| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09029005B2 |
Battery module structure
Disclosed is a battery module structure including unit cells having positive and negative cell taps at an edge each unit cell to induce electricity, a plurality of receptacles respectively coupled to cell taps of unit cells, and a plurality of bus bars electrically connecting receptacles. Advantageously, the present invention, ensures a stable connection between the unit cells, makes manufacturing and assembling easy, ensures high durability, allows for implementation of various shapes and structures of the battery modules, and freely determines the arrangement structure and the number of the unit cells in various ways. |
| US09029001B2 |
Separator for gel electrolyte storage batteries
A separator (1) for electrode plates (2) in gel storage batteries having two substantially rectangular layers (3, 3′) of a flat separator material, which layers come to lie in mutually superposed relationship. In order to provide less expensive separators for the separation of plate electrodes in gel storage batteries, which have a low electrical resistance and which afford additional protection for the edges and side surfaces and at the same time permit homogenous gel filling of the storage battery, the invention proposes that the two layers of separator material are connected together at least portion-wise in the region of their edges, forming a casing or pocket for the introduction of an electrode plate and a method and battery employing the separator. |
| US09029000B2 |
Circuit substrate module and battery module using the same
A circuit substrate module and a battery module using the circuit substrate module are disclosed. The battery module includes: a plurality of battery units, wherein each battery unit comprises a plurality of battery cells, a case for accommodating the plurality of battery cells, a plurality of electrode terminals, and a plurality of communication connectors coupled to the battery cells and protruding out of the case; a circuit substrate module mounted on the plurality of battery units and comprising a circuit substrate, wherein a plurality of circuit substrate connectors are coupled to the plurality of communication connectors, wherein the plurality of circuit substrate connectors are coupled to a single external connector that is configured to be coupled to an external device. |
| US09028999B2 |
Secondary battery
Provided is a secondary battery including a case having an opening and an internal cavity, an electrode assembly disposed in the internal cavity, a collector plate electrically connected to the electrode assembly and disposed in the internal cavity, an electrode terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly, a cap plate sealing the opening of the case, and a safety device between the collector plate and the electrode terminal. A portion of the electrode terminal extends beyond the cap plate such that the electrode terminal is exposed. |
| US09028997B2 |
Ceramic collars for active brazing in sodium-based thermal batteries
The present application provides for ceramic collars and metal rings for active brazing in sodium-based thermal batteries. The ceramic collar may be an alpha-alumina collar configured for active brazing, and thereby sealing, to outer and inner Ni rings for use in NaMx cells. The portions of the alpha-alumina collar active brazed to the outer and inner Ni rings may be outwardly facing and include inwardly extending recesses. The portions of the outer and inner Ni rings active brazed to the outwardly facing portions of the collar may be inwardly facing. The alpha-alumina collar may include a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than each of the outer and inner Ni rings, and the alpha-alumina collar and outer and inner Ni rings may be configured such that a portion of the outer and inner Ni rings is deformed into the inwardly extending recesses of the alpha-alumina collar after active brazing thereof. |
| US09028992B2 |
Fuel cell system
Disclosed is a fuel cell system including a fuel cell, a fuel supply passage through which a fuel gas supplied from a fuel supply source flows to the fuel cell, an on/off valve which regulates the state of the gas on the upstream side of the fuel supply passage to supply the gas to the downstream side thereof, a sensor which detects the state of the gas in the fuel supply passage, and control means for controlling the on/off valve based on a value detected by the sensor. The control means stops the opening/closing operation of the on/off valve when the sensor falls into an abnormal state. |
| US09028991B2 |
Fuel cell system with variable Coanda amplifiers for gas recirculation and system pressure regulation
A Coanda flow amplifier has a suction intake, an outlet, a fluid channel extending between the suction intake and the outlet, and a drive-flow inlet, which is fluidly connected to the fluid channel via a drive-flow discharge slit, whereby the flow cross section of the drive-flow discharge slit is variably adjustable. In a method to operate the Coanda flow amplifier, the variably adjustable flow cross section of the drive-flow discharge slit is chosen such that a pressure ratio between an output pressure of the drive flow when it leaves the drive-flow discharge slit, and an intake pressure of the drive flow when it enters the drive-flow discharge slit, does not exceed a critical pressure ratio. A fuel cell system comprises at least one fuel cell, a fluid source, a fluid line, and a Coanda flow amplifier arranged in the fluid line, whereby the Coanda flow amplifier is equipped with a drive-flow discharge slit with a variably adjustable flow cross section. |
| US09028990B2 |
Fuel cell emergency system
In an embodiment, a fuel cell system for supplying emergency power to an aircraft, includes a fuel cell, a hydrogen tank, an oxygen tank, and a power distribution unit. This provides for an emergency power supply for aircraft that is reliable, independent of the outside air, and has low maintenance needs. |
| US09028989B2 |
Fuel cell system having a fluid flow distribution feature
A fuel cell system includes a water vapor transfer unit and a fluid flow distribution feature, the water vapor transfer unit including a first plate having a plurality of first flow channels for receiving a flow of a first fluid therein, and a second plate having a plurality of second flow channels for receiving a flow of a second fluid therein. The fluid flow distribution feature is configured to control at least one of a volume of flow of the first fluid through the first flow channels and a volume of flow of the second fluid through the second flow channels, wherein at least one of a flow distribution of the first fluid across the first plate and a flow distribution of the second fluid across the second plate is varied. |
| US09028986B2 |
Fuse for battery cells
A battery system comprises a battery cell having a cell body and a voltage terminal extending out of the cell body and having first and second terminal edges; a busbar to which an upper end of the voltage terminal is electrically connected; and a zipper fuse formed in a portion of the terminal between the cell body and the busbar, wherein the zipper fuse comprises an array of perforations through the voltage terminal and extending across the voltage terminal from the first edge to the second edge. |
| US09028984B2 |
Perpendicular magnetic recording medium
A perpendicular magnetic recording medium includes a nonmagnetic substrate, and a soft magnetic layer, a first orientation control layer, a second orientation control layer, a nonmagnetic intermediate layer, a magnetic recording layer, and a protective layer layered sequentially on the nonmagnetic substrate. The first orientation control layer includes a thin film having a face-centered cubic (fcc) structure. The magnetic recording layer includes a thin film layer having ferromagnetic crystal grains and nonmagnetic grain boundaries surrounding the ferromagnetic crystal grains, the ferromagnetic crystal grains including a CoPt alloy having ferromagnetic properties, and the nonmagnetic grain boundaries including an oxide or a nitride. The nonmagnetic intermediate layer includes a thin film containing Ru. The second orientation control layer includes an alloy thin film having an element selected from among Ni and Fe and having the fcc structure, the second orientation control layer having a saturation magnetic flux density Bs of 1 T or lower. |
| US09028982B2 |
Composite material, method for producing the same, and apparatus for producing the same
Disclosed is a composite material wherein adhesion between a silicon surface and a plating material is enhanced. A method and an apparatus for producing the composite material are also disclosed. The method for producing a composite material comprises a dispersion/allocation step wherein the surface of a silicon substrate (102), which is a matrix provided with a silicon layer at least as the outermost layer, is immersed into a first solution containing gold (Au) ions, so that particulate or island-shaped gold (Au) serving as a first metal and substituted with a part of the silicon layer are dispersed/allocated on the matrix surface, and a plating step wherein the silicon substrate (102) is immersed into a second solution (24), which contains a reducing agent to which gold (Au) exhibits catalyst activity and metal ions which can be reduced by the reducing agent, so that the surface of the silicon substrate (102) is covered with the metal or an alloy of the metal (108) which is formed by autocatalytic electroless plating using gold (Au) as a starting point. |
| US09028980B2 |
Organic electroluminescent element, composition for organic electroluminescent element, and organic electroluminescent device
The present invention relates to an organic electroluminescent element which comprises two or more hole injection/transport layers each formed by a wet film formation method using a composition containing, as a hole-injecting/transporting compound, an arylamine polymer compound that has a repeating unit having a triarylamine structure therein, in which when the number of atoms present on the path which is the smallest in the number of atoms present thereon, of the paths which each connect the nonaromatic tertiary nitrogen atoms contained in any two triarylamine structures present in each polymer compound, is taken as N: the minimum number of atoms between nitrogen atoms in the compound, then the N in each hole injection/transport layer is in a specific state. |
| US09028978B2 |
Compound and organic light-emitting device including the same
A compound represented by Formula 1 below and an organic light-emitting device including an organic layer containing the compound of Formula 1: wherein R1 to R4, X and Y, a and b, and m and n are defined as in the specification. |
| US09028976B2 |
Organic EL device
A highly stable organic EL material having the properties of both benzofluoranthene and anthracene structures is provided. The organic EL device has at least one organic compound layer containing a compound presented by the general formula (I) below: (in which L is a linking group linking any one of the positions 1 to 12 and any one of the positions 13 to 22; the unlinked positions 1 to 22 are substituted by any of a hydrogen atom, substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, and aromatic amino group; and L presents any of a single bond, substituted or unsubstituted arylene group, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, and substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group). |
| US09028971B2 |
Odorless paper coating latex and paper coating composition containing the same
The present invention relates to a paper coating latex comprising 0.001-10 weight part of cyclo-oligosaccharide compound to 100 weight part of styrene-butadiene latex and a paper coating composition containing the same, and according to the present invention, latex petrochemical odors generated during the coating processes by non-reacted monomers and volatile organic compounds remaining in the latex can be eliminated without reducing polymerization productivity and latex stability. |
| US09028958B2 |
Superhydrophilic nanostructure
An embodiment of a superhydrophilic nanostructure includes nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are formed into porous clusters. The porous clusters are formed into aggregate clusters. An embodiment of an article of manufacture includes the superhydrophilic nanostructure on a substrate. An embodiment of a method of fabricating a superhydrophilic nanostructure includes applying a solution that includes nanoparticles to a substrate. The substrate is heated to form aggregate clusters of porous clusters of the nanoparticles. |
| US09028955B1 |
Ion-permeable membrane for electrochemical cell
An electrochemical cell comprises an ion permeable, liquid and vapor impermeable, membrane made by a solvent casting process. Two mutually insoluble polymers are cast together with the aide of mutually soluble co-solvents. The ion permeable membrane comprises a high molecular weight polyisobutylene polymer structural component. The linearized poly(acrylic acid) polymer ion conducting component comprises which is 4 wt % to 6 wt % of the membrane. The dried ion permeable membrane has a thickness of about 0.1 millimeters. The membrane is hydrated and used for transporting ions in an electrochemical cell. The cell demonstrates good reversibility, i.e. rechargability. |
| US09028954B2 |
Cutting tool with multi-layer coating
The invention relates to a cutting tool comprising a main part and a multilayer coating applied thereon. A first layer A made of a hard material is applied on the main part, said hard material being selected from titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN), titanium aluminum silicon nitride (TiAlSiN), chromium nitride (CrN), aluminum chromium nitride (AlCrN), aluminum chromium silicon nitride (AlCrSiN), and zirconium nitride (ZrN), and a second layer B made of silicon nitride (Si3N4) is applied directly over the first layer A. |
| US09028953B2 |
CVD coated polycrystalline c-BN cutting tools
CVD coated cutting tools are provided. A coated cutting tool described herein, in some embodiments, comprises a PcBN substrate and a polished coating adhered to the substrate including one or more layers of Al2O3 deposited by chemical vapor deposition, wherein the coating has a surface roughness (Ra) less than about 600 nm in an area of the cutting tool for contacting a workpiece. |
| US09028950B2 |
Decoration film having mirror effect
A decorative film having a mirror effect is provided for use in decorative panels of various home appliances. The decorative film may include a printing layer, a first base material layer that is a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, a deposition layer formed by depositing a metal material or an oxide material, and a second base material layer that is a scattering prevention film. The printing layer, the first base material layer, the deposition layer and the second base material layer may be sequentially laminated. The deposition layer formed on a lower surface of the first base material layer and the second base material layer may be adhered by an adhesive. The decorative film may be attached to a rear side of a glass panel by a gluing agent so as to obtain a mirror effect. |
| US09028947B2 |
Heat shield having strain compliant matrix and method of forming same
A heat shield is disclosed. The heat shield may have a honeycomb core having a plurality of intersecting wall portions forming a plurality of cells. A strain compliant material may be applied to the wall portions of the honeycomb core prior to filling of the cells with an ablative material. An ablative material may be used that at least substantially fills the cells of the honeycomb core. |
| US09028943B2 |
Method for improving the surface appearance and processing of plastics recovered from durable goods
A method is described for improving the processability and surface appearance of products containing plastic recovered from waste plastic material mixtures. |
| US09028940B2 |
Sheet roll and sheet-like coupling member
A sheet roll comprises two glass films and a coupling portion, wherein end portions of the glass films are coupled together via the coupling portion and the coupled glass films are rolled into a roll shape. The coupling portion is a sheet-like coupling member formed of a resin film and placed on the end portions of the two glass films in a rolling direction so as to span therebetween. The sheet-like coupling member includes wide joint portions joined respectively to the end portions of the two glass films, and a necked portion which is narrower than the wide joint portions and is formed at a middle portion of the sheet-like coupling member in the rolling direction. |
| US09028939B2 |
Laminated sheet for packaging electronic component and molded body thereof
The present invention discloses a laminated sheet for packaging electronic components comprising a front surface layer, a center core layer and a rear surface layer, wherein the front surface layer and the rear surface layer each contains a rubber-modified styrenic copolymer (A) having a graft ratio of grafted rubber of 30 to 50%, a grafted rubber particle diameter of 0.1 to 0.5 μm and a butadiene content of 5 to 25% by weight, and polyetheresteramide (B), and the center core layer contains a rubber-modified styrenic copolymer (C) having a graft ratio of grafted rubber of 70 to 90%, a grafted rubber particle diameter of 0.4 to 1.0 μm, and a butadiene content of 5 to 15% by weight, and 5 to 50% by weight of a recycled material of this laminated sheet. |
| US09028933B2 |
Shrink labels
The present invention is a shrink label, comprising a heat-shrinkable multilayer resin film comprising an intermediate layer comprising a polystyrene type resin and outer surface layers comprising a polyester type resin, with said intermediate layer interposed therebetween, as a base film, wherein the polystyrene type resin composing said intermediate layer is an aromatic vinyl hydrocarbon-conjugated diene copolymer, and said intermediate layer is bonded to said outer surface layers with an adhesive layer comprising a hydrogen addition product of an aromatic vinyl hydrocarbon-conjugated diene copolymer, having at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of a carboxylic group, an acid anhydride group, an amino group, an epoxy group and a hydroxyl group in a molecule. |
| US09028928B2 |
Acoustic component and method and apparatus for producing same
According to embodiments described in the specification, a method and apparatus are provided for producing an acoustic component. The acoustic component comprises a first compression-molded member comprising a first material; and a second injection-molded member coupled to and substantially surrounding the first member, the second member comprising a second material. |
| US09028924B2 |
In-situ deposition of film stacks
Methods of forming a film stack may include the plasma accelerated deposition of a silicon nitride film formed from the reaction of nitrogen containing precursor with silicon containing precursor, the plasma accelerated substantial elimination of silicon containing precursor from the processing chamber, the plasma accelerated deposition of a silicon oxide film atop the silicon nitride film formed from the reaction of silicon containing precursor with oxidant, and the plasma accelerated substantial elimination of oxidant from the processing chamber. Process station apparatuses for forming a film stack of silicon nitride and silicon oxide films may include a processing chamber, one or more gas delivery lines, one or more RF generators, and a system controller having machine-readable media with instructions for operating the one or more gas delivery lines, and the one or more RF generators. |
| US09028919B2 |
Epitaxial graphene surface preparation for atomic layer deposition of dielectrics
Processes for preparation of an epitaxial graphene surface to make it suitable for deposition of high-κ oxide-based dielectric compounds such as Al2O3, HfO2, TaO5, or TiO2 are provided. A first process combines ex situ wet chemistry conditioning of an epitaxially grown graphene sample with an in situ pulsing sequence in the ALD reactor. A second process combines ex situ dry chemistry conditioning of the epitaxially grown graphene sample with the in situ pulsing sequence. |
| US09028918B2 |
Forming a hardmask capping layer
A capping layer is formed over a hardmask layer to increase the etch resistance and overall performance of the hardmask layer. Embodiments include forming a hardmask layer over a substrate and forming a capping layer on the hardmask layer, the capping layer including a stack of at least two nanolayers. |
| US09028914B2 |
Method for manufacturing high-density fiber reinforced ceramic composite materials
Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a high-density fiber reinforced ceramic composite material, including the steps of: 1) impregnating a fiber preform material multi-coated with pyrolytic carbon and silicon carbide to form impregnated fiber reinforced plastic composite material; 2)carbonizing the impregnated fiber reinforced plastic composite material to form carbonized fiber composite material; 3) a primary reaction-sintering of the fiber composite material; 4) cooling the primarily reaction-sintered fiber composite material down to room temperature and then impregnating the primarily reaction-sintered fiber composite material with a solution in which a polymer precursor for producing silicon carbide (SiC) is dissolved in a hexane (n-hexane) solvent; and 5) a secondary reaction-sintering of the fiber composite material; and a high-density fiber reinforced ceramic composite material manufactured using the method. |
| US09028913B2 |
Method for surface treatment of titanium dioxide pigment
A method of preparing coated titanium dioxide particles is provided. The method can include forming an aqueous suspension of titanium dioxide particles having a pH of from about 5.0 to about 7.0; adding a zirconium oxide-forming solution to the suspension in an amount sufficient to decrease the pH of the suspension to about 4.0 or lower; forming a zirconium oxide coating on the titanium dioxide particles to form a suspension of coated particles; adding an aluminum oxide-forming solution to the suspension of coated particles in an amount sufficient to increase the pH of the suspension to about 9.0 or higher; and forming an aluminum oxide coating on the coated particles to form a product. |
| US09028909B2 |
Magnetoresistive element and method of manufacturing the same
A magnetoresistive element includes a magnetoresistive film including a magnetization pinned layer, a magnetization free layer, an intermediate layer arranged between the magnetization pinned layer and the magnetization free layer, a cap layer arranged on the magnetization pinned layer or on the magnetization free layer, and a functional layer arranged in the magnetization pinned layer, in the magnetization free layer, in the interface between the magnetization pinned layer and the intermediate layer, in the interface between the intermediate layer and the magnetization free layer, or in the interface between the magnetization pinned layer or the magnetization free layer and the cap layer, and a pair of electrodes which pass a current perpendicularly to a plane of the magnetoresistive film, in which the functional layer is formed of a layer including nitrogen and a metal material containing 5 atomic % or more of Fe. |
| US09028907B2 |
Method and device for coating of a medical implant
The invention relates to a method for coating of a medical implant that can be used to apply a calcium salt to the surface of a medical implant easily and without expensive coating equipment and little expenditure of time.Accordingly, a method is provided that includes(i) providing a medical implant that includes at least one surface to be coated;(ii) providing a body that includes at least one calcium salt with a Mohs hardness of no more than 5.5 on at least one of its surfaces; and(iii) rubbing said body having the calcium salt-containing surface onto the at least one medical implant surface to be coated in order to coat said surface of the medical implant with the at least one calcium salt. |
| US09028905B2 |
Process for reducing oil and fat in cooked food with pea protein
A process for cooking a food in oil and/or fat is provided. A dry pea protein mixture or an aqueous pea protein is added to a food prior to cooking. The amount of oil and/or fat absorbed by the food during cooking is substantially reduced. |
| US09028902B2 |
Method for producing bread from aerated dough
The components of the dough recipe are mixed in a dough mixing apparatus (2). The resulting dough is divided into portions, each of which is aerated to produce aerated dough. Mixing and aerating are performed by separate devices. Aeration is performed at a pressure no less than 0.3 MPa, and the pressure is then reduced to atmospheric at a controlled rate of 0.02-0.2 MPa/s. The lowering of pressure to atmospheric occurs either before or after the removal of the aeration device (6) from the dough. The aeration process is performed in baking molds (1), or in intermediate vessels (16), and the dough is subsequently transferred to the molds (1). The transfer occurs either into the molds (1) under atmospheric pressure, after lowering the pressure in the intermediate vessels (16) to atmospheric, or into the molds (1) under increased pressure, where the pressure is decreased to atmospheric after the transfer is completed. The claimed invention simplifies and increases the accuracy of dividing the dough into portions of a specified weight, enhances the quality of the aerated dough, reduces energy consumption and increases production efficiency. |
| US09028898B2 |
Universal and restrictive enclosures for safely repressurizing sparkling wines and other carbonated beverage
The present disclosure is related to illustrative embodiments of an apparatus and method for maintaining carbonation of sparkling beverages, such as sparkling wines, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages such as sodas and coffee. A transparent, shatter-resistant, height-adjustable carbonation enclosure is used to contain an opened bottle of a sparkling beverage. An air-tight carbonation cap with a built-in one-way valve is used to re-carbonate the beverage inside the bottle using a pressurized gas source. The base of the carbonation enclosure includes a platform that may be used to adjust the effective height of the enclosure to fit the height of the bottle and provide an air-tight interface between an opening of the bottle and the carbonation cap. The carbonation enclosure further includes a number of openings to open air to prevent pressurization of the carbonation enclosure. Another illustrative embodiment includes a safety enclosure for multiple bottles pressurized directly by conical nozzles. |
| US09028897B2 |
Beverage extraction filter
Disclosed is a beverage extraction filter that can extract in a plurality of extraction machine types. The beverage extraction filter comprises a filter unit (40) where coffee powder is housed and a planar lid unit (41) mounted to the top section of the filter unit (40). The lid unit (41) is formed in a layer structure created by a non-permeable first sheet member (42) positioned on the filter unit side (40) and a permeable second sheet member (43) layered on top of the first sheet member (42), and a hole section (42a) through which hot water is made to pass is formed in the center of the first sheet member (42). |
| US09028896B2 |
Production of cottage cheese by using Streptococcus thermophilus
A method for producing cottage cheese by using Streptococcus thermophilus bacteria. |
| US09028890B2 |
Composition for improving sexual wellness
The invention relates to improving sexual fitness or wellness of both sexes, the male sexual enhancement, the treatment of sexual dysfunction and the health of the sexual vascular system of both sexes with ingredients that consist in a source of proanthocyanidins, a source of arginine, rose hip extracts and/or Quercus robur extracts. The source of proanthocyanidins may be a botanical extract and the source of arginine may be from arginine aspartate. |
| US09028888B2 |
Compositions and methods for treatment and management of pain
Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for the treatment and management of pain in a subject comprising or consisting of topically or orally administering a therapeutic effective amount of a composition. The composition is made up of minute amounts of herbal extracts and compound mixtures to a subject. The composition includes turmeric extract, Boswellia extract, ginger extract, holy basil extract, rosemary extract, white willow extract and alpha lipolic acid each in minute amounts. |
| US09028886B2 |
Degradation inhibitor for flavor or aroma
The invention provides a deterioration inhibitor containing an amount of a product obtained by treatment of a tea extract with an oxidizing enzyme and then inactivating the enzyme. Addition of a deterioration inhibiting material according to the invention to a food or beverage or a cosmetic can inhibit deterioration of flavor and fragrance, with use in smaller amounts than conventional deterioration inhibitors. A particularly notable effect is exhibited against production of p-cresol and p-methylacetophenone which are citral-derived deterioration odor components, and therefore it is suitable for foods and beverages or cosmetics with citral-containing citrus-like flavors and fragrances. |
| US09028885B2 |
Composition for promoting adipocyte differentiation containing an extract of Rehmannia glutinosa, licorice, coicis semen, hordei fructus, chaenomelis fructus, Acanthopanacis cortex or Puerariae Radix
Disclosed is a composition comprising an extract of at least one selected from a group consisting of Rehmannia glutinosa, licorice, Coicis Semen, Hordei Fructus, Chaenomelis Fructus, Acanthopanacis Cortex and Puerariae Radix as an active ingredient. The composition promotes adipocyte differentiation and lipid droplet formation and is effective in improving skin wrinkles, enhancing skin elasticity and preventing skin aging. |
| US09028881B2 |
Composition for preventing and treating hangover
There is provided a composition for preventing and treating katzenjammers comprising at least one extract selected from the group consisting of a Rosa roxburghii extract, an Engelardtia chrysolepsis HANCE extract, a Nelumbo nucifera extract and a combination thereof as an active ingredient. |
| US09028876B2 |
Rate-controlled particles
Rate-controlled particles, comprising compounds of the formula as a solid dispersion. |
| US09028874B2 |
Antioxidant nanosphere comprising [1,2]-dithiolane moieties
The present invention is directed to multiple a-lipoic acid-containing hydrophobic compounds (mALAs) capable of acting as scavengers of free radicals, metals and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Methods of synthesizing novel antioxidant mALAs, spontaneous emulsification or nanoprecipitaion thereof to produce antioxidant nanospheres and their use in preventing or treating diseases or conditions caused by oxidative stress and other free radical mediated conditions are also described. Another aspect of this invention is the use of these antioxidant nanospheres for the preparation of antioxidant particulate delivery system of therapeutic agents. |
| US09028873B2 |
Nanoparticles for drug delivery to the central nervous system
The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for producing nanoparticles to provide relatively more rapid delivery of such particles across the blood-brain barrier. The nanoparticles may be formed from bis-quaternary pyridinium-aldoxime salts that may also be of a specific polymorphic structure and which may be formed in either hydrophobic or hydrophilic type liquid media. In addition, the nanoparticle for transport across the blood-brain barrier may comprise a polymeric resin encapsulating a bis-quaternary pyridinium-2-aldoxime salt. |
| US09028869B2 |
Modified release ibuprofen dosage form
The present invention is a solid dosage form for oral administration of ibuprofen comprising a modified release formulation of ibuprofen which provides an immediate burst effect and thereafter a sustained release of sufficient ibuprofen to maintain blood levels at least 6.4 μg/ml over an extended period of at least 8 hours following administering of a single dose. |
| US09028866B2 |
Methods and compositions for oral pharmaceutical therapy
It now has been found that oral administration of pharmaceutical agents, including N-methylol transfer agents such as Taurolidine may be used to provide efficacious blood plasma concentration of the agents for treatment of diseases by providing release of the active agent into the duodenum or jejunum of a patient and/or at a pH of about 5.4 to about 6.5. Embodiments of the invention therefore provide oral dosage forms, compositions and methods for administration of pharmaceutical agents to the duodenum or jejunum of a patient, and/or which release at a pH of about 5.4 to about 6.5. |
| US09028865B2 |
Controlled release pharmaceutical compositions of pregabalin
A controlled release pharmaceutical composition which comprises therapeutically effective amount of pregabalin or salts thereof as active ingredient, a hydrophobic release controlling agent(s) and optionally other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients thereof. |
| US09028855B2 |
Plant additives and uses thereof to modulate the synthesis of membrane glycerolipids in planta
The present invention pertains to plant additives containing a molecule selected in a family of compounds, wherein said molecule can modulate some molecular markers and physiological modifications observed in cases of phosphate deficiency.The family of compounds comprises the molecule MC2 of formula as well as analogs thereof. |
| US09028854B2 |
Pesticidal composition
A pesticidal composition comprising 4-phenoxyphenyl 2-(2-pyridyloxy)propyl ether; a hydrophobic organic solvent capable of dissolving 0.1-fold by weight of 4-phenoxyphenyl 2-(2-pyridyloxy)propyl ether at 0° C.; polyvinyl alcohol; a nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkoxylated castor oil, alkoxylated hydrogenated castor oil and alkoxylated hydrogenated castor oil fatty acid ester; and water, is excellent in storage stability. |
| US09028849B2 |
Compositions and methods for tinting keratin material
A cosmetic composition comprising at least one volatile solvent, at least one crosslinked silicone film former, at least one silicone gum, and at least one pigment composition present in an amount sufficient to provide the cosmetic composition with a pigment contrast ratio of greater than 35 and a method for maximizing the intensity and opacity of a color cosmetic composition. |
| US09028848B2 |
Composition for cosmetics, cosmetic, method for producing oil-in-water emulsion cosmetic, and two separate layer-type cosmetic
The present invention relates to a composition for cosmetics including a polyglycerol fatty acid ester, which is an ester of polyglycerol having an average degree of polymerization of 4 to 100 with a fatty acid having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, has a hydroxyl value equal to or less than 15 mgKOH/g, and has a specific gravity at 20° C. of 0.96 to 1.15; a cosmetic which includes the composition for cosmetics; a method for producing an oil-in-water emulsion cosmetic which includes mixing the composition for cosmetics; and a two-separate-layer-type cosmetic, which comprises the composition for cosmetics. The present invention relates to the composition for cosmetics which can be appropriately used in producing a cosmetic giving a highly excellent feel in using and having a very good texture, a cosmetic showing a very high stability over time as an emulsion, and a two-separate-layer-type cosmetic. |
| US09028846B2 |
Beds and bed accessories having an antimicrobial treatment
A hospital bed is provided that may include a support structure having a plurality of surfaces coated with an antimicrobial treatment, which may include a silane quaternary ammonium salt and isopropyl alcohol. The silane quaternary ammonium salt may include an unreacted organofunctional silane to promote bonding to the surfaces of the bed, such as 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. Bed accessories, such as tables and IV stands, may also include the antimicrobial treatment. A method is also provided for coating these articles with the antimicrobial treatment. |
| US09028840B2 |
Ex vivo method for producing a preparation containing CD4+ T cells specific for EBV structural antigens
The present invention discloses an ex vivo method for producing a preparation containing CD4+ T cells specific for EBV structural antigens for use in the prophylaxis and treatment of patients with a reduced T cell activity in order to prevent or treat growth of EBV infected B cells. |
| US09028836B2 |
Globo H and related anti-cancer vaccines with novel glycolipid adjuvants
An immunogenic composition containing a glycan conjugate including a carrier protein, and a glycan including Globo H, an immunogenic fragment thereof, or stage-specific embryonic antigen-4 (SSEA-4), wherein the glycan is conjugated with the carrier protein through a linker. |
| US09028834B2 |
Pneumovirus compositions and methods for using the same
Provided are newly identified pneumoviruses that can infect mammals, including dogs cats and potentially humans. Isolated polynucleotides and proteins of the viruses, as well as the isolated viruses themselves are provided. The invention includes compositions and methods for detecting the viruses, methods and compositions for prophylaxis and/or therapy of disease signs that are positively correlated with the presence of the viruses, and isolated cells comprising the viruses. Intact virions, viral proteins, and fragments thereof are also provided. |
| US09028833B2 |
Dosages of immunoconjugates of antibodies and SN-38 for improved efficacy and decreased toxicity
The present invention relates to therapeutic immunoconjugates comprising SN-38 attached to an antibody or antigen-binding antibody fragment. The antibody may bind to EGP-1 (TROP-2), CEACAM5, CEACAM6, CD74, CD19, CD20, CD22, CSAp, HLA-DR, AFP or MUC5ac and the immunoconjugate may be administered at a dosage of between 4 mg/kg and 24 mg/kg, preferably 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 16 or 18 mg/kg. When administered at specified dosages and schedules, the immunoconjugate can reduce solid tumors in size, reduce or eliminate metastases and is effective to treat cancers resistant to standard therapies, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy or immunotherapy. |
| US09028832B2 |
Humanized anti-EGFR antibody L4-H3 and coding gene thereof
A humanized anti-EGFR antibody L4-H3 and gene encoding the antibody are disclosed. The antibody is composed of a heavy chain and a light chain. The amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region is shown as positions 1-145 of SEQ ID NO: 3, the heavy chain constant region is the heavy chain constant region of the human antibody IgG1, and the amino acid sequence of the light chain is shown as SEQ ID NO: 1. |
| US09028830B2 |
Antibodies to CD122
The invention provides monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to CD122, which is one component of receptors for IL-2 and IL-15. The monoclonal antibodies have the capacity for substantial inhibition of both IL-2 and IL-15 mediated functions by inhibiting binding of these cytokines to their receptors. The monoclonal antibodies can be used for inhibiting undesired immune responses or treatment of cancer, among other applications. |
| US09028829B2 |
Uniform field magnetization and targeting of therapeutic formulations
Systems and methods for magnetic targeting of therapeutic particles are provided. Therapeutic particles comprise one or more magnetic or magnetizable materials and at least one therapeutic agent. Therapeutic particles are specifically targeted using uniform magnetic fields capable of magnetizing magnetizable materials, and can be targeted to particular locations in the body, or can be targeted for capture, containment, and removal. Therapeutic particles can comprise antioxidant enzymes, and can be targeted to cells to protect the cells from oxidative damage. |
| US09028823B2 |
Methods of inducing or enhancing an immune response in a subject by administering agonistic GITR binding antibodies
The present invention provides binding molecules that specifically bind to GITR, e.g., human GITR (hGITR), on T cells and dendritic cells. Binding molecules of the invention are characterized by binding to hGITR with high affinity, in the presence of a stimulating agent, e.g., CD3, are agonistic, and abrogate the suppression of Teff cells by Treg cells. Various aspects of the invention relate to binding molecules, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, as well as nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors and host cells for making such binding molecules. Methods of using a binding molecule of the invention to detect human GITR or to modulate human GITR activity, either in vitro or in vivo, are also encompassed by the invention. |
| US09028821B2 |
Method of treating an inflammatory disease comprising administering an NR 10 antibody antagonist
The present inventors obtained, from a phage library of human antibodies, an anti-mouse NR 10 neutralizing antibody-expressing BM095 clone that shows a strong proliferation-suppressing activity in an IL-31-dependent Ba/F3 cell proliferation assay system. When this anti-mouse NR 10 neutralizing antibody was administered to NC/Nga mice, a model of atopic dermatitis which is a mouse model of chronic dermatitis that arises as a result of repeated applications of picryl chloride, a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis, and a mouse model of osteoarthritis, a significant effect of symptom suppression was observed. This revealed that the anti-NR 10 neutralizing antibody is indeed effective as a therapeutic agent for inflammatory diseases. In addition, the present inventors successfully obtained an anti-human NR 10 neutralizing antibody, providing extremely useful therapeutic agents with practical clinical applications. |
| US09028820B2 |
Antibodies against tropomyosin-related kinase B receptors
The invention relates to monoclonal antibodies directed to a particular part of tropomyosin-related kinase B receptor (TrkB) and hybridoma cell lines producing these. Fragments of these antibodies, in particular fragments representing complementarity determining regions (CDRs), and proteins comprising these, are useful in a method of treating cancer, pain, anorexia, anorexia nervosa and/or cachexia. |
| US09028818B2 |
Antibodies binding to adrenomedullin receptors and uses thereof as drugs
The invention relates to antibodies binding to the proteins forming adrenomedullin receptors, and to the uses thereof as a drug. |
| US09028816B2 |
Polypeptides and polypeptide constructs comprising single domain antibodies directed against von Willebrand factor
The present invention relates to polypeptides and polypeptide constructs comprising at least one single domain antibody directed against vWF, vWF A1 domain, A1 domain of activated vWF, vWF A3 domain, homologues of said polypeptides, and/or functional portions of said polypeptides, for the treatment for conditions which require a modulation of platelet-mediated aggregation. |
| US09028815B2 |
Identification and engineering of antibodies with variant FC regions and methods of using same
The present invention relates to molecules, particularly polypeptides, more particularly immunoglobulins (e.g., antibodies), comprising a variant Fc region, wherein said variant Fc region comprises at least one amino acid modification relative to a wild-type Fc region, which variant Fc region binds FcγRIIIA and/or FcγRIIA with a greater affinity, relative to a comparable molecule comprising the wild-type Fc region. The molecules of the invention are particularly useful in preventing, treating, or ameliorating one or more symptoms associated with a disease, disorder, or infection. The molecules of the invention are particularly useful for the treatment or prevention of a disease or disorder where an enhanced efficacy of effector cell function (e.g., ADCC) mediated by FcγR is desired, e.g., cancer, infectious disease, and in enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of therapeutic antibodies the effect of which is mediated by ADCC. |
| US09028814B2 |
Composition and method to alleviate joint pain using a mixture of fish oil and fish oil derived, choline based, phospholipid bound fatty acid mixture including polyunsaturated EPA and DHA
Beneficial and synergistic effects for alleviating joint pain and symptoms of osteoarthritis and/or rheumatoid arthritis have been found using a mixture of fish oil and fish oil derived, choline based, phospholipid bound fatty acid mixture including polyunsaturated EPA and DHA either alone or in combination with other active constituents, including astaxanthin and polymeric hyaluronic acid or sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronan) in an oral dosage form. |
| US09028813B2 |
Methods of degrading or inhibiting botulinum neurotoxin using designer ubiquitin ligases
The present invention relates to a designer or recombinant ubiquitin ligase molecule that includes a toxin binding domain that is specific for a toxin active fragment, wherein the toxin active fragment is an enzymatically active fragment of one or more toxins or toxin serotypes; and an E3-ligase domain that comprises an E3-ligase or polypeptide that facilitates E2-mediated ubiquitination of the toxin active fragment. In an embodiment, the composition further includes a delivery system that allow the designer ubiquitin ligase to enter the cell. The present invention further includes methods for treating an individual intoxicated with a toxin by administering the designer ubiquitin ligase of the present invention. |
| US09028808B2 |
Methods for treating nicotine addiction and reducing food consumption
The present invention relates to a cytokine for use in the treatment and/or control of dependent and/or addictive behavior, in particular addiction and/or dependency to nicotine, food addiction, alcohol addiction and/or sex addiction. The present invention also relates to treatment and/or control of withdrawal and/or symptoms of withdrawal from an addiction, in particular nicotine addiction, food addiction, alcohol addiction and/or sex addiction. The present invention further relates to the induction of loss of interest or aversion to the addictive substance or behavior, such as nicotine, over-indulgence in high-calorie, high-fat foods, and to other behaviors or addictions that are hazardous to the health. |
| US09028806B2 |
Method for impregnation with supercritical CO2
The present invention relates to a batch method for impregnating a nonporous polymer pharmaceutical carrier with an active substance, characterized in that said method includes the following consecutive steps: a) mixing the active substance and the nonporous polymer pharmaceutical carrier, the pharmaceutical carrier being in a solid form and insoluble in supercritical CO2 and not being non-crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone; b) performing a step of molecular diffusion in the absence of water by contacting, in a static mode without agitation, the mixture obtained in step a) with supercritical CO2 at a pressure of 80 to 170 bars, at a temperature of 31 to 90° C. for 1 to 6 hours; c) recovering the polymer pharmaceutical carrier impregnated with the active substance obtained in step b), the impregnated pharmaceutical carrier being nonporous and being in a solid form and the active substance being in an amorphous form, the method being implemented in the absence of an additional solvent. The invention further relates to a polymer pharmaceutical carrier in a nonporous solid form impregnated with an active substance characterized in that said carrier can be obtained by the method according to the present invention, in that the active substance is in an amorphous form and is water-soluble, and in that the polymer pharmaceutical carrier is not non-crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone and is insoluble in supercritical CO2. |
| US09028803B2 |
Chewing gum having sustained release of nicotine
The present invention relates to a chewing gum having a high Surface Area to Volume ratio (SAV ratio), wherein said chewing gum comprises a water insoluble gum base matrix, a water soluble bulk portion and nicotine, wherein the gum base matrix, nicotine and the bulk portion are mixed and extruded to form a final extruded chewing gum product having a SAV ratio above 0.7, and wherein sustained release of nicotine is facilitated by adding 0.1-10% of C8-C10 triglycerides by weight of the chewing gum. |
| US09028798B2 |
Modulation of the immune response
Methods for identifying compounds that modulate the generation of regulatory T cells (Treg) in vivo and in vitro, i.e., compounds that act on the transcription factors that increase or decrease expression of Foxp3. |
| US09028797B2 |
Composite body for antigen or drug delivery
The invention provides an antigen or drug delivery complex containing a complex of an antigen or drug and a cationic molecule, and an anionic molecule encapsulating the same. The antigen or drug delivery complex can be used as a main component of a drug delivery system that delivers various antigens and drugs to a particular cell or organ. |
| US09028793B2 |
Catalyst for generating hydrogen and method for generating hydrogen
The present invention provides a catalyst for generating hydrogen containing at least one composite metal selected from the group consisting of a composite metal of platinum and nickel and a composite metal of iridium and nickel, the catalyst being used in a decomposition reaction of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of hydrazine and a hydrate thereof; and a method for generating hydrogen, including contacting the catalyst for generating hydrogen with at least one compound selected from the group consisting of hydrazine and a hydrate thereof.According to the invention, hydrogen can be efficiently generated with improved selectivity in the method for generating hydrogen that utilizes the decomposition reaction of hydrazine. |
| US09028790B2 |
Carbon nanotube assembly and electrically conductive film
Provided is an aggregate of carbon nanotubes wherein a mixture of 10 mg of aggregate of carbon nanotubes, 30 mg of sodium polystyrene sulfonate and 10 mL of water is subjected to ultrasonic homogenizer treatment, subsequently subjected to centrifugal treatment at 20000 G, then 9 mL of supernatant is sampled, and the content of aggregate of carbon nanotubes in the supernatant is 0.6 mg/mL or more. The aggregate of carbon nanotubes of the present invention can provide a dispersion of an aggregate of carbon nanotubes having a high concentration through very good dispersibility. |
| US09028788B2 |
Porous silica material and optical microphone using the same
A porous silica material in which silica particles are connected to one another three-dimensionally, wherein: the porous silica material includes a through hole including first pores smaller than a mean free path of an air, and second pores larger than the first pores; the porous silica material has a density of 100 kg/m3 or more and 300 kg/m3 or less; and an isobutyl group is bound to silicon of silica of the silica particles. |
| US09028787B2 |
Preventing or reducing scale in wet-process phosphoric acid production
Methods for preventing or reducing the formation of scale in a wet-process phosphoric acid production process by intermixing a water-soluble functional organic reagent with a phosphoric acid at one or more step of the phosphoric acid production process in an amount sufficient to prevent or reduce at least one species of scale are provided. |
| US09028786B2 |
Production process of difluorophosphate, nonaqueous electrolytic solution and nonaqueous electrolytic secondary battery
To provide a technique for simply and easily producing a high-purity difluorophosphate and provide a production process of an electrolytic solution using the obtained difluorophosphate, an electrolytic solution and a secondary battery.A process for producing a difluorophosphate, comprising the following step (1) or (2): (1) reacting (A) at least one member selected from the group consisting of oxoacids, oxoacid anhydrides and oxyhalides of phosphorus with (B) a hexafluorophosphate in the presence of hydrogen fluoride, or (2) reacting at least one halide selected from the group consisting of alkali metal halides, alkaline earth metal halides, aluminum halides and onium halides with difluorophosphoric acid in the presence of a hexafluorophosphate. Also, a nonaqueous electrolytic solution containing the obtained difluorophosphate, and a nonaqueous electrolytic secondary battery containing the nonaqueous electrolytic solution. |
| US09028783B2 |
Cold start startup unit for urea-based systems
An exhaust after-treatment system is described. Generally speaking, the system includes separate primary and secondary NOx reducing systems for delivering reductant to an exhaust stream, a sensor system for determining relevant operating conditions and an electronic control module for activating the reducing systems. Methods for reducing NOx in an exhaust stream are also described. Generally speaking, the methods include the steps of determining a need for NOx reduction in an exhaust stream, determining exhaust temperature, determining ambient temperature, and injecting at least one of a primary reductant and a secondary reductant into the exhaust stream based on the determined temperature. The system and method are particularly useful during cold start conditions, as well as lightly loaded application in conditions where the ambient temperature is below 45 F where the SCR catalyst may not fully function. |
| US09028782B2 |
Processing nickel bearing sulphides
The present invention provides a method of separating nickel bearing sulphides from mined ores or concentrates of mined ores that contain talc particles is disclosed. The method comprises adjusting the Eh of a slurry of mined ores or concentrates of mined ores and making particles of nickel bearing sulphides less hydrophobic than talc particles and floating the nickel bearing sulphide particles from the slurry. |
| US09028772B2 |
Methods for forming a channel through a polymer layer using one or more photoresist layers
A method may involve forming one or more photoresist layers over a sensor located on a structure, such that the sensor is covered by the one or more photoresist layers. The sensor is configured to detect an analyte. The method may involve forming a first polymer layer. Further, the method may involve positioning the structure on the first polymer layer. Still further, the method may involve forming a second polymer layer over the first polymer layer and the structure, such that the structure is fully enclosed by the first polymer layer, the second polymer layer, and the one or more photoresist layers. The method may also involve removing the one or more photoresist layers to form a channel through the second polymer layer, wherein the sensor is configured to receive the analyte via the channel. |
| US09028769B2 |
Handheld portable oxygen generator for use in extreme environments
The oxygen generation system includes a chemical oxygen generator that creates oxygen through an exothermic chemical reaction that creates sufficient heat to pose a serious risk to a user. The oxygen generation system therefore includes a containment layer to permit safer administration of oxygen from a chemical oxygen generator by shielding a user from and/or dissipating the heat generated by the chemical generator. The oxygen generation system may be handheld and portable for use in extreme, remote, and/or hostile conditions, locations, environments, and situations with a simple activation method easily operated under stress without any preparation or maintenance. |
| US09028764B2 |
Electro-catalytic honeycomb for exhaust emissions control
An electro-catalytic honeycomb for controlling exhaust emissions, which adopts to purify a lean-burn exhaust, comprises a honeycomb structural body, a solid-oxide layer and a cathode layer. The honeycomb structural body includes an anode, a plurality of gas channels, and a shell. The anode is formed as a backbone, the gas channels are formed inside the backbone for passing the exhaust, and the shell covers an outer surface of the anode. The solid-oxide layer is adhered to an inner surface of the anode and connects the shell so as to encapsulate the anode. The cathode layer is adhered to a tube wall of the solid-oxide layer and has an oxidizing environment. The anode has a reducing environment. The reducing and the oxidizing environment facilitate an electromotive force to occur between the anode and the cathode layer to promote a decomposition of nitrogen oxides of the exhaust into nitrogen and oxygen. |
| US09028761B2 |
Exhaust purification system of internal combustion engine
In an internal combustion engine, inside of an engine exhaust passage, a hydrocarbon feed valve (15) and an exhaust purification catalyst (13) are arranged. The exhaust purification catalyst (13) is comprised of an upstream-side catalyst (14a) and a downstream-side catalyst (14b) arranged in series at an interval from each other. The upstream-side catalyst (14b) has a smaller cross-sectional area than the downstream-side catalyst (14b). The concentration of hydrocarbons which flow into the upstream-side catalyst (14a) is made to vibrate by within a predetermined range of amplitude of a 200 ppm or more and within a predetermined range of period of 5 seconds or less, whereby the NOx which is contained in exhaust gas is reduced at the exhaust purification catalyst (13). |
| US09028753B2 |
Multi-cuvette autosampler for photo-optical measurements
A motorized multi-cuvette rotatable carousel positions cuvettes around a stationary axis. A rotatable cuvette holder plate positions cuvettes in the carousel. The cuvette holder plate has spring tensioning elements that hold cuvettes in a precise position within the cuvette holder plate. A cuvette positioning arm is attached to the rotatable carousel assembly. The positioning arm geometrically positions the cuvette for depth-resolved laser-induced fluorescence testing. |
| US09028749B2 |
Apparatus and method for decontaminating and sterilizing chemical and biological agent
Disclosed are apparatus and method for decontaminating and sterilizing chemical and biological agents, which can efficiently decontaminate and sterilize high precision electronic devices, communication devices, computers or inside of vehicles and air planes contaminated with chemical and biological agent by using mixture of non-thermal atmospheric pressure air plasma and oxidizing peroxide vapor. The apparatus according to the present invention comprises a decontamination and sterilization chamber 10; a first fluid supplying line L1 and a second fluid supplying line L2, which are installed in the form of closed circuit between the inlet 11 and outlet 12 of the decontamination and sterilization chamber 10; a peroxide vapor supplier which is installed on the first fluid supplying line; and a non-thermal atmospheric pressure air plasma reactor 70 which is installed on the second fluid supplying line L2. |
| US09028748B2 |
System and method for surface acoustic wave treatment of medical devices
Methods and systems are provided for treatment of medical devices using surface acoustic waves (SAW) of Rayleigh, “pseudo” Rayleigh and Lamb type. In some embodiments, use of such SAW is controlled such that relative velocity of bacteria is achieved wherein the vibration amplitude of the bacteria is smaller than a Z-potential repulsive zone of the bacteria, thus preventing biofilm formation on the medical devices. In some embodiments, systems of the present invention are powered by body movements, and may also provide a feedback loop for control of parameters. In some embodiments, the medical devices of the present invention are comprised of piezoelectric material, and act as self-actuators for the system. |
| US09028747B2 |
Corrosion and fouling mitigation using non-phosphorus based additives
Water treatment compositions are provided that are effective for mitigating corrosion or fouling of surfaces in contact with aqueous systems. The water treatment compositions can include one or more azole compounds, one or more transition metals, and one or more dispersants, in addition to various other additives. The water treatment compositions can exclude phosphorus and still be effective. Methods for mitigating corrosion or fouling of a surface in an aqueous system are also provided. |
| US09028745B2 |
Low nickel austenitic stainless steel
Various embodiments of the invention provide a low nickel austenitic stainless steel alloy composition including about 0.6% to about 0.8% by weight carbon; about 16% to about 18% by weight chromium; about 4.5% to about 5.5% by weight nickel; about 2.0% to about 5.0% by weight manganese; about 0.8% to about 1.2% by weight tungsten; about 0.8% to about 1.2% by weight molybdenum; about 0.65% to about 0.85% by weight niobium; about 0.3% to about 1.0% by weight silicon; balance iron and unavoidable impurities, wherein percentages are based on the overall weight of the composition. The invention further provides articles, such as turbine housings, prepared using the inventive alloys. |
| US09028743B2 |
Bustle pipe arrangement
There is provided a bustle pipe arrangement of a shaft furnace, in particular for feeding hot gas into the shaft furnace such as e.g. a blast furnace, wherein the bustle pipe arrangement comprises a circumferential bustle pipe arranged along the outer casing of the shaft furnace, at a certain distance therefrom. The arrangement further comprises a plurality of first support arms connecting the bustle pipe to the outer casing of the shaft furnace on a first level; and a plurality of second support arms connecting the bustle pipe to the outer casing of the shaft furnace on a second level, the first level being separate from the second level. The first and second support arms are configured to support the circumferential bustle pipe. First blow channels are arranged through the first support arms for fluidly connecting the bustle pipe to the interior of the shaft furnace. |
| US09028742B2 |
Steel wire tempering liquid wiping device
The present invention discloses a steel wire tempering liquid wiping device. The device comprises a shell. A thermal insulation layer is provided on an inner wall of the shell, and a steel wire inlet and a steel wire outlet are provided on the shell. A wiping fiber rack is installed in a wiping cavity, and a tempering liquid wiping fiber is installed on the wiping fiber rack and is high temperature resistant fibers. After tempering, the steel wires pass through the tempering liquid wiping fiber. At the bottom of the wiping fiber rack, a tempering liquid recovery device is arranged. A heating device is installed in the shell. The steel wires come out from a high temperature tempering furnace, and then enter the steel wire tempering liquid wiping device. |
| US09028738B2 |
Tire vulcanizer and tire vulcanizing method
In a tire vulcanizer having two sets of portions, each of which includes a lower mold, an upper mold, and a center mechanism provided with a bladder, a nitrogen gas heated in a first heating device is supplied to an interior of the bladder of the center mechanism which is placed on the upstream side in the circulating direction of the nitrogen gas. The nitrogen gas discharged from the interior of the bladder of the center mechanism is used for vulcanization and patterning and a temperature thereof is lowered. However, this nitrogen gas is heated again in a second heating device, so that the temperature is increased. Therefore, the nitrogen gas heated in the second heating device is supplied to an interior of the bladder of the center mechanism which is placed on the downstream side in the circulating direction of the nitrogen gas. |
| US09028736B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for fabricating semiconductor packages
An apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor package may include a mold and a molding plate. The mold may define a mold cavity with the mold being configured to receive a circuit board in the mold cavity, and the circuit board may include a semiconductor chip mounted thereon. A molding plate may be moveable in the mold cavity with the molding plate being configured to adjust a volume of the mold cavity. Related methods are also discussed. |
| US09028735B2 |
Process for manufacturing golf balls having multi-layered covers
The invention is directed to a processes for manufacturing golf balls having multi-layered covers including a very thin outermost thermoplastic cover layer and a thermoset uniformly contoured inner cover layer having a uniform thickness. |
| US09028733B2 |
Methods for producing multiple food extrudates
An apparatus for forming a single extrudable food stream such as a cooked cereal dough into a plurality of differently colored and/or flavored dough streams is disclosed including an extruder having screw augers for advancing a plastic food mass, a head or manifold for dividing the plastic food mass into a plurality of substreams each in turn in fluid communication with a plurality of sub-divided dough passageways, and a die head having a plurality of die ports. Each subpassage is separately supplied an additive and has disposed therein a multiplicity of in-line static mixer elements to admix the additive into the substreams of the plastic food mass before passage through the die ports. In a preferred form, first and second substreams are intermixed in a non-homogenous manner before reaching the exit ports. The extrudates are severed into individual pieces by a rotary cutter. |
| US09028732B2 |
Self-adhered single-sided slip-resistant material
A single-sided, slip resistant, self-adhesive material is produced using a blown film process which produces a film having an interior layer capable of being treated or coated to accept a pressure sensitive adhesive, a middle layer of flexible polyolefin and an exterior polyolefin elastomer layer in combination with a blowing agent to produce a single-sided slip resistant material. A number of in-line rollers are optionally provided after a pair of nip rollers, which form part of a machine direction orienter (MDO) that is used in line in the manufacturing process to heat, and then cool and condition (anneal and relieve any stresses and/or thickness inconsistencies) the film prior to the film being coated on one side with a pressure sensitive adhesive. |
| US09028730B2 |
Method of producing uniform polymer beads of various sizes
Speriodal polymer beads having a uniform size are prepared by polymerizing uniformly sized monomer droplets formed by dispersing a polymerizable monomer phase over double-walled cylindrical cross-flow membrane into an aqueous phase. A shear force is provided at a point of egression of the polymerizable monomer phase into the aqueous phase, the direction of shear substantially perpendicular to the direction of egression of the monomer phase. The polymer beads can be employed in applications where beads having uniform diameters of 10 to 200 μm are useful. |
| US09028726B2 |
Oxide sintered compact for producing transparent conductive film
The present invention provides a sputtering target suitable for producing an amorphous transparent conductive film which can be formed without heating a substrate and without feeding water during the sputtering; which is easily crystallized by low-temperature annealing; and which has low resistivity after the crystallization. An oxide sintered compact containing an indium oxide as a main component, while containing tin as a first additive element, and one or more elements selected from germanium, nickel, manganese, and aluminum as a second additive element, with the content of tin which is the first additive element being 2-15 atom % relative to the total content of indium and tin, and the total content of the second additive element being 0.1-2 atom % relative to the total content of indium, tin and the second additive element. |
| US09028725B2 |
Sintering process for thermoelectric materials
A process for densifying a composite material is provided. In some instances, the process can reduce stress in a sintered component such that improved densification and/or properties of the component is provided. The process includes providing a mixture of a first material particles and second material particles, pre-sintering the mixture at a first pressure and a first temperature in order to form a pre-sintered component, and then crushing, grinding, and sieving the pre-sintered component in order to form or obtain a generally uniform composite powder. The uniform composite powder is then sintered at a second pressure and a second temperature to form a sintered component, the second pressure being greater than the second pressure. |
| US09028724B2 |
Method for preparing water-soluble nanoparticles and their dispersions
Provided is a method for preparing an aqueous dispersion of metal nanoparticles having superior dispersibility and being sinterable at low temperature by modifying the surface of metal nanoparticles having hydrophobic groups with hydrophilic groups. Specifically, by treating the surface hydrophobic groups of the metal nanoparticles with a surface modification solution containing a surfactant and a wetting-dispersing agent, the treatment throughput can be improved about 10-fold and the particles can be monodispersed without agglomeration. Further, by using an antioxidant and a ligand removal agent in the solution, denaturation and oxidation of the particles can be prevented and the high-boiling-point hydrophobic ligands can be eliminated effectively. The hydrophilically treated metal nanoparticles may be dispersed in an aqueous-based solvent to prepare a metal ink sinterable at low temperature. |
| US09028721B2 |
Oxide sintered body, production method therefor, target, and transparent conductive film
A target for sputtering which enables to attain high rate film-formation of a transparent conductive film suitable for a blue LED or a solar cell. A oxide sintered body includes an indium oxide and a cerium oxide, and one or more oxide of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, molybdenum and tungsten. The cerium content is 0.3 to 9% by atom, as an atomicity ratio of Ce/(In+Ce+M), the M element content is equal to or lower than 1% by atom, as an atomicity ratio of M/(In+Ce+M), and the total content of cerium and the M element is equal to or lower than 9% by atom, as an atomicity ratio of (Ce+M)/(In+Ce+M). The oxide sintered body has an In2O3 phase of a bixbyite structure has a CeO2 phase of a fluorite-type structure finely dispersed as crystal grains having an average particle diameter of equal to or smaller than 3 μm. |
| US09028720B1 |
Ion transport membrane reactor systems and methods for producing synthesis gas
Embodiments of the present invention provide cost-effective systems and methods for producing a synthesis gas product using a steam reformer system and an ion transport membrane (ITM) reactor having multiple stages, without requiring inter-stage reactant injections. Embodiments of the present invention also provide techniques for compensating for membrane performance degradation and other changes in system operating conditions that negatively affect synthesis gas production. |
| US09028716B2 |
Nitridosilicates co-doped with zirconium and hafnium
The invention relates to compounds of the formula (I) Ma2-y (Ca,Sr,Ba)1-x-ySi5-zMezN8:Eux Cey (I), where Ma=Li, Na and/or K Me=Hf4+ and/or Zr4+ x=0.0015 to 0.20 and y=0 to 0.15 z<4, and to a process for the preparation of these compounds and to the use as phosphors and conversion phosphors for conversion of the blue or near-UV emission from an LED. |
| US09028715B2 |
Compositions and methods for manufacturing light-emissive devices
A composition adapted for use in the manufacture of an organic light-emissive device by passing the composition through one or more openings under pressure to deposit the composition, the composition comprising: a semi-conductive organic host material; a luminescent metal complex; and a first solvent, wherein the first solvent has a structure: where X, X′ independently comprise O, S or N and R, R′ independently comprise an aromatic or aliphatic group. |
| US09028714B2 |
Liquid crystal compound preparation and application
The invention relates to liquid-crystalline compounds of the formula (I) having a —CF2O— bridge. The invention also relates to liquid-crystalline media prepared therewith and to liquid-crystal display devices (LC displays) containing these media. This kind of compounds has the excellent characteristics including a large dielectric anisotropy, fast response time and high clearing point, and good miscibility at low temperature in the same time which has important significance in new TFT LC mixture. |
| US09028711B2 |
Negative electrode material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery and a method for its manufacture
An inexpensive negative electrode material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes three types of powder materials: alloy material A; alloy material B; and a conductive material. Alloy material A includes a CoSn2 structure containing Co, Sn, and Fe and has an Sn content of at least 70.1 mass % and less than 82.0 mass %. Alloy material B includes Co3Sn2 and has a lower discharge capacity than alloy material A. The proportion RB of the mass of alloy material B based on the total mass of alloy material A and B is greater than 5.9% and less than 27.1%. The content of the conductive material is at least 7 mass % and at most 20 mass % based on the total mass of alloy material A and B, and the conductive material. The exotherm starting temperature for the negative electrode material is less than 375.4° C. |
| US09028709B2 |
Surface treatment composition and surface treatment method using same
A surface treatment composition of the present invention contains a first surfactant, a second surfactant, a basic compound, and water. The surface treatment composition has a pH of 8 or more. The second surfactant has a weight-average molecular weight one-half or less that of the first surfactant. The sum of the content of the first surfactant and the content of the second surfactant is 0.00001 to 0.1% by mass. |
| US09028705B2 |
Capsule
A capsule having a solid core, a primary shell of liquid encapsulating the solid core and a secondary shell of particles encapsulating the primary shell. The primary and secondary shells are generally repulsive to each other. Also provided is a process for the manufacture of capsules and a process for the manufacture of a magnetic body. |
| US09028704B2 |
Magnetic recording medium and method of manufacturing
A manufacturing method of a magnetic recording medium includes follows: forming a magnetic recording layer on a substrate; forming an under layer and a metal release layer that forms an alloy with the under layer on the magnetic recording layer in this order and forming an alloyed release layer by alloying the under layer and the metal release layer; forming a mask layer on the alloyed release layer; forming a resist layer on the mask layer; providing a protrusion-recess pattern by patterning the resist layer; transferring the protrusion-recess pattern to the mask layer; transferring the protrusion-recess pattern to the alloyed release layer; transferring the protrusion-recess pattern to the magnetic recording layer; dissolving the alloyed release layer by using a stripping solution and removing a layer formed on the alloyed release layer from an upper side of the magnetic recording layer. |
| US09028702B2 |
Fuel filter with snorkel vent
A filter element is provided with a snorkel that facilitates bleeding of air along the outside periphery of a tubular filter media pack to a bleed chamber contained within the filter element. This may be employed in fuel filtration applications during installation and removal of filter elements whereby air can be temporarily trapped in a housing containing the filter element. The snorkel thus vents the air along the outside of the filter element and then into a bleed chamber where it can be communicated to a standpipe having an isolated bleed passage. |
| US09028701B2 |
Apparatus and method for filtering liquids, particularly organic liquids
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for filtering liquid products. The apparatus includes a filtration bell provided with filtering device and connected to an inflow circuit and a first outlet circuit of the retentate, and to a second outlet circuit of the filtered liquid. The apparatus can include a monitoring and control unit, a first and second sensing device suitable for detecting the value of a first pressure PT1 in the first outlet circuit and of a second pressure PT2 in the second outlet circuit, a flow rate detection device that detects the value of a first flow rate FIT in the second outlet circuit, and value device arranged in the second circuit downstream of the second sensing device. The monitoring and control unit includes a device to control the closure of the valve device and to start a process of backwashing the filtering device. |
| US09028696B2 |
Process for the recovery of oleaginous compounds from biomass
Disclosed herein are methods and processes for the recovery of oleaginous compounds from biomass and in particular biomass comprises photosynthetic microorganisms. Also disclosure are oleaginous compounds obtained using the disclosed methods. |
| US09028688B2 |
Instrument for separating blood and apparatus for separating blood
Blood separation material which separates blood collected in a blood-sampling container, into blood cells and plasma or serum within a short period of time. An apparatus for separating blood with the blood separation material. An instrument for separating blood having a first hollow needle extending toward one end, a second hollow needle extending toward the other end, a tubular container with an inner space in which the blood flows, and a blood separation material. A container with a first channel for supplying blood into an inner space through which blood flows from the needlepoint of the first hollow needle into the inner space, a second channel for blood to flow out from the inner space toward the needlepoint of the second hollow needle, and a third channel which allows air to flow from the outer space toward the needlepoint of the first hollow needle. |
| US09028684B2 |
Separating agent for optical isomer
Disclosed is a separating agent for optical isomer which is excellent in optical separation ability. Specifically disclosed is a separating agent for optical isomer containing: an inclusion complex including a π-conjugated polymer in a polymer compound having a hydroxy group or an amino group; and a carrier, the inclusion complex being carried by the carrier. |
| US09028682B2 |
System and method for H2S removal integrated with stinson process CO2 removal
A system and method for efficiently removing hydrogen sulfide from a natural gas feed stream to produce a Stinson Process feed stream and an acid gas stream. A first solvent separates the majority of the carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons from the hydrogen sulfide in the natural gas feed to produce the Stinson feed stream. By removing the majority of the hydrogen sulfide prior to feeding the Stinson Process, a carbon dioxide stream suitable for use in flooding operations may be produced with the Stinson Process. The system and method also increase the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the acid gas stream, making it suitable for sulfur recovery operations. The system and method are particularly suitable for natural gas feed streams containing 0.5%-20% hydrogen sulfide and at least 20% carbon dioxide. Operation in an anhydrous mode with the addition of nitrogen aids in solvent recovery for recycling. |
| US09028681B2 |
Drainage device for closed chamber containing liquid
A drainage device for draining liquid out of a closed chamber includes a main body, a piston assembly, and a transmission assembly. The main body defines a receiving chamber and a liquid inlet communicating with the receiving chamber to the closed chamber. The piston assembly is fixed in the receiving chamber of the main body. The transmission assembly is partially received in the receiving chamber. The transmission assembly and the piston assembly cooperatively separate the receiving chamber to a first chamber adjacent to the liquid inlet and a second chamber away from the liquid inlet. The transmission assembly is slidably received in the receiving chamber, thereby causing air pressure differences between the first chamber and the second chamber, to pump the liquid from the closed chamber to the second chamber. The main body further defines a plurality of discharge holes for draining liquid out of the second chamber. |
| US09028678B2 |
Scrubbing hydrogen sulfide from hydrotreated product
This application provides an H2S scrubbing system, a column packed with an inert material, wherein an inert gas passes counter to a flow of a hydrotreated product containing H2S through said column. There is also provided a method for scrubbing H2S from a hydrotreated product, comprising providing a hydrotreated product containing H2S; and passing the hydrotreated product over a column packed with an inert material, wherein an inert gas passed counter to a flow of the hydrotreated product. |
| US09028677B2 |
Demulsifying of hydrocarbon feeds
In various aspects, the invention provides for processing a hydrocarbon feed having hydrocarbon and emulsified aqueous components demulsifying into hydrocarbon and aqueous phases over an initial demulsification time, with an active agent to form a treated feed. The active agent has an active agent solubility in the hydrocarbon component and in the aqueous component, the aqueous component has an aqueous component solubility in the hydrocarbon component. The active agent solubility in the hydrocarbon component is greater than the aqueous component solubility in the hydrocarbon component. The active agent solubility in the aqueous component is greater than the active agent solubility in the hydrocarbon component. The active agent solubility in the aqueous component is greater than the active agent solubility in the hydrocarbon component. A treated demulsified hydrocarbon phase separates from the active agent and the aqueous component in a modified demulsification time that is shorter than the initial demulsification time. |
| US09028675B2 |
Method for increasing thermal stability of a fuel composition using a solid phosphoric acid catalyst
This invention relates to a method for increasing thermal stability of fuel, as well as in reducing nitrogen content and/or enhancing color quality of the fuel. According to the method, a fuel feedstock can be treated with a solid phosphoric acid catalyst under appropriate catalyst conditions, e.g., to increase the thermal stability of the fuel feedstock. Preferably, the fuel feedstock can be treated with the solid phosphoric acid catalyst at a ratio of catalyst mass within a contact zone to a mass flow rate of feedstock through the zone of at least about 18 minutes to increase the thermal stability of the fuel feedstock, along with reducing nitrogen content and/or enhancing color quality. |
| US09028674B2 |
Conversion of asphaltenic pitch within an ebullated bed residuum hydrocracking process
A process for upgrading residuum hydrocarbons including: feeding pitch, hydrogen, and a partially spent catalyst recovered from a hydrocracking reactor to an ebullated bed pitch hydrocracking reactor; contacting the pitch, hydrogen, and the catalyst in the ebullated bed pitch hydrocracking reactor at reaction conditions of temperature and pressure sufficient to convert at least a portion of the pitch to distillate hydrocarbons; and separating the distillate hydrocarbons from the catalyst. In some embodiments, the process may include selecting the ebullated bed pitch hydrocracking reactor reaction conditions to be at or below the level where sediment formation would otherwise become excessive and prevent continuity of operations. |
| US09028669B2 |
Process for producing reduced glutathione
Reduced glutathione is produced by a process for producing reduced glutathione by electroreduction of oxidized glutathione using a cathode cell and an anode cell separated from each other by a separating membrane, comprising using, as a solution in the cathode cell, an aqueous oxidized glutathione solution having a pH adjusted to higher than 3.0 and not more than 7.0 by adding a base, in which oxidized glutathione itself also acts as a conducting agent. |
| US09028668B2 |
Electrolytic copper plating bath and method for electroplating using the electrolytic copper plating bath
For use for a circuit board where a through hole and a blind via hole co-exist, an electrolytic copper plating bath in which the covering power for the through hole and the plugging performance for the blind via hole are sufficient, and an electroplating method that uses the electrolytic copper plating bath, are disclosed. The electrolytic copper plating bath is mainly composed of a water-soluble copper salt, sulfuric acid and chloride ions. A polyamide polyamine, obtained on processing by heating of an epichlorohydrin modified product of a polycondensation product of diethylene triamine, adipic acid and ε-caprolactam, is contained in the bath as a leveler. |
| US09028664B2 |
Proton concentration topographies, methods and devices for producing the same
A device for isoelectric focusing. The device comprises a focusing container configured to contain an electrolyte solution and having a longitudinal axis and at least one electrolysis unit mounted in a close proximity to the longitudinal axis. Each electrolysis unit injects an ion flow into the focusing container so as to create a pH gradient having a plurality of steps in the electrolyte solution, along the longitudinal axis. Each step has a substantially uniform pH level and the pH gradient is defined by at least one pH ramp between every two sequential steps of the plurality of steps. |
| US09028658B2 |
Mn-containing copper alloy sputtering target generating few particles
A Mn-containing copper alloy sputtering target is provided. The target generates a small number of particles and is used to form diffusion inhibiting films and seed films of interconnects of semiconductor devices simultaneously. The target is a Mn-containing copper alloy sputtering target that generates few particles, comprising a copper alloy containing 0.6 to 30 mass % of Mn with the balance consisting of copper and impurities, wherein the impurities are controlled to include a total of 40 ppm or less of metallic impurities, 10 ppm or less of oxygen, 5 ppm or less of nitrogen, 5 ppm or less of hydrogen, and 10 ppm or less of carbon. |
| US09028657B2 |
Front referenced anode
Apparatus and methods for electroplating are described. Apparatus described herein include anode supports including positioning mechanisms that maintain a consistent distance between the surface of the wafer and the surface of a consumable anode during plating. Greater uniformity control is achieved. |
| US09028652B2 |
Methods of making bulked absorbent members
Absorbent members, especially bulked absorbent members, and methods of making the same are disclosed. The absorbent member may be in the form of a unitary absorbent fibrous layer comprising at least some cellulose fibers. The unitary absorbent fibrous layer is at least partially stratified through its thickness. The absorbent member may also have a plurality of discrete deformations, such as depressions and/or apertures in its surfaces. The method involves subjecting a precursor web to at least one cycle (or pass) through a mechanical deformation process. The mechanical deformation process utilizes a first forming member and a second forming member that form a nip therebetween through which the precursor web is passed. The first and second forming members are moving at different speeds relative to each other when they come together to form the nip. |
| US09028649B2 |
Semiconductor die pick-up apparatus and method of picking up semiconductor die using the same
Provided is a semiconductor die pick-up apparatus including a stage, a suction opening, a cover that opens and closes a suction opening, and projections and primary holes arranged at a circumferential edge of the suction opening and project from a contact surface. When picking up a semiconductor die, in a state in which at least a portion of a contour of the semiconductor die sticks out from the projections toward the outer circumference of the stage, a retaining sheet at the portion sticking out from the primary holes is suctioned, a tip end of the cover is caused to advance upward, the cover is caused to slide while pushing the retaining sheet and the semiconductor die upward to open the suction opening sequentially, the opened suction opening is caused to suction the retaining sheet sequentially to separate the retaining sheet from the semiconductor die. |
| US09028648B1 |
Substrate processing apparatus, method of manufacturing semiconductor device and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium
Provided are a substrate processing apparatus and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, which perform a cleaning process on the inside of an exhaust buffer chamber even if gases are exhausted using the exhaust buffer chamber. The substrate processing apparatus includes a processing space to process a substrate on a substrate placing surface, a gas supply system to supply gases into the processing space through a side facing the substrate placing surface, an exhaust buffer chamber including a communication hole communicating with the processing space at least at a side portion of the processing space and a gas flow blocking wall extending in a blocking direction of the gases flowing through the communication hole, a gas exhaust system configured to exhaust the gases supplied into the exhaust buffer chamber, and a cleaning gas supply pipe configured to supply a cleaning gas into the exhaust buffer chamber. |
| US09028644B2 |
Method for producing glass laminates with sound attenuating properties
Laminated glass is produced by laminating at least one film A, having a glass transition temperature TA and containing a polyvinyl acetal PA and optionally at least one plasticizer WA, and at least one film B, having a glass transition temperature TB and containing a polyvinyl acetal PB and at least one plasticizer WB, between two glass sheets, wherein, before the lamination process, film A has a proportion of plasticizer WA of less than 24% by weight, film B has a proportion of plasticizer WB of at least 24% by weight, and film A has a thickness of no more than 30% of the thickness of film B. |
| US09028642B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for lining conduits
A method for inverting a tubular liner in a hollow conduit involves: forming a cuff from the tubular liner, the cuff having an opening through which the liner is fed; and while feeding the liner through the cuff opening, feeding a gas under pressure through a gas inlet port formed in the liner to a space between the cuff and the remainder of the liner, thereby causing inversion and inflation of the liner into and through the conduit. After a portion of the liner has been inverted in the conduit, a region of the cuff and liner upstream of the gas inlet port is sealed off, thereby causing inversion of the remainder of the liner in the conduit. Optionally, before a trailing end of the liner is fed through the opening of the cuff, the trailing end is sealed to prevent flow of gas therefrom. When the liner is intended to line the conduit, the liner resin-impregnated either outside or in the conduit and, after complete inversion of the liner in the conduit, the resin is cured and the ends of the liner are sealed to the inside surfaces of the conduit. An apparatus and system for conducting the method are also provided. |
| US09028635B2 |
Fiber reinforced plastic bolt and method for producing the same
A fiber reinforced plastic bolt(FRP) and a method for producing the same are disclosed. The FRP bolt is useful in the industrial areas which require a bolt having electric-insulation, anti-corrosive, thermal-insulation, and non-magnetic properties. The method for producing the FRP bolt includes the steps of: winding a prepreg around a surface of an internal body, wherein the internal body includes a first reinforcing fiber which is unidirectionally aligned along the axis of the bolt, and a synthetic resin which is impregnated into the first reinforcing fiber, and the prepreg includes a second reinforcing fiber and a thermosetting resin which is impregnated into the second reinforcing fiber; forming a fiber reinforced plastic round bar by heat-hardening the prepreg; and forming a screw thread on the surface of the fiber reinforced plastic round bar. |
| US09028632B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for making absorbent articles
The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for assembling absorbent articles, and more particularly, diaper pants, each including a chassis connected with front and back elastic belts. As discussed in more detail below, opposing end regions of the chassis are connected with regions of the elastic belts where the elasticity of the elastic belts has been removed or deactivated. As discussed in more detail below, an elastic laminate may be formed by continuously bonding elastic strands between a first continuous substrate layer and a second continuous substrate layer. The elastic strands are then intermittently severed in light-bond regions of the elastic laminate. Adhesive on the laminate causes the severed elastic ends to retract or snap back from the light-bond regions at a relatively slower and/or controlled rate. |
| US09028629B2 |
Methods of refurbishing an adhered component and composites comprising adhered components
A composite comprising adhered components and method of refurbishing such composites are described herein. The composite includes a first component, a second component, and the first component being adhered to the second component using an adhesive stack. The adhesive stack comprises a first adhesive-impregnated scrim layer disposed between the first component and the second component and a bulk adhesive layer disposed between the first component and the second component. |
| US09028628B2 |
Wafer-to-wafer oxide fusion bonding
Oxide-oxide fusion bonding of wafers that includes performing a van der Waals force bonding process with a chuck having at least a flat central zone and an outer annular zone lower than the central zone, an edge portion of a mounted wafer is biased towards the outer annular zone. The van der Waals bonding wave is disrupted at the outer annular zone, causing an edge gap. A thermocompression bonding process is performed that includes heating the bonded wafers to a temperature sufficient to initiate condensation of silanol groups between the bonding surfaces, reducing the atmospheric pressure to cause degassing from between the wafers, applying a compression force to the wafers with flat chucks so as to substantially eliminate the edge gap, and performing a permanent anneal bonding process. |
| US09028623B2 |
Oxygen monolayer on a semiconductor
A Si or Ge semi-conductor substrate includes an oxygen monolayer on a surface thereof. The oxygen monolayer can be fractional or complete. A Si4+ or Ge4+ oxidation state of the surface of the Si or Ge substrate, respectively, resulting from the presence of the oxygen monolayer represents less than 50%, preferably less than 40% and more preferably less than 30% of the sum of Si1+, Si2+, Si3+ and Si4+ oxidation states or the sum of Ge1+, Ge2+, Ge3+ and Ge4+ oxidation states, respectively, as measured by XPS. |
| US09028621B2 |
Substrate cleaning method and substrate cleaning device
A substrate rotates, and a liquid nozzle of a gas/liquid supply nozzle moves to a position above the center of the rotating substrate. In this state, a rinse liquid is discharged from the liquid nozzle onto the rotating substrate. The gas/liquid supply nozzle moves toward a position outside the substrate. A gas nozzle reaches the position above the center of the rotating substrate, so that the gas/liquid supply nozzle temporarily stops. With the gas/liquid supply nozzle stopping, an inert gas is discharged onto the center of the rotating substrate for a given period of time. After that, the gas/liquid supply nozzle again moves toward the position outside the substrate. |
| US09028620B2 |
Substrate clean solution for copper contamination removal
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a method for selectively etching or otherwise removing copper or other metallic contaminants from a substrate, such as a gallium arsenide wafer. In one embodiment, a method for selectively removing metallic contaminants from a substrate surface is provided which includes exposing a substrate to a peroxide clean solution, exposing the substrate to a hydroxide clean solution, and exposing the substrate to a selective etch solution containing potassium iodide, iodine, sulfuric acid, and water during a selective etch process. The substrate generally contains gallium arsenide material, such as crystalline gallium arsenide, and is usually a growth substrate for an epitaxial lift off (ELO) process. The copper or other metallic contaminants disposed on the substrate may be selectively etched at a rate of about 500 times, about 1,000 times, about 2,000 times, or about 4,000 times or greater than the gallium arsenide material. |
| US09028619B2 |
System and method for cleaning tokens
A system and method for securing tokens to be cleaned includes a tray with a curved surface defining a channel extending along a first direction and spacers projecting from the curved surface into the channel. The spacers are disposed at regular intervals along the first direction. The curved surface also has at least one opening. The tokens may be inserted into the channel between adjacent spacers and the tray holding the tokens can be submerged into a cleaning liquid. Identical trays containing tokens can also be stacked and together submerged into the cleaning liquid. The tray holding the tokens can be placed on a drying surface that has a drainage hole, and wetness remaining on the tokens can be sucked through the hole in the channel and the drainage hole by a vacuum or blown through the hole in the channel and drainage hole by an air blower. |
| US09028616B2 |
Method for cleaning inside of pressure tight container for blasting treatment
Provided is a method for cleaning the inside of a pressure tight container for a blasting treatment, wherein the inside of a pressure tight container can be cleaned for a short period of time after a blasting treatment. The method is comprised of a setting process wherein a cleaning blast (1) capable of cracking a part of a residual substance remaining on the inside of a pressure tight container (10), and a solid separating material (2) which collides with a substance bonded to an inner wall surface (32a) of the pressure tight container (10), to separate the bonded substance from the inner wall surface (32a) of the pressure tight container (10), are set on the inside of the pressure tight container (10); and a separation process wherein the cleaning blast (1) blasts on the inside of the pressure tight container (10), to crack a part of the residual substance remaining on the inside of the pressure tight container (10), and the separating material (2) is divided into a plurality of granular elements by the blast, so that the granular elements are spread, and collide with the bonded substance to remove the bonded substance. |
| US09028614B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus
When processing such as SiC epitaxial growth is performed at an ultrahigh temperature of 1500° C. to 1700° C., a film-forming gas can be decreased to heat-resistant temperature of a manifold and film quality uniformity can be improved. A substrate processing apparatus includes a reaction chamber for processing a plurality of substrates, a boat for holding the plurality of substrates, a gas supply nozzle for supplying a film-forming gas to the plurality of substrates, an exhaust port for exhausting the film-forming gas supplied into the reaction chamber, a heat exchange part which defines a second flow path narrower than a first flow path defined by an inner wall of the reaction chamber and the boat, and a gas discharge part installed under the lowermost substrate of the plurality of substrates. |
| US09028604B2 |
Method of reducing the odour of sulphur-bound products
Method of reducing the odor of sulphur-bound products, in particular modified sulphur or sulphur concrete, comprising contacting the sulphur-bound products with a bleaching agent, like e.g. sodium hydrochloride or hydrogen peroxide. The resulting sulphur-bound products emit reduced levels of sulphur-containing gases such as H2S and SO2 and have a reduced odor. |
| US09028599B2 |
Copper film-forming composition, and method for producing copper film by using the composition
Provided is a copper film-forming composition, which is in the form of a solution and can obtain a copper film having sufficient electrical conductivity when heated at a relatively low temperature. This copper film-forming composition contains 0.01 to 3.0 mol/kg of copper formate or its hydrate, 0.01 to 3.0 mol/kg of copper acetate or its hydrate, at least one diol compound selected from a group of diols of formula (1) and diols of formula (1′), a piperidine compound of formula (2), and an organic solvent. When a content of the copper formate or its hydrate is assumed to be 1 mol/kg, the diol compound is contained in a range of 0.1 to 6.0 mol/kg and the piperidine compound is contained in a range of 0.1 to 6.0 mol/kg. |
| US09028594B2 |
Self service kiosk incorporating moisture repellant filter
A self service kiosk station employing a water repellant air filter is provided. The self service kiosk may take many forms including a vending machine, gaming station, ATM, DVD rental machine, or the like. Positive pressure within the housing may be employed as well to keep contaminants outs and ensure air flow into the housing is through the water repellant air filter. |
| US09028593B2 |
Method and absorbent compositions for recovering a gaseous component from a gas stream
A method and apparatus for recovering a gaseous component from an incoming gas stream is described. The incoming gas stream is contacted with a lean aqueous absorbing medium to absorb at least a portion of the gaseous component from the incoming gas stream to form a lean treated gas stream and a rich aqueous absorbing medium. At least a portion of the gaseous component is desorbed from the rich aqueous absorbing medium at a temperature to form an overhead gas stream and a regenerated aqueous absorbing medium. At least a portion of the overhead gas stream is treated to recover a condensate stream. At least a portion of the condensate stream is used to form a heated stream. At least a portion of the heated stream is recycled back to the desorbing step. Novel absorbing medium compositions to recover carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide are also described. |
| US09028592B2 |
System and method for carbon dioxide capture and sequestration from relatively high concentration CO2 mixtures
A system and method of reducing the net carbon dioxide footprint of an industrial process that generates power from the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels in which ambient air is admixed with up to 50% by volume of an effluent gas from the power generator of the industrial process, in order to substantially increase the CO2 concentration in the air prior to treatment. The treatment comprises adsorbing CO2 from the admixed ambient air utilizing a cooled, porous substrate-supported amine adsorbent, wherein the porous substrate initially contacts the mixed ambient air containing condensed water in its pores, which act as an intrinsic coolant with respect to the exothermic heat generated by the adsorption process. In addition, prior to regenerating the supported adsorbent, air pressure is substantially reduced in the sealed regeneration chamber and the low pressure chamber is placed in fluid connection with a higher pressure regeneration chamber containing steam and carbon dioxide, to preheat the sorbent to be regenerated and to quickly cool the regenerated sorbent prior to use for further CO2 adsorption. |
| US09028587B2 |
Gallium-68 purification
A method is described for obtaining purified 68Ga. The method comprises eluting 68Ga from a sorbent in and/or on which are sorbed 68Ga and 68Ge, so as to generate a crude 68Ga solution. The sorbent should have a higher affinity for 68Ge than for 68Ga. The crude 68Ga solution is then applied to a medium cation exchange resin, and the resin is eluted with an aqueous alcohol so as to retain the 68Ga on the resin and remove unwanted species from the resin. The resin is then eluted with an eluent, which may be an acidic solution, an alkaline solution or a solution of a species capable of complexing 68Ga ions, so as to obtain an eluate comprising purified 68Ga ions. |
| US09028578B2 |
Gas turbine inlet filter with replaceable media cartridges
A filter arrangement for a system within which fluid is filtered and an associated method of providing the arrangement. A frame of the arrangement includes an outer periphery shape that is complementary to a shape for location of the filter arrangement therein and a plurality of filter cartridge seat slots arranged in V-shaped pairs. Each filter cartridge seat slot provides a sub-aperture for removably receiving a respective filter cartridge in a direction transverse to the flow proceeding through the sub-aperture. The filter arrangement includes a plurality of filter cartridges that are removably located within respective filter cartridge seat slots. The filter arrangement includes a non-permanent sealing arrangement between the filter cartridges and the frame so that flow does not by-pass filter media. The non-permanent arrangement permits removal of the filter cartridges from the frame and replacement with new filter cartridges upon the frame. |
| US09028575B2 |
EDM cuttable, high CBN content solid PCBN compact
The present disclosure relates to cubic boron nitride (cBN) cutting elements that have high cBN content and that are cuttable by electric discharge machining (EDM). A cutting element according to an embodiment includes a self-sintered polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) compact, having a first phase of cubic boron nitride (cBN) particles and a ceramic binder phase with titanium compounds. The first phase occupies greater than 80% by volume of the self-sintered PCBN compact. The self-sintered PCBN compact has an electrical conductivity sufficient to be cuttable by electrical discharge machining. |
| US09028572B2 |
Polishing composition and method utilizing abrasive particles treated with an aminosilane
The inventive method comprises chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate with an inventive polishing composition comprising a liquid carrier and abrasive particles that have been treated with a compound. |
| US09028571B2 |
Syngas cooler system and method of operation
A process and system for cooling syngas provides effective syngas cooling and results in reduced levels of fouling in syngas cooling equipment. A process for cooling syngas includes blending syngas with cooled recycled syngas in an amount effective for providing a blended syngas with a temperature at an inlet of a syngas cooler of about 600° F. to about 1400° F. The blended syngas changes direction of flow at least once prior to the inlet of the syngas cooler. |
| US09028569B2 |
Gasification quench chamber and scrubber assembly
A gasification quench chamber is disclosed. The gasification quench chamber includes a reservoir that contains liquid coolant in its lower portion and an exit for the cooled syngas in its upper portion; a dip tube that is configured to introduce a syngas mixture to contact the liquid coolant which produces the cooled syngas; a cooling device configured to further cool the cooled syngas in its upper portion; and a stability device in the lower portion that is configured to mitigate coolant level fluctuation and sloshing. In an embodiment of the quench chamber, the cooling device includes a heat exchanger pipe. A quench chamber and scrubber assembly is also disclosed. |
| US09028567B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing synthetic fuels
For producing synthetic fuels, an educt mixture containing steam and oxygenates, such as methanol and/or dimethyl ether, is converted to olefins on a catalyst in a first process stage, and this olefin mixture then is divided in a separating means into a stream rich in C1-C4 hydrocarbons and a stream rich in C5+ hydrocarbons. The stream rich in C5+ hydrocarbons is divided into a stream rich in C5 and C6 hydrocarbons and a stream rich in C7+ hydrocarbons, wherein the stream rich in C5 and C6 hydrocarbons is at least partly subjected to an etherification with methanol. The ethers thus obtained are admixed to the gasoline product stream. |
| US09028556B2 |
Method and apparatus for re-attaching the labrum of a hip joint
A method and apparatus for re-attaching the labrum of a hip joint. |
| US09028552B2 |
Cervical disc replacement
A method for replacing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc in a spinal column includes: removing the portion of the intervertebral disc from the spinal column; and inserting an apparatus for replacing the portion of the intervertebral disc into an intervertebral disc space defined substantially between adjacent vertebral bones of the spinal column, and positioning the apparatus between the vertebral bones, wherein the apparatus is operable to permit the adjacent vertebral bones to articulate relative to one another about at least one of: (i) a first center of rotation for at least one of flexion and extension that is located outside the intervertebral disc space, and (ii) a second center of rotation for lateral bending that is located outside the intervertebral disc space. |
| US09028550B2 |
Selectively expanding spine cage with enhanced bone graft infusion
A selectively expanding spine cage has a minimized cross section in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the diameter of the neuroforamen through which it passes in the distracted spine. The cage conformably engages between the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae to effectively distract the anterior disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Expanding selectively (anteriorly, along the vertical axis of the spine) rather than uniformly, the cage height increases and holds the vertebrae with fixation forces greater than adjacent bone and soft tissue failure forces in natural lordosis. Stability is thus achieved immediately, enabling patient function by eliminating painful motion. The cage shape intends to rest proximate to the anterior column cortices securing the desired spread and fixation, allowing for bone graft in, around, and through the implant for arthrodesis whereas for arthroplasty it fixes to endpoints but cushions the spine naturally. |
| US09028549B1 |
Intervertebral fusion device and method of use
Some embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus that (1) delivers a fusion member between two vertebral bodies after at least a portion of the fibrocartilaginous disc between the vertebral bodies has been removed, and (2) affixes the fusion member to the vertebral bodies. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes (1) a fusion member that is delivered and positioned between the vertebral bodies, (2) a delivery mechanism that delivers and positions the fusion member between the vertebral bodies, and (3) an anchoring member that affixes the fusion member to the vertebral bodies. |
| US09028548B2 |
Facet arthroplasty devices and methods
A prosthesis replaces all or a portion of a natural facet joint on a vertebral body. The prosthesis has a prosthesis body accommodating fixation to the vertebral body at or near a pedicle and without support by a lamina. The prosthesis body has a fastening element installed within the vertebral body at or near a pedicle. The prosthesis further has an artificial facet joint structure carried by the prosthesis body at a location spaced from the fastening element. The artificial facet joint structure is adapted and configured to replace all or a portion of a natural facet joint. |
| US09028547B2 |
Tissue graft fixation
A surgical device includes a member having first and second opposing surfaces. The member includes an intermediate portion in which the first surface has a recessed surface portion. The intermediate portion defines a hole extending from the recessed surface portion to the second surface. End portions extend from the intermediate portion, and each end portion defines a hole extending from the first surface to the second surface. The member has a tapered surface portion on the second surface. The surgical device includes a second member sized to be received within the recessed surface portion. A method includes locating a tissue fixation device at an opening to a bone hole, and increasing the size of the tissue fixation device by placing the tissue fixation device within a larger device. |
| US09028544B2 |
Robotic heart valve annulus sizer
A heart valve annulus sizer is provided for measuring a valve to be fitted with an annuloplasty ring. The sizer may include a body having a peripheral portion defining an opening, at least one rib disposed within the opening and dividing the opening into at least a first opening and a second opening, and an anchor disposed on and projecting from the body. The sizer may include a length of suture connected to the body. The anchor may include an aperture adapted to receive the length of suture. A method of using the sizer is provided that includes grasping the sizer with an instrument and positioning the sizer adjacent to a valve into a position suitable to allow for measurement of the valve. |
| US09028542B2 |
Venous valve, system, and method
A venous valve with a frame and a cover on the frame for unidirectional flow of a liquid through the valve. |
| US09028540B2 |
Vascular stent with improved vessel wall apposition
A medical device is provided. The medical device includes a vessel-engaging member attached to a distal end of a delivery wire via a connection mechanism. The vessel-engaging member includes a plurality of rows and a plurality of bridges positioned between each adjacent row, each of the bridges connecting a vertex of a first row with a corresponding vertex of a second row. The vessel-engaging member further includes first and second tapered sections coupled to the connection mechanism, each of the tapered sections projecting from a proximal row and tapering in a direction from the proximal row toward the connection mechanism, each of the tapered sections having a length measured along a longitudinal axis, wherein the length of the first tapered section is less than the length of the second tapered section. |
| US09028537B2 |
Infant heel heat pack
A heat pack for warming the heel of an infant with a front panel and a rear panel wherein the rear panel is adapted for placement on the infant's heel and has an outer layer formed of a nonwoven material which may be wetted. A band is provided for attaching the heat pack to the infant's heel. Heat from the heat pack effectively drives water applied to the nonwoven material into the infant's heel where it is then trapped in the skin under the heat pack. By thus moisturizing and softening the skin, a puncture necessary for taking a blood sample is eased. |
| US09028530B2 |
Suture having antimicrobial properties
A tissue engageable suture having antimicrobial properties is provided. The suture includes a plurality of thread members. The thread members include a plurality of structural thread members having a structural portion and an antimicrobial portion. The thread members also include a plurality of adhesive thread members. The plurality of structural thread members and the plurality of adhesive thread members are woven together to form a multiple thread-containing cabled suture wherein the adhesive thread members bond the structural thread members within the cabled structure. |
| US09028529B2 |
Systems and methods for closing a tissue opening
The present invention is directed to tissue closure devices for closing a tissue opening, including one or more closure components, each closure component having a first member and a second member, each of the first and second members having a first surface that adheres to a tissue surface proximate to the tissue opening, each of the first and second members having a second surface substantially orthogonal to the first surface, and each of the first and second members having a transitional region between the first surface and the second surface which is contoured to evert an edge of the tissue opening upon the drawing together of the first and second members. The present invention is also directed to systems and kits, dressing systems, and methods for tissue repair and closure. |
| US09028526B2 |
Method and system for preparing soft tissue for grafting, enhancing grafting results, and grafting autologous fat and adipocyte derived stem cells to soft tissue such as the breast and other tissue defects
A method is disclosed for preparing a soft tissue site, and augmenting the soft tissue site, such as the breast(s), scar, depression, or other defect, of a subject through use of devices that exert a distractive force on the breast(s) and grafting of autologous fat tissue such as domes with sealing rims for surrounding each of the soft tissue site and a regulated pump. The method for preparing the soft tissue site, and enhancing fat graft results, entails application of the distracting force to the targeted soft tissue site at least intermittently for some period of time and preferably several weeks prior to the graft procedure. A related aspect of the invention includes following the preparation steps by transfer of fat from other areas of the subject to the subject's soft tissue site, and then reapplication of the distractive force to the soft tissue site that received the autologous fat graft. Alternatively, fat from genetically related sources may be used, and the fat may be further processed prior to injection. Substantial soft tissue augmentation, high rates of graft survival and negligible graft necrosis (data demonstrating 80% survival and only 20% necrosis is presented) or calcification result from the practice of these methods. |
| US09028525B2 |
Percutaneous retrievable vascular filter
Retrievable vena cava filters for the temporary or permanent prevention of Pulmonary embolism (PE) are disclosed. A filter in accordance with the present invention has a tube-within-tube structure with overlapping semi-spheres. The semi-spheres comprise a plurality of expandable legs. The first tube may have a first set of expandable legs and a plurality of slots allowing for deployment of a second or third set of expandable legs on the second tube. The filter of the present invention may be retrieved by a catheter and snare. The third set of expandable legs conveys the vector force from the closing of the first set to the second set to cause it to collapse. |
| US09028523B2 |
Systems, devices and methods for accessing a bodily opening
Medical systems, devices and methods are provided for accessing a bodily opening that, among other things, are safe and reliable, and facilitate manipulation of a medical instrument. The medical access device generally includes an elongated flexible sheath and an expandable frame connected to the distal end of the flexible sheath. The sheath and expandable frame are operable between expanded and collapsed configurations to provide a pathway from a natural orifice to the bodily opening. Medical systems and methods are also provided for delivering the medical device. |
| US09028502B2 |
Ceramic implant holder
An orthopedic prosthetic impactor used for the implantation of double mobility cup implants is described. The impactor consists of a drive train, a C-shaped housing, and a prosthetic cup engaging subassembly. The subassembly comprises an impaction plate, a primary cup contacting member, a secondary cup contacting member and a wedging assembly. The primary and secondary cup contacting members, contactable with an interior surface of the prosthetic cup implant. When activated by the drive train, the wedging assembly moves in a proximal direction towards the impaction plate, positioning the wedging assembly in a contactable relationship with the primary and secondary members thereby preventing the members and a connected prosthetic implant cup from moving during implantation. |
| US09028501B2 |
Tibial orthopaedic surgical instruments and method of using same
An orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly includes an attachment device, an intramedullary orthopaedic surgical instrument, and a cutting block. The attachment device includes a housing, a rail extending outwardly from the housing, and a mounting frame positioned on the rail that is configured to slide relative to the housing along the rail. The intramedullary orthopaedic surgical instrument is removably coupled to the housing, and the cutting block is removably coupled to the mounting frame. |
| US09028500B2 |
Surgical instrument
The invention relates to a surgical instrument, in particular a sliding shaft instrument, with a main part, and a moveable part relative thereto, with a handle attached to the main part, comprising a fixed grip and a grip actuating the moveable part, with at least one guide, through which, in relation to the main part, the moveable part is moveable between an initial position and a working position, and with a sliding surface attached to the movable part and pointing towards the main part, the sliding surface being slid along a guide surface attached to the main part and pointing towards the sliding surface, with at least the sliding surface or the guide surface are assigned to each other for the formation of a washable gap. |
| US09028498B2 |
Modular bone fixation plate assembly
A bone fixation plate assembly includes a proximal plate having a proximal body with a first arm projecting therefrom, the first arm having an elongated expansion slot extending through a portion thereof and a threaded bore formed thereon so as to communicate with the expansion slot. A set screw is received within the threaded bore and has a top surface with a driver engaging feature formed thereon and an encircling perimeter edge. A distal plate has a distal body with a first sleeve projecting therefrom. The first sleeve bounds a socket with the first arm received therein. An access opening is formed on the first sleeve and is configured so that the driver engaging feature of the set screw is accessible through the access opening while at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the set screw is covered by the first sleeve. |
| US09028496B2 |
Device for establishing supportive forces in the bony structure of a skeleton
A device is provided for insertion into a human bone to replicate the biomechanical forces found in a healthy bone in a human skeleton. The device can be configured in several different ways and is customizable to meet the requirements of a particular bone. The device is constructed with a central shaft having a compression plate at one end and a base member at the other. A plurality of wires interconnects the compression plate and the base member. The central shaft is threaded at both ends, with one end threaded into the base member and the other end threaded into the compression plate. An actuator is used to urge the base member in the direction of the compression plate. This action forces the plurality of wires to bow in an outward direction to stabilize the device against the bony surface on the interior surface of a bone. |
| US09028493B2 |
In vivo attachable and detachable end effector assembly and laparoscopic surgical instrument and methods therefor
A method of performing surgery includes the steps of providing a forceps having a housing including a shaft that extends therefrom and at least one handle moveable relative to the housing and providing an end effector assembly configured to selectively engage a distal end of the shaft. The method also includes the steps of inserting the forceps through a first opening formed in a body; inserting the end effector assembly through a second opening formed in the body; engaging the end effector assembly with the distal end of the shaft in vivo; and actuating the end effector assembly by moving the handle relative to the housing. The method may also include the steps of providing a coupling at the distal end of the shaft, and engaging, via the coupling, the distal end of the shaft with the end effector assembly. |
| US09028491B2 |
MIS electrosurgical handpiece
An electrosurgical handpiece comprising a squeezable handle connected to extend and retract bipolar electrodes from a rigid tubular member. The bipolar electrodes comprise active separable distal ends and connecting links configured such that when the handle is unsqueezed, the active distal ends protrude from the distal end of the first tubular member and are adjacent one another, and when the handle is fully squeezed, the active distal ends are fully extended outwardly from the first tubular member and separate, and when the handle is relaxed but still partially squeezed, the active distal ends come together and touch first at their extreme ends and then touch over a broader area in a position to grasp tissue for receiving electrosurgical currents. |
| US09028490B2 |
Suction coagulator
An electrosurgical suction coagulator includes a housing having proximal and distal ends and an elongated tube-like shaft extending longitudinally from the distal end of the housing. The elongated tube-like shaft includes a tube-like dielectric sheath, a tube-like conductor, and an external insulator. The tube-like conductor is disposed coaxially through the tube-like dielectric sheath. The distal end of the tube-like conductor protrudes at least partially from the distal end of the tube-like dielectric sheath. The external insulator is disposed coaxially around the tube-like dielectric sheath. The external insulator extends from about the proximal end of the dielectric sheath to about the distal end of the dielectric sheath. |
| US09028488B2 |
Radio frequency catheter to target ligamentum flavum
A device for performing a surgical procedure comprising an elongated shaft extending between a proximal end and a distal end and including an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a passageway. A stylet is configured for moveable disposal within the passageway of the elongated shaft. The stylet includes a blunt distal tip configured for disposal outside the distal end of the elongated shaft and to prevent damage to adjacent tissue. An expandable member includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the expandable member is disposed with the distal end of the elongated shaft and the distal end of the expandable member is connected to the distal end of the stylet. At least one electrode disposed with the expandable member. |
| US09028484B2 |
Fingertip electrosurgical instruments for use in hand-assisted surgery and systems including same
A fingertip-mountable electrosurgical instrument includes a monopolar electrode capable of directing energy into tissue, and a holder configured to be operably coupled to the monopolar electrode. The holder is also configured to be operably coupled to an energy source. The holder includes a housing body and one or more attachment members coupled to the housing body. The one or more attachment members are configured to be removeably attachable to a user's finger. The housing body includes a distal end and a proximal end. The monopolar electrode is mechanically coupled to the distal end of the housing body. |
| US09028481B2 |
System and method for measuring current of an electrosurgical generator
An electrosurgical generator includes an RF output stage, a DC blocking capacitor, a measuring circuit, and a sensor circuit. The RF output stage generates electrosurgical energy for application to an active electrode. The DC blocking capacitor is electrically coupled between the RF output stage and the active electrode. The measuring circuit is coupled to the DC blocking capacitor and measures the voltage across the DC blocking capacitor. The sensor circuit determines the current of the electrosurgical energy as a function of the voltage across the DC blocking capacitor. |
| US09028480B2 |
Method and apparatus for fractional skin treatment
An apparatus for cosmetic RF skin treatment where the RF energy supply is isolated from the patient treated, such that in course of treatment no undesired current flows through the subject body. |
| US09028465B2 |
Therapeutic delivery devices, systems, and methods
Devices, systems, and methods for delivery of therapeutics, in particular thrombolytic agents, in particular plasmin, are provided. The devices, systems, and methods also provide for occlusion of a vessel or graft distal and/or proximal to a treatment zone. Also provided are devices, systems, and methods that trap emboli. |
| US09028464B2 |
Bone fracture reduction system and methods of using the same
A method of treating a fracture includes creating an access path to a fracture site in a bone and inserting a guidewire through the access path into the fracture site is provided. The method includes the steps of positioning a cannulated drill bit having a distal end including helical flutes configured for drilling through bone over the guidewire into the fracture site, and advancing the drill bit to create a passageway in the bone configured to receive a screw. Positioning a cannulated inflatable bone tamp over the guidewire and inflating the inflatable bone tamp to compress at least a portion of the bone in or near the fracture site so as to create a void. Delivering a bone void filler into the void through the access path to fill the void. Systems and kits are disclosed. |
| US09028461B2 |
Pull-on wear article and method for producing the same
A pull-on wear article having a front portion that is adapted to be worn around the front side of a wearer, a crotch portion that is adapted to be worn along the wearer's crotch region, and a rear portion that is adapted to be worn around the wearer's rear side, which is formed into a pants form by bonding lateral side edges of the front portion and lateral side edges of the rear portion, wherein the front portion and the rear portion are each constituted by an outer cover in which an inner layer material and an outer layer material are laminated, the outer cover has plural single layer areas that are formed of the inner layer material or the outer layer material at intervals in the direction of length of the outer cover, and the laminate areas where the inner layer material and outer layer material are laminated have elasticity in the waist-surrounding direction of the outer cover. |
| US09028459B2 |
Reduced-pressure dressings, systems, and methods with evaporative devices
Wounds dressings, systems, and methods are presented for removing liquid from a wound site into a dressing and moving air through the dressing to evaporate at least a portion of the removed liquid. The air is moved in one instance by a Coanda device incorporated into the dressing. Other systems, dressings, and methods are presented. |
| US09028458B2 |
System and method for applying reduced pressure at a tissue site
The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed to a manually-actuated pump and method for applying reduced pressure at a tissue site. The manually-actuated pump includes at least one variable volume chamber that is manually compressible into a plurality of positions. The manually-actuated pump includes a fixed volume chamber in communication with the at least one variable volume chamber. The manually-actuated pump also includes a filter housing having a hydrophobic filter that prevents liquid from entering the at least one variable volume chamber. The fixed volume chamber is coupled to the at least one variable volume chamber via the filter housing. The filter housing is located in between the at least one variable volume chamber and the fixed volume chamber. The fixed volume chamber has reduced pressure that is applied to the tissue site in response to a movement of the at least one variable volume chamber from a compressed position in the plurality of positions to an uncompressed position in the plurality of positions. |
| US09028457B2 |
Method and apparatus for application of a fluid
A method and apparatus for separation, concentration, and/or applying a biological or bio-engineered fluid. Generally, the fluid application device includes a sprayer body to enable the application of the fluid and a container adaptable to enable the separation of the fluid into at least a first component and a second component. The container is releasably coupled to the nozzle. The nozzle is adapted to withdraw at least one of the first component or the second component from the container after the fluid has been separated to apply the fluid to a selected site. |
| US09028449B2 |
Device, kit and method for placing jejunal tube device through stomach and into small intestine
A device and method for placing jejunal tube device through stomach and into small intestine with spring mechanism that is curled to diameter that is similar small bowel diameter, wherein the spring mechanism can be straightened during placement with a stiffening apparatus. The stiffening apparatus is guided by a forceps, and includes a retractable wire for use in attachment to the forceps. A c-plug is provided for centering jejunal tube during the placement procedure and to facilitate insufflation, the c-plug being split about midline to facilitate removal of the c-plug after tube placement. |
| US09028447B2 |
Needle protector assembly
The invention relates to a needle protector assembly (10) comprising a needle defining an axial direction and a protective cover for the needle. The needle is attached to a needle hub which is provided with wings on opposite sides thereof and which can be moved relative to the protective cover between a distal position in which at least a tip of the needle protrudes from the protective cover, and a proximal position in which the needle is fully received in the protective cover. The protective cover comprises first (26) and second parts (28) which together form an elongate housing along which the needle hub can move between the distal and proximal positions, wherein the first and second parts define elongate slots on opposite sides of the housing through which the wings (16) protrude. |
| US09028446B2 |
Chemical liquid injection system
RFID chip (214) having various types of data is mounted on liquid syringe (200). Chemical liquid injector (100) obtains the various types of data from RFID chip (214) to perform a predetermined operation in accordance with at least some of the various types of data. For, example, a variable pattern for liquid can be recorded on RFID chip (214) of liquid syringe (200) to allow chemical liquid injector (100) to inject the liquid in accordance with the predetermined variable pattern. Thus, a large amount of data can be easily input to the chemical liquid injector to perform the various operations. |
| US09028438B2 |
Enteral feeding and reflux collection system and method using vented syringe
An enteral fluid delivery and reflux collection system and method are disclosed. A fluid nutrient source container and administration tube are joined to an enteral feeding tube, and a gastric reflux tube connects a vented reflux collection syringe to selectively permit or prevent reflux collection, and/or to aspirate or flush the associated fluid lines. |
| US09028434B2 |
Ultrasound operation apparatus, cavitation control method, and ultrasound transducer control method
An ultrasound operation apparatus comprises: an ultrasound transducer; a driving section that drives the ultrasound transducer by a drive signal; a probe having a proximal end section provided with the ultrasound transducer and a distal end section to which ultrasound oscillation is transmitted, the probe performing a treatment on a living tissue using ultrasound oscillation at the distal end section; a detecting section that detects, from a drive signal, a physical quantity which varies due to cavitation generated by ultrasound oscillation of the distal end section; and an output control section that controls an output of the driving section in accordance with the detected physical quantity. |
| US09028433B2 |
Limb strength measurement device
Wearable devices, and methods of use thereof, are provided for the measurement of isometric limb strength. In some embodiments, the device includes pivotally connected members and associated contact pads for contacting portions of a limb, where the members may be locked in position to perform isometric flexion or extension force measurements of the limb about a joint. A load cell or other force measurement sensor integrated with the device measures the force applied to one of the contact pads, either directly or indirectly. In some embodiments, the device can be reconfigured for the measurement of isometric strength for both flexion and extension. |
| US09028429B2 |
Acoustic sensor assembly
An acoustic sensor is configured to provide accurate and robust measurement of bodily sounds under a variety of conditions, such as in noisy environments or in situations in which stress, strain, or movement may be imparted onto a sensor with respect to a patient. Embodiments of the sensor provide a conformable electrical shielding, as well as improved acoustic and mechanical coupling between the sensor and the measurement site. |
| US09028425B2 |
Vented blood sampling device
An extravascular system is disclosed. The system includes a body, a septum, a septum activator, and a blood sampling device. The body has and inner lumen extending therethrough. The septum is disposed within the inner lumen. The septum activator is disposed within the inner lumen proximal the septum. The septum activator has an inner passage extending therethrough. The blood sampling device has a tube that is longer than a length of the septum activator and has a width less than or equal to a width of the inner passage of the septum activator. An interior of the tube is in fluid communication with a reservoir within the blood sampling device. A vent is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The vent passes air but not blood therethrough. |
| US09028423B2 |
Distinguishing closed and open respiratory airway apneas by complex admittance values
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining the occurrence of a closed or open apnea. Respiratory air flow from a patient is measured to give an air flow signal. The determination of an apnea is performed by applying an oscillatory pressure waveform of known frequency to a patient's airway, calculating a complex quantity representing a patient admittance (12) and comparing its value with ranges (14,16) indicative of open or closed apneas. The method distinguishes open from closed apneas even when the model used to calculate admittance is not based on details of the respiratory apparatus. In addition the patient admittance may be compared with admittance during normal breathing to avoid having to characterize the airway. |
| US09028419B2 |
Blood pressure cuff
A blood pressure cuff includes a first bladder having a width, and a length transverse to the width. The blood pressure cuff also includes a second bladder connected to the first bladder and a port fluidly connected to at least one of the first and second bladders. |
| US09028417B2 |
Ultrasound emission element
There is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention an ultrasound catheter for intrabody medical therapy comprising; an element adapted to emit ultrasound energy; at least two electrodes configured to apply a voltage across at least some volume of the element; and a gas bubble containment area adapted to retain the gas bubble when in blood. |
| US09028413B2 |
Prediction-based flow estimation for ultrasound diagnostic imaging
Flow estimation is provided. The flow is predicted. A mathematical, logic, machine learning or other model is used to predict flow. For example, the boundary conditions associated with a previous flow, the previous flow, and current boundary conditions are used to predict the current flow. The current flow is corrected using the predicted flow. Velocities may be unaliased based on the predicted flow. The predicted flow may replace the current flow. Prediction may additionally or alternatively be used in determination of lateral or elevational flow. |
| US09028411B2 |
Ultrasound imaging system with pixel oriented processing
An ultrasound imaging system with pixel oriented processing is provided in which an acoustic signal is generated, echoes from the acoustic signal are received at a plurality of receiving elements to obtain echo signals that are then stored, a given pixel is mapped into a region of the stored signals, the mapped region of the stored echo signals is organized into array for the given pixel after which the array is processed to generate a signal response for the given pixel to obtain acoustic information for the given pixel. The system can be implemented entirely on plug-in cards for a commercial PC motherboard. The system and method can be implemented for pixel-oriented or voxel-oriented image processing and display, eliminating intermediate data computations and enabling extensive use of software processing methods. Advantages include improved acquisition of signal dynamic range, flexible acquisition modes for high frame rate 2D, 3D, and Doppler blood flow imaging. |
| US09028409B2 |
Fluid delivery with in vivo electrochemical analyte sensing
One or more therapeutic fluids, such as for example insulin can be delivered to a body. In addition or alternatively, the concentrations of one or more analytes can be measured in vivo. A feedback process can be used to regulate levels of the one or more analytes based on the measurements via delivery of the one or more therapeutic fluids. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles are also described. |
| US09028408B2 |
Detection device for the detection of a blood count parameter
A detection device for detecting a blood count parameter in a blood vessel, comprising a transmitter having a number of transmit antennas for transmitting at least one transmit signal, a receiver having a number of receive antennas for receiving at least one receive signal, a processor to select a detection configuration comprising one of the transmit antennas and one of the receive antennas and select a second detection configuration comprising one of the transmit antennas and one of the receive antennas, and a loss detector that is designed, when the first detection configuration is selected to transmit a transmit signal, to detect a first loss value on the basis of the transmit signal and a receive signal, and, when the second detection configuration is selected to transmit a transmit signal, detect a second loss value on the basis of the transmit signal and a receive signal. The processor is designed to select the detection configuration having the lower loss value to detect the blood count parameter. |
| US09028407B1 |
Methods and apparatus for monitoring patient conditions
Some embodiments are directed to an apparatus for monitoring patient orientation. A reusable sensor is configured to detect inclination angles of an anterior region of the patient. An elongated disposable attachment device is configured for removable attachment to both the sensor and the patient's anterior region such that the direction of elongation of the attachment device extends along the patient's sternum. The attachment device includes a sensor attachment portion configured for removable attachment to the sensor such that the sensor is prevented from direct contact with the patient, and a patient attachment portion configured for removable attachment to the patient's anterior region. |
| US09028396B2 |
Endoscope system, processing unit therefor, and image processing method
Broadband light and narrowband light are simultaneously projected toward a subject. The subject is imaged by a color CCD to obtain a blue signal, a green signal, and a green signal. A base image is generated from the signals of three colors. Based on a luminance ratio B/G between the blue signal and the red signal, a B/G image is generated. A high frequency component is extracted from the B/G image to obtain a superficial-blood-vessel extracted image, and a medium frequency component is extracted from the B/G image to obtain a middle-deep-blood-vessel extracted image. Based on the base image and one of the superficial-blood-vessel extracted image and the middle-deep-blood-vessel extracted image, a blood vessel emphasized/de-emphasized image, in which the superficial blood vessels or the middle-deep blood vessels are emphasized or de-emphasized, is generated. The blood vessel emphasized/de-emphasized image is displayed on a monitor. |
| US09028395B2 |
Sexual stimulation devices
The present invention relates to a sexual stimulation device. In particular, the present invention relates to a sexual stimulation device having a phallic region, a discus region, and a handle region. In preferred embodiments, the device is configured for simultaneous insertion into a body cavity region (e.g., a vagina) and contacting of a non-body cavity region (e.g., a clitoris). |
| US09028392B2 |
Medical device
A temporary cardiac-assist device is disclosed. The device includes a pump assembly that is deployed in the ascending aorta or the heart. A torque transmission line couples the pump assembly to an external motor for driving impeller blades within the pump assembly. The pump assembly expands in size at its destination site for operation. In operation, neither the torque transmission line nor elements that support the impeller blades are under axial forces. |
| US09028390B2 |
Apparatus and method for external beam radiation distribution mapping
An apparatus and method for in vivo and ex vivo control, detection and measurement of radiation in therapy, diagnostics, and related applications accomplished through scintillating fiber detection. One example includes scintillating fibers placed along a delivery guide such as a catheter for measuring applied radiation levels during radiotherapy treatments, sensing locations of a radiation source, or providing feedback of sensed radiation. Another option is to place the fibers into a positioning device such as a balloon, or otherwise in the field of the radiation delivery. The scintillating fibers provide light output levels correlating to the levels of radiation striking the fibers and comparative measurement between fibers can be used for more extensive dose mapping. Adjustments to a radiation treatment may be made as needed based on actual and measured applied dosages as determined by the fiber detectors. Characteristics of a radiation source may also be measured using scintillating materials. |
| US09028389B2 |
Centrifugal separator with snap fit separation cone
A separation cone (30) is mounted into the interior chamber of a centrifugal separator rotor (10), which comprises a cover (14) releasably connected to a base (16), in order to provide a frusto-conical wall subdividing the chamber into upper and lower regions. This slows the passage of fluid from the upper to the lower region, which takes place via openings (24) and/or via a gap between the inner rim (32) of the cone (30) and the axial inlet tube (12). The separation cone (30) is connected to the cover (14) by a releasable snap fit arrangement, such as by deflectable tabs (38) around the periphery of the separation cone (30) engaging into a groove (15) around the interior surface adjacent a lower edge of the cover (14). This allows there to be a predetermined sequence of servicing operations and ensures that the separation cone (30) will reliably stay with the cover (14) when the cover is removed. |
| US09028386B2 |
Bag and method of making the same
The plastic bag may include flexible thermoplastic sidewalls that have a pattern imparted onto them. The wrinkle pattern may be a plurality of linear ribs formed into the sidewall that may be arranged adjacent and parallel to one another. To impart the pattern to the sidewall, a thermoplastic web used to make the sidewall may be directed between a first cylindrical roller and a second cylindrical roller, each of which may have a plurality of spaced ridges extending about their peripheries. When the web is directed between the first and second rollers, the meshing of the ridges may form ribs into the web. |
| US09028383B2 |
Corable containers and accessories
A core provides a form for rolling an accessory around it. The accessory wrapped around the core may include a mat. The core includes a bottle and a container, utilizing what would otherwise be a void at the center of a rolled up mat for storage. The bottle and container may have twist-off lids which form resealable closures. The bottle and container may also couple with one another via opposing reverse threads at the bottom of each of the bottle and container. The twist-off lids may also include connection points for a carry-strap, the carry-strap including a buckle for adjusting the length of the carry-strap to make it a yoga stretching-strap. The mat includes elastic bands through grommets at an end of the mat. The bands are tensioned to secure the core when it is rolled inside the mat via the bands being wrapped around the rolled-up mat and core. |
| US09028382B2 |
Extremity supporting and ground surface sliding exercise system
An extremity supporting exercise system is described. The system includes two knee sliders and two hand sliders. Each knee slider includes a knee pad and a knee base. The knee pad includes a recessed portion that is adapted to receive a user's knee. A patella support is disposed within the knee portion to support the user's patella when using the knee slider. Alternatively, each hand slider includes a hand pad and a hand base. The hand pad includes a series of finger indentations that are flanked by thumb receptacles. Importantly, the knee base and hand base are formed of a rigid and slippery material to allow the sliders to easily slide across a ground surface. Thus, through use of the exercise system, a user can support their hands and knees while sliding the hands and knees across a ground surface to perform a variety of exercises. |
| US09028380B2 |
Resistance band tensioner
A resistance band tensioner is disclosed. The tensioner includes a main body and a pivot pin disposed on the main body proximate a first end, where the main body is configured to rotate about the pivot pin between an up position and a down position. The tensioner also includes a handle extending from a second end of the main body configured for a user to grasp with a hand. A cantilever shaft extends outward perpendicular from the main body and is interposed between the handle and the pivot pin, where the shaft is adapted to secure a first portion of a resistance band around its periphery. In addition, the tensioner includes a locking pin to lock the tensioner in the down position when the resistance band is placed under tension by rotating the main body from the up position to the down position. |
| US09028377B2 |
Exercise and training apparatuses and methods of making and using the same
The present invention relates to apparatuses for increasing strength through exercise and training. Specifically, the present invention relates to apparatuses that increase the difficulty of well-known exercises and weight lifting techniques in order to increase the efficiency of work-outs. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatuses that promote whole-body stabilization. |
| US09028375B2 |
Abdomen exercise machine
An exercise machine applicable for strengthening users abdominal muscles is described. The machine can include a track frame and a support frame adjustably coupled to the track frame. The track frame can include a pair of parallel rails to provide gliding support for movement along the parallel rails. Two sliding assembly may be movably mounted on the parallel rails respectively. Each sliding assembly may be configurable to move together or separately along the parallel rails. Two seat pads may be adjustably secured to the two sliding assembly respectively. Each seat pad may be rotationally adjustable to change angular relationship between the seat pad's longitudinal direction and movement direction along the parallel rails. |
| US09028372B2 |
Exercise device with a linear drive mechanism
An exercise device (20) includes a frame (22) and a drive mechanism (100) attached to the frame. The drive mechanism includes a first shaft (122) having a first fixed gear (128) and a second shaft (124) having a second fixed gear (130). The first fixed gear and the second fixed gear are mechanically linked to cause the first shaft to rotate in an opposite direction than the second shaft. A first linear input is mechanically linked to the first shaft and a second linear input is mechanically linked to the second shaft. |
| US09028367B2 |
Method for optimised launch of a vehicle
A method for optimized launch of a vehicle is provided wherein a driveline of the vehicle at least includes an engine, an automatic transmission, a system for exhaust gas recirculation, which are controlled by a driveline management system, wherein the management system is able to determine the mass of the vehicle, and whereby a launching gear of the transmission is calculated dependent at least on the determined mass of the vehicle, whereby a launching gear is chosen dependent of the power loss caused by the EGR and wherein the power loss caused by the EGR is determined, the available power to launch the vehicle is determined, and the launching gear is recalculated dependent of the available power, and selecting said recalculated launching gear before launch of the vehicle, launch the vehicle with the recalculated launching gear. |
| US09028365B2 |
Method of shifting a transmission
A method of controlling a multiple step downshift is disclosed. Two offgoing shift elements are released and two oncoming shift elements are engaged to complete the downshift. During a first phase of the downshift, one of the offgoing shift elements controls the rate of increase of input shaft speed. During a second phase of the downshift, one of the oncoming shift elements controls the rate of increase of the input shaft speed. The method computes target torque capacities such that output torque and input shaft acceleration are continuous during the transition between phases. Furthermore, the method computes target torque capacities such that both oncoming clutches reach zero relative speed simultaneously as the input shaft reaches the final speed ratio. |
| US09028363B2 |
Control device for hybrid vehicle
A control device of a hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric motor outputting power for running and power necessary for starting the engine, a connecting/disconnecting clutch connecting/disconnecting a power transmission path between the engine and the electric motor, and an automatic transmission making up a portion of a power transmission path between the electric motor and drive wheels, the automatic transmission having a plurality of gear stages alternatively formed including a gear stage using a one-way clutch as an engaged engagement element, the control device of a hybrid vehicle engages the connecting/disconnecting clutch to start the engine during motor running for running by using only the electric motor with the connecting/disconnecting clutch released. |
| US09028350B2 |
Chain belt-type variable transmission
A chain belt-type continuously variable transmission in which ratchet-type chain belts are wound on driving and driven pulley devices, each of which has a variable diameter, in order to control the shift ratio. Driving belt supports are disposed in a driving pulley device so as to radially contract and expand. Driven belt supports are disposed in a driven pulley device so as to radially contract and expand. Teeth in the front portions of the driving belt supports and the driven belt supports and teeth in the rear portions of the driving belt supports and the driven belt supports are oriented in opposite directions. Front and rear ratchet gears formed on the driving belt supports and the front and rear ratchet gears formed on the driven belt supports are oriented in opposite directions and are arranged in alternating positions without being formed at corresponding positions in a line. |
| US09028349B2 |
Configurable broadhead arrowhead
A rear deploying mechanical broadhead arrowhead is provided and includes a broadhead body having a body opening and a body length, wherein the broadhead body defines a body cavity and includes a plurality of slots, wherein each of the plurality of slots traverses a portion of the body length and is disposed such that each of the plurality of slots is on an opposing side of the broadhead body. A blade system is also provided and includes minor blades and deployable blades, wherein the deployable blades are movable relative to the minor blades. The blade system is movably disposed within the body cavity such that the plurality of minor blades and plurality of deployable blades are protruding from the plurality of slots. A broadhead base having a base head securely associated with the body opening to be partially disposed within the body cavity to enclose the body cavity. |
| US09028347B2 |
Self centering nock
A self-centering nock is provided for use in a well-balanced nock-arrow or nock-bolt assembly. The self-centering nock includes compliant projecting protrusions or compliant arms that are substantially rotationally symmetric about a cross section normal to a main axis of the self-centering nock. The compliant projecting protrusions or compliant arms may be received in bolts that have bores of differing internal dimensions. |
| US09028345B2 |
Lawn game and components thereof
A pin for a lawn game includes a shaft portion that includes a first end and a second ground contact end. The pin further has a first fence part that is fixedly attached to the shaft portion and radially extends outwardly from the shaft portion and a second fence part that is rotatably attached to the shaft portion and radially extends outwardly from the shaft. The second fence part is sized such that at least a portion of the second fence part is disposed within confines of the first fence part. The second fence part is rotatable relative to the fixed first fence part to allow the second fence part to be positioned at a desired angle, including a right angle, relative to the first fence part. The pin also has a flag disposed at the first end of the shaft portion. |
| US09028341B2 |
Golf club head
A golf club head is described having a club head body having an external surface with a heel portion, a toe portion, a crown portion, a sole portion, and a front opening. The golf club head also includes a face insert support structure located at the front opening. The support structure includes a rear support member. The rear support member includes a support portion interior surface contour defining an apex point and an undercut distance in an undercut region within at least one major or minor plane. A non-undercut region is located in at least one major or minor plane intersecting the crown to face transition region. |
| US09028340B2 |
Forming method and golf club head
This invention provides a method of forming a fine groove with a width smaller than that of a scoreline in a golf club head. The method according to this invention includes a first step of forming a base groove in a face surface as a base of the fine groove, and a second step of forming a recess in at least one side wall of the base groove to reduce the angle between this side wall and the face surface. |
| US09028339B2 |
Hybrid golf club heads and hybrid golf clubs incorporating the same
Hybrid golf club heads and hybrid golf clubs are described herein. The hybrid golf club head includes a body member having a hitting surface, a top surface, a toe end, a heel end, and a sole surface extending between the toe end and the heel end. The hybrid golf club head also includes a shaft attachment portion extending from the heel end upwardly and rearwardly therefrom away from the toe end, where the shaft attachment portion defines a shaft axis. The hitting surface is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the shaft axis. The hybrid golf club head includes a first Length B of the top surface near the shaft attachment portion and a second Length A of the top surface near the toe end, where the ratio of B to A is in a range from about 0.428 to about 0.75. |
| US09028338B2 |
Golf training equipment
A training equipment usable to check the quality of the putt stroke comprising a base arrangeable on the ground and adapted to receive a golf ball in a predetermined position, magnetic flux detecting means applied to the base at least in front of and behind said predetermined position and so as to be visible from above the base, of the type adapted to visually show a trace depending on the variation of the pattern of the flux lines of the magnetic field applied to the base even after its removal; and at least a first magnet, preferably a permanent magnet, applied to the head base of a putter in correspondence of a part of the head intended in use to hit the ball, oriented so as to have while performing the putt stroke one of the poles facing the flux detecting means; a second magnet is available towards the flux detecting means with polarity opposite to the first so as to cancel the trace. |
| US09028333B2 |
Shaft for transmitting torques
A shaft for transmitting torques includes a hollow shaft made of fiber-reinforced plastic. A flange which can be used to connect the hollow shaft to a driving or driven machine part is fastened at least to one end of the hollow shaft. The flange is fastened to the hollow shaft via a number of screw connections. Each screw connection includes a screw and a nut. The shank of the screw projects in the direction of the hollow shaft through an opening in the flange that is arranged in the connection region between the end edge of the hollow shaft and the flange. The shank extends at least partially inside the shell of the hollow shaft and engages with the nut arranged on the hollow shaft. The head of the screw is supported on that side of the flange opposed to the hollow shaft. |
| US09028332B2 |
Propeller shaft assembly with grease retention and vent cap
A cap acting as a grease retention feature and venting system allows crash optimization of a propeller shaft with a plunging constant velocity joint. The cap is located between a constant velocity joint and a tube of the propeller shaft system. The cap includes: a rim sealed against the inner diameter of the constant velocity joint, an interior vent chamber, a vent hole facing the interior components of the constant velocity joint and leading to the vent chamber, and an annular radial groove along the entire circumference connected to the vent chamber. The outer race has a hole perpendicular to the joint axis to complete venting to the atmosphere. In the event of a vehicle crash, the constant velocity internal joint components contact the device, causing the device to dislodge from its fixed position, contact the friction weld curls and fracture at a determined load. |
| US09028329B2 |
Integrating remotely-hosted and locally rendered content on a gaming device
A wager gaming machine may be configured not only to provide wagering games, but also to communicate with one or more hosts that can provide information and/or services pertaining to local wager gaming events, including but not limited to local tournaments, local restaurants, local messages (e.g., messages from other players in the gaming establishment), local social events, local sporting events, local dating opportunities, etc. Other hosts may provide information and/or services pertaining to business or finance (e.g., stock quotes), sports, news, weather, etc. Processes for conveying audio, video, etc., from host devices may be separate from processes used to control wager game presentations. At least some such processes may be able to output an associated “skin” on a video system of the wager gaming machine. These processes may involve providing one or more “widgets.” |
| US09028324B1 |
Method and apparatus for promoting desired on-line activities using on-line games
The present invention relates to a computer system and method for promoting on-line activities on desired sites via a virtual entertainment system that provides games, interactions or activities that take place either partially or fully on the partner's website or within the virtual space associated with the partner's website. According to one aspect, the invention drives on-line traffic to partner sites using Virtual Collectibles and other prizes rewarded for participation in Internet-based games. The games are designed to promote users to visit and/or perform other activities on the partner sites, and can include giveaways, special offers, treasure hunts, combo puzzles, among many other types of games. According to other aspects, the games can be played by users in the course of, or with very little effort in addition to casually surfing the web. |
| US09028323B2 |
System and method for betting
In various aspects there are provided a system, method, and an apparatus for playing a betting game in conjunction with the play of a sporting event. The apparatus may include a system and/or a computer program product for playing a better game, such as roulette, which may be played in combination with watching a sporting event, such as cricket. Related methods, systems, apparatus, and/or articles are also described. |
| US09028319B2 |
Gaming system, gaming device and method for enabling a current bet to be placed on a future play of a wagering game
The gaming system, gaming device, and gaming method disclosed herein provide an opportunity for a player to place a replay wager for a group or set of a plurality of plays of a wagering game. In one embodiment, the replay wager activates a replay feature which the player can use a designated number of times (such as one time) over the plurality of plays of the wagering game. The player's use of the replay feature causes the gaming system to redisplay the previous play of the wagering game, and provide any awards associated with the previous play of the wagering game. After the player uses the replay feature over each of the designated number (such as one) of the plurality of plays of the wagering game, the player cannot use the replay feature for any of the remaining plays of the plurality of plays of the wagering game. |
| US09028317B2 |
Card based instant lottery game and symbol matching draw based lottery game configuration
An instant lottery game and a draw based lottery game may be established. The instant lottery game is based on a set of rules of a playing card game. The draw based lottery game is based on a symbol matching set of rules. A random selection of a subset of a deck of playing card indicia may be generated concurrently with a purchase of a lottery ticket having the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game. A ticket printer prints the subset of the deck of playing card indicia on a lottery ticket according to an order of the random selection and a plurality of order indicia such that each indicium in the plurality of order indicia has an association with a playing card indicium in the deck of playing card indicia to indicate an order in the subset of the deck of playing card indicia. |
| US09028315B2 |
Intelligent board game system with visual marker based game object tracking and identification
A board game system comprises one or more game objects, a processing device, a memory device and one or more cameras. Each of the game objects comprise a unique visual marker positioned on a top surface of the game object, wherein the unique visual marker comprises a series of concentric rings that represent data that uniquely identifies the game object. As a result, during the course of game play, the location and identification of the game objects are able to be determined by the processing device by analyzing images captured by the one or more cameras of the visual markers of the game objects on the game board. The processing device is able to compare the data of the visual markers to a table stored in the memory device that associates the data with a specific game object. |
| US09028314B2 |
Strategy game, method and/or system
A strategy game includes a first group of primary elements representing movement, and a second group of primary elements representing combat or interaction. The first group of primary elements includes first and second game pieces representing speed and maneuver, respectively, and each having a value. The second group of primary elements includes third and fourth game pieces representing attack and defense, respectively, and each having a value. The game pieces include dice represented in different colors. |
| US09028313B2 |
Method and apparatus for manipulating character of soccer game
A method for manipulating a character of a soccer game includes, by an apparatus for manipulating the character of the soccer game, receiving information on a current position of a cursor in a game, the cursor being moved to correspond to movement of an input means on a soccer game screen, and information on a position of the game character controlled by a user via a user terminal that displays the game screen, calculating a direction of a vector that is formed to extend from the position of the game character to the position of the displayed cursor and a magnitude of the vector according to a distance between the position of the game character and the position of the cursor, and controlling the game character so as to be moved in the direction of the vector at a speed corresponding to the magnitude of the vector. |
| US09028312B1 |
Apparatus, systems, and methods for detecting projectile hits on a surface
A sensing apparatus may be provided capable of detecting a hit by a projectile, such as a BB pellet. The sensing apparatus may include a surface and accelerometer to detect the acceleration of the surface. A processor may determine whether a projectile hit has occurred. The sensing apparatus may be mounted onto a vehicle. The vehicle may be a robot capable of participating in a game. The robot game may occur within a facility. |
| US09028310B1 |
System and method using game condition reminders
Systems and methods for operating multiuser online games with game condition reminders. In particular implementations, a method includes accessing a game condition file from a memory wherein the game condition file includes one or more game condition identifiers corresponding to one or more game conditions for a user of a game, determining the value of the one or more game condition identifiers, presenting a reminder for the one or more game conditions based on the determined value for the one or more corresponding game condition identifiers, presenting a user response interface for receiving a user response related to whether the user has changed the one or more game conditions, and updating the one or more game condition identifiers in the game condition file based on the user's response. |
| US09028303B2 |
Abrasive article for shaping of industrial materials
An abrasive article including a base having an annular shape defining a central opening; and a mounting assembly coupled to the base, wherein a portion of the mounting assembly is under a compressive force, and a grinding segment coupled to the mounting member. |
| US09028298B2 |
Pressurized dual fluid jet system
A dual capability ultra high pressure (UHP) fire attack system includes a fluid jet assembly and an UHP attack line system. The fluid jet assembly and the UHP attack line system are coupled to a high pressure fluid source. The fluid is discharged from both the fluid jet assembly and the UHP attack line system as a mist having a droplet diameter of approximately 150 microns. When infused with an abrasive material, the fluid jet assembly may be used to cut through structural surfaces, so that a fire may be “knocked down” before the fuel source is attacked. |
| US09028296B2 |
Glass sheets and methods of shaping glass sheets
Methods of shaping a glass sheet each include a step of removing a first portion of the glass sheet to form a first beveled surface. The methods further include the step of removing a second portion of the glass sheet to form a second beveled surface. The methods still further include the step of removing a third portion of the glass sheet comprising a remainder of an end surface of an edge portion of the glass sheet. In further examples, glass sheets are also provided with a first bevel surface intersecting a first glass-sheet surface and an apex surface, and a second bevel surface intersecting a second glass-sheet surface and the apex surface. The glass sheet exhibits a probability of failure of less than 5% at an edge stress of 135 MPa. |
| US09028295B2 |
Reel mower grinder with auto-index mechanism
A grinder for sharpening the blades of reel mowers automatically to grind the underside of the blade of the reel mower. |
| US09028294B2 |
Apparatus and method for monitoring glass plate polishing state
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for monitoring a glass plate polishing state. The apparatus may include a location measuring unit for measuring a location on a glass plate being polished by a polishing machine, a current measuring unit for measuring an electric current flowing into the polishing machine, a memory unit for storing a reference value of the electric current flowing into the polishing machine for each polishing location of the glass plate, and a control unit for determining whether a polishing state is faulty, by comparing a value of the electric current measured by the current measuring unit for each polishing location measured by the location measuring unit with a corresponding reference value of the electric current stored in the memory unit for each polishing location. |
| US09028293B2 |
Dollhouse and method of folding the dollhouse
A dollhouse is moveable from a closed or folded position to an open or unfolded position. In its open configuration, the dollhouse provides one or more play areas on each side of the dollhouse. The dollhouse can be provided with a variety of sensors for detecting play activities and providing feedback such as audible feedback, motion or lights in response to the specific play activities. Feedback can also be produced in response to the order in which the sensors are activated and in response to activation by particular play components to encourage desired play behavior. |
| US09028292B2 |
Flexible toy figure with armature
A toy figure is provided that incorporates an articulated armature, the armature including a torso member and multiple limbs, where each limb may be the same or different, and each limb includes at least one limb segment. Each limb segment includes two longitudinal primary plates that intersect approximately orthogonally, and a plurality of substantially parallel secondary plates that intersect with and are approximately orthogonal to both primary plates. The outer edges of the primary and secondary plates of each limb segment substantially define a shape and a volume for that limb portion of the toy figure. The articulated armature is surrounded by a resilient body material to simulate flesh. |
| US09028291B2 |
Image capturing toy
An image capturing toy may include a toy vehicle that may include at least one wheel and a camera, the camera including a camera lens and/or a housing that may include a first aperture and a wheel chock configured to inhibit displacement of a wheel. The housing may be moveable from an open position in which the toy vehicle may be placed in and removed from the housing, to a closed position in which the housing releasably encases the toy vehicle such that the camera lens is accessible through the first aperture and the wheel chock engages the at least one wheel. |
| US09028290B2 |
Method of producing polymer dispersed liquid crystal device using cooling plate
Provided are a method of producing a polymer dispersed liquid crystal device with a cooling plate and a polymer dispersed liquid crystal device using the same. According to the producing method of the invention using the cooling plate capable of effectively removing heat with a simple method, it is possible to improve driving voltage characteristics and decrease a production cost of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal device. |
| US09028289B2 |
Electron beam welded electrode for industrial spark plugs
An industrial spark plug (20) includes a central electrode (24) with a central base (30) formed of a nickel-based material and a central firing tip (32) formed of an iridium-based material. The central firing tip (32) has a tip thickness (tct) of 0.02 to 0.03 inches, a tip diameter (dct) of 0.1184 to 0.1776 inches, and an aspect ratio of 4.736 to 7.104. The central firing tip (32) is electron beam welded to the central base (30) to provide a robust joint therebetween. The central electron beam weld (36) includes a mixture of re-crystallized iridium-based material and re-crystallized nickel-based material extending continuously along and over the entire welding interface. The spark plug (20) also includes a ground electrode (26) with a ground firing tip (38) electron beam welded to a ground base (42). |
| US09028288B2 |
Floating mounting base for an umbrella
A floating mounting base for a vertical support for use in water includes a base housing defining an interior chamber having an opening at a top of the base housing for maintaining a weighting material below a surface of the water to maintain the vertical support in a substantially vertical position. The base housing further defines a support chamber for supporting the vertical support in the substantially vertical position. A lid encloses the interior chamber from an external environment. The lid defines an opening aligned with the support chamber enables the vertical support to be inserted through the lid and into the support chamber. A bottom of the circular base housing is insertable within an opening of a float ring and one of the base housing or the lid defines a surface for engaging the float ring and preventing the float ring from moving past the lid. |
| US09028284B2 |
Crimping sleeve for crimped connections
The invention relates to a crimping sleeve comprising a base part and at least two deformable crimping blades for producing a crimped connection to a cable, wherein the crimping blades each comprise a first region connected to the base part, a second region, and a middle region disposed between the first and the second regions, and wherein the base part comprises a greater thickness than the middle region of the crimping blades, the first region tapers down from the base part toward the middle region at least on a first side and the second region further tapers down from the middle region, starting at least on a second side opposite the first side, said sleeve thereby being equally suitable for cables having different cross sections for producing a reliable connection between the cables and crimping sleeve. The invention further relates to a connecting element having such a crimping sleeve. |
| US09028282B2 |
Lower profile card edge connector
A card edge connector includes an insulative housing defining a central slot extending forwardly, a first wall and a second wall located on the opposite sides of the central slot and a rear wall connecting the first and second walls. The first wall defines an inner surface, a mounting surface opposite to the inner surface and a plurality of first terminal slots running through the inner surface and the mounting surface, the second wall defines a plurality of second terminal slots. A plurality of first terminals are received in the first terminal slots and includes first retaining portions retained in the first terminal slots. A plurality of second terminals are received in the second terminal slots. The mounting surface defines a recess close to the first retaining portions, a longitudinal plastic sheet is received in recess and melted to fix the first retaining portions to the first wall. |
| US09028277B2 |
Terminal locking structure in connector housing
A terminal locking structure for locking a terminal in a terminal accommodation chamber of a connector housing, the terminal locking structure comprises: a locking lance configured to lock the terminal to prevent the terminal from coming off from the terminal accommodation chamber, the locking lance being bendable in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the terminal into the terminal accommodation chamber; and a flexible arm bendable in the direction intersecting the insertion direction of the terminal into the terminal accommodation chamber together with the locking lance, the flexible arm being formed extending from a front end of the locking lance to the insertion opening side provided for a corresponding terminal in the terminal accommodation chamber and being connected to an inner wall of the terminal accommodation chamber. |
| US09028276B2 |
Coaxial cable continuity device
A jumper sleeve configured to be installed on an outer side of a male F-connector to facilitate easy connection of and maintain ground continuity across the male F-connector and a female F-connector. In one embodiment, a conductive element is installed on an inner surface of the jumper sleeve and conductively engages an outer surface of the male F-connector to maintain ground continuity across the male and female F-connectors. |
| US09028274B2 |
Reconfigurable plug strip
An apparatus includes a base segment having a signal port coupler configured to selectively conductively engage with a signal port. A first assembly includes a first segment movably coupled to the base segment and a second segment movably coupled to the first segment, and a second assembly includes a third segment movably coupled to the base segment and a fourth segment movably coupled to the third segment. The first, second, third, and fourth segments include receptacles configured to receive at least an electrically conductive portion of a device plug. An electrical connection assembly is disposed in the base, first, second, third, and fourth segments and is configured to selectively conductively engage the receptacles of the first, second, third, and fourth segments with a signal port. |
| US09028264B2 |
Downhole electrical wet connector
A downhole electrical wet connector comprising a plug which is slidingly inserted into a socket, the socket comprising a series of wiper seals spaced apart by separation zones, each zone being individually supplied with dielectric fluid from a separate reservoir. A retractable insert is arranged in the socket and displaced by the plug during connection. The fluid pressure in each zone is individually regulated relative to ambient wellbore pressure and the pressure in adjacent zones and optionally equalised to minimise loss of fluid. |
| US09028231B2 |
Compressor, engine or pump with a piston translating along a circular path
Described herein is a device comprising: a chamber wall comprising outer and inner surfaces, wherein the inner surface encloses a lobed chamber with a plurality of lobes and the inner surface comprises segments of arcuate surfaces, each of the segments of arcuate surfaces being tangent with its immediate neighboring segments, and wherein the chamber wall further comprises channels connecting the outer surface and the inner surface of the chamber wall and/or channels through an end surface of the chamber wall; a lobed piston configured to translate along a circular path relative to the chamber wall, the outer surface of the piston and the inner surface of the chamber wall engaged during translation; and holes fluidly connected to the lobed chamber and configured to allow fluid discharge from the lobed chamber through the holes and to prevent fluid flow into the lobed chamber through the holes. |
| US09028230B2 |
Three stage scroll vacuum pump
A three stage vacuum pump has three stages of fixed scrolls and orbiting scrolls that operate simultaneously. A motor drives the second orbiting scroll within the third fixed scroll upon three equally spaced idlers. One idler then transmits rotation and torque into the second stage. The second orbiting scroll has involutes upon both surfaces to engage the second fixed scroll inwardly and the first fixed scroll outwardly. The first fixed scroll has fins upon its back that extend into the atmosphere to transfer heat to air cool the pump. This pump also has a fan accelerating heat transfer. The pump operates the scrolls directly from a motor or from a motor and magnetic coupling so that the atmosphere does not infiltrate the pump. |
| US09028229B2 |
Wellbore fluid removal systems and methods
Deliquefication systems with an upper pumping section for discharging fluid pumped to it by a lower pumping section; in one aspect, for providing liquid from a wellbore to the upper section for removal of the liquid from the wellbore; and, in one aspect, such systems for dewatering a gas well. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b). |
| US09028226B2 |
Fluid control device
A fluid control device includes a vibrating plate unit, a driver, a flexible plate, and a base plate. The vibrating plate unit includes a vibrating plate including first and second main surfaces, and a frame plate surrounding the surrounding of the vibrating plate. The driver is bonded to the first or the second main surface of the vibrating plate and vibrates the vibrating plate. The flexible plate includes a hole provided therein, and is bonded to the frame plate so as to face the vibrating plate. The base plate is bonded to the main surface of the flexible plate on a side opposite to the vibrating plate. A size relationship between the coefficients of linear expansion of the material of the base plate and the frame plate is equal to a size relationship between the coefficients of linear expansion of the material of the vibrating plate and the driver. |
| US09028223B2 |
Ventilation fan
In a ventilation fan of inner rotor type in which a shaft is fixed to a motor supporting portion, the shaft is held by a shaft holding portion preferably provided by, for example, a metal member. The shaft holding portion includes a cylindrical portion which is fixed to a resin of the motor supporting portion preferably by being embedded through insert molding and into which the shaft is inserted, and a shaft holding flange portion extending outwards in the radial direction from either one of an upper end or a lower end of the cylindrical portion. |
| US09028219B2 |
Turbomachine blade
A turbomachine including securing means that extend between the pressure wall and the suction surface and which includes an energy absorbing portion for absorbing energy after impact to the blade by a foreign object. The energy absorbing portion has a catch that provides the blade with an improved resistance to bursting. |
| US09028218B2 |
Steam turbine
A steam turbine having a fork-type joint structure is provided that secures sufficient strength for endurance of stress corrosion cracking, low-cycle fatigue, and high-cycle fatigue, and extends an operating life while making it possible to endure long-term operation. The turbine includes a rotor having a plurality of rotor forks rowed in an axial direction; a turbine blade having blade forks arranged in the axial direction of the rotor, the blade forks engaged with the rotor forks; a plurality of pin holes whose positions are different from each other in the radial direction of the rotor; and a plurality of fork pins inserted into the plurality of pin holes in the axial direction of the rotor. A clearance exists between an inner diameter of the pin hole of the blade fork and a diameter of the fork pin, the clearance varying depending on positions in the axial direction of the turbine. |
| US09028216B2 |
Rotor for an axial flow pump for conveying a fluid
The invention relates to a rotor for an axial flow pump for conveying a fluid having an axis of rotation and having an impeller blade which has at least one part surface which extends transversely to the axis of rotation and beyond it, wherein the impeller blade has throughgoing webs or a network of webs which connect a different marginal regions of the impeller blades to one another. A good compressibility is hereby achieved in the radial direction with high stability during operation. |
| US09028210B2 |
Turbomachine alignment pin
Various embodiments include an alignment pin for a turbomachine. In some embodiments, the alignment pin includes a hollowed head section for engaging a diaphragm slot in the turbomachine. In these embodiments, the alignment pin further includes an expandable sleeve section connected with the hollowed head, the expandable sleeve section for engaging a casing slot in the turbomachine. |
| US09028207B2 |
Cooled component wall in a turbine engine
A component wall in a turbine engine includes a substrate, a diffusion section, and at least one cooling passage. The diffusion section is located in a surface of the substrate and is defined by a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The cooling passage(s) include an outlet portion through which cooling air exits in a direction toward the first sidewall. The outlet portion includes a rear section, a front section, and an inner wall having proximal and distal ends. The rear section is located between the first and second sidewalls. The front section extends between the first sidewall and the distal end of the inner wall. The first sidewall extends into the outlet portion of the cooling passage(s) to the inner wall and extends from the first lateral wall to the second lateral wall so as to block the front section of the outlet portion. |
| US09028205B2 |
Variable blade outer air seal
A system for a turbofan has a variable outer air seal, an actuator coupled to the variable outer air seal, a sensor positioned inside the turbofan for sensing an engine parameter, and a flight controller connected to the turbofan for receiving the parameter from the sensor. The flight controller directs the actuator to regulate the position of the actuator based on the flight condition resulting form the received parameter. |
| US09028200B2 |
Counter rotating low pressure turbine with splitter gear system
A gas turbine engine includes a shaft defining an axis of rotation. An outer turbine rotor directly drives the shaft and includes an outer set of blades. An inner turbine rotor has an inner set of blades interspersed with the outer set of blades. The inner turbine rotor is configured to rotate in an opposite direction about the axis of rotation from the outer turbine rotor. A splitter gear system couples the inner turbine rotor to the shaft and is configured to rotate the inner set of blades at a faster speed than the outer set of blades. |
| US09028194B2 |
Shuttle bin
An apparatus such as a shuttle bin includes an upper frame, a lower frame hingeably connected to the upper frame, a storage body operatively connected to the upper frame for storing material and a roller assembly operatively connected to the upper frame. The roller assembly is adapted to draw the storage body taut to unload the material stored in the storage body as the upper frame hinges away from the lower frame. The storage body may be formed of a pliable material such as a mesh or canvas. |
| US09028193B2 |
Adapter to empty rear end load or side load refuse containers into fork borne intermediate container
An adapter for front forks of a front loading commodity collection truck allows the truck to collect from rear load and side load style containers. An intermediate container is carried on the forks of the truck. An engagement apparatus is mounted on the intermediate container and is laterally extendible to engage the commercial container at curbside and draw the container to the intermediate container. The engagement apparatus will lift the commercial container and tip it over the intermediate container. Controls in the cab of the truck control operation of the adapter. The adapter can be removed easily from the forks when a front loading refuse container is encountered. |
| US09028184B2 |
Protrusion anchor assembly
A protrusion anchor assembly is provided that utilizes a plurality of extendable pins to secure the anchor body within a bore in any hard material, such as concrete. The anchor body is rotated within the bore while the pins are simultaneously and gradually extended, carving out a groove or grooves within which the pins can sit. After installation, the device is secured within the bore by tightening a jamb nut against the surface of the concrete wall and in some embodiments placing a security plug within the anchor body to ensure that the pins are held in place. The pins prevent the anchor from being withdrawn because they act as protuberances that catch against the edges of the groove and cannot be drawn past that point. |
| US09028178B2 |
Multi-effective material removal tool
Material removal tool (100), such as for forming surfaces of valve seats, includes an integral or separable reduced diameter circumferential insert housing (106) including a plurality of inserts (120) bonded thereto. The plurality of inserts (120) include cutting surfaces (122) at different axial and radial positions relative to the axis (112) of the material removal tool (100). Cutting surfaces (122) at different axial and radial positions are arranged at different angles to the axis (112), and at least one cutting surface (122) on at least one insert is at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the axis (112). Cutting surfaces (122) can be located on one insert-type or different insert-types and can have different combinations of cutting surfaces (122). When arranged circumferentially on the insert housing (106), a N-effective material removal tool (100) is formed. Methods of machining using the N-effective material removal tool (100) is also disclosed. |
| US09028176B1 |
Guard for foldable shoring
A finger guard is described, removably attachable to a shoring device of the type having a pair of opposed shoring columns having outer and inner surfaces, the outer surfaces exposed for contact with excavation surfaces and with an extendable and retractable jack pivotally secured at the inner surfaces to the column. The finger guard comprises a sheet of stiff material; at least one connector attached to the sheet, wherein the at least one connector includes: two arms spaced apart from each other and extending generally parallel to each other; a shoulder element extending between the two arms, and connecting the two arms together; a leg element, extending from the shoulder element parallel with the arms; wherein, the sheet of stiff material is attached to the at least one connector; a set screw threadably passing through one of the arms, the set screw being configured to attach the connector to a portion of a shoring column. |
| US09028171B1 |
Geothermal pyrolysis process and system
A geothermal pyrolysis system is configured to convert a slurry into a petroleum material. The geothermal pyrolysis system comprises an input well configured to receive the slurry from a mixer. Piping that is mechanically coupled to the input well and extending downward to a point where the earth has an ambient temperature exceeds three hundred degrees Fahrenheit and can transform the slurry into the petroleum material. An extraction well is mechanically coupled to the piping configured to extract the petroleum material from the piping. A separator is mechanically coupled to the extraction well which separates the petroleum material into carbon char, water, oil and gas. |
| US09028160B2 |
Print substrate edge guide
In one example, a device for use in a printer includes a flexible piece and a holder configured to removably attach the piece to a platen that has a surface over which a print substrate is moved through the print zone for printing on the substrate. The piece and the holder are configured to place the piece in tension along the platen surface such that, when the piece is attached to the platen, the piece becomes sufficiently rigid to counter substrate edge curl. |
| US09028154B2 |
Adapter for cleaning an optical junction and reducing optical back reflection
An adapter includes a housing with opposed openings for receiving a first connector that is mechanically and optically mateable with a second connector to form one or more optical signal communication links. The housing is arranged with a slot for receiving a flexible material having an index of refraction that approximates the index of refraction of aligned pairs of optical fibers. The flexible material is appropriately sized to cover the fibers from each of the connectors. The optical fiber ends of a respective connector can be cleaned by inserting the connector in the adapter and advancing the flexible material. Once the optical fiber ends of both connectors have been cleaned and the flexible material further advanced, the connectors can be reinserted in the adapter to establish an optical signal link between the optical fibers. |
| US09028152B2 |
Diaphragm seal for strut bearing
A rolling diaphragm seal for a strut bearing, the seal inserted into an annulus formed between an upper and lower housing. The seal having a hollow tubular form, formed into a ring open at one end. The seal rolling along a length thereof during relative rotation of the upper and lower housings. Alternatively, the seal can be a continuous hollow tubular form inserted between the upper and lower housings. |
| US09028149B2 |
Bearing sleeve
Disclosed is a bearing sleeve for supporting a shaft of an air cycle machine. The bearing sleeve includes an outer diameter and an inner diameter. The outer diameter is within a range of 3.222 and 3.224 inches. Further included is a foil retaining cavity provided in the inner diameter of the sleeve. The foil retaining cavity includes a slot and first and second openings located at opposing axial ends of the slot. Each of the first and second openings include a small portion and a large portion having different axial lengths. A ratio of the combined axial lengths of the large portions to an axial length of the foil retaining cavity is within a range of 0.19:1 and 0.22:1. |
| US09028148B2 |
Motion guide device
A motion guide device including a track shaft having a rolling surface; a moving member movable along the track shaft; a first seal member in sliding contact with a surface of the track shaft to close a gap between the track shaft and the moving member; and a second seal member provided along the rolling surface of the track shaft and closes the gap between the track shaft and the moving member. The second seal member includes: a fixing substrate locked to the moving member; and a seal portion fixed to the fixing substrate along the rolling surface of the track shaft and includes a seal lip portion in sliding contact with the surface of the track shaft and an extended seal portion in close contact with the first seal member while being compressed by the first seal member when the first seal member is fixed to the moving member. |
| US09028145B2 |
Apparatus and methods for collimation of X-rays
Apparatus and methods for collimation of x-ray beams. According to various embodiments, an x-ray apparatus may comprise a first rotatable disk comprising a first plurality of angled slots and a first shutter comprising a first plurality of protruding members. At least one of the first plurality of protruding members may be positioned within a first angled slot of the first plurality of angled slots, and at least one of the first plurality of protruding members may be positioned within a second angled slot of the first plurality of angled slots. The first shutter may at least partially define an x-ray collimation aperture, and the apparatus may be configured such that rotation of the first rotatable disk results in movement of the first shutter to alter a size of the x-ray collimation aperture. |
| US09028140B2 |
Temperature sensor having a frame made of a mineral material
The invention relates to a measuring sensor for measuring temperature in a chemical process, the measuring sensor comprising a measuring element supported on the frame of the measuring sensor and arranged in thermal contact with the process being measured, and measuring conductors connected to the measuring element for directing a measuring signal onward. The frame of the measuring sensor is made of mineral material. |
| US09028139B2 |
Method of measuring temperature of component in processing chamber of substrate processing apparatus
A component in a processing chamber of a substrate processing apparatus, where a temperature may be accurately measured by using a temperature measuring apparatus using an interference of a low-coherence light, even when a front surface and a rear surface are not parallel due to abrasion, or the like. A focus ring used in a vacuum atmosphere and of which a temperature is measured includes an abrasive surface exposed to an abrasive atmosphere according to plasma, a nonabrasive surface not exposed to the abrasive atmosphere, a thin-walled portion including a top surface and a bottom surface that are parallel to each other, and a coating member coating the top surface of the thin-walled portion, wherein a mirror-like finishing is performed on each of the top and bottom surfaces of the thin-walled portion. |
| US09028135B1 |
Pyrometer
A non-contact pyrometer and method for calibrating the same are provided. The pyrometer includes a radiation sensor configured to measure at least a portion of a radiance signal emitted from a target medium and output a voltage that is a function of an average of the absorbed radiance signal, and an optical window disposed proximate the radiation sensor and configured to control a wavelength range of the radiance signal that reaches the radiation sensor. The pyrometer may further include a reflective enclosure configured to receive the target medium therein, wherein the radiation sensor and the optical window are disposed within the reflective enclosure, an amplifier in communication with an output of the radiation sensor, and a data acquisition system in communication with an output of the amplifier. |
| US09028132B2 |
Mixing silo
A mixing silo for free-flowing finely divided solid materials, in particular for powdered, fibrous and/or granular mixed material, especially polymer granules, specifically suited for mixing polymer granules, having an excellent mixing quality and at the same time a simplified and improved suitability for washing out in order to avoid cross contamination. The mixing silo may be used for homogenizing possibly inhomogeneous polymer granule batches in the form of a stream of product from a process producing polymer granules. |
| US09028129B2 |
LED lamp and led lighting assembly
An LED lamp or LED lighting assembly includes a light guide having opposed major surfaces configured to propagate light by total internal reflection and a light input edge extending between the major surfaces. A light source is adjacent to the light input edge and is configured to edge light the light guide. In some embodiments, the light source is moveable relative to the light input edge, and the spectrum of the light output from the light guide may be adjusted by movement of the light source relative to the light input edge. |
| US09028123B2 |
Display illumination device with a film-based lightguide having stacked incident surfaces
A reflective display includes a reflective spatial light modulator and a frontlight. The frontlight includes a lightguide formed from a film. The lightguide includes an array of coupling lightguides continuous with a lightguide region of the lightguide. One or more light sources emit light into the array of coupling lightguides. Light from each coupling lightguide combines and totally internally reflects within the lightguide region. Light extraction features frustrate totally internally reflect light within the lightguide region such that the light exits the lightguide toward the reflective spatial light modulator in a light emitting region of the film. A cladding region is optically coupled to the lightguide so light from the light source propagates into the cladding region. A light extracting region is operatively coupled to the cladding region opposite the lightguide, and light in the cladding region is extracted. A method of producing a display is also disclosed. |
| US09028119B2 |
Light system having optic for use in a rearview mirror assembly
According to another aspect of the present invention, a light system for use in a rearview mirror assembly is provided and includes a light source and a first optical element. Said first optical element has a collection optic configured to direct light received from said light source, a reflector optic in optical communication with said collection optic and configured to reflect light from said collection optic, a plurality of light steering areas configured to steer light propagating in said first optical element, and a light spreading optic configured to spread light exiting said first optical element. A second optical element is in optical communication with said first optical element and is configured to diffuse light received from said first optical element to illuminate an indicia. |
| US09028117B2 |
Headlight for a two-wheeled vehicle
The invention relates to a headlight (100) for a two-wheeled vehicle (1), including at least one light source combined with at least one reflector for reflecting the light from the light source in the traveling direction of the vehicle (e1), characterized in that the headlight has a rotational axis about which it can pivot, said axis extending, when the headlight is in a reference position corresponding to a position in which the vehicle is substantially vertical and not inclined, in a substantially median and vertical longitudinal plane (e1, e3) of the headlight, the rotational axis further being inclined relative to the vertical direction. |
| US09028116B2 |
Luminaire barrier or closure device
A removable birdstop closure for preventing the entry of birds and other small animals into the headcasing of a roadway luminaire through the opening at the rear of the luminaire that can be installed around standardized 1.25″ or 2.00″ headpoles. Retaining means on the birdstop closure permits easy installation and removal. |
| US09028113B1 |
Hanging lamp assembly
A hanging lamp assembly provides visual stimulation and relaxation. The assembly includes a container having a transparent perimeter wall defining an interior space. A first fluid and a second fluid are positioned in the interior space defining a liquid mass. The second fluid has a density different than a density of the first fluid wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are layered within the interior space defining a fluid interface between the first liquid and the second liquid. The first fluid is a non-clear color and the second fluid is a different color than the first fluid. A plurality of items is positioned in the interior space such that the items are suspended in the liquid mass. A light source is coupled to the container directing light towards the liquid mass. A hanger is coupled to the container such that the container swings freely from a supporting structure. |
| US09028111B2 |
Lens module for LED light sources
A lens module for LED light sources including: a lens body; and an LED light source received in a recess of the lens body. By the conditions of Z1>Z2 and Z3>Y1, and with the shape of light incident surface and the position of LED light source, a light deflection effect is achieved. This allows light emitted from the LED light source to be refracted by the light incident surface and then emitted by the light exiting surface, generating an excellent light deflection effect, thereby increasing illumination in width at the road or public squares and increasing utilization rate of the LED light source. |
| US09028104B2 |
LED projection lamp
The invention discloses an LED projection lamp, which comprises a heat sink, a lamp cup, an LED module, a lens, a first heat conduction component, a fastening device and a second heat conduction component, wherein the heat sink is cylindrical and provided with a trumpet-shaped inner cavity on the front and a cylindrical inner cavity at the rear; the lamp cup is arranged inside the trumpet-shaped inner cavity; the LED module is disposed on a small opening portion of the lamp cup; the lens is used by the LED module for light transmission; the first heat conduction component comprises a plurality of U-shaped first heat pipes; the fastening device is sleeved at the rear end of the cylindrical inner cavity; the second heat conduction component comprises a plurality of U-shaped second heat pipes. |
| US09028103B2 |
Non-isolating circuit assembly and lamp using the same
A non-isolating circuit assembly includes a heat sink, a circular supporting member, a thermal insulation pad, and a light emitter. The heat sink has an inwardly-shrank platform. The circular supporting member is disposed around the outer edge of the inwardly-shrank platform. The thermal insulation pad is disposed on the inwardly-shrank platform and the circular supporting member. The area of the thermal insulation pad is larger than that of the inwardly-shrank platform, and the circular supporting member supports the outer edge of the thermal insulation pad. The light emitter is disposed on the thermal insulation pad. |
| US09028100B2 |
Adjustable LED lens and lamp with the same
The adjustable LED lens has a body having a light incident surface and a light-emitting surface respectively mounted on two opposite sides of the body. The light-emitting surface has a concave tapered surface. The adjustable LED lens is mounted on a holder. A distance between the adjustable LED lens and the holder is changeable. An LED is mounted on the holder, wherein a light generated by the LED passes through the light incident surface and the light-emitting surface of the body. The concave tapered surface of the light-emitting surface increases a light distribution angle to increase an illumination range and decrease a glare. The distance between the adjustable LED lens and the LED is changeable to adjust a light shape as desired. |
| US09028098B2 |
LED component, LED module and method for manufacturing the LED component
A light emitting diode (LED) component includes a base having a main body and a wiring pattern. The main body defines an axis and includes two connecting surfaces respectively located at two opposite sides thereof, and a plurality of interconnected mounting surfaces surrounding the axis and connected between the connecting surfaces. The wiring pattern is at least disposed on the mounting surfaces and includes electrically insulated anode and cathode. A plurality of light emitting diode (LED) chips are disposed on the mounting surfaces. Each LED chip is electrically connected to the anode and the cathode. |
| US09028095B2 |
LED bulb with amplifying edge-emitting light structure
A LED bulb includes a transparent bulb base, a transparent bulb shell, a luminosity module, and a reflector. A bulb adapter is mounted on a lower end of the bulb base. A chamber is defined by the bulb base and the bulb shell, and a driver is mounted in the chamber. The luminosity module mounted in the chamber includes several LEDs and is electrically connected with the driver to allow the LEDs to be driven to project light towards the lower end of the bulb base. The reflector mounted in the chamber and located between the luminosity module and the bulb adapter can reflect light projected toward the lower end of the bulb base by the LEDs for generation of projected sidelight. The LED bulb can promote edge-emitting light which is amplified by downward projected light from the LEDs and rays reflected by the reflector. |
| US09028092B2 |
LED light bar and backlight module using the LED light bar
The present invention provides an LED light bar and a backlight module using the LED light bar. The LED light bar includes a heat dissipation strip, a PCB mounted on the heat dissipation strip, LED chips mounted on the heat dissipation strip and electrically connected to the PCB, and a thermal interface material layer arranged between the LED chips and the heat dissipation strip. The LED light bar and the backlight module using the LED light bar according to the present invention arrange LED chips to be mounted to a heat dissipation strip that is of bettered thermal conduction performance to thereby avoid the conventional process of transferring terminal energy through a PCB that is of poor heat dissipation. The art is simple and the entire heat dissipation path is shortened to achieve excellent heat dissipation performance and thus ensure the quality of backlighting. |
| US09028091B2 |
Low profile light having elongated reflector and associated methods
A luminaire to be carried by a lighting fixture. The luminaire may include a housing, a primary optic disposed within the housing having a reflective inner surface defining an optical chamber, a light source, and a heat sink defining an aperture through which light may propagate. The light source may include a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The luminaire may further include a secondary optic positioned adjacent to the light source that may collimate and/or refract light emitted by the light source, and may form a seal between the light source and the optical chamber. The luminaire may further include a color conversion layer configured to change the color of light emitted by the light source. |
| US09028089B2 |
Illumination device and illumination system
An illumination device includes a light source unit having a light emitting panel, and a mounting unit attached to a non-light-emission surface of the light source unit and provided with a circuit board for controlling energization of the light emitting panel. The mounting unit includes a connection terminal to which an external conductor for electrically interconnecting the circuit board and an external device is connected. The connection terminal is arranged inward of an outer peripheral end of a surface of the mounting unit to which the light source unit is attached. A clearance for passing the external conductor therethrough is formed between the light source unit and the mounting unit in a state that the external conductor is connected to the connection terminal and the mounting unit is attached to the light source unit. |
| US09028084B2 |
Refrigerator with ultraviolet light emitting diode
A refrigerator with an ultraviolet LED may be provided that includes: a base disposed on a first member and a second member which are placed within the refrigerator and have one surfaces having facing directions crossing each other; a first fixing member disposed between the base and the first member; a second fixing member disposed between the base and the second member; and an ultraviolet LED being disposed on the top surface of the base and emitting light toward the interior space of the refrigerator. |
| US09028079B2 |
Refractive index variable lens and camera module using the same
The present invention provides a refractive index variable lens and a camera module using the same, the refractive index variable lens including a disc-shaped first medium, and a second medium formed at a periphery of the first medium and having a refractive index higher than a refractive index of the first medium, wherein a periphery of the second medium is sequentially formed with at least one medium having a refractive index higher than a refractive index of the second medium. |
| US09028077B2 |
Projector
A projector includes a housing, an image projection unit, and a plurality of connection ports including a power connection port. The housing has a top face, and a first face and a second face adjacent to each other, and a light projection port on the top face. The image projection unit includes an optical system to project light corresponding to image data, via the light projection port disposed on the top face, in an upward oblique direction with respect to the first face. The plurality of connection ports is disposed on the second face. The power connection port is disposed at a position in the second face closest to the first face side. |
| US09028076B2 |
Projector
In a projector, a projection unit includes a projection mechanism that projects an image and an air hole that takes in or exhausts air used to dissipate heat generated from a light source included in the projection mechanism. A housing covers the air hole when the projection unit is in a storage position in which the projection unit does not project an image and uncovers the air hole when the projection unit is in a projection position in which the projection unit projects an image. The drive mechanism moves the projection unit or a cover member. An electronic control unit controls the drive mechanism to move the projection unit to the projection position in which an image is projected when receiving a predetermined projection preparation request and move the projection unit to the storage position in which no image is projected when receiving a predetermined storage request. |
| US09028075B2 |
Projector for preventing thermal deterioration of a light shielding member
A projector includes: a light source device; an optical modulation device configured to modulate a luminous flux emitted from the light source device in accordance with image information, forming an image; a projection optical device configured to project the image; a shutter device including a light shielding plate which can move into and out of an optical path of the luminous flux ranging from the light source device to the optical modulation device, shields the luminous flux by the light shielding plate moving into the optical path; and a light control device which being disposed on the optical path's upstream side of the shutter device, changes the area of a light passage through which the luminous flux passes, controlling the quantity of the luminous flux. |
| US09028072B2 |
Laser projection system with security protection mechanism
A laser projection system comprising a laser light and a human body detection module is disclosed. The laser light source emits a laser light. The human body detection module detects a reflective light of the laser light irradiated on an object. The human body detection module determines whether the object is a human according to a relationship between several reflectivity indexes of the reflective light. If the relationship corresponds to predefined situation, the human body detection module reduces a laser output intensity of the laser light. |
| US09028068B2 |
Electronic eyeglasses
An electronic eyeglasses includes a camera module and a controller. The camera module captures consecutive images of eyes wearing the electronic eyeglasses. The controller includes a recognition module, a storage module, and a control module. The recognition module recognizes movement of the eyes by processing the consecutive images. The storage module stores an index table having a collection of eye movements and a collection of commands each of which is associated with one of the eye movements. The control module indexes a command from the index table using the movement of the eyes and controls the electronic eyeglasses to execute the command. |
| US09028064B2 |
Method of making and prescribing tinted lenses
Methods of fabricating and prescribing lenses suitable for color blindness and dyslexia correction are disclosed. The corrective lens may be formed of an optically transparent base material, which is tinted to a desired color for correction by immersion in a colorant dye. The color tinted lens is then tinted by a neutral tint dye to render the lens observable as a regular corrective lens. Prescription of such lenses may be based on a dynamically balanced, or haploscopic, fashion of prescription that comprises selecting a first visual filter from a set of sixteen filters and a second visual filter from the remaining set of fifteen filters, the first for the dominant eye and the second for non-dominant eye. |
| US09028059B2 |
Ink-jet recording apparatus
An ink-jet recording apparatus includes: a base member; a conveyor unit for conveying a sheet in a first direction; and a recording unit for ejecting ink when opposed to a sheet in a second direction. The base member includes: a first side base portion; a second side base portion; a center base portion located between the first side base portion and the second side base portion in a third direction; first and second side walls extending in the first direction and projecting in the second direction from opposite edge portions of the center base portion in the third direction; and a main board connecting the first side wall and the second side wall and configured to support the conveyor unit and the recording unit. The main board is greater in stiffness than the first side wall and the second side wall. |
| US09028058B2 |
Paper basis weight sensing device and method, and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A sheet basis weight sensing device for an image forming apparatus includes a sensor to detect heat conductivity of an ambient gas on a surface of a sheet on which the droplet is deposited or the surface opposite the sheet before and after the droplet is deposited; and a controller configured to: measure a time it takes the heat conductivity after the droplet is deposited to change by a predetermined ratio compared to the heat conductivity before deposition of the droplet; and obtain the sheet basis weight based on a relation between the time and the basis weight. The sheet basis weight sensing device further includes a memory to store a first table and a second table, and an image forming condition controller to set an appropriate image forming condition with reference to the second table. |
| US09028057B2 |
Ink jet recording apparatus and ink jet recording method
An ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention includes a head, a first light source, a second light source. Liquid droplets of a photo-curable ink composition are applied to a recording medium. After one second or less elapses from the time when the liquid droplets are applied to the recording medium, the liquid droplets are illuminated with light of the first light source. After 0.1 second or more and one second or less elapses from the time when the liquid droplets are illuminated with light of the first light source, the liquid droplets are illuminated with light of the second light source. |
| US09028055B2 |
Nonaqueous ink composition for ink jet recording and ink jet recording method
The nonaqueous ink composition for ink jet printing contains a compound represented by General Formula (1) below, and a heterocyclic compound selected from lactones and lactams. (In Formula (1), R1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and R2 and R3 represent a methyl group or an ethyl group.) |
| US09028050B2 |
Flow path unit, liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting apparatus, and method of manufacturing flow path unit
Provided is a first flow path substrate where a first flow path out of a liquid flow path is formed, a second flow path substrate where a second flow path which communicates with the first flow path is formed, and a third flow path substrate where a pressure chamber which communicates with the second flow path is formed. The second flow path substrate has a first surface which is bonded to oppose the third flow path substrate and a second surface which is bonded to oppose the first flow path substrate; the first surface of the second flow path substrate is bonded with the third flow path substrate via a film of paraxylene; and the second surface of the second flow path substrate is bonded by an adhesive of a material which is different from that of the film of paraxylene. |
| US09028049B2 |
Inkjet printing apparatus and inkjet printing method
The effects on an image are maximally decreased with respect to ejection by printing elements included in the low flow rate areas of a serial channel in an inkjet printing apparatus that uses a joined head in which multiple chips provided with multiple printing element arrays are disposed. For this purpose, print data is distributed to individual printing elements at a joining portion between two chips, such that fewer printing elements execute ejection operations on a printing element array A distanced farther from the center line of a base plate than a printing element array D nearer the center line. Doing so suppresses ejection by printing elements included in low flow rate areas which manifest near the turns of an ink channel, and reduces density defects due to ejection by such printing elements. |
| US09028046B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of recording heads, a plurality of head holders to hold the recording heads, a guide member extending in a main scanning direction, a carriage movable in the main scanning direction along the guide member to hold the head holders, a reference member provided to the carriage and extending in the same direction as the guide member extends, an intermediate holder disposed between the carriage and the head holders and supported by the carriage with the reference member and at least two sub-reference portions, an adjustment member provided to at least one of the two sub-reference portions to displace the one of the two sub-reference portions relative to the carriage, and a contact portion provided to each of the head holders to contact against the intermediate holder in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the reference member extends. |
| US09028043B2 |
Printhead drip management using indexing cleaning web-backed flexure chute
A printhead cleaning device is configured to use a cleaning web to absorb the residual ink left on the faceplate of the printhead. The cleaning web is supplied from a feed cartridge and taken up by a take-up cartridge. The cartridges include indexing mechanisms that are configured to dispense and pull-in, respectively, a predetermined length of the cleaning web during each maintenance cycle of the printhead. |
| US09028039B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, an ejection detector, a cleaner and cleaning ejection controller. The ejection detector has a droplet landing member disposed in an area in which the droplet landing member faces the head. The ejection detector detects ejection or non-ejection by detecting electric change caused by landing of the droplets on the droplet landing member. The cleaner cleans a droplet landing surface of the droplet landing member. The cleaning ejection controller controls the recording head to eject droplets on the droplet landing surface for cleaning the droplet landing surface before cleaning the droplet landing surface by the cleaner. A quantity of the droplets for cleaning the droplet landing surface is greater than a quantity of the droplets for detecting ejection or non-ejection. |
| US09028037B2 |
Ink-jet print head comprising a layer made by a curable resin composition
The present invention relates to an ink-jet print head able to resist to chemically aggressive solvent-based inks, and to a process for the manufacturing thereof, the ink-jet print head comprising a polymeric material layer defining ink passage ways formed on a substrate, said polymeric material layer being formed by curing a curable resin composition comprising a cyclic aromatic di-functional epoxy resin, a cyclic aliphatic di-functional epoxy resin and a polymerization initiator. The invention also relates to an improved curable resin composition. |
| US09028027B2 |
Alignment of printheads in printing systems
Systems and methods are provided for aligning printheads of a printing system. The system comprises a sensor and a controller. The sensor is able to detect changes in a lateral position of a web of print media traveling through a continuous-forms printing system, and the controller is able to adjust a lateral position of a printhead while the printing system is operating to compensate for the detected changes in web position. |
| US09028023B2 |
Fluid ejection device and fluid ejection printer with a power amplifier stopping section
A fluid ejection device includes: a modulator adapted to pulse-modulate a drive waveform signal forming a basis of a drive signal of an actuator to obtain a modulated signal; a digital power amplifier circuit adapted to power-amplify the modulated signal to obtain a power-amplified modulated signal; a low pass filter adapted to smooth the power-amplified modulated signal to obtain the drive signal; and a power amplification stopping section operating when holding a voltage of the actuator constant. |
| US09028021B2 |
Ink filling method and inkjet recording apparatus
An inkjet recording apparatus includes a recording head, a carriage with the recording head mounted thereon, a main tank, a sub-tank configured to be supplied with ink from the main tank via a tube, a supply tube configured to connect the recording head and the sub-tank, a supply unit connected to the supply tube and configured to supply ink from the main tank to the sub-tank, and a control unit configured to control acceleration of the carriage and to control the supply unit, wherein, when an empty volume in the sub-tank is greater than or equal to an ink volume in the main tank, the supply unit is controlled to supply ink to the sub-tank. |
| US09028015B2 |
Method for operation of a braking system for a motor vehicle
Disclosed is a method for operating an electromechanically operable parking brake for motor vehicles with a driving engine furnished with a mechanical gear box, being substantially composed of an operating element, an electronic control unit, to which are sent wheel rotational speed values from wheel rotational speed sensors, at least one unit for generating a brake application force, and brake devices on at least one axle being lockable by the unit, with the electronic control unit actuating the unit after detection of a starting maneuver of the motor vehicle in the sense of a release operation of the parking brake. In order to render a release operation of the parking brake as comfortable as possible after detection of a starting maneuver of the motor vehicle, the method at issued arranges that the electronic control unit (6) actuates the unit (1) in order to reduce the brake application force to an inclination-responsive holding force when a starting maneuver is detected and before the release operation of the parking brake is performed. |
| US09028014B2 |
System and method for providing indication of braking for electric brakes
A system for electrical braking of a vehicle comprises a power bus coupled to a first driver associated with a first electromechanical actuator (EMA). The power bus is also coupled to a second driver associated with a second EMA, and the first EMA and the second EMA are associated with a wheel of the vehicle. The power bus provides braking power to the first EMA via the first driver and to the second EMA via the second driver. A normal braking command interface provides a first braking signal to the first driver and a second braking signal to the second driver. An emergency/park brake interface bypasses the normal braking command interface and sends a first emergency/park braking signal to the first driver and a second emergency/park braking signal to the second driver. A sensor measures a current at a single location of the power bus that is proportional to a braking force exerted on the wheel. |
| US09028010B2 |
Braking control system
Provided is a braking control system including: an internal combustion engine serving as a power source of a vehicle; a brake servo unit operated by a negative pressure supplied thereto; a passage configured to supply an intake negative pressure of the internal combustion engine to the brake servo unit; and a negative pressure pump configured to generate a negative pressure by being driven by power transmitted from a wheel of the vehicle and transmit the generated negative pressure to the brake servo unit, wherein the negative pressure pump is driven so as to supply the negative pressure to the brake servo unit during execution of inertia running in which the internal combustion engine stops and the vehicle runs by inertia. |
| US09028007B2 |
Cooling a ranging arm gear case on a longwall shearer
A longwall shearer or other machine with a gear case for transmitting rotational power from a drive to a driven member. The gear case comprises a drive, a driven member, at least one axle including at least one aperture formed therein to circulate cooling fluid through the axle, and a gear mounted to rotate on the axle and positioned to transmit power from the drive to the driven member. |
| US09028006B2 |
Safety bow assembly and child seat including the same
A safety bow assembly for a child seat comprises: a bow body that has opposite first and second ends; first and second connecting parts that are connected to the child seat, the first connecting part defining an accommodating space and having a side wall; and an engaging lever that is connected movably to the side wall, that is formed with an engaging element facing the accommodating space, and that is movable relative to the side wall between a first position, in which the engaging element is adapted to engage releasably a coupling part of the child seat, and a second position, in which the engaging element is adapted to be disengaged from the coupling part. |
| US09027999B2 |
Control assembly for chair
A control assembly for a chair including a base structure having a first pivot point and a second pivot point spaced from the first pivot point, a seat support structure pivotably coupled to the base structure for rotation about the first pivot point, a back support structure pivotably coupled to the base structure for rotation about the second pivot point, wherein the back support structure is adapted to rotate between a first and second positions, and a control link having a first end coupled to the seat support structure, and a second end coupled to the back support structure, wherein the control link rotates the seat support structure at a slower rate of rotation than a rate of rotation of the back support structure as the back support structure is rotated between the first and second positions. |
| US09027994B2 |
Locking structure for skin terminals of vehicle seat and vehicle seat provided with locking structure
A structure is provided to improve rigidity of a locking structure for skin terminals of a vehicle seat. The locking structure for the skin terminals of the vehicle seat includes a seat frame having a tucking groove on an outer surface, a skin terminal of a skin for covering the seat frame, a holding member fixed to the skin terminal, a carpet terminal surrounded by the holding member, and a cut and bent portion for regulating detachment of the holding member. The skin terminal and the carpet terminal are locked in the tucking groove. The holding member is provided with a projection portion, and the carpet terminal is provided with an engagement member engaged with the projection portion for regulating detachment from the holding member. The projection portion is provided closer to the opening side of the tucking groove than the engagement member. |
| US09027981B2 |
Resin product for vehicle
The present invention provides a resin product for a vehicle, which can be welded, even in a shape having a part curved in a vibration direction, with a sufficient strength by means of vibration welding. A resin product 100 for a vehicle, made by welding a plurality of members 1, 2 by vibration welding is characterized in that: welded parts by vibration welding are arranged to a plurality of different surfaces 11 (11a, 11b, . . . ) discretely provided in a vibration direction Q; and a respective one of the plurality of surfaces 11 is set to fall within a predetermined angle with respect to the vibration direction Q. |
| US09027978B2 |
Emergency vehicle patient transport systems
Emergency vehicle patient transport systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, an emergency vehicle patient transport system includes: a loading passage providing access to an interior of an emergency vehicle; one or more tracks coupled to a floor of the emergency vehicle, a ceiling of the emergency vehicle, a wall of the emergency vehicle or combinations thereof wherein, a travel path is delineated by the one or more tracks; and a chair slidingly engaged with the one or more tracks, and vertically positioned between the floor and the ceiling. The chair locks in one or more set positions. And, the one or more set positions are selected from a group consisting of an airway care position, an extended airway care position, a procedural care position, a responder position, a patient care position, and a patient load position. |
| US09027976B1 |
Multi-purpose tactical pendant hook
A multi-purpose helicopter pendant hook assembly is provided. The pendant hook assembly allows cargo load attachment by a ground crewman from positions either on the load itself or standing on the ground next to the load. In both cases, a stand-off from the helicopter improves safety for the ground crewmen. The hook assembly combines the capability to pick up cargo and personnel, or both, simultaneously. This multi-purpose feature reduces the need for more than one helicopter during recovery operations. The pendant has multiple D-rings for attachment of personnel and has a communications link for ground crew to pilot communications. The hook assembly also has a flange and hook configuration which allows release of the cargo load while retaining the cargo net. |
| US09027975B2 |
Method for replacing a transformer in a wind energy installation
A method of replacing a generator of a wind power installation. The generator is provided in the interior of a pylon of a wind power installation and the pylon has a door opening. An exchanging cross beam is fixed by way of a first fastening point to a crane hook of a mobile crane. A first end of the cross beam is introduced with a second fastening point through the door opening into the pylon. The transformer to be replaced is fixed to the second fastening point of the first end. A compensating weight is fixed at the second fastening point to the second end of the cross beam. The second end of the cross beam is tilted or inclined until the transformer is at the height of the door opening and the crane hook is moved until the transformer to be replaced is outside the door opening. |
| US09027974B1 |
Two handle log and firewood pickup tool
A tool for lifting and carrying wood of a two opposing pointed arm pivoted construction. A drive handle extends from one arm and an offset carrying handle extends from the other arm. Each arm has a curved free end portion terminating in a wood engagement point. The arms are pivoted together at their distal ends with an arm stop extending therebetween preventing the arms from closing completely. The arms respective end engagement points provide for opposing wood end engagement to grip and hold a single log or firewood piece securely therebetween for lifting and carrying until select release by the user. |
| US09027973B2 |
Bumper fastening clip
A bumper fixing clip includes a leg portion engaging with a vehicle body panel; engagement claws engaging with a plurality of engagement holes formed on a bumper side; and an engagement member including a second engagement claw engageable with or retractable from one of the engagement holes formed on the bumper side by operating an operation portion, and fixing the bumper to the vehicle body panel. The engagement member is integrally formed with a fixing clip main body, and includes an approximately rod-like operation portion; the second engagement claw formed in a vicinity of a turning center of the operation portion; and an abutment piece formed on a side opposite to the second engagement claw. Also, the fixing clip main body includes a control portion abutting against the abutment piece of the operation portion, and controlling a moving range of the operation portion so as to reduce a force operating the operation portion, and even if an excessive force is applied, the moving range is controlled so as to prevent a breakage. |
| US09027968B2 |
Aseptic coupling devices
A seal member for an aseptic coupling device includes a cross-sectional area including a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, the middle portion being thinner in radial dimension than the first and second end portions. |
| US09027965B2 |
Gas generator
A gas generating system (24) is provided including a gas generant container (34) and an initiator (28). A gas generant composition (32) is placed within the container (34) in ignitable communication with the igniter (28). A molecular sieve (33) is positioned within the housing 17 combined within the gas generant composition (32), or external of the gas generant (32) but in reactive proximity or vapor communication therewith. A seatbelt device (150) and a vehicle occupant restraint system (180) incorporating a gas generating system as described herein are also disclosed. |
| US09027962B1 |
Airbag apparatus
An airbag apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an airbag main body; at least one vent which is provided at a side of the airbag main body, and operated in an opened state; a shield which shields the vent; and a tether which is connected with the shield, in which when an occupant in a vehicle collides with the airbag main body, the tether is operated so that the shield shields the vent. |
| US09027961B2 |
Air belt and air belt apparatus
An air belt having mesh webbing sufficiently strong and sufficiently expandable in the circumferential direction of a bag-shaped belt and an air belt apparatus including the air belt are provided. An air belt includes a folded member being a bag-shaped belt folded in a band shape and mesh webbing covering the folded member of the bag-shaped belt. The mesh webbing hardly expands in the longitudinal direction of the air belt, and is flexibly expandable in the circumferential direction of the bag-shaped belt. The mesh webbing is made of a raschel-knitted material. The knitted material is arranged such that the extending direction of knot portions of yarn threads and corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the air belt. |
| US09027960B1 |
Front airbag device
A front airbag device in which an airbag module can be detached from a steering wheel with a simpler operation is provided. A front airbag device includes a steering wheel and an airbag module. The airbag module includes a housing. The steering wheel includes a positioning hook and a retaining hook. The housing includes a positioning tab on which the positioning hook is hooked and a rod-shaped elastic body on which the retaining hook is hooked. The positioning tab has an extension portion, and the steering wheel has a window portion which enables the extension portion to be visible from the outside. The positioning tab is tilted whereby the positioning tab is disconnected from the positioning hook and the elastic body can move. |
| US09027958B2 |
Vehicle seat assembly with side air bag and guide panel with spaced forward ends for creating a shearing force
In at least certain embodiments, the vehicle seat assembly comprises a frame, a seat pad, a trim cover extending over at least part of the seat pad with the cover having a release seam, and an air bag assembly including an inflator and an air bag. In accordance with an embodiment, the air bag assembly includes an air bag guide associating the air bag assembly with the release seam, the air bag guide comprising a panel having an intermediate portion that wraps around the air bag assembly, a first end secured to the trim cover on a first side of the release seam and a second end secured to the trim cover on the first side of the release seam spaced a predetermined distance from the first end, the first end having a first width, the second end having a second width and the intermediate portion having a third width, with the sum of the first and second widths being equal to or greater than the third width. |
| US09027957B2 |
Occupant protection apparatus and occupant protection method
A side airbag apparatus includes an airbag that can form a plurality of chambers with a single inflator and protects an occupant from an impact on a side door by deploying the airbag between the occupant and the side door. The chambers of the airbag includes a vehicle sidewall chamber that can be deployed around a shoulder region of the occupant and a compartment chamber that is disposed closer to the inner side of an occupant compartment in the vehicle width direction than the vehicle sidewall chamber and can be deployed around a chest region of the occupant. |
| US09027950B2 |
Anti-rattle hitch assembly
An anti-rattle hitch (100) includes a tubular insert (102) that is configured to be inserted into a receiver (90). A wedge mechanism comprising a first wedge member (112) and a second wedge member (114) are disposed in the insert, and have slidably engaged angled faces. The second wedge member includes one or more pistons that extend through piston (110) apertures in the insert such that the longitudinal position of the second wedge member is fixed. An adjustment member (120) adjusts the position of the first wedge member, thereby adjusting the piston position which can be biased against the receiver. |
| US09027948B2 |
Brake-equipped wheelchair
Coupling links coupled at one end to terminal ends of the working belt and rotatably coupled at the other end to the conveyance body, the coupling links being configured to rotate when the seat cushion body rotates with a front end portion thereof acting as a pivot and both end portions of the working belt move in an up-and-down direction, and a working link mechanism provided in a manner to operate in interlock with the rotation the coupling link, the working link mechanism being configured to shift a brake member in accordance with a direction of rotation of the coupling link into a state that the brake member is separated from a rear wheel to release braking, or into such a state that the brake member is brought into contact with the rear wheel to apply braking. |
| US09027943B2 |
Scooter handlebar holder
A scooter features a top tube attached to the top portion of a steering column and handlebars having handgrips and stems, with the stems sized to be received within the open ends of the top tube when in a use configuration. A handlebar holder housing covers a top portion of the steering column and a portion of the top tube and includes holding bores sized to receive the handlebar stems when the handlebars are in a storage configuration. The handlebar stems are provided with spring pins that engage use apertures and storage apertures formed in the top tube and housing, respectively, when in the handlebars are in the use and storage configurations. A cord passes through the top tube and is fastened to the handlebars. The handlebar holder housing includes cord slots in communication with the holding bores and receive the cord when the first and second handlebars are in the storage configuration. |
| US09027940B2 |
Work surface opening mechanism
A cart comprising a base, and a work station supported by the base. The work station including a compartment, a work surface disposed above the compartment, and an opening mechanism. The work surface moveable between an open position to provide access to the compartment and a closed position to deny access to the compartment. The work station including a first opening mechanism adapted to concurrently translate and rotate the work surface. Methods of using such carts. |
| US09027939B2 |
Universal ski conversion device for a stroller or bicycle trailer
A ski conversion device for a stroller or a bicycle trailer including: wheel braces for attachment to first and second skis and for receiving the first and second wheels; connecting elements for fixing the wheels to wheel braces; orientation braces for attachment to skis; orientation elements for connecting the stroller or the bicycle trailer to the orientation braces and for fixing an orientation of the stroller or the bicycle trailer with respect to the skis; a rigger element for connecting to a ski and including a runner element; and yokes for connection to the skis, the yokes attachable to a source of energy for propelling the ski conversion device. In a first position, the runner element is locatable between the first and second skis. In a second position, the runner element is locatable beyond the first ski in a direction from the second ski toward the first ski. |
| US09027936B2 |
Gasket
A gasket is provided which is intended to improve its sealing performance by attaining a further stabilization of the posture thereof in a groove. In a gasket (100) in which a protruded part (110), which serves to stabilize the posture of the gasket (100) in a groove (201) by being in contact with an inner wall surface of the groove (201) in a state where the gasket is sandwiched by a head cover (200) and a cylinder head, is continuously formed in a longitudinal direction of the gasket (100), the protruded part (110) is characterized by a stepped structure which includes a first protruded portion (111) with the largest amount of protrusion that is formed along the vicinity of a center of a gasket main body, a second protruded portion (112) with the smallest amount of protrusion that is formed at the side of the head cover (200), and a third protruded portion (113) that is formed at the side of the cylinder head, and has an amount of protrusion which is smaller than that of the first protruded portion (111), and larger than that of the second protruded portion (112). |
| US09027933B2 |
Engine
An engine in which an oil consumption and a leakage of blow-by gas can be stably reduced for a long period of time. The engine includes a first land (3), a first ring groove (4), a second land (5), a second ring groove (6), a third land (7), a third ring groove (8), and a piston skirt (9) formed on a piston peripheral wall (1) in the above-recited order from a side of a piston head (2). A first pressure ring (10) is fitted in the first ring groove (4). A second pressure ring (11) is fitted in the second ring groove (6), an oil ring (12) fitted in the third ring groove (8), and an indentation (13) is formed at the second land (5). |
| US09027932B2 |
Zero emissions reciprocating pump
A sealing system for a pump having a plunger includes a housing having an internal chamber adapted to receive a portion of the plunger. Primary and secondary seals are located within the internal chamber and adapted to sealingly engage the plunger. The primary seal communicates with the fluid being pumped. A barrier fluid chamber contains a barrier fluid in contact with the primary seal and the secondary seal. A pressure referencing device has an inlet port in communication with the pumped fluid and an outlet port providing fluid at a pressure magnitude equal to a peak pressure of the pumped fluid. A pressurizing device is in communication with the fluid at the peak pressure and the barrier fluid to maintain the barrier fluid pressure at a magnitude greater than the peak pressure of the pumped fluid such that the pumped fluid is restricted from leaking past the primary seal. |
| US09027931B2 |
Seal mechanism
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a seal mechanism, including: a plate spring having a main body portion which has a curved shape and a pair of hook portions which are formed by bending the main body portion; and a seal member having a seal surface and a pair of projecting portions which are formed on an opposite side of the seal surface to catch the hook portions. |
| US09027930B2 |
Method and composition for sealing passages
A method of sealing a passage in a body with a sealing composition comprising (a) a major proportion of a latex emulsion or colloid; and (b) a minor proportion of lauric acid or a laurate compound; and (c) at least one further selected additive, ideally a latex coagulation inhibitor, wherein said composition is pumped into said passage where it is set or coagulated to form a seal. Advantageously, the laurate compound is ammonium laurate and coagulation is conveniently induced by adjusting pH of the sealing composition from alkaline to acidic pH range. The method is particularly well suited to sealing in faulty formations or sealing sites and may be used in sealing within salt mines which contain brines. |
| US09027928B2 |
Pumping seal having projections for axially positioning a biasing member
A seal assembly is for sealing between a housing and a rotary shaft includes an annular sealing member coupled with the housing and having inner and outer circumferential surfaces and a plurality of projections extending radially from the outer surface and spaced circumferentially about a central axis. Each projection has first and second axial ends and the plurality of projections define first and second projections. An annular biasing member is disposed about the sealing member outer surface and exerts an inwardly directed force on the sealing member. The biasing member has first and second ends and is arranged on the sealing member with the biasing member first end contacting the second end of each first projection and the biasing member second end contacting the first end of each second projection. As such, the biasing member extends axially and circumferentially between the first and second projections. |
| US09027926B2 |
Sheet conveyance device, and image forming apparatus having the same
A sheet conveyance device includes conveying portion, first sensing portion, second sensing portion, drive control portion, response time calculation portion, and setting time changing portion. First sensing portion is disposed upstream conveying portion in conveyance direction. Second sensing portion is disposed downstream conveying portion in conveyance direction. Drive control portion makes conveying portion stop until a predetermined setting time has elapsed after sensing of the leading end of the sheet-like member in the conveyance direction of the sheet-like member by first sensing portion, to deflect the sheet-like member, and outputs a drive signal that drives the conveying portion when setting time has elapsed. Response time calculation portion calculates response time until conveying portion is driven since drive signal is outputted. Setting time changing portion changes setting time based on response time calculated by response time calculation portion. |
| US09027924B2 |
Information recording device
Provided is an information recording device in which jam processing operation can be easily performed with simple operation when a recording medium such as a card is jammed in a conveyance passage. A card storing section and a medium conveyance passage for conveying a card to an image forming section are arranged in a housing at upper and lower sides and a passage open-close member for removing a card jammed at the image forming section is arranged therebetween. Then, electronic information recording means is incorporated in the passage open-close member and a medium conveyance path which conveys a card toward the electronic information recording means is arranged on a medium introduction passage for feeding a card from the card storing section to the medium conveyance passage. According to the above, a card jammed at the image forming section or the information recording section can be easily removed to the outside of the device by opening the card storing section. |
| US09027919B2 |
Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus
Provided are a sheet feeding device and an image forming apparatus that are capable of accurately detecting an abnormality of a feeding state without erroneously detecting when a trailing edge of a preceding sheet and a leading edge of a subsequent sheet are fed in an overlaid state. The sheet feeding device includes ultrasonic wave sensors 6 and 7 that detect an overlaid state of a preceding sheet Sa and a subsequent sheet Sb fed from feeding portions 51, 317 to 319 and a controller 1 that continuously performs a detection of the overlaid state of a sheet fed from the feeding portion at a predetermined number of detecting points along a sheet conveying direction at every predetermined time and determines a number of detecting points where detects. Based on the determined number of detecting points, the controller determines that the overlaid state is normal or abnormal. |
| US09027918B2 |
Medium processor having medium storing boxes flexibly loadable in a slot of a medium storage
A medium processor is provided with a medium storage which can house two small storing boxes next to each other and has plural slots into which the two small storing boxes can be detachably loaded. Thus, the two small storing boxes can be loaded in a space equivalent to one conventional bill storing box, and the small storing boxes can be detached for servicing even when there are two small storing boxes loaded in one slot. Thus, various kinds of media can be handled without impairing maintainability. |
| US09027914B2 |
Optical fiber fusion splicer
An optical fiber fusion splicer includes: a windshield cover having a rotating shaft and rotating around the rotating shaft so as to be openable and closable; a cable member wrapping unit coupled and fixed to the windshield cover on the same axis as the rotating shaft of the windshield cover or formed as a portion of the windshield cover, the cable member wrapping unit being rotatable in a normal direction or in a reverse direction around the rotating shaft; a first cable member winding unit that is a rotary pulley, a non-rotary pulley, or a rotary gear; and a closed-loop member including a deformable cable member wound around the cable member wrapping unit and the first cable member winding unit, the closed-loop member constituting a closed loop. |
| US09027913B2 |
Spring clamp
A spring clamp includes a first body which comprises a gripping portion and a clamping portion, a second body which comprises a gripping portion and a clamping portion, a first pivot element which pivotally connects the first body and the second body, and a locking mechanism which comprises at least a pair of friction pair components. The first friction pair component is arranged on the first body, and includes a first friction pair element; and the second friction pair component is arranged on the second body, and includes a second friction pair element. The first and second friction pair elements rub against each other to effect the locking function. The rubbing of the friction pair elements occurs mainly in the plane perpendicular to the first pivot element axis. |
| US09027912B2 |
Vibration damping device
A vibration damping device including: an inner shaft member; a main rubber elastic body fixed to an outer circumference surface of the inner shaft member; and an outer bracket attached to an outer circumference surface of the main rubber elastic body. At least one locking projection formed to an inner circumference surface on a bracket main unit provided to the outer bracket is inserted and locked in a circumference direction in at least one locking groove formed on the outer circumference surface of the main rubber elastic body. The main rubber elastic body is held between axially opposed surfaces of an abutting protruding part formed on one axial end of the bracket main unit and a retaining protruding part formed on a press fit metal fitting press fit and fixed to another axial end of the bracket main unit. |
| US09027907B2 |
Low torque, high flow and tight sealing tube butterfly valve
A butterfly valve including a valve body having a passage, a valve shaft assembly, a valve plate, and a tube that is friction fit inside the passage is provided. The valve shaft assembly includes a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion. The first and second shaft portions are in opposing spaced relation with the valve plate disposed therebetween. The valve plate has a flange such that when the butterfly valve is in the closed position a seal is formed with the tube, which is disposed within the fluid flow passage. The valve plate has lip extending from a portion of the valve plate that is radially outward from the circumference of the tube. The lip acts to reduce flow induced torque experienced while the valve plate is actuated from the closed to the open position. |
| US09027906B2 |
Filler assembly for a valve
A filler assembly is mounted in an axial hole of a cap of a valve. The filler assembly includes at least one first filler and at least one second filler stacked in a longitudinal direction. A valve rod received in the axial hole extends through the at least one first filler and the at least one second filler. At least one of two mutually abutting faces respectively of the at least one first filler and the at least one second filler is at a non-parallel angle to a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. If one of the at least one first filler and the at least one second filler is subjected to a pressing force in the longitudinal direction, at least one of the at least one first filler and the at least one second filler is moved in the radial direction to press against the valve rod. |
| US09027905B2 |
Fluid control valve
A fluid control valve includes an inflow channel for introducing fluid, an outflow channel for discharging the fluid, a valve seat, a valve body for blocking/allowing communication between the inflow channel and the outflow channel in association with a movement thereof into contact with or away from the valve seat, and a solenoid configured to apply a magnetic force to the valve body, the magnetic force being generated in response to supply of electric power to the solenoid. The inflow channel is formed through the core of the solenoid so that the core and the fluid comes into contact with each other in the inflow channel. |
| US09027901B2 |
Rooftop air conditioning vibration absorption system
A vibration absorption system for a rooftop mounted air handling unit is disclosed herein. The vibration absorption system includes an upper rail. The vibration absorption system also includes a lower rail. The vibration absorption system also includes at least one biasing device disposed between the upper rail and the lower rail. The vibration absorption system also includes a fastener having a head and extending through at least a first portion of the upper rail and at least a first portion of the lower rail to interconnect the upper rail and the lower rail. The vibration absorption system also includes a nut releasably engaged with the fastener. The first portion of the upper rail and the first portion of the lower rail are disposed between the nut and the head. The nut is adjustably positionable along a length of the fastener wherein adjustment of the nut along the length of the fastener varies an extent of compression of the at least one biasing device. A method associated with the system is also disclosed. |
| US09027900B2 |
Universal bipod mount for personal digital assistants
A bipod mount for positioning a PDA device for ease of use by a recumbent person comprises a rigid post with slidably adjustable clamping jaws thereon for engaging upper and lower edges of the PDA device. The rigid post is held in a structure including a pair of friction hubs affixed to upper ends of a pair of arms that can be splayed due to the use of the friction hubs. At the second end of the arms are pivotably mounted foot members. The assembly is collapsible to a small size for storage. |
| US09027899B2 |
Vehicle seat and use of an undulating slide rod element
The invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising a seat part, comprising a back rest part and comprising a linear guide device for translational adjustment of the vehicle seat, in which the linear guide device comprises a guide rail means and a slide rail means which is displaceable with respect thereto, in which a bearing means interacts between the slide rail means and the guide rail means and at least comprises slide rod elements so as to mount the slide rail means with respect to the guide rail means, and in which the slide rod element comprises an elongate undulating base body, the slide rod element having an effective external diameter which is greater, at least when the slide rod element is radially unloaded, than a core external diameter of the elongate undulating base body. |
| US09027891B2 |
Floor protectors for furniture legs and casters and methods of making and using same
To facilitate installation of a floor protector to a furniture leg or a caster for movable objects, shrinkable tubing, for example heat-shrink tubing, is used to secure the floor protector to the leg or caster. A tube of heat-shrink material may have at normal temperatures a predetermined unshrunk cross-sectional size large enough to permit the tube to receive the foot portion or caster circumference and a shrinkage ratio sufficient for the tube to be shrunk to a cross-sectional size that is smaller than the foot portion or caster circumference so that, when the tube is shrunk by application of heat or other suitable means, the tube will conform and be secured to the underlying foot portion or caster. Hot-melt adhesive may be applied to the interior of the floor protector and the heat applied to shrink the tube may melt the adhesive to adhere the floor protector to the foot portion or caster. |
| US09027890B2 |
Translating cable device sealing
An aircraft wing assembly, comprising a wing having a fixed leading edge, a slat mounted for movement between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the fixed leading edge, and a translating cable device for electrically connecting the slat to the wing and having a strut coupled at one end to the slat, the fixed leading edge having an aperture to accommodate the strut, and a seal assembly for sealing between the strut and the aperture. |
| US09027889B2 |
Modular core structure for dual-manifest spacecraft launch
A spacecraft may include an upper core structure or a lower core structure. The upper core structure may include an upper cylinder for supporting an upper spacecraft of a dual-manifest launch configuration. The lower core structure may include a lower cylinder for supporting a lower spacecraft with the upper cylinder mounted on top of the lower cylinder. The upper cylinder may have an upper cylinder inner diameter that may be substantially similar to the lower cylinder inner diameter. |
| US09027885B2 |
Nitrogen gas system with diverter valve
A nitrogen gas system for an aircraft is provided and operable in warm-up and normal modes. The system includes an air separation module (ASM), a line to transport nitrogen enriched air (NEA) from the ASM to a fuel distribution system and a diverter valve disposed on the line and configured to divert the NEA away from the fuel distribution system during warm-up operations. |
| US09027882B2 |
Airframe of aircraft, panel assembly for aircraft
The present invention prevents misassembly of access doors while reducing stress concentrations. A hole-side convex portion 80 is formed in each opening 12 at one or more locations in a circumferential direction, and a door-side rib 70 is formed on each door body 30. The hole-side convex portions 80 formed in the openings 12A to 12C differ in location in the circumferential direction among the plural openings 12A to 12C. The door-side ribs 70 formed on the respective door bodies 30A to 30C are provided in such locations as not to interfere with the hole-side convex portions 80 provided in the openings 12A to 12C in correct combination with the door bodies 30A to 30C. |
| US09027879B1 |
Modular adaptive configured helicopter
A method and apparatus for a composite helicopter comprising a rotary wing parent vehicle with various modular cabins detachable therefrom to facilitate various configuration aircraft platforms, dual operation and modular economy. |
| US09027878B2 |
Aircraft landing gear including a fairing
An aircraft landing gear including a fairing (12) arranged to be moveable between first and second configurations, wherein in the first configuration the fairing shields an element of the landing gear from an incident airflow, the fairing being arranged to be in the first configuration when the landing gear is deployed but unloaded, and wherein in the second configuration the fairing exposes the landing gear element to the incident airflow, the fairing being arranged to be in the second configuration when the landing gear is deployed and loaded. |
| US09027872B2 |
Free standing dispenser apparatus for rolled sheet material
An apparatus is provided for dispensing a roll of sheet material in severable portions therefrom. The apparatus comprises a housing having a rim portion longitudinally offset from a base portion by a sidewall portion extending therebetween. The base and sidewall portions define a compartment for holding the roll of sheet material, and the sidewall portion includes a longitudinally extended dispensing slot formed therethrough communicating with the compartment. The sidewall portion forms about the dispensing slot at least one tapered edge. A lid is detachably coupled to the rim portion of the housing to enclose the compartment, and includes a bottom surface portion. A pivot structure is formed on at least one of the base and bottom surface portions to pivotally engage an axial end of the roll of sheet material for angular displacement thereon. |
| US09027865B2 |
Webbing winding device
In a webbing winding device, even when a piston moves toward the other side in a movement direction due to a reaction when the piston moves to a maximum movement position, an engagement surface of a hook portion comes into contact with a subject engagement surface of a subject engagement portion, so that the movement of the piston toward the other side in the movement direction is restricted. Accordingly, the piston is prevented from returning to a standby position, and a pawl is prevented from returning to a lock position. For this reason, a state where a rotation of a locking ring in the pull-out direction is maintained. Accordingly, after the piston moves from the standby position to the maximum movement position, the piston is prevented from returning to the standby position, and the force limiter load is prevented from being changed. |
| US09027859B2 |
Gas fuel injection valve
A gas fuel injection valve is provided in which a circular recess is formed in a front end face of a valve plunger, the circular recess being surrounded by an annular land part, which is an outer peripheral part of the front end face, an inner peripheral face of the circular recess is formed in a tapered shape so as to increase in diameter in going from a base of the circular recess toward the annular land part, an annular lip is formed on a seating member, the annular lip being joined from the inner peripheral face through to the annular land part and being seated on a valve seat, and the annular lip is disposed so that an annular ridge line of an apex of the annular lip is positioned, in a projection in the axial direction of the valve plunger, above the inner peripheral face. |
| US09027851B2 |
Insecticide sprayer and rotary spray head assembly
A rotary spray head assembly includes a motor having an output shaft and a housing through which the output shaft at least partially extends. The housing includes an inlet communicable with a source of fluid. The rotary spray head assembly also includes an annular skirt extending from the housing, a passageway through the skirt having a first end in fluid communication with the inlet and a second end, and a hub coupled for co-rotation with the output shaft. The hub includes an annular groove into which the annular skirt at least partially extends, a circumferential interior surface at least partially defining the groove, and an aperture through the circumferential interior surface. Fluid introduced into the annular groove through the second end of the passageway is discharged outwardly through the aperture. |
| US09027842B2 |
Broadcasting independent of network availability using color space encoded image
Embodiments of the present disclosure can include systems, methods, and non-transitory computer program products for using color space encoded images to perform image-based information broadcasting. In certain aspects, the information broadcasting can include using the encoded images to broadcast information to multiple devices within view of the encoded images. Embodiments can also include broadcasting information independent of network availability. In certain aspects, a public display having a camera can register or capture a color space encoded image from a remote device, where the encoded image encodes a request for information from a user. The public display can send the encoded image to be decoded, and receive the decoded request for information. The public display can encode an encoded image representing a response, and display the encoded image representing a response for decoding by the user. |
| US09027835B2 |
Graphical code readers that are configured for glare reduction
A graphical code reader may include means for capturing an image frame in accordance with a rolling shutter technique, and means for changing illumination while the image frame is being captured in order to perform glare correction. The graphical code reader may also include means for detecting characteristics of glare in a previously captured image frame. |
| US09027833B2 |
Commodity information display apparatus and method for displaying commodity information in different forms
In accordance with one embodiment, a commodity information display apparatus comprises an acquisition module and a display control module. The acquisition module acquires a commodity information relating to a commodity recognized through a first method in which a code symbol attached to the commodity is read and commodity information relating to a commodity recognized through a second method in which the commodity is recognized based on an appearance feature of the commodity contained in an image data captured by a camera. The display control module displays the commodity information acquired by the acquisition module on a display in such a manner that a display form of the commodity information of the commodity recognized through the first method is made different from a display form of the commodity information of the commodity recognized through the second method. |
| US09027827B2 |
System and method for providing a personalized shopping experience and personalized pricing of products and services with a portable computing device
A system and method for providing a personalized shopping experience with a portable computing device (“PCD”) are described. The system and method may include checking-in PCD consumers upon entering an establishment of a merchant. The checking-in of the PCD consumer may include verifying credentials for gaining access to a central mobile payment controller and receiving a merchant identifier corresponding to a merchant from a computer communications network. Next, a scan of a machine-readable code associated with at least one of a good and a service may be received. Information associated with the machine-readable code may be retrieved from a database. Subsequently, a personalized price for the at least one good or service may be determined by applying one or more rules. The personalized price may be transmitted over a computer communications network to the portable computing device for display to the PCD consumer. |
| US09027824B2 |
Food containing device
A food containing device is provided. The food containing device may include a cone shaped body having a top end and a bottom end. The bottom end may include the cone tip, and the top end may include the rim. The rim forms an opening that leads into the body. The present invention may include at least one flap attached to and extending radially outward from the cone shaped body. The at least one flap may include at least one opening formed to receive a condiment. |
| US09027820B2 |
Unitized assembly including substructure element integral with fiber metal laminate
A unitized assembly may comprise a fiber metal laminate and at least one additive layer. The fiber metal laminate may have non-metallic plies bonded to metallic plies and may include an innermost metallic ply. The at least one additive layer may be deposited onto the innermost metallic ply by friction stir welding. |
| US09027814B2 |
Holster accommodating different sized portable device cases
A holster for a mobile device case having a first predetermined configuration and a second predetermined configuration. The holster includes a base sized to releasably affix the mobile device case independent of whether the mobile device case is in the first predetermined configuration or the second predetermined configuration. |
| US09027812B2 |
Backpack Frame
A backpack frame is disclosed herein. The backpack frame includes a frame body and an arm coupled to the frame body. The arm has a proximal portion at the one or more points of connection and a distal portion that is extended away from the one or more points of connection. A space between a distal portion of the arm and the frame body is sufficiently sized to receive the head of an antlered animal therethrough when the distal portion of the arm is pivoted away from the frame body. The arm is capable of pivoting at a point of connection between the arm and the frame body. Accordingly, at least in some instances, when the head of an antlered animal is inserted through the space, the arm pivots, locking the head in place and supporting the head and antlers. |
| US09027809B1 |
Platform for transporting or storing goods
A lightweight platform is formed by using plastic, aluminum, or an open spaced metal. The platform consists of a front section, a middle section, and a rear section. The front and rear sections may have side walls of any height. End walls may be attached if desired. The front section is connected to the middle section by hinges located on a top surface of the platform. The middle section is connected to the rear section by hinges located on a bottom surface of the platform. The platform moves from an open position to a closed position and back easily and without the necessity of latches. |
| US09027803B2 |
Friction reducing elements and assemblies for hanging devices
A friction reducing element for a hanging device includes a roller configured for positioning on an upper portion of a hook and a tubular elastomeric sleeve stretch-fitted over an outer surface of the roller. The roller is provided with a contoured outer surface and the sleeve is made from a thermoset elastomer such that the friction reducing element facilitates positioning of the hanging device, along a clothing rod. Use of the thermoset elastomer also prevents premature development of areas of deformation on the friction reducing element over time. The friction reducing element may be assembled into an upper portion of a hook for a clothes hanger, or other similar hanging device. |
| US09027801B2 |
Feeder element
An elongate collapsible feeder element for use in metal casting and a feeder system with attached feeder element and feeder sleeve. The feeder element has an A end and an opposite B end measured along the height, and a C end and an opposite D end measured along the length. The A end is for mounting on a mold pattern or swing plate and the opposite B end is for receiving a feeder sleeve. A bore is between the A and B ends defined by a sidewall having a stepped collapsible portion. The feeder element is compressible in use to reduce the distance between the A and B ends. The bore is offset from the centre of the feeder element along the length towards the C end and a second sidewall region is non-planar, contiguous with a third sidewall region and located between the bore axis and the D end. |
| US09027800B2 |
Dispensing assembly
A dispensing assembly for pourable food or drink products, comprising: a receptacle for accommodating a pourable food or drink product, comprising an opening; and a closure means for closing the opening, comprising a closure member, mounted across the opening, having at least one outlet, and a stop member mounted to confront the outlet, the closure member being resiliently deformable, by the pressing action of a user, from a first condition in which the outlet is spaced from the stop member and the food or drink product may be poured through the outlet to a second condition in which the outlet has been moved inwardly to a position in which it is closed off by the stop member. |
| US09027796B1 |
Tool to aid in the caulking process
A flexible and resilient tool for use with a conventional half barrel, parallel frame caulking gun or enclosed “sausage” style caulking gun, aiding the user in finishing and shaping after the caulking material has been applied. One function of the tool is to collect excess caulk from his finger(s) or from various shaping tools and spatulas. Also provided can be cap, rag and sponge holders. Additional embodiments include adaptations to existing prior art disposable caulking cartridges and caulking guns to include components of the disclosed tool. |
| US09027793B2 |
Fitment for a container
A product includes a container including a neck, and a fitment having a portion coupled to the neck of the container via an interference fit. |
| US09027787B2 |
Medicine dispensing device with locking interaction between hatch and dividing wall
A medicine dispensing device includes a shell-like base unit, a shell-like cassette with a number of compartments for storage of medicines which is rotatable relative to the base unit, a unit for rotating the cassette relative to the base unit at predetermined times, a lid firmly connected to the base unit, and an aperture situated in the lid in such a way as to be movable to become central to any desired compartment of the cassette when the cassette is rotated relative to the base unit and the lid. A hatch is provided close to the aperture and can assume a position in which the aperture is closed and a position in which the aperture is exposed. The hatch is pivotable relative to a pivot axis. The hatch has a rear edge which has an extent in the circumferential direction of the device. |
| US09027785B1 |
Tank holding device
A tank holding device, comprising a base plate and a cylinder containment portion. The cylinder containment portion being fixedly coupled to the base plate. There is at least one drain hole which is located at the joining of the cylinder containment portion and the base plate. The drain hole is angled upward and inward. The drain hole forms an outwardly and downwardly draining trough. |
| US09027773B2 |
Divided wooden tank
A wooden water tank for a building has a wooden tank wall, a tank bottom and a wooden dividing wall across the tank defining at least two water compartments. There are attachments between the foregoing parts, and leak preventing connections between parts. Each wall is a sequential series of staves or boards secured together for leak prevention. The staves of the circumferential tank wall extend vertically. The staves of the dividing wall extend horizontally. The staves are all pressed together so that neighboring staves are sealed to each other preventing leakage through the walls. There are hoops and hoop segments around the circumferential wall, and connections to the hoops press the staves of the circumferential wall toward each other for sealing. |
| US09027771B2 |
Beverage and food carrier and dispensing systems therefor
A carrier for carrying at least one beverage container includes a sheet of at least one layer of a polymeric material having an arrangement of at least one aperture for receiving a beverage container, and having a plurality of handle members for grasping by at least one finger or portion of a users hand for carrying the beverage container. A tray configuration is also provided for use with the carrier or in a separate manner, and a dispensing system for use with the carrier is set forth. |
| US09027768B2 |
Prescription bottle storage units and medical organizer cases
A prescription bottle storage unit for holding a plurality of prescription pill bottles includes a holder for holding the plurality of prescription pill bottles in fixed positions spaced-apart around a vertically-extending axis so that outwardly-extending side portions of the plurality of prescription pill bottles are observable. |
| US09027763B2 |
No vault pump filter
A pump filter system for use with a submersible pump assembly including a base cup having an outer peripheral flange and an upwardly extending ring concentrically located within and spaced from the peripheral flange. A self-supporting, substantially uniformly perforated, tubular wall portion having a lower end coupled to the base cup outer peripheral flange and an upper end surrounding a pump discharge conduit connection. A tubular sleeve having a lower end contiguous with an upper portion of the pump body and an upper end projecting above the discharge conduit connection. A tapered coupling having a lower end connected to the perforated tubular wall upper end and an upper end connected to the tubular sleeve upper end, and a seal ring surrounding the discharge conduit connection and the tubular sleeve inner surface. |
| US09027762B2 |
Multi-disc assembly for disc screen
A multi-disc assembly for releasable attachment to the shaft of a disc screen is provided. The multi-disc assembly includes a multi-disc hub of elastomeric material including multiple discs configured for use in the disc screen. The hub has a through bore configured for direct engagement over a shaft of the disc screen. A disc screen comprising the multi-disc assembly and method of using the multi-disc assembly are also provided. |
| US09027759B2 |
Sorting apparatus
A sorting apparatus is described, and which includes a conveyor which transports a produce stream for inspection. A product separation surface is mounted near the distal end of the conveyor, and the produce stream passes over the product separation surface, and is slowed to a speed such that the produce stream falls substantially immediately vertically downwardly. An inspection zone is located downstream relative to the product separation surface. An imaging device is provided, and which images the produce stream passing through the inspection zone; an illumination device is provided for illuminating the produce stream passing through the inspection zone, and an ejector assembly is located downstream of the inspection zone and which removes unwanted solid material in the produce stream having undesirable characteristics. |
| US09027758B2 |
Collapsible sifter
A collapsible sifter having a substantially rigid annular top rim, a substantially rigid annular bottom ring, a flexible annular middle portion having two or more living hinges to collapse the sifter from an open configuration to a collapsed configuration and a removably attachable bottom implement. First and second cooperating elements, associated with the annular bottom ring and the bottom implement, are used to removably attach the bottom implement to the bottom annular ring. |
| US09027757B2 |
Mixture of an amine alkoxylate ester and a quaternary ammonium compound as a collector for minerals containing silicate
The invention relates to the use of a composition of A) at least one quaternary ammonia compound comprising at least one organic radical bonded to the ammonia nitrogen atom and optionally comprising heteroatoms and having 1 to 36 carbon atoms, and B) at least one amine alkoxylate ester of formula (1) or a salt thereof, where A, B are, independently of each other, a C2- through C5-alkylene radical R1, a C8- through C24-alkyl radical or alkenyl radical R2, R3, R4 independent of each other, H, or a C8- through C24-acyl radical, with the stipulation that at least one of the radicals R2, R3 or R4 stands for a C8- through C24-acyl radical, and x, y, z, independently of each other, stand for a whole number from 0 through 50, with the stipulation that x+y+z is a whole number from 1 through 100, in quantities of 10 through 5000 g/tonne of ore as a collector in silicate floation. |
| US09027756B2 |
Structure of inflatable packaging device
A packaging device includes first and second thermoplastic films superposed with each other, wherein predetermined portions of the thermoplastic films are bonded creating a plurality of fluid containers, a plurality of check valves each connected to a corresponding fluid container, a fluid passage in a first direction connected to the check valves, and a second border between an inflated section including the plurality of fluid containers and an uninflated section, wherein the first and second thermoplastic films are folded and two side edges of the films are bonded and a first portion of a first border connecting the inflated section to a second section is folded and an overlapped portion of the first portion is bonded leaving a remaining portion of the first border unbonded wherein the uninflated section forms a loop, and wherein the uninflated section forming the loop is folded into the inflated section to form a lining. |
| US09027749B2 |
Wipes dispenser with self-closing lid
A container for storing wipes that can be dispensed by a consumer includes a container body. The container body includes a bottom wall, a midsection, and a top wall. The container body can define an interior cavity for storing the wipes. The container can further include a dispensing aperture in the container body and a lid. The lid is configured to be opened and closed, providing access to the dispensing aperture when open and hindering access to the dispensing aperture when closed. The lid can be urged to the closed position when the lid is in a first range of positions between the open position and the closed position and can be urged to the open position when the lid is in a second range of positions between the open position and the closed position. |
| US09027744B1 |
Center loading assembly for a conveyor belt
A center loading assembly for a conveyor belt having a carriage support attached to a belt conveyor main frame and having a carriage within the carriage support. The carriage has a center member with side members extending at an angle therefrom, each having an upward extension. The upward extensions have side rollers and conveyor belt covering skirts and keep the conveyor belt centered between the conveyor belt covering skirts. The carriage support has vertical bearings to support the carriage and side bearings to hold the carriage on the vertical bearings. The carriage and conveyor belt covering skirts follow a trough angle of the conveyor belt as the conveyor belt shifts. Material deposited onto the conveyor belt is deflected to the center portion of the conveyor belt by the conveyor belt covering skirts. |
| US09027740B2 |
Transport apparatus with moving trucks
A transport apparatus for transporting goods, wherein a moving truck arrangement having at least two moving truck elements can be displaced along a guide track, wherein great spatial freedom of design of the guide track is made possible. The moving truck arrangement can be moved both in a pulling and in a pushing manner by a drive mechanism and the goods can be transported by the individual moving truck elements. |
| US09027737B2 |
Scrubber layboy
A Layboy machine for the transportation of corrugated boxes including one or more Scrap Separation devices for improved Scrap separation. The Scrap Separation means include a Compliant Scrap Blocker for Loose Scrap, an Opposing Phase Shift Beater for Trapped Scrap and all types of Hanging Chads, a Chad Wall for stripping Lead Edge Trim, Trail Edge Trim and Side Edge Trim Scrap, a Compliant Scrap Blocker-Wedge Roller for harsher scrubbing of the box and motivating Scrap above the Board Line to move to under the Board Line and Side Edge Trim Chad Stripper which is removes Side Edge Trim Chads. The Wheel Assemblies are superior in allowing the proper configuration of the various Scrap Separation Means. The concept of the staggered Wheel Assemblies also leads to reduced Order Setup Time, better board control and reduced Print Damage and Box Size variation out of the Press. |
| US09027734B2 |
Buffer section for a conveying system and conveying system of this type
A buffer section for a conveying system in a high rack warehouse comprises a slide rod inclined relative to the horizontal for sliding conveyance along a conveying path in a conveying direction, which is parallel to a slide rod longitudinal axis, of a plurality of suspended conveyed goods, which are in each case suspended by means of a hook on the slide rod, and a stopper element in the conveying path at the end of at least one portion of the slide rod to stop the conveyed goods with the formation of a group of conveyed goods, wherein the stopper element has a contact face, which can be displaced between a stopper arrangement to stop the conveyed goods and a passing arrangement for allowing the conveyed goods through, for the conveyed goods, and wherein exclusively the stopper element is used to stop the conveyed goods. |
| US09027730B2 |
Microplate handling systems and related computer program products and methods
Systems, computer program products, and methods useful for handling or managing microplates are provided. |
| US09027727B2 |
Coupling system and method for a vehicle
A coupling system and method for a powered component on a vehicle includes a powered component, a rotating member mechanically driven by an engine on the vehicle and a radial coupling between the powered component and the rotating member for mechanically powering the powered component. |
| US09027726B2 |
Torque transmission device
It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact torque transmission device. The torque transmission device includes an input-side member, an output-side member, a clutch and a pressing mechanism. The clutch is configured to transmit or cut torque between the input-side member and the output-side member. The pressing mechanism includes a pressing member for pressing the clutch, and a pressing device. The pressing device is a device for pressing the pressing member, and is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the clutch. |
| US09027723B2 |
Vehicle electric power supply system
The present invention is vehicle electric power supply system (A) that supplies electric power wirelessly to a vehicle (M) that is positioned within an electric power supply area (X). The vehicle electric power supply system (A) has: a power-receiving device (m1) that is provided in the vehicle; a plurality of power-transmitting devices (1a1, 1a2, 1a3, 1b1, 1b2, 1b3, 1c1, 1c2, 1c3) that are provided at mutually different positions within the electric power supply area; a position detecting device (4) that detects the position of the power-receiving device within the electric power supply area; and a control device (4) that, based on detection results from the position detecting device, selects from among the plurality of power-transmitting devices the power-transmitting device that is located in a position that corresponds to the power-receiving device, and then causes power to be supplied wirelessly from the selected power-transmitting device. |
| US09027722B1 |
Movable container system
A movable, e.g., wheeled, container, system, such as an article of luggage, cooler or other wheeled container, can include a container body with an openable lid. The system can include one or more wheels secured to the container body and a handle that extends from the container body. The system can include one or more strap mechanisms attached to the interior of the container body. Each strap mechanism can provide a retractable strap to extend from the container body. Each strap can be extended over an item to be secured to an exterior surface of the container body. An extended end of each strap can be secured to a fastening device located on an exterior surface of the container body. The wheels may be driven by motors that can be controlled by a user. A movable container system can be releasably attached to one or more other movable container systems. |
| US09027712B2 |
Adaptable platform for loading and unloading railway cars
An apparatus that provides selectively deployable worker access with fall protection to at least a portion of the top of a container disposed above the ground. A gangway and its associated fall protection cage are selectively deployable from an elevated platform over the top of the container. The gangway and its associated cage are slidably connected to the platform via a track carried along the side of the platform. |
| US09027708B2 |
Aircraft turbojet engine nacelle air intake maintenance trolley
This maintenance trolley (17) for the air intake (9) of the nacelle of an aircraft turbojet engine is notable in that it comprises a base (19) and a platform (23) cantilever-mounted on this base (19) and designed to enter said air intake (9) without contact therewith. |
| US09027707B2 |
Convertible safety harness
An upper body harness portion for converting a seat-style harness to a full body harness. The upper body harness portion includes a front lower component, a rear lower component, and an upper torso component having elongated first, second and third webbings. The ends of the first and second webbings are detachably securable to opposite sides of the front and rear or side portions of the seat-style harness waist belt, respectively. The third webbing forms a closed loop which, when worn, extends over a wearer's shoulders on opposite sides of the wearer's head. First and second connectors are slidably connected to the third webbing, with the first connector also being slidably connected to the first webbing adjacent the front of a wearer and the second connector being slidably connected to the second webbing adjacent the back of a wearer. |
| US09027706B2 |
Enhanced, lightweight acoustic scrim barrier
An enhanced, lightweight acoustic absorber is provided. The acoustic absorber is bounded by the at least one scrim layer without need for additional layers, such as melt-blown or nonwoven layers. The at least one scrim layer includes at least one non-planar, folded scrim layer bonded to itself or another scrim layer to form a plurality of air spaces between folded portions of the at least one scrim layer. The at least one scrim layer establishes a thickness of the acoustic absorber extending across opposite exposed sides of the acoustic absorber. |
| US09027702B2 |
Synthetic jet muffler
A synthetic jet muffler includes an exit end, a propagation path for conducting a first sound wave emitted by a synthetic jet generator to the exit end, and a shroud for conducting a second sound wave emitted from the synthetic jet generator in a direction opposite to the first sound wave to the exit end, wherein the shroud is disposed so that the first and second sound waves travel different distances to effect noise cancellation at the exit end. |
| US09027701B2 |
Protective enclosure for enhancing sound from an electronic device
A protective enclosure for an electronic device can include a waveguide to direct and enhance sound waves emanating from a speaker of an electronic device when installed in the protective enclosure. The waveguide can include a first end and a second end. The first end of the waveguide can be located proximate the speaker of the electronic device. The waveguide can increase in cross-sectional area between the first end and the second end. |
| US09027700B2 |
Bonding structure of diaphragm for microspeaker
The present invention relates to an assembly structure of a diaphragm for a microspeaker. The present invention discloses a bonding structure of a diaphragm for a microspeaker, the boding structure comprising: a suspension including a central portion, an outer peripheral portion, and a connecting portion connecting the central portion and the outer peripheral portion; and a side diaphragm including an inner peripheral portion and an outer peripheral portion, which are attached to the central portion and outer peripheral portion of the suspension, respectively, and a dome portion, which projects between the inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion, wherein the suspension and the side diaphragm are attached by thermal compression. |
| US09027697B2 |
Construction machine
On the right front side of a revolving frame (5) constituting an upper revolving structure (3), an operating oil tank (11) and a fuel tank (12) are arranged. On the front side of this operating oil tank (11) and the fuel tank (12), an equipment accommodating case (13) forming an accommodating space (13A) inside is provided. In the accommodating space (13A) in the equipment accommodating case (13), a control valve unit (20) for controlling supply/discharge of the operating oil and a urea water tank (24) storing urea water for removing nitrogen oxides contained in an exhaust gas of the engine (8) are arranged together. |
| US09027688B2 |
Reducing agent tank and work vehicle
A reducing agent tank includes a tank body storing reducing agent and a cylindrical gauge member visually indicating a storage amount of the reducing agent inside the tank body. The gauge member is in communication with an inside of the tank body. The tank body has a replenishment port to replenish the reducing agent. The gauge member is provided on a first wall surface of a plurality of wall surfaces defining the tank body. The gauge member is provided in a slanted manner relative to a bottom plate of the tank body. The replenishing port and the gauge member are disposed in a row along a direction that extends along the first wall surface as seen in a plan view. |
| US09027684B2 |
Vehicular battery mounting structure
A vehicular battery mounting structure (10) includes a floor panel (14), a battery frame (30) arranged below the floor panel (14), and a bracket (40) provided on both left and right sides of a vehicle, interposed between the floor panel (14) and the battery frame (30). The bracket (40) includes a bottom wall portion (42), an inside flange portion (48) that is on an inside in a vehicle width direction, and an outside flange portion (50) that is on an outside in the vehicle width direction. A shape of the bracket is a generally hat-shape opening upward in the sectional view taken along the vehicle width direction. The battery frame (30) is indirectly or directly fixed to the bottom wall portion (42). The inside and outside flange portions (48, 50) are joined to the floor panel (14) such that a joint strength between the outside flange portion (50) and the floor panel (14) is greater than a joint strength between the inside flange portion (48) and the floor panel (14). |
| US09027680B2 |
Hybrid vehicle and control method thereof
In a hybrid vehicle, a target rotational speed and a target torque or a target operation point of an engine are set to a predetermined optimal efficiency rotational speed and a predetermined optimal efficiency torque that enable the engine to be operated efficiently when the engine is operated while a state of charge of the battery is equal to or more than a control-center state of charge after a start of a driving of the vehicle. Then, the engine and motors are controlled so that the engine is operated at the target operation point and a torque equivalent to a torque demand is output to a ring gear shaft or an axle. |
| US09027677B2 |
Electric tracklaying gear and use thereof for a self-propelled working machine
The present invention relates to an electric tracklaying gear and the use thereof for a self-propelled working machine, preferably for a construction or earth-moving machine or a surface mining machine such as Surface Miner, which includes an endlessly circulating track chain which can be driven by a crawler drive that is arranged inside the path of circulation of the track chain. It is proposed to associate a cooling device with a closed fluid cooling circuit to the electric motor of the crawler drive arranged in the interior of the path of circulation of the track chain. Due to the high thermal capacity of a suitable cooling fluid such as oil or water-glycol mixture small volumetric flow rates in the fluid cooling circuit and hence small conduit cross-sections are sufficient. On the other hand, due to the closed formation of the fluid cooling circuit any dust input into the crawler drive and also any generation of dust by exhaust air can be avoided. |
| US09027676B2 |
Construction machine
A construction machine includes: a lower propelling body; and an upper slewing body which is slewably mounted on the lower propelling body. The upper slewing body includes: an engine room provided with an intake opening and a discharge opening; a duct provided in the engine room so as to communicate with the discharge opening; and an exhaust gas pipe which guides exhaust gas discharged from the engine into the duct. The discharge opening and an outlet of the duct are open downward from the engine room. A portion on a distal end side of the exhaust gas pipe is inserted into the duct. The duct and the exhaust gas pipe are configured to cause the exhaust gas to be mixed with cooled air in the duct and cause the mixture of the exhaust gas and the cooled air to be discharged downward from the discharge opening. |
| US09027674B2 |
Custom shaped blank
A blank may include a tang section, a base section, and an angled section with a recess. The tang section may have an outer surface with an outer diameter. The base section may have an outer surface with a diameter greater than the outer diameter of the tang section. The angled section may lie between the tang section and the base section and may have an outer surface that transitions in diameter from the outer diameter of the tang section to the outer diameter of the base section. The recess in the angled section may be shaped to engage a tip of a former. |
| US09027673B2 |
Universal drilling and completion system
Methods and apparatus are described to drill and complete wellbores. Such wellbores include extended reach horizontal wellbores, for example in shales, deep subsea extended reach wellbores, and multilateral wellbores. Specifically, the invention provides simple threaded subassemblies that are added to existing threaded tubular drilling and completion equipment which are used to dramatically increase the lateral reach using that existing on-site equipment. These subassemblies extract power from downward flowing clean mud, or other fluids, in an annulus to provide additional force or torque on tubular elements within the wellbore, while maintaining circulation, to extend the lateral reach of the drilling equipment and completion equipment. These added elements include combinations of The Leaky Seal™, a Cross-Over, The Force Sub™ and The Torque Sub™. The use of such additional simple elements allow lighter drilling equipment to be used to reach a given lateral distance, therefore reducing drilling costs. |
| US09027667B2 |
Structure for gunpowder charge in combined fracturing perforation device
This invention provides a structure for gunpowder charge for charging gunpowders of different rates in combined fracturing perforation devices. The structure for gunpowder charge is convenient to mount and transport. In one embodiment, said structure for gunpowder charge comprises an inner gunpowder box located between adjacent perforating charges in the charge frame of a perforation device, and an outer gunpowder box attached to the outer wall of the charge frame, wherein said outer gunpowder box comprises one or two box units (2 or 4) with at least one claw at the inner side of said box unit, said claw can be locked into a groove or installation hole of the charge frame, and wherein said inner gunpowder box and said outer gunpowder box are charged with gunpowders of different burning rates. |
| US09027666B2 |
Machine tool, in particular handheld machine tool
A power tool, in particular a hand-held power tool, preferably embodied as a cordless screwdriver, is equipped with a torque limiting unit in which the release torque is settable by way of a locking brace that is equipped with a spring brace for locking elements that abut axially against parts of a planetary drive, in particular the ring gear thereof or the planet carrier thereof as a last gear stage, the spring elements of the spring brace and the locking elements being located with a radial offset from one another. |
| US09027661B2 |
Foam chamber having a closable testing outlet
A foam chamber of a fire suppressant system having a closable testing outlet is disclosed. The foam chamber can operate in a testing mode and an operation mode. The invention has an inlet conduit for accepting a fire suppressant fluid attached to an expansion conduit. An expansion enclosure having two closable outlets is also attached to the inlet conduit and surrounds the expansion conduit. One outlet empties into the expansion enclosure. The other outlet extends through the wall of the expansion enclosure and empties outside of the expansion enclosure. Both of the closable outlets can be fitted with either an unbreakable seal or a frangible seal. If the foam chamber is configured for normal operation, the unbreakable seal is placed on the outlet that extends through the wall of the expansion enclosure and a frangible seal is placed on the outlet that empties into the expansion enclosure. |
| US09027660B2 |
Shipping cap for fire protection sprinkler
A shipping cap for a sprinkler includes a main body having a hollow annular wall portion having a closed upper end. A first pair of side legs extend laterally and axially from a first side of the cylindrical wall portion and a second pair of side legs extend laterally from a second side of the cylindrical wall portion. A first side curtain extends from one of the first pair of side legs and one of the second pair of side legs and a second side curtain extends from the other of the first pair of side legs and the other of the second pair of side legs. |
| US09027654B2 |
Valve with shuttle
A valve for use in a flow management system comprising a valve including a body, a shuttle, and a seat closure, a rotatable shaft passing through the body and the seat closure, the rotatable shaft for operating a mechanical pump, and, translation of the seat closure along the rotatable shaft operable to mate the seat closure with a seat of the shuttle. |
| US09027652B2 |
Method for conveying balls downhole using a ball carrier medium
A method is provided for safely delivering actuators such as balls from a ball injector to a downhole tool in a wellbore. A structure or carrier medium, such as a slug of gel or foam, is introduced to a bore of injector and the ball is injected into the bore for support by the carrier medium. A displacement fluid, such as fracturing fluid, is pumped into the wellbore to drive the carrier medium and ball. Each slug and ball can be retrieved at a ball catcher at the wellhead. |
| US09027649B2 |
Rotating and reciprocating swivel apparatus and method
What is provided is a method and apparatus wherein a swivel can be detachably connected to an annular blowout preventer thereby separating the drilling fluid or mud into upper and lower sections and allowing the fluid to be displaced in two stages, such as while the drill string is being rotated and/or reciprocated. In one embodiment the sleeve or housing can be rotatably and sealably connected to a mandrel. The swivel can be incorporated into a drill or well string and enabling string sections both above and below the sleeve to be rotated in relation to the sleeve. In one embodiment the drill or well string does not move in a longitudinal direction relative to the swivel. In one embodiment, the drill or well string does move longitudinally relative to the sleeve or housing of the swivel. |
| US09027643B2 |
Method of removing cutters
A method for enhanced degradation of a cutting structure on a drill shoe is provided. The cutting structure may be degraded at an accelerated rate after achieving a desired objective. Degradation of the cutting structures on the drill shoe may facilitate the eventual drill out of the drill shoe. In one embodiment, a method of degrading the cutting structure includes operating the drill shoe using a reduced flow rate of drilling fluid. In another embodiment, a method of degrading the cutting structure includes operating the drill shoe at an increased rotary speed. In yet another embodiment, a method of degrading the cutting structure includes operating the drill shoe with an increased weight on bit. In yet another embodiment, a method of degrading the cutting structure includes any combination of one or more of the enhanced degradation methods described herein. |
| US09027642B2 |
Dual-purpose steam injection and production tool
A dual-purpose tool can be used for steam injection and production in a wellbore. A mandrel deploys in the wellbore to communicate steam in a steam injection operation and to communicate production fluid from the wellbore during production operations. A distributor on the mandrel has nozzles for injecting steam into the wellbore and has production valves for producing fluids from the wellbore. A screen can be used to screen production fluids as they are produced through the production valves. The nozzles can also allows produced fluids to flow into the mandrel, or backflow valves can be used to restrict flow of produced fluids through the nozzles while permitting the flow of steam out of the nozzles. |
| US09027641B2 |
Method of fracturing multiple zones within a well using propellant pre-fracturing
A method of fracturing multiple zones within a wellbore formed in a subterranean formation is carried out by forming flow-through passages in two or more zones within the wellbore that are spaced apart from each other along the wellbore. The flow-through passages are arranged into clusters, where the directions of all flow-through passages, which belong to the same cluster, are aligned within a single plane (cluster plane). At least one cluster of flow-through passages is formed in each zone. The clusters within each zone have characteristics different from those of other zones provided by orienting the cluster planes at different angles relative to principal in-situ stresses and by placing them into different locations along the wellbore in each of the two or more zones. A propellant pre-fracturing treatment is then performed in the two or more zones to create initial fractures (pre-fractures) in each of the two or more zones. The fracturing fluid in the fracturing treatment is provided at a pressure that is above the pre-fracture propagation pressure of one of the two or more zones to facilitate fracturing of said one of the two or more zones. The pressure of the fracturing fluid is below the pre-fracture propagation pressure of any other non-treated zones of the two or more zones. The isolating of the treated zone is then performed. The fracturing process is then repeated for at least one or more non-treated zones of the two or more zones. |
| US09027640B2 |
Method for signalling a downhole device in a well
A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a well involves locating a pressure monitoring device downhole and arranging it to be operative: to monitor a characteristic pressure profile of a well during a certain time span controlled by a downhole clock associated with the device; to monitor the temperature downhole in the region of the clock; to calibrate a time reading of the downhole clock with reference to the monitored temperature to correct for drift between the clock time and real time resulting from the downhole elevated temperature; and to respond and generate a triggering output when a significant deviation to the pressure profile is introduced into the well as a control signal to the monitoring device, by comparing two separate pressure profiles within the time span, the device only generating the triggering output when the same pressure profile is monitored twice within the time span. |
| US09027638B2 |
Cyclic steam stimulation using RF
A method of producing hydrocarbons from a well. The method begins by injecting steam into a well. The bitumen in the formation is then heated with the injected steam, followed by ceasing the injection of steam into the well and then by soaking the bitumen with the injected steam and collecting the heated oil. Steam that has condensed is revaporized by directing RF/MW radiation to the steam allowing for more bitumen to be produced without injecting more steam. In addition, some of the steam could become superheated, wherein the temperature of the superheated steam is greater than the temperature of the steam. The bitumen is heated by the revaporized steam and the superheated steam, followed by soaking the bitumen with the revaporized steam and the superheated steam. Hydrocarbons are then produced from the well. |
| US09027631B2 |
Metal alloy injection molding overflows
Metal alloy injection molding techniques are described. In one or more implementations, these techniques may also include adjustment of injection pressure, configuration of runners, and/or use of vacuum pressure, and so on to encourage flow of the metal alloy through a mold. Techniques are also described that utilize protrusions to counteract thermal expansion and subsequent contraction of the metal alloy upon cooling. Further, techniques are described in which a radius of edges of a feature is configured to encourage flow and reduce voids. A variety of other techniques are also described herein. |
| US09027626B2 |
Window edge space filler and window covering
A window opening space filler for use with a window having a window opening of predetermined opening width surrounded by a window frame, to adjust the predetermined opening width to fit a window covering having a predetermined covering width, less than the opening width, and having an attachment member for attachment to the widow frame, and, a filler member separate from the attachment member and attachable to the attachment member and extending across the window opening, so that a user can reduce the width of a window opening down each side edge make the window covering fit the reduced width window opening. |
| US09027625B2 |
Device for preloading a rewind mechanism
The present invention concerns a device (1) for preloading of a rewind mechanism (2) for a fabric (4) arranged on an elongated tube (3) or the like of a roller blind, a projector screen or the like. The rewind mechanism (2) is arranged to be essentially inserted into said tube (3) and includes a spring (10), that is tensioned when the fabric (4) is rolled out and relieved when the fabric (4) is rolled up onto the tube (3). The device (1) includes an outer mounting element (5), that is arranged to be attached to the tube (3), and an inner mounting element (6), that is arranged to be attached to an outer bracket (not shown), said mounting elements (5, 6) being rotatingly arranged in relation to each other about a longitudinal axis of said tube (3). A spring element (7) is arranged between said mounting elements (5, 6) and includes a sleeve (11), in which said spring (10) is arranged. The sleeve (11) has an inner diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the spring (10) in an untensioned condition, wherein said spring (10) is arranged inside the sleeve (11) by being inserted therein in a pretensioned condition. |
| US09027622B2 |
Method of building carcass band and stitcher apparatus
A stitcher apparatus for pressing a carcass ply sheet from its outer periphery as to be pressure-bonded onto a rubber sheet member after that the carcass ply sheet is pasted onto the rubber sheet member wound around a building drum, the stitcher apparatus including: a ring-shaped frame; and a plurality of pressure-bond rollers. |
| US09027619B2 |
Split ply tires and bead area monocomponents
An intermediate article of manufacture formed as a first stage bead area subassembly for a split ply pneumatic tire carcass is disclosed. The bead area subassembly has an annular bead core; a bead apex; a ply strip; and preferably a sidewall affixed to the ply strip. The subassembly is formed into a disk-shaped bead area monocomponent. The ply strip is wrapped about the bead core and the apex to form a ply turnup and both the ply strip and the ply turnup extend radially outwardly from the bead core. The bead area subassembly when formed into the disk-shaped bead area monocomponent is placed on an annular holder device. The combination of the bead area monocomponent on the holder device can be stacked for storage and latter assembly into a split ply carcass. Preferably, the ply turnup can be oriented extending inside or axially inward of the bead core on final assembly to form a split ply tire having axially inside turnups. In the preferred embodiment the ply strip is reinforced by radially extending ply cords. |
| US09027618B2 |
Mounted assemblies for aircraft, wheels and tires
A mounted assembly of a wheel and a tire. The tire inflation pressure is greater than 9 bar, and a relative deflection of the tire greater than 30%. The rim comprises a drop-center functionality and is of monobloc type. A carcass reinforcement includes a circumferential alignment of carcass reinforcement elements anchored in the beads by a stack of circumferentially oriented reinforcement elements, and by an anchoring rubber mix having an elasticity modulus of less than 30 MPa at 10% deformation. |
| US09027617B2 |
Pneumatic tire
An object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatic tire of which rolling resistance is reduced without impairing wear resistance. Specifically, the pneumatic tire of the present invention comprises: a tread portion; a pair of side wall portions; a pair of bead portions; a carcass constituted of at least one carcass ply extending in a toroidal shape between bead cores in the respective bead portions; a belt disposed on the outer peripheral side of a crown region of the carcass and formed by at least one inclined belt layer made of cords extending to be inclined with respect to the equatorial plane of the tire; and a tread rubber disposed on the radially outer side of the belt, wherein a ratio of BD/BW satisfies the following formula: (0.062×tire aspect ratio−0.01) |
| US09027613B2 |
Heavy duty tire
A heavy duty tire comprises a tread portion provided with tread blocks each provided in the ground contact surface thereof with a single zigzag sipe. A ratio A/B of a block length (A) which is the circumferential length of the block measured along a straight line passing through the centroid of the ground contact surface to a maximum block width (B) which is the axial distance between the axial extreme ends of the ground contact surface is 0.8 to 1.7. The zigzag sipe is disposed within a central region which is defined as extending from the centroid of the ground contact surface towards each side in the tire circumferential direction by 25% of the block length (A). The zigzag sipe is composed of a pair of major straight segments extending axially inwardly from both sides of in the tire axial direction of the block, and a minor straight segment extending between the inner ends of the respective major straight segments, so that the circumferential distance between the circumferential extreme ends of the sipe is in a range of from 10 to 35% of the block length (A). |
| US09027611B2 |
Multi-purpose tire
A tire has a circumferential tread, the tread including shoulder tread regions configured for off-road performance separated by and interlocking with a center tread region configured for on-road performance. The shoulder tread regions are defined by a repeating pattern of two or more distinct shoulder tread elements and the center tread region is defined by a repeating pattern of two or more distinct center tread elements. The shoulder tread elements each have a ground contacting surface area greater than a ground contacting surface area of the center tread elements. The center tread elements extend at a relatively greater angle of inclination with respect to an equatorial centerplane of the tire and the shoulder tread elements extend at a relatively lesser angle of inclination with respect to the centerplane. The center tread elements and the shoulder tread elements are irregular and asymmetrical about a longitudinal central axis and a transverse central axis and, together, total five or more (three in the center tread region and two in the shoulder tread region) tread blocks of mutually distinctive geometric shape. |
| US09027609B2 |
Argon gas level controller
A controlled environment enclosure is disclosed. The enclosure has a tank with a lid, wherein the lid and tank are capable of creating a sealed enclosure. The enclosure also has a fluid filling inlet for introduction of a filling fluid into the tank, a fluid sensor for detecting a fluid other than the filling fluid, and a controller connected to the fluid sensor and the fluid filling inlet for selectively allowing the filling of the enclosure by the filling fluid through the fluid filling inlet. |
| US09027608B2 |
Vehicle-carried air compressor device
A vehicle-carried air compressor device includes a case installed with an air compressor therein, a tire repairing container containing a liquid adhesive, and a flexible linking tube. An air inlet coupler of the tire repairing container is connected with an air outlet manifold of the air compressor. An end of the flexible linking tube is coupled to an adhesive outlet coupler of the tire repairing container, and the other end of the flexible linking tube is provided with a protection adapter for coupling to a tire nipple. Before the protection adapter is connected with the tire nipple, the other end of the flexible linking tube is closed by the protection adapter, so that the liquid adhesive in the tire repairing container will not shoot out suddenly because of improper handling. |
| US09027607B2 |
Pre-sressed insulated tubing
The present invention relates to a pre-stressed insulated tubing, including an inner tube (3) and an outer tube (2) nested outside of the inner tube (3), and a closed ring cavity is formed between the inner tube (3) and the outer tube (2), wherein an insulated casing (4) is arranged in the closed ring cavity. The pre-stressed insulated tubing of the present invention features high vacuum degree, high thermal insulation level and long working life, and the insulated casing is reusable for cost saving. |
| US09027606B2 |
Underwater conduit for fluid transport
A pipe for underwater transportation of fluid is indicated which includes a pressure-tight metal inner pipe for conducting the fluid, wherein for its stabilization in radial direction at least one profiled metal strand and for stabilizing in the axial direction at least one tension-proof strand are wound around the inner pipe. The inner pipe (1) is a metal pipe which is corrugated transversely of its longitudinal direction and which for stabilization in the radial direction is surrounded by at least one first radial reinforcement (3) which is composed of a profiled helically extending profile strip whose windings are placed closely next to each other or engage each other and are hooked together. Arranged around the first radial reinforcement (3) is arranged a metal pipe corrugated transversely of its longitudinal direction as the outer pipe (5); at least two layers of tension-proof strands (7, 8) are wound around the outer pipe (5), preferably with oppositely directed pitch. |
| US09027604B2 |
Sealing means, kit and method for sealing of hollow hoses of flexible material
The present invention relates to sealing means made of a plastically deformable material for mechanical sealing of hollow hoses (2) of elastic material by means of an appliance having at least two jaws, at least one of which is movable towards and away from the other and which, when moving towards each other, crimp the sealing means against the hose (2) for contamination-tight sealing of the same, the sealing means (20) comprises at least one sealing member (4, 4′; 44, 44′; 64, 64′; 74, 74′; 84), which has two opposite ends and an opening (40, 40′) that extends between said ends to allow the at least one sealing member to be slipped onto the hose (2) to be sealed.The present invention also relates to a kit comprising a sealing means and an appliance for sealing of hollow hoses and to a method for mechanical sealing of hollow hoses. |
| US09027598B2 |
Steplessly adjustable hydraulic insert valve
A steplessly adjustable hydraulic insert valve has a housing defining a radial direction and an end side in an installation direction. An inflow connector on the end side is connectable to a pressure medium source. First and second working connectors and a return connector are arranged in the radial direction. The return connector is connectable to a pressure medium tank. The housing has an axial bore and an actuator guided movably therein. The actuator can be held in an axial center position by at least one spring and is adjustable steplessly axially out of the center position by controllable actuation. At least one of the working connectors is fluidically connectable to the return connector by axial adjustment of the actuator. The actuator has a radial widened portion with first and second control edges for steplessly opening and/or closing first and second radial openings, respectively, of the return connector. |
| US09027597B2 |
Operating device
An operating device includes: an operating portion provided in a casing so as to be swingable; hydraulic pilot valves and configured to operate by causing the operating portion to swing; and damper portions configured to generate resistance force with respect to a swing operation of the operating portion when the operating portion is caused to swing. Each of the damper portions is configured to generate friction torque in such a manner that a plurality of swing friction plates configured to swing in accordance with the operating portion is pressed by a pressing spring in a direction perpendicular to a swing direction of the operating portion against a plurality of fixed friction plates configured to be prevented from swinging. |
| US09027593B2 |
Check valve
The invention relates to a check valve for blocking a fluid-carrying line in case of reversal of the flow direction, containing a valve housing defining a flow path and having two connecting pieces and a valve seat therebetween, and a flap module mounted in the valve housing and containing a shut-off body interacting with the valve seat, a bearing device for pivotably supporting the shut-off body such that the latter is movable between an open position and a closed position, and a lever extending between the shut-off body and the bearing device and being connected to the shut-off body and the bearing device. For easier manufacturing, the invention proposes that a part of the flap module is formed by at least one sheet-metal shaped part. |
| US09027583B2 |
Low shock strength inlet
A supersonic inlet having a cowl lip configured to capture the conic shock and exhibit a zero or substantially zero cowl angle is disclosed herein. The inlet may be configured to employ a relaxed isentropic compression surface and an internal bypass. The nacelle bypass may prevent flow distortions, introduced by the capture of the conic shock, from reaching the turbomachinery, thereby allowing the cowl angle to be reduced to zero or substantially zero. Such a cowl angle may reduce the inlet's contribution to the overall sonic boom signature for a supersonic aircraft while allowing for an increase in engine pressure recovery and a subsequent improvement in generated thrust by the engine. |
| US09027582B2 |
Flush adaptor for use with a valve fitment assembly for cleaning of the assembly
A flush adaptor for use with a valve fitment assembly for dispensing liquids from a container; wherein the flush adaptor comprises an outer ring-collar; a flange with an edge molded to the bottom of the outer ring-collar; an interior ring-collar adjacent to the outer ring-collar; a ridge molded in the interior ring-collar; a seat molded onto the interior ring-collar and a pin molded into the interior ring-collar which keeps the valve in an open position; and a hollow tube molded into the adaptor to allow the flow of liquid through the adaptor and into the fitment assembly; whereby the flush adaptor allows for cleaning of the assembly and any tubes connected thereto. |
| US09027581B2 |
Pneumatic controlled slam shut valve
Systems and methods provide pneumatic control of a slam shut valve system. |
| US09027579B2 |
Surface cleaning head
A surface cleaning head is provided comprising a dome-shaped, downwardly open housing, in which at least one spray arm is mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation, wherein the spray arm bears at a distance from the axis of rotation a nozzle which can be acted upon with cleaning fluid subject to pressure and revolves around the axis of rotation together with the spray arm, and comprising a protective disk which covers the at least one spray arm towards the open underside of the housing and defines a ring-shaped fluid passage for a stream of fluid to pass through, said fluid passage being penetrated by retaining bars, wherein the at least one spray arm is rotatable relative to the protective disk. The retaining bars are arranged so as to be distributed unevenly in circumferential direction. |
| US09027577B2 |
Nozzle and a substrate processing apparatus including the same
A nozzle of a nozzle device includes an arm pipe that extends in a horizontal direction and a downstream pipe formed so as to curve downward from one end of the arm pipe. In the nozzle, a metallic pipe is provided inside a second resin pipe. Moreover, a first resin pipe is provided inside the metallic pipe. A boss is attached to the tip of the metallic pipe between the first resin pipe and the second resin pipe. At the tip of the nozzle, an outer peripheral surface of the first resin pipe, an end surface of the second resin pipe and an end surface of the boss are welded by welding resin. In this way, the metallic pipe is reliably coated with the first resin pipe, the second resin pipe, the boss and the welding resin. |
| US09027571B2 |
Tool for separating a hair bundle
The present invention relates to a tool (1) for separating a hair bundle (11) comprising a number of hair strands appropriate for receiving a hair treatment composition (15) for creating a hair bundle effect. The hair bundle (11) is received into a through hole (10) via a slit (50). The dimensions of the through hole (10) dictate the appropriate size of a hair bundle (11). In one aspect of the present invention, the tool (1) is substantially flat in order to prevent spillages of hair treatment composition (15) onto the scalp. A gripping layer (70) may extend upon at least a portion of the tool (1) for aiding the grip of the tool (1) to the hair bundle (11). |
| US09027567B2 |
Oral pouch product with multi-layered pouch wrapper
An oral pouch product includes a dual layer pouch wrapper and an inner botanical filling material contained within the pouch wrapper. The pouch wrapper includes an inner web, an outer web and a coating, such as a water soluble flavorant containing coating therebetween. |
| US09027566B2 |
Apparatuses, systems, and associated methods for forming porous masses for smoke filter
A system for producing porous masses may include a mold cavity disposed along the material path, at least one hopper before at least a portion of the mold cavity for feeding a matrix material to the material path, a heat source in thermal communication with at least a first portion of the material path, and a cutter disposed along the material path after the first portion of the material path. |
| US09027565B2 |
Inline vapor cooling and filtering apparatus
A vapor inhalation device includes a first body portion defining a first chamber and a second body portion defining a second chamber provided at least partially within the first chamber, where the second body portion has at least one aperture placing the second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber. An intake conduit defines a first air passageway from an exterior of the first body portion to within the second chamber. An output conduit has a proximal end located within the first chamber, a distal end opposite the proximal end and located at the exterior of the first body portion, is physically coupled to the first body portion at a location different from the proximal end of the output conduit, and defines a second air passageway extending from within the first chamber to the exterior of the body portion. |
| US09027564B2 |
Method for treating a lung
An embodiment of the invention includes a method for decreasing resistance to airflow within a bronchial tree of a subject. The method may include the step of moving an intraluminal device along a lumen of an airway of a bronchial tree, where the intraluminal device includes an expandable member and an energy emitter. The method also may include damaging nerves along the airway using the intraluminal device without destroying an inner surface of an airway wall disposed radially between the intraluminal device and the nerves. |
| US09027558B2 |
Headgear connection assembly for a respiratory mask assembly
A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame and at least one locking clip. The frame has a main body and a side frame member provided on each lateral side of the main body, at least one of the side frame members including a locking clip receiver assembly. The at least one locking clip has a main body providing a front portion adapted to be removably coupled with the at least one locking clip receiver assembly and a rear portion adapted to be removably coupled to a headgear assembly. The rear portion includes a cross bar that forms an opening through which a strap of the headgear assembly can pass and be removably coupled with the cross bar, and the front portion includes at least one resiliently flexible spring arm that is flexible within the plane of the main body. |
| US09027556B2 |
Mask system
A cushion module provided to a frame module for delivery of a supply of gas at positive pressure to be delivered to a patient's airways, the cushion module comprising a main body and a cushion, the main body defining a breathing chamber and having an exterior surface adapted to directly engage with a surface of the frame module, wherein the main body and the cushion together comprise a co-molded, integrated component, the main body comprising a molded polycarbonate material adapted to directly contact the frame module and the cushion comprises a molded silicone material adapted to interface with patient's face, and wherein the molded polycarbonate material of the main body is a more rigid material than the molded silicone material of the cushion. |
| US09027554B2 |
Respirator having foam shaping layer with recessed regions surrounding air passageways
A filtering face mask 10 that has a harness 14 and a mask body 12. The mask body 12 includes a filtering structure 18 and a cup-shaped shaping layer 20 where the latter comprises a closed cell foam layer that has a plurality of fluid permeable openings 22 located in it. The openings 22 are surrounded by recessed regions 31. The filtering structure 18 does not make substantial contact with the shaping layer 20 at the recessed regions. The shaping layer 20 makes contact with the wearer's face at the mask body perimeter 19 when the respirator is being worn. The use of a foam shaping layer that has openings surrounded by recessed regions provides sufficient structural integrity or stiffness to prevent mask body collapse during respirator use while also exhibiting a low pressure drop and rapid fluid distribution of air within the mask to allow for low breathing resistance and extended wearer comfort. |
| US09027551B2 |
Dry powder inhalers that inhibit agglomeration, related devices and methods
Inhalers with fins that deagglomerate dry powder using inspiratory effort of a user of an inhaler. The inhaler fins, at least in steady state conditions, are configured to generate dry powder and airflow patterns having turbulence with flow vortices, some of which may have a vortex having an axis of rotation that extends in an inspiratory flow direction while others may have a vortex that is substantially orthogonal to the inspiratory flow direction in an inspiratory airflow path, as an amount of dry powder travels through the inhaler to thereby deagglomerate the dry powder without trapping undue amounts of the dry powder during inhalation. |
| US09027545B2 |
Solar collector positioning apparatus
A solar collector positioning apparatus including a base structure and an intermediate frame connected to the base structure by at least two base support legs. The base support legs have a hinged connection to the base structure and a hinged connection to the intermediate frame, thereby constraining the movement of the intermediate frame to a plane substantially orthogonal to a plane occupied by the base structure. A solar collector support frame is connected to the intermediate frame by at least two intermediate support legs. The intermediate support legs have a hinged connection to the solar collector support frame and a hinged connection to the intermediate frame, thereby constraining the movement of the solar collector support frame to a plane substantially orthogonal to a plane occupied by the intermediate frame. |
| US09027544B2 |
Protective grill for an infrared heater
A protective grill is provided for a portable infrared heater which reduces the possibility of a person from coming into contact with the radiation disk of the heater. The protective grill of this invention may be selectively detachably secured to the wheeled frame of a heater wherein the radiation disk thereof is positioned at one side of the wheeled frame or which may be selectively secured to the wheeled frame of the heater wherein the radiation disk of the heater is positioned at one end of the heater. |
| US09027541B2 |
Toy launcher for launching projectiles and methods thereof
According to an exemplary embodiment, a toy dart launcher comprises a housing defining an interior recess and a launch assembly. The launch assembly is at least partially disposed within the interior recess and comprises: a projectile feed, a slidable frame, and a launch mechanism. The projectile feed is rotatably disposed within the interior recess and comprises a plurality of receiving chambers each adapted to receive one or more projectiles. The slidable frame has at least one engagement finger rotatably disposed thereon, and is movable with respect to the projectile feed so that the at least one engagement finger can engage and move at least one projectile through at least one receiving chamber. The launch mechanism is disposed rearwardly of the projectile feed and is configured to create a pressure differential about the at least one projectile so that the at least one projectile can be launched from the housing. |
| US09027540B2 |
Bowstring release
A bowstring release having a removable safety pin that when engaged, allows for training. The safety pin physically preventing the release mechanism from fully releasing, while allowing enough movement to provide a tactile response that the release has been activated. |
| US09027536B2 |
Crankcase ventilation and vacuum generation
Methods and systems are provided for generating vacuum from crankcase ventilation flow. During both directions of gas flow between an engine intake manifold and a crankcase, gases are directed through one or more aspirators to produce vacuum. The drawn vacuum may then be used to operate various engine vacuum actuators. |
| US09027534B2 |
Dual fuel engine and strategy to avoid atmospheric venting
A compression ignition dual fuel engine supplies natural gas fuel and liquid diesel fuel to each engine cylinder from a common fuel injector. Each fuel injector is fluidly connected to both a liquid fuel common rail and a gaseous fuel common rail. The engine includes a surplus gas system for capturing surplus gas, such as evaporated gas from the gaseous fuel supply and pressure control system, or left over pressurized natural gas produced by engine shut down. Rather than being vented to atmosphere, the surplus gas can be burned in the engine when operating conditions present burn opportunities. |
| US09027533B2 |
Method and system for fuel system control
Methods and systems are provided for controlling a fuel system in a hybrid vehicle. Before canister purging is stopped by closing a purge valve, a canister vent valve is closed to hold fuel tank vacuum. Then, during a subsequent canister purge, the purge valve is opened before opening the vent valve, allowing canister purge to initiate under fuel tank vacuum conditions. |
| US09027532B2 |
Method and system for fuel vapor control
Methods and systems are provided for generating sufficient vacuum to enable a leak detection routine. While a fuel tank pressure is within mechanical limits, fuel vapors are purged from a canister to an engine with an isolation valve open to generate a desired level of vacuum in the fuel tank. Thereafter, the fuel tank is isolated and leak detection is performed concurrent to the purging. |
| US09027530B2 |
Method of evaluating a fuel injector
A method of calibration of at least one fuel injector for a fuel burner in an exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided. The method is adapted for an exhaust gas system having the fuel burner mounted upstream of a diesel particle filter (DPF). The method of calibration is performed during an idle speed of the combustion engine, this to assure a constant temperature of the burner during the calibration. Hence, the method is started when a first steady tempera tore is registered in the fuel burner, wherein the at least one fuel injector, is operated with a first pulse width. A first temperature of an exhaust gas is registered directly downstream of the fuel burner. After this first temperature is registered, the pulse width, of the fuel injector changed into a second pulse width, which is different from the first pulse width. |
| US09027529B2 |
Piston positioned for reciprocal movement in a combustion engine cylinder
A piston is arranged for reciprocal movement in a combustion engine cylinder. Protrusions are or a ridge is arranged half way between flame plume impingement areas in a plane perpendicular to the reciprocal movement and protrude to the combustion chamber having a smooth form adapted for preserving kinetic energy in a flame plume. The protrusion or ridge includes a left side flank, a top section and a right side flank, and a transition section between each of the side flanks and the top section, the transition section including a deflection edge in order to minimize flow losses. |
| US09027528B2 |
Rotary internal combustion engine
A rotary engine having a main block with a cylindrical cavity, a rotor having at least one divisor having at least one ring for rotably engaging a main axis. The divisors having an edge slidably abutting the internal surface of the cylindrical cavity. The rotor having at least one bearing for engaging the cams of the main axis. The rotor having at least one transversal fissure having a trapezoidal profile and a transversal cylindrical opening. The transversal cylindrical opening having at least one pivoted sliding guide for movably holding the divisors at an angle of 90 degrees between the edge the divisors relative to the internal surface of the cylindrical cavity during a complete 360-degree turn of the rotor. The rotor having a planetary gear interfering with a stationary satellite gear of the main axis and having a diameter wider than diameter of the stationary satellite gear. |
| US09027524B2 |
Spark plug for internal combustion engine and method of manufacturing the same
A spark plug capable of preventing a separation of a noble metal tip and capable of extending a service-life of the spark plug. |
| US09027507B1 |
Apparatus for internally restoring a pipe
A method of internally restoring a pipe preferably includes the steps of isolating a leaking pipe from a system of pipes; drying an interior of a leaking pipe; measuring the airflow through the leak; cleaning the interior of the leaking pipe; presealing a leak with a leak sealing media, measuring the leak flow rate after the pre-sealing; applying an internal protective coating process; and pressure testing the leaking pipe for leaks. The pipe restoration method preferably uses a control box, a media injection system, an air compressor and a coating dispensing system at an inlet of the leaking pipe. The pipe restoration method preferably uses a coating overflow receiver, a muffler and a dust collector at an exit of the leaking pipe. After the treatments, the leaking pipe becomes a restored pipe. The restored pipe is pressure tested for leaks at a working pressure rating of the pipe. |
| US09027505B2 |
Apparatus and method for coloring electrical wire
The present invention is to provide an apparatus for coloring an electrical wire to improve a visibility and design of the electrical wire. The apparatus includes a coloring device for ejecting a liquid coloring material to an outer surface of the electrical wire and a sliding device for moving relatively the coloring device in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the electrical wire so as to color each whole outer surface of a plurality of coloring regions thereof responsive to a belt-shaped design pattern. |
| US09027503B2 |
Multi-purpose collar attachment for fire hydrants
A multi-purpose reflective collar for attachment to a fire hydrant that increases the visibility of the hydrant to motorists and others, and that indicates the hydrant's flow rate, water source and pressure rating to firefighters and other first responders through the use of color coded reflective tape webs that can be removably attached to the collar. The multi-purpose reflective collar of the present invention is adjustable to accommodate fire hydrants of different shapes and sizes, and is useful in increasing safety and the efficiency of firefighting procedures. |
| US09027500B2 |
Folding bimini
A foldable bimini for a boat that is rigid and bi-directionally stable in an erected orientation, the bimini including a rigid arch-shaped frame fixedly mountable onto the boat having a disengageable bimini mount; and a foldable bimini support, including a rigid arch member pivotally mounted to the rigid arch shaped frame and at least one rigid leg pivotally mounted to the rigid arch member and releasably connectable to the frame. |
| US09027499B1 |
Self-supporting boat cover
A kit for supporting a flexible material boat cover has a cover of flexible sheet material having a plurality of substantially parallel lateral channels formed on a bottom surface. A plurality of adjustable cross-straps are provided equal in number to the plurality of lateral channels. Each cross-strap has a pocket that is formed at each end thereof. A plurality of resilient cross-poles are provided equal in number to the plurality of lateral channels and each having a length greater than the cross-strap. |
| US09027498B2 |
Boat or ship body of aluminum-based material
A watercraft body includes a hull made of an aluminum-based material and a separately fabricated superstructure that is mounted on the hull via adjoining flange plates. To fabricate the hull, frame elements are spot-welded onto the inner surface of initially-flat hull plates or plank elements, which are then curved according to the required hull contour and assembled onto the flange plate. The frame elements are screwed together via gusset plates and transverse beams to form transverse frames, and then longitudinal seams between plank elements are continuously welded from the outside. Additionally, the longitudinal seams may be welded from the inside, for example by temporarily removing gusset plates to allow continuous access to the longitudinal seams. Additionally, stand-offs may form a spacing gap between the frame elements and the plank elements, and an adhesive may fill this spacing gap to adhesively bond the framework to the hull plating. |
| US09027494B2 |
Jet boat including articulating keel
A jet boat including a hull including a keel extending in a fore and aft direction of the jet boat, at least one jet propulsion nozzle mounted to a rear of the hull, and an articulating keel attached at the rear of the hull, the articulating keel arranged to pivot about a pivot axis extending vertically or substantially vertically. A bottom surface of the articulating keel does not extend below a bottom surface of the keel when the articulating keel is parallel or substantially parallel to the fore and aft direction of the jet boat. |
| US09027485B2 |
Obstacle deflector of railcar
An obstacle deflector provided at a front portion of an underframe of a carbody of a railcar includes an obstacle deflecting plate configured to protect the carbody from an obstacle on a railway track when the railcar is traveling. The obstacle deflecting plate includes a main plate portion provided to receive the obstacle by a surface thereof and having a curved shape that is convex toward a front side in a traveling direction in plan view and a sub plate portion projecting toward a rear side from the main plate portion and is continuously provided along the main plate portion so as to extend from a convex, curved front end portion of the main plate portion toward a pair of left and right side portions of the main plate portion, the left and right side portions being located at the rear side in the traveling direction. |
| US09027484B2 |
Front-arrangement for a vehicle, in particular for a rail vehicle, comprising a screen cleaning device
A front arrangement for a rail vehicle comprising a crash element with a forward facing crash surface, and a windshield washer device which, in turn, comprises a drive device and a front window wiper device drivable by said drive device. The crash element includes at least one impact absorbing element. The windshield washer device is fastened to the crash element for the vehicle, and is movable relative to a support of the front arrangement and thus, movable relative to the load-bearing construction of the vehicle so as to move backward during the occurrence of the impact forces and to enable absorption of the acting impact energy by the impact absorbing element. |
| US09027482B2 |
Vehicle vibration suppression device
There is provided an economical vehicle vibration suppression device capable of efficiently reducing a vortex with a smaller number of devices and controlling the speed of movement in a vehicle longitudinal direction of the vortex.The vehicle vibration suppression device includes a pair of ducts, a pressure control device, and a control unit. The ducts, below a floor surface of a vehicle body, are mounted adjacent to at least a pair of bogies on which the vehicle body is mounted. The ducts are arranged in a direction perpendicular to a traveling direction of the vehicle body and mounted so as to penetrate through both side surfaces of the vehicle body. The pressure control device is mounted within each of the ducts and has openings, one of the openings serving as an intake port and the other opening serving as a discharge port. The pressure control device generates a pressure difference in each of the ducts. The control unit controls start and stop of suction performed by the pressure control device while determining a side surface of the vehicle to be subjected to the suction by the pressure control device on the basis of current distance information of the railway vehicle during currently traveling. The control unit suppresses vibration by driving the pressure control device and sucking a vortex caused by turbulence of air flow generated at a portion of the bogie when the railway vehicle passes through the tunnel. |
| US09027479B2 |
Method and apparatus for orienting magnetic flakes
The invention relates to a method of aligning magnetic flakes, which includes: coating a substrate with a carrier having the flakes dispersed therein, moving the substrate in a magnetic field so as to align the flakes along force lines of the magnetic field in the absence of an effect from a solidifying means, and at least partially solidifying the carrier using a solidifying means while further moving the substrate in the magnetic field so as to secure the magnetic flakes in the carrier while the magnetic field maintains alignment of the magnetic flakes. An apparatus is provided, which has a belt for moving a substrate along a magnet assembly for aligning magnetic flakes. The apparatus also includes a solidifying means, such as a UV- or e-beam source, and a cover above a portion of the magnet assembly for protecting the flakes from the effect of the solidifying means. |
| US09027476B2 |
Laser-engraveable flexographic printing precursors and methods of imaging
A laser-engraveable flexographic printing precursor or patternable element comprises a laser-engraveable layer having two orthogonal dimensions. This laser-engraveable layer comprises one or more elastomeric resins and non-metallic fibers that are oriented in the laser-engraveable layer predominantly in one of its two orthogonal dimensions. The non-metallic fibers have an average length of at least 0.1 mm and an average diameter of at least 1 μm. The oriented non-metallic fibers reduce curl and shrinkage in the precursor and improve print quality and press life. |
| US09027474B2 |
Marking device for golf balls
A marking device for golf balls comprises a seat, an arch-shaped retainer, and a bottom plate. The seat defines a central recess and defines a bottom opening that communicates with the central recess. The seat is provided with an anti-slip pad within the central recess. Also, the seat is provided with upper positioning means and lower positioning means. The arch-shaped retainer is provided with retainer positioning means corresponding to the upper positioning means of the seat. The bottom plate is provided with plate positioning means corresponding to the lower positioning means of the seat. Therefore, the arch-shaped retainer and the bottom plate can be properly positioned on the seat. Furthermore, the arch-shaped retainer defines a central slit and the bottom plate defines a plurality of hollowed-out symbols. As such, the marking device can mark a line or symbol on a golf ball conveniently. |
| US09027471B2 |
Food-drying device and related drive mechanism
The current invention discloses a food-drying device that includes a container, a drying assembly having a plurality of bores, and a drive mechanism. The drying assembly is disposed in the container and is capable of being rotated relative to the container. The drive mechanism rotates the drying assembly relative to the container. The drive mechanism includes a reciprocating handle movable between a first position and a second position along a linear direction, and a conversion mechanism for converting reciprocating movement of the reciprocating handle to rotary motion of the drying assembly from force supplied by a user to actuate the reciprocating handle moving from the first position to the second position, and from force supplied by the user to actuate the reciprocating handle moving from the second position to the first position. |
| US09027469B2 |
Method for controlling a cooking process
In a method for controlling a cooking process of a cooking item contained in a cooking container, the sound of the cooking process is detected by means of at least one acoustic sensor and the course of the sound is directly analyzed for determining of a temperature and in particular the boiling point of the cooking item. |
| US09027468B2 |
Pressure cooker fitted with an information window
The invention relates to a domestic cooking pot (1) comprising means of controlling (7) at least part of its operation, wherein said control means (7) have a mobile mounting between a plurality of positions, wherein said pot (1) is characterized in that it is further fitted with an information window (8) and at least an indicator (10) that is representative of one of the positions of the control means (7), and in that the window (8), the indicator (10) and the control means (7) work together so that said indicator (10) appears in the window (8) when the control means (7) are in the corresponding position. |
| US09027464B1 |
Two-piece electric coffee maker
The two-piece electric coffee maker includes a Dallah (a traditional Arabian coffee pot for making Arabian coffee) and an electric stove. The coffee pot has a temperature sensor that extends from the base of the coffee pot handle into the pot. The base of the handle also has an electrical connector extending downward from the handle. The electric stove has a housing, a ceramic heating element or plate, a display console, and a mating electrical connector facing upward so that the connectors engage each other when the pot is placed on the heating element. An electronic control unit in the stove housing regulates boiling water for the coffee, reducing the heat after the water has started to boil, annunciating an alarm signal when the temperature of the water is suitable to add coffee grounds to the pot, and monitors brewing time for the coffee. |
| US09027458B2 |
Floating floor assembly for armored vehicles
A floating floor assembly for an armored vehicle mounted to the sides of the vehicle to suspend the floor above the belly armor of the vehicle rather than being directly supported by the belly armor. The floating floor reduces the amount of energy that is transferred by the floating floor from the belly plate and further reduces the risk that any deformation of the belly armor from the explosion will cascade to the floating floor causing the floor to buckle or fragment into secondary shrapnel. |
| US09027455B1 |
Slurry line charge mine clearance system and method
A mine clearing system and method remotely deploys line hose from a remotely controlled two-wheeled vehicle. The wheels are connected together via a central hub shaft. Individual battery operated hub motors on each wheel communicate to a central controller inside the hub shaft. The power source for the motors is contained within the hub shaft, with battery recharge ports located on the hub shaft. The line hose is wrapped around the central hub shaft. An operator uses a remote control console in communication with the central controller to independently control each wheel of the vehicle. A camera can hang from a hub shaft bearing on the outside of one wheel so as to be gravitationally stabilized during vehicle movement. The camera can broadcast signals to a display at the remote control console. Explosive slurry is pumped into the line hose and detonated. |
| US09027453B2 |
Blast treatment method and blast treatment device
A blast treatment method capable of more reliably treating an object to be treated which is accommodated in an outer container is provided. The blast treatment method includes: a step for spacing a plurality of blasting explosives (20) from one another at positions on the outer side surface of an outer container (60) in a direction surrounding a central axis (C2) of the outer container (60) and arranging the blasting explosives (20) in such a manner as to extend approximately parallel to the central axis (C2); a step for installing the outer container (60) within a chamber (90); and a step for detonating the blasting explosives (20) within the chamber to perform blast treatment of an object (10) to be treated with the detonation energy, wherein the blasting explosives (20) are detonated at the blast timing at which fragments of the outer container (60) or shock waves, which are generated in the vicinity of the blasting explosives (20) by the detonation energy of the blasting explosives (20), collide with or propagate to a bombshell (10) in less time difference than that in the case in which the plurality of blasting explosives (20) are detonated at the same time. |
| US09027452B2 |
Jab saw accessory tool for an oscillating tool
An accessory for a power tool, includes a mounting portion configured to mate with an oscillating drive member of a power tool. A support arm portion extends from the mounting portion in a first direction. The support arm portion includes an inner edge that faces in a second direction transverse to the first direction. A blade portion extends from the support arm generally in the second direction. The blade portion includes a trailing edge arranged facing generally toward the mounting portion and a leading edge arranged facing generally away from the mounting portion. The trailing edge and the leading edge portion meet to define a pointed tip portion. |