| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US10656763B1 |
Dynamic adjustment of a click threshold corresponding to a force-based tactile sensor
Facilitating dynamic adjustment of a click/unclick threshold corresponding to a force-based tactile sensor is presented herein. A system can comprise a tactile sensor comprising force-based sensor(s); and a motion detection component that can determine a rate of change of a movement that has been detected via a group of sensors comprising the force-based sensor(s), and based on the rate of change of the movement, modify a defined sensitivity of the force-based sensor(s) with respect to detection of a click and/or unclick event corresponding to the tactile sensor. Further, the motion detection component can decrease the defined sensitivity with respect to detection of the click and/or unclick event in response to the rate of change being determined to satisfy a defined condition representing an increase in the speed at which the stylus or the finger has moved across the tactile sensor. |
| US10656760B2 |
Replay of recorded touch input data
In aspects of replay of recorded touch input data, a computing device can store recorded touch input data that has been previously recorded based on multiple instances of user inadvertent contact on touch-enabled devices. A replay test application is implemented to test one or more user devices for inadvertent contact rejection using the recorded touch input data, such as to test a palm rejection algorithm of a user device. The replay test application is implemented to communicate the recorded touch input data to a screen overlay device that generates touch inputs on a touchscreen of the user device to test the palm rejection algorithm of the user device. The replay test application also monitors the user device for an action responsive to a touch input that is not filtered as an inadvertent contact with the touchscreen of the user device. |
| US10656759B1 |
Devices, methods, and graphical user interfaces for manipulating user interface objects with visual and/or haptic feedback
In one embodiment, an apparatus and associated method are provided, comprising: at a device including a display and a touch interface: display, utilizing the display, a graphical user interface including: a first object at a first location on the graphical user interface, and a second object at a second location on the graphical user interface; while the graphical user interface is displayed, detect, utilizing the touch interface, a gesture that starts at a third location on the graphical user interface that is different from both the first location and the second location on the graphical user interface; while the graphical user interface is displayed after the gesture is detected to start at the third location on the graphical user interface, detect, utilizing the touch interface, a movement of the gesture; and in response to detection, utilizing the touch interface, of the movement of the gesture, change at least one aspect of the second object, while not changing the first object. |
| US10656755B1 |
Gesture-equipped touch screen system, method, and computer program product
In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising: displaying a first user interface on a display, the first user interface including an object; while displaying the first user interface on the display, detecting a first input by a first contact on a touch-sensitive surface at a location in the first user interface that corresponds to the object of the first user interface; in response to detecting the first input by the first contact, in accordance with a determination that the first contact has a contact duration that is less than a duration threshold, displaying the object; and in response to detecting the first input by the first contact, in accordance with a determination that the first contact has a contact duration that is greater than the duration threshold, dynamically changing the appearance of the object, wherein the dynamic change in the appearance of the object is based at least in part on the duration of the first contact and wherein the dynamic change in the appearance of the object includes displaying, in sequence, at least some of a plurality of images based at least in part on the duration of the first contact. |
| US10656754B1 |
Devices and methods for navigating between user interfaces
In one embodiment, an electronic device displays a plurality of user interface representations in a stack on a display. The device detects a first drag gesture by a first contact at a location on a touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to a location of a first user interface representation on the display. While the first contact is at a location on the touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to the location of the first user interface representation on the display and is moving across the touch-sensitive surface in a direction that corresponds to a first direction on the display, the device moves the first user interface representation in the first direction on the display at a first speed in accordance with a speed of the first contact on the touch-sensitive surface and moves a second user interface representation, disposed above the first user interface representation in the stack, in the first direction at a second speed greater than the first speed. |
| US10656752B1 |
Gesture-equipped touch screen system, method, and computer program product
An electronic device is provided for displaying, on a display, a first user interface that includes one or more selectable user interface objects; detecting that an input on a touch-sensitive surface, which is at a location on the touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to a respective user interface object of the one or more selectable user interface objects, is in a first touch state; in response to detecting a cessation of the input while the input is in the first touch state, displaying information associated with the respective user interface object; detecting that the input on the touch-sensitive surface, which is at the location on the touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to the respective user interface object of the one or more selectable user interface objects, is in a second touch state; in response to detecting that the input is in the second touch state, blurring or shading at least a portion of the first user interface; and in response to detecting that the input is in the second touch state, displaying the information associated with the respective user interface object via a second user interface that appears closer than the first user interface. |
| US10656751B2 |
Audible noise suppression in touch display panel
The driving apparatus for driving a touch display panel includes a first voltage generating circuit configured to generate a common reference voltage, a second voltage generating circuit configured to generate a touch driving signal, and a control circuit configured to generate a switching signal. The switching signal is at the first voltage level during display periods for providing the common reference voltage to the touch display panel. The switching signal is at the second voltage level during touch periods for providing the touch driving signal to the touch display panel. A first touch display period includes a first display period a first touch period adjacent to the first display period. A second touch display period includes a second display period and a second touch period adjacent to the second display period. The first touch display period and the second touch display period are different in time length. |
| US10656749B2 |
Device and method for forming identification pattern for touch screen
Disclosed is a method of forming an identification pattern for a touchscreen. The method comprising: (a) defining a touch region by touching a region forming point on a touchscreen; and (b) forming an identification pattern by touching an identification pattern point in the touch region. |
| US10656748B2 |
Force sensor and method of manufacturing the same, touch panel and touch display panel
The disclosure provides a force sensor and a method of manufacturing the same, a touch panel and a touch display panel. The force sensor includes opposite first and second substrates, and a sensing electrode and a directional electrode arranged on the first and second substrates respectively, the first substrate is movable relative to the second substrate when being applied by a touch action with a force tending to incur a horizontal movement, to enable a relative movement between the sensing electrode and the directional electrode corresponding to at least one of a direction and a magnitude of the force and changing a relative position of the sensing electrode relative to the directional electrode, and the sensing electrode is configured to generate a sensing signal associated with the relative position and for determining a touch position and at least one of the direction and the magnitude of the force applied at the touch position. |
| US10656737B2 |
Electronic device, control device, storage medium, and control method for calibration after impact detection
The present invention achieves an electronic device that allows, even after the electronic device receives an impact, a contact detecting device to properly detect contact with an object. The electronic device includes: a contact detecting device configured to detect contact with an object; and a control device, the control device including: a determination section configured to determine whether or not a plurality of conditions are satisfied; and a calibration executing section configured to perform calibration of the contact detecting device in a case where the plurality of conditions are satisfied, the plurality of conditions including: a state where the determination section determines that an impact has been detected; and a state where the contact detecting device has not detected contact for a predetermined period or more from a time point at which the impact was detected. |
| US10656735B2 |
Touch panel, manufacturing method, and display apparatus
A touch panel is disclosed, which includes a substrate, a black matrix layer, and an insulating layer. The black matrix is over the substrate, the insulating layer is over the black matrix layer, and an edge of the insulating layer has a longer distance to an edge of the substrate on a same side of the touch panel than an edge of the black matrix layer on the same side of the touch panel. The touch panel further includes a protecting layer over the insulating layer, configured such that an edge of the protecting layer on the same side of the touch panel has a longer distance to the edge of the substrate than the edge of the insulating layer. A manufacturing method of the touch panel, and a display apparatus containing the touch panel, are also disclosed. |
| US10656733B2 |
Electronic pen
An electronic pen includes a coil wound around a magnetic core, a first capacitor forming a resonance circuit with the coil, a rectifier circuit which, in operation, rectifies an alternating-current signal received by the resonance circuit, the rectifier circuit including a second capacitor, a voltage detecting circuit which, in operation, detects whether a rectified output voltage across the second capacitor of the rectifier circuit exceeds a predetermined value, a third capacitor having a capacitance that is larger than a capacitance of the second capacitor, and a charge control circuit which, in operation, controls supply of a charging current to the third capacitor by the rectified output voltage. The charge control circuit in operation, causes the charging current to be fed to the third capacitor by the rectified output voltage when the voltage detection circuit detects that the rectified output voltage obtained across the second capacitor exceeds the predetermined value. |
| US10656726B2 |
Kit for controlling multiple computers and use thereof
A kit for controlling multiple computers. The kit comprises computers, input devices, and a remote control. Each computer comprises a receiving device and a control device for processing an input signal and controlling the receiving device. Each input device comprises transmitter devices having different frequencies and channels, an input unit, and a control device for processing input and output signals and controlling the modules inside the input device. The remote control comprises transmitter devices having different frequencies and channels, channel selection keys for freely selecting among different channels, and a controller for processing an inputted input instruction signal and controlling the modules inside the remote control. Each of the computers is connected to the input devices by means of the remote control. A wireless mouse and a wireless keyboard are used to perform selective operations on any one of multiple computers, thereby facilitating user operations. |
| US10656719B2 |
Dynamic input surface for electronic devices
A dynamic input surface for an electronic device and a method of reconfiguring the same is disclosed. The input surface has a partially-flexible metal contact portion defining an input area, and a group of indicators. The indicators may be group of holes extending through the contact portion. The group of holes may be selectively illuminated based on a gesture performed on the contact portion. A size of the input area may be dynamically varied based on the gesture. Additionally, the group of indicators indicates a boundary of the input area. |
| US10656718B2 |
Device and method for outputting a series of haptic effects defined in a timeline effect definition
A signal associated with multiple haptic effects is received, each haptic effect from the multiple haptic effects being associated with a time slot from multiple time slots. Each haptic effect from the multiple haptic effects is associated with an effect slot from multiple effect slots at least partially based on the time slot associated with that haptic effect. An output signal is sent for each effect slot from the multiple effect slots, when the associated haptic effect is scheduled for its time slot. |
| US10656716B2 |
Control device, input system, and control method
A control device according to the embodiment includes an operation detecting unit and a driving unit. The operation detecting unit detects a pressing operation onto an operation surface of a panel having the operation surface. The driving unit drives a vibration element attached to the panel to vibrate the panel. Moreover, the driving unit generates an initial vibration having a lower frequency than that of a main vibration in advance of the main vibration when the pressing operation is detected by the operation detecting unit. |
| US10656714B2 |
Device having integrated interface system
A portable computer includes a display portion comprising a display and a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion. The base portion may include a bottom case and a top case, formed from a dielectric material, coupled to the bottom case. The top case may include a top member defining a top surface of the base portion and a sidewall integrally formed with the top member and defining a side surface of the base portion. The portable computer may also include a sensing system including a first sensing system configured to determine a location of a touch input applied to the top surface of the base portion and a second sensing system configured to determine a force of the touch input. |
| US10656711B2 |
Methods and apparatus for inferring user intent based on neuromuscular signals
Methods and system for predicting the onset of a motor action using neuromuscular signals. The system comprises a plurality of sensors configured to continuously record a plurality of neuromuscular signals from a user and at least one computer processor programmed to provide as input to a trained statistical model, the plurality of neuromuscular signals or information based on the plurality of neuromuscular signals, predict, based on an output of the trained statistical model, whether an onset of a motor action will occur within a threshold amount of time; and send a control signal to at least one device based, at least in part, on the output probability, wherein the control signal is sent to the at least one device prior to completion of the motor action by the user. |
| US10656701B2 |
Managing processor frequencies
Processor frequencies can be managed. For example, a computing device can determine (i) a first estimate of an operating characteristic of a processor in using a first pair of frequencies to perform a task, and (ii) a second estimate of the operating characteristic of the processor in using a second pair of frequencies to perform the task. The computing device can select the first pair of frequencies based on determining that the first estimate is closer to a target operating-characteristic of the processor while performing the task than the second estimate. Based on selecting the first pair of frequencies, the computing device can set a clock rate of the processor to a lower frequency in the first pair of frequencies while performing the task. The computing device can also set the clock rate of the processor to a higher frequency in the first pair of frequencies while performing the task. |
| US10656693B2 |
Power management contracts for accessory devices
Power management contracts for accessory devices are described. In one or more implementations, a power management contract is established for a system including a host computing device and an accessory device based at least in part upon power exchange conditions observed for the system. The power management contracts define operating constraints for power exchange between components of the system, including at least a power exchange direction and current limits. The host computing device and accessory devices are each configured to renegotiate the power management contract to dynamically change operating constraints in “real-time.” Additionally, different power management contracts may be associated with identifying data corresponding to different types of accessory devices. |
| US10656692B2 |
Memory system
According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a volatile memory, a power supply circuit, and a controller. The power supply circuit includes a first power supply path in which power supplied from a host device is supplied to the volatile memory, a second power supply path in which the power is supplied from the internal power supply to the volatile memory, and a switching device that switches between the first power supply path and the second power supply path. In response to an instruction for a transition to a low power consumption mode received from the host device, the controller outputs, to the switching device, an instruction to switch the power supply circuit from the first power supply path to the second power supply path. |
| US10656686B2 |
Multiple mode display apparatus
A multiple mode display apparatus and methods of use. An apparatus includes a display surface with a first and a second display area. A housing pivotally attached with the display proximate a first edge of the housing is displaceable from a coplanar position with the surface of the display device to a position wherein an angle of at least 90 degrees between the surface of the display and the housing is formed along said first edge. In the first position, the first display area is visible and activated to receive user input or to display output. The second display area is covered by the housing and placed in a mode of reduced power consumption. In the second position, the second display area is visible and activated to display output. |
| US10656685B2 |
Hinge module and electronic device using the same
A hinge module and an electronic device are provided. The electronic device includes a first body and a second body that the hinge module is connected therebetween, and the first and the second bodies are rotated to be folded or unfolded through the hinge module. The hinge module includes a guiding member, a first rail, a rotating shaft, and a linking member. The rotating shaft disposed at the first body in a rotatable and penetrating manner. The linking member is linked between the rotating shaft and the guiding member. The first and the second bodies are rotated relatively to each other via the guiding member and the first rail, and the guiding member drives the linking member to rotate the rotating shaft. |
| US10656682B2 |
Security apparatus
A security apparatus for securing a portable electronic device to an immovable object includes a locking head having a base and a first linear element extending from the base. The first linear element is configured to be inserted into the aperture of the portable electronic device. The locking head also has a movable engagement element coupled to an end of the first linear element opposite from the base. The movable engagement element is configured to be inserted into the aperture of the portable electronic device with the first linear element. The movable engagement element is movable to a position in which the movable engagement element is perpendicular to the first linear element to secure the locking head to the portable electronic device. The security apparatus also includes a security device attached to the locking head and configured to engage the immovable object. |
| US10656677B2 |
Docking station and electronic apparatus
A docking station includes a body portion and a pivoting portion. The body portion has a guiding surface. The pivoting portion is pivoted with the body portion and has a connector. A driving force is generated when a portable electronic component abuts against the guiding surface of the body portion and slides toward the pivoting portion, the pivoting portion is driven to pivot from a first position to a second position to expose the connector so as to electrically connect with the portable electronic component. |
| US10656673B1 |
Keyboard device
A keyboard device for a computing device is provided. The computing device includes a first system module and a second system module. The keyboard device includes a keyboard module and at least two conductive sliding mechanisms. The keyboard module is installed on the first system module. The keyboard module includes a power supply unit. The power supply unit provides electric power for powering the keyboard module. The keyboard module is movable relative to the first system module through the conductive sliding mechanisms. Each conductive sliding mechanism includes a sliding base and a conductive member. The sliding base is installed on the keyboard module. The conductive member is electrically connected with the first system module and the keyboard module. When the sliding base is moved relative to the conductive member, the keyboard module is moved relative to the first system module. |
| US10656672B2 |
Display device
A display device is disclosed. An object of the present disclosure is to match reproduction frequency bands of sounds output from a plurality of speakers. Another object of the present disclosure is to match magnitudes of sounds output from a plurality of speakers.According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure can match reproduction frequency bands of sounds output from a plurality of speakers. According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure can match magnitudes of sounds output from a plurality of speakers. |
| US10656666B2 |
Bias output apparatus including a plurality of voltage output circuits, and image forming apparatus
A bias output apparatus includes: a plurality of voltage output circuits, each configured to output a bias voltage to be supplied to a load and a determination voltage generated based on the bias voltage; a determination circuit configured to output a binary determination signal based on the determination voltage output by each of the plurality of voltage output circuits; and a controller configured to control the plurality of voltage output circuits and determine whether or not the plurality of voltage output circuits are operating normally based on the determination signal output by the determination circuit. The controller is further configured to determine that the plurality of voltage output circuits are operating normally if an output pattern of the determination signal is a predetermined first pattern while the controller is controlling the plurality of voltage output circuits to output bias voltages in order. |
| US10656664B1 |
Voltage generator
The disclosure provides a voltage generator including a first voltage regulator which provides an output voltage to an output terminal according to a reference voltage; a second voltage regulator which determines whether to operate in an enable mode or a disable mode according to an enable signal and provides the output voltage to the output terminal according to the reference voltage when operating in the enable mode; an initial voltage generator which sets a feedback voltage of the second voltage regulator to be an initial voltage value close to the reference voltage when the enable signal switches the second voltage regulator from the disable mode to the enable mode, such that the feedback voltage of the second voltage regulator is able to be locked to the reference voltage fast, and a settling time and an overshoot/undershoot of the output voltage are reduced. |
| US10656659B2 |
Method and apparatus for localization and mapping based on RFID
The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for localization and mapping based on RFID, applicable for real-time mapping of an area to be localized in which at least one RFID tag is arranged, the method comprises: taking a location of a first RFID tag as a coordinate origin of a coordinate system when information of the first RFID tag is obtained by a mobile electronic device which is moving along a certain trajectory for a first time; moving the mobile electronic device with the coordinate origin as a starting point to traverse the entire area to be localized, calculating coordinates of an obstacle based on a location of the mobile electronic device when the mobile electronic device detects the obstacle; constructing a map based on the recorded information and coordinates of the RFID tags and coordinates of each obstacle when the traversal has been finished. |
| US10656653B2 |
Work area determination system for autonomous traveling work vehicle, the autonomous traveling work vehicle and work area determination program
A work area determination system for an autonomous traveling work vehicle includes a photographing device for photographing a predetermined area including a work area and acquiring a photographic image thereof, a positioning device for obtaining position information indicative of a position at which the photographic image has been acquired, a map generation section for generating a map based on the photographic image and the position information, a displaying section for displaying the map, and a work area determination section for determining the work area in which the autonomous traveling work vehicle is to work, based on an area designation for the map displayed in the displaying section. |
| US10656652B2 |
System and methods for sensor integration in support of situational awareness for a motorized mobile system
A system and method for providing safety for a motorized mobile system (MMS) are optimized for accurate object detection, the system comprising at least two sensors that are operably configured to generate one or more of a range measurement and a bearing measurement to an object in a field-of-view of the sensors, wherein the range and bearing measurements have associated uncertainties. |
| US10656651B2 |
Control device for vehicle and control method of vehicle
A control device includes an electronic control unit executes steering control for avoiding a collision with an object that has a possibility of colliding with a host vehicle. The electronic control unit sets a timing when the host vehicle is predicted to pass the object as an end timing of the steering control when the steering control is performed. The electronic control unit determines whether or not a deviation possibility is present when the electronic control unit assumes that the steering control ends at the end timing. The deviation possibility is a possibility of the host vehicle deviating from a current traveling lane accompanying an end of the steering control. The electronic control unit performs reduction processing that reduces the deviation possibility when the electronic control unit determines that the deviation possibility is present. |
| US10656650B2 |
Method for guiding and controlling drone using information for controlling camera of drone
The present invention relates to a method of guiding and controlling an unmanned aerial system based on camera control information of the unmanned aerial system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) controlling a vertical axis of the unmanned aerial system by controlling a zoom of a gimbal camera 330 by a zoom controller 120 of a camera control unit 100 so as to control an elevation and speed of the unmanned aerial system 300 with a corresponding camera control signal; and (b) controlling a horizontal axis of the unmanned aerial system by controlling an angle of the gimbal camera 330 by an angle controller 110 of the camera control unit 100. Accordingly, the present invention is applicable by just modifying software without changing a general system of an unmanned aerial system, has an advantage that a camera controller is enough to control a mission flight of the unmanned aerial system, and is improved in convenience and tracking performance since the speed, elevation, flight path, etc. of the unmanned aerial system are automatically controlled when a camera is used to continuously track a specific target. |
| US10656649B1 |
Sensor controlled drive unit ingress and egress
A monitoring system for automated detection of egress or ingress of a drive unit between first and second spaces in an inventory system includes a path for conveying the drive unit between the first and second spaces that defines an intermediate space between the two spaces. A sensor is configured to detect passage of the drive unit between the first space and the intermediate space, and an identification sensor is arranged to read an identifier of the drive unit. In combination with an inventory management system, the monitoring system can be used to update and maintain accuracy of a virtual representation of a physical inventory space that employs automated drive units or shuttles. |
| US10656647B2 |
Verification of vehicle operator awareness before transition from autonomous-mode to manual-mode
A system for operating a vehicle includes an object-detector, and operator-monitor, and a controller. The object-detector is used to detect one or more targets proximate to a host-vehicle, said host-vehicle operable in an autonomous-mode and a manual-mode. The operator-monitor is used to detect a gaze-direction of an operator of the host-vehicle. The controller-circuit is in communication with the object-detector and the operator-monitor. The controller-circuit is configured to determine a classification of each target detected by the object-detector. The classification includes a primary-target and an ignored-target. The controller-circuit is further configured to determine that a hand-over of operation of the host-vehicle from the autonomous-mode to the manual-mode is recommended, perform a verification that the operator has gazed at each primary-target more recently than a primary-time, and in response to the verification, execute the hand-over. |
| US10656646B2 |
Ground plane detection to verify depth sensor status for robot navigation
An example method includes determining a target area of a ground plane in an environment of a mobile robotic device, where the target area of the ground plane is in front of the mobile robotic device in a direction of travel of the mobile robotic device. The method further includes receiving depth data from a depth sensor on the mobile robotic device. The method also includes identifying a portion of the depth data representative of the target area. The method additionally includes determining that the portion of the depth data lacks information representing at least one section of the target area. The method further includes providing an output signal identifying at least one zone of non-traversable space for the mobile robotic device in the environment, where the at least one zone of non-traversable space corresponds to the at least one section of the target area. |
| US10656644B2 |
System and method for using human driving patterns to manage speed control for autonomous vehicles
A system and method for using human driving patterns to manage speed control for autonomous vehicles are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: generating data corresponding to desired human driving behaviors; training a human driving model module using a reinforcement learning process and the desired human driving behaviors; receiving a proposed vehicle speed control command; determining if the proposed vehicle speed control command conforms to the desired human driving behaviors by use of the human driving model module; and validating or modifying the proposed vehicle speed control command based on the determination. |
| US10656641B2 |
Method and system for controlling a driving function of a vehicle
A method and a system for controlling a driving function of a vehicle, whereby in a first operating state, the driving function is controlled by a vehicle guidance system, and in a second operating state, the driving function is controlled by a command of a driver, a transition from the first operating state to the second operating state being accomplished with the aid of an orderly handover through a preset handover procedure when it is recognized that a predetermined first condition is fulfilled, or with the aid of a handover in a fallback solution when it is recognized that a predetermined second condition is fulfilled. |
| US10656635B2 |
Apparatus and method for performing process simulations for embedded multivariable predictive controllers in industrial process control and automation systems
A method includes retrieving process variable values from a multivariable predictive controller. The multivariable predictive controller is executed on an embedded platform and is configured to control an industrial process. The method also includes simulating how the multivariable predictive controller would attempt to control the industrial process based on the process variable values. The method further includes transmitting simulated process variable values to the multivariable predictive controller. |
| US10656630B2 |
Systems and methods for broadcasting data and data tags associated with an industrial automation system
An industrial control system may receive data associated with at least one component within an industrial automation system. The industrial control system may then determine whether the data is associated with at least one of a plurality of data tags, such that the at least one of the plurality of data tags describes at least one characteristic of the data. The industrial control system may then broadcast the data and the at least one of the plurality of data tags in a data feed channel when the data is associated with the at least one of the plurality of data tags. |
| US10656623B2 |
Additive manufacturing evaluation systems and methods
A system is configured to determine the calibration accuracy of an additive manufacturing machine for each of fourteen (14) geometric dimensioning and tolerancing parameters. The system also allows for the comparison of the calibration accuracy of multiple additive manufacturing machines. |
| US10656622B2 |
Generating optimized tool paths and machine commands for beam cutting tools
A facility for automated modelling of the cutting process for a particular material to be cut by a beam cutting tool, such as a waterjet cutting system, from empirical data to predict aspects of the waterjet's effect on the workpiece across a range of material thicknesses, across a range of cutting geometries, and across a range of cutting quality levels, all of which may be broader than, and independent of the actual requirements for a target workpiece, is described. |
| US10656612B2 |
Safety unit and an improved safety system comprising a number of safety units
A programmable safety unit for monitoring and controlling safety functions of a hazardous environment, for example an environment including hazardous machines, processes, materials, and so forth and safety equipment associated with the hazardous environment. A safety unit is adapted for external mounting, and includes a programmable safety module and a connection part that are interconnectable enabling mounting/demounting and replacement of the programmable safety module and/or the connection part. The safety unit further includes at least two connections that are programmable as safe inputs and/or outputs for direct connection to at least a number of the safety functions or equipment of the hazardous environment, and for example the machines and/or processes. |
| US10656611B2 |
Programmable controller
A programmable controller capable of checking accessible signal addresses for each of ladder programs is provided. The programmable controller includes signal address setting extraction means for extracting an available address setting table from each of the ladder programs; a signal address overlap determination section for determining whether there is an overlap between the respective ranges of signal addresses used as signal write destinations by the ladder programs, based on the available address setting tables extracted by the signal address setting extraction means; and a ladder program execution section for executing the plurality of ladder programs if the signal address overlap determination section determines that there is no overlap between the respective ranges of signal addresses used as signal write destinations by the ladder programs. |
| US10656610B2 |
Web-based controller for electronics
A system for controlling a remote electronics system includes a configuration device, a venue device, a user device, and a storage device storing configuration information relating to each piece of equipment included in a list of equipment. The configuration device performs a series of steps, including: accepting from the venue device, at least one piece of venue equipment from the list of equipment; accessing the configuration information relating to the at least one piece of venue equipment; accepting from the user device at least one generalized instruction (agnostic as to which equipment was selected) for a piece of equipment; creating at least one instruction specific from the at least one generalized instruction based on the configuration information; and transmitting the at least one specific instruction to the venue device. The venue device then uses same to control the at least one piece of venue equipment. |
| US10656604B2 |
System for determining a relative orientation of a device to a user
A system for determining an orientation of a first device relative to a user includes a first device including a first orientation measuring unit configured to measure an orientation of the first device relative to the earth, a second device configured to be worn by the user on a body part. The second device includes a second orientation measuring unit configured to measure an orientation of the second device relative to the earth. The system also has a processor configured to calculate an orientation of the first device relative to the second device by comparing the measured orientation of the first device relative to the earth with the measured orientation of the second device relative to the earth. |
| US10656600B2 |
Drive device, electronic watch, and control method of drive device
A drive device includes a plurality of motors; and a motor control processing unit that drives the motors. When the motor control processing unit drives the plurality of motors, it performs control such that a driving speed of one motor of the plurality of motors decreases and driving of the other motor of the plurality of motors starts. |
| US10656599B2 |
Electronic timepiece
An electronic timepiece includes a measurement unit which is measuring a predetermined measurement item, a storage unit which stores measurement result information in which a measurement result obtained by the measurement unit is associated with a measurement time when the measurement result is obtained, and a display unit which displays the measurement result and the measurement time by hands. |
| US10656594B2 |
Image forming apparatus having optical print head
When an optical print head is positioned at an evacuation position, at least a part of a region where a first member and a third link member overlap with each other in the direction of a pivotal axis of the third link member rotating relative to the first link member overlaps with a sliding portion in the pivotal axis direction. |
| US10656590B2 |
Locking mechanism and image forming apparatus
Provided is a locking mechanism in which when the urging force of an urging member is larger than the magnetic force of a magnet in the non-excited state, a plunger can be held at a first position, and when the urging force of the urging member is smaller than the magnetic force of the magnet in the non-excited state, the plunger can be held at a second position. |
| US10656588B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control program
An image forming apparatus includes: a sheet conveyance unit which includes a sheet conveyance path and conveys a sheet; a sheet detector which detects the sheet in the sheet conveyance path; a job acquiring unit which acquires a print job related to the sheet; an image forming unit which forms an image on the sheet; and a processor which controls the sheet conveyance unit to perform one of first sheet conveyance and second sheet conveyance, the first sheet conveyance being performed to convey the sheet in accordance with sheet information, the second sheet conveyance being performed to convey the sheet and discharge the sheet to outside in accordance with a result of detection, wherein when sheet conveyance is resumed after suspension, the processor controls the sheet conveyance unit to perform the second sheet conveyance on a remaining sheet. |
| US10656586B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus, having feeder tray, a multipurpose tray arranged on a first side surface, a first conveyer path, a second conveyer path, a third conveyer path, and a fourth conveyer path, is provided. A nip position between paired registration rollers is located to be lower than a nip position between a separation roller and a separator member. A tangent that contacts circumferential surfaces of the paired registration rollers at the nip position between paired registration rollers inclines to be lower toward a second side surface opposite from the multipurpose tray. The second conveyer path inclines to be lower toward the second side surface in a range between a merging point merging with the fourth conveyer path and the nip position between the paired registration rollers. |
| US10656585B2 |
Consumable management apparatus, consumable management system, and consumable management method
According to an embodiment, a consumable management apparatus includes a detecting unit, a storage unit, an analyzing circuit, a predicting circuit, and a notifying circuit. The detecting unit detects a use condition of a consumable. The storage unit stores therein a use history of the consumable. The analyzing circuit is configured to analyze a consumption speed of the consumable based on a degree of use frequency of the consumable, the degree of use frequency being obtained from the use history of the consumable stored in the storage unit. The predicting circuit is configured to predict a replacement time of the consumable from the use condition of the consumable detected by the detecting unit and the consumption speed of the consumable analyzed by the analyzing circuit. The notifying circuit is configured to give a notice of the replacement time of the consumable predicted by the predicting circuit. |
| US10656583B2 |
Image forming system
An image forming system includes a first image forming apparatus and a second image forming apparatus. The first image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that at least forms an image of a first color. The second image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image of a second color different from a color of an image formed by the image forming unit of the first image forming apparatus, and also includes an image forming unit that forms an image of the first color. The first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus use the first color to form positional-adjustment images for adjusting image formation positions between the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus. |
| US10656581B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus has a changing portion configured to change, based on a detection result of a temperature sensor, response sensitivity in starting of power supply by a determination portion based on a detection result of a human body detection sensor in a case where a human body approaches the human body detection sensor. The changing portion increases the sensitivity in a case where a temperature detected by the temperature sensor is a second temperature lower than a first temperature than in a case where the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is the first temperature. |
| US10656580B2 |
Image forming apparatus controlling charging bias and transfer bias
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing drum; a drum charging member, disposed at a charging position opposed to the drum, for applying the drum with a charging bias; a developing member for developing an electrostatic image formed on the drum with toner, with a developing bias; a transfer member for transferring a toner image from the drum onto a sheet, with a transfer bias; a transfer bias source for outputting the transfer bias; and a controller for effecting control to start raising of the transfer bias so as to correspond to a timing at which an area of the drum passing at a timing of starting of raising of the charging bias passes the transfer position and to complete the raising of the transfer bias so as to correspond to a timing at which an area of the drum passing at a timing of completion of raising of the charging bias passes the transfer position. |
| US10656573B2 |
Image heating apparatus and image forming apparatus that control electrical power supply to a plurality of heat generating elements based on a temperature detected by a temperature detecting element
An image heating apparatus includes a plurality of heat generating elements, a plurality of temperature detecting elements, and an energization controlling portion for selectively controlling, based on the temperature detected by each of the plurality of temperature detecting elements, electrical power to be supplied to the plurality of heat generating elements. The plurality of temperature detecting elements are arranged in each of the plurality of heat generating elements, and the energization controlling portion controls electrical power supply to the plurality of heat generating elements for the purpose of heating a non-sheet-passing heating region, through which a recording material does not pass, among the plurality of heating regions, based on a temperature detected by a temperature detecting element that is farthest from a conveyance reference position of the recording material, among the plurality of temperature detecting elements arranged in the non-sheet-passing heating region. |
| US10656571B1 |
Fixing device and image forming device
According to one embodiment, a fixing device fixes a toner image formed on a medium to the medium. The fixing device includes a heating rotator which is rotatably supported, an auxiliary heating member which is disposed along an inner circumferential surface of the heating rotator, and swings as the heating rotator rotates, a lubricant supply member which is disposed at a position on which the swing auxiliary heating member abuts, and is impregnated with a lubricant, and a pressing rotator which abuts on the heating rotator, and forms a nip portion through which the medium passes. |
| US10656568B1 |
Intermediate transfer member and image forming apparatus
An intermediate transfer member that is used for electrophotographic image formation, includes carbon nanotubes and ferroelectric fillers in a base material layer containing a resin material as a principal component. |
| US10656567B1 |
Electrophotographic image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image holding member, a charging unit that charges a surface of the image holding member, an electrostatic charge image forming unit that forms an electrostatic charge image on the charged surface of the image holding member, a developing unit that includes an electrostatic charge image developing toner and that develops the electrostatic charge image on the surface of the image holding member with the electrostatic chare image developing toner to form a toner image, an intermediate transfer body that has a circumferential surface having a plurality of grooves and an average in-plane roughness ranging from 10 nm to 30 nm, a first transfer unit that first transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the image holding member to a surface of the intermediate transfer body, and a second transfer unit that second transfers the toner image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer body to a recording medium, wherein the electrostatic charge image developing toner satisfies the following formulae (ln η(T1)−ln η(T2))/(T1−T2)≤−0.14, (ln η(T2)−ln η(T3))/(T2−T3)≥−0.15, and (ln η(T1)−ln η(T2))/(T1−T2)<(ln η(T2)−ln η(T3))/(T2−T3), wherein η(T1) represents a viscosity of the electrostatic charge image developing toner at 60° C., η(T2) represents a viscosity of the electrostatic charge image developing toner at 90° C., and η(T3) represents a viscosity of the electrostatic charge image developing toner at 130° C. |
| US10656564B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus provides a configuration capable of suppressing an increase in the resistance of an intermediate transfer belt. The image forming apparatus includes an electrification unit for electrifying an intermediate transfer belt to suppress an increase in resistance of the intermediate transfer belt. |
| US10656562B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, an image bearing member, a developing unit, a power supply, and a contact portion. The developing unit includes a developing container configured to store developer, a developer bearing member configured to rotate while bearing the developer stored in the developing container, and a developing magnet provided within the developer bearing member and comprising a plurality of magnetic poles in a circumferential direction. The developing unit is removably provided to the apparatus body. The contact portion electrically is connected with the power supply. The developing unit comprises a conductive member which is made of a conductive resin comprising a fixing portion fixing the developing magnet so that the magnetic poles of the developing magnet are fixed unrotatably with respect to the developing container. The conductive member is provided to electrically connect the contact portion with the developer bearing member. |
| US10656558B1 |
Image forming apparatus and toner cartridge
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; a charging section that charges the surface of the image carrier; an electrostatic-charge-image-forming section that forms an electrostatic charge image on the charged surface of the image carrier; a developing section that contains toner for electrostatic charge image development and develops the electrostatic charge image on the surface of the image carrier into a toner image using the toner; a replenishment toner supplying section that supplies the toner to the developing section, the replenishment toner supplying section including a replenishment toner cartridge, the replenishment toner cartridge containing the toner, having a cap and a body, and detachably attached to the image forming apparatus, the cap being at a first axial end of the replenishment toner cartridge and having an outlet for the replenishment toner to be ejected therethrough, whereas the body having a ridged portion by which the toner inside is moved in the direction from a second axial end of the replenishment toner cartridge to the outlet as the body rotates; a transfer section that transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the surface of a recording medium; and a fixing section that fixes the toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium. The toner satisfying the following relations: (ln η(T1)−ln η(T2))/(T1−T2)≤−0.14; (ln η(T2)−ln η(T3))/(T2−T3)≥−0.15; and (ln η(T1)−ln η(T2))/(T1−T2)<(ln η(T2)−ln η(T3))/(T2−T3), where η(T1) represents a viscosity of the toner at 60° C., η(T2) represents a viscosity of the toner at 90° C., and η(T3) represents a viscosity of the toner at 130° C. |
| US10656555B2 |
Development roll for electrophotography device
Provided is a development roll for electrophotography devices in which image defects are suppressed and which achieve both maintenance of high charging properties and discharging properties. The development roll is provided with a shaft member, an elastic substance layer formed on the outer circumference of the shaft member, an intermediate layer formed on the outer circumference of the elastic substance layer, and a surface layer formed on the outer circumference of the intermediate layer. The volume resistivity of the surface layer 18 is within the range of 1.0×1014 to 1.0×1020 Ω·cm, and the volume resistivity of the intermediate layer 16 is within the range of 1.0×107 to 1.0×1013 Ω·cm. |
| US10656547B2 |
Image forming apparatus mountable with image bearing member unit and developer bearing member
Provided is an image forming apparatus, including an apparatus main body, an image bearing member unit having at least an image bearing member and a charging member, and a developing unit having at least a developer bearing member. The apparatus main body has a controller, the image bearing member unit further has a first storage unit that stores first correction information corresponding to life information of the developing unit, the developing unit further has a second storage unit that stores second correction information corresponding to life information of the developing unit, and the controller acquires the first correction information and the second correction information, uses the acquired first correction information and the acquired second correction information to correct a charging bias to be applied to the charging member, and applies the corrected charging bias to the charging member. |
| US10656546B1 |
Electrostatic-image developing toner, electrostatic-image developer, and toner cartridge
An electrostatic-image developing toner includes toner particles including a binder resin including an amorphous resin including a polyester resin segment and a styrene acrylate resin segment and a release agent. The content of 1-amino-2-methoxybenzene in the electrostatic-image developing toner is 200 ppm by mass or less. |
| US10656541B2 |
Measurement apparatus, exposure apparatus, and method of manufacturing article
The present invention provides a measurement apparatus including a first filter unit including a plurality of first filters, and each configured to allow light having a different wavelength band to pass, a second filter unit including a plurality of second filters, and each configured to reduce light intensity of light and allow the light to pass, an obtaining unit configured to obtain data representing a transmittance of each of the plurality of second filters for a wavelength band of light having passed through each of the plurality of first filters, and a selection unit configured to select, based on the data obtained by the obtaining unit, from the plurality of second filters, one second filter arranged on an optical path together with one first filter among the plurality of first filters. |
| US10656536B2 |
Substrate support, method for loading a substrate on a substrate support location, lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A substrate support, includes: a substrate support location configured to support a substrate, and a vacuum clamping device configured to clamp the substrate on the substrate support location, wherein the vacuum clamping device includes at least one reduced pressure source to create a reduced pressure, at least one vacuum section connected to the at least one reduced pressure source, wherein the at least one vacuum section is configured to attract the substrate towards the substrate support location, and a control device configured to control a spatial pressure profile along the at least one vacuum section with which the substrate is attracted by the vacuum clamping device, wherein the control device includes a substrate shape data input to receive substrate shape data representing shape data of the substrate to be clamped, and wherein the control device is configured to adapt the spatial pressure profile in dependency of the substrate shape data. |
| US10656534B2 |
Method of measuring, device manufacturing method, metrology apparatus, and lithographic system
Methods and apparatuses for measuring a plurality of structures formed on a substrate are disclosed. In one arrangement, a method includes obtaining data from a first measurement process. The first measurement process including individually measuring each of the plurality of structures to measure a first property of the structure. A second measurement process is used to measure a second property of each of the plurality of structures. The second measurement process includes illuminating each structure with radiation having a radiation property that is individually selected for that structure using the measured first property for the structure. |
| US10656518B2 |
Automatic inline detection and wafer disposition system and method for automatic inline detection and wafer disposition
A method for automatic inline detection and wafer disposition includes the following steps. An exposure process is performed to wafers in an exposure apparatus. A virtual inspection is performed based on log files of the exposure process. A wafer automatic disposition is performed according to a result of the virtual inspection. An automatic inline detection and wafer disposition system includes a first computer system coupled to an exposure apparatus and a second computer system coupled to the first computer system. The exposure apparatus is configured to perform an exposure process to wafers, and the first computer system is configured to perform a virtual inspection based on log files of the exposure process. The second computer system is configured to receive a result of the virtual inspection and perform a wafer automatic disposition according to the result of the virtual inspection. |
| US10656517B2 |
Pattern correction in multiple patterning steps
This application discloses a computing system to simulate a wafer image based on a mandrel mask and a block mask to be utilized to print a final wafer image on a substrate. To simulate the wafer image the computing system can estimate dummy sidewalls based on the mandrel mask, estimate contours of the block mask, and determine the simulated wafer image based on differences between the dummy sidewalls and the estimated contours of the block mask. The computing system can compare the simulated wafer image against a target wafer image in a layout design to identify hotspots where the simulated wafer image deviates from the target wafer image. Based on the identified hotspots, the computing system can modify the target wafer image in the layout design, prioritize edge modification in a subsequent optical proximity correction process, or modify computation of image error, which drives the optical proximity correction process. |
| US10656509B2 |
Image projection apparatus
To provide an image projection apparatus that is able to efficiently cool an inside of a housing.There is provided an image projection apparatus including: an air intake port that is provided in a housing and through which air is caused to flow into an inside of the housing; and an air discharge port that is provided in the housing and through which air inside the housing is discharged. The image projection apparatus includes an air exhaust flow path in which air that has flowed into the inside of the housing from the air intake port is caused to pass through a heat generation component having a highest temperature, at an end of the passing through, among a plurality of heat generation components provided inside the housing, and is discharged from the air discharge port. |
| US10656508B2 |
Projector and operation control method
A projector includes a light source, a light modulation device configured to modulate a light output from the light source, a projection optical device configured to project the light modulated by the light modulation device, a casing containing at least a part of the light modulation device and having an interior filled with a cooling liquid, a circulating device configured to circulate the cooling liquid at least to a light exiting side of a modulation part in the light modulation device, and a control device configured to control an operation of the circulating device. The control device changes an operation level of the circulating device. |
| US10656507B2 |
Focusing and leveling measurement device and method
A measurement device and method for focusing and leveling are disclosed. The device includes a measuring optical path and a first monitoring optical path. Measuring light in the measuring optical path interacts with a wafer and is then incident on a measuring detector to form thereon a measuring mark. First monitoring light in the first monitoring optical path is incident on a measuring detector to form thereon a first monitoring mark. An error in a measurement result of the wafer that arises from a drift of the measuring detector can be eliminated by compensating for a vertical deviation of the wafer obtained by subtracting a drift of the first monitoring mark from a displacement of the measuring mark. In this way, measurement accuracy and stability can be improved by monitoring and correcting the drift of the measuring detector. |
| US10656504B2 |
Image capturing apparatus and accessories
There is provided an image capturing apparatus on which, and from which, an accessory is mountable and dismountable by relative rotation in a circumferential direction. The image capturing apparatus includes a plurality of terminals disposed in a circumferential direction of a mount and configured to be used in electrical connection, and a terminal holder. Each of the plurality of terminals is electrically connected to a corresponding terminal of the accessory. A first terminal of the terminals used in communication at a first voltage level and a second terminal of the terminals used in communication at a second voltage level lower than the first voltage level are disposed on the same stage of the terminal holder. The second terminal is a terminal connected to ground via a first resistor. The first terminal is disposed adjacent to the second terminal. |
| US10656503B2 |
Gimbal control
A method for controlling a gimbal includes obtaining a current angle of view of a photographing device provided on the gimbal, determining, according to the current angle of view, an adjustment strategy for adjusting the gimbal that allows the photographing device to output stable images, and adjusting the gimbal according to the adjustment strategy. |
| US10656501B2 |
Heating device for a camera lens
A heating device for a lens of a camera includes at least one body including at least one matrix material and at least one conductive material, the conductive material being dispersed in the matrix material to form a conductive mass, and at least two electrical contacts contacting the conductive mass for applying an electrical voltage to the conductive mass. A system includes such a heating device and a camera, a rear view display device for a vehicle includes such a heating device or such a system, and a vehicle includes such a rear view display device. |
| US10656500B2 |
Imagining device with focused illumination
An imaging system having a forward and rearward orientation and comprising: (a) one or more parabolic reflectors having a base, a focus, and a reflector axis, said one or more parabolic reflectors defining a central reflector axis; (b) at least one a light source disposed near or essentially at said focus of each of said one or more parabolic reflectors forward of its base; and (c) an imaging device disposed within said one or more parabolic reflectors, and comprising a zooming lens having an optical axis essentially coincident with said central reflector axis. |
| US10656491B2 |
Liquid-crystal display having alternating source and drain electrode branches
A liquid-crystal display including: a gate line extending in a first direction; a gate electrode protruding from the gate line; a gate insulating layer arranged on the gate electrode; an active layer arranged on the gate insulating layer while being insulated from the gate electrode; a data line arranged on the active layer and extending in a second direction; a source electrode protruding from the data line, having a portion overlapping the gate electrode on a plane, and including a plurality of source electrode branches that are separate from each other; a drain electrode being separate from the source electrode, and including a plurality of drain electrode branches, each being arranged between two of the plurality of source electrode branches, and a drain electrode connecting part connecting the plurality of drain electrode branches; a pixel electrode defining a pixel region; a liquid-crystal layer arranged on the pixel electrode. |
| US10656487B2 |
Array substrate with patterned light-blocking layer for preventing reflection of ambient light, manufacturing method thereof, corresponding display panel and display device
The present disclosure relates to the field of display technologies, and provides an array substrate, a manufacturing method thereof, and a corresponding display panel and display device. The array substrate includes a display area and a non-display area, wherein the display area includes a plurality of pixel regions and a pixel definition region between various pixel regions. Furthermore, the array substrate further includes a base substrate, as well as a patterned metal layer and a patterned light-blocking layer superimposed in the pixel definition region on the base substrate, wherein the patterned light-blocking layer is closer to a light incident side of the array substrate than the patterned metal layer is, and the patterned light-blocking layer is made of a non-metallic material. Besides, an orthogonal projection of the patterned light-blocking layer on the pixel definition region at least partially overlaps that of the patterned metal layer on the pixel definition region. |
| US10656486B2 |
Display panel and display device
Disclosed is a display panel, comprising a signal line, a test line for testing a signal line of the signal line, and a dummy line. The dummy line extends in a direction substantially consistent with that of the test line for preventing occurrence of electrostatic discharge on the test line. The test line and the dummy line have an overlapping region with the signal line, respectively, and the ratio of the area of the overlapping region between the dummy line and the signal line to the area of the dummy line is smaller than the ratio of the area of the overlapping region between the test line and the signal line to the area of the test line. A display device comprising the display panel is further disclosed. |
| US10656484B2 |
Display panel including corresponding pixel electrode and marker
A display panel includes a gate line, a data line, a switching element, a pixel electrode, and a conductive member. The switching element includes a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. The gate electrode is electrically connected to the gate line. The source electrode is electrically connected to the data line. The pixel electrode is electrically connected to the drain electrode, includes a bar portion, and includes a branch. The branch is oblique relative to the bar portion in a plan view of the display panel. The conductive member includes an extending portion and a maker. The marker protrudes from the extending portion in the plan view of the display panel and overlaps the branch. |
| US10656481B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device is disclosed. The liquid crystal display device includes a display panel that includes four sides. One of the four sides has a cut edge. The display panel includes a display region in which an image is to be displayed; a non-display region that surrounds the display region and that includes a non-light transmitting layer that restricts light transmission therethrough; and a plurality of slits disposed in the non-light transmitting layer. An edge of the non-light transmitting layer is co-planar with the cut edge. The plurality of slits are parallel to the cut edge. |
| US10656479B2 |
Display device
In an IPS-mode liquid crystal display device, the area of a terminal portion is decreased. A liquid crystal display device includes a TFT substrate and a counter substrate attached to the TFT substrate with a sealing material, and includes a display region and a terminal portion formed on the TFT substrate. A shielding transparent conductive film is formed on the outer side of the counter substrate. On the terminal portion, an earth pad formed with a transparent conductive film is formed on an organic passivation film. The shielding transparent conductive film is connected to the earth pad through a conductor. Below organic passivation film of the terminal portion, a wire is formed. |
| US10656472B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and display device
Disclosed relate to display technologies, a liquid crystal display panel and a display device. The liquid crystal display panel includes a color filter substrate and an array substrate to be connected by box aligning; positioners protruding toward the color filter substrate are arranged on a side of the array substrate facing the color filter substrate, at least one of the positioners is arranged between every two adjacent pixels; each positioner includes two stoppers distributed in an extension direction of data line in the array substrate; spacers protruding toward the array substrate are arranged on a side of the color filter substrate facing the array substrate; each spacer is arranged facing one of the positioners; an end of each spacer facing the array substrate contacts the positioner, and can slide relative to the positioner in the extension direction; each stopper contacts the spacer when the spacer slides relative to the positioner. |
| US10656463B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display panel, a backlight device, and a fixing member. The backlight device is disposed to face the display panel. The fixing member having stickiness is disposed between the display panel and the backlight device to fix the display panel and the backlight device together. The display panel includes a panel-side attachment portion to which the fixing member is bonded. The panel-side attachment portion includes a rough surface portion including a section thereof roughened. |
| US10656459B2 |
Color polarizing film, antireflective film, and display device
A color polarizing film including a polymer and a dichroic dye having an absorption wavelength region of about 380 nm to about 780 nm, wherein the color polarizing film exhibits a maximum absorption wavelength (λmax) in a wavelength range of about 380 nm to about 780 nm is provided. |
| US10656457B2 |
Liquid crystal display and display module thereof
The present disclosure provides a liquid crystal display and a display module thereof, the display module includes a lower polarizer, a TFT array substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a color filter and a upper polarizer. The display module further includes a metal electrode layer arranged between the color filter and the liquid crystal layer, the metal electrode layer includes a dielectric layer and a metal wire grid layer, and the metal wire grid layer is arranged on a surface of the dielectric layer facing the liquid crystal layer. The metal wire grid layer is used as a common electrode layer of the display module, thus replacing the traditional transparent electrode ITO and avoiding the problem that the transparent electrode ITO easily causes brittle fracture during bending resulting in electrical abnormality and at the same time can improve the contrast of the entire liquid crystal display. |
| US10656454B2 |
Anti-glare substrates with low sparkle, DOI and transmission haze
Embodiments of anti-glare substrates and articles including the same are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the anti-glares substrate includes a textured surface with a plurality of features having an average cross-sectional dimension of about 30 micrometers or less. The substrate or article exhibits a transmission haze of 10% or less, a PPDr of about 7% or less or 6% or less, and a DOI of about 80 or less. Method for forming the anti-glare substrates are also disclosed and include etching a surface of a substrate with an etchant having low water solubility to provide an etched surface, and removing a portion of the etched surface. The method includes generating a plurality of insoluble crystals (e.g., any one or more of K2SiF6 and K3AlF6) on the surface while etching the surface. The etchant may include a potassium salt, an organic solvent and a fluoride containing acid. |
| US10656452B2 |
Image generating device, head-up display comprising such a device and method for manufacturing an image generating device
An image generating device comprises a light source producing a light beam and a screen (5) traversed by the light beam and designed to modify the light beam so as to form an image. The screen (5) comprises a transparent element (150) traversed by the light beam and designed to evacuate the heat generated at the level of the screen (5). Said transparent element (150) is made of sintered transparent ceramic. Also described are a head-up display comprising such a device, and a method for manufacturing an image generating device. |
| US10656447B2 |
Back lighted display device with fitted frame portions
A display device includes: a display panel; a circuit board; a connection member, which connects the display panel and the circuit board; a backlight, which is configured by a first frame and a second frame to be fitted with the first frame; and an insulation sheet, which is disposed between the first frame and the circuit board to shut off an electrical connection between the first frame and the circuit board, wherein the insulation sheet includes: a seating portion that is formed in a shape corresponding to a shape of the circuit board; and an extension portion that extends to a fitting portion of the first frame and a fitting portion of the second frame, which are fitted to each other, and is attached to cover the fitting portions of the first frame and the second frame. |
| US10656441B2 |
Optical modulator having a plurality of modulator segments
An optical modulator apparatus may include a plurality of segment drivers, each segment driver having a unique offset voltage and driving but a portion or a segment of an electro-optical modulator. A modulating electrical signal may be applied to the segment drivers via a plurality of electrical delays. Parameters of the segment drivers may be selected so as to approximate a pre-defined transfer function, which may include a linear or a non-linear transfer function. |
| US10656437B2 |
Optical lens with halo reduction
A method is provided for use in reducing a size of halo effect in an ophthalmic lens. The method comprises: providing data indicative of a given ophthalmic lens with a first pattern providing prescribed vision improvement, processing said data indicative of the features of the first pattern and generating data indicative of a variation of at least one feature of the first pattern resulting in a second pattern which maintains said prescribed vision improvement and reduces a size of halo effect as compared to that of the lens with the first pattern. |
| US10656434B2 |
Display device with two display panels
The display device includes a first display panel and a second display panel. The first display panel includes first pixel structures having a first pixel pitch. The second display panel includes second pixel structures having a second pixel pitch. The first display panel is overlapped with the second display panel. A user would not see a moiré pattern generated by the display device by adjusting the first pixel pitch, the second pixel pitch, and an effective distance between the first display panel and the second display panel. |
| US10656427B2 |
Multicore fiber-coupled optical probing techniques
An optical beam delivery device establishes, from an optical beam, an optical trap that is moveable to different optical trap locations. The device has a first length of fiber through which the optical beam propagates along a propagation path and which has a first refractive index profile (RIP) enabling modification of the propagation path to form an adjusted optical beam movable to propagate along different propagation paths in response to different states of applied perturbation. The device also has a second length of fiber coupled to the first length of fiber and having confinement cores defining a second RIP. The confinement cores occupy different positions in, and correspond to the different optical trap locations at an output of, the second length of fiber. |
| US10656421B2 |
Lightguide structure, optical device and imaging system
It is provided that a lightguide structure comprising: a first portion disposed to receive light rays emitted by an external display, a second portion disposed to provide, to a second surface facing a viewer, the light rays from the first portion and ambient light, wherein the second portion has a plurality of first surfaces for reflecting light rays and at least one second surface which the light rays and the ambient light perpendicularly enter into and pass through, an intermediate portion disposed to connect between the first portion and the second portion and reflect the light rays from the first portion for transferring the light rays to the second portion. |
| US10656420B2 |
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 that can be fitted on the head of a user and generate an image. 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. The spectacle lens is suitable for coupling light bundles of pixels of the generated image into the spectacle lens via the coupling-in section, guiding them in the spectacle lens to the coupling-out section and coupling them out of the spectacle lens via the coupling-out section. The coupling-in section can divide at least one of the light bundles into several first sub-bundles and couple them into the spectacle lens offset from each other in a first direction such that the first sub-bundles are guided in the spectacle lens to the coupling-out section along a second direction running transverse with respect to the first direction. |
| US10656419B2 |
Head-up display apparatus integrated with cluster
Disclosed herein is a head-up display apparatus integrated with a cluster. The head-up display apparatus integrated with the cluster may include a cluster housing unit provided in front of a driver, a cover unit mounted to a top of the cluster housing unit and having a display unit, and a combiner unit rotatably coupled to the cover unit, light generated in the cluster housing unit being irradiated onto the combiner unit to form an image. |
| US10656415B2 |
Head-up display, and mobile object equipped with head-up display
Head-up display includes display device, projection optical system, a polarization member, and a first polarizer. Display device displays an image. Projection optical system includes refraction lens. Projection optical system projects the image displayed on display device to an observer. The polarization member is disposed between projection optical system and a reflection member that reflects light from projection optical system. Transmittance of the polarization member depends on a polarization direction of transmitted light. The first polarizer is disposed behind refraction lens on an optical path starting from display device. The first polarizer rotates a predetermined polarized component by a quarter of wavelength. |
| US10656412B2 |
Image display apparatus and head-up display system
An image display apparatus includes an image forming element, an illumination optical system that guides light emitted from a light source to the image forming element, and a plurality of lenses that project a trapezoidal image formed by the image forming element onto a projected surface. The plurality of lenses have an optical axis that is at an inclination of 1° or more with respect to a perpendicular of a plane including an image forming surface of the image forming element. First rays of the light have a first focal point and second rays of the light have a second focal point. The first focal point is farther from the image forming element than the second focal point is from the image forming element. The first rays form the first portion of the trapezoidal shape and the second rays form the second portion of the trapezoidal shape. |
| US10656411B2 |
Optical system for field mapping and/or pupil mapping
An optical system for field imaging and/or pupil imaging has an optical axis, a stop plane and an image plane. The optical system includes a lens element system that has three lens element groups, each including at least one lens element. The lens element groups are spaced apart from each other along the optical axis between the stop plane and the image plane. The three lens element groups have a first lens element material and/or a second lens element material that differs from the first lens element material. |
| US10656407B2 |
Electronically switching microlenses between optical states
An example electronic apparatus for switching microlenses includes a microlens including a plurality of microstructures to bend light. The electronic apparatus also includes a chamber coupled to the microlens to receive a liquid with an optical index that matches an optical index of the microlens. The electronic apparatus further includes an electronic device coupled to the chamber to manipulate the liquid to achieve a target optical state of the microlens. |
| US10656405B2 |
Color image capture under controlled environment for mobile devices
A method for image capture for colorimetric analysis includes inserting a colorimetric sample into a slot formed in a base of a device. The device includes a lid surrounding and covering the base. The lid includes a central opening, and a plurality of lights are within the lid and surrounding the opening. The method also includes selecting one or more wavelengths and intensities for illuminating the sample within the device, illuminating the sample within the device with the selected one or more wavelengths and intensities by selectively activating one or more of the plurality of lights, adjusting a height of a camera over the sample to focus the sample in the camera, and capturing at least one image of the sample using the camera. |
| US10656404B2 |
Microscope module for a microscope arrangement for imaging a sample
A microscope module (300) for imaging a sample (270) includes at least one illumination objective (210) for producing an illumination beam along an illumination beam path (215) arranged to illuminate lower surfaces of the sample (270) and at least one detection objective (220) having a detection path (225). The detection path (225) is at an angle to the illumination beam path (215). |
| US10656403B2 |
Illumination microscopy systems and methods
A structured illumination microscopy (SIM) system for generating single focal point patterns of a sample is disclosed. The SIM system performs a focusing, scaling and summing operation on each single focal point that completely scan the sample to produce a high resolution composite image. |
| US10656402B2 |
Three-dimensional infrared imaging of surfaces utilizing laser displacement sensors
A scanning apparatus having a stage adapted to hold a specimen to be imaged and to move the specimen in a first direction, and a light source that includes a tunable laser that generates a light beam having an illumination wavelength that varies as a function of an input signal is disclosed. The apparatus includes an imaging system having a scanning assembly that includes a focusing lens that focuses the light beam to a measurement point on the specimen, a first mirror that moves in a second direction relative to the stage such that the focusing lens maintains a fixed distance between the focusing lens and the stage, and a displacement sensor that measures a distance between the scanning assembly at a mapping point on the specimen, and a light detector that measures an intensity of light leaving the measurement point on the specimen. |
| US10656399B2 |
Variable magnification optical system and image pickup apparatus using the same
A variable magnification optical system includes a plurality of lens element, and includes in order from an object 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, and at least one lens unit. An aperture stop is either positioned between the second lens unit and the third lens unit, or positioned in the third lens unit. At the time of zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end, the first lens unit is fixed, the second lens unit moves from the object side to an image-plane side, and at least one of lens units positioned on an image side of the aperture stop moves. The first lens unit includes at least four positive lens elements and at least two negative lens elements. |
| US10656398B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus using the same
A zoom lens includes a front-side lens unit, a rear-side lens unit, and an aperture stop. The front-side lens unit includes either one lens unit having a negative refractive power or two lens units having a negative refractive power, and has a negative refractive power as a whole. The rear-side lens unit is disposed on an image side of the front-side lens unit, and has a positive refractive power as a whole at a telephoto end. The rear-side lens unit includes a plurality of lens units, and includes an object-side positive lens unit having a positive refractive power which is disposed nearest to object and the following conditional expressions (1), (2), and (3) are satisfied: 1.2≤|MGB_t|≤6 (1), 10≤νdGn_min_p≤27 (2), and −0.03≤TpGn_min_p≤0.014 (3). |
| US10656397B2 |
Optical lens system
An optical lens system includes, in order from a magnified side to a minified side, a first lens group and a second lens group. The first lens group of negative refractive power has at least one aspheric surface, and the second lens group of positive refractive power has at least one aspheric surface. Each of the lenses in the optical lens system is a singlet lens, and the condition: TE(λ=365)>70% is satisfied, where TE(λ=365) denotes an overall transmittance of all of the lenses in the optical lens system measured at a wavelength of 365 nm. |
| US10656396B1 |
Auto focus and optical image stabilization in a compact folded camera
Compact folded camera modules having auto-focus (AF) and optical image stabilization (OIS) capabilities and multi-aperture cameras including such modules. In an embodiment, a folded camera module includes an optical path folding element (OPFE) for folding light from a first optical path with a first optical axis to a second optical path with a second optical axis perpendicular to the first optical axis, an image sensor and a lens module carrying a lens with a symmetry axis parallel to the second optical axis. The lens module can be actuated to move in first and second orthogonal directions in a plane perpendicular to the first optical axis, the movement in the first direction being for auto-focus and the movement in the second direction being for OIS. The OPFE can be actuated to tilt for OIS. |
| US10656392B2 |
Photographing module and electronic device
A photographing module includes an imaging lens assembly. The imaging lens assembly includes a plurality of lens elements, wherein one of the lens elements is a plastic lens element. At least one surface of an object-side surface and an image-side surface of the plastic lens element includes an effective optical portion and a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion surrounds the effective optical portion, and includes a plurality of rib structures, a first fitting section and an isolation section. Each of the rib structures has a strip shape along a radial direction of an optical axis of the imaging lens assembly, and the rib structures are arranged around the effective optical portion. The first fitting section surrounds the effective optical portion, and is connected to another one of the lens elements adjacent to the surface. The isolation section is disposed between the rib structures and the first fitting section. |
| US10656391B1 |
Lens system for a camera module
An optical system for a shallow form factor camera module comprises: seven even aspheric singlet lens elements formed of a molded plastics material, a flat image sensor, and a central aperture stop with at least 3 lens elements disposed in front of the aperture stop and at least 3 rear lens elements disposed between the aperture stop and the image sensor. The aperture stop has a pupil wide enough to provide at least f/1.0 aperture and the optical system has a total track length less than about 8.2 mm and a minimum spacing of about 0.6 mm between a surface of the rearmost lens element and an imaging plane of said image sensor. A magnitude of an aspheric coefficient for h4 of at least one surface of each of said rear lens elements is greater than 5×10−2. |
| US10656390B2 |
Imaging lens
A compact low-profile low-cost imaging lens with a small F-value which offers a wide field of view and corrects aberrations properly. Its elements are spaced from each other and arranged from an object side to an image side as follows: a first positive lens having a convex object-side surface; a second negative lens; a third positive or negative lens; a fourth positive or negative lens; a fifth positive or negative lens; a sixth positive or negative lens; and a seventh lens as a double-sided aspheric lens having a concave image-side surface. The third to sixth lenses each have at least one aspheric surface. The aspheric image-side surface of the seventh lens has a pole-change point off an optical axis. The imaging lens satisfies a conditional expression −1.0 |
| US10656388B2 |
Imaging lens
An imaging lens includes a first lens group and a second lens group, arranged from an object side to an image plane side. The first lens group includes a first lens, a second lens, and a third lens. The second lens group includes a front side lens group and a rear side lens group. The front side lens group includes a fourth lens and a fifth lens. The rear side lens group includes a sixth lens and a seventh lens both having two aspheric surfaces. The imaging lens has a total of seven single lenses. The first to seventh lenses are arranged respectively with a space in between. The third lens has convex surfaces on both sides. The fourth lens has a concave surface on the object side. The fifth lens has a concave surface on the image plane side. The rear side lens group has a specific focal length. |
| US10656386B2 |
Photographing optical lens system, image capturing apparatus and electronic device
A photographing optical lens system includes six lens elements, which are, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element and a sixth lens element. The first lens element has positive refractive power. The second lens element with positive refractive power has an image-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The third lens element has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. The fourth lens element with negative refractive power has an object-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. The fifth lens element with positive refractive power has an image-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The sixth lens element with negative refractive power has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. |
| US10656385B2 |
Photographing system, image capturing unit and electronic device
A photographing system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, a sixth lens element and a seventh lens element with refractive power. The first lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in paraxial region. The second lens element with refractive power has an image-side surface being concave in paraxial region. The third, fourth and fifth lens elements all have refractive powers. The sixth lens element with refractive power has an image-side surface being concave in paraxial region, wherein the image-side surface has at least one convex shape in off-axis region, and both of two surfaces are aspheric. The seventh lens element with refractive power has an object-side surface being concave in paraxial region, and both of two surfaces are aspheric. |
| US10656381B2 |
Dual-lens module driving device
The present disclosure provides a dual-lens module driving device, which comprises a shell, wherein the shell comprises a top wall and a side wall, the top wall is provided with a first opening and a second opening, a base and a support frame, the support frame is provided with a first accommodating cavity and a second accommodating cavity, a first lens tube, a second lens tube, a first lens set, a second lens set, a first focusing coil set, a second focusing coil set, a first magnetic steel set, a second magnetic steel set, a circuit board, an optical anti-shaking coil set, a first elastic sheet set, a second elastic sheet set, a translational suspension system and a connecting terminal. Compared with the related arts, the dual-lens module driving device of the present disclosure is provided with two lens sets, so that the shooting range is increased; the two lens tubes share one support frame, so that the structure is compact; the two focusing coil sets are provided to improve the shooting accuracy; and the dual-lens module driving device is also provided with the optical anti-shaking coil set, which can effectively compensate for a dither amplitude position and improve the shooting effect and sharpness. |
| US10656380B2 |
Optical imaging lens assembly, image capturing unit and electronic device
An optical imaging lens assembly includes seven lens elements which are, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, a sixth lens element and a seventh lens element. The seventh lens element has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. At least one of an object-side surface and the image-side surface of the seventh lens element has at least one critical point in an off-axis region thereof. The object-side surface and the image-side surface of the seventh lens element are both aspheric. |
| US10656378B2 |
Imaging lens
There is provided an imaging lens with high-resolution which satisfies, in well balance, demand of the wide field of view, the low-profileness and the low F-number and excellently corrects aberrations. An imaging lens comprises in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens having negative refractive power, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, and a fifth lens, wherein said second lens has the negative refractive power, and below conditional expressions are satisfied: 0.1 |
| US10656375B2 |
Lens driving device, camera module, and optical device
The present embodiments relates to a lens driving device comprising: a housing; a bobbin disposed in the housing; a coil disposed on the bobbin; a first magnet which is disposed on the housing and faces the coil; a second magnet disposed on the bobbin; and a sensor which is disposed on the housing and faces the second sensor, wherein the sensor comprises an upper surface, a lower surface disposed opposite the upper surface, an inner surface facing the second magnet, an outer surface disposed opposite the inner surface, and both lateral surfaces connecting the inner surface with the outer surface, the upper surface and the lower surface of the sensor are fixed to the housing, and one of the side surfaces of the sensor is opened. |
| US10656369B2 |
Mounting of optical elements for imaging in air vehicles
An optical assembly comprises a mounting structure, a plurality of optical elements, and a conformal filler material. The mounting structure has a plurality of axially spaced circumferentially recessed undercuts formed into an inner surface of the mounting structure. The optical elements are axially spaced in the mounting structure. At least one of the optical elements includes an undercut in a perimeter edge surface. The undercut is aligned with one of the plurality of undercuts in the mounting structure, such that the aligned circumferential undercuts define a void. The conformal filler material is cast in place in the void to create a mechanical lock between the optical element and mounting structure. |
| US10656368B1 |
Method and system for biological imaging using a wide field objective lens
An objective lens is used for DNA sequencing. An example system includes a flow cell, the objective lens, and a camera. Light from the flow cell is imaged by the camera through the objective lens. The objective lens can provide a long working distance; a flat field curvature; a high numerical aperture; and/or a wide field of view. |
| US10656367B2 |
Optical image capturing module with integral multi-lens frame and manufacturing method thereof
An optical image capturing module is provided, including a circuit assembly and a lens assembly. The circuit assembly may include a circuit substrate, a plurality of image sensor elements, a plurality of signal transmission elements, and a multi-lens frame. The image sensor elements may be connected to the circuit substrate. The signal transmission elements may be electrically connected between the circuit substrate and the image sensor elements. The multi-lens frame may be manufactured integrally, be covered on the circuit substrate and the image sensor elements, and surround the image sensor elements and the signal transmission elements. The lens assembly may include a lens base, a fixed-focus lens assembly, an auto-focus lens assembly, and a driving assembly. The lens base may be fixed to a multi-lens frame. The fixed-focus lens assembly and the auto-focus lens assembly may have at least two lenses with refractive power. |
| US10656364B2 |
Screen film structure with magnet assembly
A screen film structure with a magnet assembly is used on a screen having a rim. The screen film structure includes a screen film and a magnet assembly. The magnet assembly includes a first magnet element and a second magnet element. The first magnet element is attached to the rim. The second magnet element is attached to the screen film. The first magnet element and the second magnet element are magnetically attracted to each other to arrange the screen film to cover the screen. Accordingly, it is easy and convenient to attach and detach the screen film structure, and the screen film is fastened firmly to the rim. |
| US10656363B2 |
Apical conduit method and system
Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing installation of optical fiber, non-fiber lines, and/or power lines in a ground surface. In various embodiments, a foldable base might be placed in a channel in a ground surface. The foldable base might include a base portion, two side wall portions, at least two points of articulation, and two plug contacts. Each point of articulation allows each side wall portion to fold relative with the base portion, forming a cavity. One or more lines may be placed within the cavity. A plug, placed above the lines in the cavity, may engage with the two plug contacts to secure the plug to the foldable base. Capping material, placed in microchannel on a top surface of the plug, may flow beyond the microchannel and over any openings between the plug and the foldable base and between the foldable base and edges of the channel. |
| US10656362B2 |
Gamma groove arrays for interconnecting and mounting devices
Devices with gamma (γ) grooves are disclosed. The γ grooves can be used to form optical fiber arrays. The γ grooves can be formed using a dry etch, such as RIE, by modifying resist features of an etch mask to have convex curved sidewalls. The profile of the resist features is transferred to the substrate by the dry etch to form the γ grooves. The γ grooves are formed without K containing etchants, avoiding K+ ions contamination of process tools as well as health issues caused by handling alkali containing devices. |
| US10656360B2 |
Epoxy transitions for optical fiber modules
Various implementations of epoxy transitions for fiber optic modules are disclosed. As disclosed herein, a fiber optic module system may include a fiber optic module holding a plurality of multi-fiber adapters at a front of the fiber optic module, a multi-fiber cable, and an epoxy transition to transition the multi-fiber cable to a plurality of individual optical fibers inside the fiber optic module. The epoxy transition may be filled with an epoxy to secure the individual optical fibers inside the epoxy transition. |
| US10656358B2 |
Fiber optic network distribution module for use along an outdoor multi-fiber network distribution cable
An optical fiber distribution module includes a base having a surrounding wall, a cover, and a sealing element in the cover. A pair of cable ports are formed in the base wall to pass an outdoor fiber distribution cable through an interior region of the module. One or more fiber ports in the wall pass corresponding drop fibers from the interior region where the fibers connect to designated fibers of the distribution cable, to a number of premises for which the fibers are designated inside a multi-dwelling unit building. Grommet seals are dimensioned and formed to be inserted in any unused fiber ports, and to surround the distribution cable and the drop fibers in their corresponding ports. The grommet seals cooperate with the sealing element in the cover to seal all the ports from the environment when the module is closed. |
| US10656357B2 |
Fiber distribution hubs
A fiber distribution hub includes an enclosure defining an interior region and a frame body having a longitudinal axis. The frame body is rotatably mounted within the interior region of the enclosure such that the frame body can rotate about the longitudinal axis relative to the enclosure between a first terminal angular position and a second terminal angular position. The frame body is rotatably mounted within the interior region of the enclosure also such that the entire frame body remains within the interior region as the frame body rotates between the first terminal angular position and the second terminal angular position. The fiber distribution hub also includes a splitter coupled to the frame body, and having a splitter input and a splitter output. |
| US10656351B1 |
Package structure for optical fiber and method for forming the same
A package structure is provided. The package structure includes an optical component over a substrate, and a reflector disposed over the substrate. The reflector includes a first semiconductor layer over a second semiconductor layer, and a dielectric layer between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer. The reflector also includes a metal layer between the second semiconductor layer and the substrate. In addition, the package structure includes a waveguide between the metal layer and the optical component. |
| US10656347B2 |
Connector attached optical fiber unit and optical connector boot with protection tube
A connector attached optical fiber unit includes: an MT optical connector which includes a joining end surface formed at a front end of the MT optical connector and a hollow portion opened to a rear end surface opposite to the joining end surface; a tubular boot which includes a front end insertion portion inserted and fixed into to the hollow portion and a tube attachment portion formed at a rear end portion of the tubular boot, the tubular boot extending to a rear side from the MT optical connector; a protection tube into which the tube attachment portion is inserted and to which the tube attachment portion is fixed; and a plurality of optical fibers which include tip portions inserted and fixed into the MT optical connector and are accommodated inside the boot and the protection tube. |
| US10656346B2 |
Coupling for forming an optical plug connection
A coupling for forming an optical plug connection between two optical plug connectors, the coupling having a guide sleeve and a sleeve-receiving cage with an interior space for receiving the guide sleeve. The sleeve-receiving cage has plug-in openings arranged opposite one another on a longitudinal axis of the sleeve-receiving cage and which serve for the plugging-in of in each case one ferrule of the respective optical plug connector into the guide sleeve in, in each case, one direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The plug-in openings each are at least regionally surrounded by longitudinal stops of the sleeve-receiving cage for preventing the guide sleeve from being pulled out of the interior space of the sleeve-receiving cage, and the sleeve-receiving cage having two sleeve-receiving cage parts, and detent connection parts of the sleeve-receiving cage parts are engagable into one another with detent action via the sleeve-receiving cage parts being slid onto one another in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. |
| US10656342B2 |
Optical wireless rotary joint
An optical wireless rotary joint can include a first optical device and a second optical device. The first optical device can be coupled to a rotatable component for rotating with the rotatable component. The second optical device can be physically separated from the first optical device. The second optical device can be coupled to a stationary component for communicating data with the first optical device using an optical signal. The first optical device or the second optical device can include an optical transmitter for transmitting the optical signal based on the data. The other of the first optical device or the second optical device can include an optical receiver for generating a new signal in response to detecting the optical signal transmitted by the optical transmitter. |
| US10656339B2 |
Fiber to chip alignment using passive vgroove structures
An apparatus comprises a plurality of optical fibers and a lid member having one or more surfaces with grooves formed therein. The lid member defines a first plurality of grooves that are each dimensioned to partly receive an optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers. The apparatus further comprises a substrate comprising a plurality of waveguides arranged at a predefined depth relative to a reference surface of the substrate, and a plurality of ribs extending from the reference surface. Each rib of the plurality of ribs is dimensioned to engage with a respective groove of a second plurality of grooves of the lid member. Engaging the plurality of ribs of the substrate with the second plurality of grooves of the lid member provides an optical alignment of the plurality of optical fibers with the plurality of waveguides. |
| US10656337B2 |
Multi-wavelength optical signal splitting
An example system for multi-wavelength optical signal splitting is disclosed. The example disclosed herein comprises a first splitter, a second splitter, and a modulator. The system receives a multi-wavelength optical signal and an electrical signal, wherein the multi-wavelength optical signal comprises a plurality of optical wavelengths and has a power level. The first splitter is to split the plurality of optical wavelengths into a plurality of optical wavelength groups. The second splitter is to split the multi-wavelength optical signal or the plurality of optical wavelength groups into a plurality of lower power signal groups. The modulator is to encode the electrical signal into the plurality of optical wavelength groups, the plurality of lower power signal groups, or a combination thereof. |
| US10656335B2 |
Cleaving fibers of differing composition
A method for cleaving a fiber comprises rotating an actuator to apply a positioning force to a blade in a scoring assembly. The positioning force produces a score in the surface of a fiber, and the method further comprise applying a cleaving force to the fiber to cleave the fiber. The method can further include measuring the magnitude of the positioning force and rotating the actuator until the magnitude corresponds to a pre-determined magnitude. A cleaver comprises a scoring assembly, drive assembly, and a cleaving assembly. The scoring assembly includes a holder having one or more blades, and an actuator. The cleaving assembly secures a fiber in the scoring assembly. The drive assembly rotates the actuator to position one or more blades to score the surface of the fiber. The cleaving assembly applies a cleaving force to the fiber to cleave the fiber at the location of the score. |
| US10656334B2 |
Rotary optical beam generator
An optical fiber device may include a unitary core including a primary section and a secondary section, wherein at least a portion of the secondary section is offset from a center of the unitary core, wherein the unitary core twists about an axis of the optical fiber device along a length of the optical fiber device, and wherein a refractive index of the primary section is greater than a refractive index of the secondary section; and a cladding surrounding the unitary core. |
| US10656333B2 |
Two-stage adiabatically coupled photonic systems
In an example, a photonic system includes a Si PIC with a Si substrate, a SiO2 box formed on the Si substrate, a first layer, and a second layer. The first layer is formed above the SiO2 box and includes a SiN waveguide with a coupler portion at a first end and a tapered end opposite the first end. The second layer is formed above the SiO2 box and vertically displaced above or below the first layer. The second layer includes a Si waveguide with a tapered end aligned in two orthogonal directions with the coupler portion of the SiN waveguide such that the tapered end of the Si waveguide overlaps in the two orthogonal directions and is parallel to the coupler portion of the SiN waveguide. The tapered end of the SiN waveguide is configured to be adiabatically coupled to a coupler portion of an interposer waveguide. |
| US10656331B2 |
Integrated photonic device with improved optical coupling
A three-dimensional photonic integrated structure includes a first semiconductor substrate and a second semiconductor substrate. The first substrate incorporates a first waveguide and the second semiconductor substrate incorporates a second waveguide. An intermediate region located between the two substrates is formed by a one dielectric layer. The second substrate further includes an optical coupler configured for receiving a light signal. The first substrate and dielectric layer form a reflective element located below and opposite the grating coupler in order to reflect at least one part of the light signal. |
| US10656329B2 |
Optical fiber
The optical fiber offered is capable of not only restraining the attenuation due to glass defects, but also reducing the increase of manufacturing cost. The optical fiber is made of silica glass and includes a core and a cladding. The cladding encloses the core and has a refractive index smaller than that of the core. When the core is divided into inner core and outer core at half of the radius of the core, the average chlorine concentration of the inner core is larger than that of the outer core. The core includes any of the alkali metal group. |
| US10656326B2 |
Optical fiber
An optical fiber in which the increase of attenuation can be reduced is offered. An optical fiber is made of silica glass and includes a core and a cladding enclosing the core. The refractive index of the cladding is smaller than that of the core. The core includes chlorine and any of the alkali metal group. The chlorine concentration is 1 ppm or more in the whole region of the core. In the whole region of the core, the absolute value of rate of radial change of the chlorine concentration is smaller than 2000 ppm/μm. |
| US10656325B2 |
Liquid crystal display and backlight module thereof
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display and a backlight module thereof, the backlight module includes a back plate, a backlight source and a frame glue, the backlight source is disposed on the back plate, the frame glue comprises a fixing member and an adjusting member, the fixing member fixedly connects with the back plate, the adjusting member comprises two first frames disposed opposite to each other in a first direction and two second frames disposed opposite to each other in a second direction, the two first frames and the two second frames detachably connect with the fixing member, the two first frames and the two second frames are used for fixing the display panel. When the backlight module is applied to display panels of different sizes, only the adjusting member corresponding to the display panel needs to be selected. |
| US10656324B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display panel and a backlight. The display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a heatsink. The first substrate includes a second substrate non-overlapping portion on which the second substrate is not disposed but a driving component is disposed. The backlight includes a light guide plate and a light source. The light source emits light toward an end surface of the light guide plate. The heatsink includes a display panel overlapping portion, a light source overlapping portion, and a connecting portion. The display panel overlapping portion is on a rear surface of the first substrate at least over an area corresponding to the driving component. The light source overlapping portion is on a side of the backlight remote from the display panel. The connecting portion connects the display panel overlapping portion and the light source overlapping portion to each other. |
| US10656322B2 |
Coherent backlight unit and three-dimensional image display device including the same
A coherent backlight unit and a 3D image display device including the coherent backlight unit are provided. The coherent backlight unit includes a light source, a light guide plate, a first diffraction grating, a second diffraction grating, and a reflective optical element. The light source irradiates a coherent light and the reflective optical element reflects the coherent light that is propagating toward one of the side surfaces from the inner side of the light guide plate toward the inner side of the light guide plate. |
| US10656321B1 |
Light guiding structure of backlight device
A light guiding structure of a backlight device having an insulation substrate, a micro LED, a reflecting layer, a light guiding layer and reflecting film. An illuminating surface is formed on the insulation substrate. The reflecting layer is stacked on the insulation substrate and stacked with the light guiding layer. The micro LED is arranged on the illuminating surface and illuminating toward a direction perpendicular to the illuminating surface. The reflecting film is stacked on the illuminating surface and covering on the micro LED, an edge of the light guiding layer is stacked between an edge of the reflecting film and the reflecting layer, a reflecting slope is defined on the reflecting film and extended from the micro LED to the edge of the light guiding layer. Light projected from the micro LED is reflected into the light guiding layer by the reflecting slope of the reflecting film. |
| US10656318B2 |
Optical body and light emitting device
There is provided an optical body including: a base material; and a light extraction unit that is formed on a surface of the base material and that extracts, to an outside of the base material, internally propagating light that is injected in an inside of the base material from a side surface of the base material. The light extraction unit is formed of a convex microlens array, and a maximum inclination angle of the convex microlens array substantially coincides with a maximum propagation angle of the internally propagating light. |
| US10656316B2 |
Polarization dependent filter, system using the same, and associated kits and methods
A system includes a birefringent lens, and a polarization filter that transmits light of a first polarization output from the birefringent lens in a first direction and filters out light of a second polarization output from the birefringent lens along the first direction. |
| US10656310B2 |
Optical film and a liquid crystal display including the same
An optical film is provided. The optical film includes a base film and a cover film. The base film includes a base member and a plurality of lens patterns disposed on the base member. The plurality of lens patterns protrudes from the base member and extends in a first direction. The cover film is disposed on the base film to cover the base member and the plurality of lens patterns. A refractive index of at least one of the lens patterns is smaller than a refractive index of the cover film. An aspect ratio of the at least one of the lens patterns ranges from 0.8 to 1.6. |
| US10656308B2 |
Antistatic hard coat film, polarizing plate, touch panel, liquid crystal display device, and manufacturing method
An antistatic hard coat film including: a substrate film formed of a thermoplastic resin containing a cycloolefin polymer; and an antistatic hard coat layer provided on the substrate film, the antistatic hard coat layer containing electroconductive metal oxide fine particles, wherein the antistatic hard coat layer has a surface resistance value of 1.0×106 Ω/sq. or more and 1.0×1010 Ω/sq. or less, and the number of streaks each having a length of 20 cm or longer of the antistatic hard coat layer is 2 or less per area of 1,330 mm×500 mm of the antistatic hard coat layer, and the production method thereof, as well as a polarizing plate, a touch panel, and a liquid crystal display device including the antistatic hard coat film. |
| US10656306B2 |
System and methods for improving the accuracy of solar energy and wind energy forecasts for an electric utility grid
A computer system and method for improving the accuracy of predictions of the amount of renewable energy, such as solar energy and wind energy, available to an electric utility, and/or refine such predictions, by providing improved integration of meteorological forecasts. Coefficient values are calculated for a renewable energy generation model by performing a regression analysis with the forecasted level of renewable energy posted by the utility, forecasted weather conditions and measures of seasonality as explanatory variables. Accuracy is further enhanced through the inclusion of a large number of time series variables that reflect the systematic nature of the energy/weather system. The model also uses the original forecast posted by the system operator as well as variables to control for season. |
| US10656300B2 |
Inversion method
A method of estimating electromagnetic parameters of a geological structure, comprising: providing controlled source electromagnetic, CSEM, data of the structure, calculating a numerical model representing electromagnetic parameters of the structure and generating simulated CSEM data, discretising the numerical model based on prior knowledge of the structure, defining a functional for minimising the distance between said simulated CSEM data and said CSEM data, wherein the functional comprises a regularisation term which depends on prior knowledge of said structure. |
| US10656299B2 |
Method for operating a sensor device, and sensor device
A method for operating a sensor device for detecting an object, having a first surroundings sensor and a second surroundings sensor for detecting a surroundings of the sensor device, including detecting a surroundings of the sensor device using the first surroundings sensor to ascertain first surroundings data, the second surroundings sensor being deactivated; ascertaining whether the first surroundings data are sufficient to be able to conclude with a predetermined probability whether an object is located in the surroundings; if the first surroundings data are sufficient, ascertaining whether an object is located in the surroundings, based on the first surroundings data; if the first surroundings data are not sufficient, activating the deactivated second surroundings sensor; detecting the surroundings of the sensor device using the second surroundings sensor to ascertain second surroundings data; ascertaining whether an object is located in the surroundings, based on the second surroundings data. |
| US10656296B2 |
Processing of seismic data
A method for processing seismic data is provided, in the method a new attribute indicating rock fabric properties of a subterranean section of the earth is processed from reflection seismic data obtained from the subterranean section of the earth. The processed rock fabric attribute may be used to determine properties of and/or generate an image of the subterranean section of the earth. |
| US10656295B2 |
Systems and methods for downscaling stress for seismic-driven stochastic geomechanical models
A method for generating one or more subsurface stress models. The method may include receiving seismic data. A plurality of first geomechanical property models may be generated based at least partially on the seismic data. A second geomechanical property model may be generated based at least partially on the seismic data. The second geomechanical property model may have a lower resolution than the first geomechanical property models. A stress model, a strain model, or a combination thereof may be generated based on the second geomechanical property model. One or more subsurface stress models may be generated based on the stress model, the strain model, or the combination thereof and the first geomechanical property models. |
| US10656291B2 |
Systems and methods for image quality enhancement for out of focus regions for multi-head camera
A nuclear medicine (NM) multi-head imaging system is provided that includes a gantry, plural detector units mounted to the gantry, and at least one processor. Each detector unit defines a detector unit position and corresponding view oriented toward a center of the bore, and is configured to acquire imaging information over a sweep range. The at least one processor is operably coupled to at least one of the detector units, and is configured to acquire, via the detector units, imaging information. The imaging information includes focused imaging information corresponding to a focused region and background imaging information corresponding to surrounding tissue of the focused region. The at least one processor is also configured to reconstruct an image using the focused imaging information and the background imaging information using a first reconstruction technique for the focused imaging information and a different, second reconstruction technique for the background imaging information. |
| US10656287B2 |
Systems and methods for data storage and retrieval
A method includes directing a probe beam to a target that includes an array of data portions in a data storage medium arranged so that a beam area of the probe beam extends across a plurality of adjacent data portions, the array including a data portion subset with each data portion of the subset responsive to the probe beam to produce a response illumination, receiving the response illumination at a detector, and determining data values corresponding to the plurality of adjacent data portions based on the received response illumination. Apparatus and systems are also disclosed. |
| US10656284B2 |
Localization and tracking using location, signal strength, and pseudorange data
A localization server improves position estimates of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) using probabilistic shadow matching and pseudorange matching is disclosed herein. The localization server may utilize one or more of the following information: the locations of the satellites, the GNSS receiver's location estimate and associated estimated uncertainty, the reported pseudoranges of the satellites, the GNSS estimated clock bias, the SNRs of the satellites, and 3D environment information regarding the location of the receiver. The localization server utilizes a Bayesian framework to calculate an improved location estimate using the GNSS location fixes, pseudorange information, and satellite SNRs thereby improving localization and tracking for a user device. |
| US10656281B2 |
Systems and methods for interference detection in shared spectrum channels
A communication system, includes a satellite receiver in operable communication with a central server, a cellular node configured to operate within a proximity of the satellite receiver, and at least one mobile communication device configured to communicate (i) with the cellular node, (ii) within the proximity of the satellite receiver, and (iii) using a transmission signal capable of causing interference to the satellite receiver. The satellite receiver is configured to detect a repeating portion of the transmission signal and determine a potential for interference from the at least one mobile communication device based on the detected repeating portion. |
| US10656280B2 |
Vehicle monitoring systems and methods
An embodiment includes a lot management system. The lot management system includes a transmitter comprising a location determination module having a GPS data pathway to an RF transmission module and a receiver including an RF antenna and a receiver processor. |
| US10656278B1 |
Detecting asset location data anomalies
Processing location sensor data to detect location anomalies by defining a multi-cell overlay grid for a defined asset tracking area, determining a current location on the overlay grid for an asset according to location data, determining that a probability of transitioning from a previous location to the current location is below a threshold, registering the current location as an anomaly and updating the last known location of the asset to the current location. |
| US10656277B1 |
Adaptive control of ladar system camera using spatial index of prior ladar return data
Disclosed herein are examples of ladar systems and methods where data about a plurality of ladar returns from prior ladar pulse shots gets stored in a spatial index that associates ladar return data with corresponding locations in a coordinate space to which the ladar return data pertain. This spatial index can then be accessed by a processor to retrieve ladar return data for locations in the coordinate space that are near a range point to be targeted by the ladar system with a new ladar pulse shot. This nearby prior ladar return data can then be analyzed by the ladar system to help define a control setting for use by a ladar system camera. |
| US10656273B2 |
Method for operating on optoelectronic sensor of a motor vehicle having variable activation of a light source, optoelectronic sensor, driver assistance system, and motor vehicle
The invention relates to a method for operating an optoelectronic sensor (5) of a motor vehicle (1), in which during a measuring cycle for detecting an object (3), light pulses are emitted using an emitting unit (6) and the light pulses reflected from the object (3) are received using a receiving unit (7), wherein a light source (12) of the emitting unit (6) is activated at determined emission points in time (14) to emit the light pulses and the light pulses are deflected using a deflection unit (13) of the emitting unit (6) within a predetermined angle range (12), wherein the light source (12) is activated in such a way that time intervals between the determined emission points in time (14) differ from one another. |
| US10656272B1 |
Ladar system and method with polarized receivers
A ladar system and related method are disclosed where the ladar system comprises first and second receivers. The first receiver receives a ladar return from a ladar pulse with a known transmit polarization. The second receiver receives the ladar return from the ladar pulse with the known transmit polarization. The ladar system also includes a control circuit that (1) measures incident polarizations at the first and second receivers with respect to the received ladar return and (2) separates a retro-reflective portion of the received ladar return from a non-retro-reflective portion of the received ladar return based on the measured incident polarization and the known transmit polarization. |
| US10656270B2 |
Object detection device, object detection method, and program
This object detection device is provided with: an output unit; a plurality of detection units; a data acquisition unit; and an object information confirmation unit. The output unit outputs measurement light Lm towards an object. Each of the plurality of detection units detects, as a signal representing the distance to the object present in an observed area and the shape of the object, the reflected light generated as a result of the measurement light being reflected by the object. The data acquisition unit acquires detection signal waveforms W representing changes in the intensities of second signals over time. The object information confirmation unit confirms the range of the presence of the object by determining that any two or more of the detection units correspond to the same object, or correspond to different objects, on the basis of the detection signal waveforms. |
| US10656268B2 |
Acoustic spatial diagnostics for smart home management
An acoustic spatial diagnostic circuit couples to an array of microphones to successively sample an acoustic environment surrounding a wireless transceiver to generate an acoustic spatial map of activity within the environment based on sets of acoustic samples and execute one or more actions based on a related portion of the acoustic spatial map exhibiting one or more correlations with a spatial context condition of a wireless trained transceiver. |
| US10656263B2 |
Extended localization range and assets tracking
A method includes: transmitting, from a reader device, a first set of wireless signals, in a first frequency band, detectable by RFID transponder devices; transmitting, from the reader device, a second set of wireless signals, at a second frequency band different from the first frequency band, detectable by the RFID transponder devices; detecting, at the reader device, a set of reply wireless signals transmitted by one or more of the RFID transponder devices in response to the first set of wireless signals, the set of reply signals comprising identification data associated with the one or more of the RFID transponder devices, and orientation information representative of relative orientation of the respective one or more of the RFID transponder devices to the reader device; and deriving location information for at least one of the one or more of the RFID transponder devices based on the detected set of reply wireless signals. |
| US10656262B2 |
Airborne precision doppler velocity radar
Methods and systems for a precision Doppler-based airborne platform velocity measurement system are presently disclosed. An example method comprises transmitting a radar signal with an antenna of an airborne platform. The method also includes receiving at least one radar reflection with the antenna. As part of the method, one or more processors may be configured to determine (i) a falling edge of a Doppler signature of the received radar reflection and (ii) a signal representative of an airspeed based on the falling edge of the Doppler signature. Additionally, the method includes providing the determined signal to an inertial measurement system. Further, the method includes determining location parameters of the airborne platform by the inertial measurement system, including determining at least one sensor adjustment for the inertial measurement unit based on the determined signal. Finally, the method includes operating the inertial measurement system with the sensor adjustment. |
| US10656261B2 |
Universal method for precise projectile flight prediction
Modern high velocities and altitudes of long-range projectile launch require a new device capable of predicting the exact geographic location and speed on impact instead of tracking object (or debris) by a radar all the way to the impact.The principle of design for such device was achieved through rigorous application of the classical dynamics for non-inertial reference frame rotating with constant angular velocity.It allowed, based on planet mass and rotational speed together with geographic coordinates and conditions of launch, to significantly improve ballistics accuracy by precisely forecasting behavior of a free falling objects or unmanned capsules in vicinity of a chosen planet under different atmospheric conditions.Providing radar or a sensor compatibility with the proposed device, their performance will be enormously improved by enabling them to point at exact search, rescue, or evacuation area ahead of time. |
| US10656260B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for speed and/or position sensing
Embodiments relate to machines including a movable part. A transmitter circuit is configured to generate a radio signal and to transmit the radio signal towards the movable part via a transmit waveguide. A reflection of the radio signal from the movable part is received by a receive waveguide and guided through the receive waveguide to a receiver circuit, which is configured to determine a position and/or a speed of the movable part based on at least the received radio signal. The transmitter circuit and the receiver circuit may be comprised by a radar sensor. |
| US10656253B2 |
High-speed light sensing apparatus
An apparatus including a semiconductor substrate; an absorption layer coupled to the semiconductor substrate, the absorption layer including a photodiode region configured to absorb photons and to generate photo-carriers from the absorbed photons; one or more first switches controlled by a first control signal, the one or more first switches configured to collect at least a portion of the photo-carriers based on the first control signal; and one or more second switches controlled by a second control signal, the one or more second switches configured to collect at least a portion of the photo-carriers based on the second control signal, where the second control signal is different from the first control signal. |
| US10656250B2 |
Geospatial data collection system with a look ahead sensor and associated methods
A geospatial data collection system is for an aerial vehicle and includes a data collection light detection and ranging (LiDAR) device and a protection LiDAR device. The data collection LiDAR device is configured to collect geospatial data as the aerial vehicle moves along a collection path. The protection LiDAR device is configured to sense a geospatial area ahead of the data collection LiDAR device. The data collection LiDAR device is switchable from an operating mode to a protected mode based upon the protection LiDAR device. |
| US10656247B2 |
Target detection apparatus for detecting low-level target and target detection method for detecting the same
A target detection apparatus includes a target detection means, a depth determination value calculation means, a crossing over determination means, an attention information setting means, a tracking means, a transfer determination value calculation means, and an attention information cancelling means. The depth determination value calculation means determines a depth determination value indicating the depth of a target. The crossing over determination means determines whether the target can be crossed over by the vehicle. The attention information setting means sets attention information indicating that the target needs to be paid attention. The tracking means determines a connection relationship between a current-cycle target and a previous-cycle target and cause the current-cycle target having a connection relationship, to adopt information relating to the previous-cycle target. The transfer determination value calculation means determines a transfer determination value, for each target. The attention information cancelling means cancels the setting of the attention information. |
| US10656245B2 |
Automotive radar sensor blockage detection using adaptive overlapping visibility
A blockage detection system and methods for use in a radar sensor such as a side object detection (SOD) sensor in an automotive radar system are described. The blockage detection system and method operate in systems including two or more radar sensors having overlapping field-of-views (FOVs). The blockage detection system includes a storage in a first radar sensor having stored therein a tracked object list including detections/tracks for one or more targets made by a second radar sensor and a processor for adjusting an overlap zone associated with the first radar sensor based upon an estimated mounting angle of the first radar sensor. The system further includes a processor coupled to the storage and processor configured to identify one or more relevant detections/tracks from the tracked object list using the adjusted overlap zone and a blockage detection processor configured to receive the relevant detections/tracks from said processor and configured to compare the relevant detections/tracks to detections/tracks for one or more targets made by the first radar sensor. |
| US10656244B2 |
Reconfigurable correlator (pulse compression receiver) and beam former based on multi-gigabit serial transceivers (SERDES)
Aspects of the invention provide improvements to electromagnetic and other wave-based ranging systems, e.g., RADAR or LIDAR systems, of the type having transmit logic that transmits a pulse based on an applied analog signal. The improvements are characterized, in part, by a SERDES having a serializer (a/k/a a “transmit side”) that is coupled to the transmit logic. The serializer has (i) an input to which a pattern on which the pulse is based is applied and (ii) an output from which a serialization of the pattern is applied to the transmit logic. The improvements are further characterized in that the SERDES has deserializer logic (a/k/a a “receive side”) that is coupled to receive logic and that deserialize a received “analog” signal containing possible reflections of the pulse. |
| US10656239B2 |
Asset tracking
Disclosed herein are techniques and systems for tracking assets using wireless beacons attached to the assets. In some embodiments, an asset tracking system may receive, from a mobile device, a device identifier (ID) of a wireless beacon. At a different time, the asset tracking system may receive, from the mobile device, event data indicating that the mobile device is located at a site among a plurality of sites maintained in a data store. The asset tracking system may determine whether a time between the receiving of the device ID and the receiving of the event data is less than a threshold amount of time, and, if so, the asset tracking system may associate the wireless beacon to the site. |
| US10656238B2 |
Asset tracking
Disclosed herein are techniques and systems for tracking assets using wireless beacons attached to the assets. In some embodiments, an asset tracking system may receive, from a mobile device, a first device identifier (ID) of a first wireless beacon that is presently associated with a site. At a different time, the asset tracking system may receive, from the mobile device, a second device ID of a second wireless beacon. The asset tracking system may determine whether a time between the receiving of the two device IDs is less than a threshold amount of time, and, if so, the asset tracking system may associate the wireless beacon to the site. |
| US10656237B2 |
Detection of mobile wireless terminals in crowdsourced data
A mobile wireless transmitter is detected from location data received for a plurality of wireless transmitters obtained through crowdsourcing or wardriving. Location data is held until sufficient time or enough location data is collected from which movement of a wireless transmitter can be detected. Sets of measurement data for each wireless transmitter are determined from the collected location data. The sets of measurement data may include, e.g., Service Set Identifier (SSID), a round trip time (RTT) variance, and/or a neighbor relationship graph for each wireless transmitter. The mobile wireless transmitter is identified from the sets of measurement data. An almanac database may then be published in which any mobile wireless transmitters are identified or excluded. |
| US10656236B2 |
Enhanced elevation detection for emergency response systems
At an emergency response system, a first location including a latitude and a longitude at which a first device is located is received. At an emergency response system, an air pressure reading measured by the first device is received. Using the air pressure reading and a mean sea-level barometric measurement, a first elevation of a device is computed. Using the first location, a corresponding street address is computed. Using the street address and the first elevation, a floor number is computed. The street address and the floor number are transmitted to a second device. |
| US10656235B2 |
Systems and methods for direction finding based on minimum distance search to principal components
The concepts, systems and method described herein provide direction finding (DF) methods based on a minimum distance (MINDIST) search to principal components. In an embodiment, the method includes capturing samples of data from one or more array elements. The samples may be samples of a signal received at the array elements. The method includes generating a spatial sample covariance matrix (SCM) using the samples of data, extracting principal components from the SCM and generating a principal component table using angle and frequency measurement for each of the principal components. The method further includes determining a distance between a test point and each value in the principal component table and identifying a minimum distance point corresponding to a direction of the received signal. The minimum distance point may correspond to direction of arrival of a signal on the one or more array elements. |
| US10656234B2 |
Electromagnetic field pattern for phased array antenna
A method includes determining, on an individual element-by-element basis, a normalized far-field pattern for each radiating element of a plurality of antenna elements. The plurality of antenna elements is associated with a phased array antenna. The method also includes determining an overall electromagnetic far-field pattern for the phased array antenna based on individual normalized element far-field patterns and based on beamforming parameters associated with a location of interest. The overall electromagnetic far-field pattern is usable to determine a signal strength, at the location of interest, of a signal transmitted from the phased array antenna. The method also includes determining an isolation between the phased array antenna and a secondary communication device based on the overall electromagnetic far-field pattern. The method further includes generating an output indicative of the isolation. |
| US10656233B2 |
Method of calibrating impedance measurements of a battery
A method of calibration is described that simplifies the measurement of battery impedance conducted in-situ while determining battery state-of-health. A single shunt measurement with a known Sum of Sines (SOS) current, at the desired frequency spread and known root mean squared (RMS) current is used to create a calibration archive. A calibration selected from this archive is used to calibrate an impedance measurement made on the battery. |
| US10656231B1 |
Memory Arrays
Some embodiments include memory arrays. The memory arrays can have global bitlines extending along a first horizontal direction, vertical local bitlines extending perpendicularly from the global bitlines, and wordlines extending along a second horizontal direction which is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. The global bitlines may be subdivided into a first series at a first elevational level, and a second series at a second elevational level which is different from the first elevational level. The global bitlines of the first series can alternate with the global bitlines of the second series. There can be memory cell material directly between the wordlines and the vertical local bitlines. The memory cell material may form a plurality of memory cells uniquely addressed by wordline/global bitline combinations. Some embodiments include cross-point memory cell units that have areas of about 2F2. |
| US10656226B2 |
Magnetic resonance apparatus and method for conducting magnetic resonance examination of a patient
A magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for implementing an MR examination of a patient, has an MR scanner with a gradient coil arrangement and a music network having at least two communicating instrument devices, synchronized by synchronization signals sent via the music network, so as to generate a music piece that is to be emitted as an output to the patient. One of the instrument devices is the magnetic resonance scanner that, as an interface to the music network, has a synchronization unit designed to derive the synchronization signals for the music network from sequence control signals received from the control computer of the magnetic resonance scanner, at least for the gradient coil arrangement. |
| US10656224B2 |
Magnetic field-generating device for magnetic particle imaging
Disclosed is a device for simply creating a magnetic gradient field having a field-free line (FFL). The device comprises two ring-shaped Halbach arrays formed of permanent magnets, and preferably also a coil arrangement for electrically generating a homogeneous magnetic field for shifting the FFL in a predetermined plane. The FFL can be rotated together with the Halbach array in the plane, without the coil arrangement having to be rotated or moved. The invention is suitable for effective construction of a scanning device for magnetic particle imaging (MPI). |
| US10656223B2 |
Magnetic field generation device
A magnetic field generation apparatus includes a main coil and a variable-current correction coil. The main coil is formed by winding a ReBCO-based superconductive wire rod and generates a magnetic field in a measurement space. The variable-current correction coil is variable in a value of a current, coaxial with the main coil and disposed inside the main coil, and generates a magnetic field which corrects a uniformity of the magnetic field generated by the main coil. |
| US10656221B2 |
Drive circuit of radio-frequency transmitting coil and magnetic resonance imaging device
A drive circuit of a radio-frequency (RF) transmitting coil and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device are provided. According to an example, the drive circuit includes a controller, a digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) coupled with the controller, a RF amplifier coupled with the DAC, a power divider coupled with the RF amplifier, and a plurality of phase shifters respectively coupled with at least three output ports of the power divider. |
| US10656220B2 |
Display device including flexible printed circuit board and for detecting separation of the flexible printed circuit board
A display device includes a display panel, a conductive layer disposed under the display panel, a first flexible printed circuit board including a first substrate portion having a side connected to the display panel, a bending portion extending from the first substrate portion, and a second substrate portion extending from the bending portion and disposed under the conductive layer. The second substrate portion includes a first sensing pattern. The display device further includes a coupling portion disposed between the second substrate portion and the conductive layer and coupling the second substrate portion and the conductive layer. The display device further includes a driver chip electrically connected to the first sensing pattern and configured to detect whether the coupling portion has been separated from either the second substrate portion or the conductive layer based on a capacitance that depends on a distance between the conductive layer and the first sensing pattern. |
| US10656217B2 |
Voltage regulator systems with fault indication and reporting
A voltage regulator controller includes a first pin for receiving aggregate temperature information from a plurality of power stages, a plurality of second pins each for receiving phase current information from one of the power stages, control circuitry for controlling the power stages, detection circuitry for detecting signal levels at the first and second pins, and fault analysis circuitry for identifying the type of reported fault and the power stage that reported the fault based on the detected signal levels at the first and second pins and state information accessible by the controller. Aggregate temperature information is reported at the first pin in a first nominal range, and phase current information is reported at each of the second pins in a second nominal range. Each reported fault type has a unique fault signature at the first and second pins, which is outside at least one of the nominal ranges. |
| US10656216B2 |
Battery state estimating apparatus
A battery state estimating apparatus is provided with; a voltage detector configured to detect a voltage between a positive electrode and a negative electrode of a battery; an impedance detector configured to detect an impedance of the battery; a first estimator configured to estimate a first temporary value of a charge amount of the battery; a second estimator configured to estimate a second temporary value of the charge amount of the battery; and a determinator configured (i) to determine that the first temporary value is the charge amount of the battery if the first temporary value or the second temporary value is out of a predetermined range, and (ii) to determine that the second temporary value, or a corrected value of the first temporary value is the charge amount of the battery if the first temporary value or the second temporary value is within the predetermined range. |
| US10656213B2 |
Internal resistance calculation device, recording medium, and internal resistance calculation method
An internal resistance calculation device is provided with: a voltage obtaining portion that obtains the voltage of a secondary battery; a current obtaining portion that obtains the current of the secondary battery; a switching determination portion that determines the presence or absence of switching between charging and discharging of the secondary battery based on the obtained current; an identification portion that identifies a waiting time based on a boundary frequency range in which the diffusion impedance arising from the process of diffusion of a predetermined ion contributes to the impedance of the secondary battery in the impedance spectrum of the secondary battery; and a resistance calculation portion that calculates the internal resistance of the secondary battery based on the voltage and the current obtained after the identified waiting time in a case where it is determined that switching between charging and discharging of the secondary battery is present. |
| US10656211B2 |
Method of predicting time for charging battery of eco-friendly vehicle
A method of predicting time for charging a battery of an eco-friendly vehicle can include: measuring a temperature and a voltage of the battery using one or more sensors; comparing the measured temperature and voltage with pre-stored data values; identifying a charging step among a plurality of charging steps; calculating a charging current value and a cutoff voltage value according to the identified charging step; and calculating an expected charging time by adding a second time to the expected charging time when a first time is greater than the second time or by adding the first time to the expected charging time when the second time is greater than the first time. |
| US10656201B2 |
Semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device performs processing based on a user program by using a user program, which is used in a normal mode, as an analysis program and making a plurality of peripheral circuits having the same function operate in lock-step where the plurality of peripheral circuits operate in the identical manner, and makes failure diagnosis of the peripheral circuits by determining match or mismatch of a plurality of analysis information respectively obtained from the plurality of peripheral circuits operating in lock-step. |
| US10656199B2 |
Self testing fault circuit apparatus and method
A process for self testing a fault circuit includes disabling an actuator, performing a self test by creating a simulated fault signal across at least a portion of a half cycle of a first polarity and across at least a portion of a half cycle of a second polarity, and determining whether the self test was successful. |
| US10656197B2 |
Accurate fault location method based on local measurements and remote currents
The present disclosure relates to a computationally efficient technique for determining a location of a fault on a power line using local measurements and remote current measurements. For example, a method may include receiving one or more local measurements of a power line. The method includes receiving a signal indicating one or more remote current measurements of the power line. The method includes determining a location of a fault on the power line based on a fault voltage multiplied by a conjugate of a compensated differential current. The method includes providing the location of the fault. |
| US10656195B2 |
System and method for differentiating shorting in a battery
A system for differentiating short circuiting in a battery includes: a detector coupled to the battery; a monitor in communication with the detector, the monitor including a profile of a battery shorting behavior, and a comparator for matching data from the detector to the profile; and a controller for taking action based upon information from the detector. A method for detecting short circuiting in a battery includes the steps of: detecting a behavior of the battery; comparing the behavior of the battery to a predetermined battery behavior profile; determining the type of short based on the comparison; and taking mitigating action based on the determination. The system/method may monitor: temperature of the battery, heat generation from the battery, current flow through the battery, voltage drop across the battery, and/or combinations thereof. The system/method discriminates between the various battery shorting behaviors for aggressive response or passive response. |
| US10656185B2 |
Planar differential current pickup for wireless power transmission
Apparatus and methods for sensing current carried by one or more planar conductors is described. A plurality of sensing coils may be fabricated adjacent to one or more planar, current-carrying conductors. The sensing coils may detect a magnetic field generated by time-varying current flowing through the one or more planar conductors. The sensing coils may be arranged to cancel uniform and linear-gradient magnetic fields. |
| US10656183B2 |
Enabling a trigger in a test and measurement instrument
A test and measurement instrument, such as an oscilloscope, including one or more ports to receive one or more signals from a device under test, a trigger enable logic circuit configured to output a trigger enabled signal when a trigger enable event occurs within the one or more signals, the trigger enable event being a real-time event of the one or more signals, one or more trigger logic circuits configured to generate a plurality of trigger signals when the trigger enable signal is received, each trigger signal being generated when a trigger event occurs within one of the one or more signals, and an acquisition circuit configured to acquire and store data in a memory in response to each of the trigger signals. |
| US10656181B2 |
Rejection of mechanical vibration induced noise in electrical measurements
An electronic test measurement system can include a device under test (DUT) and an electronic test instrument that includes a signal input configured to receive an electrical signal from the DUT, a cooling mechanism, and a processor. The processor can be configured to determine a frequency at which the cooling mechanism should operate, cause the cooling mechanism to operate at the determined frequency, select a filter based on the determined frequency, and apply the filter to the electrical signal to reduce interference with the electrical signal resulting from mechanical vibrations of the cooling mechanism. |
| US10656172B2 |
Motion detecting device and detecting method for repetitive motion
A detecting method for repetitive motion includes receiving a plurality of accelerated velocities, receiving a plurality of angular velocities, determining a plurality of stationary points according to the accelerated velocities, determining a plurality of motion periods according to the stationary points, wherein the motion periods separately correspond to different sets of the angular velocities, and clustering the motion periods according to differences among the different sets of angular velocities corresponding to the motion periods. |
| US10656169B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing carryover of reagents and samples in analytical testing
A method of reducing carryover of liquids, such as reagent and/or samples, in analytical or immunoassay testing. The method includes providing an incubation member including a plurality of reaction vessels thereon, pre-assigning certain ones of the reaction vessels in the incubation member for only first test types or certain reagent types for all test lots; and pre-assigning other ones of a second subset of reaction vessels in the incubation member for only second test types for all test lots. By ensuring no mixing of potentially interfering test types or reagent types from test lot to test lot, sample and/or reagent carryover is mitigated. Testing apparatus adapted to carry out the methods are provided, as are other aspects. |
| US10656160B2 |
Urinalysis device and dry reagent for quantitative urinalysis
A method of quantitatively determining the concentration of at least one analyte in a sample by: (i) adding a portion of the sample to a first analyte assay formulation and to an analyte assay reference formulation to generate a first analyte sample and analyte reference sample and determining the concentration of the at least one analyte in the sample; and/or (ii) adding a portion of the sample to a second analyte assay formulation and determining the concentration of the at least one analyte in the sample, as well as formulations, kits of parts, systems and computer implemented methods associated with the method. |
| US10656157B2 |
Rare event detection using mass tags
The invention generally relates to methods for rare event detection using mass tags. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods for detecting a target analyte in a sample that involve conducting an assay that specifically associates a mass tag with a target analyte in a sample, generating ions of the mass tag, and analyzing the generated ions of the mass tag, thereby detecting the target analyte from the sample. |
| US10656154B2 |
Methods for detecting an amount of complement factor B protein and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 protein, and methods for diagnosing and treating pancreatic cancer using the same
The present application relates to a kit for diagnosing pancreatic cancer, a method for providing information for diagnosing pancreatic cancer using the kit, and a method for diagnosing pancreatic cancer using same, wherein the kit includes an antibody specifically binding to complement factor B protein and an antibody specifically binding to carbohydrate antigen 19-9 protein. According to the present application, it is possible to provide a marker for diagnosing pancreatic cancer having enhanced sensitivity and specificity. |
| US10656153B2 |
Diagnostic method and devices for autoimmune disease
Devices, solutions and method capable of quantifying a clinically significant amount of antibodies within a plasma sample obtained from an individual by quantifying binding between antibodies within the sample and microbial proteins are disclosed. |
| US10656152B2 |
Posterior segment drug delivery
A therapeutic device to release a therapeutic agent comprises a porous structure coupled to a container comprising a reservoir. The reservoir comprises a volume sized to release therapeutic amounts of the therapeutic agent for an extended time when coupled to the porous structure and implanted in the patient. The porous structure may comprise a first side coupled to the reservoir and a second side to couple to the patient to release the therapeutic agent. A plurality of interconnecting channels can extend from the first side to the second side so as to connect a first a plurality of openings on the first side with a second plurality of openings on the second side. |
| US10656145B2 |
Detection of allergens using surface-enhanced raman scattering
A technique can be used to detect and/or quantify allergens in foods. In some examples, the technique involves adding magnetic particles that carry antibodies and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) tags complexed with antibodies to the sample. The antibodies associated with both the magnetic particles and the SERS tags can be selected to bind to one or more antigens that correspond to allergens being investigated. After adding magnetic particles to the sample, a magnetic field can be applied to the sample to concentrate antigens in the sample, including any SERS tags bound to the antigens. The concentrated sample can be analyzed with SERS and a concentration of the mammalian allergen determined based on the SERS response. |
| US10656144B2 |
Immune profiling and minimal residue disease following stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma
The present invention provides methods for determining the level or status of minimal residue disease (MRD) in a multiple myeloma (MM) patient including analyzing peripheral natural killer (NK), NK-T and T cell distribution and/or activation, and quantifying inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and growth factors in a biological sample obtained from an MM patient to provide a peripheral immune profile; and obtaining a level or status of MRD in the MM patient from the peripheral immune profile, wherein if the peripheral immune profile exceeds a pre-determined threshold, the MM patient is positive for MRD. |
| US10656138B2 |
Test Barrel for Placing Test Paper Card
The present invention provides a test barrel for placing a test paper card. The test barrel comprises a barrel body and a barrel lid; wherein the barrel body comprises a place reminding board arranged on the barrel body; and the barrel lid comprises an elastic piece arranged on the barrel lid and mating with the place reminding board. The test barrel for placing a test paper card according to the present invention is simple in structure and convenient in operation, and greatly reduces time for test. In addition, a place reminding structure is arranged on the test barrel, which facilitates use of the test barrel for the user and achieves sealing reminding. Further, the test result is accurate, the reusage rate is high, and cleaning is convenient. |
| US10656136B2 |
Observation apparatus, observation method, observation system, program, and cell manufacturing method
An observation apparatus includes: an area calculation unit that calculates a colony area based on an image in which a cell colony is captured; a cell number calculation unit that calculates, based on the image, the number of cells included in a target colony of which an area is calculated by the area calculation unit; and a density calculation unit that calculates, based on the area of the target colony calculated by the area calculation unit and the number of the cells included in the target colony calculated by the cell number calculation unit, a density of the cells included in the target colony. |
| US10656135B2 |
Method for determining a mixing ratio of N organic, miscible components in a mixture of said components and use of an inorganic marker
A method for determining a mixing ratio A of n organic, miscible components in a mixture of the components. The method includes the following steps: i) preparing n components in pre-defined quantities, where n is an integer ≥2; ii) mixing a respective inorganic marker with one of the respective components in a pre-defined mixing ratio for each of the respective inorganic markers to the respective component, at least one component being mixed with one inorganic marker, and the inorganic markers being of different chemical natures; iii) producing a mixture of the components; (iv) performing an analysis for the quantitative determination of the quantities of the inorganic markers; and v) determining the mixing ratio A of the n components from the defined quantities of the inorganic markers by means of the pre-defined mixing ratios for each of the respective inorganic markers to the respective component. |
| US10656125B2 |
Container screening system and method
A system and method are disclosed for interrogating a liquid in a container. In one embodiment, methods are provided to interrogate and identify a container material type and a liquid within a container. |
| US10656124B2 |
Container screening system and method
A system and method are disclosed for interrogating a liquid in a container. In one embodiment, methods are provided to interrogate and identify a container material type and a liquid within a container. |
| US10656123B2 |
Sensors, systems and methods for detecting analytes using same
Sensors, as well as systems and methods of using the same are provided. Aspects of the sensors include a piezoelectric base, a plurality of surface-associated compositions that are stably associated with the piezoelectric base, and a plurality of crosslinking compositions that are configured to crosslink one or more surface-associated compositions in the presence of an analyte. The sensors, systems and methods described herein find use in a variety of applications, including the detection of an analyte in a sample. |
| US10656118B2 |
Closure for an electrochemical vessel, electrochemical vessel and laboratory device
The invention relates to a closure for an electrochemical reaction vessel, in particular a potentiostat, the closure comprising: a holder for holding electrodes arranged at an inner side of the closure such that, when the closure is attached to a reaction vessel, electrodes held by the holder extend into an interior space of the reaction vessel and into an electrolyte contained in the reaction vessel; and a plurality of contacts arranged at an outer side of the closure for providing electrical contacts with the electrodes. |
| US10656116B2 |
Microbial sensor system for the assessment of subsurface environments
A microbial sensor, system, and method that can be used to determine a chemical environment and/or substrate concentrations in anaerobic or aerobic environments, such as soils, sediments and ground waters, are disclosed. An exemplary system uses one or more (e.g., inert) measurement electrodes and a reference electrode. The reference electrode can include an electrode exposed to atmospheric oxygen (e.g., a cathode) or an electrode exposed to stable anaerobic or aerobic conditions. The exemplary microbial sensor system measures open-circuit voltage to characterize the chemical (oxidizing or reducing) environment and/or recovery voltage to measure substrate concentrations in the subsurface. |
| US10656115B2 |
Controller and abnormality detecting method of air-fuel-ratio sensor
A controller of an air-fuel-ratio sensor according to an embodiment includes a current supplying unit, a sweep processing unit, and an abnormality detecting unit. The current supplying unit supplies a current to the pump cell through a first terminal connected with the pump cell so as to control the pump cell. The sweep processing unit executes a sweeping process in which a predetermined voltage or a predetermined current is applied to the detection cell through a second terminal connected with the detection cell so as to change a voltage and a current of the detection cell. The abnormality detecting unit detects a short-circuited state between the first terminal and the second terminal on the basis of a fluctuation in a voltage or a current, generated by the sweeping process, of the first terminal. |
| US10656114B2 |
Gas sensor device including gas sensors and switches, gas sensor module, and gas detection method
A gas sensor device includes gas sensors and switches. The switches are connected to the respective gas sensors in series. The gas sensors each include: a first conductive layer; a second conductive layer; a metal oxide layer disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer; and an insulation layer covering the first conductive layer, the second conductive layer, and the metal oxide layer and having an opening from which a portion of the second conductive layer is exposed. The resistance of the gas sensor is decreased when a gas containing a hydrogen atom comes into contact with the second conductive layer. |
| US10656112B2 |
Replaceable multistrip cartridge and biosenser meter
A blood glucose monitor includes a can, a replaceable sensor cartridge that includes a frame, an upper spring disposed between the frame and the can, a case for housing the can and sealing the frame, a lower spring disposed between the can and the case, and a meter housing for sealing an upper portion of the frame. The can is capable of accepting the replaceable sensor cartridge. The frame of the removable cartridge has at least at least two walls defining a chamber for accepting a plurality of biosensors, and a bottom portion defining an opening and at least one sealing flange. The frame can further include a desiccant material capable of reducing humidity within the frame. The frame may be dimensioned such that an interference fit constrains the plurality of biosensors prior to inserting the frame within a blood glucose monitor. |
| US10656107B2 |
Magnetic coupling high resolution nuclear magnetic resolution probe and method of use
In an embodiment of the invention inductive coupling of an idler coil to a parent coil is used to provide a double resonance circuit without the disadvantages of capacitive coupling to the parent coil. In an embodiment of the invention, an inductive coupling coil can be used to achieve a double-tuned circuit. In an embodiment of the invention, a circuit uses inductive coupling to achieve a double resonance circuit for 1H, 19F, and 13C experiments where one of the three nuclei are observed and the other two are decoupled. In an embodiment of the invention a pivot or a shunt can be used to couple and decouple the idler coil and the parent coil. |
| US10656100B2 |
Surface acoustic wave sensors in semiconductor processing equipment
The implementations described herein generally relate to a sensing device for use in the semiconducting industry, which sense process parameters to control semiconductor processes. More specifically, the implementations relate to packaging for a surface acoustic wave (SAW) based devices or wireless or RF-responsive sensors for use in the harsh processing environments of a semiconductor processing chamber such that the neither the sensor and its components nor the chamber components interfere with or contaminate one another. The sensor packaging may include various packaging layers with or without protective coatings and a waveguide. The packaging may have a thickness chosen such that the thickness is less than the electromagnetic wavelength of a SAW sensor radio wave. The sensing devices may be disposed in cavities of the chamber, the processing volume, on chamber components, and/or on the substrate. |
| US10656099B2 |
Monitoring method and monitoring apparatus of thimble bases
A monitoring method of a thimble base includes the following steps: arranging a reflective surface on a thimble head of a thimble base; arranging at least a light source and a receiver on the thimble base; establishing a reflection path between the thimble bases to project light onto the reflective surface of the thimble head of one of the thimble bases in the reflection path, so that light is reflected between the reflective surfaces and is finally reflected to the receiver. The disclosure also provides a monitoring apparatus of the thimble bases. The monitoring apparatus includes a carrying platform, thimble bases arranged in an array on the carrying platform, and at least one light projecting and receiving device. Compared with the prior art, the disclosure realizes real-time monitoring of the thimble bases, thereby avoiding the problem of fragmentation caused by deformation of the thimble bases. |
| US10656097B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating operation program of inspection system
An apparatus capable of quickly constructing an operation program that causes an inspection system to carry out an operation for imaging the surface to be inspected. This apparatus includes a drawing acquisition section configured to acquire drawing data of the workpiece, a designation receiving section configured to accept designation of the surface to be inspected in the drawing data, a target position acquisition section configured to acquire, as a target position, a position of the movement mechanism when the workpiece and the imaging section are positioned such that the surface to be inspected is within a field of view of the imaging section, and a program generation section configured to generate an operation program for controlling a movement operation of the movement mechanism and an imaging operation of the imaging section on the basis of the target position. |
| US10656095B2 |
Systems and methods for wavelength spectrum analysis for detection of various gases using a treated tape
An apparatus including a treated tape, an adjustable color source, a photodiode, and a processor is provided. The adjustable color source emits a first radiation toward the treated tape and operates at each of a plurality of different target wavelengths in a spectrum. The photodiode measures a second radiation reflected from the treated tape, and the processor analyzes measurements from the photodiode to determine a peak wavelength from the plurality of target wavelengths. Based on the peak wavelength, the processor determines a color and darkness of a color stain on the treated tape. Based on the determined color and darkness of the color stain, the processor also determines a type and concentration of gas to which the treated tape is exposed. |
| US10656093B2 |
Structures for surface enhanced Raman
In one example, a structure for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy includes a cluster of metal nanoparticles in a hole. |
| US10656091B2 |
Optical sensor for detecting a chemical species
An optical sensor (1) for detecting a chemical species includes a substrate (3), a mesoporous matrix (5) disposed on the substrate, and a microporous matrix (7) disposed within the mesoporous matrix. The microporous matrix (7) includes an indicator dye (9) dispersed therein, the indicator dye (9) exhibiting changes in its optical properties in response to the presence of the chemical species. This arrangement significantly increases the amount of dye present, while allowing the medium to be analyzed greater access through the porous structure, thereby increasing the performance of the sensor. |
| US10656089B2 |
Systems, devices, and methods for time-resolved fluorescent spectroscopy
Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for characterizing a biological sample in vivo or ex vivo in real-time using time-resolved spectroscopy. A light source generates a light pulse or continuous light wave and excites the biological sample, inducing a responsive fluorescent signal. A demultiplexer splits the signal into spectral bands and a time delay is applied to the spectral bands so as to capture data with a detector from multiple spectral bands from a single excitation pulse. The biological sample is characterized by analyzing the fluorescence intensity magnitude and/or decay of the spectral bands. The sample may comprise one or more exogenous or endogenous fluorophore. The device may be a two-piece probe with a detachable, disposable distal end. The systems may combine fluorescence spectroscopy with other optical spectroscopy or imaging modalities. The light pulse may be focused at a single focal point or scanned or patterned across an area. |
| US10656088B2 |
Ultraviolet biosensor
In some embodiments, a semiconductor biosensor includes a plurality of wells, a plurality of detectors, and processing circuitry. Each well is configured to hold a test sample and to allow the test sample to be irradiated with ultraviolet radiation. The plurality of detectors are configured to capture a spectral response of the test sample irradiated with the ultraviolet radiation. Each well is coupled directly onto a detector, and each detector includes a) a photodiode and b) a planar optical antenna tuned to a particular wavelength. The planar optical antenna is between the photodiode and the well. The processing circuitry is coupled to the plurality of detectors, the processing circuitry being configured to calculate an average spectral response for the plurality of detectors. |
| US10656087B2 |
Detection of fluid absorption spectrum
The present disclosure relates to a device for measuring an optical absorption property of a fluid as function of wavelength. The device comprises a broadband light source for emitting light, a plurality of integrated optical waveguides for guiding this light, and a light coupler for coupling the emitted light into the integrated optical waveguides such that the light coupled into each integrated optical waveguide has substantially the same spectral distribution. The device also comprises a microfluidic channel for containing the fluid, arranged such as to allow an interaction of the light propagating through each waveguide with the fluid in the microfluidic channel. Each integrated optical waveguide comprises an optical resonator for filtering the light guided by the waveguide according to a predetermined spectral component. The spectral component corresponding to each waveguide is substantially different from the spectral component corresponding to another of the waveguides. |
| US10656086B2 |
Measurement apparatus
A measurement apparatus measures an optical characteristic with high robustness and with a simple configuration. A measurement apparatus of the present invention measures optical characteristic of a sample. The measurement apparatus includes an irradiation unit to irradiate the sample with light emitted from a light source and transmitted through an opening member, an imaging unit to detect an image formed by the light irradiated by the irradiation unit and reflected by the sample, and a processing unit to obtain the optical characteristic of the sample on the basis of an output of the imaging unit. The opening member comprises plural openings through which the light emitted from the light source is transmitted, the irradiation unit irradiates the sample with the light transmitted through the plurality of openings, and the imaging unit detects an image formed by the light transmitted through the plurality of openings and reflected by the sample. |
| US10656083B2 |
Chirped laser dispersion spectroscopy sensitivity booster
A sensitivity boosted laser dispersion spectroscopy system for sensing a sample in a sample cell or in an open path crossing the sample. The system includes a local oscillator arm and a sample arm containing the sample cell or the open path crossing the sample. A laser source is configured to generate a first light beam directed along the sample arm and a second light beam, the second light beam being frequency shifted and directed along the local oscillator arm. An intensity modulator/phase modulator/frequency shifter is disposed in the sample arm configured to generate a multi-frequency beam having known frequency spacing which is then passed through the sample cell to generate a sample arm output. A beam combiner is configured to combine the sample arm output and the second light beam from the local oscillator arm and generate a combined beam. A photodetector is configured to detect the combined beam for sensing the sample in the sample cell. |
| US10656079B2 |
UV solid state detection and methods therefor
Devices, systems and methods for detecting molecules in a solid state using UV lights in a dry condition are provided. Interaction between a plurality of molecules, a conformational change of a molecule, a size difference between a plurality of molecules and a presence of a molecule can be detected in a dry environment by measuring a light absorption in at least one of light transmission mode and light reflection mode. In a preferred embodiment, the measurement of a light absorption is performed at a wavelength of ultraviolet light between 260 nm and 285 nm. |
| US10656075B2 |
Laser bond inspection system and method of laser bond inspection of a test article using thermochromatic energy-absorbing material
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. |
| US10656067B2 |
Measuring arrangement and method of directing and detecting particles
A measuring arrangement includes an electrostatic concentrator, a surface and an imaging sensor which are configured to detect particles. |
| US10656063B2 |
Pressure testing method and apparatus
The present disclosure provides a method for conducting a pressure test on an apparatus. The method may include selecting a maximum test pressure for the pressure test, providing a first volume of liquid in the enclosed space and estimating a volume of gas in the enclosed space. The method may further include calculating a volume of additional liquid necessary to bring the enclosed space to the maximum test pressure, providing the volume of additional liquid in the enclosed space, and observing pressure of the enclosed space. |
| US10656059B2 |
Method for qualitative and quantitative multiplexing of drug analytes from biological samples
A method for qualitative and quantitative multiplexing of drug analytes from dried blood samples includes the steps of mixing an Internal Standard solution with a first diluent in a vessel, adding the dried blood sample to the vessel, sonicating the vessel containing the Internal Standard solution, the first diluent and the dried blood sample, removing the dried blood sample from the vessel so that a final sample can be attained, and analyzing at least a portion of the final sample using one of LC-MS and LC-MS/MS to simultaneously determine the presence or absence of a plurality of different analytes in the dried blood sample. The Internal Standard solution can include at least 8, 15, 25 or 50 Internal Standards. The dried blood sample is generated using less than 50 μL, 20 μL or 10 μL of blood. The step of analyzing includes simultaneously determining the presence or absence of at least 15, 60, 90 or 130 different analytes. A ratio of the number of analytes for which the presence or absence is being determined to the number of Internal Standards in the Internal Standard solution is at least approximately 2:1. A ratio of the number of analytes for which the presence or absence is being determined to the volume (in μL) of the final sample being analyzed is at least approximately 2:1. A ratio of the number of analytes for which the presence or absence is being determined to the volume (in μL) of blood from which the dried blood sample was obtained is at least approximately 4:5. |
| US10656057B2 |
Biological sample processing systems and methods
This disclosure provides a biological sample processing system and methods for processing biological samples. The processing may include one or both of removing wax from wax-embedded biological samples and applying a reagent to biological samples. Aspects of the dewaxing technique and the technique for applying the reagent may be combined to achieve energy efficiencies. Additional efficiency may be achieved by recirculating heated reagent. A hybrid power system may use a source of stored power to supplement external power at times of peak demand. Uniform distribution of liquids across a surface of the biological samples may be achieved by self-leveling using an inclinometer. |
| US10656056B2 |
Fixative and staining solutions
The formulations, systems, and methods disclosed herein permit automated preparation of specimens (e.g., biological specimens) for examination. The disclosed formulations, systems, and methods provide fast, efficient, and highly uniform specimen processing using minimal quantities of fluids. The methods include at least a fixing phase for fixing a specimen to a substrate such as a microscope slide, a staining phase for staining the specimen, and a rinsing phase for rinsing the specimen. One or more of the fixing, staining, and rinsing phases include one or more agitation phases for distributing reagents evenly and uniformly across the specimen. The systems can be implemented as a standalone device or as a component in a larger system for preparing and examining specimens. |
| US10656055B2 |
Conveyor belt specification determining method
Provided is a conveyor belt specification determination method. Severity of a use condition of a conveyor belt is categorized into categories. A database in which a permissible range of prescribed characteristics of an upper cover rubber, including wear resistance and cut resistance, for each of the categories is set is created; a degree of influence of representative rubber physical properties, which affect the prescribed characteristics, of the upper cover rubber on the prescribed characteristics is ascertained; a category is identified from the use conditions of the conveyor belt on the basis of the database; an appropriate range of the representative rubber physical property is identified for which the prescribed characteristics are in the permissible range in the identified category; and a rubber type for which the rubber physical properties are in this appropriate range is selected as the upper cover rubber. |
| US10656053B2 |
Combination device for measuring tire temperature, pressure, and depth
A hand-held device for measuring tire pressure and temperature including a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, an optical pointer, a processor responsive to an output of the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor, and a display. The processor is configured to output a value on the display indicative of a measured tire pressure. |
| US10656047B2 |
Liquid leakage sensing device using electrolysis
The present invention relates to a liquid leakage sensing device that is capable of dividedly detecting water and chemical solutions in sensing liquid leakage using electrolysis, determining the kind of the leaking liquid detected, and being reused, not disposable. According to the present invention, the liquid leakage sensing device includes: a liquid leakage sensor (10) having a first electrode (11) and a second electrode (12) made of a conductive metal in such a manner as to be facedly spaced apart from each other by a given distance; a voltage/current amplifier (20) adapted to vary a voltage and a current to apply the varied voltage and current to the liquid leakage sensor (10); a current sensor (30) adapted to detect a value of current flowing between the electrodes of the liquid leakage sensor (10); and a controller (40) adapted to controlledly output a voltage applied between the first electrode (11) and the second electrode (12) of the liquid leakage sensor (10). |
| US10656046B2 |
Aseptic filter vent valve and port for integrity testing
The present disclosure relates to a filter capsule that supports direct integrity testing of an internal filter element. The filter capsule includes a filter housing having an inlet port, an outlet port, a passage running longitudinally between the inlet port and outlet port and holding a filter element, and an aseptic vent assembly. The filter housing also includes an integrity test assembly that can be used as a direct connection for integrity testing hardware, as opposed to upstream of the filter capsule. In one embodiment, the integrity test assembly comprises a body having a bore formed through its interior and a movable plunger within the bore. The plunger includes a handle to move the plunger between a closed position and an open position. Various seals between the plunger and the bore form a fluid tight seal between various portions of the plunger and the bore. |
| US10656039B2 |
Pressure sensor having overpressure protection with reduced output error
An apparatus includes a sensor body, a sensor configured to measure differential pressure, and first and second pressure inputs in or on the sensor body. The pressure inputs are configured to provide multiple input pressures to the sensor. Each pressure input includes a barrier diaphragm configured to move in response to pressure and an overload diaphragm configured to limit movement of the barrier diaphragm. The overload diaphragm is also configured to exert a preload force against the sensor body. The overload diaphragm of each pressure input may include multiple convolutions. Bases of the convolutions may be configured to provide the preload force, and tops of the convolutions may be separated from the sensor body by gaps. Tops of the convolutions that are non-adjacent may be configured to provide the preload force, and tops of the convolutions between the non-adjacent convolutions may be separated from the sensor body by gaps. |
| US10656034B2 |
Method for operating a driving simulator
The invention relates to a method for operating a driving simulator having the following steps: detecting a braking request in the driving simulator, in particular on the basis of actuation of a brake actuator; converting the detected braking request into at least one braking signal suitable for characterising the braking request; transmitting the at least one braking signal from the driving stimulator to a test bench on which are mounted at least part of a drivetrain with at least one axle section of a vehicle, in particular an axle half, and at least one brake associated with the at least one axle section; rotating the at least one axle section at a wheel speed which corresponds to a predefined speed of the vehicle; actuating the at least one brake of the vehicle on the basis of the at least one braking signal; setting a predefined torque or a predefined wheel speed of at least one axle section of the at least one dynamometer on the basis of properties of at least one component of the vehicle, in particular of the drivetrain, of the vehicle and/or of the entire vehicle, wherein the properties are at least partially simulated; detecting the actual wheel speed at a predefined torque or the actual torque at a predefined wheel speed; and outputting the actual wheel speed or the actual torque to the driving simulator. |
| US10656032B2 |
Temperature sensor in an integrated circuit and method of calibrating the temperature sensor
A temperature sensor configured to, after a predetermined number of stop counting assertions, determine the temperature dependent voltage and thus the temperature at the output of a counter. During a calibration phase, when a counter value is not equal to a test counter value in a pulse generator circuit, capacitance of the temperature sensor is adjusted until the counter value is equal to the test counter value. |
| US10656027B2 |
Electronic device and over-temperature detecting method
An electronic device includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a control circuit, and a sensing circuit. The control circuit is configured to determine whether over temperature occurs at one or more detecting points arranged at a first surface of the printed circuit board according to at least one voltage signal. The sensing circuit is arranged at a second surface opposite to the first surface of the printed circuit board and configured to sense the temperature of the one or more detecting points and correspondingly output the voltage signal to the control circuit. |
| US10656023B2 |
Temperature sensing device and temperature-voltage converter
A temperature sensing device includes a temperature-voltage converter that outputs a first voltage, having a zero temperature coefficient that does not vary with a temperature, and a second voltage having a negative temperature coefficient varying in inverse proportion to the temperature. A multiplexer alternately outputs the first voltage and the second voltage depending on a transition signal. A temperature sensor alternately receives the first voltage and the second voltage and senses the temperature depending on a ratio of the first voltage and the second voltage. |
| US10656019B2 |
Method of determining chromaticity rank of light emitting device
A method of determining a chromaticity rank of a light emitting device includes selecting the light emitting device having a chromaticity rank in a region surrounded by four defining points on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram. A ratio of a distance in a y-direction between, of the four defining points, two defining points furthest from each other in the y-direction to a distance in an x-direction between, of the four defining points, two defining points furthest from each other in the x-direction is 0.5 or less A peak light emission wavelength of the blue light emitting element is in a range of 447 to 452 nm, a peak light emission wavelength of the green light emitting element is in a range of 520 to 541 nm, and a peak light emission wavelength of the red light emitting element is in a range of 630 to 632 nm. |
| US10656017B2 |
On-board processing of hyperspectral data
Methods and systems to extract a spectrum of a hyperspectral interferogram, with innovative treatment of off-axis spectral correction and other features, which may be efficiently performed on-board a satellite. |
| US10656013B2 |
Nanostructure based article, optical sensor and analytical instrument and method of forming same
An apparatus includes a substrate transmissive of electromagnetic energy of at least a plurality of wavelengths, having a first end, a second end, a first major face, a second major face, at least one edge, a length, a width, and a thickness, at least a first nanostructure that selectively extracts electromagnetic energy of a first set of wavelengths from the substrate; and an input optic oriented and positioned to provide electromagnetic energy into the substrate via at least one of the first or the second major face of the substrate. Nanostructures can take the form of photonic crystal arrays, a plasmonic structure arrays, or holographic diffraction gratings. The apparatus may be part of a spectrometer. |
| US10656010B2 |
Interaction characteristics from a plurality of pixels
One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving a plurality of responses to an interaction occurring within a photon detector pixel array, wherein the photon detector pixel array comprises a plurality of pixels; identifying a subset of the plurality of pixels associated with the interaction, wherein each of the subset of the plurality of pixels corresponds to at least one of the plurality of responses; determining, from the plurality of responses, a characteristic of the interaction, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of: time, position, and energy of the interaction; recording the interaction associated with the at least one determined characteristic; collecting a plurality of recorded interactions and associated determined characteristics; selecting a subset of the plurality of recorded interactions, wherein the subset selection is based upon a restricted range of at least one determined characteristic; and forming an image from the selected subset of the plurality of recorded interactions. Other aspects are described and claimed. |
| US10656009B2 |
Context discrimination using ambient light signal
A system is configured to discriminate amongst different environments based in part on characteristics of ambient light. Ambient light intensity is measured using a light-sensitive element configured to generate an output signal indicative of an intensity of light incident on the light-sensitive element. A controller is configured to obtain a set of ambient light measurements using the light-sensitive element, and determine that the measurements correspond to a particular ambient light profile. The particular ambient light profile can be one of multiple ambient light profiles that each correspond to a different environment and/or context. |
| US10656002B2 |
Radar fill level measurement device comprising an integrated limit level sensor
A radar fill level measurement device includes a radar sensor unit which has comprising a radar antenna emitting a measurement signal towards a filling material surface. The radar fill level measurement device in addition includes a limit level sensor unit determining a fill level of the filling material. The limit level sensor unit detects when the spacing between the filling material surface and the radar antenna falls below a minimum spacing. A radar antenna arrangement is for a radar fill level measurement device. The radar antenna arrangement includes a radar antenna horn which has a housing and/or a cover, and a limit level sensor unit. At least part of the limit level sensor unit is arranged on the housing or on the cover or is integrated therein. |
| US10656000B2 |
Component mounting structure for gas meter and gas meter
A shutoff valve adaptor and a measuring unit adaptor are resin members and each of them has an elastically deformable hooking claw. Each of sheet metal members has a hooking target portion. The shutoff valve adaptor is mounted to the sheet metal member by a snap-fit portion comprising the hooking target portion and the hooking claw hooked to the hooking target portion, and the measuring unit adaptor is mounted to the sheet metal member. |
| US10655998B2 |
Dispensers and methods for using the same
A dispenser includes a dispenser body and a base, wherein the base is attached to the dispenser body and a piston in the base is seated in a fluid passage of the dispenser body to define a dispensing chamber which may be filled by movement of the dispenser body relative to the base and emptied by the return of the dispenser body to the original position relative to the base. |
| US10655993B2 |
Thermal flow meter including a cover mounted on a housing and where a bypass passage is formed by the cover and a bypass passage trench
The present invention has been made to improve measurement accuracy of a thermal flow meter. In the thermal flow meter according to the invention, a circuit package (400) that measures a flow rate is molded in a first resin molding process. In a second resin molding process, a housing (302) having an inlet trench (351), a bypass passage trench on frontside (332), an outlet trench (353), and the like are formed through resin molding, and an outer circumferential surface of the circuit package (400) produced in the first resin molding process is enveloped by a resin in the second resin molding process to fix the circuit package (400) to the housing (302). |
| US10655992B2 |
Anemometer
An apparatus for measuring airflow in an airstream includes a generally planar panel adapted to be placed in the airstream so that air passes over opposite surfaces of the panel. The panel includes at least one slot that extends through the panel. A hot-point element is mounted on one of the panel surfaces adjacent the at least one slot. The at least one slot is configured to permit air passing over the opposite surfaces to pass through the slot and become mixed together. The hot-point element is positioned on the panel so that the mixed air passes over the hot-point element. |
| US10655990B1 |
In-line ultrasonic attenuation end treatment for use with an ultrasonic gas flow meter
An end treatment for use with an ultrasonic gas flow meter includes an attenuation section having a pipe extending in a longitudinal direction and containing alternating sets of laterally spaced and vertically oriented first and second solid wall plates located between an inlet end and an outlet end of the pipe. One plate includes a first end connected to an inside wall of the pipe and another plate includes a second end that extends past a longitudinal centerline of the pipe to define a gap between the end of the plate and a respective opposing inside wall of the pipe. As the gas traverses the plates by flowing through the gaps, the ultrasonic waves are prevented from reflecting back to the flow meter. |
| US10655988B2 |
Watch with rotatable optical encoder having a spindle defining an array of alternating regions extending along an axial direction parallel to the axis of a shaft
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an optical encoder for an electronic device. The optical encoder includes a spindle and an encoded pattern disposed around a circumference of the spindle. The encoded pattern may include one or more surface features that create a direction-dependent reflective region. |
| US10655985B2 |
Method for detecting angle of rotation using automatic gain adjustment algorithm and apparatus thereof
A rotation angle detecting method includes detecting a first rotation angle based on a first measured magnetic value received from a first hall element, detecting a first magnetic value received from a second hall element corresponding to the first detected rotation angle, adjusting a gain based on a first difference value between a second measured magnetic value received from the second hall element, in response to one of the magnetic pieces being rotated at the first rotation angle, and the first magnetic value, redetecting a second rotation angle by applying the gain to the first magnetic value and redetecting a second magnetic value received from the second hall element, corresponding to the second rotation angle, and outputting the second rotation angle as a confirmed rotation angle in response to a second difference value between the second magnetic value and the second measured magnetic value becoming less than a delta value. |
| US10655976B2 |
System and method for making replenishment recommendation
A replenishment recommendation system (1) is provided with a recommendation generation trigger point computation unit (32) configured to compute a recommendation generation trigger point given as a remaining amount of energy that triggers an energy replenishment recommendation to the driver to replenish energy based on past remaining amounts stored in a storage unit, and a recommendation generation unit (33) configured to display a replenishment recommendation indication on a display unit when a current energy remaining amount of the vehicle has become equal to or less than the recommendation generation trigger point. The storage unit stores, as the past remaining amount, a remaining amount of energy of the vehicle when a replenishment intent switch (38) is operated by a driver. |
| US10655972B2 |
Method and device for operating a vehicle and a parking facility respectively
A method for operating a vehicle, in which a digital map of a parking facility and at least one target position in the parking facility are received by the vehicle via a communication network, positional data of one or more mobile object(s) located within the parking facility are received by the vehicle via the communication network, the vehicle navigates autonomously in the parking facility to the target position based on the digital map and the positional data of the one or the plurality of mobile object(s), and the vehicle parks itself autonomously at the target position. A device for operating a vehicle, a device and a method for operating a parking facility, and a computer program, are also described. |
| US10655971B1 |
Maintaining a trained neural network for mobile device RSS fingerprint based indoor navigation
A method and system of maintaining a trained neural network for mobile device indoor navigation and positioning. The method comprises: determining, in the processor, at a first location relative to a wireless signal source at a second location, a set of received signal strength (RSS) input parameters in accordance with a postulated RSS model, the processor implementing an input layer of a neural network, the set of RSS input parameters providing an RSS input feature to the input layer of the neural network; receiving a set of RSS measured parameters acquired at a mobile device positioned at the first location from the wireless signal source at the second location; computing, at an output layer of the trained neural network, an output error based on comparing the RSS input feature to an RSS output feature generated at the output layer, the RSS output feature being generated at least in part based on a matrix of weights associated with at least a first neural network layer; and if the output error exceeds a threshold value, re-training the neural network based at least in part upon re-initializing the matrix of weights associated with the at least a first neural network layer. |
| US10655963B2 |
Anchoring structure for a sensor insensitive to anchor movement
A MEMS sensor includes a substrate and a MEMS layer. A plurality of anchoring points within the MEMS layer suspend a suspended spring-mass system that includes active micromechanical components that respond to a force of interest such as linear acceleration, angular velocity, pressure, or magnetic field. Springs and rigid masses couple the active components to the anchoring points, such that displacements of the anchoring points do not substantially cause the active components within the MEMS layer to move out-of-plane. |
| US10655961B2 |
Systems and methods for determining an altitude error value associated with an estimated altitude of a mobile device
Determining an altitude error value associated with an estimated altitude of a mobile device. In certain disclosed systems and methods for determining an altitude error value associated with an estimated altitude of a mobile device, a first error value related to systematic error and a second error value related to statistical error are determined, and the altitude error value is determined using the first error value and the second error value. |
| US10655958B2 |
Systems and methods for determining rotation angles
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for determining rotation angles. The systems may perform the methods to: obtain a rotation speed of a radioactive scanning source in a CT scanner; obtain a plurality of original projection acquisition times corresponding to a plurality of projection samples, the plurality of projection samples being associated with rotation of the radioactive scanning source; determine a plurality of original rotation angles corresponding to the plurality of projection samples based on the plurality of original projection acquisition times and the rotation speed of the radioactive scanning source; and determine a plurality of modified rotation angles corresponding to the plurality of projection samples by modifying the plurality of original rotation angles. |
| US10655955B2 |
Time-space coding method and apparatus for generating a structured light coded pattern
The present disclosure provides a time-space coding method and apparatus for generating a structured light coded pattern. Different coded patterns are outputted in time division by driving different light-emitting points based on a regular light-emitting lattice so as to time-space label a target object or a projection space. This method effectively overcomes the limitations of the fact that in the prior art, a plurality of projectors is needed to project different patterns in time division when it is required to project time-space labels of a plurality of patterns. According to the present method, by driving different light-emitting elements on the light-emitting substrate, different coded patterns are formed, and by using a time-division output technology, time-space labeling of an object may be finalized with only one projector. Moreover, this method may significantly improve the accuracy and robustness of three-dimensional depth measurement through time-space coding with a depth decoding algorithm. |
| US10655954B2 |
Three-dimensional shape, displacement, and strain measurement device and method using periodic pattern, and program therefor
In a conventional moiré method, achieving both measurement accuracy and dynamic measurement and balancing field of view and measurement accuracy have been difficult. The present invention makes it possible to handle conventional moiré fringes as a grating for generating phase-shifted second-order moiré fringes, use a spatial phase shift method algorithm to accurately analyze the phases of the second-order moiré fringes before and after deformation, and determine shape from the phase differences between gratings projected onto the surface of an object of measurement and a reference surface and determine deformation and strain from the phase differences between the second-order moiré fringes, before and after deformation, of a repeating pattern on the object surface or a produced grating. As a result, it is possible to measure the three-dimensional shape and deformation distribution of an object accurately and with a wide field of view or dynamically and with a high degree of accuracy. |
| US10655953B2 |
Structural color changeable material and strain detection apparatus
A structural color changeable material includes a strain body and surface plasmon generating particles. In the strain body, a strain is produced by an external pressure or an internal change. The surface plasmon generating particles generate surface plasmon and are contained in the strain body. The surface plasmon is generated by an incident light with a wavelength of 2400 nm or less. A mean particle size of the surface plasmon generating particles is equal to or less than the wavelength of the incident light. The surface plasmon generating particles are periodically arranged parallel to an in-plane direction of a reflection surface of the incident light. |
| US10655952B2 |
Visualizer, measurement system, and measurement method
A state visualizer according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an optical member including a fixed part that has a fixed relative positional relationship with an object to be measured and a movable part that is movably supported by the fixed part and keeps a constant angle with respect to a gravity direction, the optical member retroreflecting a light or an electromagnetic wave in a case where the fixed part and the movable part are in a predetermined positional relationship. The optical member changes an intensity of the light or the electromagnetic wave reflected in a retroreflection direction in accordance with a change of a relative positional relationship between the fixed part and the movable part. |
| US10655948B2 |
Feature and depth measurement using multiple beam sources and interferometry
Systems and techniques for processing materials using wavelength beam combining for high-power operation in concert with interferometry to detect the depth or height of features as they are created. |
| US10655946B2 |
Automated rotation mechanism for spherically mounted retroreflector
An apparatus includes a kinematic nest that supports an element having a spherical surface, a rotation mechanism that rotates the element, and processor that activates the rotation mechanism. |
| US10655942B2 |
Reduced diameter bow fishing arrow
A bowfishing arrow shaft is provided with a carbon fiber bow fishing arrow providing an outer tube with an internal wire rope. In this regard the wire rope provides added weight while being ductile to prevent damage to the carbon fiber tube or holding a “kink” preventing the arrow from fully returning to a straight configuration after extreme flexure of the carbon fiber tube which would otherwise be accommodate. |
| US10655938B2 |
Aerosol generating system with means for disabling consumable
An aerosol generating system is provided, including: a storage portion for storing an aerosol-forming substrate, an aerosol generating element for generating an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate, control circuitry in communication with the storage portion, and disabling component within the storage portion for rendering the storage portion inoperable in the aerosol generating system in response to a disable signal from the control circuitry. There is also provided a method in an aerosol generating system, including sending a disable signal from the control circuitry to the disabling component following a determination that an amount of the aerosol-substrate in the storage portion is below a threshold level or following a determination of a malfunction in the system. |
| US10655936B2 |
Coordinating multiple missile targeting via optical inter-missile communications
Apparatus and associated methods relate to coordinating guided-missile targeting among multiple guided missiles using inter-missile optical communications. An inter-missile communications channel is optically established with a first guided missile illuminating a first target within a scene aligned along a first missile axis, and a second guided missile receiving the illumination reflected by the first target. By illuminating the first target within the scene, the first guided missile designates the first target. The second guided missile can be configured to navigate to the designated first target or to select a second target not designated by the first guided missile. In some embodiments, the second guided missile can be configured to illuminate its selected second target so as to designate the selected second target and to communicate the designation to other guided missiles. By facilitating communications among a plurality of guided missiles, missile targeting can be coordinated during a flight portion of a guided-missile operation. |
| US10655932B2 |
Dot sighting device
A dot sighting device includes a housing, a light source, a beam splitter and a reflective element. The housing has a first opening and a second opening. A first axis is defined from the first opening to the second opening. The light source emits light. The beam splitter includes a surface that reflects at least a portion of a first light component and transmits at least a portion of a second light component. The second light component is defined as light that enters the housing through the first opening. |
| US10655931B2 |
Holster with pushrod disengagement locking element
A holster having a holster body; a locking element having a first helical portion defining a first helical ramp surface and a second helical portion defining a second helical ramp surface, wherein the locking element is at least rotatable between a locking element engaged position, wherein at least a portion of the locking projection portion of the locking element protrudes into an at least partial cavity portion of the holster and a locking element disengaged position, wherein at least a portion of the locking projection portion of the locking element is withdrawn from the at least partial cavity portion; and a release lever attached or coupled to a pushrod, and wherein as the release lever is urged toward the locking element, interaction between a first end of the pushrod and the second helical ramp surface causes the locking element to rotate toward the release lever disengaged position. |
| US10655924B2 |
Cartridge magazine
A cartridge magazine is provided. The cartridge magazine may include a rib mounted on a vertical wall of the cartridge magazine. The cartridge may further include a ramp attached to a top of the rib. In another embodiment, the cartridge magazine may include an opening including spacer having a flat portion. The flat portion provides space for a cartridge of a particular caliber between the flat portion of the spacer and an opposing wall of the cartridge magazine. |
| US10655922B2 |
Laminated heat sink
A heat sink made from laminated plates and formed with spaced apart ribs and slits positioned so as to control circulation of refrigerant over the heat sink during cooling of an object by the heat sink. |
| US10655921B2 |
Tube heat exchange unit for internals of heat exchangers reactors
Tube-bundle heat exchange unit (1) for internals of heat exchangers or reactors, comprising: at least one tube bundle (2); a plurality of baffles (3) associated with said tube bundle and defining through-openings according to a predefined arrangement, each opening being passed through by one of more tubes of the tube bundle, and a shell (6) which surrounds said tube bundle and said baffles, wherein the assembly of the tube bundle and the shell can be disassembled and the shell is structurally collaborating with the tube bundle through said baffles. |
| US10655919B2 |
Cooling member and power storage module
An enclosing member including a sheet member connected in a liquid tight manner, refrigerant enclosed in the enclosing member, and an absorbing member arranged in the enclosing member and absorbing the refrigerant. The enclosing member includes a condensation section where the refrigerant that is in a gaseous state is condensed, and in the condensation section, the absorbing member is attached on at least a lower section of an inner surface of the enclosing member with respect to a vertical direction. |
| US10655916B2 |
Method for non-destructive testing for a refractory part
A method for testing the internal structure of a refractory part, has the following steps: a) by a transmission antenna, sending at least one electromagnetic wave, termed a “pulse”, into the refractory part to be tested; b) by a reception antenna, receiving the pulse after reflection thereof by a reflecting zone of the refractory part; c) analyzing the time offset between the two preceding steps in order to deduce the position, in the refractory part, of the reflecting zone, the pulse having a duration less than or equal to 0.5 nanoseconds. |
| US10655914B2 |
Portable modular dryer device
The present invention provides methods and systems for a portable modular drying device that includes a distributing manifold for receiving a blower device that distributes air through the device, and at least one drying manifold having a first end, a second end, and at least one opening between the first end and the second end for distributing the drying air selectively secured to the distributing manifold. The device further includes at least one drying hose or glove tube selectively secured to the at least one opening of the at least one drying manifold. |
| US10655913B2 |
Method for energy storage with co-production of peaking power and liquefied natural gas
A method for energy storage which integrates charging a liquid in an energy storage facility through consumption of a power from the grid with reduction pressure of natural gas through expander at the co-located city gate station and includes recovery of mechanical power of the natural gas expander and cold thermal energy of the expanded natural gas for an increase in production of liquid air per each kW of low-demand power consumed from the grid during off-peak hours. |
| US10655900B2 |
Air-conditioning apparatus
Provided is an air-conditioning apparatus configured so that a decrease in a refrigeration capacity can be suppressed without increasing the amount of refrigerant with which a refrigerant circuit is filled and that refrigerant can be suitably stored during a pump down operation. The air-conditioning apparatus includes a first on-off valve provided at a pipe between an expansion valve and a use side heat exchanger, a bypass branching from a pipe between the expansion valve and the first on-off valve and connected to a pipe at a suction-side of a compressor, and a refrigerant storage unit configured to store the refrigerant having passed through the bypass. In a pump down operation in which the compressor operates with the first on-off valve being in a closed state, the refrigerant having flowed out from the heat source side heat exchanger flows into the bypass, and then, is stored in the refrigerant storage unit. |
| US10655898B2 |
Refrigerant processing device and refrigeration air conditioning system
A refrigerant processing device includes a main body, and a pipe and a narrow tube that feed a refrigerant into and out of the main body. The main body has a cylindrical body part, and upper and lower end wall parts that close both ends of the cylindrical body part. The pipe passes through the lower end wall part, and extends along a central axis of the cylindrical body part. The narrow tube passes through the upper end wall part. A first spiral groove extending in a spiral shape with respect to the central axis is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body part. A second spiral groove extending in a spiral shape with respect to the central axis and a linear groove extending in a direction of the central axis are formed on an outer circumferential surface of the pipe. |
| US10655891B2 |
Gas valve control system for a water heater
A system and method of operating a gas fuel valve control circuit are disclosed. The gas valve control circuit includes a gas valve assembly configured to control a flow of a fuel gas to a load and a switch assembly including a switch in each leg of a plurality of legs of a power supply to the gas valve assembly. The switch assembly is configured to supply power and a return to the gas valve assembly in a first position and to open the plurality of legs of the power supply to the gas valve assembly in a second position. The switch assembly is configured to indicate a position of the switch assembly. |
| US10655890B2 |
Tankless electric water heater
A tankless electric water heater system including a heating chamber having an inlet at a first end and an outlet at a second end, a heating element connected to the heating chamber, a first temperature sensor disposed near the first end of the heating chamber, a second temperature sensor disposed near the second end of the heating chamber, a flow sensor configured to detect a flow of water and disposed near the heating chamber, and a controller connected to the first and second temperature sensors, the flow sensor, and the heating element. The controller is configured to have a set point temperature, to detect temperature and flow data from the first and second temperature sensors, and the flow sensor, and to provide as output a power setting to the heating element. |
| US10655887B2 |
Ventilating device
A ventilating device includes: a frame formed with an external profile; an air inlet provided in the frame; an air outlet provided in the frame; an air blower for guiding air from the air inlet to the air outlet; a control circuit board connected to the air blower and configured to control operation of the air blower; and a circuit board box for housing the control circuit board; wherein the circuit board box comprises an integrally formed sensor storage unit for storing a sensor connected to the control circuit board and capable of sensing humidity or temperature. The ventilating device of the present disclosure may use less components, facilitate assembly and disassembly of components, and improve convenience in maintenance. |
| US10655878B2 |
Variable refrigerant flow system with sub-cooling temperature optimization using extremum-seeking control
A variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system for a building. The VRF system includes at least one outdoor VRF unit configured to heat or cool a refrigerant for use in heating or cooling the building. The at least one outdoor VRF unit includes a sub-cooler and a bypass expansion valve configured to control a flow of the refrigerant through the sub-cooler and an extremum-seeking controller configured to generate a sub-cooling temperature setpoint for the at least one outdoor VRF unit. The extremum-seeking controller is configured to determine a total power consumption of the at least one outdoor VRF unit, generate a sub-cooling temperature setpoint for the at least one outdoor VRF unit using an extremum-seeking control technique that drives the total power consumption toward an extremum, and use the sub-cooling temperature setpoint to operate the at least one outdoor VRF unit. |
| US10655877B2 |
Evaporator coil protection for HVAC systems
According to certain embodiments, a system comprises a controller and an HVAC system with components comprising an evaporator unit comprising an evaporator coil, an indoor fan, and a discharge air duct and a condenser unit comprising a compressor, a condenser coil, and an outdoor fan. The system is configured to determine that a first or a second level of evaporator coil freeze risk is present and to communicate an instruction to the HVAC system with a first or a second action to counteract the freeze risk. For example, in certain embodiments, the actions comprise changing the indoor fan speed, changing the compressor speed, and changing the outdoor fan speed. |
| US10655876B1 |
Dynamically programmable thermostat
Programmable controller technology, in which data is received that identifies a particular type of HVAC system component that is to be controlled by a programmable controller. Based on receiving data identifying the particular type of HVAC system component, configuration information is accessed for the particular type of HVAC system component. A configuration is determined for one or more interface ports of the programmable controller based on the configuration information for the particular type of HVAC system component. The interface ports of the programmable controller are configured according to the determined configuration. A connection between the particular type of HVAC system component and the programmable controller that satisfies the determined configuration is detected. Based on detecting the connection between the particular type of HVAC system component and the programmable controller that satisfies the determined configuration, the particular type of HVAC system component is controlled through the one or more interface ports. |
| US10655867B2 |
System and method for operating a packaged terminal air conditioner unit
A packaged terminal air conditioner unit (PTAC) and methods for operating the same are provided. A PTAC controller is operably coupled to a proximity indication device for detecting that a proximity trigger condition exists and is configured for adjusting an operating parameter of the PTAC to adjust an outlet temperature of a flow of discharge air in response to determining that the proximity trigger condition exists. The proximity trigger condition may exist when a proximity sensor detects an occupant close to the PTAC, when a user input button is activated, or when a voice command is received. |
| US10655864B2 |
Deep-embossed sump and heating element for an oven
A cooking appliance is provided having a cooking cavity with an opening defined at its base. The cooking appliance also includes a modular accessory that is reversibly receivable in said opening. The modular accessory defines a sump space that extends below the base of the cooking cavity through said opening. The modular accessory can be a modular sump; or it can be a steamer, a water-basin for steaming and/or sous-vide cooking, a holder for briquettes or wood chips used to smoke food, a plate-warming compartment, a pizza stone or a grill rack. The appliance can further include a heating element that extends outside and adjacent to a sidewall of said modular accessory, partially surrounding said modular accessory. |
| US10655860B2 |
Thrust increasing device
A thrust increasing device includes: a fuel injector that ejects fuel toward a jet flow; an ignition device that is disposed downstream from the fuel injector; a cylindrical duct that surrounds a combustion region; a flame holder that is disposed in the duct; and a swirling flow generating part that maintains an axial flow of the jet flow in an axial direction of the duct in an outer region of the duct in a radial direction inside the duct and that converts the jet flow to a swirling flow centered on an axis of the duct in an inner region of the duct in the radial direction inside the duct. |
| US10655855B2 |
Gas turbine engine wall assembly with support shell contour regions
A wall assembly for a combustor of a gas turbine engine is provided. The wall assembly includes a support shell with a contoured region to define at least one convergent passage between the support shell and a multiple of liner panels. A method of cooling a wall assembly for a combustor of a gas turbine engine is also provided. This method includes a step of directing cooling air into at least one convergent passage between the support shell and a multiple of liner panels. |
| US10655853B2 |
Combustor liner panel with non-linear circumferential edge for a gas turbine engine combustor
A combustor for a gas turbine engine including a forward liner panel mounted to a support shell via a multiple of studs, the forward liner panel including an aft non-linear circumferential edge and an aft liner panel mounted to the support shell via a multiple of studs, the aft liner panel including a forward non-linear circumferential edge that is complementary to the aft non-linear circumferential edge. |
| US10655852B2 |
Ship having plurality of fuel lines
This ship includes a ship body, a fuel tank chamber, a stern-side engine room, a bow-side engine room, a main fuel line and a sub-fuel line, and a pump mechanism. The main fuel line connects a fuel tank, a stern-side power generation unit, and a bow-side power generation unit through the bow-side engine room. The sub-fuel line connects at least the fuel tank and the stern-side power generation unit, and is disposed through a section different from the bow-side engine room through which the main fuel line passes. The pump mechanism selectively feeds fuel into the main fuel line or the sub-fuel line from the fuel tank. |
| US10655848B2 |
Premixing apparatus, heat source apparatus, and water heater
A premixing apparatus includes a mixing unit, an air supply adjusting unit, and a gas switching unit. The mixing unit draws a fuel gas in the mixing unit by supplied air to mix the fuel gas and the supplied air with each other. The air supply adjusting unit applies a load on the supplied air flowing toward the mixing unit and switches the load. The gas switching unit switches a gas amount of the fuel gas to be supplied to the mixing unit. |
| US10655846B2 |
Gas burner assembly for a cooktop appliance
A gas burner assembly for a cooktop appliance is provided including a lower body and an upper body positioned over the lower body to define a boost burner chamber. A first plurality of projections extends upward from the lower body and a second plurality of projections extends downward from the upper body. The second plurality of projections are interposed between the first plurality of projections to define a plurality of burner ports in fluid communication with the boost burner chamber. In this manner, burner ports are easily manufactured and define a larger height-to-width aspect ratio for improved burner performance. |
| US10655843B2 |
Smart candle platform and system
A Smart Candle Platform may be configured to produce candle light using a natural wax candle as its fuel source or any other fuel source capable of producing light, including liquid fuels if so configured. The outer shell, inner cover, top cover and base provides a beautiful exterior shell which does not melt but emulates the look of a traditional pillar candle. The outer shell may be changeable/replaceable allowing for style and or seasonal changes. A Smart Candle Platform having multiple interactive systems and sensors for production of natural light via a safe, controllable device which may communicate with other similar configured devices or smart devices having application software embedded therein i.e. a smart phone having an app. is disclosed. The Smart Candle Platform may be configured to allow for auto-extinguishment. The Smart Candle Platform may be configured to allow for the addition of smells or scents. |
| US10655840B2 |
Touch sensor assembly and door including the same
A household appliance as described herein includes a front panel forming an exterior, a display window formed with a plurality of through holes having minute or fine sizes formed at the front panel, and the plurality of through holes are filled with a urethane coating liquid including an anti-foaming agent. |
| US10655839B2 |
Light source unit
A light source unit disclosed in an embodiment of the invention includes: a first cover having an open region at an upper portion and a recess in which a lower portion is opened; a second cover coupled to the lower portion of the first cover; a light source module disposed between the first and second covers and having a circuit board and a light emitting device on the circuit board; a waterproof film disposed on the light emitting device and facing an upper surface of the circuit board; and first and second gaskets on the upper surface of the circuit board. The first cover and the second cover are coupled to each other by protrusions and grooves and are bonded to each other by a bonding portion. |
| US10655837B1 |
Light fixture assembly having a heat conductive cover with sufficiently large surface area for improved heat dissipation
A light fixture assembly including an illumination assembly in the form of one or more light emitting diodes is interconnected to an electrical energy source by control circuitry. A mounting assembly supports the illumination assembly and a cover structure is disposed in heat transferring relation to the illumination assembly, wherein the cover structure, which has an enlarged surface area formed of a heat conductive material, defines a decorative exterior of the light fixture and is disposed exterior of a mounting surface, thereby effectively dissipating the heat generated by the LED illumination assembly towards the environment being illuminated by the light fixture. |
| US10655836B2 |
LED lamp having lamp cover with inner reflecting surface and outer reflecting surface
An LED lamp includes: a lamp shell; a passive heat dissipating element having a heat sink, wherein the heat sink comprises fins and a base; a power source; a light emitting surface connected to the heat sink of the passive heat dissipating element and comprising LED chips; a first heat dissipating channel formed in a first chamber of the lamp shell; a second heat dissipating channel formed in the heat sink and between the fins and the base of the heat sink; and a lamp cover connected with the heat sink and having a light output surface, an end surface, an inner reflecting surface disposed inside the light output surface of the lamp cover and an outer reflecting surface disposed in the outer circle of the array of the LED chips; wherein a relationship as follows is satisfied between the LED chips and the inner and outer reflecting surface: (A1/N1):(A2/N2)=0.4˜1; where A1 and A2 respectively represent area of the inner and outer reflecting surface; where N1 and N2 respectively represent number of the innermost and outermost of the array of LED chips of the light emitting surface. |
| US10655833B2 |
Antennae for hazardous location light fixtures
A light fixture can include a housing comprising at least one wall that forms a cavity, wherein the housing complies with applicable standards for a hazardous environment. The light fixture can also include an antenna assembly disposed on an outer surface of the housing. The antenna assembly can provide communication with another device within the hazardous environment without compromising the applicable standards for the hazardous environment. |
| US10655830B2 |
Device for remote light switch control
An adapter that provides a remote control capability for a light switch is mounted on a support structure (e.g. a wall), and includes a base plate which is also mounted on the support structure to surround the ON/OFF mechanism of the light switch. A cover which can be selectively attached to the base plate establishes an enclosed space between the base plate and the cover. A connector is mounted on the adapter in the enclosed space to interact mechanically with the ON/OFF mechanism of the light switch. The connector also interacts electronically with an activator that is positioned at a remote location. In operation, the connector at the adapter is responsive to an input signal from the remotely located activator that will operate the ON/OFF mechanism. Alternatively, the ON/OFF mechanism can be disconnected from the activator and operated manually. |
| US10655827B2 |
Junction box for LED drivers
Junction boxes for enclosing and making electrical connections to LED drivers are disclosed. The junction boxes include a bottom or base and a cover. Dividers arising from the base divide the junction box into high-voltage and low-voltage compartments. A cut-out open at the top of each divider allows drivers to be placed in a junction box without having to pull wires through holes or openings. Typically, the base is open along one long sidewall, with the cover being L-shaped to complete the enclosure. Various mounting mechanisms are disclosed for securing drivers within junction boxes. |
| US10655826B2 |
Illumination device
An illumination device includes a supporting base, and a light-emitting element inserted in the supporting base. The light-emitting element includes a substrate having a supporting surface and a side surface, a light-emitting chip disposed on the supporting surface, and a first wavelength conversion layer covering the light-emitting chip and only a portion of the supporting surface without covering the side surface. |
| US10655824B1 |
Fixing structure for light strip
A fixing structure for a lighting strip is provided to improve upon the inconvenience in repair of the conventional fixing structure for a light strip. The fixing structure for the lighting strip includes a case provided with a groove, a lighting assembly located in the groove, and a light guiding member received in the groove and covering the lighting assembly. |
| US10655823B1 |
SSL lighting apparatus
A lighting apparatus includes a light-diffusive panel that has opposing first and second faces bounded by one or more sides. A first conductor is disposed on the first face of the light-diffusive panel and proximate a first side of the one or more sides. A second conductor is disposed on the second face of the light-diffusive panel and proximate the first side. A first plurality of solid-state lighting (SSL) elements have light emitting portions that face a second side that is adjacent to the first side of the light-diffusive panel. The first plurality of SSL elements are electrically coupled to the first conductor and to the second conductor. |
| US10655822B2 |
Configurable optical module and LED assembly
An optical module (30) for a LED assembly (1) is disclosed. The optical module comprises a plurality of optical elements (31) and a plurality of mounting structures (40), each mounting structure comprising a stepped arrangement of mounting elements, in which each mounting element defines a step of the stepped arrangement, each step defining a different mounting height for the optical module. Also disclosed are a LED assembly including such an optical module, a luminaire including such a LED assembly and a method of assembling such a LED assembly. |
| US10655820B2 |
Rotationally adjustable wall wash luminaire
A wall wash luminaire includes a trim assembly that has a trim and a light re-direction assembly. The light re-direction assembly includes a reflector kicker that is configured to re-direct light from the wall wash luminaire and an optical lens that is coupled to the reflector kicker such that the reflector kicker and the optical lens operate as a single unit. The light re-direction assembly is removably coupled to the trim such that the light re-direction assembly is slidingly rotatable with respect to the trim and 360 degrees about a central axis of the trim assembly. |
| US10655817B2 |
Light emitting apparatus
A light emitting apparatus includes a light source, a thin plate-shaped mirror unit which guides light from the light source, and a tension imparting means which imparts tension to the mirror unit. The tension imparting means may have at least any one of a first tension imparting mechanism which imparts tension in a first direction toward the light source along a surface of the mirror unit and a second tension imparting mechanism which imparts tension in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and further, the tension imparting mechanism may have at least any one of a third tension imparting mechanism which imparts tension in a third direction in parallel with the light source along the surface of the mirror unit and a fourth tension imparting mechanism which imparts tension in a fourth direction opposite to the third direction. |
| US10655815B2 |
Quantum dot-based lighting devices for animal husbandry and aquariums
A lighting fixture for promoting the development of animals comprises a backlight, such as an LED or an array of LEDs, and a series of one or more retractable, rotatable or interchangeable lenses comprising quantum dots, such that the color and/or color temperature of the light emitted by the lighting fixture can be altered and optimized during animal development. A lighting fixture adapted for use on an aquarium may be in the form factor of a standard fluorescent tube and comprise one or more LEDs and a quantum dot-containing film for down-converting at least a portion of the light emitted by the LEDs so as to provide optimum wavelengths for photosynthesis by aquarium plants while simultaneously providing attractive display lighting for the aquarium fish. |
| US10655814B2 |
Vehicle luminaire and vehicle lamp device
A vehicle luminaire includes: a flange; a mount portion provided with a housing portion opened to an end opposite to the flange side; a board provided inside the housing portion; at least one light-emitting element provided on the board; at least one resistance provided on the board and electrically connected to the light-emitting element; at least one control element provided on the board and electrically connected to the light-emitting element, the control element having an electric resistance increasing as a temperature rises; and a temperature control unit configured to control heat generated from at least one of the light-emitting element and the resistance and transferred to the control element via the board or via the board and the mount portion. |
| US10655811B2 |
Vehicle light with portions at different luminance levels
A vehicle light comprising a container body and a lenticular body joined at least partially to close the container body, wherein the container body delimits a containment seat housing at least one light source that faces at least one light guide having a light guide body shaped to receive the light beam from a light input wall, and to transmit it to a light output wall and from this to a main light emission portion of the lenticular body. At least first extractor elements are placed between the light input wall and the light output wall, which extract a first extracted portion of the light beam emitted by the light source and direct it onto first reflecting elements separate from the light guide. The first reflecting elements reflect the first extracted portion towards the lenticular body at a first auxiliary light emission portion, separate from said main emission portion. |
| US10655809B1 |
Vehicle lamp
A vehicle lamp having a light assembly and reflector assembly is provided. The light assembly has a light emitting diode (LED) mounted on a substrate to emit first and second solid angles. A reflective recycling surface is mounted on the substrate adjacent to the LED. The reflector assembly has a first reflector having a macro-focal reflective surface extending at the first solid angle relative to the LED and defines an output light pattern along an output optical axis. A second reflector has an ellipsoid reflective surface extending at the second solid angle relative to the LED and has a first focal point oriented at the LED and a second focal point oriented at the recycling surface. The second reflector reflects light emitted from the LED in the second solid angle back to the recycling surface. The recycling surface reflects light from the second reflector to be incident the first reflector. |
| US10655807B2 |
Method and apparatus for vehicle lighting
Aspects of the disclosure provide a lighting apparatus. The lighting apparatus includes a first light source, a second light source and a reflector. The first light source is configured to emit first light in a first direction. The second light source is configured to emit second light in a second direction with a tilt angle to the first direction. The reflector is configured to have a reflection surface. The reflection surface has a first portion that reflects the first light and a second portion that reflects the second light. |
| US10655803B2 |
Linear light emitting diode luminaires
A minimally complex, low cost/economical luminaire that distributes point source light for general lighting applications, the luminaire having a substrate with a linear array of discrete light sources positioned to emit light into an air-filled cavity and a light redirecting assembly on the other side the air-filled cavity, the assembly comprising a clear, light transmissive rigid cover and a clear, light transmissive semi-rigid flexible film positioned between the cover and the substrate, wherein the film is non-adhesively secured within the luminaire and flexed to generally conform to the shape of the cover and wherein the surface of the film facing into the air-filled cavity comprises an array of optical relief structures extending into the air-filled cavity. |
| US10655802B2 |
Tangle-resistant decorative lighting assembly
A tangle-resistant decorative lighting assembly, comprising: a main portion including a plurality of wires and connectors, including first and second connectors and first and second lighted-extension portions extending transversely from the main portion. The first lighted extension portion including: a first connector configured to detachably connect to the first connector of the main portion, a first plurality of wires connected to the first connector, and a first plurality of lamp assemblies connected to the first plurality of wires. The second lighted-extension portion including: a second connector configured to detachably connect to the second connector of the main portion, a second plurality of wires connected to the second connector, and a second plurality of lamp assemblies connected to the second plurality of wires. The first connector of the main portion comprises a lock portion configured to engage with a lock portion of the first connector of the first lighted-extension portion. |
| US10655801B2 |
Light emitting device and vehicular lamp comprising same
A light emitting device and a vehicular lamp are provided. The light emitting device comprises: a first light emitting unit; a second light emitting unit separated from the first light emitting unit; and a sidewall surrounding side surfaces of the first and second light emitting units while adjoining the side surfaces of the first and second light emitting units, wherein the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit emit light have different peak wavelengths. |
| US10655799B2 |
Optical device alignment and identification
An LED module of a lighting device includes an optic that includes one or more internal lenses, which are to be rotationally aligned with corresponding LEDs held within the module. In order to correctly rotationally align the LEDs with the lenses, the module includes one or more notches in the end of the module, which line up with and receive corresponding detents formed on the exterior surface of the optic. When the optic is mounted in the module with the detents in the notches, the LEDs line up with the lenses. Additionally, the side surface of the optic includes indicia indicating a characteristic of the optic, e.g., the lens' angles. |
| US10655796B2 |
Light bulb apparatus
A light bulb apparatus has a plurality of LED modules, a substrate, a driver circuit board, a plastic piece, a radiator and a lamp cap. The substrate has aluminum material for mounting the plurality of LED modules, a first connection end and a second connection end. The first connection end and the second connection end are electrically connected to the plurality of LED modules. The plastic piece with a guiding groove is used for inserting the driver circuit board. The radiator has a top plate and a side wall. The substrate is fixed on the top plate, and the side wall are connected to the plastic piece. |
| US10655795B2 |
Conductive driver board for light bulb
A light bulb is disclosed, and includes a screw shell defining a cavity, a screw shell insulator, and a driver board. The screw shell insulator defines a passageway that terminates in an aperture. The driver board includes a positive leg that projects from a proximal edge of the driver board, with a proximal end portion that protrudes outside of the aperture, and a negative leg that projects from the proximal edge of the driver board, with a proximal end portion that is electrically connected to the screw shell. The positive leg is configured to extend through the passageway to make electrical contact with a positive terminal of a light socket. Variants in which a base shell and the legs are configured for bayonet type, multifaceted reflector, and T8-like bases are also disclosed. |
| US10655793B2 |
LED lighting apparatus
An LED lighting apparatus is disclosed. The LED lighting apparatus includes a board having a principal surface, a plurality of LED chips mounted on the principal surface of the board, and a wiring pattern which is formed on the principal surface of the board and makes electrical conduction with the plurality of LED chips. Further, the LED lighting apparatus includes a frame-like bank which is provided on the principal surface of the board and surrounds the plurality of LED chips. In this case, the wiring pattern has one or more pads having a first portion interposed between the bank and the plurality of LED chips. The LED lighting apparatus further includes a protective layer covering at least a portion of the pads. |
| US10655791B2 |
Luminous means having LEDs
The present disclosure relates to a luminous means having a cap and an outer bulb in which LEDs are arranged on a flat multilayer substrate which is constructed, at least in regions, from at least two substrate layers between two outside surfaces which are opposite one another, wherein the at least two substrate layers are formed from a flat substrate sheet which is laid back on itself, and wherein the LEDs are mounted on a side surface of the substrate sheet, which at least proportionally forms the two outside surfaces of the multilayer substrate in each case on account of the substrate sheet being laid back, in such a manner that at least one of the LEDs is mounted in each case on both of the two outside surfaces of the multilayer substrate. |
| US10655790B2 |
Lighting device
A lighting device (1, 11, 21) comprising a substrate (4, 14, 24), a plurality of light sources (3, 13, 23), and a housing (2, 12, 22) of a light transmissive material. The substrate has a first side (4a, 14a, 24a) and a second side (4b, 14b, 24b) and the plurality of light sources are arranged on the first side of the substrate. The light sources have a common general output direction. The housing is arranged to transmit light surrounding the substrate, having a first portion (2a, 12a, 22a) of said housing and a second portion (2b, 12b, 23b) of the housing arranged substantially opposite the first portion with respect to the substrate. The plurality of first optical elements (6, 16, 26) may be arranged substantially opposite the output direction of the plurality of light sources along the first portion of the housing facing the first side of the substrate. The substrate is adapted to allow transmission of light. The plurality of first optical elements are arranged to transmit part of the light emitted by the light sources and reflect part of the light emitted by the light sources through the substrate towards the second portion of the housing. |
| US10655787B2 |
Valve mechanism for high pressure tank and valve device for high pressure tank
A valve mechanism includes a first plunger, a second plunger, a seal member, and a valve element. The first plunger has a thread engaging with a threaded portion provided on an inner wall of the flow passage. The first plunger is movable along the axis by rotating around the axis. The second plunger has a first end and a second end. The first end engages with the first plunger such that the first plunger is relatively rotatable with respect to the second plunger. The second plunger is movable along the axis by rotating the first plunger. The seal member is provided to surround the second plunger. The valve element has a back end engaging with the second end such that the valve element is movable along the axis according to movement of the second plunger so as to be seated on and separated from a valve seat. |
| US10655785B2 |
Motor vehicle with a cryogenic pressure vessel and method for refuelling a cryogenic pressure vessel of a motor vehicle
A method is provided for refueling a cryogenic pressure vessel of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has: a) a cryogenic pressure vessel having an internal vessel which stores a fluid, an external vessel and heat insulation which is arranged between the internal vessel and the external vessel, at least in certain areas; and b) a controller, wherein the controller is designed to interrupt refueling of the motor vehicle if, in the case of damaged thermal insulation, a lower fluid density limiting value for the fluid in the internal vessel is exceeded. The lower fluid density limiting value is lower than an upper fluid density limiting value for the fluid in the internal vessel in the case of refueling of the internal vessel with intact thermal insulation. |
| US10655784B2 |
Gas supply device and gas supply method
A gas supply device includes a storage container that accumulates liquefied gas, a vaporizer for vaporizing liquefied gas derived from the storage container, a compression device that compresses gas vaporized from the liquefied gas in the vaporizer, a pressure accumulator that accumulates gas compressed in the compression device, and a supply path linked to a dispenser from the pressure accumulator. |
| US10655781B2 |
Mounting structure for placing rack
A mounting structure for a placing racket mainly includes a fixing frame including a circular arc seat and an opposite circular arc seat in connection therewith; at least one flexible cushion body is configured between the both seats, and the circular arc seat is formed with a rotatable assembly including a rotatable seat, engagement groove, at least one first joint and an engagement element, where the rotatable assembly is movably connected to a placing seat having an engagement seat and limiting mechanism adapted to be operated in coordination with the rotatable assembly. Whereby, the circular arc seat and opposite circular arc seat can be engaged with each other to fix on a tube, the different number of flexible cushion bodies may be placed to fit different sizes of tubes to facilitate the stable fixation, and the rotatable assembly is used to rotate the placing seat with the limiting mechanism. |
| US10655780B2 |
Adaptive mounting bracket assembly
A mounting bracket assembly is configured to securely couple to a structure. The mounting bracket assembly includes a securing cradle defining a securing chamber, a pivot arm that pivotally couples to the securing cradle through a first hinge, and a locking arm that pivotally couples to the pivot arm through a second hinge. The pivot arm and the locking arm are configured to pivotally move via the first hinge and the second hinge into an over-center securing position within the securing chamber to securely lock the mounting bracket assembly to the structure. |
| US10655775B2 |
Expandable sockets for use with portable media players
An expandable socket for attachment to a portable media player or a portable media player case. The expandable socket generally includes a platform, a skin coupled to the platform, a button coupled to the skin opposite the platform, and a biasing element. The skin includes an outer wall, an inner wall spaced radially inward of the outer wall, and a cavity defined by the inner wall, wherein the skin is deformable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The biasing element is arranged within the cavity of the skin between the platform and the button, such that the biasing element is at least partially surrounded by the inner wall of the skin. The biasing element is configured to bias the skin into the expanded configuration. |
| US10655773B2 |
Structure for forming fluid path
A structure for forming a fluid path is provided. The structure for forming a fluid path according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a body configured with first and second fluid paths which communicate with each other, and a third fluid path which is provided at a position, at which the first and second fluid paths are connected to each other, and communicates with the first and second fluid paths, and includes one or more among a first ball which is able to be disposed in the first fluid path, a second ball which is able to be disposed in the second fluid path, and a third ball which is able to be disposed in the third fluid path, wherein a diameter of the first fluid path is greater than that of the second fluid path, and the second ball is able to be disposed in the second fluid path by passing the first fluid path. |
| US10655772B2 |
Assembly comprising an end-fitting and an unbonded flexible pipe
The present invention relates to an assembly including an end-fitting and an unbonded flexible pipe, which end-fitting is adapted for connecting the unbonded flexible pipe to a connector. The end-fitting has a through-going opening with a centerline and a front end and a rear end, and the end-fitting further provides for establishing an electrical connection to a least one electrical heating system in the unbonded flexible pipe. Moreover, the end-fitting includes at least one first metallic part having a first surface contacting a second surface of at least one second part in the end-fitting, wherein the first surface of the first metallic part, at least in the vicinity of the through-going opening, includes a coating having a high electrically resistivity. The invention also relates to a method for providing an end-fitting having good properties in respect of reducing galvanic corrosion. |
| US10655769B1 |
Safety lock for cam lock fitting
Method and apparatus for a safety lock assembly for a cam lock fitting mounted onto the outside of the cam lock fitting in close proximity to the cam levers to prevent complete separation of the male and the female portions of the fitting to prevent inadvertent pressurized discharge of dangerous materials. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by having slidable bosses upon which the cam levers are mounted which bosses are adapted to slide in response to movement of a safety handle so that the male and female portions of the cam lock fitting only slightly separate from each other allowing the operator to quickly reclose the cam lock fitting if the operator observes that the cam lock fitting still contains pressurized material. In a second embodiment, an earless cam disk moves on slotted, fixedly mounted bosses in response to movement of a safety handle similarly to the first embodiment. |
| US10655768B2 |
Breakaway connector
A breakaway connector apparatus for joining a first tubing section to a second tubing section includes a first member and a second member positioned axially opposite the first member. The second member includes a male portion extending from the second member. A housing is disposed between the first and second members, the housing including a socket shaped to receive the male portion of the second member. An axial passage provides a flow path defined inside the housing between the first and second members. A stem is disposed in the axial passage between the first and second members. A first valve is disposed on the first or second member, and the stem engages the first valve and opens the first valve to allow flow between the first and second members through the axial passage when the male portion of the second member is fully received in the socket of the housing. |
| US10655767B2 |
Rotatable pipe adapter
A pipe adapter includes a first tubular element having a first portion and a second portion axially adjacent the first portion defining a socket. A second tubular element has a first portion and a second portion axially adjacent the first portion, the first portion defining a distal end sized for insertion into the socket and having a radially extending stop. An annular sealing member is located between the first portion of the second tubular element and the second portion of the first tubular element and provides an axial seal therebetween. An annular securing member is rotatably disposed around the first portion of the second tubular element and located within and fixed to the socket. The annular securing member contacts the stop to secure the second tubular element axially relative to the first tubular element while also allowing the second tubular element to rotate relative to the first tubular element and annular securing member. |
| US10655761B2 |
Face-sealing fluidic connection system
A tubing or fitting assembly has an inner tube layer, an outer tube layer, a sleeve, a tip portion, and can have a nut. Each of the nut, sleeve, inner and outer tubing layers, and tip portion have a passageway therethrough, with at least the passageways in the sleeve, tip portion, outer tube layer, and nut adapted to allow the inner tube layer to pass therethrough or extend over the inner layer. The tip portion can be molded over an end portion of the inner tube layer and also over a portion of the sleeve. The sleeve may include a retention feature in the form of a lip which extends into the tip portion, and also a narrower portion so that the tip portion and sleeve remain coupled together. The inner and outer tubing layers can also be retained by an interference fit. The ends of the tip portion and inner layer together define a substantially flat surface which can form a seal in a flat-bottomed port of a component such as may be found in any one of a number of components in an analytical instrument system, including for example a liquid chromatography system. The nut, tube, ferrule, and transfer tube or liner tube may comprise biocompatible materials. In addition, the nut may have a slot, such as a slot adapted to allow the tube and the nut to be easily and quickly separated or to allow a portion of the tube to be easily and quickly inserted in the nut. |
| US10655754B2 |
Method for operating a diaphragm valve, system and reading device
A method for operating a diaphragm valve including the step of reading out data, which characterize at least one property of a diaphragm of the diaphragm valve, from at least one data memory integrated into the diaphragm valve, by a reading device. The method further includes the steps of: (a) transmitting the read-out data to a processing device which is arranged remote from the reading device and the diaphragm valve and (b) synchronizing the transmitted data with data present in the processing device. |
| US10655751B2 |
Hose bib handle replacement system
A hose bib handle replacement comprises a handle portion and an adapter. The adapter has a wall defining an open interior sized to receive a portion of a hose bib. The handle portion is attached or attachable to the top surface of the adapter and has a radial dimension larger than the adapter. The adapter comprises a clamping mechanism adapted to clamp onto the portion of the hose bib in the interior, wherein the clamping mechanism can clamp onto different size and shape portions of the hose bib. In one version, the clamping mechanism comprises a plurality of set screws and wherein the set screws have a length where they can clamp different size and shape portions of the hose bib and when clamped do not extend outwardly beyond the wall of the adapter more than about 0.25 inches. |
| US10655749B2 |
Valve operator assembly with clutch mechanism and valve equipped with such assembly
A valve operator assembly having a tubular housing extending along a central axis, an input member rotatably mounted with the housing, a transmission mechanism arranged in an inner bore of the housing and extending along the central axis, the transmission mechanism providing a rotating element connected to the input member and a translating element, the transmission mechanism adapted to convert applied rotation of the input member to the rotating element into axial translation of the translating element. At least one rolling bearing is radially arranged between an inner bore and rotating element to support in rotation and guide the rotating element within the housing. The valve operator assembly includes a clutch mechanism to permit transmission of driving torque from the input member to the rotating element in both directions around the central axis, and prevent any back-driving torque from the rotating element to the input member in either direction. |
| US10655748B2 |
Magnetic latching solenoid valve
A latching valve has a valve body defining a fluid chamber and supply, delivery, and exhaust ports. A solenoid within the chamber includes a pole piece defining a fluid passage between the chamber and exhaust port and having one end facing the exhaust port and another end defining a first valve seat. A coil is disposed about the pole piece. A housing has a portion radially outward of the coil and portions extending radially inwardly on opposite sides of the coil radially aligned with the pole piece and an armature. The armature has one end configured for engagement with the first valve seat and another end configured for engagement with a second valve seat formed in the valve body between the fluid chamber and supply port. A return spring biases the armature towards the second valve seat. A magnet ring is disposed about the armature in contact with the housing. |
| US10655747B2 |
Double-armature solenoid valve and operating method
A double-armature solenoid valve may include an adjustable first armature and an adjustable second armature arranged axially opposite each other along a common adjustment axis, and a coil mechanism configured to provide a magnetic flux. The valve may also include a first restoring spring, a second restoring spring, an inlet opening arranged on an axial side of the first armature opposite the second armature, and an outlet opening arranged on an axial side of the second armature opposite the first armature. The inlet opening and the outlet opening may be connected via a fluid duct. The first armature and the second armature may respectively have a different closing time such that when an energization of the coil mechanism is at least one of interrupted and reduced the inlet opening is closable more quickly via the first armature than the outlet opening via the second armature. |
| US10655742B2 |
Fluid injection device and method of using the same
A fluid injection device (10) for injecting a dispensible fluid such as a liquid sealant (24) into an air conditioning or refrigeration system or the like, includes a tube (12, 12′, 12″) containing the fluid sealant in a storage chamber (26, 26′, 26″). Outlet valves conventionally used at the tube outlet are replaced with a rupturable membrane (28, 28′, 66). Means to rupture the membrane may comprise a puncture tool (32, 50), or the membrane may be designed to burst under pressure imposed on it in use. Use of membrane (28, 28′, 66) at the outlet of device 10 avoids problems caused by even very slight leakage of fluid sealant past an outlet valve. The fluid injection device (10) is used by connecting the tube inlet to a high pressure zone of the system and connecting the tube outlet to a low pressure zone of the system. |
| US10655737B2 |
Dual seat valve
A dual seat valve assembly includes a first valve and a concentric second valve which together form a tight seal valve assembly. The valves open and close sequentially. A quick disconnect rupture disc assembly may be used in conjunction with the valve assembly to provide a required safety feature for testing high pressure fluid ruptures that include a dump valve. |
| US10655731B2 |
Control device for continuously variable transmission and control method of the same
As a mode switching shift line when a sub-transmission mechanism is switched from a first-speed to a second-speed, a first mode switching shift line, which prioritizes a learning of a hydraulic pressure with which a Low brake starts to slip and a learning of a hydraulic pressure with which a High clutch starts to transmit a torque, or a second mode switching shift line, which is a shift line in a Low side with respect to the first mode switching shift line and prioritizes a fuel efficiency of an engine is selected, and the sub-transmission mechanism is switched from the first-speed to the second-speed on the basis of the selected mode switching shift line. |
| US10655725B2 |
Lubricating apparatus
A lubricating apparatus includes a lubricating oil supplying member disposed to face a tip surface of an input shaft. An axial oil passage and a radial oil passage are formed inside the input shaft and allow an outer circumferential surface of the input shaft having outer spline teeth and the tip surface to communicate with each other. A first supplied oil passage and a second supplied oil passage are formed inside the lubricating oil supplying member, a lubricating oil supplied to the axial oil passage flowing through the first supplied oil passage and the second supplied oil passage. The first supplied oil passage is provided with an inflow port, the lubricating oil flowing into the first supplied oil passage through the inflow port. The inflow port is open to an outer circumferential surface of the lubricating oil supplying member in a radial direction of the input shaft. |
| US10655722B2 |
Gear
Gear mechanism, in particular coaxial gear mechanism or linear gear mechanism, having a toothing system, a tooth carrier with radially oriented guides, teeth which are received in the guides for engagement with the toothing system, the teeth being mounted in the guides such that they can be displaced radially relative to the tooth carrier in the direction of their longitudinal axis, a cam disk for radially driving the teeth, the tooth carrier comprising a first tooth carrier part and a second tooth carrier part. |
| US10655720B2 |
Electronic limited slip differential
An electronic limited slip differential system constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure is provided. The system includes an axle housing defining an inner chamber, a differential assembly disposed within the inner chamber, and a hydraulic control unit (HCU) coupled directly to a top of the axle housing such that the HCU is mounted on a top of the differential assembly. |
| US10655716B2 |
Slew drive with integrated reducer assembly
A slew drive comprises a worm gear which is integrated with a reducer assembly. One end of the worm gear operates as a carrier which engages a plurality of planetary gears which are part of the reducer assembly. The carrier may be a separate component that is coupled with the worm gear. Alternatively, one end of the worm gear can be machined to operate as the carrier. The carrier engages a plurality of planetary gears via a plurality of holes. |
| US10655712B2 |
Lever mechanism for converting a motion from linear to rotary
A lever mechanism for converting a motion from linear to rotary includes a guiding bar, a slider which slides along the guiding bar, and a lever. The lever includes a cylindrical element and a pair of slot links which are fixed frontally on the cylindrical element and between which the slider is arranged. The slider includes at least two bushes for supporting a pivot which is adapted to act on the slot links. The bushes are mutually separated by a space to accommodate a reserve of lubricant. |
| US10655708B2 |
Epicyclic gear train, advantageously for a servomotor system, method and servomotor system using such an epicyclic gear train
An epicyclic gear train for a servomotor system includes a case, and, positioned in the case, a planet carrier carrying planet gears, a ring gear, and a sun gear. The epicyclic gear train includes a control for changing input and output speed ratio in response to an input applied from outside the case. |
| US10655705B2 |
Auxiliary rope knotter
An auxiliary rope knotter includes an interior formed with a first through hole, a second through hole, a first locking groove and a second locking groove which are parallel with each other. In the cross-sectional face of the auxiliary rope knotter, the first center connecting line formed by the first through hole and the second through hole intersects the second center connecting line formed by the first locking groove and the second locking groove, such that the rope is easily knotted by the auxiliary rope knotter. |
| US10655704B2 |
Geometrically nonlinear vibration isolation system
The geometrically nonlinear isolation system of the present invention includes a bearing platform, an isolator and a damper. The isolator is connected with the bearing platform and used for providing resilience against horizontal relative displacement between the bearing platform and the isolator. The damper is pin-jointed to the bearing platform and has an axis orthogonal or oblique to the horizontal direction. Accordingly, when the bearing platform and the isolator move with respect to each other along the horizontal direction, the angle between the axis of the damper and the horizontal direction would change with the horizontal displacement, and the damper provides damping force along a direction parallel to the axis of the damper so as to enhance horizontal vibration isolation effect. |
| US10655697B2 |
Vibration isolator
A vibration isolator includes a housing having a top surface, an opposing bottom surface, and a hollow interior and an open-ended sleeve having a hollow interior and an extending flange, the extending flange having a top surface and a bottom surface. A resilient core, having a hollow interior, is positioned between and fixedly coupled to the bottom surface of the housing and the top surface of the flange of the sleeve. The resilient core is disposed within a portion of the hollow interior of the open-ended sleeve. A first bushing is disposed within the interior of the sleeve. The first bushing has a flange including a bottom surface that overlays a top surface of the resilient core. A second bushing is disposed within the first bushing. |
| US10655694B2 |
Friction engagement device of automatic transmission
A friction engagement device of an automatic transmission is provided, which includes a rotational member comprised of at least one of a drum member and a hub member including a spline part engaged with a friction plate to be movable in axial directions of the automatic transmission, and a drive force transmitting part for exchanging a drive force with another rotational element. The drive force transmitting part of the rotational member is made of a ferrous metal. A part of the rotational member other than the drive force transmitting part is made of a clad material containing a first material that is easily joined to the ferrous metal and a second material that is less easily joined to the ferrous metal compared to the first material and weighs less than the ferrous metal. |
| US10655693B2 |
Manufacturing method for a composite brake disc as well as a corresponding composite brake disc
A method for manufacturing a composite brake disc including a brake ring with at least one braking surface and a brake disc chamber having a tubular section and a base part that is connected to the tubular section and by way of which a reference plane is defined. The brake disc chamber and the brake ring are joined together, and a wobble angle between the at least one braking surface and the reference plane is reduced by reshaping the brake disc chamber. |
| US10655691B2 |
One-way clutch apparatus
A one-way clutch apparatus of torque input-switching type in which torque capacity can be secured without increasing an axial dimension. The one-way clutch apparatus of drive input-switching type, includes a plurality of first torque transmitting members interposed between a shaft 3 and an intermediate ring 7 at circumferential predetermined intervals, and provided for transmitting torque between the shaft 3 and the intermediate ring 7, and a plurality of second torque transmitting members interposed between the intermediate ring 7 and an outer ring 5 at circumferential predetermined intervals, and provided for transmitting torque between the intermediate ring 7 and the outer ring 5, in which either the torque input into the shaft 3 or the torque input into the outer ring 5 is transmitted to the intermediate ring 7, in which the first torque transmitting member is a sprag 23 and the second torque transmitting member is a roller 29. |
| US10655690B2 |
Clutch with drag ring
A drag ring for a clutch includes an axis, a circumferential surface extending about the axis and first and second pluralities of segments. The first plurality of segments includes first and second ends integrally joined with the circumferential surface and a first center segment protruding radially outward from the circumferential surface. The second plurality of segments includes third and fourth ends integrally joined with the circumferential surface and a second center segment protruding radially inward from the circumferential surface. In an example embodiment, the first and second pluralities of segments are circumferentially distributed about the circumferential surface. In an example embodiment, the circumferential surface includes first and second continuous edges with a distance therebetween. A circular line extending about the circumferential surface at a midpoint of the distance is interrupted by the first and second pluralities of segments. |
| US10655688B2 |
Fan-coupling device with unitary magnetic pole construction
A fan-coupling device with a unitary magnetic pole is disclosed. The magnetic pole is of a unitary, ring-shaped construction and includes a choke space and a ridge that promote an increased amount of magnetic flux generated by an electromagnet to travel to a magnetic armature on a fluid flow valve, resulting an increase in the amount of magnetic force that acts upon the valve. This is an improvement over the prior art two-piece magnetic pole structure and over a unitary magnetic pole without the choke space and ridge. The magnetic pole also includes apertures in which protrusions on a sound dampening gasket are inserted to reduce the noise resulting from the armature striking the magnetic pole. |
| US10655687B2 |
Paper friction material and method of manufacturing the same
This invention relates to a paper friction material and a method of manufacturing the same, wherein the paper friction material is configured such that dispersibility and bondability are increased between a filler and a matrix. The paper friction material which is suitable for use in a vehicle, includes a friction base including pulp and a coating layer formed on the friction base using a mixture of latex and a functional material. The OH reactive group of the pulp and the aromatic ring of the latex are hydrogen-bonded so that the friction base and the coating layer are coupled with each other. |
| US10655686B2 |
Clutch priming system and method
A priming system and method includes an actuator effecting engagement of a frictional element to couple input and output elements to transfer a torque. A control system initiates actuation of the frictional element through the actuator when a speed of the frictional element is below a priming threshold speed. The frictional element is primed to prepare the frictional element to transfer the torque from the input element to the output element, without delivering the torque to the output element. The frictional element in held in the primed state when the speed is below the priming threshold speed. The actuator completes actuation of the frictional element when the speed reaches the shift point, engaging the frictional element to deliver the torque to the output element. |
| US10655684B2 |
Transmission with integrated overload protection for a legged robot
An example robot includes: a motor disposed at a joint configured to control motion of a member of the robot; a transmission including an input member coupled to and configured to rotate with the motor, an intermediate member, and an output member, where the intermediate member is fixed such that as the input member rotates, the output member rotates therewith at a different speed; a pad frictionally coupled to a side surface of the output member of the transmission and coupled to the member of the robot; and a spring configured to apply an axial preload on the pad, wherein the axial preload defines a torque limit that, when exceeded by a torque load on the member of the robot, the output member of the transmission slips relative to the pad. |
| US10655683B2 |
Apparatus for tightening threaded fasteners
According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a self-retaining drive shaft assembly for use with a device for tightening and loosening of an industrial fastener having: a drive retainer drive shaft; a drive retainer cap; a drive retainer plunger; and a drive retainer segment assembly. The segment assembly is formed between the drive shaft and the cap. The cap is formed between the segment assembly and the plunger. The segment assembly, the cap and the plunger are formed substantially within the drive shaft. Advantageously the retainer assembly is of unitary construction; requires no loose parts or external implements to engage and secure the drive shaft to a drive head of the device; reduces likelihood of device failure during operation due to improper engagement of the drive shaft; and increases user safety during device operation. |
| US10655681B2 |
Bearing assembly
A bearing assembly for rotatably supporting a first carrier element on a second carrier element includes first and second parts, each having a through-bore, configured to rotate about a common axis, and a first fastener for attaching the first part to the first carrier element and a second fastener for attaching the second part to the second carrier element. The first and the second through-bores are aligned with each other, and the second fastener is configured to pass entirely through the first through-bore into the second through-bore and engage an interior of the second through-bore to fasten the second part to the second carrier element. The first fastener is too large to pass entirely through the first through-bore and is configured to engage an interior of the first through-bore to fasten the first part to the first carrier element. |
| US10655678B2 |
Cage and roller assembly
A cage and roller assembly includes rollers and an annular cage. The cage includes annular portions having guide surfaces and cage bars that couple the annular portions together. Each of the cage bars includes a cage bar body provided in an axial center portion of the cage bar and having an oil reservoir bottom face on a radially outer side of the cage bar body, the oil reservoir bottom face located on a radially inner side with respect to the guide surface, and a detachment preventing portion provided at both axial ends of the cage bar body and having an outer claw that covers a part of the roller from the radially outer side. The detachment preventing portion is provided with an outer recessed groove configured as a passage for causing lubricating oil to flow toward the guide surface from the oil reservoir bottom face through the detachment preventing portion. |
| US10655676B2 |
Enveloping layer-coated slide bearing and drive module
An enveloping layer-coated slide bearing includes a slide bearing having a bearing surface formed in a cylindrical shape, and a first enveloping layer composed of a thermoplastic elastomer formed on and directly contacting an outer circumferential surface of the slide bearing. In another arrangement, a second enveloping layer is interposed between the first enveloping layer and the slide bearing and directly contacts the outer circumferential surface of the slide bearing. |
| US10655670B2 |
Efficient bowden cable system
An apparatus includes a housing that includes an inner space, an inlet connected to the inner space, and a plurality of outlets connected to the inner space. The housing allows an inner cable of a Bowden cable to pass therethrough such that the inner cable passes through the inlet, the inner space, and any of the plurality of outlets. The apparatus also includes an inner hub rotatably mounted in the inner space of the housing. The inner hub is configured to receive and guide the inner cable passing through the housing such that the inner cable forms a curved path about the inner hub. The apparatus includes a socket configured to receive the Bowden cable. The socket can be coupled to the housing at a plurality of different positions to select any of the plurality outlets such that the inner cable of the Bowden cable passes through the selected outlet. |
| US10655669B2 |
Advanced nut and bolt
A fastener including a bolt having an elongated shank having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a threaded portion having an external bolt thread, the bolt thread including a bolt pitch. The fastener includes a nut having a first end, a second end opposite the first end of the nut, and an internal nut thread extending between the first and second ends of the nut and adapted to engage threadedly the bolt thread of the bolt. The nut thread includes a nut pitch and a hardness that changes gradationally between the first and second ends of the nut. The bolt pitch of the bolt thread of the bolt is mismatched with the nut pitch of the nut thread of the nut. |
| US10655658B2 |
Material handling system
An apparatus has a frame and a plurality of clamps connected to the frame. At least one of the clamps is movable to releasably clamp a sheet of material on the apparatus. The plurality of clamps are configured and located on the frame to be limited to clamp on the sheet of material at least two edges of the sheet of material. |
| US10655650B2 |
Valve block arrangement and method for a valve block arrangement
A valve block arrangement configured as a closed center system includes at least one main spool for controlling a hydraulic consumer. The main spool is configured to open and close at least one pressure medium connection between a hydraulic pump and the consumer in controlled, continuous fashion and, in at least one embodiment, is electrically activated. A bypass flow path with a cut valve branches off between the adjustable, hydraulic pump and the main spool. The cut valve is configured to open and close a pressure medium connection between the hydraulic pump and a tank in controlled, continuous fashion. The cut valve is electrically activatable. |
| US10655647B2 |
Hydraulic drive system for construction machine
Pressure compensating valves not fully closing at the stroke end are employed, and upon the operator's operation for the traveling, pilot primary pressure is reduced and supplied to remote control valves 34c-34h of non-travel operating devices. Thus, the inflow of the hydraulic fluid into non-travel actuators is suppressed and a necessary amount of hydraulic fluid for travel motors is secured in travel combined operation. Accordingly, when saturation occurs in a construction machine's hydraulic drive system performing the load sensing control due to combined operation with a great load pressure difference between two actuators, deceleration/stoppage of an actuator on the low load pressure side is prevented by preventing full closure of the pressure compensating valve on the low load pressure side, while also preventing deceleration/stoppage of a high load pressure actuator by securing a necessary amount of hydraulic fluid for the high load pressure actuator. |
| US10655632B2 |
Shaft seal device and vertical pump with this shaft seal device
A shaft seal device is fixed to a container that separates a high-pressure fluid and a low-pressure fluid from each other, and seals a shaft-penetrated portion of the container through which a rotational shaft extends. This shaft seal device includes: a seal casing having a through-hole through which the rotational shaft extends, the seal casing having a seal chamber which communicates with the through-hole and into which the high-pressure fluid flows; and a disk-shaped seal body which is housed in the seal chamber, the seal body being rotatable together with the rotational shaft and having an annular surface perpendicular to an axis of the rotational shaft. An inner surface of the seal casing, which faces the annular surface of the seal body and defines the seal chamber, is a flat surface perpendicular to the axis of the rotational shaft. |
| US10655629B2 |
Variable vane apparatus
There is provided a variable vane apparatus including: a housing portion; a plurality of vane gear portions configured to rotate and provided on the housing portion to be spaced apart from one another; a plurality of variable vane portions connected to the plurality of vane gear portions; a drive gear portion configured to transfer power to the plurality of vane gear portions; and a connection gear portion arranged between the plurality of vane gear portions and configured to transfer power amongst the plurality of vane gear portions. |
| US10655628B2 |
Scalable fan frame mechanism
A cooling system for providing streamlined airflow is provided. The system includes a fan assembly that includes an inlet side and an outlet side. The fan assembly also includes an inlet fan guard connector located at the inlet side of the fan assembly and an outlet fan guard connector located at the outlet side of the fan assembly. The fan assembly also includes a lever housings located between the inlet fan guard connector and the outlet fan guard connector and a slots oriented between the lever housings and the inlet fan guard connector and the outlet fan guard connector, the plurality of slots configured to secure an additional modular component. |
| US10655627B2 |
Multi-section centrifugal compressor
A multi-section centrifugal compressor includes at least a first and a second section; each section has an inlet duct and a discharge duct, the discharge duct of the first section is placed in fluid communication with the inlet duct of the second section, the second section is configured to compress a fluid compressed by the first section; the discharge duct of the second section is adjacent to the inlet duct of the first section. |
| US10655626B2 |
Liquid ring pump
Liquid ring pumps are used to pump a variety of fluid types. Corrosive fluids are easily handled by the work fluid but can cause corrosion of pumping mechanisms. The present invention provides a magnetically driven liquid ring pump with corrosion resistant pumping mechanisms which achieves a longer time between service intervals. |
| US10655624B2 |
Vane pump device for controlling deviation of a force applied to the vanes
In a vane pump device, an inner plate is provided with a low pressure side upstream recess portion; a low pressure side downstream recess portion that is positioned on the downstream side of the low pressure side upstream recess portion in a rotation direction of a rotor; and a low pressure side connection recess portion that connects to the low pressure side upstream recess portion and the low pressure side downstream recess portion. An outer plate includes an outer-plate low pressure side through-hole through which oil is supplied to the low pressure side upstream recess portion via columnar grooves of the rotor; an outer-plate low pressure side recess portion into which oil flows from the low pressure side downstream recess portion via the columnar grooves; and an outer-plate connection portion through which connects to the outer-plate low pressure side through-hole and the outer-plate low pressure side recess portion. |
| US10655623B2 |
Pump with segmented fluid end housing and in-line valve
A plunger pump fluid end assembly design in which the suction valve and seat is aligned with the plunger and the fluid end housing is constructed with multiple modules. Modules are held in a rigid assembly by staybolts that connect to the power end of the plunger pump. Said staybolts pass though bores in the central fluid module and the suction seat module and bound by a conventional threaded nut. Packing box modules are bound to the central fluid module by bolts that also pass through separate bores in the same central module. A suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer within the plunger bore of the assembly shields the intersection of the plunger bore and the discharge bore from destructive erosion damage. |
| US10655613B2 |
High-pressure pump control unit
When a condition for reducing a noise caused in the high-pressure pump is satisfied, a reduction control unit implements a noise reduction control to supply a smaller power to reduce a moving speed of a movable portion in a close acting direction to put a valve body into a closed state for a predetermined time after an energization start timing of a solenoid in a plunger rising period. A closing control unit causes a closing current, which is a constant current for surely putting the valve body into the closed state, to flow the closing current in the solenoid when the noise reduction control is completed in the plunger rising period. The predetermined time is shorter than an energization period in which a current flows in the solenoid. |
| US10655612B2 |
Integrated energy generating damper
A linear energy harvesting device that includes a housing and a piston that moves at least partially through the housing when it is compressed or extended from a rest position. When the piston moves, hydraulic fluid is pressurized and drives a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor drives an electric generator that produces electricity. Both the motor and generator are central to the device housing. Exemplary configurations are disclosed such as monotube, twin-tube, tri-tube and rotary based designs that each incorporates an integrated energy harvesting apparatus. By varying the electrical characteristics on an internal generator, the kinematic characteristics of the energy harvesting apparatus can be dynamically altered. In another mode, the apparatus can be used as an actuator to create linear movement. Applications include vehicle suspension systems (to act as the primary damper component), railcar bogie dampers, or industrial applications such as machinery dampers and wave energy harvesters, and electro-hydraulic actuators. |
| US10655611B2 |
Method and apparatus for harvesting energy based on the random occurrence of common direction molecules
An energy collecting device is disclosed. For example, the energy collecting device comprises a plate layer having a plurality of perforations for receiving a plurality of molecules, a molecular energy collecting layer, coupled to the plate layer, having an impacting structure for receiving the plurality of molecules, and a substrate layer, coupled to the molecular energy collecting layer, having a conductor wire coil for collecting electrons that are generated when the plurality of molecules impacts the impacting structure. |
| US10655610B2 |
Wire races for wind turbine bearings
The present disclosure is directed to a bearing assembly for a wind turbine. The bearing assembly includes an outer race, an inner race rotatable relative to the outer race, a plurality of rolling elements positioned between the inner and outer races, and at least one wire race arranged with the plurality of rolling elements between the inner and outer races. |
| US10655605B2 |
Balancing a wind turbine
A method for balancing a wind turbine having a vertical axis. The method includes transmitting, via a turbine shaft, mechanical power to an alternator or generator; supporting, via a support structure, a vane shaft and the turbine shaft; and balancing the wind turbine based at least in part on freely moving objects within a hollow chamber of a balancing channel. In some cases, the support structure couples the vane shaft to the turbine shaft. In some cases, the balancing channel is coupled to the vane shaft. |
| US10655598B2 |
Counter-rotating vertical axis wind turbine with deflector and vortex generators
A high efficiency vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) comprising two counter-rotating rotors, each comprising a plurality of straight rotor blades. One rotor is placed on a first vertical axis and another rotor is placed on a second vertical axis. The first vertical axis and the second vertical axis are positioned on a support structure extending there between. The support structure, and the first vertical axis of rotation and second vertical axis of rotation, can rotate about an intermediate axis of rotation, which is placed at a midpoint between the first vertical axis of rotation and second vertical axis of rotation. An angled deflector is mounted to the frame at or about the intermediate axis of rotation. During operation, the vertex of the deflector is positioned toward oncoming wind. The deflector comprises two symmetrical deflecting surfaces that extend from the vertex to the rotors. One or more vortex generators are positioned on each deflecting surface. |
| US10655594B2 |
Uniaxial power converting apparatus
A uniaxial power converting apparatus includes a floating unit into which the kinetic energy of waves is inputted and which is moored at sea by a wire, a direction change unit for changing a direction of the wire, and a power conversion module for transmitting the tension of the wire to a generator. The power conversion module can transmit a driving force to a power shaft to which the generator is connected from a drum around which the wire is wound. |
| US10655586B2 |
Running control apparatus and running control system
A running control apparatus for improving fuel efficiency by enabling automatic engine stop includes: a moving object detection unit for detecting a moving object moving in a direction crossing a direction of travel of own vehicle on the basis of an acquired image acquired from an image pickup apparatus; an acceleration calculation unit for calculating acceleration of the moving object; a moving object crossing intention determination unit for determining, on the basis of the acceleration of the moving object, whether or not the moving object intends to cross an intersection ahead of the own vehicle in the direction crossing the direction of the travel of the own vehicle before the own vehicle crosses the intersection; and automatic engine stop decision unit for deciding whether the own vehicle automatically stops an engine during running on the basis of a result of determination of the moving object crossing intention determination unit. |
| US10655585B2 |
High-pressure fuel supply pump having electromagnetically-driven intake valve
A high-pressure fuel supply pump includes a pressurizing chamber, a piston plunger, and an electromagnetically-driven intake valve mechanism. The piston plunger reciprocates within the pressurizing chamber. The electromagnetically-driven intake valve mechanism is provided at an inlet of the pressurizing chamber. The electromagnetically-driven intake valve mechanism includes an anchor which pulls a plunger rod, a fixed core which attracts the anchor, and a yoke in which inner peripheral part has the fixed core and the anchor. The fixed core is fixed to a bottom part of the yoke. A through hole is formed at a bottom part of the fixed core. |
| US10655580B2 |
High pressure fuel supply pump
An object of the present invention is to obtain a high pressure fuel supply pump capable of reducing pressure pulsation that occurs in a low pressure pipe, preventing damage to the low pressure pipe, or reducing noise due to vibrations of the low pressure pipe. The present invention provides a high pressure fuel supply pump of a type in which, from a fuel suction port connected to a low pressure pipe provided upstream of a fuel, a low pressure passage, an electromagnetic suction valve driven by an electromagnetic force, a pressurizing chamber in which the volume thereof is increased or reduced by a plunger that is reciprocatingly moved by being guided by a cylinder, and a discharge valve provided at an outlet of the pressurizing chamber are sequentially arranged, a fuel is sucked to the pressurizing chamber through the electromagnetic suction valve, the amount of a part of the fuel, which is sucked to the pressurizing chamber, to be returned to the low pressure passage side is adjusted so that the amount of the fuel to be discharged through the discharge valve is controlled, and the high pressure fuel supply pump includes a backflow suppression mechanism for suppressing backflow of fuel from the fuel from the fuel suction portion to the low pressure pipe side. |
| US10655579B2 |
Fuel supply system
A fuel supply system includes a housing including a housing body in which a fuel storage tank serving as a reservoir tank as well and a lid covering an opening of the housing body in an air-tight manner. The housing includes a fuel pump, a regulator configured to regulate a pressure of the fuel to return excess fuel to the fuel storage tank, a regulator holding member supporting the regulator, and a fuel storage volume adjusting unit that maintains the liquid surface level of the stored fuel at a fixed level. The fuel supply system supplies fuel at a predetermined pressure from a fuel discharging pipe of the lid to the engine. The regulator holding member is formed in such a manner in a planar view as to fill most of interspace in the opening of the housing body to close the upper portion of the fuel storage tank. |
| US10655577B2 |
Intake structure for vehicle engine
An intake structure for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle comprises an intake passage member (25) internally defining an intake passage (40) having an air inlet (40A) and an air outlet (40B); and a PCU (14) provided in an engine room of the vehicle and provided with a cooling device for cooling the PCU (14). The intake passage member is provided in proximity of the onboard device for favorable heat transfer between the PCU and the intake passage member. |
| US10655574B2 |
Side-by-side vehicle
A side-by-side vehicle includes a vehicle body frame including a cabin frame part surrounding a riding space; a driving power unit which is supported by the vehicle body frame and generates driving power for allowing the vehicle to travel; a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to which the driving power is transmitted from the driving power unit, in a state in which the CVT is supported by the vehicle body frame; an air-intake unit including in an inside thereof, an air-intake passage through which intake-air flows to the CVT, and an air inlet through which the intake-air is introduced into the air-intake passage; and a cargo carrier having a depressed loading space in a state in which the cargo carrier is supported by the vehicle body frame, wherein the air inlet of the air-intake unit is directed downward and faces a surface of the cargo carrier. |
| US10655573B2 |
Environmentally friendly energy saving device
An environmentally friendly energy saving device includes a hollow metal inner pipe inserted in a hollow metal outer pipe, and the inner pipe includes: a middle portion defining a receiving chamber with respect to the hollow metal outer pipe, two connecting portions located at two ends of the middle portion and extended out from two ends of the hollow metal outer pipe, and a thinning groove formed in the middle portion and in communication with the receiving chamber. Far infrared powder are filled into the receiving chamber and the thinning groove and pressurized into a block. Two ends of the receiving chamber are sealed. By thinning the part of the outer wall of the inner pipe that is connected to the receiving chamber, the energy-saving efficiency of the environmentally friendly energy saving device is improved. |
| US10655569B2 |
Leakage prevention systems and methods
A leak detection and mitigation system includes a gas flow path extending from a gas outlet of a fuel degassing device and an orifice in the gas flow path. A sensor is positioned in the gas flow path upstream from the orifice. The sensor is configured to detect a fuel leak into the gas flow path. A method for leak detection and mitigation in a fuel degassing system includes removing gasses from a fuel stream with a fuel degassing device. The method includes directing gasses removed from the fuel stream through a gas flow path extending from a gas outlet of the fuel degassing device. An orifice is positioned in the gas flow path. The method includes detecting a leak from the fuel stream into the gas flow path by measuring a characteristic in the gas flow path upstream from the orifice with a sensor. |
| US10655564B2 |
Thrust reverser system with hidden blocker doors
An assembly is provided for an aircraft propulsion system with an axial centerline. This assembly includes a nacelle structure and a thrust reverser system. The nacelle structure includes a fan cowl, where a forward cavity extends axially into the nacelle structure from an aft end of the fan cowl. The thrust reverser system includes a sleeve, a cascade structure, a blocker door and a linkage. The sleeve is configured to translate axially along the centerline and relative to the nacelle structure between a forward stowed position and an aft deployed position. The cascade structure, the blocker door and the linkage are at least partially within the forward cavity when the sleeve is in the forward stowed position. The cascade structure is fixedly attached to the sleeve. The linkage extends between and is pivotally attached to the cascade structure and the blocker door. |
| US10655563B2 |
Turbofan nacelle including a reverser flap
A nacelle has a fixed cowl and a mobile cowl, which is movable along a translation path between closing and opening positions, a window delimited by the fixed cowl and the mobile cowl and open between an airflow and exterior of the nacelle, a reverser flap rotatably mounted to move between closed and open positions, and a drive mechanism configured to control passage of the reverser flap between the closed and open positions as the mobile cowl moves between the closed and open positions. From the closing/closed positions, the drive mechanism assures a translation of the mobile cowl and a rotation of the reverser flap toward their respective opening/open positions. From the open/opening positions, the drive mechanism assures a rotation of the reverser flap and a translation of the mobile cowl toward their respective closed/closing position. In some embodiments, the nacelle further includes an additional, or second, flap. |
| US10655562B2 |
Rotary compressor for gaseous fluids
A compressor for gaseous fluids comprises a positive displacement gear pump, as typically used for liquid transfer, modified to effect compression of gases. The pump inlet includes a main inlet plus multiple secondary inlets feeding inlet gases to gear voids spaced from and moving away from the main inlet. The pump outlet includes a main outlet plus multiple feedback passages feeding partially pressurized outlet gases to gear voids spaced from and moving toward the main outlet. The supplemental inlets and feedback passages increase both the throughput of the compressor and the amount of compression imparted to the gases. |
| US10655559B2 |
Cylinder head for an internal combustion engine
The invention relates to a cylinder head (4) for an internal combustion engine having liquid cooling, comprising at least two outlet valves for controlling outlet openings (14) and at least one inlet valve for controlling at least one inlet opening (15) per cylinder (2), having at least one cooling jacket (3) through which coolant flows. An outlet valve bridge (7) is arranged between two adjacent outlet valves and an inlet/outlet valve bridge (8) is arranged in each case between at least one outlet valve and an adjacent inlet valve. A first cooling channel (18) is arranged in the region of at least one outlet valve bridge (7), and a second cooling channel (19) is arranged in the region of at least one inlet/outlet valve bridge (8), and the first and second cooling channels (18, 19) are fluidically connected to one other in a central cooling region (20) of the cylinder (2) with one another. According to the invention, in order to improve the cooling in the region of the inlet/outlet valve bridges and in the region of the outlet valve guides, at least one second cooling channel (19) has a flow dividing arrangement (21) which sub-divides the second cooling channel (19) into a first part-channel (19a) and a second part-channel (19b), wherein preferably the first part-channel (19a) is arranged in the region of an outlet valve guide (14a) and the second part-channel (19b) is arranged in the region of an outlet valve seat (14b) of the adjacent outlet valve. |
| US10655553B2 |
Reforming system and reformer malfunction diagnosis method using pressure sensor
A reforming system may include an engine; an intake line connected to the engine; an exhaust line connected to the engine; a reformer provided at an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) line diverging from the exhaust line and mixing the exhaust gas with fuel; a front end pressure sensor provided at the EGR line of the front end portion of the reformer and measuring pressure of the exhaust gas of the front end portion of the reformer; a rear end pressure sensor provided at the EGR line of the rear end portion of the reformer and measuring pressure of the exhaust gas of the rear end portion of the reformer; and a reforming controller configured for determining whether reforming continues on the basis of a pressure difference between the front end portion and the rear end portion of the reformer measured by the front end and the rear end sensors. |
| US10655552B2 |
Canister purge control method for vehicle
A canister purge control method for a vehicle can reduce the number of components of an active purge system provided in the vehicle. An active purge operation is performed using a pressure value measured by an intake pressure sensor, instead of a pressure value measured by a rear-end pressure sensor, after a purge control solenoid valve is fully opened. |
| US10655550B2 |
Intake manifold and cylinder airflow estimation systems and methods
An engine control system includes a prediction module that, during an exhaust stroke of a first cylinder of an engine, determines a predicted intake manifold pressure at an end of a next intake stroke of a second cylinder following the first cylinder in a firing order of the cylinders. An air per cylinder (APC) module determines a predicted mass of air that will be trapped within the second cylinder at the end of the next intake stroke of the second cylinder based on the predicted intake manifold pressure. A fueling module controls fueling of the second cylinder during the next intake stroke based on the predicted mass of air. |
| US10655547B2 |
Internal combustion engine
The internal combustion engine comprising: a catalyst arranged in an exhaust passage and able to store oxygen, a variable valve timing mechanism able to change a valve overlap amount between an intake valve and an exhaust valve, and a fuel supplying means for feeding fuel to the exhaust passage. The fuel supplying means feeds fuel to the exhaust passage only in an initial cycle after scavenging where valve overlap causes air to be expelled from an intake passage through a cylinder to the exhaust passage if such scavenging occurs. |
| US10655546B2 |
Control device for internal combustion engine
Provided is a control device for controlling an internal combustion engine including a fuel injection valve, an ignition device, and a variable valve operating device configured to switch between a base opening/closing mode of an intake valve and a continuous valve opening mode. The control device is configured to execute a cold start control at a cold start. The cold start control includes: a startability improvement processing executed in a predetermined number of cycles after the start of cranking; and a combustion start processing executed after this predetermined number of cycles. In the startability improvement processing, the continuous valve opening mode is selected in at least an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke, and fuel injection is executed without ignition. In the combustion start processing, the base opening/closing mode is selected continuously during one cycle, and ignition is executed. |
| US10655544B2 |
Engine
An engine comprising: a fuel injection device including a rack and an actuator, the rack being configured to regulate the amount of fuel injected to a combustion chamber, the actuator being configured to control the position of the rack; and a control device that controls fuel injection performed by the fuel injection device based on an instructed revolution number, and that performs a dither control on the actuator, wherein the control device has information of a revolution number variation region that is based on the relationship between a dither frequency in the dither control and an engine revolution number, and upon determining that the instructed revolution number is within the revolution number variation region, changes at least one of the dither frequency and the instructed revolution number. Thus, an engine capable of reducing a periodic variation in engine speed which may be caused by a dither control is provided. |
| US10655543B2 |
Gas turbine, combined cycle plant, and activation method of gas turbine
A gas turbine includes an air cooler that subjects compressed air extracted from a compressor to heat exchange and supplies the cooled compressed air to a cooling system of a rotor system in a turbine; an air cooler bypass line that bypasses the compressed air introduced into the air cooler; an electric valve provided in the air cooler bypass line; and a control unit. The control unit controls opening and closing of the electric valve such that, during activation of a gas turbine, a degree of opening of the electric valve is set at or below a low-level degree of opening and such that, after the load of the gas turbine has been increased, the degree of opening of the electric valve is set to be larger than the low-level degree of opening. |
| US10655542B2 |
Method and system for startup of gas turbine system drive trains with exhaust gas recirculation
In one embodiment, a system includes a drive train starter system. The drive train starter system includes a generator mechanically coupled to a drive train of a gas turbine system and an exciter system electrically coupled to the generator and configured to provide a magnetic field. The drive train starter system additionally includes a load commutated inverter (LCI) electrically coupled to the generator and configured to provide electrical power to the generator and a controller communicatively coupled to the generator, the exciter system, and the LCI. The controller is configured to start up the drive train via the LCI and the generator up to less than a drive train operating speed, wherein the generator is converting electricity into mechanical motion; drive the drive train via a gas turbine up to the drive train operating speed; and to drive the drive train via the generator at the drive train operating speed. |
| US10655541B2 |
Segmented annular combustion system
The present disclosure is directed to a segmented annular combustion system including a first panel fuel injector including a premix air plenum, a fuel plenum, and a plurality of first side premixing channels, where each first side premixing channel is in fluid communication with the premix air plenum, the fuel plenum, and a respective first side injection aperture of a plurality of first side injection apertures. A second panel fuel injector is circumferentially spaced from the first panel fuel injector and includes a premix air plenum, a fuel plenum, and a plurality of second side premixing channels where each second side premixing channel is in fluid communication with the premix air plenum, the fuel plenum, and a respective second side injection aperture of a plurality of second side injection apertures. A fuel nozzle is disposed circumferentially between the first panel fuel injection and the second panel fuel injector. |
| US10655540B2 |
Apparatus and systems for a surface cooler having pliant fins
A surface cooler includes a conduit, a body having an external surface, and a plurality of fin members arranged in an array of fin members. The conduit defines an inlet, an outlet, and an internal flow path extending between the inlet and the outlet. The conduit is configured to channel a flow of fluid to be cooled from the inlet to said outlet. The conduit extends through the body. Each fin member of the array of fin members extends from the external surface of the body. Each fin member is fabricated from a thermally conductive, resilient, and pliable material. |
| US10655532B2 |
Electric charging device with rotor cooling
A charging device for an internal combustion engine with rotor cooling has a shaft, a compressor wheel mounted on the shaft, a stator housing and a stator. The stator is arranged in the stator housing. The charging device additionally has a rotor arranged rotatably fixed on the shaft The rotor is surrounded by the stator. A first fan device is arranged for common rotation with the shaft in order to generate a circulating air flow in the stator housing for cooling the rotor. |
| US10655528B2 |
Method of operating an internal combustion engine
A method is provided for operating an internal combustion engine (ICE), typically together with a vehicle. A corresponding ICE and a related computer program product are also provided. |
| US10655527B2 |
Arrangement and a method for controlling the temperature of air being fed to a vehicle engine
An arrangement for controlling the temperature of air being fed to a vehicle engine includes an engine compartment in which the engine is arranged. The engine compartment is provided with an ambient air intake allowing an airflow into the engine compartment. The engine is provided with an engine air intake arranged inside the engine compartment. The arrangement further includes an air fan for forcing the airflow via the ambient air intake into the inside of the engine compartment. The engine air intake is arranged in a position allowing at least a substantial part of the airflow to enter the engine air intake. |
| US10655526B1 |
Support for electric heating type catalyst and exhaust gas purifying device
A support for an electric heating type catalyst comprises: a honeycomb structure having partition walls that define a plurality of cells, each of cells extending from one end face to other end face to form a fluid path for a fluid; and a pair of electrode layers formed on a side surface of the honeycomb structure, the pair of electrode layers being arranged so as to face each other across a center of the honeycomb structure. The pair of electrode layers is electrically connected to the honeycomb structure. The honeycomb structure side of each of the electrode layers comprises a portion having a thermal expansion coefficient lower than that of the honeycomb structure. |
| US10655525B2 |
Emission control device for internal combustion engine
An emission control device for an internal combustion engine is configured to perform a particulate matter trap function of trapping, with a particulate filter, particulate matter contained in exhaust gas which flows in an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine. The emission control device includes a controller. The controller is configured to calculate a particulate matter accumulation amount, which is a total amount of particulate matter trapped by the particulate filter based on an operation condition of the internal combustion engine. The controller is configured to stop calculating the particulate matter accumulation amount when the particulate matter trap function is not functioning. |
| US10655523B2 |
Reagent injector freeze protection
An injector for injecting a reagent includes a first injector body and a second injector body. The first injector body includes an outlet opening. The second injector body includes a reagent tube. The second injector body is movable relative to the first injector body. The injector further includes a valve assembly at least partly enclosed by the first injector body. The valve assembly is configured to selectively dispense the reagent through the outlet opening of the first injector body. The injector further includes a spring member positioned between the first injector body and the second injector body. The spring member is pre-loaded to bias the second injector body towards the first injector body. The spring member is further configured to limit a maximum movement of the second injector body relative to the first injector body in response to expansion of the reagent during freezing. |
| US10655522B2 |
Exhaust fluid filter including hydrocarbon detection witness media
An aftertreatment system includes an exhaust reductant tank configured to store an exhaust reductant. A filter is fluidically coupled to the exhaust reductant tank. The aftertreatment system includes a hydrocarbon detection device configured to indicate the presence of a hydrocarbon in the exhaust reductant. A catalyst is included in the system and configured to treat the exhaust reductant flowing through the system. The hydrocarbon detection device can include a hydrophobic paper, and can be disposed in the filter. |
| US10655520B2 |
Exhaust system
An exhaust system for an internal combustion engine, especially in a vehicle, comprising at least one first catalytic converter unit (18) with at least one catalytic converter device (24), through which internal combustion engine exhaust gas can flow and a fuel-operated heater (36). The at least one first catalytic converter unit (18) comprises a heat exchanger volume (50) through which heater exhaust gas leaving the heater (36) can flow. |
| US10655517B2 |
Systems for reducing startup emissions in power plant including gas turbine
Embodiments of emission reduction system including various embodiments of an emission filters for a power plant including a gas turbine are disclosed. The system includes: an emission filter; and a retraction system operably coupled to an exhaust passage of the gas turbine. The exhaust passage defines an exhaust path of exhaust from the gas turbine. The retraction system selectively moves the emission filter between a first location within the exhaust path and a second location out of the exhaust path. In a combined cycle power plant, the first location is upstream of a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG). The systems and filters described allow for temporary positioning of emission filter(s) just downstream of a gas turbine exhaust outlet, or upstream of an HRSG, where provided, for emission reduction at low loads or startup conditions, and removal of the emission filter(s) once operations move to higher loads. |
| US10655507B2 |
Control device and control method for internal combustion engine
In a control device and a control method for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention, when a crank angle signal is behaving abnormally, a phase angle of an exhaust camshaft relative to a crankshaft is set to a reference phase angle, and a phase angle of an intake camshaft relative to the crankshaft is determined based on an intake cam signal and an exhaust cam signal. Furthermore, the phase difference between the exhaust cam signal generated when the relative phase angle of the exhaust camshaft is set to the reference phase angle and the intake cam signal generated when the relative phase angle of the intake camshaft is set to a target value is greater after a start-up of the internal combustion engine than during the start-up. |
| US10655500B2 |
Reinforced fan containment case for a gas turbine engine
A fan containment case for a gas turbine engine is provided which includes a barrel having an outermost portion, an innermost portion, and an interior portion in-between the outermost portion and the innermost portion. The outermost portion has an outermost band of material made of carbon fiber composite and the innermost portion has an innermost band of material made of carbon fiber composite. The interior portion includes a first interior band and a second interior band adjacent the first interior band. The first interior band is made of poly p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole (PBO) and the second interior band is made of an aramid material. The innermost portion has an innermost band of material made of carbon fiber composite. |
| US10655498B2 |
Turbomachine bearing assembly preloading arrangement
A turbomachine with a shaft supporting a turbine wheel is supported for rotation in a housing. The shaft extends through a bore in the housing and a bearing assembly is disposed in the bore. The turbomachine has a first lubricating fluid slinger comprising a screw thread that is engageable with a threaded section of the shaft such that the first lubricating fluid slinger is screwable along the threaded section of the shaft so as to apply a compressive preload to the bearing assembly. |
| US10655495B2 |
Spline for a turbine engine
A shroud assembly for a turbine engine comprising a plurality of circumferentially arranged shroud segments having confronting end faces defining first and second radially spaced surfaces. The shroud assembly includes a forward edge spanning to an aft edge to define an axial direction and a set of confronting seal channels formed in each of the confronting end faces with a spline seal located within the confronting seal channels. |
| US10655489B2 |
Systems and methods for assembling flow path components
An assembly for a turbomachine and a method for assembling a plurality of flow path components are presented. The assembly includes a plurality of flow path components disposed adjacent to one another, each flow path component having a forward surface, an aft surface, a pressure side surface, and a suction side surface. A seal channel is defined by the pressure side surface and the suction side surface of adjacent flow path components. The seal channel has an open forward end proximate to the forward surfaces and at least two rear ends proximate to the aft surfaces. The assembly includes a plurality of seal layers disposed within the seal channel such that one or more seal layers extend from the open forward end to a rear end and one or more other seal layers extend from the open forward end to another rear end. |
| US10655487B2 |
Pressure balanced secondary seal
An annular stator seal support extends radially between a radial inner support side and a radial outer support side. A secondary seal includes a first radially extending secondary seal sidewall surface, a second radially extending secondary seal sidewall surface and a third radially extending secondary seal sidewall surface. An annular stator sleeve support includes a channel radially distal the radial inner support side, the channel includes a first radially extending channel sidewall and a second radially extending channel sidewall located axially forward of the first radially extending channel sidewall, and a third radially extending channel sidewall located axially behind the first radially extending channel sidewall. The first radially extending seal sidewall surface contacts the first radially extending channel sidewall, and the second radially extending channel sidewall is axially spaced from the second radially extending secondary seal sidewall surface. |
| US10655480B2 |
Mini-disk for gas turbine engine
According to one embodiment, a mini-disk of a gas turbine engine having an axis is provided. The mini-disk includes a bore, a web extending radially with respect to the axis of the gas turbine engine from the bore, a base extending axially with respect to the axis of the gas turbine engine from the bore, a connector located on an end of the base, the connector configured to connect with a hub arm of the gas turbine engine, and an expansion feature configured in the base and located between the bore and the connector, the expansion feature configured to reduce an axial stiffness of the base. |
| US10655477B2 |
Turbine components and method for forming turbine components
Turbine components are disclosed including a component wall defining a constrained portion, a manifold having an impingement wall, and a post-impingement cavity disposed between the manifold and the component wall. The impingement wall includes a wall thickness and defines a plenum and a tapered portion. The tapered portion tapers toward the constrained portion and includes a plurality of impingement apertures and a wall inflection. The wall inflection is disposed proximal to the constrained portion, and the tapered portion is integrally formed as a single, continuous object. The wall inflection may include an inflection radius of less than about 3 times the wall thickness of the impingement wall, or the tapered portion may include a consolidated portion with the impingement wall extending across the plenum. A method for forming the turbine component is also disclosed, including forming the tapered portion as a single, continuous tapered portion by an additive manufacturing technique. |
| US10655476B2 |
Gas turbine engines with airfoils having improved dust tolerance
An airfoil for a gas turbine engine includes a first side wall; a second side wall joined to the first side wall at a leading edge and a trailing edge; and an internal cooling system arranged within the first and second side walls configured to direct cooling air through and out of the airfoil. The internal cooling system has a first cooling circuit that includes an acceleration channel generally extending in a radial outward direction. A first section of the acceleration channel decreases in cross-sectional area along the radial outward direction such that the cooling air is accelerated through the first section of the acceleration channel. The first cooling circuit further includes a trailing edge chamber fluidly coupled to receive at least a portion of the cooling air from the acceleration channel and extending generally in a chordwise aft direction from the acceleration channel to the trailing edge. |
| US10655472B2 |
Aerofoil with leading edge slits
An aerofoil having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the leading edge including a plurality of slits extending toward the trailing edge, such that the leading edge is defined by alternating peaks and troughs. Each peak extends in a generally spanwise direction and defines a peak width, each peak being separated from an adjacent peak in the spanwise direction by a trough. Each trough extends in the generally spanwise direction and is spaced in a chordwise direction from the peak, each trough defining a trough width. A ratio of the peak width to the trough width is between 4:1 and 10:1. |
| US10655471B2 |
Turbine and gas turbine
A flow path width at a hub endwall of a blade main body decreases toward a minimum width from a leading edge, and increases toward a trailing edge from the minimum width, the flow path width at a reference blade height aparted toward a tip side from the hub endwall of the blade main body gradually decreases toward the trailing edge from the leading edge, and an axial chord length position of the minimum flow path widths at respective blade height shift toward a transition to the trailing edge side from the hub endwall toward the tip side of the blade main body and coincides with the trailing edge at the reference blade height. |
| US10655464B2 |
Device comprising multiple detectors for detecting a flow of gas extracted from a drilling fluid
The disclosure relates to a modular device for analyzing gas extracted from a drilling fluid used for drilling a wellbore, comprising a chassis having a power supply system, a fluid distribution and regulation system, and a control module, and a first and second analysis module of different types. The analysis modules comprise a detector for measuring a parameter relative to a content of a gas compound. The chassis comprises a core connector having power, communication and fluid outputs, the analysis modules having a module connector complementary to the core connector. The complementary core and module connectors form a removable connection, easy and quick to connect. The device obtains a measurement from the detector of the first analysis module when connected to the chassis via the core connector and a measurement from the detector of the second analysis module when connected to the chassis via the core connector. |
| US10655462B2 |
Acoustic tool eccentering correction
An acoustic signal is transmitted from a downhole tool positioned within a wellbore. Amplitudes and travel times of the acoustic signal received at different azimuthal locations of the downhole tool are measured. Correction factors, each corresponding to a different one of the measured amplitudes, are determined based on the travel times measured at each of the different azimuthal locations. Corrected amplitudes are each determined based on the corresponding measured amplitude and the corresponding correction factor. |
| US10655461B2 |
Formation pressure determination
A method, apparatus, and program product for determining a formation pressure for a reservoir. Measurement data for a pretest of a formation of the reservoir is received. The measurement data is analyzed to determine a last-read event and a corresponding last-read pressure. Derivative data for flow regime identification is determined based at least in part on the measurement data. The derivative data is analyzed to determine a pressure derivative response, and a formation pressure is determined based at least in part on the last-read event, the last-read pressure, and the pressure derivative response. |
| US10655458B2 |
System and method for communicating along a casing string including a high magnetic permeability substrate
A communication assembly is described that when placed around a string casing in a wellbore transmits data along a pipe string from the wellbore to, for example, the surface of the well. The assembly includes a high magnetic permeability substrate to eliminate signal loss to the casing string thereby enhancing the signal and improving data transmission. |
| US10655457B2 |
Apparatus and method of propagation and spatial location analysis by acoustic array for down-hole applications
Methods for locating an acoustic source. A method may comprise measuring noise from the acoustic source from a downhole environment, which produces a measurement for processing, performing a dispersion analysis on the measurement, performing a space entropy equalization and normalization process on the measurement, performing a weighted integration on the measurement, performing a pattern recognition on the measurement, performing a weighted enhancement on the measurement, and producing a recognition factor from the measurement. A method may comprise measuring noise from the acoustic source from a downhole environment, which produces a measurement for processing, performing a dispersion analysis on the measurement, performing a time difference scan on the measurement, performing a propagation distance scan on the measurement, performing a weighted enhancement on the measurement, and producing a recognition factor from the measurement. |
| US10655455B2 |
Fluid analysis monitoring system
A system includes a channel having a first end configured to be fluidly coupled to a first portion of a conduit of a drilling system or a production system to enable fluid to flow from the conduit into the channel and a second end configured to be fluidly coupled to a second portion of the conduit to enable return of the fluid from the channel into the conduit. The system also includes at least one sensor positioned along the channel and configured to generate a signal indicative of a characteristic of the fluid as the fluid flows through the channel. The system further includes a pump positioned along the channel and configured to adjust a flow rate of the fluid through the channel. |
| US10655450B2 |
IFR1 survey methodology
An improved in-field referencing 1 (IFR1) technique is provided, wherein a single mid-lateral well measurement of local magnetic field is used. In one aspect of directional drilling, a single set of IFR values for a planned well is obtained. The single set of IFR values is captured at a single location in a mid-lateral section of the planned well. A global magnetic model corresponding to the Earth's magnetic field is obtained. An improved magnetic model is generated by correcting the global magnetic model for local anomalies using the single set of IFR values. |
| US10655448B2 |
Downhole cement strain gauge
In one embodiment, a system includes a casing disposed within a wellbore, one or more data collection tools coupled to the casing, and one or more sensors disposed within an annulus of the wellbore. Each of the one or more sensors include a substrate, a strain-sensitive element coupled to the substrate, and a transceiver coupled to the substrate and configured to communicate with the one or more data collection tools. |
| US10655443B2 |
Pulsed hydraulic fracturing with geopolymer precursor fluids
Fracturing a reservoir includes providing a pad fluid to the reservoir via a wellbore in a well to create fractures in the reservoir, providing a fracturing fluid to the fractures via the wellbore, providing a geopolymer precursor fluid to the fractures via the wellbore, shutting in the wellbore at a wellbore pressure, thereby allowing the geopolymer precursor fluid to harden and form geopolymer proppant pillars in the fractures. Providing the geopolymer precursor fluid to the fractures includes pulsing quantities of the geopolymer precursor fluid into a continuous flow of the fracturing fluid or alternately pulsing quantities of the geopolymer precursor fluid and the fracturing fluid. An elapsed time between pulsing the quantities of the geopolymer precursor fluid is between 2 seconds and 20 minutes. |
| US10655441B2 |
Stimulation of light tight shale oil formations
Methods and systems for stimulating light tight shale oil formations to recover hydrocarbons from the formations. One embodiment includes positioning a downhole burner in a first well, supplying a fuel, oxidizer, and water to the burner to form steam, injecting the steam and surplus oxygen into the shale reservoir to form a heated zone within the shale reservoir, wherein the surplus oxygen reacts with hydrocarbons in the reservoir to generate heat; wherein the heat from the reactions with the hydrocarbons and the steam increases permeability in a kerogen-rich portion of the shale reservoir, and producing hydrocarbons from the shale reservoir. |
| US10655439B2 |
Gas lift method and apparatus
A method for injection of a lift gas into a wellbore production string comprises determining production pressure within the production string, and autonomously controlling a variable orifice gas lift valve in accordance with the determined production pressure, wherein the variable orifice gas lift valve controls the injection flow rate of the lift gas into the production string. A valve comprises a housing defining an inlet, an outlet and a flow path therebetween, and a valve member linearly moveable within the housing between first and second positions to vary flow along the flow path, wherein the valve member is prevented from rotation relative to the housing during linear movement between the first and second positions. The valve further includes a rotary drive and a transmission arrangement interposed between the rotary drive and the valve member for converting rotation of the rotary drive to linear movement of the valve member. |
| US10655437B2 |
Buoyant system and method with buoyant extension and guide tube
The present invention provides a buoyant system and method for a hydrocarbon offshore floating platform to be coupled and decoupled from a subsea buoyant extension with risers slidably coupled thereto. The buoyant system can allow rigid risers to be coupled and decoupled and alternatively move between a first elevation below the offshore floating platform, such as at the buoyant extension, and a higher second elevation at the offshore floating platform independent of a spool piece, arch support, and flexible joint for the risers. The buoyant system can reduce riser stress by reducing bending required for the riser to form a catenary or other curved shape even as a rigid riser. |
| US10655431B2 |
Bypass diverter sub for subsurface safety valves
A bypass diverter sub including a housing defining a flow passage, a control line bypass piston arranged within a control line bypass bore defined in a wall of the housing, and a balance line bypass piston arranged within a balance line bypass bore defined in the wall. An outer magnet is disposed within a magnet chamber and is operatively coupled to the control and balance line bypass. A flow tube profile is positioned within the flow passage and provides an inner magnet magnetically coupled to the outer. The flow tube profile is movable between a first position, where control line and balance line pressures circulate through the bypass diverter sub to a subsurface safety valve, and a second position, where the control line pressure is diverted into the flow passage and the balance line pressure is diverted into a balance line jumper conduit. |
| US10655423B2 |
Method to delay swelling of a packer by incorporating dissolvable metal shroud
Swellable packer assemblies, and associated systems and methods are described for operation in connection with a subterranean wellbore. The swellable packer assemblies may include a shroud for maintaining a sealing element in a fully inactivated configuration until the packer assemblies reach a predetermined location in the wellbore. The shroud may be formed of a dissolvable metal material such that fluids in the wellbore may remove the shroud, and thereafter the sealing element may be rapidly expanded by exposure to fluids in the wellbore or by exposure to a trigger fluid pumped from the a surface location. The expanded sealing element may establish a seal with an outer tubular structure to isolate adjacent portions of the wellbore. |
| US10655421B2 |
Compact cutting system and method
A subsea compact cutting system operable for cutting pipe utilizing two gates. Each gate preferably has a blanking portion and an opening through the gate. A first gate is moveable only between an open throughbore position and a partially open throughbore position. A second gate is moveable between an open throughbore position and a closed throughbore position. To cut pipe and seal off the throughbore, the first gate is moved to a position where a cutting element on the first gate is centrally located in the throughbore. The second gate moves to seal the throughbore. A cutting element on the second gate interacts with the cutting element on the first gate to cut pipe in the throughbore. |
| US10655418B2 |
Subsea landing string with autonomous emergency shut-in and disconnect
A technique facilitates automatic shut-in of a well and disconnect of a corresponding landing string. The landing string is employed in a well application and comprises a landing string module which measures a parameter or a variety of parameters. Those parameters may be used to determine the occurrence of an event which initiates shut-in of the well and disconnect of the landing string. The subsea landing string system is constructed to enable autonomous shut-in and disconnect. |
| US10655416B2 |
Downhole apparatus for disconnecting portions of downhole tool string
An apparatus and method for connecting and selectively disconnecting within a wellbore first and second portions of a downhole tool string from each other. The apparatus may be a downhole tool having a first connector sub connectable with the first portion of the downhole tool string, a second connector sub connectable with the second portion of the downhole tool string, an internal chamber, and a fastener connecting the first and second connector subs. At least a portion of the fastener fluidly separates the internal chamber into a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion. The first chamber portion is fluidly connected with the space external to the downhole tool. The downhole tool is selectively operable to disconnect the first and second connector subs from each other to disconnect the first and second portions of the downhole tool string from each other. |
| US10655415B2 |
Multimodal tool jar
Methods and apparatus for alleviating a stuck condition of a tool string, including using a jarring assembly to collide a plurality of impact surfaces together. The collision results in at least a shock wave inducing i) translational motion along the longitudinal axis of the tool string, and ii) motion in at least one other degree of freedom sufficient to alleviate the stuck condition of the tool string, which may be at least one of: i) translational motion along an axis substantially normal to the longitudinal axis, and ii) rotational motion. Methods may include generating at least one test impact load using a jarring assembly; generating movement information from a sensor responsive to the at least one test impact load; and generating further impact loads using the jarring assembly in dependence upon the movement information. |
| US10655414B1 |
System and method for improving integrity of cased wellbores
A system and method for improving integrity of a cased wellbore. The method comprises identifying at least one weak plane corresponding to a highest probability of slip of fault within the open-hole wellbore. Further, the method comprises providing pressurized fluid into the open-hole wellbore to cause the slip of the fault by inducing tensile or shear failures within the open-hole wellbore along the at least one weak plane. The method also comprises restoring a shape of the open-hole wellbore after the slip of the fault by removing material from an inner surface of the open-hole wellbore, to provide a uniform or smooth cross-section along an elongate axis of the open-hole wellbore. The method further comprises arranging and cementing a casing along the restored open-hole wellbore to obtain the cased wellbore having improved integrity. |
| US10655413B2 |
Destruction mechanism for a dissolvable sealing device
A sealing device relates to a plug that includes a crusher mechanism, where the sealing device includes one or more glass layers positionable in a wellbore. The glass in a barrier phase bears against at least one seat or support sleeve arranged axially displaceably in the wellbore, where the at least one seat or support sleeve bears against the glass by means of a supporting hydraulic fluid in a pressure support chamber, the seat or support sleeve being configured to be released, be displaced axially, and to crush the glass when the supporting hydraulic fluid is released from the pressure support chamber. |
| US10655410B2 |
Dual gradient drilling system and method
A dual gradient drilling system includes a subsea blowout preventer disposed above a wellhead, the subsea blowout preventer having a central lumen configured to provide access to a wellbore, a lower section of a marine riser fluidly connected to the subsea blowout preventer, a closed-hydraulic positive displacement subsea pump system fluidly connected to the lower section of the marine riser and disposed at a predetermined depth, an annular sealing system disposed above the closed-hydraulic positive displacement subsea pump system, and an independent mud return line fluidly connecting one or more pump heads of the closed-hydraulic positive displacement subsea pump system to a choke manifold disposed on a floating platform of a rig. |
| US10655408B2 |
Mobile proppant recognition
A method for analyzing particles that may include collecting an image of a substrate including a size tracer and a plurality of particles thereon; processing the collected image; and outputting a particle analysis of at least a portion of the plurality of particles. In some instances the particles analyzed may be particles involved in wellbore operations. |
| US10655407B2 |
Tubular delivery arm for a drilling rig
A tubular delivery arm that travels vertically along a rail on the front of a drilling mast in generally parallel orientation to the travel of a top drive. The tubular delivery arm has a dolly vertically translatably connected to a mast of the drilling rig. An arm is rotatably and pivotally connected to the dolly at its upper end. A tubular clasp is pivotally connected to the arm at its lower end. The dolly vertically translates the front side of the mast in response to actuation of a hoist at the crown of the mast. The tubular delivery arm translates the mast in non-conflicting passage of a top drive connected to the same mast, for positioning a tubular stand over the centerline of the wellbore, a mousehole, or a stand hand-off position. |
| US10655406B2 |
Horizontal connection system for subsea hub connections
A horizontal connection system including: a first holding unit, to which a first hub is fixed; a second holding unit, to which a second hub is fixed; a heat bank including a casing with a rear part secured to the first holding unit and a front part releasably connectable to the rear part; and a clamp connector secured to the first holding unit and received inside the heat bank. The parts of the casing are temporarily fixed to each other by connecting members extending between the parts on the outside thereof. The front part of the casing is provided with fastening members configured to come into engagement with associated fastening members on the second holding unit, to thereby allow the front part to be secured to the second holding unit, when the front part and the second holding unit are brought into contact with each other. |
| US10655404B2 |
Carrier for connecting a tool to a tubular member
A carrier for connecting a tool to the outside diameter of a tubular member. The carrier is a sleeve made up of first and second sleeve sections which encircle a tubular member to form a substantially complete sleeve. The sleeve is threaded on each end and there is a threaded collar received on each threaded end of the sleeve. Since the sleeve sections are formed by threading a tubular member at opposite ends, and then splitting the tubular member, when the sleeve sections are placed in surrounding relationship to the pipe, there will be at least one gap between the sleeve sections. |
| US10655389B2 |
Rotary gate
Methods and systems are disclosed to facilitate a rotary gate controller moving from one state to another in a manner wherein the gate controller uses the state condition to determine if an exit is taking place when an entry request has been sent. Once such an occurrence is determined to exist, the MID will send an exit request allowing the exiting customer to continue through the gate. When the internal state changes to going to a home position, the MID will send a new entry request, and the MID will indicate through MID display that the entering customer can pass through the rotary gate. The original payment of the entering customer will have been accepted and will allow the entering customer to proceed through the gate. On completion of the entry rotation, the rotary gate controller will revert back to free exit and restricted entry states. |
| US10655387B2 |
Range of motorized-drive devices for screening blinds
A range of motorized-drive devices (100, 200, 300) for screening blinds comprises: at least one first drive device (100) for driving a first screening blind, comprising a first support (102), a first shaft (104) rotating about a first axis of revolution (106) with respect to the first support (102), at least a winding drum (108) for winding a drive cord of the first screening blind, rotating as one with the first shaft (104), a first geared motor unit (110) for driving the first shaft (104), housed in the first support (102) and kinematically connected to the first shaft (104), preferably via an overdrive (112), and a first electronic control module (114) fixed remote from the first geared motor unit (110), and at least one second drive device (200) for driving a second screening blind, comprising a second support (202), a winding tube (204) for the second screening blind mounted in the second support (202) so as to rotate about a second axis of revolution (206) with respect to the second support (202), a second geared motor unit (210) for driving the winding tube (204), housed inside the winding tube (204), and a second electronic control module (214) fixed remote from the second geared motor unit (210). The first geared motor unit (110) and the second geared motor unit (210) are identical and define a model of geared motor unit (10) that is common to the motorized-drive devices (110, 210) of the range. |
| US10655386B2 |
Motorized window treatment
A motorized window treatment for controlling the amount of daylight entering a space through a window includes a covering material, a drive shaft, and a motor coupled to the drive shaft for raising and lowering the covering material. The window treatment also includes a spring assist unit for assisting the motor by providing a torque that equals the torque provided by the weight on the cords that lift the covering material at a position midway between fully-open and fully-closed positions to minimize motor usage and conserve battery life. The window treatment may comprise a photosensor for measuring the amount of daylight outside the window and temperature sensors for measuring the temperatures inside and outside of the window. The position of the covering material may be automatically controlled in response to the photosensor and the temperature sensors, or in response to an infrared or radio-frequency remote control. |
| US10655382B2 |
Door lite frame assembly
A frame assembly for retaining a window panel in an aperture in a door. The frame assembly having a first frame member having a first outer face, a first window engaging surface, and a first door engaging surface, a second frame member having a second outer face, a second window engaging surface, and a second door engaging surface, a third frame member adapted to attach to the first outer face of the first frame member by a plurality of first screwless connectors, and a fourth frame member adapted to attach to the second outer face of the second frame member by a plurality of second screwless connectors. The first frame member is secured to the second frame member such that the window panel is held in the aperture between the first window engaging surface and the second window engaging surface and the door is held between the first door engaging surface and the second door engaging surface. |
| US10655380B2 |
Multicolor threshold
Disclosed is a multilayered, multicolored threshold for transitioning from one flooring surface to another, such as at a doorway. An exemplary multicolor threshold includes a top layer comprised of a first compound and a main body portion comprised of a second compound. |
| US10655377B2 |
Method and system for detecting an obstruction of a passenger door
A method of detecting an obstruction of a passenger door on a public transit vehicle comprising the steps of: recording the profile of the actuator (motor) current vs. door position following initiation of an opening or closing of the door; based on the recorded profile of actuator current vs. door position acceptable increase in motor current for one or more discrete positions following initiation of opening or closing the door indicative of no obstruction; and comparing an instant current profile to the acceptable increase and indicating a potential door obstruction if the current exceeds the acceptable increase. |
| US10655375B2 |
Security safe hinge
A hinge arrangement for a safe or similar secure storage unit. A unit includes a compartment with an opening in which a door can be mounted. Hinge cups are arranged along one edge of the door frame. Hinge lug pieces extend from an edge of the door and are received within the hinge cups. Hinge pins are introduced into the cups and lugs, creating a pivot joint for each hinge. The hinge pin passages are concealed from the exterior and are only accessible from the interior of the storage compartment. When closed, the hinge lug pieces are preferably substantially flush with the exterior surfaces of the door frame. |
| US10655372B2 |
Window sash restraint device
A window sash restraint device for selectively restraining a window sash in one of an open position and a closed position relative to a window frame. The window sash restraint device includes a body adapted to be fixed directly to the frame or sash and a restraining member which in an active condition, restrains the sash in either the open position or the closed position relative to the frame and when inactive allows movement of the sash relative to the opened or closed positions. The device further comprises a manually releasable restraining mechanism for holding the restraining member in the active condition. The device is adapted to restrain the sash in the opened position, with an opening small enough to prevent a child from falling out of the window yet secure enough to prevent the child from further opening and falling from the window. |
| US10655367B2 |
Mechanical assist mechanism for active pedestrian safety latch
A latch assembly for driving a closure panel from a closed panel position to an open panel position. The latch assembly comprises: a latch mechanism having a first latch element for retaining a mating latch component in a latched position and for moving the mating latch component from the latched position to an unlatched position when released, the movement of the first latch element biased towards the unlatched position by a latch biasing element; and an actuation system having: a mechanical energy storage system having a device for storing mechanical potential energy for assisting the latch biasing element in moving the mating latch component from the latched position to the unlatched position; a mechanical advantage system having a plurality of advantage elements for engaging the device, such that movement of the plurality of advantage elements is associated with a trigger force and cooperation of the plurality of advantage elements provides for amplification of the trigger force as an initiating force to release the stored mechanical potential energy; and a trigger system configured to provide the trigger force to release the stored mechanical potential energy. |
| US10655361B2 |
Lock insert for a cylinder lock
A lock insert for a cylinder lock is disclosed for locking an electric switch, including a main part with an opening for receiving the cylinder lock. In an embodiment, the inner wall of the opening is designed to at least partially contact an outer wall of the cylinder lock, and in the inner wall at least one slot is formed to allow freedom of radial movement of locking elements in the cylinder lock, the positions of which correspond to a locked position of the cylinder lock. |
| US10655360B1 |
Door handle and method for use
A door handle assembly and a method relating to using the door handle assembly are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, the door handle assembly include a grasping area and a securing area. The securing area may include a plurality of apertures, wherein each of the plurality of apertures has one or more flanges. The one or more flanges may be pliable and retain a removable securing device. The door handle may be made using injection molded plastics. The method of using the door handle assembly may provide a ready to use door handle assembly with the door handle having pre-inserted removable securing devices ready to be assembled to a door. |
| US10655352B2 |
Balance and lift parking apparatus
A balance and lift parking apparatus increases parking space availability and therefore allows users to park more than one automobile vertically. The balance and lift parking apparatus includes a support structure, a parking platform, a first wheel track, and a second wheel track. The support structure is the structural base of the balance and lift parking apparatus. Further, the support structure allows the balance and lift parking apparatus to support the weight of automobiles. Moreover, the support structure provides a clearance area from the ground surface which allows at least one automobile to be parked. The parking platform provides a surface on which at least one automobile may traverse onto. The first wheel track and the second wheel track are used to guide at least one automobile onto and along the parking platform. |
| US10655346B2 |
Method for erecting a shuttering framework
Disclosed herein is a method for erecting a shuttering framework. The method comprises the steps of a) mounting one end of a first support to the ground or other stationary object and mounting one end of a first brace to the ground or other stationary object, b) attaching the opposite end of the first brace to the opposite end of the first support or to a position between the two ends of the first support, c) repeating a) and b) for a second support and a second brace, and d) mounting a plurality of ties between the first and second supports. Also disclosed herein is a method of casting concrete. |
| US10655345B2 |
Height accessible working platform with horizontally displaceable cradle
The present disclosure relates to a height accessible working platform. The disclosed working platform generally comprises a frame attachable to a lifting system for being moveable along the vertical axis and suspended thereto; a cradle; a first arm structure having a proximal end terminated to the frame and an distal end attached to the cradle, the first arm structure being extendable and retractable to displace the cradle respectively away from and closer towards one of lateral sides of the frame along a first axis substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis; and a counterweight mechanism mounting at one lateral side of the frame opposing to the cradle, the counterweight mechanism being configured to balance the working platform corresponding to displacement of the cradle along the first axis. |
| US10655344B1 |
Cove base with channel for sealant
A cove base for sealing a gap between a wall and a floor using a sealant is provided. The cove base comprises a base configured to extend along a portion of the wall when installed. A shoe extends at an angle from the base and is configured to extend towards the floor and away from the wall when installed. A heel extends from the shoe and is configured to contact the floor when installed. A channel configured to receive the sealant is defined by the space between the heel and the shoe. |
| US10655342B2 |
Water resistant flooring underlayment
A method of installing a flooring structure is disclosed. The method includes providing an acoustic insulating layer over a sub-floor layer. The method also includes providing an underlayment layer over the acoustic insulating layer. The provided underlayment layer includes gypsum concrete having a water-resistant additive. Also disclosed is a flooring structure. The flooring structure includes an acoustic insulating layer over a sub-floor layer. The flooring structure also includes an underlayment layer having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The underlayment layer includes gypsum concrete having a water-resistant additive. Additionally disclosed is a gypsum concrete flooring underlayment product. The product includes a mixture of alpha calcium sulfate hemihydrate and beta calcium sulfate hemihydrate. The product also includes a silane-based powder intermixed with the mixture of alpha calcium sulfate hemihydrate and beta calcium sulfate hemihydrate. |
| US10655341B2 |
Flooring mat with entangled filament structure
A flooring mat that includes a first layer that includes a vapor barrier, a second layer that includes a textile pad, and a third layer having an entangled filament structure. The second layer is disposed between the first layer and the third layer. The flooring mat may be provided between a subfloor and a surface layer of a flooring structure. |
| US10655338B2 |
Floor board and method for manufacturing such floor boards
A floor board including a decorative surface layer applied to a substrate, where the substrate has MDF or HDF material at a side edge thereof, where the side edge is treated both with an impregnation agent and/or a sealing agent based on a superabsorbing material. Also a method for manufacturing such floor boards. |
| US10655336B2 |
Weep screed
A weep screed having an elongate substantially planar back flange and an elongate upper flange extending outwardly from an outward side of the back. Apertures formed in the upper flange allow water to drain. An elongate bottom flange section extends outwardly from the back flange below the upper flange and has an upper member extending outwardly and downwardly from said back flange and an outer edge spaced from the back flange. Also provided is a method of applying a veneer finish using the weep screed. |
| US10655335B2 |
System and method of assembling and installing commercial roofing
A system for assembling roofing at ground level has an adjustable-length center frame separating a first assembly side from a second assembly side; a first cantilevered gantry on the first assembly side and a second cantilevered gantry on a second side, each cantilevered gantry moveable along the length of the center frame; a plurality of outrigger beams coupled to opposing ends of the center beam, each outrigger beam having a catwalk thereon; a first joist railing and a second joist railing on each assembly side, each joist railing configured to receive an end of an open web joist; and a base frame comprising a plurality of wheels. Once the roofing section has been assembled, hoisting the assembled roofing section to the top of a structure. |
| US10655334B2 |
Adjustable width gutter guard systems
An adjustable gutter guard system includes a first water management component, a second water management component, and a screen. The first water management component includes a first main body section and a front receiver section. The second water management component is slideably arranged relative to the first water management component to adjust the width of the adjustable gutter guard system. The second water management component includes a second main body section and a rear receiver section. The screen is positioned in contact with the first main body section and the second main body section. Both the first main body section and the second main body section include a longitudinal body, a plurality of passageways through the longitudinal body, and at least one wall extending from a top surface of the longitudinal body. |
| US10655325B2 |
Method for manufacturing a ballast mass
Method for producing a ballast weight for damping vibrations of a structure, the ballast weight being formed from ballast components comprising a part of a ballast cable, the method comprising: connecting the ballast cable to a conveying device, by the conveying device, moving successive portions of the ballast cable from a low point to a high point, and forming the ballast weight from a part of the successive portions of the ballast cable which have been conveyed to the high point. |
| US10655324B2 |
Folded foam sheathing with starter strip
An exemplary foam insulation board includes a plurality of insulation panels hingeably connected by hinged portions. The foam insulation board has a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. The hinged portions allow the insulation panels to fold flat against each other in the folded configuration. The plurality of insulation panels includes a first insulation panel and a plurality of additional insulation panels, one of which is adjacent to the first insulation panel. The first insulation panel also includes a starter portion that extends beyond at least the adjacent insulation panel of the additional panels. |
| US10655316B1 |
Concrete galley water detention and release systems
An underground water detention and release chamber including two concrete galleys and a plastic cap. Each galley has a substantially horizontally disposed top deck and two substantially vertically disposed side walls. The top deck and side walls connecting at respective ends to form first and second side edges. The two galleys positioned parallel to and a distance apart each other such that adjacent side walls of the galleys define a longitudinal channel between the galleys. The cap spanning the longitudinal channel and includes an arch-shaped body having two side base portions. Each side base portion has a horizontal strut and a vertical strut extending away from the body such that each base conforms to a side edge of a respective galley to position the cap on the galleys. The cap has a plurality of reinforcing members. |
| US10655315B2 |
Flood water removal system
Flood water removal systems including a motor, a vacuum generating device, a discharge pump, and a vacuum tank can be efficiently arranged to be transversely mounted to a vehicle. Certain flood water removal systems can include a supercharger driven by the engine to generate vacuum. The systems can include a valve to prevent collapse of a vacuum tank and maintain a predetermined vacuum pressure without varying the speed of the motor. The systems can also include a two-stage exhaust that blends exhaust from the blower with motor exhaust in a silencer to reduce noise generation for operation in residential or other noise-sensitive settings. The systems can also include a vacuum tank comprising a noise reduction baffle to further reduce noise generation. |
| US10655312B1 |
Automatic toilet plunger
An automatic toilet plunger includes a plunger body having a top end, a bottom end, and an inside. The plunger body is hollow and cylindrical. A plunger head is coupled to the bottom end of the plunger body. A plunging mechanism is coupled inside the plunger body of the plunger. The plunging mechanism is in operational communication with the plunger head and is configured to cause the plunger head to clear a toilet. A plurality of controls is coupled to the plunger body and is in operational communication with the plunging mechanism. A power source is coupled to the plunger body and is in operational communication with, and provides power to, the plunging mechanism. |
| US10655311B1 |
Drainage system for a sink
The present invention is a drainage system for a sink that has a drainage pipe and a drainage box. Drainage pipe connects sink and drainage box and has a substantial portion longitudinal which occupies less space under sink and provide more useful area for stacking or storage. Drainage box is fitted under sink and eases periodic maintenances and chock up/article removal without the need to dismantle drainage pipe by providing an openable outlet. Drainage box includes an inlet hole for receiving drainage pipe which disburses liquid and solid wastes therewithin, an outlet hole which is in fluid communication with a drainage outlet provided on the wall for exit of liquid wastes and an openable outlet to remove solid wastes. Openable outlet is easy to open and hence eliminates the need for calling a plumber in event of chock up or for removing accidentally fallen articles such as rings. |
| US10655310B2 |
Shower bar system
A shower bar system illustratively includes an upper mount, a lower mount, and a shower column supported external to a shower wall by the upper mount and the lower mount. A diverter valve assembly is positioned vertically proximate the upper mount, and a user interface is positioned vertically proximate the lower mount. A connecting pipe fluidly couples the diverter valve assembly to an outlet, and operably couples the user interface to the diverter valve assembly. |
| US10655300B2 |
Cyclonic separation systems and hydro excavation vacuum apparatus incorporating same
Hydro excavation vacuum apparatus that process spoil material onboard the apparatus by separating water from the cut earthen material are disclosed. |
| US10655297B2 |
Hydraulic system and a method for moving an implement of a working machine
A hydraulic system for moving an implement of a working machine includes a hydraulic cylinder with a cylinder and a piston which is adapted to move in the cylinder to thereby move the implement relative to a body structure of the working machine, and an actuator pump arranged to provide hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic cylinder having a first port and a second port adapted to be in fluid communication with the actuator pump, the hydraulic cylinder and the actuator pump being arranged so that the hydraulic cylinder is directly controlled by the actuator pump so that the rate of movement of the piston of the hydraulic cylinder is purely pump controlled, the hydraulic system further including a hydraulic accumulator for suspension of the implement, which hydraulic accumulator is arranged to be selectively connectable to the first port, the hydraulic system further including a further pump in addition to the actuator pump, the hydraulic accumulator being arranged to be pressurised by the further pump. |
| US10655295B2 |
Clamping adapter and methods for sonic pile driving
A pile driving adapter includes an upper attachment portion for selectively attaching the adapter to a drill head and a lower housing portion including at least a first outer wall. The pile driving adapter further includes at least one actuator including a first portion slidably mounted to the lower housing portion and a second portion configured to expand from the first portion in a direction perpendicular to the first outer wall. The first portion may be slidably mounted to the lower housing portion via a sliding mount, and the lower housing portion may include at least one elongate slot for receiving at least a portion of the sliding mount. The pile driving adapter advantageously couples the drill head and the member to be driven so as to reliably transfer sonic energy. |
| US10655293B2 |
Device and method for ground freezing
A method and device for freezing the ground are disclosed, including a freezing lance which extends along a longitudinal axis and has a pipe mantle that encloses an interior space, wherein the ground surrounding the freezing lance can be cooled by the refrigerant present in a first section of the interior space, a line for supplying the liquid refrigerant in the first section of the interior space, wherein the device has a first end section with a first opening for removing an exhaust gas formed by evaporation of the refrigerant from the interior space, wherein the interior space has a second section for holding the exhaust gas, wherein heat is exchangeable between the exhaust gas and the pipe mantle in the second section, so that the exhaust gas can be heated by heat exchange with the ground adjacent to the freezing lance. |
| US10655290B2 |
Technical fish lock
Migrating fish often want to travel between different bodies of water, which may be positioned at different heights. To overcome these heights, water passages may be used that provide a water path at a slope over which a fish is able to swim up. A compact housing is provided by allowing a water guide over which the water flow flows to rotate around an axis parallel to gravity in a helical shape. The fish lock may be provided with a resting chamber which comprises a volume of water with a low flow velocity. Sensors and a controller may be provided to control a flow rate of the water through the fish lock according to for example the type of fish passing through the fish lock and an administrator may monitor the fish lock at a distance and may be contacted in case of malfunction. |
| US10655289B1 |
Pet waste collection device with articulated rectangular frame
A pet waste collection system has a main housing with a recessed wall area adapted for nesting of a collapsible frame, and at least one orifice on said back wall for movement of a portion of a sliding pole. At the far end of the sliding pole is a collapsible frame for a holding a waste receptacle, which is formed of at least two unconnected frame sections, wherein these unconnected frame sections have a first, collapsed position and a second, extended, open position. One frame section of said at least two unconnected frame sections is a leading linear frame section for positioning closest to the rear of a pet to create a wide linear edge area for efficient pet waste collection. Another embodiment pet waste collection system has a fixed handle, a main housing and a separate telescopic pole which moves the connected frame to and from the main housing. |
| US10655287B2 |
Reinforcement apparatus for reinforcing a structure comprising a pier and a cross-beam
A reinforcement apparatus for reinforcing a structure comprising at least one pier bearing on foundations, a cross-beam bearing on said pier and at least one structure element located above the cross-beam, the reinforcement apparatus comprising at least one column (20) destined to surround the pier at least partly, to be mechanically coupled to the pier and to bear on said foundations, and at least one transverse beam (22) fixed relative to the column and destined to be mechanically coupled to the cross-beam, and at least one load transfer element (36) arranged on an upper face of said at least one transverse beam (22) to take up at least part of the load of the structure element. |
| US10655285B2 |
Self-propelled ground milling machine and method for working on a traffic surface
A self-propelled ground milling machine includes a working roller, a hold-down device which is height-adjustable with respect to the traffic surface being arranged upstream of the working roller in the working direction, and a detection unit which determines a physical variable characteristic of an undesirable state of the operating process, wherein fragments are broken off from the traffic surface, apply compressive force to the hold-down device and can press the hold-down device into a raised position with respect to the traffic surface. A device for height-adjusting the hold-down device responds by applying a contact pressure, directed counter to the compressive force applied by the fragments, to the hold-down device. By applying sufficient contact pressure, the hold-down device can be effectively prevented from rising from the traffic surface, such a way that during the milling process it is at least made more difficult for fragments to break off undesirably from the traffic surface. |
| US10655281B2 |
Binder composition for improved tack coat and stress absorbing membrane interlayer application for road construction
A binder composition for asphalt pavements that includes: an asphalt binder; an elastomeric polymer; a wax modifier; and optionally at least one of: i) fumed silica or fumed alumina; and ii) a saponified fatty acid and a resin acid gelling compound. The composition is applied as a tack coat and/or a stress absorbing membrane interlayer and is non-tracking. |
| US10655280B1 |
Construction method for using modified phosphogypsum in roadbed and slope
A design and construction method for using modified phosphogypsum in a roadbed and slope, where the method includes preparing a phosphogypsum-containing roadbed mixture, setting moisture content of the roadbed mixture, preparing a phosphogypsum-containing slope mixture, and construction of a roadbed and slope. The preparation of the phosphogypsum-containing roadbed mixture includes 90 parts by weight of phosphogypsum and 10 parts by weight of cement, and uniformly mixed and stirred to obtain a base material mixture; and 2-4 parts by weight of sodium silicate is dissolved in water, and the obtained solution is added to the base material mixture to obtain the phosphogypsum-containing roadbed mixture. The design and construction method are simple, can satisfy roadbed strength and rebound modulus requirements, and can be widely applied to filling-deficient areas with a high yield of phosphogypsum solid wastes. |
| US10655279B2 |
Railway maintenance systems, tools, and methods of use thereof
A cold saw module may be a rail saw module that includes a cold saw configured to cut a railway rail along a cutting path, a rail alignment clamp configured to grip the railway rail near the cutting path, a feed actuator to drive the cold saw along the cutting path, and a module coupling element configured to selectively couple to a mating module coupling element of an articulated arm and/or a tool adapter. Cold saw modules may be used to cut metal workpieces such as a railway rail. Cutting a railway rail may include positioning the cold saw module at a cutting site along the railway rail installed in a railway, clamping the cold saw module to the railway rail, and cutting the railway rail at the cutting site with the cold saw module while the cold saw module is clamped to the cutting site. |
| US10655275B2 |
Device and method for producing a load bearing cable, as well as a load bearing cable
A device 100 produces an endless winding cable 101 by winding a yarn 106 around two thimbles 102, 104. The device 100 comprises an elongated guide 110, a carriage 112, a yarn feeder 114, a first thimble holder 116, and a second thimble holder 118. The first thimble holder 116 and the second thimble holder 118 each hold one of the two thimbles 102, 104. The carriage 112 is movable relative to the elongated guide 110. The yarn feeder 114 is connected to the carriage 112, and comprises at least one spool holder 120 for holding a spool 122 with the at least one yarn 106, and an output guide 124 for guiding the at least one yarn 106 to the cable during winding. The yarn feeder 114 comprises at least one yarn brake 126 for controlling a tension of the at least one yarn 106 during winding. |
| US10655273B2 |
Dyed fibers and methods of dyeing using N,N′-diacetyl indigo
Described herein are methods of dyeing fibers, and dyed fibers and textiles made using the methods. The methods involve contacting a fiber with a dye liquor at a dye liquor temperature of about 30° C. to 115° C. to form a dyed fiber, wherein the dye liquor components include at least N,N′-diacetyl indigo and a salt solution having ionic strength of about 0.03 M (moles/liter) to 1 M and pH of about 3 to 8 at 20° C. The contacting is generally carried out for a contact period of about 10 seconds to 30 minutes, for example by immersing the fiber in the heated dye liquor. By using the disclosed methods, N,N′-diacetyl indigo is substantially uniformly distributed on the dyed fiber to provide intense, vibrant colors affixed thereto. Dyed textiles display substantially uniform color. |
| US10655269B2 |
Washing machine
Disclosed is a washing machine including a main body, a main washing unit provided inside the main body, and a door unit for opening and closing a main entrance formed in the main body to approach the main washing unit. The door unit includes a main door and an auxiliary door. The main door includes an auxiliary washing unit, an auxiliary entrance for inputting laundry into the auxiliary washing unit, and an opening through which the contents of the auxiliary washing unit are discharged. The auxiliary door is rotatably coupled to the main door to open and close the auxiliary entrance. When the auxiliary door is opened, the auxiliary door closes the opening to form an auxiliary washing space in which water is able to be contained. When the auxiliary door is closed after the hand-washing, the opening is opened to discharge the laundry and the washing water in the auxiliary laundry space to the main washing unit naturally. |
| US10655265B2 |
Washing machine and control method therefor
A washing machine comprises a water-containing barrel, a flocculation container and a filtering container that are successively brought into communication in a loop; the flocculation container is provided with a stirring mechanism and a washing mechanism; a rotatable filtering mechanism and a filtering and self-washing mechanism using water intake current to spray and clean the filtering mechanism are provided in the filtering container. When the washing ends, water is discharged into the flocculation container, and after the flocculation processing, the water is discharged into the water-containing barrel of the washing machine for rinsing after being filtered by the filtering container, and the processing procedure is circulated until the rinsing is completed; during the last rinsing processing, the flocculation generated in the circulated water flocculation processing is controlled to be discharged and the rinsing is completed. |
| US10655264B2 |
Laundry treating appliance with internal housing
A laundry treating appliance, such as a clothes washer, either vertical or horizontal axis, can have a bulk dispenser capable of dispensing multiple doses of treating chemistry from a reservoir of treating chemistry. A housing fluidly couples a supply of water and the treating chemistry for supplying both to a treating chamber within the laundry treating appliance. |
| US10655259B2 |
Quilt stamps
A quilt stamps and quilt stamp sets can be used to simplify and expedite the process of cutting and sewing fabric pieces for a patchwork quilt. A quilt stamp can be formed of a transparent material in a desired shape. A stamping side of the quilt stamp includes parallel ridges that are offset from and extend along the outer edges of the shape. The outer ridge can be formed as a continuous ridge while the inner ridge can include repeating gaps thereby forming a dashed pattern. Both the outer and inner ridges can function to stamp lines onto fabric which define where to cut as well as where to sew the fabric. |