| Document | Document Title | |
|---|---|---|
| US09057869B2 |
Positive-lead type zoom lens and image pickup apparatus equipped with the same
A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having positive refractive power, a second lens unit having negative refractive power, and a third lens unit having positive refractive power, wherein at least the first to third lens units move during zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, and a focal length f2 of the second lens unit, a focal length ft of the entire zoom lens at the telephoto end, and a refractive index Nd2n of a lens having negative refractive power closest to the object side included in the second lens unit are appropriately set. |
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| US09057868B1 |
Optical lens system
An optical lens system includes an aperture stop and an optical assembly, the optical assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens element with a positive refractive power; a second lens element with a negative refractive power; a third lens element with a positive refractive power; a fourth lens element with a positive refractive power; a fifth lens element with a negative refractive power; the aperture stop is located between an image-side surface of the first lens element and an object to be photographed. The optical lens system satisfies the following conditions: 0.55 | |
| US09057867B2 |
Mirror and reflective device for generating solar power
A hard coat layer 8 is provided on an outermost surface layer of a film mirror 10 having a first resin base material 1 and a silver reflection layer 3, and the hard coat layer 8 contains a polyfunctional acrylic monomer and a silicon resin having an active energy ray reactive unsaturated group. |
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| US09057858B2 |
Fiber optic closure
A component for a closure is disclosed herein. The component includes a collar extending around a central axis. The component also includes a first expansion housing positioned outside the collar in a radial direction relative to the central axis. The first expansion housing has an interior region in communication with an interior of the collar. The first expansion housing also includes a first adapter mounting wall defining a plurality of first adapter mounting openings in which a plurality of first fiber optic adapters are mounted. The first fiber optic adapters include first connector ports adapted for receiving connectors from outside the first expansion housing. |
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| US09057857B2 |
Fiber optic assembly for optical cable
A fiber optic assembly includes a buffer tube forming an elongate passage and a plurality of optical fibers positioned therein. The buffer tube includes at least one layer of a composite material that includes a base material and a filler material blended therein. Particles of the filler material have an acicular structure, having a longest dimension that is on average at least ten times a narrowest dimension of the particles. Further the buffer tube has kink resistance. |
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| US09057852B2 |
Optical receptacle and optical module including the same
An optical receptacle disposed between a photoelectric conversion device and an optical fiber includes a light separating section for separating incident light into monitor light and fiber coupled light, which section includes a segmented reflective surface and a segmented transmitting surface. The reflective surface for reflecting light as monitor light is disposed in a segmented manner with spaces in a segmentation direction. The transmitting surface is disposed in a segmented manner in areas where the reflective surface is not disposed, so as to transmit a portion of light other than the reflected light in a direction directly oppose to the direction of the reflected light and to advance the other portion of light towards the side of an end face of the optical fiber. |
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| US09057851B2 |
Optical coupling element and optical fiber connector using same
An optical coupling element includes a first side surface and an upper surface. The upper surface defines a first cavity and a tapering hole which permits the insertion and precise fixing in place with adhesive of an optical fiber, without any gap or play in the attachment which would allow misalignment between the optical fiber and a light coupling lens. |
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| US09057847B2 |
Male optical connector and female optical connector and related optical fiber coupling assembly
A male optical connector includes a connector body, a hollow pusher, a number of lenses, and two elastic shielding plates. The connector body defines a receiving hole with an opening and includes a connection surface in the receiving hole. The connection surface faces the opening. The pusher extends from the connector body and surrounds the receiving hole. The lenses are received in the receiving hole. The two elastic shielding plates have two fixed ends fixed to opposite sides of the pusher, and opposite free ends overlappable to cover the opening. |
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| US09057846B2 |
Systems and methods for subsea optical can buses
Messages on controller area net work (CAN) buses are communicated over subsea optical links. An adaptor couples a CAN bus to an optical link. The adaptor detects a direction of transmission, that is, whether a signal began on the CAN bus coupled to the adaptor or on the optical link coupled to the adaptor. Signals from the CAN bus are conditionally transmitted to the optical link depending on the detected direction of transmission. The adaptor can operate at the physical layer without analyzing contents of the CAN bus communications. |
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| US09057845B2 |
Multi-ferrule optical fiber cable assembly
An optical fiber cable assembly includes an optical fiber cable, an optical fiber connector, and a strain relief member. The optical fiber connector has a housing with at least two ferrules supporting a plurality of optical fibers of the cable. Each ferrule has at least two ribbons of optical fibers therein. The strain relief member has a flexible corrugated conduit. A method is also disclosed. |
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| US09057844B2 |
Grating edge coupler and method of forming same
An apparatus for optical coupling comprises a substrate, a first waveguide formed on the substrate and includes a grating structure directing light in a first direction, and a second waveguide formed on the first waveguide and including an angled portion directing the light in a second direction different from the first direction. |
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| US09057843B2 |
Immersed asymmetric reflector with reduced color
A film construction (610) includes a group of microlayers that reflect normally incident light polarized along a first axis more than normally incident light polarized along a second axis. The microlayers are arranged into optical repeat units (ORUs) that have a layer thickness distribution along a thickness axis perpendicular to the first and second axes that provides the group of microlayers with an intermediate reflectivity over an extended reflection band for a given incidence condition. The ORUs include thinner ORUs whose thicknesses are less than an average thickness, and thicker ORUs whose thicknesses are greater than the average thickness. The group of microlayers is optically immersed in a medium having a refractive index greater than air, such that “supercritical light” can propagate through the microlayers. The microlayers are oriented such that, on average, the thinner ORUs are closer than the thicker ORUs to an output surface of the construction. By “supercritical light” is meant that travels through the film at an angle that is more oblique than can be achieved by illumination from air using a flat, smooth air/film interface. |
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| US09057842B2 |
Polarizing plate, method of manufacturing the same and liquid crystal display employing the same
Disclosed are a polarizing plate manufacturable by a manufacturing method safe in work and less imposing a burden on the environment using protective films excellent in adhesion with the polarizer and a method for manufacturing the same. A liquid crystal display device using the polarizing plate and having both a large viewing angle and a high visibility (high contrast and so forth) is also disclosed. The polarizing plate made by holding both surfaces of the polarizer held with protective films is characterized in that at least one protective film is a protective film hydrophilized by either a plasma treatment or a corona treatment and that the surface energy of the protective films before the hydrophilization and the surface energy of the protective films after the hydrophilization satisfy a predetermined relational expression. |
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| US09057841B2 |
Wavelength division multiplexing
Technologies relating to wavelength division multiplexing are provided. In one implementation, a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) coupler is provided. The WDM coupler includes an input block including a first tube, the first tube holding an input dual fiber pigtailed capillary, the capillary holding an input fiber and a reflection fiber, a center block including a center tube holding a first inner tube and a second inner tube, the first inner tube holding a first lens within the first inner tube and the second inner tube holding a second lens within the second inner tube, the center block further including a WDM filter positioned between the first lens and the second lens and secured to the end surface of the first inner tube, and an output block including a second tube holding an output single fiber pigtailed capillary, the capillary holding a transmission fiber. |
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| US09057838B2 |
Apparatus and methods for the determination of a birefringence axis of a polarization-maintaining optical fiber
In some embodiments, a non-transitory processor-readable medium storing code includes code to cause a processor to receive an image signal associated with an image of an end face of a polarization-maintaining optical fiber (PM fiber), determine a center position of the PM fiber, perform a local image equalization on the end face, and define an edge map of the end face. The code can perform a Hough space analysis on the edge map to determine the center position of a first structure and/or a second structure on the end face. The first structure and the second structure can each define at least in part a birefringence of the PM fiber. A birefringence axis of the PM fiber can be calculated based on at least two of the center position of the PM fiber, the center position of the first structure and the center position of the second structure. |
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| US09057834B2 |
Holder attached mirror for vehicle
A holder attached mirror for a vehicle is provided, in which a mirror plate is fixed to a plate-shaped mirror holder by an adhesive sheet, including a plurality of first grooves parallel to each other, which are formed on the surface of the mirror holder attached with the adhesive sheet on the surface of the mirror holder side to which the adhesive sheet is attached. |
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| US09057832B2 |
Double layer interleaved p-n diode modulator
A method for fabricating an optical modulator includes forming n-type layer, a first oxide portion on a portion of the n-type layer, and a second oxide portion on a second portion of the n-type layer, patterning a first masking layer over the first oxide portion, portions of a planar surface of the n-type layer, and portions of the second oxide portion, implanting p-type dopants in the n-type layer to form a first p-type region and a second p-type region, removing the first masking layer, patterning a second masking layer over the first oxide portion, a portion of the first p-type region, and a portion of the n-type layer, and implanting p-type dopants in exposed portions of the n-type layer, exposed portions of the first p-type region, and regions of the n-type layer and the second p-type region disposed between the substrate and the second oxide portion. |
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| US09057831B2 |
Optical waveguide with light-emitting element and optical touch panel with the same
In an optical waveguide 10 with a light-emitting element to be used in the present invention, a core includes: a main path; and a plurality of branched paths branched at a plurality of branched points from the main path. The main path has two sides faced to each other, in which one side has a plurality of branched points and the other side does not have any branched points. The plurality of branched points are provided on a straight line substantially parallel to a light guiding direction of the main path. The width of the main path becomes narrower as the main path moves away from a light-emitting element. An angle θ formed by the other side without a branched point and the light guiding direction of the main path is 0.3 to 1.7°. |
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| US09057828B2 |
Multi-port light sources of photonic integrated circuits
A multi-port light source of a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) may include a light emission portion for generating light; and a plurality of waveguides on opposite sides of the light emission portion to guide the light. A multi-port light source of a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) may include a first layer including a first pattern and a second pattern that are different from each other; an insulating layer on at least a region of the first layer; an active layer on at least a region of the insulating layer; and a reflective layer on the active layer. |
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| US09057820B2 |
Thiourethane-based lens elements and processes for their production
An optical lens element resin composition including: dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate; a polythiol compound having 3 or 4 thiol groups; and a thermal catalyst. |
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| US09057817B2 |
Low diameter optical fiber
Small-radius coated optical fibers having large mode field diameter and low bending losses. The coated fiber may have an outer radius of 110 μm or less, while providing a mode field diameter of 9.0 μm or greater and a bending loss when wrapped about a 15 mm mandrel of 0.5 dB/km or less at wavelength of 1550 nm. The coated fiber may have a mode field diameter of 9.2 μm or greater and may have a bending loss at 1550 nm of 0.25 dB/km or less when wrapped about a 20 mm mandrel or a bending loss at 1550 nm of 0.02 dB/km or less when wrapped about a 30 mm mandrel. |
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| US09057815B2 |
Angular alignment of optical fibers for fiber optic ribbon cables, and related methods
Angular alignment of optical fibers for fiber optic ribbon cables and related methods are disclosed. Employing optical fibers disposed in a ribbon matrix can increase bandwidth between two interconnection points. In one embodiment, optical fibers are angularly aligned during the process of forming a fiber optic ribbon cable. To angularly align the optical fibers, each of the optical fibers include an angular alignment feature to facilitate uniform or substantially uniform angular orientation along a cable when the optical fibers are prepared to be disposed in the ribbon matrix to form a fiber optic ribbon cable. By purposefully aligning the optical fibers during formation of the fiber optic ribbon cable, end portions of the optical fibers are aligned in the ribbon matrix. Thus, end portions of the ribbon matrix are not required to be removed to expose and align the end portions of optical fibers when the ribbon cable is connectorized. |
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| US09057813B2 |
Optical fiber
An optical fiber of the invention satisfies Δcore>Δic>Δtmax>Δtmin, −0.15%≧Δtmax>Δtmin≧−0.7%, and 0.45≦(rtmax−rin)/(rout−rin)≦0.9 where the relative refractive index difference of the core is Δcore, the relative refractive index difference of the internal cladding coat is Δic, the relative refractive index difference of a highest refractive index layer in the trench coating is Δtmax, the relative refractive index difference of a lowest refractive index layer in the trench coating is Δtmin, the radius of an internal edge of the trench coating is rin, the radius of an external edge of the trench coating is rout, and the radius of an internal edge of a highest refractive index layer in the trench coating is rtmax and where the relative refractive index differences are based on a refractive index of the outermost cladding coat. |
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| US09057810B2 |
Light-emitting module, backlight assembly having the same and display apparatus having the same
A light-emitting module includes a light source, a printed circuit board (“PCB”) and a light absorption portion. The light source generates and emits a light, and the light source is on a first surface of the PCB. The light absorption portion is on the first surface of the PCB and absorbs the light. |
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| US09057809B2 |
Light irradiation device and image forming apparatus
A light irradiation device includes: a light source to output diffused light; and a light guide member to guide the diffused light to an irradiation point. The light guide member includes an incidence surface which the diffused light enters, a first emission surface to emit the entered diffused light, while further diffusing the entered diffused light with a first diffusion characteristic to emit the diffused light at a first diffusion angle, and a second emission surface to emit the entered diffused light, while further diffusing the entered diffused light with a second diffusion characteristics to emit the diffused light at a second diffusion angle. The second diffusion angle provided by the second diffusion characteristic is smaller than the first diffusion angle provided by the first diffusion characteristic. |
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| US09057807B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus including: a cover; a display panel which is accommodated in the cover; a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in at least one edge of the cover from a rear surface of the display panel; a lens which extends in parallel with an arrangement direction of the light emitting elements and is arranged in a light emitting direction; a reflection sheet installed in a rear surface of the display panel; and a holder which includes a holder main body that extends along the at least one edge, a light emitting element accommodator formed in a surface of the holder main body to accommodate therein the light emitting elements and a lens supporter that is spaced from the light emitting element accommodator and is formed in the surface of the holder main body to couple and support the lens. |
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| US09057806B2 |
Light source and backlight module having the same
A light source includes a carrier, a plurality of solid-state light-emitting devices, a light-incoupling component, a first reflector, and a plurality of second reflectors. The solid-state light-emitting devices and the light-incoupling component are configured on the carrier. The light-incoupling component has a bottom surface, a top surface, a plurality of side surfaces adjoining the bottom surface and the top surface, and a through hole extending from the bottom surface to the top surface. The solid-state light-emitting devices are located in the through hole. The first reflector covers the through hole. The second reflectors are configured on the side surfaces. Light emitted from the solid-state light-emitting devices enters the light-incoupling component via a sidewall of the through hole and leaves the light-incoupling component via the top surface thereof. |
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| US09057804B2 |
Methods, apparatus and systems for measuring snow structure and stability
The present inventions relate generally to methods, apparatus and systems for measuring snow stability and structure which may be used to assess avalanche risk. The disclosed apparatus includes a sensing unit configured to sense a resistance to penetration as the sensing unit is being driven into a layer of snow. The disclosed apparatus may also be configured to take other environmental measurements, including temperature, humidity, grain size, slope aspect and inclination. Methods and apparatus are also disclosed for generating a profile of snow layer hardness according to depth based on the sensed resistance to penetration and identifying areas of concern which may indicate an avalanche risk. Systems and apparatus are also disclosed for sharing the generated profiles among a plurality of users via a central server, and for evaluating an avalanche risk at a geographic location. |
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| US09057801B2 |
Geophysical data acquisition system
A geophysical data acquisition system includes at least one geophysical sensor. The at least one geophysical sensor has associated therewith a signal generator configured to generate a signal corresponding to a type of the at least one geophysical sensor. The system includes at least one signal acquisition unit having a plurality of input channels. The at least one geophysical sensor is in signal communication with one of the plurality of input channels. The plurality of input channels each includes a detector for receiving and identifying the signal generated by the signal generator. The at least one signal acquisition unit includes amplification, filtering and digitizing circuits automatically configurable in response to the type of sensor identified by the detected signal. |
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| US09057799B2 |
Induction logging signals and directional guidance antenna systems
An apparatus for estimating a property of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole includes: a carrier configured to be conveyed through the borehole; a transmitter antenna disposed at the carrier and configured to emit electromagnetic energy; a direction guidance antenna configured to receive the electromagnetic energy from the transmitter antenna and direct the electromagnetic energy into the formation and to receive a signal from the formation indicative of the property; a receiver antenna configured to receive the signal from the direction guidance antenna; and a processor configured to receive the signal from the receiver antenna and to estimate the property using the received signal. |
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| US09057796B2 |
Systems and methods for acquiring and characterizing time varying signals of interest
A sensor system responsive to acoustic or seismic signals. One system includes a frame and a piezo-electric sensor element. The sensor element, responsive to a wavefield of seismic or acoustic energy, is positioned about the frame. Coupling between the sensor element and the frame is so limited as to render direct coupling of the sensor element with the wavefield the predominant means for stimulating the sensor element with seismic energy. Another system includes a frame and a cable element, responsive to a seismic or acoustic wavefield, extending about the frame. Coupling between the cable element and frame is so limited as to render direct coupling of the sensor element with the wavefield the predominant means for stimulating the sensor element with acoustic or seismic energy. The element may be coaxial cable or have piezo-electric properties to generate a charge differential measurable as a voltage between conductors. |
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| US09057794B2 |
Method for measuring subterranean formation density using a neutron generator
A method for determining a bulk formation density using a neutron generator includes detected secondary gamma rays and evaluating the detected gamma rays according to pre-determined selection criteria. Selected gamma rays are then used to compute the formation density. The selection criteria may include, for example, a time delay between the detection of a neutron and an associated particle and/or a direction of propagation of the neutron. |
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| US09057792B2 |
Device and method for detection of water flow in ground
The invention relates to a device and a method to determine whether a water leakage has occurred in ground by means of Doppler radar. The device comprises a radar emitting unit for emitting electromagnetic waves into the ground, a receiver unit for receiving signals reflected from a fluctuating water surface, a signal processing unit which band pass filters the received signal to obtain a signal that only comprises the Doppler shifted frequencies, creates a measure of the derivative of the reflected signal and, in a decision processor, compares this measure with a threshold value corresponding to the signal value of the background. If the measure of the derivative exceeds said threshold value a leakage is considered to have occurred. |
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| US09057790B2 |
Scintillation detection device with pressure sensitive adhesive interfaces
A scintillator device includes an optically clear substrate, a scintillator plastic layer overlying the optically clear substrate, and an optically clear polymer layer between the optically clear substrate and the scintillator plastic layer. The optically clear polymer layer can mechanically and optically couple the scintillator plastic layer to the optically clear substrate. Further, the clear polymer layer can be configured to substantially reduce the formation of cracks in the scintillator plastic layer due to thermal expansion, thermal contraction, or a combination thereof, of the scintillator device. |
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| US09057789B2 |
Radiation measuring device
A radiation measuring device includes: a detector that detects radiation; a preamplifier that amplifies a signal outputted from the detector; a shaping amplifier that shapes the waveform of the signal outputted from the preamplifier; an A/D converter that converts the analog signal output from the shaping amplifier to a digital signal; and a digital data processing unit that calculates digital signal output from the A/D converter, wherein energy information of the radiation inputted to the detector is obtained from a pulse height of the pulse signal processed by the preamplifier and the shaping amplifier, and the pulse height of the current pulse is corrected in the digital data processing unit by performing an arithmetic operation using the pulse height information of the current pulse digitalized by the A/D converter, the generation time information of the preceding pulse, and the pulse height information of the preceding pulse. |
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| US09057786B2 |
Algorithm for a wireless, motion and position-sensing, integrating radiation sensor for occupational and environmental dosimetry
Described is an apparatus, method and machine-readable medium for determining radiation dosages based on a solution vector for each radiation field and an objective function. |
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| US09057785B1 |
Radar operation with increased doppler capability
A method may include generating for transmission a repeating sequence of N constant-frequency pulses of width t seconds at interpulse intervals of T seconds, with each pulse in the sequence having a particular constant phase according to a quadratic phase sequence, which phase is applied to each pulse in a first sense of modulation. The method may further include modulating the phase of echo energy received from one or more objects reflecting the transmitted repeating sequence of N constant-frequency pulses with a second sense of modulation opposite to the first sense of modulation. The method may further include producing from the modulated received echo energy N unique and discrete frequency translations of the received echo energy as a function of range r of the reflecting objects, of magnitude equal to multiples of 1/NT Hz, which may preserve the spectrum of the received echo energy, forming in combination a composite signal frequency spectrum. |
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| US09057784B2 |
Illumination light shaping for a depth camera
Various embodiments of a time-of-flight (TOF) depth camera and methods for projecting illumination light into an image environment are disclosed. One example embodiment of a TOF depth camera includes a light source configured to generate coherent light; a first optical stage including an array of periodically-arranged lens elements positioned to receive at least a portion of the coherent light and to form divergent light; a second optical stage positioned to receive at least a portion of the divergent light and to reduce an intensity of one or more diffraction artifacts in the divergent light to form illumination light for projection into an illumination environment; and an image sensor configured to detect at least a portion of return illumination light reflected from the illumination environment. |
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| US09057782B2 |
Realization of time-domain ultra wideband ground-penetrating radar using high speed accumulation and interpolated sampling
Embodiments of the disclosed technology use high-speed interpolated (interdigitated) sampling for the specific purpose of GPR (Ground-Penetrating RADAR). This technology solves several issues associated with high-speed sampling in GPR which included 1) dynamic range limitations, 2) regulatory compliance issues, 3) sampler core offset error, and 4) timing errors. High-speed interpolated sampling GPR is implemented using a high-speed ADC in combination with trigger logic (such as an FPGA) and a programmable delay generator. The FPGA or other trigger logic generates a series of randomly dithered trigger pulses. A variable delay generator (or “Vernier”) is synchronously controlled in order to produce the fractional timing. The timing of the pulses is randomly or pseudo-randomly dithered, and the phase of the interpolation is shuffled in order to avoid producing discrete spectral lines in the radiated RADAR signal. |
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| US09057778B2 |
Remote sensing using coherent sonic wave photoacoustic detection and methods
A method and system for detecting composition of a physical space comprising: a laser beam source; an acoustic sensor; a beam focusing mechanism for focusing the laser beam at predetermined points in the physical space to generate a thermal inhomogeneity which results in the propagation of a pressure wave that propagates outward from the predetermined excitation point at a propagation velocity approximating the speed of sound for the particular composition of the media; at least one processor for controlling the timing for the laser beam focusing to generate thermal inhomogeneities; whereby the laser focal point is moved sequentially along the light-of-sight at various excitation points by the beam focusing mechanism approximately at the phase front velocity to define a series of predetermined excitation points and pressure wave propagations such that the series of pressure wave propagations combine to produce a coherent pressure wave detectable by the acoustic sensor. |
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| US09057773B1 |
Weather information display system and method
Systems and methods for displaying weather data relating to weather near an aircraft are provided. A method includes generating a three-dimensional weather profile of the weather near the aircraft based on reflectivity data from radar returns of a weather radar system of the aircraft. Generating the three-dimensional weather profile includes estimating weather data above a freezing layer height using a function that is based on a rate of reduction in reflectivity above the freezing layer. The method further includes transmitting weather display data to a display device, the weather display data being configured to cause the display device to display a visual representation of the three-dimensional weather profile. |
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| US09057770B2 |
Method for recording a magnetic resonance image
In a method for recording a magnetic resonance image with a magnetic resonance device, in which several projection image data records are recorded in succession with different gradient orientations, from which, through back projection, the magnetic resonance image is reconstructed, the recording of a projection data record in a recording time frame proceeds with a temporal frequency modulated excitation pulse of a pulse duration, wherein, through the frequency modulation of the excitation pulse, all spins to be recorded within the scope of the projection data record are excited in a temporal sequence and wherein the frequency modulation function describing the frequency modulation during the pulse duration exhibits at least one maximum and/or at least one minimum. During the excitation duration, a time-resolved reception signal is detected. The projection data record is determined from the reception signal through evaluation. |
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| US09057768B2 |
Local coil for a magnetic resonance device
A local coil for a magnetic resonance device includes a double resonance conductor loop arrangement having at least one conductor loop, and a converter apparatus configured for converting operating energy received at a first resonance frequency into an operating voltage. The local coil also includes an electronics arrangement operated with the operating voltage for processing magnetic resonance signals received at a second resonance frequency. |
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| US09057766B2 |
Isolating failing latches using a logic built-in self-test
A mechanism is provided for identifying a failing latch within an integrated circuit device. A test sequence is initiated on a set of scan chains associated with an identified failing multiple input signature register. For each test portion in a set of test portions in the test sequence, a comparison is performed between an output of the multiple input signature register and a corresponding value in a set of expected values. Responsive to determining a match, a value of a counter is incremented. Responsive to a failure to match, incrementing of the counter is stopped, and the value of the counter providing an indication of the failing latch in the integrated circuit device is read out. |
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| US09057765B2 |
Scan compression ratio based on fault density
A processor-implemented method for determining scan compression ratio based on fault density. The processor-implemented method may include calculating, by a processor, a fault density value for each of a plurality of partitions of an integrated circuit. The fault density is computed by the processor based on a ratio of a total number of faults per partition to a total number of flip-flops per partition. The processor-implemented method further includes the processor determining a compression ratio for each of the plurality of partitions based on the fault density value for each of the plurality of partitions and applying the compression ratio to each of the plurality of the partitions of the integrated circuit. |
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| US09057764B2 |
Detection of unchecked signals in circuit design verification
An unchecked signal detection mechanism runs simulation tests of circuit designs that normally pass. Before a simulation test is run, noise is injected into one randomly chosen signal. A random constant value is assigned to the randomly chosen signal. The constant random value is forced on the selected signal for the duration of the simulation test. Signals for which simulation tests always pass, even when their value is forced, are likely not checked and declared as suspect. The subset of suspect signals is then checked to determine whether their checkers are indeed missing or defective. Any verification flaws (holes) found are then fixed. |
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| US09057762B1 |
Faulty chains identification without masking chain patterns
Aspects of the invention relate to techniques for cycle-based scan chain diagnosis for integrated circuits with embedded compactors. With various implementations of the invention, no-failing-bits output channels of a compactor are first identified based on output data of a test. Next, good scan chains are identified based on scan chains associated with the no-failing-bits output channels. From scan chains other than the good scan chains, analysis of bits outputted from failing-bits output channels per clock cycle is performed to identify suspected faulty scan chains. |
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| US09057760B2 |
Circuit for detecting structural defects in an integrated circuit chip, methods of use and manufacture and design structures
Detection circuits, methods of use and manufacture and design structures are provided herein. The structure includes at least one signal line traversing one or more metal layers of an integrated circuit. Circuitry is coupled to the at least one signal line, which is structured to receive a signal with a known signal from the at least one signal line or a signal from a different potential and, based on which signal is received, determine whether there is a structural defect in the integrated circuit. |
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| US09057758B2 |
Method for measuring current, method for inspecting semiconductor device, semiconductor device, and test element group
An object is to provide a current measurement method which enables a minute current to be measured. To achieve this, the value of a current flowing through an electrical element is not directly measured, but is calculated from a change in potential observed in a predetermined period. The detection of a minute current can be achieved by a measurement method including the steps of applying a predetermined potential to a first terminal of an electrical element comprising the first terminal and a second terminal; measuring an amount of change in potential of a node connected to the second terminal; and calculating, from the amount of change in potential, a value of a current flowing between the first terminal and the second terminal of the electrical element. |
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| US09057757B2 |
Testing of electroluminescent semiconductor wafers
Forward voltage drift in a probe system for the characterization of a light-emitting wafer is virtually eliminated by directing compressed air to the probe so as to ensure that the exact same temperature conditions exist during repeated measurements of the wafer. In one embodiment of the invention, an air flow at room temperature is used, either continuously or intermittently. In another embodiment, the temperature of the probe is controlled by flowing a liquid or a gas through micro-channels built into the probe. In yet another embodiment, the probe is connected to a solid-state Peltier cell that is computer-controlled to maintain the probe's temperature at a predetermined set-point. A temperature-controlled chamber or a thermal reservoir enclosing the probe could be used as well. The results obtained showed remarkable repeatability. |
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| US09057755B2 |
Device for monitoring internal arc in gas insulated switchgear
A device for monitoring internal arc in gas insulated switchgear. The device includes: at least one or more partial discharge sensors that electronic wave signals of partial discharge generated by internal arc in a gas section of the gas insulated switchgear; at least one or more gas pressure wave sensors that measure pressure wave signals due to expansion of a gas produced by internal arc in the gas section of the gas insulated switchgear; a data acquiring unit that receives the electronic wave signals measured by the partial discharge sensors and the pressure wave signals measured by the gas pressure sensors, finds out internal arc on the basis of the received sensor measure information, and determines the reason and the position of the internal ark; and a transmitting unit that transmits the sensor measurement information and determination information from the data acquiring unit to a super-system. |
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| US09057754B2 |
Economical magnetic locator apparatus and method
Magnetic locators for detection of buried objects, such as ferromagnetic objects, are disclosed. Inputs provided from one or more magnetic sensors, such as three three-axis magnetic sensors, as well as from other sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopic sensors, may be used to determine magnetic field distortion indicative of ferromagnetic objects and provide output information corresponding to the detected object. |
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| US09057753B2 |
Sensing device, power reception device, power transmission device, non-contact power transmission system, and sensing method
There is provided a sensing device including a circuit including at least a coil electromagnetically coupled to an outside; a temperature detection unit for detecting a temperature of the coil; a sensing unit for measuring a Q value of the circuit; and a correction unit for correcting the Q value measured by the sensing unit based on temperature information detected by the temperature detection unit. |
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| US09057752B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting a loose electrical connection in photovoltaic system
A power circuit configured to generate and distribute DC electrical power, the power circuit includes a photovoltaic (PV) system that includes an array of PV modules electrically coupled to a combiner box, and an inverter positioned to receive DC electrical power from the array of PV modules and output AC electrical power. The PV system also includes a signal generator coupled to a first portion of the PV system, and a signal detector coupled to a second portion of the PV system, the signal detector configured to detect secondary signals generated at a loose connection of an electrical joint in the PV system, wherein the secondary signals result from a signal generated by the signal generator. |
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| US09057751B2 |
Ground fault detection for an electrical subsea control system
A ground fault detection circuit for detecting ground faults in electrical subsea conductor lines including a first electrical conductor line, a second electrical conductor line, a first ground fault detection line, and a second ground fault detection line. The ground fault detection circuit further includes a first resistor operatively connected to a voltage source and the first ground fault detection line, a second resistor operatively connected to the voltage source and the second ground fault detection line, and a voltage detection device configured to detect the voltage at an output end of the first resistor to determine the presence of a ground fault in at least one of the first and second conductor lines. |
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| US09057750B2 |
Test of a testing device for determining a voltage state of a high-voltage vehicle electrical system
A method for testing a testing device for determining a voltage state of an on-board high-voltage electrical system of a motor vehicle includes establishing a predetermined voltage state in the on-board high-voltage electrical system by supplying a test voltage to the on-board high-voltage electrical system and determining the voltage state with the testing device and comparing the determined voltage state with the predetermined voltage state This ensures that, before maintenance work on the on-board high-voltage electrical system is performed, a voltage-free state of the on-board high-voltage electrical system determined by the testing device is actually present, thereby eliminating risk to maintenance personnel due to an accidentally applied voltage. |
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| US09057749B2 |
Sensing element and signal sensing device with the same
A sensing element suitable for sensing an interference signal radiated by an object under test is provided, including a substrate, a ground plane and a sensing antenna. The ground plane is disposed on a first surface of the substrate. The sensing antenna is disposed on the first surface of the substrate and is located on a first side of the ground plane. The sensing antenna and the ground plane are separated by a preset distance. Besides, the sensing antenna is electrically connected to the ground plane through a coaxial wire and receives the interference signal through the ground plane. |
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| US09057748B2 |
Assembly and method for testing an electronic circuit test fixture
A method provides testing of an electronic circuit test system that includes a test fixture having headed and headless test probes, a shorting plate and a test probe verification plate with apertures. A probe verification test includes: moving the test probe verification plate and the shorting plate into position, where the shorting plate engages any test probe that extends through an aperture of the verification plate; and transmitting an electrical signal to each of the test probes. The electricity flow associated with each of the test probes is analyzed to determine if any of the headless test probes have an open circuit. In response to detecting an open circuit: one or more of the headless test probes are indicated as (a) defective in the test fixture or (b) missing from the test fixture; and the specific locations in the test fixture of the defective or missing test probes are identified. |
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| US09057747B2 |
Film sensor
A film sensor includes a polarizing film, an antistatic layer and a capacitive sensor that are laminated in this order, the capacitive sensor having a transparent film, a transparent electrode pattern formed on one side of the transparent film, and an adhesive layer formed on the one side of the transparent film to embed the transparent electrode pattern. The transparent film is disposed between the antistatic layer and the transparent electrode pattern. The antistatic layer has a surface resistance value of 1.0×109 to 1.0×1011Ω/□. |
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| US09057744B2 |
Protective relaying device
According to one embodiment, a protective relaying device includes a phase difference calculating unit configured to calculate a phase difference between a phase obtained by shifting a phase of first current data by 180°, and a phase of second current data, a setting unit configured to calculate a target value of elimination of a sampling synchronization error caused by a difference between a transmission delay time of up-transmission, and a transmission delay time of down-transmission on the basis of the phase difference, and to set the calculated target value, and a sampling synchronization control unit configured to carry out control of sampling synchronization such that a difference between a time TM and a time TF. |
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| US09057735B2 |
Methods and compositions for diagnosis and prognosis of renal injury and renal failure
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for monitoring, diagnosis, prognosis, and determination of treatment regimens in subjects suffering from or suspected of having a renal injury. In particular, the invention relates to using assays that detect one or more markers selected from the group consisting of cytochrome c and insulin-like growth factor IA as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in renal injuries. |
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| US09057732B2 |
Mass spectrometry assay for congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Methods are provided for detecting the amount of one or more CAH panel analytes (i.e., pregnenolone, 17-OH pregnenolone, progesterone, 17-OH progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione, testosterone, deoxycorticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, and cortisol) in a sample by mass spectrometry. The methods generally involve ionizing one or more CAH panel analytes in a sample and quantifying the generated ions to determine the amount of one or more CAH panel analytes in the sample. In methods where amounts of multiple CAH panel analytes are detected, the amounts of multiple analytes are detected in the same sample injection. |
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| US09057731B2 |
Methods and kits for predicting a response to an erythropoietic agent
Methods for predicting a response to an erythropoietic agent in a subject include providing a biological sample from the subject, and determining an amount in the sample of at least one peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 1-17. If there is a measurable difference in the amount of the at least one peptide in the sample, when compared to a control level of the same peptide, the subject is then predicted to have a good response or a poor response to the erythropoietic agent. Kits for predicting a response to an erythropoietic agent are further provided and include one or more antibodies, or fragments thereof, that specifically recognize a peptide of SEQ ID NOS: 1-17. |
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| US09057730B2 |
Arrays and methods of use
Methods are provided for producing a molecular array comprising a plurality of molecules immoblised to a solid substrate at a density which allows individual immobilised molecules to be individually resolved, wherein each individual molecule in the array is spatially addressable and the identity of each molecule is known or determined prior to immobilisation. The use of spatially addressable low density molecular arrays in single molecule detection and analysis techniques is also provided. Novel assays and methods are also provided. |
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| US09057727B2 |
Screening methods using G-protein coupled receptors and related compositions
The present invention provides screening methods for GPCRs based on the discovery that the affinity of a receptor agonist for a GPCR (such as the parathyroid hormone receptor) when not bound to a G-protein is correlated with the length of time over which the agonist is effective, independently of its pharmacokinetic properties. The invention also provides PTH- and PTHrP-derived polypeptides. |
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| US09057720B2 |
Reducing/oxidizing activity of maternal urine as indicator of fetal gender related characteristics
The present invention provides a method for determining the gender of an unborn child by assaying the overall reducing/oxidizing or redox activity of the maternal urine or other body fluid. The method can be used to determine fetal gender at any time point during the entire pregnancy, the earliest being the first day of a missed menstruation. The body fluid may be processed before assaying. Processing may involve aging the body fluid, or purification of various fractions. The methods of the present invention also provide for a means for pre-conception baby gender planning by assaying the overall redox activity of a non-pregnant female's urine or other body fluid. The overall redox activity of a urine sample correlates with the gender specific compatibility of the ovum being released during a particular menstrual cycle. Therefore, assaying the overall redox activity of a non-pregnant female's urine will help a couple conceive a baby having a desired gender. |
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| US09057716B2 |
Bactericidal antibody assays to assess immunogenicity and potency of meningococcal capsular saccharide vaccines
The disclosure provides compositions, methods and kits for assessing immunogenicity, potency, or both, of meningococcal capsular saccharide vaccines. The assessment is based upon measurement of binding of a bactericidal antibody to a capsular saccharide component in the vaccine. |
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| US09057715B2 |
Cell culture apparatus and mass automatic cell culture device having it
The present invention relates to a cell culture apparatus and a mass automatic cell culture device having it. There is provided a cell culture apparatus comprising a cylindrical cell culture flask which is air-tightly sealed and formed of a transparent material to observe an internal portion thereof, an injection unit for supplying the cell and the culture solution into the cell culture flask, a collection unit for discharging the cells and the culture solution from the cell culture flask, and a cell culture flask receiving part which is comprised of first and second vertical frames in which a plurality of injecting parts and collecting parts, and plate type connection parts which are respectively disposed between upper ends and lower ends of the two opposed vertical frames to be spaced apart from each other in regular intervals, and a mass automatic cell culture device having it. |
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| US09057705B2 |
Surface-enhanced raman spectroscopy substrate for arsenic sensing in groundwater
A surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate formed from a plurality of monolayers of polyhedral silver nanocrystals, wherein at least one of the monolayers has polyvinypyrrolidone (PVP) on its surface, and thereby configured for sensing arsenic is described. Highly active SERS substrates are formed by assembling high density monolayers of differently shaped silver nanocrystals onto a solid support. SERS detection is performed directly on this substrate by placing a droplet of the analyte solution onto the nanocrystal monolayer. Adsorbed polymer, polyvinypyrrolidone (PVP), on the surface of the nanoparticles facilitates the binding of both arsenate and arsenite near the silver surface, allowing for highly accurate and sensitive detection capabilities. |
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| US09057704B2 |
SERS-sensor with nanostructured surface and methods of making and using
A surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor includes a substrate with a nanostructured surface. The nanostructured surface has a quasi-periodic, anisotropic array of elongated ridge elements having a wave-ordered structure pattern, each ridge element having a wavelike cross-section and oriented substantially in a first direction. The sensor also includes a plurality of metal elements disposed, at least in part, on tops of the ridge elements. |
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| US09057702B2 |
Compact wide-field fluorescent imaging on a mobile device
Wide-field fluorescent imaging on a mobile device having a camera is accomplished with a compact, light-weight and inexpensive optical components that are mechanically secured to the mobile device in a removable housing. Battery powered light-emitting diodes (LEDs) contained in the housing pump the sample of interest from the side using butt-coupling, where the pump light is guided within the sample holder to uniformly excite the specimen. The fluorescent emission from the sample is then imaged using an additional lens that is positioned adjacent to the existing lens of the mobile device. A color filter is sufficient to create the dark-field background required for fluorescent imaging, without the need for expensive thin-film interference filters. |
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| US09057696B2 |
Fluid-borne particle detector
There is disclosed improved apparatus and methods for detection of shape, size and intrinsic fluorescence properties of a fluid borne particle wherein the apparatus comprises a laser, two light sources, two detectors, and optionally a third detector. The apparatus is particularly suitable for detection of airborne biological particles. |
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| US09057695B2 |
Apparatus and method for irradiating a scattering medium with a reconstructive wave
A system and method for irradiating a medium including irradiating the medium with an electromagnetic wave which is scattered in the medium and modulated in frequency at a position in the medium; obtaining information corresponding to an interference pattern generated by interference between the modulated electromagnetic wave and a reference wave; and generating a phase conjugate wave, based on the obtained information, which irradiates the medium. |
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| US09057692B2 |
Device for measuring refractive index of medium based on optical delay technology and its method
A device for measuring refractive index of medium based on optical delay technology comprises: a signal processing and controlling module, an optical transmitter module, and an optical receiver module, wherein the signal processing and controlling module controls the optical transmitter module to transmit an optical signal having a certain wavelength; the optical signal is injected into a medium to be measured; the optical signal is transmitted and delayed by the medium; the optical receiver module receives the optical signal delayed, and transforms the optical signal delayed into a electrical signal; the electrical signal is amplified and transmitted to the signal processing and controlling module; the signal processing and controlling module measures a delay time between transmitting and receiving the optical signal; and the refractive index of the medium at the certain wavelength is calculated based on the delay time and a known length of the medium. |
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| US09057686B2 |
Non-destructive inspection apparatus having an ergonomic grip and associated method
A non-destructive inspection apparatus, system and associated method are provided to facilitate the inspection of a workpiece. The non-destructive inspection apparatus includes an ultrasonic sensor configured to be placed in operable contact with the workpiece. The ultrasonic sensor is configured to emit ultrasonic signals into the workpiece and to receive return signals from the workpiece. The non-destructive inspection apparatus also includes a grip operably connected to the ultrasonic sensor such that the grip and the ultrasonic sensor are movable in concert. The grip is configured to support an operator's palm, such as a majority of the operator's palm, such that force applied to the ultrasonic inspection apparatus by the operator is transferred via the grip to the ultrasonic sensor. The non-destructive inspection system may also include a computer in communication with the non-destructive inspection apparatus to receive information relating to the return signals received by the ultrasonic sensor. |
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| US09057684B2 |
Gamma ray imaging systems and methods
A system for imaging a gamma source includes a pixelated Compton scattering layer, for Compton scattering of gamma photons emitted by the gamma source, and a non-pixelated full-energy detector for detecting at least a portion of Compton scattered gamma photons geometrically encoded by a coded aperture positioned between the pixelated Compton scattering layer and the full-energy detector at a distance from the pixelated Compton scattering layer. A method for imaging a gamma source includes (a) detecting coincidence events, each including Compton scattering in a pixelated Compton scattering layer, and transmission to a non-pixelated full-energy detector of a Compton scattered gamma photon transmitted through a coded aperture located at a distance from the pixelated Compton scattering layer, and (b) determining an image of the gamma source from the detection of the coincidence events. |
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| US09057673B2 |
Method of preparing RNA from ribonuclease-rich sources
Methods for preparing RNA from ribonuclease-rich sources while avoiding RNA degradation are described. The lysis protocol for ribonuclease-containing samples is performed at high pH to accelerate cell lysis and with a reducing agent that inactivates ribonucleases (RNases) by reducing disulfide bonds essential for RNase activity. Samples are briefly incubated for up to five minutes at high pH followed by addition of a reagent to lower the pH to a level at which the RNA is stable. This method of RNA extraction has many advantages over existing methods of RNA preparation, including that cell lysis is efficient, RNases are rapidly inactivated, and sample incubation times are short (less than 5 minutes), which protects RNA from degradation. The lysing procedure is performed entirely in aqueous solution with no heating, precipitations, or buffer exchanges required. Thus, a quick, simple procedure for extracting RNA is provided, which can easily be automated. |
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| US09057671B1 |
System and method for biological specimen mounting
A system and method for mounting a section onto a substrate, the system comprising: a fluid channel including: a fluid channel inlet that receives the section, processed from a bulk embedded sample by a sample sectioning module positioned proximal the fluid channel inlet, a section-mounting region downstream of the fluid channel inlet, and a fluid channel outlet downstream of the section-mounting region; a reservoir in fluid communication with the fluid channel outlet; and a manifold, fluidly coupled to the reservoir, that delivers fluid from the reservoir to the fluid channel inlet, thereby transmitting fluid flow that drives delivery of the section from the fluid channel inlet toward the section-mounting region. |
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| US09057666B2 |
Method of and apparatus for measuring viscous and elastic properties of a gluten-containing substance
A method of measuring viscous and elastic properties of a gluten-containing substance includes: bringing the gluten-containing substance into a powder, adding a predetermined amount of aqueous liquid to a predetermined amount of the powder, kneading the powder and liquid to a dough to develop the viscoelastic character of the gluten in the dough- and extracting viscoelastic gluten from the dough by rinsing with the liquid. The method further includes: shaping the gluten, placing the shaped gluten between two parallel planar surfaces, compressing the gluten by moving the planar surfaces towards each other at a controlled rate, until a maximum compression force or a minimum spacing is reached, releasing the force on the planar surfaces so that these can move away from each other due to elastic recovery of the compressed gluten, measuring the distance between the planar surfaces during the compression and elastic recovery of the gluten, and storing the measured values. |
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| US09057665B2 |
System and method utilizing time-slice-eradication to eliminate the effects of wavelength non-linearities from swept-wavelength testing of optical components for sources with non-linearities
A system and method for correcting non-linearities in the output of a tunable laser over a sweep range. Electromagnetic radiation is directed over a range of wavelengths to a measurement system from the tunable laser source, wherein the measurement system collects data over the range of wavelengths. The electromagnetic radiation emitted over the range of wavelengths is monitored. A non-linearity in one or more wavelengths over the range of wavelengths is determined. A signal is transmitted to the measurement system to cease collecting data when the one or more wavelengths having the non-linearity is output from the tunable laser source or the data is ignored. |
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| US09057664B2 |
System and method for quantifying the presence of components in the exhaust of commercial and/or heavy-duty vehicles
A system and/or method for quantifying the presence of one or more components in vehicle exhaust, and more particularly to a non-contact, sampling system and method for quantifying the presence of one or more components in exhaust emissions of commercial and/or heavy-duty vehicles that emit exhaust at an elevated level, under actual operating conditions. |
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| US09057661B2 |
Tire pressure observation after detecting abnormal pressure condition
A tire pressure observation method and computer readable medium is provided. Upon detection of an abnormal pressure condition, a tire pressure observation method provides for various maintenance actions. A computer readable medium may contain instructions for a tire pressure observation controller directing the controller to present messages at different stages of the maintenance actions to assist maintenance staff in properly performing the maintenance actions, for example, observing the tire pressure. |
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| US09057657B2 |
Device for disinfecting, sterilizing, and/or maintaining medical instruments and method for identifying the occupancy of an instrument holder in such device
A device for disinfecting, sterilizing, and/or maintaining medical, in particular dental instruments. The device is optimized in various areas, facilitating the fully automatic, reliable, and reproducible preparation of dental instruments. |
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| US09057655B2 |
Force sensor and method for testing its reliability
A force sensor includes a transducer with a measuring element operatively connected to a measuring object for generating measuring signals of a force acting on the measuring object, and two in parallel transmission channels transmit mutually corresponding signals of the measuring signals independently from one another and connected in parallel to the same transducer. A test signal is evaluated in a transmission channel in which the test signal has been injected and in another transmission channel in which the test signal has not been injected. In another testing method, the transmitted signals are compared. |
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| US09057652B2 |
Torque detecting apparatus
A torque detecting apparatus detects a torque applied to a first shaft, based on a relative rotational displacement between the first shaft and a second shaft caused by torsion in a coupling shaft which couples the first shaft and the second shaft. The torque detecting apparatus includes: first and second magnets which are coupled to the first shaft and the second shaft so as to rotate together with the first shaft and second shaft, respectively; and a plurality of magnetic sensors which are disposed between the first magnet and the second magnet and which detect a rotational angle of the first shaft and a rotational angle of the second shaft. |
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| US09057647B2 |
Detached-type temperature indicator and method for using the same
A detached-type temperature indicator and method for using the same is disclosed. The indicator includes a temperature sensing module and a temperature display module. These two modules are separated apart with a distance, and the temperature change sensed by the temperature sensing module can be displayed on the separate temperature display module without using any power sources. This indicator is suitable for observing the magnetic sensing patterns which reflect the temperature variations within the package from the exterior of the package without opening the package. Also, this indicator may be used repeatedly. |
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| US09057646B2 |
Image forming apparatus for measuring a color of a measurement image
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form a measurement image on a sheet, a measurement unit configured to measure the measurement image formed on the sheet to output a measurement value, a white reference plate provided at a position facing to the measurement unit, and a correction unit configured to correct the measurement value output from the measurement unit according to a distance from the measurement unit to the white reference plate in a case where the measurement image formed on the sheet is measured. |
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| US09057645B2 |
System for distributing and controlling color reproduction at multiple sites
In a color imaging system, multiple rendering devices are provided at different nodes along a network. Each rendering device has a color measurement instrument for calibrating the color presented by the rendering device. A rendering device may be a printer in which the measuring of color samples on a sheet rendered by the printer is provided by a sensor coupled to a transport mechanism which moves the sensor and sheet relative to each other, where the sensor provides light from the samples to a spectrograph. A rendering device may also be a display having a member supporting a color measuring instrument for receiving light from an area of the screen. The color measuring instruments provide for non-contact measurements of color samples rendered on a display or a sheet, and are self-calibrating by the use of calibration references. |
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| US09057644B2 |
Illuminance and proximity sensor
An illuminance and proximity sensor includes a first sensing unit that senses infrared light and green light, and forwards a first sensing signal corresponding to a result of the sensing, a second sensing unit that filters visible light, senses the infrared light, and forwards a second sensing signal corresponding to a result of the sensing, and a control unit that produces an illuminance using a first difference value from subtracting the second sensing signal from the first sensing signal, and a proximity using a second difference value from subtracting the first difference value from the second sensing signal. |
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| US09057637B2 |
Method and device for the optical measurement of state variables and the level in a container for liquefied gases, and device therefor
A method and a device for optically determining state variables inside a container (1) for liquefied gases. In the method and device, light emitted by an illumination unit (2) travels within an optical waveguide (7, 9) to a contact point (33) with the content of the container (1) and is partially reflected there, the intensity of the reflected light is measured by an image sensor (4), and a state variable is determined from the intensity. In order to create a comprehensive “image” of the state variables in the container and of the container content, several optical waveguides (29, 29′) are guided to contact points (33) which are distributed within the container (1) and form measurement points (9.1, 9.2, 9.3, . . . , 9.n). Locally assigned state variables (refractive index, density, temperature, etc.) of the container content are determined from the measured values obtained at the measurement points (9.1, 9.2, 9.3, . . . , 9.n) and are evaluated along with the spatial coordinates of the measurement points (9.1, 9.2, 9.3, . . . , 9.n) in the container (1). |
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| US09057636B2 |
Self-calibrating mechanism and self-calibrating method for flow rate sensor, and diagnostic mechanism and diagnostic method for fluid sensor
A valve fully closing part; a calibrating volume calculation part that calculates a calibrating volume on the basis value of an integration of a flow rate measured value outputted from a flow rate sensor in a fluid parameter changing interval; and a calibration part that calibrates a flow rate on the basis of the calculated calibrating volume and a preset reference volume are provided. |
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| US09057634B2 |
Noise detection and avoidance
A process variable transmitter includes a sensor drive controller that outputs a sensor drive signal that is used to drive a sensor that senses a process variable. The sensor drive controller changes the frequency of the sensor drive signal to avoid frequencies and associated harmonics at which noise occurs and which could interfere with the sensor signal. |
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| US09057632B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring flow rate of meter
A water meter of the present invention may accurately measure a flow rate and reduce power consumption. The water meter includes a body including an inlet unit and an outlet unit, an impeller unit provided to rotate due to a fluid flowing in the body, a cover member that covers one side of the impeller unit and includes a guide groove formed therein, and sensors that are provided on one side and the other side of the cover member and are spaced apart from each other to face each other. The impeller unit includes blades interfering with the fluid, a shaft forming a rotational center of the blades, and a cut-off unit that extends from one side of the plurality of blades to be inserted into the guide groove, and selectively cuts off signal transmission between the plurality of sensors. |
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| US09057631B2 |
Smoke detector with an easily-readable and highly-visible battery-life display
A smoke detector with an easily-readable battery-life display is an apparatus that visually displays the remaining battery life for a smoke detector through an analog or digital device. The apparatus primarily includes a smoke detector, a battery power indicator, and a reference resistor. The battery power indicator is positioned on the underside of the smoke detector so that a person can look up at the smoke detector mounted on a ceiling and view the battery power indicator. The reference resistor draws a small amount of current from the battery, which allows the battery power indicator to measure the gradual reduction of voltage readings across the reference resistor and consequently determine the remaining battery life, and thus displaying the remaining battery life in the appropriate zone (red, yellow or green). |
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| US09057630B2 |
Metrological scale
A method of applying a marking onto a metrological scale. The method comprises locating one or more markings on the scale substrate in a provisional state; checking whether the one or more markings located on the scale substrate are acceptable; and finalising the one or markings which are acceptable so as to transform the one or more markings into a finalised state. |
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| US09057628B2 |
Position sensor and linear actuator
A linear magnetic position sensor may include a magnetic field generating unit having two permanent magnets for generating a magnetic field. A Hall sensor may be disposed in a region of the magnetic field forming a linear measuring section, wherein the Hall sensor and the magnetic field generating unit are linearly displaceable relative to one another along a longitudinal direction in order to position the Hall sensor within the measuring section. The permanent magnets may be polarized in a transverse direction running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The permanent magnets may be spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction. Each pole of one of the permanent magnets may be connected to a pole of the other permanent magnet via a magnetic conductor element. |
|
| US09057624B2 |
System and method for vehicle navigation with multiple abstraction layers
Systems and methods for vehicle navigation with multiple abstraction layers are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: receiving data sets from a plurality of sources; generating, by use of a data processor, a routing overlay based on a routing to a selected destination; generating, by use of the data processor and data from the data sets, a plurality of navigation abstraction layers corresponding to the routing; generating at least one navigation abstraction layer by smoothing or simplifying the shape of the routing overlay; and presenting at least one of the plurality of navigation abstraction layers to a user via a display interface. |
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| US09057621B2 |
Navigation system and method of using vehicle state information for route modeling
A vehicle includes a powertrain controller, an energy storage system (ESS), a traction motor, an electrical device such as an HVAC system and/or auxiliary system, and a navigation system. The navigation system generates a recommended eco-route or other travel route. The navigation system receives vehicle state information including a current powertrain state from the controller and a power load value from the device(s), including a state of charge of the ESS. The vehicle state information is used to select between a charge-depleting and a charge-sustaining costing model. The route is generated using the selected model, and then displayed. The navigation system includes a host machine which selects the model and generates the route, and a display screen for displaying the route. A method for generating the route includes receiving the current powertrain state and power load values, and using the state information to select between the charge-depleting and charge-sustaining models. |
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| US09057614B2 |
Method and apparatus for vehicle tracking
A computer-implemented tracking method includes receiving a tracking request at a vehicle associated computing system (VACS). The method also includes authenticating the tracking request and determining a vehicle location via a GPS in communication with the VACS. The method further includes transmitting the vehicle location from the VACS to a tracking request associated computing system (TRACS). The method also includes monitoring the vehicle for at least one delay-event. The method additionally includes transmitting data corresponding to the delay event to the TRACS, contingent on the occurrence of at least one delay-event. |
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| US09057610B2 |
Robotic laser pointer apparatus and methods
A robotic laser-pointing apparatus has an instrument center, a first rotation axis, a second rotation axis, and a pointing axis, with the first rotation axis, the second rotation axis and the pointing axis in a known relationship to the instrument center. A laser source provides a pointing-laser beam along the pointing axis. A pointing drive system aims the laser beam by rotating the pointing axis about the instrument center in response to a pointing-direction control. Focusing optics having a focusing-optics drive serve to focus the pointing-laser beam in response to a focusing-optics control. A processor, responsive to target-position information, generates the pointing-direction control and the focusing-optics control. Some embodiments include an electronic-distance-measurement system having a measurement beam. Some embodiments provide for compensation of aiming errors of the pointing-laser beam and the measurement beam. |
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| US09057599B2 |
Touch probe
A touch probe comprising a fixed member; a feeler held by one or several elastic elements in a resting position relative to said fixed member, said feeler being capable of moving from said resting position in response to a deflection force; a detection system comprising a light source driven by the displacements of the feeler relative to said fixed member; an optical image sensor receiving the light emitted by said light source; an optical mask interposed on the light path between said light source and said optical image sensor. |
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| US09057597B2 |
Method for determining the roughness of an internal surface
A method for determining the roughness of an internal surface of a metal substrate or a metal layer is provided. By the correlation of a single destructive measurement in order to determine the roughness and the conductivity measurement of a transition region, the roughness is determined for other samples without destructive measurement. |
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| US09057594B2 |
Sapphire lens-based optical fiber probe for optical coherence tomography
A probe for an optical coherence tomography system according to an embodiment of the current invention includes a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen therein, an optical fiber disposed at least partially within the lumen of said sheath, and a sapphire lens attached to the distal end of the sheath to form a fluid-tight seal to prevent fluid from entering the lumen of said sheath. The optical fiber has an end arranged in an optical path with the sapphire lens to provide optical coupling between the sapphire lens and the optical fiber. |
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| US09057593B1 |
Dual-function gage for measuring dimensions of a fastener assembly
An apparatus capable of measuring pin protrusion and collar swage height in a fastener assembly. The apparatus comprises: a gage body; a shaft that is translatable along its axis; an instrument that measures the absolute axial position of the shaft relative to a zero position; pin protrusion and collar swage height measurement contact members coupled to the shaft; and a slotted gage plug that is rotatable and axially displaceable relative to the gage body. The gage plug sits on the swaged collar during measurements. When the collar swage height measurement contact member is disposed in the slot in the gage plug, pin protrusion can be measured. When the collar swage height measurement contact member is not disposed in the slot and instead rests on top of the gage plug, the collar swage height can be measured. |
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| US09057590B1 |
Enhanced reliability miniature piston actuator for an electronic thermal battery initiator
A system for a piston actuator comprising a configuration with lead styphnate charge material and Nichrome® bridgewire, wherein the device configuration provides very high reliability, including piston actuator applications; resistance of the bridgewire is carefully controlled to optimize power transfer from the firing circuit to the bridgewire and charge material. |
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| US09057586B2 |
Actuation device for adjusting or setting a parameter of an optical device including a telescopic sight
An actuating device for setting an optical parameter of an optical device including a telescopic sight. The actuating device includes a first coupling part rotatable about a rotation axis and an index element pushable onto the first coupling part for assuming an operating position. A guide arrangement guides the index element on the first coupling part and is configured to permit a push-on of the index element in the direction of the rotation axis and to permit a twisting of the index element relative to the first coupling part at least in a direction perpendicular to or tangential to the rotation axis. A second coupling part is configured to provide friction forces counteracting a twisting of the index element relative to the first and second coupling parts when the index element is in the operating position thereof. |
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| US09057585B1 |
Illumination associated with a weapon
The disclosed embodiments relate to illumination associated with a weapon. In one embodiment, a lighting device for mounting on a weapon comprises a light source, an inertial sensor, and a controller. The light source can be used to illuminate a portion of a target. The inertial sensor can be used for sensing the forces acting on the lighting device. The controller can be configured to activate the light source when the lighting device is in a firing position for more than a first predetermined time period, and deactivate the light source when the lighting device is in a non-firing position for more than a second predetermined time period. |
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| US09057583B2 |
Sight system
A sight system is provided which may be selectively used in a variety of different ways. In one example, the sight system may be positioned on a rifle to provide a rifle sight system. In this example, the sight system may be positioned on the rifle barrel a substantial distance away from a user's eye. Advantageously, such an implementation may permit a user to effectively sight the rifle without compromising situational awareness. In another example, the sight system may be used to provide a telescopic sight with a reticle (e.g., a dot, crosshair, mark, or other appropriate shape) superimposed on an image (e.g., a zoomed or non-zoomed image) displayed from a camera. In another example, the sight system may be used to provide an occluded sight in which a camera and/or display of the sight system is disabled. As a result, a reticle may be displayed over an opaque background. |
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| US09057582B2 |
Simulation system
A simulation system for use in military exercise of combat in an area having at least one building has a transmitter arranged on a firearm for simulating firing of a shot and a detector to be arranged on the body of a soldier. Sensors are adapted to sense whether the transmitter and the detector are located indoors or outdoors. The detector is designed to discriminate between normal power signals fired from outdoors and indoors, whereas the transmitters is adapted to emit signals of normal power when located outdoors and signal of normal power as well as a substantially lower power when located indoors. |
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| US09057580B2 |
Quick draw gun holster with interactive accessory device
In accordance with the present disclosure, novel quick draw hand gun holsters are described, together with methods for using them, that are capable, at a user's option, of activating a light accessory, such a light and/or laser sighting device, when the gun is drawn from the holster, and of deactivating it when the gun is inserted in the holster. Additional embodiments are also described. |
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| US09057578B2 |
Simulation bullet includable BB bullet magazine
A simulation bullet includable BB bullet magazine includes an enclosure, an elastic element arranged in the enclosure, an internal receptacle slidably received in the enclosure, and at least one simulation bullet movably receivable in the enclosure. The internal receptacle has an end coupled to the elastic element. The simulation bullet is arranged to contact the end of the internal receptacle that is distant from the elastic element. With such a structure, when the simulation bullet is loaded into the enclosure, the internal receptacle is pressed downwards. To shoot BB bullets, the simulation bullet is pushed out of the enclosure, whereby the elastic element moves the internal receptacle upward to a ready-to-shoot position. As such, a user, when operating and using the device, can fully experience of the fun of operation and thus, an advantage of being interesting and easy to operate can be achieved. |
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| US09057577B2 |
Rifle dry-fire apparatus and method
A rifle lower receiver has a trigger well and a magazine well. A hammer is disposed in the trigger well and configured to pivot from a first hammer position to a second hammer position in response to moving a trigger from a first trigger position to a second trigger position. A gear member attached to the lower receiver has a predefined number of gear teeth and a locking pin extending from the gear member. A pawl is connected to the trigger and operationally engages the gear member to increment the gear member once per trigger pull. Upon reaching a predefined number of trigger pulls, the locking member locks the trigger. A release lever on the lower receiver is operably configured to advance the gear member one increment to unlock the trigger. A method of dry-fire training is also disclosed. |
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| US09057573B1 |
Pistol hammer
A pistol hammer has a pistol cam formed around a hammer pin axis and configured to accommodate a strut. A pistol rear portion is immediately adjacent to the pistol cam. A pistol spur is immediately adjacent to the pistol rear portion. A pistol head is immediately adjacent to the pistol spur. The pistol head has a flat face that terminates at a flat face point. A concave front face is immediately adjacent to the pistol head extending in a smooth arc from the flat face point through an offset point to a termination point immediately adjacent to the pistol cam. The concave front face is configured to make contact toward a center of the firing pin retainer with a moment arm configured to fire the pistol with minimal force. |
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| US09057572B2 |
Firearm extraction system
An extraction system for extracting a cartridge from a firing chamber of a firearm includes an extractor mounted within the firearm bolt which has a bolt head with a plurality of lugs proximate a bolt face, a cartridge recess extending axially inward from the bolt face, and an extractor aperture extending radially outward through one of the lugs. A spring aperture extends axially through the one lug and intersects with the extractor aperture. The extractor is slidably mounted within the extractor aperture and has a hook portion for coupling with the cartridge and a transverse spring bore extending through a mid-section of the extractor. The extraction system further includes an extractor spring having an anchor portion mounted about the outer surface of the bolt and a cantilever spring portion inserted through the spring aperture and into the transverse hole in the extractor, for resiliently biasing the extractor toward the cartridge recess. |
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| US09057570B1 |
Loader for magazines with projecting side button
A magazine loader (10) for firearm magazines (40) has a projecting side button (50) coupled to a follower (52). Two similar and substantially flat flaps (12, 14) are hinged by a pin (18) along their longer side. A torsion spring (16) encompasses the pin and is positioned between the flaps, forcing them apart. Each flap has a substantially rectangular opening (20A, 20B) sized and positioned to fit over a magazine. The flaps can angle between an open position and a closed (parallel and touching) position. To load the magazine, a user squeezes and holds the flaps ends closed to align the openings so that the openings can be slid over the magazine to push the button down. Upon releasing the flaps they open, locking the openings on the magazine. Rounds (60) then can easily be loaded into the magazine. The loader may use a grasping member in lieu of flaps. |
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| US09057569B2 |
Ceramic heat sink material for pressure contact structure and semiconductor module using the same
A ceramic heat sink material for a pressure contact structure includes a resin layer on a ceramic substrate. The resin layer can have a durometer (Shore) hardness (A-type) of 70 or less, and an average value of gaps existing in an interface between the ceramic substrate and the resin layer is 3 μm or less. The resin layer can be formed by solidifying a thermosetting resin which is fluidized at a temperature of 60° C. |
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| US09057564B2 |
Cooling tower with indirect heat exchanger
A heat exchange apparatus is provided with an indirect evaporative heat exchange section and a direct evaporative heat exchange section. The indirect evaporative heat exchange section is usually located above the direct evaporative heat exchange section, and an evaporative liquid is passed downwardly onto the indirect heat exchange section. The evaporative liquid that exits the indirect evaporative heat exchange section then passes downwardly across and through the direct heat exchange section. The evaporative liquid is collected in a sump and then pumped upwardly to be distributed again across the indirect heat exchange section. The indirect heat exchange section is comprised of a plate type heat exchanger.An improved heat exchange apparatus is provided with indirect evaporative heat exchange section consisting of a plate type heat exchanger which provides more surface area per volume compared to other designs. The indirect plate style heat exchanger may be combined with one or more direct evaporative heat exchange sections in multiple arrangements. |
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| US09057561B2 |
Industrial oven having a rotary pipe
The industrial oven according to the invention has a rotary pipe and a fixed material supply device which is connected in the region of a front-face opening of the rotary pipe, there being provided between the rotary pipe and the material supply device a sealing arrangement which comprises a gas seal which is delimited from the operating chamber of the rotary pipe acted upon with material by at least a first gap between the rotary pipe and the material supply device. The sealing arrangement further has an annular chamber which is provided between the first gap and the gas seal and which has a discharge opening which is connected to the operating chamber. A lifting device is further provided in the annular chamber in order to lift out of the operating chamber material which has become introduced into the annular chamber through the first gap and to convey it back to the operating chamber through the discharge opening. |
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| US09057560B2 |
Developments in or relating to a hand dryer
A method of manufacturing a nozzle part for a hand dryer. The nozzle part has a nozzle body and an air outlet aperture in the nozzle body, and the method includes molding the nozzle body from plastic as a single part and then post-machining the air outlet aperture in the molded plastic nozzle body. |
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| US09057559B2 |
Cellulose pulp dryer having blow boxes, and a method of drying a web of cellulose pulp
A cellulose pulp drying box for drying a web of cellulose pulp having blow boxes that are operative for blowing gas towards the web of cellulose pulp for drying the pulp. At least 10% of the total number of blow boxes of the drying box are provided, in their respective face, with openings having a characteristic measure of 1.8 to 3. mm and constituting at least 20% of the total degree of perforation of the face of the respective blow box. |
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| US09057556B2 |
Select fill sensor system for refrigerator dispensers
A refrigerator includes a dispenser having a dispenser well, a control for regulating a product dispensing operation, and a select fill sensor system for automatically initiating and terminating the dispensing operation. An optical sensing system includes a camera within the dispenser well in communication with a controller for sensing the fill rate of a container within the dispenser well. The dispensing rate of product is adjusted depending on the product fill rate of the container such that optimum fill rates are obtained without overflow or spilling events. In this manner, a hands-free dispenser is provided that can be utilized regardless of the shape or size of container utilized. |
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| US09057552B2 |
Cooler having removable wheel assembly
A cooler includes a main body which includes a base, an upper rim, and one or more cooler walls extending therebetween. The cooler in some embodiments further includes a removable wheel assembly which includes two coaxial wheels, and an axle. The two coaxial wheels are removably securable to the axle. The cooler still further comprises a wheel fastening system configured to secure the removable wheel assembly to the base of the main body which includes a mount, a clip hingedly connected to the mount, and a locking clasp configured to lock the clip into a closed position to secure the wheel assembly. The cooler yet further comprises a lid including two wheel storage recesses, each being sized and dimensioned to receive and retain one of the coaxial wheel of the wheel assembly, and an axle storage recess sized and dimensioned to receive and retain the axle of the wheel assembly. |
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| US09057550B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes an evaporator configured to evaporate a coolant and to cool a storage compartment, a compressor configured to compress the coolant evaporated in the evaporator, a condenser configured to condense the coolant compressed in the compressor, a hot line configured to receive condensed coolant, a first capillary tube configured to receive condensed coolant from the hot line, a second capillary tube configured to receive condensed coolant and arranged to allow bypassing of the hot line, a first coolant configured to adjust flow of condensed coolant from the hot line to the first capillary tube and a second coolant adjusting valve configured to control flow of condensed coolant from the condenser to the hot line and the second capillary tube. |
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| US09057548B2 |
Receiver with flow metering device
A receiver (50) is provided for collecting a refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant flow circuit. The receiver housing (52) defines an enclosed volume (55) establishing a refrigerant collection reservoir, and has an inlet (54), a first outlet (56), and a second outlet (58). A refrigerant metering device (70) is disposed within the enclosed volume (55) in operative association with the second outlet (58) for controlling a flow of refrigerant discharging through the second outlet (58). The refrigerant metering device (70) may be a capillary tube metering device (72). The receiver (50) may also include a refrigerant filter/dryer (80) disposed within the enclosed volume (55). |
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| US09057547B2 |
Surged heat pump systems
Surged heat pump systems, devices, and methods are disclosed having refrigerant phase separators that generate at least one surge of vapor phase refrigerant into the inlet of an evaporator during an on cycle of the compressor. This surge of vapor phase refrigerant, having a higher temperature than the liquid phase refrigerant, increases the temperature of the evaporator inlet, thus reducing frost build up in relation to conventional refrigeration systems lacking a surged input of vapor phase refrigerant to the evaporator. The temperature of the vapor phase refrigerant is raised in relation to the liquid phase with heat from the liquid by the phase separation, not by the introduction of energy from another source. The surged heat pump systems may operate in highest heat transfer efficiency mode and/or in one or more higher temperature modes. |
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| US09057546B2 |
Solar tracker
A free-standing solar tracker comprises a base, a support frame, a panel assembly comprising one or more solar panels, and an actuator to rotate the panel assembly to track the movement of the sun. The solar tracker is designed to be free-standing and requires no foundation. When the solar tracker is deployed, the base forms a pan to contain a ballast material for holding the base in place. The base of the solar tracker is designed to serve as a “suitcase” to contain most of the components of the solar tracker, making it easier to transport the solar tracker 10 to a location where the solar tracker is installed. |
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| US09057542B2 |
Snap-on structural connector
A connector is provided and includes a first and second side wall that are connected by a base. The side walls have recesses such that a structural member's protrusions can be interposed between the side wall's recesses and snapped into place to connect the connector to the structural member. |
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| US09057540B2 |
Frame for a solar module
A frame for a solar module that includes at least one solar cell. The solar-module frame has a frame corner having a corner connector made of a first material, in particular made of aluminum, and having a corner element made of a second material, which is different from the first material, in particular made of plastics material. |
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| US09057532B2 |
Return fan control system and method
A return fan control system for an HVAC system comprises a supply fan control loop, a return fan control loop and a building pressure control system. The supply fan control loop comprises a duct pressure controller arranged to control a supply fan to a duct pressure setpoint. The return plenum pressure control loop comprises a return plenum pressure controller arranged to automatically control a return fan to a return plenum pressure setpoint determined by a setpoint reset function. The building pressure control system is operable to control a building pressure. The building pressure control system may comprise a building pressure control loop and an outside air control loop cooperatively arranged to control an exhaust damper in response to an outside air intake. |
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| US09057528B2 |
Utilizing gaseous flow to redirect particulate matter
A method of and system for preventing particulate matter, such as debris, precipitation, and condensation from occupying a space or accumulating upon a surface by directly engaging the surface or creating an air-curtain effect adjacent the space utilizing a selectively actuated gaseous flow. |
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| US09057525B2 |
Home appliance with unitary bake element retainer
A home appliance having an oven with a bake element, the home appliance including an appliance body, an oven cavity defined within the appliance body, a bake element operationally associated within the oven cavity, a bake element retainer supporting the bake element and mounted adjacent the oven cavity, and a mounting arrangement formed integrally with the bake element retainer for mounting the bake element within the oven cavity. |
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| US09057524B2 |
Shielding wall for a fuel supply duct in a turbine engine
A burner assembly for a firing system for firing fluidic fuels is provided. The burner assembly has a burner hub, an air inlet channel and a fuel inlet channel, wherein the fuel inlet channel is at least partially designed in the burner hub. A screening wall is arranged in the fuel inlet channel. The screening wall is spaced apart from a wall of the fuel inlet channel so that an intermediate space is formed between the wall of the fuel inlet channel and the screening wall. A sleeve is equipped with at least one radial positioning means that ensures a clearance of the sleeve from the wall of the fuel inlet channel. The at least one radial positioning means of the sleeve is designed as a positioning projection arranged in a circular manner, protruding out radially. |
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| US09057523B2 |
Microcircuit cooling for gas turbine engine combustor
A combustor component of a gas turbine engine including a heat shield panel. The heat shield panel a defines microcircuit flow path within a thickness of said heat shield panel. |
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| US09057519B1 |
Chimney cap
A chimney cap assembly capable of being secured to a chimney or flue of either air-cooled or non-air-cooled types, embodiments of the chimney cap assembly including a collar member and an overlap joint. The collar member having a compressible portion with an outside circumference that is compressible to a compressed circumference smaller than an opening of the chimney or flue. The collar member also having an overlap joint with a pivot whereby the compressible portion of the collar member can be compressed. Embodiments of the chimney cap assembly include the collar member being attached to a base. Embodiments of the cap assembly also include means to form a ledge on the chimney or flue and a lower mesh structure. Also disclosed are embodiments of kits to provide such means to form a ledge and a lower mesh structure. |
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| US09057516B2 |
Superheated steam generators
Modularized, superheated steam generators comprise a steam module (46), a thermocouple module (41), and an electrode module (45) assembled within a containment enclosure (66). The multi-stage steam module (46) comprises a plurality of first stage pressure vessels (77) surrounding and feeding a second stage pressure vessel (78). The steam module (46) is coaxially surrounded by insulation (48) disposed within a cylindrical shroud (72). The electrode module (45) radiantly heats the steam module with resistive heating elements (119). The thermocouple module (41) includes thermocouples monitoring first stage temperatures within and between pressure vessels (77). PLC computer SCADA software (600) operates the generators. Thermocouple data is analyzed to control heater temperatures, the water feeding system (340), and outputted steam temperature. PLC software (600) provides operating logic (602) establishing a start up subroutine (602), a ramp up subroutine (603), a steady state subroutine (605), and a shut down subroutine (606). |
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| US09057514B2 |
Solid state lights with thermosiphon liquid cooling structures and methods
A solid state lighting (SSL) device with a solid state emitter (SSE) being partially exposed in a channel loop, and methods of making and using such SSLs. The SSE can have thermally conductive projections such as fins, posts, or other structures configured to transfer heat into a fluid medium, such as a liquid coolant in the channel loop. The channel loop can include an upward channel in which the SSE is exposed to warm the coolant in the upward channel, and a downward channel through which coolant moves after being cooled by a cooling structure. The coolant in the channel loop can naturally circulate due to the heat from the SSE. |
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| US09057513B2 |
Electrical assembly for connecting components of a lighting system for illuminating store shelving
Quick-connect disconnect connectors are provided as part of an electrical assembly used to electrically couple components to the end of an electrical track section. The connectors have a tongue portion insertable into the end of the track only one way to ensure against cross-wiring and include structures for retaining electrical contacts and strain reliefs. The connectors readily disconnect from the end of the track when force is applied which might be sufficient to damage the track or electrical assembly to prevent such damage. |
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| US09057510B2 |
Suspension device
A suspension device (101) for suspending objects (102), such as light fittings, at a distance from a ceiling (103). The suspension device comprises at least one rod member (104) and one flexible suspension line (105), wherein the rod member (104) is longer than 250 mm. The rod member has at least one attachment means (106) for at least one magnetic fastener (107, 108), and at least one alignment means (109) for slidably suspending (Z1) an upper portion (105′) of the suspension line relative to the longitudinal direction of the rod member. The suspension device further comprises at least one suspension means (110) for connection to both the suspension line (105) and the object (102), and a length-adjusting device (111) for adjusting the length (L1) of the suspension line between the rod member (104) and the suspension means (110). |
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| US09057509B2 |
Backlight module and backlight lamp guide thereof
A backlight module and a backlight lamp guide for the backlight module. The backlight lamp guide (5) comprises: a fixed base (3); a lamp clamping portion (2) provided on a first side of the fixed base (3); and a snap-fit structure (4) provided on a second side of the fixed base (3) opposite to the first side, wherein the snap-fit structure (4) comprises a snap-fit resilient structure (44); when the snap-fit structure (4) and a back cover (7) are snap-fitted, the snap-fit resilient structure (44) is elastically deformed, to exert an elastic retaining force on the back cover (7) in a direction away from the fixed base (3). The snap-fit resilient structure (44) facilitates a sufficient snap-fit of the snap-fit structure (4) with the back cover (7) of a backlight module. |
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| US09057507B2 |
LED lamp
An LED lamp includes an envelope, a circuit board, a plurality of LEDs, a lamp body and a lamp holder. The LEDs are arranged on the circuit board. The envelope covers the LEDs. The lamp body is connected between the envelope and the lamp holder. The lamp body includes a first chamber and a second chamber. The lamp body defines therein a plurality of first channels and a second channels. The first channels are defined adjacent to the envelope. The second channels are defined in the vicinity of the lamp holder. |
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| US09057505B2 |
Lamp with replaceable decorative cover
The present invention relates to a lamp structure field, and discloses a lamp with a replaceable decorative cover, comprising a radiator having an opening in an end thereof; an LED source and a reflector disposed in a cavity of the radiator; and a decorative cover covering the opening of the radiator, wherein the radiator is provided with a plurality of elastic sheets, the decorative cover is clamped and fixed to the radiator through the elastic sheets in a detachable manner. The lamp with replaceable decorative cover of the present invention, whose decorative cover is disposed on a bottom of the lamp through the special design elastic sheet in a detachable manner and may be replaced at any time according to different requirements of the user, satisfies the various requirements of the user, in addition, the simple structure, stable connection, simple assembly and convenient disassemble further improve the practicality of the product. |
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| US09057503B2 |
Light-emitting diode light bulb generating direct and decorative illumination
In various embodiments, an illumination device includes a primary light source for providing direct illumination, a secondary light source for providing decorative illumination, and a housing having reflective and transmissive regions. |
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| US09057502B2 |
Lighting fixture with extendable house structure
A lighting fixture includes a reflector reflecting light from a fluorescent lamp to a desired direction, and one or more lamp connectors connecting the reflector to rotatably and detachably coupling with the fluorescent lamp, wherein the reflector is adapted to selectively rotate with respect to an axis of the fluorescent lamp for reflecting light from the fluorescent lamp so as to change a light pattern of the fluorescent lamp towards an opening of the foldable housing. The foldable housing includes two side frames and a retention frame extended between the two side frames to retain a distance therebetween, wherein the side frames are pivotally coupled with the retention frame to fold between an unfolded position to retain the fluorescent lamp in longitudinal position and a folded position to form a compact size for storage and transportation. |
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| US09057501B2 |
Light emitting device package
Disclosed is a light emitting device package including a reflective substrate including a chip mounting region, a circuit substrate disposed on the reflective substrate, the circuit substrate including an inside edge defining the chip mounting region and at least one aligning hole disposed at a position spaced from the inside edge, and at least one light emitting diode chip disposed in the chip mounting region, the at least one light emitting diode chip being connected to the circuit substrate through a wire. |
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| US09057497B2 |
LED module having a double diffuser
The invention relates to a LED module (7) which comprises: at least one LED chip (20, 21) mounted on a substrate, a first diffuser element (10) which scatters the light from the at least one LED chip (20, 21) diffusely, and a second diffuser element (8) which when viewed in the light beam direction is outside the first diffuser element (10) and is separated therefrom, preferably forming an air gap. |
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| US09057494B1 |
Light character producer and its extended application in photovoltaics
An apparatus including a first funnel having an inner surface, a transparent solid sphere, a first tube having first and second ends, and a first light emitting diode device having an inner surface with a first light emitting diode. The first end of the first tube may be closer to the transparent solid sphere than the second end of the first tube. The first funnel, the transparent solid sphere, the first tube, and the first light emitting diode device may be configured with respect to each other so that light from the first light emitting diode of the first light emitting diode device is reflected off of the inner surface of the first funnel into the transparent solid sphere, and then from the transparent solid sphere into the first end of the first tube, through the first tube, and out from the second end of the first tube. |
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| US09057484B2 |
Bypass feeder device
A device and method for chemicals to be fed into a water system, treating the water system as it enters, for example, a fire protection mains and/or fire protection systems (FPS) to protect and maintain the longevity of the water system preventing damages to the water system or enhancing the operation characteristics of the system. This device is a treatment system that may be installed as a portable or permanent device with chemicals such as, corrosion inhibitors, wetting agents, polymeric dispersants, biocides, biostats or other water chemical enhancing effects with means for injecting the chemicals into the fire protection system or a bypass feed system (20) utilizing the fluid means without the need for any electricity. Activation of the pump(1) occurs when water enters the FPS mains and FPS sprinkler system from an outside source. Valving (22, 24) is included to isolate the pump and drums, storage tank to prevent backflow from the FPS. |
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| US09057478B2 |
Monitor supporting module
The invention relates to a monitor supporting module including: two supporting stands fixed to a placing space, two fixing stands disposed on the rear of a flat panel display, two guide bars and two guide rails. The setting positions of the guide bars are corresponding to the guide rails. Each guide rail includes a notch, a first horizontal guide section, a vertical guide section and a second horizontal guide section. Each guide bar is guided to a corresponding notch through its protruded end edge and slides through the guide sections for completing the installation. The guide rails are respectively formed on corresponding supporting stands, and the guide bars are protruded from one side of corresponding fixing stands. Or, the guide bars are respectively disposed on corresponding supporting stands and the guide rails are formed on corresponding fixing stands. |
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| US09057477B2 |
Projection display system and attaching device
A projection display system includes: an image projection device projecting an image on a projection surface; an optical detecting device; and an attaching device, wherein the optical detecting device includes an irradiating section emitting an irradiation light toward a detection region which is set along the projection surface, a light receiving section receiving a reflected light generated as a result of the irradiation light being reflected from the object, and a detecting section detecting position information of the object based on the result of the light received by the light receiving section, and the attaching device includes a first attaching section attached to a support supporting the attaching device, a second attaching section attached to the image projection device, and a third attaching section attached to the optical detecting device. |
|
| US09057473B2 |
Pipe restraining repair method and structure for piping structures using composites
Disclosed is a pipe reinforcement structure and method for repairing or reinforcing a pipe, pipeline or other tubular member containing one or more cracks or joints on its outer circumferential surface comprising the steps of: identifying a pipe repair zone along a longitudinal section of the outer surface of the tubular member where cracks or joints are located; installing one or more compression straps around the outer circumferential surface of the tubular member in the pipe repair zone, the one or more compression straps comprising outer edges and being secured in place with a buckle; optionally applying a high compression putty over the edges of the straps and buckles and in the cracks; applying a corrosion resistant coating over the installed compression straps and tubular member surface in the pipe repair zone; and applying a composite wrap material over the applied corrosion resistant coating in the pipe repair zone. |
|
| US09057472B2 |
Insulation material
A flexible or rigid heat-insulation material consisting of a sheet of at least one layer of closed-cell gas bubbles 1/16 inch to 1 inch in size filled with a gas selected from helium, argon, neon, krypton, xenon, carbon dioxide, and chlorodifluoromethane, and mixtures thereof. At least one heat reflective layer of aluminum film is adhesively attached to the layer of gas bubbles or an aluminum film is vapor-deposited on the layer of gas bubbles. |
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| US09057469B2 |
Quick connector
A quick connector contains a body, an air inlet seat, a piston pushing device, a fitting device, and a driving device. The body includes an outer screwing section, an upper chamber, a lower chamber, a first air inlet, an air outlet, a connecting tube, an oil seal, and a first fixing orifice. The air inlet seat includes a first end coupling with an air supply pipe and includes a second end screwing with the body. The piston pushing device includes a head member and a piston rod, and the head member has a venting orifice, the piston rod includes a valve. The fitting device includes a flange spacer ring, a resilient element, a gasket, and a positioning loop, the flange spacer ring includes an abutting face. The driving device includes a controlling member with a second fixing orifice, an opening, an elastic element, a shaft, and a stopping block. |
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| US09057468B2 |
Wedge coupling
A wedge coupling for coupling a tubing to a housing is disclosed. The wedge coupling includes a base having an opening defined therein and configured to receive a portion of the tubing therethrough and a plurality of prongs disposed on the base and around an inner periphery of the opening. The plurality of prongs are configured to slidably engage the housing and to deflect inwardly to secure the tubing to a nozzle adapter disposed within the housing. |
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| US09057467B2 |
Pipe joint gasket and method of using same
A gasket for preventing separation of interconnected pipes without damaging the pipes. The gasket includes a compressible body having a plurality of metal segments partially embedded therein. Each of the metal segments includes a row of exposed teeth configured for engaging a spigot end of a pipe and a trough configured for pivotably engaging a bead on a bell. The trough is further configured for shearing or deforming the bead and inhibiting over-pivoting of the segment about the bead when the pipes are partially withdrawn away from one another, for example, during over-pressurization of the pipes. |
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| US09057466B2 |
Use of a composition for contact with supercritical media
A molding composition which comprises at least 50% by weight of the following constituents: a) from 0 to 99 parts by weight of polyamide, and b) from 1 to 100 parts by weight of polyamide elastomer, selected from the group of polyetheresteramide and polyetheramide, where the total of the parts by weight is 100 and where the molding composition comprises from 0 to 9% by weight of plasticizer, is used for the production of a molding for contact with a supercritical medium, and preferably for the production of an inner thermoplastics layer in a flexible pipe or rigid pipe, in which a supercritical medium is conveyed. Low or zero plasticizer content eliminates any significant occurrence of problems such as increased stiffness and longitudinal shrinkage. |
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| US09057461B2 |
Helically wound metal pipe with sealing arrangement
A pipe includes a tubular pipe formed of a metal sheet that is spirally wound such that opposite edges of the metal sheet are joined by a crimped lock seam that extends helically along a length of the tubular pipe. A sealing arrangement includes a helically extending worked surface band extending along the crimped lock seam and to both sides of the crimped lock seam, the worked surface band having a surface roughness that is greater than a surface roughness of unworked surface portions outside of the worked surface band. A helically extending external coating band is applied over the crimped lock seam and bonded to the worked surface band. |
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| US09057457B2 |
Drain hose clip for a washer
A drain hose clip for securing a drain hose to a household appliance, and a household appliance having the drain hose clip and drain hose. The drain hose clip includes a body configured to be coupled to the drain hose and to secure the drain hose to the household appliance, and an orientation control feature on the body that engages a corresponding orientation control feature on the drain hose to maintain a fixed position of the drain hose with respect to the body of the drain hose clip. |
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| US09057456B2 |
Microfluidic device, light irradiation apparatus, micorfluidic system comprising the same and method for driving the system
A microfluidic system includes a microfluidic device including a chamber which contains a fluid sample, a channel which is connected to the chamber and through which the fluid sample flows, and a valve which controls flow of the fluid sample through the channel; an irradiation apparatus which irradiates electromagnetic energy; and a diffuser which diffuses and distributes the electromagnetic energy irradiated by the irradiation apparatus to an irradiation region of the microfluidic device. |
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| US09057454B2 |
Flush valve actuator
A flush actuator for use with a flush valve includes: a) a base having a bore extending therethrough between a lower portion and an upper portion; b) a plunger rod positioned within and guided by the bore of the base; and c) a handle mounted to the base, which when moved displaces the plunger rod within the bore of the base. The upper portion of the base includes a beveled nose extending from an end thereof beyond the lower portion. The plunger rod includes a body portion having a first diameter and a recessed area formed in the body portion with a second diameter that is less than the first diameter. |
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| US09057453B2 |
Wireless fluid shut-off valve
A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price. An RFID transceiver may be included to enable low-power operation and communications using RFID technologies as well as an automatic antenna tuning capability to maximize radio range. |
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| US09057449B2 |
Fluid control valve
A fluid control valve includes: a resin valve main body including inlet and outlet ports in opposite side surfaces, a valve chamber communicating between the inlet and outlet ports and opening at the upper surface center of the main body, and a valve seat provided in an inner wall of the chamber; a valve element movable into or out of contact with the valve seat; and a valve upper body including a drive part to drive the valve element. An inflow passage is formed like an L shape extending through the inner wall to communicate between the inlet port and the chamber via the valve seat. The inner wall is cylindrical having a thick-wall portion to have a wall thickness thicker on the inlet port side than on the outlet port side. The valve main body is provided, at a center of a lower surface, with a resin injected part. |
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| US09057441B2 |
Shift system for power transmitting device
A mechanism with an inner race, which has cams, an outer race and rollers between the cams and the outer race. The inner race has a first notch while the outer race has a second notch with a narrow portion and a wider portion. A member is disposed in the first and second notches. Positioning of the member in the first notch and the narrow portion of the second notch inhibits relative rotation between the inner and outer races and power is not transmitted between the outer race and a power transmitting member, such as a gear. Positioning of the member in the first notch and the wider portion of the second notch permits some relative rotation between the inner and outer races to cause the cams to urge the rollers outwardly so that the outer race frictionally engages the power transmitting member to facilitate transmission of rotary power therebetween. |
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| US09057438B2 |
Compression control device for continuously variable transmission
A compression control device for a continuously variable transmission is provided in which when estimating the torque ratio, which is the ratio of the actually transmitted torque relative to the maximum transmittable torque of the continuously variable transmission, based on the transmission characteristics for transmitting the given variable component of the input shaft to the output shaft via an endless belt, a slip identifier, which is an indicator for the ratio of the amplitude of the variable component between the input shaft and the output shaft, or a phase lag, which is an indicator for difference in phase of the variable component, is used. It is possible to improve the control responsiveness and reduce the computation load of the control device and to improve the power transmission efficiency of the continuously variable transmission while preventing the endless belt thereof from slipping. |
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| US09057434B2 |
Method of identifying a synchronous position of a synchronizer actuator fork of a dual clutch transmission
A method of identifying a synchronous position of a synchronizer actuator fork includes sensing a deceleration rate of a first shaft, when a synchronizer is positioned in a neutral position, to define a first rate of deceleration. The synchronizer is moved along the first shaft from the neutral position toward a gear with a synchronizer actuator fork. A deceleration rate of the first shaft is sensed, while the synchronizer actuator fork moves the synchronizer along the first shaft, to identify a change from the first rate of deceleration to a second rate of deceleration. The location, of the synchronizer actuator fork relative to the first shaft, at which the rate of acceleration of the first shaft changes from the first rate of deceleration to the second rate of deceleration, is identified as the synchronous position of the synchronizer actuator fork. |
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| US09057432B1 |
Continuously variable transmission drive pulley
A drive pulley for a continuously variable transmission has a fixed sheave, a movable sheave, and a biasing member. At least one arm is pivotally connected about a first axis to one of the movable sheave and a portion of the drive pulley axially and rotationally fixed to the fixed sheave. The arm has a ramp surface. At least one slider is pivotally connected about a second axis to the other one of the movable sheave and the portion of the drive pulley. The at least one slider has at least three slider surfaces. At least one of the at least three slider surfaces is adapted to contact the ramp surface of the at least one arm. |
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| US09057431B2 |
Differential apparatus
Differential apparatus capable of guiding and supplying a sufficient amount of lubricant oil to the lubrication elements accommodated in the differential apparatus (6). The differential apparatus comprises a differential case (11), a differential carrier (21), a carrier cover (22), a differential mechanism housed in the differential case, and a ring gear (14) secured to the ring differential case. The differential case has a through bore (35,36,42) radially formed in differential case to have the inner space of the differential case held in communication with the outer space of the differential case. The differential carrier has a lubricant oil reservoir portion (28) positioned below the differential case to reserve the lubricant oil therein. The carrier cover is secured to the differential carrier and has a lubricant oil flow guide portion (64) vertically extending in the vicinity of and in side-by-side relationship with the outer circumferential portion of the ring gear to guide the lubricant oil of the lubricant oil reservoir portion stirred up with the rotation of the ring gear and to discharge the lubricant oil toward the central portion of the differential mechanism. |
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| US09057429B2 |
Concentric multi-axis actuator
A concentric double axis actuator has a two-stage cross roller bearing, and a preceding-stage actuator and a subsequent-stage actuator which are linked in tandem. The front end of a subsequent stage rotary output shaft of the subsequent actuator, said subsequent stage rotary output shaft passing through a hollow section of the preceding-stage actuator and projecting forward, is linked and fixed to an inner ring of the two-stage cross roller bearing, and the inner ring functions as a subsequent-stage rotary output member. The output rotary side of the preceding-stage actuator is linked to an middle ring of the two-stage cross roller bearing, which functions as a preceding-stage rotary output member. The rotary output element of each stage is supported by the two-stage cross roller bearing, and surface oscillations of the rotary output member of each stage can be minimized, and the moment stiffness of the members can be increased. |
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| US09057428B2 |
Transaxle device
A center distance D1 from a motor shaft connected to an electric motor and a generator shaft connected to a generator to a clutch shaft including a wet multiple disc clutch is set longer than a distance Dm from the axial center of the electric motor, that is, the axial center of the motor shaft to the outermost circumference of a housing, which houses the electric motor. |
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| US09057427B2 |
Device for controlling motion of anti-collision switch and medical diagnosis apparatus employing the same
In a device for controlling an operation of an anti-collision switch, the anti-collision switch is provided in a support close to a guide frame that is provided at at least one of both lateral sides of a table frame, to prevent collision of the table frame that is supported on the table support to be capable of moving in a lengthwise direction. The device includes a first lever coupled to the table support so that at least a portion of the first lever moves in a vertical direction according to deformation of the guide frame, and a second lever pressing the anti-collision switch in a normal state and, when a vertical movement of the first lever deviates from a preset height, being moved up by the first lever to remove pressing of the anti-collision switch and operate the anti-collision switch. |
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| US09057424B2 |
Traction transmission capacity control device used in drive force distribution device
A traction transmission capacity control device includes a one-direction turning-stop-position detecting means configured to detect a position at which the turning of a second roller stops after a second-roller turning means starts to turn the second roller in one direction; an another-direction turning-stop-position detecting means configured to detect a position at which the turning of the second roller stops after the second-roller turning means starts to turn the second roller in another direction; and a second-roller turning-motion reference-point setting means configured to set a center position between the position detected by the one-direction turning-stop-position detecting means and the position detected by the another-direction turning-stop-position detecting means, as a turning-motion reference point of the second roller. The traction transmission capacity control device is configured to perform a traction transmission capacity control based on a second-roller turning amount given from the turning-motion reference point of the second roller. |
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| US09057423B1 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicles
A planetary gear train may include an input shaft, an output shaft, first and second planetary gear sets each having three rotation elements, a first rotation shaft directly connected to one rotation element of the first planetary gear set and one rotation element of the second planetary gear set, and selectively connected to the input shaft, a second rotation shaft directly connected to another rotation element of the second planetary gear set and directly connected to the output shaft, a third rotation shaft directly connected to another rotation element of the first planetary gear set and the remaining rotation element of the second planetary gear set, and selectively connected to the input shaft and/or selectively connected to a transmission housing, and a fourth rotation shaft directly connected to the remaining rotation element of the first planetary gear set, and selectively connected to the input shaft through two paths and/or selectively connected to the transmission housing. |
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| US09057418B2 |
Balancer shaft device
A rolling bearing of a balancer shaft device is positioned on an imaginary circle concentric with an axis of a shaft portion of a balancer shaft as viewed in a radial cross-section, and includes a cylindrical portion which covers the shaft portion. An outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion defines an inner ring raceway surface of an inner ring member on which a rolling element of the rolling bearing rolls. A part of the shaft portion of the balancer shaft, at a position on which the rolling bearing is disposed, has a cutout formed at a portion which does not contribute to offsetting of rotational vibration of a crankshaft. |
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| US09057412B2 |
Drum and constricting drum assembly
A drum for a constricting drum brake assembly with at least one drum insert with a plurality of fins forming a cooling ring for transferring heat from the drum generated during the braking action. |
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| US09057407B2 |
Disconnect assembly
A disconnect assembly is provided and includes a rotatably drivable input shaft including a first clutch portion, a rotating element including a second clutch portion, which is movable between a first position, at which the first and second clutch portions drivably register with each other, and a second position, at which the first and second clutch portions are displaced from each other and a disconnect bearing. The disconnect bearing is disposed at an inner diameter of the first clutch portion and configured to radially and axially secure the input shaft relative to the rotating element with the second clutch portion disposed in the first or second position. |
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| US09057405B2 |
Method for installing a rolling-element bearing
A cage segment for a rolling-element bearing has at least one pocket for a rolling element and is formed by a first segment part and a second segment part. The second segment part abuts the first segment part in an axial direction and is connected to the first segment part by an interference-fit or a friction-fit, or in a materially-bonded manner. |
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| US09057400B2 |
Connecting device for transmission cable in vehicle
A connecting device and a method for assembling a cable to a bracket are provided. The connecting device includes an outer body arranged circumferentially around the cable, the outer body being divided into a first portion with a substantially constant cross section and a second portion including a plurality of snap arms extending radially outwardly from a point of attachment with the first portion. The cable can be a transmission cable used in a vehicle, where the connecting device is configured to be received in an opening of the bracket, in order to anchor the cable to the vehicle body. The connecting device and cable can be received in any orientation relative to the bracket, where the snap arms are arranged in a continuous manner around the cable. |
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| US09057391B2 |
Reflector for fluid measurement system
A reflector for a fluid flow system includes an orifice plate comprising a flange and an opening; at least one disk; and at least one vane extending between the orifice plate and the at least one disk. |
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| US09057389B2 |
Meterless hydraulic system having multi-actuator circuit
A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have a pump, a rotary actuator, a linear actuator, and a closed-loop circuit fluidly connecting the pump to the rotary and linear actuators. The hydraulic system may also have at least one valve configured to switch fluid flow direction from the pump through the linear actuator during fluid flow in a single direction through the rotary actuator. |
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| US09057386B2 |
Ram air fan inner housing
A ram air fan inner housing for a ram air fan assembly comprises a center body housing, an end cup attached to the center body housing, and a perforated cone. The perforated cone is attached to the center body housing and the end cup such that the perforated cone extends away from the center body housing and radially inward toward an axis of the inner housing. |
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| US09057385B2 |
Pump casing
A pump casing for a centrifugal pump, which comprises an inlet opening, a discharge outlet, and a transition surface extending between an inner peripheral surface of the main pumping chamber and an inner peripheral surface of the discharge outlet, the transition surface arranged for separating an in use exit flow of material in the discharge outlet from an in use recirculation flow of material in the main pumping chamber. The transition surface has a cutwater having a profiled section which comprises a protrusion which extends irregularly from an otherwise generally rounded arched or U-shaped transition surface and is configured such that, in use, the velocity and/or turbulence resulting from the in use flow of the material being pumped in the main pumping chamber is reduced. |
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| US09057381B2 |
Cooling fan having magnetically positioned shaft
An oil-retaining bearing fan structure includes a fan base seat, an oil-retaining bearing and a fan impeller. The fan base seat has a bearing cup on one side. At least one magnetic member is enclosed in the bearing cup. The magnetic member serves to apply a magnetic attraction force to a shaft of the fan structure to make the shaft quickly restore to its optimal operation position so as to reduce wear and lower the noises and vibration of the fan structure in operation. Therefore, the lifetime of the fan structure can be prolonged. |
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| US09057379B2 |
Centrifugal fan and method for manufacturing the same
A blower fan includes an impeller centered on a central axis, a motor portion arranged to rotate the impeller about the central axis, and a housing arranged to accommodate the impeller. The housing includes a lower plate portion arranged to cover a lower side of the impeller and a side wall portion arranged to cover a side of the impeller. The lower plate portion is preferably made of, for example, a steel sheet. The side wall portion is preferably made of, for example, a resin. A lower end portion of the side wall portion and an edge portion of the lower plate portion are preferably joined to each other through insert molding. An outer circumferential cut surface of the lower plate portion is arranged in contact with the side wall portion at a joint between the lower end portion of the side wall portion and the edge portion of the lower plate portion. |
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| US09057378B2 |
Intelligent air moving apparatus
An intelligent air moving apparatus for cooling an electronics enclosure includes a motor for driving a fan at a variable rotational speed and a microcontroller for controlling the rotational speed of the motor. The microcontroller includes a speed sensor for sensing the rotational speed such that when the sensed rotational speed deviates below a target speed, the microcontroller detects a locked rotor condition. |
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| US09057377B1 |
Pump for pumping molten metal with reduced dross formation in a bath of molten metal
A pump for pumping molten metal includes a refractory base that can be submerged in a bath of molten metal. A refractory shaft sleeve has upper and lower end portions. The base includes an impeller chamber and includes at least one inlet opening and outlet opening. The pump includes a motor. A refractory shaft extends in the shaft sleeve and is connected to a motor. A refractory impeller is connected to the shaft and is rotatable in the impeller chamber. A gas source flows inert gas into the shaft sleeve under pressure. In one aspect the shaft sleeve can be spaced from the base so as to leave a gap between the shaft sleeve and the base. A regulator regulates at least one of flow rate and pressure of the gas so as to avoid cavitation of the pump while the gas is released from the shaft sleeve. Also featured is a method of operating the pump so as to reduce dross formation in the molten metal. |
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| US09057375B2 |
Compressor with low friction sealing
The invention relates to a compressor comprising a rotatable portion where the active volume is divided by transverse wings (4a-b) and a rotatable ring element (2) with its normal at an angle to the rotation axis of the transverse wings. In any of their embodiments the sealing wings are attached to sealing holder taps (16bd1-2, 16ac1-2) that pass through driving slits (11a1-2, 11b1-2). The driving slits extend essentially parallel to the rotation axis of the transverse wings. Steering and driving the sealing wings in this fashion using the driving slits, aligns the sealing wings against the transverse wings, restricting wear of the sealing wings and decreasing friction. In one embodiment the sealing holder taps are provided with sliders (17, 17a1-2, 17b1-2, 17c1-2, 17c1-2), guiding and further reducing wear of the sealing wings and decreasing friction, by means of guides (22a-d). The invention further relates to such a compressor with the means (7, 18, 19) for arranging the ring element with its normal at a changeable angle to the main rotation axis thereby changing the compression ratio. |
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| US09057373B2 |
Single screw compressor with high output
In one aspect, a single screw compressor is disclosed. The compressor, in at least some embodiments, includes: a housing including a cylindrical bore; a pair of gate rotors mounted for rotation in the housing, each gate rotor having a plurality of gear teeth; and a main rotor rotatably mounted in the bore and having a plurality of grooves, a plurality of lands, an additional groove, and an additional land; wherein the plurality of lands of the main rotor comprises a first wrap angle and the additional land comprises a second wrap angle, and the second wrap angle is distinct and different from the first wrap angle. In other aspects, a method of assembling a gate rotor in relation to a main rotor that is positioned within a single screw gas compressor configured for high output, and a main rotor device for use with a single screw compressor configured for high output are also disclosed. |
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| US09057370B2 |
Negative dead volume syringe
A negative dead volume syringe comprising a body defining a chamber, a syringe tip disposed at a distal end of the chamber and having a tip passageway therethrough in open communication with the chamber, a rod extending from a first end within the chamber to a second end coupleable to a motor to produce bidirectional motion of the rod, and a plunger tip having a proximal portion coupled to the first end of the rod, a medial portion distally extending from said proximal portion and shaped to complement the tip passageway, and a tip extension distally extending from said medial portion and shaped to be received within a dead volume defined by a passageway of a valve coupleable to the syringe tip wherein the plunger tip ensures evacuation of fluid and air from the chamber, syringe tip, and dead volume of the valve upon distal displacement of the rod. |
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| US09057368B2 |
Rotary cam actuated linear peristaltic pump
A rotary cam actuated linear peristaltic pump includes a plurality of cams which actuate a plurality of pistons. The cams apply a force to the piston by way of a lifter for providing mechanical advantage so that a smaller motor may be used to rotate the cam. Each piston of a plurality of pistons is sequentially raised to the extended position to squeeze a tube so as to flow fluid through the tube. |
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| US09057364B2 |
Bicycle air pump
A bicycle air pump includes a cylinder portion, an inner piston, a piston rod, a head portion, a handle and a magnetic mechanism. The cylinder portion includes a first end, a second end and a chamber disposed between the first and second ends. The inner piston is movably disposed in the chamber of the cylinder portion. The piston rod has a first end and a second end coupled to the inner piston. The head portion is coupled to the cylinder portion. The head portion includes an outlet passage communicated with the chamber cylinder portion for supplying air to an object to be inflated. The handle is coupled to the piston rod to move within the chamber. The magnetic mechanism includes first and second closure members for engaging together magnetically to hold the piston rod stationary with respect to the cylinder portion. |
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| US09057355B2 |
Wind turbine with generator disposed at front thereof
Disclosed is a wind turbine with a generator, which minimizes design limitations on the diameters of generators and allows a rotor and the generator to be stably fixed to a tower. The wind turbine includes a rotor including a hub at a center thereof, a rotating shaft protruding rearward of the hub, and a plurality of rotor blades provided around the hub; a generator including a housing disposed at an outer upper portion of a tower behind the rotor and provided at an inner surface of a cylindrical body thereof with a stator and a rotator rotatably coupled in the housing to rotate together with the rotor; and a support bracket fixed to an upper end portion of the tower, wherein the housing is fixed to a front surface of the support bracket to integrally fix the rotor and the generator to the tower. |
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| US09057354B1 |
Hydro energy-offset turbine insert generator
The present disclosure describes a hydro energy-offset turbine insert generator to generate energy within a piping system. The system can include a fluid conduit that includes an inner wall structure and a pipe sleeve disposed along the inner wall structure to reduce the cross-sectional area of the interior of the conduit. The system can also include a turbine positioned within the fluid conduit adjacent the pipe sleeve and a flow diverter upstream of the turbine. A drive shaft is coupled to the turbine and extends to an area outside of the fluid conduit. The drive shaft can be directly or indirectly coupled to a generator or multiple generators positioned in the area outside of the fluid conduit. Fluid passing through the conduct can cause a rotational action in the turbine that causes a corresponding rotation in the drive shaft and generator to generate electricity. |
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| US09057351B2 |
Method and system for engine control
Methods and systems are provided for restarting an engine when a high pressure fuel pump is degraded. In response to an indication of high pressure fuel pump degradation, fuel may be injected during an intake stroke, rather than a compression stroke, for a selected number of combustion events since the engine restart. By shifting to an intake stroke injection, the engine may be started even when sufficient fuel rail pressures are not available. |
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| US09057350B2 |
Starter
In a starter, an output shaft is coaxially disposed with a rotating shaft of a motor and has male helical splines formed on its outer surface. A pinion tube has female helical splines formed on its inner surface and is fitted on the output shaft with the female helical splines in mesh with the male helical splines. A pinion is provided on a non-motor-side end portion of the pinion tube so as to rotate with the pinion tube. A shift lever is configured to shift both the pinion tube and the pinion relative to the output shaft and thereby bring the pinion into mesh with a ring gear of an engine. Further, there is provided means for restricting relative rotation between the pinion tube and the output shaft when a one-way clutch is in an overrun state where the clutch inhibits torque transmission from the output shaft to the motor. |
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| US09057349B2 |
Decoupling element for a fuel injection device
A decoupling element for a fuel injection device provides a low-noise construction. The fuel injection device has at least one fuel injection valve and a receiving bore in a cylinder head for the fuel injection valve as well as the decoupling element between a valve housing of the fuel injection valve and a wall of the receiving bore. The spring rigidity of the decoupling element is so low and the decoupling element is placed between the valve housing of the fuel injection valve and the wall of the receiving bore in such a way that the decoupling resonance is located in the frequency range below 2.5 kHz. The fuel injection device is particularly suitable for the direct injection of fuel into a combustion chamber of a mixture-compressing spark-ignited internal combustion engine. |
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| US09057348B2 |
Pulsation damper
A pulsation damper mounted in a fuel chamber (23) of a high-pressure fuel pump (20) is provided with a diaphragm (11) having a flat section (11a) displaced when fuel pressure is applied thereto, a pump cover (10) for supporting the diaphragm (11), and a gas chamber (12) formed by the diaphragm (11) and the pump cover (10). Pressure pulsation occurring in the fuel chamber (23) is suppressed by displacement of the flat section (11a). The diaphragm (11) is formed in a closed-bottomed tubular shape with the flat section (11a) located at the bottom and has a projection (11b) provided to the periphery of the flat section (11a) and projecting to the side opposite to the pump cover (10). A tubular peripheral section extending from the outer periphery of the projection (11b) so as to be vertical to the flat section (11a) is fitted over the pump cover (10). The externally fitting portion of the tubular peripheral section is a joint section (11c) joined to the pump cover (10). |
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| US09057347B2 |
Method for determining a characteristic for a pressure regulating valve
A method for determining a characteristic for a pressure regulating valve of an injection system is described, using which fuel is injected into an internal combustion engine, in which a flow of the fuel which flows through the pressure regulating valve is set to a minimum and a control pressure of the fuel is reduced until the pressure regulating valve is opened, and in which at least one value for the characteristic is formed from a difference between a value for the control pressure, at which the pressure regulating valve opens, and a reference value for the control pressure. |
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| US09057337B2 |
Air-fuel ratio control system for internal combustion engine
An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine has a perturbation control which oscillates the air-fuel ratio with a first frequency. A first difference signal is generated indicative of a difference between a present value and a first past value from an air-fuel ratio sensor detected at a timing of a first specific period which is set to reduce a specific frequency component corresponding to a specific frequency different from the first frequency. A first frequency component is extracted. A second difference signal is generated indicative of a difference between a present value and a second past value detected at a timing of a second specific period which is set to reduce the first frequency component. The specific frequency component is extracted. A failure of the control system is determined by a relationship between intensities of the first frequency component and the specific frequency component. |
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| US09057332B2 |
Start control system and vehicle
A start control system stores a map M1 that associates an accelerator position with an initial target speed of an engine and a map M2 that associates an accelerator position with a final target speed of the engine. If it is determined that a vehicle is in a start control period, a target speed of the engine is set to the initial target speed. When the engine speed reaches the initial target speed, the engine target speed is set to the final target speed. The initial target speed is set to a larger value than the final target speed for the same accelerator position. |
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| US09057331B2 |
Control device for internal combustion engine
A control device for an internal combustion engine is mounted on a vehicle, and includes an engine, a catalyst and a control unit. The engine is a bifuel engine using gas fuel and liquid fuel as its fuel source. The control unit makes an air fuel ratio rich and increases a proportion of the gas fuel if a temperature of the catalyst is higher than a predetermined upper limit value at a time when the liquid fuel is used. |
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| US09057324B2 |
Six-stroke engine system with blowdown turbocharger
A six-stroke engine system including an engine with a combustion chamber including an exhaust valve that expels exhaust gasses, a blowdown exhaust valve that expel blowdown exhaust gasses during recompression, and an intake valve and a blowdown compressor intake valve that introduce air. An exhaust line directs exhaust gasses to drive a turbine, which drives a compressor. An intake line receives compressed air from the compressor and directs it into the combustion chamber through the intake valve. A blowdown exhaust line, separate from the exhaust line, directs blowdown exhaust gasses from the blowdown exhaust valve to drive the blowdown turbine, which drives a blowdown compressor. A blowdown compressor line directs compressed air from the intake line into the blowdown compressor, and directs super-compressed air from the blowdown compressor through the blowdown compressor intake valve during recompression. |
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| US09057322B2 |
Rotary internal combustion engine
A rotary engine rotary engine according to the present invention comprises a main housing assembly and a rotor assembly rotatably supported within the housing. The rotor assembly has two rotors, an intake/compression rotor rotatably disposed within the intake/compression housing, and a power/exhaust rotor rotatably disposed within the power/exhaust housing. The rotors have N number of apexes and sides, wherein N is an integer greater than 2. A rotating chamber is formed between each side of the each rotor and the inner wall of the respective housing. The stages of the thermodynamic cycle of the engine occur within these chambers. For example, if the rotors have three sides, the rotors will have a triangular-like shape with three apexes. The apexes form the outermost radial part of the rotors which engage the inner wall of the respective housing bore. Each of these chambers is split into two divided chambers by a reciprocating vane, thereby forming 2 times N divided chambers in each of the respective housing bores. |
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| US09057308B2 |
Fuel dispensing system with heating system
Embodiments of a heating system maintains the temperature of a fuel additive (e.g., AUS32) at and/or above freezing temperature to avoid crystallization. The heating system can form a fluid circuit with one or more coaxially arranged sleeves disposed about hoses that transport the additives. The fluid circuit can also include a central compartment that encloses a flow meter. A fluid heater couples with the fluid circuit to provide heating fluid, e.g., to the central compartment. The heating fluid disperses throughout the heating compartment and into the sleeves, thereby direction heating fluid in thermal proximity to the hoses and other components that handle the fuel additive. |
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| US09057307B2 |
Exhaust gas aftertreatment installation and method
An exhaust gas aftertreatment installment and associated exhaust gas aftertreatment method utilizes a nitrogen oxide storage catalytic converter and an SCR catalytic converter. A particulate filter is provided upstream of the nitrogen oxide storage catalytic converter or between the latter and the SCR catalytic converter or downstream of the SCR catalytic converter. The time of regeneration operating phases of the nitrogen oxide storage catalytic converter can be determined as a function of the nitrogen oxide content of the exhaust gas downstream of the nitrogen oxide storage catalytic converter or of the SCR catalytic converter and/or as a function of the ammonia loading of the latter. Moreover, a desired ammonia generation quantity can be determined for a respective regeneration operating phase. The installation and method are adopted for use for motor vehicle internal combustion engines and other engines which are operated predominantly in lean-burn mode. |
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| US09057304B2 |
Metering system for injecting a urea solution into the exhaust gas flow of an internal combustion engine
The invention relates to a metering system for injecting a urea solution into the exhaust gas flow (9) of an internal combustion engine for selective catalytic reduction, and method for controlling the injecting of a urea solution by means of compressed air, wherein the metering system can be connected to a urea solution tank (1), wherefrom urea solution can be removed, and wherein the metering system can be connected to a compressed air supply (6), wherein the metering system comprises at least one nozzle (5) through which the urea solution can be injected into the exhaust gas flow (9) by means of compressed air, wherein the metering system comprises an air valve (7) by means of which the pressure and/or the quantity of air and/or the valve opening times of the compressed air supply (6) can be regulated, and a sensor for measuring the pressure and/or the quantity of air is disposed in the compressed air supply (6) between the air valve (7) and the nozzle (5), so that the quantity of compressed air fed in for atomizing the urea solution is controlled and lowered to the minimum air quantity required at a given moment, depending on the operating parameters of exhaust gas temperature and exhaust gas mass flow. |
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| US09057299B2 |
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 an ash atomization agent. 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. |
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| US09057295B2 |
Positive crankcase ventilation system
An engine assembly includes an engine and an intake assembly. The engine defines a combustion chamber and a crankcase, and the intake assembly includes an intake manifold in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. An air-oil separator is provided with the engine and defines a separator volume, an inlet and an outlet, where each of the inlet and outlet are in fluid communication with the separator volume. The inlet of the air-oil separator is provided in fluid communication with the crankcase, and the outlet of the air-oil separator is provided in fluid communication with the intake manifold. The air-oil separator further includes an interior surface that abuts and surrounds the separator volume, and defines a plurality of depressions, and each depression is respectively configured to retain a respective volume of fluid. |
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| US09057290B2 |
Switching roller finger follower with locking mechanism
A switching roller finger follower, including: first and second rotatable outer arms; and a locking mechanism including a locking pin with a first outside diameter and first and second ends. The locking mechanism includes first and second locking sleeves: separate from the locking pin; fixedly secured to the first and second ends, respectively; and having second and third outside diameters, respectively, larger than the first outside diameter. The locking pin is displaceable such that: in a locked mode, the first and second locking sleeves contact the first and second outer arms, respectively, to block rotation of the first and second outer arms in a first rotational direction; and in an unlocked mode, the first and second locking sleeves are free of contact with the first and second outer arms, respectively. |
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| US09057286B2 |
Non-circular aft nacelle cowling geometry
A nacelle for a turbofan propulsion system that extends along a centerline includes a forward cowling and an aft cowling. To improve the fit of a turbofan propulsion system in the space between the wing and ground of a fixed-wing aircraft, the aft cowling of the nacelle is modified. The aft cowling has a non-circular cross-sectional geometry disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the centerline. The non-circular cross-sectional geometry includes a radially recessed section disposed between first and second curved sections. The first and the second curved sections each have a radius that is greater than a radial distance between the centerline and a center point of the radially recessed section. |
|
| US09057285B2 |
Lubricant system
There is proposed a lubricant system having a plurality of motor-driven pumps operating in parallel as main oil pumps, wherein even if at least one of the main oil pumps stops, the other normally operating main oil pumps do not stop due to overload of a motor. A lubricant system 7 comprises a hydraulic pressure piping 9, a plurality of lubricant pumps 10 arranged in parallel, a plurality of AC motors 11 driving each of the lubricant pumps 10, an error detector 24 detecting a presence or absence of an error in an operating state of each of the AC motors 11, a pressure loss addition unit 25 configured to increase pressure loss in the hydraulic pressure piping 9, and a controller 26 causing the pressure loss addition unit 25 to increase pressure loss when the error detector 24 detects an error in at least one of the AC motors 11. When an error occurs in at least one of the AC motors 11, the lubricant system 7 changes each working point of the lubricant pumps 10 driven by another AC motor 11 to a lower flow side than that in a steady operation. |
|
| US09057283B2 |
Bearing cooling system for flexible shaft turbomachine
A turbomachine having gas cooled bearings may include an axially-oriented, cooling-gas passageway interconnecting first and second bearing chambers. The passageway may include grooves formed at an interface between an aerodynamic component of the turbomachine (e.g., a wheel or impeller) and a portion of a shaft assembly of the turbomachine. |
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| US09057280B2 |
Contacting vanes
An assembly can include vanes and a base configured to seat the vanes at a radial distance about an axis where each vane includes a leading edge and a trailing edge, a pair of lateral surfaces that meet at the leading edge and at the trailing edge, an extension that extends from one of the lateral surfaces and that has a contact surface, and a stop surface to form a contact with a contact surface of another vane to define a minimum flow distance between the vane and the other vane. Various other examples of devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed. |
|
| US09057273B2 |
Self-tightening rotor
Systems, methods, and devices for propelling self-propelled movable objects are provided. In one aspect, a rotor assembly for a self-propelled movable object comprises: a hub comprising a first fastening feature; a drive shaft comprising a second fastening feature and directly coupled to the hub by a mating connection of the first and second fastening features, wherein the drive shaft is configured to cause rotation of the hub such that the mating connection of the first and second fastening features is tightened by the rotation; and a plurality of rotor blades coupled to the hub and configured to rotate therewith to generate a propulsive force. |
|
| US09057271B2 |
Splice insert repair for superalloy turbine blades
A damaged portion of a superalloy material turbine blade body is removed, forming an excavated recess. A repair splice is formed of a same material with similar mechanical structural properties, having a mating outer profile conforming to the corresponding recess profile. The repair splice is inserted and captured within the recess, so that the blade body and repair splice are mechanically interlocked. Given similarities in mechanical properties of both the blade body and the mechanically interlocked splice the repaired blade's overall mechanical structural properties are similar to those of an undamaged blade. The repair splice is affixed to the blade body so that the interlocking respective portions of each do not separate. Localized affixation and subsequent cosmetic blade surface repair can be performed with softer, low temperature application braze and weld alloys. |
|
| US09057269B2 |
Piloted scroll compressor
A scroll compressor that includes a housing and scroll compressor bodies disposed in the housing. The scroll bodies include a first scroll body and a second scroll body, where the first and second scroll bodies have respective bases and respective scroll ribs that project from the respective bases. The scroll ribs are configured to mutually engage, and the second scroll body is movable relative to the first scroll body for compressing fluid. A pilot ring engages a perimeter surface of the first scroll body to limit movement of the first scroll body in the radial direction. Further, the first scroll body has a radially-outward-projecting limit tab which abuts a portion of the pilot ring to limit movement of the first scroll body in one of the axial and rotational directions. |
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| US09057267B2 |
Rotary engine swing vane apparatus and method of operation therefor
A rotary engine using a swing vane separating expansion chambers is provided for operation with a pressurized fuel or fuel expanding during a rotation of the engine. A swing vane pivots about a pivot point on the rotor yielding an expansion chamber separator ranging from the width of the swing vane to the length of the swing vane. The swing vane optionally slidingly extends to dynamically lengthen or shorten the length of the swing vane. The combination of the pivoting and the sliding of the vane allows for use of a double offset rotor in the rotary engine and the use of rotary engine housing wall cut-outs and/or buildups to expand rotary engine expansion chamber volumes with engine rotation yielding corresponding increases in rotary engine power and/or efficiency. |
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| US09057266B2 |
Rotary combustion engine and hydraulic motor
A rotary engine and a hydraulic motor including non-rotary outer and inner casings; a power shaft with an eccentric part; a driving eccentric ring between the outer and inner casings and mounted on the eccentric part; a combustion or pressure chamber between the eccentric ring and the inner casing such that the eccentric ring drives the power shaft by substantially non-rotating eccentric movement; dividers for dividing the combustion chamber into at least two parts, the dividers extend through the inner casing and are in contact with an inner surface of the driving eccentric ring; and an eccentric device (or control) for driving the dividers back and forth with respect to the inner casing. The eccentricity of the eccentric device corresponds with the eccentricity of the eccentric part of the power shaft. The eccentric device has a guide groove which implements an eccentric path and to which the dividers are connected. |
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| US09057264B2 |
Screw shaft structure for double-shaft extruder
A screw shaft structure for a twin screw extruder includes a tapered section (20) provided between a ground section (6) and a screw piece inserting section (8), and a tapered ring (21) fitted onto the tapered section (20). The tapered ring (21) serves as a flange section. An object is to reduce the weight of raw material to be used for manufacturing a screw shaft by combining a tapered section and a tapered ring as a structure of a flange section. |
|
| US09057263B2 |
Self-contained refuge chamber
An apparatus for treating a medium, the apparatus including structure for generating a flow of a working fluid in a flow path, treatment structure for subjecting the medium to treatment and a delivery device for delivering the medium to the treatment structure, the treatment structure and the delivery device being operable in response to the flow of working fluid. A refuge chamber and method utilize such apparatus. |
|
| US09057262B2 |
Hyper-pressure pulse excavator
A hyper-pressure water cannon, or pulse excavator, is able to discharge fluid pulses at extremely high velocities to fracture a rock face in excavation applications. A compressed water cannon can be used to generate hyper-pressure pulses by discharging the pulse into a straight nozzle section which leads to a convergent tapered nozzle. The hyper-pressure water cannon design is relatively compact, and the pulse generator can readily be maneuvered to cover the face of an excavation as part of a mobile mining system. |
|
| US09057251B2 |
Gravel pack inner string hydraulic locating device
A downhole assembly, such as a toe-to-heel gravel pack assembly, has a body with a body passage, outlet ports for slurry, and screens for fluid returns. An inner string deploys in the body to perform the toe-to-heel gravel packing. A telescoping adjustment device allows the inner string to space out properly when deployed to the toe of the assembly. Sealing surfaces of a locating device in the body separate a sealable space and seal against seals on the inner string movably disposed therein. Fluid pumped in the string produces a pressure buildup when the string's port communicates with the sealable space. The pressure buildup indicates that the tool is positioned at a first location in the assembly, and other positions for placement of the tool can then be calculated therefrom. |
|
| US09057249B2 |
CO2 storage in organic-rich rock formation with hydrocarbon recovery
A method for producing hydrocarbons from and/or storing C02 in an organic-rich rock formation. One embodiment of the method includes the steps of injecting the C02 into an injection well in the organic-rich rock formation and producing the hydrocarbons from a production well when a drainage volume of the production well has an average reservoir pressure equal to or less than a predetermined pressure. The hydrocarbons substantially include natural gas and the injection well is in fluid communication with the production well. The embodiment also includes capping the production well and feeding the C02 into the injection well when the produced hydrocarbons include a C02 mole fraction greater than or equal to a predetermined mole fraction. |
|
| US09057245B2 |
Methods for optimizing and monitoring underground drilling
A method of optimizing underground drilling in which the Specific Energy, such as the Mechanical Specific Energy, is determined at a plurality of weight on bits and drill bit rotary speeds. The drilling operation is optimized by drilling at the operating conditions, including weight on bit and drill bit rotary speed, at which the standard deviation in Mechanical Specific Energy is a minimum. The drilling operation is monitored by determining the Mechanical Specific Energy and changing the operating parameters if the standard deviation in the Mechanical Specific Energy exceeds a predetermined value. |
|
| US09057243B2 |
Enhanced hydrocarbon well blowout protection
Protection at a hydrocarbon well is enhanced by placing a blowout preventer over a well head. An adapter is connected to the blowout preventer. The adapter includes a valve that when turned off prevents non-production flow from the blowout preventer to a riser pipe. |
|
| US09057240B2 |
Debris barrier for downhole tools
A debris barrier assembly for use downhole includes a single body annular barrier having a bore; an extension tubular inserted through the bore; an upper tubular coupled to an upper end of the extension tubular; and a lower tubular coupled to a lower end of the extension tubular, wherein the lower tubular includes a release valve. In one embodiment, the release valve is mechanically opened. In another embodiment, a torque connection is used to couple the upper tubular to the extension tubular. |
|
| US09057239B2 |
Method and apparatus for securing a lubricator and other equipment in a well
A method and apparatus for anchoring a wireline lubricator assembly in a well. A locking assembly having radial locking pin members is disposed between a bell nipple assembly and blowout preventer assembly. With a lubricator assembly properly positioned relative to the locking assembly, automated locking pin members equipped with locking blocks can be actuated to move between retracted positions and extended positions. In the extended position, the locking blocks engage against the lubricator assembly, locking the lubricator assembly in place and preventing axial movement of the lubricator assembly relative to the locking assembly. |
|
| US09057238B2 |
Tree cap wedge seal system and method to operate the same
A tree cap has a wedge type annular metal seal for capping and sealing a subsea tree and associated methods to energize the same. The tree cap includes a cam element having a lower end with a conical profile adapted to be disposed within a respective bore of the subsea tree. The cam element moves along an axis of the bore. The annular metal seal is disposed on an outer diameter of the cam element so that the cam element may compress the annular metal seal against an actuation member to seal the bore of the subsea tree. The tree cap includes a housing adapted to be disposed on and secure to the subsea tree. The housing carries the cam element and exerts an axial force on the cam element to deform the annular metal seal into sealing engagement between the tree cap and the subsea tree. |
|
| US09057236B2 |
Method for initiating fluid circulation using dual drill pipe
A method for operating a dual drill string disposed in a wellbore, the string having a shutoff valve for at least a fluid return drill string therein proximate a bottom end thereof includes pumping fluid into the fluid return string such that a pressure therein is substantially equal to a fluid pressure in the wellbore. Circulation of fluid in the wellbore is initiated by pumping fluid into a fluid supply string of the dual drill string such that the shutoff valve on the fluid return string opens to enable the fluid leaving the wellbore to enter the fluid return string. |
|
| US09057234B2 |
Circumferential cams for mechanical case running tool
A casing running tool is provided having both axial and circumferentially tapered elements. In certain embodiments, the casing running tool comprises cam structures that are circumferentially tapered so as to allow an applied torque to engage and disengage the casing running tool with a casing or liner. In embodiments, the circumferential taper of the cam structures allows a mandrel or rollers disposed between the mandrel and cam structures to apply radial force to corresponding shoe structures which in turn engage or disengage the casing or liner. The cam structures may also exhibit an axial taper to allow for a self-energized fail-sage operation of the casing running tool. |
|
| US09057217B2 |
Method for operating a building closure
A method for operating a building closure having the shape of an overhead sectional door or of a garage door including at least one spring-loaded counterweight device and an electrical drive device is disclosed. A control unit simultaneously monitors the position of the building closure and a motor current for the drive device. When the building closure is in an open or a closed position, the motor current is reduced and maintained at a level to residually energize the drive device to reliably maintain the building closure in a desired position. |
|
| US09057216B2 |
Device for applying laterally retracting doors, particularly for pieces of furniture
A device to be applied at least between a side wall of the internal space of a piece of furniture and an adjacent door thereof, in order to render it laterally retracting during the opening of the internal space, comprising a pivoting upright interposed along the side of the door that is to be rendered laterally retracting of a piece of furniture, and provided with longitudinal guides for the vertical sliding of one of the two ends of a pair of rockers, each rocker being able to oscillate on a respective pivot, which is integrally pivoted to the same shoulder of a compartment, and is formed by a pair of arms which converge and are mutually integral. |
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| US09057214B2 |
Hinge for furniture with a deactivatable decelerating device
A hinge (10) for mounting a door (14) on a piece of furniture, comprising a hinge arm (12) fixable to a fixed part (11) of the piece of furniture and a box (13) fixable to a door (14) of the piece of furniture, swingably connected to each other; connected to the box (13) there is a decelerating device (22) comprising an actuating element (24) movable along a decelerating stroke between an initial position and a final position, return spring means (25) loadable during the decelerating stroke from a released condition in a loaded condition, and deactivating means (39) for deactivating the decelerating device (22) and comprising a blocking member (39) acting on the return spring means (25) so as to block the same spring means (25). |
|
| US09057211B2 |
Lock unit having a multi-part pawl and a spring-loaded blocking pawl
The present invention relates to a lock unit (1) comprising at least one catch (2), wherein the catch (2) has a primary position (8) and a first position (9), a main pawl (3) having an axis of rotation (4), a blocking pawl (5), which blocks the main pawl (3) upon engagement with the catch (2), and a first pawl (6), which is rotatably disposed on the axis of rotation (4) of the main pawl and is engageable with the catch (2), wherein the lock unit (1) comprises at least one elastic element (7) that biases the blocking pawl (5) and the first pawl (6) against each other, at least part of the time, such that the tension between the blocking pawl (5) and the first pawl (6) is preferably the largest in the open position of the catch. |
|
| US09057203B2 |
Swimming pool lane line support apparatus
A swimming pool lane line support apparatus includes a first end portion, defining a first guide member, a second end portion, defining a second guide member, and a central portion including a smooth, curved surface. The first guide member, second guide member and curved surface define a lane line channel adapted to support and contain a swimming pool lane line. Furthermore, the swimming pool lane line support apparatus is adapted to securely fit in a peripheral gutter system of a swimming pool. |
|
| US09057201B2 |
Interior wall system
A leveling assembly for an interior wall system includes an elongate floor channel secured to the floor, a floor rail longitudinally disposed within the floor channel for supporting the wall panel, and levelers positioned along the floor channel. The levelers each include a base resting on the floor channel, a threaded rod projecting upwardly from the base, an outer threaded sleeve capable of telescoping movement over the threaded rod, and a threaded nut secured in an opening defined in a bottom surface of the floor rail. The threaded nut supports the floor rail. The levelers vertically space apart the floor rail from the floor channel. |
|
| US09057197B2 |
Artificial stone
An artificial stone is disclosed for use in creating a covering for a supporting surface. The artificial stone includes a body for placement on the supporting surface, which is shaped for mating engagement with like stones with intermediate perimeter joints to produce a continuous surface covering. The stone has a facing surface on the body, which facing surface has a contour defining a surface area and is subdivided by at least one simulated joint into a major surface portion and at least one minor surface portion. The major surface portion is free of simulated joints and extends over at least about 60% of the total surface of the facing surface. The stone further includes at least one perimeter recess in the body for generating a gap between the stone and another like stone in mating engagement therewith, which gap is wider than adjacent the adjoining perimeter joint. Stones of this construction can easily be arranged in a regular, repeated pattern to generate a continuous covering for the supporting surface with the surface of the resulting covering having an irregular, natural appearance. The irregular top contours of the stones, the uneven division of the facing surface and the perimeter recesses and the resulting gaps between mating stones simulate the appearance of a natural stone surface covering for walkways, roadways, pavements or walls. |
|
| US09057194B2 |
System, method and apparatus for wedge-shaped, multi-layer asphalt roofing
A roofing shingle includes strata that are stacked and laminated together by adhesive. Each of the strata may have a strata width that differs from the other strata. Each of the strata may include a substrate, a top asphalt layer on top of the substrate, granular matter on the top asphalt layer, a bottom asphalt layer on a bottom of the substrate, and mineral matter on the bottom asphalt layer. |
|
| US09057192B2 |
Method for producing a building having a prefabricated wood framework, and resulting building
A method is provided for producing a structure from prefabricated panels to be connected mounted on a free-standing supporting framework, each of the panels being made beforehand from a wood framework into which an inner insulation and inner and outer facings are capable of being built, the panels being connected together by a linking mechanism in a vertical direction and in a horizontal direction, wherein the method is characterized in that a subassembly is made from a quadrangular wood frame inside of which vertical posts are arranged on which mechanical connectors are placed, enabling the arrangement, support, and prepositioning of a metal reinforcement on the connectors that are in place. The thus-produced subassembly is placed in a mold so as to be overmolded from concrete constituting the inner facing. |
|
| US09057188B2 |
Modules for integrated bulk fluids management
Modules for controlling a flow of water and methods of assembly of modules to establish indirect flow of water through a modular system. Modular systems for controlling a flow of water having beams extending across the modules to direct the flow of water in an indirect manner or a serpentine or semi-serpentine manner. Modular storage and controlled outflow systems for treatment and filtration of water. |
|
| US09057187B2 |
Anti-overflow toilet and method
A toilet fixture includes a bowl, a primary drain fluidly connected to the bowl, a supply water plenum providing water to the bowl to flush the fixture, and a secondary drain inlet located to the plenum. The secondary drain inlet includes a secondary drain hole permitting water to flow from the plenum into the secondary drain inlet. The secondary drain inlet is fluidly connected to a drain permitting water to exit the fixture and water flowing through the secondary drain inlet can bypass a clog in the primary drain. |
|
| US09057185B2 |
Sink and drain for sink
Sinks and drains for sinks permitting the attachment of the drain to the sink such that the drain is substantially disposed below the top surface of the sink basin, and such that there is no discernable separation between the base of the sink basin and the drain when viewed from above the sink. A method of making a sink such that there is no discernable separation between the base of the sink basin and the drain when viewed from above the sink. |
|
| US09057184B2 |
Insulator base for electronic faucet
An insulator base for an electronic faucet includes a housing supporting a light assembly and a connecting wire electrically coupled to the light assembly. A polymer overmold is coupled to the housing and secures the light assembly and the connecting wire within the housing. |
|
| US09057183B2 |
Touch free automatic faucet
A touch free automatic faucet is provided. The faucet includes a faucet housing including many sensors for controlling water flow and water temperature. A processor is connected to the sensors. A first control valve assembly is connected to the processor. A second control valve assembly is connected to the processor. A power source is connected to the processor, the first control valve assembly and the second control valve assembly. Water flow and water temperature are controlled by the sensors without touching of the faucet housing. |
|
| US09057179B1 |
Tractor loader attachment system
A tractor loader attachment system for efficiently attaching and removing a loader upon a tractor. The tractor loader attachment system generally includes a pivot bracket attached to a loader mounting pocket, an engaging member pivotally connected to the pivot bracket, an actuator attached to a first end of the engaging member and to the tractor frame, wherein movement of the actuator pivots the engaging member so that a hooked end of the engaging member engages or releases a shaft attached to the loader frame to selectively retain the loader frame attached to the tractor vehicle. |
|
| US09057172B2 |
Anchoring system
An anchoring system for anchoring a pole to a ground surface, the anchoring system including a plurality of modules interconnectable to one another for surrounding the pole, each module including a support leg configured for extending into the ground surface so as to provide anchoring support to the pole on a given side of said pole, each module of the anchoring system further including at least two mounting interfaces disposed distally from the support leg and configured for resting against the pole, and each module of the anchoring system further including at least one connecting member extending from an edge of the support leg to a corresponding mounting interface, said the least one connecting member further operatively extending between said at least two mounting interfaces. |
|
| US09057171B2 |
Block for retaining wall
A block for a retaining wall having a front face forming part of a visible side of a retaining wall, and a support face which supports at least one similar overlying block. The support face is angled with respect to the front face and traversed by a through opening which defines an internal abutment surface placed at a first predetermined distance from the front face. A reference element protrudes from the support face at a second predetermined distance from the front face, in order to abut, in use, against the at least one internal abutment surface of the similar overlying block and thus prevent the displacement thereof in only one of two directions which are transverse to the front face. The reference element includes a flattened engagement portion. An elongate slot is provided on the support face to receive the corresponding flattened engagement portion. |
|
| US09057170B2 |
Continuously prestressed concrete pile splice
A pile splice section for a spliced prestressed concrete pile includes a prestressed concrete element including a first end and a second end and a plurality of tendons that extend from the first end to the second end. A first end assembly at the first end of the prestressed concrete element includes a first plate coupled to the plurality of tendons. The first end assembly further includes a plurality of internally threaded fasteners embedded in the first end of the prestressed concrete element that are engagable via apertures extending through the first plate. A second end assembly at the second end of the prestressed concrete element includes a second metal plate coupled to the plurality of tendons. The second end assembly further includes a plurality of apertures extending through the second plate and accessible via pockets proximate the second end of the prestressed concrete element. |
|
| US09057169B1 |
Sacrificial tip and method of installing a friction pile
A sacrificial tip and method of installing a friction pile within the ground includes a connective plate to attach to a friction pile, a smaller diameter pipe extending from the plate, and a plurality of gussets and a helical flight secured to the pipe. The pipe projects generally perpendicularly from the connective plate toward a penetrative aspect and the plurality of gussets are secured to and project radially outwardly from the pipe, and extend longitudinally along the pipe tapering radially inwardly from the connective plate toward the penetrative aspect. The helical flight is secured about the pipe and spirals longitudinally toward the penetrative aspect. The connective plate can be secured to the friction pile with the pipe projecting coaxially with the friction pile to define the sacrificial tip for the friction pile. |
|
| US09057166B2 |
Blower apparatus
A blower apparatus has a drive motor and a blower device operatively connected to the drive motor. A blower tube is connected to the blower device and has an outlet opening remote from the blower device. A blower air stream conveyed by the blower device passes through the blower tube in the direction of a longitudinal center axis of the blower tube and exits through the outlet opening in an outflow direction. A pivoting device that pivots the blower tube is provided. In a non-actuated state of the pivoting device the outflow direction is parallel to the longitudinal center axis of the blower tube. The pivoting device has a tilting device that tilts the outflow direction relative to the longitudinal center axis of the blower tube and utilizes a transverse force that is generated by the blower air stream at the outlet opening for pivoting the blower tube. |
|
| US09057162B2 |
Manhole marker
A portion of a street surface to be removed for access to a manhole cover is defined by placing a design mask on the street with a cutout overlying an electronic marker embedded in the street proximate the manhole. The design mask is oriented such that a larger cutout overlies the manhole cover, by aligning the design mask along an established direction. The design mask can be a template with a circular cutout, or a stencil with a ring cutout. When the marker is located proximate a curb line, the established direction may correspond to a normal from the curb line. A rectangular design mask can be oriented by keeping an edge of the design mask which is closest to a curb line parallel with the curb line. Alternatively, a compass heading may be used, and a pointer feature of the design mask can be aligned with the compass heading. |
|
| US09057151B2 |
Door assembly of a drum type washing machine
A drum type washing machine including a body having a front surface thereof with an entrance opening for entrance/exit of laundry, and a front door rotatably coupled at one end thereof to the front surface of the body and serving to open or close the entrance opening. The drum type washing machine further including a door elastic member providing the front door with an elastic force required to open the entrance opening when the entrance opening is closed by the front door. A supporting unit is installed to the front door and is adapted to come into contact with the body upon opening or closing of the entrance opening, thereby serving to keep the front door at a predetermined distance from the body. |
|
| US09057147B2 |
Silicon carbide epitaxial substrate and method of manufacturing silicon carbide epitaxial substrate
A silicon carbide epitaxial substrate having a main surface (second main surface) includes: a base substrate; and a silicon carbide epitaxial layer formed on the base substrate and including the main surface (second main surface), the second main surface having a surface roughness of 0.6 nm or less, a ratio of standard deviation of a nitrogen concentration in the silicon carbide epitaxial layer at a surface layer including the main surface (second main surface) within a plane of the silicon carbide epitaxial substrate to an average value of the nitrogen concentration in the silicon carbide epitaxial layer at the surface layer within the plane of the silicon carbide epitaxial substrate being 15% or less. |
|
| US09057142B2 |
Self-lubricating coating and method for producing a self-lubricating coating
The invention relates to a coating (7) made up of a metal layer (8), in which a lubricant (1) which can be released by wear is embedded. In order to provide a wear-resistant coating (7) which is simply structured and economical to produce, the invention provides for the lubricant (1) to consist of an at least singly branched organic compound (2). The present invention further relates to a self-lubricating component (11) with a coating (7) according to the invention applied at least in certain portions, to a method for producing a coating (7), and also to a coating electrolyte (10) comprising at least one type of metal ions and at least one lubricant (1) consisting of an at least singly branched organic compound (2). |
|
| US09057139B2 |
Method for manufacturing electrode module for recovery of metal ions, electrode module for recovery of metal ions, and apparatus for recovery of metal ions including the same
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an electrode module for recovery of metal ions, an electrode module for recovery of metal ions, and an apparatus for recovery of metal ions including the same. The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode module for recovery of metal ions, the method including the steps of: a) preparing a first electrode part and a second electrode part for electrically adsorbing or desorbing metal ions contained in a liquid; and b) interposing an insulating layer, through which the liquid passes, between the first electrode part and the second electrode part, an electrode module for recovery of metal ions manufactured by the method, and an apparatus for recovery of metal ions including the same. According to the present invention, it is possible to significantly reduce the time required for the adsorption and desorption of ions when specific valuable metal ions are recovered from an aqueous solution in which various valuable metal ions are dissolved. |
|
| US09057138B2 |
Energy supply system and operating method
An energy supply system is provided with an electricity generating device for regeneratively generating electrical energy that can be fed into an electricity supply grid. The energy supply system includes an electricity generating device for regeneratively generating electrical energy which can be fed into an electricity supply grid, a hydrogen generating device for generating hydrogen using electrical energy from the regenerative electricity generating device, a methanation device for converting hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generating device and a supplied carbon oxide gas into a gas containing methane, and a gas providing device for providing a supplementary gas or a replacement gas in a variably specifiable supplementary/replacement gas quality suitable for feeding into a gas supply grid with the use of the gas containing methane from the methanation device and/or the hydrogen from the hydrogen generating device. A method of operating the system is also provided. |
|
| US09057135B2 |
Method for protecting silver and silver alloy surfaces against tarnishing
A method for protecting silver and silver alloy surfaces against tarnishing, characterized by initially subjecting the surface to be treated to cleaning pre-treatment in organic solvents; immersing the cleaned surface in an acid solution able to ensure formation of a thin layer of silver oxide; immersing the oxidized surface in a solution of at least one thiol of formula CH3(CH2)nSH where n is between 10 and 16; and chemically reacting the molecules of said thiol with the previously oxidized silver surface, in an environment containing water vapor at a temperature of at least 50° C. |
|
| US09057130B2 |
Transport roller for the vacuum treatment of substrates
A transport cylinder for the vacuum treatment of substrates includes a roll body and at least one spacer element arranged on the roll body and enveloping the roll body. The spacer element is made of a knitted tube containing metallic or/and metallic threads. |
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| US09057129B2 |
Implant method and implanter by using a variable aperture
A variable aperture within an aperture device is used to shape the ion beam before the substrate is implanted by shaped ion beam, especially to finally shape the ion beam in a position right in front of the substrate. Hence, different portions of a substrate, or different substrates, can be implanted respectively by different shaped ion beams without going through using multiple fixed apertures or retuning the ion beam each time. In other words, different implantations may be achieved respectively by customized ion beams without high cost (use multiple fixed aperture devices) and complex operation (retuning the ion beam each time). Moreover, the beam tune process for acquiring a specific ion beam to be implanted may be accelerated, to be faster than using multiple fixed aperture(s) and/or retuning the ion beam each time, because the adjustment of the variable aperture may be achieved simply by mechanical operation. |
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| US09057127B2 |
Plated resin molded articles
The present invention provides a plated resin molded article having a high adhering strength of a plating layer. Specifically, it provides a plated resin molded article that has a metal plating layer on the surface of a thermoplastic resin molded article comprising a composition that contains(A) 10 to 90 mass % of a matrix resin that has a water absorption after 24 hours in 23° C. water (ISO62) of at least 0.6% and(B) 90 to 10 mass % of a non-styrenic resin that has a water absorption after 24 hours in 23° C. water (ISO62) of less than 0.6%, wherein the thermoplastic resin molded article is not subjected to etching with a heavy metal-containing acid. |
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| US09057126B2 |
Method for manufacturing sputtering target and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
When an oxide semiconductor is deposited by a sputtering method, there is a difference in composition between a sputtering target and a film deposited using the sputtering target in some cases depending on a material of the oxide semiconductor. In manufacturing a sputtering target containing zinc oxide, a crystal which contains zinc oxide is formed in advance, the crystal is crushed, and then a predetermined amount of zinc oxide is added and mixed. After that, the resulting object is sintered to form the sputtering target. The composition of the sputtering target is adjusted by setting the proportion of zinc in the sputtering target higher than that of zinc in a film having a desired composition which is obtained at last, in consideration of the amount of zinc which is reduced at the time of deposition by a sputtering method, the amount of zinc which is reduced at the time of sintering, and the like. |
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| US09057123B2 |
Hot-rolled steel sheet and method for producing same
Provided is a hot-rolled steel sheet that has a chemical composition including, by mass %: C: 0.060% to 0.150%; Si: 0.15% to 0.70%; Mn: 1.00% to 1.90%; P: 0.10% or less; S: 0.010% or less; Al: 0.01% to 0.10%; N: 0.010% or less; Nb: 0.010% to 0.100%; and the balance including Fe and incidental impurities. The hot-rolled steel sheet has a microstructure containing ferrite of 18 μm or less in average grain size by a volume fraction of at least 75% and pearlite of at least 2 μm in average grain size by a volume fraction of at least 5%, the balance being low-temperature-induced phases, the pearlite having a mean free path of at least 5.0 μm. |
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| US09057117B2 |
Selective recovery of manganese and zinc from geothermal brines
This invention relates to a method for the selective recovery of manganese and zinc from geothermal brines that includes the steps of removing silica and iron from the brine, oxidizing the manganese and zinc to form precipitates thereof, recovering the manganese and zinc precipitates, solubilizing the manganese and zinc precipitates, purifying the manganese and zinc, and forming a manganese precipitate, and recovering the zinc by electrochemical means. |
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| US09057112B2 |
Use of selected lactic acid bacteria for reducing infantile colic
The invention herein provides certain strains of lactic acid bacteria selected for their capability of promoting production of IL-10 and consequently proliferation of CD4+CD25+ TR cells, for prophylaxis and/or treatment of infant colic, a method of selecting such strains, and products containing such strains. |
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| US09057111B2 |
Diagnostic methods and markers for bacterial vaginosis
A method of diagnosing bacterial vaginosis in a woman, which involves determining an amount of each of more than one BV-associated bacterium in a vaginal sample obtained from the female and assessing a BV status of the female based on the amount of each of the more than one BV-associated bacterium in the sample. |
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| US09057110B2 |
Method for direct amplification from crude nucleic acid samples
The present teachings relate to improved methods, kits, and reaction mixtures for amplifying nucleic acids. In some embodiments a novel direct buffer formulation is provided which allows for the direct amplification of the nucleic acids in a crude sample with minimal sample purification. |
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| US09057108B2 |
Hybrid model for the classification of carcinoma subtypes
A two-tiered classification system that can be integrated with the current algorithm used by pathologists for identification of the site of origin for ‘malignancy with unknown primary’ is presented. In use, morphology, immunohistochemical (IHC) studies, and microarray-based top tier gene expression classifiers first subclassify cytokeratin positive carcinomas into adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine carcinoma and urothelial carcinoma. Subsequently, organ-specific IHC-markers, if available, are used in conjunction with microarray-based second tier gene expression classifiers to assign the primary site of origin to the sample. This new hybrid approach combines IHC with a hierarchy of quantitative gene expression based classifiers into an algorithmic method that can assist pathologists to further refine and support their decision making process. |
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| US09057105B2 |
Method for detecting single nucleotide polymorphism in nucleic acid
A method for detecting a single nucleotide polymorphism in nucleic acids, characterized in that the method includes mixing (A) a nucleic acid probe comprising a nucleotide sequence complementarily hybridizable to an evaluation subject nucleic acid/an antisense strand thereof containing at least one single nucleotide polymorphism, and tagged with a nucleotide sequence of a hairpin structure having a bulge at a 5′-terminal thereof, wherein a guanine residue is introduced at an adjoining position of the bulge, and wherein a naphthyridine derivative compound is immobilized to the bulge; and (B) the evaluation subject nucleic acids; and detecting a signal ascribed to the naphthyridine derivative compound when the above nucleic acid probe and the above evaluation subject nucleic acids are hybridized, thereby evaluating the above single nucleotide polymorphism. |
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| US09057099B2 |
Enhanced on-chip SERS based biomolecular detection using electrokinetically active microwells
A method for detecting target nucleic acids such as SNPs is provided. The method comprises performing a ligase detection reaction (LDR), performing surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) on the LDR, and analyzing the outcome of the LDR using analysis and/or quantification of the SERS by detecting an emitted Raman signature. The LDR-SERS method can be used for sensitive and specific detection of any nucleic acid sequence of interest. A microfluidic SERS detection device is also provided. The device comprises electrokinetically active microwells for mixing and concentrating analytes and in which analytes can be quantified. The device can be used for performing the LDR-SERS method in optofluidic chip format. |
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| US09057097B2 |
Recombinase polymerase amplification reagents and kits
This disclosure describes kits, reagents and methods for Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) of a target DNA that exploit the properties of recombinase and related proteins, to invade double-stranded DNA with single stranded homologous DNA permitting sequence specific priming of DNA polymerase reactions. The disclosed kits, reagents and methods have the advantage of not requiring thermocycling or thermophilic enzymes, thus offering easy and affordable implementation and portability relative to other amplification methods. |
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| US09057095B1 |
Method and kit for testing carbamates in amine-cured epoxy materials
The present invention provides a kit and a method of testing for carbamates in amine cured epoxies. The method and kit are based on the use of an enzyme that is inhibited by carbamates. A specific embodiment of the kit includes acetylthiocholine (ATC), dithio-bis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB), and acetyl-cholinesterase (ACh-E). In the corresponding method embodiment, the method comprises the steps of collecting carbamates from the epoxy, adding the collected carbamates to a solution, adding acetyl-cholinesterase (ACh-E) to the solution, adding acetylthiocholine (ATC) to the solution, adding dithio-bis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) to the solution, and ultimately measuring the intensity of the yellow color of the solution. |
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| US09057093B2 |
Detection and enumeration of microorganisms
A method for detecting and enumerating viable microorganisms in a sample suspected of containing said microorganisms: (1) contacting said microorganisms of said sample with repair compounds and a growth medium, and (2) incubating the product of step (1),and (3) detecting and enumerating said microorganisms, in which the microorganisms are of the species Legionella pneumophila, and in which the repair compounds comprise: (a)serine;(b)threonine;(c)a compound containing calcium ions at a dose of 10−6 to 10−2 mM;(d)a compound containing magnesium ions at a dose of 10−6 to 10−2 mM;(e)a compound containing potassium ions;(f) glutamic acid or a salt thereof; and (g)pyruvic acid or a salt thereof. The invention also discloses a kit for detecting and enumerating viable microorganisms of the species Legionella pneumophila in a sample suspected of containing said microorganisms. |
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| US09057092B2 |
Methods and compositions for identifying a cell phenotype
The present invention is directed to a method of identifying cancerous or precancerous cells suspended in a liquid carrier, such as, a biological fluid. |
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| US09057091B2 |
Synergistic composition useful as microbiological growth medium for rapid screening of phosphate accumulating microorganisms
Screening isolates for phosphate accumulation by quantitative methods requires investment of time, labor and chemicals. There has been paucity of a medium and method for screening phosphate-accumulating microorganisms (PAOs) from the environment. Therefore, a new screening strategy is needed towards isolating effective PAOs in environments with diverse microbial populations and limited organic resources, where it is possible that PAOs are often out-competed by organisms capable of utilizing available nutrients more rapidly. In view of these problems, a medium optimal for an efficient screening of P-accumulating microorganisms was developed, which is rapid and allows many PAOs to be screened. Thus, the present invention utilizes Toluidine Blue-O (TBO) a blue colored dye, which decolorizes due drop in the concentration of phosphate in the medium, as an indicator to quickly evaluate the P-accumulating microorganisms based upon visual observations. Fast decolorization of the dye is an indicator of a superior phosphate accumulating microbe. Therefore, colorimetric reaction using PAM-TBO of the present work was further applied in a novel, extremely high-throughput manner to detect individual microbial isolates, growing on a PAM Petri plate. Adaptation of PAM-TBO assay in screening PAOs in environmental samples for microtitre plate assay enhanced the effectiveness of the assay system efficiently and effectively. |
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| US09057090B2 |
Method of identifying an agent for inhibiting odor of pyrazine derivatives
A method to identify an agent for reducing an odor of a pyrazine derivative, comprising: adding a test substance and a pyrazine derivative represented by the following Formula (I): wherein R1 represents methyl, ethyl, or acetyl; and R2, R3, and R4 each independently represent hydrogen or methyl, to an olfactory receptor OR5K1 or a polypeptide having at least 80% identity to the amino acid sequence of the olfactory receptor OR5K1; measuring a response of the olfactory receptor to the pyrazine derivative; and identifying a test substance inhibiting the response of the olfactory receptor on the basis of the measured response. |
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| US09057084B2 |
Method for producing aqueous acrylamide solution
There is provided a method for producing an aqueous acrylamide solution by reacting a composition including acrylonitrile with water to produce acrylamide, in which the composition including acrylonitrile includes 3 to 15 mg of propionitrile per 1 kg of the total weight of the composition including acrylonitrile. According to the present invention, a production method with which it is possible to suppress acrylamide polymerization without lowering quality and thereby obtain a stable aqueous acrylamide solution can be provided. |
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| US09057080B1 |
Biosynthesis of styrene and 7-methyl-1,3,5-cyclooctatriene
The present invention relates to microorganisms capable of producing isolable amounts of styrene and/or 7-methyl-1,3,5-cyclooctatriene (MCOT) and uses thereof. The present invention also relates to methods for biosynthetically preparing styrene and/or 7-methyl-1,3,5-cyclooctatriene (MCOT) utilizing microorganisms capable of producing isolable amounts of styrene and/or 7-methyl-1,3,5-cyclooctatriene (MCOT). |
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| US09057075B2 |
Cottonseed oil and uses
The present specification relates to the production of cotton plants and seeds and oil prepared therefrom having elevated levels of oleic and reduced levels of palmitic and linoleic acids. Furthermore, cottonseeds having low levels of cyclopropane and/or cyclopropene fatty acids and/or reduced levels of gossypol are described herein. The specification also describe FatB and CPA-FAS nucleotide and amino acid sequences derived from cotton facilitating, inter alia the direct modification of plant oil content and/or composition. |
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| US09057062B2 |
Enzyme produced by Arthrobacter globiformis
There are provided a highly safe epimerase usable in food industry, and a method for producing a ketose. Resolution: The epimerase is a ketose 3-epimerase obtainable from a microorganism of the genus Arthrobacter, and having (1) substrate specificity whereby a D- or L-ketose is epimerized at position 3 to produce a corresponding D- or L-ketose, and (2) the highest substrate specificity for D-fructose and D-psicose among D- and L-ketoses. |
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| US09057059B2 |
Chimeric polypeptides and their use in bacterial decolonization
The present invention relates to chimeric polypeptides comprising a first portion, which comprises a bacteriocin cell wall-binding domain (CBD) and a second portion, which comprises an enzymatic active domain (EAD) selected from the lytic domain of a bacteriophage lysin, a bacteriocin and a bacterial autolysin. Provided are such chimeric polypeptides and variants and fragments thereof, nucleic acids encoding the same, vectors carrying such nucleic acids and host cells transformed or transfected with such vectors. The chimeric polypeptides of the present invention are useful for the reduction of certain bacterial populations, including methods and compositions for the treatment of various bacterial infections. For example, chimeric polypeptides of the present invention have been shown to effectively kill various bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), as well as other human pathogens. Thus, provided are compositions comprising chimeric polypeptides according to the present invention, variants or fragments thereof, and the use of such compositions in prophylaxis or therapy of bacterial diseases, bacterial infections or bacterial colonizations. |
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| US09057057B2 |
Obligate heterodimer variants of foki cleavage domain
Disclosed are methods of making and using engineered FokI cleavage domain variants. Also disclosed are methods, compositions and fusion proteins containing obligate heterodimers of engineered FokI cleavage domain variants and DNA binding domains, such as zinc finger protein (ZFP) domains and transcription activator-like effector (TALE) domains. |
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| US09057052B2 |
Stem cell separating material and method of separation
The present invention has its object to provide a material for separating stem cell and a filter for separating stem cell, each is capable of selectively separating and recovering, in a simple and easy manner, stem cells from body fluids or biological tissue-derived treated fluids, a method for separating and recovering stem cells, and stem cells obtained by such method. The present invention is a material for separating stem cell which has a density K of 1.0×104≦K≦1.0×106 and a fiber diameter of 3 to 40 μm; a filter for separating stem cell which comprises the material for separating stem cell as packed in a container having a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port; a method of separating and recovering stem cells which comprises using the material for separating stem cell or the filter for separating stem cell; and a method of producing a multipotent cell fraction. |
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| US09057050B2 |
Mutant hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase polypeptides and methods of use
Compositions and methods for conferring hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) herbicide resistance or tolerance to plants are provided. Compositions include amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for mutant HPPD polypeptides. Nucleic acids that encode the mutant HPPD polypeptides are also provided. Methods for conferring herbicide resistance or tolerance, particularly resistance or tolerance to certain classes of herbicides that inhibit HPPD, in plants are further provided. Methods are also provided for selectively controlling weeds in a field at a crop locus and for the assay, characterization, identification and selection of the mutant HPPDs of the current invention that provide herbicide tolerance. |
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| US09057048B2 |
Infectious hepatitis C virus—high producing HCV variants and use thereof
An objective of this invention is to provide an HCV strain with a high capacity for virus production in a cell culture system. This invention provides a nucleic acid encoding a polyprotein precursor of the hepatitis C virus JFH1 strain having one or more amino acid substitutions, wherein the polyprotein precursor comprises at least substitution of glutamine at position 862 with arginine, as determined with reference to the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 in the Sequence Listing. |
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| US09057045B2 |
Method of loading and distributing cells in a bioreactor of a cell expansion system
A method of distributing a plurality of cells in a bioreactor of a cell expansion system includes manipulating an orientation of the bioreactor such that a net impulse due to gravity acting on the plurality cells in the bioreactor is reduced. One method includes (a) rotating the bioreactor at an angular velocity ω about an axis of rotation and through an angular displacement θ, the bioreactor rotating from a first orientation to a second orientation; (b) holding the bioreactor still at the second orientation for a first period of time t1, wherein t1 substantially equals 2/ω; (c) rotating the bioreactor at the angular velocity ω about the axis of rotation and through the angular displacement θ; and (d) holding the bioreactor still for a second period of time t2, wherein t2 substantially equals t1. |
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| US09057043B2 |
Methods and materials for cultivation and/or propagation of a photosynthetic organism
The present disclosure provides methods and materials for the cultivation and/or propagation of a photosynthetic organism. Such methods may comprise the use of a lamp assembly that comprises a plurality of circuit boards, each comprising at least three edges, arranged in a substantially spherical shape defining an interior lamp assembly volume, wherein the plurality of circuit boards comprise a first planar surface in contact with the interior lamp assembly volume and an opposing second planar surface comprising light emitting diodes (LEDs); and a barrier that surrounds the plurality of circuit boards forming the substantially spherical shape. |
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| US09057042B2 |
Pretreatment cup
A method of laundering fabrics that is intuitive for the customer, ensures good penetration of the liquid laundry detergent composition into a stain, particularly greasy stain, and is suitable for washing delicate fabrics, particularly at low temperatures. |
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| US09057041B2 |
Fragrance compounds
A method of providing a fragrant odour to an application, comprising the addition thereto of at least one compound of the formula I wherein X and Y are independently selected from the group consisting of —CR1R2R3, —NR4R5 and —OR6, wherein R1 to R5 are selected from H and essentially hydrocarbon moieties that optionally comprise at least one oxygen, nitrogen or silicon atom, and R6 is selected from essentially hydrocarbon moieties that optionally comprise at least one oxygen, nitrogen or silicon atom; and, A is an essentially hydrocarbon moiety that optionally comprises at least one oxygen, sulphur, nitrogen or silicon atom, with the proviso that the compound A-CHO is a fragrant aldehyde. The use of these compounds in laundry, household and personal care products confers a long-lasting freshness. |
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| US09057040B2 |
Laccase variants
The present invention relates to variants of a parent laccase. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variant laccases and to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides, and methods of using the variant enzymes. |
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| US09057034B2 |
Method for synthesizing polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers
The present invention relates to the field of chemical engineering and technology, in particular relates to the sub-field of synthesis of high quality alternative liquid fuel for engines from non-petroleum based feedstock, more particularly relates to a method for adjusting, controlling and optimizing the synthetic process of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers by utilizing chemical thermodynamic principle. The process of the present invention is achieved by conditions wherein the initial temperature of reaction is controlled at 100-120° C., then the temperature is reduced to 50-70° C. by successive stepwise cooling or programmed cooling, the reaction pressure is controlled at 0.1-4.0 MPa, and the molar ratio of paraformaldehyde or trioxane, metered in formaldehyde units, to methylal in the feedstock is 1.5:1-8:1. In the process, higher overall yield of the target product can be achieved within the same reaction time, and selectivity of products with higher polymerization degree of methoxy groups can be increased. |
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| US09057033B2 |
Method and device for producing synthesis gas and for operating an internal combustion engine therewith
Provided are a method and a device for producing synthesis gas and for operating an internal combustion engine therewith. The engine fuel gases can be produced from changing heterogeneous organic fuels, wherein highly tar-laden product gas and pyrolysis gas are formed. The gas mixtures or the syntheses gas formed and by special operation of the gas engine are usable as an addition to the ignition oil. The synthesis gas is generated from the pyrolysis gas that is generated in a pyrolysis reactor and from the product gas that results from autothermal gasification of the pyrolysis coke formed and/or of the pyrolysis oil in an atmospheric steady-state fluidized bed gasifier. Then purifying the synthesis gas in a gas scrubber and in an tar electrostatic filter, passing the synthesis gas via a compressor into a separate injector of a two-stroke dual-fuel engine, bypassing turbocharger and intercooler. |
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| US09057032B2 |
High pressure gasifier system using electrically assisted heating
The problems of the prior art are overcome by the apparatus and method disclosed herein. The reactor vessel of a plasma gasifier is operated at high pressure. To compensate for the negative effects of high pressure, various modifications to the plasma gasifier are disclosed. For example, by moving the slag, more material is exposed to the plasma, allowing better and more complete processing thereof. In some embodiments, magnetic fields are used to cause movement of the slag and molten metal within the vessel. An additional embodiment is to add microwave heating of the slag and/or the incoming material. Microwave heating can also be used as an alternative to plasma heating in a high pressure gasification system. |
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| US09057029B1 |
Apparatus and method for conversion of solid waste into synthetic oil, gas, and fertilizer
A method of producing oil, gas, and ash fertilizer from a feedstock includes inputting the feedstock into a reaction chamber having a wall, and combusting the feedstock in the reaction chamber. An electrical current flow is induced between the reaction chamber wall and the feedstock so as to cause arcing in the feedstock within the reaction chamber. Ash reaction byproducts migrate downward through the reaction chamber onto ash support structure, which is substantially electrically isolated from the reaction chamber wall. Gas and liquid reaction byproducts migrate upward through the reaction chamber to an upper chamber by a partial vacuum in the upper chamber, and are evacuated therefrom. The oil and gas are then separated from the evacuated gas/liquid products, providing the oil and the gas products. The oil is refinable, the gas is high in energy content, and the ash fertilizer is high in nitrogen. |
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| US09057026B2 |
Method for producing lubricant base oil
A method for producing a lubricant base oil includes contacting feedstock containing normal paraffins having not less than 20 carbon atoms with a first catalyst in the presence of molecular hydrogen to obtain a first produced oil, and contacting the first produced oil with a second catalyst in the presence of molecular hydrogen to obtain a second produced oil. The first catalyst includes a first carrier in which a fraction of an amount of NH3 to be desorbed at 300 to 800° C. based on a total amount of NH3 to be desorbed is 80 to 90% in temperature-programmed desorption of NH3, a first metal selected from metals of Group VI in the periodic table carried on the first carrier, and a second metal selected from metals of Group VIII to Group X in the periodic table carried on the first carrier. |
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| US09057020B2 |
Black dichroic dye
Described is a black dichroic dye composition comprising 2 or more dyes, wherein at least one dye, generally a red dye and optionally a yellow dye, conforms to the formula A and at least one dye, usually a blue dye, conforms to the formula B Ar1—N═N—[Ar2—N═N—]qAr3—N═N—Ar4 (B) with symbols as defined in present claims. The dye composition is well suited for combination with liquid crystal material for use, inter alia, as polarizing film and/or in liquid crystal displays, showing, inter alia, high dichroic ratio and excellent compatibility with the LC material. |
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| US09057014B2 |
Hydraulic fracture composition and method
A method for improving hydraulic fracturing creates coated proppants containing one or more chemical constituents bonded to a substrate and introduced into the fracturing fluid itself. The substrate that eventually acts as a proppant may be sand, ceramic, resin coated sand, and other materials. Typically, the materials that are coated as powders adhered to the substrate may include friction reducers, biosides, oxygen scavengers, clay stabilizers, scale inhibitors, gelling agents, or the like. By adhering solid materials to a substrate 12 by a binder 14, a single, solid, granular material may be maintained onsite, requiring reduced footprint, reduced mixing and may introduce almost instantaneously into a fracturing flow stream all the necessary chemical constituents, which will eventually become mixed. The result is reduced time, energy, manpower, equipment, and space at the sight, while reducing the environmental impact of transportation, spills, hydrocarbon use, and the like. |
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| US09057013B2 |
Methods and compositions of treating a subterranean formation with an optimized treatment fluid
Methods of treating a subterranean formation including providing a treatment fluid comprising a brine base fluid and an anionic carboxylated polysaccharide, wherein the brine base fluid comprises a concentration of salt in the range of from about 30,000 ppm to saturation and a pH in the range of from about 4 to about 8, and wherein the anionic carboxylated polysaccharide is present in the range of from about 0.05% to about 2% by weight of the treatment fluid; and introducing the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation. |
|
| US09057006B2 |
Photo-curing and strippable adhesive composition and uses thereof
The invention relates to a photo-curing and strippable adhesion composition, and it has the advantage of good reworkability and weatherability. The invention also provides a strippable material and method for manufacturing the same and an electronic component and method for manufacturing the same. |
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| US09057004B2 |
Slurry for chemical-mechanical polishing of metals and use thereof
A composition and a method for chemical mechanical polishing. The composition includes a surfactant anion an alkyl alcohol and a diluent. The composition further includes abrasive particles and an oxidizer. The method includes providing the composition on a surface to be polished and polishing the surface by contacting the surface with a polishing pad. |
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| US09057000B2 |
Protein and starch compositions, methods for making and uses thereof
The present disclosure relates to protein-starch compositions. The disclosure also relates to processes for preparing the protein-starch compositions. Further, the disclosure relates to uses of the protein-starch compositions in the preparation of adhesives or binders. Further, the disclosure relates to adhesive formulations that include protein-starch containing compositions and to paper products resulting from the processes herein. |
|
| US09056994B2 |
High structure carbon blacks
Disclosed herein are high structured carbon blacks, methods of synthesis and treatment, and dispersions and inkjet ink formulations prepared therefrom. The carbon black can have the following properties: OAN≧170 mL/100 g; and STSA ranging from 160 to 220 m2/g. The carbon black can also have the following properties: OAN≧170 mL/100 g; and a ratio of STSA/BET surface area ranging from 0.7 to 1. |
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| US09056990B2 |
Phosphorus-atom-containing oligomer composition, curable resin composition, cured product thereof, and printed circuit board
A phosphorus-atom-containing oligomer is used as a curing agent for epoxy resin, the phosphorus-atom-containing oligomer being a mixture of a phosphorus-atom-containing compound represented by structural formula (1) below with n representing 0 and a phosphorus-atom-containing oligomer represented by structural formula (1) below with n representing 1 or more: (where R1 to R5 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or the like; X represents a hydrogen atom or a structural unit represented by structural formula (x1) below: where, in structural formula (x1), R2 to R5 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or the like), wherein a content of the phosphorus-atom-containing oligomer represented by general structural formula (1) with n representing 1 or more is in the range of 5 to 90% on a peak area bases in GPC measurement. |
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| US09056980B2 |
Flame retardant compositions
A substrate having a flame retardant polymer chemically bonded to at least a portion of the substrate. The use of a substrate possessing at least a partially coated outer surface of a flame retardant polymer enables the manufacturing of polymer composites, containing the coated substrate, that possess very effective flame retardant performance while reducing the loading levels over conventional flame retardant additives. |
|
| US09056976B2 |
Thermoplastic polymer composition and moldings thereof
The invention provides a thermoplastic polymer composition containing a hydrogenated block copolymer mixture (a), a polyvinyl acetal (b), and a thermoplastic elastomer (c), wherein the hydrogenated block copolymer mixture (a) contains a hydrogenated block copolymer (a1) containing hydrogenated polymer blocks (A1) containing aromatic vinyl units and hydrogenated polymer blocks (B1) containing conjugated diene units and a hydrogenated block copolymer (a2) containing hydrogenated polymer blocks (A2) containing aromatic vinyl units and hydrogenated polymer blocks (B2) containing conjugated diene units; (A1) content is 5 mass % or higher and lower than 40 mass % in (a1); (A2) content is 40 mass % to 70 mass % in (a2); the polyvinyl acetal (b) has been produced through acetalization of a polyvinyl alcohol; and the thermoplastic elastomer (c) contains hydrogenated polymer blocks (A3) containing aromatic vinyl units, hydrogenated polymer blocks (B3) containing conjugated diene units, and polymer blocks having a polar functional group (C). |
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| US09056973B2 |
Halogen-free flame-retardant polymer composition comprising piperazine based intumescent flame retardant
Halogen-free flame-retardant polymer composition, preparation method and use thereof are provided. The composition comprises a propylene polymer, a thermoplastic elastomer, and an intumescent flame retardant system comprising a piperazine component. The obtained halogen-free flame-retardant polymer composition is used to make wire or cable sheath. |
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| US09056970B2 |
High-density polyethylene compositions, method of producing the same, closure devices made therefrom, and method of making such closure devices
The instant invention is a high-density polyethylene composition, method of producing the same, closure devices made therefrom, and method of making such closure devices. The high-density polyethylene composition according to the present invention comprises (a) a first component comprising a high molecular weight ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer having a density in the range of 0.927 to 0.938 g/cm3, and a melt flow rate (I21) in the range of 4 to 10 g/10 minutes, and (b) a second component comprising a low molecular weight ethylene polymer having a density in the range of 0.960 to 0.975 g/cm3, and a melt index (I2) in the range of 100 to 1200 g/10 minutes; and wherein the high-density polyethylene composition has a melt index (I2) in the range of from 2 to 10 g/10 minutes, a density in the range of from 0.950 to 0.960 g/cm3, and a flow direction shrinkage to cross flow direction shrinkage ratio in the range of from 2 to 3.2, and an environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR) (F50) according to ASTM D-1693, condition B at 50° C., and using 10 percent Branched Octylphenoxy Poly(Ethyleneoxy) Ethanol, in the range of equal to or greater than 50 hours. |
|
| US09056967B2 |
Water-sensitive biodegradable film
A film that is biodegradable and water-sensitive (e.g., water-soluble, water-dispersible, etc.) in that it loses its integrity over time in the presence of water is provided. More specifically, the film contains a combination of a biodegradable polyester and a water-sensitive thermoplastic starch. The desired water-sensitive attributes of film may be achieved in the present invention by selectively controlling a variety of aspects of the film construction, such as the nature of the components employed, the relative amount of each component, the manner in which the film is formed, and so forth. |
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| US09056962B2 |
Composition for sealing a colorant to a surface, protecting a surface, and providing wear resistance to a surface
A protective sealant composition that is useful for sealing a colorant to a substrate, such as carpet. The protective sealant composition is formulated such that, upon drying, the composition forms a topcoat on the surface of the substrate, with the topcoat having a hard component and a soft component. The composition provides a durable protection against color fading and resoiling to the applied colorant, as well as to the rest of the surface of the substrate. The composition also provides wear resistance to the carpet by reducing the amount that the widths of the top ends of carpet fibers increase when subjected to wearing. |
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| US09056948B2 |
Microcapsules and production thereof
The invention relates to microcapsules, the capsule walls of which comprise a resin that can be obtained by reacting a) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a1) amines and a2) aromatic or heteroaromatic compounds which are unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents from the group consisting of C1-C20-alkyl, OH, OR, COOH, SH, SR, NHCOR, OCOR, halogen, or an aromatic compound, where R is a C1-C10-alkyl group, with b) at least one aldehydic component that contains at least two carbons atoms per molecule, in the presence of c) at least one copolymer which contains units of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulphonic acid or salts (AMPS) thereof and/or 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane phosphonic acid or salts (AMPP) thereof and units of one or more (meth)acrylates. |
|
| US09056939B2 |
Olefin block copolymer
The present description relates to an olefin block copolymer with enhanced processability as well as excellences in elasticity and heat resistance, and a preparation method for the same. The olefin block copolymer includes first and second segments, each containing an ethylene or propylene repeating unit and an α-olefin repeating unit at different mole fractions, where the second segment is dispersed in the form of a closed curve as a dispersed phase on the first segment according to a TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope) image. |
|
| US09056937B2 |
System and method for producing, preparing, or manufacturing natural rubber-based ABS compositions, powders, substances, and/or additives
A process for producing natural rubber-based acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) powder. The process comprises introducing a portion of natural rubber, mixing divinylbenzene (DVB) with the portion of natural rubber to produce vulcanized natural rubber, mixing the vulcanized natural rubber with a monomer solution to produce grafted natural rubber, mixing a plurality of grafted polybutadiene rubbers with the grafted natural rubber to produce a latex masterbatch and mixing a coagulant to a portion of the latex masterbatch to produce natural rubber-based ABS powder. By mixing the DVB with the portion of natural rubber, an intermediate step which is required in conventional methods before the polymerization process, can be eliminated. A natural rubber-based acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) powder produced by the process is also disclosed. |
|
| US09056936B2 |
Copolymer of a conjugated diene compound and a non-conjugated olefin, rubber composition, crosslinked rubber composition, and tire
Provided is a copolymer of a conjugated diene compound and a non-conjugated olefin, the copolymer being a random copolymer including randomly arranged monomer units of the conjugated diene compound and of the non-conjugated olefin, in which the non-conjugated olefin is preferably an acyclic olefin, the non-conjugated olefin preferably has 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and specific examples of the non-conjugated olefin preferably include ethylene, propylene, and 1-butene. |
|
| US09056931B2 |
Method for producing olefin polymer
A method for producing an olefin polymer including: polymerizing one or more α-olefins each having 6 to 20 carbon atoms in the presence of a metallocene catalyst to obtain an olefin polymer, and diluting a polymerization reaction liquid with a solvent before or simultaneously with deactivation of the catalyst, thereby to lower the liquid viscosity of the polymerization reaction liquid to 10 mPa·s or less to promote deactivation and decalcification of the catalyst. |
|
| US09056926B2 |
Process for preparing aqueous polyacrylic acid solutions
A process for preparing aqueous solutions of homo- or copolymers of acrylic acid by means of free-radical polymerization of acrylic acid and optionally water-soluble, monoethylenically unsaturated comonomers in an aqueous medium in the presence of at least one water-soluble initiator and of at least one water-soluble regulator, wherein the polymerization is conducted by means of a continuous process, and wherein, after the polymerization, low molecular weight components are at least partly removed from the resulting aqueous polymer solution. For the polymerization, preference is given to using microstructured mixers and reactors. Preference is given to using at least one reactor and/or mixer with microstructures for the process. |
|
| US09056915B2 |
Antigen binding proteins to proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9)
Antigen binding proteins that interact with Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) are described. Methods of treating hypercholesterolemia and other disorders by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of an antigen binding protein to PCSK9 are described. Methods of detecting the amount of PCSK9 in a sample using an antigen binding protein to PCSK9 are described. |
|
| US09056909B2 |
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae avirulent adjuvanted live vaccine
Provided are immunogenic and vaccine compositions and methods for their preparation and use, which compositions are effective in protecting against, minimizing the severity of, preventing, and/or ameliorating M. hyopneumoniae infection. Administration to an animal of one or two doses of an adjuvanted live avirulent M. hyopneumoniae composition disclosed herein is effective in providing immunity to the animal and protection from infection with a virulent strain of M. hyopneumoniae thereby reducing the severity of and/or preventing disease caused by one or more virulent strain of M. hyopneumoniae. Also provided are compositions, which further comprise one or more antigen such as, for example, one or more live bacteria, bacterin, toxoid, and/or virus and/or viral antigen. Exemplified are immunogenic compositions, comprising an adjuvanted live avirulent M. hyopneumoniae and compositions, comprising Porcine Circovirus Type 1-Type 2 chimera modified live vaccine (cPCV1-2) in further combination with an adjuvanted live avirulent M. hyopneumoniae. |
|
| US09056908B2 |
Therapeutic use of anti-tweak receptor antibodies
Provided herein are compositions comprising monoclonal antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof that bind TweakR and methods for their use in treating cancer. |
|
| US09056889B2 |
TRPV1 inhibitory peptides and composition for skin-aging protection or wrinkle improvement comprising the same
TRPV1 inhibitory peptide and a composition thereof for skin-aging prevention, wrinkle improvement, skin-whitening, or alleviating inflammation, irritation or pain is described, where the TRPV1 inhibitory peptide inhibits the expressions of MMP and proinflammatory cytokines induced by UV exposure and reduces skinfold thickness and intracellular Ca2+influx. |
|
| US09056884B2 |
Process for producing a charge control agent
A process for producing a charge control agent comprising an azo-based iron complex salt compound as an effective component, comprises: synthesizing a monoazo compound through diazotization coupling; and ironing the monoazo compound by using an ironizing agent such as ferric chloride to produce an azo-based iron complex salt compound represented by the following formula. The ironization reaction of the monoazo compound is carried out while pH is kept at 7.0 to 8.0. Since the above azo-based iron complex salt compound having high purity can be obtained at a high yield, it can be used as a charge control agent directly and a special purification step can be eliminated, thereby making it possible to greatly cut the production cost. |
|
| US09056883B2 |
Organometallic complex, light-emitting element, light-emitting device, electronic device, and lighting device
An object is to provide a novel organometallic complex capable of emitting phosphorescence by using, as a ligand, an organic compound with which a variety of derivatives can be easily synthesized. Another object is to provide an organometallic complex having high heat resistance. Other objects are to provide a light-emitting element having high emission efficiency and to provide a light-emitting device, an electronic device, and a lighting device having reduced power consumption. Provided are an organometallic complex including a structure represented by the following General Formula (G1), and a light-emitting element, a light-emitting device, an electronic device, and a lighting device formed using the organometallic complex including the structure represented by the following General Formula (G1). |
|
| US09056875B2 |
Substituted pyrazolo[3′,4′:4,5]thieno[2,3-C]pyridazin-3-amine analogs as positive allosteric modulators of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M4
In one aspect, the invention relates to substituted pyrazolo[3′,4′:4,5]thieno[2,3-c]pyridazine-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. |
|
| US09056868B1 |
Three-step synthesis of CL-20
Embodiments of the invention relate to the synthesis of CL-20 using only a three step synthesis and because of increased catalyst activity and lifetimes, a continuous flow process can be used with a tremendous reduction in total cost of producing CL-20. |
|
| US09056861B2 |
Process for preparing tetrazole-substituted anthranilamide derivatives and novel crystal polymorphs of these derivatives
The present invention relates to a process for preparing tetrazole-substituted anthranilamide derivatives of the formula (I) in which R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and Z are each as defined in the description, and to a novel crystal polymorph of these derivatives and to the use thereof in agrochemical formulations. |
|
| US09056859B2 |
Inhibitors of the renal outer medullary potassium channel
This invention relates to compounds having structural Formula (I); and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof which are inhibitors of the Renal Outer Medullary Potassium (ROMK) channel (Kir 1.1). The compounds of Formula I are useful as diuretics and natriuretics and therefore are useful for the therapy and prophylaxis of disorders resulting from excessive salt and water retention, including cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and chronic and acute heart failure. |
|
| US09056857B2 |
Methods for treating or preventing cancer and neurodegenerative diseases
Provided are methods of treating or preventing a neurodegenerative disease comprising administering to a subject having a neurodegenerative disease an effective amount of a compound of Formula I: where X, R1, R2, subscript m, subscript n and subscript v are as defined herein. |
|
| US09056851B2 |
Thiolactone antibiotics
This invention provides a compound having the structure wherein R1 is H, wherein n and q are independently an integer from 0 to 8; A is absent or present and when present is wherein m is an integer from 0 to 8; R3 is an amino, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, diol, piperazine, morpholine, piperidine, triazole, azide or biphenyl, each with or without substitution, branched or unbranched, or and R4 is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, each with or without substitution, branched or unbranched, R2 is H, CH3, or alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, pyrrole, diazole, or triazole, each with or without substitution, branched or unbranched, or wherein n and q are independently an integer from 0 to 8; A is absent or present and when present is and R6 is azide, methoxy, trifluoromethyl, biphenyl, substituted phenyl, substituted triazole, or alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, with or without substitution, branched or unbranched, when R1 is H then R2 is other than H or CH3, and when R2 is H or CH3 then R1 is other than H, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. |
|
| US09056847B2 |
Activity based probes (ABPs) interacting with glycosidases
An activity based probe (ABP) comprising a glycosidase inhibitor, and a detection-group. The ABPs of the inventions are used for diagnosing storage disorder for screening of compounds suitable for preventing and/or treating a storage disorder, for monitoring of therapeutic enzymes for lysosomal storage disorders, and for ultra-sensitive visualization of glycosidase-fusion proteins in molecular imaging. |
|
| US09056846B2 |
Pharmaceutical formulations containing dopamine receptor ligands
The present invention relates to stable and bioavailable immediate release formulations comprising dopamine receptor ligands. Methods of treating various disorders by administering the formulations are also described. |
|
| US09056845B2 |
Pharmaceutical formulations containing dopamine receptor ligands
The present invention relates to stable and bioavailable immediate release formulations comprising dopamine receptor ligands. Methods of treating various disorders by administering the formulations are also described. |
|
| US09056844B2 |
4-substituted-3-benzyloxy-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane compounds as mGluR 2/3 antagonists
A mGlu2/3 receptor antagonist of the formula: its uses, and methods for its preparation are described. |
|
| US09056842B2 |
Cosmetic use of substituted amino heterocylic carbamoyl analogs and related compounds
Cosmetic compositions comprising substituted amino heterocyclic carbamoyl analogs and methods of using such compositions to impart anti-aging benefits to the skin are disclosed. The substituted amino heterocyclic carbamoyl analogs are believed to have modulatory activity against one or more biochemical pathways implicated in skin aging. |
|
| US09056841B2 |
PSMA-targeting compounds and uses thereof
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeting compounds are described. Uses of the compounds for imaging, therapy, cell sorting, and tumor mapping are also described. |
|
| US09056839B2 |
Solid forms of an epidermal growth factor receptor kinase inhibitor
The present invention provides a solid form and compositions thereof, which are useful as an inhibitor of EGFR kinases and which exhibit desirable characteristics for the same. |
|
| US09056835B2 |
LPA2 receptor-specific benzoic acid derivatives
Disclosed are compounds effective for inhibiting cellular apoptosis and for protecting cells and tissues from the apoptotic effects of chemotherapeutic agents and/or ionizing radiation. Compounds of the invention act as agonists of the LPA2 receptor. Compounds of the invention comprise non-lipid benzoic acid derivatives. |
|
| US09056832B2 |
Pyridine compounds and the users thereof
The invention relates to substituted pyridine compounds of Formula (I) and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs, and solvates thereof, wherein R1a, A1, A2, E, G, Z1, and Z2 are defined as set forth in the specification. The invention is also directed to the use of compounds of Formula I to treat a disorder responsive to the blockade of sodium channels. Compounds of the present invention are especially useful for treating pain. |
|
| US09056823B2 |
Use of organic framework porous solid acid
The invention relates to a catalyst for the catalytic esterification and acylation reaction. The catalyst is prepared by the steps of adding a divinyl benzene monomer into a solvent prepared by mixing azobisisobutyronitrile, tetrahydrofuran and water, performing hydrothermal treatment at the normal temperature under the constant pressure, and volatilizing the solvent at the room temperature to obtain polydivinylbenzene; grinding the polydivinylbenzene into 200-mesh powder and performing degassing treatment under the nitrogen condition; adding polydivinylbenzene blocks into 1,1′,2-trichloroethane to explode and crack into small blocks, wherein the small blocks swell; evenly mixing 1,1′,2-trichloroethane and concentrated sulfuric acid, adding silver sulfate serving as a catalyst, adding processed polydivinylbenzene, performing sulfonation, filtering and washing with dioxane and water till it is neutral, performing drying, using dilute sulphuric acid to activate, performing washing till the it is neutral and performing drying. The catalyst has high catalytic activity and conversion rate. |
|
| US09056822B2 |
Method for producing polycyclic aromatic compound substituted by aryl group
PAH is subjected to C—H/C—B coupling using a specific boron compound, a palladium compound, and o-chloranil to produce a compound in which a C—H bond of the PAH is directly arylated regioselectively in a simple manner. When the substrate and the boron compound are appropriately selected, a larger PAH can also be obtained by further performing an annulation reaction after the coupling reaction. Similarly, when PAH is subjected to C—H/C—H cross-coupling using a specific aromatic compound, a palladium compound, and o-chloranil, a compound in which a C—H bond of the PAH is directly arylated regioselectively can be produced in a simple manner. When the substrate and the aromatic compound are appropriately selected in this case, a larger PAH can also be obtained by further performing an annulation reaction after the cross-coupling reaction. |
|
| US09056813B2 |
Process for preparation of fingolimod
The present invention provides a process for preparation of fingolimod, a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, free of regioisomeric impurity compound of Formula IA. |
|
| US09056807B2 |
Process to make olefins from isobutanol
The present invention relates to a process for the conversion of an alcohol mixture (A) comprising about 20 w % to 100% isobutanol to make essentially propylene, comprising: a) introducing in a reactor (A) a stream comprising the mixture (A), optionally water, optionally an inert component, b) contacting said stream with a catalyst (A1) at a temperature above 450° C. in said reactor (A) at conditions effective to dehydrate at least a part of the isobutanol and other alcohols, if any, and make a cracking, c) recovering from said reactor (A) an effluent comprising: ethylene, propylene, water, optionally unconverted alcohols of the mixture (A), various hydrocarbons, and the optional inert component of step a), d) fractionating said effluent of step c) to produce at least an ethylene stream, a propylene stream, a fraction consisting essentially of hydrocarbons having 4 carbon atoms or more, water and the optional inert component of step a), optionally recycling ethylene in whole or in part at the inlet of the reactor (A), optionally recycling the fraction consisting essentially of hydrocarbons having 4 carbon atoms or more at the inlet of the reactor (A). |
|
| US09056806B2 |
Process to make olefins from isobutanol
The present invention relates to a process for the conversion of an alcohols mixture (A) comprising about 20 w % to 100% isobutanol to make essentially propylene, comprising: a) introducing in a reactor (A) a stream comprising the mixture (A), mixed with a stream (D1) comprising olefins having 4 carbon atoms or more (C4+ olefins), optionally water, optionally an inert component, b) contacting said stream with a catalyst (A1) at a temperature above 500° C. in said reactor (A) at conditions effective to dehydrate at least a part of the isobutanol and other alcohols, if any, and make a cracking, c) recovering from said reactor (A) an effluent comprising: ethylene, propylene, water, optionally unconverted alcohols of the mixture (A), various hydrocarbons, and the optional inert component of step a), d) fractionating said effluent of step c) to produce at least an ethylene stream, a propylene stream, a fraction consisting essentially of hydrocarbons having 4 carbon atoms or more, water and the optional inert component of step a), optionally recycling ethylene in whole or in part at the inlet of the reactor (A), optionally recycling the fraction consisting essentially of hydrocarbons having 4 carbon atoms or more at the inlet of the reactor (A). |
|
| US09056803B1 |
Dual purpose agricultural composition and related methods
A composition which provides bactericidal, fungicidal and insecticidal activity when treating plants with effective amounts. The composition comprises the blending of: (1) an aqueous salicylate solution from salicylic acid reacted in an aqueous media with ammonium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide; (2) a reaction mixture that provides fungicidal activity and fertilizers plants when applied in an effective amount and which comprises potassium phosphates, potassium polyphosphate, potassium phosphites, and potassium polyphosphite and potassium phosphate phosphite copolymers; and, optionally, (3) aqueous potassium acetate. |
|
| US09056797B2 |
High zirconia fused cast refractory
To provide a high zirconia fused cast refractory which has high corrosion resistance to molten glass and which is scarcely susceptible to cracking during its production. A high zirconia fused cast refractory which has a chemical composition comprising from 96.5 to 98.5 mass % of ZrO2, from 0.8 to 2.7 mass % of SiO2, from 0.04 to 0.35 mass % in a total amount of Na2O and K2O, and from 0.02 to 0.18 mass % of B2O3, wherein contents of Na2O, K2O and B2O3 satisfy the relation of the following formula (1) at the same time: 0.03≧CB2O3−(CNa2O+CK2O) (1) wherein CNa2O is the content of Na2O, CK2O is the content of K2O, and CB2O3 is the content of B2O3, and each of these contents represents mass % in the refractory. |
|
| US09056794B2 |
Near zero coefficient of thermal expansion of beta-eucryptite without microcracking
The present invention is drawn to a lithia alumina silica material that exhibits a low CTE over a broad temperature range and a method of making the same. The low CTE of the material allows for a decrease in microcracking within the material. |
|
| US09056790B2 |
Methods and compositions using calcium carbonate
Provided herein are compositions and methods including hydraulic cement, supplementary cementitious material, and/or self-cementing material. Methods for making the compositions and using the compositions are provided. |
|
| US09056788B2 |
Glass ceramic sinter, reflective member and substrate for mounting a light-emitting-element, and light-emitting device
A glass ceramic sinter is disclosed. The glass ceramic sinter includes a glass matrix, and anorthite grains, fersmite grains and quartz grains, all of which are in the glass matrix. A total content of the glass matrix, the anorthite grains, the quartz grains, and the fersmite grains is 98% or more by mass of the glass ceramic sinter. |
|
| US09056785B2 |
Nanoimprint mold-forming synthetic quartz glass and making method
Synthetic quartz glass is prepared by subjecting a silicon-providing feedstock to flame hydrolysis in oxyhydrogen flame, depositing silica fine particles on a rotating quartz glass target while concurrently melting and vitrifying them, thereby forming a synthetic quartz glass ingot, shaping, annealing, and effecting dehydrogenation treatment at a temperature of at least 600° C. and a pressure of up to 5 Pa for a holding time of at least 12 hours. The synthetic quartz glass has a high helium gas permeability and is suited for forming nanoimprint molds. |
|
| US09056784B2 |
High efficiency water-softening process
A high-efficiency water softening process is disclosed. The softening-process is particularly effective for the treatment of water process streams containing a broad array of contaminants, such as Ca, Mg, Ba, Sr, iron, aluminum, manganese, copper, zinc, silica, TOC, oil, and grease. The softening-process includes steps of: (a) adding carbonate ions and hydroxide ions to said water process stream until the process stream pH is raised to between at or about 10.5 and at or about 14.0; (b) optionally adding a coagulation aid so as to facilitate the creation of separated solids comprising a substantial portion of the contaminants; (c) optionally adding a polyelectrolyte so as to facilitate the creation of separated solids comprising a substantial portion of the contaminants; and (d) phase-separating the separated solids so as to remove the contaminants and produce a highly purified water process stream. |
|
| US09056777B2 |
Bent carbon nanotubes and methods of production
A method of producing carbon nanotubes includes directing a flow of a gas over a substrate to provide growth of at least one carbon nanotube in a carbon-nanotube-growth region of the substrate; applying an electric field to the carbon-nanotube-growth region of the substrate after the at least one carbon nanotube has begun to grow in the carbon-nanotube-growth region, the electric field being substantially in a first direction in the carbon-nanotube-growth region; and changing the electric field at a preselected time to be substantially in a second direction in the carbon-nanotube-growth region during growth of the at least one carbon nanotube. The second direction is different from the first direction resulting in a bend substantially at a selected position of the at least one carbon nanotube, the method of producing carbon nanotubes providing the production of the at least one carbon nanotube having at least one bend substantially at a selected position along the at least one carbon nanotube. |
|
| US09056774B2 |
Aluminum nitride powder and method of producing the same
[Problem] To provide a method of producing aluminum nitride that has high conducting property and can be excellently filled and is useful as a filler for heat-radiating materials, and an aluminum nitride powder obtained by the same method. |
|
| US09056773B2 |
Process for the manufacture of hydrogen peroxide
A continuous process for producing hydrogen peroxide by an anthraquinone process, comprising the steps of: (i) hydrogenating an organic working solution containing one or more anthraquinone derivatives in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst to form a hydrogenated working solution; (ii) oxidizing the hydrogenated working solution by introducing an oxygen-containing oxidizing gas at an overpressure into an oxidation reactor, and contacting the oxidizing gas with the hydrogenated working solution to form an oxidized working solution, whereby hydrogen peroxide is formed; (iii) withdrawing an oxidation off gas from the oxidation reactor; (iv) recovering the formed hydrogen peroxide from the oxidized working solution; (v) subjecting the oxidation off gas withdrawn from said oxidation reactor, which has an excess pressure over atmospheric pressure, to a demisting treatment to obtain a demisted oxidation off gas; and (vi) feeding the demisted oxidation off gas as propellant gas into a gas ejector to produce a vacuum. |
|
| US09056772B2 |
Method for producing synthesis gas
It is avoided that the sulfur compounds originating from the castable is mixed into produced synthesis gas, the mixed sulfur compounds are separated and collected with carbon dioxide, the collected carbon dioxide is recycled as raw material gas and then the sulfur compounds is directly supplied to the reformer to consequently degrade the reforming catalyst in the reformer by sulfur poisoning. The carbon dioxide separated and collected in the carbon dioxide removal step is introduced into the desulfurization apparatus of the desulfurization step or the sulfur compounds adsorption apparatus before being recycled to the reformer to remove the sulfur compounds. |
|
| US09056765B2 |
Semiconductor package and manufacturing method thereof
Various aspects of the present invention, for example and without limitation, comprise a semiconductor device package and/or method for manufacturing a semiconductor device package. Such a device package may, for example, comprise a MEMS device package. |
|
| US09056762B2 |
Capacitive sensors and methods for forming the same
A device includes a semiconductor substrate, and a capacitive sensor having a back-plate, wherein the back-plate forms a first capacitor plate of the capacitive sensor. The back-plate is a portion of the semiconductor substrate. A conductive membrane is spaced apart from the semiconductor substrate by an air-gap. A capacitance of the capacitive sensor is configured to change in response to a movement of the polysilicon membrane. |
|
| US09056761B2 |
Semiconductor sensor device and electronic apparatus including the semiconductor device
Disclosed is a semiconductor sensor device, including a substrate, a sensor element mounted on the substrate, a hollow member configured to surround a periphery of the sensor element, a sealing material configured to fill in the hollow member and cover the sensor element, and a recess formed on the substrate, the recess being configured to position the hollow member. |
|
| US09056758B2 |
Filling element, and filling system or filling machine
A filling element for filling containers with a lumpy liquid filler includes a liquid valve that is arranged in a liquid channel in an interior of a filling element housing and that is formed by a first valve surface, cooperating with a first valve seat, on a valve body that is movable along a filling-element axis to open and close the liquid valve, and that comprises at least two dispensing openings on filler flow channels, the dispensing openings forming a filler outlet. The filler flow channels are in flow communication with the liquid channel and with each other when the liquid valve is open and are separated from each other and from the liquid channel when the liquid valve is closed. The element also includes a separate valve arrangement that separates the filler flow channels from each other in flow terms when the liquid valve is closed. |
|
| US09056756B1 |
Tool shelf assembly
A tool shelf assembly allows a user to store and organize tools while working on a scissor lift. The assembly includes a panel having a front surface and a back surface. A flange is coupled to the panel. The flange and the back surface form a channel configured to receive a handrail of a scissor lift to support the panel on the scissor lift. A lower shelf has a lower end, an upper end and a peripheral wall extending between the upper and lower ends. Each of the lower end, the upper end and the peripheral wall define an interior space of the lower shelf. The lower shelf is attached to and extends outwardly from the front surface. A plurality of openings is positioned in the lower shelf. Each of the openings provides access into the interior space wherein each of the openings is configured to receive a tool therein. |
|
| US09056751B2 |
Hoisting device
A hoisting device includes a hoisting cable, a winch, a crown block and a traveling bottom block provided with a load attachment device. Both the crown block and the traveling bottom block include one or more sheaves having an essentially horizontally extending rotation shaft about which sheaves the hoisting cable is reeved. At least some of the traveling bottom block sheaves are associated with a releasable connector, and are thereby detachable from the load attachment device and displaceable to an inoperative position. The rotation shaft of multiple traveling bottom block sheaves and multiple crown block sheaves is essentially perpendicular to the rotation shaft of remaining multiple traveling bottom block sheaves and remaining multiple crown block sheaves. |
|
| US09056743B2 |
Sheet process device
A sheet process device includes a supporting member and a process device main body. The supporting member is attached to the lateral face at a side of an in-body sheet ejection space of an image forming apparatus. The process device main body is supported by the supporting member. The process device main body includes a relay conveyance unit and a post process unit. The relay conveyance unit is arranged slidable in a direction to the in-body sheet ejection space. The post process unit is arranged slidable in upward and downward directions with respect to the supporting member. The process device main body provides a sheet conveying path extending from a sheet ejection port of the image forming apparatus to the post process unit through the relay conveyance unit, when the post process unit is moved upwardly after the relay conveyance unit is moved into the in-body sheet ejection space. |
|
| US09056741B2 |
Sheet-like medium stacking apparatus
Disclosed is a sheet-like medium stacking apparatus provided for bearing and arranging sheet-like medium. The apparatus comprises: a bearing plate for receiving and bearing sheet-like medium delivered by the conveyance channel; a blocking mechanism facing an outlet at the end of the conveyance channel and used for preventing the sheet-like medium from continuing to move forward, the blocking mechanism comprising a storage part baffle plate in a lap joint with the bearing plate to form an accommodating chamber accommodating the sheet-like medium; and an arcuate section extending and curving towards the storage part baffle plate, is provided at the end of the bearing plate remote from the conveyance channel, the arcuate section overlapping the storage part baffle plate. The sheet-like medium stacking apparatus can effectively solve the problem of bills delivered at high speed becoming folded up or even blocking the outlet. |
|
| US09056738B2 |
Anti-rotation device and method of use
A device for reducing rotation of an article during singulation of a stack of articles is disclosed. The device may include a torsion element, a rotatable member configured to rotate about an elongated axis of the torsion element between a first position and a second position, and a revolving member coupled to the rotatable member. An outer surface of the revolving member contacts a drive belt in the first position and an article in the second position. The torsion element exerts torque on the rotatable member when it moves from the first position towards the second position. The torque causes the outer surface of the revolving member to apply a frictional force to the article, thereby minimizing rotation of the article. Systems and methods of singulating articles are also disclosed. |
|
| US09056731B1 |
Container packer system and method
A container packer system includes a transfer base, which receives a container packer adapted for movement longitudinally between retracted and extended positions with respect to the transfer base. The transfer base includes a power subsystem with a motor or engine driving an hydraulic pump for powering hydraulic piston-and-cylinder units of the system, including a container packer piston-and-cylinder unit for hydraulically extending and retracting the container packer. The container packer generally encloses an interior adapted for receiving bulk material for transfer to a transport container, which can comprise a standard shipping container, a trailer or some other bulk material receptacle. The container packer includes a push blade assembly longitudinally movably mounted in its interior and actuated by a push blade piston-and-cylinder unit. |
|
| US09056723B2 |
Belt conveyor having a variable-length belt support
The invention relates to a device for transporting individual products (1) of, in particular, predefined dimensions in a transport direction A, wherein the device includes two upper belt segments (2, 3) adjacent to each other at a transition point (8), having variable length in the transport direction and each extending from an inner deflection (7, 8) at the transition point (6) to an outer deflection (9, 10) at the other end, wherein the two upper belt segments (2, 3) each are supported by a plurality of support means (11) spaced apart from each other in the transport direction, the distance between same changing as the length of the upper belt segments (2, 3) varies. |
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| US09056722B2 |
Thrust chain link of a conveyor chain, conveyor chain, conveyor system and method for positioning a retaining adapter on a conveyor chain
A thrust chain link of a conveyor chain of a conveyor system for conveying articles suspended from retaining adapters, in particular of a sorter, includes a base body with a thrust unit arranged on its bottom side and spaced-apart coupling sections formed on its ends for pivotal connection to an adjacent link. The thrust unit includes two tappets protruding from the bottom side of the base body, wherein a front first tappet in the conveying direction is shorter than a rear second tappet. The two tappets are spaced apart such that a head portion of the retaining adapter can be received between the two tappets without play or largely without play. A conveyor chain, a conveyor system and a method for positioning a retaining adapter on a conveyor chain of a conveyor system are also described. |
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| US09056717B2 |
Waste collection system
A waste collection system including a well assembly positioned at least partially below a reference surface, the well assembly having a base and a well wall at least partially positioned on the base. The well assembly also includes a well liner defining a liner cavity therein, positioned in a well defined in part by the well wall. The system also includes a main receptacle body having a main barrel portion and a head portion, the main receptacle body being at least partially receivable in the liner cavity, and the main receptacle body being movable by a moving device between a received condition, in which the main barrel portion is at least partially received in the liner cavity, and a removed condition, in which the main barrel portion is located outside the liner cavity. The main receptacle body defines a cavity therein in which waste is receivable. |
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| US09056715B2 |
Bag stand
A bag stand includes at least two side panels, each side panel having a top end, a bottom end, and two adjacent side ends, each side panel connected to at least one adjacent side panel to form a bag stand including a top end, a bottom end, and an interior and defining an opening at the top end. |
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| US09056714B2 |
Secondary containment panels and process for making and installing same
A method of manufacturing a plurality of secondary containment panels and assembling and installing the panels in a secondary containment system of an above-ground liquid storage tank or other retention facility includes forming at least one flexible substrate. A liquid impermeable coating is applied by a robotic applicator to the upper surface of the substrate such that an edge segment of the substrate remains uncoated. The coating is applied to the substrate in an indoor enclosure having a flat surface. The coated substrate is delivered to the site of the tank and extended across the ground adjacent to the tank. At least a pair of the substrates are juxtaposed relative to one another such that a first one of the substrate overlaps the uncoated segment of the second substrate to form a seam. An adhesive substance is then applied to the seam to fasten the first and second substrate together. |
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| US09056710B1 |
Containment bag for use in a commercial disposal container
A non-self supporting containment bag used in conjunction with a dumpster container. The bag has a center opening that extends across the top of the bag, substantially centered on the top of the bag. The top of the bags is formed with sufficient spare material at the ends of the rectangular shaped bag to allow the top to be inverted over the sides of the container. The opening when closed, has sufficient material to form opposing triangular folds that extends above the top of the bag and the top of the container, when the bag is lining the container. |
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| US09056707B2 |
Protection case for electronic device
A protection case for receiving an electronic device. The protection case includes a receiving body for receiving the electronic device, a pair of winding mechanisms correspondingly set at two opposite sides of the receiving body, and a pair of belts correspondingly being wound on the winding mechanisms. The belts extend retractably out from the winding mechanisms to fasten the receiving body to a user. |
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| US09056706B2 |
Variable-diameter storage tank system
A variable-diameter tank construction system is provided. The tank construction system uses sets of wedges (shims) and bevel-faced spacers (washers) in conjunction with the field connections of the vertical edges of adjacent modular tank wall panels, so as to create an angular deviation between the tangent lines of the watt panels immediately adjacent to and on either side of the vertical joint between the connected panels. |
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| US09056702B2 |
Closure for containers
Closures for containers and methods for using same are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a closure having a top portion (12), a bottom portion (14) and a side portion (16), an aperture (18) extending though the closure, a projection (20) extending from the closure and at least two rib members (36) on an interior of the projection. The projection may also include a cover. In another embodiment, a method for using a closure includes inserting a spike member into a projection, piercing a membrane (28) that hermetically seals a medical container, pushing rib members within the projection to center the spike member inserted into the projection, and tearing the membrane to create a vent hole in the membrane. |
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| US09056698B2 |
Container
The container (1) has a detachable lid (8) adapted to engage a peripheral rim (5) of a top opening. The peripheral rim has radially protruding flanges (7), and the lid has radially protruding flanges (8) adapted to, in a first angular position of the lid, pass in between the radially protruding flanges of the peripheral rim (5) and, in a second angular position, be engaged with the radially protruding flanges (7) of the peripheral rim. The flanges (7, 8) are adapted to, by pressing the lid (6) onto the peripheral rim, in the second angular position, snap over each other. A skirt portion (12) of the radially outwards protruding flanges (7) of the peripheral rim (5) is provided with a rounded indentation (14) into which a rounded protrusion (15) of a radially inwards protruding flange (8) may snap. Secondary snap faces (19) of the lid (8) forming an acute angle with the central axis (9) of the peripheral rim (5) of the top opening (4) include the rounded protrusions (15) of the radially inwards protruding flanges (8). |
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| US09056697B2 |
Multi-layered bags and methods of manufacturing the same
A bag can include walls formed of a material having multiple layers, one of which can be a layer of nonwoven material. A polyolefin layer can be joined to an outer face of the nonwoven layer. One or more films can be joined to an inner face of the nonwoven layer. |
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| US09056695B2 |
Connection of an accessory to a receptacle
The device (1) for the sealed connection to a receptacle (2) of an accessory (3), the active proximal part (9) of which is intended to be connected to the inside (4) of the receptacle (2) by an opening (7) in the receptacle (2), includes a first element (15), a second element (16) and a chamber (18), the first element (15) including a proximal end part (32) which is secured by sliding in the proximal direction, with insertion of a lateral sealing component (22), onto a matching part (19) of the receptacle (2), in the proximal direction, the transverse head (14) corresponding to the lower surface of the first element (15) and being provided with a lateral head sealing component (28) and the second element (16) being capable of being pre-assembled with the first element (15) by axial sliding in the proximal direction. |
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| US09056693B2 |
Machine for placing protective dividers of bottles contained in packaging boxes
A machine to be incorporated in a packaging line for beverage packages such as wines and sparkling wines, in a stage after the entering of bottles into a box, and before the closing of same. The machine is formed into a fixed frame (B) interposed in the packaging line, the fixed frame defining a lower sector where the boxes carrying the bottles pass, and a higher sector having a carrier horizontal frame for at least one placing head (C). The dividers (S) each comprise at least a pair of flexible laminar plates with square format joined to each other through a central and vertical adhesive line disposed between their opposite faces. Each placing head (C) has a feeding lane of folded dividers (S) that faces a sliding pneumatic extractor, a carrier of suction pads (17) and (18), which suction and hold the dividers in a unitary form, to dispose them in vertical alignment with a forming set, pneumatic and vertically displaceable pneumatic acting set, formed by folding guides (9) and (9′), which acts in combination with a vertical pushing arrangement operated by a pneumatic cylinder (31), by which the formed divider (S) is placed between the bottles in the packaging box, disposed one after the other, inside the same frame, having any of which its own divider feeding lane. |
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| US09056689B2 |
Method for adsorbing propellent gas for a beer dispensing system
A method of filling a canister containing activated carbon having a first temperature with a propellant gas, wherein the method includes (a) providing a volume of liquefied propellant gas at a second temperature and a first elevated pressure that prevents it from evaporating; (b) evacuating the canister to create a vacuum within the canister, thereby cooling the activated carbon to a third temperature lower than the second temperature; (c) injecting the volume of liquefied propellant gas into the canister at a second elevated pressure that prevents it from evaporating; and (d) allowing the liquefied propellant gas to evaporate, consuming energy as evaporation heat, the energy being generated due to the propellant gas being adsorbed by the activated carbon, thereby reducing the heating of the activated carbon. |
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| US09056687B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling an aerial unit
An aerial unit, a method and a system are provide, the system includes a ground unit; an aerial unit and a connecting element arranged to connect the ground unit to the aerial unit. The ground unit may include a connecting element manipulator, a ground unit controller for controlling the connecting element manipulator; and a ground unit location sensor arranged to generate ground unit location information indicative of a location of the ground unit. The wherein the aerial unit may include a first propeller, a frame, a first propeller motor, at least one steering element; and an aerial unit location sensor arranged to generate aerial unit location information indicative of a location of the aerial unit. At least one of the ground unit and the aerial unit includes a controller that is arranged to control, at least in response to a relationship between the aerial unit location information and the ground unit location information, at least one of the first propeller motor and the at least one steering element to affect at least one of the location of the aerial unit and an orientation of the aerial unit. |
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| US09056684B2 |
Rotor blade de-icing system
An aircraft includes a heat absorbent material carried by an airfoil susceptible to ice buildup and a transmitter spaced apart from the heat absorbent material. A method includes the process of transmitting the heat energy from the transmitter to the heat absorbent material that in turn warms the airfoil to break apart ice buildup. |
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| US09056683B2 |
Seat structure of airplane
An airplane seat structure includes: a body frame including a plurality of seat boards and seat backs which are arranged in the longitudinal direction at predetermined intervals in a space having a small seat pitch and provide two or more seats in the traverse direction; a connection plate which is bendably connected to a front end of the body frame or the seat board and is horizontally spread to another body frame adjacent frontward to the body frame; a first bed space which is formed over the seat board and the horizontally-spread connection plate; and a second bed space which is formed below the seat board and the horizontally-spread connection plate or formed below the horizontally-spread connection plate and a seat board of the frontward adjacent body frame. |
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| US09056680B2 |
Cargo plane lighting system
The present invention is a cargo lighting system with a plurality of light heads mounted to a support bar. The support bar is divided into a plurality of interlocking segments and supported by stringer engaging components and supplemental support members. The cargo lighting system includes a master control box which allows light heads to be controlled by a master switch or with individual zone controls. The cargo lighting system is easily disassembled and packed in protective cases for transport and storage. |
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| US09056678B2 |
Securing/releasing device, and related airdrop device
In the field of devices for airdropping a load from a flying vehicle, there is provided a device for securing/releasing a first member (65) able to support a load of more than 20 kg, and a second member able to support this first member and the load, this second member including, on the one hand, a support (1) onto which are secured first elements including a sensor (26), for example of an altimeter or chronobarometric type, able to trigger, during the flight, the release of the first and second members upon exceeding a threshold or receiving an exterior signal, where the second member includes a hook (3) in two parts, one of which is movable (14) between an operative position and an inoperative position, and elements (7, 8, 25, 71, 76) for locking and unlocking the movable part of the hook in its operative position. |
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| US09056677B1 |
Curvature sensing
A system may include a tether connected to a ground station. The tether may include at least two bridle segments. The system may further include an aerial vehicle connected to the at least two bridle segments. The system may also include at least one sensor and a control system. The control system may be configured to: a) receive sensor data from the at least one sensor; and b) determine a tether roll angle based on the sensor data. The tether roll angle may represent an angle between the tether and an axis of the aerial vehicle. Optionally, the control system may also be configured to determine a curvature of a path of the aerial vehicle based on the tether roll angle. The control system may additionally be configured to control at least one control surface of the aerial vehicle based on the curvature of the path. |
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| US09056672B2 |
Hydraulically regulated electromagnetic actuator, and landing gear fitted with such an actuator for controlling same
An electromechanical actuator comprising an electric motor (11) for driving an output shaft (4) in rotation via a reduction gear (20) and passive regulation stage (30) allowing for control of the speed of rotation of the output shaft. A braking member is arranged between an output of the reduction gear and the output shaft to be driven, the braking member being arranged to ensure two different braking levels depending on the direction of rotation of the shaft. The braking member is of hydraulic type and comprises a paddle (33) for transferring fluid between two chambers (34, 35) under the effect of the rotation of the output shaft, transferred fluid passing through a selective drawing member (41) which, depending on the direction of rotation of the actuator, opposes two distinct resistances to the decantation of the fluid from one chamber to the other. |
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| US09056659B2 |
Solar powered illuminated boat cleat
The boat cleats of the invention are typically mounted on the watercraft and docks adjacent to the water for tying watercraft to piers as well as to other watercraft and disclose a solar powered modular structure supported within a boat cleat mechanical housing support structure. This arrangement provides savings associated with the provision of through-the-dock wiring access, easy removability for replacement, maintenance and servicing, and which is sealed against the environment. The self contained solar powered modular structure may have communications capabilities to enable distributed control and sensing. |
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| US09056658B2 |
Icebreaking vessel
A vessel and method for breaking ice drifting in a predominant direction relative to an offshore installation such as a drilling vessel. The vessel is used to deploy an anchor in a position at a distance from the offshore installation and in a direction which, seen from the offshore installation, is substantially in parallel with the direction of movement of the ice. By means of the machinery of the vessel, the direction of the anchor line is adjusted and so is the orientation of the vessel relative to the anchor line to the effect that the propellers can be used to crush and dispose of the ice without using motive energy to hold the vessel against the pressure of the ice. |
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| US09056654B1 |
Hydrofoil and water sport board equipped therewith
The present disclosure relates to an elongated member for a hydrofoil, to a hydrofoil with such an elongated member and to a board equipped with such a hydrofoil. The elongated member comprises a front end for affixing to a front blade having a front lift ratio and a rear end for affixing to a rear blade having a rear lift ratio in such a manner that the front blade and rear blade face in a same direction, and the rear lift ratio is greater than the front lift ratio. The elongated member further connects with an end of a post in such a manner that the front blade is further from another end of the post for connecting to the board than the rear blade. |
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| US09056651B2 |
Bicycle control device
A bicycle control device includes a base member, an operating member, a detecting member and a switching member. The operating member is movably mounted relative to the base member along an operating path. The detecting member detects operation of the operating member. The switching member is electrically connected to the detecting member so that the detecting member is switched from a power-off state to a power-on state in response to operation of the operating member. |
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| US09056649B2 |
ATV brake actuator with hidden pawl
A hydraulic brake actuator adapted to be mounted on a vehicle handlebar and hydraulically coupled to a brake mechanism. The brake actuator includes a brake base adapted to be secured to the handlebar, and a reservoir adapted to be coupled to the brake base and containing brake fluid, the reservoir having a bottom surface. The hydraulic brake actuator further includes a piston-cylinder assembly coupled to the reservoir, a brake lever movable relative to the brake base between a released position and an actuated position, and a locking pawl positioned to limit movement between the brake lever and the piston-cylinder assembly, the locking pawl being at least partially positioned directly below the bottom surface of the reservoir. |
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| US09056648B2 |
Bicycle component positioning device
A bicycle component positioning device is provided with a support member, a positioning element, a position maintaining member, a winding element, a release member and a spring member. The winding element is movably between a winding position and a disengaging position. The release member is movably between a neutral position and a position releasing position. The spring member is arranged with respect to the support member to move the winding element from the winding position to the disengaging position in response to movement of the release member from the neutral position to the position releasing position and to return the release member to the neutral position after movement of the release member from the neutral position to the position releasing position. The spring member applies a biasing force to the release member without the biasing force being transmitted through the position maintaining member. |
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| US09056647B2 |
One-piece connector for a shock-absorbing frame of a bicycle
A one-piece connector for a shock-absorbing frame of a bicycle is manufactured by casting, forging or high pressure hydraulic forming means, is made of aluminum and formed as a single piece without welding, and has a bottom bracket shell, a connecting tube, a pivot and a linking joint. The connecting tube is formed on and protrudes from a top surface of the bottom bracket shell. The pivot is formed with the connecting tube near the bottom bracket shell. The linking joint is formed on an upper end of the connecting tube. The bottom bracket shell, the connecting tube, the pivot and the linking joint are formed with each other to form the one-piece connector without welding to simplify the production process, to improve the precision, quality and appearance of the one-piece connector, and to reinforce the structural strength of the one-piece connector. |
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| US09056646B1 |
Bicycle cable routing system
A bicycle including a frame, a fork rotationally coupled to the frame within a head tube of the frame, and a wheel rotationally coupled to the fork. The fork has a steerer tube, and the bicycle further includes a stem that is coupled to the steerer tube, and a handlebar coupled to the stem for steering the wheel. The handlebar supports an actuator adapted to control a bicycle component. The bicycle also includes a cable housing that is disposed in the handlebar, and a cable that is coupled to the actuator and routed internally within the handlebar and the stem toward the head tube. The portion of the cable within the handlebar is routed through the cable housing, and the portion of the cable within the stem is exposed. |
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| US09056644B2 |
Bicycle, modifiable for uphill, downhill and/or trail conditions
A bicycle comprising a Frame (1), a Front Wheel (9), a Rear Wheel (10), a Drivetrain Assembly (11), a Pedal Assembly (6), a Seat Assembly (5), Handlebar Assembly (7), a hard Tail (2) or a movable Tail (2) which is supported by a Suspension Assembly (4) and a hard Fork (3) or a telescopic Fork (3), the mutually slidable parts of which are interconnected by a Suspension Assembly (4). Further, a center of the Front Wheel (9), a center of the Rear Wheel (10), a Bottom Bracket (6.1) center, a Seat (5.1) connection and a Handlebar (7.1) connection form the vertices of a pentagon, the shape of which is slope-modifiable by at least one positionally adjustable vertex, when Suspension Assemblies (4) are unloaded. |
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| US09056643B2 |
Induction generator for a bi-cycle
The invention provides a generator for a bicycle. The generator has one or more driving magnets fixed to a wheel of the bicycle and an induction structure that is fixed to a frame part of the bicycle. The induction structure comprises an induction magnet and a coil. A fixture allows fixing of the driving magnets at locations where they, during operation of the bicycle, repeatedly moves towards and away from the induction magnet. The generator comprises means for reorienting the induction magnet so that it is optimally oriented when a driving magnet approaches. Such means comprises a first driving magnet or a structure of magnetisable material which is magnetisable by the driving magnet. |
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| US09056640B2 |
Retractable vertical mount bicycle storage rack
The invention (10), Retractable Vertical Mount Bicycle Storage Rack, is a manufactured mechanical assembly that serves as a stationary bicycle storage device, where a bicycle is conveniently stored in a vertical configuration. The invention is a mechanical mechanism that extends outward away from its mounting surface (example=wall, post, etc.) creating an articulating cradle-like assembly for allowing a bicycle to be stored vertically, and may be retracted towards its mounting surface when not in use. The invention utilizes mechanical geometry to maintain its position in both positions, extended and retracted. The bicycle maintains its position with gravity and only contacts the invention with its front tire, thus protecting any delicate bicycle components from physical contact with the storage rack. |
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| US09056633B2 |
Body structure, in particular floor structure, for a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a car body structure, especially a substructure, for a motor vehicle, with beam components that create defined load paths in collision situations. According to the invention, the beam components situated in the area of at least one defined load path—especially a head-on collision load path and/or a side collision load path and/or a rear-end collision load path—at least partially comprise high-strength beam components, preferably completely through-hardened or at least partially through-hardened high-strength beam components, made out of a hot-worked or press-hardened steel sheet, said beam components being joined to each other directly or indirectly, preferably directly, especially being joined to each other positively or non-positively and/or by bonding. |
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| US09056628B2 |
Steering column roll strap
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an energy absorbing device for a steering column assembly is provided. The device includes a first end configured to couple to a first component of the steering column assembly, a second end configured to couple to a second component of the steering column, and an intermediate portion extending between the first and second ends. The intermediate portion includes a curved portion having a radius, and an aperture extending through the intermediate portion. The aperture is configured to shift a collapse characteristic of the energy absorbing device and to facilitate maintaining the radius constant when a force moves the first end relative to the second end and deforms the energy absorbing device. |
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| US09056626B2 |
Electric power steering apparatus
An electric power steering apparatus that is capable of efficiently suppressing vibrations and simultaneously minimizing steering performance degradation such as an increase in a steering wheel's viscous feeling by extracting a vibration component having an arbitrary amplitude and an arbitrary frequency range depending on an electric power steering state parameter and feeding back a vibration suppression compensation value determined depending on the extracted vibration component to a current command value. The apparatus includes a current command value determining section that determines a current command value based on a steering torque and a velocity; a vibration extraction filter that extracts a vibration component having a predetermined amplitude and a predetermined frequency range depending on an electric power steering state parameter; and a compensation value determining section that determines a vibration suppression compensation value based on the vibration component extracted by the vibration extraction filter. |
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| US09056625B2 |
Vehicle steering system
There is provided a vehicle steering system that facilitates fine steering of a vehicle body regardless of the operated state of a steering wheel. The steering wheel is provided with a lever used to operate the steering wheel. A support mechanism supports and rotates the lever relative to the steering wheel such that the lever is tiltable in the rightward direction and the leftward direction relative to the vehicle body regardless of a turning angle of the steering wheel. The support mechanism includes a support member fixed to the steering wheel, a base disposed on the support member and rotatably supported by the support member, and a gear mechanism used to rotate the base as the steering wheel is turned. |
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| US09056623B1 |
Game transporting apparatus and method of use
A game animal transporting apparatus having a support tube attachable to the rear hitch of a transport vehicle and a support frame attachable to the support tube to function as an exterior cargo carrier. The support frame is rotatable in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction for ease of loading objects onto the support frame. The support frame is lockable in a horizontal position for transport. The support frame is detachable from the support tube. A handle and wheel assembly are attachable to the support frame to form a mobile utility cart. The cart can be wheeled to a remote location to retrieve a game animal and then returned to the transport vehicle, after which, the support frame can be secured to the support tube, the handle and wheel assembly can be detached, and the game animal can be transported to another location. |
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| US09056621B1 |
Folding trolley
A folding trolley includes a folding trolley frame and a storage pocket. Said trolley frame includes side brackets and a bottom support bracket; said side bracket comprises two cross connecting rods hinged at the central point; said bottom support bracket includes bottom support rods and a central hinged seat. the side bracket is a multi-stage connecting rod structure, including at least two pairs of corresponding hinged connecting rods; the ends of the connecting rods are hinged to form pocket support ends; said storage pocket is provide with downward openings; a pulling member corresponding to the location of said central hinged seat and used for folding the trolley body is provided at the interior bottom of said storage pocket. The trolley can realize convenient fold of the whole body, increase edge strength of the storage pocket, and ease using operation for different users, and has stable structure and larger loading capacity. |
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| US09056619B2 |
System providing baby bag, backpack and stroller functionality
A system is configured to provide functionality of a stroller, a bag and a backpack to transport a child and equipment. The system has a frame with front legs, back legs and support handles connected to a central hub on the right and left sides. The push handles are each connected to an adjustable strap and a cushioned strap which can be used to carry the system as a backpack. A backrest is attached to the push handles and a seat is connected to the backrest in order to rotate the legs and handles together to be a backpack or apart to be a stroller. An upper compartment can be attached to the backrest which is used as a bag in either configuration. |
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| US09056612B2 |
Driving force control device for hybrid vehicle and driving force control method for hybrid vehicle
A driving force control device for a hybrid vehicle includes: a travel load calculation unit adapted to divide a predicted route from a current position to a predetermined distance ahead into a plurality of intervals, and to estimate a travel load in each interval; a recommended discharge amount calculation unit adapted to search for a regeneration possible interval, in which a travel condition required by a driver can be maintained even when an output of an internal combustion engine is stopped and regeneration is performed by a motor/generator, from an estimation result, and to estimate a charge amount expected value in the regeneration possible interval, and distributes the charge amount expected value preferentially to an adjacent interval to the regeneration possible interval as a recommended discharge amount in order to stop the output of the internal combustion engine; and an energy management unit that controls an operation of the motor/generator in the current position on the basis of a travel condition, a state of charge, and the recommended discharge amount in the current position. |
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| US09056611B2 |
Engine start control apparatus
An engine start control apparatus/method for a series hybrid vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an engine, a motor/generator, a battery unit chargeable with electric power generated by the motor/generator, and a traction motor operable to receive electric power from the battery unit or motor/generator. A demanded power level is determined based on a sensed vehicle speed level and a sensed accelerator pedal position. A discharge capacity level of the battery unit is determined in terms of a power level available from the battery unit. The engine starting procedure is initiated upon the determined demanded power level reaching a predetermined relationship with the determined discharge capacity level so that the motor/generator is enabled to generate electric power before the determined demanded power level reaches the determined discharge capacity level. |
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| US09056609B2 |
Powertrain control system
The present application relates to a powertrain control system (1) for a motor vehicle. The vehicle has an internal combustion engine (5) coupled to a transmission (9). The transmission (9) is operable in a high range and a low range. The powertrain control system (1) has a stop/start controller (11) for issuing an engine stop request signal when one or more conditions have been met. An inhibitor (15) is also provided for inhibiting operation of the stop/start controller (11) when the low range is selected. The application also relates to a method of operating a motor vehicle power-train. |
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| US09056606B1 |
System and method for controlling a stop/start system for a vehicle engine
A system and method for controlling a stop/start system for an engine in a vehicle include auto starting the engine in response to a transmission gear lever being shifted out of DRIVE when the engine has been auto stopped while the gear lever is in DRIVE. The auto starting is further in response to the gear lever being shifted into another gear and a vehicle brake being released within a predetermined time interval after the gear lever is moved into the other gear. |
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| US09056605B2 |
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. |
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| US09056602B2 |
Vehicle brake device
A vehicle brake device is provided with a regulator for generating a servo pressure acting on a master piston in a master cylinder, based on a pilot pressure. The regulator is provided with a brake fluid absorbing section communicating with a first pilot chamber for absorbing the brake fluid as the pilot pressure in the first pilot chamber in the quantity depending on the fluid pressure in the first pilot chamber. The brake fluid absorbing section comprises a piston receiving portion formed in a second piston and opening to the first pilot chamber, a pressure receiving piston slidably received in the piston receiving portion and making the first pilot chamber variable in capacity, and an urging member urging the pressure receiving piston toward the first pilot chamber side. |
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| US09056595B2 |
Windshield wiper drive
A windshield wiper drive for a motor vehicle, with a reverse-operating driving motor for driving a wiper shaft which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a wiper arm, and with a fastening plate for fastening the windshield wiper drive to a vehicle body or to a component mounted on the body, wherein a first end stop surface for limiting the rotational movement of the wiper shaft in a first direction of rotation is provided on the fastening plate and/or on a component fixed to the fastening plate. |
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| US09056588B2 |
Control apparatus, an on-vehicle device and a system
A control apparatus configured to control communication between an on-vehicle device and a device coupled to the on-vehicle device via a cable, the control apparatus including a cable length detecting part configured to detect a length of the cable and a power supply voltage controlling part configured to control, based on the length of the cable detected by the cable length detecting part, a power supply voltage in a connector connected to the device by changing a power supply voltage applied to a power supply line of the cable. |
|
| US09056587B2 |
ROPS mount for work vehicle display interface
An adjustable mounting assembly capable of mounting an operator display interface to the ROPS of a work vehicle that has front and rear implements, such as the front loader and rear excavator of a backhoe. The adjustable mounting assembly can have a telescoping compound slide assembly with at least one movable rail and slider. The moveable rail and slider can translate to move a display mount linearly between the front or rear of the vehicle. A display bracket can rotate about a generally vertical axis. Detents or other positioning elements can be provided on the rails and slider as well as at preset angular orientations of the display mount. The adjustable mounting assembly thus allows the vehicle operator to readily adjust the display interface to be viewable when in the front and rear facing seating orientations of the vehicle. |
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| US09056583B2 |
Operating apparatus and operating control method of side step of vehicle
An operating apparatus and operating control method of a side step of a vehicle controls the opening operation of the side step by being operated in conjunction with an operation of a vehicle door and by detecting whether an obstacle is present or not in an opening operation space of a side step of left front, left rear, right front and right rear side steps (11, 12, 13 and 14), opens the side step when it is determined that no obstacle is present in the opening operation space of the side step, and provides an alarm to a user when it is required to avoid the opening of the side step. |
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| US09056581B2 |
On-vehicle light distribution control system
An on-vehicle light distribution control system (100) for controlling light distribution of headlights (3), includes a vehicle detecting unit (10) configured to detect a front vehicle (LV) travelling in front of a self-vehicle; a detection difficulty determining unit (12) configured to determine difficulty of the detection by the vehicle detecting unit (10); an operational condition changing unit (14) configured to change an operational condition of light distribution control according to a determination result of the detection difficulty determining unit (12); and a light distribution control state display unit (13) configured to display a present state of the light distribution control for which the operational condition is changed by the operational condition changing unit (14). |
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| US09056580B2 |
Vehicle illuminated loading floor and profiled element for a loading floor
A loading floor for a vehicle including a plurality of elongate profiled elements in a longitudinal direction, arranged adjacent to one another and connected together, wherein the loading floor has at least one through-channel in the longitudinal direction and at least one lamp for illuminating an interior of the vehicle, wherein at least one supply line is guided in the channel for supplying power to the lamp. A profiled element for such a loading floor is also provided. |
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| US09056578B2 |
Lamp for vehicle
A single board is adaptable to lamps for a vehicle of various designs. A lamp for a vehicle includes: an LED light source; a board having a mounting portion on which the LED light source is mounted; and a reflector member which is arranged such that the reflector member covers the LED light source, the reflector member reflecting light emitted from the LED light source with the directivity, wherein the mounting portion is formed of a plurality of mounting portions which are arranged at least in one direction out of the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle lateral direction such that the arrangement of the LED light source is selectable from plural kinds of arrangements, and the reflector member is detachably attached to the board such that the reflector member having a shape corresponding to the arrangement of the LED is selectable. |
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| US09056572B2 |
Safety cone and barrell placement and retrieval apparatus
An apparatus for placing and retrieving traffic devices in an efficient manner and with improved safety features is disclosed. The apparatus is particularly suitable for use with traffic barrels and other large items needed to block off roadway construction areas. The apparatus is also suitable for use with existing trucks, reducing the need to purchase expensive and complicated equipment, and may be adapted to allow traffic devices to be placed or retrieved from either side of the truck. The time required for placing traffic devices and the safety of operators is improved with use of the apparatus according to the invention. |
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| US09056570B2 |
Variable thermal resistance device for vehicular seats
A seating assembly comprising: a frame having an opening; a support surface spanning the opening in the frame; a variable thermal resistance device that opposes the support surface when the variable thermal resistance device is in a closed state in which airflow is obstructed, the variable thermal resistance device being movable from the closed state to an open state in which airflow is not obstructed and from the open state to the closed state; and an actuator coupled to the variable thermal resistance device. The actuator is operable to actuate movement of the variable thermal resistance device between the open and closed states. |
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| US09056568B2 |
Seat back structure for vehicle
A seat back structure for a vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention including a headrest, a seat back frame, a pad disposed in front of a surface of the seat back frame, a backrest surface of the pad, and right and left side supports each provided on either side of the backrest surface in a seat width direction, in which a right slit portion and a left slit portion are provided between the backrest surface and the right and the left side supports, respectively, each of the right slit portion and the left slit portion penetrating the pad in the thickness direction of the pad and extending in a vertical direction of the pad, and the right and the left slit portions are spaced apart from each other in the seat width direction. |
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| US09056565B2 |
Device for locking and unlocking a first hardware component and a second hardware component, particularly of a motor vehicle seat, relative to each other
A device locks and unlocks a first hardware component and a second hardware component relative to each other, particularly for a motor vehicle seat. The first hardware component and the second hardware component form a housing having an interior and are disposed on a common axis. At least one latching device is disposed in a first plane perpendicular to the axis and at least one second latching device is disposed in a second plane also perpendicular to the axis and displaced along the axis relative to the first plane. The first latching device comprises a first latch and first retaining cam and the second latching device comprises a second latch and a second retaining cam. |
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| US09056563B2 |
Adjustment means for a vehicle seat
An adjustment device for a vehicle seat, by which the inclination angle of the backrest of the vehicle seat can be adjusted relative to the seating part, has an adjustment range that is adjustable by removable stops. |
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| US09056562B2 |
Actuator device for the seat adjustment in a motor vehicle
An actuator device for the seat adjustment in a motor vehicle, exhibiting at least one ratchet fitting (1), a transmission element (2) and an actuator element (3), whereby the transmission element (2) is centered in the ratchet fitting (1) with a centering element (4) such that the centering element (4) allows for a limited torsional backlash between the transmission element (2) and the ratchet fitting (1) and creates a restoring force against the rotation, whereby said transmission element (2) is connected in a torsionally stiff manner to the actuator element (3), whereby the actuator element (3) is connected in a form-fitting manner to the centering element (4). |
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| US09056555B1 |
Vehicle charge robot
A robotic electric vehicle charging device operable to automatically plug in an electric charging connector to charge the battery pack of an electrically powered vehicle. When charging is completed, the device will disconnect itself from the vehicle and move away from the vehicle. |
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| US09056552B2 |
Method and system for charging a plug-in electric vehicle
A system and method for charging a battery in a plug-in electric vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the method determines if a delayed battery charging feature is active and if the battery is severely depleted. If both conditions are satisfied, the method enables a priority charging feature that temporarily overrides the delayed charging feature and begins charging the battery according to a priority charging process until it reaches a level where it is no longer severely depleted. At this point, the method may terminate the priority charging process and initiate the delayed charging process, which is designed to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates, anticipated times of vehicle use, etc. |
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| US09056551B2 |
Braking system contactor control and/or monitoring system and method
A braking system can include a monitor circuit and/or a contactor control circuit. The braking system utilizes a number of contactors coupled between a power bus. The contactors selectively provide power to resistive elements. The monitor circuit is configured to determine the number of closed contactors of the contactors using current transformers. The contactor control circuit is configured to open and close the contactors. The control circuit includes a solid state timer circuit for each coil associated with the contactors. The solid state timer circuit bypasses a resistive element in series with the coil for a period of time. |
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| US09056549B2 |
Haptic tracking remote control for driver information center system
A control interface system for a driver of a vehicle comprises a touchscreen, a control module, and a display. The touchscreen is located proximate to the driver of the vehicle and upon driver interaction therewith is operable to generate a sensor signal. The control module is adapted to receive the sensor signal from the touchscreen and is operable to initiate control of a vehicle function and to generate a haptic feedback signal in response thereto. The touchscreen is adapted to receive the haptic feedback signal from the control module and is operable to provide haptic feedback to the driver of the vehicle in response thereto. The display is embedded in an instrument panel of the vehicle and provides an indicia of the vehicle function controlled by the touchscreen and of driver interaction therewith. |
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| US09056548B2 |
Work vehicle
Systems and methods are disclosed for improving operability of a work vehicle. In accordance with one implementation, a work vehicle is disclosed. The work vehicle includes a first PTO shaft and a second PTO shaft, the first and second PTO shafts being removably mounted to a vehicle body rear structure and fitted to a power receiving unit on an implement side. The work vehicle also includes a PTO drive mechanism comprising a PTO transmission mechanism, the PTO drive mechanism transmitting rotational power from a power source to the first PTO shaft, and a storage unit storing the second PTO shaft. The work vehicle further includes a PTO transmission operation lever allowing a transmission operation to be performed on the PTO transmission mechanism, wherein the PTO transmission operation lever and the storage unit are provided in the vehicle body rear structure. |
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| US09056547B2 |
Work machine
A work machine includes: a frame; an engine; an exhaust gas control device; a compartment cover; a compartment cover supporting member; an engine hood; an exhaust gas control device supporting member that suspends the exhaust gas control device downward through the opening and supports the exhaust gas control device in a suspended state; and an opening cover, wherein: the exhaust gas control device supporting member includes a mounting portion that is attached to the exhaust gas control device and a fastening portion that is supported by, and fastened to, the reinforcing member, and when the fastening portion is unfastened, the exhaust gas control device supporting member is removable above the opening together with the exhaust gas control device attached to the mounting portion. |
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| US09056545B2 |
Power unit for vehicle
A transmission partly overlapping clutches as viewed from an axial direction of a crankshaft is disposed below an inclined cylinder axis of an engine main body. A speed change actuator is disposed in a position such that the transmission is interposed between the speed change actuator and the crankshaft. An exhaust pipe connected to a lower side wall of a cylinder head is extended so as to pass above the transmission and partly overlap an upper portion of the speed change actuator as viewed from the axial direction of the crankshaft. |
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| US09056537B2 |
Method to reduce load transfer between axles of a common set during braking
When a vehicle decelerates quickly or otherwise experiences a hard brake event, the described systems and methods facilitate reducing load transfer between axles of a common set of axles (e.g. a tandem axle, a tridem axle, etc.). Transfer of suspension pressure from a dynamically unloaded axle to a more loaded axle is limited by a suspension control component such as a valve or solenoid or the like that closes upon detection of a hard brake event in order to lock air in the suspension components of the respective axles. This in turn limits the dynamically unloaded axle from lifting, thereby permitting it to contribute more significantly to the braking effort and improving stopping distance. |
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| US09056536B2 |
Adjustable length electrical connector for a tractor trailer assembly with disconnect handle and method therefor
An electrical connector plug configured for use with tractor-trailers has an elongated housing having a hollow interior. A female electrical connector is coupled to a first end of the housing. An electrical cable is coupled to a second end of the housing. A ridge member is formed on a top surface of the housing. A collar is movable along a length of the housing. A locking mechanism is used to secure the collar at different lengths on the housing. A handle is hingly coupled to the collar to disengage the electrical connector plug from an electrical connector. |
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| US09056535B2 |
Hitch detecting system
A hitch detecting system for a vehicle. The system includes a coupling assembly arranged to connect the vehicle to a hitchable apparatus. A sensor is operably coupled to the coupling assembly and monitors one or more parameters related to the coupling assembly. A controller is provided in communication with the sensor. The controller is operable to change, during operation of the vehicle, one or more functions of the vehicle in response to information detected by the sensor. |
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| US09056532B1 |
Tire condition advisory system
A pressure detection device and a controller in communication with the device are used to implement a tire pressure optimization system for a vehicle. The pressure detection device detects a vehicle tire's inflation pressure. The controller is programmed to identify the vehicle as being in a warning state when the inflation pressure is below a warning low pressure threshold, identify the vehicle as being in an optimum state when the inflation pressure is within an optimum pressure range where the vehicle will exhibit optimum performance, and identify the vehicle as being in an advisory state when the inflation pressure is within an advisory pressure range where the vehicle will exhibit an undesirable performance characteristic. The advisory pressure range is outside of the optimum pressure range and above the warning low pressure threshold. |
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| US09056527B2 |
Rubber composition for tire and pneumatic tire
Provided are a rubber composition for a tire which can achieve good handling stability, good fuel economy, good elongation at break, and good steering response in a balanced manner while maintaining good extrusion processability; and a pneumatic tire produced using the rubber composition. The rubber composition includes: 100 parts by mass of a rubber component; 0.5 to 20 parts by mass of an alkylphenol resin; and 0.04 to 10 parts by mass of a methylene donor, wherein the alkylphenol resin is produced from formaldehyde and at least two compounds selected from the group consisting of a 2-alkylphenol, a 3-alkylphenol, and a 4-alkylphenol, and a total amount of the free 2-alkylphenol, 3-alkylphenol, and 4-alkylphenol in the alkylphenol resin is not more than 3% by mass. |
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| US09056525B2 |
Anti-skid systems for vehicle tires on icy road conditions and method therefor
A method of increasing the friction between a tire of a vehicle and an icy surface includes dispensing a cooling agent such that at least a portion of the dispensed cooling agent is distributed between the tire of the vehicle and the icy surface. |
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| US09056522B2 |
Tapered roller wheel bearing assembly
A tapered roller wheel bearing assembly may include: a hub provided with a hub flange for mounting a wheel formed radial outwardly at an end portion thereof and a hub raceway formed at a side portion close to the hub flange; an outer ring enclosing the hub and provided with an outer raceway corresponding to the hub raceway on an interior circumference thereof; and a tapered roller disposed between the hub raceway and the outer raceway and allowing a relative rotation of the hub and the outer ring, wherein a flange base is formed between the hub flange and the hub raceway and a first undercut for grinding the hub raceway is formed at the flange base, and wherein a second undercut for dispersing stress concentrated on the first undercut is further formed at the flange base. |
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| US09056520B2 |
Embossing apparatus
An embossing apparatus comprises an embossing die comprising a printed relief pattern, and a resilient surface for pressing media against the embossing die to emboss features corresponding to the printed relief pattern on the media, in which the printed relief pattern comprises a number of layers of a deposited material, and in which a number of layers of the deposited material closest to the top of the printed relief pattern comprises a deposited material with a relatively lower coefficient of adhesion than layers of the deposited material disposed under the deposited material closest to the top of the printed relief pattern. A printed relief pattern for embossing media comprises a number of preliminary layers, the preliminary layers comprising a first material, and a number of terminal layers, the terminal layers comprising a second material, in which the second material has a lower adhesive coefficient than the first material. |
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| US09056518B2 |
Ballpoint pen tip, ballpoint pen refill, and ballpoint pen
A ballpoint pen tip in which ink grooves are formed around an ink guide hole at equally distributed places, the ink guide hole connecting a ball house and a back hole of a holder for holding the writing ball, and the ink grooves radially penetrate through from the ball house side to the front end portion of the back hole. Inward protrusions are formed at positions which are respectively in contact with the rear ends of the ink grooves. If the inner diameter of the ink guide hole is A, the inner diameter of the front end portion of the back hole is B, the diameter of the circle circumscribing the ink grooves is C, and the diameter of the circle inscribing the inward protrusions is D, their relationships are A | |
| US09056516B2 |
Page-turning device and document camera system
A page-turning device turning a page of a book includes a sticking part, an arm part and a drive unit. The sticking part sticks to the page of the book being opened. The arm part is provided with the sticking part on a top end and swings such that the sticking part sticks to the page at a departure position of the page and separates from the page at a destination position of the page while the sticking part goes to and fro between the departure position and the destination position over the page of the book. The drive unit swings the arm part around a drive shaft of the drive unit. The drive shaft is inclined with respect to a seam of the opened book and/or a plane on which the book is disposed. |
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| US09056514B2 |
Thermal clear laminate donor element
A thermal transfer donor element has a polymeric support having at least a portion thereof coated with a thermal transferable protective transparent film. This film comprises: (1) a poly(vinyl acetal) in an amount of at least 50-70 weight %, (2) a second polymer, and (3) colloidal silica. In addition, (a) the molecular weight of the second polymer is greater than the molecular weight of the poly(vinyl acetal), (b) the weight ratio of the poly(vinyl acetal) to the second polymer is at least 5:1 and up to and including 12:1, (c) the weight ratio of colloidal silica to the second polymer is at least 1.5:1 and up to and including 3:1, and (d) the amount of colloidal silica is at least 10 weight % and up to and including 20 weight %, based on total thermal transferable protective transparent film dry weight. |
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| US09056511B2 |
Method and apparatus for calibrating spot color
The present invention provides a method for calibrating a spot color comprising: determining a target value for the spot color; and calibrating a printing device in an enumeration cycling manner, so that a spot color measurement value of a color block output by the printing device approximates the target value. The present invention further provides an apparatus for calibrating a spot color, comprising: a target module used for determining a target value for the spot color; a calibrating module used for calibrating a printing device in an enumeration cycling manner, so that a spot color measurement value of a color block output by the printing device approximates the target value. The present invention precisely calibrates the spot color of the printing device. |
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| US09056510B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus A includes: a light irradiation device 3 which irradiates laser light; an image carrying body 1 which is exposed to the laser light to form a latent image on the exposed portion; and an abutting member 31 which is fastened to the light irradiation device in abutting contact with a stationary member F for defining a reference position. The abutting member 31 changes in volume due to temperature fluctuation, and the light irradiation device 3 moves with respect to the stationary member F, in an opposite direction to a focal point shift which has taken place along an irradiation direction of the laser light due to the temperature fluctuation. |
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| US09056507B2 |
Tape printing device with adhesive transfer mechanism before printing section
A printing device includes a driver rotating and driving a feeder roller feeding a printing target member, a printing section performing printing on the printing target member, a cutter cutting the printing target member, a transfer mechanism which is provided at an upstream side of the feeding direction of the printing target member over the printing section and which selectively causes a transfer member with an adhesive to be in contact with the printing target member while feeding the transfer member to transfer the adhesive, and a transfer controller controlling transfer/non-transfer. The transfer/non-transfer of the adhesive to the printing target member is controlled based on positive/reverse rotation of a motor, and a print tape with an adhesive on the whole surface, a partial adhesive or no adhesive at all and without a paper liner is freely creatable. |
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| US09056506B2 |
Recording apparatus and liquid ejecting apparatus
A recording apparatus includes a carriage which includes a recording head performing recording on a medium and is movable in a first direction; a shaft-shaped guide shaft which guides the carriage in the first direction and extends in the first direction; and a lubricant guiding unit which guides a lubricant to a sliding contact portion between the carriage and the guide shaft, wherein the lubricant guiding unit includes a cylindrical member which is loosely fitted on outside the guide shaft and the cylindrical member is rotated when the carriage is moved. |
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| US09056504B2 |
Paper-roll loading device for a printer of a payment terminal
A device is provided for loading a roll, including: a housing including a chamber defining an open cavity; and a roll support. The roll is rotatably mounted in the cavity. |
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| US09056500B2 |
Image recording apparatus and image recording method
An image recording apparatus includes: a heating section which is located further on the downstream side of a transport pathway than an image recording area, but further on the upstream side of the transport pathway than a transport roller which is rotated by a motor; and a control section which lowers the suction power of a suction section to a medium from a first suction power to a second suction power lower than the first suction power during a recording operation and makes a first torque which is generated at the motor in a period which is during the recording operation and in which the suction power of the suction section is a suction power lower than the first suction power, be lower than a second torque which is generated at the motor during a transport operation. |
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| US09056497B2 |
Printing control apparatus and printing control method for interruption printing
To execute printing on a continuous sheet by using a printing unit, a printing control apparatus includes a reversal unit, an input unit, and a printing control unit. The reversal unit reverses the continuous sheet to execute printing on a second surface of the continuous sheet after executing printing on a first surface of the continuous sheet. The input unit inputs an instruction for executing an interruption print job while executing printing by the printing unit. If instruction for executing the interruption print job is input while the printing of a two-sided print job on the continuous sheet has been currently executed, the printing control unit suspends the two-sided print job, causes the printing unit to execute the interruption print job, and resumes processing of the two-sided print job on the continuous sheet that has been held by the reversal unit after the interruption print job is completed. |
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| US09056493B2 |
Image forming apparatus which performs a cleaning operation to remove a film deposited in a motor
An image forming apparatus includes: a conveyance roller configured to convey recording sheets; a brush motor configured to drive the conveyance roller to rotate; and a control unit configured to control a rotational speed of the brush motor, wherein while the conveyance roller conveys a recording sheet, (i) the control unit applies voltage to an outer circumferential surface of a commutator of the brush motor to drive the brush motor to rotate by a predetermined rotation amount, so as to perform a cleaning operation to remove a film deposited on the outer circumferential surface, and (ii) the control unit reduces the rotational speed of the brush motor while not performing the cleaning operation, so as to correct a conveyance distance of the recording sheet. |
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| US09056492B2 |
Printing apparatus
A printing apparatus is an apparatus capable of performing double-sided printing on a sheet, and is provided with a receiving portion and a control portion. The receiving portion receives an instruction for changing a sheet having one side printed that is set to a paper feed tray into a sheet having both sides printed with same printing content. The control portion performs control, when the instruction is received, to feed the sheet having one side printed from the paper feed tray, and when the fed sheet is an odd-numbered page and is a final page, to discharge the sheet without newly performing printing, and when the fed sheet is an odd-numbered page and is not a final page, to print information printed on a next even-numbered page on a back side of the sheet. |
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| US09056490B2 |
Optical scanning device
In an optical scanning device, a first deflector rotates about a first axis in a first direction and deflects light to scan the deflected light, and a second deflector rotates about a second axis parallel to the first axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction and deflects light to scan the deflected light. The light detecting unit detects the light deflected by the first deflector and the light deflected by the second deflector. As viewed in an axial direction along the first and second axes, the light detecting unit is disposed on one side relative to a first line and between second and third lines, the first line passing through the first and second axes, the second line passing through the first axis and being perpendicular to the first line, and the third line passing through the second axis and being perpendicular to the first line. |
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| US09056485B2 |
Color medical imaging on film
A method of printing a high density image. An image is accessed, wherein the image has a plurality of pixels, and each pixel has an r,g,b value. For each pixel, each r,g,b value is separated into separate grayscale components and color components. A lookup table is applied to each grayscale and color component to generate an ink value for each of the print heads. The ink values are combined to produce a final ink output value for each pixel, and the final ink output values are employed for printing on medium using an ink-jet printer. |
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| US09056484B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head, an ink supply tube that supplies ink to the liquid ejecting head, a pressure control valve that opens as a result of depressurization on the liquid ejecting head side, a check valve provided upstream from the pressure control valve, an ink circulation tube that is connected at both ends to the ink supply tube between the pressure control valve and the check valve, and a tube pump provided in the ink circulation tube; in this configuration, by providing at least one of an ink return tube and a liquid reservoir portion that is capable of holding liquid in a liquid flow channel in a pressurized state, a rise in pressure within a circulating flow channel caused by pump operations can be suppressed. |
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| US09056482B2 |
Printing material supply system and cartridge
The cartridge comprises a plurality of printing material supply ports. The plurality of printing material supply ports are projecting from a first surface in a −Z axial direction to correspond to each of a plurality of printing material supply pipes provided on the printing device. A groove section is provided to be concave more to a +Z axial direction side than the first surface, and provided between two of the printing material supply ports adjacent to each other. The groove section receives the partition plate when the printing material supply ports are connected to the printing material supply pipes. |
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| US09056481B2 |
Cartridge, liquid ejection device, and liquid ejection system
The invention provides a technique for raising the reliability of contact between contact members of a liquid ejection device and terminals of a cartridge. A cartridge is configured to be removably mounted to a liquid ejection device including a first engaging portion and a conductive contact member that has elastic force and that is arranged so as to be adjacent to the first engaging portion. The cartridge includes a terminal arranged so as to be able to come into contact with the conductive contact member, and a first hook that can be engaged with the first engaging portion. |
|
| US09056477B2 |
Backpressure control unit, liquid ejecting head, and liquid ejecting apparatus
A backpressure control unit that introduces a liquid from an external liquid holding unit and supplies the liquid to a main head unit for ejecting the liquid via a nozzle opening includes a flow channel member having an introduction channel, a valve member, and a supply channel, and a cover that that combines a base portion and a cover portion and houses the flow channel member therewithin. This provides a backpressure control unit that improves yields by absorbing discrepancies in properties of backpressure control valves to the greatest extent possible while at the same time making it possible to change designs in a flexible manner. |
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| US09056476B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus
Provided is a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid through nozzle openings, and a wiper that sweeps a liquid ejection surface side of the liquid ejecting head, in which the liquid ejecting head includes a nozzle plate having the liquid ejection surface and a protection member that protrudes further on a liquid discharging side than the nozzle plate, and the wiper sweeps a surface of the protection member, which is an exterior surface of the protection member intended to be swept, toward the nozzle plate side, and then the wiper sweeps the liquid ejection surface so that the wiper moves away from the surface of the protection member and comes into contact with a portion between the nozzle openings on the nozzle plate and an end portion of the nozzle plate, which is located on an opposite side in a sweeping direction. |
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| US09056473B2 |
Printer having rotatable service modules embedded in fixed vacuum platen
A printing system includes: a fixed printhead assembly having an array of printheads and vacuum platen assembly. The vacuum platen assembly includes a fixed vacuum platen and a plurality of rotatable service modules embedded in the fixed vacuum platen. Each service module is positioned opposite a respective printhead, and each service module comprises a respective vacuum platen module. |
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| US09056471B2 |
Method of forming a nozzle of a fluid ejection device
A method of forming a nozzle of a fluid ejection device, the nozzle having a straight mouth portion and a cavity portion, wherein the mouth portion is formed in a bottom surface of the substrate, and, after passivating the walls of the mouth portion, a wet etch process is applied from the bottom surface of the substrate for forming a part of the cavity portion with walls that diverge from the mouth portion, characterized in that a wet etch process is also applied from a top surface of the substrate for forming a part of the cavity portion which diverges towards the bottom surface and merges with the part that is etched from the bottom surface. |
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| US09056464B2 |
System and method for optimized application of release agent in an inkjet printer with in-line coating
An inkjet printer and method therefore including a detector to monitor a quantity of release agent applied to a spreader drum. The inkjet printer includes a drum maintenance unit which applies the release agent to the spreader drum with a metering device, such as a metering blade, and determines a flow rate of unused release agent returned to a release agent sump. The determined flow rate of release agent provides a determination of the quantity of release agent applied to the spreader drum. Upon the determination that too much release agent has been applied based on the flow rate, an alert signal is generated indicating that the metering blade should be inspected and replaced if necessary. Monitoring the amount of release agent applied to the spreader drum in this way enables a more robust printing and in-line coating system. |
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| US09056463B2 |
Image recording apparatus, image processing apparatus, image recording method and image processing method, and recording medium
According to the present invention, recording density information indicating a recording density of a plurality of recording elements is acquired on the basis of a test chart for density measurement output to a recording medium after carrying out recording defect correction in respect of existing recording elements having a recording defect, recording elements which record in the periphery of a new recording element having a recording defect are extracted as correction hold recording elements on the basis of a test chart for recording defect detection output to the recording medium, predetermined density correction values are set in respect of the correction hold recording elements, density correction values calculated on the basis of the acquired recording density information are set in respect of recording elements other than the correction hold recording elements, and output image data is output to the recording medium on the basis of the set density correction values. |
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| US09056457B2 |
Image recording apparatus
Nozzles for ejecting color ink are aligned in the conveying direction of a recording sheet at a pitch corresponding to three times the pitch of nozzles ejecting black ink. A region in which an image is printed is divided into sixteen regions segmented into four parts in the scanning and conveying directions. Each region includes eight dots in the scanning direction and four dots in the conveying direction. With respect to regions which include one character, in one side attachment regions, black ink is ejected only when an ink jet head is moved to the right side. With respect to regions which include one character, in the other side attachment regions, black ink is ejected only when the ink jet head is moved to the left side. |
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| US09056452B2 |
Systems and methods for ink-based digital printing using variable data lithography inkjet imaging system
A system for ink-base digital printing includes an imaging member; an inkjet system for applying a base marking material to the imaging member to for a pattern according to digital image data; a dampening fluid metering system configured for applying dampening fluid to the imaging member after the applying base marking material; and an inking system configured for applying ink to the imaging member, the ink adhering to the base marking material pattern. Methods include jetting base marking material onto the imaging member according to image data, applying dampening fluid, inking the imaging member, and optionally pre-curing the resulting ink image, which enables 99% or greater transfer of the applied ink from the imaging member to a substrate. |
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| US09056450B2 |
Method of mounting a flexographic printing plate with structured patterned backing tape
A method of mounting a flexographic printing plate with structured patterned backing tape includes attaching a first end of a structured patterned backing tape to a printing plate cylinder at a scribe line. The structured patterned backing tape is wrapped around the printing plate cylinder. A second end of the structured patterned backing tape is cut at the scribe line. A first end of a flexographic printing plate is attached to the printing plate cylinder at an offset seam location ahead of the scribe line. The flexographic printing plate is wrapped around the printing plate cylinder. A second end of the flexographic printing plate is cut at the offset seam location. |
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| US09056448B2 |
Fiber reinforced composite structure having stepped surface
Fiber reinforced composite structures having curved stepped surfaces are fabricated by laying up plies of fiber reinforced material over a tool having a stepped tool feature. The plies are rotated about a fixed axis as they are laid up to substantially form a fixed axis rosette pattern. The plies are angularly oriented such that at least certain of the plies have fiber orientations other than 0, +45, −45 and 90 degrees. Potential bridging of the fibers over the stepped tool features is reduced or eliminated by cutting slits in the plies in the area of the stepped features, so that the plies can be fully compacted. |
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| US09056446B2 |
Absorbent food pad
An absorbent food pad having an active agent positioned selectively in a pad architecture to provide superior performance. |
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| US09056441B2 |
Emblem assembly and method of forming same
A method of forming an emblem assembly configured for attachment to a vehicle includes positioning a mask adjacent and in contact with a second element so that the mask covers only a selected portion of the second element and does not cover an exposed portion of the second element. The method includes vacuum metalizing a first coating onto only the exposed portion, wherein the first coating has a distal edge surface abutting the mask, and, after vacuum metalizing, removing the mask from the second element to uncover the selected portion. The method includes depositing a back coating onto only the first coating and the selected portion to thereby wrap the back coating around the distal edge surface, and, after depositing, inserting the second element into a first element configured for attachment to the vehicle so that the first coating does not contact the first element to form the assembly. |
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| US09056440B2 |
Holding seal material, exhaust gas purifying apparatus and method of manufacturing holding seal material
A holding seal material includes inorganic fibers, skin layers provided around the inorganic fibers, inorganic particles included in the skin layers, a first main surface, and a second main surface. Thicknesses of the skin layers satisfy X>Y≧Z. X is a thickness of the skin layer of the inorganic fibers in a vicinity of the first main surface. Y is a thickness of the skin layer of the inorganic fibers in a vicinity of a center of the holding seal material in a thickness direction. Z is a thickness of the skin layer of the inorganic fibers in a vicinity of the second main surface. |
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| US09056439B2 |
Breathable insulation for corrosion reduction
Apparatuses for insulation and a method for insulating a pipeline are disclosed. An insulation layer may include a flexible polyurethane foam. The foam may be generated by polymerization in a pressurizable chamber at a pressure sufficient to prevent the foam from completely filling the chamber. The foam may be configured to carry moisture away from an object when disposed against the object. |
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| US09056437B2 |
Surface-coated sintered body
A surface-coated sintered body includes a sintered body of cubic boron nitride (cBN) and a surface coating layer formed on a surface thereof, the sintered body of cBN containing 20 to 99.5% by volume of cBN and a binder, the surface coating layer including an adhesion layer and at least one hard coating layer, the adhesion layer being a metal layer containing at least W and being formed to cover a portion of the surface of the sintered body of cBN, the hard coating layer being formed to cover the sintered body of cBN and the adhesion layer, a ratio of cBN particles in contact with the adhesion layer to a total number of cBN particles in contact with the adhesion layer or the hard coating layer in the surface of the sintered body of cBN being 0.01 to 20%. |
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| US09056433B2 |
Camera module and light blocking layer forming method thereof
A camera module according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure includes a lens holder configured to support a plurality of sheets of lenses, an actuator configured to be arranged at an upper surface of the lens holder, an outermost lens configured to move along an optical axis by the actuator, and a light blocking layer configured to be positioned on a surface of the outermost lens. |
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| US09056432B2 |
High-density mask for three-dimensional substrates and methods for making the same
A method for fabricating high-density masks for non-planar or three-dimensional substrates utilizes a mandrel having one or more precision forms machined therein. Once the mandrel with one or more forms is fabricated, one or more mask blanks may be constructed thereon. The final masks may be cut from one or more mask blanks. |
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| US09056430B2 |
Casing wall for an apparatus
A casing wall for an apparatus, the casing wall comprising including a chassis and casing wall elements integrated into the chassis, the casing wall elements each including a surface exposed to a user, the chassis defining a continuum between the integrated casing wall elements to provide structural rigidity to the casing wall. |
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| US09056425B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for lining conduits
A method for inverting a tubular liner in a hollow conduit involves: forming a cuff from the tubular liner, the cuff having an opening through which the liner is fed; and while feeding the liner through the cuff opening, feeding a gas under pressure through a gas inlet port formed in the liner to a space between the cuff and the remainder of the liner, thereby causing inversion and inflation of the liner into and through the conduit. After a portion of the liner has been inverted in the conduit, a region of the cuff and liner upstream of the gas inlet port is sealed off, thereby causing inversion of the remainder of the liner in the conduit. Optionally, before a trailing end of the liner is fed through the opening of the cuff, the trailing end is sealed to prevent flow of gas therefrom. When the liner is intended to line the conduit, the liner resin-impregnated either outside or in the conduit and, after complete inversion of the liner in the conduit, the resin is cured and the ends of the liner are sealed to the inside surfaces of the conduit. An apparatus and system for conducting the method are also provided. |
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| US09056424B2 |
Methods of transferring graphene and manufacturing device using the same
A method of transferring graphene includes forming a sacrificial layer and a graphene layer sequentially on a first substrate, bonding the graphene layer to a target layer, and removing the sacrificial layer using a laser and separating the first substrate from the graphene layer. |
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| US09056421B2 |
Methods and systems for dimensional inspection of compensated hardware
A manufacturing method is adapted for materials that are susceptible to deformation during the manufacturing process, such as composite parts that change shape during curing. The method includes modifying a part design to compensate for changes in the shape of the part that occur during a curing phase of the manufacturing process. A manufacturing mold is created according to the modified part design, then a part is formed in the mold and cured in the mold. While the part is still in the mold after the curing phase, the part is finished according to the modified part design wherein excess material is removed and apertures are created. While the part is still in the mold after the finishing phase, the finished part is inspected using automated inspection equipment to confirm that the finished part conforms to the modified part design. |
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| US09056416B2 |
Injection molding apparatus
An injection molding apparatus has at least two mold clamping mechanisms for clamping respective molds. A hydraulic pressure supply source supplies hydraulic pressure to the at least two mold clamping mechanisms to clamp the respective molds. A a hydraulic-pressure-supply-destination selection section is configured to allow hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic pressure supply source to be selectively supplied to any one of the two mold clamping mechanisms. At least two injecting machines are configured to inject resin material to the respective molds clamped by the respective two mold clamping mechanisms. A non-hydraulic power supply source drives the at least two injecting machines to inject the resin material. |
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| US09056415B2 |
Method of manufacture of fillets for aircraft assemblies or the like and a forming device
A forming device and a method of manufacture of a fillet of plastic for aircraft assemblies. The fillet has a pre-determined profile for filling a cavity of a structural element. The fillet is formed using a former of a forming device. The method includes applying at least one blank of a base material of plastic between at least two opposed press beds of the former and at least one of the press beds including an elongated groove. At least one press bed is towards another press bed, until the press beds are in position for completed compression of the fillet. Each groove for forming of the fillet generates a fillet in correspondence with the pre-determined profile. The press beds are separated from each other for releasing the formed fillet. The formed fillet is removed from the former. The formed fillet is applied in the cavity. |
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| US09056413B1 |
Method and portable station for laying up and curing composite resin parts
A composite resin part is fabricated by laying up a composite part on the mandrel mounted on a portable cart. The cart is used to transport the part layup as it is being cured by a heating and air circulation system on-board the cart. |
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| US09056412B2 |
Process for the production of high internal phase emulsion foams
A method for reducing the adherence of a High Internal Phase Emulsion (HIPE) to belt surfaces in a multi-tiered curing oven is provided. The method comprises forming a High Internal Phase Emulsion from an oil phase comprising monomer, cross-linking agent, emulsifier, an aqueous phase and photoinitiator; depositing the High Internal Phase Emulsion on an extrusion belt; exposing the High Internal Phase Emulsion to an Ultraviolet light source to partially polymerize the top surface of the High Internal Phase Emulsion; moving the High Internal Phase Emulsion to a multi-tiered curing oven such that the partially polymerized top surface of the High Internal Phase Emulsion is contacted with a curing oven belt in the multi-tiered curing oven; and polymerizing the monomer component in the oil phase of the High Internal Phase Emulsion at a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 150° C. for a time sufficient to from a High Internal Phase Emulsion foam. |
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| US09056411B2 |
Method for filling hollow cavities with polymer foam
Cavities are partially or entirely filled with a polymer foam. A flexible, porous mesh tube is introduced into the cavity. The mesh tube has a volume smaller than that of the cavity and has openings. A foamable liquid mixture is introduced into the mesh tube. Despite the presence of the openings, the foamable liquid mixture does not pass through the openings in the mesh tube. The captured liquid composition then expands. As the composition expands, it flows through the openings in the mesh tube and makes contact with the walls of the cavity. After curing, a polymer foam is obtained which adheres to the cavity walls. |
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| US09056410B2 |
Pad formation method, assembly and pad produced thereby
A foam cushion pad formation assembly that includes a conveyance assembly having at least one moving conveyor component presenting a pad shape formation surface, which surface is convoluted and arranged to shape sealed enclosures of a pad chain received by the conveyance assembly. A separation device is provided to separate shaped pads of the pad chain received by said conveyor device. The shaped pads include convoluted surface that are formed by way of gripping projection and recesses combinations in the moving conveyor component. Embodiments include sensing for non separated pads from a downstream end of the bag chain, pad chain separation enhancement devices, and various control system including the requirement of confirmation of separation before feeding a new pad enclosure as in one containing liquid polyurethane precursor chemicals. An embodiment includes a pad chain path disruption sensor and a form feed control which implements the formation of pad enclosures free of filler material in a bridging region between the outlet end of the enclosure formation means and the conveyance assembly. |
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| US09056409B2 |
Process for molding a closure-support ring of a container lid
A process is disclosed for forming a brim-mount ring included in a container lid. The brim-mount ring is configured to mount on the brim of the container and to have a core made of a first material and a surrounding skin made of a second material |
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| US09056408B2 |
Injection molding machine
An injection molding machine 1 that molds an LED illumination housing includes a fixing mold 2 that is formed in a U-shaped cross section, a moving mold 3 that is fitted to the fixing mold 2, a driving mechanism 6 that brings the moving mold 3 into contact with the fixing mold 2 and separates the moving mold 3 from the fixing mold 2, and a material supply mechanism 10 that injects resin of a molten state into a cavity 12 configured when the fixing mold 2 and the moving mold 3 are fitted to each other. Furthermore, a plurality of concave and convex portions 21 is provided on a bottom surface 20 of the fixing mold 2 so as to diffuse light transmitted through the LED illumination housing by forming a lens cut portion of a polyhedron shape on an outer surface of the LED illumination housing. |
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| US09056406B2 |
Method of creating multilayered products through the folding of continuous layers
A method for the creation of a plurality of continuously folded layers. This approach for creating multilayered products begins with a typical flow channel for a product in which the cross-section of this flow channel is an annular ring. The flow channel is then morphed to create folds in the flow channel. Fold patterns are manufactured into the channel walls so as to gradually modify the contour of the stream. These folds are oriented and propagated in such a way so that the flow can be converged back to a flow passage with a typical cross section but now with a multiplied number of layers. This process may be repeated to multiply the number of layers. The number of folded layers can include 3-10 layers, ten to hundreds of layers and ten to thousands of layers. The layers remain continuous around the product. |
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| US09056405B2 |
Treatment method for mold tool surface
The average roughness Ra of a mold tool surface that comes into contact with a material to be molded measured for a measurement area 10 μm square or smaller is equal to or lower than 5 nm, and fine granular projection structures having diameters ranging from 10 to 80 nm and heights ranging from 10 to 40 nm are formed on the mold tool surface with a density of 400/μm2 or higher. The frictional force due to the anchoring effect or the digging effect is reduced, and the adhesive force due to meniscus is also reduced. The release resistance is significantly reduced without affecting the dimensional precision of a fine molded product. |
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| US09056400B2 |
Apparatus and process for in-mold labeling
A process for use in an in-mold labeling application utilizes a rolled label sheet having a multiplicity of pre-printed non-adhesive labels and a pre-printed registration mark associated with each of the labels, the process detecting each of the registration marks to alignment the label sheet in a predetermined longitudinal position before labels are cut therefrom, conveying the rolled label sheet forward or backward, cutting one or more labels from the label sheet, forming a controlled loop in the label sheet, detecting each of the registration marks for aligning the label sheet in a position of registration, providing a hold down vacuum for maintaining the label sheet in a position of registration during conveyance to a predetermined label removal position, and releasing the hold down vacuum to permit removal, by an external pick and place device, of one or more of the previously-cut labels. |
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| US09056396B1 |
Programming of a robotic arm using a motion capture system
Example systems and methods allow for capturing motions of a demonstration tool and using the captured motions to cause a robotic device to replicate motions of the demonstration tool with a robot tool. One example method includes receiving data from one or more cameras indicative of position of a demonstration tool. Based on the received data, the method may further include determining a motion path of the demonstration tool, where the motion path includes a sequence of positions of the demonstration tool. The method may also include determining a replication control path for a robotic device, where the replication control path includes one or more robot movements that cause the robotic device to move a robot tool through a motion path that corresponds to the motion path of the demonstration tool. The method may further include causing the robotic device to move the robot tool using the one or more robot movements within the replication control path. |
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| US09056393B1 |
Light installation pole
An apparatus for installing a string of decorative lighting, such as Christmas or party lights, in an elevated location without requiring the use of a ladder. The apparatus allows the string of lights to be hung simultaneously with a hanging bracket or clip suitable for hanging the lights from a gutter or shingles. A clamp, actuated between an open and closed position, securely holds the light string by a socket rather than the wire string, while the light string is being hung. The clamp preferably includes prongs oriented in different directions, one direction adapted for hanging a string of lights with a hook-type hanging bracket and the other direction adapted for use with a clip-type hanger. A protective body covers the bulb while the light string is being hung. |
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| US09056392B2 |
Electric testing device and method for hand tools having testing mechanisms
The invention relates to a hand tool system having an electrical circuit testing indicator for use in a hand held tool used by technicians to determine electric circuit conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the indicator makes use of an electric circuit condition indicating means within a hand tool device having a plurality of bits and tool ends that, in use, will indicate information to determine the circuit condition (live circuit or not). Optionally, light, vibration, and audible indications may be provided to indicate the same information to a user. |
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| US09056391B1 |
Wrench with a lockable torque-setting mechanism
A locking mechanism includes a sleeve, a body, a pawl and a lever. The sleeve is non-movably connected to a grip and formed with teeth. The body is non-movably connected to a knob, partially inserted in the sleeve, and includes a recess in communication with a cavity. The pawl is movably inserted in the recess and formed with teeth. The lever includes an end for pressing the pawl and another end pivotally connected to the body. The lever is movable in the cavity of the body between a first position to press a first portion of the pawl to engage the teeth of the pawl with the teeth of the sleeve and a second position to press a second portion of the pawl to disengage the teeth of the pawl from the teeth of the sleeve. |
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| US09056390B2 |
Reaction bar lock nut
A power wrench has a housing with a forwardly extending tubular neck portion, a rotation motor, an output shaft extending coaxially through the neck portion, and a torque reaction bar supported on the neck portion via a splines coupling. The reaction bar is axially locked to the housing by a nut assembly co-operating with a threaded section of the neck portion. The nut assembly includes a nut element, a maneuver ring supported on the nut element, and lock pins extend through axial bores in the nut element and are arranged to positively engage the keyways of the splines coupling in a lock position to rotationally lock the nut assembly relative to the housing. The lock pins are secured to the ring, and a spring is arranged between the nut element and the ring to bias the ring and the lock pins towards the lock position. |
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| US09056380B2 |
Methods of grinding workpieces comprising superabrasive materials
A method of grinding a superabrasive workpiece includes placing a bonded abrasive article in contact with a superabrasive workpiece, wherein the bonded abrasive article comprises a body including abrasive grains contained within a bond material, and the superabrasive workpiece has an average Vickers hardness of at least about 1 GPa, and removing material from the superabrasive workpiece at an average specific grinding energy (SGE) of not greater than about 350 J/mm3, at an average material removal (MRR) rate of at least about 8 mm3/sec for a centerless grinding operation. |
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| US09056377B2 |
Router apparatus
A router apparatus is provided. The router apparatus includes a plurality of panels stacked vertically; a router bit which cuts the panels simultaneously; a first supporting unit connected to one end of the router bit, and a second supporting unit connected to the other end of the router bit. A guide rail is formed in the second supporting unit in order to guide a movement of the router bit. |
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| US09056374B2 |
Guide rail and method for manufacturing same
A guide rail that includes a base rail having a channel therein and at least one finger extending from a portion of the channel. The guide rail further includes a race insert mounted against the at least one finger. In an embodiment of the invention, the race insert has a first and second raceway associated with the at least one finger extending from a portion of the channel. Further, the first and second raceways have different load transmission directions, wherein the load transmission directions of both the first and second raceways are oblique to the direction that the at least one finger extends from a portion of the channel. |
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| US09056369B2 |
Method for assembling, joining parts made of SiC-based materials by non-reactive brazing with addition of a reinforcement, brazing compositions and joint and assembly obtained by said method
A method for joining, assembling, at least two parts comprising silicon carbide-based materials is provided. The parts are contacted with a non-reactive brazing composition, the assembly having the parts and the brazing composition is heated to a brazing temperature sufficient to melt the brazing composition, and the parts and the brazing composition are cooled so that, after solidification of the brazing composition, a moderately refractory joint is formed. The brazing composition is a binary alloy consisting, in atomic percentages, of 60% to 66% silicon and 34% to 40% nickel. Prior to contacting the parts with the brazing composition, a reinforcement is added. A composition comprising the brazing composition and a reinforcement is provided. A brazing paste, suspension comprising a powder of the brazing composition, a reinforcement, and an organic liquid cement, binder, or an organic viscous gel is provided. A joint and assembly obtained by the foregoing method is provided. |
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| US09056366B2 |
Welding gas leak detection system and method
A method and system for detecting a welding gas leak is provided. One welding power supply includes a gas valve configured to control the flow of shielding gas to a welding device through a gas line. The welding power supply also includes a sensor coupled to the gas line and configured to detect a parameter of the shielding gas. The welding power supply includes control circuitry coupled to the gas valve and to the sensor, and configured to control the operation of the gas valve, and to receive device value representative of the detected parameter. The control circuitry is further configured to determine a leak test result based upon the parameter value, and to provide an operator indicator of the leak test result. |
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| US09056365B2 |
Monitoring module for monitoring a process with an electric arc
A monitoring module for monitoring an electric arc machining process includes a camera, a photo flash lamp and a control system that controls the photo flash lamp in such a way that it illuminates when the camera records the image. The components are arranged in a common housing. The common housing includes a compressed air connection and an air outlet (7) or a deflection device arranged at the housing, which is provided for the orientation of the discharging air beam across the optical axis of the camera. Furthermore, an air flow caused by the compressed air is led via the light source and/or the control system and/or a charging connection for the light source. |
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| US09056358B2 |
Cutter assembly
A cutter assembly a back plate adapted to be mounted on a machine spindle. The back plate has a stepped portion on its outer circumference. The stepped portion of the back plate including a plurality of circular sectors and locating surfaces at predetermined locations on the outer circumference. A cutter ring is adapted to mount on an outer circumference of the stepped portion of the back plate, and a fastening member is adapted to connect the cutter ring with the back plate. |
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| US09056346B2 |
Electrode assembly for electro-hydraulic forming process
An electrode assembly for electro-hydraulic forming tool in which the insulation sleeve is assembled over an electrode rod. The insulation sleeve has a deflection surface that is beveled or oriented at an angle relative to the axis of the electrode rod. The electrode assembly may include a replaceable conical receptacle that facilitates placement of an electrode tip an insulation sleeve tip. An electrode tip profile that is shaped to minimize erosion caused by discharge of the electro-hydraulic forming machine. |
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| US09056342B2 |
Rolled material cooling control apparatus, rolled material cooling control method, and rolled material cooling control program
A detail thermal model memory has stored detail thermal models each including a mathematical formula using parameters describing a temperature variation of a rolling material in a prescribed cooling interval, an influence coefficient calculator calculate an influence coefficient as necessary for a control of temperature variation of the rolling material, a simple cooling pattern calculator calculate a simple cooling pattern in a simplified form of a preferable detail cooling pattern being necessary for the rolling material to have a preferable material quality, strength, or ductility, a detail cooling pattern calculator calculate a detail cooling pattern of the rolling material in the prescribed cooling interval, and a cooling controller takes the detail cooling pattern as a basis to control a cooling of the rolling material. |
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| US09056336B2 |
Processing shiny mail pieces
Methods, apparatus, software and systems are disclosed for improved processing of mailpieces in order to reduce expensive manual steps. Shiny mail, i.e., mailpieces having glossy surfaces that sometimes interfere with printing of barcodes and or ID Tags may lead to rejects. In some embodiments, shiny mailpieces are identified, and at least one new (non-shiny) label is over-labeled in the POSTNET clear zone (108), the ID Tag zone (202), or both. In one embodiment, a specially-configured Reject Encoding Machine (REM) (1142) is employed to label or over-label a POSTNET clear zone (1110), resolve the destination address (1112) if possible, and print the barcode (1114) in a single operation. Thereafter, the mailpiece may be transferred from the REM into a downstream DBCS (1144), thereby re-introducing the mailpiece into the automated mail stream rather than being relegated to a manual stream. |
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| US09056334B2 |
Disc for disc screen
A disc for releasable attachment to a shaft of a disc screen apparatus includes a hub having a bore and a single split defining a pair of opposing ends. The hub also has at least one flexible portion intermediate the opposing ends that permits the opposing ends of the hub to be separated a predetermined distance sufficient to allow the shaft of the disc screen apparatus to pass between the opposing ends into the bore. The hub has plurality of outer impacting portions configured for engaging materials to be classified and propelling the materials in a conveying direction when the hub is rotated. A mechanism is provided to secure the hub to the shaft so that the shaft extends through the bore. |
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| US09056333B2 |
Ultrasound probe and method of producing the same
An ultrasound probe includes a backing member, inorganic piezoelectric elements arranged on a top surface of the backing member, an acoustic matching layer disposed on and extending over the inorganic piezoelectric elements, and organic piezoelectric elements arranged on the acoustic matching layer. |
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| US09056322B1 |
Fluid jet apparatus
A self-contained fluid jet assembly that includes a first chamber having a fluid inlet and a second chamber having an air inlet and at least one fluid outlet. An opening is present between the first chamber and said second chamber and is surrounded by a nozzle in the second chamber. The nozzle terminates short of a fluid outlet such that an air gap is defined between the nozzle and outlet, thereby creating an improved jet action. |
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| US09056318B2 |
Assay device and method
A device and method for the separation of a component in a liquid sample prior to the detection of an analyte in said sample, wherein a sample is added to a receiving zone on a substrate, said substrate further optionally comprising a reaction zone, a transport or incubation zone connecting the receiving and reaction zone, respectively, forming a flow path on a substrate, wherein said substrate is a non-porous substrate, and at least part of said flow path consists of areas of projections substantially vertical to said surface, and having a height (H), diameter (D) and reciprocal spacing (t1, t2) such, that lateral capillary flow of said liquid sample in said zone is achieved, and where means for separation are provided adjacent to the zone for receiving the sample. Said means for separation are chosen among filter means, optionally enhanced by affinity binding and/or aggregation; magnetic means, also optionally enhanced by affinity binding and/or aggregation; and acoustic means. |