| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09057480B1 |
Collapsible camera crane
A lightweight compact collapsible camera crane may comprise a tubular boom having segments arranged in a telescopic configuration such that the boom is transformable between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration. A boom-end bracket may be removably and hingedly connected to a distal end of the boom. The boom-end bracket may include a camera seat configured to support a camera. A tower may be removably and hingedly connected to an intermediate position along the boom such that during use a downward motion of a proximal end of the boom results in an upward motion of the distal end of the boom and an upward motion of the proximal end of the boom results in a downward motion of the distal end of the boom. A removable actuator cable may mechanically couple the tower and the boom-end bracket to maintain an orientation of the camera seat. |
| US09057479B2 |
Wall-mounted aiding mechanism and wall-mounted device
An exemplary embodiment of a wall-mounted aiding mechanism for firmly attaching an object to a vertical wall and which is proofed against external impacts includes a casing, a sliding plate and an adjusting screw. The casing defines a first receiving space to receive the sliding block which performs a collaring or shearing action on a fastener such as a screw. The adjusting screw passes into the receiving space of the casing. The adjusting screw engages with the sliding block to lift the sliding block to a topmost position of the receiving space or disengages with sliding block to let the sliding block drop onto the neck of the fastener and hold it secure. |
| US09057476B2 |
Binder support apparatus
Binder support apparatus may be configured to support binder covers apart from one another. The binder support apparatus may include two or more portions configured to be coupled to opposing binder covers. At least one portion of the binder support apparatus may be configured into locked and unlocked positions. |
| US09057475B1 |
Beach umbrella with telescoping pole and base plate
A support stand for a beach umbrella or similar structure that requires support is described. The support stand includes a base plate having an upwardly extending attachment cylinder for receiving a pole of an item the needs support. The bottom of the support stand includes a plurality of pivotally attached projections for extending into the ground to provide support. The projections are biased open but can be selectively folded flat against the bottom of the support stand and then held in place for transportation or storage. The support stand includes a handle and pole attachment features the enable one handed transportation. |
| US09057471B2 |
Method and device for tapping and tracing a conduit
Disclosed are a method and a device for tapping and tracing a conduit that is obstructed from view such as a subterranean pipe. The invention allows the conduit to be traced while the conduit continues to function. The device includes a tapping tee for tapping into a conduit with an entry port at an acute angle to the conduit, a flexible fiberglass rodder that includes a conductor, a stuffing box removably attached to the tapping tee for inserting the rodder into the tapping tee, a signal transmitter operably attached to the rodder, and a signal receiver that receives the signals transmitted by the transmitter through the rodder and through the obstruction. |
| US09057465B2 |
Unbonded, flexible pipe
The invention relates to an unbonded, flexible pipe having a length and comprising a tubular inner sealing sheath, at least one metal armor layer and an outer sealing sheath. The unbonded, flexible pipe comprises at least one insulated length section comprising a fluid permeable thermally insulating cover surrounding the outer sealing sheath in the insulated length section. The thermally insulating cover is further surrounded by a liquid permeable jacket, and preferably the thermally insulating cover is liquid permeable. |
| US09057462B2 |
Method of laying a pipeline from a laying vessel onto the bed of a body of water, and laying vessel
A method of laying a pipeline from a laying vessel into a body of water includes guiding the pipeline along a supporting structure of a laying ramp using a number of guide devices, and acquiring an image of the pipeline, in an acquisition plane crosswise to the axis of the pipeline, at the free end of the laying ramp. The method also includes determining whether the acquired image is within an acceptance range predetermined as a function of the configuration of the supporting structure and the size of the pipeline, and emitting an error signal when the acquired image is not within the acceptance range. |
| US09057460B2 |
Plumbing supply line and drain line mounting and finish panel
A plumbing finish plate assembly, for connecting water supply lines and a drain line in a wall to fixture supply and drain lines, comprises a mounting panel having a drain line opening and two supply line openings formed therethrough. The drain line opening is larger than the supply line openings and a flexible, annular seal is secured around the drain line opening. A supply line connector assembly is securable to the mounting panel through each supply line opening. A securement means, in the form of a clip is used to selectively secure the supply line connector assembly to the mounting panel such that an outlet leg of the connector assembly is oriented in at least ninety degree increments relative to the mounting panel. |
| US09057458B2 |
Single operator trenching pipe laying device and method
A single operator extruder main body dispenses aggregate, pipe and geotextile during a trenching operation. Lifting elements allows the main body to be manipulated by a single operator. |
| US09057455B2 |
Crank
A crank for a valve linkage system includes a pin sleeve having a bore for receiving a connecting pin to connect the crank to a link; a shaft sleeve having a bore for receiving a shaft; an arm between the pin bore and shaft sleeve; and a first stiffening rib extending from the shaft sleeve toward the pin bore. |
| US09057448B2 |
Internal relief valve for a valve actuator
A method and apparatus for a pressure control system for an actuator is provided. In one embodiment, the pressure control system may include a housing defining an upper chamber and a lower chamber, and a piston disposed between the upper and lower chambers. A valve may be coupled to the piston that is operable to control fluid communication between the upper chamber and the lower chamber. In one embodiment, a method of controlling over-pressurization of an actuator includes supplying a fluid pressure to a first chamber of an actuator having a piston and actuating the piston using the fluid pressure. The method may further include relieving the fluid pressure from the first chamber through a valve that is coupled to the piston when the fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined maximum pressure. |
| US09057440B2 |
Control unit for synchronous engaging device
When a synchronizing sleeve that is driven by an actuator in response to gear shift request is stroked from a release position to an engagement position, a differential rotation speed between an input rotation and an output rotation is calculated at stroke positions after a synchronization completion position; and when the said differential rotation speed is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold value, a damage determination index is calculated based on the said differential rotation speed. Further, when a cumulative value of the damage determination index accumulated for each gear position becomes equal to or more than a predetermined threshold value, the engagement operation of the gear position corresponding to the said cumulative value is disabled. This makes it possible to effectively determine the degree of damage when a gear whine occurs to a synchronized engaging device. |
| US09057439B2 |
Infinitely variable transmission with IVT traction ring controlling assemblies
An infinitely variable transmission includes an input assembly, an output assembly, an input/output planetary ratio assembly and a torque feedback control is provided. The input assembly is coupled to receive input rotational motion. The output assembly provides a rotational output. The output assembly is configured to be rotationally coupled to a load. The input/output planetary ratio assembly sets an input to output speed ratio. The input/output ratio assembly includes a first and a second stator. The torque feedback control assembly provides torque feedback to the input/output planetary ratio assembly to at least in part control the input to output speed ratio of the input/output planetary ratio assembly. The torque feedback control assembly includes a phase relation system operationally coupled to the first and second stator and a torque system operationally coupled to the output assembly. The phase relation system further is in operational communication with the torque system. |
| US09057437B2 |
Forklift and inching control method of forklift
In order to provide a forklift capable of performing an inching control suitable for a specific work and a running operation of the forklift and an inching control method of the forklift, an inching ratio calculating unit calculates an inching ratio, a target engine speed calculating unit calculates a target engine speed, a modulation control unit sets a time constant of the inching ratio in response to a speed difference between the target engine speed and an actual engine speed and outputs a correction inching ratio having the time constant set thereto, a multiplication unit outputs a correction absorption torque obtained by multiplying the correction inching ratio by a target absorption torque, and a HST pump electromagnetic proportional control output current converting unit outputs a current instruction value to a pump capacity setting unit. |
| US09057433B2 |
Shift control method for automated manual transmission in a hybrid vehicle
Disclosed is a method for providing a smooth and stable synchronization operation of a transmission achieved in spite of the sudden change of a vehicle speed in the automated manual transmission (AMT) hybrid vehicle that suppresses a collapse of the synchronization by generating a torque by a motor connected to an input shaft in consideration of changes in inertia of the motor and a control target rotational speed during shifting. |
| US09057426B2 |
Swiveling joint for a horse head on a pump jack
A swiveling joint system for a horse head on a pump jack includes a working beam, a worm drive, a horse head member, and at least one locking pin. The swiveling joint system improves access to parts of the well because the horse head member can be swiveled out of position instead of being completely disassembled. The locking pin holds the horse head member in alignment with the working beam. When the locking pin is removed, the worm drive controls the swiveling of the horse head member in either direction towards either side of the working beam. The worm drive has a worm gear attached to the horse head member so that movement and position of the horse head corresponds to movement of the worm gear. The horse head member and working beam are rotatable relative to each other on a pivot pin, which can be connected to a lubricator. |
| US09057421B2 |
Wave gear device having three-dimensional contacting involute positive deflection tooth profile
In a wave gear device, an involute tooth profile with the low pressure angle α (<20°) is employed as a basic tooth profile of external teeth of a flexible external gear. In the principal section of the external teeth, the tooth depth thereof satisfies 2κ0mn=2(1+c) mn (deflection coefficient κ0=1+c, 0 |
| US09057420B1 |
Protective guiding device for use with a cable
The present invention relates to a protective guiding device for used in cable, including: a plurality of connection rack units for being connected and formed as a chain; and two turning and positioning structures, each of the structures includes an intermediate member and a fasten member, and adjacent surfaces defined on the two members are formed with a plurality of positioning concave parts and positioning convex parts capable of being mutually engaged; when the fasten member is outwardly pulled, and a buckle hole thereof is enabled to compress an elastic member relative to a buckle hook of the intermediate member, so the positioning convex parts and positioning concave parts are released and the fasten member can be turned to a desired angle then be released for allowing the elastic member to be stretched, so the positioning convex parts and the positioning concave parts are engaged for forming a positioning status. |
| US09057419B2 |
Link chain with link plates made of boron-manganese steel
A link chain is provided, in particular a drive chain of a combustion engine, with chain links connected one to another by a chain articulation. The inner and outer chain links, which preferably are arranged in alternation, each have at least two link plates arranged in parallel with each other, each with two link openings. One link pin in each case extends through one of the link openings of the link plates to form a chain articulation. In this design, the link plates are made of a boron-manganese steel. |
| US09057417B2 |
Vibration isolation unit
To provide a vibration isolation unit capable of reducing the number of parts, man-hour and material cost, and suppressing the product cost. One side of a stopper rubber member continues to the outer edge of a diaphragm. Accordingly, because they can be vulcanizingly molded simultaneously, the number of parts can be reduced. Also, because the diaphragm is attached to an outer tube member, the stopper rubber member also can be fixed simultaneously, and therefore the man-hour can be reduced. Further, because one side of the stopper rubber member continues to the outer edge of the diaphragm, overlapping of them in an axial view can be avoided, and a rubber material can be used efficiently. Thus, the number of parts, man-hour and material cost can be reduced and the product cost of the overall vibration isolation unit can be suppressed. |
| US09057415B1 |
Adaptable multi-element vibration isolator
The present invention's vibration/shock amelioration device, as typically embodied, has a geometric device axis and includes two axial endplates, an intermediate support structure, and at least six truncated-conical resilient (e.g., elastomeric) elements. The intermediate support structure is equidistant between the endplates and lies in a geometric bisector plane that is perpendicular to the device axis. Each resilient element has a geometric conical axis, a larger-diameter axial end, and a smaller-diameter axial end. The resilient elements are fixed between the support structure and an endplate and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the device axis whereby the conical axes intersect the device axis at oblique angles and the smaller-diameter axial ends are closer to the bisector plane than are the larger-diameter axial ends. The intermediate support structure can include a single rigid piece, or a composite unit having a pair of rigid members and a resilient (e.g., elastomeric) member sandwiched therebetween. |
| US09057414B2 |
Transmission mounting unit for vehicle
The transmission mounting unit for a vehicle includes a mounting bracket in which a cylindrical mounting unit is formed, mounting ends fixed to a vehicle body that are integrally formed on both sides of the mounting unit, and a bush unit inserted into the mounting unit of the mounting bracket. The bush unit has a first outer pipe that forms an outer shell to be inserted into the mounting unit, a first insulator bonded to an internal circumference of the first outer pipe and integrated with a stopper protruding from the first through hole, a second outer pipe inserted into the first outer pipe, an inner core disposed in a center of the second outer pipe, and a second insulator having an external circumference bonded to an internal circumference of the second outer pipe while surrounding an external circumference of the inner core. |
| US09057413B2 |
Floating brake disk assembling method
Provided are a floating brake disk assembling method and a floating brake disk, and a floating brake disk assembling device, wherein a washer or a spring member can be accurately attached to a coupling pin. In the floating disk brake assembling method, a coupling pin 32 for coupling a brake disk (10) to a hub disk (20), which has a cylindrical body portion (41) to be mounted in a coupling hole (31), a first jaw portion (42) formed in one end portion of the body portion (41), and a portion to be swaged (43A) continuous to the other end portion of the body portion (41), is used; and the portion to be swaged (43A) is swaged so that a second jaw portion (42) having a diameter larger than that of the body portion (41) can be formed. The second jaw portion is formed by swaging the portion to be swaged (43A) while the coupling pin (32) is mounted in the coupling hole (31), and the spring member (33) and the washer (34) are attached to the outside of the coupling pin (32), to compress and deform the spring member (33) via the washer (34). |
| US09057410B2 |
Wet friction clutch
A wet friction clutch comprising at least one clutch component which is rotatable around a shaft, wherein in the interior of the clutch component a rotary valve component that is rotatable around the shaft is formed which is deflectable by an angle of deflection in comparison to the rotatable clutch component by a relative rotation around the shaft, wherein the rotatable clutch component has at least one first opening and the rotary valve component has at least one second opening, wherein a total opening is released by an at least partial overlapping of the first opening and the second opening, the size of the total opening being dependent on the angle of deflection. |
| US09057403B2 |
Method for mounting a hydrodynamic sliding bearing and hydrodynamic sliding bearing, in particular of a magnetic coupling pump
A method for mounting a hydrodynamic sliding bearing of a shaft, in particular a magnetic coupling pump, wherein the hydrodynamic sliding bearing includes a bearing bushing disposed between a bearing sleeve and a bearing housing includes the steps of A coating a clamping ring on at least one of its surfaces with a friction-increasing coating, B heating the clamping ring and applying to the bearing bushing so that a pre-assembly unit is formed, and C heating the bearing housing, wherein the pre-assembly unit is inserted in the bearing housing. A double pressure bond is thus advantageously provided where a radial prevention of rotation and an axial prevention of displacement is achieved without any axial pinning as prevention from rotation and axial tensioning (e.g. L-profile ring) of the bearing bushing being required. |
| US09057402B2 |
Spacers for rolling bearings with adjusted lengths
A rolling bearing device, of the type including a central shaft and a hub (10) mobile in rotation relative to each other, the bearing including at least two rolling bearings (12, 13), one designated “lower” and the other designated “upper”, arranged between the central shaft (11) and the hub (10) in two positions spaced in the axial direction Z, these rolling bearings being fitted with inner (14, 16) and outer (15, 17) rings and with balls (18, 19), the rolling bearings being assembled back-to-back or face-to-face, a rigid preload being applied to these bearings along the axial direction Z, internal (22) and external (23) spacers being arranged between these rolling bearings, the inner (22) and outer (23) spacers have lengths adjusted to limit variations in rigid preload caused by temperature gradients from one point of the bearing to another to less than 30%, particularly thermal gradients in the radial direction. |
| US09057394B2 |
Modular clamping system
A clamping system includes a housing, a clamping lever pivotally coupled relative to the housing, a clamping arm pivotally coupled relative to the housing and the clamping lever, and an expandable link coupled to the clamping arm. The clamping lever and the clamping arm are rotatable from an open position to a closed position. A method of mounting a device on a substrate using the clamping system is also provided. |
| US09057392B2 |
Web-handling machine frame
A web-handling machine frame, at least partially built from reconfigurable interconnected blocks having precision alignment points. From such blocks, modular equipment web-handling lines for web-handling operations can be constructed ad hoc with their shaft mounted web-contacting devices in tram without the need for separate alignment procedures. |
| US09057390B2 |
Electro hydrostatic actuator
An electro hydrostatic actuator includes an actuator body, a hydraulic pump driven to supply operation oil to the actuator body, and an electric motor configured to drive the hydraulic pump. Each of the hydraulic pump and the electric motor is placed so as to surround the outer periphery of the actuator body, and the hydraulic pump and the electric motor are arranged in a direction along a center axis. |
| US09057388B2 |
Vacuum trap
A vacuum trap, a plasma etch system using the vacuum trap and a method of cleaning the vacuum trap. The vacuum trap includes a baffle housing; and a removable baffle assembly disposed in the baffle housing, the baffle assembly comprising a set of baffle plates, the baffle plates spaced along a support rod from a first baffle plate to a last baffle plate, the baffle plates alternately disposed above and below the support rod and alternately disposed in an upper region and a lower region of the baffle housing. |
| US09057382B2 |
Fan impeller structure and manufacturing method thereof
A fan impeller structure and a manufacturing method thereof. The fan impeller structure includes a hub and multiple securing sections. The hub has a top section, an annular section and multiple recesses. The annular section axially extends from a circumference of the top section. The annular section and the top section together define a receiving space. The recesses are formed at a junction between the top section and the annular section. The securing sections are disposed in the receiving space and formed oppositely between the recesses. The manufacturing method of the fan impeller structure enables the manufacturing process to be simplified. Moreover, by using the securing sections, magnetic members can be quickly connected with and secured to inner circumference of the hub to save working time. |
| US09057374B2 |
Oilless screw compressor and compressed air cooling unit
An oilless screw compressor incorporating water-cooled cooling units for cooling compressed air discharged from compressor bodies having a pair of male and female screw rotors which can be rotated in a contactless and oilless manner, the cooling units comprising a plate type heat-exchanger, and the amount of cooling water for the plate type heat-exchanger being adjustable. With this configuration, a difference between a temperature during load operation and a temperature upon automatic stopping and during unload operation of the compressor can be reduced, so that the cooling unit can be restrained from being damaged or broken within a short period, thereby it is possible to provide a highly reliable oilless screw compressor. |
| US09057371B2 |
Method for varying the duration of a supply stroke of a pump element, and a pump device
A pump device is operated according to a method for varying the duration of a supply stroke of a pump element, the supply stroke of which is actuated by a rotatably driven pump shaft (P) over a predetermined rotational position range of the pump shaft. In the method, the pump shaft (P) is rotatably driven by a drive shaft (A) and the angular speed of the pump shaft, at a constant angular speed of the drive shaft, is increased and decreased at least once during one revolution of the pump shaft. |
| US09057369B2 |
Device for the dosed administration of a fluid product, adapted for the replacement of a container
A device for administering a fluid product, the device including a first housing part provided with a receiver for the product, a second housing part detachably connectable to the first housing part, a piston rod held such that it can be displaced for the exertion of an emptying movement, an actuatable or releasable drive element for the piston rod, a coupling element including a coupling input element that couples the drive element to the piston rod in a coupling engagement, transmits a driving force of the drive element to the piston rod, and triggers the emptying movement, and a decoupling element displaceably connected to the second housing part and coupled to the first housing part such that it is displaced, by a movement of the housing parts in relation to each other when the housing parts are separated into a decoupling position wherein the piston rod is decoupled from the coupling input element. |
| US09057367B2 |
Cooling device and projector
A cooling device is provided. The cooling device may include a pump chamber, an inlet flow passage that is used for allowing a fluid to flow into the pump chamber, an outlet flow passage that allows the fluid to flow out from the pump chamber, a pump that includes a fluid resistance element that opens or closes the inlet flow passage between the inlet flow passage and the pump chamber, a circulation flow passage that is used for circulating the fluid from the outlet flow passage to the inlet flow passage, and a first volume adjusting chamber that adjusts pressure of the fluid flowing into the pump chamber. |
| US09057365B2 |
Bush bearing fabricating method thereof and hermetic compressor having the same
Disclosed are a bush bearing, a fabricating method thereof and a hermetic compressor having the same. A lubricant member of the bush bearing can be adhered onto a housing or press-fitted therein so as to remarkably increase the thickness of the lubricant member, whereby the bush bearing can be more resistant to abrasion, and upon applying the same to the compressor, abrasion of a crank shaft or the bush bearing can be reduced. |
| US09057359B2 |
Wind turbine blade with base part having non-positive camber
A blade, for a rotor of a wind turbine has a profiled contour in a radial direction is divided into a root region with a substantially circular or elliptical profile closest to the hub and an airfoil region with a lift generating profile furthest away from the hub. A transition region between the root region and the airfoil region has a profile gradually changing in the radial direction from the circular or elliptical profile of the root region to the lift generating profile of the airfoil region, and the airfoil region comprises at least a first longitudinal segment extending at least 20% of a longitudinal extent of the airfoil region. The first longitudinal segment has a first base part with a cross-sectional profile such that, when impacted by an incident airflow at an angle of attack of 0 degrees has a lift coefficient, which is 0 or less. |
| US09057358B2 |
Wind turbine with variable blade pitch for wind power electrical generator
The present patent application provides a wind turbine with variable blade pitch. The wind turbine with variable blade pitch includes a turbine shell coaxially disposed at a turbine axis; and at least three evenly distributed blade handle bases fixedly disposed at the outer circumference of the turbine shell. A blade handle axis is coaxially configured on each blade handle base. A blade is fixedly disposed on each blade handle axis. A centrifugal blade pitch changing unit is disposed on the turbine shell and configured to adjust the rotation speed of the wind turbine. When the rotating speed of the wind turbine exceeds the rated rotating speed, it is regulated by the centrifugal blade pitch changing unit, so as to avoid the rotating speed of the wind turbine to be greatly increased due to the wind speed rise and make the wind turbine run stably at the rated rotating speed. |
| US09057357B2 |
Split collar mountable wind turbine
A split collar mountable turbine is assembled in two separate halves and circumferentially attachable around existing structures. Top and bottom attachment rings each comprise first and second arcuate elements adapted to interconnect circumferentially about an axis to form two rings formed in spaced relation. A fan blade housing ring adapted to interface into complimentary slots within the top and bottom rings is received in complimentary slots and moves in tracks located in the top and bottom rings by magnetic levitation. The turbine further includes two pair of off-axis electrical generators each having rotating gears driven by rotation of said fan blade housing for producing electricity. A series of set screws and set guides affixed to the top and bottom rings can be adjusted to engage and be supported by a structure that is collared in the open center of the cylindrical wind turbine. |
| US09057352B2 |
Wave power generation device and method of controlling the same
A wave power generation device for synchronizing a vertical movement of a float with all the wave periods, and a method of controlling the same. The device has a controller which controls a torque of a power generator, and the controller is configured to estimate a displacement and a speed of a float from data of a rotation number or a rotation speed of the power generator, to estimate a wave period from the displacement and the speed, and to determine a displacement coefficient corresponding to the wave period from a data table stored in advance, and to transmit a calculated product of the displacement coefficient and the displacement as a torque command to the power generator so as to control a torque of the power generator. |
| US09057341B2 |
Engine cylinder mid-stop
According to one embodiment, an internal combustion engine includes a cylinder and liner. The cylinder includes a mid-stop formed in a side wall of the cylinder. The mid-stop includes a first contact surface and an undercut between the first contact surface and the side wall. The liner is positioned within the cylinder and includes a seat having a second contact surface. The second contact surface is supported on the first contact surface. |
| US09057339B2 |
Stochastic pre-ignition mitigation system
A stochastic pre-ignition (SPI) mitigation system includes a detection module, an engine load module, and an evaluation module. The detection module generates a pre-ignition determination signal indicating detection of a SPI event in a cylinder of an engine. The engine load module determines load on the engine and generates an engine load signal based on the load. The evaluation module determines whether to operate in a single-pulse mode or a multi-pulse mode and generating a mode signal to operate in a selected one of the single-pulse mode and the multi-pulse mode based on the pre-ignition determination signal and the engine load signal. The single pulse mode includes injecting a single pulse of fuel into the cylinder during a first per combustion cycle of the cylinder. The multi-pulse mode includes injecting multiple pulses of fuel into the cylinder during a second combustion cycle of the cylinder. |
| US09057338B2 |
Exhaust gas oxygen sensor fault detection systems and methods using fuel vapor purge rate
A diagnostic system for a vehicle includes an error module, an equivalence ratio (EQR) module, a threshold determination module, and a fault indication module. The error module determines an error value based on a difference between an amount of oxygen in exhaust measured by an exhaust gas oxygen sensor (EGO) upstream of a catalyst and an expected value of the amount. The EQR module selectively controls fuel injection based on the error value. The threshold determination module determines an error threshold based on a flow rate of fuel vapor from a vapor canister to an intake manifold of an engine. The fault indication module selectively indicates that a fault is present in the EGO sensor based on the error value and the error threshold. |
| US09057335B2 |
Method for operating an exhaust gas aftertreatment apparatus
The present invention relates to a method for operating an exhaust gas aftertreatment apparatus (13) of an internal combustion engine (11), which comprises an oxidation catalytic converter (29), an SCR catalytic converter (35) and a first temperature sensor (32) disposed in the direction of flow downstream of the oxidation catalytic converter (29) and upstream of the SCR catalytic converter (35), an exhaust gas atmosphere capable of exothermal reaction in said oxidation catalytic converter (29) being generated by the metering of hydrocarbons into the exhaust gas (3) upstream of said oxidation catalytic converter (29) during a heating operation. The method is thereby characterized in that a first numerical measurement value of a nominal value of a hydrocarbon conversion in said oxidation catalytic converter (29) is formed, in that a second numerical measurement value of an actual value of the hydrocarbon conversion in said oxidation catalytic converter (29) is determined as a function of the signals of the first temperature sensor (32), in that the second numerical measurement value is compared with the first numerical measurement value and in that the metering of the hydrocarbons is reduced if said second numerical measurement value is smaller than said first numerical measurement value. An independent claim relates to a control device set up for carrying out the method. |
| US09057334B2 |
Vehicle, and control method for vehicle
A control device includes a PWM control unit that executes PWM control over an alternating-current motor mounted on a vehicle. The PWM control unit includes an alarm sound generation processing unit and a slip determination unit. The slip determination unit determines whether a drive wheel coupled to the alternating-current motor is slipping on the basis. of a d-axis current (Id), a q-axis current (Iq), a d-axis voltage command value (Vd) and a q-axis voltage command value (Vq) of the alternating-current motor. When the drive wheel is not slipping, the alarm sound generation processing unit generates an alarm sound from the alternating-current motor by adding a variation value (ΔV) to the d-axis voltage command value (Vd) at a predetermined interval. When the drive wheel is slipping, the alarm sound generation processing unit temporarily stops adding the variation value (ΔV) to the d-axis voltage command value (Vd). |
| US09057330B2 |
Methods and systems for humidity detection via an exhaust gas sensor
Various methods and system are described for determining ambient humidity via an exhaust gas sensor disposed in an exhaust system of a variable displacement engine. A reference voltage of a sensor coupled to an inactive engine bank is modulated between a first and second voltage to estimate ambient humidity. Concurrently, a reference voltage of a sensor coupled to an active engine bank is modulated between the first and second voltage, or at the first voltage, to estimate fuel alcohol content, or exhaust air-fuel ratio, respectively. |
| US09057327B2 |
Method and apparatus for heating liquid fuel supplied to a gas turbine combustor
A method of heating liquid fuel upstream of a combustor in a system where compressor discharge air is cooled before being supplied to fuel nozzles in the combustor includes the steps of passing the compressor discharge air through a heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with the liquid fuel to heat the liquid fuel and cool the compressor discharge air; supplying the heated liquid fuel and the cooled compressor discharge air to the combustor. |
| US09057326B2 |
System of compact contra-rotating propellers
A system of contra-rotating propellers for an aircraft jet engine, including: a free power turbine; a first and second propeller, contra-rotating, the first propeller being placed in a predetermined direction relative to the second propeller, each including a hub, an outer ferrule, and coupling arms linking the two; and a casing inserted between the free turbine and the propellers, the propellers arranged in the predetermined direction relative to the casing and the free turbine arranged in the opposite direction relative to the casing, the casing including a casing extension in the given direction, rotatably supporting the hub of the propeller. The coupling arms extend in the opposite direction, radially towards the outside. |
| US09057323B2 |
Drive system with a rotary energy-transmission element
The invention relates to a drive system provided with a cylinder shell with two end sections and, inside said cylinder shell, a central combustion chamber with two piston bodies arranged therein, that are displaceable in axially opposed directions within said combustion chamber, wherein a drive rod extending along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder shell is connected with each piston body and has a drive extension extending outwardly from each respective end section of said cylinder shell, wherein said drive rods are each connected via a drive element with a rotary body that can rotate around the cylinder shell, wherein said drive elements are provided with bearings that bear upon said rotary body and that, when in reciprocating motion, drive said rotary body in rotation about said longitudinal axis. |
| US09057321B2 |
Fuel reactivity stratification in rotary diesel engines
A first fuel charge having low reactivity (low cetane number) is injected into a rotary engine, such as a Wankel engine, sufficiently early during the intake stroke that a subsequent higher-reactivity injected fuel charge forms one or more stratified high-reactivity regions within the engine chamber. Compression ignition then begins at the high-reactivity regions and propagates to the lower-reactivity regions. Appropriate choice of the timings, quantities, and other parameters of the injections can allow control of the timing and rate of combustion, such that work output can be maximized, unburned fuel can be minimized, and chamber temperature can be controlled to reduce heat losses and NOx emissions. As a result, rotary engine efficiency can be enhanced while emissions are reduced. Since the invention can be implemented in a lightweight and compact rotary engine, it is well suited for use in hybrid and compact vehicles. |
| US09057318B2 |
Radiator for vehicle
A radiator for a vehicle may include an inlet tank adapted to receive coolant from an engine; an outlet tank disposed apart from the inlet tank and adapted to discharge the coolant back to the engine; a heat-exchanging portion fluidly connecting the inlet tank and the outlet tank and provided with a plurality of tubes and radiation fins to cool the coolant flowing in the tubes by exchanging heat with air; and a bubble separating unit connected to the inlet tank and adapted to separate bubble contained in the coolant discharged from the engine and to continuously discharge the coolant from which the bubble is separated to a reserve tank to supply the coolant from which the bubble is separated to the heat-exchanging portion. |
| US09057311B2 |
Honeycomb unit for exhaust emission control
A metal honeycomb structure includes planar and corrugated sheets brazed together at first and second joining portions made of brazing materials applied to the corrugated sheet. The first and second joining portions are located proximate exhaust inlet and outlet of the honeycomb structure. The honeycomb further includes a joining strip joined to a metal outer tube. The joining strip is made of a brazing material applied to an inner wall of the metal outer tube. The second joining portion overlaps the joining strip and has a brazing length larger than a brazing length of the first joining portion which does not overlap the joining strip. |
| US09057310B2 |
Catalysed soot filter for treating the exhaust gas of a compression ignition engine
A catalysed soot filter comprising an oxidation catalyst for treating carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HCs) in exhaust gas from a compression ignition engine disposed on a filtering substrate, wherein the oxidation catalyst comprises: a platinum group metal (PGM) component selected from the group consisting of a platinum (Pt) component, a palladium (Pd) component and a combination thereof; an alkaline earth metal component; a support material comprising a modified alumina incorporating a heteroatom component. |
| US09057309B2 |
System and apparatus for enhancing exhaust aftertreatment startup emissions control
An aftertreatment system including a method which provides a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst disposed in an exhaust stream of an engine; determines that an ammonia pre-load condition for the SCR catalyst is present; determines a first amount of ammonia pre-load in response to the ammonia pre-load condition; injects an amount of ammonia or urea into the exhaust stream in response to the first amount of ammonia; and adsorbs a second amount of ammonia onto the SCR catalyst in response to injecting an amount of ammonia or urea, where the second amount of ammonia is either the injected amount of ammonia or an amount of ammonia resulting from hydrolysis from the injected amount of urea. |
| US09057306B2 |
Device for delivering reducing agent and motor vehicle having the device
A device for delivering reducing agent from a tank to a metering unit includes a pulsating delivery pump for delivering reducing agent in a delivery direction through a delivery line from the tank to the metering unit. The delivery line includes at least two separate ducts in regions downstream of the delivery pump in the delivery direction. The ducts form flow paths having different propagation times for the reducing agent. This leads, in particular, to cost-effective noise reduction for such delivery systems. A motor vehicle having the device is also provided. |
| US09057300B2 |
Reducing agent metering system with metering chamber for exact setting of the metered amount
The invention relates to a reducing agent metering system for injection of a reducing agent into the exhaust gas flow of an internal combustion engine for selective catalytic reduction, with a delivery pump (2) by means of which the reducing agent is delivered from a reducing agent tank (1) via a delivery line (3) and is introduced into the exhaust gas flow of the internal combustion engine via at least one nozzle (7), a metering chamber (4) being integrated into the delivery line (3) and being divided into two separate volumes (10, 20) by means of a position-variable element (5), each of the two volumes (10, 20) having at least one input (11, 21) and at least one output (12, 22). Furthermore the invention relates to a method for operating such a reducing agent metering system for injection of a reducing agent into the exhaust gas flow of an internal combustion engine for selective catalytic reduction. |
| US09057298B2 |
Exhaust purification system for internal combustion engine
A wall flow type particulate filter is arranged inside the exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine where combustion is performed under an excess of oxygen. The particulate filter carries a solid acid. The solid acid has a Hammett acidity function smaller than −0.83 and larger than −12 in the standard state. To remove the ash from the particulate filter, ash atomization processing for rendering the state of the particulate filter a state where the exhaust gas which flows into the particulate filter is lowered in concentration of oxygen and the particulate filter is raised in temperature is temporarily performed. |
| US09057297B2 |
Control apparatus for internal combustion engine
An object of this invention is to appropriately control the state of a corona discharge in accordance with an exhaust air-fuel ratio, and always purify particulate matter (PM) in exhaust gas efficiently. An engine is equipped with a corona discharge-type exhaust emission control device. The exhaust emission control device purifies PM in exhaust gas by generating a corona discharge between a center electrode and an earth electrode. When the air-fuel ratio is in a rich region, an ECU controls an applied voltage that is applied between the electrodes. It is thereby possible to obtain a maximum PM purification rate while preventing an arc discharge. When the air-fuel ratio is in a lean region, a discharge current flowing between the electrodes is controlled. It is thereby possible to suppress power consumption while compensating for a decrease in the PM purification rate caused by a reduction in the PM amount in the exhaust gas. |
| US09057296B2 |
Muffler
A muffler having a shell of a double-layer structure includes an inner shell that is formed by fixing ends of a tubularly rolled plate material to each other through a lock seam, and an outer shell that is formed substantially in the same manner as the inner shell. In this muffler, a through-hole is provided through the inner shell at a position where the inner shell overlaps with a lock seam portion of the outer shell. |
| US09057294B2 |
Engine provided with lubricating structure
A single cylinder engine includes a crankcase having a crank chamber, a crankshaft disposed in the crank chamber of the crank case and having a crank web with a side surface perpendicular to a rotating shaft of an engine, and a lubricating structure for lubricating oil to components in the engine. The lubricating structure includes an oil reservoir communicating with the crank chamber through an oil discharge port formed to the crank chamber under the crank chamber, and an oil discharge groove formed to the crankcase for discharging oil flying from the crank web into the oil reservoir, the oil discharge groove being provided in a side wall of the crankcase facing a side surface of the crank web in the crank chamber. |
| US09057293B2 |
Multiple variable valve lift apparatus
A multiple variable valve lift apparatus may include a camshaft rotating by drive of an engine, at least two cam portions disposed on the camshaft to be movable along an axial direction of the camshaft and to be rotated together with the camshaft, and forming a high cam and a low cam, a valve opening/closing unit operated by one of the high cam or the low cam formed at the cam portion, an operating unit disposed on the camshaft to move together with one of the at least two cam portions, a solenoid selectively moving the operating unit along an axial direction of the camshaft, a interlock unit rotating together with the camshaft, and disposed between one and the other of the cam portions on the camshaft to be movable along an axial direction of the camshaft, and a pin operating unit selectively moving the interlock unit along the camshaft. |
| US09057292B2 |
Valve timing adjustment system
Provided is a timing adjustment system having improved control for achieving a target rotational phase. The valve timing adjustment system includes a displacement mechanism unit that displaces a rotational phase of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine; a locking mechanism unit that locks the rotational phase at an intermediate locked phase positioned within a displacement range of the rotational phase; a hydraulic pathway that hydraulically drives the displacement mechanism unit and the locking mechanism unit; and a control unit including a control system that controls operations of the hydraulic control valve. The control unit changes a temporal responsiveness of the control system based on a displacement force that displaces the rotational phase. |
| US09057291B2 |
Variable valve lift device and valve apparatus for vehicle engine using the same
A variable valve lift device and a valve apparatus for a vehicle engine may include a valve configured to open/close a combustion chamber, a cam having a predetermined cam profile and rotatable by receiving a power generated in the combustion chamber, a cam side rocker arm rotatable by the cam, a rocker shaft penetratively mounted into the cam side rocker arm, a valve side rocker arm installed on the rocker shaft to apply a pressure for opening the valve while being turned by the cam side rocker arm, a hydraulic interval adjustment device installed in the cam side rocker arm to adjust an interval between the cam side rocker arm and the valve side rocker arm, and a hydraulic interval maintaining device configured to maintain the interval between the cam side rocker arm and the valve side rocker arm adjusted by the hydraulic interval adjustment device. |
| US09057289B2 |
Internal combustion engine and method for operating an internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine has a working cylinder with two intake valves and two exhaust valves assigned thereto. A first camshaft and a second camshaft each actuate a respective one of the intake valves and a respective one of the exhaust valves. The first camshaft is a variable camshaft with an adjuster for adjusting valve control times and includes an outer shaft, which is a hollow shaft, and an inner shaft, which is disposed within the outer shaft. The outer shaft as well as the inner shaft are rotatable by the adjuster and are rotatable relative to one another by the adjuster such that relative positions of given cams controlling given ones of the intake and exhaust valves are changeable. The second camshaft is driven by a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine and is configured as a fixed camshaft. |
| US09057287B2 |
Butterfly plate for a steam turbine exhaust hood
A steam turbine exhaust hood includes an exhaust hood section, and a butterfly plate arranged in the exhaust hood section. The butterfly plate includes a complex curvilinear cross-sectional profile having a first section that extends between a first end portion and a middle portion, and a second section that extends between the middle portion and a second end portion. One of the first and second sections is formed from at least two curvilinear segments including at least one curvilinear segment having a positive curvature and at least one curvilinear segment having a negative curvature. |
| US09057284B2 |
Manifold for geared turbofan engine
A geared architecture for a gas turbine engine includes a lubricant manifold for directing lubricant flow to the geared architecture. The manifold including annular channel and a bowl member received within the annular channel for defining a passage for directing lubricant. |
| US09057282B2 |
Systems and methods for adjusting clearances in turbines
Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for adjusting clearances in a turbine. According to one embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a turbine system. The system may include one or more turbine blades; a turbine casing encompassing the one or more turbine blades; and a thermoelectric element disposed at least partially about the turbine casing, wherein the thermoelectric element expands or contracts the turbine casing by heating or cooling at least a portion of the turbine casing, thereby adjusting a clearance between the one or more turbine blades and the turbine casing. |
| US09057278B2 |
Turbine bucket including an integral rotation controlling feature
A turbine bucket including an integral rotation controlling feature is disclosed. In one embodiment, a turbine bucket includes: a blade section having an inner radial end and an outer radial end; an integral cover section connected to the outer radial end of the blade section; and a base section for engaging a rotor body, the base section connected to the inner radial end, wherein the base section includes: a central body; a set of tangs extending axially from the central body; a set of flanges radially inboard of the set of tangs and extending axially from the central body; and an integral rotation controlling feature extending from the central body, wherein the rotation controlling feature engages a radial opening in the rotor body. The integral rotation controlling feature is sized to limit rotation of the base section, when the turbine bucket is engaged with a rotor body. |
| US09057276B2 |
Twisted gas turbine engine airfoil having a twisted rib
A gas turbine engine blade (20), including: an airfoil (24) including a pressure side exterior surface (34), a suction side exterior surface (36), and a first rib (130) spanning between the pressure side exterior surface and the suction side exterior surface. The airfoil (24) is twisted from a base end (30) of the airfoil to a tip end (32) of the airfoil. The first rib is twisted from a base end of the first rib to a tip end of the first rib. The pressure side exterior surface, the suction side exterior surface, and the first rib are cast as a monolith. |
| US09057275B2 |
Nozzle diaphragm inducer
The present application provides a steam turbine driven by a flow of steam. The steam turbine may include a rotor, a number of nozzles positioned about the rotor, and a number of nozzle diaphragms. One or more of the nozzle diaphragms may include an inducer. |
| US09057261B2 |
System and method for fracturing rock in tight reservoirs
Methods and systems are provided for fracturing rock in a formation to enhance the production of fluids from the formation. In one exemplary method, one or more wells are drilled into a reservoir, wherein each well comprises a main wellbore with two or more lateral wellbores drilled out from the main wellbore. One or more explosive charges are placed within each of the two or more lateral wellbores, and the explosive charges are detonated to generate pressure pulses which at least partially fracture a rock between the two or more lateral wellbores. The detonations are timed such that one or more pressure pulses emanating from different lateral wellbores interact. |
| US09057260B2 |
Through tubing expandable frac sleeve with removable barrier
Thin wall sleeves are inserted into a well and expanded into sealing position to a surrounding tubular. Each sleeve has a ball seat. A zone is perforated after a sleeve is secured in position below the perforations. The ball is dropped onto the seat and pressure is built up to complete the fracturing. After all zones are perforated and fractured, the balls are removed, preferably by dissolving them and the thin walled sleeves are left in the tubular against which they have been expanded. Production can then begin from a selected zone. The objects can be of the same size for each sleeve. The sleeves can be run through tubing and into casing. Acid can be pumped to dissolve the objects. |
| US09057259B2 |
Hydrocarbon resource recovery apparatus including a transmission line with fluid tuning chamber and related methods
An apparatus for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein is provided. The apparatus includes a radio frequency (RF) antenna configured to be positioned within the wellbore, a transmission line configured to be positioned in the wellbore and coupled to the RF antenna, and an RF source configured to be coupled with the transmission line. The transmission line includes at least one transmission line tuning section including an inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor, and a liquid-blocking plug between the inner and outer conductors to define a tuning chamber configured to receive a dielectric liquid with a gas headspace thereabove. |
| US09057257B2 |
Producing oil and/or gas with emulsion comprising miscible solvent
A system for producing oil and/or gas from an underground formation comprising a miscible solvent source (202); an emulsion manufacturer (204) to produce an emulsion comprising the miscible solvent; an emulsion storage facility (206) adapted to store at least about 5000 gallons of the emulsion; a first array of wells (432) dispersed above the formation; a second array of wells (412) dispersed above the formation; wherein the first array of wells comprises a mechanism to inject the miscible solvent and/or the emulsion into the formation while the second array of wells comprises a mechanism to produce oil and/or gas from the formation. |
| US09057253B2 |
Liner top packer for liner drilling
A liner top packer is configured to be secured in a liner string, such as in a liner drilling operation. The packer is actuated from within the liner or packer body. An actuator assembly includes an inner piston, an actuator housing, and an outer piston. A tubular setting tool is moved upwardly through the inner piston, and dogs on the setting tool allow for force to be applied to the inner piston, pressurizing fluid and forcing it to the outer piston to compress a pack off element. The actuator assembly is removed by upward force applied by a foot of the setting tool on the inner piston, the actuator housing, or any other component of the actuator assembly. |
| US09057252B2 |
Product sampling system within subsea tree
A method and system for producing fluid from a subsea wellbore. An amount of fluid is sampled from fluid being produced and retained for a period of time until constituents in the fluid stratify. A fluid characteristic is sensed at spaced apart vertical locations in the sampled fluid. A water fraction as well as gas content can be ascertained from sensing the sampled fluid. The fluid characteristic is used for calibrating a multi-phase flowmeter that measures flow of the fluid being produced from the wellbore. |
| US09057250B2 |
Formation evaluation system and method
Methods and apparatuses for evaluating a fluid from a subterranean formation of a wellsite via a downhole tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation are provided. The apparatus relates to a downhole tool having a probe with at least two intakes for receiving fluid from the subterranean formation. The downhole tool is configured according to a wellsite set up. The method involves positioning the downhole tool in the wellbore of the wellsite, drawing fluid into the downhole tool via the at least two intakes, monitoring at least one wellsite parameter via at least one sensor of the wellsite and automatically adjusting the wellsite setup based on the wellsite parameters. |
| US09057248B1 |
System and method for steering in a downhole environment using vibration modulation
A system for evaluating a geological formation in a bottom hole assembly (BHA) includes a vibration mechanism configured to use mechanical energy provided by a mechanical energy source to produce a plurality of vibration beats at a predetermined frequency at the BHA. At least one vibration sensor detects the plurality of vibration beats generated by the vibration mechanism. A controller generates a waveform responsive to the detected plurality of vibration beats. The waveform is generated in a first configuration when the geological formation has a first geological characteristic and the waveform is generated in a second configuration when the geological formation has a second geological characteristic. |
| US09057247B2 |
Measurement of downhole component stress and surface conditions
An apparatus for measuring strain on a downhole component includes: at least one strain sensitive device disposed proximate to a surface of a component of a drilling assembly or disposed within a material forming the component; and a processor in operable communication with the at least one strain sensitive device, the processor configured to detect changes in the at least one strain sensitive device and detect at least one of erosion, crack formation and crack propagation in the component surface. An apparatus for measuring strain on a downhole component includes: at least one strain gauge deposited on a surface of a drive shaft or disposed within a material forming the drive shaft; and a processor in operable communication with the at least one strain gauge, the processor configured to detect changes in the at least one strain gauge and detect conditions affecting operation of the drive shaft. |
| US09057244B2 |
Flow control device and flow control method
A method for reversible temperature sensitive control of the flow of fluid in oil and/or gas production, involves a control device or an autonomous valve operating by the Bernoulli principle and includes a moveable disk or body provided within a housing for opening and closing the valve, involving use of the Curie-effect in order to position the body in a preferred position within the housing at a temperature below a certain, preferred transition or Curie temperature. An apparatus for reversible temperature sensitive control of the flow of fluid in oil and/or gas production including a control device or an autonomous valve operating by the Bernoulli principle and including a moveable disk or body provided within a housing for opening and closing the valve, the body and housing including a ferromagnetic material having a certain, preferred Curie temperature, the temperature being selected in order to position the body in a preferred position in the housing during installation or operation. |
| US09057241B2 |
Hydrocarbon resource recovery system including different hydrocarbon resource recovery capacities and related methods
A hydrocarbon resource recovery system for a wellbore in a subterranean formation. The hydrocarbon resource recovery system may include a radio frequency (RF) source, and an antenna configured to be positioned within the wellbore and coupled to the RF source. The antenna may be coupled to the RF source and configured to generate a higher electric field strength region in the subterranean formation having a higher electric field strength and a lower magnetic field strength, and generate a higher magnetic field strength region in the subterranean formation having a higher magnetic field strength and a lower electric field strength. The antenna may have a tubular shape with a plurality of openings therein defining a hydrocarbon resource recovery capacity adjacent the higher electric field strength region that is different than a hydrocarbon resource recovery capacity adjacent the higher magnetic field strength region. |
| US09057237B2 |
Method for recovering a hydrocarbon resource from a subterranean formation including additional upgrading at the wellhead and related apparatus
A method for recovering a hydrocarbon resource from a subterranean formation may include applying radio frequency (RF) power to the hydrocarbon resource in the subterranean formation to upgrade the hydrocarbon resource and producing the upgraded hydrocarbon resource from the subterranean formation to a wellhead. The method may also include, at the wellhead, performing an additional upgrading operation on the upgraded hydrocarbon resource using RF power. The method may further include supplying the upgraded hydrocarbon resource to a pipeline for transportation therethrough. |
| US09057235B2 |
Monitoring and control systems for continuous circulating drilling operations
An apparatus for continuously flowing drilling fluid along a drill string includes a continuous circulation device having at least a first fluid path in fluid communication with a top drive and a second fluid path in communication with a diverter. The diverter is in selective fluid communication with a pipe stand associated with the drills string. The apparatus also includes at least one sensor that estimates at least one operating parameter associated with the continuous circulation device. A related method includes using a continuous circulation device as described to manipulate the drill string and controlling the continuous circulation device using at least one sensor configured to estimate at least one operating parameter associated with the continuous circulation device. |
| US09057232B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for generating shock waves for use in the energy industry
Several methods and devices are provided herein to generate shock waves that are used in the oil industry for well drilling, hydrocarbon or gas exploitation, fracking process or improved oil recovery (IOR), enhanced oil recovery (EOR), cleaning of process waters, oil spills byproducts and oil pipes, which can be used as independent systems or as auxiliary systems concomitantly with other existing technologies. The different devices consist of generating shock waves utilizing either one or more laser sources, or a self-generated combustible gas supply, or a micro-explosive pellet, or piezocrystals, or a piezofiber composite structure. |
| US09057230B1 |
Expandable tubular with integral centralizers
Herein disclosed is an apparatus comprising an expandable tubular; and at least one section of the expandable tubular having a larger outer diameter than the remainder of the expandable tubular, forming at least one complete centralizing ring or at least one partial centralizing ring. In an embodiment, at least one complete centralizing ring or at least one partial centralizing ring is configured to centralize the expandable tubular when the tubular is in use; and wherein at least one complete centralizing ring or at least one partial centralizing ring has the same diameter as the expandable tubular after the tubular is radially expanded. Also disclosed herein are method of using and method of making the apparatus. |
| US09057228B2 |
Wellbore tools with non-hydrocarbon-based greases and methods of making such wellbore tools
A wellbore tool includes a non-hydrocarbon-based grease disposed between a first component and a second component. The grease remains substantially impermeable to hydrocarbons at temperatures up to at least about 150° C. and possibly up to at least about 200° C., and pressures up to at least about 27 MPa and possibly to at least about 50 MPa. Methods of forming such wellbore tools include selecting a grease to comprise a non-hydrocarbon-based grease that remains at least substantially impermeable to hydrocarbons at temperatures up to at least about 150° C. and possibly up to at least about 200° C., and pressures up to at least about 27 MPa and possibly to at least about 50 MPa; and disposing the grease at an interface between a first component of a wellbore tool and a second component of a wellbore tool. |
| US09057225B2 |
Apparatus for releasably holding a pipe, rod or the like
For holding a pipe, rod or the like, such as a section of a pipe string of an offshore oil drilling rig, an apparatus includes a clamping device insertable into a support body. The clamping device includes a device body with a central opening bounded by an inner circumferential surface that conically tapers at a cone angle. The device further includes clamp elements that are received in the central opening of the device body and that each have a radially outer surface sloping along the cone angle to slide along the inner circumferential surface of the device body, and a radially inner clamping surface to clamp against the coaxially arranged pipe. A holding element respectively connects each clamp element to a linear actuator stroke element that is similarly tilted at the cone angle. The linear actuator may be received in a receiver shaft of the device body. |
| US09057224B1 |
Devices and methods for manually moving racked tubulars
A method and device for moving racked tubulars, such as pipe and casing joints on pipe racks at oil and gas well sites. The pipe moving tool comprises a wheel assembly with a long straight handle. The wheels fit inside the pipe, which is then moved by simply pushing or pulling the handle forward or backward, as needed. Several wheel assemblies of different diameters may be used interchangeably with a single handle. An extension handle also may be included. The use of this tool makes moving the pipe safer as the worker's hands are not exposed to injury. Additionally, the handle on the tool makes it possible to easily and more safely reach and move shorter pipes racked above or below longer pipes in a multi-level pipe rack; it is not necessary for the worker to lean over or under the longer pipes. |
| US09057220B2 |
Plastic window frame trim for corrugated building walls and installation method
A plastic window frame trim is for installation of a window in a corrugated metal building wall having a cut opening with a top edge, bottom edge, and side edges, each of the edges being backed by framing members. The window frame trim includes: a frame header J-channel with a flange; a frame footer J-channel with a flange; a pair of nailing fins; and fasteners. The trim header J-channel, footer J-channel, and nailing fins are attached to the window frame. The window frame is lifted so frame header J-channel flange slides between the top edge of the metal building wall and a framing member at the top of the cut opening. The window is lowered so footer J-channel flange slides between the bottom edge of the metal building wall and a framing member at the bottom of the cut opening so that window frame rest on the window sill. Fasteners attach the window frame to the framing members through the metal building wall. Trim caps snap over the nailing fins to finish the trimmed window. |
| US09057218B2 |
Blast door
A blast door (12; 14) comprises a panel (12a; 14a) and a frame provided around the perimeter of the panel. The frame comprises a plurality of frame members (12b, 12c, 12d; 14b, 14c, 14d). Each frame member has a cross section that includes a cavity (36, 40) in which the panel perimeter is received. This ensures that the frame encloses a perimeter portion of the panel on either side thereof. Securing means (47) are provided within the cavity of the frame, to secure the panel therein. A method of fabricating the blast door comprises providing the panel and the frame comprising the plurality of frame members, and securing the panel within the frame using securing means located within the cavity of the frame. |
| US09057209B2 |
Low-cost door key with switch sensor indicator to detect dead bolt lock status
A low-cost switch sensor remote dead bolt status indicator includes a switch sensor within a key body of a door key which starts a sensor at a door lock location upon sensing of a dead bolt entering into a locked position. The sensor is provided with a self shut-off feature operating after a fixed duration of minutes length has elapsed. The indicator also includes a receiver in the hand held key, which is capable of receiving signals from the sensor after the user presses an inquiry button on its surface. The hand held key has two indicators for alternately displaying the lock's dead bolt status as being locked or unlocked. |
| US09057205B2 |
Platform assembly for a wind turbine tower
A modular platform assembly for a wind turbine tower includes a core platform sub-assembly having an underlying structural support grid. A plurality of platform extension panels are disposed circumferentially around at least a portion of a perimeter of the core platform sub-assembly. Support extensions are configured on the support grid at a plurality of circumferential positions around the core platform sub-assembly, with the platform extension panels supported by the support extension. The support extensions are mountable to a wall within a wind turbine tower and are variably positional on the support grid so at to vary the effective diameter of the support grid. |
| US09057202B2 |
Tree stand
A cable-securement member secured to a platform includes a longitudinal passage extending through open first and second longitudinal ends and is sized and shaped for allowing the cable to move through the longitudinal passage from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end. The longitudinal passage has a curved portion adjacent the second longitudinal end configured to resiliently bend a cable body of a cable as the cable enters the curved portion. The cable is configured to automatically rebound toward its unloaded state in the curved portion as a stop of the cable moves past the slot and exits the passage through the second longitudinal end so that the cable body exits the curved portion through a longitudinal slot and the stop is engageable with the cable-securement member to releasably lock the cable relative to the cable securement member. |
| US09057200B2 |
Patio, porch or walkway assembly incorporating a plurality of blocks and including any combination of pre-cast and exposed surfaced patterns, interiorly supported heating pads and LED effect lighting
An assembly for creating a three dimensional exterior structure incorporates a plurality of bodies inter-assembled via engaging tongue and groove profiles to create at least one of a multi-tier stepped or extending walkway surface. Each of the bodies further exhibits a hollowed interior to facilitate in-filling of a compactible material in order to weight said bodies during assembly. Either or both of thermal generating elements or effect lighting can be incorporated into one or more of the bodies. The bodies can also include tiered or stackable step blocks, each exhibiting an interior ledge for supporting a thermally conducting insert shelf or pad, additional rectangular assembled blocks providing tongue and groove engagement and supporting the underside of the step blocks. |
| US09057195B2 |
Camming clamp for roof seam
A clamp described herein can secure a solar cell array to a seam of a standing seam metal roof. The clamp has a cam that is rotated by the tightening of a bolt to cause the cam to engage the seam. The clamp also has a receiver for receiving the seam and the rotated cam. By installing the clamp on the seam, the solar cell array can be secured to the standing seam metal roof without drilling into the roof. Because no screws are required to be drilled into the rooftop, the damage to the rooftop is substantially reduced. Also, by reversing the process described above, the clamp can be uninstalled in a similar fashion. |
| US09057189B2 |
Rectractable screen systems and methods for catch basins
Retractable screen systems and methods for catch basins are disclosed. In an example embodiment, a retractable screen apparatus includes a retractable center screen coupled to a retracting spring-loaded tube assembly secured to a portion of the catch basin. Two independently-operating side screens may each be coupled to the retractable center screen. Each side screen may be spring loaded such that each side screen is capable of opening and closing horizontally based on a predetermined fluid flow rate of water flowing into the catch basin. |
| US09057186B1 |
Integrally formed water and space saving lavatory-toilet fixture
This integrally formed water and space saving lavatory-toilet fixture enables hand washing with potable water from an existing toilet, recycles effluent completely, and provides sanitary, seamless, one-piece, full perimeter tank closure. A flexible hose re-directs supply away from the overflow through an interior fixture cavity and top cast opening toward a basin, that drains back into the reservoir as effluent; supplementing the required volume of water to complete one flush cycle. A cast sidewall basin opening is formed allowing potential drainage to flow through an internal hollow cavity directly into the tank reservoir below. The integrally formed fixture also includes a sloped front wall allowing additional hand washing space, vertically aligned space saving side and rear walls, and, an integrally formed perimeter rim conforming to the shape of the toilet tank edging below, providing hygienic, continuous tank containment and secure, detachable mounting. |
| US09057182B1 |
Spatially reactive water system incorporating a non tactile control module
A touchless water control system having at least one sensor capable of determining hand movement from point A to point B in a first direction, from point C to point D in a second direction and from point E to point F in a third direction thereby establishing a spatial field spaced away from a faucet through which a user's hand can be moved to initiate or terminate water flow, water temperature and water pressure. |
| US09057177B2 |
Implement tooth assembly with tip and adapter
A ground engaging tip of a tooth assembly for a base edge of a ground engaging implement, is provided, wherein the tooth assembly includes an adapter configured for attachment to a base edge of the ground engaging implement and having a forwardly extending adapter nose. In various embodiments, the ground engaging tip is configured for digging into work material in diverse earth moving environments. |
| US09057175B2 |
Construction machine with hydraulic circuit
Provided is a construction machine including a first circuit with a boom cylinder, a second circuit with an arm cylinder and a third circuit with a slewing motor, first to third pumps discharging respective first to third pump fluids, a first flow combining valve having a first combining position for the third and first pump fluids and a first combination limiting position, a second flow combining valve having a second combining position for the third and second pump fluids and a first combination and a second combination limiting position, and a flow combination switching control section which switches the flow combining valves to their respective combination limiting positions during an arm attracting operation and switches the combining valves to their respective combination limiting positions during a single slewing operation or during a boom raising operation with no arm operation. |
| US09057174B2 |
Diagnosis system and diagnosis method for construction machine
A construction machine diagnosis system is provided. A diagnosis device 10 acquires diagnostic data from a diagnostic data storage device 30, extracts data characteristics from the information contained in the diagnostic data, acquires from a diagnostic knowledge storage device 20 any diagnosing techniques considered to be effective for the data characteristics, and presents to a user the diagnosing techniques along with respective degrees of effectiveness. The user uses the presented degrees of effectiveness to select a desired diagnosing technique and conduct a diagnosis. In addition, in order to make effective use of the diagnostic knowledge stored within the diagnostic knowledge storage device 20, a diagnostic knowledge generating section 107 classifies common data characteristics by elements of diagnosing techniques and stores the classified data characteristics and the elements of the diagnosing techniques, as new diagnostic knowledge. |
| US09057164B2 |
Area delineator
An area delineating device is disclosed for creating a temporary border or barrier between two or more points. The delineating device has a base, a hollow vertical member, and an exit opening in the vertical member. A series of flaps, preferably rubber, are located on the bottom of the base and facilitate access to the base cavity in which is housed a reel of disposable partitioning material, such as caution tape or police tape. The disposable partitioning material threads up from the base cavity, through the base channel and into the vertical cavity. The disposable partition material then exits the vertical cavity via the exit opening at the top of the delineating device. A series of lineal windows can be present in the vertical member. |
| US09057163B1 |
Pavement repair system
A pavement repair system is provided utilizing solid phase auto regenerative cohesion and homogenization by liquid asphalt oligopolymerization technologies. The system is suitable for use in repairing asphalt pavement, including pavement exhibiting a high degree of deterioration (as manifested in the presence of potholes, cracks, ruts, or the like) as well as pavement that has been subject to previous repair and may comprise a substantial amount of dirt and other debris (e.g., chipped road paint or other damaged or disturbed surfacing materials). A system utilizing homogenization by liquid asphalt oligopolymerization is suitable for rejuvenating or repairing aged asphalt, thereby improving properties of the paving material. |
| US09057158B2 |
Method of making a wiper/towel product with cellulosic microfibers
A method of making a wiper/towel product includes compactively dewatering a nascent web having cellulosic microfibers and an apparently random distribution of fibers. The dewatered web is applied to a transfer surface. The web is belt-creped from the transfer surface utilizing a creping belt. The belt-creping step occurs under pressure in a belt creping nip. The web is dried to form a dried web having a plurality of fiber-enriched hollow domed regions protruding from an upper side of the web. The hollow domed regions have a sidewall of a relatively high local basis weight formed along at least a leading edge thereof. The web also has connecting regions of a relatively lower local basis weight forming a network interconnecting the hollow domed regions, and transition areas provided with upwardly and inwardly inflected consolidated fibrous regions that transition from the connecting regions into the sidewalls of the hollow domed regions. |
| US09057157B2 |
Paper making machine, an extended nip roll and a method of producing tissue paper
The invention relates to an arrangement arranged to introduce a three-dimensional structure in a paper during production of said paper in a paper making machine (1). The arrangement comprises a heat roll (14) arranged to dry a wet paper web and an extended nip roll (12) arranged to form a transfer nip (TN) with said heat roll (14). The extended nip roll (12) is provided with a flexible jacket (17) arranged around the circumferential area of said extended nip roll (12). An external surface of said flexible jacket (17) is provided with a textured portion (15) and when the wet paper web passes the transfer nip between said extended nip roll (12) and said heat roll (14), said textured portion (15) of the external surface of the flexible jacket (17) will impart a three-dimensional texture to the paper web. |
| US09057154B2 |
Textile printing apparatus and textile printing method
A textile printing apparatus includes a liquid remaining amount grasping unit which grasps remaining amounts of respective two or more kinds of liquids, and a control unit which performs control of execution of printings onto a plurality of printed textile materials, the control unit has a control mode for, in advance of starting the execution of printings, specifying any print-executable printing specification from among the printing specifications on the basis of the remaining amounts of the respective liquids and the contents of the respective printing specifications, and then, starting execution of any printing based on the any print-executable printing specification having been specified. |
| US09057150B2 |
Laundry washing appliance with dosing dispenser
A laundry washing appliance (100) includes a cabinet (105) accommodating a laundry washing tub and a dispensing arrangement for dispensing laundry washing treatment products to be used during laundry washing. The dispensing arrangement includes a drawer (125) slidable within a seat (227) provided in the cabinet (105). The drawer (125) defines at least one container (201a, 201b) for laundry washing treatment products. At least one suction pump (265a, 265b, 365a, 365b) is associated with the at least one container (201a, 201b) and is fluidly connected to the laundry washing tub for delivering thereto dosed amounts of the treatment products. Suction pipes (213a, 213b, 331) are connected between the at least one suction pump (265a, 265b, 365a, 365b) and the at least one container (201a, 201b). The at least one suction pump (265a, 265b, 365a, 365b) and the suction pipes (213a, 213b, 331) are arranged so as to enable the suction of the dosed amounts of treatment product from above a surface of the treatment product contained in the container (201a, 201b). |
| US09057149B1 |
Embroidery and method thereof
The present invention discloses an embroidery that includes a backing layer, an element situated at a desired position, and coupled with the backing layer to form an integrated layer, with the integrated layer positioned on a main layer and embroidered. |
| US09057144B2 |
Nanostructured films and related methods
Nanostructured films including a plurality of nanowells, the nanowells having a pore at the top surface of the film, the pore defining a channel that extends downwardly towards the bottom surface of the film are provided. Also provided are methods including exposing a growth substrate to an anodizing bath, applying ultrasonic vibrations to the anodizing bath, and generating a current through the anodizing bath to form the nanostructured film. The nanostructured films may be formed from TiO2 and may be used to provide solid state dye sensitized solar cells having high conversion efficiencies. |
| US09057141B2 |
Immersion tin or tin alloy plating bath with improved removal of cuprous ions
The invention concerns an immersion tin plating bath which comprises at least one aromatic sulfonic acid, at least one first precipitation additive and at least one second precipitation additive. The at least one first precipitation additive is an aliphatic poly-alcohol compound, an ether thereof or a polymer derived thereof having an average molecular weight in the range of 62 g/mol and 600 g/mol. The at least one second precipitation additive is a polyalkylene glycol compound having an average molecular weight in the range of 750 to 10,000 g/mol. |
| US09057140B2 |
Method of manufacturing an electrochromic article
The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing an electrochromic article comprising the following successive steps: (a) the deposition of a layer of an electrochromic compound on the surface of a transparent or translucent electrically conductive substrate, said layer of electrochromic compound covering only one portion of the surface of said electrically conductive substrate and leaving free at least one other portion thereof, (b) the deposition of a redox agent which is a reducing agent or an oxidizing agent for the electrochromic compound, on the portion of the surface of the electrically conductive substrate not covered by the layer of electrochromic compound, (c) the contacting of the layer of electrochromic compound, deposited in step (a), and of the layer of redox agent, deposited in step (b), with a liquid electrolyte for a sufficient time to enable the reduction or the oxidation of the electrochromic compound by the redox agent, and (d) the removal of the electrolyte by rinsing and/or drying. |
| US09057133B2 |
Processing solution for forming hexavalent chromium free, black conversion film on zinc or zinc alloy plating layers, and method for forming hexavalent chromium free, black conversion film on zinc or zinc alloy plating layers
It is an object of the present invention to provide a processing solution used for forming a hexavalent chromium free, black conversion film, which is applied onto the surface of zinc or zinc alloy plating layers, and which has corrosion resistance identical to or higher than that achieved by the conventional hexavalent chromium-containing conversion film. |
| US09057132B2 |
Primer composition
Disclosed herein is a primer composition capable of forming a primer layer excellent in adhesion properties and film-forming properties on the surfaces of various materials that may be bonded with an epoxy-based adhesive. The primer composition includes: an epoxy resin containing at least a bisphenol A-type epoxy resin and a phenol novolac-type epoxy resin; a curing agent being dicyandiamide; a curing catalyst being imidazole; and an inorganic oxide filler containing fumed silica, at least a surface of which is hydrophobic and which has a primary particle diameter of 7 to 40 nm and a specific surface area of 50 to 380 m2/g, in an amount of 0.5 to 3 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the epoxy resins, wherein the primer composition includes no solvent. |
| US09057131B2 |
Separating device for process chambers of vacuum coating installations and vacuum coating installation
A separating device for process chambers arranged one after the other in a vacuum coating installation for coating two-dimensional substrates comprises a separating element which can be fitted between two process chambers transversely in relation to the transporting direction of the substrates. The element comprises a passage for the substrate that is arranged in the region of the transporting plane of the substrate and formed by at least one through-opening provided in the separating element, and includes at least one closure, optionally closing or opening the passage. An intermediate chamber formed by intermediate chamber outer walls is also provided and the separating element is arranged inside the intermediate chamber and the intermediate chamber is subdivided into two intermediate chamber segments. In this configuration, the separating device forms a chamber of its own, arranged between two neighboring process chambers. |
| US09057125B2 |
Canister
A canister includes an accommodation portion for accommodating a liquid material; an outlet pipe that is connected to the accommodation portion so as to discharge a gas material obtained by vaporizing the liquid material; a blocking cover that is connected to an upper surface of the accommodation portion; and a plurality of baffle plates that are disposed in the accommodation portion and are spaced apart from each other. The canister further includes a restrictor including a main body member that is disposed between the plurality of baffle plates and the blocking cover and is connected to an internal surface of the accommodation portion, an extension member extending from the main body member, and a through portion that is formed through the main body member and the extension member. A deposition procedure using the canister is efficiently performed and characteristics of a deposition layer are easily improved. |
| US09057120B2 |
Thermoplastic forming methods for amorphous alloy
Provided herein include methods of molding a parison comprising an amorphous alloy and or an amorphous alloy composites, where the molding takes place within the supercooled liquid region or around the glass transition temperature of the amorphous alloy. In one embodiment, the foπning can be carried out with two fluids at different temperatures. The molded article can have a very high aspect ratio or a three-dimensional hollow shape with a desirable surface finish. |
| US09057118B2 |
Plasma method and apparatus for recovery of precious metals
The present invention relates to a method, and apparatus for the recovery of precious metals. Accordingly, it provides a continuous process for obtaining a precious metal composition from a feedstock material, the process comprising the steps of: (i) heating a feedstock material in a plasma furnace to form an upper slag layer and a lower molten metal layer; (ii) removing the slag layer; (iii) removing the molten metal layer; (iv) allowing the removed molten metal layer to solidify; (v) fragmenting the solidified metal layer to form fragments; and (vi) recovering a precious metal composition from the fragments; wherein the feedstock material comprises a precious metal containing material and a collector metal, said collector metal being a metal or an alloy that is capable of forming a solid solution, an alloy or an intermetallic compound with one or more precious metals. This allows for high recovery yields of precious metals. The apparatus comprises a plasma furnace, a casting table enabling continuous casting of the molten metal pool to form a solidified sheet, a fragmentation device and a separation unit for recovering precious-metal-rich alloy from the sheet fragments. |
| US09057115B2 |
Soft magnetic iron-cobalt-based alloy and process for manufacturing it
A soft magnetic alloy consists essentially of 10 percent by weight≦Co≦22 percent by weight, 0 percent by weight≦V≦4 percent by weight, 1.5 percent by weight≦Cr≦5 percent by weight, 0 percent by weight |
| US09057104B2 |
Antipsychotic treatment based on DRD2 or ANKK1 SNP genotype
The present invention relates to the treatment of an individual with an antipsychotic based on individual's genotype at one or more single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associated with the dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) and/or ankyrin repeat and kinase domain containing 1 (ANKK1) genes. |
| US09057102B2 |
Intermittent detection during analytical reactions
Methods, devices, and systems for performing intermittent detection during analytical reactions are provided. Such methods facilitate collection of reaction data from disparate reaction times. Further, such methods are useful for reducing photo-induced damage of one or more reactants in an illuminated analytical reaction at a given reaction time. In preferred embodiments, the reaction mixture is subjected to at least one illuminated and non-illuminated period and allowed to proceed such that the time in which the reaction mixture is illuminated is less than a photo-induced damage threshold period. |
| US09057101B2 |
Automated nucleic acid processor and automated nucleic acid processing method using multi function dispensing unit
In relation to an automated nucleic acid processor and an automated nucleic acid processing method using a multi function dispensing unit, processing involving extraction and amplification of the nucleic acid, can be consistently, quickly and efficiently conducted at a low cost with the use of a multi function dispensing unit, while saving user's trouble without expanding the scale of the device. The multi function dispensing unit includes: a nozzle head provided with a suction-discharge mechanism and nozzles detachably provided with dispensing tips; a container group having, at the very least housing parts for liquids and reaction containers for housing an amplification solution; a transfer mechanism that makes an interval between the nozzles and the container group relatively movable; a temperature controller whereby temperature control of the interior of the reaction vessels is possible; sealing liquids and/or sealing lids that are transportable to the reaction vessels using the nozzles, and which make the amplification solutions housed in the reaction vessels sealable within the reaction vessels; and a sealing control part that controls the suction-discharge mechanism or the transfer mechanism, such that the sealing liquid and/or the sealing lids seal the amplification solution within the reaction vessels when the housing of the amplification solution in the reaction vessels is completed. |
| US09057100B2 |
Composition comprising array of nucleic acid primer sets
This invention provides novel compositions and processes for analyte detection, quantification and amplification. Nucleic acid arrays and libraries of analytes are usefully incorporated into such compositions and processes. Universal detection elements, signaling entities and the like are employed to detect and if necessary or desirable, to quantify analytes. Amplification of target analytes are also provided by the compositions and processes of this invention. |
| US09057096B2 |
Regulation of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling
A composition and method for detecting the ability of a compound to modulate the activity of LGR4, LGR5, or LGR6 receptors in a cell. LGR4, LGR5, and LGR6 are capable of activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling system which plays essential roles in embryonic development and in the self-renewal and maintenance of adult stem cells. |
| US09057094B1 |
Nanoparticle-mediated methods for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacteria
A method of testing bacterial cells for antimicrobial susceptibility includes preparing a suspension of the bacterial cells in a non-nutrient medium, mixing with the suspension an antimicrobial, a carbohydrate usable by the bacterial cells, metallic nanoparticles, and a lectin, and incubating the mixture while monitoring a parameter of the nanoparticles responsive to use of the carbohydrate by the bacterial cells. More broadly stated, the invention includes a method of testing an agent for its effect on cell metabolism by preparing a suspension of cells in a non-nutrient medium, mixing the suspension with the agent, adding a carbohydrate usable by the cells, metallic nanoparticles, and a lectin with binding specificity for the added carbohydrate, and monitoring a nanoparticle parameter responsive to the cells. |
| US09057086B2 |
Compositions comprising a polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity and a bicycle compound and uses thereof
The present invention relates to compositions comprising: a polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity and a bicyclic compound. The present invention also relates to methods of using the compositions. |
| US09057085B2 |
Lov-D acyltransferase mediated acylation
Methods for the improved acylation of chemical substrates using LovD acyltransferases, thioesters having acyl groups, and (i) thiol scavengers and/or (ii) precipitating agents are presented. An improved method for the production of simvastatin using (i) activated charcoal as a thiol scavenger and/or (ii) ammonium hydroxide as a precipitating agent is also presented. |
| US09057083B2 |
Fungal Δ-12 desaturase and Δ-15 desaturase motifs
The present invention relates to fungal Δ12 desaturases (responsible for conversion of oleic acid to linoleic acid (18:2, LA)) and Δ15 fatty acid desaturases (responsible for conversion of LA to α-linolenic acid (18:3, ALA)). Amino acid motifs diagnostic of Δ12 desaturases and Δ15 desaturases are also provided. Methods of altering enzyme specificity towards Δ12 desaturation or towards Δ15 desaturation and/or increasing production of specific ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids by over-expression of the fungal desaturases are also described. |
| US09057072B2 |
Banana promoters
This invention provides promoter sequences that are useful for modulating transcription of a desired polynucleotide and/or in the construction of recombinant genes for plant transformation to enable expression of foreign or endogenous coding sequences in plants. The promoters are functional in a both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plant species and are active in a wide range of vegetative or generative plant organs. The invention also provides a polynucleotide construct comprising a promoter of the invention operably linked to a foreign or endogenous polynucleotide encoding a protein of interest or a transcript capable of modulating expression of a target gene. The invention is further concerned with transformed plant cells, as well as differentiated plants, plant parts, plant tissues or plant seeds containing the construct. |
| US09057071B2 |
Recombinant microorganisms and methods of use thereof
The invention relates to methods for the production of chemical compounds, particularly but not exclusively ethanol, by microbial fermentation. Also described are genetically modified micro-organisms capable of using carbon monoxide to produce one or more products, particularly but not exclusively ethanol as a main product, and producing a reduced amount or substantially no 2,3-butanediol and/or a precursor thereof. |
| US09057066B2 |
Compositions and their uses directed to huntingtin
Disclosed herein are compounds, compositions and methods for modulating the expression of huntingtin in a cell, tissue or animal. Further provided are methods of slowing or preventing Huntington's disease progression using an antisense compound targeted to huntingtin. Additionally provided are methods of delaying or preventing the onset of Huntingtin's disease in an individual susceptible to Huntingtin's Disease. Also provided are uses of disclosed compounds and compositions in the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of diseases and disorders. |
| US09057063B2 |
Genetically modified biological cells
The present invention is based, in part, on our discovery of a way to configure expression cassettes so that the expression of a selectable marker protein, which is critical for the growth or survival of a cell, also results in the expression of a protein of interest in a biological cell. Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention features a genetically modified cell (e.g., a bacterial cell) that includes a chromosomally integrated or cytoplasmic expression cassette that includes a first nucleic acid sequence encoding a protein of interest and a second nucleic acid sequence encoding a selectable marker protein. The regulatory sequence (e.g., the sequence encoding a functional promoter) that drives expression of the required selectable marker protein also drives expression of the protein of interest. For that reason, we may refer to their expression as being “linked” or “functionally couple.” |
| US09057058B2 |
Process for the preparation of talc based formulation for LDPE-degrading bacterial consortia
This invention is a process for the preparation of talc based formulation for LDPE-degrading bacterial consortia. The process comprises preparing an active consortium. The active consortium is divided into four parts in centrifuge tubes. The tubes are spun at 5000 rpm. A supernatant is decanted from the tubes. The tubes are vortexed. Talc is added to each tube. The tubes with talc are again vortexed for some time to produce a homogeneous mixture. The mixture is poured into glass dishes. The dishes are kept at room temperature as aseptically for drying. |
| US09057055B2 |
Method of obtaining circulating cancer cell populations
It is herewith provided methods of obtaining circulating cancer cells (CCCs)-enriched cellular populations based on the removal of CD45-positive cells from an apheresis product. It is also provided methods of obtaining circulating stem cells (CSCs)-enriched cellular population from a CCCs-enriched cellular population based on a selection either using the specific cellular markers or through culture. It is further provided methods of obtaining circulating tumor cells (CTCs)-enriched cellular population from a CCCs-enriched cellular population based on a selection using the specific cellular markers. It is also provided screening assays for the selection of (chemo)therapeutic agent as well as personalized medicine application based on drug sensitivity/resistance or cancer markers. |
| US09057054B2 |
Antigen-specific long-term memory T-cells
The present invention provides compositions, methods, and systems for generating antigen-specific long-term memory T-cells using mTOR pathway inhibitors. The present invention provides compositions, systems, and methods for administering antigen-specific long-term memory T-cells to a subject (e.g., to a subject with cancer in adoptive transfer type of procedures). |
| US09057047B2 |
Device for cell culture
A device for cell culture includes a container body, which has an internal compartment to contain a quantity of cells to be cultured and a culture surface for the cells placed in the internal compartment; an introduction opening for introducing the cells to be cultured in the internal compartment; the container body having a first half shell and a second half shell, which can be fixed in mutually facing relation by a removable fixing system and which together define the internal compartment and the culture surface; and at least one out feed opening for a transport and/or culture fluid for the cells. |
| US09057046B2 |
Cassette containing growth medium
The invention features devices for capturing and culturing cells (e.g., microorganisms, cells containing microorganisms, or cells from eukaryotic cell cultures) and methods of using these devices. One device is a cassette containing growth media that may be employed in an automated rapid enumeration system. The cassette has, for example, been enhanced with features for controlling surface flatness, optical imaging, controlled dehydration of semi solid nutrient media, controlled air and particle exchange, and automated handling. Another device of the invention is a filtration funnel that may used to concentrate cells in a sample onto a membrane. |
| US09057044B2 |
Laminar flow reactor
The present invention describes a laminar flow bioreactor with improved laminar flow lines of fluids. The bioreactor housing defines a chamber adapted to receive a scaffold. An inlet aperture at one end of the chamber is in fluid communication with an outlet aperture at the opposite end of the chamber. A bypass mechanism selectively operable from an open position to a closed position consisting of an iris assembly directs a portion of fluid flowing through the chamber around the scaffold-receiving area. This bioreactor is inserted in a bioreactor system. |
| US09057038B2 |
Corrosion inhibiting polyalkylene glycol-based lubricant compositions
Lubricant compositions including a random or block copolymer first high-EO content polyalkylene glycol, a random copolymer second polyalkylene glycol based on propylene oxide and butylene oxide or a second polyalkylene homopolymer having propylene oxide or butylenes oxide units and at least one corrosion inhibitor selected from the group of sarcosines, amine phosphates, and calcium dinonylnaphthalenesulfonate/carboxylates are provided. Lubricant compositions for extreme conditions are also provided. |
| US09057037B2 |
Post torrefaction biomass pelletization
A process for torrefaction of biomass is provided in which biomass are passed into a fluidized bed or a non-fluidized bed reactor and heated to a predetermined temperature in an oxidizing environment. The dried biomass is then fed to a cooler where the temperature of the product is reduced to approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit. |
| US09057036B2 |
Process for generating a synthetic natural gas
A process for reducing the thiophene content in a synthesis gas mixture, comprises the steps of (i) passing a synthesis gas mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon oxides and containing thiophene over a copper-containing sorbent disposed in a sorbent vessel at an inlet temperature in the range 200-280° C., (ii) withdrawing a thiophene depleted synthesis gas containing methanol from the sorbent vessel, and (iii) adjusting the temperature of the methanol-containing thiophene-depleted synthesis gas mixture. The resulting gas mixture may be used for production of chemicals, e.g. methanol production or for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of liquid hydrocarbons, for hydrogen production by using water gas shift, or for the production of synthetic natural gas. |
| US09057030B2 |
System and method for protecting gasifier quench ring
A system includes a gasifier, which includes a reaction chamber configured to convert a feedstock into a synthetic gas, a quench chamber configured to cool the synthetic gas, a quench ring configured to provide a water flow to the quench chamber, and a quench ring protection system configured to protect the quench ring from the synthetic gas or a molten slag. The quench ring protection system includes a protective barrier disposed within an inner circumferential surface of the quench ring. The protective barrier substantially overlaps the inner circumferential surface in an axial direction along an axis of the quench ring. |
| US09057027B2 |
Process for cracking synthetic crude oil-containing feedstock
A process for steam cracking liquid hydrocarbon feedstocks containing synthetic crude oil comprises i) hydroprocessing a wide boiling range aliquot containing a) normally liquid hydrocarbon portion substantially free of resids and b) thermally cracked hydrocarbon liquid, boiling in a range from about 600° to about 1050° F., to provide a synthetic crude oil substantially free of resids; ii) adding to the synthetic crude oil a normally liquid hydrocarbon component boiling in a range from about 100° to about 1050° F.; and iii) cracking the mixture resulting from ii) in a cracker furnace comprising a radiant coil outlet to provide a cracked effluent, wherein the cracking is carried out under conditions sufficient to effect a radiant coil outlet temperature which is greater than the optimum radiant coil outlet temperature for cracking the synthetic crude oil separately. A method for upgrading synthetic crude for use in cracking is also provided, as well as a feedstock for cracking. |
| US09057019B2 |
Liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal composition is described, which has a nematic phase, contains a specific compound having a high maximum temperature or a large dielectric anisotropy as a first component and a specific compound having a large dielectric anisotropy as a second component, and may also contain a specific compound having a high maximum temperature or a small viscosity as a third component and a specific compound having a high maximum temperature or a large dielectric anisotropy as a fourth component. An active-matrix (AM) liquid crystal display device including the liquid crystal composition is also described. |
| US09057018B2 |
Polymerizable liquid crystal compound, polymerizable liquid crystal composition, and polymer thereof
A compound represented by the formula (1) is provided. A polymerizable liquid crystal composition containing the compound can be controlled in birefringence and is excellent in stability of a liquid crystal phase. An anisotropic polymer excellent in uniformity of alignment is obtained by coating and polymerizing the composition on a supporting substrate. In the formula (1), at least one of Ra represents a polymerizable group, A represents a ring group, Y and Z each represent a single bond or alkylene; in which —CH2— in the alkylene may be replaced by another group, and m and n each represent an integer of from 0 to 5. |
| US09057017B2 |
Liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal composition exhibiting a blue phase, which enables higher contrast, and a liquid crystal display device including the liquid crystal composition. The liquid crystal composition contains a chiral agent and liquid crystal containing a compound having three electron-withdrawing groups as end groups of a structure where a plurality of rings including at least one aromatic ring is linked to each other directly or with a linking group laid therebetween. At least one of the three electron-withdrawing groups includes a trifluoromethyl group. The peak of the diffracted wavelength on the longest wavelength side in the reflectance spectrum of the liquid crystal composition is less than or equal to 450 nm, preferably less than or equal to 420 nm. Furthermore, a liquid crystal display device can be provided with the use of the liquid crystal composition. |
| US09057015B2 |
Fluorescent dyes for paper dyeing
The present invention relates to an aqueous preparation comprising a fluorescent dyestuff of a specific formula, water, and optionally a dispersing agent, and the use of the aqueous preparation for dyeing cellulose- or polyamide-containing materials. |
| US09057012B2 |
Method of contacting hydrocarbon-bearing formations with fluorinated phosphate and phosphonate compositions
Method comprising contacting a hydrocarbon-bearing formation with a composition comprising solvent and a fluoropolyether compound. The fluoropolyether compound: is represented by formula Rf—[C(0)-NR1—X′—(Z)m]n; or comprises at least one first divalent unit represented by formula (I) and, at least one of, a second divalent unit comprising a pendant Z group; or a monovalent unit comprising a thioether linkage and at least one terminal Z group. Each Rf is independently a fluoropolyether group. Rf is a monovalent or divalent fluoropolyether group, and each Z group is independently —P(O)(OY)2 or —O—P(O)(OY)2. Hydrocarbon-bearing formations treated according to this method are also disclosed. |
| US09057011B2 |
Organoclay materials for environmentally sensitive regions
Fluids comprising oil; and an organophilic clay comprising a smectite clay modified by reaction with a protonated amphoteric surfactant. The smectite clay may be montmorillonite, beidellite, nontronite, or a combination thereof. The protonated amphoteric surfactant may be cetyl/myristyl amine oxide, a stearyl amine oxide, a stearyl betaine, or a combination thereof. In some cases, the fluid may also include water and/or a solid reactive metal. |
| US09057009B2 |
Methods of using fluid loss additives comprising micro gels
Methods and fluids are provided that include, but are not limited to, a drilling fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and a fluid loss control additive that comprises at least one polymeric micro gel and a method comprising: providing an aqueous based treatment fluid comprising a fluid loss control additive that comprises at least one polymeric micro gel; placing the aqueous based treatment fluid in a subterranean formation via a well bore penetrating the subterranean formation; allowing the fluid loss control additive to become incorporated into a filter cake located on a surface within the subterranean formation; allowing the filter cake to be degraded; and producing hydrocarbons from the formation. Additional methods are also provided. |
| US09057007B2 |
Starch-based adhesives
Disclosed are starch-based cross-linked phenolic heteropolymer compositions and methods of synthesizing starch-based cross-linked phenolic heteropolymer compositions as well as their use as adhesives or adhesive additives. |
| US09057002B2 |
Curable resin compositions
A curable epoxy resin composition including (a) at least one epoxy resin; and (b) at least one hardener; wherein the curable epoxy resin composition has at least two exotherm peaks representing at least two distinct chemical reactions and wherein the exothermic peak difference of the two exotherm peaks is sufficient to allow the curable epoxy resin composition of being B-staged. |
| US09057001B2 |
Transparent non-stick coating composition, method and apparatus
A coating and method of making, using, and applying the coating to protect structures from scratches and/or the undesired collection of slag and/or spatter associated with metal working processes. The coating includes a base layer and a top layer that, when applied, mitigate adhesion of weld slag to the underlying structure. The coating is also transparent such that it does not interfere with the functionality of any indicia associated with the underlying structure or device and also renders the coating suitable for use with photo-reactive or responsive sensors and/or other non-opaque structures—such as goggles, facemasks, and/or shields. |
| US09056999B2 |
Ultraviolet-curable aqueous ink, ink cartridge, recording apparatus and recording method
There is provided an ultraviolet-curable aqueous ink containing: an ultraviolet polymerizable compound; a water-insoluble thioxanthone compound having an absorption at a wavelength range of 375 nm or more and 450 nm or less, a water-insoluble tertiary amine compound, water, and a water-soluble organic solvent at least including a solvent (A) that dissolves the thioxanthone compound and the tertiary amine compound. |
| US09056998B2 |
Crystalline compounds for phase change inks
Novel crystalline compounds with at least two aromatic moieties for use in the phase change inks. The crystalline compound is derived from bio-renewable materials and can be used in phase change ink compositions to impart desirable ink properties. For example, the crystalline compounds provide phase change ink compositions suitable for ink jet printing, including robust printing on coated paper substrates. |
| US09056996B2 |
Ink-jet recording ink set, recording head, ink-jet recording apparatus, and ink-jet recording method
An ink-jet recording ink set includes: an ink (I) containing a dye D1, a compound C1 represented by the following formula and having a U+V of S1, and water; and an ink (II) containing a dye D2, a compound C2 represented by the following formula and having a U+V of S2, and water in which in case that a surface tension γL1 (mN/m) of an evaluation liquid L1 obtained by adding, to a 5 mass % aqueous solution of the dye D1, a compound C3 in an amount corresponding to 1 mass % of the aqueous solution, and a surface tension γL2 (mN/m) of an evaluation liquid L2 obtained by adding, to a 5 mass % aqueous solution of the dye D2, the compound C3 in an amount corresponding to 1 mass % of the aqueous solution satisfy a relationship of γL1−γL2≧10 (mN/m), the S1 and the S2 satisfy a relationship of 2≦S2−S1≦7. |
| US09056991B2 |
Polymeric pigment systems and methods
A composition useful as an inkjet ink is described as well as methods of making the composition. The composition includes a pigment and a polymer and the polymer may include a polyurethane. The composition exhibits properties that make it useful in thermal and piezo inkjet applications. |
| US09056988B2 |
Solar reflective coatings and coating systems
Disclosed are infrared reflective coating compositions and cured coatings deposited on a substrate, as well as multi-component composite coating systems. The coating compositions include an infrared transparent pigment and an infrared reflective pigment. |
| US09056987B2 |
Super hydrophobic coating
A super hydrophobic coating composition that is a highly durable super hydrophobic transparent coating for glass, metal, and plastic, and automobile painted surfaces that is manually dispensable and may be easily applied to many substrates is provided. Moreover, the inventive super hydrophobic coating is user friendly as coating takes place at room temperature, and can be applied by a normal hand spray method. Embodiments of the coating dry within 30 minutes, and generate a super hydrophobic effect for ready use. The coating is useful to repel water droplets, dew drops, and dust particles in various applications such as solar panels, wind turbines surfaces, house hold components, metal coated furniture, marine equipment parts, marine sports equipment like speed boat screens, automobile wind shields, automobile plastic components, auto bodies and aerospace applications. |
| US09056986B2 |
Ultraviolet curable type ink-jet ink composition, recording method and recording apparatus using same
Provided is a UV curable type ink-jet ink composition containing a monomer A which is expressed by the following general formula (I): CH2═CR1—COOR2—O—CH═CH—R3 (I) (in the formula, R1 is a hydrogen atom or methyl radical, R2 is a bivalent organic residue radical having a carbon number in a range of 2 to 20, and R3 is a hydrogen atom or a univalent organic residue radical having a carbon number in a range of 1 to 11), a compound B containing five or more (meth)acryloyl radicals per molecule, and a monofunctional (meth)acrylate C having an aromatic ring skeleton, wherein the monofunctional (meth)acrylate C which is in a range of 5 to 35 wt % with respect to the total weight of the ink composition is contained, wherein the compound B is in a range of 5 to 40 wt % with respect to the total weight of the ink composition, wherein the monomer A is in a range of 10 to 70 wt % with respect to the total weight of the ink composition. |
| US09056985B2 |
Curable composition
Provided are a curable composition and its use. The curable composition may provide a cured product having excellent processability, workability, and adhesive property, and having no whitening and surface stickiness. The curable composition has excellent thermal resistance and crack resistance, and low gas permeability, and thus provides a device having excellent initial performance when being applied to a semiconductor device and maintaining stable performance when being used at a high temperature for a long time. |
| US09056983B2 |
Dynamic load-absorbing materials and articles
A compound for protection of an object from a blast or shock wave. The compound include a matrix material and at least a first and second sets of inclusions in the matrix material that differ in size, quantity, shape and/or composition in a direction through the impact-absorbing material, the combination of which contributes to the ability of the material to exhibit at least one property that changes as the inclusions are deformed in response to a blast or shock wave. |
| US09056981B2 |
Polyamide resin composition with good reflectance, impact strength, heat resistance, and water resistance and method of preparing the same
The present invention provides a polyamide resin composition comprising (A) about 100 parts by weight of polyamide resin; (B) about 0.1 to about 50 parts by weight of titanium dioxide; and (C) about 1 to about 20 parts by weight of modified polyolefin, wherein the (C) modified polyolefin is prepared by grafting a monomer that is partially miscible with the polyamide resin into the main chain of the polyolefin. |
| US09056978B2 |
Non-halogen flame retardant and high rigidity polycarbonate resin composition
A non-halogen flame retardant and high rigidity polycarbonate resin composition is disclosed. The non-halogen flame retardant and high rigidity polycarbonate resin composition has excellent flame retardancy and rigidity by overcoming a conventional problem such as poor rigidity occurred, upon adding a flame retardant agent in polycarbonate resin composition reinforced with a glass fiber having improved rigidity such as flexibility and surface smoothness etc., imposed by the use of the glass fiber.The polycarbonate resin composition has excellent fluidity, appearance surface quality and flexibility, together with high impact resistance and toughness, and also flame retardancy. |
| US09056977B2 |
Stabilised polycarbonate compositions with blends of silica and an inorganic acid
The present invention relates to polycarbonate compositions having improved processing stability, increased heat stability and a good natural color, and to their preparation and use, wherein the polycarbonate compositions contain an adsorber or absorber and an acid.The present invention relates further to a compounding process for the preparation of heat stabilized polycarbonate compositions containing constituents having a basic action, using acids applied to an adsorber or absorber.The present invention relates further to the use of Brönsted acids applied to an adsorber or absorber for the heat stabilization of polymer mixtures, containing basic impurities, containing at least one polymer prepared by polycondensation, during compounding and thermal shaping. |
| US09056971B2 |
Rubber-plastic alloy for warm mix asphalt mixture and method for manufacturing the same
A rubber-plastic alloy for a warm mix asphalt mixture and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The rubber-plastic alloy consists of plastic, crumb rubber, cracked wax and rubber oil. The manufacturing method includes extruding the plastic, the crumb rubber, the cracked wax, and the rubber oil at suitable ratio via a single screw extruder, and pelleting via a water-cooled die-face cutter. The rubber-plastic alloy is mixed with a hot mineral material in an asphalt mixture mixer, and then liquid asphalt matrix is pumped into the mixer via an asphalt pump to provide a warm mix rubber-plastic modified asphalt mixture. The rubber-plastic alloy is applied for modifying an asphalt mixture to an effect equivalent to that achieved by a wet method. |
| US09056969B2 |
Composition containing microfibrillated plant fibers
This invention provides a polyolefin-based molded article containing microfibrillated plant fibers having high strength and high elastic modulus. Specifically, the present invention provides a composition comprising (1) a polymeric compound having a primary amino group, (2) a polymeric compound modified with maleic anhydride, (3) microfibrillated plant fibers, and (4) a polyolefin; and a molded article obtained by subjecting the composition to heat treatment. |
| US09056965B2 |
Process for mixing polyvinyl chloride with a bio-based plasticizer
Processes for making a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) dry blend composition with a phthalate-free, bio-based plasticizer and filler, having a bulk density of greater than 0.67 g/cc and an extrusion rate of greater than 65 gm/minute for a single screw extruder of 0.75 in barrel diameter with a 25:1 L:D general purpose polyethylene screw at 75 rotations per minute screw speed, and compositions made by the processes are provided. |
| US09056963B2 |
Low residual bisphenol A alkoxylated materials, their preparation and use thereof
This invention relates to alkoxylated Bisphenol A compositions containing low residual amounts of Bisphenol A. The present invention also relates to methods for making such alkoxylated compositions containing low residual amounts of Bisphenol A, as well as uses for such compositions. The alkoxylated compositions containing low residual amounts of Bisphenol A may be utilized in packaging applications (such as indirect and/or direct food contact packaging), printing inks, container linings, and the like. |
| US09056960B2 |
Use of nanoporous polymer foams as heat-insulating materials
A method of thermally insulating a transport means or an industrial or plant construction comprises obtaining a nanoporous foam (NP1) by reacting epoxy resin(s) (E) with amphiphilic epoxy resin hardener(s) (H) in water by a phase inversion polymerization wherein the binder content during polymerization is from 15% to 39.9% by weight, and installing the nanoporous polymer foam as a thermal insulation material in transport means or in an industrial or plant construction. |
| US09056955B2 |
Resin particle comprising microparticle made of a crystalline resin, and method for producing the same
A resin particle having a sufficiently narrow particle size distribution obtainable by using a supercritical fluid, and a production method for obtaining a resin particle having a sufficiently narrow particle size distribution by using a supercritical fluid are provided. The present invention provides a resin particle (C) having a microparticle (A) fixed to or formed as a film on a surface of a resin particle (B) containing a resin (b), wherein the degree of swelling of the microparticle (A) by liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide (X) at a temperature lower than the glass transition temperature or the melting point of the microparticle (A) is 16% or less, and the microparticle (A) is at least one kind selected from the group consisting of a crystalline resin (a1), a noncrystalline resin (a2), and an inorganic compound (a3). |
| US09056954B2 |
Cathodic electrocoating compositions
Disclosed herein are functionalized polymers comprising ethylene and substituted ethylene segments, which have been crosslinked using a multifunctional thiol to enhance their crosslinking ability. These functionalized polymers are useful as film forming resins in cathodic electrocoating compositions. Also disclosed herein are aqueous dispersion compositions comprising the functionalized polymers and a process for coating various electrically conductive substrates. |
| US09056952B2 |
Composite materials comprising an open-cell polymer matrix and granules embedded therein
Composite materials are provided that include an open-cell polymer foam matrix including one or more polymers and, embedded into the polymer foam matrix, granules or shapes which have an open porosity. |
| US09056951B2 |
Ultrastrong and stiff layered polymer nanocomposites and hierarchical laminate materials thereof
A stiff layered polymer nanocomposite comprising a substrate adapted to receive a plurality of alternating layers of a first material and a second material; wherein the first material and second material are a polyelectrolyte, an organic polymer or an inorganic colloid and said first material and said second material have a chemical affinity for each other, said plurality of layers crosslinked using a chemical or physical crosslinking agent. Thin films that are consolidated and optionally crosslinked can be manufactured into hierarchical laminates with rigid and stress resistant properties. |
| US09056950B2 |
Composite polymeric articles formed from extruded sheets containing a liquid crystal polymer
A process for forming shaped three-dimensional products is described made from a composition containing at least one filler and an aromatic liquid crystal polymer. In one embodiment, the process includes forming a substrate such as a film, a sheet or a tube, through an extrusion process. Once the substrate is formed, the substrate is then heated and fed to a shaping process. The shaping process may comprise a thermal forming process or a blow molding process. In order to form the three-dimensional products, the aromatic liquid crystal polymer has a high heat of crystallization, a high melt temperature and/or a high melt viscosity. |
| US09056949B2 |
Michael addition curing chemistries for sulfur-containing polymer compositions employing bis(sulfonyl)alkanols
Michael addition curing chemistries in compositions comprising sulfur-containing polymers such as polythioethers and polysulfides are useful in aerospace sealant applications. Compositions employing Michael addition curing chemistries include sulfur-containing adducts comprising terminal Michael acceptor groups. In particular, the sulfur-containing adducts include terminal 1-(ethylenesulfonyl)-n-(vinylsulfonyl)alkanol groups. |
| US09056947B2 |
PHA compositions comprising PBS and PBSA and methods for their production
Compositions of PHAs with PBS and/or PBSA are described and methods of making the same. |
| US09056945B2 |
Process for organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization
The present invention relates to a process for organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization of at least one monomer M suitable for ring-opening polymerization, or of mixtures thereof, wherein, in a step (i), at least one N-heterocyclic compound is subjected in the presence of at least one Zerevitinov-active compound Z1 to a temperature of at least 80° C. for a period of at least 30 seconds and, in a step (ii), the monomer M is added and reacted. |
| US09056944B2 |
Ductile polymer binders and battery components using the same
The present invention is directed at a binder for a battery electrode comprising an ethylene oxide-containing copolymer including a first monomer of ethylene oxide (EO) and at least one additional monomer selected from an alkylene-oxide that is different from the first monomer of EO, an alkyl glycidyl ether, or a combination thereof; wherein the ethylene oxide-containing copolymer has a weight average molecular weight less than about 200,000 g/mole (e.g., from about 10,000 to about 100,000), the molar fraction of the first monomer of EO (XEo) in the ethylene oxide-containing copolymer is greater than 0.80 (e.g., from about 0.80 to about 0.995), and the ethylene oxide-containing copolymer has a peak melting temperature (Tp), in ° C., for a selected XEO in the range of about 0.80 to about 0.995, which is below a maximum value of Tpmax, at the selected XEO, which is calculated using the equation Tpmax=(60−150 (1−XEO)). |
| US09056942B2 |
Curable resin compositions
A solvent-free curable epoxy resin composition including (a) at least one divinylarene dioxide; and (b) at least one hardener; wherein the solvent-free curable epoxy resin composition is substantially free of solvent and has at least two exotherm peaks and wherein the exothermic peak difference of the two exotherm peaks is sufficient to allow the curable solvent-free epoxy resin composition of being B-staged. |
| US09056941B2 |
Photocurable resin composition and optical component using the same
The present invention relates to a photocurable resin composition including the following ingredients (A), (B) and (C): (A) a linear chain epoxy resin represented by the following general formula (1), in which m indicates an integer of from 2 to 10, and R1 and R2 each represent a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom; (B) an alicyclic epoxy resin having at least two epoxy groups in one molecule thereof; and (C) a phosphorus fluoride-based photopolymerization initiator. |
| US09056940B2 |
Aliphatic polyester polyols from cyclohexane oxidation byproduct streams as precursors for polyurethane and polyisocyanurate polymers
The invention provides polyester polyol compositions and resin blends, useful as components of polyurethane and polyisocyanurate polymers, produced from cyclohexane oxidation reaction byproducts, such as water extracts and non-volatile distillation residues from the reaction. Such byproducts of industrial processes for preparation of adipic acid and caprolactam, important intermediates in the production of various types of nylon, have hitherto largely been used only as fuels. The present invention provides value-added products, methods for making, and methods for using the byproduct-derived polyester polyol compositions. For example, the invention provides polyurethane (PU) and/or polyisocyanurate (PIR) polymers made using the polyol compositions and polyfunctional isocyanates. The PU and PIR polymers can be used as adhesives, binders (e.g., for wood fibers), coatings (e.g., for controlled release fertilizers), and foams. |
| US09056935B2 |
Photocurable resin composition, method of fabricating optical film using the same, and optical film including the same
A photocurable resin composition includes an ester (meth)acrylate, an antistatic agent, a silicone additive, an initiator, and at least one UV-curable unsaturated compound. The at least one UV-curable unsaturated compound may include a monofunctional or multifunctional UV-curable monomer, and a (meth)acrylate containing about 10 mol % or more of an ethylene oxide group. |
| US09056934B2 |
Nanohybrid polymers for ophthalmic applications
The present invention relates to novel materials particularly useful for ophthalmic applications and methods for making and using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to relatively soft, optically transparent, foldable, high refractive index materials particularly suited for use in the production of intraocular lenses, contact lenses, and other ocular implants and to methods for manufacturing and using the same. |
| US09056932B2 |
Hydroxy polyalkylene glycol function (meth) acrylic comb polymers, their use as shear-thinning agents in coating dispersions and dispersions containing them
Comb polymers useful in paper coating dispersions. |
| US09056929B2 |
Catalyst for the polymerization of olefins
The present invention relates to catalysts systems for the polymerization of olefins CH2═CHR, wherein R is an alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl radical having 1-12 carbon atoms, comprising (A) a solid catalyst component comprising Ti, Mg, and halogen (B) an aluminum alkyl compound and (C) a brominated cyclic hydrocarbon. Said catalyst systems have improved polymerization activity. |
| US09056924B2 |
Mutations in the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase associated with resistance to STI-571
The invention described herein relates to novel genes and their encoded proteins, termed Mutants Associated with Resistance to STI-571 (e.g., T315I Bcr-Abl), and to diagnostic and therapeutic methods and compositions useful in the management of various cancers that express MARS. The invention further provides methods for identifying molecules that bind to and/or modulate the functional activity of MARS. |
| US09056922B2 |
Chimeric relaxin polypeptides comprising an A and B chain derived from different relaxin family peptides
Provided herein are modified relaxin polypeptides wherein the B chain comprises the core amino acid sequence CGR-XXX-R-XX-I/V-XX-CG (SEQ ID NO:1), where X is any amino acid. Also provided are modified relaxin polypeptides comprising at least an A and a B chain, wherein the A and B chains are derived from different naturally occurring relaxins and wherein the B chain comprises the core amino acid sequence CGR-XXX-R-XX-I/V-XX-CG (SEQ ID NO:1), where X is any amino acid. |
| US09056921B2 |
Method for making mature insulin polypeptides
The invention is related to a method for making human insulin analogs by culturing an fungi cell comprising a DNA vector encoding a precursor for human insulin analog, wherein the said precursor comprises a connecting peptide flanked with cleavage sites at both junctions with the A- and the B-chain of the insulin peptide, respectively said cleavage sites being cleaved within the fungi cell allowing the cell to secrete high amount of correctly processed, mature two chain human insulin analog to the culture media. |
| US09056919B2 |
USP2a peptides and antibodies
The invention relates to novel USP2a peptides and antibodies, as well as nucleic acids related to them. The peptides, antibodies and the nucleic acids are useful for the detection, staging and monitoring of the progression of cancer, as well as for determining or monitoring the efficacy of treatment. |
| US09056918B2 |
Prion epitopes and methods of use thereof
Prion peptides comprising prion epitopes and fusions thereof, that display enhanced immunogenicity are described. Also described are methods of treating and diagnosing prion disease. |
| US09056913B2 |
Method for preventing or treating M tuberculosis infection
The present invention is directed to methods of preventing reactivation of active and latent M. tuberculosis infections by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a nucleic acid encoding a Mtb72f fusion protein, or a Mtb72f fusion protein or an immunogenic fragment thereof, for example together with an adjuvant. The Mtb72f nucleic acid or fusion protein can be administered with one or more chemotherapeutic agents effective against a M. tuberculosis infection. The methods also provide for shortening the time course of a chemotherapeutic regimen against a M. tuberculosis infection. |
| US09056912B2 |
Immunogenic compositions for Streptococcus pyogenes
The invention includes a GAS antigen, GAS 40, which is particularly suitable for use either alone or in combinations with additional GAS antigens, such as GAS 117, GAS 130, GAS 277, GAS 236, GAS 40, GAS 389, GAS 504, GAS 509, GAS 366, GAS 159, GAS 217, GAS 309, GAS 372, GAS 039, GAS 042, GAS 058, GAS 290, GAS 511, GAS 533, GAS 527, GAS 294, GAS 253, GAS 529, GAS 045, GAS 095, GAS 193, GAS 137, GAS 084, GAS 384, GAS 202, and GAS 057. |
| US09056911B2 |
Antibody against carcinoembryonic antigen and uses thereof
The invention discloses a humanized chimeric monoclonal antibody against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), polynucleotides encoding the antibody, expression vectors comprising the polynucleotides, and host cells containing the expression vectors. The invention also discloses uses of the antibody, polynucleotides, vectors and host cells for manufacturing medicaments for diagnosis and/or treatment of tumors. |
| US09056910B2 |
Anti-PMEL17 antibodies and immunoconjugates
The invention provides anti-PMEL17 antibodies and immunoconjugates and methods of using the same. |
| US09056907B2 |
Human domain antibodies against components of the human insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system
The invention provides antibodies or antibody fragments that bind to insulin-like growth factor (IGF) 1 receptor (IGF-1R) or IGF-2, as well as method of using the antibodies for inhibiting the IGF-mediated signaling pathway, inhibiting IGF-1R signaling, and treating cancer. The invention also provides a method of detecting the presence of IGF-1R or IGF-2 in a sample using the inventive antibodies and antibody fragments. |
| US09056906B2 |
Methods for the treatment of autoimmune disorders using immunosuppressive monoclonal antibodies with reduced toxicity
The present invention provides methods of treating, preventing, slowing the progression of, or ameliorating the symptoms of T cell mediated immunological diseases, particularly autoimmune diseases (e.g., autoimmune diabetes (i.e. type 1 diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)) and multiple sclerosis) through the use of anti-human CD3 antibodies. The antibodies of the invention of the invention are preferably used in low dose dosing regimens, chronic dosing regimens or regimens that involve redosing after a certain period of time. The methods of the invention provide for administration of antibodies that specifically bind the epsilon subunit within the human CD3 complex. Such antibodies modulate the T cell receptor/alloantigen interaction and, thus, regulate the T cell mediated cytotoxicity associated with autoimmune disorders. Additionally, the methods of the invention provide for use of anti-human CD3 antibodies modified such that they exhibit reduced or eliminated effector function and T cell activation as compared to non-modified anti-human CD3 antibodies. |
| US09056905B2 |
Antibodies to TNF-α and use thereof
The present invention is directed to antibodies and fragments thereof having binding specificity for TNF-α. Another embodiment of this invention relates to the antibodies described herein, and binding fragments thereof, comprising the sequences of the VH, VL and CDR polypeptides described herein, and the polynucleotides encoding them. The invention also contemplates conjugates of anti-TNF-α antibodies and binding fragments thereof conjugated to one or more functional or detectable moieties. The invention also contemplates methods of making said anti-TNF-α antibodies and binding fragments thereof. Embodiments of the invention also pertain to the use of anti-TNF-α antibodies, and binding fragments thereof, for the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of diseases and disorders associated with TNF-α. |
| US09056901B2 |
Methods of making hemagglutinin proteins
Methods of making a protein that stimulates a protective immune response in a subject include separating a portion of a protein from a naturally occurring influenza viral hemagglutinin to form a protein portion. The protein portion includes at least a portion of a globular head, and at least a portion of at least one secondary structure having at least one β-sheet at a bottom of the globular head that causes the globular head to essentially retain its tertiary structure. The protein portion made by the methods of the invention lacks a transmembrane domain, a cytoplasmic domain and an HA2 subunit. A nucleic acid sequence encoding the protein portion is transformed into a prokaryotic host cell. |
| US09056898B2 |
Attenuated RNA virus and applications thereof
The invention encompasses an attenuated RNA virus and methods of using an attenuated RNA virus. The RNA virus comprises, in part, an ion channel protein comprising a peptide tag. |
| US09056897B2 |
Method for isolating a cyclohexapeptide
The present invention relates to a method for isolating acyclohexapeptide and to a novel crystalline form of caspofungin diacetate thus obtained. |
| US09056896B2 |
Method for removing viruses from high concentration monoclonal antibody solution
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for removing even small viruses from a high concentration monoclonal antibody solution using a membrane, and thus for recovering the antibody within a short time at high yield in the form of a filtrate. The present invention provides a method for producing a preparation containing a monoclonal antibody, which comprises a step of removing viruses by filtering viruses in a monoclonal antibody solution using a virus-removing membrane, wherein (1) the monomer content of the monoclonal antibody accounts for 90% or more; (2) the monoclonal antibody concentration in the monoclonal antibody solution ranges from 20 mg/ml to 100 mg/ml; (3) the monoclonal antibody solution contains at least a basic amino acid; and (4) the parvovirus removal rate of the virus-removing membrane satisfies the following conditions: LRV (Log Reduction Value: logarithmic reduction value)≧4. |
| US09056893B2 |
Method and apparatus for treatment of biomass substrates
A system and method for the treatment of biomass comprising mixing a biomass with an ionic liquid (IL) to swell the biomass and electromagnetic (EM) heating, preferably radiofrequency (RF) heating, said biomass. Additionally, a method of acidolysis of biomass comprising mixing biomass in an ionic liquid (IL) to swell the biomass; adding an acid, to lower the pH of the biomass below pH 7; applying radio frequency (RF) heating to the biomass to heat to a target temperature range; applying ultrasonic heating, electromagnetic (EM) heating, convective heating, conductive heating, or combinations thereof, to the biomass to maintain the biomass at a target temperature range; washing the treated biomass; and recovering sugars and released lignin. |
| US09056892B2 |
Retrograde transport peptide and use of same for delivery to central nervous system
Transport peptides, alone or attached to a cargo moiety, are capable of targeted axonal import into the spinal cord and other structures of the central nervous system. The transport peptides can be used to deliver therapeutic agents and other molecules of interest from the periphery to the central nervous system, providing a means to detect, treat or prevent neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, chronic pain and other conditions via minimally invasive techniques of administration. |
| US09056891B2 |
Synthetic peptide inhibitors of Wnt pathway
A peptide or peptidomimetic comprising the amino acid sequence KKRLSVXLTSSLFR (SEQ ID NO: 1) or the inverse thereof, or comprising at least eight contiguous amino acids of helix C of β-catenin (SEQ ID NO: 41) or inverse thereof, wherein the peptide or peptidomimetic comprises a total of about 50 or fewer amino acids and inhibits the Wnt pathway, as well as a method of inhibiting the Wnt pathway in a cell, a method of treating or preventing a disease mediated by the Wnt pathway, and related compounds, compositions, and methods. |
| US09056886B2 |
Guanosine-rich modified oligonucleotides and antiproliferative activity thereof
The present invention relates to a novel modified oligonucleotide comprising at least one guanosine molecule and a modified nucleic acid with therapeutic efficacies. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition having cell apoptotic activity against cancer cells for preventing or treating cancer comprising a guanosine-rich modified oligonucleotide with at least one therapeutically effective modified nucleic acid (N), or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt as active ingredient. |
| US09056882B2 |
Process for the preparation of tenofovir
The present invention provides a process for preparation of tenofovir by dealkylation of its phosphonate ester using Ionic complexes. The present invention also provides a process for preparation of tenofovir disoproxil or a salt thereof using the tenofovir of the present invention. |
| US09056878B2 |
Hydrolysis-resistant silicone compounds
In one aspect, the invention relates to hydrolysis-resistant silicone compounds. In particular, disclosed are sterically hindered hydrolysis-resistant silicone compounds and improved purity hydrolysis-resistant silicone compounds. Also disclosed are processes for making hydrolysis-resistant silicone compounds; the products of the disclosed processes; compositions and polymers comprising the disclosed compounds and products of the disclosed processes; and ophthalmic lenses, for example contact lenses, intraocular lenses, artificial cornea, and spectacle lenses, comprising the disclosed compositions, disclosed polymers, disclosed compounds, and products of the disclosed processes. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. |
| US09056876B2 |
Substituted 1H-pyrazolo[3′,4′,4,5]thieno[2,3-b]pyridin-3-amine analogs as positive allosteric modulators of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M4
In one aspect, the invention relates to substituted 1H-pyrazolo[3′,4′:4,5]thieno[2,3-b]pyridin-3-amine analogs, derivatives thereof, and related compounds, which are useful as positive allosteric modulators of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M4 (mAChR M4); synthesis methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of treating neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with muscarinic acetylcholine receptor dysfunction using the compounds and compositions. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. |
| US09056872B2 |
Organic compounds, process for preparing same and uses in electronics
The present disclosure relates to novel organic compounds, to the processes for preparing same and to the uses thereof, firstly in the electronics field, in particular in the fields referred to as plastic electronics and molecular electronics, and, secondly, in the coatings field, in particular in the fields of adhesion primers and intelligent coatings. The disclosure also relates to a material comprising a novel compound according to the invention. |
| US09056871B2 |
Adduct compound, methods for purification and preparation of fused polycyclic aromatic compound, solution for formation of organic semiconductor film, and novel alpha-diketone compound
Provided are a novel adduct compound and a novel α-diketone compound, from which organic semiconductor layers consisting of a fused polycyclic aromatic compound can be formed by a solution method, said solution method being generally easier than a deposition method. Also provided are a method for the purification of the adduct compound, and a solution for the formation of organic semiconductor film, which contains the adduct compound. The adduct compound has a structure wherein a compound having a double bond is added in an eliminable state to a fused polycyclic aromatic compound of general formula (I): Ar1Ar2Ar3 (I), while the α-diketone compound has a structure wherein a compound having a double bond is added in an eliminable state to a fused polycyclic aromatic compound. The fused polycyclic aromatic compound is dinaphthothienothiophene or the like, while the compound having a double bond is hexachlorocyclopentadiene or the like. In general formula (I), Ar1, Ar2 and Ar3 are each as defined in the description. |
| US09056869B2 |
Tricyclic compounds having antimitotic and/or antitumor activity and methods of use thereof
The present invention provides tricyclic compounds, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs, solvates, or hydrates thereof, having antimitotic activity, anti-multidrug resistance activity, for example P-glycoprotein inhibition, and antitumor activity, and which inhibit paclitaxel sensitive and resistant tumor cells. Also provided are methods of utilizing these compounds for treating tumor cells and inhibiting mitosis of cancerous cells. |
| US09056864B2 |
Crystalline form of abacavir that is essentially free of solvent
Crystalline form of abacavir that is essentially free of solvent of formula (I), in particular crystalline Form I, and its preparation process which comprises the following steps: a) crystallizing abacavir from a solution of said compound in a (C1-C4)-alcohol, dichloromethane, acetonitrile/water, or mixtures thereof; b) isolating the crystalline form of abacavir that appears in the prior step; and c) removing the solvent from the crystalline form of abacavir thus obtained. Crystalline Form I can also be obtained by dispersion of abacavir in acetonitrile. The crystalline form of abacavir that is essentially free of solvent is useful for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for use in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of HIV infections. |
| US09056860B2 |
Synthesis of antiviral compound
The present disclosure provides processes for the preparation of a compound of formula I: which is useful as an antiviral agent. The disclosure also provides compounds that are synthetic intermediates to compounds of formula I. |
| US09056853B2 |
N-Thio-anthranilamid compounds and their use as pesticides
N-Thio-anthranilamid compounds of formula (I) wherein A is A1 wherein the variables and the indices are as defined per the description, processes for preparing the compounds I, pesticidal compositions comprising compounds I, use of compounds I for the control of insects, acarids or nematodes, and methods for treating, controlling, preventing or protecting animals against infestation or infection by parasites by use of compounds of formula I. |
| US09056843B2 |
Trifluoromethyl-oxadiazole derivatives and their use in the treatment of disease
The invention relates to novel trifluoromethyl-oxadiazole derivatives of formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, (I) in which all of the variables are as defined in the specification, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, pharmaceutical combinations thereof, and their use as medicaments, particularly for the treatment of neurodegeneration, muscle atrophy or metabolic syndrome via inhibition of HDAC4. |
| US09056840B2 |
Coelenterazine analogues and coelenteramide analogues
Coelenterazine analogs with different luminescence properties from conventional ones and coelenteramide analogs with different fluorescence properties from conventional ones have been desired. The invention provides coelenterazine analogs modified at the 8-position of coelenterazine and coelenteramide analogs modified at the 2- or 3-position of coelenteramide. |
| US09056836B2 |
Benzomorphan analogs and the use thereof
The present invention is directed to Benzomorphan Analog compounds of the Formula I-ID as shown below, wherein R1, R2a, R2b, R3 and R4 are as defined herein. Compounds of the Invention are useful for treating pain, constipation, and other conditions modulated by activity of opioid and ORL-1 receptors. |
| US09056834B2 |
Glucagon receptor modulators
The present invention provides a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein R1, R2, R3, A1, A2, A3, A4, L, B1, B2, B3 and B4 are as defined herein. The compounds of Formula I have been found to act as glucagon antagonists or inverse agonists. Consequently, the compounds of Formula I and the pharmaceutical compositions thereof are useful for the treatment of diseases, disorders, or conditions mediated by glucagon. |
| US09056828B2 |
Alkoxylation method of fatty acid alkyl esters
The present invention is directed towards a method of preparing alkoxylated fatty acid alkyl estersin a one-pot alkoxylation reaction in the presence of a catalyst which is an alkaline earth metal oxide/mineral acid combination, preferably a barium oxide/sulfuric acid combination, or a Lewis acid, preferably Sn Cl4, comprising the steps of: a) providing a fatty acid alkyl ester, b) adding a catalyst to said fatty acid alkyl ester to obtain a first mixture, wherein said catalyst is an alkaline earth metal oxide/mineral acid combination or a Lewis acid, c) adding one or more alkylene oxides to said first mixture to obtain a second mixture and (d) isolating the alkoxylated fatty acid alkyl ester. |
| US09056827B2 |
Method of synthesizing polyol acetate by using catalyst of ionic liquid heteropoly acid
The present invention uses a nitrogen-containing organic compound to be reacted with an alkyl sultone to obtain a zwitterion compound. The zwitterion compound is reacted with a heteropoly acid (HPA) to obtain an ionic liquid HPA (IL-HPA). The IL-HPA is used for acetylation of polyol and HOAc for obtaining polyol acetate. The IL used in the reaction can be recycled. Thus, problems of product separation, waste acid handling, and corrosion of facilities are solved and production through esterification is improved with a green catalysis. |
| US09056820B2 |
Alicyclic alcohol
Provided is an alicyclic alcohol compound which can be used as a raw material for a compound perfume, and which has excellent floral-green-like aromas which are crisp and fresh; also provided are a manufacturing method for the same, and a perfume composition which contains the alicyclic alcohol compound. An alicyclic alcohol compound having a specified structure represented by chemical formula (1) has excellent floral-green-like aromas which are crisp and fresh; and a method for manufacturing the alicyclic alcohol compound represented by chemical formula (1) by reacting, in the presence of hydrogen fluoride, 1-isopropyl-4-methylcyclohexene and carbon monoxide, reacting the resulting 4-isopropyl-1-methylcyclohexane carboxylic acid fluoride with alcohol, and, after having acquired a cyclohexane carbonyl compound, reducing the cyclohexane carbonyl compound. |
| US09056819B2 |
Isocyanate production process using composition containing carbamic acid ester and aromatic hydroxy compound, and composition for transfer and storage of carbamic acid ester
An object of the present invention is to provide an isocyanate production process, which is free of the various problems found in the prior art, and which uses a composition containing a carbamic acid ester and an aromatic hydroxy compound when producing isocyanate without using phosgene, as well as a carbamic acid ester composition for transferring or storing carbamic acid ester. The present invention discloses an isocyanate production process including specific steps and using a composition containing a carbamic acid ester and an aromatic hydroxy compound, as well as a composition for transfer or storage of carbamic acid ester comprising the carbamic acid ester and the specific aromatic hydroxy compound. |
| US09056815B2 |
Synthetic acid and associated methods
Glycine is an organic compound that can be used in the making of a synthetic acid that obviates all the drawbacks of strong acids such as hydrochloric acid. The new compound is made by dissolving glycine in water, in a weight ratio of approximately 1:1 to 1:1.5. The solution is mixed until the glycine is essentially fully dissolved in the water. Once dissolution is complete, hydrogen chloride gas is dissolved in the solution to produce the new compound, which can be referred to as hydrogen glycine. A method of taming an acid includes adding the solution of hydrogen glycine to the acid in an effective amount for substantially preventing corrosion and fuming during an application of a mixture thereof. |
| US09056811B2 |
Method for producing alcohol by guerbet reaction
A method for increasing the yield of alcohols by a Guerbet reaction in a gas phase and reducing production cost is provided. A method for producing alcohols by a Guerbet reaction, wherein the reaction is performed in a gas phase and at a total pressure of less than 1 atm and preferably from 0.01 to 0.5 atm, using one or more raw material alcohols. |
| US09056810B2 |
Photocatalytic preparation method of parylene AF4
The present invention disclosed a preparation method of parylene AF4, which provides a reactant and a reducing agent with the use of catalyst or exposure to UV light with photo-initiator, to shorten the reaction time as a result of minimized the byproduct(s) formation, and obtain high purity (>99.0%) of parylene AF4 product under high concentrated reaction mixture. |
| US09056809B2 |
Catalytic preparation method of parylene AF4
The present invention disclosed a preparation method of parylene AF4, which provides a reactant and a reducing agent with the use of catalyst or exposure to UV light with photo-initiator, to shorten the reaction time as a result of minimized the byproduct(s) formation, and obtain high purity (>99.0%) of parylene AF4 product under high concentrated reaction mixture. |
| US09056808B2 |
Process for the production of chlorinated propenes
Processes for the production of chlorinated propenes are provided. The present processes make use of 1,2-dichloropropane, a by-product in the production of chlorohydrin, as a low cost starting material, alone or in combination with 1,2,3-trichloropropane. The present processes can also generate anhydrous HCl as a byproduct that can be removed from the process and used as a feedstock for other processes, providing further time and cost savings. Finally, the processes are advantageously conducted in the liquid phase, thereby presenting additional savings as compared to conventional, gas phase processes. |
| US09056802B2 |
Methods for making environmental barrier coatings using sintering aids
Methods or making an environmental barrier coating using a sintering aid including combining at least water, a primary transition material selected from mullite, BSAS, or a mullite/BSAS mixture, and a slurry sintering aid to produce a transition layer slurry; applying the transition layer slurry to a ceramic component; combining at least water, and a primary outer material of BSAS to produce an outer layer slurry; applying the outer layer slurry to the component having the applied transition layer slurry; and sintering the component to produce the environmental barrier coating having at least a transition layer and an outer layer where the transition layer comprises a porosity of from 0% to about 30% by volume of the transition layer, and the outer layer comprises a porosity of from 0% to about 15% by volume of the outer layer. |
| US09056800B2 |
Additive for molding of ceramic material
The present invention relates to an additive for use in the molding of a ceramic material, which exhibits satisfactory water absorption performance in a ceramic green ceramic clay, can highly achieve both high fluidability and low loading performance during extrusion molding and high shape-retaining performance after extrusion at the same time, and comprises polymer microparticles. This additive for use in the molding of a ceramic material comprises polymer microparticles, is characterized in that the polymer microparticles have an average particle size between 10 and 150 μm when the polymer microparticles are swollen with ion exchange water until the swollen polymer microparticles reach a saturated state and can absorb 10-60 mL/g of ion exchange water under ordinary pressure, and is also characterized in that an aqueous dispersion prepared by dispersing 1 part by mass of the polymer microparticles in 110 parts by mass of ion exchange water has an electrical conductivity of 1500 μS/cm or less at 25° C. |
| US09056799B2 |
Matrix powder system and composite materials and articles made therefrom
The present invention includes a matrix powder system comprising one or more polycrystalline carbides, binderless carbides, or a combination thereof, a composite comprising the matrix powder system and a metal bond phase, a matrix bit body for a drill bit for oil and gas drilling made of this composite material, and a drill bit for oil and gas drilling comprising the matrix bit body and at least one cutter. The polycrystalline and/or binderless carbides may comprise carbides of W, Ti, V, Cr, Nb, Mo, Ta, Hf, Zr, or a combination thereof. The binderless carbides have less than 3 wt. % binder and the binderless and/or polycrystalline carbides may have a grain size of ≦15 μm and a hardness of ≧1900 HV (0.5 kgf). Additional ceramic components and/or metals may also be present in the matrix powder system. Alternatively, the composite material may be present on only a portion of the matrix bit body surface. |
| US09056798B2 |
Method for processing ceramic fibers
A method of treating ceramic fibers based on metal carbide, the method including a first reagent gas heat treatment performed with at least one first reagent gas of the halogen type that chemically transforms the surface of the fiber to obtain a surface layer constituted mainly of carbon, and a second reagent gas heat treatment performed with at least one second reagent gas that eliminates the surface layer formed during the chemical transformation. |
| US09056796B2 |
ATZ fused grains
Fused grain having the following chemical composition: more than 10% and less than 50% of alumina Al2O3; more than 10% and less than 50% of titanium oxide TiO2; more than 21% and less than 50% of zirconia; more than 1% and less than 10% of a compound chosen from the group constituted by MgO, CaO, Fe2O3, Cr2O3, MnO2, La2O3, Y2O3, Ga2O3 and mixtures thereof; less than 20% of silica SiO2; less than 10% of a compound chosen from the group constituted by alkali metal oxides, alkaline-earth metal oxides and mixtures thereof; less than 2% of other oxide species; the percentages being percentages by weight on the basis of the oxides. Application in the melting of metals. |
| US09056792B2 |
Internally curing cement based materials
A method of curing cementitious material comprising added a fibrillated carboxyalkyl cellulose, cellulose alkylsulfonic acid, phosphorylated cellulose or sulfated cellulose having a degree of substitution of 0.01 to 0.45 to the material during mixing. The fibrillated carboxyalkyl cellulose, cellulose alkylsulfonic acid, phosphorylated cellulose or sulfated cellulose may also include bleached or partially bleached wood pulp fiber. The fibrillated carboxyalkyl cellulose, cellulose alkylsulfonic acid, phosphorylated cellulose or sulfated cellulose has a substituent content of from 10 to 150 meq/100 g cellulose fiber. The fibrillated carboxyalkyl cellulose, cellulose alkylsulfonic acid, phosphorylated cellulose or sulfated cellulose is 0.1 to 5% by weight of the dry weight of the cementitious material. The structure produced by the method. The autogenous shrinkage of the cementitious material is reduced. |
| US09056789B2 |
Method of treating stone wool
The present invention provides a method of producing a granular product, the method comprising providing waste stone wool product of which at least 90% is in coherent form having minimum dimension at least 50 mm and which has a content of at least 10% water, by weight of the waste stone wool product; producing a base material from the stone wool by reducing the coherent stone wool to particulate form such that at least 80% by weight of the base material is in the form of particles having size not more than 40 mm, and has water content not more than 50 wt % based on the particulate base material; forming the particulate base material into granules, wherein at least 80% by weight of the granules have size not more than 40 mm, and subjecting the granules to sintering at a temperature in the range 900 to 1050° C. to form a granular product wherein at least 80% by weight of the granular product is in the form of granules having size not more than 40 mm, and during the operation of the method no binder is added. The present invention also relates to a product obtainable by the method described above. |
| US09056787B1 |
System and method for texturing glass
A method for texturing a glass substrate includes cleaning the glass substrate with at least one surfactant and etching the glass substrate using a caustic solution. The percentage of caustic solution is provided by controlling a fluid flow and temperature to control the depth of the etching. The method also includes acid cleaning the etched glass substrate to remove glass residuals and surfactants. |
| US09056782B2 |
Technique for manufacturing platinum-manganese dioxide/carbon complex for use in positive electrode of lithium-air battery
Disclosed is a method for preparing a platinum-manganese dioxide/carbon complex for a positive-electrode material of a lithium-air battery. More specifically, a manganese dioxide/carbon complex is prepared by dispersing carbon in a manganese dioxide precursor solution and applying microwaves, filtering and drying to the resulting solution. Next a platinum-manganese dioxide/carbon complex is prepared by dispersing the manganese dioxide/carbon complex in ethylene glycol, adding a platinum precursor and applying microwaves to the resulting solution. The platinum-manganese dioxide/carbon complex synthesized according to the present invention exhibits lower overvoltage and higher current density in oxygen reduction and oxidation reactions as compared to either a manganese dioxide/carbon complex or a platinum/carbon complex. |
| US09056781B2 |
Method of producing calcite capable of controlling a grain size thereof
Provided is a method of synthesizing high-purity calcite capable of controlling a grain size thereof, by reacting an aqueous calcium chloride solution with CO2 gas under strong alkaline condition, to crystallize into white and ultra-fine grain calcite. The method of synthesizing fine-grain calcite according to the present disclosure can decrease super-saturation by producing calcite under the strong alkaline conditions, thereby suppressing generation and growth of grain, resulting in controlling the grain size. Therefore, the above method is useful in producing high-purity ultra-fine grain calcite and can control the grain size of calcite from several hundreds of nanometers to several tens of nanometers by regulating the concentration of an aqueous caustic soda solution. |
| US09056780B2 |
Boundary layer carbonation of trona
A boundary layer carbonation process for producing sodium bicarbonate crystals having specific surface area in the range 0.4 m2/g to 2.5 m2/g from Trona, wherein in one embodiment the process comprises the steps of: providingTrona particles having a particle size range of −4+120 mesh; pre-wetting the Trona particles with water to provide a plurality of pre-wetted Trona particles each having a liquid water solution boundary layer deposited thereon; and carbonating the pre-wetted Trona particles across the water boundary layer to provide a product comprising sodium bicarbonate crystals. |
| US09056779B2 |
Method for preparing MWW-type molecular sieves
The present invention is directed to a process for preparing MWW-type molecular sieves using 1,3-diisobutylimidazolium as a structure directing agent. |
| US09056778B2 |
Nano-graphite plate structure
The present invention relates to a nano-graphite plate structure with N graphene layers stacked together, where N is 30 to 300. The nanometer nano-graphite structure has a tap density of 0.1 g/cm3 to 0.01 cm3, a thickness of 10 nm to 100 nm, and a lateral dimension of 1 μm to 100 μm. The ratio of the lateral dimension to the thickness is between 10 and 10,000. The oxygen content is less than 3 wt %, and the carbon content is larger than 95 wt %. The nano-graphite plate structure has both the excellent features of the graphene and the original advantages of easy processability of the natural graphite so as to be broadly used in various application fields. |
| US09056776B2 |
Remote cool down of a purified directionally solidified material from an open bottom cold crucible induction furnace
Solid or semi-solid feedstock is melted in an open bottom electric induction cold crucible furnace. Directionally solidified multi-crystalline solid purified material continuously exits the bottom of the furnace and may optionally pass through a thermal conditioning chamber before being gravity fed into a transport mold where an ingot of the purified multi-crystalline solid material is transported to a remote holding area after the transport mold is filled with the multi-crystalline material and cut from the continuous supply of material. Cool down of the ingot is accomplished remote from the open bottom of the electric induction cold crucible furnace. |
| US09056771B2 |
Gasification of heavy residue with solid catalyst from slurry hydrocracking process
A cost-effective solution for the disposal of heavy residue bottoms recovered from a slurry hydrocracking process that include solid heterogeneous catalyst particles is provided by their introduction into a membrane wall gasification reactor in the form of a flowable slurry to produce a synthesis gas and, optionally, subjecting the synthesis gas to a water-gas shift reaction to produce a more hydrogen-rich product stream. Process steam and electricity are produced by recovering the sensible heat values from the hot synthesis gas. |
| US09056770B2 |
Compositions, devices and methods for hydrogen generation
Methods and systems for hydrogen generation from solid hydrogen storage compositions which generate hydrogen in an exothermic reaction wherein the heat released can be absorbed by solid endothermic compositions are disclosed. The solid hydrogen storage compositions comprise mixtures of chemical hydrides and water surrogate compounds. Fuel cartridges suitable for use with compositions which generate hydrogen upon the application of thermal initiation and methods for operating the fuel cartridges are also disclosed. |
| US09056767B2 |
Dynamic access point based positioning
A wireless device that includes an access point (AP) scanner, a transceiver, and a controller coupled to the AP scanner and transceiver. The AP scanner is configured to scan wireless network channels utilized by one or more APs to transmit data packets, probe responses, and beacons. The transceiver is configured to transmit one or more probe requests to the one or more APs and receive one or more probe responses and beacons from the one or more APs. The controller is configured to determine a proximate geographic position of the wireless device based on signal strength of the one or more probe responses and beacons received from the one or more APs. The controller also dynamically adapts a parameter utilized in determining the proximate geographic position of the wireless device. |
| US09056759B2 |
Beverage dispensing system
The disclosure relates to a system for simultaneously dispensing liquids from multiple sources, wherein the liquids are released through a single spout and are mixed together during the dispensing process. The disclosure further discloses an adaptor that has a dispensing aperture, a body, and first and second members that actuate the spouts substantially simultaneously to allow fluid flow between the first and second liquid sources and the first and second tap spouts through the adaptor body and out the dispensing aperture, which may have a spout. The invention also relates to a method for simultaneous dispensing and mixing of liquids. The liquids may have substantially the same or substantially different viscosities and may be mixed in equal or different volumes. The invention has particular applicability to bag-in-box systems. |
| US09056757B1 |
Combination bottle and can opener
A combination bottle opener by which to remove a cap from the top of a bottle and can opener by which to remove a lid from the top of a can. The opener includes a body having a curved head located at one end thereof to surround the bottle cap to be removed and a pair of tapered legs located at the opposite end to fit below the lid to be removed from the can. A force-transmitting plate is affixed to the top of the body so as to extend between the pair of legs. A force applied to the force-transmitting plate of the opener in a first direction causes an edge of the plate to rotate into engagement with the bottle cap to lift the cap off the bottle. A force applied to the force-transmitting plate in an opposite direction causes the tapered legs to rotate into engagement with the lid to pry the lid off the can. |
| US09056755B1 |
Compact air compressor and vehicle jack
A compact air compressor and vehicle jack comprises a case, an air bladder, and an air compressor. The case comprises a durable two-piece construction further comprising a plurality of latches and a carrying handle. The air bladder comprises a durable inflatable vessel located internally within the case. The bladder is capable of withstanding the weight of a car. An internal electric air compressor inflates the air bladder. Power to the air compressor is provided via a cigarette lighter adapter. In use, a user would undo the latches, place the case beneath the vehicle, supply power to the air compressor using an external switch, and inflate the bladder until the vehicle achieves a desired height. |
| US09056754B2 |
Method and apparatus for using pre-positioned objects to localize an industrial vehicle
According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of using dynamically placed pre-positioned objects as landmarks to operate an industrial vehicle is provided. The method comprises (i) transporting an object along a path within the physical environment and placing the object at a location within the physical environment such that the placed object becomes a dynamically placed pre-positioned object in the physical environment; (ii) updating a map of the physical environment by adding placed object data representing the dynamically placed pre-positioned object to the map of the physical environment to create updated map data such that the placed object, when added to the map, serves as a landmark with observable features and can be used in the navigation of an industrial vehicle with access to the updated map data; (iii) storing the updated map data on a mobile computer attached to the industrial vehicle or on a central computer coupled to the industrial vehicle via a network; and (iv) operating the industrial vehicle based on a navigational position determined from sensor data and the updated map data by navigating the industrial vehicle along a path within the physical environment. |
| US09056752B2 |
Crane, in particular mobile port crane, comprising a hybrid drive system
A crane comprising a diesel-electric drive, the three-phase generator of which supplies an AC voltage circuit, further comprising a DC voltage circuit connected to the AC voltage circuit, electric motors which drive at least one rotating mechanism, a lifting mechanism and a luffing mechanism of the crane, at least one brake resistor, and a short-term energy store, which is connected to the AC voltage circuit or to the DC voltage circuit for the intermediate storage of excess energy. At least one of the electric motors is connected to the AC voltage circuit and at least one is connected to the DC voltage circuit, and the AC voltage circuit is connected to the DC voltage circuit via a rectifier such that an energy exchange is possible between the AC voltage circuit and the DC voltage circuit. |
| US09056748B2 |
Lifting system and method
The lifting system and method comprises a winch and pulley system, the pulleys being adapted to be mounted to a wall of a structure, the winch being mounted to a tube assembly, said tube assembly comprising a tube and winch plate, wherein said tube is slideably and removably coupled to a receiver portion such that the winch may be removed when not in use or may be moved to be used in another system; wherein said receiver portion is coupled to a substructure upon which a cooler structure is mounted; wherein, a first pulley is mounted to an outside wall of said structure; wherein said second pulley is positioned at an end of a lifting arm, said arm being coupled to an inside wall of the structure; wherein a through opening is provided in said wall so that a winch cable may be threaded from the winch outside the structure, through the first pulley, through said wall opening, and over said second pulley; and wherein an end of said cable may be secured to a motor in the interior of said structure. |
| US09056747B2 |
Load measuring device for an elevator installation
An elevator installation includes an elevator cage with a support construction carrying the elevator cage, wherein the support construction has two beams. Mounted on each beam is a positioning arrangement on which, for example, a sensor is positioned, which is part of a load measuring device, wherein the positioning arrangements have material structures or sensor carriers. The sensors detect a change in spacing of the material structures or of the sensor carriers from one another, wherein this change in spacing is caused by a change in loading of the elevator cage. Signals of the sensors are processed in an evaluating unit and a signal representing the loading is used in an elevator control. |
| US09056746B2 |
Adaptable vehicle
The present disclosure is directed at an adaptable vehicle that includes a pair of primary rollers for rolling along a surface on which the vehicle is travelling. At least one of the rollers is rotatably powered. The adaptable vehicle also includes two sets of linking arms, one of which is coupled to one of the rollers and the other of which is coupled to the other of the rollers such that moving the sets of linking arms can shift the axes of rotation of the rollers without impeding rotation of the rollers. The sets of linking arms are connected to and rotatable about an actuatable hub. Actuation of the hub causes at least one set of the linking arms to rotate about the hub and shifts the axis of rotation of at least one of the rollers to allow the vehicle to adapt to its surroundings. |
| US09056745B2 |
Image forming apparatus
A supporting portion is provided to project from an upper surface of a side regulating member which is provided in a sheet feeding cassette which is detachably attached to a color laser beam printer body, and which regulates a position of a sheet in a width direction orthogonal to a sheet feeding direction, and this supporting portion regulates downward deformation of a conveyance guiding member which is positioned above the sheet feeding cassette and which forms a sheet conveying path R which guides the sheet. |
| US09056744B2 |
Cable cord retractor
A mechanism for storing a length of cord that includes a first and second pair of pulleys mounted at opposite ends of a frame. An intermediate section of a cord is stored in the frame and has one end of the stored section fixed to the frame, with the other end extending from the frame. The stored cord section is at least partially wound over the pair of pulleys, and one pair of pulleys is slidably mounted for motion toward the other pair of pulleys. A damper is coupled to one of the second pair of pulleys, which engages the pulley to rotate about an axis to damp the rotary motion of one of the second pair of pulleys in such a manner that the intermediate storage section is in tension during retraction and withdrawal. The mechanism further includes a solenoid that is activated locally or remotely by a switch. |
| US09056742B2 |
Process for initiating a web winding process
Processes for initiating a web winding process, more particularly a processes for initiating a web winding process that doesn't require the use of a threading rope or manually threading a tail of the web like known processes are provided. |
| US09056740B2 |
Media processing device and conveyance unit for reversing paper
A printer absorbs conveyance speed differences between a conveyance mechanism and a reversing conveyance mechanism with a simple configuration. A printer 1 has a reversing conveyance mechanism 38 that reverses the front and back and returns printing paper P supplied from a main conveyance mechanism 17 to the main conveyance mechanism 17. The reversing conveyance mechanism 38 has a first reversing conveyance roller 31, and a first gear train 51 that transfers drive power from a reversing conveyance motor 39. A backlash part 70 enabling relative rotation in a preset angular range between the first final gear 64 and first reversing conveyance roller 31 is disposed between the first final gear 64 of the first gear train 51 and the first reversing conveyance roller 31. |
| US09056736B2 |
Media-tracking system using thermally-formed holes
A system is described for tracking a position of a receiver medium as it travels along a media path. A heat source provides heat to the receiver medium in a localized area sufficient to form a hole through the receiver medium thereby forming a reference mark. A light source illuminates a first side of the receiver medium, and a sensor located on a second side of the receiver medium senses light transmitted through the receiver medium thereby providing a sensed light level signal. The sensed light level signal is analyzed to determine a position of the receiver medium by detecting light transmitted through the hole through the receiver medium associated with the reference mark. |
| US09056732B2 |
Sheet feed apparatus and image forming apparatus including the sheet feed apparatus
A sheet feed apparatus includes a lifting/lowering plate, a drive portion, a determination portion, and a remaining amount detecting portion. The lifting/lowering plate has a sheet mounting surface on which one or more sheets are placed, and is attached to the sheet feed apparatus in such a manner that the sheet mounting surface can be lifted and lowered. The lifting/lowering plate is made of a flexible material. The drive portion drives and lifts and lowers the lifting/lowering plate. The determination portion determines whether or not the lifting/lowering plate has a warpage. The remaining amount detecting portion detects a remaining amount detection value which indicates a remaining amount of sheets placed on the sheet mounting surface. The remaining amount correcting portion corrects the remaining amount detection value detected by the remaining amount detecting portion, based on a determination result of the determination portion. |
| US09056730B2 |
Loading and unloading station
A loading and unloading station, comprising: a frame, on top of which a cassette intended for the carrying and storage of loads can be placed; at least two supporting arms connected to the frame in a pivotable manner so that the supporting arms can pivot around substantially horizontal pivot axes to a substantially horizontal position, in which the supporting arms are placed under the cassette, and to a substantially vertical position, in which the supporting arms extend through the cassette; at least one supporting beam, on top of which the load can be placed and to which the at least two supporting arms are connected in a movable manner; and the supporting arms are fitted both to lift the supporting beam from below the cassette through the cassette above the cassette, and to lower the supporting beam back under the cassette; and the supporting arms are further fitted to keep the supporting beam substantially horizontal. |
| US09056729B2 |
Slat conveyor
A carrying segment comprises a first surface for receiving objects, a second surface, and at least a third and a fourth surface connecting said first surface and said second surface, a first engaging member arranged on said second surface and configured to be guided by a first guide of a slat conveyor, and a second engaging member arranged on said second surface on one side of the first engaging member and configured to be guided by a first switch of said slat conveyor. |
| US09056727B2 |
Multi-piece shaft
A multi-piece shaft for an idler roller including a tube having a first end and a second end. The shaft includes a first stub secured to the first end of the tube by a mechanical interlock and a second stub secured to the second end of the tube by a mechanical interlock. The first stub extends from the first end and the second stub extends from the second end when secured to the tube such that the tube, the first stub and the second stub define a length of the shaft. |
| US09056725B1 |
Static-resistant transport mechanism for a product conveying system
A static resistant transport mechanism is configured as a set of slats where each slat is manufactured from a static-dissipative or static-resistive material to minimize or eliminate the build-up of an electrical or static charge in the product conveying system. With such a configuration, the static-resistant transport mechanism minimizes the likelihood of product either failing to enter a slat cavity from a hopper, prematurely exiting a slat cavity prior to dispenzation into a container at a dispensing location, or failing to exit a slat cavity and enter the container at the dispensing location. Accordingly, because the product conveying system can deliver product to containers for an extended period of time with a relatively low rate of error, the static resistant transport mechanism minimizes down time associated with the product conveying system. |
| US09056724B2 |
Apparatus for handling containers
Provided is an apparatus for handling containers. The apparatus comprises a moveable carrier, a plurality of treatment stations arranged on the moveable carrier for treating the containers, each treatment station having at least one element that is moveable in relation to the carrier, and a stationary guide curve. The elements are temporarily coupled to the guide curve. A movement between a treatment station of the plurality of treatment stations and the guide curve translates to a movement of the at least one element. A coupling device comprises at least one guide roller which at least temporarily contacts the guide curve. At least one of the guide roller or the guide curve includes an imidized polymer material. |
| US09056719B2 |
Automatic storage system
An automatic storage system includes a front rack and a rear rack, a stacker crane, and a crane controller. The front rack and the rear rack include a plurality of shelves located in a right and left direction and in an up and down direction. Each of the shelves includes a near-side storage portion and a far-side storage portion arranged in the depth direction. The stacker crane includes an elevator provided at the travelling vehicle such that the elevator can move up and down. The crane controller is programmed to control the elevator to move vertically between an upper stop position and a lower stop position when the article is transferred between the slide fork and the shelves. The upper stop position includes a far-side upper stop position corresponding to the far-side storage portion and a near-side upper stop position corresponding to the near-side storage portion. The crane controller controls the elevator such that the far-side upper stop position is higher than the near-side upper stop position. |
| US09056716B1 |
Waste container with actuatable, internal bag obstruction member
Waste container including a base defining a waste-receiving compartment, a lid movably attached to the base and movable between a first position covering a waste insertion opening and a second position in which it does not obstruct the waste insertion opening. An obstruction mechanism includes an obstruction member having at least one part that selectively engages with the bag, The obstruction member is rotatable upon movement of the lid to cause movement of the obstruction member between a first position in which the obstruction member is in a first plane not obstructing insertion of waste into the bag when the lid is open and a second position in which the obstruction member is in a second plane obstructing insertion of waste into the bag when the lid is closed. |
| US09056713B2 |
Cartridge for glass substrate
The present invention discloses a cartridge for glass substrate and which includes a top wall, a bottom wall, at least a pair of sidewalls, a plurality of supporting rods, and an adjusting device. The plurality of supporting rods are arranged on the pair of sidewalls along a first horizontal direction across the pair of sidewalls such that a plurality of supporting surfaces configured by at least a pair of supporting rods facing each other from the paid of sidewalls are defined. The adjusting device is used to move one of the sidewall toward the other sidewall with respect to the top and bottom walls so as to change a span between the pair of sidewalls. As a result, the cartridge can be used to accommodate glass substrates with different dimensions. |
| US09056709B2 |
Side container
The side container includes one oblong under-frame; one oblong upper-frame; corner posts be installed on the four corners between under-frame and upper-frame; top surface panel, front end panel, back end panel and two side panels installed on the corner posts. The side panel has two side doors. At least one turnable locking bar should be installed on the upper area of the side door, and a latch hook should be installed on the bottom area of each locking bar. Cam keepers will be fixed on the under-frame. There is a cant hook installed between two permanent seats. When the under-frame is in a horizontal position, the cant hook is located above the latch hook. The side container can be fully open on an oblong side, while the side doors and the under-frame can still be securely locked, when the under-frame deforms downward during a full load condition. |
| US09056700B2 |
Dosage dispensing cap system
A dosage dispensing cap system is configured to release a fixed amount of medication from a container as a result of a single actuation by a user. A first cap element of the system may have a first aperture and be adapted to be attached to the container, which is configured to house a multiplicity of pills of a generally uniform size, or liquid medication of a particular volume. A second cap element may be flexible, have a flange member extending generally radially outward from a diaphragm member and be disposed between the first cap element and the container. The diaphragm member may have a mouth portion, a throat portion and a cavity generally disposed therebetween. The cavity may be generally large enough to contain a fixed number of pills or a dose volume of liquid. By way of a simple actuation, the mouth portion opens and the throat portion closes, thereby allowing the cap system to release a discrete number of pills or a dose volume of liquid medication. |
| US09056699B2 |
Pouring spout for container
A cap for a container is provided. The cap includes a handling portion that is configured to engage the container about a dispensing opening of the container. The cap also includes an extendible spout that has a discharge passage. The extendible spout has a proximal end, with a proximal opening, and is affixed to the cap. The extendible spout also has a distal end, with a distal opening, and is configured to extend from and retract at least partially into the cap. The extendible spout is further configured to dispense a pourable material from the container through the distal opening when the handling portion is engaged with the container about the dispensing opening of the container and the distal end of the extendible spout is at least partially extended from the cap. |
| US09056692B2 |
Medicine packaging apparatus
In a medicine packaging apparatus, a distance from a printing section to a heat sealing section is reduced without generating wrinkles on a package sheet. An unfolding guide 65 for unfolding and opening a package sheet 61 provided in a packaging unit 4 includes a main ridge 94 extending along with a crease of the package sheet 61 and a pair of unfolding guide surfaces 95a, 95b which are convex curved surfaces stretching from the main ridge 94. A contact start position 100a with the package sheet 61 of the unfolding guide surface 95a on the outer side of a curve in the conveying direction A relative to the main ridge 94 is located on an upstream side in the conveying direction A of the package sheet 61 of a contact start position 100b with the package sheet 61 of the unfolding guide surface 95b located on the inner side of the curve relative to the main ridge 94. |
| US09056691B2 |
Bag deflation devices and methods for deflating bags
Bag deflating devices and methods of using the bag deflating devices are provided. In a general embodiment, the invention provides a bag deflating device comprising a first gripper and a first mechanical finger attached to the first gripper and constructed and arranged to move with the first gripper. The first mechanical finger comprises an elongated rod and a support plate attached to the elongated rod and defining at least one aperture. The bag deflating device further comprises a second gripper opposing the first gripper and a second mechanical finger attached to the second gripper and constructed and arranged to move with the second gripper. The second mechanical finger comprises an elongated rod and a support plate attached to the elongated rod and defining at least one aperture. |
| US09056685B2 |
Method and system for mounting interior components in an aircraft
A method for mounting interior components in an aircraft includes premounting a first interior component and premounting a second interior component. At least one of the first and the second interior component is secured to a mounting device and the first and second interior components are connected to form an individual module. A plurality of individual modules secured to the mounting device are interconnected to form a large module which is secured to the mounting device. The large module is detached from the mounting device and transported to a final-mounting position in an aircraft fuselage element. The detached large module is then mounted in the aircraft fuselage element. |
| US09056682B2 |
Integrated monument
A monument is provided for an aircraft. The monument includes, but is not limited to several system components with identical, substantially identical or similar functions that can be connected by way of a single system connection arrangement to the supply in the aircraft. Distribution of the supply media, received by the aircraft, to the individual system components takes place within the monument. The system connections can thus be identical to the system connections of a single monument. |
| US09056679B1 |
System and method for airborne deployment of object designed for waterborne task
An airborne deployment system and method for deploying an object designed. for a waterborne task. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has an object such as an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) releasably coupled thereto. The UAV is guided to a target site on a body of water in accordance with navigation. rules predicated on navigation capability of the UAV. The UUV Is released from the UAV at a location that is one of in the air and on the water in accordance with release rules predicated on the navigation capability of UAV. |
| US09056676B1 |
Systems and methods for UAV docking
Systems and methods are provided for docking an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a vehicle. The UAV may be able to distinguish a companion vehicle from other vehicles in the area and vice versa. The UAV may take off and/or land on the vehicle. The UAV may be used to capture images and stream the images live to a display within the vehicle. The vehicle may control the UAV. The UAV may be in communication with the companion vehicle while in flight. |
| US09056675B2 |
Pilot control system with hand rest
According to one embodiment, a control assembly includes a post, a grip, and a hand rest. The post has a top, a bottom, and a body joining the top to the bottom. The grip is positioned at least partially above the post and is movable along at least one arc. The hand rest is coupled to the top and comprises an upper surface having a profile corresponding to the at least one arc. |
| US09056670B1 |
Hybrid (pitot-flush) air intake system for air-breathing missiles and aircraft
A hybrid air intake system and method for air-breathing missiles and aircraft comprising providing to an airborne vehicle fuselage an air intake opening comprising at least a pair of side walls and at least an upper wall and a lower wall extending between the side walls, wherein the lower wall extends below a plane defined by the vehicle fuselage, and not employing a boundary layer diverter between the fuselage and the upper wall. |
| US09056667B2 |
Flight modes and protection envelopes based on inertial attitude estimates for radio-controlled airplanes
The present disclosure describes flight training systems and methods for radio-controlled (RC) airplanes that rely on inertial attitude estimates. Preferred embodiments include an RC airplane with one or more control processors configured to (i) estimate an inertial attitude of the RC airplane based on one or more measurements from an attitude sensor array and (ii) control the inertial attitude of the RC airplane based the inertial attitude estimate. In operation, controlling the attitude of the RC airplane may include both controlling the RC airplane to a specific inertial attitude and/or keeping the inertial attitude of the RC airplane within a predefined flight envelope. |
| US09056663B2 |
Variable speed drive for subsea installations, vessels, and/or vehicles
A Variable Speed Drive (1) for subsea installations (20), subsea vessels or subsea vehicles, as well as to a corresponding subsea installation (20), subsea vessel or subsea vehicle, has an alternating current/alternating current converter (2) having a current-controlled capacitor-less direct current link (7). |
| US09056662B2 |
Wetsuits with hydrodynamic interlocking and kinesiologic features
A wetsuit for aquatic activities may include a wetsuit material having a first surface and an opposite second surface. The wetsuit may also include a chest pad located on the first surface in an anterior portion of the wetsuit corresponding with a portion of the wetsuit associated with the chest region of a wearer of the wetsuit. The chest pad may include a left-angled superior surface and a right-angled superior surface that intersect at a prow disposed at a superior portion of the chest pad, each of the left-angled superior surface and the right-angled superior surface being configured to route water from the chest region in a lateral direction. |
| US09056660B2 |
Dock system including collapsible frame, and method for assembling dock system including collapsible frame
A dock system including a collapsible frame, and method for assembling the dock system including collapsible frame are provided. A collapsible dock system includes a collapsible frame. The collapsible frame includes a first beam, a second beam, a cross-member, and a hinged bracket system. The cross-member system secures the first beam to the second beam. The hinged bracket system is selectively coupled to the first beam and the second beam in either a compact transport state in which the first beam is movable relative to the second beam or a fixed installation state in which the first beam is fixed relative to the second beam. |
| US09056657B2 |
Offshore vessel for laying a pipeline on the seabed, and a method for handling pipe sections
An offshore pipelaying vessel for laying a pipeline on a seabed includes a pipeline-laying installation having a preassembly line; an inspection station; an assembly line with a pipeline assembly station to assemble a pipeline to be launched from the vessel by joining multi and/or single length pipe sections end to end; and a conveyor system for transporting multi and single length pipe sections, said conveyor system comprising an entry-and-exit location, wherein the conveyor system is configured to allow transportation of multi and/or single length pipe sections at least along the following routes: directly from the entry-and-exit location to the assembly line; indirectly from the entry-and-exit location to the assembly line via the preassembly line and said inspection station; and from the entry-and-exit location to the preassembly line and said inspection station, and after passing said inspection station directly to the entry-and-exit location. |
| US09056656B2 |
Mooring loop
A mooring loop is provided for use with connecting a mooring line to a bollard. The mooring loop may stretch and function as a time delay fuse when excessive loads are applied to the mooring line. The mooring loop is comprised of a reactive fiber component in the shape of a continuous loop that includes a plurality of at least one of: an undrawn hydrophobic polymer fiber or a substantially undrawn hydrophobic polymer fiber. At least two jackets are in surrounding relation to portions of the reactive fiber component. The at least two jackets include respective end portions which overlap. As the mooring loop stretches, a visual indicator on an end portion of one of the jackets pulls out of and away from the end portion of the other one of the jackets. The visual indicator serves as a warning that excessive loads are being applied to the mooring line. |
| US09056653B2 |
Hand-foot compound bicycle with double ratchet
Disclosed is a hand-foot compound bicycle with a double ratchet, which comprises a handle assembly which comprises a crank handle for generating handle power, and an upper gear to be rotated by rotation of the crank handle; a pedal assembly which comprises a pedal for generating pedal power, and transfers both or either one of the handle power and the pedal power to a rear wheel; and a power transfer unit which comprises a first power transfer gear corresponding to the upper gear, and a second power transfer gear for transferring the handle power from the first power transfer gear to the pedal assembly. |
| US09056650B2 |
Bicycle shock assemblies with plunger operated valve arrangement
A shock absorber, which is particularly applicable to bicycles, includes a secondary chamber whose volume selectively contributes to a volume associated with a primary chamber of the shock. A piston is supported by a compression rod and cooperates with a shock tube to define the primary chamber. The secondary chamber is fluidly isolated from the primary chamber by a valve arrangement positioned proximate the piston. A plunger extends along a longitudinal length of the shock and forms or interacts with the valve arrangement such that the secondary chamber is selectively fluidly connected to the primary chamber so the primary and secondary chambers of the shock assembly contribute to the performance of the shock for a selected portion of shock travel. |
| US09056639B2 |
Folding vehicular utility trailer
Disclosed are systems and methods for a folding vehicle trailer. The trailer design is able to be made of various lengths and widths from as well as multiple axle configurations. This trifold design is compact and allows for vertical stacking of sectionalized components to minimize space, while maintaining great flexibility and simplicity for the end user. |
| US09056630B2 |
Lane departure sensing method and apparatus using images that surround a vehicle
A method and an apparatus for sensing a lane departure using images that surround a vehicle. The lane departure sensing method includes receiving images that are taken during driving by a plurality of cameras installed in a car, through respective channels connected to the cameras; modifying the obtained images into top-view images to generate a plurality of modified images; compositing the plurality of modified images to generate images that surround a vehicle; extracting a lane from the images that surround the vehicle, and yielding the information on a distance between the vehicle and the extracted lane or the information on an angle between the travel direction of the vehicle and the lane, so as to determine a lane departure; and giving a warning if the lane departure is determined. |
| US09056627B2 |
Steering column assembly
A steering column assembly comprises inner and outer tubes, an elongate slot in the outer tube closed by applying a load to either side of the slot to reduce the internal diameter of the tube, a pair of flanges fixed to the tube on opposing sides of the slot, and a clamp mechanism which connects one flange to the other, the clamp mechanism movable between a clamped position which applies a clamping force to the flanges to reduce the slot width and tighten the outer tube around the inner tube, and an unclamped position which permits the flanges to move away from one another, and a catch secured at one end to one of the flanges and catches a part of the other flange at its other end, to prevent movement of the flanges beyond a position wherein the inner diameter of the outer tube is equal to a predetermined maximum value. |
| US09056624B2 |
Front wheel drive control
A front wheel power system which may enable independent control of power to each wheel as well as yield direct control over average and differential front wheel speeds. |
| US09056615B2 |
Vehicle system for control of vehicle safety parameters, a vehicle and a method for controlling safety parameters
A vehicle, a method and a vehicle system for control of vehicle safety parameters is provided. The system is arranged to determine a closing velocity between a host vehicle exterior portion and an external object in a road environment where the host vehicle and the external object approach each other. The system comprises image capturing means, processing means and a sensor arrangement. The processing means are arranged to determine the closing velocity for each time instance by forming a quota of a distance between a first position and the host vehicle exterior portion and the estimated time to collision between the first position and the external object. The vehicle system is arranged to control the one or more vehicle safety parameters as a function of the determined closing velocity. |
| US09056613B2 |
System and method for upshift torque modification using an upstream clutch in a hybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle has an engine, an electric machine connected to the engine by an upstream clutch, a transmission gearbox connected to the electric machine by a downstream clutch, and a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to a commanded upshift of the gearbox, modulate a pressure of the upstream clutch. A method for controlling a vehicle includes, in response to a commanded upshift of a gearbox, controlling an upstream clutch to a first nonzero speed differential corresponding to a first inertia connected to and upstream of the gearbox to reduce inertia torque during the upshift. A method for controlling a vehicle includes, in response to a commanded upshift of a gearbox when the vehicle is beyond an electrical limit and a fast path torque reduction limit, slipping an upstream clutch and reducing torque outputs of an engine and an electric machine. |
| US09056607B2 |
System for selecting a transmission economy-based shift schedule
The present invention provides a method of selecting an economy mode shift schedule for a transmission coupled to a motor vehicle. The method includes calculating vehicle acceleration and determining a change in accelerator pedal position. Also, a net tractive effort force of the vehicle is determined for a current gear range of the transmission. Also, the method includes comparing the net tractive effort force for the current gear range to a maximum tractive effort force for a desired gear range and selecting the economy mode shift schedule for the transmission based on the comparison. The method further includes controlling shifting between one or more gear ranges of the transmission according to the economy mode shift schedule. |
| US09056598B2 |
Method for setting the actuating force applied by a parking brake
In a method for setting the clamping force applied by a parking brake, which is generated by an electromechanical brake device and additionally by a hydraulic brake device as needed, the hydraulic pressure is ascertained, and the pressure is assigned a pressure reference path which is compared with an actuator path. |
| US09056597B2 |
Bicycle control device
A bicycle control device is provided with a bracket, a first lever and a second lever. The first lever is pivotally mounted to the bracket on a first pivot axle for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis defined by the first pivot axle. The second lever is pivotally mounted to the bracket on a second pivot axle for pivotal movement about a second pivot axis defined by the second pivot axle. The second pivot axle is disposed inside the first pivot axle. |
| US09056594B2 |
Soldier platform system
A soldier platform system and a method for protecting soldiers are disposed in a vehicle. In an embodiment, a soldier platform system includes a seat assembly. The soldier platform system also includes a ratchet platform upon which an individual disposed in the seat assembly stands. The soldier support system also includes a single point release system. The single point release system includes a release assembly. In addition, the single point release system includes a first seat side strap and a second seat side strap. Moreover, the single point release system includes a first main support strap and a second main support strap. The single point release system further includes a first side restraint tether and a second side restraint tether. |
| US09056586B2 |
Carrier device
A carrier device for carrying and fixing a housing for at least one of a sensor system, an electronic system, a drive unit or a camera in or on a motor vehicle. |
| US09056584B2 |
Rearview assembly for a vehicle
A vehicular rearview assembly with a mirror element having a curved or rounded edge on the first surface that is fully observable from the front of the assembly, a complex peripheral ring, and a user interface with switches and sensors that activate and configure pre-defined function(s) or device(s) of the assembly in response to the user input applied to the user interface. The mirror element is supported by a hybrid carrier co-molded of at least two materials, a portion of which is compressible between the housing shell and an edge of the mirror element. The peripheral ring may include multiple bands. Electrical communications between the electronic circuitry, the mirror element, and the user interface utilize connectors configured to exert a low contact force, onto the mirror element, limited in part by the strength of adhesive affixing the EC element to an element of the housing of the assembly. |
| US09056571B2 |
Headrest and method for manufacturing a headrest
A headrest and a method for manufacturing a headrest are proposed, wherein the headrest is provided, in particular, as a motor vehicle headrest, wherein the headrest has a cover and a foamed material, wherein the foamed material fills the cover at least in certain areas, wherein the headrest is manufactured in such a way that the foamed material is at least partially liquid at the time when the foamed material is introduced into the cover, wherein the cover has at least one closure element, wherein an opening in the cover which is present before the foamed material is introduced can be closed off by means of the closure element. |
| US09056569B2 |
Motorcycle passenger armrest assembly
A passenger armrest assembly includes an armrest coupled to a support tube that is pivotally mounted to an armrest support bracket. The armrest support bracket is configured to be reversibly mounted to a mounting bracket that is installed on a motorcycle structure adjacent to a passenger seat. The armrest support bracket is easily removable when a motorcycle is not carrying a passenger, and is easily attachable to the mounting bracket when a passenger is to be carried on the motorcycle. |
| US09056567B2 |
Baby carrier in the form of a bucket seat
A seat element and a backrest element are integrated in a baby carrier in the form of a bucket seat, such that the angle of inclination can be adjusted. A carrying handle is pivotally and lockably mounted on the lateral walls such that the handle substantially lies on the center of gravity axis of the baby carrier. The outer upper end of the seat element or the backrest element that has an adjustable angle of inclination is mounted on the corresponding end wall in a pivotal manner about a transverse axis. Laterally outward projecting bearing pins of the other inner lower end of the seat element or backrest element are guided in slots of a respective lifting device which is pivotally mounted on the lateral walls, by means of which the pivotally mounted element can be raised from a lowered seating position into a lying position. |
| US09056561B2 |
Slide rail device for vehicle
A slide rail device for a vehicle is provided, which can increase the rotatable range of a handle that is connected to a lock operational lever, and the operational force that is necessary for carrying out a lock release operation can be reduced, even if the rotatable range of the lock operational lever is limited to a narrow range by an upper rail.The slide rail device includes a biaser 70 which rotatably biases the handle with respect to said lock operational lever in a direction so as to constantly maintain a supported state of a lower supported portion by a lower support portion and a supported state of an upper supported portion by an upper supporting portion. |
| US09056560B2 |
Seat assembly having a front cushion module
A vehicle seat assembly having a seat bottom that includes first and second side frame members and a front cushion module. The front cushion module has a support wire and a cushion. The support wire has first and second ends that are disposed proximate the front end of the first and second side frame members, respectively. The cushion receives and is supported by the support wire. |
| US09056558B2 |
Overhead power grid for mobile mining machines
A vehicle is provided that connects to an overhead power structure for powering and guiding the vehicle. The overhead power structure includes a trolley, a track along which the trolley runs, a power source connected to the track, and a cable connected to the trolley and configured to attach to the vehicle moving on a surface. The vehicle includes a chassis and a cable connected to the chassis and configured to mechanically and electrically connect the vehicle to the overhead power structure. The chassis includes a connector rotatable 360 degrees, and the cable connects to the chassis through the connector. |
| US09056542B2 |
Tonneau cover having a draw cord
A tonneau cover assembly for attachment about a top of a perimeter of a cargo box of a pickup truck. The tonneau cover assembly including a cover, a support frame and a securing plate having at least one locking member. Preferably, the tonneau cover assembly includes two biased locking members interconnected by a draw cord. The draw cord preferably includes a clip that removably and adjustably secures the draw cord to a channel in the securing plate. The draw cord preferably includes a pull loop that at least partially extends through an opening in the cover. |
| US09056541B2 |
Bow pivot assembly for a side roll tarping system
A bow system is provided for an open-topped container body having a cover sized and configured to extend laterally across the body from one side rail to the other side rail. The bow system includes a plurality of curved bows pivotably mounted at one end to one side rail and sized to extend in a curved path over the open-top of the container body to engage the other side rail at an opposite end of the bows. A ridge pole assembly is provided that includes first and second ridge pole segments, each of the segments pivotably engaged to a corresponding number of the plurality of curved bows. A tether element is coupled between the facing ends of the ridge pole segments that permits movement of the segments relative to each other as the bow system is moved between a deployed configuration in which the plurality of curved bows extend across the open-top of the container body and a retracted position in which the curved bows are substantially outside the open-top of the container body. |
| US09056540B2 |
Drive device for a roof module of a motor vehicle
A drive device for a roof module of a motor vehicle. A drive device of this type, the roof module comprising two movable roof parts, with longitudinally extended tension/compression means for transmitting drive to the roof parts which are driveable by a common drive motor via two output pinions, is known. The output pinions are oriented coaxially with respect to each other, and the output pinions are assigned a change-over device which sets the drive motor into operative connection alternatively with the one or the other output pinion. |
| US09056539B2 |
Display apparatus and method having parameter display toggle capability for an environmental control system
A display apparatus for a control unit in an environmental control system; the display apparatus including: a display area presenting a plurality of first loci, a plurality of second loci and at least one third locus; each respective first locus of the plurality of first loci being responsive to pressure for effecting a respective response; each respective second locus of the plurality of second loci presenting information using a fixed segment data format; at least one third locus of the at least one third locus presenting information using a dot matrix data format, the display apparatus configured to allow a display of parameters to be toggled. |
| US09056538B2 |
Stabilizer link and manufacturing method therefor
A stabilizer link and a manufacturing method therefor in which there is less concentration of stress, the stud releasing load is improved, and the accuracy of centering of the ring member is improved. A second subassembly is formed by inserting a ball seat of a first subassembly into a ball seat receiving portion of a housing and by arranging a ring member at an opening side of the ball seat. A stopper base portion is abutted to an opening end surface of the ball seat. An outer peripheral end portion taper surface has a taper shape in which a diameter is increased toward an opening side in an axial direction, in a stopper base portion and it is abutted to a slope portion for a stopper base of the housing. An opening side of the ball seat is pressed through the ring member by caulking inwardly a caulking portion. |
| US09056534B1 |
Tire bead breaking assembly
A tire bead breaking assembly includes a base that may abut a support surface. A wheel tower is coupled to the base so the wheel tower may retain an off road vehicle wheel. A primary mount is coupled to the base. A jack is coupled to the primary mount so the jack is positionable between an extended position and a retracted position. An arm tower is coupled to the base so the arm tower extends upwardly from the base. A primary arm is coupled to the jack so the arm tower provides a fulcrum for the primary arm. A secondary arm is coupled to the primary arm so the secondary arm selectively engages an off road vehicle tire when the jack is positioned in the extended position. |
| US09056531B2 |
Tire stud provided with recesses configured to improve its retention in the tire
Stud (30) for a tire (10), the tire comprising a tread (20) made of rubber mix, the stud having an axis (A-A) and two axial ends and comprising: a first part (60) configured to come into contact with the ground when the stud is fitted to the tire and the tire is rolling along the ground, this first part being positioned at one of the axial ends of the stud; a head (70) configured to anchor the stud into the tread of the tire, the head being positioned at the other axial end of the stud; and a body (80) connecting the said first part and the head of the stud, the mean diameter of the body being smaller than the mean diameter of the head of the stud, these diameters being measured at right angles to the axis of the stud; in which the head comprises at least one recess (100) opening onto the surface of the head, the recess being configured to be filled with rubber mix of the tread so as to provide additional anchorage for the stud in the tread. |
| US09056530B2 |
Pneumatic tire
A pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion provided with a shoulder main groove, shoulder lateral grooves extending from the shoulder main groove toward axially outwardly, the shoulder main groove extending in a zigzag manner comprising linear portions and curved portions which are arranged alternately in a circumferential direction of the tire, each linear portion inclined with respect to the circumferential direction of the tire, each curved portion having a radius of curvature of from 12-80 mm, the curved portion protruding toward axially outwardly of the tire, the shoulder main groove having a pair of groove edges and a circumferential space therebetween which straightly extends along the circumferential direction of the tire without coming into contact with both groove edges and the circumferential space with an axial width of from 0.2 to 0.7 times an axial groove width of the shoulder main groove. |
| US09056529B2 |
Carcass reinforcement for an airplane tire
A technique for comprising the compression fatigue rupture strength of the carcass reinforcement external layer (3) of an aeroplane tire in the region of bending on the rim (7). The distance (d) between a point (A) on the bead external face (6) and the carcass reinforcement external layer (3), measured along the straight line perpendicular at this point to the bead external face, is at a maximum at the point (M) on the bead external face that is the orthogonal projection of the radially external end (E) of the filling element (5) onto the bead external face, and the distance (dmax) between the orthogonal projection (M) of the radially external end (E) of the filling element (5) onto the bead external face (6) and the carcass reinforcement external layer (3) is at least equal to 1.3 times the distance (d1) between the orthogonal projection (L) of the center (O) of the bead wire core (4) onto the bead external face and the carcass reinforcement external layer. |
| US09056528B2 |
Pneumatic tire with specified carcass ply turn-back portions
In a carcass (13), between first sections (13A) in which an inter-cord distance between a body portion and turn-back portions gradually decreases outward in a tire radial direction and second sections (13B) in which the inter-cord distance gradually increases, there are disposed first distance-invariant sections (13C) in which the turn-back portions (14B) are brought closer to the body portion (14A) that becomes a substantial bending neutral axis and in which the inter-cord distance is constant, so compressive force acting on the cords of the turn-back portions (14B) can be reduced. By disposing the first distance-invariant sections (13C) between the first sections (13A) and the second sections (13B), the direction of the cords of the turn-back portions (14B) is not suddenly changed, so it becomes difficult for stress to concentrate in the rubber between the cords of the turn-back portions (14B). |
| US09056526B2 |
Modified copolymer of conjugated diene and vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and polymerization method thereof
Provided is a polymerization method of a modified copolymer of conjugated diene and vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon. A multi-functional vinyl benzene-based compound is reacted with an organic alkali metal compound to form a star shaped compound with multiple active sites. A conjugated diene monomer, a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer, and the star shaped compound with multiple active sites are reacted with each other to form a copolymer of conjugated diene and vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon. The copolymer of conjugated diene and vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon is then reacted with a modifier to form the modified copolymer of conjugated diene and vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon.The modifier is represented by formula 1, wherein R1 is a C2-C4 alkylene group; R2 is a group at least consisting of a C2-C4 alkylene group and a C1-C3 alkoxy group; m is an integer of 5 to 30; and n is an integer of 5 to 35. |
| US09056523B2 |
Wheel bearing apparatus provided with a rotational speed detecting apparatus
A wheel bearing apparatus has a cup-shaped cap that is coated by a preserving film and mounted on an outer member. The cap is press-formed from non-magnetic steel sheet. The cap has a cylindrical fitting portion, a disk portion and a bottom portion. The cylindrical fitting portion is press-fit into the inner circumference of the inner-side end of the outer member. The disk portion extends radially inward from the fitting portion and opposes a pulser ring, via a small axial gap. The bottom portion extends from the disk portion, via a bent portion, to cover the inner-side end of the inner member. The rotational speed sensor is arranged opposite the pulser ring, via the disk portion of the cap, where the rotational speed sensor is closely arranged to the pulser ring. |
| US09056521B2 |
Wheel spoke
A wheel spoke includes a shaft, a head at an axial end of the shaft, and a head rear surface on the face of the head which faces towards the shaft; the head rear surface has a plurality of alternating raised portions and recesses which can define a discontinuous contact surface. |
| US09056515B2 |
Paper enhancement treatment with decreased calcium chloride
An inkjet printable media comprises a paper base containing a surface coating comprising calcium chloride and a synergistic amount of a sulfate salt. When the printable media is printed with an inkjet ink containing a black pigment, a KOD value of the printed media is equal to or greater than that of a comparative inkjet printed media comprising up to 12 kg calcium chloride/T media and lacking the sulfate salt. |
| US09056513B2 |
Ink ribbon cartridge and printer
An ink ribbon cartridge holds an ink ribbon impregnated with ink. A casing includes two guide portions projecting from the casing. An ink ribbon formed in a Mobius loop, the ink ribbon including a width, the ink ribbon including a first half of the width and a second half of the width, the ink ribbon being housed in the casing and exiting the casing from a free end of one of the two guide portions and entering the casing from a free end of the other of the two guide portions. An ink supplying section supplies ink to the ink ribbon at an area in the first half of the width, the area being directly facing the casing between the two guide portions. |
| US09056512B1 |
Printing apparatus and method for detecting defective jetting nozzle of printing apparatus
There is provided a printing apparatus comprising: a printhead; a recovery mechanism for the printhead; a jetting failure detector; an operation history memory; a detection condition memory, the jetting failure detector; and a controller. The controller in configured to control the printing apparatus to: determine whether or not the operation history of the printhead conforms to the first condition value; determine whether or not the jetting failure is present, in a case that, the operation history conforms to the first condition value; cause the recovery mechanism to perform the recovery process, in a case that, the jetting failure is present; and cause the detection condition memory to store the second condition value smaller than the first condition value as a new first condition value, in a case that the jetting failure is present. |
| US09056509B2 |
Image recording apparatus
There is provided a transporting section configured to transport a recording medium, a recording head configured to record an image on the recording medium, a carriage movable and holding the recording head, a first guide member guiding movement of the carriage, a second guide member guiding the movement of the carriage, a first movable member movable along with the carriage, a second movable member disposed away from the first movable member and movable along with the carriage, and a driving section configured to drive the carriage between a position where the recording head records the image onto the recording medium and a position where the recording head is separate from a path over which the transporting section transports the recording medium by moving the first movable member and the second movable member. The driving section moves the first movable member and the second movable member in synchronization. |
| US09056508B2 |
Printer apparatus including a fixed blade pushed toward a movable blade
A printer includes a fixed blade block and a movable blade block. The fixed blade block includes an installing member including a rotation shaft, a fixed blade installed in the installing member, a retaining member, and a spring attached to the installing member in a rotatable state with respect to the rotation shaft. The spring includes a first contact part that contacts with the fixed blade and a second contact part that contacts with the retaining member. The movable blade block includes a movable blade that is movable toward the fixed blade. When the fixed blade block and the movable blade block are connected, the retaining member presses the second contact part, causing the spring to rotate and push the fixed blade toward the movable blade. |
| US09056505B2 |
Inkjet recording apparatus
An inkjet recording apparatus may include a corrugate mechanism configured to form a sheet into a corrugated shape. The inkjet recording apparatus may be configured to receive sheets of various sizes and shapes. Accordingly, in some examples, the inkjet recording apparatus may include differently configured portions to handle sheets of different sizes or shapes. According to one arrangement, the inkjet recording apparatus may be configured to receive passage of sheets of a first size through multiple ones of the differently configured portions while receiving passage of sheets of a second size though limited ones of the differently configured portions. |
| US09056503B2 |
Recording apparatus
A recording apparatus includes: a first driving unit that rotates a roll member; a second driving unit that drives a transport unit that transports a medium of the roll member; and a control unit that executes a first process for measuring a load occurring when transporting the medium while rotating the roll member 1/N rotations in a transport direction of the medium by driving the first driving unit while the second driving unit is stopped, and after executing the first process, executes a second process for rotating the roll member 1/N rotations in a opposite direction as the transport direction by driving the first driving unit while the second driving unit is stopped and then rotating the roll member 1/N rotations in the transport direction by driving the first driving unit and the second driving unit. |
| US09056499B2 |
Image recording apparatus
A plurality of through holes are provided between upstream ejection ports and downstream ejection ports. Thereby, when a rear end portion and therearound of a paper sheet is opposed to the downstream ejection ports, gas sucked to suction holes exposed at an upstream side of the paper sheet can be absorbed from the through holes. This can suppress an airflow occurring between a housing and the paper sheet. As a result, deviation of ink droplets ejected from the downstream ejection ports can be suppressed. |
| US09056496B2 |
Recording substrate treatment apparatus, printing system and method of drying
A recording substrate treatment apparatus includes a transporting mechanism for transporting a sheet of a recording substrate; a suction device to provide an underpressure force at an outer surface of the transporting mechanism arranged for holding down a sheet of a recording substrate; a heater for directly heating the recording substrate; and a blower for providing a flow of a gaseous medium at the outer surface of the transporting mechanism, wherein in operation the blower receives the gaseous medium from the suction device.The present invention also pertains to a printing system comprising such a recording substrate treatment apparatus and a method of drying a recording substrate using such a recording substrate recording apparatus. |
| US09056491B2 |
Nail print apparatus
A nail print apparatus, including: a placement surface on which a drawing target is placed, the drawing target has a curved shape along a width direction of the drawing target; a drawing head in which at least one drawing tool is set, the drawing tool having a tip portion that contacts with a surface of the drawing target and performs drawing on the surface of the drawing target; and a head drive unit which moves the drawing head along the placement surface. |
| US09056488B2 |
Two-side thermal printer
Methods of, and apparatus for, two-sided thermal printing comprising direct and/or thermal transfer print means are provided. In one embodiment, a combined direct thermal and thermal transfer printer and related media are disclosed wherein direct thermal printing is provided for on a first media side, and thermal transfer printing is provided on a second media side. In other embodiments, various two-sided thermal transfer printers and media are disclosed wherein thermal transfer printing is provided for on first and second media sides through use of, inter alia, a one- and/or a two-sided thermal transfer ribbon. |
| US09056487B2 |
Printing method for reducing printer artifacts
A printing method comprising a printhead and rollers for printing. A page of a print job is printed which causes depressions in the non-printed side of the print medium. The print medium is heated to reduce the depressions before printing the non-printed side. |
| US09056486B1 |
Inkjet image forming apparatus
An inkjet image forming apparatus includes ink heads, a drive voltage controller that adjusts density by controlling each drive voltage of the ink heads, a halftone processing controller that adjusts density by changing the number of ink droplets ejected from each nozzle of the ink heads, and a density adjustment controller that prints and scans a density adjustment pattern to calculate an adjustment value of each density level. The density adjustment controller adjusts density of a lowest density level so that the drive voltage controller controls each drive voltage based on the adjustment value of the lowest density level, and adjusts density of each density level other than the lowest density level so that the halftone processing controller changes the number of ink droplets based on the adjustment value of each density level other than the lowest density level and the adjustment result by the drive voltage controller. |
| US09056479B2 |
Pressure bag
A pressure bag for in a fluid cartridge having an opening in open connection with a channel in a wall of the fluid cartridge. |
| US09056475B2 |
Inkjet printer with web feed maintenance assembly
An inkjet printer includes: (a) a pagewidth inkjet printhead having a plurality of nozzles for delivering ink onto print media fed past the printhead; and (b) a maintenance assembly for maintaining the printhead. The maintenance assembly includes: (i) an elongate web of material; (ii) rollers for supporting the web; (iii) a maintenance member positioned opposite the printhead; (iv) a web-feeding mechanism for advancing the web past the printhead; and (v) an actuating mechanism for configuring the printer in either one of a maintenance position and a printing position. A gap is defined between the web and the printhead in the printing position. |
| US09056474B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus
A cap member has a fitting recess in which a liquid ejecting head is mounted. On inner surfaces of the fitting recess, a contact section configured to make contact with a side surface of the liquid ejecting head intersecting with a liquid ejecting surface is continuously provided along a circumferential direction of the fitting recess. A movement unit moves the cap member relative to the liquid ejecting head in a manner in which an area on the side surface of the liquid ejecting head with which the contact section makes contact is gradually increased when attaching the cap member to the liquid ejecting head. |
| US09056472B2 |
Non-wetting coating on a fluid ejector
A fluid ejector includes a substrate having an exterior surface and an interior surface. A non-wetting coating can cover at least a portion of the exterior surface and can be substantially absent from the flow path. A non-wetting coating can be formed of a molecular aggregation. A precursor of a non-wetting coating may flow into a chamber at a higher temperature higher than the substrate. A non-wetting coating can be over a seed layer. An outer portion of the seed layer can have a higher concentration of water molecules or a greater density than an inner portion. The outer portion can be deposited at a ratio of partial pressure water to partial pressure matrix precursor that is higher than the ratio for the inner portion. An oxygen plasma can be applied to a seed layer on the exterior surface, and the non-wetting coating can be applied on the seed layer. |
| US09056470B2 |
Flexible circuit seal
Various embodiments and methods relating to an adhesive paste layer (34, 134) sandwiched between a flexible circuit (30) and a fluid delivery system (26) to form a seal at least partially about a print head (28) are disclosed. |
| US09056462B2 |
Ink jet printing method and printer
A method includes deriving from print data a first intended position of a first dot to be printed, determining a first printing element from a plurality of printing elements suitable for printing the first dot at the first intended position, printing the first dot with the first printing element at a first location on the substrate, deriving from the print data a second intended position of a second dot to be printed, retrieving a tolerated deviation of a distance between the first intended position and the second intended position, determining a second printing element from the plurality of printing elements suitable for printing the second dot based on the tolerated deviation, and printing the second dot with the second printing element at a second location on the substrate. |
| US09056461B2 |
Method for driving liquid discharge head, liquid discharge head, and liquid discharge apparatus
A liquid discharge apparatus includes: a liquid discharge head which includes; a discharge port to discharge a liquid; and a substrate including: an energy generating element for generating thermal energy to discharge the liquid from the liquid discharge port; a pair of electrodes connected to the energy generating element for driving thereof; an insulating layer of an insulating material provided to cover the energy generating element; and a metal layer of a metal material provided corresponding to the energy generating element to cover the insulating layer; and a driver unit which sets a first potential of one of the pair of electrodes substantially equal to the potential of the liquid and a second potential of the other one of the pair of electrodes lower than the first potential to drive the energy generating element. |
| US09056460B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for controlling liquid droplet discharge head
An image forming apparatus includes: a liquid droplet discharge head; a pressure generator; and a driving waveform generator configured to generate a driving waveform including a plurality of pulse units for driving the pressure generator for discharging a liquid droplet. The pulse unit includes one or more first pulses, and one or more second pulses arranged after the first pulses for discharging a liquid droplet. The second pulse has a pulse width that is set in advance to generate a resonance with the liquid droplet discharge head. The first pulse has a pulse width different from the pulse width of the second pulse. |
| US09056454B2 |
Actuator, method of manufacturing the actuator, and liquid droplet ejecting head, liquid droplet ejecting apparatus, and image forming apparatus having the actuator
An actuator includes a base member and an electro-mechanical transducer element including a first electrode, an electro-mechanical transducer film, and a second electrode. Further, the base member includes a thin wall part having a concave shape, the electro-mechanical transducer film is formed in a manner such that a film thickness of the electro-mechanical transducer film is gradually reduced from a center part of the electro-mechanical transducer film to both end parts of the electro-mechanical transducer film in at least one direction crossing a film thickness direction of the electro-mechanical transducer film. |
| US09056451B2 |
System for gripping a cylinder conducting ink in a printing press
A device for gripping and transporting at least one ink-attracting cylinder of a printing machine includes support elements that can enter into contact with pins of the cylinder in order to be able to raise the cylinder, Each support element includes at least two tong-like gripper arms with which a pin of the cylinder can be at least partially gripped. |
| US09056449B2 |
Methods of manufacturing electrochemical cells
Methods of manufacturing electrochemical cells having a current collector which, at least in part, underlies a catalyst layer are discussed. A method comprises patterning a current collector to have at least one electrolyte opening, disposing an electrolyte into or through the at least one opening, and disposing a catalyst, at least in part, over the disposed electrolyte. Optionally, the method comprises pattering a substrate and attaching a patterned current collector to each side thereof. Patterning of the current collector can include patterning a continuous sheet, which comprises at least a first and a second separable current collector. In one such example, a continuous carbon-fiber sheet impregnated or laminated with a non-porous material is patterned. In another such example, a continuous plastic material sheet impregnated with one or more electrical conductive particles is patterned. Among other things, the pattern of the current collector can include an extruded slot or adjacently-disposable strips. |
| US09056444B1 |
Molded composite products, including solid doors
Molded planar products such as solid interior and entry doors produced by molding lignocellulosic and cellulosic composite materials. The doors can be manufactured by compressing and heating a layered mixture of fine wood particles blended with thermo-set molding resins and coarse wood particles blended with thermo-set binding resins between two molds, which may contain relief patterns. The molded products are strong, solid and have hard, smooth, paint-ready outer surfaces. |
| US09056443B2 |
Brazing process, braze arrangement, and brazed article
A brazing process, a braze arrangement, and a brazed article are disclosed. The brazing process includes brazing an article with a braze arrangement. The braze arrangement includes a first braze material and a second braze material, the first braze material having a first melting point and the second braze material having a second melting point, the first melting point differing from the second melting point. The brazed article includes a treatment region, a first brazed material positioned within the treatment region, and a second brazed material positioned distal from the article in comparison to the first brazed material. The first brazed material is formed by the first braze material and the second brazed material is formed by the second braze material. |
| US09056436B2 |
Tire mold
A tire mold constituted by arranging a pair of upper and lower side plates, a sector, a sector shoe holding the sector and an actuator, wherein a ring is provided on each outer diameter portion of the side plates, and when the mold is in fully closed state at room temperature, projection parts formed in the upper and lower sides of the sector shoe contact the outer diameter portion of the brim-like ring and when the mold has reached a vulcanization temperature in fully closed state, the inner diameter portion of the sector contacts the outer diameter portion of the side plate, and the projection parts formed in the upper and lower sides of the sector shoe are formed to contact the outer diameter portions of the ring. |
| US09056434B2 |
Method for extrusion-molding loose tube and apparatus therefor, and loose tube
An apparatus with: an extrusion head with a tip and a die concentrically arranged therewithin and extrudes a tube between the tip and the die; a needle that feeds at least one optical fiber and filler to be filled around the optical fiber into the tube being extrusion-molded; and a cylindrical bundling member provided within the needle. The bundling member has a bundling hole smaller than an inner diameter of the tube at a center thereof and into which the optical fiber can pass through, and a flow pass penetrating along a feeding direction of the filler between the bundling hole and an inner circumferential surface of the needle. In a method using the apparatus, the optical fiber is passed through a bundling hole to be bundled at a center of the tube. The filler is passed through a flow path to be filled around the optical fiber. |
| US09056431B2 |
Apparatus comprising an end fitting connected to a body
An apparatus includes a fitting connected to a body. The fitting has an engagement portion including a channel formed into a peripheral surface of it and an axis. The body includes an axial layer provided around at least some of the peripheral surface of the engagement portion of the end fitting and a hoop layer provided around the axial layer at a location corresponding to at least some of the channel so as to urge at least some of the axial layer into a portion of the channel. The channel is arranged such that at least some of it defines a pathway that is non-orthogonal with respect to the axis of the fitting, such that at least some of the surface area of the channel defines a load bearing surface for the transfer of torque between the fitting and body when a rotational force is applied to one of them. |
| US09056426B2 |
Method for the thermal joining of two components, and a thermal joining strip
A method for a thermal joining of two thermoplastic components includes arranging at least one reactive sheet entity in a mating zone between the two thermoplastic components. A multiply perforated metallic sheet entity configured as a bonding agent is disposed on each side of the at least one reactive sheet entity, at least in some regions of the mating zone. The at least one reactive sheet entity is activated so as thermally join the two thermoplastic components in the regions of the mating zone. |
| US09056423B2 |
Manufacturing method of an eco friendly foaming package material
A manufacturing method of an eco friendly foam package material includes a raw material mixing step for mixing raw materials uniformly and thoroughly to form a mixed raw material, a raw material hybrid-melting step for performing a hybrid-melting process to form a hybrid-melted material, a particle forming step for performing the particle forming process by putting the hybrid-melted material into a pelletizer to form plastic particles, and a foam extrusion step. In the foam extrusion step the plastic particles are melted to become a gelatinous state material, and foamed with non-chemical method. Since the properties of the biodegradable polymer are changed by the decomposition enzyme, and further to mix with bio-cellulose and the industrial starch, such that the eco friendly foam package material with compostability is obtained. |
| US09056419B2 |
Sizing tank with electro-mechanical controlled water flows
A vacuum sizing tank configured to provide controlled fluid flow. A fluid control system and a vacuum sizing tank utilizing electronic controls to create and maintain controllable fluid flow within the tank. Flow meters may measure the flow in and out of the tank to maintain consistency. Temperature meters may measure the temperatures for each of the flows to maintain consistency. An electronic circuit may compare the values with preset values. Any difference between the values may trigger change by varying the voltage applied to a variable speed water pump. |
| US09056407B2 |
Method of and apparatus for molding glazing gasket onto multilayer glass panel
While a first coating gun 405 is being moved along a peripheral edge portion 100a of one surface of a multilayer glass panel 100 horizontally placed on a first worktable 20, the first coating gun 405 discharges a molding material to coat the peripheral edge portion 100a with the molding material over its entire length, molding a glazing gasket 110 thereon. An inverting mechanism 60 inverts the multilayer glass panel 100 with the molded glazing gasket 110 such that the other surface of the multilayer glass panel 100 faces upwardly. Then, a second coating gun 505 is moved along a peripheral edge portion 100b of the other surface of the multilayer glass panel 100, which is horizontally placed on a second worktable 30, and simultaneously discharges a molding material to coat the peripheral edge portion 100b with the molding material over its entire length, molding a glazing gasket 110 thereon. |
| US09056404B2 |
Computational design of inflatable deformable balloons
An automated process facilitates the fabrication-oriented design of a mold for an inflatable, deformable balloon. The automated process comprises a computational balloon design process that, given a desired shape of an inflated balloon, computes an optimal rest shape of the balloon that, when inflated, approximates the desired shape as closely as possible. In such a design process, the optimal rest shape of the balloon is solved for numerically using a physics-driven shape optimization method combining physical simulation of inflatable elastic membranes with a dedicated constrained optimization algorithm. Once the optimal rest shape is determined, a dip mold can be fabricated that is suitable for manufacturing balloons having such a rest shape. |
| US09056399B2 |
Utilty knife
The utility knife device generally comprises a sheath, covering a portion of the user's hand and a blade housing which attach together at a connection point. The blade housing is made up of a casing which preferably encloses the user's index finger, a blade housed within the casing and a trigger which extends out of the casing and manipulates the blade. The blade is capable of extending outward from the casing being held in place for use. The blade is also capable of automatically retracting within the casing so that the blade is not exposed. |
| US09056397B2 |
Robot
A robot according to an aspect of embodiments includes a motor and a hypoid gear. The motor is provided in a robot arm. The hypoid gear transmits the driving force of the motor to a leading-edge arm coupled to the robot arm to swing the leading-edge arm or to rotate an end effector. |
| US09056389B2 |
Line wrenches
A line wrench includes a drive receiving portion, a holder movably connected to the drive receiving portion and a fastener engaging body. The fastener engaging body has a plurality of fastener engaging surfaces defined by a fastener receiving aperture having an axis and a side opening through which an elongate member can enter the fastener receiving aperture by a movement transverse to the fastener receiving aperture axis. The holder is arranged to receive the fastener engaging body, has a free end portion and is movable between a position in which the free end portion is spaced from the drive receiving portion to permit an elongate member to enter the side opening and a position in which the free end portion engages the drive receiving portion such that a drive force applied to the drive receiving portion is transmitted to the holder via the free end portion. |
| US09056388B2 |
Grinding lamella for arrangement on a grinding wheel which can be driven in rotation about an axis of rotation
A grinding lamella 1 for being arranged on a grinding wheel 19 which is rotatingly drivable around an axis of rotation, comprising an outer edge 2 which is at least partially convex, an inner edge 3 which is at least partially concave, a front edge 4 which connects together the outer edge 2 and the inner edge 3 on the front side of the grinding lamella 1, and a rear edge 5 which connects together the outer edge 2 and the inner edge 3 on a rear side of the grinding lamella 1, wherein the front edge 4 is longer than the rear edge 5 and wherein the outer edge 2 is longer than the inner edge 3. |
| US09056382B2 |
Polishing pad, composition for the manufacture thereof, and method of making and using
A polyurethane layer for forming a polishing pad for a semiconductor wafer is described, wherein the polyurethane layer comprises: a foamed polyurethane, wherein the polyurethane foam has a density of about 640 to about 960 kg/m3, and a plurality of cells having an average diameter of about 20 to about 200 micrometers; and particles of a hydrophobic polymer having a critical surface energy of less than 35 mN/m and having a median particle size of 3 to 100 micrometers. Polishing pads as well as methods for polishing are also described. |
| US09056381B1 |
Line trimmer/grinder system
A support pole has upper, lower and intermediate extents. A motor with a drive shaft is coupled to the lower extent of the support pole. A grinding component is coupled to the drive shaft. The grinding component includes an annular plate below, a cylindrical sleeve above and a hemispherical dome there between. The sleeve is adapted to receive the drive shaft. The annular plate has a downwardly facing abrasive surface. The dome ventilation apertures. A bushing is coupled to the drive shaft for axial securement of the dome and abrasive surface to the motor. |
| US09056376B2 |
Apparatus and method for remote fastener installation
A tool configured to install and torque multiple fasteners, such as nuts and/or bolts, positioned in confined and/or hard to reach areas. The tool includes a body portion, a plurality of fastener retainers, and a structure which permits both the remote tightening and torquing of such fasters. The tool also provides an actuator for the remote release of torque loads which may build up in the fastener retainers during such torquing of the fasteners. The actuator includes a lever arm pivotally connected to the body portion and a cam that is rotatable between a first position and a second position. A linkage is engaged by the cam and urges the lever arm to a torquing position upon the cam being in the first position and to a torque release position upon the cam being in the second position. |
| US09056372B2 |
Extending useful life of a cobalt-based gas turbine component
A method of extending the useable life of a gas turbine component fabricated from a cobalt-based alloy is disclosed. The method includes applying a rejuvenation process to the alloy where the alloy is placed in a protected atmosphere and heated to three different elevated temperatures and held at the elevated temperatures for approximately four hours each. Application of the rejuvenation process allows gas turbine components to be returned to service for at least one more service interval of approximately 24,000 operating hours. |
| US09056371B2 |
Method for recontouring a compressor blade or a turbine blade for a gas turbine
A method for recontouring a blade of a gas turbine includes systematically melting a portion of a leading edge of the blade using an energy beam so as to form a new contour of hardened material substantially without incorporating additional material. |
| US09056368B2 |
Method and device for monitoring a laser processing operation to be performed on a workpiece and laser processing head having such a device
The invention relates to a method for monitoring a laser machining operation to be performed on a workpiece, comprising the following steps: detecting at least two current measured values by at least one sensor, which monitors the laser machining operation, determining at least two current characteristic values from the at least two current measured values, wherein the at least two current characteristic values jointly represent a current fingerprint in a characteristic value space, providing a predetermined point set in the characteristic value space, and classifying the laser machining operation by detecting the position of the current fingerprint relative to the predetermined point set in the characteristic value space, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one camera unit, which records camera images with different exposure times and processes them together by using a high dynamic range (HDR) method, in order to provide images having a high contrast ratio as the current measured values. |
| US09056367B2 |
Conduit
A conduit constructed from a coiled wire having an oval or elliptical cross-sectional shape. |
| US09056363B2 |
Anticorrosive flux
Aluminum parts, such as heat exchangers, with improved resistance towards corrosion caused by contact with stationary water or aqueous compositions can be obtained by addition of Li compounds to the flux used for brazing such parts. LiF and especially Li fluoroaluminates are very suitable. Another aspect of the invention concerns fluxes containing Li salts and their use for brazing of aluminum parts. |
| US09056360B2 |
Multi-blade cutting and drilling finishing tool
Described is a multi-blade cutting and drilling finishing tool for machining deep or stepped bores. The tool comprises at least a first blade set having a nominal diameter and blades distributed essentially uniformly over the circumference. In order to make it easier to guide the tool along the central axis, a guiding strip set in the form of very accurately positioned cutting inserts is located axially behind the first blade set with respect to the axial direction of the tool in which the tool advances forward to machine the deep or stepped bores. Each of the cutting inserts is aligned with one of the blades of the first blade set in a direction parallel to an axis of the tool, and each of the cutting inserts has a nominal diameter which is smaller than the nominal diameter of the first blade set by essentially twice the size of a lubrication gap forming between the guiding strip set and the deep or stepped bores when the tool is used. |
| US09056356B2 |
Device for machining workpieces
A device for machining workpieces, in which a surface plate (1) that can be driven about a rotational axis (W) can be moved in a linear fashion along the rotational axis (W) and the rotational axis (W) is constructed as a hollow axis (H), on the outside diameter of which the surface plate is rotatably mounted, and in which two cross slides (2, 3) which can be displaced radially to the outside and inside perpendicular to the rotational axis (W) are provided on the surface plate (1), and in which the surface plate (1) can be driven by a first drive and the cross slides (2, 3) can be driven by a common second drive. |
| US09056355B2 |
Lathe machining member
A cylindrical core portion, at least a part of which is made of a noble metal alloy and which has a diameter larger than a maximum diameter of a shape obtained by lathe machining, and a hollow-cylindrical peripheral portion, which is made of a material different from the material of the core portion, are included. The core portion is arranged in a hollow portion of the peripheral portion with no space. The material applied to the peripheral portion is a free-cutting material selected from a group of, for example, free-cutting brass, free-cutting phosphor bronze, free cutting nickel silver, and free-cutting beryllium copper. The noble metal alloy applied to the core portion is, for example, alloy mainly consisting of silver, palladium, gold, platinum, zinc, copper, iron, and nickel, alloy mainly consisting of palladium, silver, and copper, or alloy mainly consisting of silver, platinum, zinc, gold, and copper. |
| US09056353B2 |
Manipulating surface topology of BMG feedstock
Described herein is a feedstock comprising BMG. The feedstock has a surface with an average roughness of at least 200 microns. Also described herein is a feedstock comprising BMG. The feedstock, when supported on a support during a melting process of the feedstock, has a contact area between the feedstock and the support up to 50% of a total area of the support. These feedstocks can be made by molding ingots of BMG into a mole with surface patterns, enclosing one or more cores into a sheath with a roughened surface, chemical etching, laser ablating, machining, grinding, sandblasting, or shot peening. The feedstocks can be used as starting materials in an injection molding process. |
| US09056352B2 |
Clipping die for clipping a component
A clipping die for clipping a component, the clipping die including a riser having a support surface with a cutting edge for clipping the component under the action of a punch. A referencing member is provided for engagement with a reference portion of the component. The referencing member is mounted on a resilient element. The resilient element is depressed under the action of a punch to move the referencing member into a position such that the component is fully supported by the support surface during the clipping process. |
| US09056350B2 |
Device and method for manufacturing wire coils
A device for manufacturing wire coils includes: at least two rotationally supported drums which are mounted at a predefined distance from one another, the at least two drums each having at least one bending peg mounted on a lateral surface of the corresponding drums and protruding essentially perpendicularly, a movable wire guiding device winding the wire around the bending pegs protruding from the at least two drums to produce at least one wire winding. The wire guiding device aligns the wire between two bending pegs under a predefinable elastic tension and winds the wire under tension around the corresponding bending peg due to a rotational movement. |
| US09056345B2 |
Method and profiling installation for roll forming a sheet metal
A flexible retaining device (1) for a profiling installation for clamping a sheet metal (5) to be profiled is provided. Furthermore, a method for profiling a sheet metal (5) by using the flexible retaining device (1) is provided as well as sheet metal profiled with the method. |
| US09056344B2 |
Method for producing hot rolled hollow sections having a rectangular cross-section and small edge radii
In a method for producing hot-rolled sections of steel with a rectangular or square cross-section, a substantially round pipe blank produced seamlessly by hot rolling or cold finished and welded and having a defined nominal outside diameter is initially produced and then formed at a forming temperature into a hollow section having the required cross-section, with visible edges C1 and C2 of the hollow section having a value ≦1.5×t (t=wall thickness). The pipe blank has a nominal outer diameter determined from a reduction ratio of the pipe blank to be achieved and the hollow section dimensions to be achieved, wherein the reduction ration lies within a range of −2% to −13% and is determined according to the following formula: Reduction ratio R[%]=[(2×(H+B))−π×D]×100%/[2×(H+B)]. |
| US09056340B2 |
Bioremediation systems, compositions, and methods
Systems, compositions, and methods for the bioremediation of a contaminant contained within a contaminated region. The systems, compositions, and methods may include supplying a first bioremediation formulation that includes an ion exchange resin to a first treatment zone that is associated with the contaminated region. The systems, compositions, and methods further may include supplying a second bioremediation formulation that includes a high-mobility oxidant, a low-mobility oxidant, and a nutrient material to a second treatment zone that is associated with the contaminated region. The systems, compositions, and methods also may include a kit of bioremediation formulations that includes the first bioremediation formulation and the second bioremediation formulation and is to be utilized during the bioremediation of the contaminated region. |
| US09056331B2 |
Thin layer having composition gradient and production method thereof
Disclosed herein are a thin layer having a composition gradient and a method for the production of the thin layer. According to the method, the thin layer is produced by subjecting a mixture of one or more organic materials and one or more inorganic materials to a sol-gel process. The composition gradient and the surface energy of the thin layer are controlled during production, leaving no interfacial failure defects. |
| US09056328B2 |
Air gun
The air gun comprises a substantially cylindrical-shaped external case (2), provided at one end with a connection element (8) suitable to enable the connection of the air gun (1) with a device for supplying a fluid to be sprayed, and provided at the opposite end with an expulsion device (10) suitable to enable the outlet of the fluid to be sprayed towards the outside. Inside the case (2) is arranged a vortex generator device (9) provided with a plurality of internal walls (91) having curvilinear profiles. The walls (91) define a plurality of separated helical pipes (93), in order to give the fluid to be sprayed a helical rotatory motion. |
| US09056326B2 |
Device for thermally coating a surface
A device for the thermal coating of a surface, having a wire supply unit for the supply of a wire, wherein the wire acts as a first electrode, a source for plasma gas for generating a plasma gas stream, a nozzle body with a nozzle opening through which the plasma gas stream is conducted as a plasma gas jet to one wire end, and a second electrode which is arranged in the plasma gas stream before the latter enters into the nozzle opening The device is characterized in that the wire supply unit is adjustable, whereby the wire end situated in front of the nozzle opening can be moved by a certain adjustment travel. In this way, it is possible for installation tolerances in the device to be easily compensated, and high and consistent quality of the coating is attained. |
| US09056324B2 |
Spraying device apparatus
A spraying device includes a housing that has a spraying unit and a trigger assembly. The spraying unit is a removable insert within the housing. The spraying unit includes an air chamber that is coupled to a liquid tank. A front end portion of the air chamber has a nozzle. The air chamber receives a liquid tube that opens in the nozzle. The liquid tube receives a needle and the needle and the liquid tube are coaxial with each other. The trigger assembly controls the flow of liquid through the liquid tube by positioning a tapered front end of the needle. The trigger assembly includes a trigger that has a first position and a second position. In the first position, the opening of the liquid tube is closed by the needle. In a second position, the liquid tube is opened to discharge a liquid from an opening of the liquid tube. |
| US09056319B2 |
Gas cleaning separator
The present invention relates to a separator and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a centrifugal separator for the cleaning of a gaseous fluid. A centrifugal separator is provided as comprising a housing defining an inner space, and a rotor assembly for imparting a rotary motion onto a mixture of substances to be separated. The rotor assembly is located in said inner space and is rotatable about an axis relative to the housing. The rotor assembly comprises an inlet for receiving said mixture of substances, an outlet from which said substances are ejected from the rotor assembly during use, and a flow path for providing fluid communication between the inlet and outlet, wherein the outlet is positioned more radially outward from said axis than the inlet. |
| US09056317B2 |
Tissue container for molecular and histology diagnostics incorporating a breakable membrane
A container for storing a biological sample for molecular diagnostic testing and/or histological testing is provided. The container includes a first chamber for receiving a sample holder therein, a second chamber, and a closure for enclosing the container. A breakable membrane, such as a piercable foil, extends within the container and separates the two chambers. When the breakable membrane is broken, fluid can pass between the first and second chambers. The membrane may be broken through an activator on the closure, such as a depressible member or a rotatable carrier, causing the sample holder to break through the membrane. |
| US09056315B2 |
Dual phase catalysts system for mixed olefin hydrations
The catalyst systems include a dual phase catalyst system that includes a water soluble acid catalyst and a solid acid catalyst. |
| US09056311B2 |
Method for making molecular sieve SSZ-96
A method for making a new crystalline molecular sieve designated SSZ-96 is disclosed using a 1-butyl-1-methyl-octahydroindolium cation as a structure directing agent. |
| US09056300B2 |
Ozone gas generation unit and ozone gas supply system
In the present invention, a gas pipe integrated block has a plurality of internal pipe paths. The plurality of internal pipe paths are connected to an ozone generator, control means, a raw gas supply port, an ozone gas output port, and cooling water inlet/outlet ports, to thereby form a unit in which a raw gas input pipe path and an ozone gas output pipe path are integrated. The raw gas input pipe path extends from the raw gas supply port through an automatic pressure controller to the ozone generator. The ozone gas output pipe path extends from the ozone generator through a gas filter, an ozone concentration meter, and a flow rate controller, to the ozone gas output port. |
| US09056299B2 |
Scale-up of flow-focusing microfluidic devices
Parallel uses of microfluidic methods and devices for focusing and/or forming discontinuous sections of similar or dissimilar size in a fluid are described. In some aspects, the present invention relates generally to flow-focusing-type technology, and also to microfluidics, and more particularly parallel use of microfluidic systems arranged to control a dispersed phase within a dispersant, and the size, and size distribution, of a dispersed phase in a multi-phase fluid system, and systems for delivery of fluid components to multiple such devices. |
| US09056297B2 |
Integrated vacuum resid to chemicals conversion process
A process and apparatus for cracking a hydrocarbon feed containing resid, comprising: heating a hydrocarbon feedstock containing resid; passing said heated hydrocarbon feedstock to a vapor/liquid separator; flashing said heated hydrocarbon feedstock in said vapor/liquid separator to form a vapor phase and a liquid phase containing said resid; passing at least a portion of said resid-containing liquid phase from said vapor/liquid separator to a thermal conversion reactor operating at 649° C. or more, wherein the thermal conversion reactor contains coke particles; and converting at least a portion of said resid into olefins. |
| US09056296B2 |
Apparatus for manufacturing fine particles and toner
An apparatus for manufacturing fine particles is provided. The apparatus includes a liquid droplet discharge device and a liquid droplet solidification device. The liquid droplet discharge device has multiple nozzles. The liquid droplet discharge device is adapted to discharge a liquid from the multiple nozzles to form the liquid into liquid droplets. The liquid comprises a solvent in which constituents of the fine particles are dissolved or dispersed or a melt of constituents of the fine particles. The liquid droplet solidification device is adapted to solidify the liquid droplets by an airflow. The multiple nozzles are arranged in a manner such that each of the nozzles does not overlap each other relative to a direction of the airflow. |
| US09056294B2 |
Particle pump methods and devices
Methods and devices are provided for transfer of particulate material, such as biomass feedstocks, into and out of pressurized reactors. Improved sluice devices have an L-shaped sluice chamber having an upper, vertical component in communication with a horizontal loading chamber and a lower component in communication with a vertical reactor inlet or outlet. Piston valves seal the sluice inlet and outlet by axial displacement across the vertical component of the sluice chamber and across the vertical reactor inlet or outlet. Relative to other methods for reactor unloading, these devices consume less steam and significantly reduce furfural content of unloaded, pretreated biomass. An optional hybrid plug/sluice method of biomass feeding using the devices permits biomass loading at sluice pressures intermediate between atmospheric and reactor pressure, thereby reducing “pump cycle” time and increasing biomass throughput capacity. |
| US09056291B2 |
Microfluidic reactor system
A compact device for operatively coupling a solid planar substrate, for example a glass slide, to a microfluidic circuit and performing a reaction or reactions on organic matter bound to the face of the planar substrate. Typical reactions include binding, staining and/or labeling reactions. In use, a sealed reaction chamber is formed, the chamber enclosing the organic matter and at least a part of the solid substrate. Headspace in the sealed chamber between the solid substrate is generally of microfluidic dimensions, and diaphragm pump members are used to inject, exchange and/or mix the fluids in the chamber. |
| US09056290B2 |
Kneading system with closed-type rubber kneader
The system includes: a closed-type rubber kneader that kneads kneading materials that include raw rubber and carbon black; a rotation meter of a rotor; a power meter that measures the instantaneous power required to drive the rotation of the rotor; and a calculation device to which the measurement data is input. The calculation device calculates an evaluation index that evaluates the kneading efficiency of the kneader based on the total amount of shear calculated by integrating the shear velocity applied to the kneading materials by the rotor over the kneading time, and a unit work calculated by dividing the integrated power obtained by integrating the instantaneous power over the kneading time by the mass of the kneading materials. |
| US09056289B2 |
Droplet creation techniques
The present invention is generally related to systems and methods for producing droplets. The droplets may contain varying species, e.g., for use as a library. In some cases, at least one droplet is used to create a plurality of droplets, using techniques such as flow-focusing techniques. In one set of embodiments, a plurality of droplets, containing varying species, can be divided to form a collection of droplets containing the various species therein. A collection of droplets, according to certain embodiments, may contain various subpopulations of droplets that all contain the same species therein. Such a collection of droplets may be used as a library in some cases, or may be used for other purposes. |
| US09056285B2 |
Gas separation membrane
A gas separation membrane having a polyimide structure. The polyimide structure is provided to contain a repeating unit represented by general formula (1): wherein R1 is a divalent organic group represented by general formula (2): or a divalent organic group represented by general formula (3): |
| US09056283B2 |
Facilitated transport membrane for the separation of aromatics from non-aromatics
Certain embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for separating aromatic hydrocarbons from an aromatic hydrocarbon feed stream. The apparatus includes a membrane support, and a hydrophilic polymer membrane matrix disposed on the membrane support. The hydrophilic polymer membrane matrix includes an effective amount of polyvinyl alcohol and an effective amount of sodium alginate. The apparatus further includes a carrier agent bonded to the hydrophilic polymer membrane matrix using a cross-linking agent. The carrier agent exhibits a greater affinity for aromatics compared to aliphatics. The apparatus further includes a membrane housing configured to hold the membrane support. The membrane housing includes an inlet, a permeate outlet, and a retentate outlet, the inlet being operable to receive the aromatic hydrocarbon feed stream, the permeate outlet being operable to discharge a permeate stream, and the retentate outlet being operable to discharge a retentate stream. |
| US09056279B1 |
Systems and methods for controlling emissions in an internal combustion engine through the control of temperature at the inlet of an ammonia slip catalyst assembly
A method and system for controlling emissions in an engine, includes establishing a desired first temperature at an inlet (116) of an ammonia slip catalyst assembly (115); and determining a second temperature associated with a temperature at the inlet of the ammonia slip catalyst assembly (115). If the second temperature is higher than the desired first temperature, then directing an air injector (135) to add air to the inlet (116) of the ammonia slip catalyst assembly (115). |
| US09056274B2 |
System and method for controlling and reducing NOx emissions
A system includes a gas production source configured to produce a gas stream comprising nitrogen oxides (NOx) and a hydrocarbon injector disposed downstream of the gas production source and configured to inject a hydrocarbon into the gas stream. The hydrocarbon is configured to oxidize molecules of the NOx in the gas stream to produce a higher order compound of nitrogen and oxygen (NyOz). The system also includes a removal device disposed downstream of the hydrocarbon injector. The removal device is configured to remove the NyOz from the gas stream via absorption or reaction. |
| US09056267B2 |
Filtration device
A filtration device with filters that can be backwashed with purified water switches between water purification, first backwashing, and second backwashing modes, depending on a pivot position of a valve. During the first backwashing mode, while a tap water inlet is in communication with a second tap water passage port, first and second purified water passage ports are blocked from communication with a purified water outlet, so purified water from a second filter flows backward through a first filter and is discharged from a drain water outlet. During the second backwashing mode, while the tap water inlet is in communication with a first tap water passage port, first and second purified water passage ports are blocked from communication with the purified water outlet, so purified water from the first filter flows backward through the second filter and is discharged from the drain water outlet. |
| US09056265B2 |
Isolated bioactive compounds and method of use
Bioactive compounds extracted from a fermentation broth created by a unique microbial community during a fermentation process and fractionated into several fractions based on size. Four of the resulting fractions stimulate growth of plants that are planted in soil to which the fractions have been applied. The fractions can be applied to the soil individually or combined together prior to application. In another embodiment, the unique fractions can be freeze dried or spray dried. |
| US09056263B2 |
Chalcogenide compounds for the remediation of nuclear and heavy metal wastes
Chalcogenide compounds, including ternary and quaternary tin and antimony chalcogenides, for use as absorbents in the remediation of hazardous materials are provided. Also provided are methods for using the chalcogenides in the remediation of ionic and elemental metals from aqueous and non-aqueous fluids. |
| US09056261B2 |
Water desalination system
An improved water desalination system is disclosed, in which contaminated water such as seawater or brackish water is preheated and fed into a primary pressure vessel through a distribution head. The seawater is distributed from the distribution head over a non-adherent surface such as a plurality of silicone chords hanging below a distribution tank or a cone- and cylindrical-shaped surface. The water is exposed to a high temperature steam environment in the chamber to cause at least a portion of the water in the contaminated water to evaporate, while the remaining concentrated salts from the contaminated water fall to the bottom of the chamber. A portion of the steam in the primary pressure vessel is withdrawn to be condensed into fresh water. The energy withdrawn with the steam extracted from the primary pressure vessel is made up by a supplemental energy apparatus, such as a steam generator. |
| US09056260B2 |
Toy construction system
A toy construction system includes a block component and a connector component. The connector component has a connector-to-block coupling section for releasable coupling to the block component and a connector-to-connector coupling section for releasable coupling to a substantially similar connecting component. The connector-to-block coupling section defines a connector block contacting surface for contacting the block component. The coupling aperture defines a peripheral edge retaining section made out of a substantially resiliently deformable material. The peripheral edge retaining section is configured, sized and positioned so that when the block and connector components are in a component assembled configuration, the connector block contacting surface substantially deforms the peripheral edge retaining section to a retaining configuration for positively retaining the latter; and when the connector block contacting surface is spaced from the peripheral retaining section, the latter resiliently springs back to a non-retaining configuration. |
| US09056256B2 |
System and methods for identifying intrinsic motivators, play profiles and play personalities through captured actions in an online environment
Techniques are described herein for automatically determining a play personality of a user. Play personalities develop from play type and play patterns, which may be automatically determined by computing devices based on that user/subject's information and actions. Furthermore, in a gaming environment, the play personality of the user/subject may be represented by an avatar, doppelganger, narrative, graphic or iconic depiction. The play personality may be determined based on the avatar or doppelganger's actions, which may include but are not limited to how they respond to questions posed by non-playing characters and/or the avatars or doppelgangers of other users. Once determined, the play personality may be used as a basis for identifying and integrating intrinsic motivators and integrating user-centric design which can alter some aspect of the game environment, such as the appearance of the avatar, or the nature of a quest, or means for identifying or exploring solutions in gamification. |
| US09056255B2 |
Game controller, game machine, and game system using the game controller
A game controller, a game machine, and a game system including the game system. The game controller is a device for manipulating a game program, and at least a portion of a body portion of the game controller is deformable to have forms that are adapted to contents of a game. Accordingly, a physical sensation when a user plays a game may be improved. |
| US09056254B2 |
Time-of-flight camera with guided light
A gaming system comprising a time-of-flight 3D camera and related method for illuminating a camera field of view and capturing return image light are disclosed herein. In one example, the time-of-flight 3D camera includes a light source configured to emit source light along an optical axis, and a collimator configured to receive and collimate the source light to create collimated light. A refractive diffuser is operable to be tuned to the camera field of view and configured to receive and diffuse the collimated light to create refracted light having a varying intensity profile. The refractive diffuser is further configured to guide the refracted light to illuminate only a portion of the camera field of view to reduce wasted source light. |
| US09056248B2 |
System and method for detecting inappropriate content in virtual worlds
A system for detecting inappropriate content in a virtual world environment has and a corresponding method utilizes a rating unit for rating each of one or more virtual objects based upon its content. The system has and the method utilizes a tagging unit for tagging each of the one or more virtual objects with its respective rating, an object tagging database for storing ratings of the one or more virtual objects, and a policy database for storing policies associated with the ratings and the regions. Further the system has and the method utilizes an object monitor for monitoring the movement of each of the one or more virtual objects, a security scanner for scanning each of the one or more virtual objects to determine the rating of each of the one or more virtual objects, and an enforcement module to enforce the policies of the policy database based upon the rating and the respective region. |
| US09056241B2 |
Roller skate
A roller skate having enhanced durability and stability is disclosed. Furthermore, the roller skate is particularly adapted for affixing to a person's footwear, such as sneakers, boots or the like. The skate includes a platform for supporting a skater's foot. The platform includes a toe plate and heel plate connected by an adjustable connecting assembly. A front truck is affixed to the underside of the toe plate, while a rear truck is affixed to the underside of the heel plate. The front truck includes simple bracket arms for affixing a single front wheel which is capable of rotating, but not capable of tilting about the platform's longitudinal axis. Meanwhile, the rear wheel truck is mounted to the underside of the heel plate so as to permit both tilting movement about an inclined longitudinal axis, and also rotation about a transverse axis relative to the roller skate's platform. Preferably, the roller skate includes three wheels rotatably mounted to the rear wheel truck. A button projects upwardly from the roller skate's rear truck so as to engage a skater's heel when it is placed upon the roller skate's platform. The button is connected to the roller skate's connecting assembly so that depression of the button causes the platform to unlock from an extending condition to allow the skate to automatically contract to capture a skater's foot. |
| US09056240B2 |
Apparatus for simulating motion in a virtual environment
This is directed to systems, processes, machines, and other means that simulate motion in a virtual environment. The invention comprising a constraining element and footwear that allow the user freedom of movement while limiting one to a circumscribed area. As the user moves within the circumscribed area ones movements are continuously recreated in virtual space simulating similar movements through the virtual space which are then displayed for the user. |
| US09056233B2 |
Lower corner connector for modular sports goal
A lower corner connector for a modular sports goal comprises a first tube having a generally circular inner surface and a second tube extending substantially perpendicularly to the first tube. The first tube has an open end for receiving an upright and a base opposite the open end for resting on a surface. A retainer projects inwardly from the inner surface of the first tube for engaging and retaining the upright and permitting the upright to rock toward and away from the second tube within the first tube to assist in absorbing impact forces. |
| US09056228B2 |
Variable density core golf balls
A golf ball is provided having a modified density gradient among the inner layers to produce a desired high or low moment of inertia and controlled spin rate is disclosed. The golf ball has three or more inner layers in addition to a cover, and the density of the inner layers is selected such that the layers inside the cover have a density progression from the core to the cover or from the cover to the core. |
| US09056227B2 |
Golf ball comprising a core having a shallow hardness gradient
A golf ball comprising: a core having an outer surface and a geometric center and being formed from a substantially homogenous rubber composition comprising a carbon-carbon initiator, wherein the outer surface has a hardness that differs from a hardness at the geometric center by up to about 10 Shore C; optionally an intermediate layer disposed about the core; and a cover layer disposed about the core (or intermediate layer where present). |
| US09056225B2 |
Golf balls having multi-layered cores with thermoset outer layer
Multi-piece golf balls containing a multi-layered core structure are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity, an intermediate core layer, and a surrounding outer core layer. The layers of the core structure may have different hardness gradients. The center of the core comprises a metal material such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, and alloys thereof. The intermediate core layer is preferably formed from a first thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber, and the outer core layer is preferably formed from a second thermoset composition. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin control. |
| US09056224B2 |
Method of making multi-color golf ball having discontinuous colored coating and resulting multi-color golf ball
The invention relates to making a golf ball having an overall purely aesthetic color appearance of two or more visually distinct color regions by partially painting/coating a portion the golf ball outer surface one or more times with a colorant. The invention also relates to the resulting golf ball. |
| US09056223B2 |
Color golf ball
The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core, a cover and optionally an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover which in any combination comprise at least two color contributing components, each of which comprises a colorant that contributes to an overall golf ball color, the color contributing components having different hues and different saturations, wherein the hue and saturation and a chroma of each contributing component contributes to an overall golf ball hue, saturation and chroma such that: the overall golf ball hue is different than the hue of each color contributing component; the overall golf ball saturation is different than the saturation of at least one of the color contributing components; and the overall golf ball chroma is different than the chroma of at least one of the color contributing components. |
| US09056219B2 |
Volumetric weight system for enhancing fitness
A volumetric weight system with an elongated handle is provided as a fitness tool used in performing a plurality of exercise routines unique to the volumetric weight system. The present invention accomplishes this through the use of an elongated handle centrally attached to a spherically shaped volumetric weight. The elongated handle provides the present invention with a maniputable surface that enables the user to vary the intensity of their work out by repositioning their hands relative to the volumetric weight. The volumetric weight is centrally attached to elongated handle providing balance while performing a plurality of exercises. The volumetric weight system utilizes an interchangeable engagement for the purposes of switching between weighted components during a workout without complicated disassembly steps. Additionally, the present invention is provided with secondary weights that are attach to the volumetric weight in order to slight vary the resistance of an exercise routines. |
| US09056218B2 |
Resistance training device and method of use
An exercise training device which includes a harness that is worn on the exterior of the foot or shoe of a user, and an elastic resistance cord that releasably attaches to the harness, such that the connection between the elastic resistance cord and harness is positioned at the heel of the user. The exercise training device is used to improve the strength and balance of a user. For example, use of the device improves the throwing motion of a baseball pitcher. |
| US09056217B2 |
Stationary exercise apparatus
A stationary exercise apparatus includes a frame, a driving wheel assembly, two treading units, and a flywheel assembly. The flywheel assembly has a driven wheel. The driven wheel and the driving wheel assembly are positioned coaxially and pivotally. The treading units are arranged in a four-link manner and can actuate the driving wheel assembly. The driving wheel assembly drives the driven wheel to rotate at an inertial operating speed higher than the rotation speed of the driving wheel assembly. After being actuated, the stationary exercise apparatus operates continuously because of inertial rotation of the driven wheel. During their operation, pedals of the treading units keep lying on the same horizontal plane to thereby enable the user to tread smoothly and lower the prevalence of sports injuries. |
| US09056215B2 |
Half-pipe trampoline
A half-pipe trampoline is comprised of a horizontal trampoline runway with inclined trampoline beds angled approximately 45-53 degrees relative to the surface of the horizontal trampoline runway. The inclined trampoline beds are positioned all along the length of the horizontal trampoline runway, thus creating a three-dimensional corridor or track of flexible trampoline surface for the participants.The inclined trampoline beds are connected directly to the horizontal trampoline runway, rather than to a rigid frame. To accomplish this, rigid frames are positioned around the periphery of the trampoline surfaces rather than underneath those surfaces, keeping them well away from the trampoline surfaces. Chains and springs are used to span the distance between frames and the horizontal trampoline runway. Additional chain is stretched from the horizontal trampoline runway to the floor to keep the inclined trampoline beds from pulling on the horizontal trampoline runway. |
| US09056214B2 |
Watering device equipped with a deflector having an uneven surface
A watering device for irrigation of non-circular areas is disclosed. The watering device comprises a deflector having an uneven curved surface designed to cause liquid meeting the deflector to reach a distance that changes respective of the uneven surface to cover an irrigation area; a spiral sector object connected to the deflector and providing an adjustable spray orifice for adjusting an irrigation pattern of the watering device; and a two-diameter tubular body connected to the spiral sector object and allowing the liquid to flow from a pipe to the uneven curved surface of the deflector. |
| US09056203B2 |
Treating bacteria with electric fields
Cells that are in the process division are vulnerable to damage by AC electric fields that have specific frequency and field strength characteristics. The selective destruction of rapidly dividing cells can therefore be accomplished by imposing an AC electric field in a target region for extended periods of time at particular frequencies with particular filed strengths. Some of the cells that divide while the field is applied will be damaged, but the cells that do not divide will not be harmed. This selectively damages rapidly dividing cells like bacteria, but does not harm normal cells that are not dividing. Since the vulnerability of the dividing cells is strongly related to the alignment between the long axis of the dividing cells and the lines of force of the electric field, improved results can be obtained when the field is sequentially imposed in different directions. |
| US09056200B2 |
Apparatus and methods for delivery of fluid injection boluses to patients and handling harmful fluids
A hazardous fluid transport container and a hazardous fluid delivery system are disclosed. The hazardous fluid transport container includes a housing enclosing an at least partially shielded enclosure. First and second fluid path elements are disposed within the housing, with the first fluid path element and second fluid path element fluidly coupled together. A pump unit may be provided for dispensing fluid from the first and second fluid path elements optionally into a third fluid path element. Also, methods for priming the hazardous fluid transport container and for mitigating laminar flow injection bolus spreading are disclosed. Additionally, disclosed is a radioactive fluid transport container for a syringe or other container. The radioactive fluid transport container allows the syringe or container to be used in an injection procedure without removal from the container. |
| US09056197B2 |
Selective stimulation systems and signal parameters for medical conditions
Devices, systems and methods are provided for targeted treatment of a variety of conditions, particularly conditions that are associated with or influenced by the nervous system, such as pain. Targeted treatment of such conditions is provided with minimal deleterious side effects, such as undesired motor responses or undesired stimulation of unaffected body regions. This is achieved by directly neuromodulating a target anatomy associated with the condition while minimizing or excluding undesired neuromodulation of other anatomies. |
| US09056196B2 |
Cochlear electrode array
A cochlear lead includes a plurality of electrode assemblies partially embedded in a flexible body configured to stimulate an auditory nerve from within a cochlea. Each of the electrode assemblies includes a flexible electrically conductive material forming a plurality of support structures and an electrode pad attached a support structure, the electrode pad having a surface that is configured to be exposed to cochlear tissue and fluids and has a charge transfer to the cochlear tissue and fluids that is higher than the flexible electrically conductive material. |
| US09056194B2 |
Lead set for nerve stimulator and method of operation thereof
Single-use electrical leads for a nerve stimulator are disclosed. The nerve stimulator has a “test mode” that determines a current value for treatment, and a “therapy mode” that administers treatment with the chosen current value. Preferably the fuse is electrically isolated from the leads that contact the patient. |
| US09056192B2 |
Stretch valve balloon catheter and methods for producing and using same
A safety catheter includes a flexible, multi-lumen shaft having an outer diameter, a distal tip, a proximal catheter end with a drain end and a proximal inflation end. The multi-lumen shaft defines a drain lumen, a distal hollow balloon portion, at least one inflation lumen, and a drainage port. A hollow stretch valve is coaxially disposed in the drainage lumen, has a fixed portion within the drainage lumen just proximal of an increased stretching portion, and prevents fluid from passing through the drainage port in a steady state. The stretch valve has a sliding portion slidably disposed within the drainage lumen such that, in a stretched state when the proximal catheter end is stretched, the sliding portion slides within the drainage lumen to permit fluid to pass through the balloon drainage port and/or inner wall of the catheter. |
| US09056189B2 |
Guide wire
A guide wire includes a first wire disposed on the distal side, and a second wire disposed on the proximal side and made from a material having an elastic modulus larger than that of the first wire. The first wire and the second wire are joined to each other by welding. The second wire has, in the vicinity of the welded portion, a small cross-sectional area portion having a cross-sectional area smaller than that of a proximal end portion of the first wire. The outer diameter of the small cross-sectional area portion is gradually reduced in the direction toward the distal end. The first wire and the second wire may be welded to each other by a butt resistance welding process. Since the change in rigidity of the guide wire becomes smooth in the longitudinal direction, the operationality and kink resistance of the guide wire are improved. |
| US09056188B2 |
Needle shielding flag structures
An extravascular system for accessing the vasculature of a patient may include a catheter, a needle disposed within the catheter, and/or a needle tip shield assembly. The needle tip shield assembly may have a needle cap, the needle cap may have a needle shield, and the needle shield may have one or more flags. The flags may include a first flag and a second flag. The first flag and the second flag may form an engageable barrier through which the needle cannot penetrate once the barrier is engaged. The needle shield may be a V-clip. The V-clip may include a first arm and a second arm, and the first flag may be secured to the first arm while the second flag may be secured to the second arm. |
| US09056184B2 |
Methods for renal denervation
Various agents are described to denerve, modulate, or otherwise affect the renal nerves and other neural tissue. Also, various delivery devices are described to deliver an agent locally to the renal nerves. The delivery devices are positioned in the renal artery and penetrate into the wall of the renal artery to deliver the agent to the renal nerves. The delivery devices may be used to deliver the agent according to longitudinal position, radial position, and depth of the renal nerves relative to the renal artery. In addition, various methods are described to denervate, modulate, or otherwise affect the renal nerves and other neural tissue. |
| US09056173B2 |
Dry powder inhaler
The present invention provides a dry-powder inhaler device comprising: a casing; an air inlet located at a first terminus of the casing; a powder delivery port located at a second terminus of the casing, which is positioned distal to the air inlet; and an elongated assembly located within an interior of the casing. A first terminus is located proximally to the air inlet, a second terminus is located proximally to the powder delivery port, and the assembly is fitted within the casing such that said assembly partially rotates therein about a single axis. The assembly has at least one compartment containing dry-powder, which is located proximally to the second terminus. The compartment with a dry-powder comprises a porous structure encasing the dry-powder; whereby airflow through the device causes the assembly to partially rotate within the casing about a single axis and release the dry-powder in the airflow. |
| US09056172B2 |
Automatic pressure titration
A pressure support methodology and system that utilizes at least two, and possibly all three, of information relating to (i) airway patency, i.e., the degree to which the patient's airway is open, (ii) the primary cause of the current sleep disordered breathing event, and (iii) the patient's response to previous pressure changes to automatically titrate pressure when presented with a sleep disordered breathing event. In another embodiment, pressure may be automatically titrated based solely on the primary cause of the sleep disordered breathing event. |
| US09056170B2 |
Devices, systems and methods for medicament delivery
An apparatus includes a housing, a needle, a first energy storage member and a second energy storage member. The needle is movably disposed within the housing and is configured to be to be placed in fluid communication with a medicament container. The needle is configured to move between a first position and a second position. In its first position, the needle is contained within the housing. In its second position, at least a portion of the needle extends from the housing. The first energy storage member is disposed within the housing, and is configured to produce a first force when actuated. The second energy storage member is disposed within the housing, and is configured to be actuated in response to the first force to produce a second force to move the needle from the first needle position to the second needle position. |
| US09056158B2 |
Manifold and strainer assembly
A waste collection manifold assembly 10 has a housing 13 and a strainer 80. The housing 13 has at least one input port 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D for receiving waste collection products 1 through a vacuum line 4. The housing 13 includes an interior chamber 11 for receiving the waste collection products 1 and a fluid discharge port 14 for passing fluids 6 into a waste collection unit 2. The strainer 80 is located in the chamber 11 and above the fluid discharge port 14. The at least one inlet port 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D is positioned to open alongside an interior chamber wall 13A of the housing 13 above the strainer 80 to direct the flow of the waste collection products 1 in a downward swirl along the interior chamber wall 13 A toward the strainer 80. |
| US09056155B1 |
Coatings having an elastic primer layer
Provided herein is a coating an elastic primer layer and the method of making and using the same. |
| US09056154B2 |
High-yield activation of polymer surfaces for covalent attachment of molecules
Polymer surfaces coated with organometallic layers, wherein the organometallic layers and polymer surfaces have functional groups that react to bond the organometallic layer to the polymer surface with organometallic functional groups remaining unreacted for the subsequent covalent attachment of organic overlayers. Coating methods and coated articles are also disclosed. |
| US09056145B2 |
Self-contained, self-cleaning aqueous liquid sterilizer
A flow through aqueous liquid sterilization apparatus which employs substantially fixed temperatures and pressures and variable flow rates through the apparatus for controllably processing aqueous liquids to achieve predetermined values of SALs. This apparatus is also self-contained and self-cleaning using steam generated by reducing pressure during normal operation, as well as inhibiting growth of contaminating species during intermittent system shut-down periods. |
| US09056142B2 |
Isotope production method
The present invention relates to a method for the generation of 223Ra of pharmaceutically tolerable purity comprising: i) preparing a generator mixture comprising 227Ac, 227Th and 223Ra in a first aqueous solution comprising a first mineral acid; ii) loading said generator mixture onto a DGA separation medium (e.g. resin); iii) eluting said 223Ra from said DGA separation medium using a second mineral acid in a second aqueous solution to give an eluted 223Ra solution; and iv) stripping the DGA separation medium of said 227Ac and 227Th by flowing a third mineral acid in a third aqueous solution through the DGA separation medium in a reversed direction; The invention further relates to high purity radium-223 formed or formable by such a method as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such radium-223 of pharmaceutical purity. |
| US09056141B2 |
Thiol-ene click chemistry for drug conjugates
The present invention relates to linker molecules that readily conjugate cellular recognition ligand at one end and drug payload at the other, and are useful in treating or preventing cancer, an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory condition, a central nervous system disorder or an infection. The linker inker molecules of the invention are represented by Formula I, II and III; Linker-Drug compounds represented by Formula IV, V and VI; and Ligand-Linker-Drug conjugates represented by Formula VII, VIII and IX: |
| US09056135B2 |
MicroRNA biomarkers for human breast and lung cancer
The present invention relates to novel molecular markers for diagnosis and classification of human breast cancer and lung cancer. |
| US09056134B2 |
Single daily dosage form for prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome
The present invention is in the fields of medicine, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, endocrinology and cardiology. The invention provides compositions comprising a statin, an inhibitor of the angiotensin converting enzyme, an antiplatelet compound and an anti-hyperglycemic compound for use in the treatment and/or prevention of cardiometabolic risk factors of Metabolic Syndrome and treatment and/or prevention of Metabolic Syndrome. The present invention provides for the use of such compositions in the manufacture of products for treatment and/or prevention of Metabolic Syndrome. The biguanide metformin of the composition could be present in extended release form allowing its use together with the other drugs in a single dosage form at low dose. This combination of drugs in a single daily dosage greatly improves compliance and adherence to treatment which is a critical factor for treating patients with Metabolic Syndrome. |
| US09056130B2 |
Humanized Fc gamma R mice
Genetically modified non-human animals and methods and compositions for making and using them are provided, wherein the genetic modification comprises a deletion of the endogenous low affinity FcγR locus, and wherein the mouse is capable of expressing a functional FcRγ-chain. Genetically modified mice are described, including mice that express low affinity human FcγR genes from the endogenous FcγR locus, and wherein the mice comprise a functional FcRγ-chain. Genetically modified mice that express up to five low affinity human FcγR genes on accessory cells of the host immune system are provided. |
| US09056125B2 |
Films for controlled cell growth and adhesion
An article for controlling the attachment and growth of cells on a surface of the article, and a method for the use of the article is provided. The article comprises a substratum having a surface and a film on the surface, the film comprising a network of a net positively charged composition and a net negatively charged composition, wherein the net positively charged composition comprises a net positively charged polyelectrolyte or the net negatively charged composition comprises a net negatively charged polyelectrolyte, and the net positively charged polyelectrolyte or the net negatively charged polyelectrolyte contain (i) a polymer repeat unit having at least two fluorine atoms, or (ii) a polymer repeat unit having a zwitterion group. The method comprises contacting the article with living tissue, living organisms, or with water in an aqueous system comprising living organisms. |
| US09056122B2 |
Method for inhibition of blood phosphorus level elevation
The present invention provides a method for inhibiting blood phosphorus level elevation, including administering to a patient in need thereof a composition comprising a lactic acid bacterium as an active ingredient. The method may further include encapsulating the composition comprising a lactic acid bacterium in a capsule. The inhibitor for blood phosphorus level elevation of the present invention is highly safe, is readily administrable, and can sufficiently inhibit a blood phosphorus level elevation. |
| US09056119B2 |
VEGF production promoter
Provided are a VEGF production promoter, a hair quality improver, and an external preparation for skin, each of which has a VEGF production promoting activity and can be used as a pharmaceutical agent, a cosmetic, a food, or a material therefor.The VEGF production promoter, the hair quality improver, and the external preparation for skin each comprises, as an active ingredient, a cycloartane-type glycoside represented by the following general formula (1) (where R represents a xylose residue or an arabinose residue, and the ring D moiety represents any one of the following moieties a to f (where R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or an acetyl group, R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl, group, R4 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group, and Ac represents an acetyl group)). |
| US09056113B2 |
Steeped herbal anti-bacterial body water for consumption and topical use—the thyme lavender oregano mint neem solution for acne, eyelash and pore cleansing, wrinkles, body odors, breath freshening, vaginal douching, toenail fungus, blephritis
This innovation is a unique, natural, CONSUMABLE and topical treatment for many of my body's ailments that has helped me in ways other products never did. The anti-bacterial herbs appear to fight the root cause of the many ailments listed, instead of just masking them.It cleansed my pores for acne. I sprayed it in and on my eyes. It gently allowed sebaceous debris, often called eye mucous, to painlessly ooze away from eyelash pores and other eye glands like NO other product I have heard of. It unclogged the micro eyelid circulation, greatly reducing the puffiness we all get with age. Cleaning pores allowed skin to heal itself better, reducing wrinkles and acne scars.It naturally kills bacteria that cause odors under your arms and orally. It is consumable, so it works safely all the way down the back of the tongue where scrappers and chemical washes can't reach. |
| US09056111B1 |
Selective efflux inhibitors and related pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment
The present invention provides pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine compounds which inhibit cancer-associated transporter proteins, methods of treating or preventing the onset of a cancer-associated transporter protein-mediated disease by administering such compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds. In one embodiment, the invention provides pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine efflux inhibitors that are selective toward ABCG2 over ABCB1. Compounds and compositions according to the present invention may be used to treat cancer, including drug resistant (DR) and multiple drug resistant (MDR) cancers. |
| US09056106B2 |
Unit dose formulation of antidotes for factor Xa inhibitors and methods of using the same
The present invention relates unit dose formulations of antidotes to anticoagulants targeting factor Xa. Disclosed herein are methods of stopping or preventing bleeding in a patient that is currently undergoing anticoagulant therapy with a factor Xa inhibitor. |
| US09056103B2 |
Methods using 3-(4-amino-1-oxo-1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-piperidine-2,6-dione for treatment of certain leukemias
Methods of treating, preventing or managing leukemias are disclosed. The methods encompass the administration of an immunomodulatory compound of the invention known as Revlimid® or lenalidomide. The invention further relates to methods of treatment using this compound with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy or immunotherapy. Pharmaceutical compositions and single unit dosage forms suitable for use in the methods of the invention are also disclosed. |
| US09056101B2 |
Dosing regimens for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases using pharmacological chaperones
The present invention provides dosing regimens for administering pharmacological chaperones to a subject in need thereof. The dosing regimens can be used to treat disorders caused by improper protein misfolding, such as lysosomal storage disorders. |
| US09056098B2 |
Hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier-containing pharmaceutical composition for cancer targeting treatment and prevention of cancer recurrence
The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition containing a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier for treating cancer, preventing recurrence and metastasis of cancerous tumor. The composition can be used alone or in combination with at least one chemotherapeutic agent such as 5FU, Bortezomib, doxorubicin, cisplatin, or any combination thereof. The hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier in the composition is capable of targeting a surface receptor expressed on cancerous cells and facilitating the uptake of both hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier and the chemotherapeutic agent by the cancerous cells via a receptor-mediated mechanism. The hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier inhibits the expression of hypoxic response elements such as HIF1 α, VEGF, ET1, VHL, etc. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is also useful for inducing the apoptosis or cell death of a type of self-renewing and tumor-initiating cells called cancer stem cells which are located in the hypoxic niche of a cancerous tumor. |
| US09056095B2 |
Immunogenic composition
An immunogenic composition includes as an effective ingredient an antigen-adjuvant microparticle complex containing an antigen encapsulated in an adjuvant microparticle composed of an amphiphilic polymer(s) whose hydrophobic segment is a poly(hydroxy acid), or a particle composed of the antigen-adjuvant microparticle complex associated together, can induce a high immune response against the antigen even with a small amount of the antigen and a small number of doses, so that the immunogenic composition is useful as a vaccine effective for therapy and prophylaxis of infectious diseases, cancer and the like. |
| US09056094B2 |
Adjuvant
The present invention provides a vaccine adjuvant composition which is used in combination with an allergen vaccine, infection vaccine or tumor vaccine. The present invention specifically provides a vaccine adjuvant composition comprising hemozoin or β-hematin and being used in combination with an allergen vaccine, infection vaccine or tumor vaccine, and a vaccine composition comprising the vaccine adjuvant composition and an allergen vaccine, infection vaccine or tumor vaccine. |
| US09056093B2 |
Regeneration of pancreatic islets by amniotic fluid stem cell therapy
A method of treating diabetes in a mammalian subject is carried out by: (a) providing mammalian amniotic fluid stem cells, and then (b) administering the cells to the subject in an amount effective to treat diabetes. Optionally, the cells may be differentiated into pancreatic-like cells or at least treated to initiate subsequent differentiation into-pancreatic-like cells, prior to administration. |
| US09056091B1 |
Composition for regulation of liver X receptor
The present invention provides a composition for the regulation of Liver X Receptor (LXR) in a cell, and the composition comprises fucoxanthin and its metabolite, fucoxanthinol. The composition of the present invention regulates the transactivation activity of LXR in cell, and antagonizes the transactivation activity of LXRα and/or LXRβ induced by LXR agonists. In other aspects, the present invention also provides a method of regulating a liver X receptor. The composition for the regulation of liver X receptor and the application thereof according to the present invention can regulate the transactivation activity of LXR in cell, and can further be used as alternatives for LXR agonist or antagonist, or supplements, for enhancing LXR-related symptoms. |
| US09056090B2 |
Hepatitis C virus nucleic acid vaccine
The present invention features nucleic acid constructs that can be used as a HCV nucleic acid vaccine, vaccine component, or in the production of a HCV vaccine. Described constructs include those: (1) encoding for a chimeric HCV polypeptide containing a NS3-4A region based on a first HCV strain and an NS3-NS4A-NS4B-NS5A or an NS3-NS4A-NS4B-NS5A-NS5B region based on a second strain; and (2) a chimpanzee based adenovector encoding an HCV polypeptide. |
| US09056089B2 |
Process of preparing jambu extract, use of said extract, cosmetic compositions comprising thereof and cosmetic products comprising said cosmetic compositions
The present invention discloses a process of preparing jambu extract that results in a jambu extract free from chlorophyll and derivatives of this compound. It is a method for isolating the components of interest in a simplified way, with quite high process yield, higher than 85%. The present invention further relates to the use of this extract in preparing cosmetic compositions, the cosmetic compositions comprising said extract, and to cosmetic products comprising said cosmetic compositions. |
| US09056088B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions comprising fatty acids
The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, methods of treating mixed dyslipidemia with ethyl eicosapentaenoate. |
| US09056084B2 |
Methods and means for soft tissue engineering
Cellfree adipose tissue extracts, implants including the same and methods for the preparation thereof. The extracts and implants are capable of inducing adipogenesis and angiogenesis and are, thus, useful in applications including soft tissue repair and engineering and angiogenesis induction, e.g., in wound healing, treatment of burn injuries and ischemic conditions. |
| US09056083B2 |
Pomegranate fruit polyphenol composition and methods of use and manufacture thereof
A pharmaceutical composition with an active pharmaceutical ingredient including a pomegranate fruit polyphenol extract. The pomegranate fruit polyphenol extract includes at least about 3% combined punicalagin A and punicalagin B by weight, less than about 5% ellagic acid and their derivatives by weight, and less than about 1% anthocyanins by weight. |
| US09056082B2 |
Multiplexer for a piezo ceramic identification device
Provided is a Fingerprint sensor using Acoustic Impediography. The sensor includes an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC or IC) and an array of mechanical resonator used as sensing elements. The array of sensing elements contains multiple sensing elements arranged in rows and columns. |
| US09056078B2 |
Particulate tissue graft with components of differing density and methods of making and using the same
Disclosed are tissue graft compositions made of particles having different densities, methods of making these compositions, and methods of using these compositions for promoting tissue restoration in a patient. |
| US09056076B2 |
Method of treating age-related macular degeneration comprising administering a compstatin analog
The present invention features the use of compstatin and complement inhibiting analogs thereof for treating and/or preventing age related macular degeneration and other conditions involving macular degeneration, choroidal neovascularization, and/or retinal neovascularization. The invention also provides compositions comprising compstatin or a complement inhibiting analog thereof and a second therapeutic agent. The invention also provides compositions comprising compstatin or a complement inhibiting analog thereof and a gel-forming material, e.g., soluble collagen, and methods of administering the compositions. |
| US09056075B2 |
Methods of inducing an immune response with compositions comprising a Neisseria meningitidis 741 protein
Two or more Neisserial proteins are joined such that they are translated as a single polypeptide chain. Hybrid proteins are represented by the formula NH2-A-[-X-L-]n-B—COOH where X is an amino acid sequence, L is an optional linker amino acid sequence. A is an optional N-terminal amino acid sequence, B is an optional C-terminal amino acid sequence, and n is an integer greater than 1. Proteins where each of the n —X— moieties shares sequence identity to each other —X— moiety, the protein is a ‘tandem protein’. |
| US09056071B2 |
Compounds and methods for preventing or treating a viral infection
A compound is provided which has a structure I: A-B-C and a method for administering the compound is also provided for use in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of a viral infection, and in particular for preventing and/or inhibiting viral replication, in which A is a quinoline or quinoline-like group, B is a sole amino acid or a peptide or polypeptide having a given amino acid sequence, and C is an O-phenoxy group. According to one embodiment, the compound is a protease inhibitor such as a caspase inhibitor, and the inhibitor can be Q-VD-OPh (N-(2-(quinolyl)valylaspartyl-(2,6-difluorophenoxy)methyl ketone), optionally in an O-methylated form. Antiviral compositions and kits are also provided. |
| US09056069B2 |
Cancer therapy based on tumor associated antigens derived from cyclin D1
The present invention relates to cyclin D1-derived peptides for use in the improved treatment of cancer in a patient, particularly in the form of a combination therapy using a vaccine. Other aspects relate to the use of the peptides or a combination thereof as a diagnostic tool. |
| US09056062B2 |
Antiperspirant aerosol composition
According to a first aspect, antiperspirant aerosol compositions are disclosed comprising antiperspirant active particulates, a propellant and at least 5% by weight of the entire antiperspirant aerosol composition of a silicone component, wherein (a) the antiperspirant active particulates are the only particulates in the antiperspirant aerosol composition; (b) the silicone component comprises one or more silicones and the or each silicone is a non-volatile silicone. According to a second aspect, packaged antiperspirant aerosol compositions according to the first aspect are disclosed. |
| US09056054B2 |
Abuse resistant oral dosage forms
Aspects of the present invention are directed to abuse resistant oral dosage forms comprising a compressed microtablet that is coated with a water-retardant polymer. Additional aspects of the present invention are directed to an oral dosage form comprising an opioid agonist and at least one compressed microtablet coated with a water retardant polymer. The compressed microtablet may comprise an opioid antagonist. |
| US09056052B1 |
Controlled release hydrocodone formulations
A solid oral controlled-release dosage form of hydrocodone is disclosed, the dosage form comprising an analgesically effective amount of hydrocodone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and controlled release material. |
| US09056048B2 |
Synthesis and use of cationic steroids for anti-inflammatory drug therapy
The invention relates to compositions and methods for a one-step synthetic technique for making cationic steroid pharmaceutical compositions for use in treating inflammation and other diseases and disorders. |
| US09056045B2 |
Intraocular biodegradable microspheres
Biocompatible intraocular microspheres can include an active agent and a biodegradable polymer that is effective to facilitate release of the active agent into the vitreous of an eye for an extended period of time. The therapeutic agent of the microsphere can be associated with a biodegradable polymer matrix and can be made by crystallizing the active agent in the matrix. the resulting biodegradable microspheres can be placed into an eye to treat or reduce the occurrence of one or more ocular conditions. |
| US09056042B2 |
Limb positioner
The invention features devices for positioning and supporting the limb (e.g., an arm or leg) of a patient. The devices provide adjustable support for, e.g., the upper and lower leg. In addition, the device provides unfettered access to the patient's extremities and joints (e.g., the knee and portions of the leg above and below the knee). The invention further features methods of using the devices during diagnostic review, surgery, and rehabilitation. In addition, the invention features methods of treating a patient having a bone or tissue defect by using a device described herein. |
| US09056041B2 |
C-spine head stabilization device
The present invention is a device that is configured to secure a patient's head against the force of gravity during surgery (or other medical procedures) while the patient is in an upright, sideways (tilted to the side), or upside down position, or in any other non-horizontal position, for any duration of time. The device is designed to safely secure a patient's head or neck to prevent potential injury to the patient who is unconscious and unable to protect themselves through reflex reactions or otherwise. Without the device, a patient's head would drop forward or sideways by force of gravity, and if it remained in the dropped position, the patient's neck, shoulder, and/or spine regions could suffer temporary or permanent soreness, strain, and/or injury. This device is designed to reduce or eliminate such soreness or injury. |
| US09056040B2 |
Cardboard cremation containers
A cardboard cremation container has a cardboard base having a pair of opposed side walls, a pair of opposed end walls, and a bottom wall, and a cardboard lid on the base, the lid having a pair of opposed side walls, an end wall, a header wall, and a top wall. Each of the side walls of the base has a notch formed in an upper edge thereof. The side walls and the end wall of the lid extend outwardly beyond the side walls and one end wall of the base, and lower edges of the side walls and the end wall of the lid are positioned below upper edges of the side walls and the one end wall of the base. The header wall of the lid fits in the notches in the side walls of the base. The lid includes a riser at each corner of the lid formed by each lid side wall and a respective end of the lid end wall. The risers are supported on respective corners of the base formed by each base side wall and a respective end of the one base end wall. |
| US09056037B1 |
Air support apparatus
A two layer air support apparatus having at least two preformed air node circuits, where a top layer is radio frequency welded to a bottom layer for providing cyclic support to periodically shift pressure between different parts of a user's anatomy. The periodic shifting of the area supported by a user's anatomy over a period of time improves comfort and blood circulation. It is well known that periodic redistribution of skin pressure can help prevent some of the negative effects experienced through extended usage of beds and chairs. Additionally, enhancement of health and cosmetic improvement to vigorous individuals is suggested by the periodic shifting of supported anatomy due to improved rest from the benefits of a cyclic air support apparatus that has reduced complexity and cost. |
| US09056033B2 |
Highly flexible absorbent laminate and method for production thereof
Laminates are described herein. A laminate is characterized in that the laminate contains a water-absorbing polymer known as a super-absorbent polymer (SAP) between one or more elastic interplies, wherein the interplies consist of sheetlike lengths of material which are firmly bonded together on the outside surface of individual threads, strands or bands and this laminate is extendable essentially transversely to the production direction and shirred in a relaxed state, and the elastic interplies contain many individual sections or cassettes of superabsorbent and create room for the expansion of the laminate on fluid imbibition perpendicularly to and within the manufacturing plane. |
| US09056032B2 |
Wearable article with outwardmost layer of multicomponent fiber nonwoven providing enhanced mechanical features
A wearable article having an outer backsheet is disclosed. The outer backsheet may be formed of at least two layers of material, including an outward-facing layer formed at least in part of multicomponent fibers. The multicomponent fibers may have a polyolefin fiber component and a non-polyolefin fiber component. |
| US09056028B2 |
Dryness indicator for an absorbent article
A dryness indicator includes a wicking strip continuous between a reservoir end and an opposed open end; a liquid-impermeable top layer disposed on one side of the wicking strip; and a liquid-impermeable bottom layer disposed on the opposite side of the wicking strip, wherein the top layer is affixed to the bottom layer to at least partially enclose the wicking strip, and wherein the indicator is configured such that the open end of the wicking strip can be placed in liquid communication with an object or surface. The dryness indicator also includes a reservoir including an oil-based colorant with the potential to be in liquid communication with the reservoir end of the wicking strip, wherein the wicking strip is configured such that colorant wicking from the reservoir end and an unreacted water-based fluid wicking from the open end meet to define a timing line. |
| US09056027B2 |
Article comprising a flipped leg hoop and process for the manufacturing of such articles
The present invention relates to articles such as pants or pant-like structures, which comprise leg hoops which are folded over along a fold line and which encircle the legs of a wearer during use, and to the manufacturing of such articles. Such manufacturing is particularly suitable for the making of diapers, training pants, adult incontinence articles, or other absorbent articles exhibiting a particular good body-conforming fit. The leg hoops are manufactured by flipping a part of the material, thereby creating the hoop structure as well as a body conforming shape of the article. |
| US09056025B2 |
Means and method for preventing embolization of drug eluting stents
A balloon disposed near a distal end of the catheter tubing and moving between deflated and inflated states, and proximal and distal stent retention bands concentrically arranged around respective proximal and distal end portions of the balloon. The proximal stent retention band has a distal end located within 2 mm of the proximal end of a stent coaxially received by the balloon and the distal stent retention band has a largest diameter within 2 mm of the distal end of the stent received by the balloon. |
| US09056024B2 |
Endovascular prosthesis and delivery device
In one of its aspects, the present invention relates to an endovascular prosthesis. The endovascular prosthesis comprises a first expandable portion expandable from a first, unexpanded state to a second, expanded state to urge the first expandable portion against a vascular lumen and a retractable leaf portion attached to the first expandable portion. The retractable leaf portion comprises at least one spine portion and a plurality of rib portions attached to the spine portion. Longitudinally adjacent pairs of rib portions are free of interconnecting struts. The endovascular prosthesis that can be unsheathed and re-sheathed for repositioning of the endovascular prosthesis prior to final deployment thereof. There is also described a delivery device that that is particularly well suited to delivering the present endovascular prosthesis through tortuous vasculature in the body. |
| US09056021B2 |
Separation device
A device (1, 7) for separating a sleeve from an implant head, comprising a drive shaft (2) having a proximal end (3) and a distal end (4), the distal end having a cam (6), wherein the cam is disposed such that when, in use, a torque is applied to the drive shaft via the proximal end the cam acts in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the drive shaft. A method of separating a sleeve from an implant head using such a device. |
| US09056018B2 |
Artificial cervical and lumbar discs, disc plate insertion gun for performing sequential single plate intervertebral implantation enabling symmetric bi-disc plate alignment for interplate mobile core placement
An artificial replacement disc includes a pair of substantially parallel plates formed to occupy a space defined by vertebral endplates, each of the plates including a plurality of spikes on a first surface and a concave trough formed on a second surface opposite of the first surface. A mobile core includes a core rim with opposing convex surfaces extending from opposite sides of the core rim, the mobile core being capable of being disposed between the pair of plates to permit the vertebral endplates to move relative to one another. The spikes on each of the plates extend substantially away from the mobile core and the convex surfaces are formed to integrally fit within the concave trough of at least one of the plates. The core rim limits lateral movement of the mobile core relative to the parallel plates. One or more insertion tools for inserting and implanting the replacement disc are also described. |
| US09056017B2 |
3D design and fabrication system for implants
A method of designing, presenting, generating, and fabricating custom implants by obtaining a 3D image of a site to receive an implant, simulating volumetric changes of the site, generating a virtual 3D implant, and fabricating a real 3D implant. A method of implanting a custom implant in a patient, by obtaining a 3D image of a site to receive an implant, simulating volumetric changes of the site, generating a virtual 3D implant, fabricating a real 3D implant, and implanting the implant in the patient. A method of correcting disfigurement in a patient. A method of replacing a disc in a patient's back. The present invention also provides for an implant fabricated by this method. |
| US09056015B2 |
Segmented insert for intervertebral support
A spinal intervertebral support implant, for fusion or for dynamic stabilization purposes. A rod, preferably in the form of a screw, is inserted obliquely from the pedicle of an inferior vertebra into the body of a neighboring superior vertebra, through the disc space. The rod can be anchored into the body of the superior vertebra by means of a force fit or a screw thread. A pile of elements is disposed on the rod in the disc space like a pile of washers, so that the compression load between vertebrae is carried partly by these elements. These elements can be inserted through the bore through which the rod was inserted in a tightly folded configuration, and deployed into their washer-like form only when in position in the intervertebral space, such that there is no need for any additional incisions. |
| US09056008B2 |
Instrument and method for in situ development of cardiac valve prostheses
An instrument for deploying a cardiac valve prosthesis, including a plurality of radially expandable portions, at an implantation site, includes a plurality of deployment elements each independently operable to obtain the radial expansion of a radially expandable portion of the valve prosthesis. A method for deploying the cardiac valve prosthesis includes advancing the instrument to an implant site and independently actuating the radially expandable portions. |
| US09056002B2 |
Stent-graft and method for percutaneous access and closure of vessels
In a method of accessing and closing a vessel, a vessel is percutaneously accessed through a first opening in the vessel wall at a first location. A stent-graft is delivered through the first opening to a second location. The stent-graft is deployed at the second location. The vessel is then accessed through a second opening through the vessel wall at the second location, wherein the second opening is generally aligned with a fenestration through the graft material of the stent-graft. A delivery device is advanced through the second opening, the fenestration, and the stent-graft lumen to a third location spaced from the first location and the second location. After the delivery device is retracted through the lumen of the stent-graft and out of the fenestration and the second opening, the stent graft is rotated or translated such that the fenestration is not aligned with the second opening. |
| US09056000B2 |
Flexible stent-graft
A stent graft (5) comprises a tubular graft member (4), and a plurality of sloping stent members (3) substantially coaxial with and coupled to the tubular graft member (4). Each of the sloping stent members (3) comprises multiple uneven apexes characterizing a round tubular configuration with a distal end and a proximal end disposed about a longitudinal axis. The distal apexes of the sloping stent member (3) are arranged in substantially the same plane substantially horizontal to the longitudinal axis of the sloping stent member and the proximal apexes are arranged in a sloping plane oblique to the longitudinal axis. |
| US09055996B2 |
Method of retrieving a blood clot filter
A compact retrievable blood clot filter has a filter section, a releasable lock and an alignment section connected to the filter section. Alignment ribs of the alignment section have releasable upstream ends that are locked to the filter by the releasable lock. The releasable upstream ends of the alignment ribs are capable of being released from the releasable lock so that during retrieval of the filter, the alignment ribs can slide through the endothelial tissue that may have grown around the alignment ribs. |
| US09055995B2 |
Method for treating obesity by extracting food
The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for treating obesity. An artificial obstruction is introduced into the patient's gastrointestinal tract, and a tube is positioned that passes through a patient's abdominal wall into the upper digestive system of the patient. The patient is allowed to carry out his/her everyday affairs including ingesting food. After the patient has ingested food, the food is extracted by pumping it out of the upper digestive system through the tube. The present invention is less invasive than current surgical procedures for reducing weight and allows patients to live a normal and active lifestyle without experiencing adverse side effects. |
| US09055993B2 |
Denture reference and registration system
An improved denture system is disclosed. An improved denture system has a support bar and an artificial denture base. The denture base has an oversize cutout and a corresponding cavity and the support bar has a plurality of reference posts which mechanically interface with the corresponding cavity so that the support bar is connected to the artificial denture base and provides reinforcement and stability to the denture system. The shape and position of the reference posts fully constrains the support bar in a fixed position with reference to the denture base. In one embodiment, the denture base snap-fits onto the support bar. |
| US09055990B1 |
Bayramov'S open framework denture and method for manufacturing the same
A dental prosthetic device and a method for its fabrication are disclosed. The method is applicable for metalloceramics or metalloplastics permanent dentures based on a light metal openwork frame strengthened by multiple layers of ceramic or plastic custom coating. |
| US09055986B1 |
Orthopedic fastener
An orthopedic fastener has a head and a shank. The shank has a leading end portion adjacent a distal tip and a trailing end portion adjacent a head. An intermediate transition is positioned between the leading and trailing end portions. At the intermediate transition, the shank increases in diameter. The leading end portion has a first thread which optionally may include one or more self-tapping cutting grooves extending adjacent the distal tip and through a plurality of the first threads. The trailing end portion has second threads extending toward the head from the intermediate transition. The second threads of the trailing end portion are larger in outer diameter than the first threads in the leading end portion. The intermediate transition has one or more cutting grooves traversing the increasing diameter. |
| US09055985B2 |
Dental abutment with cover
A dental implant assembly comprises an implant body adapted for securement within a bore in a jaw bone of a patient. The implant body has a portion with an external thread for engaging the bore. An abutment has a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion of the abutment is adapted to secure a prosthetic component. The bottom portion of the abutment is attachable to the implant body and adapted to be positioned below a gumline of the patient, the abutment formed of a first material. A cover is sized and shaped to cover the bottom portion of the abutment and adapted to be positioned below the gum line, without covering the top portion of the abutment. The cover is formed from a second material having a different color from the first material. |
| US09055982B2 |
Spinal implant system and methods of use
A spinal implant includes a first member and a second member. The first member extends between a first end and a second end. The first end is configured for fixation with vertebral tissue adjacent a lamina. The second member extends between a first end and a second end. The first end is configured for fixation with vertebral tissue adjacent the lamina. The second end is connected to the second end of the first member. The first end of the second member is disposed in a spaced apart relation to the first end of the first member. The second ends are relatively movable in a configuration such that the members are expandable and/or contractible. Systems and methods of use are disclosed. |
| US09055981B2 |
Spinal implants and methods
The present invention provides a spinal implant for placement between adjacent processes of the human spine. In some embodiments the spinal implant includes a spacer and one or more retention members. In some embodiments, the retention members are fixed relative to the spacer and in other embodiments the retention members are deployable from a first or compact or stowed position to a second or expanded or deployed position. In some embodiments the spacer is expandable from a first size to a second size. In some embodiments the spacer has a tapered body. |
| US09055979B2 |
Cord for vertebral fixation having multiple stiffness phases
A dynamic stabilization system for stabilizing a vertebral segment of a spine. The system includes a first vertebral anchor, a second vertebral anchor and a cord. The system may also include a spacer positioned between the first and second vertebral anchor through which the cord extends. The first vertebral anchor is configured to be secured to a first vertebra and the second vertebral anchor is configured to be secured to a second vertebra. The cord is extendable from the first vertebral anchor to the second vertebral anchor. The cord has a variable stiffness through a range of displacement, wherein the stiffness of the cord increases as an applied tensile force on the cord is increased. |
| US09055976B2 |
Multi-directional distractor
A mandibular distractor can include an elongated main body having a central longitudinal axis extending in the elongate direction between a first end and a spaced apart second end. A first bone mount can be secured to the main body and a second bone mount can be positioned on the main body. A drive mechanism configured to selectively move the second bone mount longitudinally along the main body can also be included. A third bone mount configured to be moved longitudinally along the main body can also be included. |
| US09055975B2 |
Surgical instrument and method of positioning an acetabular prosthetic component
An orthopaedic surgical instrument and method for positioning an acetabular prosthetic component in a patient's surgically-prepared acetabulum is disclosed. The orthopaedic surgical instrument has a base configured to engage the patient's pelvis, a first linkage pivotally coupled to the base, a locking mechanism operable to lock the first linkage in position relative to the base, and a second linkage removably coupled to the first linkage. The second linkage has an alignment axis corresponding to a desired abduction angle and a desired anteversion angle of the acetabular axis of the acetabular prosthetic component. |
| US09055974B2 |
Implantable medical devices storing graphics processing data
In one example, a device includes a telemetry module configured to retrieve graphics processing data from a device that is not configured to perform a rendering process using the graphics processing data and that is associated with delivering therapy to a therapy target of a patient, and a control unit configured to apply the graphics processing data while performing the rendering process to generate an image of an anatomical feature of the patient, wherein the anatomical feature comprises the therapy target for an implantable medical device, and to cause a display unit of a user interface to display the image, wherein the image of the anatomical feature is specific to the patient. The graphics processing data may include a list of vertices or a transform to be applied to a non-patient-specific anatomical atlas. The data may also include a location of a therapy element of the implantable medical device. |
| US09055973B2 |
Device to assist in cesarean section
Surgical device to allow an easy delivery of the fetus during a Cesarean Section when fetal head is deeply wedged in the female pelvic cavity. The device consists of inflatable portion to lift the fetal head attached to foldable base plate that can be folded with the inflatable portion for insertion of the device into the female vagina below the fetal head. The inflatable portion is inflated by injecting biocompatible fluid by pressurizing device such as syringe, pressure bag, hand pump or powdered pump. The device can also be of use in other situations like abdominal delivery of a premature or small baby and when cord prolapse has occurred. |
| US09055969B2 |
Apparatus and method for elongating a tendon
An apparatus and method for elongating a tendon including a cutting blade and a cutting guide supporting the cutting blade in such a way that the cutting blade is movable through at least a portion of a tendon in a helical path so as to make a helical cut in the tendon which allows elongation of the tendon. |
| US09055966B2 |
Eccentric abrading and cutting head for high-speed rotational atherectomy devices
The invention provides a rotational atherectomy device having, in various embodiments, a flexible, elongated, rotatable drive shaft with at least one flexible or inflexible eccentric enlarged abrading and cutting head attached thereto which comprises an abrasive surface. When placed against stenotic tissue and rotated at high speed, the eccentric nature of the abrading and cutting head moves along an orbital path, opening the lesion to a diameter larger than the resting diameter of the enlarged abrading and cutting head. Preferably the abrading and cutting head has a center of mass spaced radially from the rotational axis of the drive shaft, facilitating the ability of the device to travel along an orbital path. The abrading and cutting head comprises proximal and/or distal radiused surfaces that facilitate cutting difficult stenosis material while minimizing trauma to the vessel. In some cases, the abrading and cutting head is made from a relatively dense metal. |
| US09055965B2 |
Devices, systems and methods useable for treating sinusitis
Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants, scopes etc.) into the paranasal sinuses or other structures in the ear, nose or throat. Specific devices (e.g., tubular guides, guidewires, balloon catheters, tubular sheaths) are provided as are methods for manufacturing and using such devices to treat disorders of the ear, nose or throat. |
| US09055964B2 |
Device and method for removing material from a hollow anatomical structure
A medical device for removing a material from a hollow anatomical structure is provided. The device may include a shaft member. The device may include an expandable centering element near the distal end of the device. The device may include a macerator element either attached to the shaft or independent and freely moveable from the shaft. Alternatively, the device may include a rotating wire attached to the macerator element. The device may include an aspiration lumen in for removal of material. The device may include a drive shaft attached to a motor and used to rotate the macerator element. The device may be used in combination with a distal occlusion element, which may be either a radially expandable filter or balloon member. |
| US09055960B2 |
Flexible surgical devices
A surgical device can include a tube comprising a wall having a plurality of slits oriented generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tube. Each of the slits may be defined by opposing surfaces. The surgical device can further include a force transmission element coupled to the tube. In a flexible state of the tube, at least some of the opposing surfaces defining respective slits are separated from one another, and in a stiffened state of the tube, a force exerted on the force transmission element causes the opposing surfaces of each slit to contact one another. |
| US09055956B2 |
Methods and apparatus for introducing tumescent fluid to body tissue
A catheter is usable to treat a hollow anatomical structure (HAS). The catheter comprises one or more shafts which extend away from a proximal end of the catheter toward a distal end thereof. The catheter further comprises an HAS constriction energy source located at or near the distal end of the catheter. The catheter further comprises at least one radially expandable transmural fluid delivery channel located in the catheter near the HAS constriction energy source. |
| US09055954B2 |
Method for arthroscopic bone preparation
A method of using a guide system for resecting a bone through incisions of the type utilized for arthroscopic procedures is provided. The guide system comprises a first alignment pin, a second alignment pin and a wire saw. The first alignment pin is configured to be inserted through a first incision into a bone in a first orientation. The second alignment pin is configured to inserted through a second incision into the bone in a second orientation. The first alignment pin and the second alignment pin are configured and oriented to define a resection plane of reference through which the bone is to be resected and the wire saw is configured to be inserted through the first and second incisions to be guided by the first and second alignment pins while being moved to resect the bone. |