最新美国发明专利第2015-04-28期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US09018225B1	Rifaximin crystalline forms and methods of preparation thereof The present invention is directed to methods for preparation of a composition comprising mixed crystalline polymorphs rifaximin α and rifaximin β. For example, practice of a method of the invention can provide the composition comprising mixed crystalline polymorphs rifaximin α and rifaximin β wherein the rifaximin β is present in about 3-12% (w/w) or is present in about 5-8% (w/w). The composition comprising mixed crystalline polymorphs rifaximin α and rifaximin β is prepared by dissolving raw rifaximin in a water-soluble organic solvent, for example ethanol, at reflux, then adding water to achieve a final mixed solvent of about 7:3 (v/v) solvent to water ratio, then cooling to 35-40° C. until crystallization commences, then further cooling with stirring to 0° C., then recovery of the crystallized material, and drying to a water content of between 2.5% and 5.0%, to provide the composition comprising mixed crystalline polymorphs rifaximin α and rifaximin β. The composition is suitable for medicinal use, such as in treatment of infections of the gastrointestinal tract.
US09018224B2	Substituted cyclopropyl compounds useful as GPR119 agonists Substituted cyclopropyl compounds of the formula (I): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are disclosed as useful for treating or preventing type 2 diabetes and similar conditions. The compounds are useful as agonists of the G-protein coupled receptor GPR-119. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment are also included.
US09018219B2	Fused aminodihydropyrimidine derivative The present invention provides, for example, the following compound: wherein ring A is a substituted or unsubstituted carbocycle or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle, X1—X2═X3 is CR5—CR6═CR7, N—CR6═CR7, CR5—N═CR7 or CR5—CR6═N, R1 is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl or the like, R2a and R2b are each independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or the like, R4a, R4b, R5, R6 and R7 are each independently hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or the like, its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate thereof having an effect of inhibiting amyloid β production, especially a BACE1 inhibitory activity, and useful as a medicament for treating diseases induced by production, secretion or deposition of amyloid β proteins.
US09018218B2	Substituted pyrimidine ammonia compounds and uses thereof The invention relates to substituted pyrimidine ammonia compounds. The structure of the compounds is represented as the general formula (I): The groups are as defined as specification.The compound represented by formula (I) can be used in the prevention of plants diseases caused by a plurality of pathogenic bacteria such as oomycota, basidiomycota, ascomycota, and fungi imperfecti, and due to these compounds have good bioactivity, which make them have very good effects at very low doses, especially more effective to powdery mildew of wheat. Therefore, the present invention relates to the use of the compounds having general formula I as fungicides, both in agriculture and other fields.
US09018217B2	Phenylimidazole derivatives as PDE10A enzyme inhibitors This invention is directed to compounds, which are PDE10A enzyme inhibitors. The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The present invention also provides processes for the preparation of the compounds of formula I. The present invention further provides a method of treating a subject suffering from a neurodegenerative disorder comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I. The present invention also provides a method of treating a subject suffering from a drug addiction comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I. The present invention further provides a method of treating a subject suffering from a psychiatric disorder comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I.
US09018212B2	Pyridazine carboxamides as CCR2 receptor antagonists The present invention relates to novel antagonists for CCR2 (CC chemokine receptor 2) and their use for providing medicaments for treating conditions and diseases, especially pulmonary diseases like asthma and COPD.
US09018208B2	Heterocycles as potassium channel modulators Compounds, compositions and methods are provided which are useful in the treatment of diseases through the modulation of potassium ion flux through voltage-dependent potassium channels. More particularly, the invention provides heterocycles, compositions and methods that are useful in the treatment of central or peripheral nervous system disorders (e.g., migraine, ataxia, Parkinson's disease, bipolar disorders, trigeminal neuralgia, spasticity, mood disorders, brain tumors, psychotic disorders, myokymia, seizures, epilepsy, seizure, retinal degeneration, hearing and vision loss, Alzheimer's disease, age-10 related memory loss, learning deficiencies, anxiety, neuronal degeneration and motor neuron diseases, maintaining bladder control or treating urinary incontinence) and as neuroprotective agents (e.g., to prevent stroke and the like) by modulating potassium channels associated with the onset or recurrence of the indicated conditions.
US09018206B2	Carboxamide compounds and their use as calpain inhibitors The present invention relates to novel carboxamide compounds and their use for the manufacture of a medicament. The carboxamide compounds are inhibitors of calpain (calcium dependant cysteine proteases). The invention therefore also relates to the use of these carboxamide compounds for treating a disorder associated with an elevated calpain activity.The carboxamide compounds are compounds of the general formula I in which R1, R2, R3a, R3b, R4, Q, Y, A and X have the meanings mentioned in the claims and the description, the tautomers thereof and the pharmaceutically suitable salts thereof. In particular, the compounds have the general formula Ia and Ib in which R1, r, R2b, R3a, R3b, R4, Y and X have the meanings mentioned in the claims, including the tautomers thereof and the pharmaceutically suitable salts thereof. Of these compounds those are preferred wherein Y is a moiety CH2—CH2, CH2—CH2—CH2, N(Ry#)—CH2, N(Ry#)—CH2—CH2 or CH═CH—CH═, each optionally having 1 or 2 H-atoms replaced with identical or different radicals Ry, wherein Ry and Ry# have the meanings mentioned in the claims.
US09018199B2	Transition metal complexes for inhibiting resistance in the treatment of cancer and metastasis The present invention relates to organometallic compounds useful in the treatment of metastasis. The organometallic compounds comprise a ligand that is covalently bound to a bioactive compound, which is an inhibitor of a resistance pathway or a derivative thereof. Preferably, the organometallic compounds are half-sandwich (“piano-stool”) compounds. The compounds of the present invention offer a high variability with respect to the bioactive compound and to the nature of the ligand bound to a central transition metal.
US09018198B2	Prodrugs of C-17-heteroaryl steroidal CYP17 inhibitors/antiandrogens: synthesis, in vitro biological activities, pharmacokinetics and antitumor activity Prodrugs of steroidal C-17 benzoazoles, pyrimidinoazoles (az-abenzoazoles) and diazines. Methods of synthesis are also described, whereby a prodrug group is substituted for a functional group at A ring portion of the ABC ring structure of the steroid. Suitable pro-drug groups include amino acid groups, succinate groups, phosphate groups, or sulfamate groups. The prodrugs of the disclosed compounds allow for improved oral bioavailability of the compounds that are inhibitors of human CYP 17 enzyme as well as potent antagonists of both wild type and mutant androgen receptors (AR). The compounds and the corresponding prodrugs are useful for the treatment of conditions such as human prostate cancer, breast cancer, and prostate hyperplasia.
US09018193B2	Aqueous drug delivery system Novel water stable pharmaceutical compositions, their liquid form oral pharmaceutical compositions and kits thereof, rehydration beverages containing these water stable pharmaceutical compositions methods of manufacture and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The novel aqueous delivery systems are useful, inter alia, as alternative pharmaceutical dosing agents to tablets, capsules and other forms of delivering medication to a mammalian host in need thereof.
US09018192B2	Unitary pharmaceutical dosage form In accordance with this invention a novel pharmaceutical product containing efavirenz, emtricitabine and tenofovir DF are provided as a multicomponent unitary oral dosage form, component 1 comprising tenofovir DF (and, optionally, emtricitabine) and component 2 comprising efavirenz, wherein components 1 and 2 are in a stabilizing configuration. In preferred embodiments component 1 is made by dry granulation.
US09018190B2	Functionalized oligosaccharides The invention relates to an oligodextran, chosen from dextrans whose average degree of polymerization is less than 10, modified by at least one substituent of general formula I: —R1-[[AA]-[R2]n]m formula I It also relates to a pharmaceutical composition characterized in that it comprises an oligosaccharide according to the invention and an active ingredient is chosen from the group consisting of proteins, glycoproteins, peptides and non-peptide therapeutic molecules.
US09018189B2	Anti-inflammatory effect of microfibrillated cellulose The invention relates to use of microfibrillated cellulose as an anti-inflammatory agent for treatment of skin disorders.
US09018184B2	Inhibitors of SP140 and their use in therapy A method of treating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases or conditions in a mammal, such as a human, which comprises the administration of a inhibitor of bromodomain-containing protein: SP140.
US09018183B2	siRNA and their use in methods and compositions for the treatment and/or prevention of eye conditions The invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment/and or prevention of eye conditions related to high levels of expression and/or activity of the vanilloid-1 receptor (TRPV).
US09018182B2	Tumor specific promoter and oncolytic virus vector comprising the same Provided are tumor-specific promoters, oncolytic virus vectors and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the virus vector. The virus vector comprising the novel tumor-specific promoter shows excellent oncolytic effects on tumor cells, and thus it is useful for treating a cancer.
US09018178B2	Method for the treatment of food, feed and agricultural products with a polyene antifungal compound The present invention provides an aqueous antifungal composition comprising a polyene antifungal compound and a thickening agent. The composition can be used in the protection against the development of fungi on food, feed and agricultural products.
US09018175B2	3,4,4a,10b-Tetrahydro-1H-thiopyrano-[44,3-c] isoquinoline derivatives The compounds of Formula (1), in which A, R1, R2, R3 and R5 have the meanings as given in the description, are novel effective inhibitors of type 4 and 5 phosphodiesterase.
US09018172B2	Modification of peptides via SNAr reactions of thiols with fluorinated aromatics Disclosed are compounds and methods relating to a chemical transformation for the conjugation of unprotected peptide biomolecules via a SNAr process between highly fluorinated aryl moieties and thiols (“fluoroaryl-thiol-click”).
US09018164B2	Glucagon analogs exhibiting physiological solubility and stability Modified glucagon peptides are disclosed having improved solubility and stability, wherein the native glucagon peptide has been modified by pegylation, or the addition of a carboxy terminal peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, or both.
US09018163B2	Modulating PDX-1 with PCIF1, methods and uses thereof This invention relates to PCIFl and its use as a target for the improvement of pancreatic islet β cell mass and function in diabetes. Specifically, the invention relates to the use of compounds capable of modulating the expression or function of PClFl and their effect on the function of Pdx-1.
US09018162B2	Methods for rapidly treating severe hypoglycemia Disclosed is a method for treating or preventing hypoglycemia in a patient comprising administering an effective amount of a composition comprising a glucagon peptide which has been dried in a non-volatile buffer, and wherein the glucagon peptide has a pH memory that is about equal to the pH of the glucagon peptide in the non-volatile buffer, and an aprotic polar solvent, wherein the moisture content of the formulation is less than 5%, and wherein the dried glucagon peptide maintains the pH memory that is about equal to the pH of the glucagon peptide in the non-volatile buffer when the dried glucagon peptide is reconstituted in the aprotic polar solvent, wherein the patient has been diagnosed as having a blood glucose level between 0 mg/dL and less than 50 mg/dL or has an indication of impending hypoglycemia based on a blood glucose monitoring device before administration of the composition, and wherein the patient has a blood glucose level greater than 50 mg/dL to 180 mg/dL within 1 to 20 minutes after administration of the composition.
US09018161B2	Protease resistant insulin analogues The present invention relates to novel insulin analogues exhibiting resistance towards protease, wherein at least two amino acids are substituted and/or deleted relative to the parent insulin molecule. A method for the preparation of such insulin analogues, insulin preparations containing the insulin analogues of the invention and a method of treating diabetes mellitus using these insulin analogues is also provided.
US09018155B2	Proteins for use in human and animal staphylococcus infections The present invention relates to a polypeptide termed ply_pitti26 comprising the sequence as depicted in SEQ ID NO:1 as well as variants of this polypeptide. Furthermore, the present invention relates to nucleic acids and vectors encoding for said polypeptide and variants thereof as well as host cells comprising these nucleic acids and/or vectors. Finally, the present invention relates to the uses of said polypeptide, variants thereof, nucleic acid sequences, vectors and host cells, in particular for the treatment or prophylaxis of a subject infected by or exposed to Staphylococci.
US09018153B1	Mesitylene sulfonate compositions and methods thereof The invention relates to compositions including a hypohalite or hypochlorous acid and a soluble salt of 2,4,6 mesitylene sulfonate. The compositions may include a surfactant, a buffer, or combinations thereof. Other adjuvants may also be present. Such compositions do not require the inclusion of high concentrations of sodium hydroxide or other soluble hydroxide salts to drastically increase pH (and thus stability), although such hydroxides may be present if desired.
US09018152B2	Liquid detergent composition A liquid detergent composition containing (A) 10 to 70 mass % of a nonionic surfactant, (B) 1 to 15 mass % of an anionic surfactant, (C) 0.01 to 2 mass % of a protease, and (D) 0.001 to 0.1 mass % of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of thiazole-based compounds and sulfur-containing amino acids.
US09018150B1	Cleansing composition with cationic surfactants Disclosed is a cleansing composition containing from about 6% to about 20% of at least one nonionic surfactant; from about 3% to about 10% of at least one amphoteric surfactant; from about 2% to about 8% of at least one anionic surfactant; and from about 0.1% to about 5% of at least one cationic conditioning surfactant, cationic conditioning amine, or a mixture thereof; wherein the amount of nonionic surfactant present in the final composition is greater than the amount of the amphoteric surfactant, and the ratio of the nonionic surfactant (a) to anionic surfactant (c) is at least about 1.9 as much as the anionic surfactant, based on the weight percent of each surfactant in the final composition.
US09018149B2	Method for reducing one or more of deposits and friction of a lubricating oil The present invention is directed to a method for improving one or more of the control of deposit formation and friction in an engine lubricated using a lubricating oil comprising a base oil and additives by employing as the additive the necessary combination of a borated hydroxyl saturated hydrocarbyl ester amide-amine mixture, zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate, and metal salicylate detergent, the deposit formation and friction being improved as compared to a lubricating oil containing the borated hydroxyl saturated hydrocarbyl ester amide-amine mixture, zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate and a detergent other than metal salicylate, such as metal phosphate and/or metal sulfonate.
US09018142B2	Oil-field biocide method utilizing a peracid Aqueous well treatment fluid compositions with biocidal activity are disclosed comprising a polymer for modifying fluid viscosity in the aqueous fluid, an organic monocarboxylic peracid being present in an anti-microbial amount of about 1 ppm to about 1000 ppm, and a controlled amount of hydrogen peroxide also being present. Peracetic acid is the preferred peracid. The viscosity-modifying polymer in the aqueous well treatment fluid composition may serve to reduce friction in the fluid or increase fluid viscosity. A method of using such compositions is also disclosed.
US09018141B2	Biocidal system and methods of use Methods of treating a gas field fluid or oil field fluid is provided, the method comprising: a) adding glutaraldehyde to the gas field fluid or oil field fluid in an amount effective to reduce or inhibit microbial activity; and b) after a delay, adding 3,5-dimethyl-1,3,5-thiadiazinane-2-thione to the gas field fluid or oil field fluid.
US09018140B2	Methods for stabilizing water-sensitive clays Methods of stabilizing water-sensitive clays in subterranean formations may include introducing a drill-in treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation comprising water-sensitive minerals, where providing the drill-in treatment fluid comprises an aqueous-based fluid and a hydrophobically-modified cationic polymer; and allowing the hydrophobically-modified cationic polymer to at least partially coat the water-sensitive mineral.
US09018139B2	Method for producing expanded glass granules and expanded glass granules and the use thereof The invention relates to a method for producing expanded glass granules. To this end, starting materials are provided, comprising 80% to 95% glass and 5% to 20% sodium silicate hydrate having a water of crystallization content between 1 and 2 wt %, in relation to the solids content. After the glass is ground, the starting materials are mixed, the ground starting materials are granulated into raw granules, and the raw granules are mixed with a release agent, the mixture comprising the raw granules and the release agent is heated to a processing temperature. In a first partial step, the pores on the surfaces of the particles of the raw granules are closed, and in a second partial step, the water of crystallization is dissolved from the sodium silicate hydrate and caused to thermally expand, whereby the particles of the raw granules expand and form the expanded glass granules.
US09018136B2	Pesticidal compositions and processes related thereto This document discloses molecules having the following formulas (“Formula One” & “Formula Two” and “Formula Three”) The Ar1, Het, Ar2, R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are further described herein.
US09018134B2	Fused heterocyclic compound and use thereof for pest control There is provided a compound having an excellent controlling effect on pests represented by the formula (1): wherein, A1 represents —NR7—, etc., A2 represents a nitrogen atom, etc., A3 represents a nitrogen atom, etc., R1 represents a C1-C6 chain hydrocarbon group optionally substituted by one or more atoms or groups selected from Group X, etc., R2, R3 and R4 are the same or different and each represents a C1-C6 chain hydrocarbon group optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms, etc., R5 and R6 are the same or different and each represents a C1-C6 chain hydrocarbon group optionally substituted by one or more atoms or groups selected from Group X, etc., R7 represents a C1-C6 chain hydrocarbon group optionally substituted by one or more atoms or groups selected from Group W, etc., n represents 0, 1 or 2, or an N-oxide thereof.
US09018132B2	Active compound combinations The present invention relates to compositions, in particular within a fungicide composition, which comprises (A) a dithiino-tetracarboximide of formula (I) and a further fungicidally active compound (B). Moreover, the invention relates to a method for curatively or preventively controlling the phytopathogenic fungi of plants or crops, to the use of a combination according to the invention for the treatment of seed, to a method for protecting a seed and to the treated seed.
US09018131B2	Chemical activation of carbon via a gas atomization method The disclosure relates to methods for forming activated carbon comprising providing a feedstock mixture comprising a carbon feedstock and at least one chemical activating agent, heating the feedstock mixture to at least the fluxing temperature of the feedstock mixture to form a feedstock melt, atomizing the feedstock melt and introducing the atomized feedstock mixture into a reactor, rapidly heating the atomized feedstock to at least the solidification temperature by introducing a hot stream into the reactor, introducing the heated feedstock mixture into a reaction vessel, and holding the heated feedstock mixture in the reaction vessel at a temperature and for a time sufficient to react the carbon feedstock with the at least one chemical activating agent to form activated carbon, wherein rapidly heating the atomized feedstock comprises heating the mixture within a time period sufficient to maintain the feedstock mixture in a substantially solid state throughout the rapid heating stage.
US09018128B2	Promoted, attrition resistant, silica supported precipitated iron catalyst A catalyst support solution for improving the attrition resistance of a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, the solution comprising: crystalline silica and at least one chemical promoter selected from alkali metal bases, wherein the support solution has a pH of greater than or equal to about 7. A structurally promoted catalyst comprising: crystalline silica; at least one basic chemical promoter; and iron; wherein the catalyst comprises SiO2:Fe in a ratio of from about 2:100 to about 24:100. A method of producing a structurally promoted precipitated iron catalyst, the method comprising: forming the structural support solution described above; stirring the support solution for a time to dissolve the silica in the solution; adding the support solution to a precipitated iron catalyst slurry to form an attrition resistant catalyst slurry; and drying the attrition resistant catalyst slurry to yield the structurally promoted precipitated iron catalyst.
US09018127B2	Preparation of catalyst for selective hydrogenation of hydrogenatable precursors A reduced metallic catalyst or pre-activated catalyst is formed by contacting a precursor catalyst or a reduced metallic catalyst with a modifier solution in the presence of a source of hydrogen and heat treating the precursor catalyst or the reduced metallic catalyst at super-atmospheric pressure to obtain the reduced metallic catalyst from the precursor catalyst or the pre-activated catalyst from the reduced metallic catalyst. A method of hydrogenating a hydrogenatable precursor includes providing a reduced metallic catalyst or the pre-activated catalyst prepared with modifier buffer and contacting the reduced metallic catalyst or pre-activated catalyst with the hydrogenatable precursor in the presence of hydrogen and, optionally, in the presence of a modifier solution.
US09018126B2	Epoxidation catalyst, a process for preparing the catalyst, and a process for the production of an olefin oxide A catalyst for the epoxidation of an olefin comprising a carrier and deposited on the carrier, silver, a promoting amount of one or more promoters selected from the group consisting of alkali metals and rhenium and a promoting amount of nickel, wherein the nickel is added as a nickel compound or nickel complex during the initial impregnation along with the silver and other promoters; including a process for preparing the catalyst; a process for preparing an olefin oxide by reacting a feed comprising an olefin and oxygen in the presence of the catalyst; and a process for preparing a 1,2-diol, a 1,2-diol ether, a 1,2-carbonate, or an alkanolamine.
US09018116B2	Optical glass A highly refractive and highly transparent optical glass is provided. The use of such a glass, optical elements and processes for producing the glass or the optical elements are also provided.
US09018113B2	Glass ceramic as a cooktop for induction heating having improved colored display capability and heat shielding, method for producing such a cooktop, and use of such a cooktop A glass ceramic as cooktop for induction heating having improved colored display capability and heat shielding is provided. The cooktop includes a transparent, dyed glass ceramic plate having high-quartz mixed crystals as a predominant crystal phase. The glass ceramic contains none of the chemical refining agents arsenic oxide and/or antimony oxide and has a transmittance values greater than 0.4% at at least one wavelength in the blue spectrum between 380 and 500 nm, a transmittance >2% at 630 nm, a transmittance of less than 45% at 1600 nm, and a light transmittance of less than 2.5% in the visible spectrum.
US09018109B2	Thin film transistor including silicon nitride layer and manufacturing method thereof A thin film transistor in which deterioration at initial operation is not likely to be caused and a manufacturing method thereof. A transistor which includes a gate insulating layer at least whose uppermost surface is a silicon nitride layer, a semiconductor layer over the gate insulating layer, and a buffer layer over the semiconductor layer and in which the concentration of nitrogen in the vicinity of an interface between the semiconductor layer and the gate insulating layer, which is in the semiconductor layer is lower than that of the buffer layer and other parts of the semiconductor layer. Such a thin film transistor can be manufactured by exposing the gate insulating layer to an air atmosphere and performing plasma treatment on the gate insulating layer before the semiconductor layer is formed.
US09018108B2	Low shrinkage dielectric films Methods of forming a dielectric layer on a substrate are described, and may include introducing a first precursor into a remote plasma region fluidly coupled with a substrate processing region of a substrate processing chamber A plasma may be formed in the remote plasma region to produce plasma effluents. The plasma effluents may be directed into the substrate processing region. A silicon-containing precursor may be introduced into the substrate processing region, and the silicon-containing precursor may include at least one silicon-silicon bond. The plasma effluents and silicon-containing precursor may be reacted in the processing region to form a silicon-based dielectric layer that is initially flowable when formed on the substrate.
US09018099B2	Polishing pad An object of the present invention is to provide a polishing pad that is prevented from causing an end-point detection error due to a reduction in light transmittance from the early stage to the final stage of the process, and to provide a method of producing a semiconductor device with the polishing pad. The present invention is directed to a polishing pad, comprising a polishing layer comprising a polishing region and a light-transmitting region, wherein a polishing side surface of the light-transmitting region is subjected to a surface roughness treatment, and the light-transmitting region has a light transmittance of 40% to 60% at a wavelength of 600 nm before use.
US09018094B2	Substrates with through vias with conductive features for connection to integrated circuit elements, and methods for forming through vias in substrates A through via (144) contains a conductor (244, 276) passing through a substrate (140) for connection to an integrated circuit element. The through via consists of two segments (144.1, 144.2) formed from respective different sides (140.1, 140.2) of the substrate and meeting inside the substrate. Each segment is shorter than the entire via, so via formation is facilitated. The second segment is etched after deposition of an etch stop layer (214) into the first segment. Due to the etch stop layer, the first segment's depth does not have to be rigidly controlled. The conductor is formed by separate depositions of conductive material into the via from each side of the substrate. From each side, the conductor is deposited to a shallower depth than the via depth, so the deposition is facilitated. Other embodiments are also provided.
US09018092B2	Encapsulated metal interconnect A plurality of metal tracks are formed in an integrated circuit die in three metal layers stacked within the die. A protective dielectric layer is formed around metal tracks of an intermediate metal layer. The protective dielectric layer acts as a hard mask to define contact vias between metal tracks in the metal layers above and below the intermediate metal layer.
US09018088B2	Method of manufacturing electrodes using carbon nanotube sheets Growing spin-capable multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) forests in a repeatable fashion will become possible through understanding the critical factors affecting the forest growth. Here we show that the spinning capability depends on the alignment of adjacent MWCNTs in the forest which in turn results from the synergistic combination of a high areal density of MWCNTs and short distance between the MWCNTs. This can be realized by starting with both the proper Fe nanoparticle size and density which strongly depend on the sheet resistance of the catalyst film. Simple measurement of the sheet resistance can allow one to reliably predict the growth of spin-capable forests. The properties of pulled MWCNTs sheets reflect that there is a relationship between their electrical resistance and optical transmittance. Overlaying either 3, 5, or 10 sheets pulled out from a single forest produces much more repeatable characteristics.
US09018087B2	Method of fabricating semiconductor device Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device including the following steps. A dummy gate structure is formed on a substrate, wherein the dummy gate structure includes a dummy gate and a stacked hard mask, and the stacked hard mask includes from bottom to top a first hard mask layer and a second hard mask layer. A spacer is formed on a sidewall of the dummy gate structure. A mask layer is formed on the substrate. An opening corresponding to the second hard mask layer is formed in the mask layer. The second hard mask layer is removed. The mask layer is removed. A dry etch process is performed to remove the first hard mask layer, wherein the dry etch process uses NF3 and H2 as etchants.
US09018085B2	Method of fabricating memory device with charge storage layer at gap located side of gate dielectric underneath the gate A method for fabricating a memory device of this invention includes at least the following steps. A tunnel dielectric layer is formed over a substrate. A gate is fowled over the tunnel dielectric layer. At least one charge storage layer is formed between the gate and the tunnel dielectric layer. Two doped regions are formed in the substrate beside the gate. A word line is formed on and electrically connected to the gate, wherein the word line having a thickness greater than a thickness of the gate.
US09018084B2	Tapered fin field effect transistor A tapered fin field effect transistor can be employed to provide enhanced electrostatic control of the channel. A stack of a semiconductor fin and a dielectric fin cap having substantially vertical sidewall surfaces is formed on an insulator layer. The sidewall surfaces of the semiconductor fin are passivated by an etch residue material from the dielectric fin cap with a tapered thickness profile such that the thickness of the etch residue material decreased with distance from the dielectric fin cap. An etch including an isotropic etch component is employed to remove the etch residue material and to physically expose lower portions of sidewalls of the semiconductor fin. The etch laterally etches the semiconductor fin and forms a tapered region at a bottom portion. The reduced lateral width of the bottom portion of the semiconductor fin allows greater control of the channel for a fin field effect transistor.
US09018083B2	Electrically actuated device and method of controlling the formation of dopants therein In an example of a method for controlling the formation of dopants in an electrically actuated device, a predetermined concentration of a dopant initiator is selected. The predetermined amount of the dopant is localized, via diffusion, at an interface between an electrode and an active region adjacent to the electrode. The dopant initiator reacts with a portion of the active region to form the dopants.
US09018082B2	Nanoscale chemical templating with oxygen reactive materials A method of fabricating templated semiconductor nanowires on a surface of a semiconductor substrate for use in semiconductor device applications is provided. The method includes controlling the spatial placement of the semiconductor nanowires by using an oxygen reactive seed material. The present invention also provides semiconductor structures including semiconductor nanowires. In yet another embodiment, patterning of a compound semiconductor substrate or other like substrate which is capable of forming a compound semiconductor alloy with an oxygen reactive element during a subsequent annealing step is provided. This embodiment provides a patterned substrate that can be used in various applications including, for example, in semiconductor device manufacturing, optoelectronic device manufacturing and solar cell device manufacturing.
US09018079B1	Wafer dicing using hybrid laser scribing and plasma etch approach with intermediate reactive post mask-opening clean Methods of dicing semiconductor wafers, each wafer having a plurality of integrated circuits, are described. In an example, a method of dicing a semiconductor wafer having a plurality of integrated circuits involves forming a mask above the semiconductor wafer, the mask including a layer covering and protecting the integrated circuits. The mask is patterned with a laser scribing process to provide a patterned mask with gaps, exposing regions of the semiconductor wafer between the integrated circuits. Subsequent to patterning the mask, the exposed regions of the semiconductor wafer are cleaned with a plasma process reactive to the exposed regions of the semiconductor wafer. Subsequent to cleaning the exposed regions of the semiconductor wafer, the semiconductor wafer is plasma etched through the gaps in the patterned mask to singulate the integrated circuits.
US09018070B2	Transient voltage suppressor circuit, and diode device therefor and manufacturing method thereof The present invention discloses a transient voltage suppressor (TVS) circuit, and a diode device therefor and a manufacturing method thereof. The TVS circuit is for coupling to a protected circuit to limit amplitude of a transient voltage which is inputted to the protected circuit. The TVS circuit includes a suppressor device and at least a diode device. The diode device is formed in a substrate, which includes: a well formed in the substrate; a separation region formed beneath the upper surface; a anode region and a cathode region, which are formed at two sides of the separation region beneath the upper surface respectively, wherein the anode region and the cathode region are separated by the separation region; and a buried layer, which is formed in the substrate below the well with a higher impurity density and a same conductive type as the well.
US09018069B2	Semiconductor structure and a method for manufacturing the same A semiconductor structure and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor structure comprises a diode. The diode comprises a first doped region, a second doped region and a third doped region. The first doped region and the third doped region have a first conductivity type. The second doped region has a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. The second doped region and the third doped region are separated from each other by the first doped region. The third doped region has a first portion and a second portion adjacent to each other. The first portion and the second portion are respectively adjacent to and away from the second doped region. A dopant concentration of the first portion is bigger than a dopant concentration of the second portion.
US09018068B2	Nonvolatile resistive memory element with a silicon-based switching layer A nonvolatile resistive memory element includes a novel switching layer and methods of forming the same. The switching layer includes a material having bistable resistance properties and formed by bonding silicon to oxygen or nitrogen. The switching layer may include at least one of SiOx, SiOxNy, or SiNx. Advantageously, the SiOx, SiOxNy, and SiNx generally remain amorphous after thermal anneal processes are used to form the devices, such as ReRAM devices.
US09018067B2	Semiconductor device with pocket regions and method of manufacturing the same A semiconductor device includes a first pocket region and a second pocket region. The source region includes a first extension region having a concentration peak located at a first depth from a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and the first pocket region has a concentration peak located deeper than the first depth, and the drain region includes a second extension region having a concentration peak located at a second depth from the surface of the semiconductor substrate, and the second pocket region has a concentration peak located shallower than the second depth.
US09018062B2	Wafer structure and power device using the same In one embodiment, a method of making a super-junction MOS transistor in a wafer can include: (i) forming a first doping layer having a high doping concentration; (ii) forming a second doping layer on the first doping layer, wherein a doping concentration of the second doping layer is less than a doping concentration of the first doping layer; (iii) forming a third doping layer on the second doping layer, wherein the third doping layer comprises an intrinsic layer; (iv) etching through the third doping layer and partially through the second doping layer to form trenches; and (v) filling the trenches to form pillar structures.
US09018059B2	Memory devices having reduced interference between floating gates and methods of fabricating such devices A memory array comprising transistors having isolated inter-gate dielectric regions with respect to one another. Transistors are formed such that each of the transistors in the array has a charge storage region such as a floating gate, a control gate and an inter-gate dielectric layer therebetween. The inter-gate dielectric layer for each transistor is isolated from the inter-gate dielectric of each of the other transistors in the array.
US09018057B1	Method of making a CMOS semiconductor device using a stressed silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer A method for forming a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) semiconductor device includes providing a stressed silicon-on-insulator (sSOI) wafer comprising a stressed semiconductor layer having first and second laterally adjacent stressed semiconductor portions. The first stressed semiconductor portion defines a first active region. The second stressed semiconductor portion is replaced with an unstressed semiconductor portion. The unstressed semiconductor portion includes a first semiconductor material. The method further includes driving a second semiconductor material into the first semiconductor material of the unstressed semiconductor portion defining a second active region.
US09018055B2	Hybrid fin field-effect transistor structures and related methods Semiconductor-on-insulator structures facilitate the fabrication of devices, including MOSFETs that are at least partially depleted during operation and FinFETs including bilayer fins and/or crystalline oxide.
US09018051B2	Strained transistor structure A strain enhanced transistor is provided having a strain inducing layer overlying a gate electrode. The gate electrode has sloped sidewalls over the channel region of the transistor.
US09018047B2	3D NAND flash memory A memory device includes an array of NAND strings of memory cells. The device includes a plurality of stacks of conductive strips separated by insulating material, including at least a bottom plane of conductive strips, a plurality of intermediate planes of conductive strips, and a top plane of conductive strips. The device includes charge storage structures in interface regions at cross-points between side surfaces of the conductive strips in the plurality of intermediate planes in the stacks and inter-stack semiconductor body elements of a plurality of bit line structures. At least one reference line structure is arranged orthogonally over the stacks, including vertical conductive elements between the stacks in electrical communication with a reference conductor between the bottom plane of conductive strips and a substrate, and linking elements over the stacks connecting the vertical conductive elements. The vertical conductive elements have a higher conductivity than the semiconductor body elements.
US09018046B2	Area-efficient distributed device structure for integrated voltage regulators An area efficient distributed device for integrated voltage regulators comprising at least one filler cell coupled between a pair of PADS on I/O rail of a chip and at least one additional filler cell having small size portion of said device is coupled to said I/O rails for distributing portions of said device on the periphery of said chip. The device is coupled as small size portion on the lower portion of said second filler cell for distributing said device on the periphery of said chip and providing maximal area utilization.
US09018039B2	Circuit module and method of producing circuit module A circuit module includes a circuit substrate, at least one mount component, sealing bodies, and a shield. The circuit substrate includes a mount surface. The mount component is mounted on the mount surface. The sealing body is formed on the mount surface, covers the mount component and has a first sealing body section having a first thickness and a second sealing body section having a second thickness larger than the first thickness. The shield covers the sealing body and has a first shield section formed on the first sealing body section and having a third thickness and a second shield section formed on the second sealing body section and having a fourth thickness smaller than the third thickness. The sum of the fourth thickness and the second thickness equals to the sum of the first thickness and the third thickness.
US09018038B2	Array substrate for liquid crystal display and method for manufacturing the same An array substrate for a liquid crystal display includes a substrate and first and second subpixels which are positioned on the substrate and are defined by a crossing structure of one gate line, a first data line, a second data line, a first common line, and a second common line. The first subpixel includes a first semiconductor layer, a first source electrode, a first drain electrode, and a first pixel electrode connected to the first drain electrode. The second subpixel includes a second semiconductor layer, a second source electrode, a second drain electrode, and a second pixel electrode connected to the second drain electrode. The first and second subpixels share the one gate line with each other, and the first drain electrode and the second drain electrode are exposed through one contact hole.
US09018037B1	Vertical oxide-oxide interface for forming-free, low power and low variability RRAM devices Forming a resistive switching layer having a vertical interface can generate defects confined along the interface between two electrodes. The confined defects can form a pre-determined region for filament formation and dissolution, leading to low power resistive switching and low program voltage or current variability. In addition, the filament forming process of the resistive memory device can be omitted due to the existence of the confined defects.
US09018035B2	Pressed-contact type semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same A pressed-contact type semiconductor device includes a power semiconductor element, on an upper surface of which at least a first electrode is formed and on a lower surface of which at least a second electrode is formed, lead frames which face the first electrode and the second electrode of the power semiconductor element respectively, and a clip which applies a pressure to the lead frames while the power semiconductor element is sandwiched by the lead frames, wherein a metallic porous plating part is formed on a surface which faces the first electrode or the second electrode, the surface being a surface of at least one of the lead frames.
US09018032B2	CIGS solar cell structure and method for fabricating the same A method for manufacturing a CIGS thin film photovoltaic device includes forming a back contact layer on a substrate, forming an Se-rich layer on the back contact layer, forming a precursor layer on the Se-rich layer by depositing copper, gallium and indium resulting in a first interim structure, annealing or selenizing the first interim structure, thereby forming Cu/Se, Ga/Se or CIGS compounds along the interface between the back contact layer and the precursor layer and resulting in a second interim structure, and selenizing the second interim structure, thereby converting the precursor layer into a CIGS absorber layer on the back contact layer.
US09018022B2	Showerhead electrode assembly in a capacitively coupled plasma processing apparatus A showerhead electrode assembly for use in a capacitively coupled plasma processing apparatus comprising a heat transfer plate. The heat transfer plate having independently controllable gas volumes which may be pressurized to locally control thermal conductance between a heater member and a cooling member such that uniform temperatures may be established on a plasma exposed surface of the showerhead electrode assembly.
US09018020B2	Shunt treatment in inverted and wafer bonded solar cells Provided are methods and systems for treating shunts on solar cell substrates. Also provided are solar cells including such substrates. A shunt detected on a substrate proximate to a metallized grid pattern is electrically disconnected from at least the bus portion of the grid, which reduces shunt's impact on performance on the solar cell. An antireflective layer may be disposed between the shunt and a portion of the grid extending over the shunt. The exposure pattern of a photoresist used to form the antireflective layer may be adjusted accordingly to achieve this result. In some embodiments, the metallized grid may be modified by adjusting the exposure pattern of a photoresist used to form this grid. The grid may be modified to avoid any contact between the grid and the shunt or to disconnect a portion of the grid contacting the shunt from the bus portion area of the grid.
US09018019B2	Engineered conductive polymer films to mediate biochemical interactions The conductive polymer films of this disclosure reversibly and selectively mediate ligand-receptor interactions. This electrochemical manipulation of biochemical interactions is accomplished by embedding or adsorbing receptors for ligands of interest in or onto a conductive polymer matrix. The matrix can also be doped, for example, with desired ions, polyions, or surfactants. Depending on the receptor properties and dopants utilized, ligand-receptor interactions at the polymer-electrolyte interface are manipulated by controlling the oxidation and reduction of the conductive polymer. The intrinsic charge transfer characteristics of conductive polymers are used to modulate ligand-receptor interactions.
US09018011B2	Gamma satellite insulator sequences and their use in preventing gene silencing Regulatory elements, specifically insulators and transgene constructs containing insulator nucleic acid sequences, are disclosed herein. Methods of using insulators and transgene constructs including insulators to inhibit, delay, or prevent gene silencing are also disclosed herein.
US09018010B2	Culture media, cell cultures and methods of culturing pluripotent stem cells in an undifferentiated state Provided are serum-free culture media which comprise basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor beta-3, ascorbic acid, xeno-free serum replacement and a lipid mixture. The media may also comprise an IL6R/IL6 chimera, or leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF); wherein the culture medium is capable of maintaining pluripotent stem cells in an undifferentiated state in the absence of feeder cell support. Also provided are cell cultures comprising pluripotent stem cells such as human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and methods of using the same for expanding pluripotent stem cells in an undifferentiated state using two-dimensional or three-dimensional culture systems. Methods of expanding iPS cells in a suspension culture devoid of substrate adherence and cell encapsulation are also provided.
US09018009B2	Thermally induced gelation of collagen hydrogel and method of thermally inducing gelling a collagen hydrogel The present invention relates to collagen hydrogels. Particularly, the invention relates to hydrogels comprising a telopeptide collagen (“telo-collagen”) and an atelopeptide collagen (“atelo-collagen”); hydrogels comprising collagen and chitosan; methods of making the hydrogels; methods of reducing gelation of a hydrogel mixture at room temperature; methods of reducing compaction of cells; and methods of culturing cells on such hydrogels.
US09018004B2	Method of expanding double negative T cells A method of expanding double negative T cells in culture is described. The method comprises (a) providing a starting sample comprising DN T cells or precursors thereof; (b) substantially depleting CD8+ and CD4+ T cells from the starting sample; (c) culturing the sample from step (b) with an immobilized T cell mitogen in a culture medium comprising an agent that can stimulate DN T cell growth; (d) washing the cells obtained in step (c) and resuspending in a culture medium comprising the agent without the T cell mitogen; and (e) washing the cells obtained in step (d) and resuspending in a culture medium comprising the agent and a soluble T cell mitogen. The DN T cells obtained by the method are useful in a variety of applications including the treatment of cancer, infectious diseases, graft versus host disease and autoimmune disease.
US09017992B2	In situ hybridization detection method The invention provides compositions and methods for the detection of targets in a sample; in particular, an in situ hybridization (ISH) sample. Probes and detectable labels may be provided in multiple layers in order to increase the flexibility of a detection system, and to allow for amplification to enhance the signal from a target. The layers may be created by incorporating probes and detectable labels into larger molecular units that interact through nucleic acids base-pairing, including peptide-nucleic acid (PNA) base-pairing. Optional non-natural bases allow for degenerate base pairing schemes. The compositions and methods are also compatible with immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunocytochemistry (ICC), flow cytometry, enzyme immuno-assays (EIA), enzyme linked immuno-assays (ELISA), blotting methods (e.g. Western, Southern, and Northern), labeling inside electrophoresis systems or on surfaces or arrays, and precipitation, among other general detection assay formats. The invention is also compatible with many different types of targets, probes, and detectable labels.
US09017990B2	Methods for enzymatic decolorization of chlorophyll The invention provides the invention provides compositions and methods for the enzymatic treatment (“bleaching” or “de-colorizing”) of chlorophyll-comprising compositions, e.g., algae preparations, chlorophyll-containing or chlorophyll-contaminated feeds, foods or oils, for example, vegetable oils, including oils processed from oilseeds, such as canola (rapeseed) oil or soybean oil, or oil fruits, such as palm oil. In one aspect, the invention provides methods using a chlorophyllase enzyme for the enzymatic hydrolysis of chlorophyll in an algae, an animal (e.g., a fish) or plant preparation, a food or an oil. In one aspect, the chlorophyllase is immobilized onto a silica. The invention also provides compositions of manufacture and detergents.
US09017987B2	Expression of proteins in plants The invention relates to a method of producing an influenza virus H5 polypeptide in a plant comprising the steps of cloning an influenza H5 gene or nucleic acid encoding its functional equivalent into a vector adapted to target components present in the plant, infiltrating at least a portion of the plant with the vector or transforming plant tissue with the vector so as to transiently express the influenza virus H5 polypeptide, and/or to create a transgenic plant; and recover the influenza virus H5 polypeptide expressed by the plant. The invention further relates to vectors, transgenic plants or parts thereof and the progeny of such plants used in or which come about as a result of the method.
US09017983B2	Organisms for the production of 1,3-butanediol A non-naturally occurring microbial organism includes a microbial organism having a 1,3-butanediol (1,3-BDO) pathway having at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a 1,3-BDO pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce 1,3-BDO. The pathway includes an enzyme selected from a 2-amino-4-ketopentanoate (AKP) thiolase, an AKP dehydrogenase, a 2-amino-4-hydroxypentanoate aminotransferase, a 2-amino-4-hydroxypentanoate oxidoreductase (deaminating), a 2-oxo-4-hydroxypentanoate decarboxylase, a 3-hydroxybutyraldehyde reductase, an AKP aminotransferase, an AKP oxidoreductase (deaminating), a 2,4-dioxopentanoate decarboxylase, a 3-oxobutyraldehyde reductase (ketone reducing), a 3-oxobutyraldehyde reductase (aldehyde reducing), a 4-hydroxy-2-butanone reductase, an AKP decarboxylase, a 4-aminobutan-2-one aminotransferase, a 4-aminobutan-2-one oxidoreductase (deaminating), a 4-aminobutan-2-one ammonia-lyase, a butenone hydratase, an AKP ammonia-lyase, an acetylacrylate decarboxylase, an acetoacetyl-CoA reductase (CoA-dependent, aldehyde forming), an acetoacetyl-CoA reductase (CoA-dependent, alcohol forming), an acetoacetyl-CoA reductase (ketone reducing), a 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA reductase (aldehyde forming), a 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA reductase (alcohol forming), a 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydratase, and a crotonase. A method for producing 1,3-BDO, includes culturing such microbial organisms under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce 1,3-BDO.
US09017982B1	Non-wild-type organophosphorus acid anhydrolases for enzymatic decontamination Provided are non-wild-type organophosphorus acid anhydrolases that are capable of degrading (ethyl {2-[bis(propan-2-yl)amino]ethyl}sulfanyl) (methyl)phosphinate and other V-agents. Particular embodiments include an organophosphorus acid anhydrolase including an amino acid substitution at position 212.
US09017980B2	Variant forms of urate oxidase and use thereof Genetically modified proteins with uricolytic activity are described. Proteins comprising truncated urate oxidases and methods for producing them, including PEGylated proteins comprising truncated urate oxidase are described.
US09017979B2	DNA polymerases with improved activity Disclosed are DNA polymerases having increased reverse transcriptase efficiency, mismatch tolerance, extension rate and/or tolerance of RT and polymerase inhibitors relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the DNA polymerases.
US09017972B2	DNA methylation analysis of regulatory T cells through DNA-methylation analysis of the TSDR region of the gene FOXP3 The present invention relates to a method, in particular an in vitro method for identifying FoxP3-positive CD25+CD4+ regulatory T cells of a mammal, comprising analyzing the methylation status of at least one CpG position in the FOXP3 gene, in particular its “upstream” regulatory regions, and in particular the promoter and the TSDR region of the gene foxp3, wherein a demethylation to at least 90% of at least one CpG in the sample as analyzed is indicative for a FoxP3-positive CD25+CD4+ regulatory T cell, and the use of said DNA-methylation analysis of the gene of the transcription factor FoxP3 for a detection and quality assurance and control of regulatory T cells. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a kit for performing the above methods as well as respective uses. The present invention furthermore provides an improved method for analyzing the methylation status of at least one CpG position in the gene foxp3 that allows for a precise analysis even from sub-optimal quality samples, such as non-freshly obtained blood or serum samples.
US09017968B2	Means and methods for producing authentic human basic fibroblast growth factor The present invention is concerned with an engineered biological system for production of authentic human basic fibroblast growth factor (hbFGF). The system makes use of a bacterial host and has a recombinant DNA construct with an insert. The insert contains a first VegC promoter, lacq operator, a second VegC promoter and DNA coding for human basic fibroblast growth factor.
US09017967B2	Modular DNA-binding domains and methods of use The present invention refers to methods for selectively recognizing a base pair in a DNA sequence by a polypeptide, to modified polypeptides which specifically recognize one or more base pairs in a DNA sequence and, to DNA which is modified so that it can be specifically recognized by a polypeptide and to uses of the polypeptide and DNA in specific DNA targeting as well as to methods of modulating expression of target genes in a cell.
US09017962B2	Intracellular reporters The invention provides a variety of molecular tools for use in live-cell tracking of activities of biomolecules and in high-throughput drug screening.
US09017961B2	Recombinant bacteria comprising novel sucrose transporters Recombinant bacteria capable of metabolizing sucrose are described. The recombinant bacteria comprise in their genome or on at least one recombinant construct, a novel nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having sucrose transporter activity and a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having sucrose hydrolase activity. These nucleotide sequences are each operably linked to the same or a different promoter. Recombinant bacteria capable of metabolizing sucrose to produce glycerol and/or glycerol-derived products such as 1,3-propanediol and 3-hydroxypropionic acid are also described.
US09017953B2	Biomarker and therapeutic for urinary tract infection The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for detecting pathogenic bacteria. Additionally, the present invention encompasses methods and compositions for catalyzing the dismutation of superoxide radicals.
US09017952B2	Reagents for probing ROCKs activation A set of agents is provided for probing/detecting the activation of Rho-associated protein kinase I and II individually encoding their amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:1 for ROCKI and SEQ ID NO:2 for ROCKII) in biological samples. The agents include one antibody to specifically recognize ROCKI Ser1333 phosphorylation and one antibody to specifically recognize ROCKII Ser1366 phosphorylation. The agents can be used for pathological analysis in cardiovascular diseases, cancer, neurological diseases or other diseases/disorders involving ROCKs and also for basic medical research. Moreover, the agents can be used for screening inhibitors against ROCKI and II.
US09017940B2	Methods for diagnosing colon cancer using MicroRNA signatures The present invention provides novel methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of solid cancers. The invention also provides methods of identifying inhibitors of tumorigenesis.
US09017933B2	Method for integrating low-k dielectrics A method for treating a dielectric film on a substrate and, in particular, a method for integrating a low-k dielectric film with subsequently formed metal interconnects is described. The method includes preparing a dielectric film on a substrate, wherein the dielectric film is a low-k dielectric film having a dielectric constant less than or equal to a value of about 4. Thereafter, the method further includes performing a preliminary curing process on the dielectric film, forming a pattern in the dielectric film using a lithographic process and an etching process, removing undesired residues from the substrate, and performing a final curing process on the dielectric film, wherein the final curing process includes irradiating the substrate with ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
US09017932B2	Processed substrate and method for manufacturing same A processed substrate and a method for easily manufacturing the processed substrate with high efficiency are provided, the processed substrate having openings in respective surfaces thereof that are matched to each other in size. The processed substrate includes a light transmissive substrate having a plurality of through-holes. Each of the through-holes has a large-diameter opening and a small-diameter opening, the large-diameter opening being larger in size than the small-diameter opening by 5% or less of the size of the large-diameter opening. As such, through-holes with openings in the respective surfaces of the processed substrate that are matched to each other in size can be provided.
US09017930B2	Pattern formation method and guide pattern material According to one embodiment, a pattern formation method includes forming a pattern on a layer. The layer has a first surface energy and includes a silicon compound. The pattern has a second surface energy different from the first surface energy. The method includes forming a block polymer on the layer and the pattern. The method includes forming a structure selected from a lamellar structure and a cylindrical structure of the block polymer containing polymers arranged by microphase separation. The lamellar structure is oriented perpendicularly to the layer surface. The cylindrical structure is oriented so as to have an axis parallel to a normal line of the layer surface. The second surface energy is not less than a maximum value of surface energies of the polymers or not more than a minimum value of the surface energies of the polymers.
US09017926B2	Overlay mark and method of forming the same A method of forming an overlay mark is provided. A plurality of photoresist patterns are formed on a substrate. Each of the photoresist patterns includes a first strip and a plurality of second strips arranged in parallel. The first strip crosses the second strips to form a fence shape. Further, there is a space between two adjacent photoresist patterns, and the space is fence-shaped. A plurality of islands are formed in each of the spaces to form dot type strip patterns. The photoresist patterns are removed, and the dot type strip patterns serve as the overlay mark.
US09017923B2	Negative resist composition and patterning process using the same The invention provides a negative resist composition including, as a base resin, a polymer that contains at least a repeating unit “a” having a cyclopentadienyl complex and is represented by the following general formula (1). There can be a negative resist composition, especially a chemically amplified negative resist composition that has a higher resolution than conventional hydroxystyrene-based and novolak-based negative resist compositions, a good pattern configuration after exposure, and further excellent etching resistance, and a patterning process using the same.
US09017920B2	Film, method for manufacturing the film and masking method using the film A film includes base and a photosensitive layer formed on the base. The photosensitive layer substantially includes a first photosensitive agent, a second photosensitive agent, and a thermosol. The first photosensitive agent is water-soluble. The second photosensitive agent is an aromatic ketone compound or a benzoin ether compound. The method for manufacturing the film and the masking method using the film is also provided.
US09017915B2	Electrophotographic ink The present disclosure provides inks, systems, and methods directed towards dispersed pigments. In one embodiment, an electrophotographic ink can comprise an aliphatic solvent and a pigment having a surface comprising carbonyl groups stabilized by an amine dispersant having the structure: R1R2N[(CH2)nNR5]m(CH2)pNR3R4, where R1, R3, R4, and R5 are independently selected from the group of H; COR6; COOR6; CONHR6; linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted, alkyl; linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted, aryl; and combinations thereof; R2 is an aliphatic polymer chain; R6 is selected from the group of H; linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted, alkyl; linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted, aryl; and combinations thereof; m is from 0 to 200; n is from 1 to 20; and p is from 1 to 20; where the electrophotographic ink has a low field conductivity of less than 200 pS/cm and a viscosity from about 0.5 to about 40 cps.
US09017910B2	Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane toner resins The present disclosure provides a toner resin comprising a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane moiety that may be used in manufacturing an emulsion aggregation (EA) toner for imaging devices.
US09017909B2	Coated photoconductive substrate The present disclosure is drawn to electrostatic printing. In an example, a coated photoconductive substrate can comprise a photoconductive substrate, the photoconductive substrate including a substrate having a charge generation layer and charge transport layer adhered thereto; and a top coating adhered to the photoconductive substrate. The top coating can comprise a cross-linkable polymer, a cross-linker, and a charge transport material, where the charge transport material is dispersed throughout the top coating and may be present in the top coating in an amount ranging from 20 wt % to 50 wt %.
US09017908B2	Photoelectrical stable imaging members The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to flexible imaging members used in electrophotographic imaging apparatuses. More particularly, the embodiments pertain to electrophotographic imaging members which have imaging layer(s) formulated to comprise of a novel polymer blended binder comprising a bisphenol type polycarbonate and an organic acid-containing copolyester doped into the polycarbonate which provides improved properties and performance to the resulting imaging member. The formulated imaging layer(s) may further include a plasticizer.
US09017906B2	Imaging members having a cross-linked anticurl back coating The disclosure provides a flexible electrophotographic imaging member having an optically clear, cross-linked anticurl back coating of melamine formaldehyde to effect complete and absolute imaging member flatness. In particular embodiments, the anticurl back coating further includes an organic or inorganic particle dispersion.
US09017905B2	Chemically amplified positive resist composition and pattern forming process In a chemically amplified positive resist composition comprising (A) a base resin, (B) a photoacid generator, (C) a thermal crosslinker, and (D) an organic solvent, the base resin is a specific polymer and the crosslinker is a siloxane compound. A coating of the composition is readily developable in aqueous alkaline solution. On heat treatment, it forms a cured resist pattern film of satisfactory profile.
US09017904B2	Methods of providing photolithography patterns using feature parameters A method of providing a photolithography pattern can be provided by identifying at least one weak feature from among a plurality of features included in a photolithography pattern based on a feature parameter that is compared to a predetermined identification threshold value for the feature parameter. A first region of the weak feature can be classified as a first dosage region and a second region of the weak feature can be classified as a second dosage region. Related methods and apparatus are also disclosed.
US09017901B2	Manufacturing method of cell assembly for fuel cell and manufacturing method of fuel cell A manufacturing method of a cell assembly for a fuel cell includes: producing an electrode member, a separator, and a seal member preform, which has a frame shape and which is formed from an uncrosslinked item of solid rubber having adhesiveness, in a predetermined shape in advance; arranging the electrode member, the separator, and the seal member preform in a forming die including a pressing member, and closing the forming die while the pressing member is pressing a side of the electrode member that is opposite to the separator in the thickness direction; and pressurizing and heating the forming die to crosslink the uncrosslinked item so that the seal member seals the peripheral edge portion of the electrode member and integrates the electrode member and the separator with each other.
US09017894B2	Fuel cell A fuel cell is provided with a separator that supports an electrolyte/electrode assembly sandwiched therebetween. The separator is provided with: first and second fuel gas supply parts in the center of which fuel gas supply holes are formed; first and second cross-link parts connected to the first and second fuel gas supply parts; and first and second surrounding support parts connected to the first and second cross-link parts. Each first surrounding support part is provided with a set of fuel gas exhaust passages that discharge fuel gas that has gone through a fuel gas passage and been used. The cross-sectional areas of the fuel gas exhaust passages are larger on the downstream sides than on the upstream sides, in terms of the direction of fuel gas flow.
US09017890B2	Alternative path cooling of a high temperature fuel cell Systems and methods provide for the thermal management of a high temperature fuel cell. According to embodiments described herein, a non-reactant coolant is routed into a fuel cell from a compressor or a ram air source. The non-reactant coolant absorbs waste heat from the electrochemical reaction within the fuel cell. The heated coolant is discharged from the fuel cell and is vented to the surrounding environment or directed through a turbine. The energy recouped from the heated coolant by the turbine may be used to drive the compressor or a generator to create additional electricity and increase the efficiency of the fuel cell system. A portion of the heated coolant may be recycled into the non-reactant coolant entering the fuel cell to prevent thermal shock of the fuel cell.
US09017889B2	Frame sequence for a cell voltage measurement system with a low probability of natural occurrence A method for providing calibration and synchronization pulses in a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal including cell voltage measurement pulses, where the calibration pulses are four calibration pulses having a pattern of a narrow width high voltage pulse followed by a wide width low voltage pulse followed by a narrow width high voltage pulse followed by a wide width low voltage pulse that has a very low probability of occurring in a practical fuel cell system. The method modulates a combined sequence of the voltage measurement signals and the calibration pulses using an inverted saw tooth wave to provide the PWM signal, where a width of the pulses representing the voltage signals are proportional to a width of the pulses representing the calibration pulses.
US09017882B2	Electrodes with solid polymer electrolytes and reduced porosity An electrode/electrolyte assembly that has a well-integrated interface between an electrode and a solid polymer electrolyte film, which provides continuous, ionically-conducting and electronically insulating paths between the films is provided. A slurry is made containing active electrolyte material, a liquefied, ionically-conductive first polymer electrolyte with dissolved lithium salt, and conductive additive. The binder may have been liquefied by dissolving in a volatile solvent or by melting. The slurry is cast or extruded as a thin film and dried or cooled to form an electrode layer that has some inherent porosity. A liquefied second polymer electrolyte that includes a salt is cast over the electrode film. Some of the liquefied second polymer electrolyte fills at least some of the pores in the electrode film and the rest forms an electrolyte layer on top of the electrode film. After solidifying by either drying or cooling, the dual-cast electrode assembly includes both an electrode with low porosity and an adjacent solid polymer electrolyte film. A lithium secondary battery that employs the novel electrode assembly is also provided.
US09017880B2	Inorganic magnesium solid electrolyte, magnesium battery, and method for producing inorganic magnesium solid electrolyte A magnesium battery 10 according to the present invention includes a positive electrode 12, a negative electrode 14 having a magnesium-containing negative electrode active material, and an inorganic magnesium solid electrolyte 16 that is interposed between the positive electrode 12 and the negative electrode 14, has a complex ion structure that contains magnesium and hydrogen, and conducts magnesium ions. The inorganic magnesium solid electrolyte 16 may contain a compound having at least one selected from boron and nitrogen. The inorganic magnesium solid electrolyte may be produced by a production method that includes a heat-treatment step of mixing and heating Mg(BH4)2 and Mg(NH2)2 to form a compound having a complex ion structure that contains magnesium and hydrogen.
US09017879B2	Electrolyte having eutectic mixture and electrochemical device containing the same An electrolyte includes a eutectic mixture comprising (a) an alkoxy alkyl group-containing amide compound having a specific chemistry formula 1 or 2: wherein each of X, R, R1, R2, m and n is defined; and (b) an ionizable lithium salt. The eutectic mixture-containing electrolyte exhibits excellent high temperature stability as well as inherent characteristics of eutectic mixtures, including excellent thermal and chemical stability, thus contributing to improved high temperature stability and decreased lowest limit of electrochemical window. The electrolyte is useful in electrochemical devices comprising various anode materials.
US09017876B2	Positive electrode active material, production method thereof and its use A method of producing a positive electrode active material, comprising the steps of: preparing a solution by dissolving, in a solvent, respective predetermined amounts of a lithium source, a M source, a phosphorus source and a X source necessary for forming a positive electrode active material represented by the following general formula (1) having an olivine structure; gelating the obtained solution by addition of a cyclic ether; and calcinating the generated gel to obtain a carbon-coated lithium-containing composite oxide, wherein the positive electrode active material is represented by the general formula (1): LixMyP1-zXzO4 (1) wherein M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Mn, Zr, Sn, Al and Y, X is at least one selected from the group consisting of Si and Al, and 0
US09017873B2	Lithium titanate composite material, method for making the same, and lithium ion battery using the same A lithium titanate composite material includes a lithium titanate particle and a double layered structure coated on a surface of the lithium titanate particle. The double layered structure includes a carbon layer directly disposed on the surface of the lithium titanate particle, and an AlPO4 layer disposed on an outer surface of the carbon layer. The lithium titanate composite material, as an anode active material, can be applied to a lithium ion battery to increase its electrochemical stability.
US09017868B2	Battery, vehicle, electronic device and battery manufacturing method A negative-electrode active material layer formed between a negative-electrode current collector and a solid electrolyte layer has a line-and-space structure in which a plurality of stripe-shaped pattern elements extending in a Y direction are arranged while being separated from each other. A gradient at each contact point where the stripe-shaped pattern element, the negative-electrode current collector and the solid electrolyte layer are in contact with each other is made smaller than 90°.
US09017864B2	Electrolyte and secondary battery Provided is a secondary battery exhibiting excellent durability. Also disclosed is an electrolyte possessing a porous particle, an ionic liquid and a supporting electrolyte salt, wherein the electrolyte has a dynamic elastic modulus of at least 105 Pa.
US09017862B2	Surface-treated steel sheet for battery cases, method of producing same, battery case, and battery A surface-treated steel sheet for battery cases is provided which comprises a nickel-cobalt alloy layer formed at the outermost surface of a plane to be an inner surface of a battery case. When X-ray diffraction measurement using CuKα as a radiation source is performed for the nickel-cobalt alloy layer, an intensity ratio IA/IB=0.01 to 0.9. The intensity ratio IA/IB is a ratio of an intensity IA of a peak present at a diffraction angle 2θ within a range of 41° or more and less than 43° to an intensity IB of a peak present at a diffraction angle 2θ within a range of 43° or more and 45° or less.
US09017858B2	Conductor for connecting terminals comprising plate-shaped parts, assembled battery, and method for producing assembled battery A conductor for connecting first and second terminals includes a first plate-shaped part made of a first metal, a second plate-shaped part made of a second metal, a first region with the first metal exposed, and a second region with the second metal exposed. The second metal is also exposed at a third region which is opposite to the second region. A boundary between the first and second regions has no step difference in a thickness direction, and the first plate-shaped part is directly connected to the first terminal.
US09017848B2	Minimizing and stabilizing cell temperature gradient in a battery pack A system includes a first battery cell, a second battery cell, and thermally conductive material that couples to the battery cells. In turn, the thermally conductive material dissipates heat between the first battery cell and the second battery cell, thus reducing a temperature differential between the first battery cell and the second battery cell.
US09017845B2	Electric energy storage device for a motor vehicle An electric energy storage device (10) for a motor vehicle, in particular a high-voltage energy storage device for a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, having a housing (11) and having storage modules (12) accommodated in the housing. The housing (11) has a housing top part (15), a housing bottom part (16) and a supporting element (17) with an annular supporting frame (18). The housing bottom part (15) and the housing top part (16) are connected detachably to the supporting frame (18), which is positioned between them. The annular supporting frame (18) has fastening sections (19, 20) for detachably connecting the electric energy storage device to a body structure of a motor vehicle.
US09017844B2	Electric apparatus systems An electric apparatus system includes a tool battery usable as a power source for a power tool, an electric apparatus excluding a power tool, and a battery case capable of receiving the tool battery. The battery case is disposed on one side of the electric apparatus, so that the electric apparatus is stabilized in position by the battery case. The electric apparatus and the battery case are mechanically and electrically connected to each other.
US09017843B2	Prismatic secondary battery A prismatic secondary battery includes a prismatic hollow outer body having a mouth and a bottom and storing an electrode assembly, a positive electrode collector, a negative electrode collector, and an electrolyte, a sealing plate sealing up the mouth of the prismatic hollow outer body, and a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal attached to the sealing plate; the sealing plate includes a gas release valve at the center between the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal and includes an electrolyte pour hole on one side of the gas release valve and, on the other side on the front face, a concaved flat face with a height lower than that of the peripheral portion; and the concaved flat face is formed with an identification code.
US09017840B2	Battery A battery includes: an electrode stacked body; a battery case that accommodates the electrode stacked body; positive and negative electrode terminals that are provided so as to communicate inside and outside of the battery case with each other; a lead that electrically connects tabs of the electrode stacked body to the electrode terminals; and an insulated lead insulating cover in which a space is formed so that the lead enters and a terminal through-hole is formed so that one end of the electrode terminal enters the space therethrough. An insulated lead insulating cover includes a first cover component and a second cover component that cooperatively form the space and the terminal through-hole with each other, and the first cover component and the second cover component respectively include engagement portions engaging removable with each other.
US09017839B2	All-solid lithium secondary battery An all-solid lithium secondary battery which uses a sulfide-based solid electrolyte material and has a power-generating element that has formed therein an oxide layer containing substantially no moisture, which is produced by oxidation of the sulfide-based solid electrolyte material in a zone where the electrolyte-containing layer containing at least the sulfide-based solid electrolyte material is in contact with an external air.
US09017838B2	Spinning electrode fuel cell A spinning electrode fuel cell is disclosed. The spinning electrode fuel cell includes a housing and a stacked disk assembly which is rotatably mounted in the housing. The stacked disk assembly includes multiple electrochemical cells connected to each other. A motor engages the stacked disk assembly for rotating the stacked disk assembly in the housing. A fuel flow pathway is provided in the housing for distributing a fuel to the electrochemical cells. An oxidant flow pathway is provided in the housing and physically separated from the fuel flow pathway for distributing an oxidant to the electrochemical cells. A method of fabricating a fuel cell is also disclosed.
US09017837B2	High surface area graphitized carbon and processes for making same The invention is directed to high surface area graphitized carbon and to processes for making high surface area graphitized carbon. The process includes steps of graphitizing and increasing the surface area of (in either order) a starting carbon material to form high surface area graphitized carbon. The step of increasing the surface area optionally comprises an oxidizing step (e.g., through steam etching) or template removal from composite particles. The invention is also directed to catalyst particles and electrodes employing catalyst particles that are formed from the high surface area graphitized carbon.
US09017831B2	Thin-film magnetic oscillation element A thin-film magnetic oscillation element includes a pinned magnetic layer, a free magnetic layer, a nonmagnetic spacer layer provided between the pinned magnetic layer and the free magnetic layer, and a pair of electrodes, in which the easy axis of magnetization of the pinned magnetic layer lies in an in-plane direction of the plane of the pinned magnetic layer, and the easy axis of magnetization of the free magnetic layer lies in a direction normal to the plane of the free magnetic layer. Preferably, the relationship between the saturation magnetization Ms and the magnetic anisotropy field Ha of the free magnetic layer satisfies 1.257 Ms
US09017829B2	Phenanthrocarbazole compound, and organic electroluminescent device using same The present invention relates to a material for an organic electroluminescent device, including a phenanthrocarbazole-based compound having a specific structure, and an organic electroluminescent device including the same. More specifically, the phenanthrocarbazole-based compound is applied as a material for a phosphorescent and fluorescent organic electroluminescent device, thereby providing an organic light emitting device with improved light emitting efficiency, luminance, thermal stability, driving voltage, lifetime and the like.
US09017824B2	Aluminum-diamond composite and manufacturing method Disclosed is an aluminum-diamond composite having both high thermal conductivity and thermal expansion coefficient close to those of semiconductor elements, which is improved in platability in the surface and surface roughness so that the composite becomes suitable for use as a heat sink of a semiconductor element of the like. Specifically disclosed is a plate-like aluminum-diamond composite containing diamond particles and a metal mainly composed of aluminum. The aluminum-diamond composite is composed of a composite part and surface layers formed on both sides of the composite part, and the surface layers are composed of a material containing a metal mainly composed of aluminum. The diamond particle content is 40-70% by volume of the entire aluminum-diamond composite.
US09017817B2	Method for producing laminated porous sheet comprising polytetrafluoroethylene and carbon particles The method for producing the porous sheet of the present invention includes the steps of (I) preparing a plurality of sheet materials that contain polytetrafluoroethylene and carbon particles and (II) stacking the plurality of sheet materials over one another and rolling the stacked sheet materials. In the method for producing the porous sheet of the present invention, step (I) and step (II) may be repeated alternately. Further, as the sheet materials to be used in the production method of the present invention, a base sheet obtained by forming a mixture containing polytetrafluoroethylene and carbon particles into sheet form also can be used, or a laminated sheet obtained by stacking a plurality of base sheets over one another and rolling them also can be used, for example.
US09017812B2	Process of producing polylactic acid-based resin microparticles, polylactic acid-based resin microparticles and cosmetics A process of producing polylactic acid-based resin microparticles includes a dissolving process that forms a system, which can cause phase separation into two phases of a solution phase mainly composed of polylactic acid-based resin (A) and a solution phase mainly composed of polymer (B) different from polylactic acid-based resin, by dissolving the polylactic acid-based resin (A) and the polymer (B) different from polylactic acid-based resin in an ether-based organic solvent (C), an emulsion-forming process that forms an emulsion by applying a shear force to the system, and a microparticle-forming process that precipitates polylactic acid-based resin microparticles by contacting the emulsion with a poor solvent which has lower solubility of the polylactic acid-based resin (A) than the ether-based organic solvent (C).
US09017810B2	Method for producing a porous particle composite for an electrical insulating paper A method is provided for producing an electrical insulation paper having a particle composite. The method involves mixing a dispersion of particles in platelet form, a carrier fluid and a functionalizing agent which is distributed in the carrier fluid and has a proportion by mass in the dispersion corresponding to a predetermined mass ratio based on the proportion by mass of the particles. The dispersion is sedimented, such that the particles in platelet form are arranged in essentially plane-parallel layers in the sediment. The carrier fluid is removed from the sediment. Energy is introduced into the sediment to overcome the activation energy of that chemical reaction of the functionalizing agent with the particles which forms the particle composite from the sediment with coupling of the particles via the functionalizing agent. The mass ratio is predetermined such that the particle composite has a porous structure. The insulation paper is thereby produced.
US09017802B2	Method for improving the durability of an ink printed on a substrate and substrate formed from such a method The present disclosure is drawn to a method for improving the durability of an ink printed on a substrate. In an aspect, the method comprises: (a) providing a substrate having an ink printed thereon; (b) applying an organosilane to the ink to form a coating over the ink, wherein the organosilane is of the formula X—SiR1R2R3, wherein R1, R2 and R3 are all hydrolysable groups, and X comprises an a nucleophilic nitrogen-containing group which is covalently bonded to Si in X—SiR1R2R3 via a non-hydrolysable linker group; and (c) curing the organosilane. The present disclosure further describes a substrate having an ink printed thereon, wherein the ink has a coating thereon formed by applying an organosilane to the ink and curing the organosilane.
US09017796B2	Bonded sheet molding composite automotive components without surface pre-treatment An automotive assembly comprises a sheet molding composite (SMC) element comprising an SMC sheet body shaped into a generally smooth functional section and at least one generally planar bonding section. The bonding section comprises a textured surface impressed as a result of molding the SMC sheet body in a compression molding tool having a corresponding textured pattern. The textured surface has a predetermined surface roughness for increasing the effective surface area of the bonding section relative to a non-textured surface. The predetermined surface roughness is in a range from 0.25 Ra (μm) to 8.5 Ra (μm). A second element has a secondary bonding surface adjoining the bonding section of the SMC element. An adhesive joins the secondary bonding surface to the bonding section without requiring any pre-treatment of the bonding section.
US09017793B2	Light diffusion sheet and backlight unit using the same A light diffusion sheet usable, for example, in backlight units, includes a transparent substrate layer, and a light diffusion layer overlaid on a front face of the substrate layer. The light diffusion layer includes resin beads and a resin binder, the resin beads being provided as monodisperse beads having a mean particle size of 1.5 μm or greater and 5 μm or less. A weight ratio of the monodisperse beads to the binder is 2.5 or greater and 3 or less, and an amount of the overlaid light diffusion layer is 3 g/m2 or greater and 10 g/m2 or less. An acrylic resin may be used as the substrate polymer of the monodisperse beads and binder. A coefficient of variation of particle size distribution of the monodisperse beads is preferably equal to or less than 0.2. Advantageously, a gravure coating method is employed for forming the light diffusion layer.
US09017791B2	Shingle blank having formation of individual hip and ridge roofing shingles A shingle blank comprises an asphalt coated mat having a cut line formed in the asphalt coated mat. The cut line includes a continuous cut portion and a perforated portion. The perforated portion is structured and configured to facilitate separation of the shingle blank into discrete portions.
US09017788B2	Carpets prepared from yarns comprising a fluorinated polyester blend Carpets are prepared from yarns comprising fibers comprising a fluorinated polyester blend prepared by melt blending a fluorovinyl ether functionalized polyester with a non-fluorinated polyester. The fluoroether functionalized polyester can be a homopolymer or a copolymer. The carpets exhibit durable soil, oil, and water repellency.
US09017787B2	Ceiling tile The ceiling tile, in one embodiment of the invention, is a laminate of a rigid core layer, such as gypsum, having one surface covered by a display layer of plastic sheet material. An opposite surface of the core layer is covered by a layer of light reflective material. The design layer has a design surface that is viewable when the tile is installed in a ceiling, and the light reflective layer has an exposed light reflective surface. Both the design layer and the light reflective layer form leak tight seals on the opposite surfaces of the rigid core layer. The entire peripheral edge of the tile laminate and marginal portions of the design surface and light reflective surface are covered by a plastic leak tight tape that forms a gas tight seal at the peripheral edge of the tile laminate.
US09017786B2	Method and apparatus for repairing an electrostatic chuck device, and the electrostatic chuck device In a repairing method for an electrostatic chuck device in which at least an adhesive layer and an attracting layer are provided on a metal base, a side surface of an eroded adhesive layer is wound with a string-like adhesive and thermal compression is performed thereafter. A repairing apparatus for an electrostatic chuck device, which is used in the repairing method, includes a rotatable table for rotating the electrostatic chuck device and a bobbin for supplying the adhesive to the adhesive layer.
US09017780B2	Carbon nanopipes and ductwork with nanometric walls and methods of making the same A carbon nanopipe comprising a durable graphitizable carbon wall of tunable thickness of about 10-500 nm formed by exposing a silica fiber network to a carbon precursor vapor and thereby depositing a carbon film onto the silica fiber network at a temperature suitable for complete pyrolysis of the carbon precursor and removing the silica fibers. The atmosphere of the step of depositing is controlled by a two-stage gas manifold wherein stage 1 purges the reaction chamber with pure argon and stage 2 introduces the carbon precursor.
US09017779B2	Inkjet recording medium, printed material, method for producing same, and package The present invention provides an ink jet recording medium which is capable of uniform coating with an ink-receiving agent without a surface treatment step for a usual plastic film used as a base material, and which, due to excellent adhesion , does not cause the problem of peeling after ink jet printing, and does not cause the problem of ink binning, fading, dropout, or peeling or peeling of an ink-receiving layer and an over-coating layer, and also provides a printed material formed by ink jet printing on the ink jet recording medium. The ink jet recording medium including a first layer containing a polyolefin resin as a main component, a second layer containing an acid-modified olefin resin, and an ink-receiving layer is used, the ink-receiving layer being formed by applying an ink-receiving agent on the second layer after the first and second layers are laminated by a coextrusion laminating method.
US09017773B2	Universal solution for growing thin films of electrically conductive nanostructures A method is described for depositing nanostructures, such as nanostructures of conducting polymers, carbon nanostructures, or combinations thereof. The process comprises placing the nanostructures in a liquid composition comprising an immiscible combination of aqueous phase and an organic phase. The mixture is mixed for a period of time sufficient to form an emulsion and then allowed to stand undisturbed so that the phases are allowed to separate. As a result the nanostructure materials locate at the interface of the forming phases and are uniformly dispersed along that interface. A film of the nanostructure materials will then form on a substrate intersecting the interface, said substrate having been placed in the mixture before the phases are allowed to settle and separate.
US09017772B2	Process for fabrication of seamless UV cured intermediate transfer belts (ITB) Various embodiments provide methods and apparatus for forming intermediate transfer belts (ITBs) by combining a dip-coating process with a UV-curing process. In an embodiment, an ITB substrate can be immersed into a liquid coating composition contained in a dip tank and then withdrawn from the liquid coating composition. When exiting the dip tank, the coated substrate can enter a UV-curing chamber for a UV-curing process. Multiple cycles of dip-coating and UV-curing can be performed such that a desired ITB substrate coating layer thickness can be obtained. After coating the ITB substrate, the UV-cured coating composition can be released from the ITB substrate, wherein the UV-cured coating composition released from the ITB substrate forms the intermediate transfer belt.
US09017771B2	Gentle to skin adhesive Electron beam and gamma radiation crosslinked, silicone gel adhesives are described. Both nonfunctional and functional poly diorganosiloxanes are used. Methods of forming the adhesives, and medical articles incorporating such adhesives are also described.
US09017768B2	Method for forming multilayer coating film The invention offers methods for forming multilayer coating film excelling in smoothness, distinctness of image, water resistance and chipping resistance, the methods comprising successively applying onto a coating object a water-based first coloring paint and a water-based second coloring paint, and simultaneously heating and curing the resultant first colored coating film and second colored coating film, in which the water-based first coloring paint comprises hydroxy-containing polyester resin, curing agent, and water-dispersible acrylic resin which is obtained by polymerization of a monomer component comprising 30-100 mass % of C5-22 alkyl-containing polymerizable unsaturated monomer and 0-70 mass % of polymerizable unsaturated monomer other than the C5-22 alkyl-containing polymerizable unsaturated monomer.
US09017767B2	Method of suppressing dust in piles and railcars using plasticized cellulose ethers A dust preventing crust on an exposed surface of a mass of a dusting material is formed from a dried liquid solution of a non-ionic cellulose ether, a surfactant, and water. The strength of the crust is increased by adding a plasticizer to the liquid solution prior to drying the liquid solution on the mass of dusting material. The strength of the dust preventing crust is increased over a strength of a dust preventing crust produced from drying a fluid solution comprising the non-ionic cellulose ether, the surfactant and water prior to adding the plasticizer.
US09017763B2	Injector for forming films respectively on a stack of wafers An injector for forming films respectively on a stack of wafers is provided. The injector includes a plurality of hole structures. Every adjacent two of the wafers have therebetween a wafer spacing, and each of the wafers has a working surface. The hole structures respectively correspond to the respective wafer spacings. The working surface and a respective hole structure have therebetween a parallel distance. The parallel distance is larger than a half of the wafer spacing. A wafer processing apparatus and a method for forming films respectively on a stack of wafers are also provided.
US09017762B2	Method of making molybdenum-containing targets comprising three metal elements The invention relates to sputter targets and methods for depositing a layer from a sputter target. The method preferably includes the steps of: placing a sputter target in a vacuum chamber; placing a substrate having a substrate surface in the vacuum chamber; reducing the pressure in the vacuum chamber to about 100 Torr or less; removing atoms from the surface of the sputter target while the sputter target is in the vacuum chamber (e.g., using a magnetic field and/or an electric field). The deposited layer preferably is a molybdenum containing alloy including about 50 atomic percent or more molybdenum, 0.5 to 45 atomic percent of a second metal element selected from the group consisting of niobium and vanadium; and 0.5 to 45 atomic percent of a third metal element selected from the group consisting of tantalum, chromium, vanadium, niobium, and titanium.
US09017760B2	Hydrophobic surface finish and method of application The present invention relates to a method for hydrophobization of a fabric surface comprising providing a stream of a substantially anhydrous gas, passing said gas over or through a substantially anhydrous liquid of an alkylsilane, preferably a fluorinated alkylsilane to provide an alkylsilane, preferably a fluorinated alkylsilane vapor and bringing said vapor in contact with the fabric surface, thereby allowing the optionally fluorinated alkylsilane to bind covalently to the fabric surfaced. The present invention further relates to a fabric comprising a superhydrophobic surface finish prepared by a method of the invention and to a device for carrying out the method of the invention.
US09017758B2	Coating agent composition A coating agent composition obtained by mixing fine inorganic oxide particles, a polymerizable alkoxysilane compound, a polymerizing catalyst, an acid aqueous solution and an organic solvent, and satisfying the following conditions (1) to (3): (1) the polymerizing catalyst is at least partly an acetylacetonato complex; (2) a β-dicarbonyl compound (excluding acetylacetonato complex) having two carbonyl groups in the molecule via a carbon atom, is further contained as a catalyst stabilizer; and (3) the fine inorganic oxide particles and the alkoxysilane compound are contained in a total amount of 23 to 40% by mass. The coating agent composition is capable of forming a cured film having excellent properties such as abrasion resistance on the surfaces of plastic ophthalmic lens through the curing conducted at a low temperature for a short period of time, and does not affect the color tone of the lens material even when it is directly applied to the surfaces of the plastic lens material that contains a coloring matter, such as sunglass lenses.
US09017752B2	Shortening composition The present invention relates to a shortening system for use as dough fat or filling fat. The shortening system contains unhydrogenated or non-hydrogenated vegetable oil, such as a highly unsaturated, non-hydrogenated or unhydrogenated vegetable oil, e.g., soybean oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, ricebran oil, or cottonseed oil and a minimum or minor amount (e.g., by weight about 3-10%, advantageously about 3-7%, more advantageously about 3-6% or about 3-5% or less than about 6% or less than about 8%) of an emulsifier composition The emulsifier composition comprises a monoglyceride and/or diglyceride, an alpha tending emulsifier and an ionic emulsifier. Methods for making and using such a shortening system and products from the use of such a shortening system are also disclosed.
US09017749B2	Flavored straw with a flavor delivery system A beverage flavoring apparatus comprising of an elongated tubular body, having at least three elongated hollow sections and a container for holding liquid flavor. The top hollow section is for suction and at least one of the hollow sections is adapted to receive liquid flavor and it has a smaller cross sectional area and shorter length which enables the flavoring liquid to be introduced into the beverage stream in minute quantity. The other hollow section is adapted to receive beverage. The container is mounted or loaded on the elongated tubular body so that the section adapted to receive liquid flavor is immersed in the liquid flavor while the other hollow section is dipped in a beverage. As oral suction is being applied, both the liquid flavor and the beverage are drawn up the tubular body and mixes at the hollow suction end before ingestion.
US09017748B2	Potassium fortification in foodstuffs Improved methods for potassium fortification in food products and the resulting potassium-fortified food products produced therefrom are provided. The methods of this invention allow significant levels of potassium fortification (i.e., greater than about 10 percent, and even up to about 50 percent, of the current U.S. Daily Values (DV) in a single serving) without the objectionable and unpleasant taste profile normally associated with current methods of potassium fortification.
US09017746B2	Method for obtaining a product sequentially submitted to gasification and cryogenic deep-freezing The invention relates to a method for obtaining a product in the form of deep-frozen granules, particles of beads having a high dissolved-gas content from a liquid, semi-liquid or paste-like matrix, that comprises two subsequent steps: a matrix gasification step that comprises the incorporation of gas at a pressure higher than 2 bars; and a quick deep-freezing step using a cryogenic fluid.
US09017741B2	Water soluble defructosylated pea extract, and use thereof as a prebiotic agent The present invention relates to a water-soluble defructosylated pea extract, substantially free of proteins and peptides, as well as to an oligosaccharide composition such as that contained in said extract. It also relates to the method for preparing the same, and to the use thereof as a prebiotic agent.
US09017737B2	Use of cannabinoids in combination with an anti-psychotic medicament The present invention relates to the use of one or more cannabinoids in combination with one or more anti-psychotic medicaments for use in the prevention or treatment of psychosis and psychotic disorders. Preferably the one or more cannabinoids are taken from the group: cannabidiol (CBD); cannabidiolic acid (CBDA); tetrahydrocannbidivarin (THCV); tetrahydrocannbidivarinin acid (THCVA); cannabichromene (CBC); cannabichromenic acid (CBCA); cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). Preferably the anti-psychotic medication is an atypical anti-psychotic medication.
US09017733B2	Bioactive compositions The present invention relates to bioactive hetero-coagulated mixed materials that have high strength and durability, that are prepared using an aqueous process, and that have a high transparency when placed into a monomer, polymer, or resin of approximately the same refractive index.
US09017732B1	Antibacterial therapy with a whole, leech saliva extract Methods are provided for isolating and using a whole-saliva leech extract. The methods can include feeding a phagostimulatory agent to a leech; inducing a regurgitation in the leech, the inducing including placing the leech in an environment having a temperature of less than about 0° C.; and, collecting an unrefined, whole saliva in the regurgitation of the cooled leech. The methods can include revitalizing the leech by warming it at a temperature ranging from about 5° C. to about 40° C. Stable, lyophilized, whole-saliva extracts of a leech are also provided, the extract having a stable activity when stored for use at a temperature below about −20° C., the extract maintaining at least 70% of the activity for at least 6 months. The extracts can be used to treat solid tumors, treat liquid tumors, treat diabetes, treat a viral disease, treat a parasitic disease, treat an antibacterial disease, or serve as an anti-oxidant.
US09017726B2	Biodegradable and thermosensitive poly(organophosphazene)-superparamagnetic nanoparticle complex, preparation method and use thereof The present invention relates to a poly(organophosphazene)-superparamagnetic nanoparticle complex including a biodegradable and thermosensitive poly(organophosphazene) and a iron oxide (Fe3O4, Magnetite)-series ferrite superparamagnetic nanoparticle, a preparation method, and uses of carrying a physiologically-active material, a bio-material and a biomaterial for cancer hyperthermia. The iron oxide is used as a MRI contrast agent for T−2 and T2* weighted image, and the poly(organophosphazene) shows a sol-to-gel behavior depending upon the temperature change. The complex is a bound-type where the superparamagnetic ferrite nanoparticle is bonded to phosphazene-based polymer via hydrophobic binding, and a mixed-type where the superparamagnetic ferrite nanoparticle is physically mixed with the phosphazene-based polymer.
US09017723B2	Propynylaminoindan transdermal compositions Propynylaminoindan (e.g., Rasagiline) transdermal compositions are provided. Aspects of the transdermal compositions include a matrix of the propynylaminoindan in a pressure sensitive adhesive comprising a carboxylated polymer. In some instances, the matrix further includes a cationic acrylic copolymer. Also provided are methods of using the transdermal compositions and kits containing the transdermal compositions.
US09017722B2	Pharmaceutical composition containing as an active ingredient 5-methyl-1-phenyl-2-(1H)-pyridone A tablet characterized by comprising 5-methyl-1-phenyl-2-(1H)-pyridone as the main ingredient and, based on the main ingredient, 10 to 50 wt. % excipient, 5 to 40 wt. % disintegrator, 1 to 10 wt. % binder, 0.5 to 5 wt. % lubricant, 2 to 6 wt. % coating basis, and 0.05 to 3 wt. % light-shielding agent, wherein the odor or bitterness of the 5-methyl-1-phenyl-2-(1H)-pyridone is masked and the light stability is improved.
US09017719B2	Injectable drug carrier comprising layered double hydroxide Provided is an injectable drug carrier including a non-toxic Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. Provided is also a method of preparing the injectable drug carrier, the method including: synthesizing LDH with various compositions and controlling the size and shape of the LDH at a level that the LDH has no adverse effect in vivo. A solution obtained by dispersing the LDH in a solvent is injected in vivo. According to the method, nano-size LDH that does not affect a blood vessel in vivo can be synthesized. The LDH thus synthesized has no adverse effect in vivo even at a concentration of 400 mg/kg, and thus can contribute to establishment of a drug delivery system capable of improving the delivery efficiency of a specific drug.
US09017718B2	Dual and single layer dosage forms Provided is a dual-release, dual-adhesiveness flexible thin film dosage form comprising: a quick-release subfilm comprising an admixture of polymer, which comprises predominantly highly water-soluble polymer(s), and a bioactive agent, the polymers and other components of the quick-release subfilm adapted to provide 20 minutes or less erodibility for the quick-release subfilm; and laminated against the quick-release subfilm, a sustained-release subfilm comprising an admixture of polymer, which comprises predominantly hydrophilic, bioadhesive polymer(s), and a second bioactive agent, which can be the same as the first, the polymers and other components of the sustained-release subfilm adapted to provide erodibility of 1 hour or more and 20 hours or less for the sustained-release subfilm, the dosage form having a thickness of 30 mil or less, and being more adhesive on the sustained-release side.
US09017716B2	Ophthalmic lens The present invention is directed to an ophthalmic lens integrally formed with a hydrogel, the hydrogel including a copolymer obtained from a composition containing (A) an ionic compound including a cation having a polymerizable functional group, and a fluorine-containing anion (hereinafter, referred to as (A) ionic compound), and (B) a hydrophilic compound having a polymerizable functional group.
US09017709B2	Composition comprising polymeric, water-insoluble, anionic particles, processes and uses The present invention relates to an injectable composition which comprises polymeric, water-insoluble, non-biodegradable, anionic particles, these particles having an irregular shape and a biocompatible carrier with a lubricated surface, a method for preparing the same, a method for treating a tissue in a patient which comprises injecting into the tissue site the injectable composition as a permanent implant and the use of the injectable composition as a medicament, particularly for bulking a tissue site.
US09017707B2	Cosmetic or dermatological preparations containing licochalcone A or an extract of radix glycyrrhizae inflatae, containing licochalcone A Disclosed are cosmetic or dermatological preparations for the treatment or alleviation of erythema which comprise an aqueous extract of Radix Glycyrrhizae inflatae or licochalcone A and optionally one or more ethoxylated or propoxylated raw materials and/or one or more polyols.
US09017703B2	Method of using fibrous tissue sealant Disclosed herein is a fibrous tissue sealant in the form of an anhydrous fibrous sheet comprising a first component which is a fibrous polymer containing electrophilic or nucleophilic groups and a second component capable of crosslinking the first component when the sheet is exposed to an aqueous medium, thereby forming a crosslinked hydrogel that is adhesive to biological tissue. The fibrous tissue sealant may be useful as a general tissue adhesive for medical and veterinary applications such as wound closure, supplementing or replacing sutures or staples in internal surgical procedures, tissue repair, and to prevent post-surgical adhesions. The fibrous tissue sealant may be particularly suitable for use as a hemostatic sealant to stanch bleeding from surgical or traumatic wounds.
US09017702B2	Stable aqueous formulations comprising poorly water soluble active ingredients A formulation includes one or more active ingredients of poor water solubility for medical or non-medical use in the rearing of animals. The formulation is suitable for administration to the animals via their drinking water. It exhibits superior stability. The formulation comprises an active ingredient, a thickener combination and water, wherein the thickener combination comprises at least one thickener selected from the following groups A, B, C and D: (A) cellulose derivatives, such as methyl cellulose, sodium carboxy methyl cellulose, (B) non-cellulosic polysaccharide thickeners such as xanthan gums, Arabic gum, (C) cross-linked polyacrylic acid polymers, (D) hydrocolloidal hydrated silicates.
US09017697B2	Compositions and methods for modulating immune responses This invention discloses methods and compositions for modulating immune responses, which involve particulate delivery of agents to immune cells, wherein the agents comprise an inhibitor of the NF-κB signaling pathway and an antigen that corresponds to a target antigen. The methods and compositions of the present invention are particularly useful in the treatment or prophylaxis of an undesirable immune response associated with the target antigen, including autoimmune diseases, allergies and transplantation associated diseases.
US09017694B2	Swine influenza hemagglutinin variants The technology relates in part to modified influenza viruses useful for vaccine development. Polypeptides, polynucleotides, methods, compositions, and vaccines comprising influenza hemagglutinin and neuraminidase variants are provided.
US09017688B2	Peptide vaccines for cancers expressing MPHOSPH1 or DEPDC1 polypeptides The present invention provides peptides having an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 192, 195, 197, 209, 225, 226, 228, 230, 240, 241, 243, 244, 249, 253, 254 or 255, as well as peptides having the above-mentioned amino acid sequences in which 1, 2, or several amino acids are substituted, deleted, or added, wherein the peptides possess cytotoxic T cell inducibility. The present invention also provides drugs for treating or preventing a disease associated with the over-expression of MPHOSPH1 and/or DEPDC1, e.g. cancers, containing these peptides as an active ingredient. The peptides of the present invention can also be used as vaccines.
US09017685B1	Pathway for Th-17 cell development and methods utilizing same The present disclosure demonstrates for the first time that Th-17 cells are the product of a distinct CD4+ T cell lineage with unique developmental and functional characteristics. The developmental signals required for Th-17 commitment and development are also described. As a result, the teachings of the present disclosure provide a basis for understanding the developmental pathway of Th-17 cells and offer novel avenues to modulate (stimulate or inhibit) this developmental program and offer new methods for the treatment and prevention of disease states and conditions related to aberrant activity of Th-17 cells.
US09017671B2	Method of treating cancer with a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a HER2 antibody The present application describes antibody formulations, including monoclonal antibodies formulated in histidine-acetate buffer, as well as a formulation comprising an antibody that binds to domain II of HER2 (for example, Pertuzumab), and a formulation comprising an antibody that binds to DR5 (for example, Apomab).
US09017668B2	High affinity human antibodies to human cytomegalovirus (CMV) gB protein Antibodies to human Cytomegalovirus (CMV) gB protein have been isolated from human B cells. The affinities of these antibodies are higher than the best previously reported antibodies. Since high affinity is critical to prevention of virus transfer across the placenta, the invention antibodies are useful as therapeutic and prophylactic agents to prevent or ameliorate effects on the fetus of CMV infection during pregnancy.
US09017665B2	Pharmaceutical preparation for the treatment of the symptoms of addiction and method of diagnosing same A therapeutic agent for the treatment of the symptoms of addiction and the method for preparing the therapeutic agent is disclosed. The therapeutic agent is a stable pharmaceutical preparation containing, but not limited to, digestive/pancreatic enzymes. The therapeutic agent may be manufactured by a variety of encapsulation technologies. Delivery of the therapeutic agent may be made orally, through injection, by adherence of a medicated patch or other method. Further, a method of using of a biomarker, the presence of chymotrypsin in the gastrointestinal tract to determine the presence of symptoms of addiction, and the likelihood of relapsing into addiction is disclosed.
US09017662B2	Anti-TNF alpha producing lactic acid bacteria for the treatment of chronic enterocolitis Treatments for chronic enterocolitis are disclosed. More specifically, methods for administration of pharmaceutical compositions that include anti-TNF-alpha antibody producing lactic acid microorganisms, such as Lactobacillus sp. and Saccharomyces sp., are disclosed for the treatment of chronic enterocolitis.
US09017660B2	Compositions and methods for prevention of escape mutation in the treatment of Her2/neu over-expressing tumors This invention provides compositions and methods for treating and vaccinating against an Her2/neu antigen-expressing tumor and inducing an immune response against dominant in a non-human animal.
US09017654B2	Preparation for vaccination, vaccination method and use of a vaccination preparation The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical preparation, comprising at least one Toll-like receptor ligand and at least one peptide. The invention also relates to the use of such a pharmaceutical preparation and to a vaccination method.
US09017652B1	Combination of crosslinked cationic and ampholytic polymers for personal and household applications A cleansing composition for cosmetic or household use may include an ampholytic polymer; a crosslinked cationic polymer; a surfactant component selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and zwitterionic surfactants; and an aqueous and/or organic carrier.
US09017650B2	Emulsions of aminofunctional silicones Aminofunctional silicone emulsions are prepared by forming a mixture of A) 100 parts of a polydialkylsiloxane Having a viscosity of at least 50,000 mm/s at 23° C., and B) 0.1 to 100 parts of an aminofunctional organopolysiloxane, admixing C) 0.1 to 50 parts of a halide free quaternary ammonium surfactant containing at least 10 carbon atoms, and a sufficient amount of water to form an emulsion.
US09017646B2	Process of evaluating blood-brain barrier permeability of stroke rat by using fluorescent substance A process of evaluating blood-brain barrier permeability of a stroke rat by using fluorescent substance is disclosed. This process uses an Evans blue dye having spontaneous fluorescence properties, in combination with the use of a new non-invasive in vivo imaging system (IVIS), to obtain fluorescent signals so as to assess the change in the blood-brain barrier permeability of rodents after a cerebral artery stroke model surgery. In operation, an Evans blue dye is injected into a stroke rat of middle cerebral artery occlusion model. A non-invasive in vivo imaging system is used to detect the fluorescence distribution of the whole brain, and obtain images combined by the fluorescence images and optical images for the whole brain tissue. Thereby, the change in the blood-brain barrier permeability of the stroke rat can be completely realized.
US09017645B2	Homoglutamic acid derivatives This invention relates to homoglutamic acid derivatives suitable for labeling or already labeled with 18F or 19F, methods of preparing such compounds, compositions comprising such compounds, kits comprising such compounds or compositions and uses of such compounds, compositions or kits for diagnostic imaging.
US09017641B2	Hydrogen purification process In a process for purifying a hydrogen stream, the stream is contacted with a first washing fluid in a first purification zone under conditions effective to transfer at least some water from the hydrogen stream to the first washing fluid, thereby transforming the hydrogen stream into a water-depleted hydrogen stream. At least a portion of the water-depleted hydrogen stream may then be transferred from the first purification zone to a second purification zone, where it is contacted with a second washing fluid under conditions effective to transfer at least some oxygenates from the water-depleted hydrogen stream to the second washing fluid.
US09017633B2	CVD single crystal diamond material Single crystal diamond material produced using chemical vapour deposition (CVD), and particularly diamond material having properties suitable for use in optical applications such as lasers, is disclosed. In particular, a CVD single crystal diamond material having preferred characteristics of longest linear internal dimension, birefringence and absorption coefficient, when measured at room temperature, is disclosed. Uses of the diamond material, including in a Raman laser, and methods of producing the diamond are also disclosed.
US09017632B2	Diamond material A method of making fancy pale blue or fancy pale blue/green CVD diamond material is described. The method comprises irradiating single crystal diamond material that has been grown by a CVD process with electrons to introduce isolated vacancies into the diamond material, the irradiated diamond material having (or after a further post-irradiation treatment having) a total vacancy concentration [VT] and a path length L such that [VT]×L is at least 0.072 ppm cm and at most 0.36 ppm cm, and the diamond material becomes fancy pale blue or fancy pale blue/green in color. Fancy pale blue diamonds are also described.
US09017628B2	Sonochemical synthesis of boron and boron-carbon nanomaterials by alkali metal reduction A method of preparing a nanomaterial comprising boron includes sonicating a boron trihalide and/or boron alkoxide in a hydrocarbon solvent with an alkali metal under an inert atmosphere to form a dark solid, and annealing the dark solid at a temperature sufficient to sublime alkali metal salt therein, thereby obtaining a boron nanomaterial. Reacting with a Group IVB metal produces a metal boride, and combining an alkali metal salt of a hydrocarbon with the boron trihalide prior to sonicating produces a carbonaceous boron material.
US09017619B2	Device and method for disinfecting, sterilizing and/or looking after medical, in particular dental, instruments Device and method for disinfecting, sterilizing, and/or looking after medical, in particular dental, instruments, comprising a rinsing chamber in which there are holders for receiving the instruments, wherein at least parts of the walls of the rinsing chamber or elements located in the rinsing chamber can be cooled.
US09017613B2	Ultraviolet photoreactor for the purification of fluids In order to disinfect and to detoxify a fluid, a photoreactor contains at least two light sources. One light source activates the catalytic function of a semiconductor material in the fluid to reduce the concentration of contaminants in the fluid, such as by breaking down organic contaminants into non-toxic compounds. A second light source acts directly on living biological entities to sterilize or kill them and thereby disinfect the fluid, and can also serve to activate a semiconductor photocatalyst that in turn causes further damage to biological contaminants. The semiconductor photocatalyst is desirably attached to an optically transmitting fiber substrate in the fluid. The second light source in one embodiment is external to the fluid and illuminates the photocatalyst through transmitting surfaces in a fluid containment vessel. The light sources can comprise respective sets of plural LEDs.
US09017612B2	Gas sensor Provided is a gas sensor that needs no temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of a heater for preventing dew condensation. The gas sensor comprises a hydrogen sensor 1 including: an element housing 13 having a detection chamber 13a to which hydrogen is introduced; a detection element 31 arranged in the detection chamber 13a and detecting hydrogen; a heater 21 for heating the detection chamber 13a by heat generation via passing an electric current through the heater 21, a resistance value of the heater 21 being changed corresponding to a temperature of the detection chamber 13a; and a microcomputer 51 and a heater operation circuit 52 for controlling the heater 21. Herein, the microcomputer 51 controls a temperature of the detection chamber 13a by adjusting the electric current passing through the heater 21 based on the resistance value of the heater 21.
US09017610B2	Method of determining a complete blood count and a white blood cell differential count Systems and methods analyzing body fluids such as blood and bone marrow are disclosed. The systems and methods may utilize an improved technique for applying a monolayer of cells to a slide to generate a substantially uniform distribution of cells on the slide. Additionally aspects of the invention also relate to systems and methods for utilizing multi color microscopy for improving the quality of images captured by a light receiving device.
US09017605B2	Nickel-based superalloy A nickel-base superalloy is characterized by the following chemical composition (details in % by weight): 7.7-8.3 Cr, 5.0-5.25 Co, 2.0-2.1 Mo, 7.8-8.3 W, 5.8-6.1 Ta, 4.9-5.1 Al, 1.0-1.5 Ti, 1.0-2.0 Re, 0.11-0.15 Si, 0.1-0.7 Hf, 0-0.5 Nb, 0.02-0.17 C, 50-400 ppm B, remainder Ni and production-related impurities. The alloy is distinguished by a very high resistance to oxidation, resistance to corrosion and good creep properties at high temperatures.
US09017603B2	Magnesium based-alloys for hydrogen storage Magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloys with addition of transition and rare earth elements were produced by conventional induction melting and by rapid solidification. The magnesium based-alloys of this invention posses reversible hydrogen storage capacities ranging from 3 to over 6 wt. %, and excellent performance on the hydrogen absorption and desorption kinetics.
US09017602B2	Method and apparatus of forming a wrought material having a refined grain structure A method of forming a wrought material having a refined grain structure is provided. The method comprises providing a metal alloy material having a depressed solidus temperature and a low temperature eutectic phase transformation. The metal alloy material is molded and rapidly solidified to form a fine grain precursor that has fine grains surrounded by a eutectic phase with fine dendritic arm spacing. The fine grain precursor is plastic deformed at a high strain rate to cause recrystallization without substantial shear banding to form a fine grain structural wrought form. The wrought form is then thermally treated to precipitate the eutectic phase into nanometer sized dispersoids within the fine grains and grain boundaries and to define a thermally treated fine grain structure wrought form having grains finer than the fine grains and the fine dendritic arm spacing of the fine grain precursor.
US09017598B2	Metal-bonded graphite foam composites A metal-bonded graphite foam composite includes a ductile metal continuous phase and a dispersed phase that includes graphite foam particles.
US09017597B2	Transferring molten metal using non-gravity assist launder A system and method for transferring molten metal from a vessel and into a launder is disclosed. The system includes at least a vessel for containing molten metal, an overflow (or dividing) wall, and a device or structure, such as a molten metal pump, for generating a stream of molten metal. The dividing wall divides the vessel into a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein part of the second chamber has a height H2. The device for generating a stream of molten metal, which is preferably a molten metal pump, is preferably positioned in the first chamber. When the device operates, it generates a stream of molten metal from the first chamber and into the second chamber. When the level of molten metal in the second chamber exceeds H2, molten metal flows out of the vessel and into the launder. The launder has a horizontal angle of between 0° and −10° to help prevent dross from being pulled by gravity into downstream vessels.
US09017593B2	Composite materials comprising propylene-based polymer blend coatings Coated composite materials and methods for their manufacture are described. In particular, embodiments of the present invention include a substrate material coated on at least a portion with a polymer blend comprising from about 50 to about 95 wt % of a propylene-based copolymer comprising propylene and from about 3 to about 40 wt % ethylene-derived units and from about 5 to about 50 wt % of a hydrocarbon resin. The propylene-based copolymer has a melting temperature less than about 110° C., a heat of fusion less than about 75 J/g, and a triad tacticity greater than 75%. The coating compositions are suitable for hot fill applications, soft to the touch and have a low coefficient of friction, low haze, and are able to retain textural design features. Methods for forming such coated composite materials are also provided.
US09017587B2	Manufacturing method of biodegradable net-shaped articles A manufacturing method of biodegradable net-shaped articles includes: (a) preparing a biodegradable mixture; (b) granulating the mixture into plastic grains; (c) baking the plastic grains in an oven at 60° C. to 70° C. for 3 to 4 hours; (d) melting and extruding the plastic grains by a screw-type extruder so as to obtain a net-shaped preform; and (e) cooling and thereby finalizing the net-shaped preform in a cooling bath at 15° C. to 30° C. so as to obtain the net-shaped article.
US09017584B2	Flame-retardant materials and systems A flame-retardant composition has a plurality of particles with a plurality of porosities formed therein, a flame retardant gas occupying the porosities, and a matrix material in which said particles are dispersed. It provides a sealant applied to at least a portion of the particles, wherein the sealant substantially prevents the gas from escaping the porosities. The matrix is a flame-retardant composition adapted to be applied to various surfaces. At least one of the matrix and the particles is formed of a material that will break down and release the gas in the presence of water. At least one of the matrix and the particles is formed of a material that will break down and release the gas in the presence of flame. The sealant may be a polymer material. This solves the problem of applying flame-retardant qualities to various surfaces.
US09017579B2	Carbon-based materials derived from latex Organic gels of resorcinol-formaldehyde type, carbon-based materials of adjusted porosity derived therefrom by pyrolysis. Such materials may be used, in particular, for the production of electrodes.
US09017574B2	Carbidonitride phosphors and LED lighting devices using the same A red phosphor is provided. Also provided is a lighting apparatus containing a red phosphor.
US09017573B2	Organic-inorganic complexes containing a luminescent rare earth-metal nanocluster and an antenna ligand, luminescent articles, and methods of making luminescent compositions Luminescent compositions are described comprising lanthanide-containing nanoclusters comprising lanthanide atoms bonded to at least one semimetal or transition metal via an oxygen or sulfur atom. Novel compositions include an antenna ligand complexed with the nanoclusters. The rare earth-metal nanoclusters are in the size range of 1 to 100 nm. Articles, such as solar cells, are described in which the nanoclusters (with or without antenna ligands) are dispersed in a polymer matrix. Novel methods of making luminescent films are also described.
US09017571B2	Dry etching agent and dry etching method A dry etching agent according to the present invention preferably contains: (A) 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; (B) at least one kind of additive gas selected from the group consisting of H2, O2, O3, CO, CO2, COCl2, COF2, CF3OF, NO2, F2, NF3, Cl2, Br2, I2, CH4, C2H2, C2H4, C2H6, C3H4, C3H6, C3H8, HF, HI, HBr, HCl, NO, NH3 and YFn (where Y represents Cl, Br or I; and n represents an integer satisfying 1≦n≦7); and (C) an inert gas. This dry etching agent has less effect on the global environment and can obtain a significant improvement in process window and address processing requirements such as low side etching ratio and high aspect ratio even without any special substrate excitation operation.
US09017570B2	Hybrid filler for electromagnetic shielding composite material and method of manufacturing the hybrid filler Disclosed is a hybrid filler for an electromagnetic shielding composite material and a method of manufacturing the hybrid filler, by which electromagnetic shielding and absorbing capabilities are improved and heat generated by electromagnetic absorption is effectively removed. The hybrid filler for an electromagnetic shielding composite material includes an expandable graphite (EG) having a plurality of pores, and magnetic particles integrated with a carbon nanotube (CNT) on outer surfaces thereof in a mixed manner, wherein the magnetic particles are inserted into the pores of the EG.
US09017560B2	Method and device for treating ballast water with acrolein A apparatus for treating ballast water with acrolein which is to be connected to a main ballast water line of a ballast water unit, comprises a reactor device to which acrolein derivate and water is to be fed for generating an aqueous acrolein solution, a branch line which is connected to the main ballast water line for branching off a partial ballast water stream, and a mixing device which is connected to the branch line and an acrolein solution supply line from the reactor device and is designed for diluting the aqueous acrolein solution from the reactor device, and a feed device for supplying the aqueous acrolein solution from the mixing unit to the main ballast water line. In the method for treating ballast water with acrolein, an acrolein derivate and hydrolysis water are mixed in a reactor device for generating an aqueous acrolein solution, a partial water stream branched of from the main ballast water stream at an branching location, is mixed with the acrolein solution supplied from the reactor device and mixed thereby, and the partial ballast water stream treated with the acrolein solution is fed back to the main ballast water stream downstream of the branching location.
US09017559B2	Water treatment apparatus and a method for cleaning a filter layer of a water treatment apparatus A water treatment apparatus including one or more mixed raw water stream jet nozzles, a filtering tank housing a filter layer disposed below the mixed raw water stream jet nozzle or nozzles, the filter layer having an upper layer and a lower layer, the upper layer containing a filter material with a smaller specific gravity and a larger particle diameter than a filter material of the lower layer, a water collecting and distributing pipe for removing water filtered through the filter layer and supplying reverse stream cleaning water to the filter layer during reverse cleaning, filter material vibrating means for vibrating a filter material of the upper layer including a vibrating element connected to a power source and vibration expanding element buried in the upper layer for transmitting vibration of the vibrating element, and an overflow outlet provided in the filtering tank above the filter layer.
US09017558B2	System and process for recovering products using simulated-moving-bed adsorption A process according to various approaches includes flushing an intermediate transfer line at first flow rate during a first portion of the step-time interval. The process also includes flushing the intermediate transfer line at as second different flow rate during a second portion of the step-time interval so that a greater volume of fluid is flushed from the intermediate transfer line during one of the first portion and the second portion of the step-time interval than during the other of the first portion and the second portion of the step-time interval.
US09017557B2	Monolithic-shaped bodies for purifying and separating biopolymers The present invention concerns new monolithic shaped bodies, a method for their preparation as well as their use especially for the selective purification and separation of biopolymers. A chromatographic separation material is provided with the new monolithic shaped bodies that allows a selective, efficient and reproducible purification and separation of biopolymers.
US09017556B2	Ultrapure water production method and apparatus therefor Ultrapure water of high purity having extremely low TOC concentration is produced by efficiently degrading urea in raw water by biological activated carbon treatment even when the raw water contains ammonium nitrogen. The ultrapure water production method, where raw water is treated in a primary pure water system, and then the resulting water is treated in a subsystem, contains a step of treating pretreated water with chlorine based oxidizer added by a biological treatment means installed upstream to the subsystem. Chlorine based oxidizer is added so that the chlorine based oxidizer concentration is 5 times or more than the ammonium nitrogen concentration of water treated in the biological treatment means in terms of Cl2.
US09017553B2	Filtration of a hydrocarbon from a fluid An apparatus, method, and system for treatment of industrial waste water and/or marine vessel bilge water before discharge into waterways, said waste water having hydrocarbon, and synthetic oils, chemical or surfactant based hydrocarbon emulsions, and water soluble hydrocarbons, containing hydrocarbon coated organics and fine suspended particulate matter, said treatment utilizing a hydrocarbon sorbing pre-filter media together with filter structural elements to first remove hydrocarbon contaminated organics and particulate, coalesce then bifurcate and adsorb heavier hydrocarbon elements; the remaining liquid entering the second stage of filtration wherein a cryogenically pulverized recycled tire powder material removes the remaining hydrocarbons, synthetic oils, hydrocarbon emulsions, and water soluble hydrocarbons, providing a highly clarified and oil free effluent at high flow rates and with substantially reduced filter system maintenance. Said invention may further contain a third stage utilizing another layer of hydrocarbon sorbing materials. It may be combined into an oily water separation system.
US09017550B2	Exfiltration apparatus An exfiltration apparatus for removing contaminants from a fluid, the exfiltration apparatus including a housing defining a fluid flow path and having a first filter/sorptive layer positioned within a first portion of the housing and a second filter/sorptive layer positioned within a second portion of the housing. The first portion of the housing and the first filter/sorptive layer are removable as a unit from the second portion of the housing. The exfiltration apparatus may also include a container positioned within the second filter/sorptive layer and a third filter/sorptive layer disposed within the container. The exfiltration apparatus may also include a container defining a fluid retaining chamber. The chamber may be generally positioned between the first filter/sorptive layer and the second filter/sorptive layer.
US09017549B2	Debris catching device for surge tanks in swimming pool circulation systems A debris catching device for surge tanks in swimming pool circulation systems prevents debris from building up within a surge tank. The debris catching device includes a net member for capturing the debris before it enters the surge tank and an elongate main body that is adjustably extendable to select lengths for proper installation. A drawstring cord extending through the length of the elongate main body and around the lining of the net member is provided for cinching the net member closed around the exterior of the gutter drain pipe so that the captured debris doesn't spill out of the net and into the surge tank. A support cord attached to the elongate main body and having opposite ends attached to the lining of the net member may be used for holding the net member in an upright position.
US09017548B2	Oil collecting apparatus An oil collecting apparatus is provided to recover polluted nature environment and to keep nature environment clean in such a way that oil leaked over river or ocean is effectively collected on the spot, and only the oil is removed by separating water and oil, wherein the volume of the water tank configured to separate water and oil can be reduced in half, so the present invention may be applied to a small size ship, and only the oil leaked over river and ocean may be separated and collected on the spot. A water surface cleaner with an excellent oil connecting capacity may be built using the present invention.
US09017546B2	Exfoliation of asphaltenes A method for decomposing an asphaltene particle includes contacting the asphaltene particle with an intercalating agent; and reacting the intercalating agent to increase a distance between asphaltene molecules in the asphaltene particle to decompose the asphaltene particle. In a method for producing decomposed asphaltene, the method includes disposing an intercalating agent in an oil environment; contacting an asphaltene particle in the oil environment with the intercalating agent; reacting the intercalating agent to produce product molecules; and decomposing the asphaltene particle to produce decomposed asphaltene.
US09017540B2	Systems and methods for reducing overhang on electroplated surfaces of printed circuit boards Systems and methods for reducing overhang on electroplated surfaces of printed circuit boards are described. One such method includes applying a first resist layer on a substrate having a first copper layer, applying a first image to the first resist layer, developing the first resist layer in accordance with the first image, applying a second copper layer on the first copper layer, electroplating a first metallic layer on the second copper layer, removing the first resist layer, etching a portion of the first copper layer, removing the first metallic layer, depositing a third copper layer on a surface of the assembly, applying a second resist layer on the third copper layer, applying a second image to the second resist layer, developing the second resist layer in accordance with the second image, electroplating a preselected metal layer on the third copper layer, removing the second resist layer, and etching a portion of the third copper layer.
US09017539B2	Method for fabricating a heat sink, and a heat sink A method for fabricating a heat sink may include: providing a carbon fiber fabric having carbon fibers and openings, the openings leading from a first side to a second side of the fabric; and electroplating the fabric with metal, wherein metal is deposited with a higher rate at the first side than at the second side of the fabric. Another method for fabricating a heat sink may include: providing a carbon metal composite having metal-coated carbon fibers and openings, the openings leading from a first side to a second side of the carbon metal composite; disposing the composite over a semiconductor element such that the first side of the composite faces the semiconductor element; and bonding the composite to the semiconductor element by means of an electroplating process, wherein metal electrolyte is supplied to an interface between the carbon metal composite and the semiconductor element via the openings.
US09017530B2	Method and electrochemical cell for synthesis and treatment of metal monolayer electrocatalysts metal, carbon, and oxide nanoparticles ion batch, or in continuous fashion An apparatus and method for synthesis and treatment of electrocatalyst particles in batch or continuous fashion is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a sonication bath and a two-compartment chamber submerged in the sonication bath. The upper and lower compartments are separated by a microporous material surface. The upper compartment comprises a cover and a working electrode (WE) connected to a Pt foil contact, with the foil contact connected to the microporous material. The upper chamber further comprises reference counter electrodes. The lower compartment comprises an electrochemical cell containing a solution of metal ions. In one embodiment, the method for synthesis of electrocatalysts comprises introducing a plurality of particles into the apparatus and applying sonication and an electrical potential to the microporous material connected to the WE. After the non-noble metal ions are deposited onto the particles, the non-noble metal ions are displaced by noble-metal ions by galvanic displacement.
US09017527B2	Electrolytic oxide reduction system An electrolytic oxide reduction system according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of anode assemblies, a plurality of cathode assemblies, and a lift system configured to engage the anode and cathode assemblies. The cathode assemblies may be alternately arranged with the anode assemblies such that each cathode assembly is flanked by two anode assemblies. The lift system may be configured to selectively engage the anode and cathode assemblies so as to allow the simultaneous lifting of any combination of the anode and cathode assemblies (whether adjacent or non-adjacent).
US09017526B2	Ion beam etching system The disclosed embodiments relate to methods and apparatus for removing material from a substrate. In various implementations, conductive material is removed from a sidewall of a previously etched feature such as a trench, hole or pillar on a semiconductor substrate. In practicing the techniques herein, a substrate is provided in a reaction chamber that is divided into an upper plasma generation chamber and a lower processing chamber by a corrugated ion extractor plate with apertures therethrough. The extractor plate is corrugated such that the plasma sheath follows the shape of the extractor plate, such that ions enter the lower processing chamber at an angle relative to the substrate. As such, during processing, ions are able to penetrate into previously etched features and strike the substrate on the sidewalls of such features. Through this mechanism, the material on the sidewalls of the features may be removed.
US09017525B2	Methods for forming metal fluoride film and for manufacturing optical device In a method for forming a metal fluoride film, a metal fluoride film is formed on a substrate by sputtering using a metal target and a mixed gas containing O2 gas and a reactive gas being a fluorocarbon gas.
US09017518B2	Process for the preparation of surface-treated calcium carbonate material and use of same in the control of organic material in an aqueous medium The present invention relates to a process for the production of a surface-treated calcium carbonate, the use of this surface-treated calcium carbonate in a process for the control of organic material in an aqueous medium, as well as to a composite of surface-treated calcium carbonate and organic material, such as a composite of surface-treated calcium carbonate and to the use of such a composite.
US09017517B2	Method of making a belt-creped, absorbent cellulosic sheet with a perforated belt A method of making a belt-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet. A papermaking furnish is compactively dewatered to form a dewatered web having an apparently random distribution of papermaking fiber orientation. The dewatered web is applied to a translating transfer surface moving at a transfer surface speed. The web is belt-creped from the transfer surface utilizing a generally planar polymeric creping belt provided with a plurality of perforations through the belt, the belt-creping step occurring under pressure in a belt creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping belt. The belt travels at a belt speed that is slower than the transfer surface speed, and the web is creped from the transfer surface and redistributed on the creping belt to form a web. The web includes hollow domed regions, connecting regions, and transition areas. The web is dried to produce the belt-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet.
US09017516B2	Paper product having unique physical properties A web product having at least two plies is disclosed. One of the at least two plies has a continuous pillow area disposed upon a surface thereof. A first portion of the continuous pillow area has a first width, W1, and a length, L1, and a second portion of the continuous pillow area in contacting engagement and in fluid communication with the first portion has a second width, W2, and a length, L2, wherein, W1≠W2 and L1=L2. The web product has a Basis Weight, BW, value greater than 51.6 gsm and a Dry Bulk, DB, value greater than 15.5 cc/g.
US09017508B2	Adhesive tape roll and method for manufacturing adhesive tape roll Disclosed is a technique of manufacturing an adhesive tape roll by which cut lines for cutting an adhesive tape can be regularly formed at a constant position. Provided are a winding roller (32) that winds the adhesive tape (2) fed out from a mother roll (31) and a cut-lines formation roller (33) that is provided between the mother roll (31) and the winding roller (32) and forms the cut lines (4) in the adhesive tape (2) at a predetermined interval. The winding roller (32) and the cut-lines formation roller (33) are rotated in synchronization with each other via predetermined gears (40).
US09017505B2	Waterproof garment with invisible barrier seam A waterproof invisible bather seam is formed between two fabric laminates, an outer shell fabric laminate and an inner lining fabric laminate. The seam includes an invisible seam tape that forms a hydrostatic bather within the seam. The design of the seam allows the formation of an effective hydrostatic barrier along the seams of a soft shell garment, while retaining flexibility, stretch, aesthetic appearance, and reversibility.
US09017502B2	Method and device for producing sleeve-like labels A device for producing a sleeve-like label, comprising at least one feeder, designed to feed to at least one forming spindle a portion of heat-shrink film, and elements for wrapping the portion of heat-shrink film around the lateral surface of the forming spindle; elements for detecting the angular position of the free edge of the second longitudinal end of the portion of film wrapped around the forming spindle with respect to an absolute reference system that is jointly connected to the forming spindle; relative movement elements adapted to move the free edge detected by the detection elements to a preset position in order to provide a connecting portion at a preset distance with respect to the free edge, elements being further provided for transferring the sleeve-like label from the forming spindle to a container to be labelled.
US09017501B2	Polymeric component and method of making A method of making a polymeric component includes, extruding one or more strands of a polymer, halting curing of the one or more strands, forming a mat with the extruded one or more strands, bonding the one or more strands to one another at points of contact therebetween, and curing the one or more strands.
US09017500B2	Tyre for two-wheeled vehicle and process for manufacturing the same A belt structure for a two-wheeled vehicle made by means of strip-like segments or elements, each including parallel cords embedded in an elastomeric layer, sequentially laid along the circumferential extension of a toroidal support so as to form a reinforcing layer having a continuous circumferential extension around a geometric rotation axis of the toroidal support, wherein each strip-like element is laid in a laying trajectory defining, at each point, a laying angle; at each point of the laying trajectory a laying gap is formed between adjacent strip-like elements; the laying trajectory is formed starting from preselected laying angles on the shoulder and on the crown of the tire; the laying gap between adjacent strip-like elements varies along at least one length of said laying trajectory between crown and shoulder so as to cause variation of the laying angle and obtain the preselected angles on the shoulder and on the crown.
US09017499B2	Bonded patches with bond line control A patch is used to rework an area of a structure. The patch is bonded to the structure by a layer of adhesive. A spacer placed between the patch and the structure is used to control the thickness of the adhesive and/or a bondline.
US09017496B2	Drum for cutting and transferring linerless labels from a continuous strip to a moving container and apparatus equipped with said drum A drum for cutting linerless labels from a continuous strip and transferring the labels to a container movable with a given trajectory and speed on a machine, the drum including a side surface suitable for guiding the strip by contacting a non-adhesive surface of the labels, the side surface defining a vertical slit, a coaxial and concentric sleeve for centering the drum on a corresponding support spindle, a cutting blade parallel to a vertical direction of the drum, the cutting blade being displaceable in a radial direction from a position retracted inside the drum to a position at least partially extended through the vertical slit outside the side surface of the drum, a fixed cam relative to which the drum rotates and that is configured to press against the cutting blade so as to cause the cutting blade to extend out in a predefined angular position, and a seat that extends in the vertical direction (Z-Z) and is connected to the cam and which is suitable for engagement with a corresponding fixed reference pin in order to determine a predefined angular position of the cam, wherein the drum is configured to retain the strip against the side surface of the drum.
US09017494B2	Method for producing seamless steel pipe for oil wells excellent in sulfide stress cracking resistance A high-strength seamless steel pipe for oil wells excellent in sulfide stress cracking resistance which comprises, on the percent by mass basis, C: 0.1 to 0.20%, Si: 0.05 to 1.0%, Mn: 0.05 to 1.0%, Cr: 0.05 to 1.5%, Mo: 0.05 to 1.0%, Al: 0.10% or less, Ti: 0.002 to 0.05% and B: 0.0003 to 0.005%, with a value of equation “C+(Mn/6)+(Cr/5)+(Mo/3)” of 0.43 or more, with the balance being Fe and impurities, and in the impurities P: 0.025% or less, S: 0.010% or less and N: 0.007% or less. The seamless steel pipe may contain a specified amount of one or more element(s) of V and Nb, and/or a specified amount of one or more element(s) of Ca, Mg and REM. The seamless steel pipe can be produced at a low cost by adapting an in-line tube making and heat treatment process having a high production efficiency since a reheating treatment for refinement of grains is not required.
US09017486B2	Deposition chamber cleaning method including stressed cleaning layer A method for cleaning a deposition chamber includes forming a deposited layer over an interior surface of the deposition chamber, wherein the deposited layer has a deposited layer stress and a deposited layer modulus; forming a cleaning layer over the deposited layer, wherein a material comprising the cleaning layer is selected such that the cleaning layer adheres to the deposited layer, and has a cleaning layer stress and a cleaning layer modulus, wherein the cleaning layer stress is higher than the deposited layer stress, and wherein the cleaning layer modulus is higher than the deposited layer modulus; and removing the deposited layer and the cleaning layer from the interior of the deposition chamber.
US09017483B2	Susceptor for vapor phase epitaxial growth device There is provided a susceptor for a vapor phase epitaxial growth device, by which skidding at the time of loading a silicon wafer is prevented and the wafer can be loaded at a fixed position of the susceptor: wherein a ring-shaped groove having sloping planes widening toward a surface of the susceptor are formed on the outermost circumference of the bottom surface; and gas release openings penetrating through to the back surface of the susceptor are formed, each having a sectional area of 2.0 to 3.0 mm2 and a ratio of all opening areas is 0.25 to 0.5% on the bottom surface.
US09017482B2	System for producing polycrystalline silicon, apparatus for producing polycrystalline silicon, and process for producing polycrystalline silicon The present invention provides a technique by which heat can be efficiently recovered from a coolant used to cool a reactor, and contamination with dopant impurities from an inner wall of a reactor when polycrystalline silicon is deposited within the reactor can be reduced to produce high-purity polycrystalline silicon. With the use of hot water 15 having a temperature higher than a standard boiling point as a coolant fed to the reactor 10, the temperature of the reactor inner wall is kept at a temperature of not more than 370° C. Additionally, the pressure of the hot water 15 to be recovered is reduced by a pressure control section provided in a coolant tank 20 to generate steam. Thereby, a part of the hot water is taken out as steam to the outside, and reused as a heating source for another application.
US09017478B2	Apparatus and method for extracting a silicon ingot made by an electromagnetic continuous casting method Provided are an apparatus and method of extracting a silicon ingot. The apparatus for extracting a silicon ingot includes a chamber in which a silicon source material introduced into a cold crucible is melted, a primary extraction apparatus vertically movably installed in the chamber and configured to solidify the molten silicon to extract the silicon ingot, a movable apparatus configured to horizontally move the primary extraction apparatus, and a secondary extraction apparatus vertically movably installed under the chamber and configured to extract the silicon ingot in a state in which the primary extraction apparatus is moved to one side. Therefore, as the height of the extraction apparatus is reduced, manufacturing cost of equipment can be reduced and installation space of the extraction apparatus can also be reduced.
US09017477B2	Process for producing colloidal crystal and colloidal crystal Provided is a process for producing colloidal crystals from which a large single crystal reduced in lattice defects and unevenness can be easily produced at low cost without fail. The process for colloidal crystal production comprises: preparing a colloidal polycrystal dispersion in which colloidal crystals precipitate at a given temperature (preparation step); introducing into a vessel The colloidal polycrystal dispersion in the state of containing fine colloidal polycrystals precipitated (introduction step); and melting the colloidal polycrystals and then recrystallizing the molten polycrystals (recrystallization step). The crystals thus obtained have fewer lattice defects and less unevenness than the original polycrystals.
US09017472B2	Process for preparing a sulphur cement product A process for the preparation of a sulphur cement product is disclosed. Sulphur is mixed with a coupling agent and with a particulate inorganic material at a temperature at which sulphur is molten to obtain a molten sulphur cement product, which is solidified. The coupling agent is supplied as a solid composition comprising the coupling agent and at least 10 wt %, based upon the weight of the solid composition, of carrier material selected from one or more of wax, inorganic filler and polymer. The coupling agent is chosen from the group of organosilanes and organotitanates.
US09017470B2	Low carbon-dioxide additive compositions and warm-mix asphalt binder and mixture production method using the additive Provided are a low carbon additive for a warm-mix asphalt (WMA) mixture, in which vegetable wax based on modified palm wax is mixed into polyethylene wax so as to be able to promote high-temperature physical properties of the WMA mixture as well as solve problems on low-temperature physical properties of the WMA mixture, warm-mix asphalt produced using the same, and a method of producing the WMA mixture using the using the warm-mix asphalt. The low carbon additive contains polyethylene wax and vegetable wax at a weight ratio of 20:1 to 1:2. The modified palm wax employs palm wax that melt-reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and stearic acid (CH3(CH2)16COOH). This low carbon additive enables the WMA mixture to be efficiently produced, and thus makes it possible to reduce heating energy required when the WMA mixture is produced. Thereby, it is possible to remarkably reduce the emission of carbon dioxide that is a principal factor of global warming.
US09017464B2	Chromium-free silicate-based ceramic compositions A composition based on a certain chromium-free silicate-based binder is described. The one-part slurry composition is an aqueous solution of lithium-doped potassium silicate in combination with an aluminum or aluminum alloy powder. The one-part slurry composition produces a corresponding coating exhibiting improved performance at a reduced coating thickness.
US09017463B2	Copper plating solution and method for preparing the same A copper plating solution and a method for preparing a copper plating solution are provided. The copper plating solution comprises: a copper salt, a complexing agent, a stabilizer, a reducing agent, a surfactant, a hydroxyl-terminated polyoxypropylene ether, and a sodium trisulfide-isothiourea-propane sulfonate.
US09017461B2	Method and apparatus for monitoring a refrigeration-cycle system A monitoring system for monitoring operation of a refrigerant-cycle system is disclosed. A differential pressure sensor measures a pressure difference between: (i) air at a first location upstream of an evaporator of the refrigerant-cycle system; and (ii) air at a second location downstream of the evaporator of the refrigerant-cycle system. An electrical sensor measures an electrical quantity indicative of power consumption of the refrigerant-cycle system. A processing system determines whether airflow through the evaporator is restricted based on the pressure difference. The processing system calculates an efficiency of the refrigerant-cycle system based on the power consumption of the refrigerant-cycle system.
US09017460B2	Silencer, exhaust valve, valve device, air dryer, compressed air supply device for vehicle, and compressed air supply system An air dryer includes a supporting base, a drying agent container, and an outer cover. The supporting base includes an inlet for receiving compressed air to be subject to a drying process and an outlet for delivering the processed compressed air that has undergone the drying process. The drying agent container is a container supported on the supporting base, contains a drying agent in the interior, and enables the drying process to be performed by passing the compressed air from the inlet through the drying agent. The outer cover surrounds the outer side of the drying agent container on the supporting base and defines a chamber for storing the compressed air between itself and the drying agent container. The supporting base includes first and second mounting surfaces, which are oriented in different directions, and a plurality of inlets, which are oriented in different directions and receive the compressed air.
US09017456B2	Apparatus for water recovery including stackable desiccant trays A device recovers water from an ambient airstream. The device includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant. A foam media element in each tray absorbs the desiccant to increase an exposed surface of the desiccant to the airstream. Fans and valves are used to control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. An integral heat exchanger adds heat to the chamber during the extraction cycle. A controller is used to integrate and control device operation. The desiccant trays may be selectively configurable in an array to best suit the intended installation. The trays may be arranged in column and row configurations, along with adjustable airflow patterns between each of the trays.
US09017452B2	System and method for dense phase sorbent injection The present disclosure is directed to a dense-phase additive transportation system for additive injection into a contaminated gas stream.
US09017451B2	Membrane-based gas separation process using ejector-driven gas recycle A gas separation process that utilizes ejector recycle with a membrane separation step in combination with a second separation step. The second separation step may be a second membrane separation, or may involve a different type of separation process. At least a portion of the non-product (i.e. residue) stream withdrawn from the second separation step is directed back to the ejector to form a processing loop. The ejector drives the gas flow in the loop and recycles the non-product stream to the first separation step.
US09017446B2	Mixed alloy solder paste A solder paste comprises an amount of a first solder alloy powder between about 60 wt % to about 92 wt %; an amount of a second solder alloy powder greater than 0 wt % and less than about 12 wt %; and a flux; wherein the first solder alloy powder comprises a first solder alloy that has a solidus temperature above about 260° C.; and wherein the second solder alloy powder comprises a second solder alloy that has a solidus temperature that is less than about 250° C.
US09017437B2	Method for forming synthesis gas using a plasma-catalyzed fuel reformer A method of forming a synthesis gas utilizing a reformer is disclosed. The method utilizes a reformer that includes a plasma zone to receive a pre-heated mixture of reactants and ionize the reactants by applying an electrical potential thereto. A first thermally conductive surface surrounds the plasma zone and is configured to transfer heat from an external heat source into the plasma zone. The reformer further includes a reaction zone to chemically transform the ionized reactants into synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A second thermally conductive surface surrounds the reaction zone and is configured to transfer heat from the external heat source into the reaction zone. The first thermally conductive surface and second thermally conductive surface are both directly exposed to the external heat source. A corresponding apparatus and system are also disclosed herein.
US09017436B2	Fuel processing systems with thermally integrated componentry Hydrogen-producing assemblies, fuel cell systems including the same, methods of producing hydrogen gas, and methods of powering an energy-consuming device. Hydrogen-producing assemblies may include a monolithic body that defines at least a reforming conduit, and in some embodiments a plurality of reforming conduits, in which a feed stream is catalyzed into a reformate gas stream containing hydrogen gas, and a burner conduit, in which a fuel-air stream is combusted. The monolithic body is constructed to conduct heat generated by the exothermic reaction of the combustion from the burner conduit to the reformer conduit. In some hydrogen-producing assemblies, the monolithic body further defines a vaporizing conduit, in which liquid portions of the feed stream are vaporized prior to being delivered to the reformer conduit, and the monolithic body may be constructed to conduct heat from the burner conduit to the vaporizing conduit.
US09017435B2	Gasifier monitor and control system A system, including a gasifier comprising a wall defining a chamber, an inlet, an outlet, and a port, a combination feed injector coupled to the inlet, wherein the combination feed injector is configured to inject a first fuel and air or oxygen into the chamber to preheat the gasifier, and the combination feed injector is configured to inject a second fuel and oxygen into the gasifier after preheating to gasify the second fuel, an optical device coupled to the port, a sensor coupled to the optical device, and a monitoring system coupled to the sensor, wherein the monitoring system is configured to acquire data from the sensor, process the data, and provide an output representative of a condition of the gasifier based on the data.
US09017428B2	Two-stage reactor and process for conversion of solid biomass material A two-stage reactor is disclosed for the conversion of solid particulate biomass material. The reactor is designed to maximize conversion of the solid biomass material, while limiting excess cracking of primary reaction products. The two-stage reactor comprises a first stage reactor, in which solid biomass material is thermally pyrolyzed to primary reaction products. The primary reaction products are catalytically converted in a second stage reactor.
US09017427B1	Method of creating capacitor structure in a semiconductor device A method of creating an on-chip capacitor includes: arranging, within a first layer, a first layer first polarity conducting strip adjacent to and spaced apart from a first layer second polarity conducting strip; arranging, within a second layer, a second layer first polarity conducting strip adjacent to and spaced apart from a second layer second polarity conducting strip, wherein the second layer second polarity conducting strip overlies the first layer second polarity conducting strip, and the second layer first polarity conducting strip overlies the first layer first polarity conducting strip; electrically connecting the first layer first-polarity conducting strip with the second layer first polarity conducting strip; and electrically connecting the first-layer second polarity conducting strip with the second layer second-polarity conducting strip.
US09017426B2	Interconnected system and method for the purification and recovery of potash The present invention provides a kiln for the combustion of agricultural waste. The kiln includes a central cylindrical combustion chamber. The central cylindrical combustion chamber includes a system for the control of combustion air to the combustion chamber. The kiln includes a second concentric cylinder surrounding the central cylindrical combustion chamber. The second concentric cylinder includes a system for the flow of cooling water through the first annulus between the central cylindrical combustion chamber and the second concentric cylinder. The kiln includes a system for the feeding of the agricultural waste into the central combustion chamber. The kiln includes a temperature sensing device to measure and display the temperature within the central combustion chamber during the combustion of the agricultural waste. The kiln includes a system for the recovery of ash from the kiln. In operation, the temperature of combustion is controlled to between 550° C. and 650° C. by a combination of increasing the supply of combustion air when the temperature in the central combustion chamber falls to near 550° C. and the introduction of cooling flowing water when the temperature in the central combustion chamber approaches 600° C.
US09017424B2	Process for lightening keratin materials using an emulsion comprising an alkaline agent and an oxidizing composition The present disclosure therefore relates to a method for lightening keratin materials, in which the following are used: (a) a direct emulsion (A) comprising at least one fatty substance in an amount greater than 25% by weight, such as greater than 50%, at least one surfactant; at least one alkaline agent and an amount of water greater than 5% by weight, of the total weight of the emulsion, (b) a composition (B) comprising at least one oxidizing agent. It also relates to a multi-compartment device comprising, in one compartment, an emulsion (A), in another compartment a composition (B) comprising at least one oxidizing agent.
US09017423B2	Cleaning method The invention provides a method and formulation for cleaning a soiled substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles, wherein the formulation is free of organic solvents. Preferably, the substrate is wetted so as to achieve a substrate to water ratio of between 1:0.1 to 1:5 w/w. Optionally, the formulation additionally comprises at least one cleaning material and, in this embodiment, it is preferred that the polymeric particles are coated with the at least one cleaning material. Preferably, the cleaning material comprises a surfactant, which most preferably has detergent properties. Most preferably, the substrate comprises a textile fiber. Typically, the polymeric particles comprise particles of nylon, most preferably in the form of nylon chips. The results obtained are very much in line with those observed when carrying out conventional dry cleaning processes and the method provides the significant advantage that the use of solvents, with all the attendant drawbacks in terms of cost and environmental considerations, can be avoided.
US09017422B2	Prosthetic weight-lifting tool for amputees A prosthetic instrument is provided for attaching to a forearm shaft of an upper limb amputee to enable receipt of a handle, such as a weight-lifting barbell. The instrument includes a rod having a proximal end for receiving the forearm shaft and a distal end; and a yoke having a pair of prongs that extend from a bridge that connects to the distal end, wherein said pair of prongs provide a gap into which to insert the handle. Each prong includes a through-hole along a common axis to accommodate a clamp pin to secure the handle.
US09017421B2	Prosthetic foot with dual foot blades and vertically offset toe Prosthetic feet having improved vertical suspension are provided. A prosthetic foot can include a foot member having a change in curvature near a toe section so that the toe section is downwardly vertically offset from the remainder of the foot member. A prosthetic foot can have upper and lower foot members that extend parallel to each other and are separated by a gap. The lower foot member can extend beyond a distal end of the upper foot member to form a toe section. An adapter for coupling a prosthetic foot to another prosthetic component is also provided. The adapter includes a cavity for receiving the proximal end of a prosthetic foot. The prosthetic foot is secured to the adapter with a curable material such as epoxy to provide a more lightweight system.
US09017419B1	Linear actuator Linear actuators that allow for improved self-locking properties without sacrificing axial response are provided. A linear actuator can have two screws extending from opposite ends of the actuator. The screws are joined by and threadably coupled to an elongate rotating nut. An elongate magnet is disposed around and coupled to the nut, and a stator including coils surrounds the magnet and nut. The magnet and nut are not axially fixed with respect to the stator. Rotation of the nut causes axial displacement of both screws, causing the screws to move closer together or farther apart. A pitch of the screw threads can be selected to enhance self-locking properties.
US09017417B2	Subchondral bone repair system This invention includes a subchondral bone repair system, comprising a structural component and a fluid settable component and an optional non-core component. The fluid settable component may penetrate into any pores of the structural component, and set to a solid, thereby fixing the structural component in place. The fluid settable component will penetrate interporously into the pores of the subchondral bone tissue surrounding the device, beneficially displacing any fluid to reduce edema in the affected bone region. Furthermore, the settable component, once solid is osteoconductive to promote repair and regrowth of bone in the affected region, and will also transmit mechanical force stimuli (such as compressive forces) directed through the structural component, into the adjacent bone tissue, thereby providing appropriate force stimuli necessary for appropriate tissue growth.
US09017414B2	Trial implant and method of use Disclosed is a trial implant having a body and a tab. The body may include a recess and may be sized to closely approximate a permanent implant. The tab may be more durable than the body, and may be disposed within the body and wholly contained within the recess. Also disclosed is a method of performing a trialing procedure including providing a trial implant as described, providing a tool to attach to the tab, inserting the implant onto a resected joint, evaluating and extracting the implant. The same procedure may then be performed with a second implant. The method may further include a tool having an attachment portion that is substantially or wholly contained within the recess. A kit is disclosed including a plurality of trial implants of incrementally different shapes and sizes. The kit may further include a tool. Also disclosed is a method of making the described implant.
US09017411B2	Spinal surgery apparatus and method A system for implementing an improved spinal fusion cage having a centrally-located fixation screwhole of diameter minimized to accommodate a variable-angle, intervertebral, cannulated fixation screw is disclosed. The system includes a rigid connection between the spinal fusion cage to the shaft of the fixation screw, and a variable angle drill targeting device for directing the fixation screw through the non-visually acquirable, centrally-located fixation screwhole without X-ray or other imaging guidance.
US09017396B2	Prosthetic valves for medical application A prosthetic valve in the form of a flap valve which includes one or more flaps arranged to allow movement of liquid through the valve only in one direction, in which the or each flap is made of a flexible open work structure of a medically acceptable metal such as titanium or a titanium alloy.
US09017395B2	Vascular prosthesis and methods of use An implantable vascular prosthesis is provided for use in a wide range of applications wherein at least first and second helical sections having alternating directions of rotation are coupled to one another. The prosthesis is configured to conform to a vessel wall without substantially remodeling the vessel, and permits accurate deployment in a vessel without shifting or foreshortening.
US09017393B2	Releasable top cap assembly A releasable top cap system for a delivery device having an emergency release includes a top cap having a top portion and a bottom portion releasably attached to the top portion, the bottom portion having two adjacent side portions. A cannula is positioned distal to the top cap having a proximal end and a distal end. A connector is attached to the proximal end of the cannula. A pair of wire components extend throughout the length of the cannula. Each wire component has a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end of each wire component is attached to the male luer lock component and the distal end of each wire component is attached to the side portions of the top cap assembly.
US09017392B2	Power supply for light-based dermatologic treatment device Switching power supplies made in accordance with the disclosed technology drive flash lamps of dermatologic treatment devices to emit a sequence of relatively small light pulses that are aligned with particular locations within the waveform of the AC line source. Such power supplies not only enable sufficient light energy in aggregate to therapeutically heat target chromophores in a skin region without causing undesired damage to surrounding tissue, but also provide the added benefit that the corresponding electrical energy need not be substantially drawn from any charged capacitor. The disclosed power supply further compensates for performance degradation of the flash lamps during their usable life, by modifying its operation based on predetermined values that are indicative of flash lamp aging/efficiency characteristics. The flash lamps and their associated stored values are preferably incorporated into a replaceable cartridge that facilitates user maintenance of the dermatologic treatment device.
US09017390B2	Polyaxial bone anchoring device A polyaxial bone anchoring device includes a bone anchoring element having a shank and a head, a head receiving part having a first end, an open second end, and a hollow interior portion for receiving the head therein, a locking ring configured to be mounted around the head receiving part and having a rod receiving portion, a cap configured to be connected to the head receiving part, the cap having a central axis and two opposite legs extending in a direction of the central axis, and a locking element configured to extend from the cap to lock relative positions of the bone anchoring element and an inserted rod relative to the head receiving part, wherein the cap is rotatable relative to the head receiving part between a first position in which the cap is movable and a second position in which the legs engage the head receiving part.
US09017388B2	Methods for correcting spinal deformities The present application is directed to devices and methods for correcting a spinal deformity. A spacer is positioned between processes that extend outward from a pair of vertebral members. A force applicator is operatively connected to apply a force to the vertebral members. The spacer then acts as a fulcrum with the force causing the vertebral members to pivot about the spacer and become aligned in a more desired orientation to eliminate or reduce the deformity.
US09017387B2	Apparatus and system for vertebrae stabilization and curvature correction, and methods of making and using same An apparatus, system and kit of components useful as a stabilization or correction system for a spinal column, especially in the field of pediatrics. A threaded rod is used that can be straight, rigid, bent or flexible depending on the body condition to be addressed. The rod may be bent or flexible to achieve varying degrees of lordosis (backward curvature) or kyphosis (forward curvature) before being affixed to the anchoring means and apparatus. The straightness, curvature, bent, or flexibility of rod depends upon the location along the spinal column. Once installed to the vertebrae, the rod provides the proper, desired curvature and stabilization for the spinal column. Sharp edges and corners of the apparatus are eliminated by rounding the edges and corners.
US09017385B1	Dynamic spinal stabilization system A dynamic spinal stabilization system that enables spinal movements throughout a range of motions from a neutral condition of the spine, to a flexion condition, and an extension condition. The system includes metal pedicle screws and at least one metal support rod, wherein the system includes elastomeric members operatively located to substantially eliminate metal-to-metal contact of metal components of the system that are movable relative to one another.
US09017382B2	Collapsible tissue anchor device and method Collapsible tissue anchor device and method for inserting into a tissue structure in a first non-collapsed configuration and collapsing into a second collapsed configuration. A sleeve is provided having a bolt or shank extending through an interior. The bolt or shank exerts a force upon the sleeve to collapse it thereby forming flanges that engage or abut tissue. A sling, suture, mesh or the like may be coupled to a portion of the anchor to support tissue or an organ.
US09017375B2	Occluding device An occluding device for closing a body passage comprises an occluding body (1), a first position control element (2) and a second position control element (3). The occluding body (1) is a balloon made of a flexible and fluid tight material without shape memory property. The occluding body (1) comprises a proximal chamber (10) and a distal chamber (11) and a connecting Channel (12) connecting these two chambers (10, 11). The occluding body (1) is compressible into a first longitudinal shape. A proximal end of the occluding body (1) is attached to the first position control element (2) and the distal end of the balloon is attached to the second position control element (3). The first position control element (2) and the second position control element (3) are two matching parts of a fluid tight closure of the balloon. No additional stiffening means for stiffening the balloon in its third radially extended but longitudinally compressed State are arranged within the occluding body (1).
US09017371B2	Surgical device having multiple drivers A surgical device is provided, the surgical device including a first driver for performing a first movement function; a second driver for performing a second movement function; a first rotatable drive shaft configured, upon actuation, to cause selective engagement of one of the first and second drivers with a second rotatable drive shaft, wherein the second rotatable drive shaft is configured to drive the selectively engaged one of the first and second drivers. Third and fourth drivers may also be included. The drivers may function to rotate a shaft portion of the surgical device relative to, and about the longitudinal axis of, a handle; move a jaw portion relative to the shaft portion; move a first jaw relative to a second jaw; and/or move a surgical member within the second jaw.
US09017369B2	Tubular medical instrument The invention relates to a tubular medical instrument having a hollow shaft, a handle positioned on the proximal end of the shaft and equipped with at least two gripping members, and at least one push-pull rod that is positioned in the hollow shaft and has on its distal end a tool consisting of at least two jaw members, wherein for opening and closing at least one jaw member of the tool, the push-pull rod can be coupled with at least one rotatable gripping member of the handle and wherein the push-pull rod and the handle can be detachably connected to one another by a coupling mechanism that is configured as at least one clamping device comprising at least one clamping claw characterized in that the at least one clamping claw can rotate in a guide track mounted between a closed position and an open installation position. To create a coupling mechanism that is easy to handle, it is proposed according to the invention that the at least one clamping claw is mounted in a guide track so that it can rotate between a closed clamping position and an open installation position.
US09017368B2	Blood pressure calculation method for non-invasive blood pressure measurement apparatus A method of calculating a blood pressure, includes: providing a non-invasive blood pressure measurement apparatus which includes a cuff being inflatable and deflatable and adapted to be fitted on a part of a living body and in which a plurality of calculation methods each of which has priority in accordance with a type of noise information are set; detecting, by the cuff, a signal waveform representing a change in an oscillation amplitude and a change in a cuff pressure; determining the type of the noise information contained in the detected signal waveform; deciding the blood pressure from at least one candidate value for the blood pressure, which is calculated by one of the calculation methods that has the priority with respect to the determined type of the noise information; and displaying the decided blood pressure.
US09017367B2	Tubular filter A method of preparing a filter for delivery into a body vessel. The filter includes a hub disposed along a longitudinal axis and a plurality of anchor members extending from the hub. Each anchor member includes either a cranial extension or a caudal extension at a distal end thereof. At least one anchor member distal end may be spaced from the hub at each of a first, second, and third distance along the longitudinal axis. The filter also includes a plurality of locator members extending from the hub, the locator members alternatingly interposed between the anchor members.
US09017365B2	Polarizable delivery mechanism for medical device deployment A medical device assembly having a polarizable delivery mechanism reversibly engaged with a medical device and a method used by an operator to deploy said medical device at a targeted site in a body vessel is provided. The polarizable release mechanism generally comprises a pusher element having a distal end including at least two tines; the tines having a proximal section and a distal section, the tines being capable of exhibiting polarizable properties. The medical device has an opening sized to receive and to detachably engage the distal section of the tines. The delivery mechanism has an engaged position in which the tines securely hold the medical device and a detached position in which the tines and medical device are substantially unengaged. The operator causes the delivery mechanism to move from the engaged position to the detached position by applying or removing an energy stimulus to change the polarization.
US09017364B2	Deflectable intravascular filter Single filter and multi-filter endolumenal methods and systems for filtering fluids within the body. In some embodiments a blood filtering system captures and removes particulates dislodged or generated during a surgical procedure and circulating in a patient's vasculature. In some embodiments a filter system protects the cerebral vasculature during a cardiac valve repair or replacement procedure.
US09017360B2	Nasal support device and method The present disclosure provides a device and method for facilitating air flow in the nasal passage of a domestic animal. The nasal support device (NSD) disclosed herein is useful for facilitating air flow during rest, physical exertion, respiratory ailment, etc. The NSD secures to the nose of a domestic animal to support the unsupported lateral vestibular walls of the nasal passages by lifting or stenting.
US09017359B2	System and method for reducing pulsatile pressure A device for reducing pressure within a lumen includes a reservoir structured for holding a fluid therein, an injection port in fluid communication with the reservoir, a compliant body structured to expand and contract upon changes in pressure, and a conduit extending between and fluidly coupling the reservoir and the compliant body. The fluid may be a compressible or a noncompressible fluid.
US09017357B1	Puncture apparatus A puncture apparatus includes a puncture needle for puncturing living body tissue of a living body, and a vaginal-insertion assembly positionable in a vagina of the living body. The vaginal-insertion assembly includes a vaginal-insertion member and an inserter connected to the vaginal-insertion member. The inserter is connected to the vaginal-insertion member so that the distal-most end portion of the inserter is located distally beyond the distal-most end portion of the vaginal-insertion member. The size of distal-most end portion of the inserter is less than the size of the distal-most end portion of the vaginal-insertion member. The vaginal-insertion member and the distal-most end portion of the inserter are movable relative to each other to reduce the distance between the distal-most end of the inserter and the distal-most end of the vaginal-insertion member after inserting the vaginal insertion assembly into the vagina.
US09017353B2	Cutting balloon catheter having flexible atherotomes A cutting balloon catheter and method of making and using the same. The cutting balloon catheter may include a catheter shaft having a balloon coupled thereto. One or more cutting members or blades may be coupled to the balloon. The cutting members may configured to be more flexible.
US09017352B2	Helical fibrin removal tool A fibrin removal assembly includes a single helical coil with a plurality of windings. A plurality of cutting elements extends from the windings into the lumen of the coil. Each of the cutting elements has a cutting edge, and all cutting edges point in a blade direction relative to a circumferential direction that promotes a penetration of tissue by the cutting elements in a cutting direction about the longitudinal axis and evading in a rotational direction opposite to the cutting direction. The cutting elements may further have a dull edge acting as radially inward ramps for tissue during a rotation in the second rotational direction. The windings may be wound in a direction that translates into a proximal movement of the coil when the coil is rotated in the cutting direction and into a distal movement when the coil is rotated opposite to the cutting direction.
US09017347B2	Suture clip deployment devices Suture clip deployment devices for applying suture clips to sutures are described. Some embodiments can include a generally tubular main body and a vacuum port located at the distal end, a hollow inner body longitudinally slidable within the main body and extending from the main body at its distal end, and a suture recess located in the generally tubular main body. At least one suture clip configured to frictionally fit on an outer surface of the inner body is deployed during use. Clip deployment can occur after a vacuum source is applied to the device so as to draw the suture into the device. The suture lines can be retrieved through the suture recess, and the device can be actuated so as to deliver the suture clip off the delivery device and onto the suture, locking the suture in place.
US09017344B2	Syringe for injecting surgical thread Disclosed is a syringe for injecting a surgical thread. The syringe includes a needle part, a connection part and an injection part. The needle part is adapted to penetrate the skin while accommodating a surgical thread. The connection part is connected to the needle part by taper coupling and is fixedly fastened to the needle part by turning operation of the needle part. The injection part is coupled to the connection part at the front end thereof. A push needle installed in the injection part pushes the surgical thread accommodated in the needle part to inject the surgical thread into a skin tissue in a syringe operation manner.
US09017337B2	Acetabular alignment guide An alignment guide for guiding the positioning of an acetabular cup implant includes a body having a first end and a second end. A flange extends from the first end and is adapted to rest on a labrum of an acetabulum. At least a first formation is provided at the second end which is adapted to engage with a transverse acetabular ligament of the acetabulum. A formation for accepting a trackable instrument is provided to allow a tracking system to determine the orientation of the guide.
US09017334B2	Patient specific surgical guide locator and mount A resection guide locator includes a bone engagement portion with surfaces that are complementary to the surface topographies of a bone to be resected during surgery. A housing includes a socket defined by a resilient annular wall that is sized and arranged so to accept a resection guide by press-fit to thereby position and hold the resection guide within the socket. The resection guide is maintained in a predetermined, preferred position while the surfaces are releasably locked in position on the bone. A method is disclosed for forming and using the resection guide locator.
US09017332B2	Surgical milling cutter A surgical milling cutter includes a milling cutter holder, a locking device, a locking seat, and a main machine. The milling cutter holder includes a fixing seat with a through hole. A finger guider with an L-type holder on a top end thereof is arranged at an upper part of the fixing seat. A distal end of a short side of the L-type holder is disposed with a downward projection, and a lowest point of the projection is lower than that of a cylindrical head when the milling cutter works normally. A bolt with a central through hole is fixed in a cavity of the finger guider. A pressing disk is arranged at the upper part of the fixing seat, and a nut is connected to the bolt through a hole in the pressing disk.
US09017323B2	Devices and methods for forming a fistula Described here are devices, systems and methods for forming a fistula between two blood vessels. Generally, the systems may comprise a first catheter which may comprise a fistula-forming element. The fistula-forming element may comprise one or more electrodes, mechanical cutting elements, laser sources, or combinations thereof, and may be used to assist in fistula formation. In some instances, a system may comprise a second catheter, which may comprise a fistula-forming element. One or more of the catheters may comprise one or more markers, magnetic alignment elements, and/or one shape-changing elements.
US09017322B2	Laser shaving A device configured to cut hair using laser light includes a handle portion and a shaving portion. The handle portion includes a battery and a laser light source. The laser light source is coupled to and configured to receive power from the battery. The laser light source is also configured to generate laser light having a wavelength selected to target a predetermined chromophore to effectively cut a hair shaft. The shaving portion includes a support and a single fiber optic supported by the support. The fiber optic has a proximal end, a distal end, an outer wall, and a cutting region positioned towards the distal end and extending along a portion of the side wall. The fiber optic is positioned to receive the laser light from the laser light source at the proximal end, conduct the laser light from the proximal end toward the distal end, and emit the light out of the cutting region and toward hair when the cutting region is brought in contact with the hair.
US09017314B2	Surgical articulation assembly A surgical articulation assembly is disclosed, including a control assembly and an articulable portion. The surgical articulation assembly has a passage therethrough for receiving a surgical object. The articulable portion includes at least two segments capable of independent movement. Disposed within the control assembly is an actuation assembly including a driving member, a translating member, two engagement members, a rotating member, and connecting members engaging in cooperation to effect forces through the connecting members on each of the first and second segments. More than one actuation assembly may be present, and the associated components of the actuation assembly may be configured to effect bi-directional articulation of the first and second segments in more than one plane.
US09017312B2	Implantable device for controlled drug delivery Implantable devices and methods for delivery of lidocaine or other drugs to a patient are provided. In one embodiment, the device includes a first drug portion which has a first drug housing which contains a first drug formulation in a solid form which includes a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of lidocaine; and a second drug portion which includes a second drug housing which contains a second drug formulation which includes lidocaine base. In another embodiment, the device includes a drug reservoir component which has an elastic tube having at least one lumen bounded by a porous sidewall having an open-cell structure, a closed-cell structure, or a combination thereof; and a drug formulation contained within the at least one lumen, wherein the device is deformable between a low-profile deployment shape and a relatively expanded retention shape.
US09017309B2	Thrombus-aspiration catheter It is intended to provide a thrombus-aspiration catheter capable of exerting flexibility and aspiration force even in the case where the tube in the front end side is a triple lumen tube or a contrast marker is provided at the front end. A thrombus-aspiration catheter (1) comprising a basal end side tube (2) of the double lumen type which has an aspiration lumen (11) and a core wire lumen (12), and a front end side tube (3) of the triple lumen type which has a guide wire lumen (13) in addition to the aspiration lumen (11) and the core wire lumen (12), wherein the front end of the above-described front end side tube is obliquely cut and a terminal aspiration tube (4) of a flexible double lumen, which has a front end opening (41) inclined in almost the same direction as the cut face (31), is connected to the cut face.
US09017306B2	Disposable absorbent product with fastening components and related methods A disposable absorbent product extends along a longitudinal axis between front and back longitudinal ends of the product, and along a transverse axis. The product has a topsheet defining an interior face of the product configured to face a wearer thereof during use, and a backsheet overlaying the topsheet, the backsheet defining an exterior face of the product. An absorbent core is disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet for storing fluid secreted by the wearer of the product. The product also includes a first pair of fastening components, each being formed from a partially cut-out portion of the disposable absorbent product so as to be pivotally coupled to a remainder of the product, such that pivotal movement of the fastening components relative to a remainder of the product defines at least one aperture that extends between the interior and exterior faces of the product.
US09017305B2	Elastomeric compositions that resist force loss and disintegration Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide various properties of slow recovery polymers, films, and laminates that in combination with an hydrogenated block copolymer provide for (1) an order-disorder transition temperature of greater than about 135° C., (2) a hard phase glass transition temperature of greater than about 60° C., (3) a combination of one or more hard block associating ingredients that maintain or increase the glass transition temperature of at least one equivalent hard block polymer of the hydrogenated block copolymer, (4) a force retention factor of greater than about 2, (5) aromatic substitution of either or both the soft block and the hard block, (6) hard blocks with a solubility parameter of greater than about 9.1 (cal/cm3)1/2, and (7) compositions that remain extendable to at least 50% engineering strain after exposure to isopropyl palmitate for 30 hours at room temperature.
US09017299B2	Medical hollow needle and method for producing the same A medical hollow needle structured in accordance with the present invention, wherein the puncture resistance of a blade surface over the entire length in the puncture direction can be made substantially equal, and the patient's pain during needle puncture can be relieved due to a reduction in the peak level of puncture pain with the duration of sensory awareness of the puncture pain shortened by the use of the blade surface in a novel shape employing, in combination with each other, first to fourth inclined surfaces having specific inclination directions. Accordingly, the present invention provides a medical hollow needle with a blade surface in a novel shape whereby the puncture pain can be further reduced compared to needles with a conventional structure, and to provide a preferred method of producing such a medical hollow needle.
US09017296B2	Safety occluder and method of use An improved safety occluder and method of use provides an occluder for an infusion set having a first, occluding position, a second, non-occluding position which returns to the first, occluding position when the occluder's plunger is released, and a third, non-occluding position which retains the plunger in a configuration which allows fluid flow through the infusion set. The occluder may also include a locking mechanism to prevent accidental movement of the plunger out of the first, occluding position.
US09017294B2	Rotational thrombectomy wire with blocking device A thrombectomy apparatus for breaking up thrombus or other obstructive material in a lumen of a vascular graft or vessel. The apparatus includes a wire having a first configuration and a second deployed configuration, the wire having a straighter configuration in the first configuration. The wire is operatively connected to a motor for rotation of the wire to contact and break up the thrombus or other obstructive material. A blocking device at a distal portion of the apparatus is movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, and is configured in the expanded configuration to block thrombus dislodged by rotation of the wire.
US09017291B2	Luer connector The invention relates to a drug delivery device comprising a container for a product, said container comprising a distal tip having a longitudinal axis A and a channel providing a passageway for the transfer of said product, the outer surface of said distal tip comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion linked to each other by a coupling portion, said proximal portion, distal portion and coupling portion being aligned on said longitudinal axis A, wherein the greatest external diameter of said coupling portion is greater than the greatest external diameter of said distal portion on a length L measured along said longitudinal axis A at least equal to 1 mm. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising such a drug delivery device and an adaptor.
US09017287B2	Automatic injection devices An injection device comprises a syringe extendible against a spring bias from a retracted position in a housing to a projecting injecting position. A spring biased plunger has collapsible elbows which, when the plunger is released, initially engage the end of the syringe to drive it to the projecting position, whereupon arresting of the syringe movement causes the elbows to collapse inside the syringe to allow the plunger to engage and drive the bung.
US09017286B2	Patch-sized fluid delivery systems and methods A patch-sized fluid delivery device may include a reusable portion and a disposable portion. The disposable portion may include components that come into contact with the fluid, while the reusable portion may include only components that do not come into contact with the fluid. Redundant systems, such as redundant controllers, power sources, motor actuators, and alarms, may be provided. Alternatively or additionally, certain components can be multi-functional, such a microphones and loudspeakers that may be used for both acoustic volume sensing and for other functions and a coil that may be used as both an inductive coupler for a battery recharger and an antenna for a wireless transceiver. Various types of network interfaces may be provided in order to allow for remote control and monitoring of the device.
US09017282B2	Needleless injection device components, systems, and methods A high-pressure fluid injection system, which includes a rechargeable injection chamber with a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal opening extending from the proximal end to the distal end, a plunger slideably engaged with the internal opening of the injection chamber, an injection tube extending from the distal end of the injection chamber and in fluidic communication with the internal opening of the injection chamber, and a check valve between the proximal and distal ends of the injection chamber. The internal opening includes a high-pressure zone adjacent to the check valve and having a first diameter, and a low-pressure zone proximal to the high-pressure zone and having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter.
US09017277B2	System and implantable device for treating chronic kidney disease An implantable dialysis device with a related medical system for intracorporeal dialysis and ultrafiltration of blood, and methods of use are described. The medical system includes an extracorporeal module, a cutaneous module, and an implantable module. Features of the implantable module facilitate delivery and flow of blood and dialysate through the medical system. A filter pack within the implantable module performs dialysis and ultrafiltration of blood. System cleansing is also described.
US09017276B2	Shunt placement through the sclera The present invention generally relates to intraocular shunts, and in particular, to intraocular shunts configured to form a drainage pathway between the anterior chamber and the intra-Tenon's space.
US09017275B2	Distal perfusion sheath A distal perfusion sheath (DPS) is provided for cases where blood perfusion is needed for downstream arteries (distal) to the insertion point of the DPS within the target artery. The ability to provide distal perfusion with the DPS allows the DPS to be positioned in the target artery for long periods without causing lack of blood flow (ischemia) to an extremity that the target artery supplies. In embodiments, the DPS can still be used for surgical arterial access while allowing blood flow downstream. In addition, embodiments of the DPS configured with longer perfusion shunts can allow a contra-lateral extremity downstream to a large DPS to have blood flow while the sheath is in place.
US09017274B2	Orthopedic device An orthopedic device has a main body panel including a longitudinal length with a curved cross-section, and opposed lateral and medial sides. A posterior panel is secured to the lateral and medial sides of the main body panel, and is sized longitudinally shorter than the main body panel in a non-stretched condition. The posterior panel is secured to the main body panel in a pretensioned condition and spans the longitudinal length of the main body panel along the lateral and medial sides thereof.
US09017272B2	Medical device with speaker having exterior diaphragm Embodiments of the present concept are directed to medical devices having features that prevent contaminants from infiltrating the housing of the device while providing a mechanism to provide clear auditory sounds to aid a rescuer in providing care to a patient. In one example, a medical device includes a housing having a transmission area associated with an enclosed voice coil. An exterior diaphragm formed integrally with the housing surrounds the transmission area and provides a watertight seal of the transmission area. In addition, the diaphragm is structured to generate a sound that can be heard by the rescuer from the voice coil.
US09017271B2	System for arm therapy A system for arm therapy comprises a first drive (M2) that can be fixedly connected to an element (10) determining the position of a user (19) and rotationally driving, about a first axis (A2), a part (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, M1, 26) of the arm therapy system which can be connected to an upper arm module (26, M3, M4). The driven part of the arm therapy system comprises a second drive (M1) adapted to rotationally drive said upper arm module (26, M3, M4) about a second axis (A1), wherein said second axis (A1) is oriented orthogonal to the first axis (A2). The system can provide a statically determined exoskeleton with correct anatomical axes and misaligned technical axes.
US09017269B2	Bioacoustic processing apparatus and bioacoustic processing method A bioacoustic processing apparatus capable of outputting information that represents the current state of attachment of a bioacoustic sensor. The bioacoustic processing apparatus (300), which processes acoustic signals from a bioacoustic sensor (200) attached to a body surface, comprises: a noise-extracting unit (320) for extracting the noise component contained in an acoustic signal from the acoustic signal, and a noise type classification unit (340) for classifying the extracted noise component into one of a plurality of noise types that correspond to different respective states of attachment of the bioacoustic sensor (200) and outputting information that corresponds to the results of said classification.
US09017266B2	Automated testing for palpating diabetic foot patient The present invention teaches a system for the automated palpation testing of a patient, including the use of a robotic device with a actuating element thereto. The system is useful for testing patients at risk of nerve degradation, such as diabetic sufferers. The system includes a controller for programming the robotic device to administer the test in a particular pattern, and a storage medium for storing the results of the test. The system allows a more accurate determination of the stage of nerve degradation, as well as being more standardized because of the inclusion of automation technology.
US09017264B2	Electronic blood pressure meter An electronic blood pressure meter includes a cuff, an inflation control unit that controls a pump for outputting a fluid into the cuff so that a pressure in the cuff is increased at an inflation speed target in accordance with a driving voltage, a pressure detection unit that detects a cuff pressure signal indicating a cuff pressure, a blood pressure calculation unit that calculates a blood pressure value based on a pulse wave superimposed on the detected cuff pressure signal, and a target changing unit that varies the inflation speed target during an inflation process in which the cuff pressure begins to increase at an initial inflation speed target and continues to increase. The target changing unit varies the inflation speed target so that the driving voltage measured during the inflation process stays within a voltage range corresponding to a range in which the pump is capable of output.
US09017261B2	Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and beamforming method An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a first reference beam generating unit generating a first reference beam from DAS signals calculated in an N-th frame; a second reference beam generating unit generating a second reference beam from a DAS signal calculated in an (N−1)-th frame, the DAS signal calculated in the N-th frame, and another DAS signal calculated in an (N+1)-th frame; an attenuation coefficient calculating unit calculating, based on the first reference beam and the second reference beam, an attenuation coefficient to be multiplied by the DAS signals calculated in the N-th frame; and a beamforming unit generating and providing a beamformed signal generated for a reference scan line in the N-th frame by multiplying a DAS signal calculated in the N-th frame by the attenuation coefficient.
US09017258B2	Determination of biological conditions using impedance measurements Apparatus and methods for the diagnostics of biological conditions using impedance measurements.
US09017253B2	System for body access having adjustable dimensions A device including a hollow pipe with a variable diameter is used for medical procedures. Means are provided for reducing the diameter either internally or externally so that the pipe can be inserted into a patient's body through an incision or an opening until the distal end of the pipe reaches a desired position. Thereafter, the diameter of the pipe is increased to allow various surgical devices to be introduced through the pipe.
US09017251B2	Access assembly insertion device An improved access assembly is provided. The access assembly includes an inflatable port and an inflation cannula operably connected to the inflatable port to provide inflation fluid to the inflatable port. The inflatable port may be tapered in a first configuration to facilitate insertion through tissue. The inflation port defines a substantially hour-glass shape when in a second configuration to create a seal within an opening in the tissue.
US09017250B2	Seal anchor with non-parallel lumens A seal anchor member defines a housing defining a longitudinal axis, the housing having leading and trailing ends, and including a plurality of lumens extending between the leading and trailing ends, each lumen being adapted for substantially sealed reception of an object therein and defining a longitudinal axis, wherein at least two of the lumens define longitudinal axes that are non-parallel to facilitate angled, at-rest placement of multiple instruments within the seal anchor member.
US09017243B2	Minimally invasive implant and method Apparatus and methods are provided for treating urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and other pelvic defects or dysfunctions, in both males and females, using one or more lateral implants to reinforce the supportive tissue of the urethra. The implants can be configured as a sling device having at least one extension arm and a tissue support portion having an eyelet, wherein a portion of the at least one extension arm is adapted to slide through and adjustably attach with the eyelet.
US09017242B2	Arterial device, system and method for removing embolic debris An arterial device, system and method are provided for use with a patient undergoing a cardiac procedure. The system is configured for enabling one or more arterial devices to be accommodated in the aorta of the patient in use of the system, and a perfusion lumen arrangement provides therethrough a target perfusion flow into the aorta having a target perfusion flow rate that is significantly greater than a nominal perfusion flow rate, by an excess perfusion flow rate. A suction lumen arrangement provides therethrough a suction flow out of the aorta at a suction flow rate. The target perfusion flow rate and the suction flow rate may be concurrently and selectively controlled to cause embolic debris that may be present in the aorta to be diverted to the suction inlet, while providing the nominal flow rate to the body circulation of the patient.
US09017238B2	Assisted chin/dip exercise apparatus with adjustable chin-up/pull-up handles An assisted chin/dip exercise apparatus has a main frame and an assist or foot bar pivotally mounted on the frame and linked to a weight stack or resistance for assisting a user standing on the foot bar during performance of chin and dip exercises. The main frame has a first, overhead handle assembly and a second, dip handle assembly below the first handle assembly. The first handle assembly includes a pair of adjustably mounted handles freely pivotable between a first, chin-up position in which the handles extend towards one another at a rearward angle with a small spacing between the handles and a second, pull-up position in which the handles extend in a forward direction and are spaced apart by a larger spacing sufficient to provide head clearance for a user stepping onto the foot bar or while performing a dip exercise.
US09017234B2	Water resistance upper body reciprocating exerciser An upper body reciprocating exerciser includes a frame having a post. A cam is connected to the post and has a guide slot which is cooperated with a piston rod of a cylinder. An enclosed loop pipe is connected to outside of the cylinder and includes two sets of a check valve and an adjustable control valve. The loop pipe communicates with a space in the cylinder. The check valves and the adjustable control valves control fluid in the cylinder to adjust the resistance force when a user pulls a pull unit, so that the user's bones and muscles are exercised properly.
US09017232B2	Weightlifting swivel wrist hook Disclosed herein is an invention directed to a weightlifting aid that an individual would utilize. More specifically, the present invention generally relates to a device directed to a weightlifting aid that an individual would couple to their hand to assist in the lifting of weights in an exercise or fitness environment. In one embodiment, the weightlifting swivel wrist hook is comprised of a user attachment element, a swivel element, and a hooking element. In another embodiment, the user attachment element is a wristband that allows attachment of the device to the user's wrist through various strapping means such as velcro, buttons, clips, and/or buckles. The swivel element is connected to the user attachment element and the hooking element and allows the hooking element to rotate about the swivel elements' pivot point. This movement of the hooking element allows the user to position the hooking element in an in use position or an out of use position. By allowing the hooking element to swivel or rotate to an out of use position, this will allow the user of the device to quickly move the hooking element out of the way without the user having to remove the device from their wrist.
US09017227B1	Portable striking pad device A portable striking pad device that has an elongated flat base with a deformable protrusion rigidly mounted thereon. The base member is removably mounted to vertical structures, such as walls, poles, or trees, among others. The protrusion member has a distal rounded end cooperatively shaped to receive punches and kicks from a user who practices martial arts. There are several ways to mount the device to a vertical structure, including straps, screws, or pressure-sensitive fastening members, among others. The device is molded in a unitary piece requiring minimum maintenance.
US09017225B2	Workout device with foot-oriented elliptical loop A workout device with a foot-oriented elliptical loop is provided and bilaterally equipped with a transmission rod, a first link rod, a driving rod, a second link rod, a swing arm, and a supporting rod. The transmission portions are pivotally coupled to cranks to enable the cranks to undergo revolution. The supporting rods each have a supporting portion to support a user's feet. The aforesaid rods interact with each other. The supporting portions of the supporting rods move along a closed elliptical loop with segmental junctions spaced apart by a relatively short distance, such that the user's treading process is prevented from undergoing abrupt descents, unsmooth transitions, and thus jolts.
US09017224B1	Ladder exerciser An exercise ladder having an adjustable inclination angle is provided. The ladder has rungs which are motor driven, driving the rungs downward at a desired speed as well as providing means for retarding and braking. The inclination tilt of the exercise ladder ranges from a negative to a positive tilt thereby providing a wide range of exercise possibilities.
US09017223B2	Selective stride elliptical exercise apparatus The present invention relates to a standup exercise apparatus that simulates walking and jogging with arm exercise. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise machine having separately supported pedals for the feet and arm exercise coordinated with the motion of the feet where the pedal stride length is determined by the movements of an operator. Crank arms are positioned on the framework forward the operator at a height comparable to the pedals. A hydraulic crossover assembly causes the handles to move in opposing directions.
US09017220B2	Method for operating a brake system of a work machine and brake system for a work machine A method for operating a brake system for a work machine that includes at least one operating brake acting directly or indirectly on at least one ground engagement element of the work machine and at least one operating brake actuator which is movable between a fully engaged position and a fully released position and an accelerator actuator for activating propulsion of the work machine. In an activated state of the brake system the operating brake actuator is moved automatically to its fully engaged position when the accelerator actuator is released.
US09017219B2	Systems and methods for aircraft braking and taxiing Systems and methods are disclosed for aircraft braking and taxiing systems for use in, for example, an aircraft. In this regard, system comprising an electric motor coupled to a first transmission, a first clutch for selectively engaging the first transmission to a propulsion transmission and a brake clamping system, wherein, in response to engagement with the propulsion transmission, the electric motor drives an aircraft wheel, wherein, in response to engagement with the actuator ram, the electric motor drives the brake clamping system to apply force to an aircraft brake disk stack.
US09017215B2	Belt drive arrangement for an auxiliary unit of a motor vehicle, motor vehicle, and method for operating an auxiliary unit of a motor vehicle A belt drive arrangement for an auxiliary unit of a motor vehicle includes, but is not limited to a belt pulley for receiving a drive belt, a shaft of the auxiliary unit that can be driven with the torque of the belt pulley, and a clutch device for the releasable torque transmission between the belt pulley and the shaft of the auxiliary unit. The clutch device includes, but is not limited to an electromagnet and a spring element. The spring element is preloaded in such a manner that the clutch in a currentless state of the electromagnet is closed.
US09017214B2	Hybrid vehicle control apparatus A hybrid vehicle control apparatus is provided with: a first replacement controlling device which replaces regenerative braking torque of the rotating electrical machine by engagement torque of the clutch if probability of starting an internal combustion engine is high on demand of changing a connection state between a rotating electrical machine and a transmission mechanism in regenerative braking by the regenerative braking torque of the rotating electrical machine; and a second replacement controlling device which replaces the regenerative braking torque by friction braking torque if the start probability is low on the change demand.
US09017213B2	Fastening structure of ring gear Disclosed is a fastening structure of a ring gear, wherein a ring gear is fastened to a flange of a differential case constituting a differential subassembly. The ring gear has an inner peripheral surface to be press-fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the flange, and is swaged by a swaging portion provided on at least one end of the flange in the axial direction. In order to prevent the ring gear from deforming in the radial direction, an engaging means for engaging the flange with the ring gear using the relationship between a recess and a protrusion is provided. The engaging means is comprised of a recess formed at an end face of the ring gear and a protrusion formed on the flange. The protrusion is engaged in the recess by swaging.
US09017210B2	Drive device for the road wheels of a vehicle A drive device for road wheels of a vehicle includes: a stationary housing; a rotatably drivable differential housing with an axle differential gear unit, the differential housing being rotatably mounted in the stationary housing by differential bearings; at least one driveshaft rotatably drivable by the rotatably drivable differential housing; at least one driving gear wheel associated with and arranged on the at least one driveshaft, so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to the at least one driveshaft; and at least one driven gear wheel, the at least one driving gear wheel meshingly engaging, by oppositely directed helical teeth, with the at least one driven gear wheel to drive the road wheels of the vehicle and generate axial forces directed toward the center of the axle differential gear unit, and having at least one thrust bearing arrangement configured to support the axial forces.
US09017203B2	Coaxial gear system A gear-train for transferring torque from multiple power sources includes first, second, and third input members, and an output member. The first and second input members rotate about a first axis, the third input member rotates about a second axis, and the output member rotates about a third axis. The gear-train additionally includes a first gear-set connected to the first input member. The gear-train also includes a second gear-set connected to the second input member. The gear-train additionally includes an intermediate shaft that rotates about a fourth axis. Furthermore, the gear-train includes a third gear-set connected to the intermediate shaft. In the third gear-set, first member is connected to the intermediate shaft and to the third input member, second and third members are set coaxially relative to the intermediate shaft and configured for asynchronous rotation with each other, and the third member is also connected to the output member.
US09017200B2	Flexible hybrid transmission with configurable motor winding and declutching strategy to provide electric vehicle and hybrid functions A powertrain includes a first electric motor, a second electric motor and a transmission. The first electric motor includes an interchangeable winding set to provide the required power for the specific propulsion configuration utilized to propel the vehicle, i.e., a hybrid propulsion configuration or a full electric propulsion configuration. The transmission is operable in different powerflows to support operation of the powertrain in either of the hybrid propulsion configuration or the full electric propulsion configuration. The same powertrain may be used for either the hybrid propulsion configuration or the full electric propulsion configuration by switching the specific winding set installed into the first electric motor.
US09017199B2	Silent chain transmission system In a silent chain transmission, noise performance is improved by preventing guide plates of a silent chain from contacting sprocket teeth before the link plates of the chain contact the sprocket teeth. The silent chain transmission comprises a silent chain in engagement with a sprocket. The silent chain comprises guide rows, each having a pair of guide plates and a plurality of middle link plates, and non-guide rows, each having a plurality of inner link plates. An engagement starting point of the middle link plate with a sprocket tooth and an engagement starting point of the inner link plate with the sprocket tooth are set at positions such that the guide plate is prevented from contacting the sprocket tooth before the respective link plates start to engage the sprocket tooth when runout of the chain in the direction of its width occurs.
US09017197B2	Hydraulic damping mechanism and use for belt tensioning A hydraulic damper for providing fluid damping to a tensioner in a drive system that includes a damper cup, which is mounted to the tensioner and configured to rotate about a central axle in tandem with the tensioner, an end plate having an outer face and an inner face, which is attached to the damper cup forming a fluid chamber, a peg attached to the end plate and extending away from the inner face and toward the damping cup, a damping fluid, which is contained within the fluid chamber, a plurality of shear plates housed within the fluid chamber comprising alternating fixed plates engaged with a fixed component of the tensioner and rotatable plates engaged with a rotatable component of the tensioner where the peg extends through openings in each of the shear plates allowing for rotation of the rotatable plate with the rotation of the peg.
US09017189B2	Training sled A training sled and service promote proper form when running. The training sled is configurable for adding weights in some embodiments to increase friction and provide for weight-training by lifting portions of the sled. Sled components are slidably or pivotably connected to permit lifting a shoulder member of the sled to different heights for exercise, and to achieve an optimal training angle for an athlete to train.
US09017186B2	Club heads with multiple density weighting and methods of manufacturing the same Embodiments of club heads with multiple density weighting and methods of manufacturing the same are described herein. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.
US09017185B2	Golf club set A golf club set comprises golf clubs with different club lengths, each golf club comprising a hollow golf club head, the golf club head with a face portion having a clubface for hitting a ball, the face portion comprising a central thicker portion, a toe-side thinner portion with a thickness smaller than that of the central thicker portion, and a heel-side thinner portion with a thickness smaller than that of the central thicker portion, wherein in a front view of the club head under a standard state, the toe-side thinner portion is provided so that a centroid thereof is placed upward than a center of the clubface, the heel-side thinner portion is provided so that a centroid thereof is placed downward than the center of the clubface.
US09017183B1	Golf putter and method An improved putter and method of use utilizing a putter shaft having a rectangular grip extending approximately half the shaft length. A polygonal-like ring provides a flat face with an extended toe and a short heel. The face of the putter head has a polymeric insert for weight redistribution and for better putting feel. The sides of the putter include triangular shaped indents also for weight redistribution. The rear of the putter head is arched to prevent ground contact during putting and further to increase head stability during the stroke.
US09017181B2	Golf flag pin with collapsible support A collapsible support assembly is provided, which is adapted for use with a golf flag pin in order to easily maneuver between a collapsed vertical position and an uncollapsed extended position. The collapsible support assembly includes an actuating sheath member, which, in combination with biasing means, is capable of extending or retracting a first leg and a second leg, so as to support the golf flag pin above the ground when in the extended position. The collapsible support assembly also includes a movable leg ring and a fixed leg ring, which is adaptable for attachment to the golf flag pin.
US09017177B1	System and method for creating an illusion A fixed support includes an elevated foot platform and one or more handles allowing a live person to stand on the elevated foot platform, and a background member configured to receive a portion of the fixed support and support a cutout image of a person substantially orthogonal to the live person standing on the foot platform. A picture of the live person standing on the foot platform along with the background creates the illusion in the photograph that the cutout image of the person is levitating the live person standing on the foot platform.
US09017172B2	Video game control server, video game control apparatus, and video game control program product A video game control server for controlling progress of a video game via a communication network is provided. A game board information on a game board formed in a matrix manner is stored in the video game control server. It is determined whether a clear condition is satisfied or not. The clear condition associated with each of a plurality of squares on the game board is cleared by playing the video game by a player. In a case where it is determined that the clear condition associated with a square is satisfied, the square is set up to a condition accomplished square. In a case where a square is newly set up to a condition accomplished square and an arrangement pattern of the condition accomplished squares on the game board thereby becomes a predetermined privilege applying pattern, a privilege is applied to the player.
US09017168B2	Button structure for game controller A button structure includes a base frame longitudinally defining an arc-shaped guide slot, a button body pivoted to a front end of the base frame, a sliding part transversely defining a guide channel, and a rotating part with a guide pillar protruded thereon. The sliding part is longitudinally slidably mounted on the base frame and abuts against the button body under the elasticity of an elastic part. The rotating part is rotatably mounted under the base frame and the guide pillar passes through the guide slot to be inserted in the guide channel. In use, the sliding part can longitudinally slide on the base frame by the push of the button body and the elastic part, and the sliding of the sliding part drives the guide pillar to slide rearward and forward along the guide slot and the guide channel and further drive the rotating part to rotate.
US09017165B2	Wagering game, gaming machine, networked gaming system and method with a simultaneous secondary game A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed in which a gaming machine provides both a base game and a side game which may be played and wagered upon concurrently or according to some play sequence. The base game may be one type of game displayed on a portion of a primary display of the gaming machine and the side game may be a different type of game displayed on a remaining portion of the primary display.
US09017164B2	Game device provided with touch panel, game control program, and method for controlling game A game device includes: a display device; a rear touch panel provided on the other side of a surface on which the display device is mounted; an activation control unit operative, when the rear touch panel detects an operation of bringing an input means into contact with the rear touch panel and moving the input means in a predetermined direction, to activate a function determined in accordance with the direction; and a screen image managing unit operative to display a screen image displayed by the function activated by the activation control unit on the display device so that the screen image slides from an edge of the screen of the display device in the direction.
US09017161B2	Wagering game with awarded paylines A gaming system, apparatus, and method are disclosed with one or more additional payline awards made through special symbols appearing in the game. The number of additional paylines is determined based at least on the special symbol present. A preferred version provides a slot machine game with a payline meter zone on a dedicated display or beside the reels which emphasizes to the player the amount of additional paylines provided and their application in the prize award.
US09017160B2	Gaming machine with fixed wild symbols and multiplier A method for use with a gaming machine arranged to provide a spinning reel game in which symbols are spun up on a plurality of reels to form at least one outcome and, if a winning outcome occurs, the gaming machine awards an award. The method includes (a) if at least one specified symbol is spun up and displayed in a resultant position on a reel, holding the specified symbol in the resultant position for at least one further game in which at least the reel carrying the specified symbol is re-spun; and (b) awarding the award if a winning outcome occurs, wherein a specified symbol comprising part of a winning outcome has the effect of increasing the award if the specified symbol is adjacent at least one other specified symbol.
US09017156B2	Air control module A damper blade is moved within an air control module connected to the discharge of a high-velocity blower, thereby modulating the electric power consumption of the blower motor.
US09017154B2	Chassis having an internal air plenum and an arrangement of multiple chassis to form a vertical air plenum A chassis and rack system is disclosed in which a chassis separated into two separate enclosures by a central partition. Each of the enclosures is sized to receive a computer system. The partition includes a pair of vertically oriented vents, with each of the vents in fluid communication with one of the enclosures and the computer system contained therein. Heated air is removed from each computer system through the vent in the partition that is associated with the computer system. Multiple chassis may be placed one atop another in a vertical configuration in which each chassis is either directly above or directly below another chassis. In this vertical configuration, the vents form a vertically oriented common plenum that can be used to evacuate air from multiple chassis arranged in a rack.
US09017151B2	Filling machine A filling machine for sausages, having a filling tube and a unit for removing a filling material plait exiting the filling tube end during a filling process interruption, where the removing unit includes a separator element by means of which the filling material plait can be removed when a relative movement is executed between the filling tube end and the separator element, the separator element including at least one filling material adhesion surface to which filling material is transferable and adherable, and the adhesion surface has associated therewith a cleaning device.
US09017147B2	Surface sample collection tool A sampling device for removing a surface portion from a substrate. The device includes a frame structure and a cutter head assembly. The cutter head assembly includes a pivot body having a first end supported at a pivot point on the frame structure, and a cutter supported for rotation about a rotational axis at a second end of the pivot body. The cutter has a semi-ellipsoidal shape and a drive motor is operably connected to the cutter. The pivot point is located in spaced relation to the rotational axis. The cutter is operable to cut a surface portion of a substrate during pivotal movement about the pivot point.
US09017145B2	Polishing solution distribution apparatus and polishing apparatus having the same The present invention provides a polishing solution distribution apparatus capable of reducing distribution deviation of polishing solution even when leveling for installation is insufficient or inclination of an installation location varies and a polishing apparatus having the same. The polishing solution distribution apparatus includes a cone-shaped branch body in which a solution pan to store supplied polishing solution is formed and in which plural flow passages radially connected to a side face of the solution pan respectively and having a delivery port to supply polishing solution to a position lower than the connected position are formed, a support portion to support the branch body, and a universal joint mechanism to support the branch body via the support portion at a position being higher than the gravity center of the branch body.
US09017144B2	Method for manufacturing electronic grade synthetic quartz glass substrate An electronic grade synthetic quartz glass substrate having a recess, channel or step is manufactured by machining at least one surface of a synthetic quartz glass substrate having a maximum birefringence of up to 3 nm/cm in its entirety to form a recess, channel or step, and removing the residual stress due to machining.
US09017141B2	Deburring machine and method for deburring A method for deburring a ground metal part includes loading a ground metal part into a carrier, contacting a first planar surface of the ground metal part with a first grinding wheel, and contacting a second planar surface of the ground metal part with a second grinding wheel. The first grinding wheel is rotated in a first rotational direction. The second grinding wheel is rotated also in the first rotational direction. After the first grinding wheel is rotated in the first rotational direction, the first grinding wheel is then rotated in a second rotational direction, which is opposite to the first rotational direction. After the second grinding wheel is rotated in the first rotational direction, the second grinding wheel is also rotated in the second rotational direction.
US09017139B2	Lapping carrier having hard and soft properties, and methods A carrier for a slider row bar for a lapping process. The carrier has a mounting structure comprising a material configured to have a first modulus of at least 1,000,000 Pa at a first period of time and a second modulus of 500 Pa to 500,000 Pa at a second period of time subsequent to the first period. The change from the first modulus to the second modulus is due to an external stimulus on the material.
US09017134B1	Assembly kit for creating three-dimensional formations, especially toy structures from prefabricated modular building blocks An improved set of toy building or construction blocks, each block having a substantially square cross-section and a generally rectilinear configuration. Incorporated into the structure of the individual toy blocks are transversely oriented slots, grooves and protrusions of predetermined size and location. The slots, grooves and protrusions of pre-determined size and location are of either male or female configuration disposed medially along one or more plane of each block. When the male protrusion of one block is introduced perpendicular to the female slot of one end of another block, a frictional engagement is created resulting in a right angle. When the male protrusion of one block is introduced to the female slot in a linear fashion the result is a line segment. Joining a plurality of said toy building or construction blocks using various perpendicular connections in conjunction with linear connections results in the stable formation of construction or geometric structures without the use of fasteners or other connecting elements.
US09017126B2	Convertible emergency device A convertible emergency device for enabling a user to deploy a floatation device from a wearable structure in an emergency situation. The convertible emergency device comprises in one embodiment waist pack which can convert to an inflated life vest by actuation of a pull cord. Such actuation of the pull cord causes portions of the body of the waist pack to automatically inflate with air from a gas cylinder canister. The convertible emergency device comprises in another embodiment a backpack configured to convert into an inflatable life boat having a pair of oars. When in the backpack state, the uninflated life boat is releasably attached to the shoulder strap and the oars, with the pair of oars disposed on the either side of the uninflated life boat. When a pull cord is pulled, the life boat is inflated to enable it to provide a floating vessel for a user.
US09017123B2	Method and system for a towed vessel suitable for transporting liquids A towed vessel suitable for containing and transporting various liquids is disclosed. The vessel further comprises various features useful in the transportation, navigation, and storage of the towable vessel, both when in use for transporting fluids and when transported in an emptied state. Such features include navigational and positioning devices and methods, power supply devices and methods, and means for filling, inflating, emptying, and deflating a non-rigid, towed vessel. Aspects of embodiments of the present invention further include features useful for purifying or preserving the purity of the fluid to be transported.
US09017119B2	Ship propulsion device and ship having the same Disclosed are a ship propulsion device and a ship having the same. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the ship propulsion device includes a rear propeller fixed on a drive shaft; a front propeller supported on a drive shaft of the front of the rear propeller to be rotated; and a reverse rotary device having a plurality of gears which are provided on a rear side of the ship, and transmits rotation of the drive shaft after reversing the rotation to the front propeller.
US09017118B1	Gear case assembly for a marine outboard engine and method of assembly thereof The gear case assembly has a gear case, a driveshaft and a propeller shaft mounted at an angle to the driveshaft, each at least partly disposed within the gear case, a transmission having forward and reverse gears and a shift rod, and an electric transmission actuator assembly having an actuation axis and an actuator end engaging the shift rod. The transmission is operatively connected the propeller shaft and the driveshaft selectively drives the propeller shaft via the transmission. An actuator chamber houses at least part of the actuator assembly. There is a gap between the actuator assembly and an actuator chamber wall in a direction perpendicular to the actuation axis. The gap is sized and shaped to permit a translation of the actuator assembly away from the shift rod for disengagement from the shift rod. A gear case, a marine outboard engine and a method of assembly is also disclosed.
US09017116B2	Female terminal An electrical connector for a male terminal to be inserted includes an elastic contact member provided in at least one of surfaces of the electrical connector extending in an insertion direction of the male terminal. The elastic contact member is configured to get into contact with the male terminal. The elastic contact member includes: first elastic contact pieces formed with a space in between in a widthwise direction orthogonal to the insertion direction, cantilevered at one end side of the at least one surface in the insertion direction, and configured to get into contact with the male terminal inserted in the electrical connector; and a second elastic contact piece disposed in the space and configured to get into contact with the male terminal inserted in the electrical connector.
US09017115B2	Electrical assembly A demountable electrical panel comprises a spring under tension that is easily assembled by being laid to rest in a recess in a mounting plate put under tension to make electrical contact with a circuit board when the device is assembled.
US09017107B2	Insertion-type connector having a contact-making member A plug-type connector for producing at least one electrical contact, in particular charging plug or heavy-duty plug, having a housing and at least one first contact element arranged in the housing, wherein the housing has a plugging-side end, which is designed for plugging connection to a complementary plug-type connector, and wherein the at least one first contact element has a free end, which faces the plugging-side end, wherein at least one first contact element of the plug-type connector and at least one part of the housing are movable relative to one another between a first position, in which the first contact element is withdrawn into the housing, and a second position, in which the free end of the first contact element is exposed.
US09017104B2	Electrical plug converter A low profile replacement electrical plug, and more particularly a low profile plug system for use in replacing traditional plugs on power cords is provided. The low profile plug system allows a user to replace existing plugs on power cords with the low profile plug system to lessen the danger of an unsafe electrical condition or a fire should the existing plugs need to be compressed to fit into a space.
US09017102B2	Port assembly connector for engaging a coaxial cable and an outer conductor A port assembly comprising an outer housing having a first end and a second end, wherein the outer housing is configured to receive a coaxial cable through the second end, wherein the outer housing is configured to mate with a coupling member of a corresponding coaxial cable connector, a clamp disposed within the outer housing, the clamp including a first compression surface, a second compression surface, wherein the second compression surface opposingly corresponds to the first compression surface, and wherein the first compression surface and the second compression surface cooperate via axial compression to secure an outer conductor of the coaxial cable is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.
US09017101B2	Continuity maintaining biasing member A coaxial cable connector comprising a post, a coupling element configured to engage the post, and a connector body configured to engage the post and receive the coaxial cable, when the connector is in an assembled state, the connector body including: an integral body biasing element having a coupling element contact portion, and an annular groove configured to allow the integral body biasing element to deflect along the axial direction, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to exert a biasing force against the coupling element sufficient to axially urge the inward lip of the coupling element away from the connector body and toward the flange of the post to improve electrical grounding reliability between the coupling element and the post, even when the post is not in contact with the interface port is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.
US09017099B2	Terminal block structure An instrument box and a terminal block including a resin housing and a bus bar are provided. The resin housing has a housing body fixed to a box wall surface; and a bus bar housing formed integrally with the housing body and inserted into an insertion hole of the box wall surface. The bus bar has a bus bar body inserted into the insertion hole with fitted in the resin housing and housed in the bus bar housing; a first terminal connecting portion on one side of the bus bar body to connect with the cable terminal end outside the instrument box; and a second terminal connecting portion on another side of the bus bar body to connect with the terminal inside the instrument box.
US09017098B2	Electrical mount A combination female-oriented receiver with a mounting side and a receiving side configured to accept a male-oriented mount, the mounting side of the receiver electrically connected to a junction box, or a mounting plate, the receiving side having plates electrically connectable to either. The receiver has access points and a race to receive the male mount and a pin slot, the electrical plates positioned such that when corresponding conducting surfaces on the male mount are rotated in the race to a proper position, the the mount and receiver are electrically connected. The race further provides a weight-bearing surface to support the mount and the weight of an electrical fixture removably affixed thereto, further held in place by a spring-biased pin inserted at a non-normal angle into the receiver's pin slot.
US09017096B2	Connector device and connector assembly for vehicle electrical power supply or transmission in a vehicle Connector assembly for electrical power supply or transmission in vehicles, comprising first and a second connector devices to be mated according to a mating axis. The first connector device comprises at least one spring device terminated by at least one electrically conductive head, movable in a spring load direction. The second connector device comprises at least one interlock terminal including an electrical conductor and an insulation cap arranged in such a way that, during the mating sequence, the at least one head touches first the insulation cap on one or several insulating areas and then contacts the electrical conductor on one or several conducting areas. Each of the one or several insulating areas is offset laterally with respect to each of the one or several conducting areas, according to a lateral direction perpendicular to the mating axis and to the spring load direction.
US09017094B2	Coupling structure for a flat wiring cable having non-uniform pitch In a coupling structure of a wiring member for coupling a plurality of connector terminals with the wiring member which is configured by arranging in parallel a plurality of flat-type conductors in a width direction thereof and covering an outer periphery of the flat-type conductors by an insulation member, the connector terminals are electrically coupled to the wiring member in an orthogonal manner so as to match to terminal pitches of a complementary connector.
US09017087B1	Cable connector assembly and cable tray having a floatable cable connector A cable connector assembly including a cable connector having a mating side that faces in a mating direction. The mating side is configured to engage a mating connector. The cable connector assembly also includes a housing frame having a connector-receiving space that is partially defined by a sidewall. The cable connector is disposed in the connector-receiving space. The sidewall has a wall spring that is formed from material of the sidewall and that is coupled to the cable connector. The wall spring is configured to resiliently flex from a relaxed condition to a compressed condition to permit the cable connector to move during a mating operation. The wall spring provides a biasing force to the cable connector in the mating direction when the wall spring is in the compressed condition.
US09017078B2	Method and system for identify, treatment and weaning from Internet and computer addiction Self controlled method and system for identified, treatment and weaning from computer and Internet addiction. On one embodiment of the invention, the system analyzed user activity on the computer and while surfing the Internet, and presents results of his addictive level visually on user's interface. Supporting the whole information of addictive level to the user, give him the power to fight against the phenomena and prevent to increase it.The user can decide whether he wants treatment and act to have it by personal actions or by involvement of third parties such as parents, therapist, support group or even a specific social website. For weaning from the addiction the system can provide positive feedbacks, special treatment and even presents and prizes if the user reduced dramatically his addictive level.
US09017075B1	Bone implant A bone implant includes an implant having an implantation end and a connection end. A blind hole is formed in the connection end and extends in an axial direction, defining an abutment receiving section and a locking section. The abutment receiving section includes an anti-rotation portion having a minimal inner width perpendicular to the axial direction. An abutment includes an elastic, deformable portion, a connection portion, and a prosthesis engagement portion. The abutment further includes a bore extending in the axial direction. The elastic, deformable portion includes resilient plates, with a slit formed between two adjacent resilient plates. The elastic, deformable portion has a maximal outer width larger than the minimal inner width. The elastic, deformable portion is aligned and engages with the anti-rotation portion. An abutment screw includes a head end positioned in the bore of the abutment and a locking end engaged with the locking section.
US09017074B2	Dental prosthetic device with remoldable base A dental prosthetic device (10,110) having a base (12,112) constructed of an inexpensive remoldable material, such as, for example, ethylene vinyl acetate, to allow for inexpensive and quick fitting and refitting to accommodate changes in dental structure (122). Harder teeth-like structures (14,114) are associated with a mounting surface (20,120) of the base (12,112), such as by overmolding the base (12,112) onto ends (38) of the structures (14,114), so that, when the device (10,110) is placed over a dental arch (122) within a user's mouth, the teeth-like structures (14,114) facilitate biting and chewing in the manner of teeth.
US09017071B2	Dental occlusion analysis tool An electronic 3D model of at least a portion of a maxillary arch of a patient is displayed. Inputs indicating a peak of a mesiobuccal cusp of a maxillary first molar are received for both the patient's right and left sides. In addition, an electronic 3D model of at least a portion of a mandibular arch of a patient is displayed. Inputs indicating relevant points on the mandibular first molar are received for both the patient's right and left sides. Side scores are generated for the patient's right and left sides based on the indicated points. A final occlusion score for the patient is displayed. The final occlusion score is based on the side score for the right side and the side score for the left side.
US09017068B2	Top-firing hot blast stove There is provided a top-firing hot blast stove capable of enhancing combustion efficiency in burner system, supplying high-temperature combustion gas to an entire checker chamber, and suppressing damage on a refractory material on an inner wall of a burner duct.A top-firing hot blast stove 10 has a burner system including: a burner 1 for passing fuel gas or combustion air to each of three or more pipe lines in a multiple pipe line structure; and a burner duct 2. A core pipe line 1b and a central pipe line 1c include a swirling flow generating means provided for generating a swirling flow of the fuel gas or the combustion air, while an outermost pipe line 1d carries a linear flow of the fuel gas or the combustion air, so that combustion gas HG including a linear component HG″ and a swirling component HG′ is generated in the burner duct 2. The combustion gas HG is supplied to a combustion chamber 3 from at least one or more of the burner systems in an inflow direction which does not pass through a center position of the combustion chamber 3.
US09017054B2	Press muffle The invention concerns a press muffle made of an embedding mass for the production of dental restoration parts, with the embedding mass comprising at least one weakly heat-conducting, in particular ceramic, basic powder, with up to 70%, in particular 2% to 40% of the entire embedding mass (12) consisting of an additive having a higher thermal conductivity than the basic powder.
US09017049B2	Variable displacement lubricant pump A variable displacement lubricant pump for providing a pressurized lubricant for an internal combustion engine includes a shiftable control ring. The control ring comprises a plurality of pump chambers and a pressure relief valve. The plurality of pump chambers rotate through a charge zone and a discharge zone. A pump rotor comprises radially slidable vanes. The pump rotor rotates in the control ring. A pretensioning element pushes the control ring to a high pumping volume direction. A first control chamber pushes the control ring to a low pumping volume direction. A second control chamber pushes the control ring to the high pumping volume direction. A pump outlet is connected to the first control chamber. A throttle valve connects the first control chamber with the second control chamber. The pressure relief valve of the control ring connects the discharge zone to the second control chamber.
US09017046B2	Fan assembly having multiple centrifugal fans in mechanical connection with a planetary gear system The fan assembly having multiple centrifugal fans in mechanical connection with a planetary gear system is a novel improvement to the field of fans, and which includes at least two centrifugal fans that are in mechanical connection with a single drive source. A planetary gear system connects the centrifugal fans to the single drive source such that all centrifugal fans work in concert. The assembly includes a housing that is constructed of a first portion positioned atop and able to rotate with respect to a second portion. The ability of the first portion to rotate with respect to the second portion enables the first portion where the centrifugal fans to rotate 360 degrees. The first portion includes partitions, which isolate each centrifugal fans from one another.
US09017042B2	Multi-stage pump system A multi-stage pump system for use in desalination systems including a first stage S1 providing low pressure for priming the system a second stage S2 that is in fluid communication with the first stage and is primed by the low pressure from the first stage. The second stage S2B includes at least one reciprocating piston 122, in an enclosing cylinder 121, 121A and is attached to the two second flexible inflatable bladders 123. The piston 122 will move up and down within the cylinder 121 121A relative to the movement of the two second stage flexible bladders 123 due to priming by the first stage affecting their buoyancy. The driving fluid then passes into a passage 130 and is expelled to an outlet and Stage three (S3) at higher pressure when the first reciprocating member 122 proceeds through a complete stroke.
US09017039B2	Hydraulic pump operating device and method for use in hydraulic system The rotational frequency of a variable speed motor is set to a normal rotational frequency setting value (N1). A pressure variation range (ΔP) is detected based on a pressure detection value P, of a variable displacement pump, detected by a pressure detector. It is determined whether a determination that the detected pressure variation range (ΔP) is less than or equal to a pressure maintained state detection level (L1) has been continuously given for a period indicated by a timer setting value (T1). If the determination that the detected pressure variation range (ΔP) is less than or equal to the pressure maintained state detection level (L1) has been continuously given for the predetermined period, then it is detected that the current state is a pressure maintained state, and the rotational frequency of the variable speed motor is switched from the normal rotational frequency setting value N1 to a pressure maintaining rotational frequency setting value (N2(
US09017034B2	Upwind wind turbine with blades supported on the leeward side An upwind wind turbine comprising blades extending radially from a rigid hub on a main shaft having a horizontal axis is described. The blades and hub constitute a rotor with a rotor plane. The main shaft is pivotally mounted in a nacelle on top of a tower which pivots around the vertical axis of the tower. The rotor plane adjusts in relation to wind direction, so during normal use the rotor is positioned on the upwind side of the tower. Each blade has at least a first leeward supporting mechanism having first and second ends. The first end connects to the blade at a first leeward mounting point positioned in a radial distance from the horizontal axis. The second end connects to a second leeward mounting point at a rotatable part and is positioned in an axial distance from the rotor plane on the leeward side of the rotor.
US09017032B2	Bladed rotor A rotor, such as a fan of a gas turbine engine, comprises blades 2 and annulus fillers 4 which extend between adjacent blades 2. Gaps 22 between each blade 2 and the adjacent annulus fillers 4 are sealed by sealing elements 8. The sealing elements 8 fit closely around the profile of the blade 2 and have annulus filler sealing surfaces 18 for sealing contact with the annulus fillers 4. The sealing elements 8 have low-friction blade sealing surfaces 12 so that, when the fan is rotating, centrifugal loading displaces the sealing elements 8 radially outwardly so that the annulus filler sealing surface 18 make sealing contact with the annulus fillers 4.
US09017030B2	Turbine component including airfoil with contour A turbine engine airfoil structure including an airfoil adapted to extend across a gas passage, and a platform structure defining an endwall located at one end of the airfoil and positioned at a location forming a boundary of the gas passage. A saddle portion is associated with at least one airfoil surface of the airfoil, the saddle portion defining a contour having a first radially outer edge located on the at least one airfoil surface and a second radially inner edge located radially inwardly from the radially outer edge. The contour includes a curvature in a plane extending generally perpendicular to the at least one airfoil surface and passing through the saddle portion, the curvature being radially spaced from the endwall and defining an apex located between the radially outer and inner edges of the saddle portion.
US09017028B2	Turbine engine with contra-rotating non-ducted propellers A turbine engine including two contrarotating unducted propellers of an upstream propeller and a downstream propeller, with a power turbine mounted axially between the two propellers, the turbine including an outer rotor constrained to rotate with the upstream propeller and an inner rotor driving rotation of an inlet shaft of a step-down gearbox, the gearbox includes an outlet shaft driving rotation of the rotor of the upstream propeller and an outlet shaft driving rotation of the downstream propeller.
US09017025B2	Serpentine cooling circuit with T-shaped partitions in a turbine airfoil A serpentine cooling circuit (AFT) in a turbine airfoil (34A) starting from a radial feed channel (C1), and progressing axially (65) in alternating tangential directions through interconnected channels (C1, C2, C3) formed between partitions (T1, T2, J1). At least one of the partitions (T1, T2) has a T-shaped transverse section, with a base portion (67) extending from a suction or pressure side wall (64, 62) of the airfoil, and a crossing portion (68, 69) parallel to, and not directly attached to, the opposite pressure or suction side wall (62, 64). Each crossing portion bounds a near-wall passage (N1, N2) adjacent to the opposite pressure or suction side wall (62, 64). Each near-wall passage may have a smaller flow aperture area than one, or each, of two adjacent connected channels (C1, C2, C3). The serpentine circuit (AFT) may follow a forward cooling circuit (FWD) in the airfoil (34A).
US09017024B2	Chordwidth restoration of a trailing edge of a turbine airfoil by laser clad A method of restoring a gas turbine engine component includes repairing a turbine airfoil along a chordwidth dimension to rebuild a trailing edge of the turbine airfoil to near original dimensions. An eroded portion of the trailing edge of the turbine airfoil is removed and a filler material is deposited onto the trailing edge to produce a laser cladding. During the laser cladding process, a barrier member is inserted into a slot that extends through the trailing edge to prevent filler material from entering the slot and to act as a heat sink to remove heat from the trailing edge during the laser cladding process.
US09017023B2	Fan structure and electronic device applied with the same An electronic device comprises a back plate, a fan and a coupling element. The fan includes a supporting base, a cover and a fan blade. The cover is disposed on the supporting base to form a fan blade accommodating space, the fan blade is disposed inside the accommodating space and is pivotally connected to the supporting base. In addition, the supporting base includes a coupling hole which is disposed inside the accommodating space. The coupling element passes through the coupling hole in order to have the supporting base installed on the back plate. Whereby, a bottom area of the fan is reduced by having both the coupling hole and the fan blade disposed inside the accommodating space, so that less space of circuit layout for a circuit board is occupied by the fan.
US09017022B2	Shell for aircraft turbo-engine stator with mechanical blade load transfer slits A shell of a stator for a module of an aircraft turbo-engine including a plurality of through openings each configured to house a stator blade, each opening forming a skeleton extending between a first end configured to house the trailing edge of the blade and a second end configured to house the leading edge of the blade. At least one of the openings is associated with a mechanical load transfer slit passing through the shell, and arranged facing and at a distance from the first end of the opening along the direction of the skeleton.
US09017021B2	Aeroengine fan casing made of composite material, and a method of fabricating it An aeroengine fan casing is made of composite material including fiber reinforcement densified by a matrix. The casing is secured to at least one ring or ring sector that is situated on the inside face of the casing and that is mechanically connected to an equipment fastener part that is situated on the outside face of the casing, in particular for fastening an accessory gearbox.
US09017020B2	Configurable fan unit In order to increase the flexibility of the positioning of a stacked computer system within a data center, a removable fan unit is positioned within the stacked computer system. The removable fan unit includes a housing and a fan housing rotatably attached to the housing. The fan housing supports a fan that is electrically connected to a connector on a side of the housing of the removable fan unit. The connector of the removable fan unit may be electrically connected to a computer system-side connector. The fan housing may be rotated into at least two different orientations relative to the housing of the removable fan unit, such that the removable fan unit moves air through the stacked computer system in at least two corresponding directions.
US09017019B2	Airfoil shape for a compressor An article of manufacture having a nominal airfoil profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in a scalable table, the scalable table selected from the group of tables consisting of TABLES 1-11, wherein the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z are non-dimensional values convertible to dimensional distances by multiplying the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z by a number, and wherein X and Y are coordinates which, when connected by continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each Z height, the airfoil profile sections at each Z height being joined with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
US09017018B2	Annular seal An annular seal positionable in a gap is disclosed herein. The annular seal includes a plurality of leaves positioned about a center axis. Each leaf extends to a distal end that is elastically deflectable relative to the center axis to accommodate changes in a size of the gap. The annular seal also includes a ring encircling the center axis and at least partially interconnecting the plurality of leaves together for concurrent installation and removal. The annular seal also includes a plurality of tabs projecting from the ring along the center axis. Each of the tabs is directly connected to at least one of the plurality of leaves such that elastic deformation of one of the plurality of leaves induces bending in the corresponding tab before inducing bending in the ring.
US09017012B2	Ring segment with cooling fluid supply trench A ring segment for a gas turbine engine includes a panel and a cooling system. The cooling system is provided within the panel and includes a cooling fluid supply trench having an open top portion and extending radially inwardly from a central recessed portion of the panel. The cooling system further includes a plurality of cooling fluid passages extending from the cooling fluid supply trench to a leading edge and/or a trailing edge of the panel. The cooling fluid passages receive cooling fluid from the cooling fluid supply trench, wherein the cooling fluid provides convective cooling to the panel as it passes through the cooling fluid passages.
US09017010B2	Turbomachine geared architecture support assembly An example turbomachine geared architecture support assembly includes a subpart having a more compliant portion and a less compliant portion. The less compliant portion includes a stop that limits axial movement of a geared architecture within a turbomachine.
US09017008B2	System, method and apparatus for destacking stacked articles A destacker for automatically destacking a plurality of vertically stacked articles that is particularly useful in destacking magnetic moulds used in the chocolate manufacturing industry. Each article comprises at least one slanted notch. The destacker includes at least one hammer having a blade that moves from a retracted position to an extracted position, wherein at the extracted position the blade engages a gap formed by the slanted notch between the bottommost article and the article located above the bottommost article to release the bottommost article from the plurality of stacked articles. The bottommost article then drops onto a conveyor to be transported to the production line. The destacker further includes oppositely disposed pair of mould carriers and oppositely disposed pair of mould lockers that assist the destacker to feed the stack of moulds in a downward direction.
US09017000B2	Automatic parking structure The present invention as disclosed herein is an improved vehicle parking structure and method for using the same. The vehicle parking structure provides for the automated storage and retrieval of vehicles in response to user inputs. In one aspect, the vehicle parking structure comprises one or more transfer rooms in which a vehicle operator may deposit and later retrieve a vehicle, a plurality of parking spaces of either fixed or variable dimensions, and one or more vehicle transporters used to move vehicles from the one or more transfer rooms to the plurality of parking spaces. The one or more vehicle transporters are in turn each preferably comprised of one or more vertical stabilizers, one or more tractors, one or more lifts, a lifting platform, and a dolly. The vehicle transporters move the lifting platform and dolly so that the dolly may be positioned to access a vehicle located in a transfer room or parking space.
US09016999B2	Passenger and vehicle elevator system The passenger and vehicle elevator system includes a plurality of elevator cars arrayed substantially equidistantly and equiangularly from a central shaft of the building. Each elevator car includes a housing and at least one door. The housing has a floor, a ceiling, and at least one sidewall. A linearly translating platform is mounted on the floor of each of the housings. The linearly translating platform is adapted for automatically carrying the vehicle and the at least one passenger through the at least one door. Further, the vehicle may be rotated within the housing by driven rotation of the platform or the floor, allowing for selective angular positioning of the vehicle with respect to the housing. The elevator car ascends and descends within a corresponding elevator shaft in a manner similar to that of a conventional elevator.
US09016997B2	Sensing safety devices Safety apparatuses for objects having at least one nut are disclosed. Contemplated apparatuses comprise a base, one or more nut caps, and one or more electronic sensors configured to acquire data related to a corresponding nut, wheel or tire. In some embodiments, a physical nut rotation indicator that can readily be observed by an operator is included, and a retention wall disposed on the base can operate in conjunction with the physical nut rotation indicator to block a rotation of a nut. Apparatuses are preferably configured to remain stable in harsher environments.
US09016996B2	Threaded sleeves A threaded metal sleeve includes a core and a thread provided on the outside of the core, with the thread profile having a flank angle within the range from 25° to 35°. The pitch (h) of the thread is 0.1-fold to 0.4-fold of the outer diameter of the threaded sleeve, and the thread depth of the thread is 0.02-fold to 0.2-fold of the outer diameter of the threaded sleeve.
US09016993B2	Grommet A grommet includes a shaft body, and a main body having a head and a leg spread by the shaft body pressed from a side of the head with elastic deformation. The shaft body includes a first contacting portion that contacts a contacted portion of the leg by pressing, and a second contacting portion located in a rear of the first contacting portion in the pressing direction, and a part of the leg is spread by the first contacting portion and then, another part of the leg is spread by further pressing the shaft body.
US09016992B2	Bushing assemblies, bushing assembly kits, apparatuses including bushing assemblies, and associated methods Bushing assemblies include a first tubular end portion, a second tubular end portion, and a middle tubular portion. The middle tubular portion has a longitudinal compressive strength that is less than that of the end portions. In some embodiments, the middle tubular portion is constructed of braided sleeving. Also disclosed are bushing assembly kits, apparatuses that include bushing assemblies, such as aircraft, and associated methods of utilizing bushing assemblies.
US09016984B1	Underpinning pile assembly adapted for low friction installation An underpinning pile assembly has a first pile with an inner diameter and an outer diameter, a second pile having a first portion and a second portion in which the first portion has an outer diameter less than an outer diameter of the second portion, and a ring affixed around the first portion of the second steel pipe. The ring has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the second portion of the second steel pipe. The ring is releasably positioned over the first portion of the second steel pipe. A cable is affixed within an interior of the first steel pipe so as to extend through the interior of the second steel pipe. A plurality of additional steel pipes can be arranged in stacked relation upon an end of the second steel pipe opposite the first steel pipe.
US09016976B2	Modular ducting sections and networked utilities ducting system formed therefrom This invention provides a modular ducting section and a networked utilities ducting system and rain and road water management system formed from two or more modular ducting sections laying end-to-end. Each modular ducting section comprises open-topped utility channels for carrying utility service supply lines such as electricity, gas, water, or communications, an open-topped catchment channel for carrying rain water captured from a building structure or garden, and a supply channel for supplying an end user with utility services via a supply line, while also allowing the end user to feed an end-user generated utility supply back into the corresponding utility service supply line via a return line. Each modular ducting section further comprises a road water runoff flange and a main channel cover, which when combined, form a curb-side structure that functions to keep any contaminated road water from the reusable rain water collected in the catchment channel.
US09016975B2	Fastening device for furniture fittings A fastening device for furniture fittings on furniture parts which includes at least one dowel core that can be inserted into a hole of a furniture part. The dowel core can be arranged inside a dowel sleeve, and an actuating device moves the dowel sleeve relative to the dowel core. The dowel sleeve spreads on the dowel core and the dowel core is radially resilient.
US09016972B2	Mechanically interlocking frame assemblies A structural frame assembly is provided that includes mechanically interlocking components. The frame assembly has rails that interconnect with each other at joints that include brackets that engage the rails and nuts that are held in cavities of the rails that are connected to slots that extend through outer surfaces of the rails. Bolts may extend angularly through bores of the bracket and the slots of the rails to operatively engage a nut being held in the cavity. Tightening the bolts may draw the nut angularly through the cavity in a manner that automatically self-aligns the brackets and rails to establish precise joints.
US09016971B2	Motor vehicle elastic suspension joint and motor vehicle structure comprising such a joint An elastic suspension hinge for an automobile, to be fastened to a fastening portion of a structure of the automobile via a clamping mechanism including a fastening element, the hinge being of type that includes an inner sleeve. At least one of the ends of the inner sleeve is configured to engage by conical fitting with the free end of a bushing rigidly connected to the fastening portion of the structure and having a longitudinal passage.
US09016968B2	Cosmetic device with thermal storage tip A dispenser includes a thermal storage tip and a housing having a reservoir for containing a product, such as a cosmetics product or a medicinal product. The thermal storage tip comprises a material that is capable of storing and retaining thermal energy during application of the product.
US09016967B2	Applicators Applicators are described suitable for the application of liquid to patient's skin. An applicator pad (3) is supported on a support flange (23) of an applicator housing (2), which receives a liquid cartridge (5). To moderate the rush of liquid on to the back of the applicator pad a flow distributor plate (6) is positioned on the rear position of the pad (3), restricting flow onto the pad to an annular slit opening around the plate (6). The front surface of the plate (6), opposing the pad (3), may have one or more grooves so that liquid can flow from the edge towards the center. Also disclosed, as an alternative, is the use of a projecting cantilevered tongue structure to distribute liquid across the rear surface of the sponge pad. The pad may have a hooked lobe shape for a front end of the applicator pad.
US09016966B2	Printer with paper holder having paper near-end detector A printer includes a paper holder which includes a shaft portion for supporting roll paper, and a movable member in a predetermined vertical height position near and above a first end portion of the shaft portion. The movable member is configured to be displaced along an extending direction of the shaft portion between a pressing position, in which the movable member is brought into contact with and pressed against an end surface of the roll paper supported by the shaft portion, and a non-pressing position, in which the movable member is not in contact with the end surface of the roll paper. The movable member is also biased toward the non-pressing position. A movable member detector is configured to detect that the movable member is in the non-pressing position, and a remaining amount notifier is configured to notify that a remaining amount of the roll paper is low.
US09016963B2	Color film developing apparatus The present invention provides a color film developing apparatus, which is used to uniformly develop photoresist on the surface of a substrate as manufacturing a liquid crystal panel, comprising a developing chamber. The developing chamber comprises a first developing chamber and a second developing chamber respectively set inclined to a horizontal plane; the inclined directions of the first developing chamber and the second developing chamber inclined to the horizontal plane are contrary to each other. The color film developing apparatus according to the present invention can avoid the secondary development of the photoresist on the inclined substrate caused by the developer flowing from top to bottom when the substrate passes the developing chamber and proceeds to develop; enhance the uniformity of the development of the substrate; improve the uniformity of the in-plane process; narrow the differences; improve the quality of the product.
US09016956B2	Optoelectronic transmission module An optoelectronic transmission module is applied in an optoelectronic connector for data transmission. In the present invention, one flexible circuit board and two hard circuit boards are in electrical connection, among which the first circuit board is electrically connected with an optoelectronic module for connecting with an optical fiber. With this structure, the second and the third circuit boards can transmit or receive data through the optical fiber of the first circuit board. In this manner, this invention can conduct bidirectional data transmission so as to save significantly the consumption of manufacturing cost of the optoelectronic module.
US09016955B2	Optical connector with ferrule interference fit An optical connector for operation within a temperature range, comprising: (a) a ferrule comprising a first material having a coefficient of thermal expansion COE-1, and a diameter no greater than a diameter d1 below a transition temperature Ts within the temperature range and no less than a diameter d2 above Ts; (b) a spring disposed behind and in contact with the ferrule to apply a forward force to the ferrule; and (c) a housing comprising a second material having a coefficient of thermal expansion COE-2 and defining a bore hole having a diameter greater than d2, and an interface having a restricted bore hole having a diameter no greater than a diameter d3 below Ts, and no less than a diameter d4 above Ts, wherein connector configuration is COE-2>COE-1 with d>d3 and d2d4.
US09016954B2	Optical fiber connector An optical fiber connector includes a housing unit and a coupling unit. The housing unit includes an outer shell. The coupling unit includes a hollow seat assembled to the outer shell, a coupling seat assembled to the hollow seat and disposed in the outer shell, a core tube having a front portion disposed in the hollow seat and a rear portion proximate to the coupling seat, and a biasing member for providing a biasing force to bias the core tube away from the coupling seat.
US09016953B2	Fiber optic connector, fiber optic connector and cable assembly, and methods for manufacturing A fiber optic cable and connector assembly including a fiber optic connector mounted at the end of a fiber optic cable. The fiber optic connector includes a ferrule assembly including a stub fiber supported within a ferrule. The stub fiber is fusion spliced to an optical fiber of the fiber optic cable at a location within the fiber optic connector.
US09016952B2	Roller bearings A roller bearing that includes a number of rolling elements located between an inner ring and an outer ring, a housing component to which the outer ring is non-rigidly attached, wherein the outer ring is designed in a single piece and comprises a track section that abuts against the housing component, a spring section comprising radial inner and radial outer spring rods and a flange that is bolted to the housing component, wherein the radial inner springrods are connected together with the radial outer spring rods by way of a single connecting ring.
US09016950B2	Stabilized backing ring and stabilizing ring therefor An axle (A) has a journal (2) to which an antifriction bearing (B) is fitted on an enlarged or dust guard section (4) located beyond the journal, with a fillet (6) leading from the journal up to the enlarged section. A backing ring (R) fits over and against the fillet of the journal and has a counterbore (48) that receives the adjacent end of the enlarged section. A stabilizing ring (S) fits into the counterbore of the backing ring and around the enlarged section of the journal to stabilize the backing ring and thereby reduce radial and circumferential movement between it and the fillet of the journal. The stabilizing ring includes a rigidifying element (54) that fits over the enlarged section of the axle with an interference fit and a more flexible compression member (56) that lies within the counterbore where it exists in a state of compression between the counterbore and the rigidifying element. The stabilizing ring allows some microaxial movement of the backing ring.
US09016946B2	Slide plate hinge for portable electronic device terminal A slide plate hinge comprises a fixed plate, and a slide plate. A slide plate sliding guide groove is respectively arranged on each of both sides of the fixed plate. The central section of the groove wall at one side of the sliding guide groove is of an elastic structure, and the elastic structure and the groove wall at the other side of the sliding guide groove clamps the slide plate. The slide plate hinge can implement the sliding guide and friction clamping on the slide plate by use of the sliding guide groove of an elastic structure, with high structural integration and concealability, thereby enabling the slide plate hinge to still have good hand feeling even without driving springs and enabling the slide plate to be stopped at any time amid the sliding process. The driving springs are not indispensable, so the thickness of the hinge can be reduced.
US09016944B2	Packaging material and method for microwave and steam cooking of food products A packaging device allowing for the distribution, storage and cooking of various food products, such as perishable or frozen food product(s). The packaging device includes a plurality of micro-perforations that may promote the extended shelf-life of the perishable food product and the maintenance of the quality of the perishable food product or be configured to maintain the integrity of a frozen food product. The packaging device also includes a venting system that allows the cooking of the perishable or frozen food products within the packaging device.
US09016939B2	Thermal sensor with second-order temperature curvature correction Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a stacked integrated chip structure having a thermal sensor that detects a temperature of one or a plurality of integrated chips. In some embodiments, the stacked integrated chip structure has a main integrated chip and a secondary integrated chip located on an interposer wafer. The main integrated chip has a reference voltage source that generates a bias current. The secondary integrated chip has a second thermal diode that receives the bias current and based thereupon generates a second thermal sensed voltage and a second reference voltage that is proportional to a temperature of the secondary integrated chip. A digital thermal sensor within the main integrated chip determines a temperature of the secondary integrated chip based upon as comparison of the second thermal sensed voltage and the reference voltage.
US09016937B2	Sensor An electrical temperature sensor (10) comprises a liquid crystalline material (12). First and second electrically conductive contacts (14), (16), having a spaced relationship therebetween, contact the liquid crystalline material (12). An electric property measuring device is electrically connected to the first and second contacts (14), (16) and is arranged to measure an electric property of the liquid crystalline material (12). The liquid crystalline material (12) has a transition temperature T at which it undergoes a phase change between polar and non-polar phases. The phase change between polar and non-polar phases causes a change in said electric property of the liquid crystalline material (12).
US09016929B2	Apparatus for mixing and controlling the temperature of laboratory vessel contents The present invention relates to an apparatus for mixing and controlling the temperature of laboratory vessel contents with an accommodating device in detachable connection with an exchangeable block for accommodating and controlling the temperature of laboratory vessels and with a drive by which the accommodating device can be set in a mixing motion, and with a temperature control device with a heat source or sink in heat-conducting connection with the exchangeable block at least through in each case at least one adjoining contact face firstly on the accommodating device and secondly on the exchangeable block, which is characterized in that the detachable connection is maintained by a spring element which, by virtue of its spring force, horizontally clamps together a first undercut between the accommodating device and the exchangeable block in at least one first direction.
US09016928B1	Eddy current minimizing flow plug for use in flow conditioning and flow metering An eddy-current-minimizing flow plug has an outer radial wall with open flow channels formed between the plug's inlet and outlet. The plug has a central region coupled to the inner surface of the outer radial wall. Each open flow channel includes (i) a first portion originating at the inlet and converging to a location in the plug where convergence is contributed to by changes in thickness of the outer radial wall and divergence of the central region, and (ii) a second portion originating in the plug and diverging to the outlet where divergence is contributed to by changes in thickness of the outer radial wall and convergence of the central region. For at least a portion of the open flow channels, a central axis passing through the first and second portions is non-parallel with respect to the given direction of the flow.
US09016925B2	Mixer for biphasic compounds Mixer for biphasic compounds, including a chamber for containing a solid phase and a cartridge containing a phial of a liquid phase, said chamber and said cartridge being able to communicate through respective channels, wherein said cartridge includes an external casing made in a deformable material and said phial is of the breakable type.
US09016921B2	Backlight unit and liquid crystal display device including the same A light emitting diode assembly includes: a light emitting diode (LED) printed circuit board (PCB) having a base layer, an insulating layer on the base layer and a circuit pattern layer on the insulating layer, the LED PCB including a plurality of through holes spaced apart from each other; and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) inserted into the plurality of through holes, respectively, from a bottom surface of the LED PCB, each of the plurality of LEDs including a lead contacting the circuit pattern layer.
US09016920B2	Backlight module and LCD device The present disclosure provides a backlight module and a liquid crystal display (LCD) device. The backlight module includes a light guide panel (LGP), a lightbar, and a backplane. The LGP is arranged in the backplane, and the lightbar is arranged on a side of the LGP. The backlight module further includes heating devices that heat two opposite ends of the lightbar. When the lightbar operates, the heating devices emit heat to increase operating temperature of the two opposite ends of the lightbar to make the operating temperature of the two opposite ends of the lightbar to be close to or equal to operating temperature of middle of the lightbar.
US09016918B2	Lighting device A lighting device is disclosed that is configured for mounting in or on a motor vehicle. The lighting device comprises a light guiding element and a light source. The light guiding element has a light entry face and a light exit face. A depth of the lighting device perpendicular to the light exit face corresponds essentially fully to the depth of the light guiding element.
US09016914B2	Light source unit assembly A light source unit assembly includes a light source, a light guide member, a light source housing member housing the light source, a light guide member holder, and a mounting member. The light guide member includes a light entrance portion and a light exit portion from which the light entering the light entrance portion exits. The light guide member holder supports an end portion of the light guide member including the light exit portion. The mounting member is provided to a vehicular interior part and each of the light source housing member and the light guide member holder is independently mounted to the mounting member. Each of the light source housing member and the light guide member holder has a connecting portion with which the light source housing member and the light guide member holder are connected to each other such that the light entrance portion faces the light source.
US09016910B2	Vehicular component incorporating concealable indicia with controlled light transmission A vehicular trim component with interior and exterior surfaces, the vehicular trim component comprising: an at least partially light-transmissive substrate having opposite first and second surfaces; an illumination source adjacent the second surface of the substrate, the illumination source actuatable between an illuminated state and a non-illuminated state; and a variably light-transmissive layer on the first surface of the substrate. The variably light-transmissive layer includes a non-light-transmissive opaque portion and a light-transmissive portion. The light-transmissive portion comprises one or more lines defined through the opaque portion and arranged to define visually perceptible indicia when backlit by the illumination source in its illuminated state. Each line is visually imperceptible to the naked eye from a distance of at least as close as approximately 3 feet from the trim component when the illumination source is in its non-illuminated state.
US09016907B2	Air cooled horticulture lighting fixture for a double ended high pressure sodium lamp An air cooled double ended high pressure sodium lamp fixture for growing plants in confined indoor spaces. The fixture seals the lamp and heat generated by the same to a reflector interior. Flow disruptors create turbulence in a cooling chamber thereby enhancing thermal transfer into a cooling air stream that flows over and around the reflector's exterior side thereby convectively cooling the lamp using the reflector as a heat sink. The lamp is effectively maintained at operational temperatures and the fixture housing is insulated from the hotter reflector by a gap of moving cooling air, allowing use of the double ended HPS lamp in confined indoor growing spaces.
US09016905B1	Decorative replacement cover with onyx lens for recessed light fixture in wall or stair riser A cover for a recessed light fixture includes a base plate mounted on a surface such that an outer perimeter of the base plate surrounds the recessed light fixture. A lens frame is removably secured to the base plate. The lens frame includes a recess that receives an onyx lens that is sized and shaped to fit within the recess. The onyx lens is secured between a lens border of the lens frame and the outer perimeter of the base plate so that the onyx lens is positioned over the recessed light fixture. Light from a lamp within the recessed light fixture passes through the onyx lens and is emitted from a polished surface of the onyx lens to provide a pleasing decorative glow for illuminating a step or other passageway.
US09016902B1	Illuminating building block with high light transmission An illuminating building block with high light transmission includes a base, a top cover, a circuit board and at least one illuminating member. The illuminating building block uses electric connection members connected with the circuit board to electrically connect with the adjacent illuminating building block. Because the electric connection members are disposed by the top cover and a side wall, the electric connection members do not block the light emitted from the illuminating member. Thus, the illuminating building block is provided with the characteristic of high light transmission. Moreover, due to elasticity of the electric connection members, the electric connection members are pressed against the circuit board of the adjacent illuminating building block. Therefore, the electric connection between connected illuminating building blocks is more secure.
US09016898B2	Circuit board including light-emitting elements and display apparatus including the circuit board A circuit board for a display apparatus includes a substrate, a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged substantially in a line on the substrate, and a plurality of branch lines connecting the light-emitting elements to each other in series. A first group of the plurality of branch lines is formed on a first side of the line of the plurality of light-emitting elements, and a second group of the plurality of branch lines is formed on a second, opposing side of the line of the plurality of light-emitting elements.
US09016897B1	Inductive light source module An inductive light-source module including a casing, a substrate, light sources, a circuit board, an infrared sensing device, a bi-incident lens and a control unit is provided. The substrate disposed in the casing includes a carrying surface facing a transparent portion of the casing. The light sources connected to the substrate are disposed on the carrying surface. The infrared sensing device is connected to the circuit board. The bi-incident lens disposed on the transparent portion is located on a light path of each light for scattering visible lights to pass through the transparent portion and transmit to the outside, and converging the infrared from the outside to the infrared sensing device. The control unit is coupled to the light sources and the infrared sensing device to drive the light sources to emit the visible lights according to a sensing signal generated by the infrared sensing device when sensing the infrared.
US09016887B2	Flashlight sleeve A gripping device is disclosed that provides police officers, security guards, hunters, homeowners, and anyone else who uses a long-handled flashlight with an easy, insulated, comfortable, glow-in-the-dark way to get a good tactical grip on the flashlight. The gripping device comprises a flexible sleeve member that is expandable for receiving at least a portion of the main body of the flashlight. The flexible sleeve member comprises open, opposing ends, and is tubular in shape with a generally circular outer circumference. The exterior surface of the flexible sleeve member comprises a plurality of recessed finger and thumb grooves for easily gripping the flashlight, and a smooth cushioned area for allowing a user to hold the flashlight between a chin and a shoulder. Further, the recessed finger and thumb grooves comprise glow-in-the-dark phosphorescent cell inlays to illuminate the flashlight at night or in low light areas.
US09016881B2	Beam guide and method for adjusting the opening angle of a laser beam Beam guides for guiding a laser beam from a driver laser device in the direction of a target position for generating extreme ultraviolet (“EUV”) radiation are disclosed. The beam guides include a device for increasing or decreasing the beam diameter of the laser beam. The device includes a first off-axis parabolic mirror having a first convex curved reflecting surface and a second off-axis parabolic mirror having a second concave curved reflecting surface. The beam guides also include a moving device arranged to change a distance between the first and the second reflecting surfaces to change the opening angle (α), e.g., the convergence or divergence angle, of the laser beam. Methods for adjusting an opening angle (α) of a laser beam using such beam guides are also disclosed.
US09016878B1	Molded optical element with parabolic mirror and integral plane turning mirror An optical element is described that is a single molded piece. It includes a parabolic mirror configured to reflect substantially collimated light incident along a first axis. The reflected light converges towards a virtual focal point located along a second axis. The piece also includes a plane turning mirror positioned with respect to the parabolic mirror such that the converging light hits a surface of the plane mirror after traveling a distance less than a focal length of the parabolic mirror. The plane mirror reflects the incident converging light outward as exit light, which focuses at a final focus point located a nonzero distance from the plane mirror. The final focus point is located in a plane defined by the second axis and a third axis, and is offset at a nonzero angle from the third axis relative to a point on the surface of the plane mirror.
US09016874B2	Projector A projector being operated at a working surface is provided. The projector includes a casing, a light source module and a transparent blocking member. The casing has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is adjacent to the working surface and opposite to the second surface. The second surface has an opening. The light source module corresponding to the opening is disposed in the casing. The light source module can be assembled and disassembled through the opening. The transparent blocking member is disposed on the second surface and covers the opening.
US09016873B2	Three dimensional image projector stabilization circuit A method for providing a feedback circuit for a three dimensional projector. First and second input devices and a sensor for determining the rotational speed of the second input device are provided. A control device for controlling the rotational speed of the second input device and a phase locked loop (PLL) are provided. A phase reference signal is created based on the signal rate of the first input device. A phase signal is created based on the rotational speed of the second input device. The PLL compares the phase reference signal and the phase feedback signal to determine whether the first input device and the second input device are synchronized. A signal is sent to the control device for the second input device to change the rotational speed of the second input device in response to determining that the first input device and the second input device are not synchronized.
US09016871B2	Heat dissipation structure of projection device and heat dissipation method thereof A heat dissipation structure of a projection device includes at least one fan, at least one light emitting unit, at least one air guide, and a sensing device. The fan with an outlet is used for providing a cooling flow. The light emitting unit is used for providing a light beam. The air guide is dismountable disposed in front of the outlet. The air guide is used for guiding the cooling flow to a hot spot of the light emitting unit. The sensing device is used for sensing a projection direction of the projection device.
US09016868B2	Image projection apparatus An image projection apparatus for projecting an image on a projection plane includes a light source; a light source housing to encase the light source; a ventilation unit to send air to the light source; and a flow path set between the light source housing and a side face of the image projection apparatus. A part of the air sent to the light source, by using the ventilation unit, is flowed into the flow path.
US09016865B2	Illumination device and projection type display device using the same Illumination device includes a light source (101); an illumination optical system (102, 103, 104, 106, 107) that spatially splits each of the plurality of color light beams emitted from the light source, superimposes the split light beams of each of the plurality of color light beams, and emits the superimposed light beams to a display element (110); a reflective polarization plate (109) that is arranged between the illumination optical system (102, 103, 104, 106, 107) and the display element (110) and that transmits first polarized light and reflects second polarized light whose polarization state is different from that of the first polarized light toward the illumination optical system (102, 103, 104, 106, 107); a reflection element (105) that is arranged at a position where each of the plurality of color light beams is spatially split by the illumination optical system and that transmits the split light beams of each of the color light beams and reflects, of the split light beams of each of the color light beams that have been transmitted through the reflective polarization plate (109), each color light beam reflected by the reflective polarization plate toward the reflective polarization plate (109); and a phase plate (108) arranged between the reflection element (105) and the reflective polarization plate (109).
US09016861B2	Adaptive optics apparatus, adaptive optics method, and imaging apparatus An adaptive optics apparatus includes an aberration measuring unit that measures an aberration caused by a test object, the aberration being measured on the basis of returning light that returns from the test object; an aberration correcting unit that performs aberration correction in accordance with the aberration measured by the aberration measuring unit; an irradiation unit that irradiates the test object with light corrected by the aberration correcting unit; and an acquiring unit that acquires information based on a transmittance of the test object on the basis of the aberration measured by the aberration measuring unit.
US09016856B2	Screwless eyeglasses A temple assembly of a pair of eyeglasses is coupled to a frame body without screws. The temple assembly of eyeglasses includes a first connecting member and a second connecting member. The first connecting member includes a lever arm portion and a latching portion extended by the lever arm portion along the direction distal from said frame body. The second connecting member includes an elastic portion and an engaging portion extended by the elastic portion along the direction distal from the frame body; wherein the latching portion detachably coupled to the engaging portion, the elastic portion approached elastically to the lever arm portion. Thereby, an end piece of the frame body is rotatably coupled between the lever arm portion and the elastic portion.
US09016851B2	Recording apparatus A first guide includes a guiding face to support a recording medium on an upstream of a head in a conveyance direction, a recess formed on the upstream of the head in the conveyance direction, and a protrusion to protrude from the guiding face through the recess. The protrusion includes a first slope upwardly inclined from an upstream end of the protrusion toward the downstream. Atop of the protrusion is positioned on the same level as or an upper level than an upstream end of a supporter, when the supporter is at an opposing position and the protrusion protrudes from the guiding face.
US09016842B2	Liquid container and apparatus in which liquid container is mountable A liquid container and an apparatus in which the liquid container is mountable are provided, the liquid container and the apparatus enabling the presence or absence of remaining liquid to be checked without the need for a power source and even after the liquid container is removed. The pressure in a communication path is maintained while ink in a containing section is not supplied to the exterior. Thus, the displacement state of a detection valve which is displaced depending on the pressure in the communication path can be maintained even after removal of an ink tank.
US09016839B2	Liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting apparatus and actuator A liquid ejecting head including a pressure generation chamber communicating with a nozzle. The head includes a piezoelectric element having a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer, provided on the first electrode, a second electrode provided on the piezoelectric layer, and a third electrode provided on the second electrode. The third electrode is provided on the second electrode to cover a region that faces the pressure generation chamber.
US09016835B1	MEMS actuator pressure compensation structure for decreasing humidity A printhead including a venting system and an actuator array, wherein each actuator may include an actuator air chamber. The venting system includes an air path that vents each actuator air chamber to the atmosphere. The printhead further includes a dryer configured to remove moisture from air within the air path. The dryer may include a passive desiccant, an active resistive heater, or both.
US09016834B2	Liquid ejection head, method of manufacturing liquid ejection head and image forming apparatus A liquid ejection head includes: a flow channel unit having a plurality of pressure chambers arranged in a plane; and piezoelectric actuators which change volume of the plurality of pressure chambers so as to apply pressure to liquid inside the plurality of the pressure chambers respectively, wherein the piezoelectric actuators comprise: a diaphragm which constitutes one wall of the plurality of pressure chambers; a common electrode formed on a surface of the diaphragm; a piezoelectric layer formed on a surface of the common electrode; a plurality of ring-shaped individual electrodes formed on a surface of the piezoelectric layer and formed in regions which overlap respectively with marginal portions which are non-central portions of the plurality of pressure chambers, as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane; and central electrodes connected electrically to the common electrode, and formed so as not to make contact with the plurality of ring-shaped individual electrodes in inner regions of the plurality of ring-shaped individual electrodes, as viewed from the direction perpendicular to the plane.
US09016833B2	Printing apparatus A printing apparatus which prints onto a recording medium by causing a print head to move in a main scanning direction includes a flexible cable through which, together with an arc-shaped loop, a signal is transmitted from a control substrate to the print head, a supporting member which is provided at a position which supports a portion of the flexible cable from the print head to the loop, and an insulating film which is provided between the supporting member and the flexible cable.
US09016832B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus A liquid ejecting apparatus, including: a head having an ejection surface; a head holder; a capping mechanism for capping the ejection surface, having: a facing member with a facing surface to face the ejection surface; and a protrusion provided on the head holder for isolating, from an external space, an ejection space formed between the ejection surface and the facing surface when a tip of the protrusion contacts the facing surface; and a humidifying mechanism having: a circulation passage whose first and second ends are open to the ejection space through openings thereof provided in one of the head and the head holder; and a humidifier for humidifying an air in the passage, the humidifying mechanism being configured to collect an air in the ejection space from the opening of the first end and to supply an air humidified by the humidifier into the ejection space from the opening of the second end.
US09016827B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including: a liquid ejecting head that relatively moves in a first direction with regard to a discharged medium, and discharges liquid with regard to the discharged medium; a transport section that relatively transports the discharged medium in a second direction with regard to the liquid ejecting head; an adsorption section that adsorbs a surface of the discharged medium, which is opposite to the liquid ejecting head; and a control section that performs control such that the adsorption section performs absorption when the liquid ejecting head discharges the liquid with regard to the discharged medium and such that adsorption force is caused to be weak compared to a case in which the liquid is discharged when the discharged medium is relatively transported in the second direction by the transport section.
US09016825B2	Image processing apparatus, image processing method and image printing apparatus When an image is printed with inks each containing a polymer emulsion and a film forming agent, the ejection of the inks is controlled so that the ink having a relatively low dynamic surface tension forms dots having a higher dot connectivity than the dots formed with the ink having a relatively high dynamic surface tension.
US09016823B1	Color-to-color correction in a printing system A printing system for printing multiple copies of a print job having one or more documents is disclosed. A plurality of printheads prints each of a plurality of color planes of a first copy of the print job. One or more processors determine a first plurality of color registration errors produced during the printing of the first copy of the print job. Global color plane correction values for each document of the print job are determined. The global color plane correction values are adjusted locally for each document based on the first plurality of local color plane correction values. The plurality of printheads prints a second copy of the print job using the locally adjusted global color plane correction values for each document in the print job.
US09016820B2	Printing apparatus and control method thereof A printing apparatus includes a printhead having a first nozzle array and a second nozzle array for discharging ink, a reading unit, a first obtaining unit configured to obtain first information about a shift amount between printing positions for the first and second nozzle arrays, a print control unit configured to print first and second distance detection patterns with the first and second nozzle arrays, a second obtaining unit configured to obtain second information about a distance between printing positions of the first and second distance detection patterns in accordance with a result of the first and second distance detection patterns, and a determination unit configured to determine an ink discharge timing in accordance with the first and second information.
US09016817B2	Printing apparatus, printing method and computer program product A printing apparatus that is an inkjet printing apparatus includes a print head that includes a plurality of nozzles that eject liquid droplets, and prints output data onto a recording medium in a plurality of scans, a storage unit including number of storage areas, the number being determined based on a scheme of the scans, an intermediate data generating unit that generates intermediate data corresponding to an image to be output in each of the scans of the print head from input image data, an intermediate data storing processing unit that stores the intermediate data in different storage areas of the storage unit corresponding to the respective scans of the print head, and an output data converting unit that converts the intermediate data stored in the storage unit into the output data, and sends the output data to the print head.
US09016816B2	System and method for per drop electrical signal waveform modulation for ink drop placement in inkjet printing A method for operating an inkjet printer includes identifying a pattern of ink drops ejected from an inkjet with reference to image data for a printed image, identifying a waveform component for an electrical signal operating the inkjet to eject an ink drop in the pattern of ink drops with reference to at least a portion of the image data, and generating the electrical signal with the identified waveform component to eject the ink drop in the pattern of ink drops at a first velocity onto a first location of an image receiving surface.
US09016813B2	Floating time bar A rack-and-pinion mechanism includes a first rack and a second rack, a first pinion and a second pinion, and a timing bar. Each of the racks includes a first set of teeth provided longitudinally therealong. Each of the first pinion and the second pinion includes a second set of teeth provided circumferentially therearound. The first pinion and the second pinion are configured to rotate along the first rack and the second rack respectively through engagement of the second set of teeth with the first set of teeth. The timing bar includes a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end are configured to be coupled to the first pinion and the second pinion respectively so that the first and second pinions rotate as one. The first pinion is configured to be movable with respect to the timing bar along a longitudinal axis of the timing bar.
US09016812B2	Translatable support mechanism A translatable support mechanism is provided. The translatable support mechanism includes a storage component, a pair of supports, and a pair of gear sets. The pair of supports and the pair of gear sets support the storage component such that the storage component is translatable between an open and closed position along a transverse direction.
US09016811B2	Apparatus for concealing household objects The invention is a device for concealing personal items comprising a release, a pivot, a drawer cradle, and a support. The pivot is fixedly connected to the support and rotatably connected to the drawer cradle. The drawer cradle may be in an activated position or a deactivated position. When the release is activated gravity operates to rotate the drawer cradle about the pivot.
US09016808B2	Vehicle brake device In a vehicle brake device, a port is provided at a hydraulic chamber of a master cylinder and communicates with a reservoir tank. A piston movable in the hydraulic chamber for closing the port is provided with at least one piston-side port that faces on the port when at a first position. When a brake pedal is stepped on from a retracted state to move the piston from the first position to a second position spaced from the first position by a predetermined distance, the hydraulic chamber is blocked from the communication with the reservoir tank. The at least one piston-side port is provided therein with an orifice, so that the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic chamber is raised at the time of a quick stepping of the brake pedal but is allowed to flow to the reservoir tank without being raised at the time of a non-quick stepping.
US09016803B2	Axle mounting assemblies and children's products having axle mounting assemblies Axle mounting assemblies including an object, an axle, and a bushing assembly that operatively couples the object to the axle. The bushing assembly includes a bushing portion that extends at least partially through and engages a hub of the object, a fastener operatively retained relative to a bore defined by the bushing portion and positioned around the end region of the axle, and a force-receiving portion configured to selectively receive an installation force for operatively positioning the fastener over the end region of the axle.
US09016800B2	Auxiliary drivetrain for a cold planer A cold planer is disclosed. The cold planer may have a frame, a drum rotatably mounted to the frame, and a gear box connected to the drum. The cold planer may also have a drive pulley connected to the gear box, a primary motor, and a drive belt connecting the primary motor to the drive pulley. The cold planer may further have a service pulley connected to the gear box, a service motor, and a service belt that connects the service motor to the service pulley. The cold planer may additionally have the gear box being configured to transfer motion from the drive pulley and the service pulley to the drum.
US09016799B2	Mobile oil sands mining system A method of increasing a dwell time of a slurry facility at a given ore processing location by using a mobile oil sands mining system. The method involves coordinating the operation of at least two mining conveyors to facilitate mining at least one arc-shaped sector of ore that otherwise would not be within operational reach of the slurry facility at the ore processing location. The method increases the slurry facility's operational time at the ore processing location before relocation thereof is required to keep the slurry facility within operational reach of at least one receding mine face.
US09016795B2	Vehicle seat A vehicle seat that may assure stiffness of a seatback and that may realize a reduction in weight. In the present rear seat for a vehicle, a substantially X-shaped X-rib (24) is joined to a panel frame (22) of a rear seatback. A first reinforcement portion (24A) of the X-rib (24) spans in a linear shape between an anchor wire (68), which is a point of action of a load, and a first supported portion (22A) of the panel frame (22), which is supported at a vehicle body via a turning hinge (48). A second reinforcement portion (24B), which has a length direction middle portion in common with the first reinforcement portion (24A), spans in a linear shape between a second supported portion (22B) of the panel frame (22), which is supported at the vehicle body via a turning hinge (56), and a third supported portion (22C) of the panel frame (22), which is supported at the vehicle body via a lock mechanism (64).
US09016794B2	Modular chair and method of assembly A modular chair includes a lower support portion, a seat portion, and a back portion. The seat portion includes a front area having a retaining member which cooperates with a corresponding cross bar on the lower support portion, and a rear area including one or more slots therein. The back portion includes one or more protrusions, which are received in the slots of the seat portion, so that the seat portion is secured between the cross bar of the lower support portion via the retaining member and the protrusions of the back portion. The back portion is secured to the lower support portion via a latch mechanism accessible to a user.
US09016793B2	Adjustable armrest device An adjustable armrest includes a housing with opposite walls. Each of the walls has a bore formed in it. The boxes support a pivot pin with a gear so that the armrest is pivotable on the pin. A ratchet with a pawl is pivotably connected to and carried by the armrest. The ratchet is also configured so that the pawl may engage the gear to define incremental ratcheting movement of the armrest on the pin when the armrest is pivoted in one direction. There is also provided a cam ring selectively movable with the armrest for rotational engagement with the gear. The cam ring has an exterior cam surface that contacts a portion of the ratchet and pivots the ratchet clear of engagement with the gear when the armrest is pivoted in another direction. The new armrest incorporates fewer components lowering cost of production, improving torsion force and load bearing capabilities, improving life of the furniture piece and strengthening armrest and furniture piece assembly.
US09016787B2	Vehicle seat Vehicle seat has at least a front foot, a rear foot, a four-link configuration having four link parts coupled to one another via hinge points, and a compensation spring. Front foot and rear foot are accommodated in a longitudinal rail in a longitudinally adjustable manner, and the rear foot is releasable from the longitudinal rail after unlocking. Vehicle seat is movable forward from a seating position having a locked rear foot, after rear foot is unlocked, into a functional position with adjustment of four-link configuration, and with at least temporary assistance from the compensation spring. Vehicle seat has a locking apparatus which automatically locks or clamps together at least two link parts of the four-link configuration in order to compensate for production-related tolerances. Four link parts may include a seat part, a backrest part, a receiving part, and a coupling rocker.
US09016780B2	Seat structure for saddle-ride type vehicle A seat structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle for an occupant to sit on. The seat structure includes an outer frame portion, left and right frame portions, a seat skin, recessed portions, and a cushion member. The frame portion includes a through-hole formed at least at a seating position for the occupant to sit on. The left and right frame portions are disposed along left and right side surfaces of the vehicle. The seat skin has elasticity and is fixed to the outer frame portion while predetermined tensile force is applied thereto. The seat skin is disposed to cover a portion facing the through-hole. The recessed portions are formed on the left and right frame portions and are recessed toward an inner side in a vehicle width direction. A cushion member is disposed between the left and right frame portions and the seat skin.
US09016777B2	Armrest for vehicle The present invention relates to an armrest for a vehicle. The armrest includes: an intake port which is formed in a front surface of a front end of an armrest body; an exhaust port which is formed in a rear end of the armrest body; a blower which is installed in the armrest body and connected to the intake port by an intake duct; a plurality of cup holders which are arranged in a row above the intake duct; an exhaust duct which extends from the blower and branching off into a plurality of diverged parts that pass by the respective cup holders and are connected to the exhaust port; and a thermoelement which is provided on each of the cup holders and is brought into close contact with the exhaust duct.
US09016775B2	Lightweight construction element for a vehicle body A lightweight construction element (2) for a body of a motor vehicle (1) with a support frame (3) having four frame parts (5, 6, 7, 8), which essentially spans a square and with panelling (4) mounted on the support frame (3). The the support frame (3) is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic and has at least two intersecting braces (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20) that are designed according to bionic aspects and in which the intersection or intersections (15, 18) are connected and each of which join two of the frame parts (5, 6, 7, 8) perpendicular to one another with one another.
US09016771B2	Mounting part for body attachment parts in the automotive field, and a mounting arrangement having a mounting part of said type A mounting part is provided for body attachment parts (6, 8, 9, 10) in the automotive field, such as paneling elements, lamp casings for lamp units, etc. The mounting part has at least one first, body-side fastening arrangement (22) and at least one second, attachment-part-side fastening arrangement (26, 28). At least one flow cross section (30) is provided for fluidically connecting the atmosphere to a cooling device (11).
US09016768B2	Vehicle front end structure A vehicle front end structure includes an engine cradle, an engine assembly and a lateral energy transfer member. The engine cradle includes a side engine cradle member with an engine mounting structure, which is located rearward of a front corner of the engine cradle. The engine assembly is fixedly attached to the engine mounting structure of the side engine cradle member. The lateral energy transfer member is fixedly attached to the side engine cradle member between the front corner and the engine mounting structure. The lateral energy transfer member has an engine contact surface positioned adjacent an engine structure of the engine assembly with a prescribed lateral gap between the engine contact surface and the engine structure. The prescribed lateral gap is dimensioned to transfer lateral energy to the engine assembly from a lateral force applied to the side engine cradle member.
US09016762B2	Vehicle door structure A vehicle door structure 1 comprises a slide door panel 6 for opening and closing a front region of a rear door opening in a vehicle body 2, a swing door panel 7 for opening and closing a rear region of the rear door opening in cooperation with the slide door panel 6, an opening degree detection mechanism 30 for presuming a locked state on the slide door panel 6 and swing door panel 7 by detecting the opening degree of the slide door panel 6, and a handle idling mechanism 31, provided with the swing door panel 7, for nullifying an operation of a swing door handle 10 when the swing door panel 7 is fully closed.
US09016760B2	All-terrain vehicle An all-terrain vehicle includes a seat extending in a vehicle width direction and capable of accommodating a driver and at least one passenger, and a door provided on a lateral side of a vehicle body and openable and closable for allowing the driver and the passenger to enter and exit the vehicle. The door is open at an upper part thereof so that in a side view of the vehicle, a face of the driver or passenger is visible from the outside. A top edge of the door has a first region overlapping the driver or the passenger and a second region other than the first region. The top edge is higher at the first region than at the second region.
US09016759B2	Vehicle including net structure A utility bed includes a bed frame, a side wall, and a door. The door at least partially defines a passageway and is pivotally coupled with the side wall and pivotable between an opened position and a closed position. A securing portion is configured for selective routing through the handle and releasable coupling to an adjacent portion of the utility bed.
US09016756B2	Vehicle floor mat Provided is a vehicle floor mat reducing a load on a mat main body. The vehicle floor mat includes at least one fastening device for fastening the mat main body to a vehicle. The fastening device includes a first fastening member fixed to the vehicle and a second fastening member fixed to the mat main body. The first fastening member includes a vertical rotating knob, and the second fastening member includes: an insertion receiving section for the rotating knob to be inserted thereinto and engaged therewith; and upper and lower half bodies sandwiching the mat main body and being connected to each other through a half body connecting portion for the rotating knob to be inserted thereinto and at least one outer connecting portion disposed outside the half body connecting portion provided around the insertion receiving section, thus improving a connecting strength between the upper and lower half bodies.
US09016752B2	Vehicle pocket assembly A pocket assembly for accommodating a portable electronic device in a vehicle includes a storage compartment and at least one port disposed within the storage compartment for operatively connecting to the portable electronic device. The storage compartment is disposed within the vehicle and is defined by at least one wall. An aperture is defined in the at least one wall for receiving an excess portion of a connecting cord adapted to operatively connect the portable electronic device to the at least one port.
US09016746B2	Train axle assembly A train axle assembly includes a train axle, a ring assembly coaxially mounted on the train axle and a structure operatively engaged by the ring assembly and mounted on the train axle. The ring assembly has an outer diameter and a main section adjacent the outer diameter. The ring assembly includes a projection extending axially from the main section which is located at a diameter less than the outer diameter of the ring assembly. The projection has a portion of a diameter contacting the train axle so that the ring assembly is affixed to the train axle to provide resistance to relative rotation and axial movement between the ring assembly and the train axial.
US09016741B1	System for lifting, moving and transporting a vehicle via multiple slings connected to a common lifting vertex, and method of retrofitting a vehicle to facilitate lifting A system for lifting a vehicle via multiple slings comprises a vehicle not engineered with structural facility to withstand lifting forces, including a frame which unmodified will deform in response to vertically imposed lifting forces, frame reinforcing elements affixed to the frame at selected locations which are subject to lifting deformation, at least two lifting members at spaced-apart forward frame locations, at least two lifting members at spaced-apart rearward frame locations, and a plurality of elongate slings extending respectively between each lifting member and a common lifting vertex. Each lifting member has an enlarged lower base portion rigidly affixed to the frame and an upper lifting portion. The frame reinforcing elements resist deformation of the frame in response to vertically imposed lifting forces. The enlarged base portions of the lifting members apply forces over a correspondingly enlarged area of the frame and the reinforcing elements without deforming the frame.
US09016740B2	Vacuum-lifting device A vacuum-lifting device of variable configurations includes a first slat element, a second slat element, and four suction members. The first slat element is detachably fixed to the second slat element, and the first slat element intersects with the second slat element defining an intersection. A first slot is defined in the first slat element and a second slot is defined in the second slat element. Two of the four suction members are translatably secured in the first slot. The other two of the four suction members are translatably secured in the second slot.
US09016737B2	Compressive sensor packaging techniques A sensor assembly for a motor vehicle adapted for sensing impacts including pedestrian impacts. The sensor assembly includes first and second energy absorbing elements formed of differing materials which couple an applied force to the vehicle to a compressive force acting on a compressive sensor element. The first and second energy absorbers are combined in a manner to tune the response between the applied force and forces acting on the compressive sensor to provide desired response characteristics. The first and second energy absorbers can be configured to produce force flow paths which further aid in response tuning. Another embodiment utilizes an energy absorber having a shaped cross section which focuses and balances impact force is applied to the compressive sensor.
US09016730B2	Connecting mechanism A method for connecting at least a first component (1) and a second component (2) together, wherein each said component (1, 2) comprises at least one keyway arrangement extending along the component (1, 2) and keyways (11, 13) of the keyway arrangement are spaced apart from one another. The method comprises the steps of: aligning the keyway arrangements of the first and second components (1, 2) such that the keyways (11, 13) intermesh to provide a continuous keyway passage extending longitudinally between the intermeshed keyways (11, 13); and, extending a keyway connector (3) comprising an arrangement of keys longitudinally within the continuous keyway passage such that the keys are retained by the keyways (11, 13) of the keyway arrangements.
US09016728B2	Connector A connector includes a connector main body having a mounting tube for mounting a hose; and a lock member loosely fitted in a guide member of the connector main body slidably in an axis line direction. The lock member includes a claw member provided to stand from an inner wall face in a mounted hose direction facing thereto. The mounting tube includes a projecting piece on an outer end circumference. After the hose has been inserted into the mounting tube, if the hose or the lock member is pulled, the lock member moves forward, so that the hose is locked by the claw member, and the hose is clamped by the projecting piece provided on a mounting tube side and the lock member. As a result, the hose can be easily connected, and a high sealing property can be obtained.
US09016722B2	Steering column device A steering column device includes a steering column for supporting a steering shaft in a freely rotatable manner, and a guide plate and a column bracket for assembling the steering column onto a part of a vehicle body. The steering column device further includes coupling bolts coupled to the column bracket through guide grooves of the guide plate and movable along the guide grooves when the column bracket moves toward the front of the vehicle relative to the guide plate. Further, an upper column cover movable toward the front of the vehicle together with the steering column is assembled above the steering column at a position corresponding to a vehicle rear of the guide plate. A unit for mitigating an impact is provided to a vehicle rear portion of the guide plate, and is configured to mitigate an impact to be caused when the upper column cover strikes, in the event of collision of the vehicle, against the vehicle rear portion of the guide plate along with movement of the steering column toward the front of the vehicle together with the column bracket.
US09016715B2	Mobility device A mobility device for people who need assisted mobility comprising side support structures for supporting the weight of an occupant in a semi seated position, a back rest structure, a shin rest structure and an arm rest structure. The mobility device of the present invention provides a rear access which is feasible by moving outwardly and upwardly the side support structures.
US09016713B2	Ski binding The invention relates to a ski binding (1) for fastening a ski boot, comprising a front retainer (2); a rear retainer (3); a tensioning mechanism (20) acting between the front and the rear retainer whereby the ski boot can be clamped between the front (2) and the rear (3) retainer in such a way as to allow the heel to be lifted freely; a front sole support device (6) arranged at or by the front retainer (2), the front sole support device being pivotal about the horizontal transverse axis (7) relative to the front retainer (2); and a locking element (8) adapted to fix the front sole support device (6); wherein the locking element (8) is adapted to lift the front sole support device (6) into contact with the front part of the ski boot such that the front sole support device (6) is fixed between the locking element (8) and the front part of the ski boot.
US09016709B1	Steerable and collapsible trailer for use with a motorcycle A trailer for use behind a motorcycle has an elongate frame which is suitable for carrying elongate cargo items thereon. To accommodate the elongate configuration of the frame, the frame is foldable for collapsing in length for storage, and the frame includes a steerable wheel to better track the motorcycle. The steerable wheel is located at the rear of the frame and is laterally centered relative to a steering axis of the wheel. Articulation of a hitching arm of the trailer relative to the frame of the trailer serves as an input to guide steering of the single wheel of the trailer relative to the frame of the trailer.
US09016708B2	Fifth wheel hitch kingpin assembly A kingpin assembly comprises a housing having a recess located therein, a kingpin having at least a portion located within the recess of the housing, a coupler member operably coupled to the kingpin, and a collet member engaging the housing and the kingpin, and engaging the coupler member such that an uncoupling of the coupler member from the kingpin at least partially disengages the collet member from the kingpin.
US09016703B2	Co-axial sway bar for a suspension system A suspension system for a heavy duty truck or trailer is disclosed as having a frame and including a first swing arm having a first elongated portion and a first mounting member having a central axis and coupled to the first elongated portion. The suspension assembly also includes a second swing arm including a second elongated portion and a second mounting member having a central axis and coupled to the second elongated portion. The second mounting member is coaxially aligned with the first mounting member to define an axis of rotation for the first swing arm and the second swing arm. The suspension assembly finally includes a connector coupled to at least one of the first mounting member and the second mounting member and a sway bar having a central axis, wherein the sway bar is coupled to the first swing arm and the second swing arm and positioned such that the central axis of the sway bar is coaxially aligned with the axis of rotation for the first swing arm and the second swing arm.
US09016700B2	Vehicle height control device for motorcycle A damper is provided with a vehicle height control unit including: a jack housing of a hydraulic jack provided at an upper end portion of a vehicle body side tube such that a plunger which defines a jack chamber is fitted on the jack housing so as to be movable up and down; a suspension spring provided between the plunger and a wheel side tube; and a pump housing provided in an upper end portion of a damper cylinder and forming a pump chamber in a hydraulic pump such that a pump pipe forming a part of a piston rod and communicating with an oil chamber in the damper cylinder is slidably inserted into the pump chamber.
US09016696B2	Air seal for server rack An air seal for a server rack installed in a data center which delivers cool air to the fronts of racks and removes warm air at the back, where one or more of the racks are elevated by wheels or legs. A seal support member of rigid plastic and of right angle cross section has a horizontal portion and a vertical portion. The horizontal portion is adhesively secured to a downwardly facing surface at the bottom front and/or back of the rack. The horizontal portion is recessed at opposite ends to accommodate wheels or legs at opposite sides of the rack. The vertical portion extends across the full width of the rack and projects downward. A sealing strip of EPDM foam is adhesively secured to the vertical portion and is held flexed against the floor, forming a seal against the flow of by-pass air underneath the rack.
US09016695B2	Gas turbine exhaust nozzle divergent flap seal A seal assembly for a nozzle in a gas turbine engine includes a connector having a first hinge portion for attaching to the nozzle, a flat portion for sealing against a wall of the engine; and a first hinge for attaching the connector to the flat portion wherein the connector is adapted to rotate relative to the nozzle and the flat portion is adapted to rotate relative to the connector.
US09016691B1	Liquid splat game kit and method of play One embodiment of a liquid splat game kit includes a plurality of squirt bottles for storing water, a plurality of water coloring tablets for transitioning the water into a colored liquid, a plurality of playing cards, and a game-play manual.
US09016686B2	Sheet feeder and image forming apparatus including the same A sheet feeder includes a sheet accommodating section, a sheet loading plate, an operating plate, a sector gear, and a pressing member. The sheet loading plate is turnably supported on a bottom surface of the sheet accommodating section. The operating plate lifts up and down the sheet loading plate. The sector gear transmits drive power from a main body of an image forming apparatus to the operating plate. The pressing member is located at a first location when the sheet loading plate is positioned at the lying down position, and moves to a second location by rotation of the sector gear by a predetermined amount. The first location is a location where the pressing member comes in contact from above with the sheet loading plate at the lying down position, and the second location is a location where the pressing member retreats from the sheet loading plate.
US09016685B2	Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus Provided are a sheet feeding device capable of preventing the occurrence of failure in sheet feeding and degradation in quality of printed matter with downsizing achieved and an image forming apparatus provided with the sheet feeding device.The sheet feeding device includes a sheet storing portion 55 in which sheets are stored, a feeding roller 51 placed above the sheet storing portion, a flexible member 53 placed along part of the peripheral surface of the feeding roller with one end of the flexible member fixed to the sheet storing portion at a position below the stored sheets, and a pulling-up portion 300 that is connected to the other end of the flexible member above the sheet storing portion and that pulls up the flexible member to press the sheet on the feeding roller.
US09016683B2	Media item transportation The present invention provides a method and apparatus for transporting media items along a transport path. The apparatus comprises a first transport member and a further transport member that selectively apply an urging force to at least one media item to urge said media item along a transport path, wherein in a first mode of operation, the urging force is applied to said media item to transport said media item at least partially along the transport path and, in a further mode of operation, the urging force on said media item is released to allow at least one end region of the media item to move freely along the transport path.
US09016678B2	Dual-toggle-type mobile platform structure A dual-toggle-type mobile platform structure comprises a base, a motor, a ball screw, a linear slide, a first toggle link rod, a second toggle link rod, a guide rail and a work platform. The second toggle link rod has an end coupled to the first toggle link rod and the other end coupled to the work platform. A connecting position of the second toggle link rod and the first toggle link rod is designed with an optimal configuration to provide a smaller footprint than the conventional dual-toggle-type mobile platform structure, and the advantages of a larger stroke of the work platform and a smaller feed resolution difference, and the structure serves as a reference of an optimal manufacturing area.
US09016676B2	Adjusting device of wafer machine The present invention relates to an adjusting device of wafer machine, which includes a rotary adjustment assembly that is rotatable to cause the rotation of a rod so as to displace a support block thereby elevating or lowering a support post. A balance board is thus caused to move a wafer substrate so as to realize balancing of wafer through the support post, whereby efficient adjustment of the wafer machine to a balanced position can be achieved without extra expense of time in adjustment operation and thus accelerating the time of manufacturing process and providing extremely high precision and further effectively reducing the potential risk of damage caused by over-adjustment.
US09016674B2	Active mount Disclosed herein is an active mount including a housing surrounding components within the active mount and providing and outer surface, and a core disposed at an inside upper portion of the housing inside having an upper portion protruding outward from the housing. Additionally, an insulator is connected to a lower portion of the core and extends radially outward. An actuating mechanism is disposed at a predetermined distance from a lower portion of the insulator and includes a vertically movable center. A driving unit is disposed horizontally outside of the actuating mechanism and is configured to apply a force for vertically moving the center of the actuating mechanism.
US09016673B2	Liquid-filled vibration damping device An excellent liquid-filled vibration damping device is provided, which is capable of effectively suppressing cavitation, which may otherwise cause abnormal noises, without impairing a vibration damping effect. The inventive liquid-filled vibration damping device includes a liquid-filled space partitioned into a primary liquid chamber and a secondary liquid chamber communicating with each other through an orifice, a molded vulcanized rubber member which defines at least a part of the liquid-filled space, and a first retention member and a second retention member retaining the molded vulcanized rubber member. Liquid (P) to be sealingly contained in the liquid-filled space comprises a polar organic solvent as a major component, and not less than 0.2 cm3 of a gas per 1 cm3 of the liquid as measured at an ordinary temperature at an atmospheric pressure is dissolved in the liquid.
US09016672B2	Handheld working tool The present invention concerns a handheld working tool comprising a motor part (10), a handle part (20) comprising a handle grip (21), and at least one first type antivibration element (30) arranged between said motor part (10) and said handle part (20), and which element (30) is adapted to isolate the handle part (20) from vibrations in the motor part (10). The working tool (1) is characterized in that it further comprises at least one second type antivibration element (40) arranged adjacent to the first type antivibration element (30). The at least one second type antivibration element (40) is adapted to, when in an active state, prevent vibrations in the motor part (10) from being transferred to the handle grip (21). The second antivibration element (40) is in the active state when the handle grip (21) is loaded during operation of the working tool (1). The working tool is further characterized in that a longitudinal axis (L1) of the second type antivibration element (40) is separated from a longitudinal axis (L2) of the first type antivibration element (30).
US09016671B1	Coaxial needle atomizing system An atomizing system tar generating an aerosol for inhalation research is disclosed. The atomizing system, in one embodiment, is capable of functioning efficiently at ultra-low liquid and low gas feed rates through the use of a 32 gauge feed line. This feed line reduces dead space in the atomizing system as well as the amount of highly toxic and/or expensive fluid needed to perform the research. An aerosol is generated in a consistent and repeatable manner by injecting fluid at a teed rate of 0.2-20 μl/min into a gas stream from a compressed gas source at a pressure of 30-60 psi. An adapter is used to connect a syringe containing the fluid to be tested to the 32 gauge feed line.

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