| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09996218B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer-readable recording medium storing information processing program
An information processing apparatus is disclosed. The information processing apparatus executes a function corresponding to a menu item of application software which menu item is selected by a user. The information processing apparatus includes an information processing unit which executes plural small functions of which the function corresponding to the selected menu item is formed, a recipe data forming unit which forms recipe data in which an executing condition and an executing order of the plural small functions corresponding to the selected menu item are defined, and an information process executing unit which causes the information processing unit to execute the plural small functions based on the formed recipe data. |
| US09996216B2 |
Smart display data capturing platform for record systems
A platform is provided to capture data displayed on a screen of a graphical user interface. The platform can find relevant foreground windows and determine whether the windows belong to a monitored process. The platform can also identify the context of the screen and record any changes. Related system, method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable medium are also provided. |
| US09996213B2 |
Apparatus for a user interface and associated methods
Method and apparatus to enable selection of a user interface element based on the spatial interaction between a footprint assigned to a user input and the footprint assigned to a user interface element. The respective areas assigned to one or more of the respective footprints is based on at least one of the time period between the entered user input and the previous user input, and the distance between the entered user input and the previous user input. |
| US09996211B2 |
Techniques for transacting via an animated assistant
Techniques for transacting via an animated assistant are provided. A kiosk processes an animated assistant that entices users to approach. Once a user approaches the animated assistant attempts to recognize the user and engages the user via an unspoken universal language using symbol imagery when the user is not recognized. When the user is recognized, the user is engaged via a preferred spoken language. The animated assistant guides the user through one or more automated transactions via the kiosk. |
| US09996210B2 |
Enabling host active element content related actions on a client device within remote presentations
Enabling active host content related actions on a client device can begin with a client device receiving guest screen data and optionally host screen metadata from a server. The content of the guest screen data can be presented on the client device. A passive element corresponding to each active element of the server host screen can be identified. The active element of the server host screen can be selectable by the presenter and, upon selection (active event), can launch an active action on the server. The passive element of the client guest screen can have a defined selectable overlay hot spot. A hot spot can be can be associated with a hot spot action at the client. The hot spot action taken by the client, upon a hot spot event, can correspond to the active action taken by the server. |
| US09996209B2 |
Techniques for representing and comparing workflows
An approach is provided for sending pre-defined workflows to a display device of a user device. In one example, the approach includes receiving a request for steps to complete a task associated with a software application. In response to receiving the request for steps, the system obtains at least a first workflow and a second workflow, each workflow including one or more steps that the user device can execute to complete the task. The system receives a request to format the first workflow and the second workflow into one or more view formats. The system generates a summary of the first workflow and a summary of the second workflow. Each summary includes one or more salient attributes of the each workflow. The system sends to the display device at least the first workflow and the second workflow in the one or more view formats. |
| US09996208B2 |
Touch screen, manufacturing method thereof and display device
The disclosure provides a touch screen which comprises a transparent substrate having a surface which includes a central region and a peripheral region, an electrode array arranged in the central region and formed by a plurality of driving electrodes and a plurality of sensing electrodes, which are arranged on the surface of the transparent substrate, and multiple wires formed on the surface of the transparent substrate for electrically connecting each electrode in the electrode array to an external touch driving circuit, wherein all the electrodes in the electrode array and the multiple wires are formed by a single-layer metal which is formed on the surface of the transparent substrate. The disclosure further provides a manufacturing method of the touch screen. The manufacturing method comprises the step of forming the driving electrodes, in which the driving electrodes, the sensing electrodes and the wires connecting the electrodes of the touch screen are formed simultaneously of the single-layer metal which are directly formed on the surface of the transparent substrate. The disclosure further provides a display device comprising the touch screen. |
| US09996205B2 |
Flexible touch screen panel
In a flexible touch screen panel, sensing patterns as a touch sensor are formed on the first surface of a flexible thin film substrate and a coated polarizer layer is formed on the second surface of the thin film substrate to secure the flexible characteristic, to reduce the thickness of the touch screen panel, and to improve the visibility of an image. Particularly, the flexible touch screen panel includes a flexible substrate comprising an active region and a non-active region positioned outside the active region, sensing patterns formed over the active region of a first surface of the substrate, conductive lines formed over the non-active region of the first surface of the substrate and connected to the sensing patterns, and a coated polarizer layer formed over a second surface of the substrate. |
| US09996199B2 |
Film haptic system having multiple operation points
Provided is a thin film type actuator having multi-operation points, capable of various feels of touch or sounds. The film type actuator includes an upper plate and a lower plate, formed of a single plate. Between the upper plate and the lower plate, pairs of electrode parts capable of attracting one another via an electrostatic force. Since each of the pairs of electrode parts functions as an operation point and the upper plate and the lower plate are formed of the single plate, movements of the respective operation points in such a way that a new physical movement different from an original individual movement is generated to generate a haptic feel or a sound. It is possible to generate various haptic feels or sounds by modulating and combining amplitudes and frequencies of the respective operation points. |
| US09996195B2 |
Line segment update method for electro-optic displays
A touch screen electro-optic display is arranged such that upon a touch being detected on the display surface, the display surface surrounding the touch “blinks” by being driven to a different optical state, then back to its original state. A second method uses a display having a pen or stylus which can draw lines upon the display. A first line segment is detected and its area updated using a first drive scheme having short waveforms. The area of a second line segment is updated using the first drive scheme. Thereafter, the areas of both line segments are updated using a second drive scheme different from the first drive scheme. |
| US09996193B2 |
Methods and systems for display device touch panels
Methods and systems for a display device having a touch panel are provided. In one aspect, the display device may comprise a sensor glass for sensing a touch and providing a touch input signal; a touch panel controller that includes a touch panel integrated circuit (IC) coupled to the sensor glass and a first low voltage source; and a display assembly that includes an isolator that couples the touch panel IC to the display assembly, with the isolator electrically isolating the touch panel IC from the display assembly. In another aspect, the display device includes a touch panel controller that receives a touch input signal from a sensor glass and provides touch information. |
| US09996187B2 |
Touch control module for touch device and related touch control method
A touch control module for sensing one or more touch signals from a touch device having a plurality of sensing areas, wherein each of the sensing areas having a plurality of touch units, includes a plurality of first switches; a plurality of second switches; a plurality of first sensing units, each of the first sensing unit being coupled to one of the touch units through one of the first switches; and a plurality of second sensing units, each of the second sensing units being coupled to the plurality of touch units located in the same sensing area through the plurality of second switches. |
| US09996184B1 |
Touchscreen accessory and software for motion-disabled users
An accessory helps motion-disabled users operate a touchscreen device via an extra-software-layer running on the CPU of the device. The accessory may take the shape of a glove, stylus or thimble. The accessory has a circuit that selectively engages and disengages the electrical connection between the user and the touchscreen based on mode and/or user/transducer interaction to send extra information from the user to the extra-software layer. A controller in the accessory generates unique timing patterns of connection and disconnection which the extra-software layer reconstructs by computing statistics from motion-event timestamps. The extra-software layer uses one or more (x,y) coordinates to compute an (x′,y′) coordinate, which is shown on the pixel display. With (x′,y′) and the reconstructed-timing pattern in the extra-software layer, the user may separately 1) choose (x′, y′) non-destructively (leave unaltered the internal state of an underlying application) and 2) invoke an action associated with that (x′,y′). |
| US09996182B2 |
Method and system for recognizing confirmation type touch gesture by touch terminal
The present invention relates to touch technology and provides a method and a system for recognizing a confirmation type touch gesture by a touch terminal. The method includes step A of further determining whether a vibration signal indicative of an occurrence of the confirmation type touch gesture is detected when the touch terminal detects a valid touch event on a touch screen, and step B of recognizing the valid touch event as a true confirmation type touch gesture if the determination result of step A is yes. The present invention has the following advantages: when detecting a valid touch event, the present invention further determines whether there is a suggestive vibration signal associated with the touch gesture operation. Only when both the touch event and vibration signal are detected, the valid touch event is considered as the true confirmation type touch gesture operation. Therefore, the recognition result is more reliable. |
| US09996179B2 |
Display apparatus capable of image scanning and driving method thereof
A display apparatus capable of image scanning is provided including a contact sensor arranged in each unit pixel. The contact sensor includes a pixel electrode forming a contact capacitance by contact with a contact means; a reset transistor where a drain electrode is connected to a node where the contact capacitance is formed, and each of a gate electrode and a source electrode is connected to a first scan line to which a selective signal is applied; an amplifying transistor where a gate electrode is connected to the drain electrode of the reset transistor; and a detecting transistor where a drain electrode is connected to the drain electrode of the amplifying transistor, a gate electrode is connected to a second scan line to which a selective signal is applied, and a source electrode is connected to a readout line detecting a current corresponding to the contact capacitance. |
| US09996178B2 |
Touch display panel
A touch display panel includes a display structure and a touch structure. The display structure includes pixels having a first pitch P1. The touch structure includes a touch layer having slits and dummy clefts. The slits and the dummy clefts have a second pitch P2 and a third pitch P3, respectively. Two adjacent vertices of each slit define a line segment having a length Ly.A first moire ratio (MR1) defined as P 2 P 1 satisfies: 20.7%×A1+8.5%×B1−3%≤MR1≤12.7%×A1+16.5%×B1+3%, wherein A1 is an integer from 0 to 3, B1 is an integer from 1 to 3, and 0≤B1−A1≤1. A second moire ratio (MR2) defined as P 3 P 1 satisfies: 20.7%×A2+8.5%×B2−3%≤MR2≤12.7%×A2+16.5%×B2+3%, wherein A2 is an integer from 0 to 3, B2 is an integer from 1 to 3, and 0≤B2−A2≤1. An arrangement ratio (LR) defined as Ly P 1 satisfies: (2C+1)×25%−20%≤LR≤(2C+1)×25%+20%, wherein C is an integer from 0 to 11. |
| US09996173B2 |
Front panel overlay incorporating a logic circuit
A front panel overlay having a plurality of layers and one or more logic circuits incorporated therein is disclosed. One of the plurality of layers may have a first electrical contact and another one of the plurality of layers may have a second electrical contact. The one or more logic circuits may be incorporated at least indirectly within the plurality of layers and may be activated when the first electrical contact completes an electrical circuit with the second electrical contact. |
| US09996170B2 |
Finger computer display and controller device
A processor connected to one or more displays shaped to affix to a finger nail for displaying an image. |
| US09996168B2 |
Wearable wireless tongue controlled devices
A wearable device and a system to provide an input for a computing device are disclosed. The device comprises a sensing unit to deliver infrared signals to the facial region of a user and to receive transmitted or reflected signals therefrom, and a processing unit to determine the position or movement of the tongue of the user based on the received infrared signals. The processing unit is configured to provide an input to a computing device based on the determined position or movement of the tongue. The system further comprises a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the input from the processing unit to the computing device. |
| US09996167B2 |
Dynamic RFID-based input devices
A dynamic RFID-based input device may include an input surface and an input station. The input surface may include a plurality of RFID transmitting devices provided on at least one flexible layer, and the input station may include one or more RFID receiving devices, e.g., antennas and/or readers, provided in communication with a computing system or network. A worker may contact one or more portions of the input surface, and thereby cause one or more of the RFID transmitting devices to transmit one or more RFID signals including information, data, commands or instructions to be provided to the RFID receiving devices. Audible, visible or haptic feedback may be provided to the worker in response to the transmission of the one or more RFID signals. |
| US09996166B2 |
Gaming device with rotatably placed cameras
A method to identify positions of fingers of a hand is described. The method includes capturing images of a first hand using a plurality of cameras that are part of a wearable device. The wearable device is attached to a wrist of a second hand and the plurality of cameras of the wearable device is disposed around the wearable device. The method includes repeating capturing of additional images of the first hand, the images and the additional images captured to produce a stream of captured image data during a session of presenting the virtual environment in a head mounted display (HMD). The method includes sending the stream of captured image data to a computing device that is interfaced with the HMD. The computing device is configured to process the captured image data to identify changes in positions of the fingers of the first hand. |
| US09996165B2 |
3D gesture recognition
The description relates to 3D gesture recognition. One example gesture recognition system can include a gesture detection assembly. The gesture detection assembly can include a sensor cell array and a controller that can send signals at different frequencies to individual sensor cells of the sensor cell array. The example gesture recognition system can also include a gesture recognition component that can determine parameters of an object proximate the sensor cell array from responses of the individual sensor cells to the signals at the different frequencies, and can identify a gesture performed by the object using the parameters. |
| US09996163B2 |
Wearable device positioning based control
A method and system for positioning based device control. The method includes receiving device control instructions associated with function control of a device based on a positioning of a wearable hardware device of a user. Communications between the device and the wearable hardware device are synchronized and a position signal indicating a current position of the wearable hardware device with respect to a body of the user is received. In response, a command associated with controlling a specified function of the device is received and a command is executed resulting in the specified function of the device being modified. |
| US09996155B2 |
Manipulation of virtual object in augmented reality via thought
A system and method for manipulating a virtual object based on thought is described. A display of a device displays a first virtual object based on an identification of a physical object detected by the device. The device monitors brain activity data of a user of the device. The brain activity data is generated in response to the first virtual object being displayed in the display. The device identifies a second virtual object based on the brain activity data of the user of the device and displays the second virtual object in the display. |
| US09996148B1 |
Rule-based presentation of media items
Features are disclosed for presenting multiple media items based on one or more rules defining how the items are to be presented. One media item may be presented, and during presentation any number of additional media items may be received or scheduled for presentation. Rules may define which media items have priority over others, which media items may interrupt others or be interrupted, which media items may be delayed or presented early, whether particular media items are time-critical such that they are not to be delayed but rather should take presentation priority over others, etc. Metadata may be associated with particular media items or categories thereof. The metadata can provide details regarding how the rules should be applied to those media items. User feedback may also be obtained, and may affect the further application of the rules. |
| US09996147B2 |
High temperature and high humidity testing device and high temperature and high humidity testing system
The invention discloses a high temperature and high humidity testing device and a high temperature and high humidity testing system. The high temperature and high humidity testing device comprises: a test platform composed of a work area and a non-work area, the work area is used for carrying a under-test portion of a display panel, and the non-work area is used for carrying a non-test portion of the display panel; and a sealing cover arranged above the work area, wherein the sealing cover and the test platform jointly form a sealed chamber in the work area, the test platform is provided with a gas guide through groove in the work area, and the gas guide through groove is used for delivering high temperature and high humidity gas to the sealed chamber. |
| US09996145B2 |
Shared interrupt multi-core architecture for low power applications
A multicore architecture is configured to exploit explicit task parallelism to save power by sharing interrupt sources that trigger independent tasks. |
| US09996144B2 |
System on chip for reducing wake-up time, method of operating same, and computer system including same
A system on chip (SoC) includes an internal read-only memory (ROM) configured to store a first boot loader; a first internal static random access memory (SRAM) configured to receive a second boot loader output from a booting device, store the second boot loader, and perform a booting sequence according to control of the first boot loader; a second internal SRAM configured to receive a third boot loader output from the booting device, store the third boot loader, and perform a wake-up sequence according to control of the first boot loader; and a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) controller configured to load an operating system (OS) from the booting device into a DRAM according to control of the second boot loader. |
| US09996138B2 |
Electronic system and related clock managing method
An electronic system includes a plurality of function modules, each of the plurality of function modules operates according to one of a plurality of clock signals; and a clock management module, for generating the plurality of clock signals according to a plurality of performances requirements of the plurality of function modules. |
| US09996137B2 |
Enabling deep sleep and power saving through L1 signaling on stack interface
Embodiments generally provide techniques for waking up a plurality of network devices from a power saving mode via layer 1 (L1) signaling. Embodiments include entering a power saving mode at a first network device, wherein logic for processing layer 2 and higher data is inactive during the power saving mode and receiving, while the first network device is in the power saving mode, a L1 bit stream from a second network device connected to the first network device. Additionally, embodiments include, upon determining that a predefined code is present within the received L1 bit stream, exiting the power saving mode at the first network device and transmitting a second L1 bit stream containing the predefined code to a third network device. |
| US09996135B2 |
Controlling operating voltage of a processor
In an embodiment, a processor includes a core domain with a plurality of cores and a power controller having a first logic to receive a first request to increase an operating voltage of a first core of the core domain to a second voltage, to instruct a voltage regulator to increase the operating voltage to an interim voltage, and to thereafter instruct the voltage regulator to increase the operating voltage to the second voltage. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09996133B2 |
Detection of undocking for electronic devices
In one example a power management module comprises logic, at least partially including hardware logic, to detect a disconnection on at least one signaling contact in a receptacle prior to a disconnection on the at least one power contact in the receptacle, wherein the receptacle is adapted to mate with a plug, the receptacle comprising a plurality of electrical contacts including at least one power contact to connect with a power pin on the plug and at least one signaling contact to connect with a signaling pin on the plug and in response to the disconnection on the signaling contact, to switch a processor to a low power state prior to a disconnect between the at least one power contact in the receptacle and the power pin on the plug. Other examples may be described. |
| US09996132B2 |
Distributed processing method, system, and computer product
A distributed processing method of a system in which communications apparatuses communicate data by multi-hop communication is executed by a given communications apparatus among the communications apparatuses. According to the method, the given communications apparatus executes a given process based on a result of a first process executed by a first communications apparatus that among the communications apparatuses, communicates directly with the given communications apparatus and operates using power stored in a charging device charged by power generated from energy obtained corresponding to an environment where installed. The given communications apparatus executes the given process when receiving the result of the first process from the first communications apparatus. The given communications apparatus further determines whether a given period has elapsed since receiving the result of the first process, and transmits a result of the given process to the first communications apparatus when determining that the given period has elapsed. |
| US09996127B2 |
Method and apparatus for proactive throttling for improved power transitions in a processor core
A processor and method are described for performing proactive throttling of execution unit ports. For example, one embodiment of a processor core comprises: a plurality of execution unit ports within an execution stage of the processor core; a scheduler unit to schedule execution of a plurality of operations to the plurality of execution unit ports; and proactive throttling logic to limit acceleration of execution of the operations by the ports to an acceleration level which does not result in significant power supply droops. |
| US09996126B2 |
Configuration method for a power supply controller and a controller employing same
The present application is directed at pin programming od controllers for power converters and provides for the programming of a plurality of different controller parameters using a single programming resistor. The value of the programming resistor is used as a pointer to select a table storing a plurality of different settings for the controller. |
| US09996122B2 |
Socket and adapter
A motherboard can include a socket coupled to a cable. The motherboard can also include an adapter coupled to a central processing unit (CPU). The adapter can be received in the socket upon installation of the CPU in the motherboard. The socket and the cable can be installed in the motherboard prior to installation of the CPU. |
| US09996120B1 |
PCB module for increased connectivity
A printed circuit board (PCB) module that includes a processor package, an upper PCB and a lower PCB. The processor package includes a processor substrate and a processor. An upper socket is disposed on a lower surface of the upper PCB, and the upper socket electrically connects to a top electrical interface on the upper surface of the processor substrate. The lower PCB electrically interfaces with a bottom electrical interface on a lower surface of the processor substrate. |
| US09996119B2 |
Module connectivity device
A module connectivity device includes a stationary pivot plenum, a number of rocker-arm assemblies movably coupled to the stationary pivot plenum in which the rocker-arm assemblies move between an open position and a closed position, and a number of module connectors movably coupled to the rocker-arm assemblies, in which the module connectors move between a disengaged position and an engaged position with respect to the connectors on system modules. A module connectivity system includes a number of rocker-arm assemblies and a number of module connectors movably coupled to the number of rocker-arm assemblies. The system also includes a module connectivity manager to manage the connectivity of the module connectors. |
| US09996117B2 |
Touch device and method for controlling the same to perform a power-saving function or a power-on function
A method for controlling a touch device to power on or power off has steps of receiving direction information of the touch device; determining if the touch device is oriented to a direction that is outside or inside a preset viewing angle according to the direction information; detecting a gesture present on the touch device; and performing a power-saving function or a power-on function when detecting the gesture present on the touch device and determining that the direction of the touch device is outside or inside the preset viewing angle. The foregoing technique can replace the power-saving function and the power-on function activated by pressing a physical power button. Accordingly, operational frequency and failure rate of the physical power button can be reduced and an intuitive method for powering on or off the touch device with easy operation can thus be provided. |
| US09996112B2 |
Electronic assembly and docking station
An electronic assembly including a portable electronic device and a docking station is provided. The portable electronic device has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, and the first surface is a display. The docking station includes a body, and first, second, and third supporting plates disposed thereon, wherein the first, the third, and the second supporting plates are located on the body side by side sequentially. The first supporting plate is hinged to the body along a first axis, the second supporting plate is hinged to the body along a second axis, the third supporting plate is freely pivoted to the second supporting plate along the first axis, and freely pivoted to the first supporting plate along the second axis, wherein the first axis and the second axis are parallel to but not overlapped with each other. A docking station is also provided. |
| US09996111B2 |
Protected security sensor for docking station
Disclosed is a docking station for an electronic device including a first connector block slidably connected to a first side of the docking station, a second connector block opposite the first connector block and slidably connected to a second side of the docking station, a first plug of the first connector block positioned to interface with a first port of the electronic device, a security hole for receiving an external lock; and a sensor in the security hole. |
| US09996110B2 |
Direct attach dock cooling leveraging maximum silicon junction temperature control
Methods and apparatus relating for direct attach dock cooling leveraging Maximum Silicon Junction Temperature (Tj) control are described. In an embodiment, performance of a mobile computing device is increased based at least in part on an indication that the mobile computing device is coupled to a dock. The dock includes a cooling fan proximate to a hotspot on a back skin of the mobile computing device. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed. |
| US09996107B2 |
Accessory and information processing system
An example accessory can be attached to an information processing device. The accessory includes a housing, a movable operation section, and a movable portion. An inside of the housing is visible from an outside thereof through at least a portion thereof. At least a portion of the operation section is exposed on the outside of the housing. The movable portion is placed at a position inside the housing that is visible from the outside of the housing through the portion of the housing. A position and/or an attitude of the movable portion changes in response to the operation section being operated. |
| US09996098B2 |
Voltage generation circuit and integrated circuit including the same
A voltage generation circuit includes: a periodic wave generator that generates an on/off signal that is periodically enabled/disabled, where at least one between a period and a duty cycle of the on/off signal is controlled based on at least one information among temperature information, capacitance information, leakage current information, speed information, and voltage level information; and an internal voltage generator that is enabled/disabled in response to the on/off signal and generates an internal voltage. |
| US09996092B2 |
Determining a time for corrective action in a data center
Aspects include a method, system, and computer program product for determining a time to a threshold temperature of a device in a data center. A method includes measuring parameters for a device and the data center. A rate of change of temperature is determined based on the parameters. The change is compared to a change threshold. It is determined that a cooling system is operating below a threshold when the change is above the threshold. A first time is determined based on the rate of change of temperature and a machine learning model. The first and second time are compared, where the second time is a time to restore the cooling system above the threshold. A signal is transmitted when the first time is less than the second time. A cooling capacity is determined to have the temperature change of the device be equal to or less than the threshold. |
| US09996087B2 |
Flow control device and methods of attachment
A flow control device that includes an orifice placed in an opening of a duct. A flexible sheet of material is wrapped around a first duct section to include an extended section which is crimped inwardly around the face of the orifice. A sleeve with tightening straps can be wrapped around the aligned first and second duct sections, with the sections having the orifice positioned between. A bead on the duct sections can assist in orifice positioning, attachment, and sealing. The orifice can also be attached to the duct section using tabs and a retention ring. A duct sleeve is also provided for placement in the opening of a duct. The duct sleeve includes a reception slot that receives an orifice plate that is attached in a secure and sealable manner. |
| US09996084B2 |
System and method of controlling vision device for tracking target based on motion commands
A system of controlling a vision device based on motion commands may include: a movable body; a vision device driven by being connected to the body and receiving image information; a driving unit driving the body in accordance with a motion command; and a control unit which calculates motion information of the body using the motion command and drives the vision device so as to compensate an influence caused by the motion of the body using the calculated motion information. By using the system, reliable image information may be obtained in a manner such that a vision device included in a subject such as a locomobile robot is controlled to watch a predetermined target even when the subject moves. |
| US09996083B2 |
System and method for navigation assistance
A system and method are provided for navigation correction assistance. The method provides a vehicle with a camera and an autonomous navigation system comprising a navigation buoy database and a navigation application. The navigation application visually acquires a first navigation buoy with an identity marker and accesses the navigation buoy database, which cross-references the first navigation buoy identity marker to a first spatial position. A first direction marker on the first navigation buoy is also visually acquired. In response to visually acquiring the first direction marker, a first angle is determined between the camera and the first spatial position. A first distance may also be determined between the vehicle and the first navigation buoy using visual methods or auxiliary position or distance measurement devices. Then, in response to the first spatial position, the first angle, and the first distance, the spatial position of the vehicle can be calculated using trigonometry. |
| US09996082B2 |
Autonomous vehicle re-tasking during performance of a programmed task based on detection of a task interruption scenario
An example autonomous vehicle includes a communication interface for receiving instructions to perform a first task in an environment using a first strategy, sensors for detecting conditions in the environment to carry out the first task, data storage storing a plurality of task interruption scenarios each having an associated priority setting, and a processor for executing instructions for autonomous decision-making to perform functions. The functions include during performance of the first task, identifying that the conditions in the environment are associated with one of the plurality of task interruption scenarios, determining that the identified task interruption scenario is associated with a second task that has a higher priority setting than the first task, determining an asset needed to perform the second task, and based on the autonomous vehicle having the asset, autonomously (i) stopping performance of the first task and (ii) changing to perform the second task. |
| US09996079B2 |
Radio frequency device detection and intervention
Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for detecting, characterizing and engaging unmanned vehicles. In one aspect, a method includes detecting an object, such as an unmanned aerial, land or aquatic vehicle that communicates using a radio control (RC) communications protocol, traveling to a zone including scanning one or more frequencies of RF signals; analyzing one or both of time and frequency information of the RF signals to characterize the detected object; and engaging the detected object as an authorized or unauthorized object in the monitored zone. |
| US09996075B2 |
Inverse-contour machining to eliminate residual stress distortion
A method for manufacturing a part to compensate for residual stress distortion is disclosed. The method can include obtaining a first part based on a nominal part. The first part can be distorted from the nominal part by residual stress. The method can also include determining a variation of the first part from the nominal part. The method can further include determining an offset of the variation relative to the nominal part to compensate for the variation. Additionally, the method can include making a second part using the offset of the variation, wherein residual stress distorts the second part within tolerance of the nominal part. |
| US09996068B2 |
Intelligent wireless and wired control of devices
A system is provided in which a microcontroller is connected to a household unit, which is controlled by the microcontroller. The microcontroller is connected to wireless unit, so that the household unit may be controlled wirelessly (e.g. from a smart phone, tablet computer, laptop, and/or personal computer). In an embodiment, the household unit is a circuit breaker or a bank of circuit breakers that protect various devices in the house from faults in the power lines. In an embodiment, the household unit includes a switch, such as a solenoid for turning off an electrical appliance. In an embodiment, the household unit has various settings that may be set remotely, via sending wireless signals to the microcontroller. |
| US09996067B2 |
Method and system for indicating energy savings for a distributed site
The present disclosure relates to a method and system for indicating energy savings for a distributed site. The energy savings is indicated by an energy management system, which receives energy consumption data of the distributed site for a first observation period. Further one or more service windows are defined for the distributed site and an energy saving strategy is applied to at least one service window. Further, the energy consumption data for the second observation period is received and a compared of one or more service windows of the first observation period with the corresponding service windows of the second observation period is done. The energy management system further determines adjustment factors in the energy profiles based on parameters affecting the energy profiles which were not considered during the first observation period and hence indicate the energy savings for the distributed site based on the first saving and adjustment factor. |
| US09996066B2 |
System and method for HVAC health monitoring using a television receiver
Identifying errors with home HVAC systems and notifying the homeowner of the error and potential remedial steps can be useful. In some embodiments, a method is provided including receiving, at an electronic device, a temperature value and an airflow value from sensors located at a vent grate of the HVAC system. A temperature delta value can be calculated using the temperature value and an ambient temperature value. The temperature delta value can be compared with predetermined temperature delta threshold value. The airflow value can be compared with predetermined airflow threshold value. Based on comparing the temperature delta value step and/or the comparing the airflow value step, an error with the HVAC system can be identified. A notification of the error and subsequent potential remedial steps can be sent from the electronic device to the homeowner. |
| US09996064B1 |
System and method for propagating control results in an enterprise
System and method for propagating control results in an environment is disclosed. An entity with a data store to store selective designation of a control result for propagation by an entity is provided. The entity is configured to propagate the designated control results to another entity. The designation of propagation of control result is based on a relationship between the entity and another entity. |
| US09996061B2 |
Techniques for saving building energy consumption
According to one aspect of the present invention, a method and system for reducing building energy consumption is provided. The method is provided for saving building energy consumption by obtaining at least one energy use strategy in association with a current or future activity in a building. The method includes aggregating activity data from at least one system associated with the current or future activity and estimating an energy demand level based at least on the aggregated activity data. The method also includes generating at least one energy use strategy based at least on the estimated energy demand. |
| US09996060B2 |
Controlling device and method for controlling power consumption in a system of power consuming devices
The invention relates to controlling power consumption of a group of plurality of groups of power consuming devices by determining power consumption control value for controlling power consumption of devices of the group by use of at least one of the following: load shedding flexibility value of at least one group of plurality of groups, wherein the load shedding flexibility value of the corresponding group indicates maximum amount of power, by which power consumption of devices of the corresponding group can be reduced such that minimum power consumption permissible in the corresponding group is maintained; load restoration flexibility value of the at least one group of plurality of groups, wherein the load restoration flexibility value of the corresponding group indicates maximum amount of power, by which the power consumption of devices of the corresponding group can be increased such that maximum power consumption permissible in the corresponding group is maintained. |
| US09996056B2 |
Method for determining a parameter set of a perishable product and control system for implementing the method
The present invention relates to a method for controlling a parameter set of a perishable product. According to the invention it is contemplated that an identification (ID) representing the perishable product is detected by a reading device, that the identification of the ID prompts a detection of the parameter set of the product, that a comparison between the identified parameter set and a reference parameter set is carried out, and that a control signal is generated and represented based on the comparison. The present invention further relates to a control system designed for implementing the method. |
| US09996045B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for demanding more flexible printing processing
An image forming apparatus comprises a first storage section configured to store image information to be printed; a printing section configured to include a decolorable recording material and non-decolorable recording material and print an image based on the image information stored in the first storage section with the decolorable recording material in a case in which the image meets a predetermined condition; a second storage section configured to store emphasis information for emphasizing a specific image; and a control section configured to control the printing section to print an image indicated by the emphasis information stored in the second storage section with the decolorable recording material in a case in which the image meets the predetermined condition existing in the image information stored in the first storage section. |
| US09996043B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for control of suction of air passed through fixing unit
An image forming apparatus has a printing section, a cooling mechanism, a suction adjustment mechanism, and a controller. The printing section includes a fixing unit for heating a sheet having a toner image put on it, and discharges the sheet after fixing. The cooling mechanism includes a suction port, a blower motor for rotating a fan, and a blowing duct for blowing air onto the sheet. The suction adjustment mechanism moves a suction adjustor between an open position where the suction port is open and a shut position where the suction port is closed. The controller moves the suction adjustor the closer to the shut position the smaller the set thickness of the sheet. |
| US09996039B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and non-transitory computer readable medium
An image forming apparatus includes at least a load unit, a driving unit that drives the load unit, and a controller that controls the driving unit. The controller determines that at least one of the load unit and the driving unit malfunctions if a velocity change time period that the driving unit has taken to reach a second velocity from a first velocity is off a predetermined threshold value. |
| US09996037B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method which cyclically change a charging power and a developing bias applied to a developer bearer
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device, an image density detector, and an output change device configured to cause the image forming device to form a test toner image while cyclically changing a charging power based on a charging change pattern and a developing bias based on a developing change pattern, generate an image density fluctuation pattern of the test toner image in a rotation direction of a latent image bearer, generate a writing change pattern to cyclically change a power of latent image writing based on the image density fluctuation pattern of the test toner image and one of the charging change pattern and a correlative pattern correlated with the charging change pattern. The output change device is configured to cyclically change the power of latent image writing based on the writing change pattern during image formation according to a user command. |
| US09996035B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus with a movable presser which moves a fixing belt
A fixing device includes a fixing belt that is endless and rotatable in a rotation direction and a nip former stretching the fixing belt. A pressure rotator presses against the nip former via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A presser is disposed downstream from an exit of the fixing nip in the rotation direction of the fixing belt. The presser brings the fixing belt into contact with the pressure rotator. A mover is coupled to the presser to move the presser between a contact position where the presser brings the fixing belt into contact with the pressure rotator and an isolation position where the presser isolates the fixing belt from the pressure rotator. |
| US09996034B2 |
Fixing device and fixing temperature control method of fixing device
According to one embodiment, a fixing device includes determination means for determining the size of a medium, heating means for including plural heat-generating members which are two-dimensionally arranged such that the heat-generating members are lined up along two parallel lines or more which are vertical to a transport direction of the medium and divided at locations on the parallel lines, and are disposed so as to come into contact with an inner side of the rotating body, and a switching unit which switches individual conduction, and heats the medium, pressing means for forming a nip by performing pressing and contact at a position of the plural heat-generating members, and heating control means for selecting a group of the heat-generating members which are lined up in the two-dimensional arrangement, conducting the selected group of the heat-generating members, and controlling the heating means. |
| US09996027B1 |
Toner cartridge
A toner cartridge includes a barrel having an opening, a transmission cap rotatably disposed to the barrel and blocking the opening, a sealing tape, and a toner conveying shaft rotatably disposed inside the barrel. The transmission cap has an outlet and an inner drive portion. The sealing tape has a first end sealing the outlet, and a second end fixedly mounted to the barrel. The toner conveying shaft has a driven portion. During a rotational period of the transmission cap, the first end of the sealing tape detaches from the outlet first, and then the inner drive portion abuts against the driven portion. When the transmission cap continuously rotates, the toner conveying shaft is driven by the transmission cap to rotate. As such, the transmission cap can drive the toner conveying shaft to synchronously rotate after the transmission cap brings the sealing tape to detach from the outlet. |
| US09996026B2 |
Developing apparatus having a large capacity toner storage chamber, and image forming apparatus
A developer carrying member is disposed below a storage chamber of a frame and has a surface configured such that a plurality of dielectric portions are dispersed on a conductive portion, an upper region of the storage chamber of the frame is enlarged further in a horizontal direction than a lower region in which the developer carrying member is disposed, and the frame has a lower guide surface and includes a curved surface having a tangent plane inclined at a first angle equal to or greater than a degree of an angle of repose of the developer and less than 90 degrees, in an inner wall of the lower region, and an upper guide surface includes a curved surface having a tangent plane inclined at a second angle that is less than the first angle relative to a horizontal plane in an inner wall of the upper region. |
| US09996024B2 |
Toner case including case main body whose side wall includes bearing part to support rotating member and image forming apparatus including the same
A toner case includes a case main body and a rotating member. The rotating member is rotatable around a rotation axis. A side wall of the case main body has a base part, a recess part and a bearing part. The base part is formed so as to cross a direction of the rotation axis. The recess part is recessed inward in the direction of the rotation axis with respect to the base part. The bearing part protrudes outward in the direction of the rotation axis from the recess part and supports one end portion of the rotating member in the direction of the rotation axis. An outer end portion in the direction of the rotation axis of the bearing part is positioned closer to an inner side in the direction of the rotation axis than an outer face of the base part. |
| US09996023B2 |
Image forming apparatus to which unlocking operation for unlocking toner container locked to apparatus main body is input
An image forming apparatus includes a casing, a toner container, a latch mechanism, a toner sensor, a determination section, and a locking control section. The latch mechanism locks the toner container in the casing. When the determination section determines that a detection result of the toner sensor is greater than an amount range of remaining toner in a nearly empty state, the locking control section controls the latch mechanism to lock the toner container in the casing. When the determination section determines that a detection result of the toner sensor falls in the amount range of remaining toner in the nearly empty state, the locking control section controls the latch mechanism to unlock the toner container in the apparatus main body in response to an unlocking operation input through an operation input section. |
| US09996019B1 |
Cold pressure fix toner compositions and processes
Disclosed are cold pressure fix toner compositions that include a core of a colorant, and a mixture of a co-polyester-co-polydimethylsiloxane and an amorphous resin, and a polymer shell thereover. |
| US09996018B2 |
Toner and method for manufacturing the same
In a toner containing a resin, a pigment, and a pigment dispersant, the resin contains a polar resin having an acid value of 2.0 to 30.0 mgKOH/g, and the pigment dispersant has the structure represented by the following formula (1) and a polymer moiety bonded thereto. |
| US09996017B2 |
Electrostatic latent image developing toner
An object of the present invention is to provide an electrostatic latent image developing toner containing: a binder resin; and a releasing agent, wherein the binder resin contains a crystalline polyester resin; an endothermic peak top temperature of the electrostatic latent image developing toner is 70° C. or more measured with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in a heating-up period of the toner; and a heat value ΔHc(L) is 15% or less with respect to a heat value ΔHc, wherein the heat value ΔHc(L) is a heat value in the range of (an exothermic peak top temperature rc−7° C.) or less; and the heat value ΔHc is a heat value of the total exothermic peak measured with DSC in a heating-down period of the toner. |
| US09996015B2 |
Mirror module, in particular for a microlithographic projection exposure appararatus
The disclosure relates to a mirror module, in particular for a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, including a mirror, which has a mirror body and an optically effective surface. The mirror body has a first material, and a supporting structure for connecting the mirror body to an objective structure. The supporting structure has a second material. The first material and the second material differ in terms of their coefficients of thermal expansion by less than 0.5*10−6K−1 in a temperature range around an operating temperature which is reached by the mirror module during operation in the region of the connection of the mirror body to the supporting structure. |
| US09995999B2 |
Lithography mask
A lithography mask includes a substrate, a reflective multilayer (ML) on the substrate, and a barrier layer on the reflective ML. The barrier layer includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of ruthenium nitride, hafnium oxide, aluminum nitride, boron carbide, boron nitride, and a combination thereof. |
| US09995996B2 |
Cooling structure, lighting optical system, and projection-type display apparatus including substrate and phosphor formed on the substrate to emit fluorescent light
A cooling structure includes a phosphor unit, air-blowing systems that cause cooling air to flow, and a duct structure. The phosphor unit includes a substrate and a phosphor that is formed on the substrate and that emits fluorescent light when irradiated with excitation light. The duct structure guides the cooling air blown from the air-blowing systems to the phosphor unit. |
| US09995991B2 |
Image pickup apparatus
An image pickup apparatus includes a circuit board, a solid-state image sensing device disposed on an upper surface of the circuit board, a cylindrical lens barrel disposed above the circuit board, a lens housed in the lens barrel, and a holding member that holds the lens barrel and the circuit board therein. The solid-state image sensing device is positioned in an enclosed space formed by the lens barrel and the circuit board. The lens barrel has a first flange portion protruding in a direction perpendicular to a central axis of the lens barrel. The holding member has a first fitting groove portion in which the first flange portion of the lens barrel is fit. A thermal expansion coefficient of the holding member is smaller than a thermal expansion coefficient of the lens barrel. |
| US09995986B2 |
Light control element, light control device, and method for producing light control element
There is provided a light control element including a transparent conductive film, a proton accumulation layer on the transparent conductive film, an inorganic electrolyte layer on the proton accumulation layer, an organic electrolyte layer on the inorganic electrolyte layer, a catalyst layer on the organic electrolyte layer, and a light control mirror layer on the catalyst layer. |
| US09995982B2 |
Display device including a data line having a double line structure
A display device including a substrate, a gate line, a data line, a plurality of thin film transistors, a first pixel electrode, and a second pixel electrode. The gate line is disposed on the substrate. The data line is disposed on the substrate. The data line includes a first branch line and a second branch line. The first branch line and the second branch line form a closed loop. The plurality of thin film transistors is connected to the data line. The first pixel electrode is connected to at least one of the plurality of thin film transistors. The second pixel electrode is connected to at least another one of the plurality of thin film transisters. The first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are arranged in a substantially diagonal direction with respect to each another. The first branch line is connected to a source electrode of said at least one of the plurality of thin film transistors. The second branch line is connected to a source electrode of said at least another one of the plurality of thin film transistors. |
| US09995979B2 |
Array substrate, display device, method for maintaining the same and method for manufacturing the same
The present disclosure provides an array substrate, a display device, a method for maintenance and a method for manufacturing the array substrate. The array substrate includes a base substrate and a plurality of signal lines arranged on the base substrate. The array substrate further includes: a plurality of common electrodes, wherein a hollow region is arranged between every two adjacent common electrodes, the signal lines are arranged to correspond to the hollow regions respectively, and an orthographic projection of each of the common electrodes on the base substrate is not overlapped with an orthographic projection of a corresponding signal line on the base substrate; and a plurality of maintenance lines that are arranged in the hollow regions respectively and arranged to be insulated from the signal lines, wherein at least a portion of an orthographic projection of each of the maintenance lines on the base substrate is overlapped with at least a portion of the orthographic projection of a corresponding signal line on the base substrate. |
| US09995976B2 |
Array substrate and manufacturing method thereof, display panel and display device
An array substrate and a manufacturing method thereof, a display panel and a display device are provided. The array substrate includes a base substrate, a plurality of pixel units arranged in a matrix and a plurality of common electrode lines extending along the column direction on the base substrate. There are two scanning signal lines between two adjacent rows of pixel units, and pixel units in a (2N+1)-th column and a (2N+2)-th column are taken as one pixel unit group, N being selected from integers greater than or equal to zero. The respective common electrode lines are located between two adjacent pixel unit groups. |
| US09995973B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A display device may include a common electrode, a first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode, an insulation layer, and a liquid crystal layer. The first pixel electrode overlaps the common electrode. The second pixel electrode is electrically connected to the first pixel electrode and is positioned between the first pixel electrode and the common electrode. A first portion of the second pixel electrode does not overlap the first pixel electrode in a direction perpendicular to the common electrode. A second portion of the second pixel electrode overlaps a first portion of the first pixel electrode. A second portion of the first pixel electrode does not overlap the second pixel electrode in the direction perpendicular to the common electrode. The insulating layer is positioned between the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode. The liquid crystal layer is positioned between the common electrode and the second pixel electrode. |
| US09995971B2 |
Pixel structure and liquid crystal display panel
A pixel structure having a substrate, an insulating layer and a pixel electrode is disclosed. The pixel electrode has first sub-electrodes and second sub-electrodes. The first sub-electrodes are arranged on a first region of the insulating layer and spaced apart from each other, and the second sub-electrodes are continuously disposed on a second region of the insulating layer. The first region is a flat region of the insulating layer, and the second region is a grooved region of the insulating layer. |
| US09995961B1 |
Display apparatus with reflective structure
A display apparatus is provided. The display apparatus includes a light source. The display apparatus includes a display target configured to receive light from the light source. The display target displays an image using at least a portion of the light received from the light source. The display apparatus includes a first reflective structure configured to reduce an outgoing angle of at least a portion of the light from the light source. The display apparatus includes a second reflective structure configured to longitudinally translate at least a portion of the light from at least one of the light source and the first reflective structure toward the display target. |
| US09995958B2 |
Liquid crystal display and manufacturing method thereof
A wide viewing angle liquid crystal display includes color filters having a quantum dot and scattering particles and liquid crystal layer disposed in a microcavity, a distance between the color filter and the liquid crystal layer being sized to minimize display deterioration due to parallax. |
| US09995955B2 |
Pressure touch liquid crystal display panel and manufacture method thereof
A pressure touch liquid crystal display panel, which includes a liquid crystal panel, an top polarizer, a touchscreen, a force sensing layer, a bottom polarizer, a backlight, and an iron frame. The top polarizer is disposed on an upper surface of the liquid crystal panel. The touchscreen is disposed on an upper surface of the top polarizer. A force sensing layer is disposed on a lower surface of the liquid crystal panel. A bottom polarizer is disposed on a lower surface of the force sensing layer. A backlight is disposed on a lower surface of the bottom polarizer. The iron frame is disposed outside of the backlight. |
| US09995953B2 |
Optical layered body, polarizer, method for producing polarizer, image display device, method for producing image display device, and method for improving visibility of image display device
The present invention provides a method for improving visibility of an image display device which is capable of providing an image display device excellent in anti-reflection properties and bright-field contrast even using an optical layered body including a light-transmitting substrate having in-plane birefringence, such as a polyester film. The method of the present invention is a method for improving visibility of an image display device that has an optical layered body including a light-transmitting substrate having in-plane birefringence and an optical functional layer disposed on one surface of the substrate. The method includes the step of disposing the optical layered body such that the slow axis showing a greater refractive index of the light-transmitting substrate is in parallel with the vertical direction of a display screen of the image display device. |
| US09995950B2 |
Spectacle lens for car drivers
A spectacle lens having a front surface intended to be fitted away from the eye. The spectacle lens includes a substrate made from mineral glass or an organic material. The spectacle lens has selective light wavelength filter properties. The selective light wavelength filter properties include a spectral transmittance between 80% and 95% for all wavelengths in a wavelength range between 428 nm and 452 nm for a light ray entering the spectacle lens on the front surface at an angle of incidence of 0°, a spectral transmittance between 95% and 100% for all wavelengths in a wavelength range between 500 nm and 700 nm for a light ray entering the spectacle lens on the front surface with an angle of incidence of 0° and a yellowness index of no more than 10 for a standard illuminant D65 and a standard observer function of 2° (D65/2°). |
| US09995948B2 |
Adhesive optical film to convert an eyeglass lens to a progressive lens
Apparatus and methods are described, including a corrective optical film for converting a corrective single-focal lens to a multi-focal lens and/or a progressive lens. A thickness and/or a curvature of the corrective optical film is different in different regions of the corrective optical film, such that the corrective optical film is configured, upon being adhered to the single-focal lens, to change a focal length of the single-focal lens differently in different regions of the single-focal lens. Other applications are also described. |
| US09995946B2 |
Toric lens
A toric lens includes a first surface, a second surface, two first sector zones, and two second sector zones. The first surface and the second surface are opposite to each other. Each of the first sector zones has a first curvature on the first surface along a radial direction of the toric lens, and the first curvature is constant along an arc direction of the toric lens. The two second sector zones are alternately arranged with the two first sector zones. Each of the second sector zones has a second curvature on the first surface along the radial direction, and the second curvature is constant along the arc direction. The first curvature is steeper than the second curvature. |
| US09995945B2 |
Dual-lens camera system
A dual-lens camera system is provided, including a first lens driving module and a second lens driving module each including a lens holder for receiving a lens, at least one magnetic element, and a driving board. The driving board has at least one driving coil for acting with the magnetic element to generate an electromagnetic force to move the lens holder along a direction that is perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens. On two adjacent sides parallel to each other of the first and second lens driving modules, the magnetic elements are arranged in different configurations. |
| US09995936B1 |
Augmented reality systems having a virtual image overlaying an infrared portion of a live scene
A head-mounted display (HMD) for an augmented reality system allows a user to view an augmented scene comprising a real-world portion of a live scene combined with virtual images overlaying an infrared (IR) portion of the live scene. The HMD includes a head-wearable frame, a lens defining a user field of view (FOV), and a camera. The lens permits the user to view a live scene corresponding to the user FOV, and the camera is configured to capture a captured image of the live scene containing data indicative of an infrared (IR) portion of the live scene. The IR portion of the live scene includes reflected IR light above a predetermined threshold, such as an IR reflective background surface in a simulation environment. Based on the IR portion, a virtual image is displayed on an interior surface of the lens so that the virtual image overlays the IR portion. |
| US09995935B2 |
Spectacle lens for a display device that can be fitted on the head of a user and generates an image, and display device with such a spectacle lens
A spectacle lens for a display device can be fitted on the head of a user and generate an image. The spectacle lens body can include a front side, a rear side, a coupling-in section in an edge area of the spectacle lens and a coupling-out section in a central area of the spectacle lens, two opposing reflecting surfaces in the area of the coupling-in section, and facets embedded in the area of the coupling-in section in the spectacle lens body between the two reflecting surfaces and arranged next to each other in the direction from the coupling-in to the coupling-out section in a first and an adjoining second area. The facets in the first area can be partially reflective or reflective. The facets in the second area can be partially reflective. Directly neighboring facets in the second area can be connected by a partially transparent or wholly transparent face. |
| US09995928B2 |
Optical signal generation in a SPAD array based on generation of a target phase value dependent upon an ambient count rate
A circuit may include a first circuit configured to generate a voltage signal for generating an optical pulse, the voltage signal being generated based on a phase control signal, and an array of single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) cells configured to detect a phase of the optical pulse. The circuit may include a phase control circuit configured to generate the phase control signal based upon a target phase value and the detected phase of the optical pulse. |
| US09995926B1 |
Electrowetting display device including an internal refractive diffuser
A display device includes a first support plate. A pixel region is positioned over the first support plate. The pixel region includes a pixel and an electrode layer disposed between the first support plate and the pixel region. A specular reflective layer is disposed on the electrode layer. The specular reflective layer has a first refractive index. A diffusion layer is disposed on the specular reflective layer. The diffusion layer includes a plurality of islands. Each island of the plurality of islands is separated by a distance from an adjacent island of the plurality of islands, wherein a portion of the specular reflective layer is exposed between two adjacent islands of the plurality of islands. Each island has a second refractive index greater than the first refractive index. |
| US09995925B2 |
Observation optical system, and image displaying apparatus having the same
In order to obtain an observation optical system which has high optical performance while having a wide field of view, and can easily reduce variation of aberration at the time when an eye relief has changed, the present invention provides an observation optical system which is used for an observer to observe an image displayed on an image display surface, and includes in order from an observation side to an image displaying surface side: a first lens having a positive refractive power; a second lens having a negative refractive power; and a third lens having a positive refractive power, wherein a focal length f1 of the first lens, a focal length f2 of the second lens and a focal length f3 of the third lens are each appropriately set so as to satisfy the conditional expression of: 0.40 < f 1 - f 2 × f 3 < 0.80 . |
| US09995922B2 |
Analysis target region setting apparatus
Provided is an analysis target region setting apparatus that can accurately set an analysis target region, based on an observation image of a sample obtained with an optical microscope and the like irrespective of texture on the sample surface when the analysis target region is set therein. The analysis target region setting apparatus according to the present invention divides the observation image into a plurality of sub-regions based on pixel information on each pixel constituting the observation image. Subsequently, consolidation information on each sub-region is calculated, and two adjacent sub-regions themselves are consolidated based on the consolidation information. According to this, it is possible to divide the observation image into sub-regions having similar pixel information with a disregard of noise attributed to the shape of a surface and the like. A user designates one sub-region from among the sub-regions finally obtained, as the analysis target region. |
| US09995921B2 |
Surface adhering lens
A lens structure includes an elastomer formed as a lens. The lens has a planar surface and a curved surface opposed to the planar surface. The elastomer of the lens structure may be formed of a base polymer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) material. When the lens structure is applied proximate to a camera sensor array of an electronic device, such as a cell phone or a tablet, the combination can function as microscope. By altering parameters of the lens, such as the radius of curvature, it is possible to achieve a wide range of magnification. |
| US09995919B2 |
Method and configuration for the optical detection of an illuminated specimen
A method for the optical detection of an illuminated specimen, wherein the illuminating light impinges in a spatially structured manner in at least one plane on the specimen and several images of the specimen are acquired by a detector in different positions of the structure on the specimen. An optical sectional image and/or an image with enhanced resolution is then calculated. The method includes generating a diffraction pattern in the direction of the specimen in or near the pupil of the objective lens or in a plane conjugate to the pupil. A phase plate with regions of varying phase delays is dedicated to the diffraction pattern in or near the pupil of the objective lens or in a plane conjugate to said pupil, and different phase angles of the illuminating light are set. |
| US09995918B2 |
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 first lens unit having a positive refractive power; a second lens unit having a negative refractive power; a third lens unit having a positive refractive power; a fourth lens unit having a positive refractive power; a fifth lens unit having a negative refractive power; and a sixth lens unit having a positive refractive power, in which an interval between the first lens unit and the second lens unit is increased during zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end, an interval between adjacent lens units is changed during zooming, and the lens shapes of lenses included in the first lens unit are appropriately set. |
| US09995917B2 |
Projection zoom lens and projection type display device
A projection zoom lens is configured to have an intermediate group that essentially consists of two or three moving lens groups positioned between a first lens group and a final lens group, both of which have positive refractive powers and are fixed while changing magnification. The projection zoom lens changes magnification by moving these moving lens groups. Further, the projection zoom lens satisfies conditional formulas (1) and (2) below: d/fw<1.0 (1), 1.5 |
| US09995916B2 |
Variable magnification optical system and image pickup apparatus
A variable magnification optical system according to the present invention includes, in order from an object side: a first lens group having positive refractive power, a second lens group having negative refractive power, a third lens group having positive refractive power, a fourth lens group having positive refractive power, and a following lens group, wherein at least the second lens group is moved so that a gap between the first lens group and the second lens group increases and a gap between the second lens group and the third lens group decreases when zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end, and a predetermined conditional expression is satisfied. |
| US09995906B2 |
Optical image capturing system
A four-piece optical lens for capturing image and a four-piece optical module for capturing image are provided. In order from an object side to an image side, the optical lens along the optical axis includes a first lens with refractive power; a second lens with refractive power; a third lens with refractive power; and a fourth lens with positive refractive power; and at least one of the image-side surface and object-side surface of each of the four lens elements are aspheric. The optical lens can increase aperture value and improve the imagining quality for use in compact cameras. |
| US09995902B2 |
Lens actuator
There is provided a lens actuator, including: a lens barrel in which at least one lens is provided on an optical axis; a magnetic part provided on one surface of the lens barrel; and a printed circuit board in which a coil pattern part generating electromagnetic force is provided, the printed circuit board having one surface facing the magnetic part, wherein magnetic material is provided on the other surface of the printed circuit board. |
| US09995898B2 |
Telecommunications assembly
A telecommunications assembly includes a chassis defining an interior region and a tray assembly disposed in the interior region. The tray assembly includes a tray and a cable spool assembly. The cable spool assembly is engaged to a base panel of the tray. The cable spool assembly is adapted to rotate relative to the tray. The cable spool assembly includes a hub, a flange engaged to the hub and an adapter module. The flange defines a termination area. The adapter module is engaged to the termination module of the flange. The adapter module is adapted to slide relative to the flange in a direction that is generally parallel to the flange between an extended position and a retracted position. |
| US09995897B2 |
Adapter panel with lateral sliding adapter arrays
An adapter panel arrangement including a chassis and a panel of adapters. The adapters defining rearward cable connections and forward cable connections of the panel arrangement. Openings permitting access to the rearward and forward cable connections of the adapters are provided. The chassis further including a removable rear chassis portion to provide access to cable routing areas within the chassis interior. |
| US09995894B2 |
Semiconductor device with optical and electrical vias
The method comprises providing a semiconductor substrate, which has a main surface and an opposite further main surface, arranging a contact pad above the further main surface, forming a through-substrate via from the main surface to the further main surface at a distance from the contact pad and, by the same method step together with the through-substrate via, forming a further through-substrate via above the contact pad, arranging a hollow metal via layer in the through-substrate via and, by the same method step together with the metal via layer, arranging a further metal via layer in the further through-substrate via, the further metal via layer contacting the contact pad, and removing a bottom portion of the metal via layer to form an optical via laterally surrounded by the metal via layer. |
| US09995889B2 |
Mounting component for optical fiber, optical module, and optical module manufacturing method
Provided is a mounting component for an optical fiber that allows a laser device and an optical fiber to be aligned with higher precision while providing protection for the laser device mounted on a substrate. The a mounting component is a component formed from silicon for optically coupling a laser device to an optical fiber by being bonded to a mounting substrate on which the laser device is mounted, and includes a groove portion for fixedly holding the optical fiber so that a core of the optical fiber is positioned at a predetermined depth with respect to a bonding surface to be bonded to the mounting substrate, and a recessed portion, formed continuous with the groove portion, for accommodating the laser device, wherein a thickness of the mounting component, measured in a direction perpendicular to the bonding surface, is chosen so that a position of the laser device can be detected using an infrared transmission image when the laser device is accommodated in the recessed portion by placing the bonding surface in contact with the mounting substrate. |
| US09995887B2 |
Method and system for a multi-fiber push-on/pull-off connector locking clip
Methods and systems for a multi-fiber push-on/pull-off connector locking clip are disclosed and may include operatively coupling a multi-fiber push-on/push-off (MPO) connector to an MPO adaptor by inserting the MPO connector into the MPO adaptor, where the MPO connector comprises an MPO connector pull-to-release housing. The MPO connector may be secured to the MPO adaptor by placing an MPO locking clip adjacent to the MPO connector pull-to-release housing, thereby preventing the MPO connector pull-to-release housing from being actuated. An optical cable may be coupled to the MPO connector. The adaptor may be coupled to an optical device, which may include an optical transceiver. The MPO locking clip may be plastic or metal. The MPO connector and the MPO connector pull-to-release housing may be plastic. |
| US09995883B2 |
Optical adapter module with managed connectivity
A connection module includes a module body and a module circuit board arrangement. The module body defines a first port and an open first end providing access to the first port. The module circuit board arrangement extends across the open first end within a peripheral boundary defined by the module body. The module circuit board arrangement includes at least a first contact set that extends into the first port of the module body; an electronic controller that is electrically connected to the first contact set; and a circuit board connector facing outwardly from the module board arrangement. Example connection modules include optical adapters and electrical jacks. |
| US09995869B2 |
Backlight unit and display device having the same
A backlight unit includes a light conversion member; a light guide plate including a light exit surface, a rear surface facing the light exiting surface, and connection surfaces including a first surface and a second surface facing each other to connect the light exit surface and the rear surface; a reflective member; and a light source emitting a first color light incident to the first surface and a portion of the first color light reaches the second surface on which the reflective member is disposed to specularly reflect the portion of the first color light. The light conversion member is disposed on the light exit surface, receives the first color light from the light guide plate, and emits a second color light different from the first color light. |
| US09995868B2 |
Light guide plate, having quantum dot layer
The present invention discloses a light guide plate, a backlight module and a display device, so as to solve the technical problem of color shift generated in prior art display panel due to the change of angle of view. The light guide plate comprises a bottom surface, a light exiting surface opposite to the bottom surface, and a quantum dot layer provided on the light exiting surface and comprising a quantum dot array, wherein the light exiting surface has a non-planar structure. Embodiments of the present invention provide following advantageous effects: the quantum dots on the surface of the light guide plate are configured to have a non-planar structure, such that the light transmitted through the spacing between quantum dots and having the same spectrum as the quantum dots is smoothly changed, thereby reducing the affection of color shift of the display device due to the change of angle of view. |
| US09995863B2 |
Polarizing plate and liquid crystal display comprising the same
A polarizing plate includes a polarizer, and a polyester film formed on one or both surfaces of the polarizer. The polyester film has a tensile strength ratio of about 3 or greater, as calculated by Equation 4, and an orientation displacement (°) of about −5° to about +5° with respect to a transverse direction (slow axis) of the polyester film at a wavelength of 550 nm. A liquid crystal display apparatus includes the polarizing plate Tensile strength ratio=TD tensile strength/MD tensile strength Equation 4. |
| US09995862B2 |
Optical filter, optical filter module, spectrometric measurement apparatus, and optical apparatus
An optical filter includes: a first variable wavelength bandpass filter that can extract light of a first wavelength band (400 to 460 nm), the first wavelength band having a first spectral band having a central wavelength equal to a first wavelength in the first wavelength band and a second spectral band having a central wavelength equal to a second wavelength in the first wavelength band; and a second variable wavelength bandpass filter that can extract light of a second wavelength band (480 to 540 nm) adjacent to the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band having a third spectral band having a central wavelength equal to a third wavelength in the second wavelength band and a fourth spectral band having a central wavelength equal to a fourth wavelength in the second wavelength band. |
| US09995861B2 |
Wide band semi-specular mirror film incorporating nanovoided polymeric layer
Low loss, high reflectivity wide band mirror films provide a desired mix of specular reflection and diffuse reflection or scattering to provide semi-specular reflectivity. The mirror films generally include both a specularly reflective multilayer optical film (MOF) having a wide reflection band, and a scattering layer. In some cases a low refractive index TIR layer is sandwiched between the MOF and the scattering layer. In other cases the scattering layer contacts the MOF directly. In embodiments that include the TIR layer, the TIR layer preferably has a nanovoided morphology and includes a plurality of particles and a polymer binder. In embodiments wherein the scattering layer contacts the MOF directly, the scattering layer preferably also has a nanovoided morphology and includes a plurality of particles and a polymer binder. |
| US09995849B2 |
Airborne particulate source detection system
A method comprises receiving data associated with a detection of the odor, the data associated with the detection of the odor comprising a location of the detection of the odor and a time of the detection of the odor, retrieving weather data corresponding to the detection of the odor, the weather data including a wind speed and direction in the location of the detection of the odor at the time of the detection of the odor, calculating a location of the source of the odor as a function of the location of the detection of the odor, the time of the location of the odor and the wind speed and direction in the location of the detection of the odor, and outputting to a user on a display a graphical representation of a likely area that includes the location of the source of the odor. |
| US09995847B2 |
Airborne particulate source detection system
A method comprises receiving data associated with a detection of the odor, the data associated with the detection of the odor comprising a location of the detection of the odor and a time of the detection of the odor, retrieving weather data corresponding to the detection of the odor, the weather data including a wind speed and direction in the location of the detection of the odor at the time of the detection of the odor, calculating a location of the source of the odor as a function of the location of the detection of the odor, the time of the location of the odor and the wind speed and direction in the location of the detection of the odor, and outputting to a user on a display a graphical representation of a likely area that includes the location of the source of the odor. |
| US09995845B2 |
Borehole logging sensor and related methods
A method of optimizing the cross-sectional shape of a logging tool sensor includes the step of, for a given major axis dimension, selecting the minor axis dimension such that for a circular borehole geometry the cross-sectional area of the space between the sensor and a said circular borehole with which the sensor is pressed into contact is minimized. Logging tools optimized according to this technique exhibit beneficial sensor stand-off characteristics. |
| US09995843B2 |
Methods and system for blasting video analysis
Blasting video analysis techniques and systems are presented using vibration compensated background analysis with automated determination of blast origin coordinates and highest point coordinates using blast outline coordinates for post-origin frames. Blast expansion trajectories of the highest particle are estimated in frames preceding the highest point frame, and estimated blast parameters including maximum height and initial blast velocity are computed independent of blast data. |
| US09995841B2 |
Compact scintillation detector
Devices may include a scintillation detection device including a scintillator, a photon detector at least partially enclosed by the scintillator, and at least one reflector at least partially enclosing the scintillator. In another aspect, an oilfield wellbore device may include an oilfield string with at least one scintillation detection device on the string and a pressure housing enclosing the one or more scintillation detection devices. In another aspect, a method of measuring radiation in an oil and gas well may include conveying at least one scintillation detection device to at least one zone of interest in the oil and gas well and recording data from at least one scintillation detection device as a function of location in the well. |
| US09995839B2 |
Method for determining at least one physical parameter using a sensor unit
In a method for determining at least one physical parameter, a sensor unit which is activated by at least one periodic excitation (1.4) is provided, wherein the sensor unit has at least one detection region in which changes of the parameter in the surroundings of the sensor unit lead to output signal (1.7) from the sensor unit. The sensor unit is wired such that if there are no changes of the parameter in the detection region the output signal (1.7) is a zero signal or virtually a zero signal at the output of the sensor unit, whereas if there are changes of the parameter in the detection region the output signal (1.7) is a signal that is not zero and has a specific amplitude and phase. In a closed control loop, the non-zero signal in the receive path is adjusted to zero using a control signal to achieve an adjusted state even in the presence of changes of the parameter in the detection region. The control signal is evaluated in order to determine the physical parameter. The output signal (1.7) from the sensor unit is reduced substantially to the fundamental wave of the excitation (1.4) and the output signal (1.7) is controlled to zero in the entire phase space by means of at least one pulse width modulation. A temperature-stable, fully digital measuring system is provided as a result of the fact that the at least one pulse width modulation itself generates a correction signal with a variable pulse width and possibly a variable phase which is then added to the output signal (1.7) from the sensor unit and the output signal is thereby controlled to zero in the entire phase space, wherein the pulse width of the correction signal and/or the phase of the correction signal is/are determined by the deviations of the output signal (1.7) from zero. |
| US09995837B2 |
Apparatus and methods of extracting reflections from acoustic array data
Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to extract reflections from acoustic array data collected from a receiver array. A beam-former can be generated to detect a reflection wave in the presence of a direct wave identified from collected waveforms, where the beam-former can be correlated to receiver and depth for the array. The direct wave and the reflection wave can be separated to extract the reflection wave, where the separation is correlated to receiver and depth for the array. The extracted reflected wave can be used to image and/or analyze entities associated with the borehole. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US09995834B2 |
Variable mass load marine vibrator
Embodiments related to addition of a variable mass load to the shell of a marine vibrator to compensate for air spring effects. An embodiment provides a marine vibrator, comprising: an outer shell; a driver disposed at least partially within the outer shell and coupled thereto; and a mass load coupled to an exterior surface of the outer shell; wherein the marine vibrator has a resonance frequency selectable based at least in part on the mass load. |
| US09995832B2 |
Radiation detector and radiation imaging apparatus including the same
A radiation detector includes: a radiation detecting module including a photoconductive layer containing at least one heavy metal; a voltage controller configured to detect current flowing through the photoconductive layer and control application of a voltage to the photoconductive layer based on the detected current; and a sealing part configured to seal the photoconductive layer and surround a portion of the radiation detecting module. |
| US09995830B2 |
Scintillation event localization in a radiation particle detector
A method for scintillation event localization in a radiation particle detector includes providing a plurality of scintillator element locations (2′) configured to emit a burst of photons responsive to a radiation particle being absorbed at the scintillator element location (2′). A burst of photons emitted by the scintillator element location (2′) is detected with a photosensor (5). The photosensor (5) includes an array of single photon avalanche diodes configured to break down responsive to impingement of a photon. Breakdown data (30) is acquired indicative of which of the single photon avalanche diodes are in breakdown. Predetermined photosensor sensitivity data (20, 40) assigns single photon avalanche diodes to groups. Each group is assigned to exactly one scintillator element location (2′). Finally the number of single photon avalanche diodes in breakdown is determined for each group individually to identify the scintillator element location (2′) that emitted the burst of photons. |
| US09995818B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for processing received signals for locating
An example disclosed system for locating a signal source includes a receiver; and a plurality of node devices, wherein the receiver includes processing circuitry configured to perform operations including generating signal timing information including one or more pulses corresponding to a correlation with one or more frequencies based on each of a plurality of wireless signal streams, each of the wireless signal streams including a signal of interest; applying times and one or more determined gains for the signal of interest to permit estimate of a phase of the received signal; obtaining, from a memory device that stores the wireless signal streams, symbols of the signal of interest based on window periods associated with the pulses; formatting the symbols; and determining time-of-arrival information based on the formatted symbols. |
| US09995814B2 |
Method for compensating for propagation inhomogeneities for a temporal reflectometry signal
A method for compensating for the propagation inhomogeneities in a time-domain reflectogram measured for a given cable comprises the following steps, executed in an iterative manner: injecting a test signal into the cable, measuring the reflection of the test signal to form a time-domain reflectogram, identifying at least a time portion of the time-domain reflectogram comprising at least one amplitude peak corresponding to a propagation inhomogeneity, subtracting the identified time portion of the reflectogram, divided by the signal reflection coefficient at the injection point, from the test signal, and replacing the test signal with the result of the subtraction. |
| US09995812B2 |
Analysis for quantifying microscopic diffusion anisotropy
The present invention describes a method for quantifying microscopic diffusion anisotropy and/or mean diffusivity in a material by analysis of echo attenuation curves acquired with two different gradient modulations schemes, wherein one gradient modulation scheme is based on isotropic diffusion weighting and the other gradient modulation scheme is based on non-isotropic diffusion weighting, and wherein the method comprises analyzing by comparing the signal decays of the two acquired echo attenuation curves. |
| US09995808B2 |
MRI using RF gradients for spatial encoding
Systems and methods for performing MRI include using a RF gradient field for spatial encoding. In particular implementations, |B+i|-selective pulses designed using the Shinnar-Le Roux algorithm can be provided as the excitation pulse for the RF gradient field. Further, frequency encoding for the RF gradient field can be based on the Bloch-Siegert (BS) shift. Together, these techniques can be used to support MRI based on RF gradient encoding instead of the conventional Bo encoding. |
| US09995807B2 |
Control unit and method to monitor a data acquisition of magnetic resonance image data
In a control method and control unit to monitor a data acquisition of magnetic resonance image data of an imaging area located in a measurement volume of a magnetic resonance apparatus, an RF excitation pulse is radiated by an RF transmission/reception device of the magnetic resonance apparatus, raw data are acquired after a time after the radiated excitation pulse, by means of the RF transmission/reception device, and store the raw data, the raw data are transmitted to a monitoring unit and (a) through (c) are repeated while switching different gradients for spatial coding by readout of k-space corresponding to the imaging area along trajectories that are predetermined by the switched gradients, up to a termination criterion that is predetermined by the monitoring unit. |
| US09995800B1 |
Atomic magnetometer with multiple spatial channels
An atomic magnetometer includes an atomic vapor cell, an optical system conformed to transmit pump radiation and probe radiation through the vapor cell, and an optical detection system arranged to receive and detect probe radiation after it exits the vapor cell. Improvements in the separation of spatial channels are achieved by using a a diffractive optical element arranged to divide at least the pump radiation into a plurality of separate diffracted beams that traverse the vapor cell. |
| US09995787B2 |
Apparatus and method for manufacturing substrates
A substrate manufacturing apparatus includes a test apparatus including a test handler module for performing a test process on a substrate. The test handler module may include a conveyor unit to transfer a substrate, a handler unit for performing a test process on the substrate, and a transfer unit for transferring the substrate between the conveyor unit and the handler unit. The conveyor unit may include a feed conveyor and a discharge conveyor spaced apart from the feed conveyor. |
| US09995781B2 |
Ground fault detection for PCB and isolation grounds
A ground fault detection system based on capacitive sensing suitable for use in detecting a ground fault condition in electronic equipment (such as a PCBA) with a circuit ground electrically isolated from an isolation ground (such as chassis ground). The capacitive sensing system includes a capacitive sensor capacitively coupled to the system isolation ground, and a capacitance/data converter that captures sensor capacitance measurements for conversion to sensor data representative of a ground short. In one embodiment, the capacitive sensor includes a sensor electrode capacitively coupled to the system isolation ground by one of projected capacitance and a floating capacitor (such as 33 pf), and the CDC unit further includes sensor excitation circuitry configured to drive the sensor electrode, such that a sensor capacitance (projected or floating capacitance) is representative of an electrical condition of the system isolation ground. For sensing by projected capacitance, the capacitive sensor can include a driven shield. |
| US09995777B2 |
Device detection through dynamic impedance change measurement
Inventive aspects include systems, methods, and apparatuses for detecting placement of a wireless power receiver in a charging region of a wireless power transmitter. For example, the apparatus may include a transmit circuit comprising a transmit coil and be configured to wirelessly transmit power via a wireless filed applied to the charging region to a receive coil of the receiver. The apparatus may also include a detection circuit configured to detect a characteristic waveform resulting from the field that is applied to the charging region or changed between the transmit and receive coils, in response to the receiver being placed in the charging region. |
| US09995774B2 |
Frequency estimation
Determining a property of an electrical signal at a node instant at the current instant (INSTC); determining a previous function indicative of a property of the signal at the node at a previous instant; determining an error function in a previous frequency estimation at the node at a previous instant; determining a first current function indicative of the property of the signal at the node at INSTC in accordance with the determined property, the previous function, and the error function; receiving, from another node, a second current function indicative of a property of an electrical signal at the at least one other node at INSTC; combining the first current function and the second current function to produce a current combined function (CCF) indicative of a property of the signal at the node at INSTC; and estimating a current frequency of the signal at the node in accordance with the CCF. |
| US09995769B2 |
Universal watthour meter socket/adapter for field testing
A portable device for field testing watthour meters including a socket with one or more connectors configured to engage a watthour meter blade is disclosed. The connectors may include a pair of wire forms so oriented that the connector can connect to a watthour meter blade oriented in either of two orientations 90° apart from each other by resiliently deflecting portions of the wire forms. The connectors may include a jaw socket cup, a torsion clip in the jaw socket cup for contacting a watthour meter blade when the watthour meter blade is inserted into the jaw socket cup. The torsion clip includes a first surface and a pair of facing surfaces connected to, and extending away from, the first surface that define a channel sized to receive the watthour meter blade. |
| US09995762B2 |
Acceleration sensor
Provided is a highly reliable acceleration sensor that keeps production costs low and has low zero point drift initially and over time even when used in a poor installation environment. In this acceleration sensor, a weight that rotates when acceleration is applied in the z-direction is disposed in a cavity surrounded by a support substrate and a cap layer. The cap layer is formed such that both sides thereof across the axis of rotation of the weight have different masses per unit area. |
| US09995759B2 |
Use of lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG-3) expression profiling as a biomarker for assessing inflammasomes, chronic inflammatory diseases and dysfunctional HDL
A method for determining whether a subject has or is predisposed to abnormal expression of inflammasomes and/or to dysfunctional HDL suitable for use in diagnosing atherosclerosis, chronic inflammatory disease, Incident Cardiovascular Disease (ICD) and other pathologies characterized by an inflammatory response. Specifically, a protein assay that measures LAG-3 can be used as a diagnostic predictor of pathologies such as infection, inflammation, chronic inflammatory disease, and coronary artery disease. The diagnostic is combined with the therapeutic use of a remediating drug for treatment. |
| US09995755B2 |
Diagnosis and treatments relating to TH2 inhibition
Methods of diagnosing and treating disorders related to TH2 inhibition, including but not limited to asthma, are provided. Also provided are methods of selecting or identifying patients for treatment with certain therapeutic agents that are TH2 pathway inhibitors. |
| US09995754B2 |
Use of glu-tubulin as a biomarker of drug response to furazanobenzimidazoles
Use of glu-tubulin as a biomarker for predicting the response to a compound, preferably resistance of a disease such as cancer in a subject to said compound, wherein the compound is a furazanobenzimidazole compound of general formula (I). |
| US09995752B2 |
Methods and compositions for determining and treating relapse in inflammatory bowel disease
Described are methods and compositions for evaluating the relapse risk n subjects having an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Some embodiments include selecting a treatment for an evaluated IBD relapse risk in a subject. |
| US09995748B2 |
Biomarkers for prostate cancer comprising interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor alpha and soluble tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor 1
The disclosure provides methods of using biomarkers to improve diagnosis of forms of prostate. The method includes testing a biological sample from an individual for a interleukin-8 (IL-8), Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) and soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptor 1 (sTNFR1), and may further include testing for prostate serum antigen (PSA). Use of these markers in combination provides tests that are more sensitive and specific than PSA in differentiating benign versus malignant prostate disease and/or localized CaP versus metastatic CaP and show that the specificity and sensitivity of a PSA-based CaP diagnosis can be significantly enhanced by measuring IL-8, TNF-a and sTNFR1. |
| US09995743B2 |
Test apparatus and pressurizing assembly thereof
A test apparatus including a cassette main body, a test strip and a pressurizing assembly is provided. The cassette main body has a sample entrance. The test strip is disposed in the cassette main body, and the sample entrance of the cassette main body exposes a sample collecting region of the test strip. The pressurizing assembly is detachably combined to the cassette main body, and is adapted to exert a pressure on a liquid sample located at the sample entrance, such that the liquid sample enters the sample collecting region, and reacts with the test strip to display a test result. The test apparatus is able to implement quick and convenience test, by which a complicated pre-processing of a test sample is omitted to save a time and test cost. |
| US09995742B2 |
Sample entry
The invention generally relates to methods and devices for transferring a sample into a cartridge for processing. Methods of the invention include providing a vessel containing a sample, coupling the sample to a cartridge configured to process the sample at an interface, in which the interface is configured to provide communication between the vessel and the cartridge, introducing a fluid, capture particles, or both from the cartridge into the vessel, and transferring the sample, fluid, and capture particles from the vessel and into the cartridge for processing. |
| US09995741B2 |
Complex for detecting target material and method of detecting target material using the same
The present disclosure relates to a complex for detecting a target material comprising upconverting nanoparticles; and at least one target material specific aptamer-quencher, connected through a linker with the upconverting nanoparticles, a method of preparing the same, a kit for detecting a target material comprising the same, and a method of detecting a target material using the same.According to the present disclosure, different target materials in samples can be quantified or detected accurately based on luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET) of the upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) excited by a near infrared (NIR) light source. |
| US09995739B2 |
Protein detection via nanoreporters
The invention provides methods, compositions, kits and devices for the detection of proteins. In some embodiments, the invention allows for multiplexed protein detection. |
| US09995738B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting and counting rare cells in blood
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for detecting and enumerating a rare cell in blood. The apparatus comprises a sample collector configured to collect a blood sample and receive a complex in which a target antibody and a marker are coupled; a measuring kit connected to the sample collector in such a way that a mixture of the blood sample and the complex is injected into the measuring kit, thereby individually trapping a blood cell; and a detector configured to detect and enumerate the rare cell having an antigen-antibody reaction with the target antibody among the blood cell trapped in the measuring kit. |
| US09995733B2 |
Agents for treating disease
Provided are methods of screening to identify molecules capable of binding to CD4 and capable of activating CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. Further provided are antibodies and antibody fragments capable of activating CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and methods and uses involving the antibodies and fragments thereof. |
| US09995728B2 |
Quadruplex method
The invention relates to a new method of determining in a sample the presence, absence or concentration of one or more target analytes, such as micro-ribonucleic acids (microRNAs or miRNAs). The invention may therefore relate to a multiplex assay for determining the presence or absence of each target analyte in a group of multiple analytess. The invention uses one or more probes comprising a quadruplex and transmembrane pores. |
| US09995723B2 |
Method for measuring formaldehyde in solutions containing certain formaldehyde-releasing biocides
A method for measuring formaldehyde in an aqueous solution of an oxazolidine or hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine biocide; the method comprising separating an amino alcohol produced by hydrolysis of the biocide via mixed mode chromatography and detecting the amino alcohol using a charged aerosol detector or an evaporative light scattering detector. |
| US09995722B2 |
Short-wave infrared super-continuum lasers for natural gas leak detection, exploration, and other active remote sensing applications
A measurement system includes a light source having semiconductor sources configured to generate an input optical beam, a multiplexer configured form an intermediate optical beam from the input optical beam, fibers including a fused silica fiber configured to receive the intermediate optical beam and to form an output optical beam. The output optical beam comprises wavelengths between 700 and 2500 nanometers with a bandwidth of at least 10 nanometers. A measurement apparatus is configured to deliver the output beam to a sample to generate a spectroscopy output beam. A receiver is configured to receive and process the spectroscopy output beam to generate an output signal, wherein the receiver processing includes chemometrics or multivariate analysis methods to permit identification of materials within the sample, the light source and the receiver are remote from the sample, and the sample includes plastics or food industry goods. |
| US09995719B2 |
Methods and devices for selective deposition of materials including mechanical abrasion
Methods for depositing materials on patterned substrates, and related devices, are generally provided. In some embodiments, a material is deposited on a patterned substrate. In certain embodiments, the substrate comprises a first portion with a material deposited on the first portion and a second portion of the substrate essentially free of the material. The methods described herein may be useful in fabricating sensors, circuits, tags, among other devices. In some cases, devices for determining analytes are also provided. |
| US09995717B2 |
Object information acquiring apparatus and object information acquiring method
This invention employs an object information acquiring apparatus including a probe for receiving, as a received signal, an acoustic wave which is generated within an object irradiated with light and propagates on an object surface, and a processor for generating object information, which is information based on an internal optical characteristic value of the object, by using intensity of the received signal. The processor corrects the intensity of the received signal by using the reflectance upon the acoustic wave entering the probe which is calculated based on the angle of the acoustic wave entering the probe, and on the acoustic impedance and acoustic velocity of the object and the probe. |
| US09995714B2 |
Apparatus and arrangement for monitoring a condition of an elongated ferrous object having a longitudinal axis
There is provided an apparatus for monitoring a condition of an elongated ferrous object having a longitudinal axis, said apparatus including at least one magnetizing circuit including magnetic poles separated along the longitudinal axis, and magnetic field sensors arranged at the poles, said poles including pole shoes for directing magnetic flux between the poles and the monitored object. The pole shoes include openings between the monitored object and the poles, an opening including two ends separated in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis by a mid-section defining a smaller opening than the ends for concentrating the magnetic flux at the mid-section. There is further provided an arrangement including one or more elongated objects for hoisting payload, wherein the monitoring apparatus is attached to the elongated objects. |
| US09995712B2 |
Segmented linear ion mobility spectrometer driver
An ion mobility spectrometer or separator is disclosed comprises plural groups of electrodes, each group of electrodes comprising: (i) a first electrode connected to a first independently controllable voltage supply; (ii) one or more intermediate electrodes; and (iii) a second electrode connected to a second independently controllable voltage supply, wherein the first electrode, the one or more intermediate electrodes and the second electrode are interconnected by a series of resistors or other components so as to form a resistive divider so that the potential of the one or more intermediate electrodes is determined by the voltages supplied by the first and second voltage supplies and the resistance of the resistors; a drift region; a first device arranged and adapted to pulse a packet of ions into the drift region so that the ions are caused to separate temporally and assume one or more ion distributions; and a control system arranged and adapted: (i) to cause at least some of the independently controllable voltage supplies to supply voltages to at least two adjacent groups of electrodes so as to substantially continuously subject at least part or substantially the whole of the one or more ion distributions to a first non-zero voltage gradient or a first non-zero constant or linear electric field as the one or more ion distributions progress along the drift region; and (ii) to cause at least some of the independently controllable voltage supplies to supply voltages to groups of electrodes other than the at least two adjacent groups of electrodes to create, maintain or apply a second different voltage gradient or a second different electric field across one or more portions of the drift region which are distal from the one or more ion distributions. |
| US09995710B2 |
Nanopore sensor for detecting molecular interactions
A nanosensor for detecting molecule characteristics includes a membrane having an opening configured to permit a charged carbon nanotube to pass but to block a molecule attached to the carbon nanotube. The opening is filled with an electrolytic solution. An electric field generator is configured to generate an electric field relative to the opening to drive the charged carbon nanotubes through the opening. A sensor circuit is coupled to the electric field generator to sense current changes due to charged carbon nanotubes passing into the opening, and to bias the electric field generator to determine a critical voltage related to a force of separation between the carbon nanotube and the molecule. |
| US09995706B2 |
Amperometric gas sensor
The disclosed invention relates to an amperometric gas sensor for measuring the concentration of an analyte, comprising: a solid support; and a working electrode in contact with the solid support; wherein the analyte comprises a dopant which when in contact with the solid support increases the electrical conductivity of the solid support. A sterilization process employing the amperometric gas sensor is disclosed. |
| US09995704B2 |
Gas sensor element and gas sensor
A gas sensor element which has water-permeable electrodes, and water-impermeable leads connected to the electrodes A first electrode (133) has a space exposure portion (133b) exposed to internal space (160) of a gas sensor element (10) which communicates with an ambient atmosphere. A first lead (137) is connected to the first electrode (133). The first electrode (133) includes a first connection portion (133d) which is disposed at a position not exposed to the internal space (160) and connected to the first lead (137), and which is a portion of the first electrode (133) located most distant from the internal space (160). The entire first connection portion (133d) is located in a region A1 which extends from the internal space (160) over a distance of 1.0 mm or less. Also enclosed is a gas sensor including the gas sensor element. |
| US09995700B2 |
Heater structure for a sensor device
The sensor device comprises a hotplate on a membrane. The hotplate is heated by a N-fold rotationally symmetric heater structure having N>1 heater elements of identical design. Each heater element comprises an inner section, an intermediate section and an outer section arranged in series, with the inner section having a larger electrical cross section than the outer section. This design allows to heat the hotplate to a homogeneous temperature at moderate supply voltages. |
| US09995699B2 |
Method of characterizing the thermal ageing of composite materials, in particular composite materials having an organic matrix
The present disclosure relates to a method of characterizing the thermal ageing of a part made of composite material, in particular a composite material having an organic matrix. The method includes taking from the part a sample of composite material, subjecting the sample to modulated temperature differential calorimetry, determining, from the curve representing the total heat flow component associated with irreversible phenomena, the temperature at which a local extremum appears, this local extremum being characteristic of the thermal ageing, and determining the thermal ageing of the composite material by comparing the temperature at which the local extremum appears with a reference chart. |
| US09995695B2 |
Radiography and computed tomography with high-energy electron beams
An imaging system can use high-energy electrons at a low dose level to generate 3D computed tomography images and/or 2D radiographic images of living tissue and other objects. In some embodiments, a nozzle directs a source of high-energy electrons to the imaging target, and a detector system detects physical quantities of electrons that interact with the imaging target. In some embodiments, a computer system can calculate estimated paths taken by individual electrons within the imaging target, determine interactions between voxels of a digitized image of the imaging target and individual electrons, and reconstruct a digitized image of the imaging target based at least in part on the determined interactions between individual electrons and voxels. The imaging target can include but is not limited to living tissue, humans, pediatric patients, small animals, and other objects, such as those used in industrial applications. |
| US09995694B2 |
Traveling wave spot probe
Various examples of methods and systems are provided for traveling wave spot probes. In one embodiment, among others, a traveling wave spot probe includes one or more antennas positioned proximate to a coated surface. The one or more antennas can be configured to excite a surface traveling wave moving over an area under test by launching radio frequency (RF) energy at approximately a grazing angle to the coated surface under test. The one or more antennas can be positioned on a base placed proximate to the coated surface. The base can define the area of the coated surface under test. In another embodiment, a method for non-destructive testing of a coated surface includes positioning one or more antennas proximate to a coated surface and exciting a surface traveling wave over an area under test by transmitting RF energy via at least a portion of the one or more antennas. |
| US09995693B2 |
Quality evaluation method for silicon wafer, and silicon wafer and method of producing silicon wafer using the method
After determining the precipitated oxygen concentration and the residual oxygen concentration in a silicon wafer after heat treatment performed in a device fabrication process; the critical shear stress τcri at which slip dislocations are formed in the silicon wafer in the device fabrication process is determined based on the obtained precipitated oxygen concentration and residual oxygen concentration; and the obtained critical shear stress τcri and the thermal stress τ applied to the silicon wafer in the heat treatment of the device fabrication process are compared, thereby determining that slip dislocations are formed in the silicon wafer in the device fabrication process when the thermal stress τ is equal to or more than the critical shear stress τcri, or determining that slip dislocations are not formed in the silicon wafer in the device fabrication process when the thermal stress τ is less than the critical shear stress τcri. |
| US09995687B2 |
Apparatus for detecting an analyte with surface enhanced raman scattering
A surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active nanoassembly comprising anisotropically assembled gold nanoparticles in a monolayer double row immobilized on a glass layer is disclosed. The discrete gold nanoparticles are separated by interparticle gaps of 0.5-10 nm that provide hotsites where appropriate excitation creates surface plasmon resonaces and regions of strong and localized electromagnetic fields that enhance Raman signal substantially, 104-1015 fold. An appropriate SERS apparatus comprising the nanoassembly for detecting an analyte is also disclosed. In addition, a method for producing the nanoassembly as well as the application of the nanoassembly or the apparatus comprising the nanoassembly in a method for measuring the SERS signal of an analyte is disclosed. |
| US09995683B2 |
Apparatus for single-molecule detection
An apparatus for detecting an object capable of emitting light. The apparatus includes a light source and a waveguide. The waveguide includes a core layer and a first cladding layer. At least one nanowell is formed in at least the first cladding layer. The apparatus further includes a light detector. The light detector can detect a light emitted from a single molecule object contained in the at least one nanowell. |
| US09995680B2 |
Thermally resolved molecule assays
Provided herein are compositions and methods including the step of thermally scanning a sample that can be used and implemented to detect the presence of and/or concentration of a molecule in a sample. |
| US09995674B2 |
Photoacoustic chemical detector
A laser vibrometer for measurement of ambient chemical species includes a laser that produces a beam that is split into a reference readout beam and a signal readout beam. A probe laser beam is tuned to an absorption feature of a molecular transition, and generates acoustic signals when incident on a gaseous species via the photo acoustic effect. The scattered acoustic signals are incident on a thin membrane that vibrates. The readout laser beam reflected from the vibrating membrane is mixed with the reference beam at the surface of a photo-EMF detector. Interferrometric fringes are generated at the surface of the photo-EMF detector. Electric current is generated in the photo-EMF detector when the fringes are in motion due to undulations in the signal readout beam imparted by the vibrating membrane. A highly sensitive photo-EMF detector is capable of detecting picoJoules or less laser energy generated by vibrating processes. |
| US09995671B1 |
Tactile sensor system and method for inspecting the condition of a structure
In a computer-implemented method and system for capturing the condition of a structure, the structure is scanned with a three-dimensional (3D) scanner. The 3D contact scanner includes a tactile sensor system having at least one tactile sensor for generating 3D data points based on tactile feedback resulting from physical contact with at least part of the structure. A 3D model is constructed from the 3D data and is then analyzed to determine the condition of the structure. |
| US09995670B2 |
Method of controlling a laser bond inspection system
A method of laser bond inspection is provided. The method includes applying a thermochromatic energy-absorbing material to an inspection site of a test article. The method includes delivering a first amount of energy to the inspection site using a laser. The first amount of energy generates stresses in the test article. The method includes absorbing the first amount of energy into the thermochromatic energy-absorbing material to produce an observable thermal response that correlates to the first amount of energy. |
| US09995668B2 |
Apparatus for manipulating, modifying and characterizing particles in a micro channel
Microfluidic system comprising a space for containing a liquid and at least one lateral chamber in communication with said space, said lateral chamber containing a metal electrode. The lateral chamber and the space are designed to be filled by the same or different liquid when the system is active. |
| US09995661B2 |
Flow-through high hydrostatic pressure microfluidic sample preparation device and related methods therefor
Described herein is a sample preparation device including a sample delivery source, an inline means of transferring the sample from the sample source into a deformable channel within a pressure vessel, and out of the channel into downstream analysis components, a deformable channel disposed within the pressure vessel, the deformable channel having an inlet end and an outlet end fluidly connectable to high pressure valves and a means to measure the fluid pressure within the deformable channel, an external source of a controlled pressurized fluid fluidly connectable to the pressure vessel and a controller system that monitors and controls the sample fluid pressure by control of the external pressure vessel fluid. |
| US09995660B2 |
Smear staining machine and smearing control method and device thereof
A smear staining machine and a smearing control method and device thereof. The viscosity of the test sample is used for guiding the configuration of at least one smearing parameter. Because the viscosity of the test sample presents multiple influences of many effecting parameters, it is more suitable for presenting the characteristics of the test sample. Therefore, a better smearing effect could be acquired by referring the viscosity of the test sample to get the smearing parameter. |
| US09995655B2 |
Assessment of power system equipment for equipment maintenance and/or risk mitigation
Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are provided for assessing power system equipment of a power system. Historical sensor data and/or historical field test data collected from the power system equipment may be utilized to develop a health profile of the power system equipment. The health profile is indicative of a predicted health (e.g., or probability of failure) of the power system equipment. In one embodiment, the health profile further comprises a health index score which evaluates that health of the power system equipment in terms of the importance of the power system equipment to the power system. Using the health profiles developed for a plurality of power system equipment, a maintenance strategy for at least a portion of the power system may be developed. |
| US09995654B2 |
Tire and vehicle sensor-based vehicle state estimation system and method
A vehicle state estimation system and method uses an observer model to make cornering stiffness estimates from tire-based sensor data and vehicle-based sensor data throughout transient and non-transient operational maneuvers of a vehicle. A cornering stiffness identifier extracts transient-state cornering stiffness estimates from the cornering stiffness estimates made by the observer model and extracts from the transient-state cornering stiffness estimates an optimal transient-state cornering stiffness estimate having a substantially highest confidence measure for use by a vehicle control system. |
| US09995651B2 |
Load application device, load measuring device, and aircraft load application method
The present invention aims to apply a vertical load to a specimen with high precision even if the specimen shifts horizontally. A load application device includes: a hydraulic actuator which applies a load to a specimen; a support structural body which supports the hydraulic actuator along a vertical direction; a horizontal guide surface which guides the support structural body along a horizontal direction; and a bearing which is interposed between the support structural body and the horizontal guide surface and bears the support structural body so as to be horizontally shiftable relative to the horizontal guide surface. This bearing includes a plurality of spherical bodies supported so as to be independently rollable, and the plurality of spherical bodies are held in contact with the support structural body or the horizontal guide surface. |
| US09995650B2 |
Transmission test rig comprising belt drives
A test rig of the closed loop type for testing power transmission units of any geometry, in particular helicopter transmissions, comprising drives with friction belts, flat belts in particular. The belt drives have pulleys with diameters that compensate for the creep in the belts. In some embodiments, the test rig comprises ‘slave’ transmissions. In some embodiments the slave transmission is positioned and oriented in such a manner that all its input and output shafts, regardless their different space angles, become parallel and rotating in the same direction as their corresponding shafts on the tested transmission. The shafts can thus be connected by the flat belt drives to close the loops. In other embodiments, sets of gearboxes are run with their slave units; their orientation is also set so as to enable the parallelism and identity of the rotational direction of the shafts the belt drives are connected to. Still, in other embodiments, the close loops are implemented by belt drives only, including belt drives with twisted belts. Torquing the loops is accomplished either by tensioning the belts during operation or by a torque generator device. |
| US09995649B2 |
Dual purpose optical test instrument
One or more embodiments are directed to optical test instruments, such as fiber optic inspection scopes and optical power meters, for testing optical communication links, such as fiber optic connectors. The optical test instruments include a single test port that is able to operate in two modes of operation. In a first mode of operation, the optical test instrument is configured to provide an image of the endface of a fiber optic connector under test. In a second mode of operation, the optical test instrument is configured to measure power or power loss in an optical fiber under test. In that regard, the fiber optic connector only has to be coupled to a single port of an optical test instrument for a visual inspection of an endface of a fiber optic connector and a power test of the optical fiber under test. |
| US09995632B2 |
Radiation thermometer and thermometry method
A radiation thermometer has a broadband light source which generates broadband light; an optical filter which, when the broadband light is incident on the measuring target object, passes only light in a predetermined wavelength range of reflected light and heat radiation light from a measuring target object; a light receiver which receives the light in the predetermined wavelength range through the optical filter; and a calculator which calculates a temperature of the measuring target object by using reflected light intensity and heat radiation intensity of the light in the predetermined wavelength range received by the light receiver, wherein an emission spectrum of the broadband light is a spectrum with a full width at half maximum which is equal to or wider than the predetermined wavelength range, and with light intensity increasing while a wavelength thereof becomes longer in the predetermined wavelength range. |
| US09995624B2 |
Optical measurement device
To improve light use efficiency and thereby achieve even higher sampling rates. An optical measurement device includes: a light source configured to emit illumination light including a plurality of wavelength components; an optical system configured to introduce an axial chromatic aberration into the illumination light from the light source and to receive reflection light reflecting from a measurement object where at least a portion of the measurement object lies along a line extending from the optical axis of the optical system; a spectrometer for separating the reflection light received at the optical system into wavelength components, and a detector including a plurality of light receiving elements arranged one-dimensionally to correspond to the dispersion direction of the spectrometer. |
| US09995623B2 |
Ambient light assisted spectroscopy
A spectroscopic device, which may be a handheld spectroscopic light source, which uses ambient light as a primary broadband light source, but which may be supplemented with an auxiliary light source to supplement band regions which may be deficient in the broad band source. The spectroscopic device makes use of a number of parallel control channels to monitor for sufficient light and to compensate for variations in the input light levels. |
| US09995621B2 |
Sound sensor
A compression assembly (5) forms an airborne sound sensor for detecting sound pressure level. The airborne sound sensor includes a piezo electric transducer (11) compressed against a top element (9) and a lower element (12) so as to compress the transducer (11) across a first face and a distal second sensing face. |
| US09995620B2 |
Combination scale with shielding tool
This disclosure provides a combination scale including a dispersing feeder, linear feeders, a plurality of hoppers, and a collector. The dispersing feeder and linear feeders are respectively disposed in upper parts of a center base of the combination scale to disperse and deliver outwardly articles received therein. The hoppers are removably mountable to an outer periphery of the center base to hold and discharge the articles. The collector collects the articles discharged from the hoppers on a central side of the center base and discharges the collected articles. The collector constitutes a collecting and discharging channel for the articles to be collected and discharged. The combination scale further includes a shielding tool configured to block liquid that drops from the center base downward into the collecting and discharging channel. |
| US09995619B2 |
Fluid container measurement system employing load cell linkage member
A fluid container measurement system employing a load cell linkage member is disclosed. The fluid container measurement system is configured to suspend a load measurement assembly a distance above a support surface. The load measurement assembly houses a load cell and a measurement control circuit. The measurement control circuit is coupled to the load cell and configured to receive electrical signals indicative of a force imposed on the load cell. The load measurement assembly also includes or is configured to receive a load cell linkage member mechanically linked to the load cell. In this manner, a load placed on the load cell linkage member will be exerted on the load cell. Electrical signals generated by the load cell indicative of the force exerted on the load cell can be used to measure the fluid container attached to the load cell linkage member. |
| US09995615B2 |
Hydrogen generator with fuel gauge
The invention is a hydrogen generator with a fuel gauge and a method of fuel gauging. The hydrogen generator includes a replaceable fuel unit, containing a hydrogen-containing material (fuel) that can release hydrogen gas when heated and whose thermal conductivity is related to a quantity of releasable hydrogen contained therein, and a fuel gauge including a heat source and a temperature sensor adjacent to the fuel unit and a controller for determining a fuel level value based on a measured temperature. The temperature is measured at a pre-established time after activating the heat source, and the measured temperature is compared to a predetermined relationship between the measured temperature and a releasable hydrogen content in the fuel at the pre-established time. An output signal is provided (e.g., to a visible display, an audible signal or a controller). |
| US09995614B2 |
Fluid flow rate measuring device including a diverting unit for diverting the flow into a measuring section
Measurement device for determining the flow rate of a fluid flowing in a pipe in a main flow direction, comprises a diverting unit connected to the pipe and adapted to divert the fluid flow from the axis of the main flow direction in the pipe and directing the flow to a measuring section, the diverting unit is a sealed reservoir having an inlet portion connected to an inlet pipe, an outlet portion connected to an outlet pipe and a diverting portion connected to the inlet portion and the outlet portion and comprising a tubular member disposed in the diverting portion and the outlet portion, the tubular member has a measuring section comprising fluid flow rate meter, and a connecting section for connecting the tubular member to the outlet pipe. |
| US09995611B2 |
Air detection system and method for detecting air in a pump of an infusion system
Various systems and methods for detecting air in a chamber of an infusion system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a determination is made that air is contained in the chamber on the basis of a change in the average force exerted against the plunger utilizing a derivative spike for event detection and a systematic reduction in the average force to confirm the nature of the change. In another embodiment, a determination is made that the chamber contains air when a difference between the current force profile and a baseline force profile crosses a threshold. In an additional embodiment, a force profile is classified as being an air force profile or a liquid force profile based on extracted features of the force profile. |
| US09995610B2 |
Method for operating a nuclear magnetic flowmeter
A method for operating a nuclear magnetic flowmeter having a measuring device for determining the flow of the medium through the measuring tube, the measuring device having a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field permeating the medium and the measuring tube and for carrying out nuclear magnetic measurements of measuring volumes that are adjustable in position and size in the magnetic field. The nuclear magnetic measurements involve adjusting the size of the measuring volume, positioning the measuring volume, generating excitation signals for exciting the medium, transmitting excitation signals into the measuring volume and measuring echo signals caused by the excitation signals. Deposits on the inner wall of the measuring tube are determined from echo signals of all nuclear magnetic measurements assigned to the position of the measuring volume of the respective nuclear magnetic measurement and at least one abrupt change in the echo signals detected. |
| US09995608B1 |
Pitot-static tester kit
The pitot-static tester kit is adapted for use with pitot based measurement equipment. The pitot-static tester kit tests the static pressure pitot static tube for leaks in situ. The pitot-static tester kit is a kit that simultaneously tests the pitot tube and the hose of a tube assembly selected from the group consisting of the stagnation pressure pitot static tube assembly and the static pressure pitot static tube assembly. The selected tube assembly is placed under pressure from an externally provided test set and the pitot-static tester kit then tests the pitot tube and the hose of a selected tube assembly for leaks. The pitot-static tester kit comprises a first adapter plug, a second adapter plug, a cleaning medium, a surfactant solution, a flashlight, and a cloth. |
| US09995606B2 |
Indicator member, indicator unit and indicator instrument
To provide an inexpensive indicator member which can prevent a dark area from being formed at a location above a reflection part, an indicator unit having the indicator member and an indicator instrument having the indicator unit. A hollow reflection part provided to an indicator part of an indicator main body of a light-emitting indicator includes a plurality of partial reflection parts having at least an pointing direction reflection face, a rear end direction reflection face and a corner formed at an intersection of the pointing direction reflection face and the rear end direction reflection face and arranged at a location opposed to the base part. The corners of the respective partial reflection parts adjacent to each other are displaced in a pointing direction or in a rear end direction. |
| US09995604B2 |
Optical sensor
An optical sensor (10) comprises an optical cavity defined by a dielectric body and responsive to one or more physical environmental conditions, and a waveguide (70) having a terminal end spaced apart from the optical cavity such that light is optically coupled from the terminal end of the waveguide (70) to the optical cavity. The waveguide (70) is arranged such that, in use, it is maintained at a first temperature that would not damage the optical coupling to the optical cavity when the dielectric body is maintained at a second temperature sufficient to damage the optical coupling to the optical cavity. |
| US09995601B2 |
Capacitive proximity sensor for a motor vehicle, collision protection device for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle with a capacitive proximity sensor
A capacitive proximity sensor for a motor vehicle contains a transmission electrode for producing a measurement field and a reception electrode for detecting at least part of the measurement field. Furthermore, the proximity sensor contains a screen electrode that is disposed to form the measurement field between the transmission electrode and the reception electrode. The proximity sensor is in particular provided for use in a collision protection device for the motor vehicle. |
| US09995598B2 |
Method for measuring a position
A method for measuring a position using a magnet and a sensor for detecting the magnetic field strength of the magnet. The magnet and/or the sensor interact with a movable element so that a relative movement between the sensor and the magnet can be effected. The position of the movable element in accordance with the coordinates in a system of coordinates can be ascertained on the basis of the magnetic field having a predetermined shape generated by the magnet and detected by the sensor. The sensor ascertains three linearly independent spatial direction components of the magnetic field strength of the magnetic field acting at the location of the sensor. Each coordinate along a coordinate axis of the system coordinates of the magnetic field is determined individually and unambiguously by the combination of the three linearly independent spatial direction components of the magnetic field strength detected by the sensor. |
| US09995597B2 |
Magnetic position sensor and position detecting method
The present invention enables to obtain an approximate position of a zero crossing point in a shorter time period. A magnetic position sensor detects, with an array in which multiple magnetic detection elements are arranged in a straight line, the zero crossing point at which the magnetic flux density from a pair of magnetic poles is zero in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the array. The magnetic detection elements are elements whose output changes in polarity when the direction of the magnetic flux density is inverted, and detect an approximate position of the zero crossing point by reading an output of every k-th magnetic detection element of the array (where k is an integer of 2 or greater). Then, the position of the zero crossing point is detected according to outputs of at least two magnetic detection elements on both sides of the zero crossing point. |
| US09995594B2 |
Electric load labeling post itemization based on analysis of power measurements at a single point
A facility is connected to an electricity utility and includes a plurality of control computer controlled devices and a plurality of devices that is uncontrolled by control computers. An operational status of each of the control computer controlled devices is monitored by a server. The facility has a power meter that provides data representing actual power consumption to the server which is connected via a network to the control computer. The server is configured to determine power consumption of each device in the plurality of controlled devices from operational status data and power consumption data. |
| US09995593B2 |
Method for operating a sensor array
A sensor array and a method are provided for operating a sensor array with a first sensor and a second sensor, the second sensor being designed for an operation at an ambient temperature, the first sensor representing a heated sensor, which is designed for being operated at an operating temperature that is above the ambient temperature, the first and the second sensor being connected to each other via a carrier, the carrier bringing about thermal coupling between the first and the second sensor, the first sensor being heated to the operating temperature during a first phase, and a measurement being carried out by the first sensor during the first phase, the heating being switched off or at least being reduced in a second phase, and a measurement being carried out by the second sensor during the second phase, an increased temperature of the second sensor as a result of the heating during the first phase being taken into account when evaluating the measurement of the second sensor. |
| US09995590B1 |
Preventive measures for a cognitive impaired user
A computing device detects that an ignition switch of the vehicle was activated, wherein the vehicle includes a navigation device. The computing device requests a destination from the navigation device. The computing device interlocking, an operation of the vehicle based on determining that the destination is not valid. |
| US09995587B2 |
System to develop topographical data
A system to develop topographical data in a mapping database is herein presented. The system includes: a memory including one or more executable instructions and the mapping database; a controller configured to read and execute the one or more executable instructions; a sensor configured to determine when the vehicle encounters a road surface feature and subsequently send a surface-variation signal including a topographic coordinate update corresponding to the road surface feature. The executable instructions enable the controller to: receive the surface-variation signal from the sensor; and collaborate with the mapping database to develop the topographical data with the topographic coordinate update. |
| US09995586B2 |
Method and apparatus for identifying geographic locations
Embodiments of the present invention provide a computer-implemented method for assigning identifiers to geographic locations within digital map data, comprising selecting a region within the map data, dividing the region into a first plurality of cells each uniquely addressable by an identifier of a first length, selecting a portion of the region and dividing the portion into a second plurality of cells each uniquely addressable by an identifier of a second length, wherein the second length is shorter length than the first length and a geographic location within the portion of the region may be uniquely identified by an identifier of the first length and an identifier of the second length. |
| US09995585B2 |
Method for navigation of a user between a first position within a building and a second position
A method for navigating a user between a first position within a building and a second position, or vice versa, includes creating, by a motor vehicle, map information describing at least one partial area of the building based on vehicle environment information created at the motor vehicle that describes objects in the environment around the motor vehicle. The method further includes providing, by the motor vehicle, parking information including a park position of the motor vehicle within the building and transferring the map information and the parking information to a mobile communication device. The mobile communication device is configured to create navigation information containing at least one navigation route between the first position and the second position, based on the transferred map information and the transferred parking information. The mobile communication device is configured to navigate the user between the first position and the second position using the navigation information. |
| US09995583B2 |
Systems and methods for MEMS gyroscope shock robustness
Various embodiments of the invention allow for increased shock robustness in gyroscopes. In certain embodiments, immunity against undesired forces that corrupt signal output is provided by a chessboard-pattern architecture of proof masses that provides a second layer of differential signals not present in existing designs. Masses are aligned parallel to each other in a two-by-two configuration with two orthogonal symmetry axes. The masses are driven to oscillate in such a way that each mass moves anti-parallel to an adjacent proof mass. In some embodiments of the invention, a mechanical joint system interconnects proof masses to suppress displacements due to mechanical disturbances, while permitting displacements due to Coriolis forces to prevented erroneous sensor signals. |
| US09995581B2 |
Achieving ultra-high resolution heterodyne synthetic imaging across multiple platforms using optical frequency comb sources
A system that performs heterodyne optical imaging across multiple platforms gathers an optical signal from an optical sensor at each of the multiple platforms. At the same time, an optical frequency comb local oscillator (LO) at each of the platforms generates a reference comb signal comprising a set of optical frequency comb lines at different frequencies, wherein each optical frequency comb LO is locked to a local atomic clock at each of the platforms. Next, a mixer, at each of the platforms, is used to mix the optical signal gathered from the optical sensor with the reference comb signal generated by the optical frequency comb LO to generate a mixed signal. The system then communicates the mixed signals generated at each of the platforms to a central location. Finally, the system correlates the mixed signals received from each of the platforms and generates a reconstructed optical image. |
| US09995577B2 |
Measuring system and operating method thereof
A measuring system includes a smart terminal and a measuring device. The smart terminal includes a first power source module, a first processor, a first wireless communication unit and a memory. The measuring device includes a measuring module, a second power source module and a second wireless communication unit. The measuring system may include one or more applications to provide a rich set of functionalities. |
| US09995576B2 |
Distance measuring device and method thereof
A laser distance measuring device and a control method for the same are disclosed. More specifically, disclosed herein are a laser distance measuring device capable of quickly measuring horizontal and vertical distances using laser and a control method for the same. The laser distance measuring device may include a light transmitter, a light receiver, a sensing unit, and a controller configured to perform an control operation to emit split laser through the light transmitter, acquire time difference information indicating a difference between a time to emit the split laser and a time to sense, through the sensing unit, the split laser reflected from a target position, and calculate a distance to the target position using the time difference information. |
| US09995568B2 |
Construction site monitoring system
A job site monitoring system includes a tower-mounted scanner that is situated to monitor all or substantially all of a particular construction site. The scanner is configured to provide data to a processor configured to determine the height of fill material deposited at a job site. The processor is adapted to communicate with a remote client who can review the data collected at the job site. The processor may also be configured to compare the live fill height data to predetermined parameters to determine whether an error condition exists. An alert may be issued upon detection of such an error to enable corrective action to be taken before construction continues at the site. |
| US09995567B2 |
Method and device for determining 3D coordinates of an object
The invention relates to a method for determining 3D coordinates of an object (2) by a handheld laser-based distance measuring device (1), the method comprising determining an object point (20) at the object (2); measuring a distance (100) from the handheld laser-based distance measuring device (1) to the determined object point (20) by means of an EDM (10); capturing a 3D image (110) of the object (2), the 3D image (110) includes the determined object point (20); identifying the determined object point (20) in the captured 3D image (110); and linking the measured distance (100) with the identified object point (20) in the 3D image (110). The invention also relates to a handheld laser-based distance measuring device (1) and a computer program product for execution of said method. |
| US09995563B2 |
Cartridge with safety fuse in the drive system, and method for producing it
A cartridge with a drive system and a projectile which is connected to the drive system, wherein the drive system has a propellant case filled with a propellant and has a case bottom containing a substantially axially extending case bottom opening with a T-shaped edge contour. The case bottom opening is closed by a plug which is of T-shaped configuration, receives an ignition cap and is held in position by a safety fuse ring of a rupture disc. The safety fuse ring is arranged between the front side of the head part of the plug and the rear side of an adjoining inner-side projection of the case bottom, with the result that the propellant chamber is delimited by the front surface of the plug neck. An inner edge of the safety fuse ring engages in a positively locking and/or non-positive manner into an outer groove-shaped recess of the plug. |
| US09995561B2 |
Narrowing high strength polymer-based cartridge for blank and subsonic ammunition
A high strength polymer-based cartridge casing includes a cartridge body, molded from a polymer, having a first end and an opposing second end, and enclosing a volume. A bullet is removably engaged with the first end and an insert is engaged to the second end. A shoulder portion is located proximate the first end and a propellant chamber formed in the volume. The propellant chamber has a first diameter proximate to the shoulder, a second diameter proximate to the insert and greater than the first diameter, and a linear slope disposed between the first diameter and the second diameter. |
| US09995560B2 |
Ignition device
The ignition device according to the present disclosure implements in a reliable manner a one-time transient switching process for high voltages (>1.5 kV) and high currents (>3 kA) in combination with a minimal space requirement, maximum environmental durability and at the same time low cost expenditure by integrating the essential components on a flexible printed circuit system. |
| US09995557B2 |
Firearm rail and weights
Firearm weights and firearm rails having one or more weights that hug the interior surface of the firearm rail and/or orient a firearm sling loop in an appropriate position on the firearm. |
| US09995553B1 |
Adjustable buffer
An adjustable buffer optionally including at least some of a buffer element having an elongate buffer element body portion, wherein the buffer element body portion includes an externally threaded portion; a collar nut having a collar nut aperture formed therethrough, wherein at least a portion of the collar nut aperture is internally threaded so as to interact with the externally threaded portion of the buffer element body portion, and wherein one or more collar nut recesses are formed in the collar nut; and a locking collar having a locking collar aperture formed therethrough, wherein the locking collar aperture is formed so as to accept at least a portion of the buffer element body portion therethrough, wherein the locking collar includes one or more locking collar protrusions, and wherein the one or more locking collar protrusions are mateable with the one or more collar nut recesses. |
| US09995551B2 |
Universal custom recoil solution system
A universal custom recoil solution will comprise of, a provided firearm or barrel, prismatic shaped shell housing mounted or connected to the gas block, a gas block with pathways to direct firearms gas pressure from firing bullet into device interior pushing a counter weight, and spring to counter act the firearms recoil when fired. This device is fitted to or around a provided barrel where the counter weight and spring are mounted on and reciprocate from front to back of the systems interior volume. The systems main function is to create a counter balance to the firearms kinetic energy by providing a moving mass, to counter the recoil from the firearms action movement when firing. The gas pressure is also expelled and redirected allowing the device to cycle synergistically with the firearm actions. |
| US09995550B2 |
Firearm slide with an integrated flash hider
A firearm slide is disclosed. The firearm may include a slide and a flash hider integrally formed into an end of the slide. |
| US09995545B2 |
Buffer and spring assembly for a firearm
The present disclosure provides a buffer kit or assembly for an AR-15, M16, M4 carbine, SR-25, AR-10 and LR-308 type firearm with enhanced fatigue resistance. The buffer assembly includes a weighted buffer, a spring, and a buffer tube. The spring is helically shaped and is formed from multiple wire strands. The stranded wire spring has a greater nominal wire diameter, in comparison to prior art single wire springs, and thus the stranded wire spring itself has a smaller internal diameter. The shoulder of the weighted buffer is provided with a reduced diameter to accommodate the smaller internal diameter of the stranded wire spring. |
| US09995544B1 |
Pistol loading assistant
The present invention relates generally to firearms and devices that allow a shooter to load an automatic pistol inside a locked holster. The problem of existing devices is that they do not allow to load a gun locked inside a holster and with one hand only. The present invention is intended to solve this problem. Pistol Loading Assistant—is a device in the form of an insert for a holster, allowing a shooter to load a pistol when it is in a holster in a locked position with a short move of one hand. A shooter moves pistol slide with device inside a locked holster and loads pistol with a cartridge. Charging hook of device covers safety lever of pistol from one side increasing safety. Device jointed with holster with locking cord and can provide convenient, easy and safe pistol loading with small physical efforts. |
| US09995539B2 |
Corrugated fins for heat exchanger
Corrugated fins that have high heat transfer performance and do not cause clogging even in a gaseous environment in which particulate matter such as dust is present have wall surfaces on which are formed alternating parallel ridges and furrows with an angle of inclination of 10-60°. Defining Wh as the height of the ridges and furrows, Wp as the period of the ridges and furrows, Pf as the period of the corrugated fins, and Tf as the thickness of the plate forming the fins, the following conditions hold. Wh≤0.3674·Wp+1.893·Tf−0.1584, 0.088<(Wh−Tf)/Pf<0.342, and a·Wp2+b·Wp+c |
| US09995537B2 |
Heat pipe
The purpose of this invention is to provide a sheet-shaped heat pipe that makes it possible to reduce a pressure loss caused by a vapor flow or a pressure loss caused by a working fluid flow to improve the maximum amount of heat to be transported and reduce thermal resistance by increasing the cross-sectional area of a vapor flow passage or a fluid flow passage, which has been limited by the length of a container in a height direction. A heat pipe (20) is provided with a protruding portion (24) so that the height of the wick-occupied portion (23) serving as the fluid flow passage is larger than the height of the space portion (22) serving as the vapor flow passage. |
| US09995536B2 |
Heat pipe for vehicle energy-storage systems
Provided are cooling subsystems for a vehicle energy-storage system comprising a heat pipe disposed between two battery modules, the heat pipe being thermally coupled to each of a plurality of cells of the two battery modules at an end of each cell. The heat pipe comprises an envelope and a working fluid, the heat pipe transferring heat from the plurality of cells. Optionally, the cooling subsystem further includes a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the heat pipe, the heat exchanger receiving heat from the heat pipe. |
| US09995534B2 |
Heat exchanger
In a heat exchanger, a second fluid flowing space communicating with second tubes is formed to be divided from a first tank space within a tank unit forming a first tank space that collects or distributes a refrigerant. The tank unit is defrosted by a coolant flowing in the second fluid flowing space, which is higher in temperature than the refrigerant flowing in the first tank space. With this configuration, heat from the second fluid flowing in the second fluid flowing space included in the tank unit is effectively transferred to a portion of the tank unit which is likely to be frosted. |
| US09995532B2 |
Self-cleaning jet tube
Embodiments of a self-cleaning jet tube may include an elongate hollow body that is generally rectangular in cross-section and tapered from an open first end to a second end generally opposite the first end. The elongate hollow body may have an upper wall, a lower wall, side walls, a plurality of apertures arranged along the upper wall, an end plate coupled with the walls at the second end, and at least one through-slot. A through-slot may be disposed through the end plate or a wall, between the end plate and a wall, or between two walls. The jet tube may be configured for use with the through-slot(s) open and unblocked, thereby allowing debris to be expelled from the jet tube during operation of the jet veneer dryer. Corresponding systems and method are also provided herein. |
| US09995531B2 |
Multiple intermittence beehive grain dryer
“MULTIPLE INTERMITTENCE BEEHIVE GRAIN DRYER”, refers to a dryer of seeds and other agricultural products that can be a constructive format honeycomb type dryer designed to provide a unprecedented process of multiple intermittence during fast, gentle, non-aggressive drying process of grains and seeds through complete and safe removal of accumulated moisture, being divided into the following stages: drying-resting-drying-resting-drying, and so on until drying is complete. Exposure time to drying air is monitored and allows recirculation of humid air, it also allows batch or continuous drying with a thermally insulated plenum that removes dirty humid air located in the bottom section, without releasing it directly into the environment, with advantages of low production cost, dry grain of much higher quality, better energy efficiency, environmentally friendly and capable of virtually eliminating any accidental risks. |
| US09995525B2 |
Low-temperature automated storage for laboratory samples with automated access
The storage comprises, from the bottom to the top, a low temperature storage zone, for storing the samples, a handling zone, housing at least part of an automatic transport device, and an access zone, where the user can enter for maintenance. A separating wall consisting of removable panels insulates the access zone, for the rooms below it. A peripheral housing, contains a peripheral chamber for temporarily storing the samples at slightly higher temperatures. A liquid nitrogen container, is used to feed dry gas to the storage zone and to maintain it under slight overpressure for preventing the entry of moisture. |
| US09995524B2 |
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for cooling
Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods, apparatuses, and systems for cooling. Embodiments include a cooling system comprising a mobile container, conveyor system, and sensor feedback system. Container includes at least a first, second, and third section. First section holds at least one pallet containing produce. Second section includes a cooling mechanism to cool the produce within the at least one pallet to an optimal temperature. Third section includes the cooling mechanism to maintain the cooled produce in the at least one pallet at the optimal temperature. Conveyor system may be used to convey the at least one pallet across the cooling system. Sensor feedback system is configured to continuously measure and track at least the weight of the at least one pallet and temperature of the produce within the at least one pallet as the at least one pallet is conveyed across the cooling system. |
| US09995523B2 |
Refrigerator with icemaker and method of operating based on a variation in the amount of stored ice
A refrigerator includes an icemaker, an ice bank that is configured to store ice released from the icemaker, a weight sensor configured to measure a weight of the ice bank, and a controller configured to determine, based on weight measurements measured by the weight sensor, a variation in amount of ice stored in the ice bank during a set time period, and adjust an ice determination reference value based on the determined variation in the amount of ice stored in the ice bank during the set time period. |
| US09995519B2 |
Hemisphere ice making
Provided is a method of making an ice structure including the steps of: providing a mold having at least two mold portions; extending two supporting rods between the at least two mold portions; extending a drive rod from each of the at least to mold portions; chilling the at least two mold portions using at least one cooling source; delivering a flow of water such that water flows over the at least two mold portions; forming ice structure segments within the at least two mold portions; and contacting the ice structure segments to fuse them together to form the ice structure. |
| US09995515B2 |
Frozen evaporator coil detection and defrost initiation
A method is disclosed or detecting a frozen evaporator coil of a refrigerant vapor compression system for supplying conditioned air to a temperature controlled space before ice build-up on the evaporator coil becomes so excessive as to result in an undesirable on-off cycling of the refrigerant vapor compression system compressor when operating to a frozen temperature maintenance mode. The method may also include initiating a defrost of a frozen evaporator coil of the refrigerant vapor compression system before ice build-up on the evaporator coil becomes so excessive as to result in an on-off cycling of the refrigerant vapor compression system compressor when operating to a frozen temperature maintenance mode. |
| US09995512B2 |
Magnetic refrigeration system with single direction coolant devices and vehicle air conditioning device applications
A magnetic refrigeration system constructed in such a way that a refrigerant transfer part transfers refrigerant from a first refrigerant discharge part of one refrigerant port to a first refrigerant circulation circuit after a magnetic field is applied to a magnetic working material by a magnetic field applying and removing part and that the refrigerant transfer part transfers refrigerant from a second refrigerant discharge part of other refrigerant port to a second refrigerant circulation circuit after the magnetic field is removed from the magnetic working material by the magnetic field applying and removing part. |
| US09995509B2 |
Cascading heat recovery using a cooling unit as a source
A cascade heat recovery system connects an evaporator from a heating unit to a recovery condenser of the cooling unit, where the recovery condenser is different from a cooling condenser of the cooling unit, and/or connects the evaporator of the heating unit to the cooling loop of the cooling unit, for example in fluid communication with the evaporator of the cooling unit. Both configurations allow the heating unit to be isolated or decoupled from the heat rejection circuit on which the cooling condenser runs. The use of either or both configurations, depending on the operating conditions, can use heat rejected by the evaporator of the cooling unit to be available to the heating unit, so as to provide lift to the heating unit and improve its operating efficiency. |
| US09995507B2 |
Systems for cost-effective concentration and utilization of solar energy
The present invention is primarily directed to cost-effective systems for using large reflective elements that track the sun on two axes to concentrate solar energy onto a receiver that can convert the sun's optical energy to a form usable for extensive displacement of combustion of fossil fuels. The structures of the tracker frame, tracking mechanism and tracker supports are co-optimized with the optical elements and the receiver for high efficiency, low cost, and ease of assembly, making moderate and large-scale implementations cost-competitive with fossil fuels for peak power, and, with suitable storage, for base-load power and dispatchable peaking power in sunny locations. Improvement to small-tracker two-axis systems and one-axis tracking systems that focus in two dimensions are also included, as are improvements in systems for space-based solar power. |
| US09995506B2 |
Cable drive system for solar tracking
A cable drive system for solar tracking for solar array systems. The cable drive system employs one or more cables wound around a drive pulley of a drive device and one or more driven pulleys of respective rotatable solar assemblies of the solar array system. The system may use a tension device such as a spring or weight that returns the solar array system to an initial position at the end of the day. The drive device may be an active or passive solar tracker. The disclosed techniques of rotating solar panels are flexible, inexpensive, and reliable. The techniques can apply to any solar technology that benefit from following the sun. |
| US09995505B2 |
Transportable air heater
A transportable combustion air heater comprises a transportable supporting frame, a housing fixed to the frame, a cylindrical combustion chamber arranged in housing, a cylindrical annular thermal exchange channel formed around the combustion chamber, an external heating chamber defining an annular fume channel around the thermal exchange channel, in which one or more transversal guide walls are arranged in the external heating chamber, which guide walls lengthen flow paths of the fumes in the annular fume channel from fume inlet openings to an exhaust fume opening. |
| US09995502B1 |
Enthalpy measurement and system control
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for tracking computing enthalpy measurements indicating abnormalities associated with operation of a heating, ventilating, and cooling (HVAC) system. In some implementations, a computer-implemented method includes: obtaining, from one or more sensors associated with the HVAC system, (i) temperature data including a source vent temperature measurement and a return vent temperature of the HVAC system, and (ii) humidity data including a source vent humidity measurement and a return vent humidity measurement of the HVAC system; computing an enthalpy measurement associated with operation of the HVAC system; determining that the computed enthalpy measurement indicates an efficiency issue associated with operation of the HVAC system; and in response to determining that the computed enthalpy measurement indicates the efficiency issue associated with operation of the HVAC system, taking action related to the HVAC system. |
| US09995501B2 |
Remote contractor system with data analytics for identifying site specific operational abnormalities
A system that allows a contractor to remotely monitor and/or interact with its customers' building control systems, such as heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and analyze information obtained from the building control systems over time. Such a system may help the contractor monitor and diagnosis customer building control systems, setup service calls, achieve better customer relations, create more effective marketing opportunities, as well as other functions. In some cases, the disclosed system may help a contractor pro-actively identify possible issues with its customer's building control systems, and only then schedule maintenance as required. In some cases, based on the analysis of information obtained from the building control systems over time, the system may output indications of abnormalities in the operation of the building control systems from which information may be received. |
| US09995500B2 |
Automated, adaptive ventilation for a data center
An adaptive ventilation system and method for a data center are provided. The adaptive ventilation system includes: one or more system-controlled vents facilitating dynamic redirection of airflow passing through the vent(s), and including (for instance) a plurality of adjustable louvers; and a plurality of sensors dispersed within the data center for ascertaining one or more feedback parameters within different zones of the data center. The system also includes a controller configured or programmed to automatically manage adjustment of the system-controlled vent(s) based on the ascertained feedback parameter(s) within the data center. The automatically managing includes, for instance, automatically controlling orientation of multiple louvers of the system-controlled vent(s) to dynamically facilitate a desired airflow discharge adjustment to at least one system-controlled vent based, at least in part, on the sensed feedback parameter(s) within the different zones. |
| US09995497B2 |
Wireless zone control via mechanically adjustable airflow elements
An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones. |
| US09995490B2 |
Gas burner assembly for an appliance
A gas burner assembly includes an elongated burner and a round burner positioned at a middle portion of the elongated burner. The elongated burner defines a plurality of flame ports adjacent a first end portion of the elongated burner. Flame ports of the plurality of flame ports that are positioned on a pair of parallel linear segments of the elongated burner have a first total port area, and flame ports of the plurality of flame ports that are positioned on an arcuate segment of the elongated burner have a second total port area. The second total port area is greater than the first total port area. |
| US09995489B2 |
Pellet stove
A pellet stove having a combustion assembly housing. Located within the housing in a vertical array are a primary combustion chamber, a secondary combustion chamber located below the primary combustion chamber, and an ash receptacle located below the secondary combustion chamber. The primary combustion chamber communicates with the secondary combustion chamber, and the secondary combustion chamber communicates with the ash receptacle. A pellet feed housing is located above the primary combustion chamber and has a feed plate configured to feed pellets directly into the primary combustion chamber along an inclined path. Air intake ducts communicate ambient air with the interior of the housing. The primary combustion chamber communicates with a combustion gas conduit that conducts combustion gases along an upwardly extending tortuous path to an exhaust stack to provide heating. A pivotal, latchable door is attached to the front of the combustion assembly housing. |
| US09995486B2 |
Gas valve with high/low gas pressure detection
This disclosure relates generally to valves, and more particularly, to gas valve assemblies. In one example, the valve assembly may include a valve body with a fluid path, one or more valves or valve sealing members positioned across the fluid path, and one or more pressure sensors in fluid communication with a fluid path of the valve assembly. The valve assembly may include a valve controller in communication with the pressure sensors, where the valve controller may be configured to compare a measure related to a pressure sensed by the one or more pressure sensors to a pressure threshold value (e.g., a high pressure threshold value, a low pressure threshold value, or other pressure threshold value). If the measure surpasses the threshold value, the valve controller may provide a predetermined output signal indicating a pressure event has occurred, such as a high or low gas pressure event. |
| US09995485B2 |
Articulating hold down mechanism for a furnace
A hold down mechanism for releasably securing a refractory lining to a furnace. The hold down mechanism can comprise plate segments that form a composite plate. The plate segments can comprise a first plate segment structured to articulate relative to a second plate segment. Furthermore, a gap in the hold down mechanism can be structured to adjust in response to a thermal condition of the composite plate, such as thermal expansion or thermal contraction of at least one plate segment. The composite plate can also comprise an articulation plate pivotally coupled to at least one of the first plate segment and the second plate segment via a pivot and/or a slot and pin engagement. The composite plate can further comprise a third plate segment and a second articulation plate pivotally coupled to at least one of the second plate segment and the third plate segment. |
| US09995479B2 |
Cavitation engine
A cavitation engine configured to produce superheat steam from injected liquid water. The cavitation engine includes a funnel shaped impact chamber having an impact surface having a temperature of at least 375 degrees Fahrenheit, a small diameter opening at a bottom of the impact chamber, and an expansion chamber below the small diameter opening. The engine includes a fluid injector having an outlet positioned adjacent a largest diameter of the impact chamber and located to inject hyperbaric liquid water onto the impact surface of the impact chamber at supersonic velocities such that cavitation bubbles are present in the injected water. The outlet of the fluid injector and the impact surface are located relative to one another such that the outlet is spaced a distance from the impact surface of between 0.150 and 0.450 inches and the injected water hits the impact surface at an angle of between 85 and 95 degrees. Impact of the water with the impact surface crushes the cavitation bubbles in the injected water to generate pressure above 1,000 pounds per square inch and produce superheated steam. |
| US09995478B2 |
Switch unit and game machine
A switch unit has a display part configured to display an image, and an operation part provided on the display part in a stacked manner. The operation part includes a plurality of press buttons each having a pressable top surface formed to be transparent, a transparent base having a plurality of openings formed so as to be spaced from each other in positions corresponding to a display region of the display part, while avoiding a peripheral edge of the display region, and a transparent substrate provided below the base and having a light source in a position corresponding to the outer periphery of the top surface. Each of the press buttons includes, and forms into a unit, a button body having the top surface, and a frame-like light guiding body provided in a flange shape below the button body and provided so as to cover the light source. |
| US09995477B2 |
Modular luminaires for appliance lighting
The luminaires of the present disclosure provide a slim profile and simple construction for use in a variety of lighting applications. A circuit board can have a plurality of light sources thereon, and a lens can at least partially encapsulate the circuit board to protect and electrically insulate the circuit board. When used, for example, in a lighted shelf application, power can be provided to the luminaire through shelf brackets along the side of the shelf panel. |
| US09995475B2 |
Illumination device
An illumination device that can obtain high withstanding voltage performance while making heat transfer to a casing from a light-emitting element favorable is provided. In a sports illumination device including a COB type LED as a light source in a casing, a base plate that has the COB type LED mounted thereon and is formed from a high thermoconductive material, to which heat of the COB type LED is transferred, is included, the casing is provided with an engaging hole with which the base plate is engaged in a state in which a part of the base plate is exposed outside the casing, and an insulation packing is provided at a site of contact of the base plate and the engaging hole in the casing. |
| US09995469B2 |
Lighting fixture
A lighting fixture with a driver housing assembly indirectly coupled to a heat sink through an offset mounting bracket. The heat sink having at least one light source attached thereto and the driver housing assembly housing a driver for powering the at least one lighting source. The lighting fixture may include a number of heat sinks with lighting sources to provide various levels of lighting. |
| US09995468B2 |
Illumination device
The invention provides an illumination device, which includes: a support block; multiple light source emitting parts, provided on the support block; one light guiding part, used for guiding light emitted by the light source emitting parts to a preset irradiation direction; and a light source switching mechanism, the light guiding part being selectively matched with one of the multiple light source emitting parts under the action of the light source switching mechanism. According to the illumination device of the invention, the illumination device is smaller in size and convenient to carry. |
| US09995466B2 |
Concealed connection system for luminaires
A concealed connection system for a luminaire that includes an inner joining member having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a first side surface having a first guide surface, and a second side surface having a second guide surface. An outer joining member having a top surface, a bottom surface, a base surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a first interior side surface opposite the first side surface having a first guide surface, and a second interior side surface opposite the second side surface having a second guide surface. The inner joining member may be slidably engaged along the guide surfaces onto the outer joining member, and the inner joining member may be secured to the outer joining member using a securing member. |
| US09995465B2 |
Surface-mounted pluggable wiring insert key, driving power source box, and detachable modular LED lamp
A surface-mounted pluggable wiring insert key capable of being used for connecting structural parts of multiple strands of weak-current flexible wires, a driving power source box formed by using the surface-mounted pluggable wiring insert key, and a detachable modular LED lamp provided with the driving power source box structure. A damaged driving power source and other damaged assemblies can be conveniently replaced, abandonment of an LED chip having a long service life or even a whole LED lamp can be prevented, the designed structure is simple, and tin soldering is not required, thereby saving resources, greatly reducing use cost, and facilitating the popularization of the LED lamp. |
| US09995461B2 |
Optical lens, light emitting device, and lighting device
An optical lens, light emitting device, and lighting device are provided. The optical lens may include a first surface, a second surface disposed over the first surface, a third surface concaved with respect to the second surface towards the first surface, wherein the third surface converges toward a center thereof with a curved shape, and wherein a predetermined distance is provided between the third surface and the first surface along an optical axis, which is a straight line that passes through the center of the third surface and a center of the first surface, a protruder centrally arranged with respect to the first surface and that protrudes in a first direction along the optical axis, wherein a cross-section of the protruder taken along the optical axis includes two curved portions that each curve in the first direction and then curve in a second direction opposite to the first direction to substantially meet at the optical axis, and a plurality of supports that extend from the first surface in the first direction, and configured to provide a space below the protruder, wherein the plurality of supports is provided adjacent to the protruder. |
| US09995458B2 |
Ceramic phosphor plate and lighting device including the same
Provided is a ceramic phosphor plate including a first phosphor layer containing a short-wave phosphor in a transparent ceramic matrix and a second phosphor layer containing a long-wave phosphor, thereby enabling the reduction of a production cost by reducing an amount used of the high-priced long-wave phosphor (red phosphor). |
| US09995456B2 |
LED strobe light with visual effects
The various embodiments relate to a LED strobe lighting fixture comprising a plurality of LEDs arranged in a linear array and which is configured to generate a strobe light effect. The light fixture comprises a central illumination LED array arranged between a first optical reflector and a second optical reflector. At a least one LED pixel array is configured to illuminate at least one of said first optical reflector and said second optical reflector. In one embodiment the LED pixels are configured to illuminate different parts of said first optical reflector or of said second optical reflector. |
| US09995455B2 |
Light indicator
Light indicator, which comprises: a support body provided with a support face on which a light source is mounted that is provided with a light emission axis, an optical lens which is placed to cover the support face and comprises a collimation portion placed to intercept the light emission axis of the light source, and an attachment portion projectingly extended around the collimation portion, integrally made with such collimation portion (9), and sealingly fixed to the support body. |
| US09995453B2 |
Lamp bulb with internal reflector
An LED illumination apparatus includes a substrate, a light source disposed on a top side of the substrate, a cover unit configured to cover the light source, and a reflector configured to extend from inside the cover unit towards the upper substrate, such that light generated by the light source illuminates an area below a bottom side of the substrate. |
| US09995447B2 |
Materials and process for spatial S/P ratio distribution
A light fixture is disclosed having a plurality of light sources belonging to at least two types emitting light of different S/P ratio. The light sources are placed in the light fixture so that the light fixture, when in use, emits a light bundle having varying S/P ratios within the bundle. In an embodiment the light bundle has a central area with low S/P ratio, and peripheral areas having higher S/P ratio. The S/P ratio in the peripheral areas can be as high as 5 or even higher. In an alternate embodiment the light bundle has a central area with relatively S/P ratio, and peripheral areas having lower S/P ratio. The S/P ratio in the peripheral areas can be as low as 2 or even lower.The light fixtures are particularly suitable for outdoor lighting, for example street lighting. |
| US09995445B2 |
Lighting system having improved unidirectional intensity
A strip of a flexible plastic has a transparent cover surface which permits passage of light and an opposed bottom surface and sides which are opaque to passage of light. A series of spaced apart light emitting diodes are positioned on the top surface in electrical contact with a pair of spaced apart, generally parallel electrical wires running along the length of the top surface and individual electric bulbs are positioned on top of each light emitting diode. When electric current flows through the electrical wires, light is transmitted from each light emitting diode through each bulb and out in a unidirectional manner. |
| US09995443B2 |
Apparatus for adjusting the orientation of a movable photovoltaic lamppost
A photovoltaic system includes a trailer, a solar panel, a battery, a lamppost, a turret, a shackle, a horizontal position-adjusting unit and an orientation-retaining unit. The trailer includes a cage supported on a chassis. The solar panel is supported on the cage. The battery is supported on the chassis and electrically connected to the solar panel. The lamppost includes a lamp supported thereon and electrically connected to the battery. The turret rotationally connects the lamppost to the chassis. The shackle is provided around the lamppost. The horizontal position-adjusting unit movably connects the shackle to the cage. The orientation-retaining unit retains the lamppost in a desired orientation relative to the shackle. |
| US09995441B2 |
LED lamp with internal reflector
In a LED lamp having an optically transmissive enclosure and a base connected to the enclosure a plurality of LEDs are operable to emit light when energized through an electrical path from the base. A reflector has an enclosed wall shape and is disposed such that LEDs are mounted inside of and outside of the reflector. The reflector includes a reflective outer surface where in cross-section the reflective outer surface is disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the lamp such that the reflective outer surface diverges away from the longitudinal axis as it extends away from the base. The reflective outer surface may be disposed at an angle of between approximately 83 and 89 degrees relative to the plane of the LEDs. |
| US09995438B2 |
LED lighting device with lower heat dissipating structure
A lighting device, or LED lamp is described with a base element for electrical contacting and mechanical mounting and an LED arrangement with at least one LED element. The LED arrangement is spaced from the base element along a longitudinal axis. In order to provide a lighting device and a lighting arrangement with a matched optical and thermal design, i.e. where both effective heat dissipation and an advantageous light intensity distribution are achieved, a lower heat dissipating structure is arranged between the base element and the LED arrangement. The lower heat dissipating structure includes a plurality of planar heat dissipation elements made out of a heat conducting material, shaped to have at a first longitudinal position along the longitudinal axis a first extension in cross-section, and at a second longitudinal position a second extension in cross-section. The first longitudinal position is arranged closer to the LED arrangement than the second longitudinal position, and the first extension is smaller than the second extension in order to minimize obstruction of light emitted from the LED arrangement. |
| US09995430B2 |
Truss hanger
An adjustable truss hanger is provided that creates a hang point that extends beyond, and outside of, the two upper chords of a horizontal box truss. Two clamps affix the truss hanger to the upper chord pair of a horizontally oriented box truss. The hanging point is provided on at least one end of the truss hanger bar, and not between the clamps, for providing the hanging point at the end of a cantilever. Objects, such as video panels and/or video walls, can thus hang in front of the horizontal truss, obscuring the truss from view. |
| US09995428B2 |
Portable configurable support device
A portable configurable support device includes a base panel, a ledge positioned at the bottom of the base panel for enabling an item to rest on the base panel; a bottom panel, a support panel, a first hinge for connecting the base panel to the bottom panel along one edge of each panel, and a second hinge for connecting the base panel to the support panel along an opposite edge of the base panel.The stops are formed in the bottom panel for enabling the edge of the support panel that is opposite to the second hinge to be positioned therein, to thereby enable the base panel to be positioned at a desired angle of incline with respect to the plane defined by the bottom panel. |
| US09995427B2 |
Frame supported height adjustable pylon
A height adjustable pylon and supporting frame assembly is provided. The frame includes two frame members meeting at a corner with the frame members being generally co-planar and the pylon being urged into the corner so as to extend at generally right angles to a plane including the two frame members. A fastener assembly has two end portions each anchored relative its associated frame member so as to extend transversely to it. The fastener assembly includes an intermediate saddle portion engaging a surface of the pylon that is directed outwardly relative to the corner with the pylon being urged into the corner when the fastener assembly is tightened to engage the pylon and lock it axially relative to the frame members in a selected position. Preferably, the frame members each form two upper and two lower frame members of two trusses. Lower ends of the pylons may support the assembly. |
| US09995424B2 |
Molded three-dimensional end cone insulator
A molded three-dimensional insulator that is suitable for use in an end cone region of a pollution control device and a method of making the insulator are described. The insulator includes ceramic fibers that have a bulk shrinkage no greater than 10 weight percent. The ceramic fibers can contain alumina and silica and can be microcrystalline, crystalline, or a combination thereof. |
| US09995420B1 |
Fire engine hose connector
A fire engine hose connector system and a method for using the system are reported. The system allows for rapid connection between the fire hose and the fire engine, and more importantly the system enables even more rapid disconnection. The fire engine and firefighting personnel may make a rapid escape form an overtaking wildfire. The ability to rapidly disconnect and escape from the fire scene allows the fire engine and personnel to access hydrant supplies that would otherwise not be available due to safety procedures that preclude connection when the long disconnect time requirements of prior art connectors place the escape of the fire engine and personnel at risk in a rapidly moving fire. The connector further includes a means to bend the connector for stress relief and ease of handling and multiple safety interlocks. |
| US09995419B1 |
Coupling assembly with watertight feature for securing conduits together
A coupling assembly for securing two conduits together includes a coupling sleeve, a compression nut, and a stop seal ring. The coupling sleeve includes an outwardly-protruding stop flange, and the stop seal ring fits over the coupling sleeve without sliding past the stop flange. The coupling sleeve enters an expanded end of a first conduit until the stop seal ring is squeezed by the stop flange and the conduit. The conduit sleeve is crimped with the first conduit, and the nut with a compression ring therein is screwed onto the conduit sleeve. A second conduit is inserted into the nut and the conduit sleeve, and tightening the nut compresses the compression ring to grip and secure the second conduit. With the stop seal ring squeezed between the stop flange and the first conduit, the coupling assembly protects against rain or other liquids from entering the conduits. |
| US09995415B2 |
Fluidic device
There is provided a flow rate adjustment apparatus including a main body inside which a fluid flow passage that guides a fluid has been formed, in which the main body is formed of a conductive fluorine resin material containing a fluorine resin material, and a carbon nanotube dispersed in the fluorine resin material, and in which a volume resistivity of the conductive fluorine resin material is more than 1.0×103 Ω·cm and less than 1.0×104 Ω·cm. |
| US09995413B2 |
Offshore horizontal product lay arrangement
An arrangement that brings all of the separate elements of equipment used to lay product offshore such as pipe, umbilicals, and power cables and assembles them into a single device that can be installed on a vessel of opportunity, and includes functional improvements of each. A base is used for mounting, integration, and installation of the separate elements onto a vessel. The base receives a movable lay chute, means for moving and stabilizing the lay chute, a movable hang off clamp and work table, a movable access platform, a product support arm and wheel, and a fixed chute. |
| US09995412B2 |
Long-throw microfluidic actuator
A microfluidic device includes a three-dimensional slat structure having a plurality of interstices configured to generate a high power, high flow rate of fluids by electroosmotic flow. The microfluidic device includes a housing for holding and moving fluids through the slat structure, and a plurality of electrodes that generate an electric field within the plurality of interstices. |
| US09995409B2 |
Fluid-related function device
The present invention provides a fluid-related function device capable of suppressing deformation of a connection member and a case part which may adversely be generated by expansion of fluid stored in a space in which spatters at the time of resistance-welding are trapped. A pressure switch includes a space in which spatters generated at the time of projection-welding are trapped. The space is provided between a joint and a cap member. A communication passage brings inside and outside of the space into communication with each other. The communication passages is formed such that it permits fluid to pass through the communication passages and restrains spatters from passing through the communication passages. |
| US09995406B2 |
Valve device
A valve device includes a body in which a gas flow passage is provided; and a check valve provided in the gas flow passage, the check valve including a poppet and a valve seat. The poppet excluding a block portion is in a form of a hollow shaft, the block portion being located at a distal end of the poppet and having a taper shape, and the poppet has at least one side hole that provides communication between an inside and an outside of a portion of the poppet, the portion being in the form of the hollow shaft. The at least one side hole extends obliquely with respect to a central axis line of the poppet such that the at least one side hole extends along a gas flow direction inclined with respect to a direction in which the poppet moves when the check valve opens. |
| US09995399B2 |
Self-sealing butterfly valve
A self-sealing butterfly valve includes a valve body, wherein a fluid passage is provided in the valve body, a valve plate of which an outer surface is covered with an elastic sealing layer is provided within the fluid passage, an upper portion of the valve plate is dynamically connected with a driving shaft which is rotatably connected to the valve body, a lower portion of the valve plate is rotatably connected with a supporting shaft which is connected to the valve body, the elastic sealing layer—at outer edges of two end faces of the valve plate axially protrudes outwardly, forming two ring lips attached to an inner wall of the fluid passage, and the ring lips are gradually thicker from outside to inside, so that inner ring faces of the ring lips are inclined faces. |
| US09995398B2 |
Double eccentric valve
A double eccentric valve includes a valve seat having a seat surface, a valve element having an annular sealing surface, and a rotary shaft having an axis parallel to a radial direction of the valve element and offset from the center of a valve hole in a radial direction thereof. The sealing surface is positioned eccentrically from the axis toward an extending direction of an axis of the valve element. The valve element rotates about the axis of the rotary shaft between a fully-closed position in which the sealing surface is in surface contact with the seat surface and a fully-open position in which the sealing surface is furthest away from the seat surface. Simultaneously with start of rotation of the valve element from the fully-closed position, the sealing surface starts to separate from the seat surface and also move along rotation path about the axis of the rotary shaft. |
| US09995394B2 |
Seal ring backup devices and methods for preventing extrusion
The present invention relates to seal ring back-up devices suitable for use on glands in sealing systems. In particular, the present invention relates to seal ring back-up devices that have been designed to fit into essentially all types of glands and close extrusion gaps. Some embodiments of the present invention provide a seal ring back-up device having an annular body having an inner diameter, an outer diameter, and a scarf cut; and where the annular body is configured to fit a gland and engage a seal ring. |
| US09995393B2 |
Piston ring and method for manufacturing same
A piston ring for a piston of an internal combustion engine or a compressor may include a substantially annular shaped body defining an inner surface facing towards a groove configured to receive the body, an upper surface facing towards a combustion chamber and extending substantially at a right angle to the inner surface, and a lower surface disposed substantially opposite the upper surface. A layer of thermally insulating coating may be disposed at least partially on at least one of the inner surface, the upper surface and the lower surface. |
| US09995392B2 |
Method for manufacturing unitary hollow pistons
Disclosed are hollow pistons made from a single piece of starting material and methods of manufacturing unitary hollow pistons from a single solid rod as a starting material. |
| US09995390B2 |
Brake mechanism for hybrid vehicle engine
A hybrid vehicle powertrain assembly includes a combustion engine, an electric machine, an input shaft, a ratchet mechanism, and a controller. The input shaft selectively couples the engine and electric machine. The ratchet mechanism includes a base integrated with a transmission housing, a camwheel fixedly coupled to the input shaft, a pawl, and an actuator to move the pawl. The controller is programmed to, in response to receipt of an engine brake command, output an engagement command to the actuator to move the pawl toward the camwheel for engagement to prevent the input shaft from spinning. A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle powertrain is also provided herein. The method includes, responsive to receipt of an engine brake command, outputting via a controller a command for a ratchet mechanism to engage an input shaft coupled to an engine to prevent the input shaft from spinning. |
| US09995388B2 |
Control device and control method for continuously variable transmission
A control device for a continuously variable transmission, which sets a target input rotational speed, or a target value of an input rotational speed of the continuously variable transmission mounted on a vehicle, such that a speed ratio is changed in a stepped manner and which controls the continuously variable transmission such that the input rotational speed becomes equal to the target input rotational speed. |
| US09995384B2 |
Hydraulic control device for an automatic transmission
A hydraulic control device for an automatic transmission includes a shut-off valve arranged between a first pressure adjusting device and a respective shifting element cylinder of a plurality of shifting elements. In the first shifting position of the shut-off valve, the first pressure adjusting device is hydraulically connected to the respective shifting element cylinder through the shut-off valve. In the second shifting position of the shut-off valve, the shifting element cylinder is sealed by the shut-off valve relative to the first pressure adjusting device. The shut-off valve is an releasable check valve. The releasable check valve includes a check valve and an unblocking device. The unblocking device is actuatable by a control pressure from a second pressure adjusting device. |
| US09995382B2 |
Method for determining timing of oil filling for a ball screw
A method for determining timing of oil filling for a ball screw can determine whether the oil film in a specific time period is sufficient, falling or insufficient, and then know the optimum timing of oil filling, by comparing the sum of the slope values within respective time periods with a predetermined value. The method is further capable of determining the timing of oil filling even when the rotation speed of the ball screw changes. The method includes a step of signal acquisition, a step of converting signal, a step of defining and saving eigenvalues, a step of calculating eigenvalues, and a step of determining oil filling. |
| US09995381B2 |
Torque converter including turbine piston having three pressure chambers
A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes a front cover, an impeller shell and a turbine axially movable to frictionally engage the impeller shell such that the turbine forms a piston of a lockup clutch. A first pressure chamber is defined axially between the turbine and the impeller shell. The torque converter further includes a reaction plate positioned axially between the front cover and the turbine. A second pressure chamber is defined axially between the reaction plate and the turbine and a third pressure chamber is defined axially between the reaction plate and the front cover. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided. |
| US09995379B2 |
Driving module and motion assistance apparatus including the same
A driving module including a driving source configured to generate power, a rotary rod connected to the driving source to rotate by receiving the power from the driving source, a power conversion block coupled with the rotary rod to be straight-line-driven in a longitudinal direction of the rotary rod in response to a rotation of the rotary rod, and a power transmission unit configured to operate in response to a driving of the power conversion block is disclosed. |
| US09995378B2 |
Drive device and substrate processing system
A drive device is provided to include: a case; a first motor and a second motor having an output shaft extending along a first axial line in the case and a second axial line parallel to the first axial line in the case, respectively; a first output shaft including a first shaft body and roller followers, the roller followers being engaged at a predetermined reduction gear ratio with the rib of the first motor; a second output shaft including a second shaft body and roller followers, the roller followers being engaged at a predetermined reduction gear ratio with the rib of the second motor; a first sealing member located between the case and the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft body; and a second sealing member located between an inner peripheral surface of the first shaft body and an outer peripheral surface of the second shaft body. |
| US09995374B2 |
Drive system with hydraulic idler tensioner
A drive system for an agricultural work machine having a primary drive system configured to drive a performance system for performing a crop preparation or handling operation including a fluid motor, a fluid pump and a tensioner system. The fluid motor is configured to produce a drive force and to be driven by a flow of fluid moving through the motor. The fluid pump is operatively connected to the fluid motor and is configured to drive the fluid motor. The tensioner system is operatively connected to the fluid motor and to the fluid pump, wherein the direction of fluid flow through the fluid motor adjusts the application of at least one force applied to a belt in the drive system. The fluid motor is configured to adjust the force applied to the belt by regulating a belt tension in proportion to a torque provided by the fluid motor. |
| US09995371B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicles
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft receiving torque of an engine, an output shaft outputting changed torque of the engine, a first planetary gear set including first, second, and third rotation elements, a second planetary gear set including fourth, fifth, and sixth rotation elements, a third planetary gear set including seventh, eighth, and ninth rotation elements, a fourth planetary gear set including tenth, eleventh, and twelfth rotation elements, and six friction elements disposed to selectively connect the rotation elements, or to selectively connect at least one rotation element and a transmission housing. |
| US09995367B2 |
Pendulum assembly for a crankshaft pendulum having cast-in near net shape hardened inserts
A pendulum crankshaft for an internal combustion engine includes a pendulum crankshaft having pendulum crank rolling path inserts that are cast into the component during the casting process. The rolling path inserts are positioned in a mold prior to casting. By including the rolling path inserts in the component during the molding process, the need to press the rolling path insert into the component after the component is cast is thus avoided, thereby eliminating the resulting stresses that would otherwise result. Machining and subsequent heat treatment are unnecessary. The component can be one or both of the crankshaft pendulum and the pendulum carrier. The rolling path may be formed from a metal such as sintered powdered metal. The flowable material may be a metal such as iron. The resulting component is free of stress regions, such as on the carrier strap, that normally result from methods that involve press-fitting the rolling path insert into the component. |
| US09995366B2 |
Torsional vibration absorption system
A system for absorbing vibration and transmitting torque from a rotating power source to a rotatable load includes a rotatable driving member configured as an input to be driven by the power source to rotate about an axis of rotation. The system has a cam plate with a cam surface. A spring is configured to extend lengthwise in a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation. The spring is configured to be compressed due to the cam surface during relative rotation of the driving member and a driven member when the cam plate is operatively connected to rotate in unison with said one of the driving member and the driven member. The spring therefore has an effective spring rate dependent upon the cam surface, compression of the spring absorbs torsional vibration of the driving member, and the cam plate. |
| US09995364B2 |
Device for mechanically adjusting vibration behavior of a machine element
The invention relates to a device (10) for mechanically adjusting a vibration behavior of a machine element, wherein the device can be coupled to the machine element or is designed as a part of the machine element, the device comprises an adjustment section (11) for the adjustment and a cavity (12) arranged in the adjustment section, and a specified insertion apparatus (20) can be variably inserted into the cavity in such a way that the stiffness of the adjustment section can be changed. Thus the vibration behavior of the machine element can also be varied. |
| US09995363B2 |
Liquid-sealed vibration damping device
A pair of fluid chambers in which incompressible fluid is sealed and a pair of orifice-forming members that allows one fluid chamber to communicate with the other fluid chamber are arranged between an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder. The orifice-forming member has a longitudinal groove that communicates with respective fluid chambers, an orifice channel, and a liquid storage section that allows the longitudinal groove to communicate with the orifice channel. The liquid storage section is formed wider and deeper than the orifice channel. |
| US09995362B2 |
Cylinder device
A cylinder device includes a piston rod that is inserted into a cylinder so as to be movable back and forth. The piston rod has a rod portion that extends outside the cylinder, and a piston connected to an end portion of the rod portion, the piston moving in the cylinder in a slidable manner. The rod portion has a rod inner space formed in the rod portion, the rod inner space communicating with the piston-side chamber of the cylinder, a first communicating passage that connects the rod inner space and the rod-side chamber of the cylinder, and an orifice plug provided in the first communicating passage in a changeable manner. The piston is connected to the rod portion so as to cover a part of the orifice plug. |
| US09995361B2 |
Damper
A damper includes a cylinder, an annular rod guide, an annular seat, a rod, an annular oil seal, a rebound cushion, and a communication passage. The cylinder houses an action chamber. The rod guide is secured to one side opening of the cylinder. The seat is secured to the rod guide. The rod is inserted through inner peripheral sides of the rod guide and the seat. The oil seal is held to an inner periphery of the rod guide and slidably in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the rod. The rebound cushion bumps against the seat. The communication passage transmits a pressure in the action chamber to the oil seal. An opening on the communication passage on the action chamber side is disposed on an outer peripheral side relative to a part of the seat against which the rebound cushion bumps. |
| US09995359B2 |
Deformable structure for absorption of energy from mechanical and/or acoustic impacts
A deformable structure, such as a panel or a shock absorber, for absorbing energy from a mechanical and/or acoustic impact. The structure comprises an inner core and one or more external layers covering the inner core. The inner core comprises a set of first segments having a positive Poison's ratio and second segments having a negative Poisson's ratio. The first and second segments are arranged alternately and joined to one another so that the deformation received by one first segment is transmitted to an adjacent second segment and vice versa. |
| US09995358B2 |
Dual durometer flexible joint for a suspension link
A flexible joint for attachment to a suspension link. The flexible joint includes a housing. The housing includes an external surface and an internal surface. The flexible joint also includes a flexible joint insert. The flexible joint insert includes an inner sleeve. The inner sleeve includes a channel, where the channel is configured to receive at least a portion of an external device, and an external surface. The flexible joint insert also includes an inner elastomer. The inner elastomer is fused to at least a portion of the external surface of the inner sleeve. The flexible joint insert further includes an outer elastomer. The outer elastomer is harder than the inner elastomer. An interface between the inner elastomer and the outer elastomer is fused and a portion of the outer elastomer is in contact with the internal surface of the housing. The outer elastomer is not permanently attached to the housing. |
| US09995354B2 |
Systems and methods for clamping force estimation in electromechanical brake systems
An electromechanical brake system may include an electromechanical actuator with a servo motor. A current control is electronically coupled to the servo motor. A resolver is configured to detect an angular velocity and an angular position of the servo motor. A converter may be configured to convert the angular velocity into a linear velocity and the angular position into a linear position. An intelligent observer may also be configured to estimate a load force of the electromechanical actuator based on the linear position and the linear velocity. |
| US09995352B2 |
Viscous rotational speed control device
A rotational speed control device maintains a shaft rotation speed. The device includes a housing containing a viscous fluid and a shaft disposed in the housing and rotatable relative to the housing. A rotor is coupled with the shaft for rotation in the viscous fluid. The rotor is axially displaceable along the shaft between a low-shear position and a high-shear position. A spring mechanism is disposed in the housing and biases the rotor toward the low-shear position. The rotor may be designed to cooperate with the housing or other nonrotating features within the housing to vary a shear gap according to the axial position of the rotor. The rotor, housing and spring mechanism can be designed to cooperate to create large changes in braking torque in response to small changes in shaft rotational speed. This allows the rotation speed to be controlled within a relatively narrow range. |
| US09995345B2 |
Cardan drive
A Cardan drive for connecting a power take-off (PTO) of an agricultural vehicle to an input shaft of an agricultural implement, wherein the Cardan drive has a primary shaft and a secondary shaft that are mutually connected via a double universal joint to obtain a homokinetic connection between the primary and the secondary shaft, wherein the double universal joint has an intermediate element formed substantially by two yokes of the double universal joint, wherein at least one of the two yokes is connected via bearings to a frame provided for attachment to the agricultural implement. |
| US09995342B2 |
Self-adjusting bushing bearing with shaft seal
Self-adjusting bushing bearing with a shaft seal for engaging a shaft. The self-adjusting bushing bearing has a plurality of bearing segments configured to receive a shaft therein. A springy element engages an outer surface of the plurality of bearing segments and biases the plurality of bearing segments towards the shaft. A shaft seal coupled to the springy element is configured to contact the shaft when the shaft is received in the plurality of bearing segments so as to create an operable seal between the shaft and the housing. |
| US09995340B2 |
Spacer for rolling bearing, notably used in a wind turbine
The spacer for rolling bearing comprises an inner ring, an outer ring and at least one row of angular contact rollers disposed between raceways provided on the rings. The spacer comprises two opposite faces 17 having a concave profile adapted to the rollers, at least one of said faces comprising two contact surfaces 17a, 17b with the associated roller and a concave recess 17c extending between said contact surfaces and directed outwards towards said roller. |
| US09995339B2 |
Turbo machine with magnetic bearings
A turbomachine has a housing, a rotor shaft centered on an axis, and a plurality of bearings supporting the shaft in the housing for rotation about the axis. At least one of the bearings is an active magnetic bearing. An impeller is fixed on the rotor shaft. A copper layer is fixed to a surface of the rotor shaft and rotatable therewith. A sensor fixed in the housing adjacent the shaft surface can detect the copper layer and generate an output corresponding to a position of the layer from the sensor fixed in the housing. A controller connected between the sensor means and the active magnetic bearing shifts the rotor in the housing in accordance with the output. |
| US09995335B2 |
Coupling element for a multi-joint crank drive and multi-joint crank drive
A coupling element for a multi-joint crank drive of an internal combustion engine includes a coupling lever having a first eye for a piston connecting rod, and a second eye for an articulation connecting rod. A bearing cover forms with the coupling lever a third eye for a crank pin. The coupling lever and the bearing cover are connected to each other by bolts which defined parallel longitudinal central axes. The coupling lever and the bearing cover abut each other at an outer periphery of the third eye at adjacent contact surfaces on both sides of the third eye to define a separating plane which extends through a center of the third eye at an acute angle with respect to a further plane which passes through the center of the third eye and extends perpendicular to the longitudinal central axes of the bolts. |
| US09995333B2 |
Devices, systems, and methods for securing a component to a surface
Devices, systems, and methods for securing a component to a surface are disclosed. The fastening device can include a base member having a threaded projection extending from a base plate. A base sealing gasket can be provided between the base plate and a surface on which the base plate is mounted to ensure a water-tight fit. A capping nut having a nut aperture can be threadably engaged to the treaded projection, and a structural fastener can be inserted through the nut aperture for securing a structural component of a building-mounted structure. A nut sealing gasket can be disposed between within the capping nut to ensure a water-tight fit between the capping nut and the base member. |
| US09995331B2 |
Plug-in coupling from coupling element and ball stud
The present disclosure is directed to a coupling element for the releasable connection of a first component to a second component. The coupling element has an annular basic element comprising a fastening structure at a radially outer side. Further, the basic element comprises a socket-like holding structure at a radially inner side. The socket-like holding structure comprises a centrally arranged supporting element as well as a plurality of holding webs. The holding webs comprise at least a first and a second web section. The first web section encloses with an axis of symmetry S of the coupling element an angle ∝ from a range of 45°≤∝≤90° and the first web section and the second web section are arranged in an obtuse angle with respect to each other. |
| US09995329B2 |
Self-piercing rivet
A self-piercing rivet is disclosed. A self-piercing rivet according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include: a head portion; a shank portion integrally connected with the head portion; a plurality of ribs formed to an external circumferential surface of the shank portion along a length direction of the shank portion in a spiral form and integrally connected to the head portion; and a straight portion integrally formed in a connecting portion in which the head portion and 50 are connected. |
| US09995326B2 |
Apparatus for securing objects
An object holding device comprises at least two gripping lips, at least one supporting wall for each of at least two gripping lips, one base, wherein at least two gripping lips are respectively opposed to one another, wherein the at least two gripping lips form at least one slit between one another, wherein each the at least one supporting wall is attached with one of the at least two gripping lips and extends to the base, at least one crease is formed in the approximately middle of each supporting wall, wherein the crease forms an angle of about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees relatively to the base, wherein the at least two gripping lips, the at least one supporting wall for each of the at least two gripping lips, and the base together define a space to receive the at least one object. |
| US09995323B2 |
Drive unit of a fluid-actuated linear drive and method for its manufacture
A drive unit of a fluid-actuated linear drive includes a piston rod, an annular drive piston seated coaxially on the piston rod and a buffer sleeve which is likewise seated coaxially on the piston rod. These components are secured to one another by one and the same common welded joint. Furthermore, a method for the manufacture of such a drive unit and a fluid-actuated linear drive equipped with such a drive unit is proposed. |
| US09995320B2 |
Fluid actuator arrangement
The present invention regards an elongated fluid actuator arrangement comprising a first and second cylinder housing (3, 5) extending in a longitudinal direction (X), respective housing (3, 5) encompasses a first respective a second piston body (7, 9). The respective piston body (7, 9) divides the respective cylinder housing (3, 5) in a first and second cylinder chamber (11, 13). The arrangement (1) is adapted for connection to a valve member means (15) of a fluid supply device (17). A piston rod member (19) extending through said respective first and second piston bodies (7, 9). The first piston device (7) comprises a piston rod engagement and disengagement means (29), which is adapted to engage or disengage the first piston device (7) to/from the piston rod member (19), wherein an engagement area (A2), defined by an engagement zone between the first piston body (7) and the piston rod member (19), is larger than a cross-sectional piston area (A1) of the first piston body (7). |
| US09995319B2 |
Hydraulic alternating system for agricultural baler
A hydraulic circuit includes a control valve, a first hydraulic actuator, and a second hydraulic. The hydraulic circuit is configured such that in a first step, the first hydraulic actuator opens a product barrier in response to movement of the control valve into a first position, in a second step, the second hydraulic actuator moves a product engagement member in a first direction and the first hydraulic actuator closes the product barrier in response to movement of the control valve into a second position, in a third step, the first hydraulic actuator opens the product barrier in response to movement of the control valve into the first position, and in a fourth step, the second hydraulic actuator moves the product engagement member in a second direction and the first hydraulic actuator closes the product barrier in response to movement of the control valve into the second position. |
| US09995318B2 |
Hybrid shovel and hybrid shovel control method
A hybrid shovel includes an engine that is controlled at a constant revolution speed, a motor generator that assists the engine, a control part that controls a drive of the motor generator, and a hydraulic pump that is driven by the engine. The control part causes the motor generator to assist the engine when a revolution speed of the engine is lower than the constant revolution speed due to a load of the hydraulic pump. The control part causes the motor generator to decrease an assist output to said engine before the revolution speed of the engine returns to the constant revolution speed. |
| US09995317B2 |
Reservoir tank
One embodiment provides a reservoir tank, including: a reservoir main body having a reserving chamber which reserves a hydraulic fluid, a hydraulic fluid pouring port which is provided at an upper portion of the reservoir main body, and a hydraulic fluid supply port which is provided at a lower portion of the reservoir main body. A groove-like recess portion is formed on a bottom surface of the reservoir main body. As in a projection in which the hydraulic fluid pouring port is projected onto a bottom surface side of the reservoir main body, the recess portion is disposed between the hydraulic fluid pouring port and the hydraulic fluid supply port. |
| US09995300B2 |
Cartridge retention system
A cartridge retention system includes a retention body, a cartridge assembly, and a retaining flange. The cartridge assembly has a housing coupled to the retention body, a biasing member disposed within the housing, and a piston biased by the biasing member toward the retention body. The retaining flange is coupled to the retention body by the cartridge assembly. |
| US09995299B2 |
Piston pump for brake
A piston pump for a brake including: a piston housing; an outer piston which rectilinearly reciprocates in the piston housing; an inner piston which is coupled to an inner portion of the outer piston, and rectilinearly reciprocates together with the outer piston in a state in which the inner piston is coupled to the inner portion of the outer piston, or rectilinearly reciprocates alone in a state in which the outer piston is stopped; an outer return spring which supports a tip portion of the outer piston; an inner return spring which supports a tip portion of the inner piston; and a piston rod spring which supports rear end portions of the outer piston and the inner piston. |
| US09995296B2 |
Pumps
A pump is formed by a housing (10) having an inlet (11) and an outlet (12) for a fluid. The housing (10) contains a rotator (13) provided with at least one surface recess (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) that forms with an interior surface of the rotor a chamber (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d) that, on rotation of the rotor (13), conveys fluid from the inlet (11) to the outlet (12). A flexible seal (23) is provided on or as part of the housing (10) and is located between the inlet (11) to the outlet (12) to engage the rotor (13) to prevent fluid passing from the outlet (12) to the inlet (11). A second inlet (16) is provided leading to the outlet (12) for the supply to the outlet (12) of a second fluid and the second inlet (16) also supplies the second fluid to the back of the seal (23) to urge the seal (23) against the rotor (13). |
| US09995295B2 |
Fluid metering device
A device for metering fluids comprising a fluid chamber with one inlet or outlet port, at least one sidewall and a movable separator that is in contact with and separates the fluid in the chamber from the other components of the device, a porous actuator housing and wicking material, a flexible polymer actuator material in contact with the porous actuator housing and the moveable separator, an actuator hydrating solution reservoir with at least one sidewall, an inlet port, and in fluid contact with porous actuator housing, a fluid gate located at some point between actuator hydrating solution reservoir and the polymer actuator, effectively keeping actuator dry, and an external shell to hold all components so that the polymer actuator can only move in a direction and apply pressure to the separator in contact with the fluid in the fluid chamber, thereby dispensing fluid from fluid chamber. |
| US09995291B2 |
Sealed compressor and refrigeration unit including sealed compressor
A sealed compressor of the present invention comprises an electric component (111); a compression component (113) actuated by the electric component (111); and a sealed container (101) which accommodates therein the electric component (111) and the compression component (113), and stores lubricating oil therein; wherein the compression component (113) includes a crankshaft (135) including a main shaft (137) and an eccentric shaft (139); a cylinder block (117) including a bearing unit (123) supporting the main shaft (137) such that the main shaft is rotatable, and a cylinder (121) defining a compression chamber (119); and a suction muffler (131) through which a refrigerant gas (115) flows from an interior of the sealed container (101) to an interior of the compression chamber (119); a separating wall (165) is provided between the suction muffler (131) and the electric component (111); a first space (159) is formed between the suction muffler (131) and the separating wall (165); and a second space (163) is formed between the electric component (111) and the separating wall (165). |
| US09995289B2 |
Bundle holder for use in an energy recovery device
The invention provides an energy recovery device comprising an engine comprising a plurality of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) elements fixed at a first end and connected at a second end to a drive mechanism wherein a holder is configured with a plurality of slots adapted to receive the plurality of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) or NTE elements. |
| US09995286B2 |
Self-contained in-ground geothermal generator and heat exchanger with in-line pump and several alternative applications
A method of harnessing geothermal energy to produce electricity without polluting the environment by using universal portable closed loop systems is provided. The Scientific Geothermal Technology, The Self Contained In-Ground Geothermal Generator; The Self Contained Heat Exchanger; and The IN-LINE PUMP consist of several designs and variations complementing each other and/or operating separately in many different applications in energy sectors. The system can be used for harnessing heat from established lava (tube) flows; harnessing the waste heat from the flame on top of flare stacks; and other situation where a source of heat is difficult to access or is not suitable for relatively heavy equipment of a power plant or power unit. Also, included is an exemplary use for restoration of the Salton Sea which implements the Scientific Geothermal Technology for exchanging water from a salty terminal lake with oceanic water and for production of electricity and fresh water. |
| US09995284B1 |
Device for efficient self-contained inertial vehicular propulsion
A device for efficient self-contained timely sequential vehicular inertial thrust drive is presented comprising two in opposing motion direction internal frequency modulated mechanical oscillators using the simultaneous and combined effort of straight line and rotational inertial reluctance of flywheels. The oscillator's mass motions are obtained with a motor-generators imbedded into large backrest flywheels reciprocally exerting pulsed drive actions and dynamic braking action onto rotors. The motor generators are controlled by a manually tunable electronic controller allowing the fine tuning of the mass motions for finding the highest thrust efficiency. The oscillator's frequency modulation is obtained with an internal reaction less angular mutual reciprocal torque pulse exertion by the motor between the large backrest flywheels against the fast spinning rotor. The internal cycle is recycling unused backrest flywheel energy back into the power supply allowing for an efficient propulsion cycle without energy loss. |
| US09995283B2 |
Sliding bearing arrangement for a wind turbine
A sliding bearing arrangement for a wind turbine and a method to service the bearing is provided. A sliding bearing arrangement of a wind turbine includes a first shaft and a second shaft, whereby a first radial sliding bearing is arranged between the shafts. The first radial sliding bearing includes bearing pads. The first shaft includes a collar, whereby the collar is arranged mainly perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and radially overlaps at least a part of a radial surface of the second shaft. The collar includes an opening to exchange the bearing pads of the first radial sliding bearing of the bearing arrangement. |
| US09995282B2 |
Selectively perceptible wind turbine system
A selectively perceptible wind turbine system provides illumination in a low intensity and wavelength invisible to the human eye, but visible to certain bats. This illumination deters bats and other flying animals from going near the turbine without becoming a nuisance. At least one ultraviolet (UV) illumination source produces at least one UV beam with a wavelength of approximately 200 nm to approximately 400 nm. This UV beam extends between the UV illumination source and at least one turbine blade surface of a turbine blade. Contact between the UV beam and the turbine blade surface forms an illumination interface with a power density of less than 100 μW/cm2. |
| US09995271B2 |
Wind turbine blade with tapering root bushings
A wind turbine blade for a wind turbine is a shell structure of a fiber-reinforced composite and comprises a root region and an airfoil region. The root region has a ring-shaped cross section and comprises a plurality of elongated bushings 7 with an inner thread 22 and which are embedded interspaced in the fiber-reinforced polymer so as to substantially follow the circumference of the root region and allow access from the outside to the inner threads 22. The bushings 7 are formed conically tapering from a second end towards a first end thereof, the first end of the bushing 7 being arranged at the end face of the root region. |
| US09995266B2 |
Cylinder injection internal combustion engine
A cylinder head includes: a cylinder head body; multiple fuel ports extending to cylinders from a sidewall surface of the cylinder head body, the sidewall surface being located on one side of a longitudinal axis, on which intake ports are disposed; multiple injection valve attachment bosses projecting from the sidewall surface, surrounding openings of the fuel ports, and adapted to attach cylinder fuel injection valves to the fuel ports; and multiple projections projecting from the sidewall surface and disposed adjacent to the corresponding injection valve attachment bosses. A cylinder block includes: a cylinder block body; and a sensor attachment boss projecting from a sidewall surface of the cylinder block body, the sidewall surface being located on the one side of the longitudinal axis, on which the sidewall surface of the cylinder head body is located. The sensor attachment boss is adapted to attach a knock sensor to the cylinder block. |
| US09995264B2 |
Pole-niche-integrated starting-current limiter
Starting current limitation system 20 having at least a first electrical connection component 30 which can be connected to a battery pole 12, a second electrical connection component 34 which can be connected to a starter 18, and a parallel circuit which is connected between the first connection component 30 and the second connection component 34 and which comprises a branch 24a having a amperage control device 24 and a branch 22a having an electrical resistor 22. An optimization of structural space is achieved when the branch 22a having the electrical resistor 22, the branch 24a having the amperage control device 24 and the first connection component 30 are arranged inside a pole niche 26a of the battery pole 12. |
| US09995259B2 |
Evaporated fuel processing device
An evaporated fuel processing device includes a liquid level surface detection valve that detects a full-tank liquid level surface when refueling, and closes a canister communication hole; a fuel shutoff valve to close an evaporation hole when a liquid level surface becomes higher than the full-tank liquid level surface; and an outlet port communicating with a canister. A first communication path and a second communication path are formed in a folded back shape folded back at a first valve seat upper part in plan view. The first communication path enables communication between the first valve seat upper part and a second valve seat upper part, and the second communication path enables communication between the first valve seat upper part and the outlet port. This constitution reduces fuel liquid leakage from the outlet port. |
| US09995258B2 |
Fuel supply device and control method
A fuel supply device includes a sub fuel tank disposed in a return fuel line, a pressure reduction valve, and a recirculation cutoff valve. When an internal combustion engine stops, the fuel supply device opens the pressure reduction valve and closes the recirculation cutoff valve. Due to this first transfer state, a liquefied gas fuel in a common rail is transferred to the sub fuel tank. Thereafter, the fuel supply device closes the pressure reduction valve and opens the recirculation cutoff valve. Due to this second transfer state, the liquefied gas fuel in the sub fuel tank is transferred to a main fuel tank. The fuel supply device repeatedly alternates between the first and second transfer states to collect the liquefied gas fuel from the common rail to the main fuel tank. |
| US09995257B2 |
Intake manifold with internal exhaust gas recirculation tube
An exemplary intake manifold may include an upper manifold configured to receive fresh air, an EGR tube configured to introduce exhaust gas into the upper manifold to be mixed with the fresh air, and a lower manifold configured to distribute the mixture of the fresh air and the exhaust gas cylinders of the internal combustion engine. The upper manifold may include an upper shell and a lower shell that may cooperate to define at least one channel in which at least a portion of the EGR tube may be secured. |
| US09995253B2 |
Air duct system
An air duct system includes a first member that includes a groove disposed around only a portion of an opening. A second member defines a passage extending along a longitudinal axis, and is in fluid communication with the opening of the first member. The second member includes a flange disposed within the groove of the first member. The engagement between the flange and the groove restricts relative movement between the first member and the second member in an axial direction along the longitudinal axis. An attachment system connects the first member and the second member together, and restricts relative movement between the first member and the second member in a lateral direction that is transverse to the longitudinal axis, to secure the flange within the groove. |
| US09995251B2 |
Actuator and valve arrangement
A number of variations may include an actuator and valve arrangement. |
| US09995250B2 |
Exhaust gas heat exchanger
The invention relates to an exhaust gas heat exchanger for transferring heat between the exhaust gas of a combustion engine of a motor vehicle and a coolant. The exhaust gas heat exchanger has a housing with connections for supplying and discharging coolant. According to the invention, one connection is formed by a pipe section which has a joining surface, formed on the outer circumference thereof, for fixing on the housing of the exhaust gas heat exchanger and a transfer opening, which is aligned transversely to the longitudinal axis (LA) of the pipe section and communicates with a passage opening in the housing. |
| US09995249B2 |
Intake and exhaust system of internal combustion engine
An intake and exhaust system of an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas recirculation passage (35) communicates a part of an exhaust passage (7) downstream of a turbine with a part of an intake passage (6) upstream of a compressor and a cooling circuit (51), the cooling circuit including a first evaporator (52) provided in a part of the exhaust passage downstream of the turbine and upstream of a junction with the exhaust gas recirculation passage and storing a medium, an ejector pump (54) using vapor from the first evaporator as a driving flow, a condenser (57) for cooling and condensing the vapor ejected from the ejector pump and returning the condensed medium to the first evaporator, and a second evaporator (55) provided in the exhaust gas recirculation passage to cool the exhaust gas passing through the exhaust gas recirculation passage by evaporating a medium stored therein with a negative pressure created by the ejector pump. |
| US09995247B2 |
Hybrid thrust reverser inner wall for aircraft engines
An aircraft thrust reverser inner wall and method of manufacturing the same. The aircraft thrust reverser inner wall may include a face sheet, a perforated back sheet, and a core sandwiched between the face sheet and the perforated back sheet. The face sheet may have an inner face sheet surface and an outer face sheet surface, and the core may have an inner core surface, an outer core surface, and a plurality of cell walls extending therebetween. An electro-depositable material may be applied, via electrodeposition, in a substantially continuous layer over the outer core surface, the cell walls, and the outer face sheet surface, thus bonding the face sheet and core together. The perforated back sheet may be attached to the core at the outer core surface, and a conductive coating may be applied to the inner face sheet surface. |
| US09995239B2 |
Engine
An engine of the invention includes an engine main unit having cylinders, an intake line, an exhaust line, a supercharger, a turbo sensor detecting a rotational speed of the supercharger, a control device controlling, based on signal from the turbo sensor, an operating state of the engine main unit that has a correlation with the rotational speed of the supercharger, and a crank angle sensor detecting a rotation angle of a crankshaft. The control device recognizes timings at which the cylinders are in a top dead center state based on detection signals of the crank angle sensor and, also, makes a disconnection judgment for the turbo sensor at non-top dead center timings that are within one combustion cycle of the engine main unit and at which none of the plurality of cylinders are in a top dead center state. |
| US09995235B2 |
Method and device for monitoring an engine control unit
A method for plausibilization of an engine control function for an internal combustion engine includes: provision of injection parameters with which an injection of fuel into cylinders of the internal combustion engine is controlled on the basis of a torque that is to be realized; estimation of an actual torque of the internal combustion engine as a function of the injection parameters; and evaluation of the actual torque as a function of the torque that is to be realized, in order to plausibilize the engine control function. |
| US09995234B2 |
Methods and systems for engine fuel and torque control
Methods and systems are provided for accurately estimating intake aircharge based on the output of an intake oxygen sensor while flowing EGR, purge, or PCV hydrocarbons to the engine. The unadjusted aircharge estimate is used for engine fuel control while the hydrocarbon adjusted aircharge estimate is used for engine torque control. A controller is configured to sample the oxygen sensor at even increments in a time domain, stamp the sampled data in a crank angle domain, store the sampled data in a buffer, and then select one or more data samples corresponding to a last firing period from the buffer for estimating the intake aircharge. |
| US09995233B2 |
Control device for internal combustion engine
A control device for an internal combustion engine, equipped with: an exhaust purification catalyst provided in the exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine and capable of absorbing oxygen; a downstream air-fuel ratio sensor provided downstream from the exhaust purification catalyst in the direction of the exhaust flow; and an engine control device that controls the internal combustion engine in response to the output from the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor. The downstream air-fuel ratio sensor is configured such that the applied voltage for which the output current is zero changes in response to the exhaust air-fuel ratio, and such that when the exhaust air-fuel ratio equals the theoretical air-fuel ratio and the applied voltage in the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor is increased, the output current increases in conjunction therewith. When the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is detected by the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor, the applied voltage in the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor is fixed at a constant voltage, with this constant voltage being a voltage for which the output current is zero when the exhaust air-fuel ratio is a predetermined air-fuel ratio that is leaner than the theoretical air-fuel ratio. |
| US09995231B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling cold starting of diesel engine vehicle
A method for controlling a cold starting of a diesel engine vehicle may include determining whether a cold starting condition is satisfied by detecting data for controlling a diesel engine, determining torque generated by combustion for starting the diesel engine when the cold starting condition is satisfied, determining a combustion delay and a combustion phase based on the torque and detected data, determining a main injection timing according to the determined combustion delay and combustion phase, determining a latent heat of fuel based on the torque and detected data, determining a pilot injection amount according to the determined latent heat of fuel, determining a total amount of heat by combustion based on the torque and detected data, determining a main injection amount according to the determined total amount of heat, and controlling an operation of an injector based on the main injection timing, pilot injection amount and main injection amount. |
| US09995229B2 |
Method of controlling the stopping and starting of an engine
A method of stopping and starting an engine of a vehicle having a manually operated clutch system including a clutch for driveably connecting the engine to a transmission includes controlling stopping and starting of the engine based on first and second clutch engagement thresholds selected based on whether the clutch is being engaged or disengaged. The first threshold corresponds to a more disengaged state of the clutch than the second threshold. The first threshold is used when the clutch is being disengaged to decide whether the engine can be shut down while the transmission remains in-gear. The second threshold is used when the clutch is being engaged to decide whether the engine can be started while the transmission remains in-gear. By using a less conservative threshold for starting the engine than stopping the engine, the number of inhibited restarts is reduced. |
| US09995227B2 |
Apparatus and method for using negative pressure energy of engine
Disclosed is an apparatus for using negative pressure energy of an engine, comprising: a first cavity (10), which first cavity (10) is in communication with the atmosphere via a first intake port (20); a second cavity (30), which second cavity (30) is in communication with the intake port of the engine (50) for supplying air to the intake port of the engine; a second intake port (40), which second intake port (40) is connected to the second cavity (30), wherein when the second intake port (40) is open, the second cavity (30) is in communication with the atmosphere for supplying the air to the intake port of the engine; and a rotating device (60), which rotating device (60) is located between the first cavity (10) and the second cavity (30), and can be rotated under the action of pressure difference between the first cavity (10) and the second cavity (30). Further disclosed is a method for using negative pressure energy of an engine. The apparatus and method for using the negative pressure energy of an engine is able to better cooperate with other parts of the vehicle while efficiently using energy. |
| US09995225B2 |
Dynamic variable fuel optimization system
Present invention optimizes utilization of different fuels in various single and multi-fueled engines. The fuel system and optimization controller links fuel properties (physical, reactionary, combustion etc.) to on-board computer systems during the refueling process. This link enables fuel and additive producers an opportunity to optimize combustion parameters of their proprietary fuel blends to increase performance, fuel efficiencies and reduce emissions. |
| US09995223B2 |
Combustor and method of fuel supply and converting fuel nozzle for advanced humid air turbine
A fuel control device and method of a gas turbine combustor, for advanced humid air turbines, in which plural combustion units comprising plural fuel nozzles for supplying fuel and plural air nozzles for supplying air for combustion are provided. A part of the plural combustion units are more excellent in flame stabilizing performance than the other combustion units. A fuel ratio, at which fuel is fed to the part of the combustion units is set on the basis of internal temperature of the humidification tower and internal pressure of the humidification tower to control a flow ratio of the fuel fed to the plural combustion units. |
| US09995219B2 |
Turbine engine wall having at least some cooling orifices that are plugged
A turbine engine wall having a cold side and a hot side and including a plurality of cooling orifices for enabling air flowing on the cold side of the wall to penetrate to the hot side at least some of the cooling orifices being plugged by a plugging material so as to define a minimum level of porosity for the wall corresponding to putting the turbine engine into service, and the plugged cooling orifices being suitable for being unplugged progressively throughout the lifetime of the turbine engine in order to define a maximum level of porosity for the wall corresponding to an end of lifetime for the turbine engine, the plugging being performed by alternating at least one of the following rows or lines: circumferential rows, axial rows, diagonal lines, so as to lie in the range one-third to one-half of the maximum porosity. |
| US09995217B2 |
Rotary valve for bleed flow path
Disclosed is a gas turbine engine including a compressor section in communication with a bleed flow path. A rotary valve is provided in communication with the bleed flow path to selectively regulate a flow of fluid within the bleed flow path. |
| US09995214B2 |
Variable compression ratio device
A variable compression ratio device mounted to an engine, the engine rotating a crankshaft using a combustion force of a gas mixture and a piston, the variable compression ratio device changing a compression ratio of the mixture and including a connecting rod including a small end rotatably connected to the piston and a big end portion formed with a circular hole to be eccentrically rotatably connected to the crankshaft, a crank pin provided in the crankshaft, an eccentric cam provided to be concentrically rotatable in the hole of the big end portion and having a crank pin mounting hole eccentrically inserted with the crank pin to be rotatably connected, and a cam rotation unit provided inside the eccentric cam and rotating the eccentric cam in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction in a hole of the big end portion by a selectively supplied hydraulic pressure. |
| US09995210B2 |
Control system for a generator
A generator set for a transport refrigeration unit that is operable at a first frequency and a second frequency. The generator set includes a generator and a prime mover. The generator set is controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) that is coupled to a controller. The ECU is configured to monitor the engine operation condition to obtain an engine operation condition value; whereas the controller is configured to receive the engine operation condition value and compare the value with an engine operation condition threshold. When the engine operation condition value, for example, exceeds the engine operation condition threshold, the controller instructs the ECU to operate the engine at a first speed; and when the engine operation condition value, for example, is below the engine operation condition threshold, the controller instructs the ECU to operate the engine at a second speed that is slower than the first speed. |
| US09995204B2 |
Method for operating an internal combustion engine with charge-air cooler
A method for operating an engine having a cylinder, an intake line for supplying charge air to the cylinder, and a device for controlling charge-air flows conducted via a charge-air cooler and via a bypass line around the charge-air cooler, comprises controlling the charge-air flows using the device, the device including a two-stage switchable shut-off element and a continuously adjustable shut-off element, wherein the two-stage switchable shut-off element, which is arranged parallel to the bypass line in the, is switched between only an open position and a closed position, and the bypass line is opened up or shut off to a greater or lesser extent by the shut-off element which is continuously adjustable between an open position and a closed position. In this way, shuddering of the engine during shut down is prevented. |
| US09995201B2 |
Low reactivity, compression-ignition, opposed-piston engine
A compression-ignition, opposed-piston engine using a low reactivity fuel as an ignition medium manages trapped temperature and trapped combustion residue within, and fuel injection into, the combustion chambers of the engine, and controls the compression ratio of the engine in order to realize reductions in emissions as well as improved fuel consumption efficiencies. |
| US09995189B2 |
Engine driven working machine
An engine-driven working machine has an engine unit, a housing, and a vaned rotor. An air passage is defined between a crankcase of the engine unit and a bottom wall of the housing. The air passage has an inlet opening provided near an oil seal on a drive-side shaft, and an outlet opening provided in a magnet-side wall so as to face the vaned rotor. Rotations of the vaned rotor cause airflow from the inlet opening through the air passage to the outlet opening. |
| US09995187B2 |
Intake valve apparatus for use with a combustion engine and methods of use and manufacture thereof
Some embodiments are directed to a valve assembly for use with a combustion engine. The valve assembly can include a valve stem having a plunger end, and a valve head having a stem portion disposed along a central axis and connected to the plunger end of the valve stem. The valve head can have a hollow interior portion defining interior floor and ceiling surfaces, and include ribs that extend between the interior floor and ceiling surfaces. The ribs can also extend radially around the central axis of the valve head from the stem portion to an outer circumference of the hollow interior portion. Additionally, the ribs can be configured such that a majority of an upper surface of each rib contacts the ceiling surface. |
| US09995186B2 |
Method and system for releasing catching of locking pin
A method for releasing a catching of a locking pin may include a control application step of releasing the locking pin from a locking pin hole by an electronic control unit (ECU) so that a catching phenomenon of the locking pin due to friction force into a rotation direction of a cam is prevented, and a cam shaking prevention control logic alternately performing, by the ECU, a holding control stopping a rotation of the cam and a rotation control of the cam into a target direction so that it is prevented that the cam is rotated in a direction which is opposite to a rotation target direction of the cam when the releasing of the locking pin is completed. |
| US09995179B2 |
Compressor assembly for turbocharger burst containment
A compressor assembly is disclosed. The compressor assembly may have a compressor housing and a compressor impeller disposed within the compressor housing. The compressor impeller may have a hub extending from a hub front end to a hub rear end and an exducer blade disposed on the hub adjacent the hub rear end. The compressor impeller may further include a hub extension extending outward from the hub rear end. The compressor assembly may also have an impeller cap disposed on the hub extension. Further, the compressor assembly may have a windage seal disposed on the impeller cap. The windage seal may be separated from a blade rear surface by an axial gap. In addition, the compressor assembly may have a compressor diffuser disposed within the compressor housing. The compressor diffuser may have a diffuser inner surface separated from an outer rim of the exducer blade by a radial gap. |
| US09995178B2 |
Turbomachine component with a parting joint, and a steam turbine comprising said turbomachine component
A turbomachine component is provided having at least two sub-components that are separated by a parting joint and each have a sealing surface at the parting joint, at least one of the two sealing surfaces being convex in order to form a linear contact of the two sealing surfaces. At least one of the sealing surfaces has a coating on it which includes a hard material, is a maximum of 30 μm thick and is applied using a vapour deposition method, or a coating which includes a chrome-containing alloy, is a maximum of 30 μm thick and is applied by a vapour deposition method, or is a maximum of 300 μm thick and applied using a thermal spraying method. |
| US09995177B2 |
Self cleaning debris filter for fan drive gear system
A pump system for a gas turbine engine has at least one pump. At least one valve has an outlet and at least one inlet is fluidly connected to the at least one pump. A geared architecture is positioned within a bearing compartment. The geared architecture is configured to receive lubricating fluid from the outlet of the at least one valve, a self-cleaning filter is positioned downstream of the at least one valve and upstream of the geared architecture. A gas turbine engine and a method are also disclosed. |
| US09995175B2 |
System and method for gas bearing support of turbine
A bearing assembly for a turbine engine includes a first gas bearing configured to receive a load from a rotating shaft of the turbine engine, a transmission disk configured to receive the load from the first gas bearing, and a damping member coupled to a casing of a combustor section of the turbine engine. The transmission disk includes a gas delivery disk, which includes an axial opening configured to facilitate an axial flow through the gas delivery disk and a duct configured to facilitate a radial flow through the gas delivery disk to form the first gas bearing. The damping member is configured to receive the load from the transmission disk. |
| US09995173B2 |
Ducting platform cover plate
The present disclosure relates to cooling systems for turbine stators. A stator may include a vane platform. A ducting plate may be coupled to the vane platform. The ducting plate and the vane platform may form a cooling chamber between the ducting plate and the vane platform. The ducting plate may include an inlet adjacent to a leading edge of the vane platform. The vane platform may include an outlet adjacent to a trailing edge of the vane platform. The ducting plate may be configured to channel cooling air through the cooling chamber from the leading edge to the trailing edge. |
| US09995170B2 |
System and method for heating components of a heat recovery steam generator
A system for heating one or more components of a heat recovery steam generator that includes a heat-transferring conduit that fluidly connects a high-pressure section of a flow path to a low-pressure section of the flow path. The flow path is defined by a housing of the heat recovery steam generator and configured to direct a heat-containing medium. The heat-transferring conduit is configured to receive the heat-containing medium from the flow path such that the heat-containing medium flows through the heat-transferring conduit via a pressure differential between a first pressure of the heat-containing medium at the high-pressure section and a second pressure of the heat-containing medium at the low-pressure section. The heat-transferring conduit is further configured to heat the one or more components of the heat recovery steam generator via directing the heat-containing medium to be in heating contact with the one or more components. |
| US09995168B2 |
Hover aircraft rotor comprising a vibration damping device
A hover aircraft rotor having a hub which rotates about an axis and has a number of blades; a drive shaft connectable to a drive member of the aircraft and connected functionally to the hub to rotate the hub about the axis; and damping means for damping vibration transmitted to the shaft, and which include a mass designed to oscillate, in use, to oppose transmission to the shaft of vibration generated by rotation of the blades; the mass being free to oscillate parallel to the axis, to oppose transmission to the shaft of vibration having main components along the axis. |
| US09995164B2 |
Rotating fluid machine
Provided is a rotating fluid machine capable of holding down a decrease rate of a circumferential velocity of a leakage fluid in an interspatial flow passage and thereby controlling an unstable fluid force. A steam turbine includes: an interspatial flow passage 15 formed between an outer circumferential surface of a rotor blade cover 6 and an inner circumferential surface of a grooved section 14 in a casing 1; annular sealing fins 17A to 17D spatially arranged in a direction of a rotor axis, at a side of the rotor blade cover 6 in the interspatial flow passage 15; and a friction enhancement portion (more specifically, rough surfaces 19A to 19E) disposed over the whole circumference on the side of the rotor blade cover 6 in the interspatial flow passage 15. |
| US09995161B2 |
Modular turbocharger clearance seal
A turbocharger shaft is sealed with respect to the bore of the bearing housing at the turbine wheel end by one or more shaft seal rings. Conventionally these rings are seated in annular grooves provided in the shaft behind the turbine wheel. Problems can arise with this conventional shaft seal arrangement, particularly where the turbocharged engine has an engine brake valve located downstream of the turbine, and the back pressure in the exhaust line, and thus in the turbine wheel housing, can reach 7 bar. The inventive shaft seal design avoids grooves, and makes it possible to assemble a seal with ring seals with higher wear resistance and thus to maintain the seal's effectiveness over heavy use. |
| US09995154B2 |
Method for producing a rotor wheel and a rotor
A method for producing a component, in particular a rotor wheel, includes positioning a main body, a fusion-weldable attachment layer, and a barrier layer. The main body has a first alloy in an attachment region. The fusion-weldable attachment layer is positioned in the attachment region of the main body and has a second alloy which differs from the first alloy. The barrier layer is positioned between the main body and the fusion-weldable attachment layer. The barrier layer is configured to prevent a reaction of the first alloy of the main body with the second alloy of the fusion-weldable attachment layer during a thermal treatment. The method further includes heating the main body, the barrier layer, and the fusion-weldable attachment layer to connect the main body, the barrier layer, and the fusion-weldable attachment layer to one another. |
| US09995150B2 |
Cooling configuration for a gas turbine engine airfoil
A gas turbine engine airfoil includes an outer wall including a suction side, a pressure side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge, the outer wall defining an interior chamber of the airfoil. The airfoil further includes cooling structure provided in the interior chamber. The cooling structure defines an interior cooling cavity and includes a plurality of cooling fluid outlet holes, at least one of which is in communication with a pressure side cooling circuit and at least one of which is in communication with a suction side cooling circuit. At least one of the pressure and suction side cooling circuits includes: a plurality of rows of airfoils, wherein radially adjacent airfoils within a row define segments of cooling channels. Outlets of the segments in one row align aerodynamically with inlets of segments in an adjacent downstream row such that the cooling channels have a serpentine shape. |
| US09995149B2 |
Structural configurations and cooling circuits in turbine blades
A turbine blade having an airfoil defined by a concave shaped pressure side outer wall and a convex shaped suction side outer wall that connect along leading and trailing edges and, therebetween, form a radially extending chamber for receiving the flow of a coolant. The turbine blade may further include a rib configuration that partitions the chamber into radially extending flow passages. The rib configuration may include a camber line rib having a wavy profile. The wavy profile may include at least one back-and-forth “S” shape. |
| US09995148B2 |
Method and apparatus for cooling gas turbine and rotor blades
Apparatuses and methods are taught for cooling a turbine blade wherein at least one circuit is isolated along a cool suction side of the blade and the circuit turns aft toward a trailing edge. |
| US09995134B2 |
Electromagnetic pulse downhole telemetry
An apparatus for transmitting electromagnetic (EM) telemetry data from a downhole location to surface comprising: an EM signal transmitter configured to generate positive and negative polarity EM pulses corresponding to a telemetry signal; and an electronics subassembly communicative with the EM signal transmitter and comprising a processor and a memory having encoded thereon program code executable by the processor to perform a method comprising encoding measurement data into an EM telemetry signal using a modulation scheme comprising mapping a symbol set to at least one positive polarity EM pulse and one negative polarity EM pulse; and sending a control signal to the EM signal transmitter to generate EM pulses corresponding to the EM telemetry signal. The EM signal transmitter can comprise an H-bridge circuit electrically coupled to positive and negative ends of a gap sub such that applying a voltage across a positive pathway of the H-bridge circuit generates the positive polarity EM pulse, and applying a voltage across a negative pathway of the H-bridge circuit generates the negative polarity EM pulse. |
| US09995131B2 |
Downhole thermal component temperature management system and method
A system for temperature management of a downhole thermal component includes a heat exchanger thermally coupled with the thermal component and a heat exhausting temperature management system thermally coupled with the thermal component and the heat exchanger to transfer heat from the thermal component to the heat exchanger. The system may include an electrical device coupled between the thermal component and the heat exchanger and a power source to provide an energy flow to the electrical device to transfer heat from the thermal component to the heat exchanger. The system may include a thermoelectric cooler coupled between the thermal component and the heat exchanger. A method includes energizing an electrical device or a thermoelectric cooler to transfer heat from the thermal component to the heat exchanger. |
| US09995128B2 |
Methods and systems for drilling boreholes
A system for drilling a borehole according to the present invention includes a drill rig and a control system. The drill rig includes a drill, an air injection system and a water injection system. The control system, which is operatively associates with the drill rig, receives information from the drill rig that relates to at least one drill parameter. The control system processes information relating to the drill parameter, determines whether the drill parameter is within a predetermined specification for the monitored drill parameter, chooses a hole defect mitigation routine based on the monitored drill parameter when the monitored drill parameter is outside the predetermined specification, and controls the drill rig to implement the chosen hole defect mitigation routine. |
| US09995127B1 |
Low-frequency pulsing sonic and hydraulic mining method
Enhanced method for borehole mining comprising: drilling a borehole using a low-frequency pulsing sonic, hydraulic mining system including a pulsed jet assembly; inserting casing into the borehole above target deposit depth; inserting and rotating assembly into the casing with a sub-coupling and a shoe rock bit positioned below the casing; pumping fluid into the borehole; evaluating slurry at surface; fracturing and disaggregating materials at target deposit with pulsing jets from the sub-coupling and rock bit causing light slurry to flow upwardly to the annulus between the borehole casing and the downhole assembly, then upwardly through the annulus to the surface of the borehole thereby causing heavy slurry to concentrate in a sump, located below the pulse jet rock bit; continuing to form cavity at target location; removing pulsed jet assembly from borehole; running core barrel to extract heavy slurry from sump; analyzing slurry to determine whether to continue with operation. |
| US09995126B1 |
Low-frequency pulsing sonic and hydraulic mining system
An improvement to a sonic drilling system comprising a high-pressure, high-volume water pump connected to a fluid supply and a length of casing in a borehole; an elastic sonic rod string; an eductor coupling having an upwardly directed convergent nozzle; a transition rod; a sub-coupling having a laterally directed convergent nozzle; and a shoe rock bit having a downwardly directed convergent nozzle. The water pump provides fluid down the bore of the sonic rod string, the eductor, the transition rod, the sub-coupling and the rock bit whereby adjustable high-pressure, high-volume fluid is forced through the sonic rod string, the eductor, the transition rod, the sub-coupling and the rock bit to fracture, cut and agitate targeted mineral into slurry and whereby the light slurry is directed effectively upwardly through the annulus to the surface for extraction and heavy slurry gravitates into a sump trap and is recovered with a core barrel. |
| US09995125B2 |
Fracture network model for simulating treatment of subterranean formations
Various embodiments disclosed relate to a fracture network model for simulating treatment of subterranean formations. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of simulating treatment of a subterranean formation. The method includes flowing a proppant slurry composition including proppant into each of one or more inlets of a fracture network model. The fracture network model includes a solid medium including a channel network, the one or more inlets, and one or more outlets. The channel network is free of fluidic connections leading outside of the solid medium other than the one or more inlets and the one or more outlets. The channel network includes a primary channel fluidly connected to each of the one or more inlets. The channel network also includes at least one secondary channel and fluidly connected to the primary channel, with the primary channel having a channel cross-section with a greater area than an area of a channel cross-section of the secondary channel. The method also includes detecting a placement pattern of the proppant from the proppant slurry composition in the channel network. |
| US09995120B2 |
Flowing fracturing fluids to subterranean zones
Implementations provide flowing of fracturing fluids to subterranean zones. Actions can include In some examples, a method includes actions of flowing a mixture of a first quantity of acid and a second quantity of a polymer diverting agent (PDA) having a viscosity that changes with acid concentration to a first portion of a subterranean zone, wherein the first quantity decreases as the acid reacts with metal in the first portion, and wherein the viscosity of the PDA increases as the first quantity decreases to form a PDA gel and flowing a third quantity of acid through the subterranean zone, wherein the PDA gel diverts the acid from the first portion to a second portion of the subterranean zone. |
| US09995117B2 |
Self-locking slurry tube connector and protection arrangement
A Self-Locking Slurry Tube Connector and Protection Arrangement includes a jumper tube; a tube cover supporting and protective of the jumper tube. A connector sealed to the jumper tube and configured to move on the jumper tube from a first position to a second automatically locked position. A method for joining slurry tubes between adjacent sand screens. |
| US09995116B2 |
Directional screen, system and method
A directional screen includes a structure defining an opening; one or more first members attached at one end to the structure. The one or more first members configured to move between a first operational position and a second operational position. A method for treating a borehole. |
| US09995115B2 |
Boost assisted force balancing setting tool
A setting tool is provided for positioning in a subterranean wellbore. The tool carries a pre-charged, pressurized chamber, preferably filled with inert gas. A force-balanced piston assembly, with the piston chamber initially at atmospheric pressure, is in selective fluid communication with the pressurized chamber. A release mechanism, rupture disc, or valve is selectively operable to open the pressurized chamber and allow fluid flow to the piston chamber. The pressurized gas drives the piston which, in turn, drives a power rod for setting a downhole tool. Preferably a flow restrictor is incorporated in the gas flow path to meter the fluid and control the setting speed. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurized chamber is opened by rupturing a disc. A pyrotechnic device, which qualifies as a non-explosive device and is triggered by a low-powered battery, drives a piercing member into and through the rupture disc. |
| US09995112B2 |
Method and apparatus for treating a wellbore
A method and apparatus generally concerning the treatment of hydrocarbon-bearing formations adjacent a wellbore. In one embodiment, fracturing jobs are performed through the use of subs disposed in a casing string having profiles that interact with profiles formed on retractable keys of a tool. |
| US09995111B2 |
Multi-stage well isolation
A single element hydraulic open hole packer is provided. A method is provided for multistage isolation and fluid treatment of a borehole, in which a first frac valve tool and a second frac valve tool are provided, a first packer is mounted downstream from the first frac valve tool, a second packer is mounted between the first frac valve tool and the second frac valve tool, a third packer is mounted upstream from the second frac valve tool, at least one of the first, second and third packers being a hydraulic set packer having a single packing element, the first frac valve tool being moveable between a closed and an open position, the second frac valve tool moveable between a closed and an open position; running the liner into a wellbore; hydraulically setting the single element packers; conveying means for moving the first frac valve tool to the open position; and forcing stimulation fluid out through the first frac sleeve tool. |
| US09995110B2 |
Methods and systems for stimulating and restimulating a well
Embodiments disclosed herein describe fracturing methods and systems, wherein pressure differentials and fluid flow rates may be utilized to stimulate multiple zones, sleeves, or ports with the same tool. |
| US09995107B2 |
Optimized composite downhole tool for well completion
A composite cone assembly for use with a frac or bridge plug system is discussed herein having shaped outer contours and the strength needed for high pressure applications but with reduced machining requirements by forming part of the cone assembly from a high strength fiber material and the contoured surface from molding, such as from injection molding or compression molding. |
| US09995104B2 |
Expandable seal with adjacent radial travel stop
An expandable anchor/seal is pushed up a ramp until making contact with the surrounding tubular as or after the anchor/seal contacts the same tubular. The setting sleeve is made from high yield steel that has a weakened leading end to reduce the force required to push the leading end and the anchor/seal and an outer surface treatment at a leading end that engages or penetrates the wall of the surrounding tubular. Preferably a plurality of fingers are formed with axially oriented slots starting from a leading end allowing fingers to flex as they ride up the ramp on the mandrel for setting the anchor/seal and locking that set with the setting sleeve exterior surface configuration that can abut or penetrate the surrounding tubular. |
| US09995103B2 |
Extended reach anti-extrusion ring assembly with anchoring feature
A sealing element is flanked by wedge-shaped extrusion ring assemblies. The rings climb a ramp on an adjacent pedestal ring on the way out to the borehole wall. Depending on the dimension of the gap to be spanned the extrusion rings slide part way up the pedestal ring ramp or to the top of the pedestal ring. An anchor ring is initially forced up an opposite ramp of the pedestal ring. If the sealing gap is short the anchor ring touches the borehole wall to act as an anchor for the plug while remaining spaced apart from the extrusion ring assembly. For larger gaps the anchor ring moves out far enough to the borehole wall and in contact with the extrusion ring located on top of the pedestal so that reaction forces are directed to keep the anchor ring wedged in position for support of the extrusion ring assembly. |
| US09995101B2 |
Rotating and reciprocating swivel apparatus and method
What is provided is a method and apparatus wherein a swivel can be detachably connected to an annular blowout preventer thereby separating the drilling fluid or mud into upper and lower sections and allowing the fluid to be displaced in two stages, such as while the drill string is being rotated and/or reciprocated. In one embodiment the sleeve or housing can be rotatably and sealably connected to a mandrel. The swivel can be incorporated into a drill or well string and enabling string sections both above and below the sleeve to be rotated in relation to the sleeve. In one embodiment the drill or well string does not move in a longitudinal direction relative to the swivel. In one embodiment, the drill or well string does move longitudinally relative to the sleeve or housing of the swivel. |
| US09995097B2 |
Diverting flow in a kill mud circulation system to regulate kill mud pressure
Killing a well by diverting flow in a drilling fluid circulation system to maintain kill mud pressure in a discharge piping during the well kill operation. It is determined that a target pressure of the kill mud in the discharge piping is not satisfied by a pressure of the kill mud discharged by a pump into the discharge piping. In response, a pressure of the kill mud is adjusted by at least partially opening a pressure control device to release kill mud into a bypass piping. |
| US09995096B2 |
Drilling head driving device, tube forming mechanism and drilling method
A tube forming mechanism for application in a tube is provided with a band and clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism is arranged within the tube, outside of which the band. A system for guiding a bore head is provided, including the tube forming mechanism, a head, mechanism transferring the pressing force to the bore head, and also a curled tube fed from the drum into the wellbore to transfer the pressing force exerted by the pressing mechanism via a mechanism releasably connected to the curled tube. A method of drilling a wellbore is described, wherein a bore head with a drill bit is lowered down the wellbore and pressed against its bottom, simultaneously inserting a tube into to wellbore. For pressing the head with the drill bit, a curled strip tube drawn from a drum is used, wherein the pressing force is applied to the tube via a mechanism releasably connected thereto. |
| US09995091B2 |
Rock drill telescopic arm and rock drill
A rock drill telescopic arm is provided having a fixed arm which is sleeved on a movable arm; a telescopic oil cylinder; a plurality of adjusting blocks in the fixed arm along a circumferential direction thereof; a plurality of adjusting screw rods for respectively adjusting the position of each of the adjusting blocks on the fixed arm; a wear-resistant sliding block between at least part of the adjusting blocks and the movable arm; and a retainer at an opening end of the fixed arm for preventing the wear-resistant sliding block from moving along a telescoping direction of the movable arm, wherein the movable arm can be driven by the telescopic oil cylinder to slide along the wear-resistant sliding block. A rock drill equipped with the rock drill telescopic arm provides for convenient adjustment of a gap between the fixed arm and the movable arm. |
| US09995087B2 |
Direct torque helical displacement well and hydrostatic liquid pressure relief device
A helical displacement well with preassembled segments includes a preassembled shaft-forming penetrator tube including helical plates mounted to its exterior that may be rotated to propel the casing into the ground. A hydraulic drill motor rotates the penetrator tube as it moves deeper into the ground. Extension tubes may be added to and coupled to the penetrator tube. A bolt including a threaded stem sized to engage the threaded bolt opening of the male connector and a cap of larger breadth than the threaded stem and sized to fit within the unthreaded tension bolt opening of the female connector for connecting the female connector about the male connector. |
| US09995085B2 |
Downhole motor stator and method of manufacture
A method for producing modular down hole, hydraulic motor components involving the formation of replaceable stator slugs to be collectively housed within a stator housing to form a stator assembly, including, in some embodiments, replaceable lobe components for the stator slugs for altering the interference with a selected rotor for such motor. |
| US09995084B1 |
Hammer reamer for expanding a pilot bore
Disclosed is a hammer reamer that comprises similar features to prior art reamers such as cutting wheels and a product-pulling feature. An exemplary hammer reamer, however, also includes a hammer component operable to deliver a percussive cycle of an internal piston component. Notably, an internal impact surface within the head of the hammer reamer is positioned relative to the piston component in the hammer consistent with a “sweet spot” position of a drill bit used in a pilot boring configuration. Unlike a slidably engaged drill bit, however, the internal impact surface in the hammer reamer is fixed in place so that the impact surface remains in the “sweet spot” of the piston stroke range. In this way, even though the hammer reamer is being pulled back through a bore while the drill string is being retracted, the hammer component may continue to deliver percussive blows to the hammer reamer head to introduce a vibratory force that contributes to the efficiency of the reaming process. |
| US09995079B2 |
Security device for banknote containers in particular for Bancomat, ATM, acceptors or the like
Provided is a security device and method for preventing burglary of a container. The method includes igniting, via ignition means, an explosive substance in the container, so that the explosive substance is combusted before it reaches a critical mass. The method further includes conveying atmosphere from inside the container to the ignition means. |
| US09995076B1 |
Intelligent door restraint
A method for controlling a door, comprising the steps of storing energy during a manual opening of a door, sensing an object within a doorway, selectively applying a force derived from the stored energy, to close the door, based on the sensing of an object in the doorway. The closure is preferably controlled by an electronic control. A door closing device comprising an energy storage device for storing energy during door opening and releasing the stored energy to subsequently close the door, a damping system for damping a closure of the door, a sensor for detecting an object within a doorway, having an output, a controllable device for selectively restraining the energy storage device from closing the door, and a control system for controlling the controllable device based on the output. |
| US09995075B2 |
Dampened hinge
A hinge for doors of appliances, including a box-shaped element and a first lever pivoted on the box-shaped element by a first pin; one of the box-shaped element or the first lever being fixable to a frame and the other fixable to a door, to make the door tiltably movable relative to the frame between a closed position and an open position; a first elastic device supported by the box-shaped element for applying an elastic action on the first lever, a rod for connecting the first lever to the first elastic device, the connecting rod being positioned in a slidable fashion inside the box-shaped element; a damping member for applying a damping action during the reciprocal motion of the first lever and the box-shaped element, in the proximity of reaching the closed position; a cartridge containing the hydraulic damping member, the cartridge being fixed to the box-shaped element. |
| US09995074B2 |
Door closer assembly
A door closer assembly configured for replacing a previous door closer assembly and installing using pre-existing mounting holes. The door closer assembly includes a closer having a closer housing and a pair of universal mounting brackets. The closer housing has an abutment surface along an axis of the closer. Each universal mounting brackets has mounting openings aligning with the pre-existing mounting holes. The closer is secured to the universal mounting brackets. |
| US09995073B2 |
Folding door trolley
A trolley for use with a folding door to suspend the door from an overhead track. The trolley has a mounting post for use in connecting the trolley to a folding door with a cylindrical mounting axle extending from the post. The trolley has a wheel unit comprising a short wheel axle with a wheel rotatably mounted at each end. The wheel unit is mounted on the post with the mounting axle on the post extending through the wheel axle between the wheels. The post is rotatable relative to the wheel unit. |
| US09995072B2 |
Window balance assembly
A window balance assembly may include a carrier, a spring element, and a mounting bracket. The spring element may include first and second portions. The first portion may be coupled to the carrier. The mounting bracket may engage the second portion of the spring element and may selectively engage the carrier. The mounting bracket may include a first mounting surface disposed at a non-perpendicular angle relative to an exterior surface of carrier when the window balance assembly is in an uninstalled configuration. The first mounting surface may be substantially parallel to the exterior surface of the carrier when the window balance assembly is in an installed configuration and the mounting bracket is disengaged from the carrier. |
| US09995070B2 |
Hinge release mechanism
An electronic device with an enclosure having a base and a base is disclosed. The electronic device can include a shaft coupled with the base and the base. The shaft can be coupled with a torque component engagement feature that provides a frictional engagement with the shaft. The torque component engagement feature can magnetically couple with a magnet, or magnets. The electronic device can also include a magnetic assembly configured to magnetically couple with the shaft engagement. The magnetic assembly can provide a first magnetic field that magnetically couples the torque component engagement feature with the magnetic assembly. However, the magnetic assembly can change to a second, reduced magnetic field less than the first magnetic field. When the display assembly is rotated toward the base, the magnetic assembly changes to the second magnetic field, and the torque component engagement feature magnetically decouples from the magnetic assembly based on the reduced magnetic field. |
| US09995069B2 |
Operator cab for machine having door with swing controlling hinge mechanism
An operator cab for a machine such as a motor grader includes an access door coupled to a frame by way of a hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism has abutting cam and follower surfaces with geometry to control the swinging of the access door such as under the force of gravity. The cam surface has a double-sloped profile of rotation about the pivot axis of the hinge mechanism so that the access door swing is controlled in either of a first or a second swing direction toward a dwell location of the access door. |
| US09995067B2 |
Door-lock device
A door-lock device having a casing, a slider, arranged within said casing, a locking hook with a body and a locking portion, said body having a cam shape which abuts said slider, said locking hook capable to assume a rest position, in which said locking portion is disengaged from said recess, and an operative position, in which said locking portion is inserted, and engaged with, said recess, and pushing capabilities, for keeping said slider in contact with said cam surface, so when said door is closed, said locking hook passes from said rest position to said operative position, said cam shape compressing said pushing capabilities, so that said pushing capabilities accumulate energy and said slider exerts a resistance to the closing of said door, and, then, allowing said pushing capabilities to release said energy, so that said slider exerts a return action on said locking hook and on said door. |
| US09995065B2 |
Door handle assembly for a motor vehicle
A vehicle door handle assembly includes an actuating element, which is actuated by a user gripping the handle from behind. The actuating element protrudes outward through a recess in the handle from an inner cavity through a wall of the handle over an outer contour of the handle. The actuating element is movable through the recess in the direction of the handle inner cavity against an elastic restoring force. The actuating element is at least in sections made of a metal. Located inside the handle is a stationary electric module with an inductive distance sensor so that when the actuating element moves, the distance of the actuating element in relation to the inductive distance sensor changes. An evaluation unit detects the signals of the inductive distance sensor, detects an actuation as a function of the signals, and provides an output signal. |
| US09995062B2 |
Device for releasing catcher for refrigerator and freezer
The present invention relates to a catcher release device for a refrigerator and freezer, and more particularly, to a catcher release device for a refrigerator and freezer that has releasing means disposed on the inside of a side panel on which a catcher is located in such a manner as to be connected to the catcher, so that if a person is locked in the refrigerator and freezer, an inner handle of the releasing means just rotates, irrespective of a door lock device, thus allowing the catcher to be separated from the door lock device to rapidly open a door for the refrigerator and freezer. |
| US09995061B2 |
Smart entry system
A smart entry system that releases a lock of an opening/closing body includes: a transmission unit that transmits a call signal to a mobile key by wireless communication; a reception unit that receives a response signal from the mobile key responding to the call signal; and a control unit that outputs a call signal transmission command to the transmission unit, performs authentication of the response signal when the reception unit receives the response signal, and outputs a command for unlocking the opening/closing body based on a result of the authentication. The call signal is transmitted by a polling system. The control unit includes an output strength setting unit that changes and sets an output strength of the call signal. |
| US09995059B2 |
Rackable fencing components optimized for preassembly shipping
A rackable fence is provided with a rail, picket carrier, and plurality of pickets. The rail defines a rigid inverted U-shaped cross-section. The picket carrier includes a top span residing within and extending across the interior of the rail. The pickets are pivotally attached to the picket carrier and pivotable toward the rail. |
| US09995056B2 |
Collapsible gazebo frame with single activation feature
A collapsible canopy frame includes a plurality of side and central supports and a plurality of telescopic legs. A single activation feature provides for the extension and retraction, and the locking and unlocking of the canopy frame. A fixed bracket and a sliding bracket located at the upper end of each telescopic leg provide the connection of the telescopic legs to the side and central supports and to each other. The single activation feature includes an upper and a lower hub and when they joined together facilitate the extension and locking of canopy frame; as the lower hub is disengaged from the upper hub, the gazebo frame becomes unlocked and capable of being retracted. Each telescopic leg includes a plurality of telescopic sections that extend and retract through a cable system or a tape-driven system connected to the sliding bracket and which links the telescopic sections to each other. |
| US09995053B2 |
Detection method for collision of a flying object against an architectural structure, detection apparatus for collision of a flying object against an architectural structure, and facility for closing an opening of an architectural structure
A detection apparatus includes: a plurality of accelerometers configured to be installed on respective positions of the architectural structure which are different in height from each other and separately measure an acceleration value generated in the architectural structure; and a computer configured to perform computation by using acceleration values measured by the plurality of accelerometers and detect collision of a flying object (airplane) against the architectural structure when a ratio between the acceleration values measured by the plurality of accelerometers exceeds a first threshold value. |
| US09995051B2 |
Pool cleaning system and method to automatically clean surfaces of a pool using images from a camera
A pool cleaning system for cleaning debris from a submerged surface of a swimming pool includes a self-propelled pool cleaner having rotatably-mounted supports for supporting and guiding the cleaner on the pool surface; an electric motor for enabling the rotation of the rotatably-mounted supports on the pool surface; at least one camera to capture imagery of the pool surface; a controller, in electronic communication with the at least one camera, to determine a cleanliness characteristic of the pool surface on which the cleaner has passed based on the camera imagery and generate a control signal to direct movement of the cleaner based on the cleanliness characteristic of the pool surface, wherein the control signal directs movement of the cleaner to reclean a portion of the pool surface where the cleanliness characteristic fails to satisfy a predefined threshold. |
| US09995046B2 |
Bucket scoop and cleaner/scraper
The present disclosure provides a drywall tool including a scraping portion having an outwardly curved front portion extending between parallel side edge portions and a support member joined to the scraping portion by at least one fillet. The scraping portion may also be flexible to conform to the inner wall and resilient enough to prevent bending of the scraping portion around hardened putty or other materials attached to the inner wall of the bucket. The fillet may also provide a smooth connection to facilitate cleaning of the drywall tool. |
| US09995041B2 |
Connecting element for corrugated panels and method of use of same
A connecting means for connecting two corrugated sheets firmly to each other is made of a thin metal sheet folded into two portions; one portion is shorter than the other portion and is parallel to one part of the second portion, forming a gap between the folded portions that fits the thickness of the corrugated sheets. A threaded hole is made in the other part of the second portion of the connecting means adapted to accept a fastening screw. The connecting means may be placed over an edge of one corrugated sheet, another corrugated sheet is placed over the one corrugated sheet and a fastening screw is inserted through concentric holes made in the two corrugated sheets and is firmly fastened in the threaded hole. |
| US09995037B2 |
Through-penetration device, method for manufacturing a through-penetration device, and method for installing a through-penetration device
A through-penetration device has a molded body consisting essentially of an intumescent foam material and having at least one penetration opening for one line. An outer contour of the molded body has protrusions extending radially outward for anchoring within a cast building component, which protrusions form undercuts in building component as the building component is being cast. In addition, a mounting plate that can be axially pushed onto the through-penetration device, sealing the penetration openings, is provided. As the through-penetration device is produced, a liquid coating material is applied to a surface of a foaming mold, and then a foam mass containing a predetermined percentage of intumescent material is introduced into the foaming mold. After a foaming process, the coating material forms a water-impermeable skin on the foamed molded body. |
| US09995036B1 |
Expansion joint seal system with top and side intumescent members
An expansion joint seal system which includes intumescent to protect uncoated edges of substrates. A fire rated compressed expansion joint sealant is provided having an intumescent proximate, but below the water-resistant top of the fire-retardant foam, so that when exposed to fire, the intumescent expands to protect the exposed vertical surface of the adjacent concrete substrate. The end of the concrete is therefore protected in a manner which does not require joint overlap between the horizontal fire resistant coating and the compressible sealant. |
| US09995034B2 |
Portable temporary structure
A temporary room structure formed by a series of lightweight rails inserted between opposing posts. Each post has a one or more slots that run along the length of the post. The slots receive the ends of rails and maintain them in place. One or more metallic beams also are inserted between and connected to respective posts to add stability to the structure. |
| US09995032B2 |
Linear drain assemblies
A linear drain assembly includes an elongate drain body including a cover, a slotted inlet formed in the cover, and a drain channel formed below the cover and in fluid communication with the slotted inlet. The drain channel defines at least one closed end extending in both a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction across the drain channel. The closed end is arranged to direct debris moving through the drain channel toward the slotted inlet. |
| US09995027B2 |
Disposable splash shield for use when plunging a toilet
A transparent, biodegradable, disposable splash shield sized to fit on a toilet bowl rim to prevent splashing of water from the bowl when a plunger is used to free an obstruction in the toilet. The shield is dome shaped and has an upstanding projection on its top that can be gripped to pull the shield from the plunger handle following use. An annular flange on the bottom end of the shield is adapted to rest on rim of a toilet bowl. Adhesive material on the underside of the flange, or strips of adhesive tape on the marginal edge of the shield, releasably secure the shield in position. The shield is nestable and may be foldable in half. A toilet kit includes the splash shield, gloves, at least one paper towel, and a flattened box, all packaged in an envelope-like bag that can be used to contain and dispose of these items following use. |
| US09995026B2 |
Mounting system for sink
A sink assembly mountable to a support structure having a cabinet and a countertop supported by the cabinet. The sink assembly includes a sink having at least one basin, a rim that is above and extends outwardly beyond the at least one basin, an apron that extends laterally across and beyond a front of the at least one basin, and a receiving member coupled to a first underside of the sink. The sink assembly includes a bracket having a first portion, which engages a portion of the cabinet, and a second portion, which engages a second underside of the sink. The sink assembly includes a connecting member configured to extend between and couple to the receiving member and the bracket to secure the sink to the support structure. |
| US09995022B2 |
Wing shroud for a dragline lip
A dragline lip assembly comprising, a dragline lip including at least one upright member having a boss, and a wing shroud comprising. The wing shroud further comprising a first sidewall having a first abutment surface, a second sidewall having a second abutment surface wherein the second sidewall has a securing portion configured so as to be coupled to a lock assembly on the dragline lip, and a center wall having a third abutment surface provided with an opening, the center wall connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall wherein the first, second and third abutment surfaces define a channel to receive a portion of the at least one upright member and wherein the boss is insertable in the opening. |
| US09995021B2 |
Wear member for tool
A wear member for a tool may have a generally planar first wear member portion defining an opening. The first wear member portion may also have a first inward surface defining a projection adjacent the opening for removably coupling the wear member to a mounting base attached to the tool. The wear member may also have a generally planar second wear member portion extending from the first wear member portion in a direction generally perpendicular to the first wear member portion. The second wear member portion may also have a second inward surface contiguous with the first inward surface. The first and second inward surfaces may define a receiving pocket configured to receive the mounting base, and the projection may be positioned completely within the receiving pocket. |
| US09995019B2 |
Estimation with gyros of the relative attitude between a vehicle body and an implement operably coupled to the vehicle body
An estimate of the relative attitude between an implement and a vehicle body is computed from a body angular velocity measurement received from at least one body gyro mounted on the vehicle body and from an implement angular velocity measurement received from at least one implement gyro mounted on the implement. A first system state vector estimate corresponding to a first time instant includes a representation of a first relative attitude estimate. An updated system state vector is computed based at least in part on the first system state vector estimate, the body angular velocity vector measurement, and the implement angular velocity vector measurement. A second system state vector estimate corresponding to a second time instant is predicted based at least in part on the updated system state vector and a time-dependent system model. The second system state vector estimate includes a representation of a second relative attitude estimate. |
| US09995018B2 |
Control system of hybrid construction machine
A control system of a hybrid construction machine includes a regeneration passage switching valve having a normal position where flow of working fluid is blocked, and a regeneration position allowing for the working fluid to flow from main passages to a regeneration motor when a working fluid pressure of the main passages reaches a set pressure during operation of the actuators, and an assist switching valve having a normal position proportionally dividing the working fluid of an assist passage into a regeneration passages, a first switching position supplying more working fluid of the assist passage to one of the main passages when that the one has a higher working fluid pressure, and a second switching position supplying more working fluid of the assist passage to the other one of the main passages when that the other one has a higher working fluid pressure. |
| US09995015B2 |
Side wall for a movable part of an excavator bucket
A side wall of a movable part of an excavator bucket is disclosed. The side wall may have a sheet metal base. The sheet metal base may have an attachment portion for attaching the side wall to a rear wall of the excavator bucket. The sheet metal base may also have a cranked portion extending from the attachment portion. Further, the sheet metal base may have an extension portion extending from the cranked portion to a distal end of the sheet metal base. |
| US09995011B1 |
Pet waste collector apparatus
An elongated and adjustable pet waste collection apparatus having an integrated vacuum or suction pump which suctions waste matter off the ground and into a pre-loaded disposable waste bag. Aspects of embodiments of the disclosure contemplate a sanitizing solution dispenser along with a heat sealer for sealing the ends of the waste bag after waste collection. The disclosure is intended to provide consumers with a simple sanitary tool for the collection and discarding of pet waste. |
| US09995009B2 |
Self-propelled construction machine and method for operating a self-propelled construction machine
A self-propelled construction machine includes a machine frame and an operating drum arranged in a drum housing which is open downwards and is closed on both sides by an edge protector which is adjustable in height. A control assembly determines a reference value for the height of the ground surface relative to the machine frame on which the edge protector rests in a floating position, the height of the edge protector relative to the machine frame and the lowering speed of the edge protector. Furthermore, the control assembly is configured such that the height of the edge protector relative to the machine frame is determined at the point in time at which the lowering speed of the edge protector is less than a specified limit value. Preferred embodiments of the machine furthermore detect the edge protector sinking into the ground, and/or prevent the edge protector from digging into the ground. |
| US09995007B2 |
Drive system, in particular for a self-propelled construction machine, in particular a soil compactor
A drive system, in particular for a self-propelled construction machine, in particular a soil compactor, comprises a drive unit, at least one hydraulic circuit with a hydraulic pump driven by the drive unit, a hydraulic drive support unit with a hydraulic pump/motor assembly, and at least one pressure fluid reservoir, wherein the hydraulic pump/motor assembly is, or can be, drivingly coupled with the drive unit and/or at least one hydraulic circuit, wherein the hydraulic pump/motor assembly can be operated in a charging operating mode by the drive unit and/or at least one hydraulic circuit as a pump to charge at least one pressure fluid reservoir, and be driven in a drive support operating mode as a motor to provide a drive support torque for the hydraulic pump of at least one hydraulic circuit, characterized in that the hydraulic pump/motor assembly is operated in a recirculation operating mode as a pump to convey fluid out of a fluid reservoir and into a fluid reservoir. |
| US09994999B2 |
Paper or paperboard substrate, a process for production of the substrate and a package formed of the substrate
The present invention relates to a paper or paperboard substrate having barrier properties which substrate comprises a first fiber based layer, a second layer comprising micro-fibrillated cellulose, a third layer comprising a heat sealable polymer, and a fourth layer comprising aluminum, aluminum oxide or titanium dioxide. The invention further relates to a process for the production of said substrate and a package formed of said substrate. |
| US09994997B2 |
Thermally sprayed protective coating for industrial and engineered fabrics
A fabric or belt and a method for forming such a fabric or belt, including a base support structure and at least one coating with the coating being applied by a thermal spray process. |
| US09994996B2 |
Raw-material supply device and biomass separation device
A raw-material supply device for supplying a biomass raw material under pressure, wherein the device is provided with: a screw body, provided inside a screw feeder and adapted for compressing, rotating, and transporting the powdered biomass raw material using a motor from a normal-pressure feed section for the fed biomass raw material to a high-pressure discharge section; and a pressing plug provided on the tip section side of the screw body, the pressing plug having a plug tip for maintaining a high-temperature/high-pressure field against the discharge force of compressed consolidated biomass. The interior of the screw feeder comprises a raw-material feed region for feeding the biomass raw material in the raw-material transport direction, a raw-material compression region for compressing the biomass raw material, a raw-material consolidation region for consolidating the biomass raw material in the form of a cork, and a material seal section for maintaining the high-pressure field using the consolidated biomass. |
| US09994990B2 |
Drum washing machine
A drum washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub located within the cabinet, a drum rotatably located within the tub, and a drive unit to rotate the drum, and the drive unit includes a motor, a shaft provided with one end defined as a first point and combined with the drum and the other end defined as a second point and combined with a rotor of the motor and transmitting power of the motor to the drum, first and second bearings located between the first and second points, a first groove provided between the first bearing and the first point to prevent damage to the shaft, and a bushing surrounding at least a portion of the outer surface of the shaft and the contour of the first groove. |
| US09994989B2 |
Ball joint for a washing machine suspension system
A ball joint for use within a washing machine suspension system may generally comprise a joint body including a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion may define an outer surface having a curved profile. In addition, the joint body may define at least one lubrication inlet port extending between the upper and lower portions and at least one lubrication channel extending circumferentially around at least a portion of the lower portion along the outer surface. The lubrication channel(s) may be in fluid communication with the lubrication inlet port(s) such that, when a lubricant is injected into the lubrication inlet port(s) at the upper portion of the joint body, the lubricant flows from the lubrication inlet port(s) into the lubrication channel(s) and then flows circumferentially within the lubrication channel(s) along the outer surface. |
| US09994987B2 |
Washing machine and control method thereof
Disclosed herein are a washing machine and a control method thereof. The control method includes sensing a first unbalance amount of a drum in which laundry is received while rotating the drum at a first rotational velocity, sensing a second unbalance amount of the drum while accelerating the drum to a second rotational velocity, when the first unbalance amount is allowed, and accelerating the drum to a target rotational velocity, when the second unbalance amount is allowed. |
| US09994986B2 |
Washing machine and method for controlling the same
A washing machine includes: a tub configured to accommodate wash water therein; a rotary tub rotatably mounted in the tub; a pulsator rotatably arranged below the rotary tub, configured to form a water current; a motor configured to provide driving power to the pulsator; and a floater configured to ascend or descend in response to a water level of the wash water in such a manner that the pulsator and the rotary tub interact with each other or the interaction therebetween is released. The pulsator includes a reinforcement rib protruding from a bottom surface of the pulsator to reinforce stiffness. The floater is connected to the reinforcement rib in a manner that the floater ascends or descends along the reinforcement rib. The washing machine can alternatively transmit the driving power of the motor only to the pulsator or to the pulsator and the rotary tub. |
| US09994983B2 |
Needle board
The needle board for use in a needling machine for needling a flat textile material comprises first needle rows and second needle rows, wherein the first needle rows and the second needle rows are arranged inclined with respect to a longitudinal direction of the needle board, which longitudinal direction corresponds to a direction in which the flat textile material to be needled is conveyed in the needling machine. The first needle rows are arranged at a first angle to the longitudinal direction, and the second needle rows are arranged at a second angle to the longitudinal direction. An absolute value of the second angle is different from an absolute value of the first angle. |
| US09994982B2 |
Extensible nonwoven fabric
Extensible nonwoven fabrics having improved elongation, extensibility, abrasion resistance and toughness. In particular, embodiments of the invention are directed to extensible spunbond fabrics comprising a polymeric blend of a metallocene catalyzed polypropylene, polyethylene, and a third polymer component. |
| US09994981B2 |
Reinforcement system
A novel reinforcement system for maximizing tensile strength and modulus of elasticity per ply for composite systems has one or more pockets with a first pocket edge, a second pocket edge, a pocket front surface, and a pocket rear surface. The pocket front surface and the pocket rear surface each have a pocket cross-stitch that perpendicularly traverses the pocket. The pocket traverses the fabric parallel and adjacent to the first fabric edge and the second fabric edge in a warp, or 0 degree, or x-axis direction. The pockets contain one or more fiber tows with a plurality of filaments in a stack. |
| US09994978B2 |
Flame resistant fabrics having improved resistance to surface abrasion or pilling and methods for making them
Flame resistant fabrics and garments that have improved resistance to pilling and/or abrasion are disclosed. The fabrics, the fibers or yarns that make up the fabrics, or garments made from the fabrics are treated with a finish composition that is applied to the fibers, yarns, fabrics, or garments and then cured. The finish composition increases the resistance to pilling and/or abrasion of the fibers, yarns, fabrics, or garments. The finish composition includes a polymeric abrasion resistance aid, an alkylfluoropolymer, a polyethylene, and a wetting agent. |
| US09994975B2 |
Electrospinning apparatus and method for producing multi-dimensional structures and core-sheath yarns
Electrospinning apparatus and method for producing multi-dimensional structures such as one-dimensional continuous yarns, two-dimensional mats and three-dimensional cotton-like fluffy scaffolds is disclosed. Further, electrospinning apparatus and method with single collector geometry for producing multi-dimensional structures and core-sheath yarns are disclosed. |
| US09994970B2 |
Method of producing a synthetic diamond
A method of producing a synthetic diamond is disclosed, the method comprising: (a) capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; (b) conducting electrolysis of water to provide hydrogen; (c) reacting the carbon dioxide obtained from step (a) with the hydrogen obtained from step (b) to produce methane; and (d) using the hydrogen obtained from step (b) and the methane obtained from step (c) to produce a synthetic diamond by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). |
| US09994969B2 |
View port for observing ingot growth process and ingot growth apparatus including same
A view port for observing ingot growth process of the present embodiment is as a view port for observing the inside of a chamber providing a space in which a growth process of an ingot is performed includes a body part disposed on the a side of the chamber and having a hole connected to the inside of the chamber; a window being inserted into the hole of the body part to maintain a sealing state of the chamber and through which light being transmitted from the inside of the chamber; and, a window purge being disposed on the side of the body part an forms air curtain.The view port of the present invention proposed has an advantage of prevention of the glass contamination as well as self-cleaning of the contaminated glass of the view port. The ingot that grows in the inside of the chamber may be clearly observed through such a view port and then the process condition is determined through the process data accurately observed. Therefore, there is an advantage that is capable of producing the high quality of the ingot. |
| US09994968B2 |
Electrochemical etching apparatus
An electroplating etching apparatus includes a power to output current, and a container configured to contain an electrolyte. A cathode is coupled to the container and configured to fluidly communicate with the electrolyte. An anode is electrically connected to the output, and includes a graphene layer. A metal substrate layer is formed on the graphene layer, and is etched from the graphene layer in response to the current flowing through the anode. |
| US09994966B2 |
Method for producing a coated surface of a tribological system
A method is proposed for producing a cylinder working surface of an internal combustion engine that is optimized in terms of friction and wear. |
| US09994962B2 |
Solvent extraction and stripping system
An apparatus for separating a mixture of two liquids of different densities which liquids are substantially insoluble in one another includes a hollow permeable body having a recess for receiving a first fluid which can flow from the recess through the permeable body to an exterior of the permeable body. A housing surrounds and is spaced from the exterior of the permeable body. The housing has an inlet for a second fluid and an outlet for a mixture of the first and second fluid. A baffle or baffles are provided in the space between the exterior of the permeable body and the housing, and to define a mixing channel in space between the exterior of the permeable body and the housing so that the second fluid can enter the housing inlet and flow through the mixing channel to the outlet, while picking up fluid on the exterior of the permeable body. |
| US09994960B2 |
Ceramic/polymer matrix for electrode protection in electrochemical cells, including rechargeable lithium batteries
Articles and methods for forming ceramic/polymer composite structures for electrode protection in electrochemical cells, including rechargeable lithium batteries, are presented. |
| US09994959B2 |
Ceramic/polymer matrix for electrode protection in electrochemical cells, including rechargeable lithium batteries
Articles and methods for forming ceramic/polymer composite structures for electrode protection in electrochemical cells, including rechargeable lithium batteries, are presented. |
| US09994958B2 |
Coating, cutting tool, and method of manufacturing coating
A coating is formed from one layer or two or more layers, at least one of the layers includes a multi-layer structure in which a first unit layer composed of TiN and a second unit layer composed of Ti1-xAlxN are alternately stacked, the first unit layer has an fcc crystal structure, and the second unit layer has an fcc crystal structure, X in Ti1-xAlxN being not smaller than 0.6 and not greater than 0.9. |
| US09994955B2 |
Raw material vaporization and supply apparatus
The present invention provides a raw material vaporization and supply device including a raw material receiving tank, a vaporizer for vaporizing liquid pressure-fed from the liquid receiving tank, a flow rate control device for adjusting a flow rate of raw material gas from the vaporizer, and a heating device for heating the vaporizer, the high-temperature pressure-type flow rate control device, and desired sections of flow passages connected to these devices, wherein Al2O3 passivation treatment, Cr2O3 passivation treatment, or FeF2 passivation treatment is applied to liquid contact parts or gas contact parts of metal surfaces of at least any of the raw material receiving tank, the vaporizer, the flow rate control device, the flow passages that links these component devices, or opening-and-closing valves that are disposed in the flow passages. |
| US09994953B2 |
Portable dry nanocoating machine
Nano technologies are widely recognized as enabling enhanced and new functionality in a wide range of applications and products. Many different ways have been developed to create and apply these nanomaterials. One method for making dry nanocoatings is vapor deposition. There exists a need for a portable machine that can apply nanocoatings to a wide of range of surfaces in a wide range of locations. The present invention comprises such a portable machine that can apply nanocoatings to a wide of range of surfaces in a wide range of locations. |
| US09994951B2 |
Photovoltaic sputtering targets fabricated from reclaimed materials
A method of: providing one or more spent sputtering targets comprising a photovoltaic compound and grinding the photovoltaic compound in an inert environment to form a powder. |
| US09994949B2 |
Applied magnetic field synthesis and processing of iron nitride magnetic materials
A method may include annealing a material including iron and nitrogen in the presence of an applied magnetic field to form at least one Fe16N2 phase domain. The applied magnetic field may have a strength of at least about 0.2 Tesla (T). |
| US09994948B2 |
Method for producing oxide layers which protect against wear and/or corrosion
Method for producing oxide layers which protect against wear and/or corrosion on barrier layer-forming metals, preferably aluminum, magnesium and titanium, alloys and mixtures thereof by means of laser treatment, characterized in that on the surface a continuous near-surface oxygen-plasma is produced to form the oxide layer. |
| US09994946B2 |
High strength, homogeneous copper-nickel-tin alloy and production process
A process for producing a high strength, homogeneous copper-nickel-tin alloy with high strength includes preparing a molten mixture of copper, nickel, and tin; pressure assist casting the molten mixture to form a casting; and thermally treating the casting. Novel combinations of properties can be attained for the alloy. |
| US09994945B2 |
Aluminum alloy wire rod, aluminum alloy stranded wire, covered wire, wire harness, and method of manufacturing aluminum alloy wire rod
An aluminum alloy wire rod includes Mg: 0.1-1.0 mass %, Si: 0.1-1.2 mass %, Fe: 0.10-1.40 mass %, Ti: 0-0.100 mass %, B: 0-0.030 mass %, Cu: 0-1.00 mass %, Ag: 0-0.50 mass %, Au: 0-0.50 mass %, Mn: 0-1.00 mass %, Cr: 0-1.00 mass %, Zr: 0-0.50 mass %, Hf: 0-0.50 mass %, V: 0-0.50 mass %, Sc: 0-0.50 mass %, Co: 0-0.50 mass %, Ni: 0-0.50 mass %, and the balance: Al and inevitable impurities. In a cross section parallel to a wire rod lengthwise direction and including a center line of the wire rod, no void having an area greater than 20 μm2 is present, or even in a case where at least one void having an area greater than 20 μm2 is present, a presence ratio of the at least one void per 1000 μm2 is on average in a range of less than or equal to one void/1000 μm2. |
| US09994942B2 |
Steel material
A steel material contains: by mass %, C: greater than 0.05% to 0.18%; Mn: 1% to 3%; Si: greater than 0.5% to 1.8%; Al: 0.01% to 0.5%; N: 0.001% to 0.015%; one or both of V and Ti: 0.01% to 0.3% in total; Cr: 0% to 0.25%; Mo: 0% to 0.35%; a balance: Fe and impurities; and 80% or more of bainite by area %, and 5% or more in total of one or two or more selected from a group consisting of ferrite, martensite and austenite by area %, in which an average block size of the above-described bainite is less than 2.0 μm, an average grain diameter of all of the above-described ferrite, martensite and austenite is less than 1.0 μm, an average nanohardness of the above-described bainite is 4.0 GPa to 5.0 GPa, and MX-type carbides each having a circle-equivalent diameter of 10 nm or more exist with an average grain spacing of 300 nm or less therebetween. |
| US09994941B2 |
High strength cold rolled steel sheet with high yield ratio and method for producing the same
A high strength cold rolled steel sheet has a chemical composition including, by mass %, C: 0.06 to 0.13%, Si: 1.2 to 2.3%, Mn: 0.6 to 1.6%, P: not more than 0.10%, S: not more than 0.010%, Al: 0.01 to 0.10% and N: not more than 0.010%, the balance comprising Fe and inevitable impurities. The steel sheet includes a microstructure containing not less than 90% in terms of volume fraction of ferrite with an average grain diameter of less than 20 μm and 1.0 to 10% in terms of volume fraction of pearlite with an average grain diameter of less than 5 μm. The ferrite has an average Vickers hardness of not less than 130. The steel sheet has a yield ratio of not less than 65% and a tensile strength of not less than 590 MPa. |
| US09994939B2 |
High-strength galvanized steel sheet
A high-strength galvanized steel sheet comprising a cold-rolled steel sheet, an intermetallic compound formed on the cold-rolled steel sheet, and a galvanizing layer formed on the intermetallic compound, the cold-rolled steel sheet having a specific composition and a microstructure having a martensite area ratio of 7% or more and less than 25% and a ferrite area ratio of 50% or more and which includes a base metal surface portion in which the amount of internal oxides per single side is 0.05 g/m2 or less. |
| US09994935B2 |
Magnesium alloys having long-period stacking order phases
Magnesium alloys comprising a long period stacking order (LPSO) phase having an 14H-i or an 18R-i structure are provided. The alloys comprise magnesium as a majority element, a first alloying element that is larger than magnesium and a second alloying element that is smaller than magnesium. The first alloying elements include non-rare earth elements. |
| US09994932B2 |
Amorphous alloy roll forming of feedstock or component part
Embodiments herein relate to a method of making roll formed objects of a bulk solidifying amorphous alloy comprising a metal alloy, and articles thereof. The roll forming includes forming a portion of the bulk solidifying amorphous alloy at a temperature greater than a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the metal alloy. The roll forming is done such that a time-temperature profile of the portion during the roll forming does not traverse through a region bounding a crystalline region of the metal alloy in a time-temperature-transformation (TTT) diagram of the metal alloy. |
| US09994931B2 |
Method for extracting lithium from solution containing lithium
Disclosed is a method of extracting lithium from a solution including lithium. The method of extracting lithium from a solution including lithium includes: separating the solution including lithium into a monovalent ion-containing solution and a solution including ions having more than divalence using a separation membrane having a negative charge on its surface; removing impurities from the monovalent ion-containing solution; and precipitating lithium dissolved in the monovalent ion-containing solution into lithium phosphate by adding a phosphorus-supplying material to the monovalent ion-containing solution. |
| US09994930B2 |
Process for producing lithium carbonate from concentrated lithium brine
Disclosed are methods for a simplified process for preparing lithium carbonate from concentrated lithium brine which can be used for battery grade, pharmaceutical and other high purity grade applications. Impure lithium carbonate is precipitated from lithium concentrated brine, preferably lowered in magnesium, subsequently suspended in aqueous solution and reacted with carbon dioxide to form dissolved lithium bicarbonate. The insoluble impurities are filtered and the dissolved boron and metal impurities such calcium, magnesium and iron are physically separated from the lithium bicarbonate solution using ion selective mediums or other selective processes. Lithium carbonate is then subsequently precipitated. |
| US09994928B2 |
Method for recycling iron-containing by-products discharged from coal-based molten ironmaking process, system therefor, and reduced iron agglomeration system
There is provided a method and system for recycling by-products containing large amounts of useful components and discharged in the form of dust and sludge from a coal-based molten iron making process to reuse the by-products in a reduced iron agglomeration process. The system includes: a fluidized reduction furnace reducing fine iron ore; a reduced iron tank connected to the fluidized reduction furnace through a reduced iron discharge pipe for storing the reduced iron and supplying the reduced iron in an agglomeration system; an agglomeration system agglomerating the reduced iron transferred from the reduced iron tank; and a transfer unit transferring compactions of by-products discharged from a molten iron making process through a by-product supply pipe. The compactions of the by-products are supplied to at least one selected from the group consisting of the fluidized reduction furnace, the reduced iron supply pipe, and the reduced iron tank. |
| US09994927B2 |
Lightweight boron tubular structure support integrated into seat structure
A support may include a hollow metallic tube having two opposing ends and a body extending over a longitudinal axis of the tube. The tube may have a steel composition that may include, by weight, the following concentrations: approximately 0.19 to 0.27% carbon; approximately 0.0005% to 0.004% boron; approximately 1.5% to 2.5% manganese; and less than or equal to approximately 0.35% chromium, the balance including iron and inevitable impurities. |
| US09994923B2 |
Neutralizing proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) variants and uses thereof
Neutralizing PCSK9 variants that interact with low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) are described. Methods and compositions for treating disorders by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a neutralizing PCSK9 variant are described. |
| US09994915B2 |
miR-211 expression and related pathways in human melanoma
Provided herein are methods for the diagnosis of human melanoma by assessing MITF, miR-211, TRPM1, and/or KCNMA1 and methods for the diagnosis of resistance to chemotherapeutic agents by assessing the regulatory pathways of PGC1α. Methods for treating melanoma, including drug-resistant melanoma, are also provided. |
| US09994910B2 |
Mutations in the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase associated with resistance to STI-571
The invention described herein relates to novel genes and their encoded proteins, termed Mutants Associated with Resistance to STI-571 (e.g., T315I Bu-Abl), and to diagnostic and therapeutic methods and compositions useful in the management of various cancers that express MARS. The invention further provides methods for identifying molecules that bind to and/or modulate the functional activity of MARS. |
| US09994907B2 |
Thyroid cancer diagnostics
Disclosed herein, in certain instances, are methods for the diagnosis, prognosis and determination of cancer progression of a cancer in a subject. Further disclosed herein, in certain instances, are methods for determining the treatment modality of a cancer in a subject. The methods comprise expression-based analysis of targets. Further disclosed herein, in certain instances, are probe sets for use in assessing a cancer status in a subject. |
| US09994899B2 |
Method to determine DNA mismatch repair function
This invention relates to a quantitative method for determining whether a human subject has an impaired DNA mismatch repair function; providing a diagnostic sample taken from said human and producing a nuclear extract from said sample; providing MMR proficient and MMR deficient nuclear extracts as positive and negative controls, respectively; combining each nuclear extract with at least one mismatch bearing substrate DNA molecule; performing a mismatch repair assay; and determining whether said sample nuclear extract is capable of repairing said substrate DNA molecule; wherein said sample comprises normal, non-malignant constitutive cells, such as fibroblasts. The invention further relates to a kit providing necessary reagents for use in said method. |
| US09994898B2 |
Materials and methods for identifying spinal muscular atrophy carriers
Materials and methods for identifying carriers of genetic determinants of spinal muscular atrophy are disclosed. In particular, polymorphisms in linkage disequilibrium are associated as markers of spinal muscular atrophy alleles detectable by various techniques, including multiplex ligation-dependent probe analysis, sequence analysis, and RFLP detection. The materials and methods of the disclosure are particularly useful in identifying silent (2+0) carriers of spinal muscular atrophy in which two copies of the SMN1 gene are located on a single human chromosome 5 and no copies of the gene are located on the chromosome 5 homolog. |
| US09994897B2 |
Non-invasive fetal sex determination
The present invention provides methods for non-invasive determination of sex in a fetus or of Y chromosomal frequency abnormalities—indicative of aneuploidy or sex mosaicisms in a fetus—by detecting and determining the relative contribution genetic sequences from the Y chromosome in view of the percent fetal contribution in a maternal mixed sample. |
| US09994896B2 |
Method for sequencing a polynucelotide template
The invention provides methods for pairwise sequencing of a double-stranded polynucleotide template, which methods result in the sequential determination of nucleotide sequences in two distinct and separate regions of the polynucleotide template. |
| US09994887B2 |
Methods and compositions for improving efficiency of nucleic acids amplification reactions
The present invention provides methods and compositions for improving the efficiency of nucleic acid amplification reactions. The invention encompasses hybrid polymerases that show increased processivity over wild type polymerases as well as decreased exonucleases activity. The invention also encompasses methods, compositions and kits for conducting nucleic acid synthesis and amplification reactions in which non-specific amplification of primers is reduced. |
| US09994885B2 |
Nonribosomal peptide synthetases
The present disclosure is directed to the biosynthetic pathway for a nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) derived drug and analogs thereof. The invention provides polynucleotide sequences useful for heterologous expression in a convenient microbial host for the synthesis of the NRPS-derived drug, the polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotides, expression vectors comprising the polynucleotides, host cells comprising the polynucleotides or expression vectors, and kits comprising a host cell. Also provided is a method for the production of ET-743, the NRPS-derived drug. |
| US09994881B2 |
Functionalized carboxylic acids and alcohols by reverse fatty acid oxidation in engineered microbes
Bacteria that run the beta oxidation cycle in reverse anabolic direction are provided, along with many novel primers to start the reverse cycle, pathways to make such primers, and a large variety of products produced thereby. Methods for making desired product by using such primers in the reverse pathway are also disclosed. |
| US09994880B2 |
Synthesis of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids by recombinant cell
The present invention relates to methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, in recombinant cells such as yeast or plant cells. Also provided are recombinant cells or plants which produce long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a group of new enzymes which possess desatorase or elongase activity that can be used in methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. |
| US09994878B2 |
Recombinant microorganisms and uses therefor
Bacteria are genetically engineered to produce 3-hydroxypropionate (3-HP). The bacteria are carboxydotrophic acetogens. The bacteria produce acetyl-coA using the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway for fixing CO/CO2. A malonyl-coA reductase from a bacterium that contains such an enzyme is introduced. Additionally, an acetyl-coA carboxylase may also be introduced The production of 3-HP can be improved by overproduction of acetyl-CoA carboxylase or by overproduction of biotin. This can be effected by improved promoters or higher copy number or enzymes that are catalytically more efficient. |
| US09994875B2 |
Recombinant strain for producing 2,3-butanediol, comprising (a) inactivated lactate dehydrogenase and (b) inactivated sucrose regulator
The present invention relates to a recombinant strain for producing 2,3-butanediol, comprising (a) an inactivated lactate dehydrogenase and (b) an inactivated sucrose regulator. According to the present invention, it is possible to economically produce 2,3-butanediol using a cheap carbon source, and the efficiency and productivity of 2,3-butanediol is remarkable compared with a wild type. |
| US09994874B2 |
Method for producing alcohols and/or solvents from a biomass, including recirculating an internal flow including alcohols and/or solvents upstream from or within the pretreatment
The invention relates to a process for the production of alcohols from biomass that comprises a stage in which at least one aqueous internal flow that comprises at least one alcohol that has n carbon atoms, with n between 2 and 5, is recycled, provided that when the alcohol comprises 2 carbon atoms, it is mixed with at least one other alcohol in such a way as to recover a vapor phase effluent that contains alcohols exiting from said pretreatment reactor. |
| US09994873B2 |
Process for the production of alcohols and/or solvents from lignocellulosic biomass with acid recycle of solid residues
The present invention describes a process for the production of alcohols and/or solvents from a cellulosic or lignocellulosic substrate, comprising at least the following steps: a step A for alkaline pre-treatment of said substrate, comprising a step for heating in the presence of an alkaline chemical reagent and an optional washing step; a step B constituted by a step for adjusting the pH and a step for enzymatic hydrolysis of the pre-treated substrate, at the end of which a hydrolysate is obtained constituted by a liquid phase containing sugars and a solid residue; a step for alcoholic fermentation of the hydrolysate obtained; a step for separation/purification (step C2) at the end of which one or more purified alcohols and/or solvents are obtained; a step for extracting the solid residue; a step D for acid digestion of at least a fraction of the extracted solid residue, at the end of which a portion or all of the product obtained is recycled to step B. |
| US09994872B2 |
Integration of first and second generation bioethanol processes
The present invention presents an alternative to the direct implementation of an industrial scale second generation bioethanol process with the integration of the second generation into the existing first generation bioethanol processes, which aims to reduce the current barriers to process change/investments. In particular, the present invention relates to an integrated second generation process for producing bioethanol comprising at least one fungal cultivation stage for producing ethanol and fungal biomass. The present invention also relates to a novel fungal biomass, rich in protein and essential amino acids, which is produced with said integrated second generation process for producing bioethanol for use as a nutritious substitute for human and domestic animal use. |
| US09994869B2 |
Method for producing isoprene using recombinant halophilic methanotroph
The present invention relates to a recombinant methanotroph having an ability to produce isoprene and a method for producing isoprene using the same, and more particularly to a recombinant methanotroph having an ability to produce isoprene wherein a gene encoding an isoprene synthase having a homology of at least 70% to the amino acid sequence of Ipomoea batatas isoprene synthase is introduced into the recombinant methanotroph, and a method for producing isoprene using the recombinant methanotroph. The use of a recombinant methanotroph according to the present invention enables isoprene to be produced in high yield by using methane gas or methanol which is obtained from waste such as natural gas, biomass, municipal waste or the like as a carbon source. |
| US09994867B2 |
Method of targeting gene delivery using viral vectors
Methods and compositions are provided for delivering a polynucleotide encoding a gene of interest to a target cell using a virus. The virus envelope comprises a cell-specific binding determinant that recognizes and binds to a component on the target cell surface, leading to endocytosis of the virus. A separate fusogenic molecule is also present on the envelope and facilitates delivery of the polynucleotide across the membrane and into the cytosol of the target cell. The methods and related compositions can be used for treating patients having suffering from a wide range of conditions, including infection, such as HIV; cancers, such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and breast cancer; and hematological disorders, such as severe combined immunodeficiency. |
| US09994864B2 |
Rust resistance gene
The present invention relates to new transporter polypeptides, and genes encoding therefor, which can be used to confer upon a plant resistance to one or more biotrophic fungal pathogens. |
| US09994863B2 |
Glyphosate tolerant corn event VCO-O1981-5 and kit and method for detecting the same
The present invention relates to the field of plant transformation with genes conferring tolerance to glyphosate. The invention particularly relates to a maize (corn) plant transformed with a gene encoding an EPSPS providing the plant tolerance to an application of glyphosate under conditions where this herbicide is effective in killing weeds.The invention particularly concerns an elite transformation event VCO-Ø1981-5 comprising the gene construct and means, kits and methods for detecting the presence of the said elite event. |
| US09994860B2 |
Regulating alkaloids
MPO1 and MPO2 can be regulated for either decreasing or increasing alkaloid levels in plants, in particular in Nicotiana plants. In particular, suppressing or overexpressing one or more of MPO1 and MPO2 may be used to decrease or increase nicotine and nicotinic alkaloid levels in tobacco plants. Suppression or overexpression of one or more of MPO1 and MPO2 may be used in combination with modification of expression of other genes encoding enzymes on the nicotinic alkaloid biosynthetic pathway such as A622, NBB1, PMT, and QPT. |
| US09994850B2 |
Antisense design
A novel class of pharmaceuticals which comprises a Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA) which can be used in antisense therapy. These novel oligonucleotides have improved antisense properties. The novel oligonucleotides are composed of at least one LNA selected from beta-D-thio/amino-LNA or alpha-L-oxy/thio/amino-LNA. The oligonucleotides comprising LNA may also include DNA and/or RNA nucleotides. |
| US09994849B2 |
Method of separating senescent cells using overexpression of protocadherin
Provided is a method of separating senescent cells from a sample including the senescent cells, and a method of removing senescent cells from a sample or a subject including the senescent cells. |
| US09994848B2 |
Pharmaceutical composition for preventing and teating endocrine disrupting chemicals-induced diseases and treating method using the same
A pharmaceutical composition for preventing and treating endocrine disrupting chemicals-induced diseases and a treating method using the same. Since the composition has an effect of decreasing lipid accumulation caused by endocrine disrupting chemicals, for example, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) including polychlorinated biphenyl and the like and can improve insulin resistance caused by the POPs through reduction of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IR1), the composition can be helpfully used for treating diseases including obesity, insulin resistance, and the like caused by the endocrine disrupting chemicals. Further, according to the present disclosure, the composition has an effect of excreting the endocrine disrupting chemicals. |
| US09994844B2 |
Parental RNAi suppression of chromatin remodeling genes to control coleopteran pests
This disclosure concerns nucleic acid molecules and methods of use thereof for control of coleopteran pests through RNA interference-mediated inhibition of target coding and transcribed non-coding sequences in coleopteran pests. The disclosure also concerns methods for making transgenic plants that express nucleic acid molecules useful for the control of coleopteran pests, and the plant cells and plants obtained thereby. |
| US09994842B2 |
Methods for use in modulating miR-122A
Methods are provided for the treatment of cardiovascular or metabolic diseases characterized by elevated serum total cholesterol, elevated serum LDL-cholesterol, or elevated serum triglycerides, through the administration of an oligomeric compound which modulates the levels or activity of miR-122a. Further provided are methods for reducing hepatic steatosis or liver tissue triglyceride accumulation through the administration of an oligomeric compound which modulates the levels or activity of miR-122a. Such methods employ oligomeric compounds which hybridize with or sterically interfere with nucleic acid molecules comprising or encoding miR-122a. Such oligomeric compounds may include one or more modifications thereon, which may improve the activity, stability, or nuclease resistance of the oligomeric compound. These modified oligomeric compounds are used as single compounds or in compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions, to modulate or mimic the targeted nucleic acid comprising or encoding miR-122a. |
| US09994841B2 |
Mirac proteins
This disclosure relates to a method of generating conditionally active biologic proteins from wild type proteins, in particular therapeutic proteins, which are reversibly or irreversibly inactivated at the wild type normal physiological conditions. For example, evolved proteins are virtually inactive at body temperature, but are active at lower temperatures. |
| US09994840B2 |
Method and apparatus for extracting DNA from a biological sample
A method of extracting DNA from a biological sample includes the steps of freezing a biological sample; mechanically breaking down the sample to produce a processed sample; mixing the processed sample with a lysis solution; and cycling the mixture through a series of pressure fluctuations to produce a resulting lysate. The method may further include the steps of exposing the lysate to a material that binds to DNA present in the sample and collecting the DNA from the sample using an elution solution. An apparatus for practicing the method includes a first segment for mechanically breaking down the sample; a second segment for pressurizing a mixture of the processed sample and lysis solution to produce a lysate; and wherein the first segment is fluidly coupled to the second segment. The apparatus may also include a third segment in which the lysate is exposed to the binding material. |
| US09994836B2 |
Fungal endoglucanase variants, their production and use
The invention relates to novel variants of fungal endoglucanases, their production and means for their production. Especially the invention relates to variants of Acremonium thermophilum Cel45A. The invention further relates to enzyme preparations and detergent compositions comprising at least one novel variant endoglucanase as well as to processes for treating cellulosic material therewith. The novel variant endoglucanase polypeptides have improved performance in textile applications, especially in biofinishing and biostoning, and in detergent applications, in fabric care and color maintenance, especially in prevention and removal of fuzz and pills, in color care and revival. |
| US09994834B2 |
Polynucleotides encoding polypeptides having alpha-amylase activity and methods of making the same
Provided are isolated polypeptides having alpha-amylase activity, catalytic domains, carbohydrate binding domains and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, catalytic domains or carbohydrate binding domains. Also provided are nucleic acid constructs, vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides, catalytic domains or carbohydrate binding domains. |
| US09994833B2 |
Polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and polynucleotides encoding same
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides. |
| US09994830B2 |
Methods for modulating cyclic nucleotide-mediated signaling in cardiac myocytes and compositions
The invention provides a polypeptide possessing anti-hypertrophic activity in a cardiac myocyte, wherein the polypeptide is a mutant variant derived from wild-type PDE3A1 protein and wherein the wild-type PDE3A1 protein has the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO:1 at amino acid position 146 to 1141. |
| US09994828B2 |
Production of omega 3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in oilseed crops by a thraustochytrid PUFA synthase
This disclosure concerns recombinant host organisms genetically modified with a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) synthase system and one or more accessory proteins that allow for and/or improve the production of PUFAs in the host organism. The disclosure also concerns methods of making and using such organisms as well as products obtained from such organisms. |
| US09994826B2 |
Methods for culturing undifferentiated cells using sustained release compositions
Methods for culturing undifferentiated mammalian cells, such as stem and progenitor cells, are provided. The methods involve incubating the cell in the presence of a sustained release composition containing at least one growth factor, wherein the sustained release composition continuously releases the growth factor(s), and wherein the presence of the sustained level of growth factor maintains the cell in an undifferentiated state. |
| US09994822B2 |
Cardiomyocyte differentiation
This invention provides a method for testing a factor for cardiogenicity which comprises differentiating human embryonic stem (hES) cells to cardiomyocytes in the presence and absence of the factor wherein the human embryonic stem (hES) cells are cultured under a serum free condition comprising co-culture in the presence of END-2 cells or serum-free extracellular medium therefrom, and measuring the differentiation in the presence and absence of the factor. This invention also provides a method for identifying a cardiogenic factor, which comprises differentiating human embryonic stem (hES) cells to cardiomyocytes in the presence or absence of the factor wherein the human embryonic stem (hES) cells are cultured under a serum free condition comprising co-culture in the presence of END-2 cells or serum-free extracellular medium therefrom, and identifying the factor that affects the differentiation of human embryonic stem (hES) cells to cardiomyocytes in the presence or absence of the factor. |
| US09994817B2 |
Use of ligands for the programmed cell death receptor conjugated to solid supports for cultivating human regulatory T cells
Disclosed are methods for isolating, cultivating, and/or cells including regulatory T cells (Tregs). The methods typically include cultivating cells including Tregs in a culture media comprising a ligand for programmed cell death receptor (PD-1) conjugated to a solid support. Suitable ligands may include PD-L1 and suitable solid supports may include magnetic or paramagnetic beads where the methods further include removing the PD-L1/bead conjugates after the Tregs have been isolated, cultured, and/or expanded. |
| US09994816B2 |
Lrp4/corin dopamine-producing neuron precursor cell marker
The present invention relates to polynucleotide probes and antibodies for detecting Lrp4/Corin dopaminergic neuron progenitor cell markers, which enable the efficient separation of dopaminergic neuron progenitor cells; and methods for selecting the progenitor cells by the use thereof. |
| US09994815B2 |
Methods for obtaining retinal progenitors, retinal pigmented epithelial cells and neural retinal cells
A method for in vitro obtaining human retinal progenitors, includes the steps of (i) placing an adherent culture of human pluripotent stem cells in a pro-neural medium; and (ii) maintaining this culture in the pro-neural medium until the appearance of pigmented cells and/or of neuroepithelial-like structures. Additional steps can be performed to obtain RPE cells and/or precursors of the neural retina. |
| US09994812B2 |
Systems and method for engineering muscle tissue
The present invention generally relates to the field of cell growth and tissue engineering, in particular, tissue engineered compositions comprising a nanotextured substrate which is structurally configured for growth of cells in an anatomically correct adult phenotype in vitro. In particular, described herein are nanotextured substrates which are structurally configured for the anisotropic organization, maturation, and growth of in vitro-differentiated muscle cells, such as cardiomyocytes, and methods for the production and use thereof in varying sizes, nanotextures and substrate rigidities. In vitro-differentiated cardiomyocytes grown on the nanotextured substrates described herein are better-differentiated and more closely mimic adult cardiac tissue than the same cells grown on a non-textured substrate of the same composition. The nanotextured substrate/cell constructs provide a platform for screening to predict the effect of test agents or drugs on, for example, human cardiac tissue, including patient-derived tissue, or for the identification of agents that effect various cardiac functional parameters. |
| US09994811B2 |
Reducing the immunogenicity of allografts
There is provided an ex vivo method for reducing the immunogenicity of a tissue or organ prior to transplantation, comprising: (a) establishing the tissue or organ in a warm perfusion system capable of supporting oxidative metabolism of the tissue or organ; (b) perfusing the tissue or organ with a warm non-blood perfusion solution for at least 1 hour to allow passenger leukocytes within the tissue or organ to migrate from the tissue or organ into the recirculating perfusion solution; (c) isolating the passenger leukocytes from the recirculating perfusion solution to prevent the passenger leukocytes from re-entering the tissue or organ. |
| US09994806B2 |
Transport device for a container
A transport device for a container has a base, a vertical member extending up from the base and a complementary handling unit extending from an end of the vertical member spaced from the base. The complementary handling unit is configured for releasably engaging a container, such as a bioreactor container, so that the container can be transported to a holding device. |
| US09994805B2 |
Dissolution guided wetting of structured surfaces
A microfabricated device having at least one gas-entrapping feature formed therein in a configuration that entraps air bubbles upon wetting the feature with a solvent or solution is described. The device includes a sacrificial residue in contact with the gas-entrapping feature, the dissolution of which guides the wetting of the gas-entrapping feature. |
| US09994803B2 |
Block-shaped agent for application on a sanitary object
Agent for cleaning and/or deodorizing for use in the sanitary field which is used to adhere to a moistened surface of a sanitary object and gradually to dissolve as it is flushed with water, which agent includes a cleaning block including tensides (10), wherein the surface (12) of the cleaning block is sticky, or becomes sticky in the presence of water, wherein the block (10) has on at least one side of its surface (12) a coating (13) of powder particles (14) to a thickness between 5 μm and 800 μm. |
| US09994802B2 |
Cleaning industrial plant components to remove metal halides
Cleaning industrial plant components to remove silane, metal halide, and organometallic halide contaminants and mixtures thereof, involves treating the plant components with a liquid nitrile or amine or mixture thereof or with a solution of a nitrile or amine or mixture thereof in an aprotic solvent. |
| US09994801B2 |
Encapsulates
The present application relates to perfume compositions, delivery systems comprising such perfumes products comprising such perfumes and/or delivery systems, and processes for making and using same. Such perfumes and delivery systems provide improved perfume performance under high soil conditions and in cold water washing and a shell that at least partially surrounds said core. |
| US09994798B2 |
Non-corrosive oven degreaser concentrate
The invention relates to a non-corrosive degreasing concentrate and ready to use formulation. In particular, non-corrosive compositions capable of removing polymerized grease as effectively as some alkali metal hydroxide (i.e. caustic) based degreasers without requiring the use of personal protective equipment are disclosed. |
| US09994796B2 |
Composition for using in the protection of non-metallic inorganic material
The present invention provides the use of a composition comprising a polyalkyleneimine and/or salts or derivative thereof for the prevention of corrosion of non-metallic in organic items during a washing or rinsing process, in particular during an automatic dishwashing process. |
| US09994783B2 |
Method for producing modified coal, and modified coal
A method for producing modified coal using coal of a low grade comprising: adding water for preventing any dust generation to the dewatered coal; an addition amount of the water is adjusted for a water content rate of the water-added coal to be 6% by mass or more to 16% by mass or less; agglomerating the water-added coal; slowly oxidizing the agglomerated coal; and crushing the oxidized coal. |
| US09994781B2 |
Process and system for obtaining crude oil products
A method for obtaining crude oil products is proposed in which a gaseous stream (d) is formed from a crude oil stream (b) by evaporation (2) and the gaseous stream (d) is at least partially subjected to a steam cracking process (1), a cracked gas stream (e) being produced in the steam cracking process (1) which is at least partially quenched with a liquid hydrocarbon stream (f), thereby forming a quenching effluent (g). It is provided that a fraction (f) of the crude oil stream (b) that remains liquid during the evaporation (2) of the crude oil stream (b) is used at least partly to form the liquid hydrocarbon stream (f) used for the quenching. The liquid hydrocarbon stream used for the quenching is low in or free from components that have been separated from the quenching effluent (g) or a stream formed from the quenching effluent (g) and the quenching effluent (g) is obtained by quenching with the liquid hydrocarbon stream (f) at a temperature in the range from 0 to 250° C. The invention also relates to an apparatus (100) configured to carry out the method. |
| US09994778B2 |
Direct coal liquefaction process and system
A direct coal liquefaction process and system is provided that utilizes a dispersed catalyst and recycle of atmospheric and vacuum fractionator bottoms to produce a maximum yield of jet fuel/diesel or chemical plant feedstock while eliminating all slurry heat exchangers and a slurry preheat furnace. Process hydrogen is preheated in a heat exchanger and, if necessary, in a hydrogen furnace, and mixed with the recycled atmospheric and vacuum fractionator bottoms being fed to the input of the direct liquefaction reactor. Heat for the hydrogen heat exchanger is provided by the overhead from the hot separator receiving the effluent from the direct liquefaction reactor. Product selectivity is controlled by operating conditions. |
| US09994776B2 |
Refining apparatus and refining method for recycling waste plastics
A refining apparatus and a refining method for recycling waste plastics. The refining apparatus includes a feeding device, a pyrolysis furnace, a chloride-decomposing device, a first condensation device, a temporary storage, a still, a sieve plate tower, a second condensation device, and a receiving tank. The waste plastics are cracked by the pyrolysis furnace to produce plastic gas by heating. The chlorides of the plastic gas are removed by the chloride-decomposing device having the ammonia to produce a first oil gas. The first oil gas is condensed by the first condensation device to produce raw oil. The raw oil is heated by the still to produce a second oil gas. The second oil gas is sieved by the sieve plate tower to produce a third oil gas. The third oil gas is condensed by the second condensation device to produce finished oil received by the receiving tank. |
| US09994773B2 |
Flame retardant block copolymers from renewable feeds
A flame retardant block copolymer is prepared from renewable content. In an exemplary synthetic method, a bio-derived flame retardant block copolymer is prepared by a ring opening polymerization of a biobased cyclic ester and a phosphorus-containing polymer. In some embodiments, the biobased cyclic ester is lactide. In some embodiments, the phosphorus-containing polymer is a hydroxyl-telechelic flame retardant biopolymer prepared by a polycondensation reaction of a biobased diol (e.g., isosorbide) and a phosphorus-containing monomer (e.g., phenylphosphonic dichloride). In other embodiments, the phosphorus-containing polymer is synthesized from a dioxaphospholane monomer. |
| US09994772B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device that is free from a reduction in the voltage holding ratio (VHR) of the liquid crystal layer and an increase in ion density (ID) and that enables problems of defective display, such as white spots, uneven alignment, and image-sticking, to be eliminated. In particular, the present invention provides a liquid crystal display device in which a liquid crystal composition containing a liquid crystal compound having a specific structure is used in the liquid crystal layer and in which an optically anisotropic body formed through polymerization of a polymerizable liquid crystal composition containing a specific amount of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound having a specific structure is used as an in-cell retardation layer. |