof, in the illumination light path or in the detection light path. The microscope enables perspective views of a sample at different angles, which may be utilized to generate a three-dimensional image of the sample. |
| US09678324B2 |
Microscope system
The present microscope system has: a microscope, which has a light source, an aperture stop, a condenser lens, and an objective lens; a camera, which has a microlens array and an image pickup element; and an image processing unit, which constitutes a computer. The image processing unit divides a plurality of pixels allocated to each of the microlenses into bright-field image detection regions to be used for detecting bright-field images, and dark-field image detection regions to be used for detecting darkfield images, in accordance with the size of an aperture of the aperture stop. The image processing unit generates bright-field image data of a sample and darkfield image data of the sample. |
| US09678323B2 |
High throughput multichannel fluorescence microscopy with microlens arrays
A microscope includes a multi-wavelength emitting laser light source. A microscope objective is configured to receive and expand input light emitted from the light source, and a dichroic mirror is configured to reflect the expanded input light. A micro lens array with a plurality of micro lenses splits the reflected and expanded input light onto a fluorescence producing sample. A lens collectively captures the fluorescence for each micro lens in the plurality of micro lenses, and a camera receives the fluorescence from the lens and produces an image of the sample based on the received fluorescence. |
| US09678319B2 |
Zoom lens
In a zoom lens of a fixed total length, at the time of changing the magnification from the wide-angle end toward the telephoto end, the first lens group is anchored while the second lens group is moved, and the third and fourth lens groups are moved so as to be located at the object side of the telephoto end relative to the wide-angle end, such that: the interval between the second and third lens groups is decreased at the telephoto end relative to the wide-angle end; the interval between the third and fourth lens groups is increased at the telephoto end relative to the wide-angle end; and the interval between the fourth and fifth lens groups is increased at the telephoto end relative to the wide-angle end, and at the time of focusing a near object point from a remote object point, the second lens group is moved. |
| US09678318B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the same
Provided is a zoom lens, including, in order from an object side to an image side: a positive first lens unit that does not move for zooming; a negative second lens unit that moves during zooming; and a positive N-th lens unit that does not move for zooming and is arranged closest to the image side. Among lenses constructing the second lens unit, two lenses closest to the image side are a positive lens and a negative lens, and partial dispersion ratios for g-line and F-line and Abbe numbers for a d-line of the positive and negative lenses, and an average value of refractive indices of all the lenses of the second lens unit are appropriately set. |
| US09678317B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the same
A zoom lens including, in order from an object side: a positive first lens unit not moving for zooming; a negative second lens unit moving during zooming; a negative third lens unit moving during zooming; and a fourth lens unit not moving for zooming and including an aperture stop, the fourth lens unit including first and second sub-lens units arranged on object side and image plane side of the aperture stop, respectively, in which a relationship between a maximum height of an axial ray from an optical axis in the first sub-lens unit when focusing at infinity at a wide angle end, and a maximum height of an axial ray at the aperture stop when focusing at infinity at the wide angle end and of full open aperture, and a lateral magnification of the fourth lens unit when focusing at infinity at the wide angle end are appropriately set. |
| US09678309B2 |
Optical image capturing system
The present disclosure discloses an optical image capturing system. The optical image capturing system includes a first lens with refractive power, a second lens with refractive power, a third lens with refractive power, a fourth lens with refractive power, a fifth lens with refractive power, a sixth lens with refractive power and a seventh lens with refractive power sequentially arranged from an object side to an image side along the optical axis. At least one of the first through sixth lens has positive refractive power. The seventh lens may have negative refractive power and both image side and object side surfaces of the seventh lens are aspheric. The optical image capturing system can increase aperture value and improve the imagining quality for the application of compact cameras. |
| US09678305B2 |
Inner focus lens
An inner focus lens includes sequentially from an object side, a first lens group having a positive refractive power; a second lens group having a negative refractive power; and a third lens group having a negative refractive power. The second lens group is moved along the optical axis, whereby focusing from a focus state for an object at infinity to a focus state for a minimum object distance is performed. The inner focus lens satisfies a conditional expression (1) −29.0≦f3/f≦−5.4, where f3 is a focal length of the third lens group at the focus state for an object at infinity and f is a focal length of the optical system overall at the focus state for an object at infinity. |
| US09678303B2 |
Imaging device and focusing control method
Provided are an imaging device and a focusing control method capable of preventing a focusing error even in a case where still image capturing is consecutively performed to enhance imaging quality. A digital camera performs a correlation operation of two images captured by a pixel pair P1 after performing an imaging process of an N-th frame, and determines a reliability of a correlation operation result based on the result of the correlation operation. In a case where the reliability is low, the digital camera performs a focusing control based on a contrast AF method in each time of imaging subsequent to an (N+1)-th frame, and in a case where the reliability is low, the digital camera performs a focusing control based on a phase difference AF method in an imaging process of the (N+1)-th frame. |
| US09678298B2 |
Cable tie-down bracket
A modular cable tie-down bracket is provided. The cable tie-down bracket includes a pipe adapter mounting portion and a cable mounting portion integrally formed with the pipe adapter mounting portion. Further, the pipe adapter mounting portion is configured to be mounted to a pipe adapter and the cable mounting portion is configured to mount a cable. A cable mounting assembly is also provided. |
| US09678295B2 |
Fiber optic cable module holder
A holder for a plurality of fiber optic cable modules. The holder may includes a tray, wherein the tray is movably positionable in a chassis; and a plurality of mounts coupled to the tray, each mount configured to releasably retain a module of a plurality of various types of modules relative to the tray. |
| US09678293B2 |
Fiber termination enclosure with modular plate assemblies
Certain types of fiber termination enclosures include an enclosure and at least one of a plurality of plate module mounting assemblies. Example plate module mounting assemblies include a termination panel plate assembly; a splice tray plate assembly; a cable spool plate assembly; and a drop-in plate assembly. Example cable spool plate assemblies include a cable spool arrangement rotationally coupled to a mounting plate, which fixedly mounts within the enclosure housing. A stand-off mount element may be disposed on the front of the cable spool arrangement to rotate in unison with the cable spool arrangement. The stand-off mount element may include one or more termination adapters. |
| US09678288B2 |
Optical circuit
A low-cost optical circuit, in which influence of reflected light is reduced, is provided. According to an embodiment of the present invention, an optical circuit (200) comprises a first optical coupler (204A) having at least two outputs, and a second optical coupler (204B) coupled to at least one of the outputs of the first optical coupler (204A), and wherein the ratio of an intensity of light reflected from the first optical coupler (204A) to an intensity of light inputted to the first optical coupler is smaller than the ratio of an intensity of light reflected from the second optical coupler (204B) to an intensity of light inputted to the second optical coupler. |
| US09678284B2 |
Method and device for cleaning an optical waveguide end
A device (1) for cleaning an optical waveguide end (2) comprises a guide portion (3) for receiving the optical waveguide end (2) in a stable position and a rotatably mounted spool (4) onto which a flexible cleaning element (5) is wound. The guide portion (3) and the spool (4) are positioned relative to one another such that an optical waveguide end (2) received by the guide portion (3) is able to be pressed against the wound cleaning element (5). The cleaning element (5) is able to be unwound from the spool (4) such that different portions of the cleaning element (5) are able to be applied to the optical waveguide end (2) during unwinding. |
| US09678281B2 |
Apparatus for and method of terminating a multi-fiber ferrule
An apparatus allows a plurality of optical fibers to be held together during the termination process. A handling device holds the optical fibers while a cleaving device allows for consistent cleaving of the optical fibers to ensure the ends are cleaved consistently. The handling device may also be used during the fixation of the optical fibers in the fiber optic ferrule. A method for terminating the plurality of optical fiber is also provided. |
| US09678280B2 |
Optical rotary transmitter
The invention relates to an optical rotary transmitter for transmitting optical signals, comprising a first light coupler (1) that has one or a plurality of first light guides (11) the end faces of which are designed to transmit optical signals and are arranged on a first ring about a central rotational axis Z, a second light coupler (3) that has one or a plurality of second light guides (31) the end faces of which are designed to transmit optical signals and are arranged on a second ring about the central rotational axis Z, a fiber mirror (5) comprising a plurality of third light guides that are arranged between said two light couplers (1,3) and are designed to compensate for the effect, on the transmission of the optical signals, of the two light couplers (1,3) rotating relative to one another, the end faces of the third light guides being designed to transmit optical signals and arranged on a third and fourth ring about the central rotational axis Z. Light inlet/outlet surfaces that are formed by the third and fourth rings are substantially gap-free such that the optical signals can be continuously transmitted without interruption. |
| US09678279B2 |
System and method for mounting blown fiber tubes to a housing
An apparatus (10) for mounting blown fiber tubes (20) includes a main housing (40) mountable to an end (32) of a flex tube (30), an outer ring (50) positioned at an end (42) of the main housing (40), and an inner ring (60) positioned adjacent to and within the outer ring (50) wherein the blown fiber tubes (20) are positioned about an outer periphery (62) of the inner ring (60). A trigger (70) pushes the inner ring (60) to compress the blown fiber tubes (20) between the inner ring (60) and the outer ring (50). The outer ring (500 and the inner ring (60) each include a plurality of spaced pockets (52, 68) each sized for receipt of a blown fiber tube (20). The trigger (70) includes a threaded member (80) which pushes the inner ring (60) outwardly. In one embodiment, portions (64) of the inner ring (60) separate during activation and press against the blown fiber tubes (20) to compress the blown fiber tubes (20) against the outer ring (50). A spring (496) may be added to push on the inner ring (60). Anti-rotation and lock features are provided for the compression, sealing and fixation mechanisms. |
| US09678278B2 |
Integrated optical circuit and methods for its manufacturing and reconfiguring
The present invention is related to an integrated optical circuit, in particular, to an optical-field writable array, as well as to methods for its manufacturing and reconfiguring.The integrated optical circuit comprises at least one nanophotonic device and at least one photonic wire, wherein the nanophotonic device comprises a substrate equipped with at least one reception for at least one external connector, wherein the reception is coupled to at least one connector waveguide, and at least one set of nano-optic components, wherein the nano-optic component is one of a nanophotonic waveguide or a nanophotonic component, wherein the nano-photonic component is nano-optically coupled to at least one nanophotonic waveguide, wherein at least one of the nanophotonic waveguides is selectively coupleable to at least one of the connector waveguides, wherein the photonic wire connects at least one of the nanophotonic waveguides to at least one of the connector waveguides. |
| US09678275B1 |
Efficient coupling of infrared radiation to renal calculi
Herein are disclosed protected optical fiber terminations for use in the treatment of renal and biliary calculi. The protected optical fiber termination including a ferrule affixed to the optical fiber that provides the termination of the optical fiber with protection from contact with saline and/or biological fluids. The optical fiber termination can include open or closed ferrules. The open ferrules providing a means for maintaining a bubble, e.g., a Moses bubble on the termination; the closed ferrules providing a calumniated focus on the renal or biliary calculi. |
| US09678269B2 |
Multimode optical fiber transmission system including single mode fiber
Some embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical transmission system that operates at a wavelength in the range from 950 nm to 1600 nm and that employs a single-mode optical transmitter and an optical receiver optically coupled to respective ends of a multimode fiber designed for 850 nm multimode operation. The optical transmission system also employs at least one single mode fiber situated within the optical pathway between the optical transmitter and the receiver and coupled to the multimode fiber. |
| US09678264B2 |
Light guide plate and surface light source device
A light guide plate has a light guide plate member having a light incident surface on an end face of the light guide member, and a light emitting surface on a front surface of the light guide plate member, wherein the light incident surface is structured to have light incident thereon, and wherein the light emitting surface is structured to widen and emit light incident thereon out of the light guide plate member, and a directivity changing unit arranged on a light incident end portion of the light guide plate member on the front surface or a back surface of the light guide plate member. The directivity changing unit has a first inner inclined surface and a second inner inclined surface that change a directivity of the incident light within the directivity changing unit to widen the light laterally with respect to a direction perpendicular to the light incident surface. |
| US09678262B2 |
Laser-operated light source
A laser-operated light source encompasses a chamber for accommodating an ionizable gas and an ignition source for ionizing the gas in the chamber for generating a plasma. The light source encompasses a laser for inputting laser energy into the plasma such that, under the impact of the laser radiation, the plasma emits useful light, which forms the output signal of the light source, wherein provision is made for means for coupling the useful light into a transferring optical fiber. An optical system for imaging the plasma onto the end of the optical fiber, which faces the optical system, is arranged between the chamber and the transferring optical fiber, wherein the optical system is corrected for reducing the chromatic aberration. |
| US09678261B2 |
Inorganic polarizing plate containing FeSi having 1 to 33 mol% Fe
To provide an inorganic polarizing plate which, when used in structures having different used wavelength bands, can reduce reflectance by using a common structure, making it possible to achieve a predetermined light extinction ratio. The inorganic polarizing plate has a substrate that is transparent to light in a used bandwidth, a reflective layer that is composed of grids that are formed on one surface of the substrate with a pitch that is smaller than a wavelength of light in the used bandwidth, a dielectric layer that is stacked on the reflective layer, and an absorbing layer containing FeSi fine particles. |
| US09678260B2 |
Omnidirectional high chroma red structural color with semiconductor absorber layer
A high-chroma omnidirectional red structural color pigment. The omnidirectional structural color pigment is in the form of a multilayer stack that has a reflective core layer, a semiconductor absorber layer extending across the reflective core layer, and a high index of refraction dielectric layer extending across the semiconductor absorber layer. The multilayer stack reflects a single band of visible light with a hue between 0-40°, and preferably between 10-30°, on an a*b* Lab color map. The single band of visible light has a hue shift of less than 30° on the a*b* Lab color map when viewed from all angles between 0-45° normal to an outer surface of the multilayer stack. |
| US09678258B2 |
Dichroic glass for cosmetic appeal in an electronic device
A dichroic coating can be applied to a glass window of an electronic device to enhance the cosmetic and aesthetic appeal of the device. Different processes can be applied to the glass window in combination with a dichroic coating. For example, a layer of ink can be applied to the glass window in addition to one or more layers of dichroic material. The material layers can cover any suitable portion of the glass. For example, the material layers can include holes or openings. As another example, the material layers can be constructed from several distinct shapes placed on the glass. In some cases, software applications can be used to define a desired color profile for a coating, and to retrieve a suitable combination of dichroic and other layers to provide the desired color profile. |
| US09678256B2 |
Transparent heat-shielding member
A transparent heat-shielding member according to the present invention includes a transparent base substrate, an infrared reflective layer and a transparent screen function layer. The infrared reflective layer includes at least one selected from a metal oxide layer and a metal nitride layer, and a metal layer. The transparent screen function layer is formed of a light diffusing layer. The light diffusing layer contains light diffusing particles and a transparent resin. The light diffusing particles are dispersed in the transparent resin. The transparent heat-shielding member has a visible light reflectance measured in accordance with JIS R3106-1998 of 12% or more and 30% or less, a haze value measured in accordance with JIS K7136-2000 of 5% or more and 35% or less, and a shading coefficient measured in accordance with JIS A5759-2008 of 0.69 or less. |
| US09678252B2 |
Multilayer stack with overlapping harmonics for wide visible-infrared coverage
A broadband mirror, polarizer, or other reflector includes at least one stack of microlayers. Microlayers in the stack are arranged into optical repeat units. At a design angle of incidence such as normal incidence, the stack provides a 1st order reflection band, a 2nd order reflection band, and optionally a 3rd order reflection band. The 2nd order reflection band overlaps, or substantially overlaps, the 1st and/or 3rd order reflection bands to form a single wide reflection band. The wide reflection band may include the 2nd and 1st but not a 3rd order reflection band, or the 2nd and 3rd but not the 1st order reflection band, or it may include the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd order reflection bands, as well as still higher order reflection bands. The wide reflection band may cover at least a portion of visible and infrared wavelengths. |
| US09678244B2 |
Thin-layer spectroelectrochemical cell for use in subterranean formation operations
Apparatus, methods, and systems related to a spectroelectrochemical cell apparatus including a cell body that has a first volume, a transparent sample window defined in the cell body, the transparent sample window defining an optical path through the cell body and having a second volume, a working electrode extending through the cell body and into the transparent sample window in the optical path, a counter electrode extending through the cell body, a reference electrode extending through the cell body, a sample inlet extending through the cell body, a solvent inlet extending through the cell body, an electrolyte inlet extending through the cell body, an ionic fluid inlet extending through the cell body, a detection species inlet extending through the cell body, a fluid outlet extending through the cell body, and a fluid mixer located within the cell body. |
| US09678241B2 |
Magnetic ranging tool and method
A downhole magnetic ranging tool includes first and second axially spaced magnetic sources deployed in a downhole tool body. The first and second magnetic sources have magnetic moments that axially opposed one another. A magnetic field sensor is deployed axially between the first and second magnetic sources. The tool may be utilized, for example, in subterranean well twinning, well intercept, and well avoidance operations to obtain a separation distance and dip angle between a drilling well and a target well. |
| US09678239B2 |
System and method for imaging properties of subterranean formations
A system and method for imaging properties of subterranean formations in a wellbore is provided. The system comprises a formation sensor for collecting currents injected into the subterranean formations, the formation sensor positionable on a downhole tool deployable into the wellbore. The system comprises a controller for controlling the formation sensor and a formation imaging unit. The formation imaging unit comprises a current management unit for collecting data from the currents injected into the subterranean formations, the currents having at least two different frequencies. The formation imaging unit comprises a drilling mud data unit for determining at least one drilling mud parameter, a formation data unit for determining at least one formation parameter from the collected data, and an inversion unit for determining at least one formation property by inverting the at least one formation parameter. |
| US09678234B2 |
Multi-level seismic source and method
A depth-varying marine acoustic source array is configured for generating an acoustic wave in a body of water. The depth-varying marine acoustic source array includes a float; plural source points connected to the float through corresponding cables; and a housing extending from a first source point to a last source point, the housing including plural segments. The at least one segment is configured to withstand bending. |
| US09678231B2 |
Systems and methods for acquiring and characterizing time varying signals of interest
Methods or systems for identifying seismic or acoustic signals of interest originating with moving motorized vehicles or footstep movement or stationary or moving machinery. A related system for monitoring an area includes a plurality of sensing devices each comprising a frame and a piezo-electric sensor element. A monitoring device is coupled to receive information from each of the sensing devices. One method includes providing a processing chain coupled to receive signal data from a sensor device which receives the signals, including a detection stage, a Joint Time Frequency (JTF) domain stage, and a classification stage. The detection stage identifies presence of signals that emerge from the background. The JTF domain stage estimates the state of the signals of interest over time. The classification stage assesses the previously derived information to form a decision about source identity. In one embodiment, the detector stage performs detections on a single cycle basis. |
| US09678228B2 |
Method of real-time mapping of a distribution of photons in a site
A method of real-time mapping of a presence distribution of a source of photons in a site. The method includes measuring, at a plurality of measurement points, a photon flux in an energy bandwidth determined with a spectrometric detector, and noting the geographical co-ordinates of the point. At each measurement point, from a response function of the detector, and information on the site, establishing a distribution of origins of the photons around the measurement point. From the distributions, representing, on a map of the site, a distribution of origin of photons, the method further includes, for each measurement point starting from the second, a step prior to the representing step, during which the distributions of origins of the photons around the current measurement point are correlated with those of previous measurement points. |
| US09678227B2 |
Radiation analyzing apparatus
A superconductive transition edge sensor detects radiation. A wave height analyzer generates an energy spectrum of radiation using a detection signal which is output from the superconductive transition edge sensor. A temperature control section and a base line monitor mechanism acquire a physical quantity of data having correlation with detection sensitivity of the superconductive transition edge sensor. A sensitivity correction arithmetic operation unit associates the physical quantity of a plurality of pieces of the acquired data at a plurality of different timings over a predetermined period of time with the detection signal at a certain timing and corrects the detection signal at the certain timing in accordance with the detection sensitivity of the superconductive transition edge sensor by using information regarding the correlation between the physical quantity of the plurality of pieces of data and the detection sensitivity of the superconductive transition edge sensor. |
| US09678224B2 |
System and method for detecting neutron, gamma and muon radiations with contiguous plastics scintillators
A radiation detecting system, including: plastics scintillators juxtaposed to form at least one pair of contiguous plastics scintillators; a photomultiplier associated with each plastics scintillator to provide an electrical signal representative of the light signal generated in the plastics scintillator; a calculator connected to the photomultipliers and configured to: detect pulse coincidences between two electrical pulses provided by the photomultipliers associated with a pair of contiguous plastics scintillators; for each pulse coincidence, determine the time offset between the coincidence pulses relative to the pulse having the greatest amplitude taken as a zero reference; determine the number of pulse coincidences the time offset of which is included in a time offset window. |
| US09678223B2 |
Scintillator
An afterglow property of cesium iodide:thallium (CsI:Tl), in which CsI is a host material and doped with thallium, is improved. It is possible to improve the afterglow property of a scintillator by doping a crystal material including CsI (cesium iodide), as a host material, and thallium (Tl), as a luminescent center, with bismuth (Bi). |
| US09678218B2 |
Radiation analyzing apparatus
A wave height analyzer generates pre-sensitivity correction data using a radiation pulse signal transmitted from a room temperature amplifier, a heater value acquired from a temperature control section, a base line of a current flowing to a TES acquired from a base line monitor mechanism. The wave height analyzer outputs the pre-sensitivity correction data to a sensitivity correction arithmetic operation unit and receives post-sensitivity correction data, on which sensitivity correction is performed. The wave height analyzer generates composite data of a combination of the pre-sensitivity correction data and the post-sensitivity correction data. A spectrum display section receives pieces of composite data sequentially created by the wave height analyzer and displays at least one of a spectrum before sensitivity correction and a spectrum after sensitivity correction, in response to receiving an operator's request. |
| US09678211B2 |
Method for optically scanning and measuring an environment
A method, system and computer program product are provided for displaying three-dimensional measurement points on a two-dimensional plane of a display screen having a plurality of pixels. The method includes projecting the measurement points onto the plane. Each of the measurement points is assigned to one of the pixels. A depth value is assigned to each of the pixels. A first pixel is selected having a first measurement point and a first depth value. A first side is searched for a second pixel having a second measurement point and a second depth value. A second side is searched for a third pixel having a third measurement point and a third depth value. It is determined whether the second and third measurement points are on a same plane. The first depth value of the first pixel is changed when the second and third measurement points are on the same plane. |
| US09678198B2 |
Milking implement
The present invention provides for a milking implement for automatically milking a dairy animal. The implement includes a measuring device for measuring a position of an object such as at least one of a displaceable element of the milking implement and a teat of the dairy animal, and a control device for controlling at least the measuring device. The control device is configured to take at least one measurement, using the measuring device, on at least one point on the object in order to obtain a position information regarding the object, compare the obtained position information with a known position information regarding the object, and calibrate the measuring device on the basis of the comparison between the obtained position information and the known position information. |
| US09678189B2 |
Mapping cardiac tissue architecture systems and methods
Systems and methods are provided for mapping myocardial tissue architecture based on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). A set of eigenvectors is derived from diffusion tensor data, where each eigenvector describes the diffusion of spins along one of the Cartesian directions. A radial coordinate axis and a circumferential plane are determined based on anatomical information of the subject, such as from an image depicting the epicardial surface of the subject's heart, A longitudinal coordinate axis and a circumferential coordinate axis are determined based on the radial coordinate axis and circumferential plane, A fiber architecture matrix (FAM) is then computed for locations in the subject's heart based on projecting the set of eigenvectors onto a local coordinate system defined by the circumferential, radial, and longitudinal axes, Maps that represent myocardial tissue architecture can then be generated using the FAM for locations within the subject's heart. |
| US09678182B2 |
System and method for processing magnetic resonance signals
A magnetic resonance (MR) receiver is described herein. The MR receiver can be used to process nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals. The MR receiver includes a transformer that amplifies the MR signals and a preamplifier that receives the MR signals from the transformer. The preamplifier can include a transimpedance amplifier circuit with an input stage that includes a field effect transistor. |
| US09678180B2 |
Coaxial cable magnetic resonance image (MRI) coil
Example magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radio frequency (RF) coils are described. An MRI RF coil may include a first terminal and a second terminal that are connected by a coaxial cable. Rather than rely exclusively on two terminal passive components (e.g., resistor, inductor, capacitor), example coax MRI RF coils rely on the capacitance that can be created in the coax cable between the inner conductor and the outer conductor. The capacitance of the coil may be controlled by selectively disrupting (e.g., cutting, stripping) the outer conductor, the inner conductor, or the dielectric material disposed between the inner and outer conductor. |
| US09678179B2 |
Tester for testing magnetic memory
According to one embodiment, a tester includes a magnetic shield portion having a space which is shielded from an external magnetic field, a controller generating a test signal for testing a magnetic memory having a magnetoresistive element provided in the space, an interface portion in the space, the interface portion which functions as an interface between the controller and the magnetic memory, and a magnetic field generating portion in the space, the magnetic field generating portion generating a test magnetic field while the magnetic memory is tested by the test signal. |
| US09678176B2 |
XMR angle sensors
Embodiments relate to xMR sensors, sensor elements and structures, and methods. In an embodiment, a sensor element comprises a non-elongated xMR structure; and a plurality of contact regions formed on the xMR structure spaced apart from one another such that a non-homogeneous current direction and current density distribution are induced in the xMR structure when a voltage is applied between the plurality of contact regions. |
| US09678171B2 |
Method and device for acquiring at least one signal
A method for acquiring at least one signal transmitted via an electric conductor, wherein an electric and/or magnetic field of the conductor is acquired at at least two identical or different positions relative to a longitudinal coordinate of the conductor, thus obtaining two measurement signals corresponding to the respective positions, and the signal transmitted via the conductor is inferred from the measurement signals. |
| US09678169B2 |
Testing assembly for testing magnetic sensor and method for testing magnetic sensor
A testing assembly for testing a magnetic sensor comprises a testing interface and a detachable magnetic-field generator. The testing interface has a base plate and plurality of testing terminals. The base plate has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The plurality of testing terminals is arranged on the first side of the base plate. The detachable magnetic-field generator is arranged on the second side of the base plate in a detachable fashion. The detachable magnetic-field generator has a coil support and at least one coil winding around the coil support. |
| US09678168B2 |
Sensor system including multiple comparators
A system including a sensor circuit and comparison circuitry. The sensor circuit is configured to provide a sensed signal. The comparison circuitry is configured to receive an input signal that corresponds to the sensed signal. The comparison circuitry provides output signals that switch state at different levels of the input signal. |
| US09678167B2 |
Degradation speed estimation method, and degradation speed estimation device, of lithium-ion battery
A deterioration rate estimation method for a lithium-ion battery of estimating the deterioration rate of the lithium-ion battery including a negative electrode having stage structures switching depending on an electric storage amount includes a first step of acquiring first information about the stage structure, a second step of acquiring second information about the battery temperature of the lithium-ion battery, and a third step of estimating the deterioration rate from the first information and the second information. |
| US09678163B2 |
Differential current monitoring for parallel-connected batteries
A system for determining battery characteristics based on differential current monitoring includes a first battery; a second battery, the second battery being connected in parallel with the first battery; and a differential current measurement module comprising at least one current measuring device, the differential current measurement module being configured to determine a differential current associated with the first battery and the second battery. A method for determining battery characteristics based on differential current monitoring includes determining a differential current associated with a first battery and a second battery, the first battery being connected in parallel with the second battery. |
| US09678161B2 |
Wind energy installation and method for testing a rotational speed relay of a wind energy installation
The disclosure relates to checking a rotational speed relay of a wind turbine. The wind turbine comprises a rotational speed sensor for the rotational speed of a shaft. The rotational speed sensor outputs a rotational speed signal, which is fed to a signal input of the rotational speed relay. According to disclosure, the rotational speed signal fed to the rotational speed relay is first inactivated. Then a signal generator is activated, which produces a check signal equivalent to the rotational speed signal. The check signal is fed to the signal input of the rotational speed relay. The signal generator is operated with a check signal that is beyond a rotational speed limit, and a check is performed to determine if the rotational speed relay generates a switch-off command. This allows the functional capability of the rotational speed relay to be checked reliably and at low cost. |
| US09678160B2 |
Industrial automatic-diagnostic device
An industrial automatic-diagnostic device connected to an FA system in which a plurality of FA devices are connected to each other, the industrial automatic-diagnostic device includes: an engineering tool; and a display unit. Based on interface connection information and device configuration information of a corresponding FA device held by each of the FA devices, the engineering tool creates overall configuration information of the FA system and displays an overall configuration of the FA system on the display unit based on the overall configuration information. When an abnormality occurs in the FA device, diagnosis information about an abnormal part self-diagnosed by the FA device and abnormality contents with respect to the abnormality occurred in a corresponding abnormal part is obtained. Based on the obtained diagnosis information, occurrence of an abnormality is displayed in an abnormal part in an overall configuration of the FA system displayed on the display unit. |
| US09678158B2 |
Apparatus for testing a package-on-package semiconductor device
An apparatus for testing a package-on-package semiconductor device includes a top cover, a lower base, a heat dissipation module, and a plurality of probes. The lower base is disposed under the top cover so as to form an internal accommodation space for receiving an upper chip. The heat dissipation module includes a heat sink arranged in the internal accommodation space and attached to an upper surface of the upper chip. The probes are arranged in the lower base so as to electrically connect the upper chip with a lower chip. By the heat sink arranged in the internal accommodation space formed of the top cover and the lower base, heat generated from the upper chip during operation of the upper chip can be greatly dissipated so that the performance and the service life of the upper chip can be improved. |
| US09678157B2 |
TAPs and TAP selector output enables coupled to output circuitry
The disclosure describes a novel method and apparatuses for allowing a controller to select and access different types of access ports in a device. The selecting and accessing of the access ports is achieved using only the dedicated TDI, TMS, TCK, and TDO signal terminals of the device. The selecting and accessing of device access ports can be achieved when a single device is connected to the controller, when multiple devices are placed in a daisy-chain arrangement and connected to the controller, or when multiple devices are placed in a addressable parallel arrangement and connected to the controller. Additional embodiments are also provided and described in the disclosure. |
| US09678155B2 |
DDR circuitry for TAM controller with TAM enable output
A device test architecture and a reduced device test interface are provided to enable efficient testing of embedded cores and other circuits within devices. The reduced device test interface is achieved using a double data rate (DDR) signaling technique between the tester and the device. The DDR test interface allows the tester to interface to test circuits within the device, such as IEEE 1500 and/or IEEE 1149.1 test circuits, to provide high test data bandwidth to the test circuits using a minimum of test interface signals. The test architecture includes compare circuits that allow for comparison of test response data to be performed within the device. The test architecture further includes a memory for storing the results of the test response comparisons. The test architecture includes a programmable test controller to allow for various test control operations by simply inputting an instruction to the programmable test controller from the external tester. Additional features and embodiments of the device test architecture and reduced test interface are also disclosed. |
| US09678154B2 |
Circuit techniques for efficient scan hold path design
In one embodiment, a method for signal delay in a scan path comprises, in a scan mode, delaying a scan signal in the scan path by propagating the scan signal through a plurality of delay devices coupled in series, wherein a first one of the delay devices is powered by a first voltage, a second one of the delay devices is powered by a second voltage, and the second voltage is greater than the first voltage. The method also comprises, in a functional mode, disabling the delay devices. |
| US09678152B2 |
Scan chain latch design that improves testability of integrated circuits
A scan chain latch circuit, a method of operating a latch circuit in a scan chain, and a computer-readable medium having stored thereon a data structure defining a scan chain latch circuit for instantiation on a semiconductor die are disclosed. In an embodiment, the scan chain latch circuit comprises a first latch for holding one data value, a second latch for holding another data value, and a multiplexor. The one data value is applied to a first data input of the multiplexor and the another data value is applied to a second data input of the multiplexor. An alternating clock signal is applied to a select input of the multiplexor to control the output of the multiplexor, wherein the output of the multiplexor toggles between the two data values held in the two latches at a defined frequency. |
| US09678151B2 |
Efficiency of cycle-reproducible debug processes in a multi-core environment
An approach for improving efficiency of cycle-reproducible debug in a multi-core environment is provided. The approach executes an exerciser image on one or more cores, wherein the exerciser image includes one or more different seeds. The approach determines a seed from the one or more different seeds that locates a fail-condition. Responsive to determining a seed from the one or more different seeds that locates the fail condition, the approach determines an upper bound and a lower bound of the fail-condition. The approach determines an exact cycle where the fail-condition occurs. The approach constructs a multi-cycle trace for the fail-condition. |
| US09678143B2 |
Semiconductor evaluation apparatus
A semiconductor evaluation apparatus includes a jig for evaluation and a probe substrate. The jig for evaluation is provided such that a plurality of semiconductor devices can be placed thereon. The probe substrate is provided so as to face the jig for evaluation, and includes a contact probe. The jig for evaluation includes a plurality of housing portions divided by a frame portion such that the plurality of semiconductor devices can be separately placed on the plurality of housing portions, respectively. The semiconductor evaluation apparatus is configured such that the contact probe can be brought into contact with a plurality of elements in the state where a space is provided by bringing the frame portion and the probe substrate in proximity to each other. In this space, each of the plurality of semiconductor devices is placed between a corresponding one of the plurality of housing portions and the probe substrate. |
| US09678139B2 |
Method and apparatus for high side transistor protection
A method and apparatus for detecting a high energy event in a transistor includes performing the steps of: monitoring a gate to source voltage of a transistor during transistor start up, continuously determining a derivative of the monitored gate to source voltage with respect to time, and detecting a high energy event when the derivative of the gate to source voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold. |
| US09678138B2 |
Unit and method for monitoring an integrity of a signal path, signal processing system and sensor system
A monitoring unit (100; 800) for monitoring an integrity of a signal path (200; 620) configured to receive an input signal (210, 802) and further configured to provide an output (220) in response to the input signal (210, 802), comprises a signal monitor (110; 801) configured to extract a first signal (112; 630) from the signal path (200; 620) corresponding to the input signal (210, 802) in at least a first characteristic. The monitoring unit (100; 800) further comprises a signal interface (120; 803) configured to extract a second signal (122; 631) corresponding to the output (220) in at least a second characteristic from the signal path (200; 620); and an evaluator (130) configured to determine, whether the at least first characteristic of the first signal (112; 630) corresponds to the at least second characteristic of the second signal (122; 631) according to a predefined relation. |
| US09678137B2 |
System and method to monitor contact joint integrity
Methods and systems for monitoring contact joint integrity in an information handling system may include precisely monitoring a change in resistance of a resistive element associated with a contact joint. The change in resistance of the resistive element may be indicative of the integrity of the contact joint. The resistance may be measured using a modulated current source and by demodulating a voltage signal resulting from the modulated current flowing across the resistive element. |
| US09678136B2 |
Back-plane connector for cubesat
A back-plane connector connects component boards for a cubesat with a processing unit and a board connector electrically connected to the back-plane connector. The board connector mates with complimentary connectors on the component boards. The arrangement facilitates assembly, testing and operational reliability. An image capture system may be included and has an image capture device with a multiplexer for interactive collection and storage of image and video data. |
| US09678135B2 |
Device for diagnosing the loss of a connection between an electronic control module and a ground
The subject of the present invention is a device for diagnosing the loss of a connection to a ground (M) of an electronic control module (BCM) of a motor vehicle. This device (1) comprises a first branch (B1) connecting the electronic control module (BCM) to the ground(M), a second branch (B2) connecting the electronic control module (BCM) to the ground (M) adapted to receive power currents (I(power)) originating from power equipments (EQP) and comprising unidirectional current-conducting means (D), a diagnostic circuit (CD) connected to the second connecting branch (B2) at the level of a measurement point (PM) situated between the unidirectional current-conducting means (D) and the ground (M) and defining a voltage (Vdiag) for diagnosing a loss of connection to the ground (M) of the electronic control module (BCM) on the first branch connecting (B1). According to the invention, the second connecting branch (B2) comprises, between the measurement point (Pm) of the diagnostic circuit (CD)and the ground(M), voltage-generating means(Rs, Idiag) adapted to increase the diagnostic voltage (Vdiag) in case of disconnection of the first branch (B1). |
| US09678134B2 |
Method for determining maintenance time for contacts, and testing apparatus
A method for maintaining a contact of a connection jig for connecting between a target object to be subjected to an electrical test and a testing apparatus configured to conduct the electrical test on the target object includes: detecting a change in voltage upon supply of power for the electrical test to a test point on the target object through the contact; and issuing maintenance information indicating the contact is abnormal, upon detection of a portion where the voltage does not successively rise. |
| US09678133B2 |
Intelligent patching systems and methods using electrical cable diagnostic tests and inference-based mapping techniques
A new patch cord connection in a communications network may be automatically identified by using a plug insertion/removal sensor to detect the insertion of a first plug into a first connector port of a patch panel. An electrical cable diagnostic test is used to detect an insertion of a second plug into a first connector port on a network device. It may be inferred that a new patch cord connection has been established between the first connector port of the patch panel and the first connector port of the network device based on the consecutive detections of the insertions of the first and second plugs. |
| US09678131B2 |
Method and apparatus for short fault isolation in a controller area network
A controller area network (CAN) includes a CAN bus having a CAN-H wire, a CAN-L wire, and a pair of CAN bus terminators located at opposite ends of the CAN bus. The CAN further includes a plurality of nodes including controllers wherein at least one of the controllers is a monitoring controller. The monitoring controller includes a detection control routine for isolating faults on the CAN bus including measuring a CAN-H wire voltage, measuring a CAN-L wire voltage, and isolating a short fault based upon the CAN-H wire voltage and the CAN-L wire voltage. |
| US09678129B2 |
Device and method for monitoring the state of a system component
In order to detect the current state of a system component, e.g. to display whether an electrical conductor, a cable or the like, is currently live, a field generator that generates a magnetic field in the environment of the system part is provided, which generator is connected to an organic magnetoresistive OMR semiconductor element that is arranged stationary in the environment of the system component to be monitored, and a voltage source for generating an electrical voltage between two electrodes of the OMR semiconductor element is provided. The device and the method can be fitted in a simple manner and cost-effectively to almost any system part, even at a later stage to already existing systems. A corresponding display shows the desired information locally limited and in the simplest manner: if the electric conductor is currently energized, an additional evaluation is not necessary. |
| US09678128B2 |
Noise test apparatus and method for testing a display panel using the same
A noise test apparatus includes a ground plate, a base plate including a ground plate, the ground plate being configured to support a display panel. A first antenna configured to receive electromagnetic waves irradiated by the display panel and disposed on the base plate adjacent to a first side of the ground plate. A second antenna configured to receive the electromagnetic waves irradiated by the display panel and disposed on the base plate adjacent to a second side of the ground plate, the second side extending substantially perpendicular to the first side. |
| US09678126B2 |
System and method for testing radio frequency wireless signal transceivers using wireless test signals
A system and method to facilitate wireless testing of a radio frequency (RF) signal transceiver device under test (DUT). With the DUT operating in a controlled electromagnetic environment, the tester exchanges multiple test signals wirelessly with the DUT. Signal phases of the respective test signals are controlled in accordance with feedback signals from the DUT and test equipment. Magnitudes of the respective test signals can also be controlled in accordance with such feedback signals, thereby enabling minimizing of apparent signal path loss between the tester and DUT to effectively simulate an electrically conductive signal path. |
| US09678121B2 |
Power distribution management apparatus, display control method, and recording medium
A power distribution management apparatus (10) includes acquiring a measurement result from a meter connected to a customer's load facility which receives a distributed power from a power distribution system, and using different display representation to display a facility where electricity flows from the load facility toward the facility of the power distribution system among facilities of the power distribution system to be distinguished from a facility where electricity flows from the facility of the power distribution system toward the load facility utilizing the measurement result of the meter. |
| US09678120B2 |
Electrical load identification using system line voltage
Methods and systems may provide for receiving a set of voltage samples corresponding to a line voltage of a leg in an electrical system and conducting a time domain analysis to identify one or more loads in the electrical system. Additionally, the time domain analysis may be used to identify one or more loads in the electrical system. In one example, conducting the time domain analysis involves classifying events with respect to cross correlation, shape magnitude, transient amplitude, transient duration, run delta and/or standard deviation. |
| US09678116B2 |
TRIAC low voltage dimming control system
A TRIAC low voltage dimming control system for effectively controlling the dimming of low voltage lighting using a TRIAC dimmer. The TRIAC low voltage dimming control system generally includes a TRIAC analyzer that applies a test voltage to a TRIAC dimmer and measures the amount of time required for the TRIAC dimmer to conduct electricity. Utilizing the measured time for the TRIAC dimmer to conduct electricity, the TRIAC analyzer is able to calculate an approximate state of the TRIAC dimmer and provide a corresponding level of DC electrical power to a DC load. |
| US09678114B2 |
Apparatus and methods thereof for error correction in split core current transformers
Apparatus and methods are provided for electrical parameter measurements at points of interest, such as circuit breakers, machines, and the like. The devices which comprise of components that may require corrections, such as the errors induced by, but not limited to, the use of a split core mounted around a current carrier, and hence calibration coefficients are provided based on test, measurements and/or calculations respective of the devices. These coefficients may be stored in a database for retrieval when calibration of measurements received from a measuring device. In one embodiment at least one of the calibration coefficients is stored on the measuring device. |
| US09678105B2 |
Analysis of ex vivo cells for disease state detection and therapeutic agent selection and monitoring
Described herein is the analysis of nanomechanical characteristics of cells. In particular, changes in certain local nanomechanical characteristics of ex vivo human cells can correlate with presence of a human disease, such as cancer, as well as a particular stage of progression of the disease. Also, for human patients that are administered with a therapeutic agent, changes in local nanomechanical characteristics of ex vivo cells collected from the patients can correlate with effectiveness of the therapeutic agent in terms of impeding or reversing progression of the disease. By exploiting this correlation, systems and related methods can be advantageously implemented for disease state detection and therapeutic agent selection and monitoring. |
| US09678099B2 |
Athermalized optics for laser wind sensing
Techniques are disclosed for providing an optical assembly to provide stereoscopic images of a reflected laser spot to a camera for wind measurement. According to certain embodiments of the invention, an optical assembly can include left and right (or first and second) subassemblies having lens groups and reflective elements that cause light traveling left and right subassemblies to follow similar paths to focus on respective left and right portions of a camera. The camera can then use left and right images of reflected laser light to determine wind based on turbulence patterns in the left and right images. |
| US09678097B2 |
Angle detection device and angle detection method
An angle detection device includes: first and second rotation measuring instruments; an anomaly detection unit detecting occurrences of anomalies in the first and second rotation measuring instruments; and a switching interpolation unit configured to select a first angle signal and a first angular speed signal and output as a third angle signal and a third angular speed signal when the first rotation measuring instrument is normal, and to perform switching so that a second angle signal and a second angular speed signal are output as the third angle signal and the third angular speed signal while performing interpolation so that the difference between the first angle signal and the second angle signal is reduced stepwise if the second rotation measuring instrument is normal when an anomaly has occurred in the first rotation measuring instrument. |
| US09678093B2 |
Automatic analyzer
An automatic analyzer provided with a roller and a reagent container shoulder presser at the position where an operator inserts a reagent container into the automatic analyzer. The reagent container is pushed while the lid of the reagent container is made to touch the upper side of the roller and the shoulder presser is made to touch the shoulder of the reagent container, and the application of upward force to the lid causes the lid of the reagent container to be half open, after which the reagent container is inserted in the analyzer. |
| US09678092B2 |
Workflow timing between modules
The invention relates to a method of isolating and analyzing an analyte using an analytical apparatus which comprises modules of different types, wherein any one module of one type has a specific, pre-defined timing for carrying out its workflow. |
| US09678086B2 |
Diagnostic assay for Alzheimer's disease
The present invention relates to the field of Alzheimer's disease (AD). More specifically, the present invention provides methods and compositions useful in diagnosing and assessing AD. In another embodiment, a method for diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease (AD) in a patient comprises the steps of (a) obtaining CSF sample from the patient; (b) adding to the sample isotopically labeled peptides identical to a portion of one or more biomarker proteins, wherein the one or more biomarker proteins comprise total APP, APP isoform 751, APP isoform 770, amyloid beta 40 peptide, APOE, and Clusterin; and (c) measuring the one or more biomarker proteins in the sample using mass spectrometry, wherein the level of one or more biomarker proteins compared to a control correlates with AD in the patient. |
| US09678082B2 |
Method of traceless labeling glycoproteins on surface and application thereof
The present invention relates to a method of traceless labeling glycoproteins on a surface and an application thereof. A test glycoprotein can be immobilized on a surface using a BA-tosyl probe and the BA-tosyl probe is then released using a releasing agent, so as to expose a glycan residue of the test glycoprotein. The exposed glycan residue of the test glycoprotein can be detected without altering native glycan structures. Moreover, the present invention further provides a detection kit of traceless labeling glycoproteins on a surface in the study of glycoprotein-protein interactions, which is suitable for using the aforementioned method. |
| US09678081B2 |
Chromatography method and chromatographic kit
The chromatography method includes a step of forming a composite with a test substance and a labeling substance containing a metal modified by a first binding substance of the test substance and then developing the composite on an insoluble carrier; a step of capturing the test substance and the labeling substance in a detection site on the insoluble carrier including a second binding substance of the test substance or a substance having a binding property to the first binding substance of the test substance; and a step of amplifying the captured labeling substance using a first amplification reagent and a second amplification reagent to detect the test substance. |
| US09678080B2 |
Bis-biotinylation tags
Multi-biotinylated reactants are provided which can be used in divalent complexes for various applications such as colocalization, labeling, immobilization, and purification. Methods for constructing, purifying, and using the bis-biotinylated reactants are also provided. In certain embodiments, two bis-biotinylated reactants are bound to a single streptavidin tetramer to provide a complex having a 1:1 stoichiometry with respect to the bis-biotinylated reactants. |
| US09678078B2 |
Methods and compositions for personalized medicine by point-of-care devices for brain natriuretic peptide
Methods, devices, reagent, systems and kits for the detection, diagnosis of ovarian cancer as well as for the monitoring of ovarian cancer progression and for monitoring the progress of ovarian cancer treatments using BNP as a biomarker. |
| US09678077B2 |
ERG/TFF3/HMWCK triple immunostain for detection of prostate cancer
This invention relates to a triple immunostaining assay (ERG/TFF3/HMWCK) for sensitive and specific detection of prostate cancer. Positive staining for at least one of ERG or TFF3 combined with negative staining of HMWCK in a sample such as prostate tissue sample is indicative of cancer. |
| US09678075B2 |
Prediction of recurrence for bladder cancer by a protein signature in tissue samples
The present invention pertains to the field of cancer prediction. Specifically, it relates to a method for predicting the risk of recurrence of bladder cancer in a subject after treatment of bladder cancer comprising the steps of determining the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the biomarkers shown in Table, and comparing the amount of said at least one biomarker with a reference amount for said at least one biomarker, whereby the risk of recurrence of bladder cancer is to be predicted. The present invention also contemplates a method for identifying a subject being in need of a further bladder cancer therapy. Encompassed are, furthermore, diagnostic devices and kits for carrying out said methods. |
| US09678066B2 |
Method and kit for measuring interaction between molecules
The present invention relates to methods of measuring interaction between a first and a second molecule, for example a protein and an antibody, by conjugation of one of these molecules with nanoparticles, and measuring the interaction between the first and second molecule via changes in the optical properties of the nanoparticles. The present invention further relates to methods of coating nanoparticles. |
| US09678065B2 |
Low-cost point-of-care assay device
The present disclosure provides methods and systems for analyzing a liquid sample. A micro-fluidic device to perform an assay of a liquid sample is described that includes a sample application site and a vent outlet in fluid communication with the capillary channel. A cap is provided that is configured to seal both the vent outlet and the sample application site in a shared volume and separate from an outside environment. |
| US09678064B2 |
Immunoassay apparatus incorporating microfluidic channel
An assay apparatus having an assay strip. The assay strip has a first area with a plurality of magnetic particles bonded thereto. The assay strip also has a microfluidic (or nanofluidic) channel or chamber, having a sensing area including one or more magnetic particle traps and a magnetic field source provided adjacent to the sensing area. Introduction of a fluid causes the magnetic particles to become attached to or displaced by a substance of interest, travel along the microfluidic channel to the sensing area and become concentrated in the one or more traps thus providing an indication of the presence or absence of a substance of interest in the fluid. There may be a plurality of traps. |
| US09678059B2 |
Detection, staging and grading of benign and malignant tumors
The present invention provides a method for detecting and grading benign and malignant tumors using at least one sensor of conductive nanoparticles capped with an organic coating in conjunction with a learning and pattern recognition algorithm. The method utilizes a plurality of response induced parameters to obtain improved sensitivity and selectivity for diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring and staging various types of cancers, or for identifying or grading benign or malignant tumors. |
| US09678054B2 |
Method of marking hydrocarbon liquids
Method of marking a hydrocarbon liquid includes adding to the liquid, a tracer compound of Formula I or II: wherein at least one of R1-R6 in Formula I and at least one of R7-R14 in Formula II is selected from: i. a bromine or fluorine atom; ii. a partially or fully halogenated alkyl group; iii. a branched or cyclic C4-C20 alkyl group; iv. an aliphatic substituent linking two positions selected from R1-R6 in Formula I to one another or two positions selected from R7-R14 in Formula II to one another; or v. a phenyl group substituted with a halogen atom, an aliphatic group or halogenated aliphatic group and none of R1-R6 and none of R7-R14 being a sulphonate group or COOR15, where R15 represents H, C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C2-C20 alkynyl, C3-C15 cycloalkyl or aryl. |
| US09678051B2 |
Method for distinguishing, classifying and measuring soft and hard inclusions in liquid metal
The present invention is a method for distinguishing, classifying and measuring soft and hard inclusions in a liquid metal that includes obtaining a flow through cell disposed on a tube with a top to allow the liquid metal to flow through the flow through cell and into the tube. There is also a mounting and a vacuum system disposed on top of the tube to draw the liquid metal through the flow through cell and into the tube that utilizes a pair of electrodes set inside and outside of the tube to apply an electric current to the liquid metal passing through the flow through cell. An electric resistance change is then measured and an electric resistance pulse is applied to the liquid metal to measure deformed behavior of the inclusions. The resistance pulse method can be used with liquid droplets, steel slag, bubbles and other deformable inclusions. |
| US09678049B2 |
Method for processing measured values from a nitrogen oxide sensor
A method for processing measured values two nitrogen oxide sensors, one of which is arranged upstream of a nitrogen oxide reduction catalytic converter in the exhaust gas system of a motor vehicle and the other of which is arranged downstream of the nitrogen oxide reduction catalytic converter, involves recording and comparing measured values from the two nitrogen oxide sensors at least approximately at the same time. A sensitivity of the first nitrogen oxide sensor and/or of the second nitrogen oxide sensor is changed depending on the result of the comparison. |
| US09678046B2 |
Gas chromatography using a thermal gradient that is substantially monotonically non-increasing and has a positive second derivative
A system and method for thermal gradient gas chromatography wherein a front or injection end of a column is heated to a higher temperature than a back or detector end to thereby create a thermal gradient having a profile that is substantially monotonically non-increasing and has a positive second derivative, and then providing a heat source to raise the thermal gradient and cause it to remain stationary or to travel through the column while maintaining a desired profile. |
| US09678044B2 |
Method of measuring acoustic energy impinging upon a cable
A method of measuring acoustic energy impinging upon a cable includes, interrogating at least one optical fiber of the cable with electromagnetic energy, the at least one optical fiber is nonconcentrically surrounded by and strain locked to a sheath of the cable, monitoring electromagnetic energy returned in the at least one optical fiber, and determining acoustic energy impinging on the cable. |
| US09678043B2 |
Methods, systems, and fixtures for inspection of gasket welds
A method may involve positioning a fixture over a portion of a tube portion of a gasket, where the gasket includes a first lip portion joined to a second lip portion by a weld of the gasket and the first lip portion joined to the second lip portion defines the tube portion, where the fixture comprises a housing and an injection port; positioning an ultrasonic probe in the housing; filling, by the injection port, coupling fluid between the ultrasonic probe and the tube portion of the gasket; and scanning at least a portion of the weld with the ultrasonic probe, where scanning the at least a portion of the weld may involve transmitting, by the ultrasonic probe, a plurality of ultrasonic waves through the coupling fluid into the tube portion, and translating the fixture in a longitudinal direction along the tube portion of the gasket. |
| US09678040B2 |
Rotating magnetic field hall measurement system
A rotating magnetic field Hall apparatus is provided and includes first and second magnets disposed in a master-slave configuration, a device-under-test (DUT) stage interposable between the first and second magnets on which a DUT is disposable in first or second orientations for Hall measurement or photoelectromagnetic (PEM) testing, respectively, controllers disposed to center the DUT stage between the first and second magnets and orthogonal magnetic field sensors disposed aside lateral sides of the first magnet to facilitate positional initialization of the first and second magnets and to generate in-phase and out-of-phase reference signals for phase-sensitive or lock-in Hall signal detection. The system also includes software system to perform signal processing to yield the final Hall signal. |
| US09678039B2 |
Ion modification
An ion mobility spectrometry method comprising determining whether a sample comprises ions having a first characteristic, and in the event that it is determined that the sample comprises ions having the first characteristic, applying thermal energy together with a radio frequency, RF, electric field to parent ions so as to obtain daughter ions having a second characteristic for inferring at least one identity for the parent ions based on the first characteristic and the second characteristic. |
| US09678036B2 |
Graphene-based gas and bio sensor with high sensitivity and selectivity
A graphene sensor and method for selective sensing of vapors, gases and biological agents are disclosed. The graphene sensor can include a substrate; a dielectric substrate on an upper layer of the substrate; a layer of graphene on an upper layer of the dielectric substrate; and a source and drain contact on an upper surface of the layer of graphene. The method for detection of vapors, gases and biological objects with low frequency input as a sensing parameter can include exposing a graphene device to at least one vapor, gas, and/or biological object, the graphene device comprising: a substrate; a dielectric substrate on an upper layer of the substrate, a layer of graphene on an upper layer of the dielectric substrate, and a source and drain contact on an upper surface of the layer of graphene; and measuring a change in a noise spectra of the graphene device. |
| US09678035B2 |
Hydrocarbon gas sensor
Provided is a gas sensor capable of accurately obtaining a hydrocarbon gas concentration even if a measurement gas contains water vapor. A main pumping cell adjusts an oxygen partial pressure of a first internal space such that a hydrocarbon gas in a measurement gas is not substantially burned in the first internal space. An auxiliary pumping cell adjusts an oxygen partial pressure of a second internal space such that inflammable gas components except for hydrocarbon are selectively burned. Then, a measuring pumping cell supplies oxygen to a surface of a measuring electrode. As a result, hydrocarbon existing in the measurement gas being in contact with the measuring electrode is all burned on the surface of the measuring electrode and, based on the magnitude of a current flowing between the measuring electrode and a main pumping electrode at that time, identifies a concentration of a hydrocarbon gas component existing in the measurement gas. |
| US09678034B2 |
Analyte sensors and systems including retention tab and methods of manufacturing same
In some aspects, an analyte sensor is provided for detecting an analyte concentration level in a biological fluid sample. The analyte sensor has a base including a top and bottom side, a lid, and an attachment member including one or more retention tabs coupled proximate the top side so that the analyte sensor can be grasped by the sensor's top side. Manufacturing methods and systems adapted to use and dispense the analyte sensors are provided, as are numerous other aspects. |
| US09678032B2 |
Chemometric analysis of chemical agents using electrochemical detection and classification techniques
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for the identification of chemical agents and determination of their level of exposure using electrochemical detection and advanced signal processing. In one aspect, a method includes collecting a sample from a surface containing a chemical agent to an electrode on a sensor such that the chemical agent transfers on the electrode, detecting an electrochemical signal of the chemical agent on the electrode to transduce chemical information associated with the chemical agent to an electrical signal, processing the electrical signal to obtain electrochemical spectral signature data to identify the chemical agent and generating a series of coefficients of the electrochemical spectral signature data to reduce the data, and classifying the chemical information based on the series of coefficients among preselected data sets to determine a level of exposure to the chemical agent. |
| US09678030B2 |
Materials and sensors for detecting gaseous agents
A sensor for detecting gaseous agents has a transducer, which includes an electrical resonant circuit that forms an antenna. The sensor further includes a sensing material that is disposed on at least a portion of the transducer. The sensing material is configured to simultaneously exhibit a capacitance response and a resistance response in the presence of a gaseous agent. The sensor may be reversible, battery free, and may require no electrical contact with a sensor reader. |
| US09678027B2 |
Monitoring device with jumper cable coupling and related methods
A monitoring device is for a block of building material. The monitoring device may include an electric supply line configured to be buried in the block of building material and having a flexible main cable, and flexible jumper cables coupled to the flexible main cable and extending outwardly. The monitoring device may include sensor devices configured to be buried in the block of building material and coupled to respective ones of the flexible jumper cables. Each sensor device may include a primary inductor coupled to the electric supply line at a position based upon peaks of a stationary waveform when the electric supply line is alternating current (AC) powered, and a monitoring circuit. The monitoring circuit may include an integrated sensor, and a secondary inductor magnetically coupled to the primary inductor and configured to supply the integrated sensor, and communicate through the electric supply line. |
| US09678026B2 |
Structural health monitoring system for a material and production method
A structural health monitoring system includes a signal transmission element and a sensor unit. The sensor unit is designed to feed a first signal into the signal transmission element and to read out a second signal from the signal transmission element. The signal transmission element has carbon nanotubes. |
| US09678023B2 |
Method of determining surface orientation of single crystal wafer
Provided is a method of determining a surface orientation of a single crystal wafer. The method of determining a surface orientation of a single crystal wafer using high resolution X-ray rocking curve measurement may determine a surface angle of the wafer and a direction of the surface angle using rocking curve measurement of a high resolution X-ray diffraction method and measuring a misalignment angle formed by a rotation axis of a measuring apparatus and a surface normal of the wafer and an orientation of the misalignment angle. |
| US09678021B2 |
Method and apparatus for inspecting defects
In optical dark field defect inspection, the present invention provides including: condensing laser emitted from a light source in a line shape; reflecting the laser, with a mirror; irradiating the reflected laser via an objective lens to a sample placed on a table from a vertical direction; condensing reflected scattered light from the sample with the objective lens; shielding diffraction light occurred from a periodical pattern formed on the sample, in the reflected scattered light from the sample and scattered light occurred from the mirror, with a spatial filter; receiving the reflected scattered light from the sample, not shielded with the spatial filter, with an imaging lens, and forming an image of the reflected scattered light; detecting the image of the reflected scattered light; and processing a detection signal obtained by detecting the image of the reflected scattered light and detecting a defect on the sample. |
| US09678015B2 |
Method for elemental analysis of a snack food product in a dynamic production line
A method and apparatus for analyzing one or more elements of targeted moving snack food surfaces uses laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy to detect the presence, absence, or amount of an element on a heterogeneous surface, including seasoned and ready-to-eat snack foods. A laser is used to quantify the element concentration without destroying the targeted sample. An automated on-line system may be integrated into the method to create a closed-loop feedback control system, adjusting the concentration as desired. |
| US09678008B2 |
Device for measuring scattered light from a measurement volume with compensation for background signals
A device for measuring scattered light from a measurement volume with compensation for background signals, includes a light sensor having separately evaluable light-sensitive elements, a single imaging optical system, wherein the light-sensitive elements are arranged in the image plane and the measurement volume is arranged in the corresponding object plane of the optical system, a light transmitter with a collimated light beam, this light-sensitive element detects scattered light from the measurement volume and background light from the overlapping visual ranges behind the subject plane, and the other light-sensitive element detects no or significantly less scattered light from the measurement volume and background light from the overlapping visual areas behind the object plane, and a diaphragm that restricts the visual ranges of the light-sensitive elements behind the object plane. |
| US09678006B2 |
Optical sensor and image forming apparatus
In an optical sensor, a light emission system emits an irradiated light of a linear polarization in a first polarization direction toward a surface of a target object having a sheet shape from an incident direction which is inclined with respect to a normal direction of the surface. A first light detection system includes a first light detector arranged on a first light path of a specular reflected light, which is emitted from the light emission system and is specularly reflected from the target object. A second light detection system includes a second light detector arranged on a second light path of a diffuse reflected light which is diffusely reflected from an incident plane on the target object. The second light detector receives second light passed by an optical element which passes a linear polarization component of a second polarization direction perpendicular to the first polarization direction. |
| US09678004B2 |
Plasmonic interferometer sensor
An optical device includes a transparent substrate and a conductive layer disposed over an upper surface of the transparent substrate. The conductive layer defines at least one groove inwardly extending from an upper surface and includes an aperture that is spaced apart from the at least one groove. An interface between the upper surface of the conductive layer and an ambient medium defines an optical branch along which surface plasmon polariton modes are excited in response to at least partially coherent light being received by the optical device. |
| US09678003B2 |
Cavity enhanced laser based isotopic gas analyzer
Systems and methods for measuring the isotope ratio of one or more trace gases and/or components of gas mixtures such as different gas species present in a gas mixture. The system includes a resonant optical cavity having two or more mirrors and containing a gas, the cavity having a free spectral range that equals the difference between frequencies of two measured absorption lines of different gas species in the gas, or of two different isotopes, divided onto an integer number. The system also includes a continuous-wave tunable laser optically coupled with the resonant optical cavity, and a detector system for measuring an absorption of laser light by the gas in the cavity. The detector system includes one of a photo-detector configured to measure an intensity of the intra-cavity light or both a photo-acoustic sensor configured to measure photo-acoustic waves generated in the cavity and a photo-detector configured to measure an intensity of the intra-cavity light. |
| US09677999B2 |
Cavity enhancement methods, systems and devices, and methods of measuring same
A system for increasing light throughput in cavity enhanced spectrometry, and a model for cavity enhanced absorption measurements are presented. The cavity has an entrance mirror, an opposed exit mirror and a detector positioned adjacent the exit mirror. An input aperture is defined in the entrance mirror to allow light from a source to enter the cavity. The input aperture improves light throughput without significant departure from the theoretically predicted amplification of absorbance. This results in improvement of detection limits, even with mirrors of modest reflectivity and inexpensive detectors. |
| US09677996B2 |
Optical sensor arrangement including different scan times through a frequency interval for first and second light sources
An optical sensor arrangement for measuring an observable including at least one light source for generating a first light component of a first frequency including a first mode and a second light component of a second frequency including a second mode orthogonal to the first mode, an optical resonator having differing optical lengths for the first and second modes, at least one of the optical lengths being variable depending on the observable and a dependence of the respective optical length being different for the first and second modes, and a detector unit coupled to the optical resonator for coupling out the two light components and being configured for detecting a frequency difference between a resonance frequency of the optical resonator for the first mode and a resonance frequency of the optical resonator for the second mode. |
| US09677991B2 |
Sand and dust environmental testing system
An environmental testing system for environmental testing with particulate matter, such as sand and dust, is disclosed. The testing system uses a feeder to feed precise amounts of particulate matter into an injector, which injects the particulate matter into the airflow leading to a test chamber with approximately the same velocity as the surrounding airflow. The feeder may be a loss-in-weight gravimetric feeder, and the injector may be a Venturi valve actuated by compressed air. The system also includes operator protection features, such as an exhaust fan that creates negative pressure when the door to the test chamber is opened, and when particulate matter is dumped into the system. A temperature control system heats and cools the airflow during tests, a pneumatic conveying system moves fluidized particulate matter into and out of the system, and a controller provides automatic control over the system. |
| US09677990B2 |
Particle counter with advanced features
An airborne or liquid particle sensor with a number of advanced features is disclosed. The sensor includes an output channel generating an electrical signal for a particle passing through the sensor, where the electrical signal includes information related to the pulse. The information is processed by the sensor to determine a value that indicates a more accurate particle mass for a sample period than the average mass. |
| US09677988B1 |
Integrating radiation collection and detection apparatus
An apparatus for collecting and integrating radiation is disclosed. In embodiments, the apparatus comprises a shell configured to at least partially surround a sample container having a liquid sample contained therein. The liquid sample can comprise one or more liquids. The shell includes one or more inner surfaces with suitable reflectance for causing radiation that is at least one of scattered, reflected, diffracted, refracted, or radiated from one or more particles within the liquid sample to be redirected within the shell until the radiation is received by a detector. |
| US09677983B2 |
Particle characterization
A particle characterization apparatus having first and second body parts, a light source, a sample cell and a detector. The light source illuminates dispersed particles within the sample cell with a light beam along an axis to produce scattered light. The sample cell has first and second walls. The walls have internal surfaces arranged to be in contact with the sample and an opposite external surface. The light beam passes through the external surface of the first wall, through the internal surface of the first wall, through the sample, through the internal surface of the second wall, and through the external surface of the second wall. The light source is fixed to the first body part, which engages with the first wall. The detector is fixed to the second body part, which engages with the second wall. The first and second body parts are separable to enable access to the internal surfaces of the walls for cleaning. |
| US09677980B2 |
Method of entrapping chlorine dioxide gas, method of determining concentration of chlorine dioxide and entrapping agent for chlorine dioxide
A method of entrapping chlorine dioxide gas, including the steps of using an aqueous solution containing an alkaline substance and an iodide and bringing air containing the chlorine dioxide gas into contact with the aqueous solution. |
| US09677976B2 |
Gas sampling and management system
A gas monitoring and control system including a gas sampling chamber, sampling inlet and outlet valves, a pump and a controller. Sensors are disposed within the interior chamber that sense characteristics of a gas from a gas source and generate representative signals. The sampling inlet and outlet valves i) allow the gas into the gas sampling chamber while operating in a gas sampling state, and ii) allow ambient air into the gas sampling chamber while operating in a purge state. The pump i) causes the gas to flow through the gas sampling chamber while operating in the gas sampling state or ii) causes ambient air to flow through the gas sampling chamber while operating in the purge state. The controller causes the sampling inlet and outlet valves, and the pump to alternate operating in the gas sampling or purge state to selectively expose the sensors to the gas. |
| US09677974B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for assessing wheel condition on a vehicle
A method of assessing a condition of a wheel on a vehicle is provided and includes driving the vehicle in a generally longitudinal direction; contactlessly determining a distance to a first location on the wheel; contactlessly determining a distance to a second location on the wheel at a second time that is later than the first time; determining an indication of a tire-wearing angle for the wheel based on the distance to the first location and the distance to the second location; and outputting the indication of the tire wearing angle for the wheel. |
| US09677973B1 |
Method and apparatus for environmental protection of drive-over tire tread depth optical sensors
A drive-over tire tread depth measurement system is configured with environmental protection components for preventing or impeding environmental contaminates from falling through openings in a vehicle support surface or cover plate onto underlying components such as sensor optical windows and adjacent surfaces. The environmental protection components may include air discharge assemblies, movable shields, guards, wipers or deflectors such as drip edges, water-accumulating textured surfaces, flow diverters, and selectively placed flanges or fixed guards which operate cooperatively to displace accumulated contaminates, debris, or liquids from the optical windows and adjacent sensor surfaces. A portion of the vehicle support surface or cover plate is removable to permit access to underlying components. |
| US09677972B2 |
System and method for characterizing tire uniformity machines
A method for characterizing spindle forces of a tire uniformity machine includes receiving a tire in an apparatus having an upper spindle and rim and a lower spindle and rim, wherein the rims capture the tire therebetween. A measurement data waveform is collected and an angular offset between the rims to define an engagement position is determined. The measurement data waveform is designated as a tire result waveform, and the measurement data waveform is appended to a collection of measurement data waveforms for each engagement position. Once the predetermined number of waveforms for the engagement position has been obtained, an average waveform for each engagement position is computed. A characterization waveform for each average waveform is then generated. |
| US09677961B2 |
Pressure indicator with pressure-relief function
A pressure indicator with a pressure-relief function is disclosed, which can release excessive pressure to the environment. The pressure indicator includes a transparent tube defining therein a first bore and a second bore, and a slider which can be forced by the medium supplied from an external pressure source to move along the first and second bores of the transparent tube. In particular, the first bore has a diameter greater than the second bore, and a tapered annular surface is provided between the first bore and the second bore of the transparent tube. When the pressure of the medium exceeds a predetermined pressure, the slider can be forced by the medium to reach the tapered annular surface, at which excessive medium can be released into the environment via an annular gap between the slider and the tapered annular surface. |
| US09677959B2 |
Testing device for electromagnetic attraction force of a magnetic track brake
The present application relates to the technical field of magnetic track brake, and in particular to a testing device for electromagnetic attraction force of a magnetic track brake, comprising a steel rail, a force measuring rail block, a guide groove, an elastic force measuring device and a pull machine, wherein the steel rail consists of segmented steel rails, the groove body of the guide groove is vertically provided between the segmented steel rails, the limiting plate is fixed on an inner wall of the groove body, the force measuring rail block and the elastic force measuring device are both located inside the groove body, and a bottom of the force measuring rail block is connected to the elastic force measuring device and the pull machine through an intermediate connection rod. |
| US09677957B2 |
Serial fiber Bragg grating interrogator with a pulsed laser for reflection spectrum measurement
A serial weak FBG interrogator is disclosed. The serial weak FBG interrogator may include a CW tunable laser or pulsed laser utilized as a laser source and an EDFA. The serial weak FBG interrogator may also be an interrogation of a single sensor system by utilization of a DFB laser which utilizes a single sensor, which may be an interferometer sensor, an extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer or a wavelength-modulated sensor. The serial weak FBG interrogator may also include a computer system or CSPU. |
| US09677956B2 |
Optic fibres and fibre optic sensing
Fiber optic cables with improved performance for use in distributed sensing, for instance in distributed acoustic sensors, are disclosed. In one embodiment a fiber optic cable (210) comprises a core (208) and cladding (206) disposed within a buffer material (202) and surrounded by a jacket (204) and arranged so that the core is offset from the center of the cable. By offsetting the core from the center of the jacket any bending effects on the core can be maximised compared with the core being located at the center of the cable. |
| US09677955B2 |
Contact force sensor
Provided is a contact force sensor of high sensitivity and high accuracy. This contact force sensor is fabricated by machining of a silicon semiconductor material. The contact force sensor is provided with a sensor configuration having a base part, and a contact force transmission part formed in a direction orthogonal to this base part. A stress-electricity conversion element for converting displacement of the contact force transmission part to an electrical signal, formed in the base part of the sensor configuration, is also provided. |
| US09677954B2 |
Instant response pressure sensor
An instant response pressure sensor is disclosed. An embodiment shows no continuous gap is configured between a piezoresistor and neighboring element(s) in thickness direction. The instant response pressure sensor is able to respond immediately to an extremely small pressure applied thereupon in the early stage with an extremely small distance movement because the instant response pressure sensor without having an extra press journey to move before trigging. |
| US09677953B2 |
Sensor device, sensor module, force detection device, and robot
A package having a recessed section, a sensor element arranged in the recessed section and having a piezoelectric material, a lid joined to the package and sealing the recessed section of the package are provided. The package has a first hollow portion which a part of the sensor element fits with, on an inner bottom surface of the recessed section. The lid has a second hollow portion which a part of the sensor element fits with. |
| US09677952B2 |
Interface apparatus and methods
Input devices are provided. In accordance with an example embodiment, an input device includes an interface layer that flexes in response to pressure, a plurality of sense electrodes, a dielectric between the sense electrodes and the interface layer, and interconnecting circuitry. The dielectric compresses or expands in response to movement of the interface layer, and exhibits dielectric characteristics that vary based upon a state of compression of the dielectric. The interconnecting circuitry is to the sense electrodes and provides an output indicative of both the position of each sense electrode and an electric characteristic at each sense electrode that provides an indication of pressure applied to the dielectric adjacent the respective sense electrodes. |
| US09677950B2 |
Portable device with temperature sensing
In one embodiment, a portable temperature sensing system includes a portable housing configured to be carried by a user, a microelectrical mechanical system (MEMS) thermal sensor assembly supported by the housing and including an array of thermal sensor elements, a memory including program instructions, and a processor operably connected to the memory and to the sensor, and configured to execute the program instructions to obtain signals from each of a selected set of thermal sensor elements of the array of thermal sensor elements, determine an average sensed temperature based upon the signals, and render data associated with the determined average sensed temperature. |
| US09677949B1 |
Fiber-optic sensor for strain-insensitive temperature measurements
An in-line fiber-optic temperature sensor is disclosed. In an implementation, the in-line fiber-optic temperature sensor includes an optically transmissive fiber, a reflector, a microstructured fiber defining a channel therein for receiving a fluid, and a Fabry-Perot cavity in fluid communication with the microstructured fiber. The microstructured fiber can be retained between the optically transmissive fiber and the reflector. The Fabry-Perot cavity defined by a material and configured to receive a gas having an index of refraction that changes in a known way with temperature and pressure changes in fluid communication with the channel of the microstructured fiber. The in-line fiber-optic temperature sensor also includes a chamber defined between the optically transmissive fiber and the microstructured fiber for connecting in fluid communication with a vacuum/pressure source for changing pressure. The in-line fiber-optic temperature sensor also includes a sensor for determining an optical interferometric reflection spectrum associated with the Fabry-Perot cavity. |
| US09677941B2 |
Object movement control device and fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer
Feedback control of an object which moves back and forth in a straight line along a linear guide is performed through PID control. A parameter adjustment unit which determines the control parameters to be used for PID control performs feedback control and determines the optimal value of control parameters by means of an evaluation function based on the error between the measured value of the current velocity and the target velocity, for the control parameters of maximum reverse voltage and at least one from among proportional coefficient (CP), differential coefficient CD), integral coefficient CI), and frictional coefficient (CF). |
| US09677936B2 |
Spectro-sensor and spectrometer employing the same
Provided is a spectro-sensor which includes a nano antenna array. The nano antenna array includes a plurality of nano antennas which have different resonance wavelength bands and an optical detector array which includes a plurality of optical detectors that respectively detect light from the plurality of nano antennas. |
| US09677932B2 |
Field lens corrected three mirror anastigmat spectrograph
A spectrograph that includes a first mirror having flat a mirror reflective surface and positioned to reflect light traversing a prism, a second mirror having a concave-shaped reflective mirror surface and positioned to reflect light received from the first mirror, a third mirror having a convex-shaped reflective mirror surface and positioned to receive light reflected by the second mirror, a fourth mirror having a spheroidal reflective mirror surface and positioned to receive light reflected by the third mirror, and a field lens comprising a concave mirror surface in combination with a convex mirror surface, wherein light received by said field lens from said fourth mirror enters said convex mirror surface, traverses said field lens, and exits from said concave mirror surface. The fifth mirror is positioned such that the second mirror, third mirror, fourth mirror, and fifth mirror share a common vertex axis. |
| US09677927B2 |
Magnetostrictive transmitter piezoelectric pickup sensor
A pickup sensor is disclosed for a magnetostrictive sensing instrument for sensing position of a magnetic field. The instrument includes an elongate tube having a near end and a distal end. A magnetostrictive wire in the tube has first and second ends. The second end is operatively secured at the tube distal end. The pickup sensor comprises a housing mounted proximate the tube near end. A pair of crystals are in the housing sandwiching the magnetostrictive wire so that interaction between an electric pulse on the magnetostrictive wire and a magnetic field produces a torsional wave on the magnetostrictive wire sensed by the pair of crystals. A pair of spring elements are mounted in the housing sandwiching the crystals to provide consistent contact force between the crystals and the magnetostrictive wire. |
| US09677926B2 |
Liquid-level detection device
A liquid-level detection device detects a level of a surface of liquid stored in a container. The liquid-level detection device includes: a float that floats on the surface of liquid; a rotatable body that rotates due to a upward or downward displacement of the float and includes a rotation contact part; a supporting body that rotatably supports the rotatable body and includes a supporting contact part which is located on a rotational track of the rotation contact part to restrict the rotation of the rotatable body in a specified direction by contact between the supporting contact part and the rotation contact part; and an attachment member that is attached to the supporting body and includes an attachment contact part which makes contact with the rotatable body rotating in the specified direction to prevent the contact of the rotation contact part with the supporting contact part. |
| US09677920B2 |
Automation device and method for reducing jitter
An automation device is provided, which comprises an operating system having a first system clock and a communication system having a second system clock. The first system clock is intended to control a system time cycle of the operating system, and the second system clock is intended to control a system time cycle of the communication system. Furthermore, the first system clock and the second system clock are synchronized in time. |
| US09677917B2 |
Housing and housing part for a housing of a sensor for a vehicle transmission; sensor for a vehicle transmission; and method for the production of a sensor for a vehicle transmission
A housing part for a sensor for a vehicle transmission is able to be connected at the sensor housing to an additional housing part along a joining area by means of a joining process. The housing part has at least one uniform wall thickness or adjusted optical material properties in the joining area. |
| US09677911B2 |
Magnetic field sensor and method of operation thereof with a determination of offset values selectable during operation of the sensor
At least one embodiment relates to magnetic field sensors being operable at different calibration modes, wherein the magnetic sensor is capable of switching between the different calibration modes during normal operation of the sensor. The switching may be possible in response to different motion types detected within the sensor. Such sensors may be used in vehicles such as cars, the sensors for example being part of the engine control system or the ABS. Another embodiment relates to a method of changing calibration modes during operation of sensors. |
| US09677909B2 |
Electricity meter
There is provided an improved method of managing the supply of electricity. The method comprises transferring, via contactless communication, first data from an electricity meter to a portable storage medium. The first data may be historical data collected by the electricity meter and related to the supply of electricity by the electricity meter. The method further comprises transferring, via contactless communication, second data from the portable storage medium to the electricity meter. The second data comprises instruction for the electricity meter to supply electricity. |
| US09677905B2 |
Method of power-saving in MEMS sensor applications
Method including detecting low user dynamics by a first MEMS sensor is provided. A first sensor determines sampling rate value corresponding to the low user dynamics. The first sensor sampling rate value is less than a second sensor sampling rate value corresponding to high user dynamics. A sampling rate of a second MEMS sensor is adjusted to the first sensor sampling rate value. |
| US09677895B2 |
Method for operating a navigation system in a vehicle and corresponding control system and computer program product
In order to operate a navigation system in a vehicle where navigation data of the navigation system are transferred to at least one of a plurality of control devices of the vehicle, wherein the data is transferred via at least one data bus to which the control devices are connected, the navigation data are prioritized, and the transfer of the navigation data via the data bus is controlled on the basis of the prioritization. |
| US09677894B2 |
Vehicle operations based on biometric fingerprint analysis
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for enacting various driving profiles based on identifying the age and gender of the user. Initially, identifying information is acquired from a user of a vehicle. An identification program determines whether the driver is known, by comparing the identifying information to a set of stored identifying information. If the driver of the vehicle is known, as the identifying information from the user is similar to stored identifying information, then a specific driver profile associated with the specific driver is activated. If the driver is not known, as the identifying information from the user of the vehicle is not similar to the stored identifying information, then the age and gender of the user of the vehicle is determined. Based on the determined age and gender of the driver of the vehicle, various vehicle setting ranges are enacted. |
| US09677893B2 |
Vehicular navigation system updating based on object presence/absence
Processing arrangement for managing temporary updates to a map for use by vehicular navigation systems in vehicles in which a communications system at a remote site receives wireless communications from each vehicle including information about presence of an object or condition at a specific location automatically identified at the specific location without requiring manual entry of data about the object or condition at the specific location and that affects movement of vehicles on a roadway. A processor generates a map update for use by vehicular navigation systems based on the identified object or condition at the specific location which is transmitted to any vehicle in a vicinity of the specific location to cause the vehicular navigation system of that vehicle to use a map with the generated map update to display or otherwise indicate the presence of the object or condition at the specific location. |
| US09677892B2 |
System and method for assessing quality of transit networks at specified locations
A system and method is disclosed for generating and providing assessments of transit network characteristics for specified locations. The system receives a specified location, generates an assessment of the received location, and provides a generated visual representation of the received location to a client system. Determining a location assessment may be based on transit network information related to the distance between a specified location and the nearest point of access/egress on transit network routes that are accessible from the specified location, the frequency at which the transit network routes stop at the point of access/egress on the transit network routes that are accessible from the indicated location, or the transportation mode used for at least one of the transit network routes that are accessible from the specified location. The initial location assessment may be updated periodically, in response to changes in system status, or on demand by user request. |
| US09677890B2 |
Positioning and mapping based on virtual landmarks
This disclosure is directed to positioning and mapping based on virtual landmarks. A space may include a plurality of signal sources (e.g., wireless access points (APs), cellular base stations, etc.). The space may be virtually divided into a plurality of regions, wherein each region in the space may be associated with a virtual landmark. Virtual landmarks may be identified by a signature comprised of measurements of wireless signals received from the plurality of access points when at the associated region. A device position may be approximated based on signal power magnitude and variance measurements for wireless signals received at the virtual landmark. Devices may employ an algorithm such as, for example, Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) for positioning and map creation in the space without the need for GPS signals, specialized signaling equipment, pre-navigation device training, etc. Navigation/mapping may also account for space changes, signal source position changes, etc. |
| US09677889B2 |
Method and system for compensating for soft iron magnetic disturbances in multiple heading reference systems
A method and system for compensating for soft iron magnetic disturbances in multiple heading reference systems, such as aircraft heading reference systems, integrated standby units; or vehicle inertial systems, detects and provides a heading correction signal to the error prone heading reference system when a detected difference in value between a gyro heading relative to magnetic north and a magnetometer reading during a defined measurement period exceeds a predetermined acceptable threshold value of change, such as one based on the expected gyro drift over that period. Upon receipt of the heading correction signal, the gyro heading is adjusted to maintain an accurate heading relative to true magnetic north. If this threshold value is not exceeded, then the magnetometer reading is used for the heading value. This method is periodically repeated in order to continually maintain an accurate heading and may be employed for each heading measurement axis. |
| US09677886B2 |
Method and apparatus for navigation based on media density along possible routes
The disclosure is directed to routing to a destination. An aspect determines a route from an origin to the destination, and recommends a location of interest. The location of interest is a location with a media density score is greater than a threshold and within a range of deviation from the route. The media density score is based on a number of recommendations of a media file related to the media density score. |
| US09677885B2 |
Vibratory ring structure
A method of tuning a vibratory ring structure includes determining an angular spacing for a pair of fine tuning holes of substantially the same size, located on or near the neutral axis of the vibratory ring structure, the angular offset being selected to reduce to an acceptable level the frequency split between the target normal mode and a further normal mode which is angularly offset relative to the target normal mode, and forming the pair of fine tuning holes in the vibratory ring structure at the determined angular spacing. A ring structure, for example, a gyroscope, tuned or balanced in this manner, is also disclosed. |
| US09677880B2 |
Laser alignment system
A laser alignment system may comprise a machine, a laser source attached to the machine, a photodiode able to communicate with the laser source, and a receiver including the photodiode, wherein a signal is generated upon communication between the photodiode and the laser source. |
| US09677875B2 |
Measuring surface curvature
A method of measuring surface curvature comprises forming an intensity distribution defined by Fresnel diffraction, wherein said intensity distribution is formed by electromagnetic radiation reflected from a surface, obtaining data for the intensity distribution and determining information relating to the curvature of the surface using the obtained data. |
| US09677872B2 |
Handheld dimensioning system with feedback
A handheld dimensioning system that analyzes a depth map for null-data pixels to provide feedback is disclosed. Null-data pixels correspond to missing range data and having too many in a depth map may lead to dimensioning errors. Providing feedback based on the number of null-data pixels helps a user understand and adapt to different dimensioning conditions, promotes accuracy, and facilitates handheld applications. |
| US09677862B2 |
Mutli-stage fragmenting projectile
A multi-stage fragmenting projectile has a number of grooves and slots that are strategically placed on and around the periphery of the projectile. After the projectile engages an object, a first set of fragments separates from a main body of the projectile. A second set of fragments separate a short time later after the projectile has traveled farther in the object. |
| US09677855B2 |
Protective glove with wire mesh
A protective glove includes an inner liner having a soft pliable material configured to cover a front side and a back side of a user's hand. A protective layer is attached to an exterior surface of the inner liner and disposed over at least the front side of the user's hand. The protective layer includes a wire mesh panel that is configured to protect the user's hand from cuts, abrasions, and punctures and that has an edge portion with a plurality of wire ends. An edge protector is disposed over the edge portion of the wire mesh panel and substantially conceals the wire ends to prevent the edge portion from fraying and the plurality of wire ends from piercing the inner liner. An outer layer is attached to the exterior surface of the inner liner and is disposed over the protective layer. |
| US09677854B1 |
Firearms mounting rail
A firearm magnetic locking accessory rail that allows for quick one step attachment or detachment. By having two components connecting together in an interlocking design, the rail allows for easy firearm accessories configuration to meet any shooting requirement. The two magnets in the railing system act as the locking and precision elements that provide sighting accessories same accuracy when remove and re-attach to the firearm. |
| US09677852B2 |
Remote controlled non-lethal weapon station
A Remote Controlled Weapon Station is provided wherein it comprises a weapon mounting bracket that is remotely adjustable in elevating/lowering and a rotatable turret assembly adapted to be mounted on vehicles, remotely adjustable in rotation, and wherein the weapon mounting bracket is pivotally mounted on it, and the Remote Controlled Weapon Station is converted into a remote controlled Non Lethal weapon station by that at least one non lethal means is installed in it, chosen from a group consisting of—a multi barreled means for firing grenades; multi-barrels launcher means for pyrotechnically firing plurality of charges; acoustic means for producing tones; illuminating means; observation means and means for providing sniper firing capabilities of small caliber kinetic bullet. |
| US09677847B2 |
Concealed carry clip for handguns
The present disclosure provides an improved concealed carry clip, that attaches with machine screws to the slide rear cover plate, and which has friction features on the clip to facilitate drawing back the slide with the thumb and index finger. In addition, the cover plate can be equipped with projections that reduce shearing forces on the machine screws. A drilled and tapped replacement rear cover plate is provided with the improved concealed carry clip. Though the improved concealed carry clips have, to date, been designed for Glock®, M&P® and Springfield Armory® XD handguns, the concealed carry clips may be adapted for use on other similarly constructed handguns in the future. |
| US09677845B2 |
Firearm handguard having heat-reducing features
A handguard comprising a plurality of layers of composite material. At least one of the layers is a ceramic matrix composite and at least one of the layers, and preferably the outer later, is a carbon fiber reinforced composite. In addition, the outermost layer is preferably a woven fabric carbon fiber reinforced composite. In one embodiment, one or more ceramic matrix composite layers is sandwiched between layers of carbon fiber reinforced composite. In another embodiment, an innermost layer is a ceramic matrix composite and the outermost layer is a carbon fiber reinforced composite. |
| US09677843B2 |
Baton with recessed control button
An apparatus including a plurality of coaxially nested tubes, a respective spring-loaded retainer located on a first end of some tubes, each retainer having an outer edge wherein release of the control aperture causes a spring of the retainer to urge the outer edge radially outwards into the recess of the second end of the next adjacent outside tube; and a control rod having a button on one end and a tapered tip on the opposing end, the control rod engages the control aperture of each of the tubes in the stowed position to retain the outer edge of the respective retainers in the retracted position and as the plurality of tubes are extended, the tapered end of the control rod disengages the control aperture thereby causing the button to abruptly pop outwards from the marginal edge of the outer most tube. |
| US09677841B2 |
Cable attachment fitting for a bow
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure describe a fitting for attaching a cable to a bow. The cable attachment fitting attaches near a cam to provide an offset between the cam of the bow and a cable attached at the cable attachment fitting. |
| US09677838B2 |
Firearm barrel fluting of varied depth and/or width
The present invention provides a fluted firearm barrel and method of making a fluted firearm barrel. An elongated barrel has an exterior surface. A plurality of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced apart grooves are formed in the exterior surface. Each groove varies in width multiple times along the length thereof, such that each groove has at least two widened portions with a narrowed portion therebetween. |
| US09677837B2 |
Stacked projectile launcher and associated methods
Provided is a barrel insert for use with a barrel containing a plurality of axially stacked projectiles. The barrel insert has a proximal and a distal end, the distal end adapted to engage a proximally disposed projectile disposed in the barrel. The barrel insert also defines an expansion volume for propellant gases for launching the proximally disposed projectile at a predetermined velocity. |
| US09677835B1 |
Ratchet belt locking system for handguns and long guns
Devices, apparatus, systems and methods for locking ratchet belts about handguns and long guns with a ratchet belt and locking box. An embodiment can remove the working magazine from pistols and long guns replacing it with a non-working magazine that is locked onto the firearm. Another embodiment locks the trigger of handgun and long gun firearms. Another embodiment locks the firearm to support surfaces such as a wall, and the like. A still another embodiment can lock and prevent the pull handle of a shot gun from being pumped. Embodiments can be used alone or in combination so that handguns and long guns are locked and prevented from being discharged. |
| US09677833B2 |
Charging handle with improved gas deflection
A charging handle for a firearm which has a handle portion connected to a pull rod member. A bore hole collects exhaust gases passing over the top of the rod member and directs the gases to vent tunnel(s) which extend perpendicular to the rod member. In the preferred embodiment, a deflecting surface is used to further direct the exhaust gases to the bore hole. Further embodiments provide seals to protect the user from any exhaust gas which has not been vented. |
| US09677832B2 |
Liquid cooling system for electric component mounted in aircraft
To provide a liquid cooling system for an electric component mounted in an aircraft, in which a flow rate of a coolant fed to the electric component mounted in the aircraft is optimized by a simple method, a liquid cooling system 1 for an electric component mounted in an aircraft adopts a flow rate adjusting valve which is a thermostat valve 5 such that the opening degree of the valve increases with an increase in the temperature of the coolant flowing into the flow rate adjusting valve so as to raise the flow rate of the coolant fed to the electric component 50, and the opening degree of the valve decreases with a decrease in the temperature of the coolant flowing into the flow rate adjusting valve so as to reduce the flow rate of the coolant fed to the electric component 50. |
| US09677831B2 |
Device with a heat exchanger and method for operating a heat exchanger of a steam generating plant
A device with a heat exchanger with a feed pipe for a medium leading from a medium inlet to the heat exchanger entrance and with a discharge pipe leading away from the heat exchanger exit is characterized in that it has a first bypass from the medium inlet to the discharge pipe and a second bypass from the feed pipe to the medium outlet and valves, so that the medium can also flow from the heat exchanger exit to the heat exchanger entrance. |
| US09677829B2 |
Total heat exchanging element paper
The object of the present invention is to provide an excellent total heat exchanging element paper and a total heat exchanging element which are excellent in heat transferability, water vapor permeability and gas barrier properties and cause no mixing of supplied air and discharged air. The present invention provides a total heat exchanging element paper using a paper made using mainly a natural pulp beaten to a Canadian modification freeness of not more than 150 ml, a substantially non-porous total heat exchanging element paper comprising a substantially non-porous cellulosic base which contains a moisture absorbing agent, a non-porous total heat exchanging element paper having a high gas barrier property which has a thickness of not more than 100 μm and a carbon dioxide permeation constant specified in JIS K7126 of not more than 5.0×10−13 mol·m/m2·s·Pa, and a non-porous total heat exchanging element paper having a high enthalpy exchangeability which has a water vapor permeability specified in JIS Z0208 of not less than 1000 g/m2·24 Hr at 20° C. and 65% RH. |
| US09677826B2 |
Combo-cooler
A combo-cooler includes heat exchangers having parallel tubes corresponding to each heat exchanger aligned in a tube plane. A first end tank assembly includes a columnar end tank separated by a baffle into compartments each in fluid communication with a respective hydraulically independent fluid circuit. The second tank assembly includes manifolds aligned in a column. Serially adjacent manifolds are in slidable contact or separated by a respective gap to allow relative translation. Banks of the tubes are brazed in fluid communication with a compartment and a manifold to connect the compartment and the manifold to have a respective fluid flow therethrough. A bracket contacts at least two of the serially adjacent manifolds to prevent translation between the bracket and the serially adjacent manifolds perpendicular to the tube plane and to allow relative translation between the at least two of the serially adjacent manifolds parallel to the tubes. |
| US09677825B2 |
Shell and tube heat exchanger
A shell and tube heat exchanger include heat surface tubes (6) surrounded by a shell (1), the tubes communicating with an inlet end chamber (11) through a tube sheet (5) at one end and with an outlet end chamber (12) through a tube sheet at the other end, and in the shell side of the tube heat exchanger there is at least one baffle plate made of flat strips for supporting the heat surface tubes and guiding the shell-side flow. The flat strips forming the baffle plate are straight and thinner than the distance between the tubes to be supported, and the required support is achieved by placing each flat strip of the baffle plate in an inclined position with respect to the heat surface tubes so that one of the crosswise edges of the flat strip is supporting one and the other is supporting the other of adjacent tubes. |
| US09677824B2 |
Radiative transfer and power control with fractal metamaterial and plasmonics
Systems according to the present disclosure provide one or more surfaces that function as heat or power radiating surfaces for which at least a portion of the radiating surface includes or is composed of “fractal cells” placed sufficiently closed close together to one another so that a surface (plasmonic) wave causes near replication of current present in one fractal cell in an adjacent fractal cell. A fractal of such a fractal cell can be of any suitable fractal shape and may have two or more iterations. The fractal cells may lie on a flat or curved sheet or layer and be composed in layers for wide bandwidth or multibandwidth transmission. The area of a surface and its number of fractals determines the gain relative to a single fractal cell. The boundary edges of the surface may be terminated resistively so as to not degrade the cell performance at the edges. |
| US09677823B2 |
Heat exchanger
Heat exchanger having a housing, having a first fluid port and having a second fluid port, wherein the housing is in fluid communication with a fluid source via the fluid ports, wherein the housing can be traversed by a flow of a fluid, wherein the housing is of multi-part design and has a housing upper part and a housing lower part, wherein the housing upper part and/or the housing lower part has a base region and an at least partially encircling turned-up edge region, wherein housing the two parts are formed from a plastic or a fiber composite material. |
| US09677819B2 |
Air conditioner and heat exchanger therefor
An air conditioner and a heat exchanger therefor are provided. The heat exchanger may include a shell; an injection pipe to guide a heat source fluid to an inside of the shell; a first refrigerant tube formed with a first spiral tube; a second refrigerant tube formed with a second spiral tube having a radius larger than a radius of the first spiral tube; and a discharge pipe to which the heat source fluid heat-exchanged with a refrigerant is discharged. The first refrigerant tube and the second refrigerant tube may be connected in parallel, and the second spiral tube may have a larger pitch between turns and a smaller number of turns than the first spiral tube. The heat exchanger may provide a simple structure and a high heat-exchange performance. |
| US09677818B2 |
Heat exchanger
A heat exchanger for a vapor compression system includes a shell with a longitudinal center axis extending generally parallel to a horizontal plane, a distributing part, a tube bundle, a trough part and a guide part. The distributing part distributes a refrigerant. The tube bundle includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes disposed below the distributing part so that the refrigerant discharged from the distributing part is supplied onto the tube bundle. The heat transfer tubes extend generally parallel to the longitudinal center axis of the shell. The trough part extends generally parallel to the longitudinal center axis of the shell under at least one of the heat transfer tubes to accumulate the refrigerant in the trough part. The guide part includes at least one lateral side portion extending upwardly and laterally outwardly from the tube bundle at a vertical position at an upper end of the trough part. |
| US09677814B2 |
Continuous feeding system to a smelting furnace of pre-heated metal material, in continuous, potentiated and combined form
A process for heating a metal feedstock (31) fed in continuous to a smelting furnace (30) through a second horizontal heating section (34) through which hot discharge fumes collected from said furnace (30) pass, said fumes exerting a heating phase of said feedstock (31), characterized in that, immediately before entering said second heating section (34), the feedstock (31) is subjected to a preheating phase by heating means other than the discharge fumes collected from the smelting furnace (30). In a plant for the embodiment of said process, said different heating means are envisaged inside a first preheating section (33), which is operatively connected with said second heating section (34) by means of an intermediate fume evacuation section (35), the fumes coming from said sections (33) and (34) being conveyed to said section. Said sections (33, 34) preferably have a tunnel configuration. |
| US09677812B1 |
Clothes dryer vent airflow system
The clothes dryer vent airflow system is configured to work in between an exhaust port of an existing clothes dryer and an exhaust line that extends outside of a dwelling. The clothes dryer vent airflow system includes a fan housing that includes a dryer exhaust port on a first side while an intake port and fan housing exhaust port are provided on a second side of the fan housing. The fan housing includes a fan therein, which is adapted to receive accelerated clothes dryer exhaust air from the clothes dryer via the dryer exhaust port as well as ambient air via the intake port. |
| US09677799B2 |
Refrigeration and air-conditioning apparatus, refrigerant leakage detection device, and refrigerant leakage detection method
A refrigeration and air-conditioning apparatus rapidly varies the pressure or the temperature inside a liquid reserve container to identify a liquid level position inside the liquid reserve container on the basis of the surface temperature of the liquid reserve container. |
| US09677796B2 |
Modular refrigeration assembly
A subassembly of a refrigeration system includes a frame having a plurality of support members and one or more cross members, each cross member extending between two of the support members. A heat exchanger is operable to condense refrigerant. A compressor is supported by the frame and operable to provide refrigerant to the heat exchanger. A portion of the frame is configured to receive and contain refrigerant condensed by the heat exchanger. |
| US09677793B2 |
Multi mode thermal management system and methods
A cooling structure includes a first plate, a second plate separated from the first plate, and an inlet adapted to receive a cooling fluid. The cooling structure also includes a first cooling portion coupled to the first plate and adapted to maintain a first temperature. The cooling structure further includes a second cooling portion coupled to the second plate and adapted to maintain a second temperature different from the first temperature. |
| US09677792B2 |
Magnetic refrigeration system with separated inlet and outlet flow
An active magnetic regenerative (AMR) refrigerator apparatus can include at least one AMR bed with a first end and a second end and a first heat exchanger (HEX) with a first end and a second end. The AMR refrigerator can also include a first pipe that fluidly connects the first end of the first HEX to the first end of the AMR bed and a second pipe that fluidly connects the second end of the first HEX to the first end of the AMR bed. The first pipe can divide into two or more sub-passages at the AMR bed. The second pipe can divide into two or more sub-passages at the AMR bed. The sub-passages of the first pipe and the second pipe can interleave at the AMR bed. |
| US09677791B2 |
Absorption refrigeration machine
The invention relates to an absorption refrigeration machine (10) that includes an evaporator (12) and an absorber (18) and is characterized in that the evaporator (12) comprises at least one evaporating unit (12′) having a coolant channel (26), through which the coolant (16) flows and which is delimited at least in part by a heat-conducting, vapor- and liquid-tight wall (24), and having at least one refrigerant channel (28) that adjoins the heat-conducting wall (24), is loaded with the refrigerant (14), and is separated from a vapor chamber (32) by a vapor-permeable, liquid-tight membrane wall (30) on the side of the refrigerant channel opposite the heat-conducting wall (24), and in that the absorber (18) comprises an absorption unit (18′) having a cooling-medium channel, through which a cooling medium (34) flows and which is delimited at least in part by a heat-conducting, vapor- and liquid-tight wall (36), and having an absorption channel (40) which adjoins the heat-conducting wall and to which the concentrated, low-refrigerant pair of working substances (22) is fed and which is loaded with refrigerant vapor (20) from the vapor chamber (32) via a vapor-permeable, liquid-tight membrane wall (42) provided on the side of the absorption channel opposite the heat-conducting wall (36). |
| US09677790B2 |
Multi-room air-conditioning apparatus
A multi-room air-conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor unit, a relay unit connected to an outdoor unit by first and second connection pipes, and a plurality of indoor units connected to the relay unit. The outdoor unit includes a second gas-liquid separating device provided on the suction side of the compressor. The suction side of the compressor and the second gas-liquid separating device are connected to each other by a gas-side outlet pipe and a liquid-side outlet pipe. |
| US09677788B2 |
Refrigerant system with multiple load modes
A refrigerant system capable of operating at multiple capacity modes includes an evaporator, a multi-stage compressor assembly, a first fluid flow path, a second fluid flow path, a first valve, and a second valve. The multi-stage compressor assembly has a first stage and a second stage. The first fluid flow path extends from the evaporator to the first stage of the multi-stage compressor assembly. The second fluid flow path connects to the first fluid flow path and to the multi-stage compressor assembly between the first stage and the second stage. |
| US09677783B2 |
Device for controlling airflow field and method thereof
The present invention is related to a device for controlling an airflow field and a method thereof. The method is included of: supplying a cooling airflow into an air conditioning space, smoothly altering flux of the cooling airflow, retrieving a backflow temperature of the cooling airflow, and comparing variation of the backflow temperature with a flux variation of the cooling airflow. Only part of the air conditioning space is covered in the circulation range of the cooling airflow if the backflow temperature is varying in the same tendency as the flux variation. The device is included of an air conditioning cabinet and a chiller. The air conditioning cabinet is included of a coil pipe, a fan corresponding to the coil pipe and a processing module electrically connected to the fan. The chiller is connected to the coil pipe to supply cooling water in to the coil pipe. |
| US09677782B1 |
Fan system comprising fan array with surge control
A fan system for a variable air volume heating and/or air conditioning unit comprising a fan array with a control system to eliminate surge at low operating flows and to maximize operating range. The fan control system includes a fan pressure sensor for determining the pressure rise across the fan array and a fan airflow sensor for determining the total airflow generated by the fan array. A surge controller is programmed to constantly monitor the calculated surge pressure as the fan speed control is modulating the fan speed in response to user demands. As airflow increases or decreases in response to changes in fan speed, so will the calculated surge pressure. The surge control turn fans on and off to ensure that the operating fans are running in their optimum fan speed ranges. Thus, the fans in the fan array are prevented from reaching the surge point. |
| US09677781B2 |
Control of cooling fan on current
A cooling unit for an agricultural vehicle has a grid for allowing air to enter the unit while limiting debris and a heat exchanger for transferring heat from a coolant to air passing across the heat exchanger. The cooling unit further has a duct with motor driven fan, and a controller to monitor fan current and operate the fan in alternating directions. The controller generates a heat exchanger blockage warning when desirable fan current thresholds are not achieved. |
| US09677780B2 |
Controller and air conditioning processing system
A controller controls the operations of a humidity control apparatus and an air conditioner. The controller includes a power consumption detector, a target value setting processor, and an operation control unit. The power consumption detector detects the power consumption of the humidity control apparatus and the air conditioner. The target value setting processor performs optimal target value setting processing by performing first or second processing. The first processing lowers a target operating frequency of a humidity controlling compressor and a target evaporation temperature in a utilization-side heat exchanger. The second processing raises the target operating frequency and the target evaporation temperature. The optimal target value setting processing sets the target operating frequency and the target evaporation temperature so as to minimize the power consumption. The operation control unit controls the humidity control apparatus to achieve the target operating frequency and the air conditioner to achieve the target evaporation temperature. |
| US09677779B2 |
Modular chiller unit with dedicated cooling and heating fluid circuits and system comprising a plurality of such units
A modular heating and cooling unit comprising an independent set of headers for each of the heating and cooling loads and the source. A bank of these modular units provides a system that is capable of incremental simultaneous heating and cooling and redundancy. Valves in the internal piping of the unit eliminate the need for valves in the headers between units. This substantially reduces the overall footprint of the unit. Because of the parallel flow between the heat exchangers and the heating and cooling load, the modules can be operated in cooling mode and heating mode in any order. |
| US09677778B2 |
Modular chiller unit with dedicated cooling and heating fluid circuits and system comprising a plurality of such units
A modular heating and cooling unit comprising an independent set of headers for each of the heating and cooling loads and the source. A bank of these modular units provides a system that is capable of incremental simultaneous heating and cooling and redundancy. Valves in the internal piping of the unit eliminate the need for valves in the headers between units. This substantially reduces the overall footprint of the unit. Because of the parallel flow between the heat exchangers and the heating and cooling load, the modules can be operated in cooling mode and heating mode in any order. |
| US09677777B2 |
HVAC system and zone control unit
This invention relates to HVAC systems, zone control units, and control systems. More specifically, an HVAC system employs distributed zone control units that provides localized air recirculation. A zone control unit includes a return air section that receives return air from serviced building zones and mixes the return air with a supply of outside air. The mixed air is heated and/or cooled by the zone control unit and discharged to serviced building zones in a controlled manner. An exhaust air system is used to extract air from serviced building zones. The HVAC zone control unit also includes a local control unit with an Internet protocol address. The local control unit includes a memory and a processor for storing and executing a control program for the zone control unit. The control program controls of the zone control unit in response to commands received via the Internet. |
| US09677776B2 |
Wireless wall thermostat
The wireless wall thermostat of the present invention utilizes a push-contact mechanical system that allows a user to raise or lower the temperature within a space by applying a force on the top or bottom center of the front of the thermostat. The perpendicular force applied by the user generates a moment arm around pivot connectors, which rotates the thermostat clockwise or counter-clockwise. When rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise, contact buttons attached to the back of the thermostat come into contact with the trigger tabs of a stationary trigger plate mounted to a wall through use of an electromagnetic attraction between a steel disc and a magnet. When the trigger tabs press the contact buttons, the contact buttons send a signal to the central processing unit of the thermostat's internal circuit board to modulate the temperature setting. In addition, the wireless wall thermostat can be detachable by utilizing a magnetic release smart mount. |
| US09677775B2 |
Oven door glass with interlocking mechanism
Provided is a door for a cooking appliance, such as an oven range, with multiple spaced apart glass panels. An interlocking mechanism promotes a proper installation of the glass panels, and interferes with the installation of the glass panels or with operation of the appliance if at least one of the panels is not properly installed. A switch with a plunger can be installed in the door, which allows the appliance to operate only when a failsafe electrical circuit is closed corresponding to a selected position of the plunger when the door is closed. The plunger is prevented from retaining that selected position if at least one of the glass panels is improperly installed or if a top cap is not properly seated or installed above the glass panels. |
| US09677765B2 |
Pneumatic composite having mass balancing
A blower device for delivering at least one medium includes a blower having a housing with an inlet and an outlet, a nozzle, which is fluidically connected and arranged on the housing such that at least one medium can flow there through. The nozzle is designed to effect a negative pressure on the at least one medium at least in some sections. At least one sensor is arranged in the effective region of the nozzle and designed to measure at least parameters of the at least one medium which are required to determine the mass of the at least one medium. |
| US09677759B2 |
Premix gas burner
An air/gas premix burner is disclosed. The air/gas premix burner includes a fan for sending an air/gas mixture towards a combustion head and a gas valve for regulating the introduction of combustible gas. The air/gas premix burner also includes an air/gas mixer, which comprises a localized pressure loss device, and a combustion head. The air/gas mixer includes two channels. One of the channels is provided with two hinged flaps that are designed to open and close for regulating the flow rate of the mixture. |
| US09677756B1 |
Curio door
A door having a front face with a transparent portion and a decorative insert set behind. The decorative insert presents a thematic scene as desired by the user that may be easily changed. The door further enhances the display of the decorative insert by providing selectively controlled illumination and an accompanying audio presentation related to the insert's theme. |
| US09677752B2 |
Light emitting diode (LED) lighting system
A light emitting diode (LED) lighting system including a first heat dissipation structure having a front side acting as a contact area to at least one LED and a back side. At least one second heat dissipation structure is positioned adjacent to the backside of the first heat dissipation structure. At least one thermoelectric module is positioned between the first heat dissipation structure. At least one second heat dissipation structure for conducting heat is produced from the at least one LED during operation from the first heat dissipation structure towards the at least one second heat dissipation structure. The front side of the first heat dissipation structure comprises at least one upwardly protruding structure extending distally away from the at least one second heat dissipation structure and the at least one upwardly protruding structure acts as the contact point to the at least one LED. |
| US09677744B1 |
Component housing band in luminaires
A component housing band includes a center portion that comprises an aperture extending through the center portion and a mounting structure disposed adjacent to the aperture. The mounting structure extends from a surface of the center portion in a direction that is substantially normal to the corresponding surface of the center portion. The mounting structure engages the ends of a notch in a lens and forms a cavity to house an electronic component. Further, the component housing band includes a first elongated arm portion and a second elongated arm portion integral with the center portion and extending away from opposite ends of the center portion in opposite directions, respectively. The ends of the first elongated arm portion and the second elongated arm portion that are away from the center portion and opposite to each other are adapted to engage with corresponding latch structures of the lens. |
| US09677740B2 |
Transforming graphical expressions to indicate button function
To provide a user with descriptive images for each function performed by a button, the embodiments described herein use a transforming graphical expression that presents different images depending on the particular function the button is currently performing. For example, if the button is used to increase speaker volume, the graphical expression may display plus sign, but if the button is currently being used to navigate through a display menu, the graphical expression may be transformed into an arrow to indicate the direction a selection element in the menu moves if the button is activated. Thus, as the current function of the button changes, the graphical expression presented to the user also changes. In this manner, the same button may be used to perform multiple functions while presenting to a user a customized graphical expression indicating the current function of the button. |
| US09677739B2 |
Asymmetrical V-shape diffuser for non-white LED fixtures
Provided is an optical diffuser apparatus, for use adjacent a light engine in a lighting fixture for producing desired color-mixed light output. The apparatus includes a first diffuser panel and a second diffuser panel connected to the first diffuser panel. The first diffuser panel and the second diffuser panel are configured and arranged so that, when the apparatus is positioned for operation within the fixture, light emitted by the light engine at greater than a pre-determined threshold angle with respect to a centerline of the engine will pass through both the first diffuser panel and the second diffuser panel, thereby mixing colors of the light toward the desired color-mixed light output. |
| US09677736B2 |
Adaptive lighting system for an automobile vehicle
An adaptive lighting system for an automotive vehicle. The adaptive lighting system has a wavelength conversion device for receiving the light radiation (L) from the primary source and re-emitting white light radiation (B).An optical imaging system receives the white light (B) re-emitted by the wavelength conversion device and projects this light (B) in front of the vehicle to form a lighting beam, the wavelength conversion device being situated close to a focal plane of the optical imaging system, and the scanning system and the optical system being situated on the same side of the wavelength conversion device.An intensity of the white light radiation (B) emitted by the wavelength conversion device is capable of being modulated between a minimum value and a maximum value, and the scanning is performed at variable speed. |
| US09677730B2 |
Vehicular light system
A car lamp includes a housing provided with an optical reflecting surface for reflecting light produced by LED lamps to have the light passing through an optical panel and projected outward. The car lamp has a heat-dissipating member fixed between the housing and the optical panel and installed thereon with LED lamps. The heat-dissipating member has its front end disposed with an auxiliary heat sink that extends in a reserved space of the optical panel and firmly combined with the optical panel. Thus, the auxiliary heat sink is able to directly contact with normal-temperature outside air for elevating heat dissipation effect and prolonging service life of the car lamp. |
| US09677728B2 |
Flagpole illumination device
An illumination device having a pole mount, a light support that extends from the pole mount, a lighting unit is connected to the pole mount, and a solar panel assembly is mounted to the lighting unit. In another embodiment an illumination apparatus is provided having a pole mount and a lighting assembly, and the pole mount has hinged first clamp half and second clamp halves. When in the closed clamp position the pole mount clamp defines a pole opening. A first light support extends from the first clamp half and a light emitting assembly is supported by the first light support. In another preferred embodiment there is a band illumination device that is secured to a pole with a band, and in another preferred embodiment there is and adjustable band illumination assembly secured to a pole with bands. |
| US09677727B2 |
Wall pack light fixture
A lighting fixture includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The first housing portion includes a base and a wall extending outwardly from substantially the perimeter of the base. A top portion of the wall includes one or more hinges extending outwardly therefrom. The second housing portion includes a front panel and a side panel extending outwardly from substantially the perimeter of the front panel. A top portion of the front panel includes at least one slot. The second housing is coupled to the first housing in an open position when the hinge is inserted into the slot and the front panel is disposed elevationally above the base. The second housing is coupled to the first housing in an operational position when the hinge is inserted into the slot and the front panel covers the base. |
| US09677726B1 |
Bottle light and shade
An integral light and shade is provided that includes a switched power supply and a plurality of light bulbs configured to provide light directed downward from the shade once the integral light and shade is position upon, and receives into a switch assembly aperture, a rigid member top surface. A switch assembly housed in the shade includes an activating flange orthogonally disposed to the shade central longitudinal axis, and provides electrical power to the light bulbs evenly spaced about a shade longitudinal axis to direct light downward from the shade interior surface. Alternative embodiments include a manual on/off power switch and/or supplemental shade overlays and/or light bulbs that are light emitting diode lamps, and the light and shade switch assembly aperture is sized to receive the top surface of a bottle neck. |
| US09677723B2 |
LED lamps with improved quality of light
LED lamp systems having improved light quality are disclosed. The lamps emit more than 500 lm and more than 2% of the power in the spectral power distribution is emitted within a wavelength range from about 390 nm to about 430 nm. |
| US09677719B2 |
Light-emitting device and illuminating apparatus comprising the light-emitting device
A light-emitting device may include a substrate, a light source arranged on the substrate, and a cover part spaced a certain distance apart from the light source and transmitting light emitted from the light source to outside. The cover part includes a first part, converting wavelengths of a part of light in light emitted from the light source and having different thicknesses at least in two different light-emitting directions of the light source, and a second part, having different thicknesses in the two different light-emitting directions to compensate the thicknesses of the first part. |
| US09677716B2 |
Stagnant fuel thermal insulation system
A method and apparatus for insulating a fluid line in a container configured to contain a fluid. The apparatus comprises a container, a fluid line in the container, and a tube. The container is configured to contain a fluid. The tube is placed around the fluid line in the container to form a channel around a first portion of the fluid line. The tube is configured to contain the fluid from the container in the channel and to prevent a first flow of the fluid between the container and the channel except through a number of ends of the tube. The tube is further configured to reduce a second flow of the fluid within the channel such that the fluid in the channel insulates the fluid line. |
| US09677715B2 |
Residual pressure valve device, valve and cylinder having such a device
The invention relates to a residual pressure valve device comprising a shut-off member (1) that is able to move in the body (9) relative to a seat (2), a return member (5) that urges the shut-off member (1) by default towards the seat (2), the shut-off member (1) comprising an internal duct (6) having a first end in communication with the gas inlet (3) and a second end that leads, via a calibrated orifice (8), into a control chamber (7) that is closed by the shut-off member (1) such that, when the gas pressure in the control chamber (7) reaches a predetermined threshold, this pressure causes the shut-off member (1) to move away from the seat (2), the body of the shut-off member (1) comprising a first portion (11) that forms a male element which is able to move in translation in a female passage of the body (9) with a predetermined fit forming a restriction ensuring partial and progressive opening of the passage for the gas between the inlet (3) and the outlet (4). |
| US09677711B2 |
Sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a fluid
The disclosure relates to a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a fluid, said sealed tank comprising an outer support structure, a thermal insulating barrier retained on the support structure, and a sealing barrier supported by the thermal insulating barrier. In one embodiment, the thermal insulating barrier comprises a corner structure positioned at an intersection between a first and a second wall of the support structure, the corner structure comprising a first and a second insulating panel, each having an outer surface positioned facing the support structure, an inner surface provided with a member for securing the sealing membrane, and lateral edges, the first panel having an outer surface resting against the first wall of the support structure and a lateral edge resting against the second wall of the support structure, the second panel having an outer surface resting against the second wall of the support structure and a lateral edge resting against the outer surface of the first panel. |
| US09677710B2 |
Corner structure of a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a fluid
The disclosure relates to a corner structure which is suitable for a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a fluid comprising a secondary thermal insulation barrier which is retained on a carrier structure, a secondary sealing membrane, a primary thermal insulation barrier and a primary sealing membrane which is intended to be in contact with the fluid contained in the tank, the corner structure comprising: a first panel and a second panel forming a corner of the secondary thermal insulation barrier, and comprising an external face intended to move opposite the carrier structure and an internal face; a corner arrangement of the secondary sealing membrane, which arrangement is fixed to the first and second panels; a first insulating block and a second insulating block of a primary thermal insulation barrier which are fixed to the first and second panels, respectively, and which rest against the corner arrangement of the secondary sealing membrane; and a corner of a primary sealing barrier comprising a first wing and a second wing which are fixed to the first and second insulating blocks, respectively. |
| US09677706B1 |
Motor base having overflow-proof capability
A motor base has a body, a motor mount, a filter mount, a through hole, a passage, a flange, and at least one overflow hole. The motor mount is formed on the top surface of the body. The filter mount is formed on the bottom surface of the body. The through hole is defined through the body. The flange is formed on the bottom surface of the body and is arranged around the filter mount. The at least one overflow hole is defined radially through the flange. |
| US09677698B2 |
Connector system and method
A connector is provided, in one embodiment, the connector includes a collar (16) configured to receive first and second components (12,14). In this embodiment, the connector may also include a load ring (50) configured to be received in a groove (46) of the second component (12) and to move into and out of engagement with the collar (16) when the second component (12) is received by the collar (16). The connector of this illustrative embodiment may also include a locking ring (62) configured to inhibit disengagement of the load ring (50) from the collar (16). In some embodiments, engagement of the load ring (50) and the collar (16) effects securing of the first and second components (12, 14) to one another. |
| US09677696B2 |
Fluid-conducting connection with clamping ring
A connection for conducting pressurized fluids between a tube and a connection component having a bore for receiving the tube. A clamping ring surrounds the tube and is seated on a seat between first and second bore segments and has an annular lip extending away from the seat. A locking bolt having a through-hole receiving the tube is threaded into the first bore segment and contacts the ring, an annular collar projecting from the locking bolt surrounding the lip and urging it radially inward to grip the tube when the bolt is tightened against the clamping ring. A sealing ring surrounding the tube is positioned between the clamping ring and a sealing ring seat defined between the second and third bore segments. |
| US09677692B2 |
Welded steel pipe joined with high-energy-density beam and method for producing the same
A steel strip is formed into a cylinder so that opposite ends of the steel strip face each other, while continuously conveying the steel strip. The opposite ends are melted across the entire thickness by irradiating the opposite ends with a high-energy-density beam while applying a pressure with squeeze rolls. A seam is formed by joining the opposite ends, and excess weld metal of the seam on the outer and inner sides of the obtained welded steel pipe is removed by cutting. A repaired seam is then formed by remelting and solidifying a region on the inner side of the welded steel pipe, the region having a depth of 0.5 mm or more from the surface and a width of double or more the width of the seam, and in addition, the center line of the seam is made to coincide with the center line of the repaired seam. |
| US09677689B2 |
Offshore S-lay pipelaying vessel
An offshore S-lay pipelaying vessel for laying a pipeline on the seabed, the vessel includes a hull and an elongated stinger having a hull end and a free end, the stinger being adapted to support the pipeline to be laid from the vessel. The stinger includes a stinger frame, possibly composed of one or more rigid stinger frame sections, possibly articulated sections. And, distributed over the length of the stinger, multiple pipeline support assemblies are mounted to the stinger frame that provide support for the pipeline. |
| US09677685B2 |
Valve having a leakage indicator
A valve includes a leakage indicator and a valve housing. The valve housing includes a valve housing upper part, a valve housing lower part, and a diaphragm. The diaphragm divides the valve housing into a fluid-flow area and a fluid-free area. The leakage indicator is an absorbent element that projects into the fluid-free area. |
| US09677680B2 |
Sanitary installations and shower assembly
A sanitary fixture (1), including a flow regulator unit (5) and a movable adjustment element (6) that adjusts a flow rate and has a control connection to a temperature-sensitive control element (8). The invention provides arranging a return spring (13) on a same side of the flow regulator unit (5) as the control element (8), with respect to the flow direction, and/or designing the control element (8) to assume at least one intermediate position. |
| US09677678B2 |
Venting valve for a container for liquids
A venting valve for a container for liquid has a valve housing having a pressure compensation passage connecting the container interior with the container exterior. A valve member is arranged in the valve housing and controls the pressure compensation passage. An air-permeable filter body is secured within the valve housing and covers the pressure compensation passage, wherein a face of the filter body faces the container interior. A filter element covers the face of the filter body that is facing the container interior. The filter element is a securing element for the filter body. The filter element closes off an opening of the valve housing that opens into the container interior. |
| US09677676B2 |
One-way check valve for solid particulate flow pipeline
A one-way check valve for solid particulate flow pipeline is disclosed suitable for use in a pressure fluid line containing fine particles of solids. The one way valve increases the reliability and safety of the process operations and simplifies the pipeline detection and control requirements. |
| US09677674B2 |
Adjustable clamp
The present discussion relates to tubing clamps and systems employing tubing clamps. In one example a tubing clamp can include generally elongate top and bottom clamp bars extending between a hinge end and a clamp end. The clamp bars can apply force to tubing extending there between while being adjusted to a parallel relationship to one another. |
| US09677672B2 |
Butterfly valve having integral gaskets for its inlet and outlet seats
A butterfly valve comprising a housing having an upper side having an upper valve seat member and a lower side having a lower valve seat member, an extension section having an extension shaft member that extends out of an opening formed in a flange, the extension shaft member having a shaft end that fits within a first shaft bearing formed in a movable disc member, the movable disc member having a second shaft bearing formed therein, and a shaft portion for fitting within the second shaft bearing. |
| US09677670B2 |
Sliding parts
Sliding parts of a pair of annular bodies include sealing faces that relatively slide on each other. A reversed Rayleigh step mechanism serving as a negative pressure generation mechanism is provided in at least one of the sealing faces, and a negative pressure generation groove that forms the reversed Rayleigh step mechanism is provided in an arc shape along the circumferential direction of the sealing face so as to be isolated from a high pressure fluid side and a low pressure fluid side by a land section. |
| US09677668B2 |
Hydraulic park gear assembly
A park gear and pawl assembly for a vehicle transmission includes a park gear, a hydraulic control passage, a park pawl, a hydraulic pump, an abutment assembly, a park rod, and a hydraulic actuator. The park gear is fixed for common rotation to an output shaft of the transmission. The hydraulic passage is integrated into a housing of the transmission. The park pawl is engaged with the park gear when the park pawl is in a first position. The hydraulic pump includes an input member and output port. The input member is drivingly connected to the output shaft of the transmission and the output port is in communication with the hydraulic. The park rod at least partially disposed in the abutment assembly. The hydraulic actuator axially actuated via hydraulic fluid pressure in the hydraulic passage. |
| US09677665B2 |
Gearshifting device for a transmission
The invention relates to a gearshifting device (1), which is intended for a transmission and comprises a selector lever (2) that can be moved in such a manner that different shift positions (P, R, N, D, S, M+, M−) can be selected in at least two gearshift gates (3, 4) and that it is possible to shift between one of the gearshift gates (3, 4) and the at least one other gearshift gate (4, 3), and comprises at least one lock (5), which is used to block the traversing path of the selector lever (2) with respect to one of the gearshift gates (3, 4), in order to shift from one of the shift positions (P, R, N, D, S) into another of the shift positions (P, R, N, D, S). According to the invention, at least one locking element (10) is provided, which is mechanically coupled to the selector lever (2) and by means of which the shift lock (5) can be activated and/or deactivated in that with respect to the gearshift gate (3) that is to be blocked, the locking element (10) can be moved into and out of the traversing path of the selector lever (2). |
| US09677664B2 |
Vehicle differential device
Differential case includes multiple oil intake holes being respectively at positions offset from intermediate point between two pinions adjacent peripherally in the case toward the pinions, the holes passing through outer peripheral wall of the case in inside-outside direction and being capable of taking lubricant oil into the case. The holes are formed such that as seen in projection plane orthogonal to rotation axis of the case, axes of the holes extending from inner to outer opening ends of the holes are inclined forward in rotational direction of the case when vehicle travels forward. As seen in the projection plane, the pinions are placed outside areas between first and second imaginary lines, the first imaginary lines joining the axis and one peripheral ends of the inner opening ends, the second imaginary lines joining the axis and the other peripheral ends thereof. |
| US09677653B1 |
Modular drive unit
A hydrostatic transmission assembly includes a main housing and a housing cap sealed to the main housing to form a sump wherein a pump and motor are rotatably disposed. A pump mount is located in the sump and engaged to the housing cap. The housing cap also includes a motor mount for an axial piston motor, and hydraulic fluid passages for connecting the pump to the motor. A pocket is located in the housing cap to rotationally support a swash plate for the pump. |
| US09677650B2 |
Continuously variable transmission
A continuously variable transmission (CVT) can be used in concert with an electric motor to facilitate power assistance to a rider in a bicycle. In some embodiments, the CVT and motor is mounted on the frame of the bicycle at a location forward of the rear wheel hub of the bicycle. In some embodiments, the CVT is mounted on and supported by members of the bicycle frame such that the CVT is coaxial with the crankshaft of the bicycle. The crankshaft is configured to drive elements of the CVT, which are configured to operationally drive the traction rings and the traction planets. In some embodiments, the motor is configured to drive elements of the CVT. In other embodiments, the motor is configured to drive the crankshaft. Inventive component and subassemblies for such a CVT are disclosed. |
| US09677647B2 |
Tensioning or guide rail having a continuous recessed sliding body
A tensioning or guide rail for a drive chain, in particular for a chain drive of an internal combustion engine, comprises a carrier body with at least two chain guide sections and with at least one recessed section. The at least one recessed section is arranged between two chain guide sections and recessed relative to a tangent connecting the adjoining chain guide sections, the at least two chain guide sections having each a sliding-contact surface for contacting the drive chain. A continuous sliding body is arranged on the carrier body along the at least two chain guide sections and the at least one recessed section, the sliding body defining the sliding-contact surfaces of the at least two chain guide sections and a surface of the at least one recessed section, the surface facing the drive chain. |
| US09677646B2 |
Drive device that transfers rotation of at least one of a rotary electric machine and an internal combustion engine to an oil pump
A drive device includes: an oil pump; a first rotation transfer member drivably coupled to the oil pump and driven by at least one of an internal combustion engine and a rotary electric machine; and a second rotation transfer member drivably coupled to wheels and driven by the rotary electric machine. One of the first rotation transfer member and the second rotation transfer member is a pinion. The other rotation transfer member is a carrier that rotatably supports the pinion. The pinion and the carrier are rotated together with each other in the case where the oil pump is driven by the rotary electric machine. |
| US09677637B2 |
Composite coil spring
A composite coil spring (20) includes a coil body (2) that extends along a coiled axis (24). The coil body includes a core (38) and a plurality of fiber layers (32) impregnated with a polymer material. The plurality of fiber layers are arranged around the core at different radial distances from the coiled axis. Each of the plurality of fiber layers extends around the coiled axis at an oblique fiber angle to the coiled axis. Each of the plurality of fiber layers includes a number of fibers that is a product of a common base number of fibers multiplied by a positive non-zero integer from a set of positive non-zero integers. The positive non-zero integer of at least one of the plurality of fiber layers is different from the positive non-zero integer of at least one other of the plurality of fiber layers. |
| US09677636B2 |
Anti-vibration rubber member and production method thereof
An anti-vibration rubber member includes: a rubber elastic body that is made of a self-lubricating rubber containing an elastomer and a bleeding lubricant; a coating film that covers at least a portion of a sliding inner surface that is a surface of the rubber elastic body disposed on an inner side of a sliding surface, contains a resin having a mercapto group and a solid lubricant containing polytetrafluoroethylene particles and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene particles, and is deformable to follow up deformation of the rubber elastic body; and a lubricating film that covers at least a portion of a surface of the coating film, is formed by including the bleeding lubricant having penetrated the coating film from the rubber elastic body and oozing onto the surface of the coating film, and forms at least a portion of the sliding surface. |
| US09677634B2 |
Hydrodynamic retarder
The invention relates to a hydrodynamic retarder comprising—a rotor (1) and a stator (2) which form a working chamber (3) with each other;—a first working medium connection (6);—a second working medium connection (7); and—a working medium container (4) that has an outlet (10), which is connected to the first working medium connection via a line, and an inlet (11), which is connected to the second working medium connection via a line; wherein—the working medium container is made of two housing parts (8, 9), which are joined together along a parting line (12). According to the invention:—the two housing parts together enclose the working medium storage volume;—one of the two housing parts simultaneously forms a part of a retarder housing (14) which supports or forms the stator and partly forms all or some of the working medium-conducting connections between the working medium storage volume and the working chamber; and—a separating plate (13) is inserted between, the two housing parts, said separating plate together with one or both of the housing parts forming cavities for the working medium-conducting connections and/or the working medium storage volume. |
| US09677631B2 |
Electro-mechanical brake device
Disclosed is an electro-mechanical brake device, including: a disk; a pair of brake pads respectively disposed at both sides of the disk; a caliper respectively disposed inside the pair of brake pads; a brake module portion disposed at one side of the caliper; and a parking brake portion that is disposed to be perpendicular to a motor shaft of the brake module portion and is connected to a parking brake switch that is operated by a driver, and selectively controls a rotation of the motor shaft depending on the operation of the parking brake switch. |
| US09677630B2 |
Motor vehicle brake disc chamber
A brake disk chamber has an essentially cylindrical brake disk chamber jacket without openings. The brake disk chamber jacket is formed of segments in the shape of curved symmetrical trapezoids, which are lined up in a row in the circumferential direction, are alternately rotated by 180°, and are arranged in a regular fashion with an alternately differing radial distance from the longitudinal center axis of the brake disk chamber jacket. |
| US09677628B2 |
Drum brake assembly and method of manufacture
A brake assembly and a method of manufacture. The brake assembly may have a bracket assembly that may include a brake wing and a mounting flange disposed at opposite ends of a tube portion. The bracket assembly may rotatably support a camshaft. |
| US09677626B2 |
Selectable one-way clutch
A selectable one-way clutch to selectively enable torque transmission only in one direction and to interrupt torque transmission in both directions is provided. The selectable one-way clutch comprises: an oil passage that is formed in the selector plate, and that has a first opening situated at a lower level than the oil level and a second opening situated at a higher level than the oil level; and a closure that is formed on the pocket plate at a position to close the second opening at least partially when the selectable one-way clutch is in the overrunning mode, and to increase the opening area of the second opening when the selectable one-way clutch is in the engagement mode. |
| US09677625B2 |
Concentric slave cylinder including one-way clutch
A concentric slave cylinder is provided. The concentric slave cylinder includes a housing including a wall; a piston slidable along the wall in a forward direction and a return direction, the piston including a first angled surface, the piston and the housing forming a hydraulic chamber therebetween; and a ring slidable along the wall in the hydraulic chamber in the forward direction and limiting sliding of the piston in the return direction, the ring including a frustoconical portion having a second angled surface for engaging the first angled surface to limit the sliding of the piston in the return direction. |
| US09677623B2 |
Structural unit for a drive train of a motor vehicle
A constructional unit for a drivetrain of a motor vehicle includes: at least one clutch arrangement configured to decouple an internal combustion engine from the drivetrain, the at least one clutch arrangement having at least one clutch element; a speed-adaptive vibration absorber apparatus, configured to reduce vibrations in the drivetrain with at least one damper mass deflectable along a deflection path; and a limiting device configured to exert a force on the at least one damper mass that limits the movement of the damper mass. The limiting device is further configured, for limiting the movement of the at least one damper mass, to be actuatable by the at least one clutch element. |
| US09677620B2 |
Lift cylinder yoke bearing installer for a bulldozer and method of installation
A system and method that includes a device that is used in a particular method to install bearings into a lift cylinder yoke bore. The device includes use of a hollow bore hydraulic push cylinder that maneuvers a push plate along a threaded rod. The push plate sinks or sets into the bearing and applies pressure through the movement of the hydraulic push cylinder to place the bearing into a fit position without the abrasion that is usually associated with the installation of bearings into the lift cylinder yoke bore. The threaded rod attaches to a threaded bushing that is inserted into the bore and secured with the use of a pin. The threaded rod extends out of the bore opening and allows for the attachment of a bearing, push plate, hydraulic push cylinder, washer and nut. |
| US09677615B2 |
Bearing ring, method for manufacturing such a ring and bearing comprising such a ring
A bearing ring comprising at least one jamming bead of a seal, each bead protruding relative to a radial surface of the ring, in an orthoradial direction relative to a central axis of the ring. |
| US09677614B2 |
Cage for a rolling bearing, notably for a motor vehicle electric power steering bearing
A cage for a rolling bearing, wherein the cage is intended to ensure the circumferential spacing of a row of rolling elements. The cage comprises pockets for the rolling elements and connecting tabs. Each connecting tab connects two successive pockets. At least one recess is formed in a thickness of at least one of the tabs. |
| US09677612B2 |
Crankshaft thrust bearing and engine containing same
Improved fluid supply grooves in the face of an axial thrust bearing for a crankshaft are disclosed. The grooves have a larger cross-sectional area at the outer radius of the bearing body than at the inner radius of the bearing body. |
| US09677610B2 |
Linear guideway and end module thereof
An end module of a linear guideway includes an end cap, a cover, and a lubricating sheet. The end cap has an accommodating trough, and the cover is installed on the end cap to cover the accommodating trough, so a surface of the end cap faces a surface of the cover. At least one supporting pillar is formed on one of the two facing surfaces of the end cap and the cover, and the supporting pillar abuts against the other one of the two facing surfaces of the end cap and the cover. The lubricating sheet is received in the accommodating trough. The lubricating sheet has at least one penetrating hole, and the supporting pillar is inserted into the penetrating hole. Thus, the lubricating sheet of the instant disclosure is provided without any deformation, which is caused by the end cap and the cover. |
| US09677608B2 |
Agricultural rolling basket bearing assembly
An agricultural tillage implement includes a frame member and at least one rolling basket assembly coupled to the frame member. The rolling basket assembly has at least one bearing hanger, at least one rolling basket and at least one bearing assembly rotationally coupling the rolling basket to the bearing hanger. The bearing assembly has a bearing with an inner ring and a spindle holding the inner ring. The spindle is coupled to the bearing hanger. The spindle being configured to accommodate dynamic misalignment of the bearing. |
| US09677605B2 |
Hanger bearing assembly
A bearing assembly including a mounting bracket configured to be coupled to a vehicle chassis, a vibration isolator coupled to the mounting bracket, and a bearing received in the vibration isolator. The bearing is configured to receive a drive shaft therein, and is pivotable relative to the vibration isolator. |
| US09677603B2 |
Exhaust gas turbocharger with a rotor
An exhaust gas turbocharger may include a bearing housing and a rotor. The rotor may have a shaft mounted in the bearing housing via two radial bearing bushes. Each radial bearing bush may have an inner surface facing the shaft. The inner surface may have a single chamfer, where the single chamfers of the two radial bearing bushes face one another, or two chamfers, where one of the two chamfers for each of the two radial bearing bushes facing one another are larger than the other of the two chamfers for each of the two radial bearing bushes facing away from one another. |
| US09677599B2 |
Insertion body, insertion apparatus, rotation unit and rotative force transmission unit
An insertion body includes: a base arranged in the central axis; a rotating body provided on an outer periphery of the base and rotatable around the central axis; and a channel which includes a guide provided at the base such that the rotative force transmitting section is able to be guided between a first position in which the rotative force transmitting section in the longitudinal axis can be inclined from the central axis when the rotative force transmission unit is inserted from the outside to the inside and a second position in which the rotative force transmitting section in the longitudinal axis is parallel to the central axis and a rotative force can be transmitted to the rotating body from the rotative force transmitting section, and through which the rotative force transmission unit is inserted through the opening end and the guide. |
| US09677597B2 |
Hanging systems
Portable, compact hanging systems that enable a person to hang items from a wide variety of different objects and surfaces in order to free their hands for other activities are described. The hanging systems include hook and gated-loops systems composed of a hook connected to a gated loop by way of a rotatable hinge that provides multiple degrees of freedom. Hanging systems also include double hook systems that are connected by flexible joints for convenient storage and expansion into unfolded configurations when in use. |
| US09677595B2 |
Directional indication structure for threaded body
[Problem] The present invention aims to provide, without an increase in cost, a directional indication structure for threaded bodies that enables the visual and tactile distinction between left-hand thread and right-hand thread threaded bodies, enables the identification, from the external appearance and the external surface, of which direction a threaded body should be rotated in order to be tightened or loosened, enables mass production and the like, has a good external appearance, and has form properties that do not impinge the properties inherent in the threaded body or the strength, etc. thereof.[Solution] Directional indicators are asymmetrically provided, in association with the direction of rotation of the threads, to the outer surface of a solid body constituting a threaded body, said directional indicators having corner portions which indicate the forward direction in the direction of rotation, and corner portions which indicate the direction in which the threaded body will advance when rotated in the forward direction in the direction of rotation. |
| US09677594B1 |
General purpose holder
A flexible general purpose holder apparatus easily attached to and detached from supporting members with either a flick of a wrist or a fasting element such as a screw or mechanical fastener, and can be adjusted in an angle of up to 90 degrees in a stable manner about a line perpendicular to the length of the support member and in an angle of up to 90 degrees in a stable manner about a line that is perpendicular to the first line. The apparatus comprises a holding element, a connecting rod, a joining element, first attaching element, and an effective length. |
| US09677592B2 |
Witness enabled fasteners and related systems and methods
A fastening device may include a first member configured for forceful engagement with a second member. The first member may include a sensor configured to emit at least a first photo-luminescent signal to a detector when at least a predetermined first torque level is applied to the first member when the first and second members are engaged. |
| US09677589B2 |
Cinch fastening device
A fastening device and method thereof is described. According to an embodiment of the present invention there is a fastening device comprising an insertion component and a receptacle component. The insertion component and the receptacle component, each includes a barbed outer surface. The insertion component comprises two sections of its barbed outer surface, separated by a flange, such that one section of the insertion components is configured to be inserted inside the receptacle component. A method of fastening a first substrate to a second substrate using a fastening device according to an embodiment is provided comprising pushing the insertion component into a hole in the first substrate, pushing the receptacle component into a hole in the second substrate, and pushing the insertion component into the receptacle component. |
| US09677583B1 |
Holder for a seamless control cord of a curtain
A holder for a seamless control cord of a curtain for quickly fixing the seamless control cord or a bead chain is composed of a base seat, an outer cover and elastic members and fixed on a wall face by fixing members. The base seat and the outer cover are respectively formed with two perforations. Each perforation has a cord passage formed on the same axis. When holding the control cord, the seamless control cord is directly passed through the cord passage of the outer cover into the perforation and then passed through the cord passage of the base seat into the perforation. Then, the elastic members push the outer cover to misalign the two perforations so as to hold the control cord and fully fix the control cord. Under such circumstance, the control cord is prevented from swinging or a child cannot play the control cord. |
| US09677581B2 |
Closure device for connecting two parts
A closure device for connecting to parts with each other is provided. The closure device includes a first closure part which includes a first base body and a first form-fit portion stationarily arranged on the first base body, and a second closure part which includes a second base body and a second form-fit portion stationarily arranged on the second base body. For closing of the closure device the first closure part and the second closure part can be attached to each other, whereby the second form-fit portion of the second closure part can be brought in engagement with the first form-fit portion of the first closure part in a direction of engagement, so that in a closed position the form-fit portions positively are in engagement with each other. A recoil element is arranged on one of the closure parts and is elastically shiftable along the direction of engagement. |
| US09677574B1 |
Transmission assembly
A compact hydraulic transmission assembly using an axial piston pump disposed on a center section that also provides a cylindrical running surface for a radial piston motor. This design provides for a compact and low profile assembly, while the combination of an axial piston pump with a radial piston motor provides improved efficiency for higher torque output. The radial piston motor includes a lower mass piston block that improves performance. |
| US09677571B2 |
Device for the passage of air
A filter fan, with a blower, for fitting in a mounting opening in a wall. The filter fan has a basic casing, a design cover. An aeration grid with lamellar elements is held on the opposed side walls of the design cover and a filter mat is placed between the basic casing and the fan grid. A grid element is placed on the air outlet side of the filter fan for the passage of air above an air outlet. The grid element has an ascending section and a planar section, whereby the ascending section changes into the planar section and a full surface section is provided on the planar section. |
| US09677570B2 |
Gas turbine engine
A fan containment system for fitment around an array of radially extending fan blades mounted on a hub in an axial gas turbine engine. The fan containment system comprises a fan case having an annular casing element for encircling an array of fan blades and a hook projecting in a generally radially inward direction from the annular casing element. The fan containment system further includes an annular fan track liner comprising a plurality of adjacent arcuate fan track liner panels. Each of the plurality of fan track liner panels is connected to the fan case at the hook via one or more fasteners configured to permit movement of the fan track liner panel relative to the hook such that the fan track liner panel can pivot towards the annular casing element when a released fan blade impacts the fan track liner panel. |
| US09677562B2 |
Stepped balance ring for a submersible well pump
An electrical submersible pump assembly includes a centrifugal pump having stages. Each of the stages has an impeller in cooperative engagement with a downstream diffuser. The impeller is axially movable relative to the downstream diffuser between a downthrust and an upthrust position. The downstream diffuser has an annular downstream wall surface, relative to the impeller, defining a downstream cavity. The impeller has a downstream balance ring that locates alongside the downstream wall surface. An annular clearance between the downstream balance ring and the downstream wall surface increases in response to the impeller moving from the downthrust to the upthrust position. |
| US09677557B2 |
Sleeping system
A sleeping system is provided, including an air bladder and a diaphragm pump. The diaphragm pump communicates with the air bladder. The diaphragm pump includes a base, a first inlet, a first outlet, a first noise-eliminating foam, a pump body and a cover. The first inlet is formed on the base. The first outlet is formed on the base. The first noise-eliminating foam is disposed in the base. The cover is connected to the base and covers the pump body, wherein air flow passes through the first inlet into the base and travels through the pump body and the first noise-eliminating foam, and leaves the diaphragm pump through the first outlet to be infused into the air bladder. |
| US09677553B2 |
Linear compressor
A linear compressor is provided. The linear compressor may include a shell having a refrigerant inlet, a cylinder provided inside the shell, a piston that reciprocates inside the cylinder to compress a refrigerant, a motor assembly that provides a drive force to the piston, and a magnet assembly that delivers the drive force to the piston. The magnet assembly may include a magnet frame having a cylindrical shape. A permanent magnet may be installed in or on the magnet frame. A coupling plate may be coupled to a side of the magnet frame and may include a flange coupled to an end portion of the permanent magnet. |
| US09677548B2 |
Pump
A pump comprises at least one piston slidable within an opening along a movement direction in order to vary the volume of a chamber. The pump further comprises a casing within which a driving device is housed for moving the piston, and a head within which the chamber is at least partially obtained, the chamber being partially delimited by the piston. A high pressure sealing element is located in a proximal position with respect to the chamber and a low pressure sealing element is located in a distal position with respect to the chamber to stop any quantities of liquid that the high pressure sealing element has let through. The high pressure sealing element is housed inside the head and the low pressure sealing element is housed inside the casing. |
| US09677547B2 |
Impact drive type actuator
An impact drive type actuator (10) is comprised of a wire-shaped shape memory alloy (11) which contracts upon being electrified and heated, a disk-shaped insulating heat conductor (12) which contacts this wire-shaped shape memory alloy (11) and releases the heat which is generated at the wire-shaped shape memory alloy, and a drive circuit (16, 17) which instantaneously electrifies the wire-shaped shape memory alloy and instantaneously makes the wire-shaped shape memory alloy contract. According to this impact drive type actuator, it realizes a heat conduction structure which gives rise to a high heat dispersion action by the heat characteristics of the shape memory alloy, so it becomes possible to utilize the deformation by extension and contraction of a shape memory alloy which has a wire-shaped form, improve the speed and response of the deformation operation characteristics, and improve practicality. |
| US09677546B2 |
Solar energy driven system for heating, cooling, and electrical power generation incorporating combined solar thermal and photovoltaic arrangements
A solar energy driven power generation system includes a solar energy receiver configured to collect solar energy. A vapor generator is operably connected to the solar energy receiver. A vapor turbine is operably connected to the vapor generator and is configured to be driven by a flow of vapor from the vapor generator. An electrical power generator is operably connected to the vapor turbine and driven thereby. A thermal conditioning system is operably connected to the vapor turbine and is driven by a flow of output vapor or hot liquid from the vapor turbine. A method of power generation includes collecting solar thermal energy and generating vapor utilizing the solar thermal energy. A vapor turbine is driven by the vapor and electrical power is produced via the rotation of the vapor turbine. Output vapor from the vapor turbine is utilized to drive a thermal conditioning system. |
| US09677545B2 |
Locking arrangement for wind turbines
A locking arrangement includes at least a rotatable part, a stationary part with respect to the first part, and a locking member having locking protrusions. At least one working plane passing through the locking protrusions is defined in a locking position where compression forces are concentrated which are reaction forces to external forces tending to rotate the parts relative to each other. The parts have locking protrusions defining gaps for receiving the locking protrusions in the locking position for preventing the parts from being rotated to each other. |
| US09677542B2 |
Method for operating a wind turbine
A method for operating a direct drive wind turbine including determining a temperature difference between at least two components of a bearing, comparing the temperature information with an upper threshold temperature difference between the at least two components of the bearing, limiting rotational speed of a rotor and/or an at least one rotatably supported wind turbine component coupled to the rotor to a value unlike zero yet, below a wind turbine specific nominal rotational speed of the rotor and/or below the wind turbine specific nominal rotational speed of the at least one rotatably supported wind turbine component coupled to the rotor and/or limiting electric power output of the generator to a value unlike zero yet, below a wind turbine specific nominal electric power output of the generator, if the temperature difference between the at least two components of the bearing increases above the upper threshold temperature difference, is provided. |
| US09677537B2 |
Acoustic shield for noise reduction in wind turbines
A wind blade is provided that includes a primary blade body defining a leading edge and a trailing edge and further defining a pressure side and a suction side joining along the trailing edge. The wind blade also includes a secondary blade having an aerodynamic contour defining a first surface and a second surface and coupled with the primary blade body for the purpose of shielding noise. The secondary blade body is disposed proximate to at least a portion of the trailing edge on at least one of the pressure side and the suction side of the primary blade body and may also improve overall performance of the wind blade. |
| US09677535B2 |
Pump turbine plant
There is provided a method of operating a pump turbine plant including a turbine with a turbine impeller and a turbine spiral casing having a first pressure pipe, and a pump with a pump impeller and a pump spiral casing having a second pressure pipe; an electrical machine dynamically in a drive connection with a shaft, the pump turbine plant further including a hydraulic short-circuit that can be created between the turbine and the pump, wherein the turbine has a greater rated power than the pump, and wherein the turbine and the pump operate under partial load at least temporarily in the hydraulic short-circuit. The method further includes operating the turbine or the pump in the hydraulic short-circuit when a degree of efficiency of the pump and of the turbine in the hydraulic short-circuit is greater than a degree of efficiency of the turbine on its own. |
| US09677532B2 |
Ignition control device and ignition control method
An ignition control device according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured to, based on a pulse signal to be induced in an ignition coil in accordance with rotation of an internal combustion engine, cause a voltage to be supplied to an ignition plug included in the internal combustion engine, to be generated in the ignition coil. The ignition control device includes: a switching element configured to energize the ignition coil; a biasing unit configured to bias control terminals of the switching element so that the switching element is turned on when the pulse signal is induced; a state detecting unit configured to detect a biased state of the switching element; and a control unit configured to set a timing for controlling de-energization of the ignition coil in response to a result of detection performed by the state detecting unit, and to control the switching element to be turned off in accordance with the timing. |
| US09677531B2 |
Multiphase induction motor with configurable windings
An electrical induction motor includes a plurality of windings, and a plurality of contactors. Each of the plurality of contactors is configured to be selectively opened or closed in a circuit including the plurality of windings to selectively connect the windings together in a star configuration wherein current flowing through the windings results in the generation of 2N magnetic poles, with N equal to the number of phases of the motor. Each of the plurality of contactors is also configured to be selectively opened or closed in the circuit including the plurality of windings to selectively connect the windings together in a mesh configuration wherein current flowing through the windings results in the generation of two magnetic poles. |
| US09677529B2 |
Vehicle diagnosis system and method
A vehicle diagnosis system includes an abnormality determiner for determining whether a vehicle having an abnormality regarding a temporal engine stop function or a power regeneration function is caused in a mode that cancels a greenhouse gas reduction effect of the engine. When an abnormality that cancels, due to disablement of the temporal engine stop function or the power regeneration function, such an abnormality is quickly notified to a driver of the vehicle by the vehicle diagnosis system so that the abnormality is quickly fixed. |
| US09677528B2 |
Start control apparatus
A start control apparatus is provided with: a crank angle sensor configured to output a signal in association with rotation of an output shaft of an internal combustion engine; a resolver configured to detect a rotor angle, which is an angle position of a rotating shaft of a motor; and a controlling device configured to perform start control associated with the internal combustion engine on the basis of a temporary crank angle, from a start of the internal combustion engine until determination of a crank angle in starting of the internal combustion engine, wherein the temporary crank angle is an estimated value calculated by adding a value according to the outputted signal to a stop angle, which is an angle based on the rotor angle detected at a previous stop of the internal combustion engine. |
| US09677522B2 |
Fuel injector and method of making same
The invention relates to a fuel injector (1) for an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector (1) is comprised of an injector body (5) with an injector tip (6). The injector tip (6) is used for the injection of fuel into the combustion chamber (4) of the internal combustion engine. For this reason, the injector tip (6) is designed so as to be at least partially extended into the combustion chamber (4). If the injector tip (6) is designed to be flush with the surface of the combustion chamber (4), the injector tip (6) is arranged so that it directly faces toward the combustion chamber (4). Furthermore, the injector tip (6) is at least partially coated with a first oxide layer (9). According to the invention, a catalytic second oxide coating (10) composed of cerium oxide (CeO2), praseodymium oxide (PrO2), zirconium oxide (ZrO2), or any bi-component combination thereof is applied on top of the first oxide coating (9). The present invention also discloses a method of producing a fuel injector (1) which is at least partially coated with a first oxide coating (9) and a second oxide coating (10) applied over the first oxide coating (9), where the second oxide coating (10) is composed of at least one or more compounds from the group comprising cerium oxide (CeO2), praseodymium oxide (PrO2), or zirconium oxide (ZrO2) and is applied as a washcoat. |
| US09677520B2 |
Valve for metering fluid
A valve for metering fluid is reported which has a valve housing having a valve opening and a valve seat, a valve needle, which is provided for the alternating closing and opening of the valve using a closing member cooperating with the valve seat, a resetting element that acts on the valve needle for closing the valve and an electromagnet that is able to have current applied to it, having a magnet armature that is drivable to a lift motion, which sits axially displaceably on the valve needle and carries along the valve needle in the lift direction for opening the valve via a driving flange situated on it. To simplify production and the assembly of the valve while achieving the advantages characteristic in valves having a prestroke spring and an armature free path, the magnet armature is supported on the valve housing using a diaphragm spring. |
| US09677514B2 |
Air induction system
An air induction system for delivering equal quantities of combustion air to an internal combustion engine has an air box assembly comprising a housing that defines a filter chamber that is configured to receive an air filter assembly, an air inlet that admits the fresh air into the housing and the filter chamber and outlets extending from the housing. The air filter assembly further comprises a filter media disposed between the air inlet and the outlets to define a filtered air chamber on a flow side of the filter media and a partition extending across the filtered air chamber to divide filtered, fresh air passing through the filter media into two flow paths, the divided flows paths exiting the housing and the filtered air chamber through the outlets. |
| US09677512B2 |
Systems and methods for reducing bleed emissions
A method for a fuel system is provided. A vacuum is applied to a fuel vapor canister side of the fuel system, and hydrocarbon breakthrough is indicated responsive to a fuel vapor canister side pressure inflection point indicative of a decay in fuel vapor canister side vacuum. In this way, an evaporative leak check module may perform a leak check on a fuel vapor canister, while hydrocarbon breakthrough from the fuel vapor canister may be indicated without requiring a dedicated hydrocarbon sensor in the canister vent line. |
| US09677509B2 |
Exhaust power turbine driven EGR pump for diesel engines
A power plant is provided and may include an engine configured to receive charge air and produce exhaust. A first turbo machine may be driven by the exhaust and may drive a compressor that receives air and produces the charge air. A second turbo machine may receive the exhaust and may rotationally drive a pump in response thereto. The pump may receive an EGR from the exhaust and may introduce the pumped EGR to the charge air. |
| US09677503B2 |
Rocket engine systems
The present invention relates to improved rocket engine systems. In one embodiment, an improved rocket engine system includes a propellant source, at least one power source, at least one power source motor, a rocket engine, and at least one pump. The improved rocket engine system may further include at least one of the following: at least one controller, at least one propellant valve, and a propellant pressurizing source. |
| US09677502B2 |
Nacelle thrust reverser and nacelle equipped with at least one reverser
The present disclosure relates to a turbojet engine nacelle equipped with at least one thrust reverser. The thrust reverser includes: two half-cowls forming an outer cowl which is articulated on hinges and translates between closed and open positions, a first actuator to translationally actuate a downstream frame, a second actuator to rotationally actuate each half-cowl, and a lock capable of locking or unlocking the half-cowls relative to one another. In particular, the thrust reverser includes cascades vanes supported at their upstream end by an upstream frame and at their downstream end by the downstream frame, and a connector between the downstream frame and the external cowl. The cascade vanes are enclosed in a shroud formed by a fan casing and a fan cowl. |
| US09677501B2 |
Three stream, variable area fixed aperture nozzle with pneumatic actuation
An exemplary nozzle having a variable internal exhaust area for a gas turbine engine can have a plurality of flap trains extending around a periphery of the gas turbine engine. Each flap train can include a convergent flap pivotally attached to an engine body and a divergent flap pivotally attached to the engine body downstream of the convergent flap. The nozzle can further have a fluid circuit in communication with the convergent and divergent flaps and configured to pivot the convergent and divergent flaps between a radially inward position and a radially outward position. |
| US09677500B2 |
Steel piston with counter-bore design
A piston for an internal combustion engine is provided. The piston includes a piston body which is made of steel. The piston body has a crown portion with an upper combustion surface, a pair of skirts which depend from the crown surface, a pair of pin bosses for receiving a wrist pin and a plurality of pin boss bridges which extend from the pin bosses to the skirts. Each of the pin boss bridges extends axially to a lower end which is opposite of the crown portion and has a rib with an increased thickness at its lower end. At least one of the pin boss bridges has a generally flat counter-bore surface for providing a reference location for machining of the piston body. |
| US09677498B2 |
Variable displacement engine control system and method
Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an ignition energy provided to an engine cylinder upon reactivation from a VDE mode of operation. Ignition energy is increased by increasing an ignition coil dwell time and/or an ignition coil strike frequency. The increased ignition energy improves combustion stability during the transition out of the VDE mode of operation. |
| US09677493B2 |
Coordinated engine and emissions control system
A system for reducing environmentally harmful emissions from an internal combustion engine. The system may incorporate an exhaust after-treatment device. The exhaust after-treatment device may use selective catalytic reduction to remove certain emissions from the exhaust of the engine. Urea solution may be inserted into the exhaust emissions, which is decomposed to ammonia to become a reduction agent for reduction of NOx in the emissions. The engine may be managed by a controller and the exhaust after-treatment device may be managed by another controller. These controllers may be cascaded, or be managed by a third controller that provides hierarchical or coordinated control of engine performance and emissions reduction. The engine and the exhaust after-treatment device may be modeled to aid in designing and building a system for coordinated control of an actual engine and a selective catalytic reduction after-treatment device. The controllers may be predictive model controllers. |
| US09677490B2 |
Abnormality diagnosis system of internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine comprises an exhaust purification catalyst which can store oxygen, controller for controlling the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas to become a target air-fuel ratio, and a downstream side air-fuel ratio sensor. An abnormality diagnosis system performs an active air-fuel ratio control which alternately controls the target air-fuel ratio to rich and lean air-fuel ratios, and diagnoses abnormality of said exhaust purification catalyst based on the output air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel ratio sensor. The abnormality diagnosis system judges that the exhaust purification catalyst is abnormal when the output air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel ratio sensor reaches a rich judgment air-fuel ratio and a lean judgment air-fuel ratio during the active air-fuel ratio control, and judges that said air-fuel ratio control is abnormal when the output air-fuel ratio reaches only one of the rich and lean judgment air-fuel ratios. |
| US09677489B2 |
Method and control unit for starting an otto engine
A method and control unit for a start of an Otto engine operated at low temperatures, using ethanol and/or gasoline, having direct injection. The method includes generating by a high pressure pump a fuel pressure in a high pressure system connected to a high pressure reservoir; a sensor monitoring the fuel pressure in the reservoir and the system; injecting the fuel, by an injector, from the reservoir into a cylinder of the engine, the fuel pressure, an injection quantity and a fuel quantity being specified by a control unit based on, sensor the fuel pressure being specified based on the operating point of the engine up to an upper pressure which is below a starting pressure to which the fuel is increased before the fuel injection, and the fuel pressure in the reservoir and the system being limited to a maximum by an opening pressure of a limiting valve. |
| US09677486B2 |
Method of controlling a turbocharged engine
A method of controlling a motor vehicle having a turbocharged engine is disclosed in which deactivation of cylinders of the engine is controlled to prevent the rotational speed of a turbocharger of the engine falling below a predefined limit TA, TB. Following commencement of a coast down of the motor vehicle all cylinders of the engine are first deactivated so as to maximise energy recuperation from the motor vehicle by a belt integrated starter generator driveably connected to the engine. However, if the speed of the turbocharger reaches one of the speed limits TA, TB at least one cylinder of the engine is reactivated to keep the turbocharger spinning. |
| US09677479B2 |
Variable displacement engine control
Methods and systems are provided for controlling engine operation. One method comprises during a first condition, operating the engine with a single cylinder deactivated and remaining cylinders activated with a first intake duration, and during a second condition, operating the engine with the single cylinder deactivated and the remaining cylinders activated with a second intake duration. The method further comprises during a third condition, operating the engine with all cylinders activated. |
| US09677478B2 |
Method and arrangement for cylinder deactivation
A cylinder deactivation arrangement and method of cylinder deactivation are disclosed for an internal combustion engine having a number of cylinders with at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve per cylinder. Each intake valve includes two different lifting levels, wherein the cylinder deactivation arrangement has an even number of cylinders. A first set of cylinders constituted by half of the even number of cylinders have intake valves configured for fully opened and partly opened lifting levels, and a second set of cylinders constituted by the other half of the even number of cylinders have intake valves configured for fully opened and closed lifting levels. The first set of cylinders have exhaust valves configured for fully opened lifting levels and the second set of cylinders have exhaust valves configured for fully opened and closed lifting levels. |
| US09677477B2 |
Fuel system for an engine that is capable of selectively operating a centrifugal pump to supplement a constant volume pump
A fuel system includes: a constant-volume pump and a centrifugal pump increasing the pressure of fuel to be supplied to an engine for aviation and discharging the fuel; an operation controller configured to select in accordance with the operation state of the engine, one of a constant-volume pump-using mode of increasing the pressure of fuel using the constant-volume pump and a centrifugal pump-using mode of increasing it using the centrifugal pump; and a speed changer connecting the engine and the centrifugal pump, changing the rotational speed of rotational power output from the engine and transmitting the rotational power to the centrifugal pump, and being capable of adjusting the speed-changing ratio of the rotational speed. |
| US09677473B2 |
Exhaust gas turbocharger coupling assembly
An exhaust gas turbocharger coupling assembly configured to couple an exhaust gas turbocharger to an engine exhaust manifold is provided herein. The coupling assembly includes a first flange, the first flange being coupleable to either the engine exhaust manifold or the exhaust gas turbocharger; and one or more overhanging lips coupled to the first flange, the overhanging lips overhanging the first flange so as to define a slot between the first flange and the overhanging lip, where the slot is configured to receive a second flange associated with the other of the engine exhaust manifold or the exhaust gas turbocharger so as to restrict the first and second flanges moving apart when assembled. |
| US09677470B2 |
Ballistic cover system
A ballistic cover system that embodies a novel ballistic blanket and method for containing energy and fragmentation projected during a supercharged engine explosion is provided. The ballistic cover system enables the ballistic blanket to react to the engine explosion, positioning itself from a racing configuration to a ballistic configuration. A plurality of restraint straps are attached to the supercharger, keeping it along a controlled path during the explosion. Moreover, two of the restraint straps act as mounting rails that the ballistic blanket rides along when reactively moving from the racing configuration to the ballistic configuration. |
| US09677468B2 |
Two-cycle pneumatic injection engine
A two-cycle engine that includes a high pressure fuel pump that pressurizes fuel to produce pressurized fuel and pumps the pressurized fuel from a fuel controller to a fuel injector. The fuel injector injects the pressurized fuel into a cylinder. A high pressure air pump pressurizes air to produce pressurized air and pumps the pressurized air from an air controller to an air injector. The air injector injects the pressurized air into the cylinder. |
| US09677466B2 |
Method of managing a power demand for the operation of a pilotless aircraft equipped with an internal combustion engine
A method of managing a power demand to assure the operation of a pilotless aircraft. The aircraft includes an internal combustion engine supplying a maximum principal power which can vary. The management method is particularly suitable for a rotary wing pilotless aircraft. It guarantees the storage of an amount of electrical energy at least equal to a recovery energy of the aircraft in the event of failure of the internal combustion engine. This recovery energy enables the control of autorotation and landing of the aircraft. |
| US09677465B2 |
Natural gas engine and operation method for natural gas engine
A natural gas engine in which natural gas fuel is injected into an intake system passage, diesel fuel serving as an ignition source is injected into a cylinder, and when igniting the natural gas fuel, the natural gas fuel is combusted by compression ignition of the diesel fuel that has been injected into the cylinder without the use of a spark ignition system. The engine has a mechanism that introduces exhaust gas into a cylinder during an intake stroke. |
| US09677460B2 |
Branch communication valve for a twin scroll turbocharger
Methods and systems are provided for a branch communication valve in a twin turbocharger system. A branch communication valve may be positioned adjacent to a dividing wall separating a first scroll and a second scroll of the twin turbocharger. In an open position, the branch communication valve increases fluid communication between the first scroll and the second scroll and in a closed position, the branch communication valve decreases fluid communication between the first scroll and the second scroll. |
| US09677452B2 |
Abnormality diagnosis device for exhaust gas control apparatus
An object of the invention is to suppress a reduction in accuracy of abnormality diagnosis with an abnormality diagnosis device for an exhaust gas control apparatus that performs the abnormality diagnosis regarding the exhaust gas control apparatus by using the amount of NOx flowing into an SCR catalyst as a parameter. In the abnormality diagnosis device for an exhaust gas control apparatus according to the invention provided with an exhaust gas control apparatus including the SCR catalyst, a supply device supplying ammonia to the exhaust gas control apparatus, an EGR device allowing some of exhaust gas to flow back to an intake passage from an exhaust passage further downstream than the supply device, acquiring means for acquiring a NOx inflow amount as the amount of NOx flowing into the exhaust gas control apparatus, and diagnostic means for diagnosing an abnormality of the exhaust gas control apparatus by using the NOx inflow amount acquired by the acquiring means as a parameter, the abnormality diagnosis regarding the exhaust gas control apparatus by the diagnostic means is prohibited in a case where the amount of the ammonia allowed to flow back along with the exhaust gas by the EGR device exceeds an upper limit value. |
| US09677449B2 |
System for controlling the temperature of an exhaust reductant used within an exhaust treatment system of a work vehicle
In one aspect, a system for controlling the temperature of an exhaust reductant used within an exhaust treatment system of a work vehicle may generally include a tank having a plurality of walls defining an enclosed volume for containing the exhaust reductant. The tank may also include a threaded port defined through a first wall of the plurality of walls. The system may also include an electric heating device having a mounting portion and a heating element. The mounting portion may be configured to be screwed into the threaded port to couple to the electric heating device to the tank. In addition, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the electric heating device that is configured to control the operation of the electric heating device based on a temperature associated with the tank. |
| US09677447B2 |
Aftertreatment module having replaceable catalyst housing
An aftertreatment module is disclosed for use with an engine. The aftertreatment module may have an inlet housing at least partially defining an inlet passage for exhaust, and at least one mixer disposed in the inlet passage. The aftertreatment module may also have an outlet housing at least partially defining an outlet passage for exhaust, and a catalyst housing removably connected between the inlet housing and the outlet housing. The aftertreatment module may further have a plurality of catalyst substrates configured to be mounted in the catalyst housing, to receive exhaust from the inlet passage in parallel, and to discharge exhaust to the outlet housing in parallel. |
| US09677445B2 |
Selective dosing module control system
Systems and methods to selectively control plurality of dosing modules may include receiving data indicative of an exhaust flow rate. An amount of reductant to be dosed may be determined based, at least in part, on the data indicative of the exhaust flow rate. A decomposition delay time may also be determined and a first dosing module and a second dosing module may be selectively activated. The first dosing module may be selectively activated at a first time and the second dosing module is selectively activated at a second time. The second time is based on the first time and the determined decomposition delay time. |
| US09677444B2 |
Reductant supply system
A reductant supply system for an exhaust aftertreatment system is disclosed. The reductant supply system may include a controller configured to receive an engine system operation signal and transmit a reductant delivery signal in response to the engine system operation signal, an injector configured to dispense a reductant fluid into an exhaust gas flow of the exhaust aftertreatment system in response to the reductant delivery signal, and a pump configured to actuate between an off condition and an on condition in response to the reductant delivery signal. Furthermore, the reductant supply system may include a recycle line and a two-way valve positioned in the recycle line configured to actuate between a closed position and an open position in response to the reductant delivery signal. |
| US09677437B2 |
Turbocharger lubricant coolant
A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine comprising a housing wherein the housing comprises one or more coolant passages for receiving a coolant to cool the turbocharger and one or more lubricant passages for receiving a lubricant to lubricate the bearings. The lubricant may be the lubricant for both the turbocharger bearings and the internal combustion engine. The coolant passages and lubricant passages in the turbocharger may be arranged in the housing to transfer heat from the lubricant to the coolant such that the transfer of heat between the coolant passages and lubricant passages is sufficient to cool the lubricant to a temperature that is suitable for subsequent use in the internal combustion engine. |
| US09677434B2 |
Disk rotary valve having opposed acting fronts
A disk rotary valve assembly for reciprocating piston positive displacement machines, the disk rotary valve having a pair of oppositely arranged fronts, the forces on the pair of oppositely arranged fronts due to the high pressure inside the chamber cancel each other leaving the supports of the disk rotary valve unloaded and improving the sealing quality. |
| US09677433B2 |
Variable cam timing system and method
A phase control apparatus in a variable cam timing (VCT) system of an engine is described herein. The phase control apparatus includes a locking pin coupled to a vane, the locking pin extending into a locking pin recess in a cover plate in a locked configuration, the locking pin and locking pin recess having a backlash and a housing at least partially enclosing the vane and spaced away from the vane forming a gap in the locked configuration. |
| US09677431B2 |
Methods for generating hydrogen gas using plasma sources
Methods of making a fuel fluid are disclosed. A first working fluid and a second working fluid may be provided. The first working fluid may be exposed to a first high voltage electric field to produce a first fluid plasma, and the second working fluid may be exposed to a second high voltage electric field to produce a second fluid plasma. The first fluid plasma and the second fluid plasma may be contacted to form a fluid plasma mixture, which is transported to a heat exchange device. The fluid plasma mixture may be cooled to form a fuel fluid; and the fuel fluid may be collected. |
| US09677430B2 |
Combined cycle power plant
A combined cycle power plant with a gas and steam turbine system arranged on a single shaft and integrated with a cogeneration plant having a heat consumer such as a district heating system or industrial plant, including one or more steam extractions at an intermediate-pressure steam turbine that are arranged at the upper casing half-shell of the turbine and extraction steam lines that lead the extracted steam to heat exchangers of the cogeneration plant. The steam extraction outlets are arranged either singly at or near the uppermost point of the casing or in pairs to either side of the uppermost point of the casing. The specific arrangement of the extractions allows a floor-mounting of the single-shaft combined cycle power plant and as such a cost and space efficient realization of the power plant. |
| US09677428B2 |
Removal device
A tool for removing a component from a turbomachine is provided. The tool includes a body having an alignment portion and a connection portion. The alignment portion defines a longitudinal axis and a cross sectional shape complementary to a slot defined in a rotor wheel of the turbomachine. When the tool is positioned in the slot, the connection portion is configured to contact the component. The tool additionally includes a force section connected to the body and configured to transfer a force to the connection portion in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the alignment portion. |
| US09677427B2 |
Axial retaining ring for turbine vanes
A gas turbine engine is described which has first and second turbine vane assemblies with multiple turbine vanes within respective first and second circumferential outer shrouds. The first outer shroud has a first radially extending flange and the second outer shroud has a second radially extending flange. The radially extending first and second flanges each defining an upstream mating surface and a downstream mating surface relative to a direction of air flow through the engine in use. The downstream mating surface of the first flange mates with the upstream mating surface of the second flange. An axial retaining ring axially retains together the first and second flanges, and has an annular body extending between an upstream portion of the body abutted against the upstream mating surface of the first flange and a downstream portion of the body abutted against the downstream mating surface of the second flange. |
| US09677422B2 |
Jet engine comprising a device for spraying oil into an air-oil volume flow
The present invention describes a jet engine with a device for spraying oil into an air-oil volume flow guided inside a flow cross-section limited by a wall area. The air-oil volume flow is guidable through an oil separator in order to separate the oil. In accordance with the invention, the oil can be sprayed into the air-oil volume flow in the area of the device via an outlet area designed movable relative to the wall area. |
| US09677421B2 |
Gas turbine engine rotor drain feature
An assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a rotor formed by a drum and a hub. The drum has a generally conically shaped inner surface that defines a flow path along a first cavity. The hub is connected to the drum and has a conically shaped inner surface that defines a flow path along a second cavity. |
| US09677415B2 |
Gas turbine electrical machine arrangement
A gas turbine engine comprising an electrical machine 30, 130, 200, 210, the electrical machine 30, 130, 200, 210 having an axis of rotation that is canted with respect to the main rotational axis of the gas turbine engine. |
| US09677414B2 |
Waste heat power generator
A waste heat power generator (G1, G2) that includes an evaporator (1) to produce steam of a working medium, a power-generating device to generate electric power while expanding the steam, a condenser (3) to condense the steam which has passed through the power-generating device (2), and a pump (5) to send the condensed working medium to the evaporator (1). The waste heat power generator (G1, G2) may further include a valve device (6) to selectively supply a cooling medium used to cool the power-generating device (2) to the power-generating device (2), and a controller (7) to control the valve device (6) based on the temperature of the power-generating device (2). |
| US09677410B2 |
Shaft sealing device, and rotary machine equipped therewith
A shaft sealing device and a rotary machine equipped therewith are provided with a sealing body configured by stacking a plurality of thin sealing pieces; and a low-pressure-side side sealing plate in which a plate surface facing the low-pressure side is pressed against an inner wall surface of the housing facing the direction of the axis by means of the pressure of a fluid applied from a high-pressure side to the low-pressure side. A protrusion for blocking a downward flow toward the inside of the low-pressure-side side sealing plate in the radial direction along the low-pressure side of the sealing body is formed on the inside of the low-pressure-side side sealing plate in the radial direction, and a communication path for guiding the downward flow blocked by means of the protrusion to a low-pressure-side region is formed on the housing. |
| US09677407B2 |
Rotor cover plate
A cover plate for a rotor disk in a gas turbine machine includes a cylindrical body having multiple outward facing snaps and multiple inward facing snaps. |
| US09677400B2 |
High-efficiency engine driven by pressurized air or other compressible gases
A negative-emission pressurized air or other compressible gas operated high-efficiency reciprocating or rotary piston engine, as autonomously considered or as part of a complex system, comprises at least a tank, at least a turbo-alternator and one or more optional fluid heaters. |
| US09677399B2 |
Yieldable rock anchor
The invention relates to a yieldable rock anchor comprising an anchor element extending along a longitudinal center axis and having a first end, a second end and an outer surface. An anchor plate is attached near the first end of the anchor element, and an anchor head is secured to the first end of the anchor element and adapted to clampingly engage the anchor plate. On its outer surface, the anchor element is provided along at least substantially its entire length with a plurality of ribs. A plurality of sleeves, each sleeve having two opposing ends, for covering some of the plurality of ribs is fixedly arranged on the outer surface of the anchor element such that each of the opposing ends at least substantially sealingly engages the outer surface of the anchor element. |
| US09677397B2 |
Downhole detection
A system for use in downhole detection comprises a downhole arrangement defining a throughbore and a tool deployable through the throughbore of the downhole arrangement. The system further comprises a primary electromagnetic element provided on one of the downhole arrangement and the deployable tool and a secondary electromagnetic element provided on the other of the downhole arrangement and the deployable tool, wherein the primary and secondary electromagnetic elements are configurable for electromagnetic coupling therebetween. Such a system may be used for determining a status and/or an identity of a downhole tool in an oil or gas well from a determined degree of electromagnetic coupling between the primary and secondary electromagnetic elements. |
| US09677393B2 |
Method for performing a stimulation operation with proppant placement at a wellsite
A method of performing a stimulation operation at a wellsite is provided. The wellsite has a wellbore penetrating a formation having fractures therein. The method involves predicting placement of proppant parameters in the fractures based on wellsite data, generating an asperity model based on the predicted placement, predicting aperture change for a prescribed closure stress using the asperity model, and determining fracture conductivity based on the predicted aperture change. The method also involves placing into the fractures with a stimulation fluid by injecting the stimulation fluid having the proppant therein into the formation based on the determined fracture conductivity and producing fluid from the reservoirs and into the wellbore through the propped fractures. |
| US09677391B2 |
Pressure relief device, system, and method
A pressure relief device and a hydraulic fracturing system having a pressure relief device are provided. In one form, the pressure relief device has a valve body with a linearly extending throughbore between the inlet and outlet thereof. A rupture disc is secured in the valve body so that a frangible dome wall portion thereof has a reverse-acting orientation in the valve body bore. The hydraulic fracturing system includes a pump and a delivery line that receives pressurized fracturing fluid from the pump and delivers it to a well. A pressure relief device is installed along the delivery line. A sensor detects fluid flow downstream of the pressure relief device which allows the pump to be shut down when the downstream fluid flow is detected. The pressure relief device can have a body with a domed rupture disc and the sensor therein. |
| US09677386B2 |
Methods of stabilizing weakly consolidated subterranean formation intervals
Methods of fracturing a weakly consolidated target interval in a wellbore in a subterranean formation including providing a pad fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and nanoparticulates; providing a fracturing fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and gravel; introducing the pad fluid in the wellbore at or above a fracture gradient rate so as to create or enhance at least one fracture at or near the weakly consolidated target interval, such that the nanoparticulates in the pad fluid penetrate into the weakly consolidated target interval and into the at least one fracture; introducing the fracturing fluid in the wellbore at or above the fracture gradient rate so as to enhance the at least one fracture and form a proppant pack in the at least one fracture; and consolidating the weakly consolidated target interval. |
| US09677382B2 |
Hydraulic control of downhole tools
A tool control mechanism is configured to activate and deactivate a drill string tool by hydraulic action of drilling fluid. The tool control mechanism is switchable between an activation mode and a deactivation mode. In the activation mode, a hydraulic activator ram is coupled to a tool switch member to drive the switch member in an activation direction in response to above-threshold drilling fluid conditions. In the deactivation mode, a deactivator ram is coupled to the tool switch member to drive the switch member in a deactivation direction opposite to the activation direction, when above-threshold drilling fluid conditions occur. The tool control mechanism is switchable between the activation mode and the deactivation mode by operator-controlled drilling fluid pressure variations. |
| US09677376B2 |
Flow stop valve
A flow stop valve positionable in a downhole tubular, and a method, in which the flow stop valve is in a closed position when a pressure difference between fluid outside the downhole tubular and inside the downhole tubular at the flow stop valve is below a threshold value, thereby preventing flow through the downhole tubular. The flow stop valve is in an open position when the pressure difference between fluid outside the downhole tubular and inside the downhole tubular at the flow stop valve is above a threshold value, hereby permitting flow through the downhole tubular. |
| US09677373B2 |
Downhole tool with anti-extrusion device
A downhole tool including a mandrel, a sealing element, a cone, a plurality of fingers, and a slip. The sealing element may be positioned around the mandrel. The sealing element is configured to expand radially-outward from a contracted state to an expanded state. The cone may be positioned around the mandrel and proximate to the sealing element. The plurality of fingers may be positioned at least partially around the mandrel. The fingers may be axially-aligned with at least a portion of the sealing element. The fingers are coupled to a base and configured to break away from the base at a weak point when the sealing element expands into the expanded state. The slip may be positioned around the mandrel and proximate to the cone. The slip may include a tapered inner surface configured to slide along a tapered outer surface of the cone. |
| US09677372B2 |
Well system cementing plug
A wellbore cementing plug includes a plug element including a polymer. The polymer is deformable at a first stiffness when subjected to a first strain rate to allow the plug element to pass through a wellbore while sealing against passage of cement past the plug element. The polymer resists deformation at a second, higher stiffness when subjected to a second, higher strain rate to resist allowing the plug element to pass through the wellbore while sealing against passage of cement past the plug element. |
| US09677371B2 |
Fluid loss well treatment
A well treatment for treating a well includes discrete stop loss elements to seal a fluid loss opening of a well. The discrete stop loss elements include polymer resistive to deformation with an initial stiffness in response to an initial strain rate of the polymer to produce a specified initial pressure signal and deformable with a subsequent, lower stiffness in response to a subsequent, lower strain rate of the polymer to produce a subsequent, different specified pressure signal. |
| US09677370B2 |
Deformable plug and seal well system
A well system includes a drop plug element and an internal plug seat in an internal flow path of a well tubing. At least one of the plug seat or the drop plug element includes a polymer that is deformable, having a first stiffness when subjected to a first strain rate, to allow the drop plug element to pass through the plug seat. The polymer resists deformation, having a second, higher stiffness when subjected to a second, higher strain rate, to resist allowing the plug element to pass through the plug seat and to seal the plug element and plug seat. |
| US09677362B2 |
Removal of casing slats by cutting casing collars
A casing cutting tool including a top mandrel operatively coupled to a conveyance; a first retractable wedge operatively coupled to the top mandrel; a jetting tool operatively coupled to the retractable wedge, the retractable wedge thereby interposing the top mandrel and the jetting tool, wherein the jetting tool has one or more jetting nozzles arranged thereon; and a bottom terminal operatively coupled to the jetting tool, the jetting tool thereby interposing the retractable wedge and the bottom terminal. |
| US09677353B2 |
Shale shakers with selective series/parallel flow path conversion
Methods and systems are disclosed employing a shale shaker for processing a mixture of drilling fluid and solids with multiple screen assemblies and conversion apparatus for switching flow to the screen assemblies between series flow and parallel flow; and in one aspect, a screen or screens for screening lost circulation material. |
| US09677344B2 |
Components of drilling assemblies, drilling assemblies, and methods of stabilizing drilling assemblies in wellbores in subterranean formations
A component of a drilling assembly comprises at least one blade having a gauge region comprising a bearing face for engaging a sidewall of a wellbore in a subterranean formation during rotation of the drilling assembly, and a rotationally leading edge rotationally preceding the bearing face and comprising an engagement profile comprising at least one of at least one chamfered surface and at least one radiused surface, the engagement profile different than another engagement profile of another rotationally leading edge of another region of the at least one blade. A drilling assembly, and a method for stabilizing a drilling assembly in a wellbore in a subterranean formation are also provided. |
| US09677341B2 |
Drill bit with extended life seal
An extended life seal is incorporated into a drill bit used for drilling a wellbore. The drill bit can include a seal surface, a seal which engages the seal surface, and a groove which compresses the seal greater on opposite axial sides than at a central portion of the seal. The drill bit may include the seal having a cylindrical surface which engages the seal surface, and another cylindrical surface opposite the first surface, and the groove having a third cylindrical surface which engages the second surface, and wherein the groove simultaneously biases the seal toward the seal surface on opposite axial sides of the third surface. The drill bit may include the seal having right cylindrical shaped inner and outer surfaces, and a contact pressure between the seal surface and the seal being greater at each opposite side of the seal than at a central portion of the seal. |
| US09677337B2 |
Testing while fracturing while drilling
A drilling procedure is operated such that a formation around the wellbore being drilled is fractured and then reservoir fluids from a hydrocarbon reservoir contained in the formation are flowed into the wellbore where the flow of the reservoir fluids is tested. Production predictions for the wellbore are processed from the measurements made on the flow of reservoir fluids and decisions regarding further drilling operations are made based upon the reservoir fluid measurements. By testing reservoir fluids prior to completing the wellbore, drilling operations such as, for example, continuing to drill the wellbore may be made without tripping the drillstring from the wellbore. |
| US09677335B2 |
Firefighting or rescue apparatus including ladder with status indicators
A firefighting or rescue apparatus includes an aerial ladder and at least one of a rung alignment status indicator and a load status indicator. The rung alignment status indicator can include a lighting strip having multiple lighting elements on the ladder that are selectively illuminated depending on whether first rungs of one section of the ladder and second rungs of another section of the ladder are aligned or misaligned. The load status indicator can include a lighting strip including multiple lighting elements on the ladder and/or at a control console that are selectively illuminated depending on whether the ladder is overloaded beyond an aerial ladder capacity rating or other value. A user on the aerial ladder and/or at a control console can view the indicators to evaluate rung alignment and load status. |
| US09677334B2 |
Aerial ladder for a fire apparatus
An aerial ladder assembly for a fire apparatus includes a base rail extending along a longitudinal direction, a hand rail elevated from the base rail and extending along the longitudinal direction, a first lacing member and a second lacing member coupling the hand rail to the base rail, the first lacing member and the second lacing member each including an end that engages the base rail at an interface, and a gusset positioned to reinforce the interface. The first lacing member and the second lacing member each define a slot that receives the gusset, and the gusset extends through the first lacing member and the second lacing member to the base rail. |
| US09677326B2 |
System and method for controlling animal's egress from a secure enclosure
A system for controlling escape of pets during emergency, such as a fire, smoke, gas or odor emission, includes a passageway from the inside of the enclosure to the outside thereof. The passageway is normally closed by a door and an apparatus is provided for enabling opening of such door during emergency. A pre-recorded message urges the pet or pets to the open passageway only when the alarm device annunciating such emergency is intermittently disabled. A control apparatus is also provided for enabling passage of the pet or pets through the passageway and annunciates location of the pet or pets with respect to interior or exterior of the enclosure. A method is disclosed for remote operation of the controlled pet door to enhance safety of the pet owner attempting to enter residential dwelling. |
| US09677325B2 |
Bracket
The presently-disclosed subject matter includes a bracket that can be mounted to a surface, and that can protect openings and other water sensitive areas on the surface from water damage. Embodied brackets can comprise a mount that can be mounted to a surface, an extension that protrudes outwardly from the mount, and an attachment portion to which a water resistant material can be attached. In some embodiments the bracket is mounted to a wall above and/or near an opening or other water sensitive area, and the bracket and/or water sensitive material protect the opening or water sensitive area from water damage. In some implementations two or more brackets are attached to form a continuous bracket structure. |
| US09677322B2 |
Glass insulating panel
A glass panel (1), comprising: a first glass substrate (101), a second glass substrate (102), a spacer profile (103) at the periphery of the glass panel (1) between the first and the second glass substrate, the spacer being used to maintain an intermediate space (104) between the first and second glass substrates, the panel comprising an intermediate substrate (105) in the intermediate space (104) between the first (101) and the second (102) glass substrates, According to the invention, the panel comprises means to suspend (10711, 10721, 053, 110) the intermediate substrate (105) within the intermediate space (104). |
| US09677311B2 |
Tailgate counterbalance with dual torque rods
This disclosure relates to a hinge assembly for mounting a closure member or tailgate to a vehicle. It includes a hinge bracket and connector body for connection to one side of the tailgate. The connector body provides a fixed connection to the vehicle and enables the hinge bracket to rotate about a pivot axis, so that the tailgate rotates. Also included are a first torque rod having one end fixed to the connector body and an opposite, free end, and a second torque rod spaced from the first torque rod and pivot axis. The second torque rod has one end fixed to the hinge bracket and an opposite, free end. A connector device anchors the free ends of the torque rods together within the tailgate, so that the rods deflect when the tailgate is pivoted between its opened and closed positions to produce a biasing torque towards an opposite position. |
| US09677308B1 |
Hinge having movable shaft
A hinge includes at least one shaft set including a first shaft and a second shaft. The first shaft and the second shaft extend through a first guiding member and a second guiding member. A guiding base is disposed between the first shaft and the second shaft. The first shaft and the second shaft connect to an upper plate and a lower plate. The upper plate and the lower plate are connected to two rotatable parts of an electronic device. The first shaft and the second shaft moves relatively along with the rotation of the two rotatable parts of the electronic device. |
| US09677306B2 |
Hook latch
The invention pertains to a lock (10) for locking a mobile structure to and unlocking it from a fixed structure (11) on a vehicle, one of the two structures containing a first keeper (14), the other structure containing a second pin (16) around which the lock can pivot, the lock comprising: A lock strut (19) containing a hook (33) able to latch onto the keeper; A handle (17) with a third pin (28) around which the lock strut can be guided in its rotation, the second pin (16) being located toward the handle (17) in relation to a plane (29) formed between the first keeper (14) and the third pin; and a fourth pin (46), located between the handle and a first side (35) of the lock strut; A first connecting rod (45) linking the third pin (28) to the fourth pin (46); A second connecting rod (48) linking the fourth pin (46) to the second pin (16), and a fifth pin (49) located against a second side (50) of the lock strut opposite the first side (35). |
| US09677305B2 |
Motor vehicle door lock
A motor vehicle door lock comprising a locking mechanism (1, 2) and a mechanical lever gear (4, 5) as well as a motor-driven opening unit (7 to 9), which are respectively individually arranged for opening of a locking mechanism (1, 2), wherein in the normal mode, the motorized opening unit (7 to 9) provides a free movement of the lever gear (4, 5) in relation to the locking mechanism (1, 2) and the engagement of the lever gear with the locking mechanism (1, 2) in the opening mode. |
| US09677297B2 |
Method of installation of a structural support apparatus
A method of installing a support member includes disposing a ground plate of a support member on a ground surface. The support member includes a lift assist component that engages with a bar connected to the ground plate. The method further includes adjusting a height of upper ends of the support member by actuating the lift assist component such that the upper ends of the support member are elevated or lowered. |
| US09677296B2 |
Anchor post
Provided herein are methods, devices and systems comprising an anchor post that has a shaft, at least one stabilizing element attached to the anchor post configured to resist movement of the anchor post, and at least one alignment element. |
| US09677292B2 |
Embedded integrated lifting rotation table for a stage
An embedded integrated lifting rotation table which comprises a lifting table and a rotation table which is embedded in the lifting table is disclosed. At least a group of rotating driving devices are installed on the lifting table to drive the rotation table to rotate. There are two lifting tables at least, each lifting table connects with a group of single lifting driving devices. The rotation table comprises at least two rotation table components joint together. The quantity of the rotation table components equals to the quantity of the lifting tables. Each lifting table is embedded with a rotation table component. The first locking device is installed between two adjacent rotation table components. The second locking device is installed between the lifting table and the rotation table components which is embedded in the lifting table. |
| US09677290B2 |
Attachable anchoring system for wall formwork, and method
The invention relates to an anchoring system for a wall formwork as well as to a method for suspending the anchoring system on the rear side of a wall formwork while dismantling a wall formwork. In order to accelerate a dismantling process, an anchoring system with an anchoring rod (4) and at least one disengageable locking device is provided. The part of the anchoring system that is pulled out of wall formworks after a concrete wall has been produced comprises a suspension means for suspending on a wall formwork the part of the anchoring system that has been pulled out. |
| US09677287B2 |
Methods for encapsulating a substrate and products produced from same
Described herein are methods for encapsulating a fiberglass substrate using a calendered film; along with products produced from same. The methods improve the efficiency of the manufacturing process and provide a product with improved performance characteristics. |
| US09677285B2 |
Building panels
Flooring material comprising sheet-shaped floor elements with a mainly square or rectangular shape. The floor elements are provided with edges, a lower side and an upper decorative layer. The floor elements are intended to be joined by means of joining members. The floor elements are provided with male joining members on a first edge while a second edge of the floor elements are provided with a female joining member. The male joining member is provided with a tongue and a lower side groove while the female joining member is provided with a groove and a cheek, the cheek being provided with a lip. The floor elements are provided with a male vertical assembly joining member on a third edge while a fourth, opposite, edge is provided with female vertical assembly joining member. |
| US09677284B1 |
Thermally adaptive wall covering
A thermally adaptive wall covering is operable to cover at least part of a wall and to move in response to a change in covering temperature. The wall covering includes a laminated composite panel with first and second panel layers and an intermediate connecting structure that connects the panel layers relative to one another along an interface defined between the panel layers. The first and second panel layers have, respectively, first and second coefficients of thermal expansion that are different from each other and cause expansion and contraction of the corresponding panel layers along an interface therebetween. The connecting structure permits expansion and/or contraction of each panel layer relative to the other panel layer in response to the covering temperature change so that the panel flexes. |
| US09677282B2 |
Fixture support for membrane roof
A modular anchor has a metal plate having a pattern of holes around a periphery, the forming a boundary of a central inner area, a metal bracket having a raised central portion and parallel wings having upper and lower surfaces in parallel horizontal planes, with the bracket joined to the metal plate at a central location within the hole pattern, the wings and the metal plate coated with a material to facilitate heat welding to membrane; and a transition membrane positioned on the metal plate with the raised portion of the bracket extending upward through an opening in the transition membrane, and with the transition membrane heat welded to the upper surfaces of the wings of the bracket and to the metal plate everywhere within the central inner area, leaving the pattern of holes exposed. |
| US09677281B2 |
Method of manufacturing granule coated asphaltic articles
A method of manufacturing a granule coated asphaltic article comprising the steps of applying liquid asphalt to a reinforcing sheet to create an asphaltic sheet, the asphaltic sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface; bending the asphaltic sheet to form an arcuate top surface of the sheet; and applying a coating of granules over the arcuate top surface of the asphaltic sheet. |
| US09677280B2 |
Method of installing a wind-resistant roof underlayment
A method of installing a wind-resistant roof underlayment is disclosed that includes providing a wind-resistant roof underlayment having a lower surface including an adhesive medium. The wind-resistant roof underlayment includes an upper surface having a first non-release liner portion with a width of at least three inches. A second release liner portion is provided having a width of at least eight inches. The second release liner portion is disposed in an overlapping relationship with an upper surface adhesive medium coupled to the upper surface. The method includes coupling the lower surface to a roof deck, with a portion of the second release liner portion at a position substantially adjacent to an eave of the roof deck, removing the second release liner portion, thereby exposing an adhesive strip of the upper surface adhesive medium, and coupling a plurality of shingles to the strip of the upper surface adhesive medium. |
| US09677271B2 |
Concrete unit and methods
A concrete unit includes a six sided body having three pairs of opposed rectangular faces. Two opposed faces each has an irregular three dimensional pattern extending across the entire face to provide two aesthetic faces on the unit. The two opposed faces have patterns that are mirror images of each other such that when two of the units are placed with their patterned faces aligned and in contact, the three dimensional patterns on the opposed faces nest to minimize the space between the adjacent edges of the units. The concrete units may be used as steps or in other applications. |
| US09677266B2 |
Movement-compensating plate anchor
A system configured to anchor a cover plate over an interface formed between substantially coplanar substrates includes a sleeve capable of being anchored in a first substrate; a spring located in the sleeve; a post located in communication with the spring; and a fastener secured onto the post. A head of the post is located in the sleeve, and an end of the post opposite the head of the post extends out of the sleeve to receive the fastener. The fastener is secured onto the post over the cover plate located on the first substrate such that the cover plate extends over the interface formed between the first and second substrates when they are positioned to be substantially coplanar. |
| US09677261B2 |
Quick siphon toilet
The present invention provides a quick siphon toilet. The quick siphon toilet comprises a toilet body and a water tank, the toilet body is disposed with a spray waterway to wash the bottom portion of the toilet body and a flush waterway to wash the periphery wall of the toilet body, the bottom portion of the toilet body is disposed with a siphon washing-out pipe, the water tank is disposed with a drain valve, wherein the drain valve is disposed with a first drain outlet connected to the flush waterway and a second drain outlet connected to the spray waterway, the spray waterway is disconnected to the flush waterway. In a condition of same water volume, the present invention has longer siphon time and flushing time and better washing-out effect. And the present invention uses less water based on well flushing function, thus making it water-saving. |
| US09677257B2 |
Handshower slide mechanism
A handshower slide includes a bar with a passageway, a slide mechanism positioned along a length of the bar, and a showerhead holder movable with the slide mechanism along the length of the bar. The slide mechanism includes a handle and a cam, and the cam is positioned within the passageway and is rotatable between a first orientation and a second orientation relative to the bar. The slide mechanism is not movable along the length of the bar while the cam is in the first orientation and is movable along the length of the bar while the cam is in the second orientation. An orientation of the cam is correlated to a position of the handle, and a spring is coupled to the handle and the cam, so that the spring biases the cam toward the first orientation and away from the second orientation. |
| US09677255B2 |
Person-detecting sensor and automatic water faucet
A person-detecting sensor includes: a range-finding unit that decides whether a distance to a detection object falls within a predetermined detection distance range; a received-light quantity decision unit that decides whether a received-light quantity is equal to or greater than a predetermined received-light quantity threshold; and a continuation decision unit that decides whether a state of the detection object being present is ongoing. In the received-light quantity decision unit, after water discharge is started upon the detection determination unit determining a detection object to be under detection state, for a period during which the continuation decision unit decides the state in which the detection object being present is ongoing, the received-light quantity threshold is set to be lower than prior to when the water discharge is started. |
| US09677252B2 |
Ground engaging tools
A tooth for earthmoving and mining equipment, including a cutting tip; and a mounting portion rearward of the cutting tip, the mounting portion having ‘a cavity therein opening to the rear and including a cone portion extending forward from the rear opening and terminating in a beak portion. The cone portion being defined at least in part by spaced apart upper and lower faces and opposed spaced apart side faces, the upper and lower faces being joined to the side faces by curved corner faces and the opposed upper and lower faces converging towards each other and the opposed side faces converging towards each other away from the rear opening so that the curved corner faces diminish away from the rear opening. The upper and lower faces and the side faces of the cone portion terminating in a beak portion at the front of the cavity, the beak portion being defined at least in part by opposed spaced apart upper and lower faces joined by opposed spaced apart side faces, the upper face, lower face and side faces of the beak portion being contiguous with the upper face, lower face and side laces of the cone portion respectively, and the upper and lower faces of the beak portion being generally parallel and the side faces of the beak portion also being generally parallel and contiguous with a front face of the beak portion. |
| US09677250B2 |
Work vehicle and method of controlling work vehicle
A work vehicle is provided with an engine, a variable displacement hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor, a traveling apparatus, an exhaust treatment device, a reductant supply route, a controller, and an operation member. The variable displacement hydraulic pump is configured to discharge hydraulic oil when driven by the engine. The exhaust treatment device is configured to treat the exhaust from the engine. The reductant supply route supplies a reductant to the exhaust treatment device. The controller is configured to set an engine speed to a low idle when the reductant supply route gets into an abnormal state. The operation member is configured to indicate a change of a discharge capacity of the variable displacement hydraulic pump so that the travel speed of the traveling apparatus becomes a predetermined speed or greater when the reductant supply route gets into an abnormal state. |
| US09677249B2 |
Work vehicle with stowable user support member
A work vehicle includes a vehicle body, a vehicle cover, at least one user support member and a deployment structure. The body supports at least one serviceable component. The cover is movably mounted to the body to move between a closed position and an open position. The vehicle cover at least partially covers the serviceable component(s) in the closed position, and the cover permits access to the serviceable component(s) in the open position. The user support member(s) is movably mounted to the body to move between a stowed position and a deployed position. The deployment structure is operatively coupled to the user support member(s) to move the user support member(s) from the stowed position to the deployed position in response to movement of the cover from the closed position to the open position. |
| US09677244B2 |
Retaining wall
Void former assembly for casting facing elements for reinforced earth. Anchoring recesses are cast into its rear face so that earth-reinforcing strips can be looped through. The anchoring recesses are each formed as a loop channel having a convex inner surface and a concave outer surface, at least one of which has a radius of curvature which increases from the deepest part of the recess towards the rear face. A removable void former assembly and method for casting such facing elements are also described. Because of the varying radius of curvature of the surfaces of the channel, and the rotational and translational withdrawal path of the void formers, the channel can be cast deeper, and with openings which are closer together, than has hitherto been possible using removable void formers. |
| US09677243B2 |
Corrugated retention and filtration systems for sedimentation control
This invention is directed to corrugated retention and filtration systems which are designed and installed to control sediment runoff. The corrugated systems creates a multiple of adjacent retention and filtration wedges with acute angles at their downstream vertexes for increased surface area and an increased number of structural support elements throughout the system. The corrugated retention and filtration system provides structural, hydrodynamic, and filtration features not available from a conventional linear systems used for sedimentation control applications. |
| US09677242B2 |
Method and apparatus for anchoring an irrigation drive assembly
The present invention provides a system and method for anchoring an irrigation system. According to a first preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a preinstalled concrete stage on which a drive tower may be positioned. Preferably, the concrete stage further includes a securing shelf mechanism for providing a restraint over the rear tire. As further disclosed, the present invention preferably further includes a barricade secured in front of the front tire of the drive tower to prevent the drive tower from sliding out of position. |
| US09677241B2 |
Passive grout seal
A passive annular grout seal assembly is disclosed for sealing an annular opening between a driven pile and a skirt pile sleeve for an offshore platform. The annular seals are located at the bottom of the pile sleeves near sea floor and automatically activated when piles are inserted and driven through the pile sleeves without any active operational procedure during offshore piling. The seal configuration fully utilizes the seal height, the grout column height and the density difference between grout and sea water to produce enhanced sealing capacity against the column of grout above. |
| US09677230B2 |
Wide swath offset concrete screed
Methods and systems for making and using a wide swath offset concrete screed apparatus for screeding wet concrete slurry. The apparatus includes a cross support bar, an attachment mechanism for attaching the cross support bar to a liftable arm of a motorized vehicle, and lateral support bars for attaching a screed bar to the cross support bar. The screed bar is positioned offset from the motorized vehicle used to operate the screed, allowing the motorized vehicle to drive outside the forms. |
| US09677224B2 |
Method and machine for manufacturing paper products using fourdrinier forming
An improved method for producing paper from pulp includes a plurality of subassemblies arranged in the forming or wet section of a Fourdrinier. The Fourdrinier includes a dewatering table having a plurality of blades that are static and on-the run adjustable in height and/or angle to control orientation of paper fibers in the stock to create a superior quality of paper and improved paper strength characteristics. Gravity and vacuum assisted drainage elements are equipped with on-the-run adjustable angle and height dewatering foil blades starting from a paper dryness of 0.1% and extending all the way to 5% dryness. The result of this process and machine is to improve the paper quality, save fibers and chemicals and fulfill the required paper properties. |
| US09677217B2 |
Method for controlling laundry treating apparatus
The present invention relates to a method for controlling a laundry treating apparatus including a drum for holding laundry, a connection duct for exhausting air from an inside of the drum, an exhaust duct provided parallel to a length direction of the drum connected to the connection duct, a filter assembly with a filter unit provided to the exhaust duct for filtering the air and a brush for removing foreign matter from the filter unit, a brush drive unit for making the brush to reciprocate a section of the filter unit, and a position sensing unit for sensing a position of the brush. |
| US09677216B2 |
Laundry dryer having a heat exchanger
A laundry dryer includes a body having air discharge openings in an upper region, a clothes drum disposed in the body, and a heat exchanger to condense process air from the drum. The heat exchanger is positioned in the body below the drum and has a cooling air outlet. Further provided is an air duct having an air inlet which is connected to the cooling air outlet and an air outlet which is positioned above the heat exchanger. The air duct is arranged to discharge cooling air from the air outlet in an upward direction into the body. |
| US09677215B2 |
Laundry treating apparatus
A laundry treating apparatus is provided that may include a laundry accommodation device that provides a space in which laundry may be accommodated, the laundry accommodation device having an exhaust device that exhausts air and a supply device that supplies air; a circulation passage that guides air exhausted from the exhaust device to the supply device, the circulation passage having an inlet that communicates with the exhaust device; a heat exchanger provided in the circulation passage; a filter frame provided between the heat exchanger and the inlet; a filter fixed to the filter frame and provided in the circulation passage; and a filter washer fixed to the filter frame, that supplies washing water to the filter. |
| US09677212B2 |
Suspension unit and laundry washing machine
A suspension unit assembly comprises a strut having a first end and a second end and a coupling disposed at the first end of the strut. The coupling has a strut part connected to the strut and a mounting part configured to tilt relative to the strut part of the coupling. A spring is disposed about the strut, one end of the spring being restrained relative to the mounting part of the coupling so that tilting movement between the strut part and the mounting part of the coupling causes the spring to deform and provide a return force that acts to return the coupling to an equilibrium position. |
| US09677211B1 |
Stretch end cap sub-assembly for spreader rolls
An end cap sleeve stretch sub-assembly for holding the ends of the sleeve portion of a spreader roller assembly being rotatable on a stationary shaft, including a pivot arm assembly for adjusting the angular displacement of the end cap assembly with respect to an axis of the shaft in order to expand and contract sections of the roller assembly resilient sleeve, an outer bearing ring and bearing assembly including a slide ring which is adapted for slidable adjustment parallel to an axis of the shaft on the outer bearing ring in order to preload the end cap sub-assembly by adjusting the tension on the sleeve, and a clamping assembly for securely attaching the sleeve portion to the outer slide ring. |
| US09677209B2 |
Knitted fabric, method for producing a knitted fabric, and warp knitting machine
A knitted fabric, a method of producing the knitted fabric and a warp knitting machine. The knitted fabric includes a first covering layer; a second covering layer; and an arrangement of pile threads formed as spacer threads between the first covering layer and the second covering layer. Each covering layer includes multiple stitch rows arranged one after another. The spacer threads have different lengths, and the spacer threads woven into each stitch row have equal lengths. The spacer threads in a first width region have a different length than the spacer threads in a second width region. For at least two adjacent stitch rows, one stitch row is connected to spacer threads of a first length in the first width region and one stitch row is connected to spacer threads of a second length in the second width region. |
| US09677205B2 |
Hygro materials for use in making yarns and fabrics
A process is described wherein pile yarn is woven with cotton weft and warp yarns to produce terry fabrics, such as towels. The fabric is then washed in warm water to dissolve the PVA fibers. The amount of fibers dissolved, depends upon the count of the yarn or yarns used. By dissolving the PVA fibers, a hollow air space is produced throughout the pile yarn, corresponding to an increase in the air space in the pile yarn. By increasing the air space in the pile yarn, the resulting towels are softer and bulkier than standard cotton towels. The present invention further relates to pile yarn in terry woven fabric (warp yarn), or weft yarn, in the case of flat fabrics. |
| US09677202B2 |
Absorbent fabric made from hygro yarns
A process is described wherein pile yarn is woven with cotton weft and warp yarns to produce terry fabrics, such as towels. The fabric is then washed in warm water to dissolve the PVA fibers. The amount of fibers dissolved, depends upon the count of the yarn or yarns used. By dissolving the PVA fibers, a hollow air space is produced throughout the pile yarn, corresponding to an increase in the air space in the pile yarn. By increasing the air space in the pile yarn, the resulting towels are softer and bulkier than standard cotton towels. The present invention further relates to pile yarn in terry woven fabric (warp yarn), or weft yarn, in the case of flat fabrics. |
| US09677201B2 |
Hygro yarns for use in making fabrics
A process is described wherein pile yarn is woven with cotton weft and warp yarns to produce terry fabrics, such as towels. The fabric is then washed in warm water to dissolve the PVA fiber. The amount of fibers dissolved, depends upon the count of the yarn or yarns used. By dissolving the PVA fibers, a hollow air space is produced throughout the pile yarn, corresponding to an increase in the air space in the pile yarn. By increasing the in space in the pile yarn, the resulting towels are softer and bulkier than standard cotton towels. The present invention further relates to pile yarn in terry woven fabric (warp yarn), or weft yarn, in the case of flat fabrics. |
| US09677200B2 |
Method for making carbon nanotube composite wire
A method for making carbon nanotube composite wire includes providing at least one carbon nanotube film. A graphene film is grown on a top surface of a substrate. The at least one carbon nanotube film is pasted with the graphene film. The substrate is removed to form a carbon nanotube/graphene composite film. The carbon nanotube/graphene composite film is curled and then twisted. |
| US09677194B2 |
Microfabrication methods for the optimal patterning of substrates
A method of fabricating a microarray including the steps of: (a) contacting a substrate having wells with a reagent reactive with said substrate to produce a surface modification within said wells and a surface modification surrounding said wells; (b) polishing said substrate to produce a polished surface modification surrounding said wells, wherein said surface modification surrounding said wells is removed and said surface modification within said wells is retained, and (c) depositing a biopolymer onto said substrate, wherein different affinities of said surface modification within said wells and said polished surface facilitate localization of said biopolymer within said wells. |
| US09677193B2 |
Sheet production apparatus for removing a crystalline sheet from the surface of a melt using gas jets located above and below the crystalline sheet
In one embodiment, a sheet production apparatus comprises a vessel configured to hold a melt of a material. A cooling plate is disposed proximate the melt and is configured to form a sheet of the material on the melt. A first gas jet is configured to direct a gas toward an edge of the vessel. A sheet of a material is translated horizontally on a surface of the melt and the sheet is removed from the melt. The first gas jet may be directed at the meniscus and may stabilize this meniscus or increase local pressure within the meniscus. |
| US09677192B2 |
Group 3B nitride crystal substrate
A group 13 nitride crystal substrate according to the present invention is produced by growing a group 13 nitride crystal on a seed-crystal substrate by a flux method, wherein a content of inclusions in the group 13 nitride crystal grown in a region of the seed-crystal substrate except for a circumferential portion of the seed-crystal substrate, the region having an area fraction of 70% relative to an entire area of the seed-crystal substrate, is 10% or less, preferably 2% or less. |
| US09677189B2 |
Plating apparatus and method of determining electric resistance of electric contact of substrate holder
A plating apparatus that can obtain each one of electric resistances of plural inner contacts of a substrate holder is disclosed. The plating apparatus includes a resistance-measuring device configured to measure a combined resistance of two electric contacts selected from the plural electric contacts, repeat measuring of a combined resistance of two electric contacts while changing a combination of two electric contacts until a same number of plural combined resistances as the plural electric contacts are measured, create linear equations by coupling each of the plural combined resistances to two variables with use of an equal sign, the two variables representing electric resistances of the corresponding two electric contacts, and solve the linear equations to determine each one of electric resistances of the plural electric contacts. |
| US09677180B2 |
Engine hot section component and method for making the same
One embodiment of the present invention is a unique engine hot section component having a coating system operative to reduce heat transfer to the hot section component. Another embodiment is a unique method for making a gas turbine engine hot section component with a coating system. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engines, hot section components and coating systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith. |
| US09677177B2 |
Substrate support with quadrants
The present invention generally relates to a substrate support for use in a processing chamber. The substrate support is divided into quadrants with each quadrant capable of heating independent of the other quadrants. The independent heating permits the substrate support to provide different heating to either different substrate simultaneously disposed on the substrate support or to different areas of a common substrate. Thus, the substrate heating may be tailored to ensure desired processing of the substrate or substrates occurs. |
| US09677175B2 |
ALD of metal-containing films using cyclopentadienyl compounds
Atomic layer deposition (ALD) type processes for producing metal containing thin films comprise feeding into a reaction space vapor phase pulses of metal containing cyclopentadienyl precursors as a metal source material. In preferred embodiments the metal containing cyclopentadienyl reactant comprises a metal atom that is not directly bonded to an oxygen or halide atom. In other embodiments the metal atom is bonded to a cyclopentadienyl compound and separately bonded to at least one ligand via a nitrogen atom. In still other embodiments the metal containing cyclopentadienyl compound comprises a nitrogen-bridged ligand. |
| US09677172B2 |
Methods for forming a cobalt-ruthenium liner layer for interconnect structures
Methods for forming a liner layer are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of forming a liner layer on a substrate disposed in a process chamber, the substrate having an opening formed in a first surface of the substrate, the opening having a sidewall and a bottom surface, the method includes exposing the substrate to a cobalt precursor gas and to a ruthenium precursor gas to form a cobalt-ruthenium liner layer on the first surface of the substrate and on the sidewall and bottom surface of the opening. |
| US09677171B2 |
Method of improving ion beam quality in a non-mass-analyzed ion implantation system
A method of processing a workpiece is disclosed, where the plasma chamber is first coated using a conditioning gas and optionally, a co-gas. The conditioning gas, which is disposed within a conditioning gas container may comprise a hydride of the desired dopant species and a filler gas, where the filler gas is a hydride of a Group 4 or Group 5 element. The remainder of the conditioning gas container may comprise hydrogen gas. Following this conditioning process, a feedgas, which comprises fluorine and the desired dopant species, is introduced to the plasma chamber and ionized. Ions are then extracted from the plasma chamber and accelerated toward the workpiece, where they are implanted without being first mass analyzed. In some embodiments, the desired dopant species may be boron. |
| US09677170B2 |
Target formed of sintering-resistant material of high-melting point metal alloy, high-melting point metal silicide, high-melting point metal carbide, high-melting point metal nitride, or high-melting point metal boride, process for producing the target, assembly of the sputtering target-backing plate, and process for producing the same
Provided is a target formed of a sintering-resistant material of high-melting point metal alloy, high-melting point metal silicide, high-melting point metal carbide, high-melting point metal nitride or high-melting point metal boride comprising a structure in which a target material formed of a sintering-resistant material of high-melting point metal alloy, high-melting point metal silicide, high-melting point metal carbide, high-melting point metal nitride or high-melting point metal boride and a high-melting point metal plate other than the target material are bonded. Additionally provided is a production method of such a target capable of producing, with relative ease, a target formed of a sintering-resistant material of high-melting point metal alloy, high-melting point metal silicide, high-melting point metal carbide, high-melting point metal nitride or high-melting point metal boride, which has poor machinability, can relatively easily produced. Further the generation of cracks during the target production and high power sputtering, and the reaction of the target raw material with the die during hot pressing can be inhibited effectively, and the warpage of the target can be reduced. |
| US09677166B2 |
Method for producing pieces having a modified surface
The invention relates to a method for modifying piece surfaces consisting in bringing pieces into contact with at least one type of a modifying agent in such a way that the modification of the surface is carried out. |
| US09677165B2 |
Film growing method
A film growing method includes: (A) attaching wall members to ends of a film grown surface of a base material; (B) growing a film on the film grown surface by a cold spray method; and (C) removing the wall members after a thickness of the grown film on the film grown surface becomes equal to a desired film thickness. It can be prevented that the side ends of the grown film are formed in a slope when a thick film is to be grown by using the cold spray. |
| US09677164B2 |
Steel sheet with hot dip galvanized zinc alloy coating and process to produce it
Steel strip provided with a hot dip galvanized zinc alloy coating layer, in which the coating of the steel strip is carried out in a bath of molten zinc alloy, the zinc alloy in the coating of: 0.3-2.3 weight % magnesium; 0.6-2.3 weight % aluminum; optional <0.2 weight % of one or more additional elements; unavoidable impurities; the remainder being zinc in which the zinc alloy coating layer has a thickness of 3-12 μm. |
| US09677163B2 |
High strength galvanized steel sheet excellent in terms of coating adhesiveness and method for manufacturing the same
A high strength galvanized steel sheet excellent in coating adhesiveness is made from a base material that is a high strength steel sheet containing Si, Mn, and Cr. A method includes performing an oxidation treatment on steel containing Si, Mn, and Cr in an oxidation furnace under the condition that a selected exit temperature T, reduction annealing and a galvanizing treatment, or optionally, further an alloying treatment under conditions that heating is performed at a temperature of 460° C. or higher and 600° C. or lower for an alloying treatment time of 10 seconds or more and 60 seconds or less. |
| US09677158B2 |
Aluminum alloy suitable for high pressure die casting
Copper-free aluminum alloys suitable for high pressure die casting and capable of age-hardening under elevated temperatures are provided. The allow includes about 9.5-13 wt % silicon, about 0.2 to 0.6 wt % Magnesium, about 0.1 to 2 wt % iron, about 0.1 to 2 wt % manganese, about 0.1 to 1 wt % nickel, about 0.5 to 3 wt % zinc, and 0 to 0.1 wt % strontium, with a balance of aluminum. Methods for making high pressure die castings and castings manufactured from the alloy are also provided. |
| US09677157B2 |
Process of preparing aluminum alloy
A process of preparing an aluminum alloy includes the following steps: first adding and completely melting a ZL101 Al-Si ingot and then covering the melt next adding one of modifiers Te and Sb and then performing heat preservation; finally adding one or more of rare earth elements La, Ce, Y and transition metal element Hf and then performing heat preservation. The ZL101 Al-Si alloy melt after the treatments can be casted into an ingot or a part after refining. |
| US09677154B2 |
Recovery method for a continuous calcium extraction and PCC production
A method of mineralizing calcium from industrial waste comprising extracting calcium ions from a suspension of calcium rich granular particles and aqueous ammonium chloride to form a calcium-rich first fraction and a heavy second fraction. The heavy second fraction is separated from the first fraction and the calcium-rich first fraction is carbonated with a gas comprising carbon dioxide to form a suspension of precipitated calcium carbonate and aqueous ammonium chloride. The precipitate is separated from the aqueous ammonium chloride by centrifugal means and the separated heavy second fraction comprises an enriched weight percent of iron. |
| US09677148B2 |
Method for manufacturing galvanized steel sheet
A method for manufacturing a galvanized steel sheet includes heating a base steel sheet in a heating zone such that the surface of the base steel sheet is heated at a temperature of 600° C. or higher and 790° C. or lower while a furnace temperature T° C. in the heating zone of an annealing furnace is controlled based on the water vapor partial pressure PH2Oin Air of air fed into the heating zone, the base steel sheet having a chemical composition consisting of, by mass %, C: 0.05% or more and 0.25% or less, Si: 0.1% or more and 3.0% or less, Mn: 0.5% or more and 3.0% or less, P: 0.001% or more and 0.10% or less, Al: 0.01% or more and 3.00% or less, S: 0.200% or less, and the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities, heating the base steel sheet in the heating zone such that the surface of the base steel sheet is heated at a temperature of 630° C. or higher and 850° C. or lower in an atmosphere containing hydrogen gas having a partial pressure PH2O of 1000 Pa or more and 50000 Pa or less, water vapor gas having a partial pressure PH2O of 610 Pa or less, and the balance being N2 and inevitable impurities, and galvanizing the base steel sheet. |
| US09677147B2 |
System and method for annealing nuclear fission reactor materials
Illustrative methods are provided for annealing nuclear fission reactor materials, such as without limitation, a nuclear fission reactor core or fuel assembly or components thereof within the nuclear core. Annealing a metallic component of a nuclear fission reactor within the reactor core may include determining an annealing temperature for at least a portion of at least one metallic component of a nuclear fission fuel assembly of the reactor. The temperature of the core may be adjusted to affect the determined annealing temperature, which in some cases may be greater than the predetermined operating temperature range of the nuclear fission fuel assembly. The portion of the at least one metallic component of the nuclear fission fuel assembly is annealed within the core at the annealing temperature range. |
| US09677145B2 |
Pre-diffused Al—Si coatings for use in rapid induction heating of press-hardened steel
A press-hardened steel component and a method of producing the same. In one form, a workpiece that will be formed into the component includes a coating that is pre-diffused with metal from the workpiece substrate. Examples of such protective coatings may include aluminum-based coatings, as well as from aluminum and silicon combinations. The pre-diffusion of the workpiece permits it to be subjected to the high heating rate of a subsequent press hardening operation without causing localized melting or vaporization of the protective coating. |
| US09677144B2 |
Crude juice purification with reduced lime consumption
The present invention relates to an improved method for the purification of crude sugar beet juice. The present invention relates moreover to methods for the manufacture of non-sucrose substance combinations from crude sugar beet juice, as well as two devices for the purification of crude sugar beet juice. The measures according to the invention allow a reduction of lime consumption during the purification. |
| US09677142B2 |
Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
The present methods pertain to amplifying and/or detecting Staphylococcus aureus (“SA”) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (“MRSA”) nucleic acids based on a combined detection of ldh1 as a SA marker and mecA as a MRSA marker. In certain embodiments the methods also pertain to amplifying and/or detecting one or more SCCmec integration sites or bridge regions. Primers and probes are suitable to be used in the present methods to detect SA and MRSA simultaneously in a single reaction or in separate reactions. The amplified nucleic acid can be detected by a variety of state of the art methods, including fluorescence resonance energy transfer (“FRET”), radiolabels, enzyme labels, and the like. |
| US09677138B2 |
Methods and systems for monitoring, diagnosing, and treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
A novel set of 98 genes expressed in the respiratory tract epithelium that serve as biomarkers for measuring chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) activity are provided. Methods of classifying the (COPD) status of a subject are provided. Systems for expression-based classification of COPD disease status are provided. Methods of treating COPD are also provided, among other things. |
| US09677137B2 |
TBL1XR1 and TP63 translocations
This document provides methods and materials involved in detecting translocations of TBL1XR1 and TP63 nucleic acid. For example, methods and materials for detecting TBL1XR1 and TP63 gene rearrangements (e.g., translocations) associated with cancer (e.g., T-cell lymphomas) as well as methods and materials for detecting cancers (e.g., T-cell lymphomas) with a dominant negative TP63 phenotype are provided. |
| US09677136B2 |
Methods and systems for inferring bovine traits
Methods, compositions, and systems are provided for managing bovine subjects in order to maximize their individual potential performance and edible meat value, and to maximize profits obtained in marketing the bovine subjects. The methods and systems draw an inference of a trait of a bovine subject by determining the nucleotide occurrence of at least one bovine SNP that is identified herein as being associated with the trait. The inference is used in methods of the present invention to establish the economic value of a bovine subject, to improve profits related to selling beef from a bovine subject; to manage bovine subjects, to sort bovine subjects; to improve the genetics of a bovine population by selecting and breeding of bovine subjects, to clone a bovine subject with a specific trait, to track meat or another commercial product of a bovine subject; and to diagnose a health condition of a bovine subject. Methods are also disclosed for identifying additional SNPs associated with a trait, by using the associated SNPs identified herein. |
| US09677135B2 |
Methods and compositions for nucleic acid amplification
Compositions that are used in nucleic acid amplification in vitro are disclosed, which include a target specific universal (TSU) promoter primer or promoter provider oligonucleotide that includes a target specific (TS) sequence that hybridizes specifically to a target sequence that is amplified and a universal (U) sequence that is introduced into the sequence that is amplified, by using a primer for the universal sequence. Methods of nucleic acid amplification in vitro are disclosed that use one or more TSU oligonucleotides to attached a U sequence to a target nucleic acid in a target capture step and then use a primer for a U sequence in subsequent amplification steps performed in substantially isothermal conditions to make amplification products that contain a U sequence that indicates the presence of the target nucleic acid in a sample. |
| US09677131B2 |
Blocking reagent and methods for the use thereof
The present invention relates to the use of a conjugate of a non-analyte-specific binding protein coupled to a nucleic acid as a blocking reagent in a probe-based detection assay, which uses a probe comprising a proteinaceous analyte-binding partner coupled to a nucleic acid domain to detect an analyte in a sample. |
| US09677130B2 |
Methods to detect and quantify RNA
Improved methods to quantitate RNA in biological or other analytical samples employ extended RNAs containing adaptors at the 5′ end and polyA sequences coupled to a tag at the 3′ end. The invention method is particularly useful in quantitating microRNAs as primers can be used that need not complement the non-conserved 3′ ends of these molecules. |
| US09677124B2 |
Methods for analyzing nucleic acids
The invention generally relates to methods for analyzing nucleic acids. In certain aspects, methods of the invention involve obtaining a sample including a nucleic acid template. A plurality of molecular inversion probes are tiled across a portion of the template. The probes are designed such that immediately adjacent probes hybridize to opposite strands of the nucleic acid template and probes on the same strand hybridize to the template in an overlapping manner. A region between targeting arms of a plurality of the molecular inversion probes is filled-in with nucleotides, and the filled-in region of a plurality of the probes is analyzed to obtain sequence information about the nucleic acid template. |
| US09677123B2 |
Degenerate nucleobase analogs
The present invention relates to novel degenerate nucleobase analogs and degenerate nucleobase oligomers derived therefrom, and methods of using such degenerate nucleobase oligomers. |
| US09677118B2 |
Methods for simultaneous amplification of target loci
The invention provides methods for simultaneously amplifying multiple nucleic acid regions of interest in one reaction volume as well as methods for selecting a library of primers for use in such amplification methods. The invention also provides library of primers with desirable characteristics, such as minimal formation of amplified primer dimers or other non-target amplicons. |
| US09677115B2 |
Enzyme substrates for visualizing acidic organelles
The present invention relates to the visualization of acidic organelles based upon organelle enzyme activity. The organelle substrates of the invention are specific for enzyme activity of the organelle and label these organelles, such as lysosomes, rendering them visible and easily observed. Substrates of the present invention include substrates that produce a fluorescent signal. The fluorogenic acidic organelle enzyme substrates of this invention are designed to provide high fluorescence at low pH values and are derivatized to permit membrane permeation through both outer and organelle membranes of intact cells and can be used for staining cells at very low concentrations. They can be used for monitoring enzyme activity in cells at very low concentrations and are not toxic to living cells or tissues. |
| US09677113B2 |
Resonance energy transfer assay with cleavage sequence and spacer
A molecular construct comprises a donor label, an acceptor label, a linker peptide disposed between the donor and the acceptor, the linker having a cleavage site sequence, and a spacer between at least one of (a) the donor and the cleavage site sequence and (b) the acceptor and the cleavage site sequence. Preferably, the construct is selected from the group consisting of CFP-(SGLRSRA)(SEQ ID NO. 9)-SNAP-25-(SNS)-YFP, and CFP-(SGLRSRA)(SEQ ID NO. 9)-synaptobrevin-(SNS)-YFP. In preferred embodiments, the linker peptide is a substrate of a botulinum neurotoxin selected from the group consisting of synaptobrevin (VAMP), syntaxin and SNAP-25, or a fragment thereof that can be recognized and cleaved by the botulinum neurotoxin. Advantageously, the spacer increases the electronic coupling between the donor label and the acceptor label relative to a corresponding construct without the spacer. |
| US09677112B2 |
β-lactamase substrates and methods of their use for the diagnosis of tuberculosis
β-Lactamase substrates and methods for using the substrates to detect β-lactamase diagnose tuberculosis. |
| US09677109B2 |
Rapid determination of microbial growth and antimicrobial susceptibility
This disclosure is related to systems and methods for rapid determination of microorganism growth and antimicrobial agent susceptibility and/or resistance. |
| US09677108B2 |
Method of differentiating microbial colonies in an image
A method of identifying microbial colonies in a culture device is provided. The method comprises using an imaging device to produce a first image of a thin film culture device while providing illumination to a front side of the device and to produce a second image of the thin film culture device while providing illumination to a back side of the device. The method further comprises analyzing the first and second images to identify microorganism colonies in each image, analyzing the first and second images values of a size parameter for a colony at a particular location in the culture device, and comparing the values. The method can be used to differentiate and count at least two colony types. |
| US09677100B2 |
Sphingomonas strains producing greatly increased yield of PHB-deficient sphingan (diutan)
PHB-deficient Sphingomonas strains having improved sphingan yield are provided. Certain of the Sphingomonas strains are diutan-producing strains that exhibit a dramatic improvement in productivity and yield due to a combination of certain genetic modifications that affect PHB and sphingan synthesis. Moreover, the sphingans produced from such strains have superior characteristics including improved filterability, clarity, and improved rheology-modifying characteristics. The sphingans provided are, thus, highly desirable in a variety of commercial and industrial uses, including personal care items, cement applications, and oilfield applications. |
| US09677094B2 |
Process of producing a fermentation product
The invention relates to a process of producing a fermentation product in the presence of pyridoxamine. |
| US09677093B2 |
Method using short chain peracids for controlling biofuel fermentation process infection and yield loss
A process for the use of peracid compositions to eliminate and/or control the growth of undesirable bacteria, including contaminating bacteria, in the fermentation production of alcohol is disclosed. Beneficially, the peracid compositions and methods of use of the same do not interfere or inhibit the growth or replication of yeast and have low or no adverse environmental impact. |
| US09677092B2 |
Integrated processes for anaerobic conversion of hydrogen and carbon oxides to alcohol
Integrated processes are disclosed for the anaerobic bioconversion of syngas to alcohol. |
| US09677087B2 |
Vectors and methods for long-term immune evasion to prolong tranplant viability
A method can include making one or more compositions for altering allogeneic cells of a human donor for a human recipient by identifying at least one mismatch in an HLA protein between the human donor and the human recipient; determining a consensus conserved nucleic acid sequence among nucleic acid sequences encoding a domain having the mismatch or among domains having a plurality of mismatches; and forming at least one of the one or more compositions by constructing a virus vector for expressing a sequence targeting the consensus conserved nucleic acid sequence, which when expressed in cells functions as a negative modulator for nucleic acid encoding the domain having the mismatch or the domains having the plurality of mismatches. |
| US09677085B2 |
Engineering a heterogeneous tissue from pluripotent stem cells
Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to methods and compositions for the production of heterogeneous tissue from human induced pluripotent stem (hiPS) cells. |
| US09677084B2 |
Down-regulation of a homeodomain-leucine zipper I-class homeobox gene for improved plant performance
Methods for modulating plants using optimized ZmME293 down-regulation constructs are disclosed. Also disclosed are nucleotide sequences, constructs, vectors, and modified plant cells, as well as transgenic plants displaying increased seed and/or biomass yield, improved tolerance to abiotic stress such as drought or high plant density, improved nitrogen utilization efficiency, increased ear number and/or reduction in time to scenescence. |
| US09677081B2 |
Promoters and methods thereof
A promoter, which may be used to transform a plant and/or express a gene substantially uniformly in substantially all organs and/or tissues of a plant, and which may include a constitutive expression promoter for transforming a monocot plant. A vector including a promoter, which may include a recombinant plant expression vector. A method of producing a target protein using a vector, and a method of producing a transformed cell and/or plant using a vector. A transformed plant, a transformed seed and a transformed cell are included, which may be formed by the method of producing the same using a vector. |
| US09677068B2 |
Methods for detecting modification resistant nucleic acids
Methods are provided for, inter alia, detecting nucleic acid molecules resistant to degradation, such as a plurality of RNA molecules bound to a ribosome, using various technologies including deep sequencing. |
| US09677065B2 |
Cell-mediated silica sol-gel encapsulation of living cells and tissues
Methods are provided for the encapsulation of living cells with a silica glass layer. The methods comprise adding a sol solution to cells in buffered media, forming a sol-gel layer on the cells and then diluting the media or removing the cells from the media. |
| US09677062B2 |
Hyaluronidase and factor VIII compositions
Provided are soluble neutral active Hyaluronidase Glycoproteins (sHASEGP's), methods of manufacture, and their use to facilitate administration of other molecules or to alleviate glycosaminoglycan associated pathologies. Minimally active polypeptide domains of the soluble, neutral active sHASEGP domains are described that include asparagine-linked sugar moieties required for a functional neutral active hyaluronidase domain. Included are modified amino-terminal leader peptides that enhance secretion of sHASEGP. Sialated and pegylated forms of the sHASEGPs also are provided. Methods of treatment by administering sHASEGPs and modified forms thereof also are provided. |
| US09677059B2 |
Endoglucanases with improved properties
The present invention relates to thermostable endoglucanases, particularly to proteins having endoglucanase activity which comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 96% identity to SEQ. ID NO.: 2, and proteins having endoglucanase activity which belongs to the GH7 class and which shows active thermostabilization. |
| US09677056B2 |
Method for modifying carotenoid biosynthesis in plants
Methods are provided for modifying and screening for carotenoid biosynthesis in a plant. The methods are useful for enhancing plant adaptation to climate change and food security, providing increased carotenoid content to a plant, improving stress resistance to climate changes in a plant, and for selecting plants having improved stress resistance to climate changes. |
| US09677054B2 |
Thermophilic and thermoacidophilic glycosylation genes and enzymes from alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and related organisms, methods
Isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius are provided. Further provided are methods for glycosylating and/or post-translationally modifying proteins using isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius. |
| US09677051B2 |
Erythroid production
This invention provides method and media suitable for inducing and supporting the differentiation of stem cells into erythroid cells. |
| US09677041B2 |
Culture apparatus with condensation control
A culture apparatus is provided which can suppress condensation on walls of a culture space and the like to suppress adverse effects on a culture material. In the culture apparatus having a culture space formed in a heat insulating box main body, a humidification water reservoir for humidifying the culture space and a heat transfer condensation member penetrating the heat insulating box main body are provided. One end of the heat transfer condensation member is disposed inside the culture space, while the other end is disposed outside the heat insulating box main body. The heat transfer condensation member is positioned such that a condensation portion disposed inside the culture space is inclined downward to the one end, and the one end leads condensed water condensed on the surface of the condensation portion into the humidification water reservoir. |
| US09677039B2 |
Processing biomass
Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can convert feedstock materials to a sugar solution, which can then be fermented to produce ethanol. Biomass feedstock is saccharified in a vessel by operation of a jet mixer, the vessel also containing a fluid medium and a saccharifying agent. |
| US09677036B1 |
Ethanol processing facility capable of using a plurality of different feedstocks
An ethanol production facility is provided for processing a plurality of fermentable feedstock materials into an ethanol end product through fermentation and distillation. The facility includes a fermenting stage for converting the plurality of fermentable feedstocks into an alcohol mixture including ethanol and water, and a distillation stage. The distillation stage distills the low concentration alcohol mixture into a high concentration alcohol distillate. A kernel feedstock processing stage is receives and processes a kernel containing feedstock, and includes a receiving station for receiving the kernel containing feedstock. A storage station is provided for storing the kernel based feedstock, and a mill is provided for milling the kernel based feedstock into a flour based feedstock. A conveyor is provided for conveying the milled floor based feedstock to the fermenting stage. A flour feed stock processing stage is operable in parallel with the kernel feedstock processing stage for receiving and processing a flour predominant feedstock. The flour feedstock processing stage includes a storage station for storing the flour for predominant feedstock, and a pneumatic conveyor for conveying the flour to the fermenting stage. |
| US09677034B2 |
Degreasing mixture comprising a phyllosilicate/tectosilicate mixture
The invention relates to a degreasing mixture for removing grease, oils, or similar hydrophobic components from a surface of a substrate. The degreasing mixture contains a solvent-free silicate mixture as the main component. The silicate mixture contains granules of phyllosilicate and granules of tectosilicate. Up to 90% by mass of the granules contained in the silicate mixture has a particle size of less than 60 μm, and the maximum particle size of the granules of phyllosilicate is smaller than the maximum particle size of the granules of tectosilicate. |
| US09677032B2 |
Cleaning composition
A hard surface cleaning composition comprising: a) from 1% to 60% by weight of the composition of a surfactant system; and b) from 0.1% to 10% by weight of the composition of a cleaning amine of formula: wherein R1 and R4 are independently selected from —H, linear, branched or cyclic alkyl or alkenyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and R2 is a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl or alkenyl having from 3 to 10 carbon atoms, R3 is a linear or branched alkyl from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, R5 is H, methyl or ethyl and n=0-3. |
| US09677031B2 |
Catalyzed non-staining high alkaline CIP cleaner
A catalyzed highly alkaline cleaning composition for cleaning stainless steel and other surfaces, namely those treated in clean-in-place processes, is disclosed. The composition comprises gluconic acid or salt thereof (e.g. gluconate) to serve as a corrosion and stain inhibitor for the high alkalinity compositions. The composition retains the cleaning and corrosion prevention properties of conventional clean-in-place solutions while being less expensive to produce. |
| US09677022B2 |
Lubricant base stock
The present invention relates to a lubricant base stock, a lubricant composition, a method of lubricating an object and the use of a lubricant base stock. The lubricant base stock comprises a first ester which is the reaction product of: a first polyol comprising at least 3 hydroxyl groups; a first mono-carboxylic acid comprising from 4 to 18 carbon atoms; and a poly-carboxylic acid comprising at least 2 carboxyl groups and comprising from 20 to 60 carbon atoms. The lubricant base stock also comprises a second ester which is the reaction product of: a second polyol comprising at least 3 hydroxyl groups; and a second mono-carboxylic acid comprising from 4 to 18 carbon atoms. |
| US09677020B2 |
Hydrocarbyl soluble quaternary ammonium carboxylates and fuel compositions containing them
A fuel additive composition, fuel composition, method of improving the injector performance of a fuel injected engine, method for preventing or cleaning up deposits in an engine or fuel system, method of reducing wear in a fuel system of an engine, and method of improving the demulsibility of a fuel composition. The fuel composition includes from about 5 to about 300 ppm by weight based on a total weight of the fuel composition of a hydrocarbyl soluble quaternary ammonium carboxylate derived from a quaternary ammonium carbonate and an organic acid. |
| US09677016B2 |
Catalytic processes and systems for base oil production using zeolite SSZ-32X
Processes and catalyst systems are provided for dewaxing a hydrocarbon feedstock to form a lubricant base oil. A layered catalyst system of the present invention may comprise a first hydroisomerization dewaxing catalyst disposed upstream from a second hydroisomerization dewaxing catalyst. Each of the first and second hydroisomerization dewaxing catalysts may be selective for the isomerization of n-paraffins. The first hydroisomerization catalyst may have a higher level of selectivity for the isomerization of n-paraffins than the second hydroisomerization dewaxing catalyst. At least one of the first and second hydroisomerization dewaxing catalysts comprises small crystallite zeolite SSZ-32x. |
| US09677015B2 |
Staged solvent assisted hydroprocessing and resid hydroconversion
Systems and methods are provided for processing a heavy oil feed, such as an atmospheric or vacuum resid, using a combination of solvent assisted hydroprocessing and slurry hydroconversion of a heavy oil feed. The systems and methods allow for conversion and desulfurization/denitrogenation of a feed to form fuels and gas oil (or lubricant base oil) boiling range fractions while reducing the portion of the feed that is exposed to the high severity conditions present in slurry hydroconversion. |
| US09677011B2 |
Process and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons by hydrogenating a terpene feed
The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for producing hydrocarbon components in the presence of a hydrodesulphurization catalyst. The components obtained by the process are suitable for use as fuel composition as such or as an additive in fuel compositions, and in cosmetics or pharmaceutical products. |
| US09677008B2 |
Hydrocarbon emulsion separator system and related methods
A system for separating a hydrocarbon/water emulsion may include a radio frequency (RF) power source, an RF load, and a coaxial RF emulsion separator. The coaxial RF emulsion separator may include a coaxial input section coupled to the RF power source, a coaxial output section, and a coaxial separator section coupled in series between the coaxial input and output sections. The coaxial separator section may include an inner separator section conductor and an outer separator section conductor surrounding the inner separator section conductor and defining a separating chamber therebetween. The coaxial separator section may have at least one inlet port to introduce the hydrocarbon/water emulsion to the separating chamber and at least one outlet port to remove separated water and hydrocarbon from the separating chamber after exposure to RF power. |
| US09677004B2 |
Method and apparatus for adjusting pitch material
A method for adjusting the softening point of a pitch material includes heating the pitch material to form molten pitch material, and rising the softening point of the pitch material by moving a plurality of movable members so that the movable members repetitively move at least some of the molten pitch material out of a liquid level of the molten pitch material and back to the molten pitch material. |
| US09677001B2 |
Light-emitting diode (LED) devices comprising nanocrystals
The present invention provides light-emitting diode (LED) devices comprises compositions and containers of hermetically sealed luminescent nanocrystals. The present invention also provides displays comprising the LED devices. Suitably, the LED devices are white light LED devices. |
| US09676999B2 |
Phosphor, light emitting element, and light emitting device
The present invention relates to an Mn4+-activated complex fluoride phosphor with improved moisture resistance due to modification of the particle surface, and a light emitting element and light emitting device having excellent color rendering properties and stability due to the use of this phosphor.The phosphor of the present invention is characterized in that it is represented by the general formula: A2MF6:Mn4+, wherein element A is an alkali metal element comprising at least K, element M is one or more metal elements chosen from among Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr and Hf, F is fluorine, and Mn is manganese, wherein the phosphor comprises Ca in a concentration range of at least 20 ppm and at most 10,000 ppm or Cl in a concentration range of at least 20 ppm and at most 300 ppm. |
| US09676994B2 |
Fracturing fluid for secondary gas production
A process for fracturing a subterranean formation using a mixture of methane and propane/butane is provided. The process comprises: (a) providing a first fluid (in a gas or liquefied form) comprising at least 50 wt. % of methane; (b) providing a second fluid (in a gas or liquefied form) comprising at least 50 wt % of the combination of propane and butane; (c) mixing and, in case of a gas mixture, liquefying the first fluid and the second fluid to obtain a liquefied fluid mixture comprising 15-80 wt. % of methane and 15-80 wt. % of the combination of propane and butane, in which the liquefied mixture has a temperature and a pressure such that the liquefied fluid stays above the bubble point of the mixture; (d) blending a proppant and/or a gallant into the liquefied fluid mixture to produce a fracturing fluid; and (e) injecting the fracturing fluid into the subterranean formation. |
| US09676990B1 |
Dual-function nano-sized particles
Dual-function nano-sized particles or nanoparticles may be effective at fixating or reducing fines migration and they may facilitate identification of a particular zone in a well having more than one zone. In some embodiments the dual-function nanoparticles are tagged with a detectable material that is distinguishable from the composition of the primary nanoparticle component. In these embodiments, the taggant material rather than the primary component of the nanoparticles may be used to enable identification of a particular zone. The nanoparticles (with or without taggant) may be added to a treatment fluid containing carrier particles such as proppant. The treatment fluid is pumped downhole to one of the zones; each zone receiving its own unique or uniquely-tagged nanoparticles. Should one of the zones fail, the composition of the nanoparticles (or its taggant) produced on the carrier particles may be correlated to the zone from which it was received, and hence produced. |
| US09676980B2 |
Abrasive particles having particular shapes and methods of forming such particles
A method of forming an abrasive article includes depositing a mixture into an opening of a substrate, contacting an exposed surface of the mixture in the opening to a texturing form to form a textured preform, and removing the mixture from the opening and forming an abrasive particle having a textured surface. |
| US09676978B2 |
Resin composition for sealing
A sealing resin composition simultaneously having good transparency, resistance to moisture permeability, and adhesiveness resistant to heat and humidity, and a sealing resin composition sheet obtained therefrom. Using a resin composition containing (A) a styrene-isobutylene modified resin and (B) a tackifier resin as a sealing resin composition, a resin composition layer composed of the resin composition may be formed on a support to give a sealing resin composition sheet. |
| US09676974B2 |
Hydrogenated block copolymer pellet, adhesive composition, and surface protection film
A hydrogenated block copolymer pellet having: 100 parts by mass of a pellet molded product of hydrogenated block copolymer A and 0.01 to 1.5 parts by mass of an antiblocking agent of polyethylene-based powder B, wherein the hydrogenated block copolymer A has a polymeric block a mainly having at least one vinyl aromatic monomer unit and polymeric block b mainly having at least one conjugated diene monomer unit, in which a total content of the 1,2-bond content and the 3,4-bond content in the hydrogenated block copolymer A before hydrogenation is less than 40 mol %, based on the total binding amount of the conjugated diene monomer unit. |
| US09676967B2 |
Grooved adhesive tape
The aim of the invention is to improve an impairment to the adherence of an adhesive tape to a substrate caused by the inclusion of air bubbles between the adhesive tape and the substrate. According to the invention, said aim is achieved by means of an adhesive tape which comprises at least one adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer has at least one groove and none of the grooves extends as far as one of the lateral edges of the adhesive layer. The invention further relates to a release liner having a surface which has at least one ridge, wherein none of the ridges extends as far as one of the lateral edges of the release liner. |
| US09676964B1 |
Visible light activated aqueous based self-decontaminating coating composition
A coating composition which includes a photocatalyst to generate singlet oxygen when exposed to ambient oxygen and light, an emulsifier comprising a polyethylene oxide repeat unit, an organosilane binder, and a calcium salt. |
| US09676963B2 |
Methods of producing three-dimensional objects from materials having multiple mechanisms of hardening
A method of forming a three-dimensional object is carried out by: (a) providing a carrier and an optically transparent member having a build surface, the carrier and the build surface defining a build region therebetween; (b) filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid, the polymerizable liquid including a mixture of (i) a light polymerizable liquid first component, and (ii) a second solidifiable component that is different from the first component; (c) irradiating the build region with light through the optically transparent member to form a solid polymer scaffold from the first component and also advancing the carrier away from the build surface to form a three-dimensional intermediate having the same shape as, or a shape to be imparted to, the three-dimensional object, and containing the second solidifiable component carried in the scaffold in unsolidified and/or uncured form; and (d) concurrently with or subsequent to the irradiating step, solidifying and/or curing the second solidifiable component in the three-dimensional intermediate to form the three-dimensional object. |
| US09676961B2 |
Surfacing film for composite structures and method of making the same
A surfacing film is formed from a curable resin composition containing an epoxy novolac resin, a tri-functional or tetra-functional epoxy resin, ceramic microspheres, an amine-based curing agent, particulate inorganic fillers; and a toughening component. The surfacing film exhibits high Tg and high cross-linked density after curing, as well as high resistance to paint stripper solutions. The surfacing film is suitable for co-curing with fiber-reinforced resin composite materials. The surfacing film may optionally contain electrically conductive additives to provide sufficient conductivity for lightning strike protection (LSP) or electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. |
| US09676952B2 |
3D printing system comprising solid build ink comprising colorant
A color three-dimensional (3D) printing system includes (1) a solid build ink for each of a plurality of colors, each solid build ink includes (a) a solid acrylate in an amount from about 40 to about 70 percent by weight, (b) a non-curable wax in an amount from about 10 to about 45 percent by weight, (c) a curable wax in an amount from about 1 to about 15 percent by weight, (d) a photoinitiator, and (e) a colorant; each solid build ink has a curing speed adjusted by a ratio of the non-curable wax to curable wax such that the initial curing speed and final hardness of each solid build ink is approximately the same for each of the plurality of colors, and (2) a support material includes the non-curable wax used in each build ink, the support material providing a scaffold for deposition of each build ink. |
| US09676947B2 |
Thermosetting conductive paste
Provided is a heat curable conductive paste used to form a conductive coating. The heat curable conductive paste comprises a conductive powder, a heat curable epoxy resin and a curing agent. In the conductive powder, an aliphatic polyvalent carboxylic acid is adhered on a surface of a powdered metal core. The epoxy resin comprises a bifunctional or higher polyfunctional epoxy resin and a monofunctional epoxy resin, and the polyfunctional epoxy resin and the monofunctional epoxy resin have a mass ratio of 90:10 to 20:80. |
| US09676945B2 |
Primer for metal surfaces and preparation method thereof
Provided is a primer for metal surfaces and the preparation method thereof. The primer comprises 50-80 wt % of organic solvent (A), 2-15 wt % of phenolic resin (B), 1-10 wt % of rubber elastomer (C), 1-10 wt % of silane coupling agent (D), 5-25 wt % of metal oxide powder (E), and 1-10 wt % of inorganic filler (F); wherein the organic solvent (A) is an organic solvent capable of dissolving the phenolic resin (B) and the rubber elastomer (C), and the inorganic filler (F) is different from the metal oxide powder (E). The primer can facilitate the bonding of metal and rubber, and has high adhesion strength. |
| US09676944B2 |
Methods of increasing the solubility of materials in supercritical carbon dioxide
Methods of increasing the solubility of a base in supercritical carbon dioxide include forming a complex of a Lewis acid and the base, and dissolving the complex in supercritical carbon dioxide. The Lewis acid is soluble in supercritical carbon dioxide, and the base is substantially insoluble in supercritical carbon dioxide. Methods for increasing the solubility of water in supercritical carbon dioxide include dissolving an acid or a base in supercritical carbon dioxide to form a solution and dissolving water in the solution. The acid or the base is formulated to interact with water to solubilize the water in the supercritical carbon dioxide. Some compositions include supercritical carbon dioxide, a hydrolysable metallic compound, and at least one of an acid and a base. Some compositions include an alkoxide and at least one of an acid and a base. |
| US09676941B2 |
Rubber composition based on a silicone elastomer and on a PCM, process for the preparation thereof, flexible element and thermal control/regulating system incorporating same
A crosslinked rubber composition, process for preparing same, and a flexible component based on at least one room-temperature vulcanizing “RTV” silicone elastomer and including at least one phase change material (PCM) is provided. The flexible element includes at least one elastomer layer capable of storing thermal energy and of releasing it which includes the crosslinked rubber composition. Also provided is a thermal control or regulating system incorporating the flexible element. The composition is such that the silicone elastomer has a viscosity measured at 23° C. according to the ISO 3219 standard which is less than or equal to 5000 mPa·s. The silicone elastomer includes two components A and B and is crosslinked by polyaddition or polycondensation, and the composition includes the PCM, which is not encapsulated and is in the micronized state, in an amount of greater than 50 phr (phr: parts by weight per hundred parts per elastomer(s)). |
| US09676928B2 |
Curable encapsulants and use thereof
The present invention relates to curable barrier encapsulants or sealants for electronic devices that have pressure sensitive adhesive properties. The encapsulants are especially suitable for organic electronic devices that require lower laminating temperature profiles. The encapsulant protects active organic/polymeric components within an organic electronic device from environmental elements, such as moisture and oxygen. |
| US09676927B2 |
Core-shell composite inorganic metal oxides and method of preparing for prevention of thermal oxidative degradation in polymer and resin compositions
This invention relates to products of aqueous and other chemical synthetic routes for encapsulation of a core material with an inorganic shell and finished compositions of a core-shell particulate material for application in thermoplastic, thermoset, and coatings resins prior to compounding or application or subsequent thermal processing steps. Disclosed is a composition of particles containing a shell of inorganic oxides or mixed-metal inorganic oxides and a core material of complex inorganic colored pigment, laser direct structuring additives, laser marking, or other beneficial metal oxides, metal compounds, or mixed-metal oxide materials, wherein the shell material is comprised of any single oxide or combination of oxides is taught. Preferred elements of composition for the shell are oxides and silicates of B, Ni, Zn, Al, Zr, Si, Sn, Bi, W, Mo, Cr, Mg, Mn, Ce, Ti, and Ba (or mixtures thereof). Applications may include, but are not limited to, coatings or plastic articles or materials for molded interconnect devices, durable goods, housings, assemblies, devices, and articles that are to be exposed to additional thermal processing. The resulting core-shell materials function in plastic and coatings formulations by minimizing or eliminating detrimental interactions with the resins and metal containing additives resulting in loss of mechanical properties. |
| US09676925B2 |
Extruded surface covering material for covering a boat or yacht deck or another outdoor area and an extruded product comprising such material
The invention relates to an extruded surface covering material for covering a boat or yacht deck or another outdoor area, the surface covering material comprising a synthetic material, where the surface covering material further comprises rigid hollow microballoons with an opaque surface. The invention also relates to an extruded product. |
| US09676924B2 |
Triesters from alpha-and-beta-hydroxyesters
A method of making a benzyl cis-cyclohexane 1,2-dicarboxylate triester having the steps: a. forming a reaction mixture by reacting the following three components: i. a synthetic or biobased reagent selected from the group consisting of an alpha-hydroxyester and a beta-hydroxyester, ii. an anhydride selected from the group consisting of cis-hexahydrophthalic anhydride, 4-methylcyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylic anhydride, and 3-methylcyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylic anhydride, and iii. an alkylamine catalyst; and b. contacting benzyl chloride with the reaction mixture to yield a product that is free of phthalates and includes at least one benzyl cis-cyclohexane 1,2-dicarboxylate triester. |
| US09676923B2 |
Succinic acid alkyl ester mixtures used as plasticizers
The present invention relates to novel succinic acid alkyl ester mixtures and to the use there as plasticizers for plastic materials. The claimed mixtures are characterized by having good plasticizing effects which lead the products produced with the mixtures to have improved application properties. |