| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09110687B2 |
Information processing apparatus and operation control method
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a state change controller and a display processor. When a first key of a keyboard is pressed, the state change controller changes a state of a first operational environment. The display processor displays a first message indicative of a current state of the first operational environment in an informing area of a display screen for a first duration of time. When a second message indicative of a past state of the first operational environment is displayed by the display processor for the first duration of time in the informing area, the display processor display the first message in the informing area together with the second message. |
| US09110677B2 |
System and method for predicting and improving boot-up sequence
A method for optimizing a boot up sequence includes, during a host idle time or during data transfer: obtaining a predicted read address from the a prediction table, prefetching from the non-volatile data store, and saving the prefetched data in memory. Also included is receiving a current read command issued by the host and if the read address matches the predicted read address, providing to the host the prefetched data saved in temporary memory, and indicating a match. If a match is not indicated, obtaining current data from the non-volatile data store corresponding to the read address of the current read command, and providing the current data to the host. If a match was not indicated, searching the data prediction table for the predicted read address that matches the read address corresponding to the current read command, and if found in the data prediction table, recording the offset value. |
| US09110676B2 |
Method and system for syntax error repair in programming languages
The described embodiments present techniques for recovering from syntax errors. These techniques correct potential errors while preserving the shape of the parse tree, and the specific implementation of the techniques can be automatically generated from the grammar. These techniques may operate by looking back at states associated with previously-received tokens to determine pair matching status, when a synchronizing symbol is received. The techniques can respond to the pair matching status determination by potentially adding a synthesized token or by deleting a token that has already been received. The techniques may use a structure referred to herein as a tuple to assist with the evaluation of the pair matching status. Some of the techniques utilize indentation information to evaluate the pair matching status, while other techniques ignore such information. The described embodiments also include a technique for automatically generating the tuples from a set of grammar rules associated with the parser. |
| US09110673B2 |
System and method of creating and remotely editing interactive generic configurator programs
Item configurators for websites and other applications, using a plurality of graphic layer files and graphic layer thumbnail files comprising various layers of the item desired for configuration. Generally at least some of this plurality of graphic layer files will contain some transparent pixels. The method also involves creating at least one main description file, which may be in XML format, or a CSV row and column table format, suitable for editing by spreadsheet, which describes the relationships between this plurality of graphic layer files. An interactive generic configurator program (IGCP) that is capable of reading and parsing this main description file, and displaying icons on the GUI that are representative of various user configurator selections will then be used to implement the configurator, often within a web browser over the internet. Additionally, methods of allowing unskilled users to remotely edit such configurator files using standard web browsers are disclosed. |
| US09110672B2 |
Compiler generation of thunking code
A computer system receives a source code comprising an annotation, wherein the annotation is associated with a portion of the source code and wherein the annotation indicates a first bit-width. The computer system identifies a first data type of the portion of the source code. The computer system receives compatibility information corresponding to the first data type, the compatibility information indicating at least one compatible bit-width of the first data type. The computer system modifies the source code to insert a first code segment. |
| US09110668B2 |
Enhanced buffer-batch management for energy efficient networking based on a power mode of a network interface
Various methods and systems are provided for buffer-batch management for energy efficient networking. In one embodiment, among others, a system includes a host device including an interface with a network. A device driver monitors requests to transmit packets from the host device to the network, buffers the packets in memory of the host device when the host device network interface is estimated to be in a low power mode, and initiates transition of the host device network interface to a full power mode based at least in part upon predefined criteria associated with the buffered packets. The host device network interface may begin transmission of the buffered packets when the host device network interface enters the full power mode. The host device network interface may be a network interface controller such as, e.g., an Ethernet controller configured for Energy Efficient Ethernet operation. |
| US09110667B2 |
Control system, control method, and computer program product
According to an embodiment, a control system includes a processing device; a main storage device to store the data; a cache memory to store part of the data stored; a prefetch unit to predict data highly likely to be accessed and execute prefetch, reading out data in advance onto the cache memory; and a power supply unit. The system further includes: a detecting unit to detect whether the processing device is in an idle state; a determining unit that determines whether to stop the supply of power to the cache memory in accordance with the state of the prefetch when determined as idle state; and a power supply control unit that controls the power supply unit so as to stop the supply of power, or controls the power supply unit so as to continue the supply of power. |
| US09110666B2 |
Throttling integrated link
Methods and apparatus for throttling an interface that is integrated on the same die as a processor are described. In one embodiment, a signal from an Integrated Input/Output hub (e.g., integrated on the same die as a processor) causes throttling of a link coupled between the IIO and an Input/Output (IO) device. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US09110661B2 |
Mobile device offloading task to a peer device and receiving a completed task when energy level is below a threshold level
A system configured to manage battery energy of a mobile device includes a primary mobile device and at least one peer device. The primary mobile device includes a power unit, a main communication module to electrically communicate with a peer device, and a peer assisted module in electrical communication with the power unit and the main communication module. The peer assisted module determines an energy level of the energy unit, and determines a task to be executed by the peer device. The peer device receives the task transmitted from the primary mobile device. The peer device further includes a peer process management module that executes at least one computation that completes the task, and communicates a completed task to the primary mobile device. |
| US09110656B2 |
Systems and methods for handling instructions of in-order and out-of-order execution queues
A processor configured to provide instructions of a first instruction type to a first execution unit, and a second execution queue configured to provide instructions of a second instruction type to a second execution unit. A first instruction of the second instruction type is received. The first instruction is decoded by the decode/issue unit to determine operands of the first instruction. The operands of the first instruction are determined to include a dependency on a second instruction of the first instruction type stored in a first entry of the first execution queue. The first instruction is stored in a first entry of the second execution queue. A synchronization indicator corresponding to the first instruction in a second entry of the first execution queue is set immediately adjacent the first entry of the first execution queue, which indicates that the first instruction is stored in another execution queue. |
| US09110655B2 |
Performing a multiply-multiply-accumulate instruction
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a processor having multiple execution units, at least one of which includes a circuit having a multiply-accumulate (MAC) unit including multiple multipliers and adders, and to execute a user-level multiply-multiply-accumulate instruction to populate a destination storage with a plurality of elements each corresponding to an absolute value for a pixel of a pixel block. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09110652B2 |
System and method for electronic device charging
An electronic device which is able to be charged via a universal serial bus (USB) interface which connects to a computer. A first voltage of a battery of the electronic device, a second voltage and an electric current of the USB interface are determined. If a difference between the first voltage and a saturation voltage of the battery is greater than a predefined value, the electronic device is charged with a first electric current. If the second voltage is not lower than a threshold voltage and the electric current of the USB interface is not lower than the electrical energy consumption of the electronic device, the first electric current is decreased. |
| US09110651B2 |
Electronic device for detecting consumption of power
An electronic device includes a current detection module, two path switches, a processing unit, and two control circuits. Two terminals of the current detection module are connected to an external power port and a battery. The two path switches are connected to the two terminals. A first control circuit is connected to the processing unit and to one path switch. A second control circuit is connected to the processing unit and to another path switch. When the electronic device is powered on, whether using power from the battery or from the external power port, the device can analyze the power consumed by the functioning parts of the device, including (when power is taken from the external power port) the amount of current taken in charging the battery. |
| US09110650B2 |
Electronic device having USB interface and method for starting USB communication with such device
The present disclosure provides an electronic device having a USB interface and a method for starting USB communication with such an electronic device, so as to solve the problem of a risk of damaging a mobile phone terminal device arising from sharing of an interface by a charger and a USB communication cable in the related art. In the electronic device, a port GPIO of a baseband chip is connected to a pin USB_VBUS of a USB interface of the baseband chip; based on this circuit, a power management chip detects a state of plugging-in-or-pulling-out of the charger and generates a corresponding interrupt request; and the baseband chip controls the GPIO to output a corresponding level according to the interrupt request. By connecting the port GPIO and the pin USB_VBUS and controlling an output level of GPIO with a software, a high level or a low level (as a triggering signal for starting or terminating the USB communication) is input to the pin USB_VBUS, thus avoiding damage to the device. |
| US09110645B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing power to main controller based upon power-on/off state signal and reset signal for resetting the main controller
An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit to form an image, a user switch unit to output a user operation signal to switch between a power-on state and a power-off state of the image forming apparatus, a main controller to control the image forming unit and to output a power control signal based on the user operation signal, a power switching unit to selectively supply operation power to the main controller based on the user operation signal and the power control signal, and an auxiliary controller to control the power switching unit such that the operation power is not supplied to the main controller when the power control signal is changed in a power-off state. |
| US09110643B2 |
Leakage current reduction in an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit is provided with operational mode header transistors which connect a virtual power rail to a VDD power supply. A controller circuit, responsive to a sensed voltage signal from a voltage sensor which reads the virtual rail voltage VVDD, generates a control signal which controls the operational mode transistors. The control signal is derived from an interface voltage power supply that provides higher voltage VDD IO than the VDD power supply and thus able to overdrive the operational mode transistors via either a gate bias voltage or a bulk bias voltage. The amount of leakage through the operational mode transistors is controlled in a closed loop feedback arrangement so as to maintain a predetermined target value or range for the virtual rail voltage. The operational mode transistor may also be controlled to support dynamic voltage and frequency scaling. |
| US09110640B2 |
Memory combination and computer system using the same
A memory combination includes a first riser board, a second riser board, a pivotal plate, a first engaging member, and a second engaging member. The first riser board has a first edge and a second edge parallel to each other. The second riser board has a third edge and a fourth edge parallel to each other. The pivotal plate are pivotally connected to the first riser board to be adjacent to the first edge and to the second riser board to be adjacent to the third edge. The first and second engaging members are respectively disposed on the first and second riser boards to be respectively adjacent to the second and fourth edges. When the first and second riser boards rotate to be perpendicular to the pivotal plate, the first engaging member is engaged with the second engaging member. |
| US09110634B2 |
Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus includes a first body, a second body and a keyboard. The first body has a display surface and an appearance surface opposite to each other. The second body is pivoted to the first body and has an accommodating opening and a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, in which when the first body is closed to the second body, the first surface faces the display surface. The keyboard is pivoted at the accommodating opening through at least one rotation-shaft, in which when the first body is turned over relatively to the second body, the keyboard is able to be turned over relatively to the second body, so that when the second surface faces the appearance surface, the first body covers a plurality of keys of the keyboard. |
| US09110626B2 |
Video detection in remote desktop protocols
A display area having rendered data thereon is divided into a plurality of tiles and an update frequency for each tile is determined. A determination is then made as to whether the update frequency of each tile exceeds a threshold. For each tile whose update frequency exceeds the threshold, that tile is marked as a candidate tile. Adjacent candidate tiles are then associated to form a heat map. The heat map is then analyzed to determine whether to encode the rendered data associated with the heat map. |
| US09110624B2 |
Output restoration with input selection
A method for restoring visual output to a display device. The method includes detecting a display device connection change on an output connector and changing output settings to a compatible output mode on the output connector. The method further includes cloning graphics output to the output connector. The graphics output is modified for display on the output connector. The display device is signaled to change the input source to correspond to the output connector. Subsequently, a control panel application is executed to present an on-display control for changing the output mode of the first output connector. |
| US09110623B2 |
Printing system, print relay server, method of controlling the server, and program
The present invention provides a mechanism to acquire content that has not been converted into print data from a vendor server providing a print service.The mechanism acquires content data corresponding to content identification information from an application server if location information about print data acquired on the basis of the content identification information that is acquired coincides with location information about print data included in notification information that is acquired. |
| US09110622B2 |
Internet-pads that include a digital camera, a touch sensitive screen interface, and support for voice activated commands
New Internet-Pad specifications that include voice activated command functions are disclosed and enabled. The Internet-Pad may include a touch sensitive screen, a digital camera, a wireless communication unit, an operating system, a graphical user interface, an e-mail application, an Internet browsing application, and an application for playing audio or video content. The Internet-Pad operating system supports an application programming interface (API). A user can install additional applications. The Internet-Pad may further include a microphone and a speaker for interacting via voice commands with the user. In some examples, the user may take a picture with the digital camera included in the Internet-Pad and transfer or synchronize the picture to a wireless output device. In other examples, the Internet-Pad may transmit an e-mail upon receiving voice commands, and the Internet-Pad also may stream or mirror digital content over the air to an output device via voice commands. |
| US09110621B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing printing using a remote rendering service
The invention relates to a printing process, an arrangement for realizing the printing process and a corresponding computer program and a corresponding computer-readable storage medium which, in particular, enables wireless printing via Wi-Fi (Wireless Local Area Network) or Bluetooth® from a desktop computer or a laptop independent of a printer-specific driver installation and printer configuration on the computer. |
| US09110620B2 |
Printing apparatus including download printing procedure
A processor performs: receiving a print instruction including a designation of particular image data stored in a server; in response to reception of the print instruction, acquiring at least one of a property of the particular image data, a print setting of the particular image data, and a state of a printing apparatus; and based on the at least one, determining one of first and second processing modes; when the first processing mode is determined, receiving the particular image data until reaching a first unit of data; and controlling a printing device to print the particular image data of the first unit; and when the second processing mode is determined, receiving the particular image data until reaching a second unit of data; and controlling the printing device to print the particular image data of the second unit. The second unit of data is larger than the first unit of data. |
| US09110616B2 |
Image processing apparatus
The preview unit displays on a display a preview image of image data in the image data retaining unit. The position receiving unit receives a position that user designates on the preview image displayed on the display. The selection receiving unit receives a user selection of additional information retained in the additional information retaining unit. The information imparting unit imparts the additional information received by the selection receiving unit to the position received by the position receiving unit. The image processing unit extracts a page imparted with the additional information from the image data in the image data retaining unit, and executes the processing associated with the additional information. |
| US09110613B2 |
Print control apparatus and print control program using compression processing
A print control apparatus including an image acquisition unit for acquiring an image file including on one page a plurality of sets of image data of a raster format for representing an object, a compression processing unit for selecting methods of compression to apply to each of the plurality of sets of image data from among a plurality of methods of compression, in accordance with the properties of the image data, and compressing each of the plurality of sets of image data by the respectively selected methods of compression, a PDL data generation unit for generating PDL data, which is PDL data in which a command to print the image file is described by a page description language and which includes the plurality of sets of compressed image data, and a transfer unit for transferring the generated PDL data to a print unit. |
| US09110610B2 |
Output system, output method, and output apparatus
An output system includes a terminal apparatus, an output apparatus, and an information processing apparatus that are interconnected via a network. The output system includes a unit that registers an output request for output data received from the terminal apparatus that is operated by a registering user, a unit that displays information on the registering user that has designated an outputting user operating the output apparatus as a delegate user and receives a selection of the registering user from the outputting user, a unit that receives from the output apparatus an acquisition request for the output request of the selected registering user and provides the requested output request to the output apparatus, and a unit that receives a selection of the output request from the outputting user, acquires the output data of the selected output request, and outputs the acquired output data at the output apparatus. |
| US09110608B2 |
Method and system for secure mobile printing
An approach is provided for secured mobile printing. A printing platform receives a printing request, generates authenticating information associated with the print request, and sends the authenticating information to a mobile device for retrieval of printed materials generated in response to the printing request. |
| US09110605B2 |
Wireless internet access module, communication method for host and wireless internet access module, and data card
A communication method for a host and a wireless Internet access module, and a data card, are provided so that the host implements wireless Internet access with the wireless Internet access module of a secure digital interface. The method includes simulating each port on a wireless Internet access processing function unit in a wireless Internet access module into a secure digital card partition and reporting the secure digital card partition to a host side; receiving downlink interaction information from the host side encapsulated in a secure digital card interface format, decapsulating the downlink interaction information, and delivering the decapsulated downlink interaction information to a corresponding port; and receiving uplink interaction information reported to the host side from each port, encapsulating the received uplink interaction information in the secure digital card interface format. |
| US09110601B2 |
Backup lifecycle management
A system includes determination of a plurality of backup jobs based on a backup catalog, the backup catalog comprising a plurality of records, each of the plurality of records associated with one of the plurality of backup jobs, reception of a first instruction to delete a first backup job of the plurality of backup jobs, and, in response to the first instruction, addition of a first record associated with the first backup job to the backup catalog, wherein the first record indicates that the first instruction to delete the first backup job was received. |
| US09110599B1 |
Thin provisioning of VTL tape pools with MTree logical quotas
A system and method for thin provisioning in a virtual tape library. In one embodiment, a method includes the operations of receiving, from a user entity, a first request to create a pool of virtual tapes for the user entity, wherein data for the pool of virtual tapes is stored on physical storage; creating the pool of virtual tapes for the user entity according to the first request such that a provisioned capacity of data storage for the pool of virtual tapes exceeds an actual capacity of data storage available to the pool of virtual tapes on the physical storage; and presenting the pool of virtual tapes to a second system as physical tape storage having the provisioned capacity available for data storage and not the actual capacity. |
| US09110596B2 |
Fast-wake memory
A memory device is transitioned to a low-power mode in which an active-mode resource required to receive memory access commands from a memory controller at a first command-signaling frequency of the memory device is disabled. A first memory access command, transmitted by the memory controller, is received within the memory device using an alternative signaling resource during a transitional interval in which the active-mode resource is re-enabled. |
| US09110595B2 |
Systems and methods for enhancing performance of software applications
A system for enhancing performance of a software application obtains a list of files to be processed by the software application, and sorts that list in the order of the physical position of files in the list on a hard drive. The files are loaded in the sorted order which can decrease or minimize the total file seeking time, thereby increasing the speed of execution of the software. |
| US09110585B2 |
Method for providing user interface using drawn pattern and mobile terminal thereof
Disclosed are a method for providing a user interface by mapping various types of multimedia to patterns drawn on a display, and a mobile terminal thereof. A user may draw a pattern according to his or her preference, and a controller may generate an object by mapping one or more multimedia data to the pattern. The controller may play the mapped multimedia data by tracking the multimedia data-mapped pattern. The controller may store the multimedia data-mapped pattern (object) in a memory. And, the controller may transmit the object to a selected specific party to provide an enhanced user interface (UI). |
| US09110583B2 |
Display device integrated with touch screen
Disclosed is a display device integrated with a touch screen which realizes good design by decreasing a bezel width, and its driving method, wherein the device comprises a plurality of gate and data lines crossing each other on a lower substrate of a display panel; a common electrode formed in each of touch blocks, wherein the plurality of touch blocks are formed by grouping all pixels into units; a plurality of touch drive lines on the lower substrate of the display panel, wherein the touch drive line is provided in the same direction as that of the data line; and a plurality of touch sensing lines on an upper substrate of the display panel, wherein the touch sensing line is formed in the same direction as that of the gate line. |
| US09110578B2 |
Electronic device and method for providing extended user interface
An electronic device and a method for providing an extended user interface in an electronic device are provided. The electronic device comprises a user interface and a display configured to display data objects. The device is configured to detect selection of a data object on the display, detect dragging of the selected data object to a border of the display and to detect an effort to drag the object over the border in a given direction outside the display. A predetermined action is performed in the device on the basis of the detected effort and the detected direction. |
| US09110571B2 |
Operation input system
An operation input system and method are provided. The system includes a display device including a display screen, an input device that provides an input into the display device and a control device that includes a protrusion control section that controls a protrusion state of each of the plurality of protrusion members in accordance with a display content in the windows displayed on the display screen. The system is controlled such that when a first window and a second window are displayed so as to partially overlap each other, the protrusion control section makes the protrusion state of the protrusion members protruded in accordance with the display content of a hidden region of the second window different from the protrusion state of the protrusion members protruded in accordance with the display content of an entire region of the first window. |
| US09110568B2 |
Browser tab management
Tabs of online content can be positioned according to the relative importance of each tab to a user. A user's interaction with a plurality of online content is monitored, and user activity metadata generated by, and associated with, the user's interaction with the online content is collected. A plurality of tabs of the online content is opened in a graphical user interface, and a relative importance of each of the plurality of tabs to the user is determined based on the user activity metadata associated with the online content in the tab. At least a subset of the tabs are positioned relative to each other within the graphical user interface based at least on the relative importance of each tab. |
| US09110564B2 |
Mobile terminal, method for controlling mobile terminal, and method for displaying image of mobile terminal
A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other terminal; a display unit configured to display at least a 2D (two-dimensional) object and a 3D (three-dimensional) object; and a controller configured to control the display unit to display the 2D object and the 3D object in an overlapping manner, and to change a display characteristic of at least one of the overlapping 2D object and the 3D object. |
| US09110562B1 |
Snapping a pointing-indicator to a scene boundary of a video
A method and system are provided to facilitate navigating through a video. In one example, a video-player system identifies on a video-controller one or more scene-boundaries. A scene-boundary is associated with a video frame of a scene-start or a scene-end of a video. The video-player system receives a request to move a pointing-indicator. The pointing-indicator is a graphical element rendered on a display device of a video-player system and coincides with input to the video-player system. The video-player system calculates, in response to the request to move the pointing-indicator, a distance between the pointing-indicator and a particular scene-boundary. The video-player system determines whether the distance between the pointing-indicator and a particular scene-boundary is less than a threshold. The video-player system then snaps the pointing-indicator to the particular scene-boundary in response to determining the distance is less than the threshold. |
| US09110557B2 |
System and method for tracking and mapping an object to a target
A method and system for a user interactive game capable of training and monitoring motor and cognitive skills of a patient, is provided. The method includes obtaining an image of an object being manipulated by the user, said image having an image frame; within the image frame, defining a shape of a field of movement; adding a bounding rectangle to the shape of the field of movement; mapping a coordinate from within the object to the bounding rectangle; mapping the coordinate from the bounding rectangle to the image frame; mapping the coordinate from the image frame to the target; and displaying the coordinate on the a computer monitor as an icon. |
| US09110556B2 |
Method and apparatus for increasing the functionality of an electronic device in a locked state
An approach is provided for increasing the functionality of an electronic device when the device is in a locked state. The approach involves determining one or more applications for presentation at a device. The approach also involves determining that the device is in a locked state. The approach further involves processing and/or facilitating a processing of the one or more applications to cause, at least in part, presentation of the one or more applications in a user interface of the device associated with the locked state. |
| US09110547B1 |
Capacitance sensing device
Multiple reconfigurable hover sensing arrays are utilized to detect the location of an object with respect to a “hover” sensing panel. Multiple enable switches control the size and the shape of the multiple reconfigurable hover sensing arrays. A portion of one of the multiple reconfigurable hover sensing arrays may overlap with another reconfigurable sensing array to improve detection resolution. A scanning and sampling mechanism might also be utilized to assist with controlling the enable switches. |
| US09110545B2 |
Apparatus and associated methods
An apparatus including a plurality of adjacent repeated base units, each base unit formed from an active electrode of first, second and third touch sensor arrays, the first, second and third touch sensor arrays each including a plurality of active electrodes connected to a respective common terminal of the touch sensor array, wherein each base unit includes an active electrode of the second touch sensor array interlaced between an active electrode of the first touch sensor array and an active electrode of the third touch sensor array such that a swipe touch gesture applied to two or more adjacent active electrodes of the apparatus generates signalling at the respective common terminals of the corresponding touch sensor arrays which allows the direction of the swipe touch gesture to be determined. |
| US09110543B1 |
Method and apparatus for emulating touch and gesture events on a capacitive touch sensor
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for emulating touch and gesture events on a capacitive touch sensor array comprising: an electric field detection means for measuring the electric field intensity emitted as a function of time from a first plurality of scan electrodes of said capacitive touch sensor array; a predictive scan pattern means to infer the scan times and scan stimulus waveforms of a second plurality of scan electrodes at a plurality of emulated touch locations spanning an emulated gesture movement on said capacitive touch sensor array from said measured electric field intensity; and an electric field synthesizing means to create a time sequence of time variant electric fields coincident to said inferred scan time, and coherent and proportional to said inferred scan stimulus waveform for each said second plurality of scan electrodes; and a capacitive coupling means to couple said synthesized electric fields to said second plurality of electrodes inducing voltages which emulate time sequential touch events at said plurality of emulated touch locations animating said emulated gesture movement. |
| US09110542B2 |
Position detection apparatus with a magnetic flux detecting substrate
A position detection apparatus includes: a sensor substrate having a detection region in which position detecting electrodes are formed and a wiring line region in which wiring lines led out from the position detecting electrodes are disposed; a processing circuit connected to the wiring lines of the sensor substrate and configured to carry out a predetermined signal process based on a signal from the sensor substrate; and a housing having the sensor substrate placed thereon and having the processing circuit provided therein; the sensor substrate placed on the housing having a through-hole provided therein in the proximity of the detection region for allowing the wiring lines to be threaded therethrough. |
| US09110539B2 |
Photo sensor of a photo type touch panel and control method thereof
The present invention provides a photo sensor of a photo type touch panel, which includes a transistor with a control terminal receiving a first control signal, a first capacitor electrically connected to a first terminal of the transistor, a first photo transistor with a first terminal electrically connected to the first capacitor, and a second photo transistor with a control terminal receiving a second control signal, a first terminal electrically connected to a second terminal of the first photo transistor, and a second terminal receiving a third control signal. |
| US09110538B2 |
Devices with hidden objects positioned in front of displays and related methods
A representative device includes: a display having a display side, the display being operative to display images at the display side; a light-distorting film having surface features positioned to redirect light; a first object, positioned between the display side and the light-distorting film; and a second object, positioned between the display side and the light-distorting film; a first plurality of the surface features of the light-distorting film being operative to redirect light, propagating along an first optical path; and a second plurality of the surface features of the light-distorting film being operative to redirect light, propagating along a second optical path. |
| US09110536B2 |
Apparatus and a method for providing haptic feedback
An apparatus including a display module; an actuator connected to the display, the actuator being configured to apply a first force in a first direction to the display module; and at least one counterweight connected to the actuator, the actuator being configured to apply a second force in a second direction to the counterweight, wherein the apparatus experiences substantially no translational moment. |
| US09110535B2 |
Touch apparatus and driving method thereof
A touch apparatus includes a driving unit, a first touch panel, a second touch panel and a connecting circuit board coupling between the first and second touch panels. The driving unit has a driving element which has at least one driving port for outputting a plurality of driving signals and at least one sensing port for receiving a plurality of sensing signals. The first touch panel is coupled with the driving element. The second touch panel is disposed adjacent to the first touch panel, and is coupled with the driving element via the first touch panel. The first touch panel and the second touch panel are coupled jointly with at least one of the driving port and the sensing port. A driving method of the touch apparatus is also disclosed. |
| US09110534B2 |
Stylus devices having variable electrical characteristics for capacitive touchscreens
Disclosed are devices and methods of stylus devices that when in contact with a capacitive touchscreen and a grounding element, can vary the signal level detected on a capacitive touchscreen to create a more realistic writing experience. Disclosed are elements of a touchscreen stylus, which individually or in combination, can enable a touchscreen stylus to have at least one electrical characteristic that is variable. In this way the resistive link between the touchscreen and a grounding element can be varied to enable features such as a capability to vary the width of line being drawn, to vary a region of influence on the touchscreen and/or to vary a temperament of action. The elements of a disclosed stylus can include at least one mechanical feature to provide at least one electrical characteristic that is variable and/or at least one material in an arrangement to provide at least one electrical characteristic that is variable. |
| US09110533B2 |
Haptic device with controlled traction forces
A haptic device includes a substrate that is subjected to lateral motion such as lateral oscillation with one or more degrees of freedom together with modulation of a friction reducing oscillation in a manner that can create a shear force on the user's finger or on an object on the device. |
| US09110532B2 |
Touch panel, and touch-type input apparatus and control method therefor
A touch panel capable of detecting a pen and a finger, capable of corresponding to multi-touch, capable of detecting pressing force, and capable of reducing the use amount of a transparent electrode as much as possible. The touch panel has a piezoelectric sheet of poly-L-lactic acid having a predetermined stretching axial direction, electrodes that are opposed to each other and formed on the piezoelectric sheet do not cover the entire surface of the piezoelectric sheet and are formed so that they are discretely distributed in plural positions. The piezoelectric sheet is brought into the condition that tension is imparted in directions not coincident with the stretching axial direction. |
| US09110528B2 |
Touch-sensitive display apparatus
Disclosure herein is related to a touch-sensitive display apparatus that is constituted of a display panel and a touch-sensitive panel. A plurality of pixels are employed to render a frame generated by the display panel. The single pixel is composed of a red subpixel, a green subpixel, and a blue subpixel. In one embodiment of the present invention, the touch-sensitive panel adopts the transparent substrate, on which a plurality of electrode lines are formed. In particular, the each electrode line is approximately paved along a diagonal line of at least one pixel. |
| US09110526B2 |
Driving method for touch panel and touch-sensing device using the same
A driving method for a touch panel is provided. The touch panel has a plurality of electrodes, the plurality of electrodes are coupled to a driving circuit respectively via different electrical paths. The driving method includes: defining a plurality of sub-frame periods in a first frame period; converting a driving configuration for providing the driving configuration that is different from each other respectively to each of the sub-frame periods; the driving circuit drives the electrodes respectively with the driving configuration corresponding to one of the sub-frame periods during the sub-frame periods for obtaining at least one of the sub-frame sensing values from each of the sub-frame periods; and the driving circuit integrates the sub-frame sensing values respectively obtained during the sub-frame periods for obtaining a touch information of the touch panel during the first frame period. |
| US09110524B1 |
High throughput finite state machine
In an FSM circuit, look-ahead-cascade modules are coupled to receive possible states and corresponding subsets of data inputs. Merge modules are coupled to a second-to-the-lowest to highest order of the look-ahead-cascade modules. The second-to-the-lowest to highest order of disambiguation modules are coupled to at least a portion of the merge modules. The lowest order of the disambiguation modules is coupled to the lowest order of the look-ahead-cascade modules. The lowest-to-highest order of the disambiguation modules are coupled to receive respective sets of interim states of rN states each to select respective sets of next states of r states each. A state register is coupled to receive a portion of the highest order of the sets of next states to provide a select signal. Each of the disambiguation modules is coupled to receive the select signal for selection of the sets of next states of the r states each. |
| US09110521B2 |
Image display apparatus and method, image display system, and program
An image display apparatus includes: a communication section receiving a plurality of remote operation signals corresponding to remote operations of a plurality of input apparatuses; and a combination section combining a first image based on the plurality of individual remote operation signals received by the communication section and a second image supplied from other apparatus into a third image, and outputting the third image. |
| US09110517B2 |
System and method for generating screen pointing information in a television
A system and method, in a television, for generating screen pointing information, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. |
| US09110516B2 |
Flexible display device and method of transferring data between flexible interface devices
A method of transferring data between a plurality of flexible interface devices, includes an operation in which the flexible interface devices are flexed due to external force from a user, an operation in which the flexible interface devices acquire flex information generated when the flexible interface devices are flexed, through a plurality of flex sensors, and an operation in which at least one of the flexible interface devices transfers data between the flexible interface devices based on the flex information. |
| US09110515B2 |
Method and apparatus for text input
A method and apparatus for text entry are provided. The method provides a keypad comprising four directional keys and a center selection key, and assigns a set of letters to each of the four directional keys. A representation of the set of letters assigned to each of the four directional keys is provided. A sequence of selected directional keys is received in accordance with a user input, and in accordance with the selected directional keys, the set of letters assigned to each of the selected directional keys are selectively passed to a parsing algorithm. The parsing algorithm determines a user intended text input based upon the passed sequence of letter groupings. |
| US09110510B2 |
Motion pattern classification and gesture recognition
Methods, program products, and systems for gesture classification and recognition are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a system can determine multiple motion patterns for a same user action (e.g., picking up a mobile device from a table) from empirical training data. The system can collect the training data from one or more mobile devices. The training data can include multiple series of motion sensor readings for a specified gesture. Each series of motion sensor readings can correspond to a particular way a user performs the gesture. Using clustering techniques, the system can extract one or more motion patterns from the training data. The system can send the motion patterns to mobile devices as prototypes for gesture recognition. |
| US09110509B2 |
System, method and apparatus for controlling presentation of content
An application for a system that enables cooperating devices to transfer presentation of content from one device to the other by sending either the content or an identification of content from a source device to a destination device. In some embodiments, the actual content is transferred while in other embodiments, an identification of the content and a position within the content is transferred from the source device to the destination device. |
| US09110508B2 |
Electronic device having a vibrating section for multiple touches
An electronic device presents, to the user, a realistic control feel in response to a complicated operation such as an operation using multiple fingers. An electronic device 10 includes a touch panel 11 to be touched by the user, a vibrating section 13 for vibrating the touch panel 11, and a vibration control section 33 for controlling the vibration of the vibrating section 13. The vibration control section 33 changes the vibration of the vibrating section 13 when, after the user touches the touch panel 11 with multiple fingers, the user lifts at least one of the multiple fingers off the touch panel 11 with at least one other of the multiple fingers remaining on the touch panel 11. |
| US09110506B2 |
Tactile feedback for capacitive sensors
A tactile feedback apparatus for a capacitive sensing device is comprised of a dielectric insulator having a surface. A finger receiving recess is defined in the surface. The finger receiving recess is configured for receiving a deflected portion of a finger. The finger receiving recess is comprised of a finger deflecting feature and a tactile feedback feature. The finger deflecting feature is coupled to the surface and structured such that a variety of finger sizes pressed into the finger receiving recess would deflect into a predictable and repeatable shape for affecting the capacitive sensing device in a substantially uniform manner. The tactile feedback element is coupled to the surface and disposed such that the tactile feedback element contacts the deflected portion of the finger to provide tactile feedback to the finger only when the finger is sufficiently deflected into the finger receiving recess to actuate the capacitive sensing device. |
| US09110503B2 |
Precision position tracking device
Embodiment of a lightweight and compact wireless precision position tracking device and a precision position tracking motion capture system are described. Optionally, the wireless precision position tracking device is configured to be worn by a user. The wireless precision position tracking device may be configured to emit optical light from two or more respective markers, where the light from one of the markers is distinguishable from light from another of the markers. |
| US09110501B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting talking segments in a video sequence using visual cues
A method and system for detecting temporal segments of talking faces in a video sequence using visual cues. The system detects talking segments by classifying talking and non-talking segments in a sequence of image frames using visual cues. The present disclosure detects temporal segments of talking faces in video sequences by first localizing face, eyes, and hence, a mouth region. Then, the localized mouth regions across the video frames are encoded in terms of integrated gradient histogram (IGH) of visual features and quantified using evaluated entropy of the IGH. The time series data of entropy values from each frame is further clustered using online temporal segmentation (K-Means clustering) algorithm to distinguish talking mouth patterns from other mouth movements. Such segmented time series data is then used to enhance the emotion recognition system. |
| US09110500B2 |
Method and system for interfacing with an electronic device via respiratory and/or tactual input
Aspects of a method and system for interfacing with an electronic device via respiratory and/or tactual input are provided. In this regard, respiratory and tactual input may be utilized to interact with an electronic device via a user interface. The user interface may comprise a control region that may enable navigating and selecting objects, a fixed region that may enable display of information that may be independent of a state of, or activity in, the control region, and a content region that may enable display of information that may depend on a state of, or activity in, the control region. Accordingly, objects and/or information displayed on the electronic device may be affected and/or manipulated via tactual and respiratory input. Additionally, each region of the user interface may comprise one or more zones and a size, shape, and/or location of each region may be customized by a user. |
| US09110499B2 |
System and method for adjusting presentation of moving images on an electronic device according to an orientation of the device
The invention relates to a system, method and device for changing a notional viewing location for a moving image on a device, depending on an orientation of the device. For the moving image management system, it comprises: a sensor; a movement detection module connected to the sensor providing movement data registering a notable signal from the sensor; and a moving image adjustment module determining a new viewing location of the moving image utilizing the movement data and generating a replacement moving image for the moving image representing the moving image as viewed from the new viewing location. |
| US09110490B2 |
Floor mount ETC pedal with integrated kickdown and tactile alert mechanisms
A pedal assembly for simulating the feel of a standard pedal assembly in a vehicle. The pedal assembly includes a pedal pivotally mounted to a housing. A lever arm is further provided connecting the pedal to the housing. A kickdown subassembly is mounted within the housing. The kickdown subassembly includes a bead and an abutment portion. Depression of the pedal assembly results in movement of the bead towards the abutment portion and provides for kickdown when the bead contacts the abutment portion and then subsequently moves past the abutment portion. |
| US09110488B2 |
Wide-bandwidth linear regulator
A linear regulator and a method of regulating a supply voltage are provided. Embodiments include a linear regulator with a first feedback loop and a second feedback loop. The first feedback loop is characterized by a first bandwidth and a first gain. The first feedback loop includes a first amplifier characterized by an output impedance which is significantly reduced in order to maximize the bandwidth of the first feedback loop when driving the capacitance of a control input of a series pass element. The second feedback loop is characterized by a second bandwidth and a second gain. The second feedback loop includes a second amplifier that controls the current in the first amplifier in the first feedback loop. |
| US09110486B2 |
Bandgap reference circuit with startup circuit and method of operation
A band gap reference circuit including a band gap reference generator having an output for providing a reference voltage and a startup circuit for controlling current provided to the band gap reference generator when activated. The startup circuit includes a turnoff circuit having an output to deactivate the startup circuit to not control current to the band gap reference generator based on a voltage of the output of the band gap reference generator. The turnoff circuit includes an inverter having a first transistor of a first conductivity type in series with a second transistor of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type. The startup circuit includes a body bias circuit connected to a body of the first transistor to provide a voltage differential between the body of the first transistor and a source terminal of the first transistor. |
| US09110482B2 |
Switching regulator control method
A control method for preventing an output voltage of a buck switching regulator from falling when an input voltage of the buck switching regulator falls includes: converting the input voltage into a charging current; determining a duty cycle of the buck switching regulator according to the charging current and the output voltage; and adjusting a switching frequency of a pulse width modulation signal in the buck switching regulator when the input voltage falls to a specific voltage and an off time of the pulse width modulation signal reaches a minimum value, in order to change the duty cycle to prevent the output voltage from falling. |
| US09110479B2 |
Voltage balancing circuit
A voltage balancing circuit includes (n−1)-number of voltage stabilization circuits configured between k-th reference nodes of n-number of groups of resistances and k-th output nodes of the n-number of groups of main circuit capacitors respectively where 2≦k≦n. The k-th voltage stabilization circuit is configured in such a manner that the first transistor is connected via a first resistance to a (k−a)-th output node serving as the source node and the second transistor is connected via a second resistance further connected to a (k+b)-th output node serving as the destination node, where 2≦k≦n, 1≦a≦k−1 and 1≦b≦n+1−k. |
| US09110470B2 |
Systems and methods for using multiple hypotheses in a visual simultaneous localization and mapping system
The invention is related to methods and apparatus that use a visual sensor and dead reckoning sensors to process Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). These techniques can be used in robot navigation. Advantageously, such visual techniques can be used to autonomously generate and update a map. Unlike with laser rangefinders, the visual techniques are economically practical in a wide range of applications and can be used in relatively dynamic environments, such as environments in which people move. One embodiment further advantageously uses multiple particles to maintain multiple hypotheses with respect to localization and mapping. Further advantageously, one embodiment maintains the particles in a relatively computationally-efficient manner, thereby permitting the SLAM processes to be performed in software using relatively inexpensive microprocessor-based computer systems. |
| US09110464B2 |
Route builder
Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments enable graph based routing of containers and adjustments of container routing based on one or more current material handling system state. The various embodiments enable examination and evaluation of the material handling systems using graphs to find an optimal route from a starting node in the material handling system to an ending node in the material handling system. In an embodiment, the graph may be a directed graph of edges and nodes of a material handling system. In an embodiment, the directed graph may include edge weights and the edge weights may be used to determine the optimal route for the container. In an embodiment, the edge weights may be updated as events occur in the material handling system which may result in dynamic routing of containers through the material handling system. |
| US09110459B2 |
Interference check device, interference check method, and machine tool having the interference check device
An interference check device is disposed in an apparatus including a plurality of moving bodies, moving devices for moving the plurality of moving bodies, and another moving device for moving at least one of the moving bodies in a same axial line direction as one of the moving devices. The interference check device conducts interference check when at least one of the moving bodies is moved, and includes an absolute movement amount calculating part which synthesizes a movement amount of at least one of the plurality of moving bodies, which is a subject to be checked, in the same axial line direction based on data inputted to one of the moving devices and another moving device, to determine an absolute movement amount in the same axial line direction, and an interference check part associating with the absolute amount calculating part for checking the interference check from the absolute movement amount. |
| US09110458B2 |
Positioning control apparatus and machine tool provided therewith
A positioning control apparatus has a moving body, a feed device having a guide mechanism for guiding the moving body in the direction of its feed axis and a drive mechanism for moving the moving body, a structural body supporting the feed device and a controller for controlling a moving position of the moving body with respect to a reference position on a machine tool by controlling the operation of the drive mechanism, and further has a calculating section calculating displacement of the feed device in the feed-axis direction with respect to the reference position caused by displacement of the structural body and a compensating section receiving the displacement data measured by the calculating section and adding modification data for eliminating the displacement to a control signal in the controller. |
| US09110454B2 |
Machine detection system
A method of mapping a machine having a work tool includes sensing an outer boundary of the machine and generating a first set of information indicative of the outer boundary of the machine, moving the work tool relative to the machine through substantially an entire range of motion of the work tool, and sensing an outer boundary of the work tool during movement of the work tool through substantially the entire range of motion. The method also includes generating a second set of information indicative of a location of the outer boundary of the work tool through substantially the entire range of motion, determining information indicative of a position of an object disposed proximate the machine, and determining whether the information indicative of the position of the object is included in either the first or second sets of information. |
| US09110443B2 |
Systems and methods for shear-corrected digital hologram acquisition
Systems and methods for shear-corrected digital hologram acquisition, wherein the shear-corrected geometry is highly suited for two (or more) color operation with either broadband or laser illumination. An apparatus for shear-corrected recording of a spatially heterodyne hologram with broad-band or laser illumination includes: an illumination source; a beamsplitter optically coupled to said illumination source(s); a reference beam corner-mirror pair for translation and phase-shaping of the object beam optically coupled to the beamsplitter; an object optically coupled to the beamsplitter; a focusing lens optically coupled to both the reference beam corner-mirror pair and the object; and a digital recorder optically coupled to the focusing lens. A reference beam is incident upon the translating and phase-shaping corner-mirror pair, and the reference beam and an object beam are focused by the focusing lens at a focal plane of the digital recorder to form a spatially heterodyne hologram. |
| US09110442B1 |
Information article having populated and laser ablated indicia in registration
An information article that includes a holographic film layer having at least some complementary or representative indicia formed in the holographic film layer, a first high-opacity blocking layer having at least one aperture formed by a void in the first high-opacity blocking layer, a second high-opacity blocking layer having at least one aperture formed by a void in the second high-opacity blocking layer, a first substantially clear laminate layer, wherein a primary indicia is populated on a top side of the clear laminate layer, wherein the primary indicia corresponds to or is represented by the complementary or representative indicia, wherein the complementary or representative indicia is laser ablated within the structure of the information article, and wherein the primary indicia is in close, tight, exact, or proximate registration with the complementary or representative indicia. |
| US09110440B2 |
Process cartridge and image forming device having the process cartridge
In an image forming device, a process cartridge is detachably insertable in a process frame. The developing coupling is provided in the one end of the developing unit for transmitting an external rotation force to the developing unit. The developing coupling has: a rotation axis; and a drum shutter to be pivotally moved between a first position at which the drum shutter covers the photosensitive drum and a second position at which the drum shutter does not cover the photosensitive drum. A shutter portion covering the part of the photosensitive drum at the first position. The shutter portion is in direct confrontation with the developing unit at the second position. When the process cartridge is inserted in the process frame, the drum shutter is positioned at the second position whereas when the process cartridge is not inserted in the process frame, the drum shutter is positioned at the first position. |
| US09110439B2 |
Cartridge having a grip provided on a frame
A cartridge detachably mountable to an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus, includes a grip member that is provided on the frame member for gripping the cartridge when the cartridge is mounted on or dismounted from the apparatus body, the grip member including a first molded member that is integrally molded with the frame member, and a second molded member that is integrally molded on the first molded member with a second resin after the molding of the first molded member. |
| US09110433B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a control unit that performs two types of stop operations in which an image bearing member is rotated or is not rotated after forming an image. The control unit selects the stop operation according to operation time of the image bearing member. |
| US09110432B2 |
Image forming apparatus including a cleaning roller with a resistance layer
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit and a cleaning unit. The fixing unit includes multiple local heaters configured to separately heat multiple portions of a recording medium carrying toner to fix the toner on the recording medium. The cleaning unit removes unfixed toner adhering to the recording medium after the fixing of the toner performed by the fixing unit. |
| US09110430B2 |
Cleaning device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A cleaning device for use with an image forming apparatus includes: a frame; and a cleaning member for removing a developer from an image bearing member (drum). The cleaning member includes: a blade portion contacted to the drum; and a flexible supporting member, the supporting member including one end portion where the blade portion is provided, another end portion including a portion-to-be-fixed, and a bent portion between the one end portion and the another end portion and a contact portion. When a distance between the portion-to-be-fixed and the drum in a longitudinal central side of the portion-to-be-fixed is D1, and a distance between the portion-to-be-fixed and the image bearing member in each of longitudinal end sides of the portion-to-be-fixed is D2, the distances D1 and D2 satisfy: D1≦D2. |
| US09110424B2 |
Image forming apparatus forming an image on adhesive face of print medium
An image forming apparatus includes a roll body including a print medium wound around, the medium having an adhesive face, an image forming unit to form an image on the adhesive face, a conveyance unit having a pair of a conveyance rotor and an opposed rotor to convey the medium with the medium interposed between the conveyance rotor and the opposed rotor and an adhesive face guide unit to guide the medium when the conveyance unit returns the medium in a return direction opposite a conveyance direction of the medium. The adhesive face guide unit has a downstream rotor disposed downstream from the opposed rotor in the return direction and an endless adhesive face guide member wound around the opposed rotor and the downstream rotor. The adhesive face guide member is configured to receive and guide the adhesive face of the medium returned, in a separable state. |
| US09110423B1 |
Method and apparatus for determining an amount of toner within a toner cartridge based on acoustic properties of the toner cartridge
Various techniques are described for acoustically exciting a toner cartridge and acoustically measuring an amount of ink or toner in a toner cartridge by using known resonant shaping structures built into the toner cartridge. As ink or toner is consumed, a resonant shaping structure covered by the ink or toner is partially revealed, changing an acoustic signature received from the toner cartridge. A current level of ink or toner is determined by analyzing the acoustic signature. The current level is used to calibrate a relationship function used to estimate a remaining number of pages that can be printed based on the level of ink or toner remaining in the toner cartridge. |
| US09110417B2 |
Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus including the fixing apparatus
A fixing apparatus includes a roller, a first unit configured to heat the roller, the first unit including a first tubular film, a heating portion forming member to form a heating portion with the roller, and a first guide member dotted with first protruding portions contacting the inner surface of the first tubular film, and a second unit configured to form a nip portion with the roller, the second unit including a second tubular film, a nip portion forming member to form the nip portion with the roller, and a second guide member dotted with second protruding portions contacting the inner surface of the second tubular film, wherein there is a non-overlapping area between the first protruding portions and the second protruding portions in a generatrix direction of the roller. |
| US09110416B2 |
Image heating device and pressing roller for use with the image heating device
An image heating device for heating a toner image while nip-conveying a recording material, in a nip, on which the toner image is carried, includes a heating member; and a pressing roller, including an elastic layer, for forming the nip in contact with the heating member. The elastic layer of the pressing roller includes a thermosetting silicon rubber containing a thermal conductive filler. The thermosetting silicon rubber includes pore portions formed with resin microballoons and a pore connecting portion for connecting the pore portions. The elastic layer has a thermal conductivity of 0.15 W/mK to 0.5 W/mK. |
| US09110413B2 |
Image heating apparatus having lubricant between film and nip forming portion and a film-supporting-surface groove having lubricant entrance
An image heating apparatus includes a cylindrical film; a roller contacting the film; a nip forming member contacting an inner surface of the film and cooperating with the roller to form a nip for nipping a sheet carrying an image; an opposing member opposing an inner surface of an end portion of the film along generatrix direction the film. A lubricant is provided between the film and the nip forming member. The film is longer than the roller. At least a part of the curved surface portion is provided in a region outside a contact region of the film and the roller. A portion of the curved surface portion outside the contact region is provided with a groove extending in a rotational moving direction of the film, the groove having a wall effective to remove from the film the lubricant. |
| US09110410B2 |
Image forming apparatus including a belt unit and an urging member
An image forming apparatus is provided which includes a main body, and a belt unit removable from the main body. The belt unit includes a belt extending between a drive roller and a driven roller and configured to rotate such that a recording medium is fed in a feeding direction. The apparatus further includes a feeding device that feeds the recording medium to the belt, and a positioning section including an engaging portion and an engaged portion, the positioning section being configured to position the belt unit when the engaging portion engages the engaged portion. Also, an urging member is provided that urges the belt unit and causes a pressing force to be applied between the engaging portion and the engaged portion. An urging direction of the urging member has a component in the feeding direction. |
| US09110407B2 |
Belt controller, image forming apparatus, image forming method, and recording medium storing image forming control program
A belt controller, an image forming apparatus, a belt controlling method, and a recording medium storing an image forming control program adjust a position of a belt. Each of the belt controller, the image forming apparatus, the belt controlling method, and the recording medium storing an image forming control program detects a position of the belt and transmits a position detection signal, determines whether a degree of misalignment of the belt is equal to or greater than a specified threshold before the belt starts moving based on the position detection signal, presses the belt to reduce the degree of misalignment of the belt when the degree of misalignment of the belt is equal to or greater than the specified threshold, and performs feedback control to adjust the position of the belt according to the degree of misalignment of the belt after pressing the belt. |
| US09110405B2 |
Image forming apparatus having a developer install mode
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a charging device which charges the image bearing member, an exposure device which exposes the charged image bearing member to light, a developing device having a developer carrying member, and developing the electrostatic latent image by supplying the developer from the developer carrying member, and an instructing portion which generates an instruction signal for instructing to perform a developer install mode for installing developer in the developing device at a time of non-image formation. In the developer install mode a control portion sets an absolute value of a potential on the image bearing member charged by the charging device to a value which is smaller than an absolute value of a potential of the developer carrying member caused by a direct current component of the bias to be applied to the developing device and larger than an absolute value of an image dark section potential on the image bearing member at the time of image formation. |
| US09110402B2 |
Apparatus and method for preventing an information storage device from falling from a removable device
An information storage device installed in a removable device configured to be removably installed in an image forming apparatus body, includes: an information storage unit that stores information communicated between the image forming apparatus body and the removable device; a terminal that comes in contact with a body side terminal; and a substrate that holds the information storage unit and the terminal and includes a hole configured to be engaged with a protruding section installed in the image forming apparatus body. The terminal includes a plurality of terminals each including one of a plurality of metallic plates arranged in a transverse direction thereof. An earth terminal, which comes in contact with a body side earth terminal formed in the protruding section, is formed in the hole. The hole is disposed at a position sandwiched between two metallic plates among the plurality of metallic plates. |
| US09110390B2 |
Optical device and method of in situ treating an EUV optical component to enhance a reduced reflectivity
A method of in situ treating an optical component reflecting EUV and/or soft X-ray radiation in an optical device includes providing at least one source of one or several surface materials in a vacuum chamber of the optical device where the optical component is arranged. The optical component includes one or several reflecting surfaces having a top layer of one or several surface materials. The method includes providing a source of the one or several surface materials in the chamber, and depositing surface material from the source on the one or several reflecting surfaces during operation and/or during operation-pauses of the optical device in order to cover or substitute deposited contaminant material and/or to compensate for ablated surface material. |
| US09110387B2 |
Lithographic apparatus comprising a substrate table and a surface substrate actuator
A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam and a support constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam. The lithographic apparatus further includes a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate; a positioner constructed to position the substrate table; a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate; a substrate surface actuator arranged to engage a part of a surface of the substrate facing the projection system, and a position controller configured to control a position of the substrate table, the position controller being arranged to drive the positioner and the substrate surface actuator. |
| US09110378B2 |
Illumination optical system for projection lithography
An illumination optical system for projection lithography has an optical assembly for guiding illumination light to an object field to be illuminated in an object plane. The illumination optical system divides a bundle of the illumination light into a plurality of part bundles, which are allocated to various illumination directions of the object field illumination. The illumination optical system is configured in such a way that at least some of the part bundles are superimposed on one another in a first superimposition plane according to a first superimposition specification and in a second superimposition plane, which is spaced apart from the first superimposition plane, according to a second superimposition specification. The result is an illumination optical system, in which an influencing and/or a monitoring of an illumination intensity distribution over the object field is made possible, as far as possible without influencing an illumination angle distribution. |
| US09110375B2 |
Manufacturing method of mask plate and array substrate
A manufacturing method of a mask plate and an array substrate is provided. The mask plate is for manufacturing fanout leads in a non-effective display area on an array substrate. The mask plate includes a fanout lead pattern having a plurality of fanout impression lines, wherein each fanout impression line has a predetermined line width, and each of some of the fanout impression lines has at least one curve portion, wherein for one fanout impression line, a line width of the at least one curve portion is smaller than the predetermined line width of the fanout impression line. A manufacturing method of an array substrate utilizes the foregoing mask plate to manufacture the array substrate. |
| US09110368B2 |
Anamorphic stereoscopic optical apparatus and related methods
Disclosed herein are apparatuses and methods for reclaiming the full field of view (FOV) of the original camera lens in a stereoscopic image capture system using an anamorphic attachment. Also disclosed are apparatuses and methods of projecting stereoscopic images on a fixed size screen from a single projector that was initially designed primarily for 2D operation. An exemplary apparatus may comprise an anamorphic afocal converter configured to halve a FOV of a camera or projector into two optical paths, and convert the halved FOVs into two full FOVs of the camera or projector. Such an apparatus may further comprise reflecting elements cooperatively arranged to direct two rectified images at a camera sensor or projection screen, where one or more reflecting elements receive the first of the two full FOVs and one or more reflecting elements receive the second of the two full FOVs. |
| US09110362B2 |
Tensioned projection screen assembly
A projection screen assembly is disclosed including a projection screen and a projection screen frame. The projection screen frame includes a plurality of projection screen frame modules that may be coupled together to provide a projection frame for projection screens of different sizes. |
| US09110359B2 |
Display device
A display device having a liquid crystal lens arranged on a display panel, wherein the display panel includes pixels arranged in a first direction and arranged in a second direction intersecting with the first direction. Each of the pixels includes a plurality of sub-pixels arranged in a first direction and having a first width in the first direction and a second width in the second direction, and the liquid crystal lens is formed by interposing a liquid crystal between a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate includes a plurality of first electrodes in stripes, extending in the first direction, and arranged in the second direction, and the second substrate includes a plurality of second electrodes in stripes and a plurality of third electrodes in stripes, extending in the second direction, and arranged in the first direction at predetermined intervals. |
| US09110358B1 |
Method for creating and a system for using a constant vertical resolution toroidal display
The present disclosure is generally directed to methods of creating and a visual image projection and display system including a tessellation of toroidal constant vertical resolution surfaces to display a single substantially constant vertical resolution image by blending projected images on adjacent constant vertical resolution surfaces. Each toroidal constant vertical resolution surface is defined by any horizontal section of the constant vertical resolution surface normal to a central vertical axis of the tessellation of constant vertical resolution surfaces being a constant distance from the central vertical axis. The system further includes a top surface screen intersecting the tessellation of toroidal constant vertical resolution surfaces defined by a circular azimuth curve, and a set of image projectors corresponding to each constant vertical resolution surface of the tessellation of toroidal constant vertical resolution surfaces and the top surface screen. |
| US09110356B2 |
Camera accessory, camera body and camera system
A camera accessory is detachably mounted at a camera body that includes a first body contact point, a second body contact point, a third body contact point, a fourth body contact point and a fifth body contact point and detects disengagement of the camera accessory when the fifth body contact point sustains a signal level corresponding to a first truth value continuously over a length of time equal to or greater than a predetermined time length. In the camera accessory, the accessory-side communication control device executes control so as to ensure that the signal assuming a level corresponding to the first truth value is not continuously output from the fifth accessory contact point any longer than the predetermined time length while the operating voltage supply from the camera body is provided via the first accessory contact point. |
| US09110355B1 |
External flash device for mobile electronic devices
Described herein are various configurations and designs for an external flash device. The external flash device can attach to a camera device, such as a mobile phone or smartphone, to provide enhanced flash performance to an internal flash of the camera device. An adjustable arm of the external flash device can include a sensor positionable to receive an optical transmission, such as a flash from the camera device. The adjustable arm can allow the external flash to function with various camera devices. In response to receiving and detecting the optical transmission, the external flash can activate one or more light emitting units to generate a flash that is synchronized with the capture of an image by the camera. One or more light emitting arrays can be included in the external flash to provide greater flash brightness or more than one color temperature of light emitting units. |
| US09110354B2 |
Steerable illumination source for a compact camera
A subsystem is disclosed providing a steerable-beam light source. An array of micromechanical reflectors may be disposed to selectively direct portions of light from a light source to selected targets in a scene, such as for providing composed illumination for still or video photography. The array of reflectors may be continuously steerable, thereby achieving more than the mere inefficient patterning of illumination light available from prior art projection approaches, but instead efficiently redirecting light to the desired regions of the scene. The subsystem may be sufficiently compact so as to permit integration with a compact camera into a cellular telephone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a digital still-image camera, a digital video-image camera, and so on. The array may be operated in conjunction with a camera controller to selectively illuminate one or more targets of focus or zoom, omit illumination of undesirable image regions, etc. |
| US09110353B2 |
Focal plane shuttering apparatus and image capture device
This focal plane shuttering apparatus includes: front and rear curtains; first and second elastic members which generate biasing force to make the front and rear curtains run in such a direction as to get the front and rear curtains retracted from an aperture; a charging member which applies biasing force to those elastic members; a front curtain locking member which keeps the front curtain retracted from the aperture when the charging member applies biasing force to the first elastic member; a rear curtain locking member which keeps the aperture covered with the rear curtain when the charging member applies biasing force to the second elastic member; two switches which turn synchronously with those locking members; and an unlocking member which is interlocked with the charging member that unlocks those locking members. |
| US09110347B2 |
Method of fabricating display apparatus and display apparatus fabricated thereby
A method of fabricating a display apparatus includes forming a lower electrode on a lower substrate, forming a partition structure and an ink-injection tube connected to one end of the partition structure, the partition structure including first partitions, and second partitions, and cell regions defined by the first and second partitions, covering the partition structure with an upper electrode, and injecting an electronic ink through the ink-injection tube to fill the cell regions of the partition structure. |
| US09110345B2 |
Multi-pane dynamic window and method for making same
A window assembly comprises a plurality of dynamic electrochromic zones formed on a single transparent substrate in which at least two electrochromic zones are independently controllable. In one exemplary embodiment, the window assembly comprises an Insulated Glass Unit (IGU), and at least one transparent substrate comprises a lite. In another exemplary embodiment, the IGU comprises at least two lites in which at least one lite comprises a plurality of independently controllable dynamic zones. |
| US09110340B2 |
Array substrate, liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal display device comprising protrusion electrode parts
An embodiment of the present invention discloses an array substrate comprising: a base substrate; a common electrode layer formed on the base substrate; a protective layer formed on the common electrode layer; and pixel electrodes formed onto the protective layer, wherein the base substrate is formed thereon with a plurality of protrusions parallel to each other, the common electrode layer is overcoated onto the protrusions, portions of the common electrode layer covering the protrusions are formed as protrusion electrode parts, and the pixel electrode comprises portions arranged alternately with the protrusion electrode parts. The embodiment of present invention also provides a liquid crystal panel comprising the above array substrate, as well as a liquid crystal display device. |
| US09110338B2 |
Mask for curing frame sealant and liquid crystal display panel manufacturing method
A mask for curing frame sealant and a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel manufacturing method are provided in the present invention. A transition region is formed in a joining area between a shading region and a transparent region. The shading region is adjacent to the transparent region and the transition region joins the shading region, the transition region includes at least two shading portions and a transparent portion. The shading portion and the transparent portion are alternatively arranged. When the mask is utilized for exposure, the irradiation transmittance in the transition region is lower than the irradiation transmittance in the transparent region and higher than the irradiation transmittance in the shading region. |
| US09110335B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and display apparatus using the same
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and a display apparatus using the same. In first pixel regions on a second substrate, there is a first predetermined angle between a trunk portion and branch portions. In second pixel regions, there is a second predetermined angle between the trunk portion and the branch portions. The first and second predetermined angles are different from each other. A half wave pattern retarder film is bonded to an outer surface of a first substrate or the second substrate. The present invention can improve the color shift problem and the transmittance of the LCD panel. |
| US09110334B2 |
Channelized plate
Preferred embodiments utilize a plurality of optical channels to effectively aim the light emitted by a liquid crystal display (LCD). Embodiments may also change the nominal and range of viewing angles of light in two or three dimensions in order to confine the emitted light towards the intended observer. |
| US09110332B2 |
Backlight module and liquid crystal display
The present invention discloses a backlight module and a liquid crystal display (LCD). A reflecting housing is disposed between a reflecting surface and an optical film. The reflecting housing comprises a first reflecting layer used to reflect the lights emitted from the light source to the reflecting surface, and a second reflecting layer used to reflect the lights emitted from the light source to the optical film. The optical film has reflection rates distributing along a predetermined trend, and the lights emitted to the optical film are through the optical film and uniformly emitting out in the reflection rates of the predetermined trend. |
| US09110328B2 |
Color filter and manufacturing method for the same
The present invention provides a color filter and a manufacturing method thereof. A transparent dyeable material is coated on a roller, and then imprint onto a patterned mold. A part of the transparent dyeable material is retained on the roller, and then imprinted onto a substrate by the roller and forms a black matrix (BM) layer through a dyeing process and a curing process in sequence. The other part of the transparent dyeable material is transferred onto the patterned mold for forming a plurality of softened color resist layers by the dyeing process, and then forms a plurality of color resist layers by a curing process after transferring the softened color resist layers onto the substrate having the BM layer. |
| US09110327B2 |
Trans-reflective liquid crystal display array substrate, manufacturing method thereof and display device
A trans-reflective liquid crystal display array substrate and a manufacturing method thereof. The trans-reflective liquid crystal display array substrate (1) includes a substrate (11) and a thin film transistor (12) provided thereon. A black matrix (13) is provided on the thin film transistor (12) and a reflective layer (14) is located on the black matrix (14). The brightness of the liquid crystal display panel is increased by enlarging the pixel aperture ratio. |
| US09110326B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and multi-display system
A liquid crystal display device (100) includes a liquid crystal display cell (10), a light-transmitting cover (20) having a lens portion (22) and disposed on a viewer side, a backlight (40) disposed on an opposite side to the viewer side, a light diffusion layer (38) disposed between the backlight (40) and the light-transmitting cover (20), and a refraction-index adjusting layer (28) that fixes the liquid crystal display cell (10) and the light-transmitting cover (20) to each other. A refraction index difference between the light-transmitting cover (20) and the refraction-index adjusting layer (28) is smaller than a refraction index difference between the light-transmitting cover (20) and air. |
| US09110320B2 |
Display with bent inactive edge regions
An electronic device may be provided with a display having substrate layers such as a glass color filter layer substrate and a glass thin-film-transistor layer substrate. Display layers such as first and second layers of polymer, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the layers of polymer, color filter elements, and thin-film-transistor circuitry may be formed between the color filter layer substrate and the thin-film-transistor layer substrate. Flexible inactive portions of the display layers may protrude outward from between the color filter layer substrate and the thin-film-transistor substrate. Touch sensor circuitry may be formed from a flexible polymer substrate. The touch sensor circuitry may include conductive touch sensor lines and capacitive electrodes. Each conductive line may be coupled to only a single end of a respective one of the capacitive electrodes. |
| US09110314B2 |
Optical modulator and a method of forming the same
According to embodiments of the present invention, an optical modulator is provided. The optical modulator includes a depletion region comprising a junction between from a first conductivity type portion and a second conductivity type portion, a first intrinsic region, and a second intrinsic region, and wherein the depletion region is disposed between the first intrinsic region and the second intrinsic region. |
| US09110313B2 |
Display and electronic unit
There are provided a display in which a sealing section is prevented from being spread and the sealing section is allowed to be provided in a desired region, and an electronic unit including the display. The display includes: a substrate including a sealing region and a step section, the sealing region surrounding a display region, and the step section surrounding the sealing region from outside; a display layer provided in the display region; and a sealing section provided in the sealing region. |
| US09110310B2 |
Multiple energization elements in stacked integrated component devices
This invention discloses a device comprising multiple functional layers with multiple energization elements formed on substrates, wherein at least one functional layer comprises an electrical energy source. In some embodiments, the present invention includes a component for incorporation into ophthalmic lenses that has been formed by the stacking of multiple functionalized layers. |
| US09110303B2 |
3D display panel and method of manufacturing phase difference plate
Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide a three dimensional (3D) display panel and a method of manufacturing a phase difference plate. The 3D display panel comprises: a display panel which comprises a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, the first substrate comprising a first polarizer, the second substrate comprising a second polarizer; and a phase difference plate which is directly disposed on a surface of the first substrate on an opposite side of the second substrate. |
| US09110302B2 |
Endoscope optical system
An endoscope optical system has a first lens group having positive refractive power, an aperture diaphragm, a second lens group having negative refractive power and a third lens group having positive refractive group, the second lens group moving along an optical axis to perform focusing, the first lens group having a first lens having negative refractive power and a second lens having positive refractive power, and the optical system satisfying the following conditional equation: −5.0 |
| US09110301B2 |
Microscope with a sheet of light
A family of microscopes with illumination systems directing a sheet of light having an approximately planar extension in an illumination axis of an illumination beam path and in a transverse axis orthogonally oriented to the illumination axis. The microscopes have detection devices used to detect light that is emitted by a sample region. The detection devices including a detection lens system disposed in the detection beam path and an optical detection element spaced from a front lens of the detection lens system and independently adjustable thereof. The optical detection element continuously varies the size of a detection image field and/or continuously displaces a focal plane of detection in the P-region. |
| US09110296B2 |
Image processing device, autostereoscopic display device, and image processing method for parallax correction
According to an image processing device includes an acquiring unit and a correcting unit. The acquiring unit is configured to acquire a stereoscopic image containing a plurality of parallax images each having a mutually different parallax. The correcting unit is configured to perform, for each pixel of the stereoscopic image, correction to set a parallax number of a parallax image viewed at a viewpoint position to a first parallax number of a parallax image to be viewed at the viewpoint position by using correction data representing a difference value between the first parallax number and a second parallax number of a parallax image that is actually viewed at the viewpoint position and on which distortion correction for correcting distortion of light beams has been performed. |
| US09110294B2 |
Imaging with shaped highlight beam
A source light beam is split into an illumination beam and a highlight beam. The highlight beam can be controllably shaped into a shaped highlight beam based on a brightness analysis of an image to output. The illumination beam and the shaped highlight beam are combined and provided to an imaging device that generates the image using the combined beam. An array of reflectors, such as a MEMS mirror device, can be used in conjunction with a stacked rod array to generate the shaped highlight beam. The illumination beam and the shaped highlight beam can be combined using offset lenses or a polarizing beam splitter. |
| US09110293B2 |
Prismatic image replication for obtaining color data from a monochrome detector array
An optical system for producing color images includes: an objective lens system having an entrance aperture; a multi-faceted prism positioned at the entrance aperture of the objective lens system and including at least a first face having a first optical filter formed thereon and a second face having a second optical filter formed thereon; and a monochromatic detector array positioned to receive light from the objective lens system. The multi-faceted prism intercepts light from a scene and splits a pupil of the objective lens system into two or more spectrally separated sub-images which are projected onto the monochromatic detector array. |
| US09110287B2 |
Catadioptric system and image pickup apparatus
The catadioptric system includes a first imaging optical system collecting light from an object and a second imaging optical system causing the light from the first imaging optical system to form an intermediate image and to cause the light from the intermediate image to form an optical image. The first imaging optical system includes a first optical element including a first light transmissive portion and a first back reflective portion, and a second optical element including a second light transmissive portion and a second back reflective portion. The first light transmissive portion, the second back reflective portion, the first back reflective portion and the second light transmissive portion introduce the light from the object to the second imaging optical system. The second imaging optical system includes an aspheric lens having a negative refractive power on and around the optical axis and a positive refractive index in its peripheral portion. |
| US09110286B2 |
Reflecting telescope optical system, optical unit, and image pickup apparatus using the same
A reflecting telescope optical system comprises, a main reflecting mirror, a sub reflecting mirror which is disposed at a position facing a reflecting surface of the main reflecting mirror, and a plurality of lens units which is disposed at a position facing a reflecting surface of the sub reflecting mirror. The reflecting surface of the main reflecting mirror is a concave surface, and a reflecting area is formed to be ring-shaped. The reflecting surface of the main reflecting mirror and the reflecting surface of the sub reflecting mirror are mutually facing. The first operation is a movement for focusing at an object positioned between infinity and a near position, and the second operation is a reciprocating movement for changing the focused state after focusing. An amount of movement in the first operation is larger than an amount of movement in the second operation. |
| US09110284B2 |
Electrowetting element
An electrowetting element comprising: a first fluid and a second fluid immiscible with the first fluid; and a surface. The first and second fluids are switchable to a first configuration by application of a voltage, the first fluid adjoining a first area of the surface and the second fluid adjoining a second area of the surface in the first configuration. The electrowetting element includes at least one reconfiguration reducer for reducing a reconfiguration of the first and second fluids from the first configuration to a second configuration. The second configuration has the first fluid adjoining the second area and the second fluid adjoining the first area, there being a tendency for said reconfiguration to occur when maintaining said applied voltage. |
| US09110282B2 |
Nanometer-scale optical imaging by the modulation tracking (MT) method
An optical imaging method based on a feedback principle in which the specific scan pattern is adapted according to the shape of the sample. The feedback approach produces nanometer-resolved three dimensional images of very small and moving features in live cells and in a matter of seconds. Images of microvilli in live cultured opossum kidney cells expressing NaPi co-transporter proteins with different GFP constructs and images of cell protrusions in a collagen matrix are produced with a resolution of about 20 nm. Along cell protrusions in three dimensional cellular adhesions could be identified to the extracellular matrix. |
| US09110280B2 |
Viewable surface having unnoticeable smudges
A device (110, 151, 200) with a viewable surface (201) including a plurality of transparent pedestals (210) having a reflective material (406) disposed on its sides (408) make smudges forming thereon unnoticeable by taking advantage of optical characteristics including contrast and the user's visual acuity. The pedestals (210) generally have a width (412) of less than 50 microns, a height (414) equal to twice the width (412), and a spacing (416) between adjacent pedestals (210) equal to the width (412). The device (110, 151, 200) may be an electronic device, and more particularly a portable electronic device such as a cell phone. |
| US09110273B2 |
Imaging optical system, imaging device and imaging system
An imaging device includes two imaging optical systems each of the imaging optical systems including a wide-angle lens having an angle of view wider than 180 degrees, and an imaging sensor configured to image an image by the wide-angle lens, so as to obtain an image in a solid angle of 4π radian by synthesizing the images by the respective imaging optical systems, wherein the wide-angle lens of each of the imaging optical systems includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a front group having a negative power, a reflection surface and a back group having a positive power, and is configured to bend an optical axis of the front group by the reflection surface at 90 degrees toward the back group. |
| US09110271B2 |
Imaging lens
An imaging lens which uses a larger number of constituent lenses for higher performance and features a low F-value, low-profile design and a wide field of view. Designed for a solid-state image sensor, the imaging lens includes constituent lenses arranged in order from an object side to an image side: a first positive refractive power lens having a convex object-side surface; a second negative refractive power lens having a concave image-side surface; a third positive refractive power lens having a convex image-side surface; a fourth negative refractive power lens having a concave image-side surface; a fifth positive refractive power lens as a meniscus lens having a convex image-side surface; a sixth lens as a meniscus double-sided aspheric lens having a concave image-side surface near an optical axis; and a seventh negative refractive power lens as a double-sided aspheric lens having a concave image-side surface near the optical axis. |
| US09110268B2 |
Cable pulling grip having toolless removal
A combination of a pulling grip assembly and a fiber optic cable assembly for installing the fiber optic cable, including: a flexible grip having an open loop region for pull-force engagement and a closed region engaged with the strength member in a fiber optic cable assembly; a first heat shrunk member positioned about a portion of the distal end of the fiber optic cable assembly and the distal end of cable; and a second heat shrunk member positioned about a portion of the closed region of the flexible grip and the proximal end of the fiber optic cable assembly. A method of using the pulling grip assembly and a quick release pulling grip kit for installing fiber optic cable, as defined herein, are also disclosed. |
| US09110261B2 |
Optical module and optical transmission module
An optical module is provided in which at least one of a surface light emitting device and a surface light receiving device is mounted on a positioning component on which optical fibers are positioned and mounted. The positioning component is made of an insulating resin and a plurality of lead frames that provide electrical connection are molded integrally with the positioning component. Each of the lead frames is flat plate and the plate surface of each of the lead frames serves as a first electrical connection surface and an edge face of each of the lead frames serves as a second electrical connection surface. The interconnection structure is simple and linear and is advantageous in high-frequency signal transmission. |
| US09110258B2 |
Optical fiber coupling connector
An optical fiber coupling connector includes a circuit board, light-emitting modules, light-receiving modules, an optical coupling module, a receiving member, and optical fibers. The optical coupling module includes a main body and converging lenses. The main body has a first optical surface, a second optical surface perpendicular to the first optical surface, and a reflection surface oblique relative to the first and second optical surfaces. The converging lenses are formed on the first optical surface and are aligned with the light-emitting modules and the light-receiving modules. The receiving member includes a front end portion and a rear end portion at opposite sides and defines through holes extending from the front end portion to the rear end portion. The receiving member is coupled with the main body, and the front end portion faces the second optical surface. The optical fibers are received in the through holes. |
| US09110256B2 |
Lens array and manufacturing method thereof
A lens array is provided with a prism adhered within a prism placement recessing section by an adhesive, wherein retention of air-bubbles in the adhesive on an optical path of light of each light-emitting element between the prism placement recessing section and the prism is prevented by a first air-bubble retention prevention recessing section and a second air-bubble retention prevention recessing section that communicate with the prism placement recessing section in a lens array direction, and flowing of the adhesive onto a total reflection surface is prevented by an adhesive flow prevention recessing edge section. |
| US09110254B2 |
Method and spacer for assembling flexible optical waveguide ribbons, and assembled stack of such ribbons
A method and spacer for assembling flexible optical waveguide ribbons and assembled stack of such ribbons. The method includes the steps of: providing at least two optical waveguide ribbons and a spacer, which includes at least two calibrated spaces; positioning a ribbon stack in the spacer, where the ribbon stack includes the at least two optical waveguide ribbons stacked on top of each other; constraining positioned ribbon stack in one of the calibrated spaces; and fixing constrained ribbon stack in the calibrated spaces. |
| US09110252B2 |
Adaptive device for inspecting endfaces of fiber-optic connector having multiple rows of fibers
A device for shifting the imaging axis of a microscope for inspecting endfaces of a fiber-optic connector having multiple rows of endfaces has a supporting body for receiving a microscope; a first swinging lever mounted on top of the supporting body and rotatable about a first swinging axis perpendicular to the imaging axis of the microscope; a first connecting piece extending from the first swinging lever towards the imaging axis; a second swinging lever pivoted on the first connecting piece and rotatable about a second swinging axis perpendicular to the first swinging axis; and a fitting tip connected to the second swinging lever for interfacing with the fiber-optic connector. Using two sets of biasing means and adjustment drivers, the imaging axis passing through the supporting body and the fitting tip can be shifted in two mutually perpendicular directions to selectively align with any endface of the fiber-optic connector. |
| US09110251B2 |
Processing images of fiber optic connector ends
A system includes a scope for obtaining images of an end face of an optical fiber in a fiber optic connector. The system also includes a computing device. The computing device is configured to obtain images of the end face of the optical fiber via the scope, identify surface defects on the end face of the optical fiber based on the images, and determine insertion loss of the fiber optic connector due to the surface defects. |
| US09110243B2 |
Laminate film, optically compensatory film, polarizing plate, and liquid crystal display device
Disclosed is a laminate film comprising an inner layer formed of a composition comprising a polymer material as a main component and an outer layer formed of a composition comprising a polymer material as a main component and laminated on at least one surface of the inner layer, wherein a film thickness of the outer layer differs depending upon a position in the width direction of the laminate film. |
| US09110241B2 |
Planar polarization rotator
An optical polarization rotator includes first and second optical waveguide ribs located along a planar surface of a substrate. The second optical waveguide rib is located farther from the surface than the first optical waveguide rib. First segments of the optical waveguide ribs form a vertical stack over the substrate, and second segments of the optical waveguide ribs are offset laterally in a direction along the planar surface. The first and second optical waveguide ribs are formed of materials with different bulk refractive indexes. |
| US09110239B2 |
Diffractive device
A method and apparatus for viewing or authenticating a diffractive device and a diffractive security device (1) are provided in which a first diffractive relief structure (200) is responsive to a first wavelength of visible monochromatic light, a second diffractive relief structure (200) is at least partially interlaced with the first diffractive relief structure (100) and responsive to a second wavelength of visible monochromatic light, and a third diffractive relief structure (400) is at least partially interlaced with the first and second diffractive relief structures (100, 200) and responsive to a third wavelength of visible monochromatic light. Under illumination by the first, second and third wavelengths of monochromatic light, the first diffractive relief structure (200) produces a first partial image of a first color in a reconstruction plane, the second diffractive relief structure (300) produces a second partial image of a second color in the reconstruction plane and the third diffractive relief structure (400) produces a third partial image of a third color in the reconstruction plane, and the first, second and third partial images at least partially overlap in the reconstruction plane to form a multicolored image. The diffractive security device may be used in a security document and the device may be authenticated by comparing the multicolored image to a reference image. |
| US09110234B2 |
Optical module and optical wiring board
An optical module includes: a wiring substrate having an electrode pad on a main surface thereof; an optical waveguide disposed on the main surface of the wiring substrate; an optical semiconductor device mounted on a main surface of the optical waveguide, and having a connection pad disposed on a main surface on an optical waveguide side of the optical semiconductor device; and an electrically conductive member for providing electrical connection between the electrode pad and the connection pad. The optical waveguide has a hole passing therethrough in its thickness direction to leave the electrode pad exposed. The connection pad includes a projection which is at least partly inserted in the hole. The conductive member is disposed inside the hole, and makes connection with the projection and the electrode pad. |
| US09110233B2 |
Semiconductor devices
A semiconductor device includes a single crystalline substrate, an electrical element and an optical element. The electrical element is disposed on the single crystalline substrate. The electrical element includes a gate electrode extending in a crystal orientation <110> and source and drain regions adjacent to the gate electrode. The source region and the drain region are arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the gate electrode extends. The optical element is disposed on the single crystalline substrate. The optical element includes an optical waveguide extending in a crystal orientation <010>. |
| US09110232B2 |
Thermally compensated arrayed waveguide grating assemblies
Arrayed waveguide grating can have one or both slab waveguides with relatively sharply folded optical paths and a mirror that provides the folding of the path. The folded optical paths through the slab waveguides can result in a more compact geometry of the waveguides through the device as well as smaller slab waveguides such that the device can be formed with a significantly smaller overall footprint. Also, arrayed waveguide gratings that cooperate with pivotable mirrors can adjust light passage through the waveguide in response to temperature changes to provide for thermally compensated operation of the device. Thus, very compact planar lightwave circuits filters are described that provide thermally compensated operation. |
| US09110228B2 |
Film mirror, film mirror for solar power generation and reflection device for solar power generation
A film mirror which is excellent in anti-staining and scratch resistance and can maintain good specular reflectance for sunlight over long period of time is disclosed, comprising a silver reflection layer provided on at least one side of a resin substrate, wherein the film mirror comprises an outermost layer on a light incident side and a surface of the outermost layer exhibits an electric surface resistivity value of 1.0×10−3 to 1.1×109 ohms per square, a pencil hardness of not less than H and less than 6H, and not more than 30 scratches in a steel wool test under a load of 500 g/cm2, and also disclosed are a production method thereof and a reflection device for solar power generation by use thereof. |
| US09110221B2 |
Athermal photonic waveguide with refractive index tuning
In a photonic waveguide, there is provided an undercladding layer and a waveguide core, having a cross-sectional height and width, that is disposed on the undercladding layer. The waveguide core comprises a waveguide core material having a thermo-optic coefficient. A refractive index tuning cladding layer is disposed on top of the waveguide core. The refractive index tuning cladding layer comprises a refractive index tuning cladding material having an adjustable refractive index and an absorption length at a refractive index tuning radiation wavelength. A thermo-optic coefficient compensation cladding layer is disposed on top of the refractive index tuning cladding layer. The thermo-optic coefficient compensation cladding layer comprises a thermo-optic coefficient compensation material having a thermo-optic coefficient that is of opposite sign to the thermo-optic coefficient of the waveguide core material. The thermo-optic coefficient compensation cladding layer provides at least partial compensation for the waveguide core thermo-optic coefficient. |
| US09110211B2 |
Light guide plate for plane light source, method for manufacturing the same, and plane light source unit using the same
A light guide plate and a plane light source unit are provided. The light guide plate for a plane light source unit includes a plurality of unit pattern regions each having a plurality of optical patterns on surfaces thereof, wherein one or more unit pattern regions have different sag values (height:lens size) of the optical patterns constituting the unit pattern regions. Unit pattern regions are implemented with segmented optical patterns, which are equal in height, from the outside of the light guide plate to the central part thereof, by adjusting the density and size of microlenses, thereby improving the light uniformity and light efficiency and improving the efficiency of manufacturing processes. |
| US09110208B2 |
Autostereoscopic three-dimensional image display device
An autostereoscopic three-dimensional image display device including a first light guide plate having a first surface and a second surface, the second surface being provided with a first prism changing a path of light input from a first light source on a side of the first light guide plate toward the first surface; a second light guide plate having a third surface and a fourth surface, the fourth surface being provided with a second prism changing a path of light from a second light source on a side of the second light guide plate toward the third surface; a barrier film between the first and second light guide plates and interrupting part of light from the first light guide plate; and a lenticular film above the third surface of the second light guide plate and refracting a path of light input from the second light guide plate. |
| US09110206B2 |
Light guide plate and backlight module having the light guide plate
A light guide plate includes a light incident surface for incident light, a light emitting surface for emitting the light, and microstructures formed on the light emitting surface to collimate the light. |
| US09110205B2 |
Black curable composition, light-shielding color filter, light-shielding film and method for manufacturing the same, wafer level lens, and solid-state imaging device
A black curable composition for a wafer level lens is provided which exhibits excellent developability during formation of a pattern and imparts excellent adhesion with a lens to a formed light-shielding film. The black curable composition contains an inorganic pigment, a specific dispersion resin, a polymerization initiator, and a polymerizable compound. The inorganic pigment is preferably titanium black. |
| US09110195B2 |
Electromagnetic and its combined surveying apparatus and method
An electromagnetic and its combined surveying apparatus and method, utilizing small-sized one or three-dimensional magnetic field sensors with high dynamic range and high sensitivity, which can be used together with highly populated receivers for the electromagnetic exploration. The electrical field could be derived from the vertical component of the magnetic field of the highly populated receivers and the magneto-telluric data could be derived by measuring the three components of the magnetic data. Moreover, by means of connecting the same populated receivers with geophones or MEMS accelerometers, and moving the seismic sources together with the mobile electromagnetic source, seismic survey could be carried out. It is therefore able to undertake the interpretation of the seismic, electromagnetic and magneto-telluric data and perform a combined field exploration. |
| US09110193B2 |
Upscaling multiple geological models for flow simulation
A method, system and machine-readable medium encoded with machine-executable instructions for creating an ensemble of estimated upscaled reservoir models from fine-scale geological models of the subsurface region to produce coarse-scale models of the subsurface region, the method includes computing coarse-scale attributes for a plurality of realizations, numerically simulating coarse-scale properties for a subset of the plurality of realizations, generating calibration data based on the numerically simulated coarse-scale properties and corresponding coarse-scale attributes, and estimating coarse-scale properties for a plurality of realizations, wherein the estimating is done using a statistical procedure and is calibrated using the calibration data to produce coarse-scale properties of an ensemble of upscaled models. |
| US09110190B2 |
Methods and systems for multicomponent time-lapse seismic measurement to calculate time strains and a system for verifying and calibrating a geomechanical reservoir simulator response
A system, method, and computer program configured to provide an electronic method for seismic time-lapse characterization of an underground formation are provided. The method includes decomposing, with microprocessor executing a predefined set of instructions stored in a memory, baseline and monitor seismic survey data of a formation into a four dimensional Clifford Algebraic form; extracting, via the microprocessor, time delays from a matrix of decomposed sensor measurement vectors generated based on the four dimensional Clifford Algebra form; and determining, via the processor, time strains for the underground formation from differences in the extracted time delays from the matrix before displaying the determined time strains for the underground formation to a user via a monitor or a hard copy printed document. A procedure is also provided to calibrate and refine the static and dynamic models of an underground formation using the results from the seismic time-lapse characterization. |
| US09110183B2 |
Systems and methods for remote electromagnetic exploration for mineral and energy resources using stationary long-range transmitters
A method for measuring the resistivity of geologic formations is described. An electromagnetic field may be generated using at least one stationary long-range transmitter. The frequency of the electromagnetic field may be between and/or including the ULF/ELF range. At least one component of the electromagnetic field may be measured by land, marine, submarine, and/or airborne receiver. A conductivity distribution may be determined based on the at least one measured component. The determined conductivity distribution may be correlated with geological formations and/or hydrocarbon deposits. |
| US09110181B2 |
Rotational seismometer for near-field measurements
A rotational seismometer having a housing that encases an optical lever having a light source for emitting a beam of light through a slit defined by the optical lever that is focused by a lens for focusing the beam of light to a balance bob suspended within the housing is disclosed. The balance bob includes a mirror secured to a plate attached to the housing through an arrangement that includes a thin fiber attached to a stiff wire such that the stiff wire bends and the thin wire does not bend when a tilt motion is applied to the rotational seismometer. |
| US09110179B2 |
Integrated system for investigating sub-surface features of a rock formation
A system for investigating non-linear properties of a rock formation around a borehole is provided. The system includes a first sub-system configured to perform data acquisition, control and recording of data; a second subsystem in communication with the first sub-system and configured to perform non-linearity and velocity preliminary imaging; a third subsystem in communication with the first subsystem and configured to emit controlled acoustic broadcasts and receive acoustic energy; a fourth subsystem in communication with the first subsystem and the third subsystem and configured to generate a source signal directed towards the rock formation; and a fifth subsystem in communication with the third subsystem and the fourth subsystem and configured to perform detection of signals representative of the non-linear properties of the rock formation. |
| US09110174B2 |
Pixellated detector device
A pixellated detector with an enhanced structure enables easy pixel identification even with high light output at crystal edges. A half-pixel shift between scintillator crystals (50) and detector pixels (12) enables the identification of a crystal (50) from four detector pixels (12) instead of nine pixels in case of optical crosstalk. Glass plates without any mechanical structuring may be used as a common substrate (60) for detectors and scintillators. |
| US09110173B2 |
Plasma panel based radiation detector
A position-sensitive radiation counting detector includes a first and a second substrate. A gas is contained within the gap between the substrates. A photocathode layer is coupled to the first substrate and faces the second substrate. A first electrode is coupled to the second substrate and a second electrode is electrically coupled to the first electrode. A first impedance is coupled to the first electrode and a power supply is coupled to at least one electrode. A first discharge event detector is coupled to one of the electrodes for detecting a gas discharge event in the electrode. The radiation counting detector further includes a plurality of pixels, each capable of outputting a gas discharge counting event pulse upon interaction with radiation received from the photocathode. Each gas discharge pulse is counted as having an approximately equal value. |
| US09110165B2 |
Measuring device of process automation technology for ascertaining and monitoring a chemical or physical process variable in a high temperature process in a container
An apparatus forming a measuring device for ascertaining and monitoring a chemical or physical process variable in a high temperature process in a container, wherein the measuring device is formed from at least a sensor element located in the process and at least a measurement transmitter located outside the process. At least a first sealing element is provided for sealing against penetration of process medium into the sensor element. The sensor element has a boundary location between a first sensor element region, which faces the process and which is embodied with a high thermal resistance, and a second sensor element region, which faces away from the process and which has a low thermal resistance, and that the temperature sensitive element is arranged in the sensor element at the boundary location. |
| US09110156B2 |
Apparatus and system for measuring velocity of ultrasound signal
Disclosed herein are an apparatus and a method for measuring velocity of an ultrasound signal. The apparatus for measuring velocity of an ultrasound signal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a transmitting module transmitting ultrasound signals to targets; a receiving module receiving the ultrasound signals reflected from the targets; an image generating module using the received ultrasound signals to generate a plurality of ultrasonic images having different sound velocities; and a sound velocity determining module using the plurality of generated ultrasonic images to determine optimal sound velocity for scanning the targets. |
| US09110153B2 |
Measuring device with a reduced share of stray light
A device for measurement by means of a light ray is equipped with a covering device for reducing stray light. The device comprises an array of lenses along an optical axis; a prism attached to one of the lenses with a slanted surface for coupling of the light ray incident from a light source placed lateral to the optical axis, onto the optical axis, so that the light ray can pass through the array of lenses along the optical axis; a receiver for receipt of a share of the light ray reflected by an object; and a covering device for at least one area of the prism that scatters a share of the light ray as stray light to the receiver. |
| US09110152B2 |
Method of determining threshold for detection of peak frequency in radar and object information producing apparatus using the same
A peak detecting threshold determining method is provided which determines a peak detecting threshold which is used by an FMCW radar in detecting a peak frequency component which appears as representing a target object in a frequency spectrum. A CW radar wave is transmitted to produce a CW noise spectrum. An offset is added to frequency components in a high-frequency region of the CW noise spectrum to define a first distribution as a value of the peak detecting threshold. This enables the value of the peak detecting threshold in the high-frequency region to be determined with high precision by reflecting a receiver noise containing a leakage noise. |
| US09110150B2 |
Positioning device, positioning method, program, and recording medium
There is provided a positioning device including a geomagnetism detection section which detects geomagnetism, an acquisition section which acquires a matching area obtained by checking values of a total magnetic intensity and a magnetic dip of the geomagnetism detected by the geomagnetism detection section against geomagnetic information including values of a total magnetic intensity and a magnetic dip which are associated with an absolute position, and an identification section which identifies a current location based on the area acquired by the acquisition section. |
| US09110149B2 |
Combined display of radar signal direction and strength
A device includes a radar signal detector that can determine a signal strength of a police radar signal and a direction of a source of the police radar signal. Additionally, the device includes a display in communication with the radar signal detector that provides a single display region having a visual appearance which varies based on both the direction and on the signal strength. |
| US09110148B1 |
Method and apparatus for detection of multiple pulses in a radio frequency spectrum
A method and apparatus for detection of multiple pulses present in a radio frequency (RF) environment comprises receiving the RF signal, sampling the RF signal and converting the samples from analog to digital. In-phase and quadrature components of the samples are converted to magnitude and phase. Magnitude and phase information is processed in parallel paths, each path tuned to detect pulses of a specific pulse width of interest. Filtered magnitude and phase data is processed to detect pulses. Multiple detected pulses from different processing paths are analyzed to characterize each detected pulse as to its originating source. Pulse width and time of incidence are compared to determine if multiple detected pulses represent a single pulse or unique and separate pulses. Pulse descriptor words are generated for each uniquely identified pulse. |
| US09110144B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and magnetic resonance method
According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging condition setting unit, a verification image generating unit and an imaging unit. The imaging condition setting unit is configured to set an imaging condition for applying radio frequency pre-pulses to adjust a contrast. The radio frequency pre-pulses includes a region selective radio frequency pulse. The verification image generating unit is configured to generate and display an image for verifying the contrast based on application conditions including an application region and an application number of the radio frequency pre-pulses. The imaging unit is configured to perform magnetic resonance imaging according to the imaging condition. |
| US09110143B2 |
Discharge curve calibration system and calibration method for initial discharging curve of battery
A calibration method for an initial discharging curve of a battery is provided. The method includes: measuring a first open circuit voltage at a first time point, a corresponding first discharge capacity, a second open circuit voltage at a second time point, and a corresponding second discharge capacity according to an initial discharging curve; calculating an ideal discharge capacity according to the first discharge capacity and the second discharge capacity; measuring an real discharge capacity between the first time point and the second time point; determining a total discharge capacity difference according to the ideal discharge capacity and the real discharge capacity to calibrate the initial discharging curve to generate a current discharging curve. |
| US09110142B2 |
Methods and apparatus for testing multiple-IC devices
Embodiments include systems that include at least one integrated circuit (IC) and methods for their testing. Each IC includes an input interconnect to receive an input signal, a test enable interconnect to receive a test enable signal, and a controller (e.g., a TAP controller) for performing testing of the integrated circuit based on values in at least one register (values corresponding to the input signal). Each IC also includes an input port and a multiplexer coupled to the first input interconnect, the at least one register, and the input port. The multiplexer is controllable to pass the input signal to the input port in response to non-assertion of the test enable signal, and to pass the input signal to the at least one register in response to assertion of the test enable signal. When the system includes multiple controllers, each controller may implement a different opcode-to-instruction mapping. |
| US09110137B2 |
Method for JTAG-driven remote scanning
A scan circuit (JTAG 1149 extension) for a microprocessor utilizes transport logic and scan chains which operate at a faster clock speed than the external JTAG clock. The transport logic converts the input serial data stream (TDI) into input data packets which are sent to scan chains, and converts output data packets into an output data stream (TDO). The transport logic includes a deserializer having a sliced input buffer, and a serializer having a sliced output buffer. The scan circuit can be used for testing with boundary scan latches, or to control internal functions of the microprocessor. Local clock buffers can be used to distribute the clock signals, controlled by thold signals generated from oversampling of the external clock. The result is a JTAG scanning system which is not limited by the external JTAG clock speed, allowing multiple internal scan operations to complete within a single external JTAG cycle. |
| US09110136B2 |
Circuit and method for monolithic stacked integrated circuit testing
A monolithic stacked integrated circuit (IC) is provided with a known-good-layer (KGL) test circuit and a scan segment in one of its upper layers. The test circuit includes a plurality of inputs, outputs, and multiplexers coupled to the scan segment and to a second layer of the IC. The test circuit further includes a plurality of control elements such that scan testing of the stacked IC may be conducted on a layer-by-layer basis. |
| US09110133B2 |
Reconfigurable circuit and decoder therefor
A digital decoder, used in a reconfigurable circuit, for decoding digital pulses includes a phase indicator module having inputs coupled to a reference pulse input and a data pulse input. The phase indicator module has timing information outputs that provide logic values indicative of rising and falling edges of pulses occurring on the reference pulse input and the data pulse input. A phase decoder module has inputs coupled to the timing information outputs, and outputs decoded binary data values. In operation, the phase decoder module compares at least two of the logic values at the timing information outputs with a signal representative leading and trailing edges of a pulse applied to one of the phase inputs to determine a pulse arrival order sequence on the phase inputs and thereby provide the decoded binary data values. |
| US09110132B2 |
Electrical and fluid connection system for magnetic imaging
Imaging signals from one or more surface coils are directed outwardly through a rear end portion of an imaging bore of an imaging machine, such as a magnetic resonance imaging machine (MRI). Initial processing of the imaging signals can be carried out within the imaging bore and transmitted through a pair of releasable connectors to external imaging processing equipment. By routing the surface coil imaging signals through the open rear end of an imaging bore, wires and other signal processing components need not be squeezed through the relatively limited space available around the front portion of an imaging bore. Fluid passages can be provided through the pair of releasable connectors for the passage of heating fluids, cooling fluids, and pressurized gasses including anesthesia gasses. |
| US09110130B2 |
Probe head of probe card and manufacturing method of composite board of probe head
A probe head of vertical probe card and a manufacturing method of a composite board thereof are provided. The probe head includes guide plate, composite board, and probe pin. The composite board includes first board layer and second board layer which are laminated together by joining operation. The composite board further includes through hole which is made by drilling and passed all the way through the first board layer and the second board layer. The friction coefficient of the first board layer is less than that of the second board layer, and the thermal expansion coefficient of the second board layer is less than that of the first board layer. The probe pin is penetrated all the way through the through hole of the composite board. By this, friction between the probe pin and composite board is reduced so as to stabilize the position of the probe pin. |
| US09110128B1 |
IC package for pin counts less than test requirements
An integrated circuit (IC) package with a plurality of contact leads and a plurality of contact pads disposed on a surface of the IC package is disclosed. The contact pads may be used as test probes for testing the IC. Having a plurality of contact pads may create more test locations on the IC package. The size of the IC package may also be reduced by using contact pads instead of contact leads for testing. A socket body for the IC package is also disclosed. The socket body has a plurality of contactors extending outward from the socket body. The contactors may have different heights to contact each of the contact pads and contact leads on the IC package. The contactors may be adjustable to different heights. In some embodiments, a portion of the contactors may be compressed when and IC package is placed in the socket body. |
| US09110122B2 |
Detection of a metal or magnetic object
A measuring device for detecting a metal object includes two emission coils configured to produce superimposed magnetic fields, a receiving coil in the region of both magnetic fields, and a control device configured to control the emission coils such that a value of a voltage, which is clock synchronized with alternating voltages and which is induced in the emission coils, is minimized. The control device is configured to detect the metal object when a ratio of the alternating voltages does not correspond to a ratio of distances between the receiving coils and the emission coils. |
| US09110117B2 |
System and method for detecting voltage dependence in insulation systems based on harmonic analysis
A method of testing an insulation system is disclosed. The method comprises coupling a first test lead to a first conductor, the first conductor at least partly isolated by the insulation system and coupling a second test lead to a second conductor or a ground. The method further comprises applying a test signal to the first test lead, receiving a test response from the second test lead, and analyzing the test response from the second test lead to determine a harmonic content of the test response. The method further comprises, when the harmonic content is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, determining that the insulator system has non-linear properties. |
| US09110113B2 |
Method of measuring a physical parameter and electronic interface circuit for a capacitive sensor for implementing the same
A physical parameter is measured via an electronic circuit connected to a two capacitor sensor. The circuit includes an amplifier connected to the common capacitor electrode, a logic unit for digital processing amplifier data and supplying a digital measuring signal, a digital-analog converter for supplying a measuring voltage based on the digital measuring signal, a switching unit for alternately supplying the measuring voltage to the first and second fixed capacitor electrodes, and a regulated voltage for negative biasing or a low voltage for positive biasing from a voltage supply source. A first phase consists in biasing the first fixed electrode with the measuring voltage from first binary word and reference voltage, and the second fixed electrode with low voltage, and a second phase consists in biasing the second fixed electrode with measuring voltage from second binary word, which is reverse of the first binary word, and the reference voltage. |
| US09110112B2 |
Occupant sensor device
An occupant sensor device includes a sensor body unit disposed in a base part of a seat in a vehicle, and an occupant detection device. The sensor body unit is divided into at least two parts, such as a first sensor part and a second sensor part, where the first sensor part is positioned in front of the second sensor part. Based on a capacitance between the sensor body unit and a vehicle body, the occupant detection device detects an occupant type of an occupant that is seated on the seat. In particular, the occupant detection unit is able to detect the occupant type based on a first capacitance provided by the first sensor part, a second capacitance provided by the second sensor part, and a total capacitance, which is a total of the first capacitance and the second capacitance. |
| US09110111B1 |
Methods and systems to determine a final value of random telegraph noise time constant and magnitude
A method includes, for a device and at each of a plurality of sampling frequencies, measuring a parameter of the device to generate a plurality of signals and each signal represents a time series of values of the parameter. Further, the method includes for each of the plurality of signals, identifying at least two stable states in the time series for each signal. Still further, the method includes determining a time constant associated with each stable state of each signal, determining a relationship between the time constants of each stable state and sampling frequency, and computing a final time constant value for each steady state by computing a derivative of the time constants as a function of sampling frequency relationship and comparing the derivative to a threshold. |
| US09110110B2 |
Bidirectional 3 phase power meter for compensating reverse load flow and method for metering thereby
The present invention relates to a bidirectional 3 phase power meter for compensating reverse load flow and a method for metering thereby. According to the present invention, there is provided a bidirectional 3 phase power meter for compensating reverse load flow which allows calculating power receiving and power transmitting apparent power and power factor using the detected voltage/current and a method for metering thereby. |
| US09110109B2 |
Potential measuring device
A potential measuring device which measures a charged object in a non-contact manner with a sensor may include a first shutter having a first shutter part, which is provided with a first opening which can be positioned at a position opposing the sensor, and leaf spring parts extending from both ends thereof; a second shutter having a second shutter part, which is provided with a second opening which can be positioned at a position opposing the sensor and the first opening, and leaf spring parts extending from both ends thereof; a coil provided so that a direction along a center axis opposes portions of the leaf spring parts; and a magnet provided on each of regions opposing both end sides of the coil in the leaf spring parts extending from the both ends of each of the first shutter part and the second shutter part. |
| US09110105B2 |
High performance sensor for partial discharge signal-analyzing systems
A capacitor component is adapted for capacitive coupling to an electrical power apparatus in which a PD is suspected, such as a shielded power cable; and an impedance transformance device has an input side connected directly to the capacitor component. Together the two components are used as a sensor to pick up and convey PD signals to a PD signal-analyzing system. Although the two components inherently form a classic high-pass RC filter, in accordance with the invention the input impedance at the capacitor side is much greater than the output impedance at the signal-analyzing system side. The effect is to pass much more of the lower frequency components of the PD signal for analysis by the PD signal-analyzing system than if the tranformance device were not included. |
| US09110104B2 |
Voltage-temperature sensor and system including the same
A voltage-temperature sensor includes a first converter, a second converter and a data processing block. The first converter generates first digital data based on an operational voltage and an operational temperature. The first converter has a first sensitivity to the operational voltage and the operational temperature. The second converter generates second digital data based on the operational voltage and the operational temperature. The second converter has a second sensitivity to the operational voltage and the operational temperature. The second sensitivity is different from the first sensitivity. The data processing block determines a combination of an unknown value of the operational voltage and an unknown value of the operational temperature based on a combination of the first digital data and the second digital data. |
| US09110103B2 |
Temperature compensated proximity sensor
A proximity sensor includes a relatively simple temperature compensation circuit, and includes a variable gain oscillator, a temperature sensor circuit, and a proximity determination circuit. The variable gain oscillator has a gain that varies with the proximity of a target to a sensor coil, generates an oscillating electrical signal having a substantially constant amplitude magnitude, and generates an energy signal representative of the electrical energy needed to sustain oscillations. The temperature compensation circuit senses proximity sensor temperature and supplies a temperature signal representative thereof, and the proximity determination circuit, based on the energy signal, supplies a proximity signal representative of target proximity to the sensor coil. The proximity determination circuit includes a comparator and a fixed resistor network. The comparator circuit supplies the proximity signal. The fixed resistor network is coupled between the temperature sensor circuit and comparator circuit and supplies a temperature compensation signal to the comparator circuit. |
| US09110102B2 |
Electrical test switch
Disclosed herein are various embodiments of electrical test switches. According to one embodiment, a test switch may include a switch lever, a test port configured to directly couple to a standard connector, a relay port, a field port, and an insulated frame configured to electrically insulate at least some electrically conductive portions of the test port, the relay connector, and the field connector from contact by a user. A user may actuate the switch lever in order to reconfigure the electrical test switch from a first configuration to a second configuration. In the first configuration, the test port contact is electrically isolated from the relay connector and the field connector is electrically connected to the relay connector. In the second configuration, the test port contact is electrically connected to the relay connector and the relay connector is electrically isolated from the field connector. |
| US09110093B2 |
Sealed AFM cell
Provided is a sealed AFM cell in which measurement accuracy does not decrease and the types of observation liquids are not limited. A sealed AFM cell according to the present invention includes: a cantilever including a probe; a sample holder for fixing the sample; a scanner for moving the sample holder; a lid part which holds the cantilever so as to position the probe near a measurement surface of the sample; and a main body part which is a component for holding the scanner and positioned opposite the lid part with the sample in between, in which the lid part and the main body part are joined via a sealing liquid to seal the observation liquid inside a space formed by the lid part, the main body part, and the sealing liquid, the sealing liquid being different from the observation liquid and not in contact with the observation liquid. |
| US09110092B1 |
Scanning probe based apparatus and methods for low-force profiling of sample surfaces and detection and mapping of local mechanical and electromagnetic properties in non-resonant oscillatory mode
This invention relates to multi-purpose probe-based apparatus, and to methods for providing images of surface topography, and detection and quantitative mapping of local mechanical and electromagnetic properties in non-resonant oscillatory mode. These methods may include filtering of incoming probe signals. These incoming probe signals provide time deflection curves, parts of which are used for the control of scanning and collection of data that reflects sample adhesion, stiffness, elastic modulus and viscoelastic response, electric and magnetic interactions. These methods permit adaptive choice of an AFM's deflection set-point, which allows imaging at the contact repulsive force for precise surface profilometry, as non-resonant oscillation brings tip and sample into intermittent contact. These methods permit choosing a desired deformation model that allows an extraction of quantitative mechanical properties including viscoelastic response from deflection curves. These methods also permit local quantitative measurements of tip-sample current and detection of surface potential, capacitance gradients and piezoresponse in non-resonant oscillatory mode. The stable thermal environment reduces apparatus thermal drift and improves apparatus performance. |
| US09110090B2 |
Piezoresistive micromechanical sensor component and corresponding measuring method
A piezoresistive micromechanical sensor component includes a substrate, a seismic mass, at least one piezoresistive bar, and a measuring device. The seismic mass is suspended from the substrate such that it can be deflected. The at least one piezoresistive bar is provided between the substrate and the seismic mass and is subject to a change in resistance when the seismic mass is deflected. The at least one piezoresistive bar has a lateral and/or upper and/or lower conductor track which at least partially covers the piezoresistive bar and extends into the region of the substrate. The measuring device is electrically connected to the substrate and to the conductor track and is configured to measure the change in resistance over a circuit path which runs from the substrate through the piezoresistive bar and from the piezoresistive bar through the lateral and/or upper and/or lower conductor track. |
| US09110088B1 |
Propagation medium velocity measurement system
An apparatus measures an electromagnetic signal (e.g., light) propagation time delay that varies with system speed relative to its propagation medium. A one-way light propagation time measurement in the medium between two fixed points moving relative to the medium is used. The delay is compared with light propagating in a constant reference path that is independent of motion. A two-way system is also used, as well as increasing sensitivity through a light zigzag and fiber optic coil delay. The apparatus is a compact and extremely sensitive speedometer. |
| US09110084B2 |
Cartridge device for a measuring system for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid, a corresponding measuring system, and a corresponding method
The present invention is directed to a cartridge device for a measuring system for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid, in particular a blood sample, comprising a cartridge body having at least one measurement cavity formed therein and having at least one probe element arranged in said at least one measurement cavity for performing a test on said sample liquid; and a cover being attachable on said cartridge body; wherein said cover covers at least partially said at least one measurement cavity and forms a retaining element for retaining said probe element in a predetermined position within said at least one measurement cavity. The invention is directed to a measurement system and a method for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid. |
| US09110083B2 |
Biomarkers for early detection of ovarian cancer
Biomarker proteins that can be used in the diagnosis of early-stage ovarian cancer (OC) are described. The biomarker panels not only permit the distinction of patients with ovarian neoplasia (benign or malignant) from normal subjects, but they also allow the identification of patients with early-stage (stage I/II) ovarian cancer from those patients with benign ovarian tumors or normal individuals. The invention additionally provides methods for detecting and treating various cancers, including cancer of the ovary using OC-related molecules. |
| US09110078B2 |
Diagnosis of liver pathology through assessment of anti-gal IgG glycosylation
Methods for diagnosing pathology of the liver in subject suspected of having such pathology by measuring the glycosylation of anti-gal IgG in various biological fluids of the subject. |
| US09110074B2 |
Mass spectrometry assay for eIF4E and eIF4E regulon activity
Provided is a highly sensitive high throughput mass spectrometry-based quantitative assay for 4E/4E regulon pathway proteins has been developed which provides for single sample multiplexed analysis, as well as the analysis of protein phosphorylation states. It may be adapted for use as the first single sample analytical method of the 4E/4E regulon biological pathway. |
| US09110072B2 |
Assembly of a cartridge and a cartridge clamp, and a cartridge clamp for use in such an assembly
An assembly of a cartridge and a cartridge clamp is disclosed. The cartridge has a cartridge body bounding a passage extending from a first end face to a second end face of the cartridge body. The cartridge clamp has a first and second clamping jaw comprising a first and second clamping face, respectively. A first and a second conduit are connected to the first and second clamping jaw, respectively. Said cartridge clamp is adapted for clamping said cartridge in-between the first and the second clamping face and for forming a closed circuit composed of the first conduit, the passage and the second conduit during clamping. Each clamping face has a ring-shaped protrusion extending around the end aperture of the respective conduit. The cartridge body is completely made of PEEK and each ring-shaped protrusion has a contact end face. |
| US09110068B2 |
Physical removal of biological agents detected by a magnecytometer
A system and method for analyzing a sample of liquid having an NMR signal in response to a magnetic field for the presence of an analyte. Included is an NMR device having a testing section that is adapted to contain a liquid and apply a magnetic field to the liquid. A complex comprised of a conjugate having a field gradient bound to the analyte that is of sufficient magnitude to quench the NMR signal of the liquid when in the test section whereby the presence of the complex is determined by the absence of the NMR signal. The system and method also include a container having a binding agent therein that has an affinity for the analyte or foreign agent that is used to remove the foreign agent from a patient's blood or plasma. Blood or plasma is shunted through the container to remove or reduce the foreign agent by extracorporeal circulation. |
| US09110065B2 |
Methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer
Methods for detecting, diagnosing and monitoring thyroid cancer in a subject are described comprising measuring in a sample from the subject markers including Ep-ICD and EpEX. The invention also provides kits and compositions for carrying out the methods of the invention. |
| US09110064B2 |
Methods for diagnosis and treatment of endometrial cancer
The present invention discloses methods of using epithelial membrane protein 2 (EMP2) as a biomarker for stratification of endometrial premalignancy, diagnosing, staging and imaging of endometrial neoplasia. Further, methods for identifying pharmaceutical/therapeutic modalities are described, including compositions which modulate glycolipid-enriched lipid raft microdomains (GEMs). |
| US09110060B2 |
Automated packing system and method for chromatography columns
A column packing system comprises a control unit provided with software for monitoring the column interior pressure and/or flow through the column for use in calculating the breakpoint where a movable adapter comes into contact with a consolidated bed of bed media. The calculated breakpoint is used by the control unit to determine how much further the movable adapter has to move into the column in order to achieve a desired amount of bed compression. |
| US09110052B2 |
Biological information, acquisition method and instrument, and physiologically-active substance measurement method and instrument
A biological information acquisition method for acquiring information on a living body on a basis of a quantified value of a physiologically active substance originated from the living body, includes a step of collecting the physiologically active substance from a body surface of the living body. |
| US09110048B2 |
Devices and methods for measuring the acidity of airborne matter using UV-visible spectrometry
Devices and methods for measuring the acidity of airborne matter are provided. A filter can be impregnated with an indicator dye which changes color in response to changes in acidity. After the sample passes through the filter, the filter can be analyzed using UV-visible spectrometry. |
| US09110045B2 |
Device for controlling a fluid flow in a compartment
The present invention relates to a device for controlling the flow of a fluid in a compartment (4) with an inlet opening (5) and an outlet opening (6). The device comprises an inlet channel (8) connected to the inlet opening for transportation of fluid to the compartment, an outlet channel (9) connected to the outlet opening for transportation of fluid from the compartment and a pump (17) arranged to pump the fluid. The compartment is provided with a third opening (12). The device comprises a distribution chamber (15) connected to the inlet channel and a third channel (14) connected between the distribution chamber and the third opening for transportation of fluid between the distribution chamber and the compartment. The pump is arranged to vary the fluid flow velocity in the distribution chamber between a lower and a higher flow velocity, and the third channel is arranged so that its transport direction depends upon the flow velocity in the distribution chamber such that the fluid in the third channel is transported in a direction from the distribution chamber to the compartment at said lower flow velocity in the distribution chamber, which leads to a slow flow in the compartment, and in the opposite direction at said higher flow velocity in the distribution chamber due an injector effect, which leads to a substantial increase in the flow velocity in the inlet channel and thus in the compartment. |
| US09110042B2 |
Clinical specimen processing apparatus and clinical specimen processing system
A clinical specimen processing apparatus that includes: a preparation device that is configured to conduct operations to perform predetermined processing of clinical specimen; a controller in communication with the preparation device, wherein the controller is configured to detect an operating condition of the preparation device which performs the predetermined processing; a central processing unit that is configured to: 1) compare a detection value detected by the controller to a first threshold value and a second threshold value; and 2) determine whether or not the preparation device is in any one of three condition stages. |
| US09110039B2 |
Auto-focus system and methods for die-to-die inspection
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for detecting defects in a semiconductor sample having a plurality of identically designed areas. An inspection tool is used to construct an initial focus trajectory for a first swath of the sample. The inspection tool is then used to scan the first swath by following the initial focus trajectory for the first swath while collecting autofocus data. A z offset measurement vector for each identically designed area in the first swath is generated based on the autofocus data. A corrected z offset vector is constructed for inspection of the first swath with the inspection tool. Constructing the corrected z offset vector is based on combining the z offset measurement vectors for two or more of the identically designed areas in the first swath so that the corrected z offset vector specifies a same z offset for each set of same positions in the two or more identically designed areas. |
| US09110037B2 |
Diode laser based broad band light sources for wafer inspection tools
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for performing inspection or metrology of a semiconductor device. The apparatus includes a plurality of laser diode arrays that are configurable to provide an incident beam having different wavelength ranges. At least some of the laser diode arrays form two dimensional stacks that have different wavelength ranges from each other. The apparatus also includes optics for directing the incident beam towards the sample, a detector for generating an output signal or image based on an output beam emanating from the sample in response to the incident beam, and optics for directing the output beam towards the detector. The apparatus further includes a controller for configuring the laser diode arrays to provide the incident beam at the different wavelength ranges and detecting defects or characterizing a feature of the sample based on the output signal or image. |
| US09110035B2 |
Method and system for detecting defects of transparent substrate
A method and a system for detecting defects of a transparent substrate are provided. The system includes: a plurality of detection channels, each of which includes an illumination component for providing illumination to the substrate and an imaging component for scanning the substrate to provide image of the substrate; a transport module, for producing relative motion between the substrate and the illumination components and the imaging components included in the plurality of detection channels; and a controlling module, for controlling the illumination components and the imaging components included in the plurality of detection channels so that at least two illumination components of the illumination components included in the plurality of detection channels provide illumination to the substrate alternately, and the imaging component included in any of the plurality of detection channels scans the substrate when the illumination component included in that detection channel illuminates the substrate, wherein the imaging components included in at least two detection channels of the plurality of detections channels are the same imaging component. The method and system described by the present invention is capable of discriminating real defects from fake defects which enables substrate to be inspected with free of cleaning. |
| US09110023B2 |
Optical system
An optical system includes a sample carrier receiving region configured to receive a carrier carrying a sample for processing, a source that emits an excitation signal having a wavelength within a first predetermined wavelength range, and a first set of optical components that direct the excitation signal along an excitation path to the sample carrier receiving region, wherein radiation having a wavelength within a second predetermined wavelength range is emitted from the sample carrier receiving region in response to receiving the excitation signal. The system further includes a detector configured to detect the emitted radiation and generates a signal indicative of a power of the detected radiation and a second set of optical components that directs the emitted radiation along a collection path to the detector and a power meter that measures a power of the radiation emitted from the sample carrier receiving region and generates a signal indicative thereof. |
| US09110022B2 |
Acoustic methods and systems for detecting terahertz radiation
Methods and systems for detecting radiation for example, terahertz radiation, with the aid of acoustic signal generation and detection include: directing an optical beam into a volume of gas; ionizing at least a portion of the volume of gas with the optical beam to produce a plasma; and detecting an acoustic signal produced from an interaction of a radiation wave with the plasma. The methods and systems are particularly adapted for remote detection of chemicals, biological substances, and explosives, among others. The capability of the methods and systems can be enhanced by employing multi-color laser excitation to produce the plasma and varying the time delay between the multi-color pulses. |
| US09110019B2 |
Analytical apparatus and analytical method
Disclosed is a flow cytometer using a spectral device and a multi-detector, in which setting of an optimum wavelength band prior to measuring fluorescence intensity in real time is supported. A signal processing unit stores the intensities in multiple wavelength bands, the intensities being obtained by measuring a calibration sample, and the distribution of the intensities is calculated and displayed by each of the wavelength bands. |
| US09110018B2 |
Distributed optical fibre sensor
There is disclosed a distributed optical fiber sensor arranged to deliver probe light pulses of different wavelengths into corresponding different sensing optical fibers, and to determine one or more parameters as functions of position along each of the sensing fibers from detected backscattered light of each corresponding wavelength. In another arrangement, the different wavelengths are directed in different corresponding directions around a loop of sensing optical fiber. |
| US09110015B2 |
Method and system for delta double sampling
An array of sensors arranged in matched pairs of transistors with an output formed on a first transistor and a sensor formed on the second transistor of the matched pair. The matched pairs are arranged such that the second transistor in the matched pair is read through the output of the first transistor in the matched pair. The first transistor in the matched pair is forced into the saturation (active) region to prevent interference from the second transistor on the output of the first transistor. A sample is taken of the output. The first transistor is then placed into the linear region allowing the sensor formed on the second transistor to be read through the output of the first transistor. A sample is taken from the output of the sensor reading of the second transistor. A difference is formed of the two samples. |
| US09110014B2 |
Field effect transistor-based bio-sensor
An apparatus comprises: a sensing element formed on a buried oxide layer of a substrate and providing communication between a source region and a drain region; a gate dielectric layer on the sensing element, the gate dielectric layer defining a sensing surface on the sensing element; a passive surface surrounding the sensing surface; and a compound bound to the sensing surface and not bound to the passive surface, the compound having a ligand specifically configured to preferentially bind a target molecule to be sensed. An electrolyte solution in contact with the sensing surface and the passive surface forms a top gate of the apparatus. |
| US09110009B2 |
Gradient index (GRIN)-based absorption spectroscopy apparatus, method, and applications
Apparatus and method to measure optical absorption spectra with spatial resolution on the micron scale. An exemplary setup combines a continuous white light excitation beam in transmission geometry with a GRIN-based detection path in place of a typical confocal microscope. The apparatus and method enables the investigation of spatial variations in the optical density of small samples on the micron scale and the study of biological assemblies at the single cell level, leading to applications in optical diagnostics, microfluidics, cytology, and other areas. |
| US09110006B1 |
Frequency-feedback cavity enhanced spectrometer
A spectrometer comprising an optical cavity, a light source capable of producing light at one or more wavelengths transmitted by the cavity and with the light directed at the cavity, a detector and optics positioned to collect light transmitted by the cavity, feedback electronics causing oscillation of amplitude of the optical signal on the detector at a frequency that depends on cavity losses, and a sensor measuring the oscillation frequency to determine the cavity losses. |
| US09110004B2 |
Laboratory x-ray micro-tomography system with crystallographic grain orientation mapping capabilities
A method and system for three dimensional crystallographic grain orientation mapping illuminates a polycrystalline sample with a broadband x-ray beam derived from a laboratory x-ray source, detects, on one or more x-ray detectors, diffracted beams from the sample, and processes data from said diffracted beams with the sample in different rotation positions to generate three dimensional reconstructions of grain orientation, position, and/or 3-D volume. A specific, cone beam, geometry leverages the fact that for a point x-ray source with a divergent beam on reflection of an extended crystal grain diffracts x-rays such that they are focused in the diffraction plane direction. |
| US09110002B2 |
Sensor device
A sensor device is provided for detecting thawing on surfaces with interdigital electrodes formed in a resistance layer which is formed on a substrate. In order to develop the sensor device further so that the measuring speed of the sensor device is further increased, the disclosure proposes that the interdigital electrodes and recesses between the interdigital electrodes have a moisture-sensitive hydrophilic surface through condensation cores applied to it. |
| US09110001B2 |
Method for tagging reference materials of interest in spectroscopic searching applications
A method, apparatus and computer program product for tagging reference materials of interest in spectroscopic searching applications is presented. A reference list of materials to be considered as part of a final analysis of a spectroscopic analysis of a sample material is generated. A watchlist of at least one material to be retained for a final analysis of the spectroscopic analysis of a sample material is provided. A final analysis of the sample material is preformed using the watchlist of at least one material and the reference list of materials. A determination is then made regarding whether a spectrum of the sample material matches at least one spectrum of materials on the watchlist and on the reference list. |
| US09109994B2 |
Inelastic electron tunneling air monitor
Technologies are generally described for an air monitoring device, a method for forming an air monitoring device, and methods and systems for monitoring air using an air monitoring device. A method of forming an air monitor device may include placing a sorbent membrane on a material of n type conductivity. The method may further include placing an electrode on the membrane and placing a thermoelectric heater in thermal communication with the membrane. The method may further include placing the membrane, material, and electrode in a sealed container including a valve to form the air monitor device. The valve may be effective to selectively expose the membrane to an environment outside of the container. |
| US09109991B2 |
Electrochemical probe with coated, fingered electrodes for corrosion monitoring in oil-water mixtures and gas systems containing hydrogen sulfide
Electrochemical probes for corrosion monitoring in an environment that may cause the formation of electron conducting deposits and the method for making such probes were disclosed. The probes have exposed fingered electrodes. Except for the sensing areas at the tip sections, all surfaces of the exposed electrodes are coated with an inner electrically insulating coating or tubing and one or more additional coating(s) or tube(s). One of the additional coatings is ion conducting. The electrodes are spaced such that there are gaps between the outer surfaces of the neighboring electrodes to prevent the formation of a continuously distributed electron conducting deposits between the sensing surface of one electrode and the sensing surfaces of the other electrodes. These probes are especially suitable for applications in gas systems and oil-water mixtures containing hydrogen sulphide (H2S). |
| US09109981B2 |
Methods and apparatus for indoor air contaminant monitoring
Methods and apparatus for determining indoor air contaminant levels independent of outdoor contaminant levels. In one embodiment, an infinite geometric series is used to compute a true indoor air contaminant level in a room. |
| US09109975B2 |
Apparatus for measuring backlash in specimen gear
An apparatus for measuring a backlash in a specimen gear is provided. The apparatus includes a test gear mounted on a forward portion of a spindle, the test gear is configured to mesh with the specimen gear and form an electrical circuit upon contact with the specimen gear. An encoder is rotatably connected to the spindle and configured to output a rotation angle of the spindle. An interrupt unit is configured to detect an opening and closing of the electrical circuit and generate one or more interrupt signals based on the opening and the closing of the electrical circuit. A measuring unit is operatively coupled to the encoder and the interrupt unit, the measuring unit is configured to start measurement, and stop measurement of backlash based on the interrupt signal. |
| US09109971B2 |
Respiratory condition analysis apparatus, respiratory condition display apparatus, processing method therein, and program
A respiratory condition analysis apparatus includes a respiratory signal acquisition section configured to acquire a time-series respiratory signal including respiratory sound of a living body, a respiratory segment identification section configured to identify a respiratory segment that is a time segment including the respiratory sound in the respiratory signal, a feature value generation section configured to generate a predetermined feature value of the respiratory signal for the identified respiratory segment, and a respiratory abnormality degree generation section configured to generate a degree of abnormality of the respiratory sound included in the respiratory signal on the basis of the feature value. |
| US09109968B2 |
Strain sensor apparatus and method of strain sensing
According to the present invention there is provided a strain sensor apparatus comprising, two or more strain sensors each of which is capable of measuring strain and each of which is configured such that it can be arranged to cooperate with a structure to be monitored so that strain in the structure can be detected by a strain sensor, and one or more position references which is/are arranged in a predetermined position relative to the two or more strain sensors and wherein the one or more position references are each configured such that they are suitable for cooperating with a measuring means; one or more measuring means which is configured to cooperate with the one or more position references so that the angular orientation of the one or more position references can be determined. There is further provided a corresponding method for sensing strain in a structure. |
| US09109964B2 |
Pressure detection device and polishing apparatus
A pressure detection device includes a pressure detector, a bearing member, at least two guiding rods passing through the bearing member and connecting with the pressure detector, at least two elastic elements sleeving on the at least one guiding rod and resisting between the bearing member and the pressure detector for transferring forces from the bearing member to the pressure detector. |
| US09109963B2 |
Pressure and shear force measurement device and method
A pressure and shear force measurement device and a pressure and shear force measurement method are disclosed. The measurement device includes a flexible substrate; a plurality of signal outputting units embedded in the flexible substrate for outputting signals; and a plurality of signal detectors disposed at a peripheral of the flexible substrate for receiving at least a signal outputted from the signal outputting units, wherein when the flexible substrate has a load applied thereon and each of the signal outputting units has a displacement, each of the signal detectors detects a pressure and a shear force resulting from the load on the flexible substrate based on the signal received from the signal outputting units. |
| US09109961B2 |
Compound calibrator for thermal sensors
The present invention, in one aspect, provides a method for calibrating thermal control elements in situ using a single compound calibrator. In some embodiments, the present invention uses a compound calibrator to calibrate thermal control elements on a microfluidic device. In non-limiting embodiment, the compound calibrator can be a droplet, plug, slug, segment or continuous flow of any appropriate solution that, when heated, yields a thermal response profile with a plurality of features (e.g., maxima, minima, inflection points, linear regions, etc.). |
| US09109960B2 |
Estimating temperature
A method of estimating a temperature of a material being heated is described. The method may comprise supplying electrical power to a heating element in dependence on a measured temperature, calculating a rate at which the amount of electrical power supplied changes over time, comparing the calculated rate with a plurality of known values in order to determine the value of a parameter relating to thermal properties of the material being heated, and calculating an estimated temperature based on the determined value of said parameter. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise detecting a drop in temperature of the material being heated, by detecting a change in the calculated rate at which the amount of electrical power supplied changes over time. |
| US09109958B2 |
Multi-chamber heat treatment device and temperature control method
The multi-chamber heat treatment device includes a temperature sensor (31) attached to an object to be treated (X), a signal transmission unit (30) which transmits a detected signal from the temperature sensor to the outside of a heating chamber and a cooling chamber, and a temperature measuring unit (40) which is arranged outside the heating chamber and the cooling chamber to measure the temperature of the object from the detected signal of the temperature sensor transmitted from the signal transmission unit (30). |
| US09109950B2 |
Method and device for correcting spatial response for imaging fourier transform spectrometers
A method for correcting spatial response for an imaging Fourier transform spectrometer comprises the following steps: a prior step of calculation of the equalization parameters comprising a gain and an offset from data forming calibration scenes; a step of determination of equalization coefficients at a so-called pseudo superpixel level determining the gains and offsets at macropixel level from the data from a raw image that are collected by the imaging spectrometer in image mode, and gains and offsets determined in the prior step; and a step of equalization at pseudo superpixel level, applying the equalization coefficients to a macropixel from an acquisition in the interferogram mode of the imaging spectrometer in order to restore an equalized interferogram. |
| US09109946B2 |
Infrared thermometer
One aspect of the present invention is an infrared thermometer with an infrared sensor. The infrared thermometer is adapted for determining a temperature on at least one predetermined spot on or in a human or animal body and further comprises recognition means for recognizing if the sensor is properly positioned on said at least one predetermined spot. Further shown is a method of operating an infrared thermometer. |
| US09109945B1 |
System and method for configuring a thermal imaging instrument
A graphical user interface for configuring parameters associated with a portable infrared imager is provided. The interface can be used to manually or automatically set range and span parameters. The interface can also be used to configure one or more alarms to notify a user that a detected temperature is outside a predetermined range. |
| US09109943B2 |
Weight-sensing surfaces with wireless communication for inventory tracking
Methods, systems, and devices are described for identifying and determining quantity data for consumable items from a plurality of weight sensing devices. A consumption metric for the consumable items is determined based on the identification and quantity data. Consumption-related information is provided based on the consumption metric. Consumption-related information may be used for a number of purposes, including for providing aggregate consumption information to suppliers, and health advice and recipes to users, for example. |
| US09109938B2 |
Level sensor and associated control circuit, in particular for a filter for vehicles
A sensing device includes at least one electrode pair (2, 3, 4) and one sensing circuit (140) connected to the electrode pair (2, 3, 4). The sensing circuit (140) switches the value of its own output voltage when a substance establishes contact across the electrodes (2, 3, 4). The device further includes one output circuit (180) connected to the output of the sensing circuit (140) and adapted to provide an output signal (s7) representative of the presence of a substance across the electrode pair (2, 3, 4). The device also allows the output signal to take different voltage and/or current and/or frequency values, in particular such that values can be discerned which are representative of the presence or level of substances and/or representative of faults of the device. |
| US09109936B2 |
Measuring device electronics for a measuring device as well as measuring device formed therewith
A measuring device electronics comprises a processor and two clock signal generators. One clock signal generator serves for producing a working clock signal, and also for producing a reference clock signal which is dependant on the working clock signal. The other clock signal generator, serves for producing a second reference clock signal, which is independent of the working clock signal. Based on the two independent reference clock signals, a frequency difference, can, to the extent that such is present, be ascertained during operation of the measuring device electronics or of the measuring device formed therewith. The frequency difference, represents a difference between the instantaneous clocking frequency of the first reference clock signal and the instantaneous clocking frequency of the second reference clock signal, and, in this respect, represents a measure for a deviation of an instantaneous clocking frequency, from the nominally predetermined clocking frequency, of the working clock signal. |
| US09109935B2 |
MEMS utility meters with integrated mass flow sensors
This invention is related to an apparatus which incorporates a microfabricated silicon mass flow sensor to measure city gas flow rate in a medium pressure range for utility industry which is dominated by conventional mechanical meters such as turbine and rotary meters. The microfabricated mass flow sensor is so called micro-electro-mechanical systems (a.k.a. MEMS) device. Due to the small feature size of micro scale for MEMS mass flow sensor, the invented apparatus includes many advantages such as low power consumption, compact package, high reliability and extended dynamic measurement range. This apparatus is also provided with a stable flow conditioning to achieve a desired dynamic range capability. Furthermore, because of the high accuracy characteristic, the apparatus in this invention could be applied for custody transfer or tariff in utility industry as well. |
| US09109924B2 |
Method for determining the set position of an adjustment part
An adjustment system and method is provided for determining a set position of a motor-driven adjustment part of a motor vehicle by a Hall sensor, which is arranged in a rotated magnetic field. The drive of the adjustment part is activated for a specified number of approaches of the adjustment part toward an end position. A counter is changed by a counting value upon each approach of the adjustment part toward the end position. A standardization drive to the end position is carried out when the specified number of approaches is reached, and each deactivation and/or activation of the Hall sensor is detected and the counter state of the counter is changed according to the number of deactivation and activation cycles. |
| US09109922B2 |
Magnetically-impervious retrofit kit for a metered-commodity consumption meter
Apparatus and associated methods relate to a Metered-Commodity Consumption Meter (MCCM) utilizing a rotationally occluded optical beam to simultaneously measure flow/consumption and verify operational integrity. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an existing MCCM may be retrofit by sealably attaching a module containing an optical system which may generate one or more optical beams. Each optical beam may have a defined optical path originating from an optical source and terminating at an optical sensor within the module. In an exemplary embodiment, a Rotational Retrofit Member (RRM) may be attachable to a rotational metering gear responsive to a flow/consumption of the metered commodity. The RRM may have an occluding blade which may partially occlude the optical beams periodically when the RRM rotates. In various embodiments, the MCCM may be retrofit to make the measurement of the metered commodity impervious to external magnetic fields. |
| US09109921B1 |
Contextual based navigation element
Various embodiments enable a user to navigate within an application where features of the navigation vary depending on a context of the user or particular features of the application. For example, a user could request directions, in a turn-by-turn mode of the computing device, to a destination. Accordingly, mapping information for a region and a route to the destination through the region can be displayed. Along with the mapping information, a navigation element can be displayed that enables the user to navigate through the mapping information. In one example, the navigation element is displayed off-center from the mapping information such that it does not obscure the mapping information while the user provides touch inputs to navigate within the same. |
| US09109919B2 |
Curved-section-information supplying apparatus and curved-section-information supplying method
A curved-section-information supplying apparatus includes: a clothoid-section identifying unit that identifies a clothoid section included in a curved section of a road; a clothoid-coefficient obtaining unit that obtains a clothoid coefficient for a clothoid curve representing a shape of the clothoid section identified by the clothoid-section identifying unit; and a radius-of-curvature calculating unit that calculates a radius of curvature at a position at a travel distance in the clothoid section, based on the clothoid coefficient and a curve length from a start point of the clothoid curve, the curve length corresponding to the travel distance from a start point of the clothoid section, to supply curved-section information based on the radius of curvature at the position at the travel distance in the clothoid section. |
| US09109913B2 |
Roadway-induced ride quality reconnaissance and route planning
Route planning for road vehicles is performed taking into account a ride quality that results from the roadway conditions along road segments on a route. A plurality of vehicles equipped with controlled suspensions calculate ride quality indices as the vehicles move over a plurality of road segments. The plurality of vehicles transmit the ride quality indices tagged with respective geographic coordinates to an aggregating server. The aggregating server determines a composite ride quality index for each road segment. A subscriber generates a route planning request identifying an origin and a destination. At least one potential route is identified between the origin and the destination comprised of selected road segments. A route ride quality index is determined in response to the selected road segments, and the potential route and the route ride quality index are presented to the subscriber for selection. |
| US09109909B2 |
Navigation devices
A method of creating map data, including search acceleration data arranged to increase the speed at which a route can be planned across an electronic map, which comprises a plurality of navigable segments, representing segments of a navigable route in the area covered by the map, wherein the method comprises: a) processing the navigable segments in order to generate the search acceleration data for at least some of, and generally each of, the navigable segments of the electronic map indicating whether that navigable segment is part of a minimum cost route; and b) processing the generated search acceleration data in order to compress that data wherein the compression includes computing the correlation of pairs of bits in the search acceleration data and coalescing correlated bits. |
| US09109908B2 |
Physical disability probes for geographic information
Systems, devices, features, and methods for obtaining, enhancing, or using data for or with a geographic database, such as a navigation database, are disclosed. For example, one method includes receiving input to enable a probe sensor that is associated with a device used by a being with a physical disability. Geographic data is collected via the probe sensor when the device is in use by the being with the physical disability. The collected geographic data is provided to a data collection facility to develop data corresponding to a geographic and/or navigation database. |
| US09109906B2 |
Route evaluation device
Disclosed is a route evaluation device that enables traveling along a route in consideration of an operation of the driver of another vehicle, and can realize a safer traffic environment. A route evaluation device includes a route candidate generation section that generates route candidates of a host-vehicle, a route prediction section that predicts routes of another vehicle, a classification section that classifies the interference states of the route candidates of the host-vehicle and the predicted routes of another vehicle into a plurality of interference forms, and a route evaluation section that evaluates the routes of the host-vehicle on the basis of the interference forms classified by the classification section. |
| US09109897B2 |
Generating optimal itineraries based on network connectivity
An approach for generating optimal itineraries based on network connectivity is presented. A computer receives a first message from which a current position of a vehicle on a trip, destination, a service being requested for a mobile device in the vehicle, service providers and network(s) are extracted. Network connectivity measures are retrieved and signal qualities in respective cells are determined based on the network connectivity measures. Based on the signal qualities, an itinerary is determined as paths and a hop indicating a position on one of the paths at which a connectivity change from a first to a second service provider is to occur. A response to the first message indicates the itinerary. Sending the response results in the mobile device making the connectivity change when the vehicle reaches the position indicated by the hop. |
| US09109894B2 |
Gyroscope shock and disturbance detection circuit
The invention relates to integrated circuits, and more particularly, to systems, devices and methods of integrating a gyro sensing circuit with a gyroscope to detect a shock or a disturbance, and accurately differentiate rotation-based sense signals from noises introduced by the shock or disturbance. The gyro sensing circuit may be implemented in a differential or non-differential demodulation scheme, and comprises at least one demodulation unit and a peak detector. The at least one demodulation unit demodulates a gyro output signal provided by the gyroscope with a reference signal. In a demodulated gyro output signal, a shock signal or a gyro disturbance signal is substantially isolated out from interested gyro sense signals that are used to sense a rate of rotation. A peak detector samples the modulated gyro output signal, determines whether the signal exceeds a threshold level VTH and outputs a shock flag indicating a corresponding determination result. |
| US09109890B2 |
Surveying method
A surveying method wherein an object belongs to a group of known types of objects, and determining an object representing point corresponding to the type of the object, including determining a series of points at an object by measuring distances and angles to the points in a defined angle area, analyzing the spatial distribution of the points and, based thereon, assigning relevant points to a first group of points, identifying the type of the object on the basis of the first group of points, capturing an image of the object, extracting a contour of the object from the image by use of an image processing method, fitting at least one space curve to the object on the basis of the first group of points and the extracted contour, and determining the coordinates of the object representing point from the fitted space curve. |
| US09109888B2 |
Distance measuring system
A light emission reference signal, the timing of which is adjusted by a first delay time control circuit, is input as a timing adjustment signal to a light emitter driver. The light emission reference signal, which is delayed by a second delay time control circuit, is output as an offset signal. The offset signal and a light emission timing signal from the light emitter driver are input to a timing correction phase comparator, and a phase comparison result is output from the timing correction phase comparator. The phase comparison result is input to a timing correction control logic circuit, and a delay adjusting signal based on the phase comparison result is output from the timing correction control logic circuit. The delay adjusting signal is input to the first delay time control circuit, whereby the timing of the light emission reference signal is adjusted. |
| US09109887B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit and object-distance measuring apparatus
Provided are: a correction object determining section which determines whether, on an imaging plane in image data obtained by imaging an object irradiated with diffusion light from a light source by a camera, a region regarded to be in a state where a rod-like object has been irradiated with the diffusion light exists; a measurement point calculating section which estimates a light source center position of the diffusion light based on information of a luminance distribution of the diffusion light in the image data to set it as a first measurement point; and a distance calculating section which calculates a distance between the object at the first measurement point and the camera according to triangulation based on a horizontal distance between the center of the imaging plane and the first measurement point, the positions of the camera and light source, and an imaging direction angle of the camera. |
| US09109879B2 |
Systems for and methods of characterizing the thickness profile of laminated glass structures
Systems for and methods of characterizing the thickness profile of laminated glass structures are disclosed, wherein the laminated glass structure has at least one gradual transition region between adjacent glass layers. The method includes sequentially focusing laser light at different focuses along a line within the laminated glass structure. The sequentially formed focuses define corresponding micro-volumes from which fluorescent light emanates due to a multiphoton process. The variation in the intensity of the detected fluorescent light from each micro-volume as a function of distance into the laminated glass structure is used to determine the relative locations of the multiple layers and the at least one gradual transition region. |
| US09109878B2 |
Optical system for measurement of orientation and position comprising a point source, central mask, photosensitive matrix sensor and corner cube
The general field of the invention is that of systems for detecting the posture of a mobile object. The systems according to the invention comprise a fixed electro-optical device comprising an emission source and a photosensitive sensor. The optical corner cube is arranged on the mobile object. The entry face of the corner cube has a predetermined geometry, the light coming from the source and reflected back by the corner cube forming a luminous contour on the matrix sensor. The fixed electro-optical device comprises an optical element with a known shape and location, which is placed in the vicinity of the said source and is arranged so as to form a dark zone in the central part of the luminous contour. The detection system comprises analysis means determining the position and the orientation of the mobile object from knowledge of the vanishing points of the luminous contour and the position and shape of the dark zone. |
| US09109870B2 |
Image capturing apparatus, image capturing method, and storage medium
An image capturing apparatus includes a dividing unit configured to divide light from a light source into reference light and measurement light; a first dichroic mirror arranged in a measurement optical path for guiding the measurement light to an object to be examined; a second dichroic mirror arranged in a reference optical path for guiding the reference light to a reference object; and a light receiving unit configured to receive interference light between the measurement light passing through the first dichroic mirror and the reference light passing through the second dichroic mirror. |
| US09109866B2 |
Brass marker
A brass ammunition marking device is disclosed that allows users to mark their ammunition casings, so that users may easily identify and collect their casings at a shooting range for reuse. The brass ammunition marking device comprises a chuck for retaining a cartridge, a motor, a cylindrical component, and two marking device. The marking device is inserted into at least one of the opposed open ends of the cylindrical component with the marking tip side inserted first, such that the marking tip contacts the exterior surface of the ammunition cartridge and creates a mark. Further, the chuck retains the cartridge, and the motor is in electrical communication with the chuck for rotating the cartridge about an axis. The motor further comprises a drive shaft that contacts the chuck and rotates the cartridge, while the cylindrical component is held stationary. Additionally, the motor is typically powered by a battery. |
| US09109864B2 |
Missile with mid-flight oxidizer charging
New missile systems are provided, implementing reduced pre-deployment weight, higher impact and greater deployment flexibility, among other advantages. In some embodiments, mid-flight oxygen filtration from atmospheric air, followed by concentration, compression and/or storage in ideal oxidizer deployment locations, leads to enriched, greatly increased oxidizer load and/or far greater missile weight just prior to impact. Among additional benefits, missiles implementing the system may be far less volatile, and therefore safer, prior to deployment and the concentration of oxidizer may be more concentrated than with ambient oxygen, overcoming the limitations of current fuel/air and other thermobaric explosives. |
| US09109859B1 |
Spine plate vest
A spine plate vest includes a back support including an inward-facing side opposite an outward-facing side and connected to a center portion of a waistband, a first pocket positioned on the inward-facing side of the back support and adapted for receiving a gel pack, a second pocket positioned on the outward-facing side of the back support and adapted for receiving a spine ballistic plate, a first metal bar adapted to receive a first side end of the ballistic plate, a second metal bar adapted to receive a second side end of the ballistic plate, the waistband connected to the inward-facing side of the back support, a first plurality of pockets adapted for receiving a plurality of gel packs on an inward-facing side of the waistband, a plurality of ballistic plates positioned between the inward-facing side and the outward-facing side of the waistband and a shoulder interface. |
| US09109857B2 |
Height and rotation adjuster for competition holster
A height and rotation adjuster for a competition holster includes an adjuster connected between a holster body and a drop arm. The adjuster includes a ball and socket joint for adjustably supporting the holster body on the drop arm. |
| US09109852B1 |
Bowfishing arrow slide with overmolded dampening member arrangement
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a bowfishing slide arrangement for use with an archery bow. In certain embodiments, the arrangement includes a slide having a slide body configured to slide along an arrow shaft. The arrangement further includes a stop used in cooperation with the slide. The stop is arrangeable on the arrow shaft in a manner to prevent the slide from sliding off of the arrow shaft. A dampening material is secured to the rear of the slide and arranged between the slide and the stop. |
| US09109851B2 |
Process of manufacturing a rifle to have an integral sound suppressor
A process of manufacturing a rifle to have a sound suppressor on a barrel of the rifle. The process includes over-molding or over-injecting a structure onto the barrel so that the structure provides a sound suppressor, the barrel and sound suppressor form an integral assembly, and the sound suppressor defines an integral longitudinal extension of the barrel. |
| US09109849B2 |
Forward ejection assembly for firearms
Ejection assemblies, actions including such ejection assemblies, and firearms including such actions and/or ejection assemblies are provided herein. At least one ejection assembly is provided that is configured to facilitate forward ejection of spent cartridges when a forward-ejection guide cover is in place on a receiver, and to allow for side ejection of spent cartridges when the forward-ejection guide cover is out of place on the receiver. Such a configuration may allow for reliable ejection and access to the action for clearance of jams or malfunctions while providing flexibility with forward or conventional side ejection. |
| US09109848B2 |
Firearm having a handle assembly for charging
A firearm includes a receiver and a bolt carrier disposed in the receiver. The bolt carrier is moveable between a firing position and a rearward position. A rod is fixed relative to the bolt carrier and a hand guard is coupled to the receiver about the rod. A handle assembly is slideably supported by the hand guard and is moveable toward the receiver to define a charging motion and away from the receiver to define a forward assist motion. The handle assembly receives the rod during both of the charging and forward assist motions. An arm is coupled to the base and is moveable between a disengaged position spaced from the rod and an engaged position abutting the rod. When the arm is in the engaged position, the handle assembly is moved to move the rod and the bolt carrier in either of the charging and the forward assist motions. |
| US09109840B2 |
Unitary heat pump air conditioner having a heat exchanger with an integral accumulator
The disclosure relates to a unitary heat pump air conditioner (Unitary HPAC) having a plate type exchanger assembly, an electrically driven compressor, and coolant pumps. The plate heat exchanger assembly includes a plurality of plates stacked and hermetically sealed between an upstream end plate and a downstream end plate. The stacked plates define a condenser/chiller portion adjacent the upstream end plate, an accumulator portion adjacent the downstream end plate, and an evaporator/chiller portion sandwiched between the condenser/chiller portion and the accumulator portion. A refrigerant passageway extends through the plate type heat exchanger assembly, a hot coolant passageway extends through the condenser/chiller portion, and a cold coolant passageway extends through the evaporator/chiller portion. The cold coolant passageway and the hot coolant passageway are in non-contact thermal communication with the refrigerant passageway. |
| US09109839B2 |
Multi-layered evaporative media module for heat exchange apparatus
The present invention relates to liquid to air evaporative heat exchange apparatus, mainly for cooling towers, air conditioning units, and humidifies alike. The present invention incorporate an evaporative module embedded with a liquid delivery system through all of its layers. Such a design allows for an even and smooth liquid distribution, while at the same time maximized the duration and surface area for heat exchange to take place. The evaporative module of the present invention can be sealed off at various sections to redirect air flow. Such a design serves dual functions as a drift eliminator or regulator. |
| US09109829B2 |
Control method of refrigerator
A control method of a refrigerator to prevent frost from being formed in an ice making chamber. The refrigerator includes an ice making chamber refrigerant pipe to supply a refrigerant to make ice in a direct cooling manner and an ice making chamber circulation fan to create a forced air stream to circulate air in the ice making chamber. The control method includes determining whether temperature of the ice making chamber is lower than a predetermined temperature and driving the ice making chamber circulation fan in a state in which the temperature of the ice making chamber is lower than the predetermined temperature and the refrigerant flows in the ice making chamber refrigerant pipe or when flow of the refrigerant in the ice making chamber refrigerant pipe is interrupted in a state in which the temperature of the ice making chamber is lower than the predetermined temperature. |
| US09109826B2 |
Bladed ice dispensing system for an ice compartment in a refrigeration chamber
A refrigerator is described that includes a slim refrigerator door. The refrigerator includes a storage compartment, a refrigerator door to open and close the storage compartment, and an ice maker to generate ice cubes. The refrigerator further includes an ice bin—at the refrigerator door to receive the ice cubes generated in the ice maker and having a discharge opening—for discharging the ice cubes. The refrigerator further includes a motor—at the refrigerator—and at least one blade—within the ice bin and connected to the—motor. The at least one ice cube directly drops onto the at least one blade. The at least one blade moves the at least one ice cube to the discharge and discharges the at least one ice cube from the ice bin by an operation of the motor. |
| US09109821B2 |
Condenser for vehicle
A condenser for a vehicle may include first and second headers, a heat-exchanging portion disposed between the first and second headers, a coolant tank mounted at an outer side of the first header and having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet, the coolant tank to supply the coolant to the heat-exchanging portion and to receive through the first header the coolant passing through the heat-exchanging portion and the second header, and a receiver-drier portion connected to the second header to perform gas-liquid separation and moisture removal from the coolant having passed through the heat-exchanging portion, wherein an inner space of the coolant tank is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion by a first partition disposed between the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet, and a spiral groove for causing the coolant to rotate is formed at the upper portion connected to the coolant inlet. |
| US09109818B2 |
Electrocaloric cooler and heat pump
System and methods are disclosed for controlled thermal energy transfer. The system includes a thermal energy source, a thermal energy sink, spaced apart from the thermal energy source, an electrocaloric structure carried by a suspension and configured for alternating physical movement between thermal communication with the thermal energy source and thermal communication with the thermal energy sink, and a control signal source simultaneously providing both a temperature control signal for controlling the temperature of the electrocaloric structure and a movement control signal for controlling the alternating physical movement of the electrocaloric structure between thermal communication with the thermal energy source and thermal communication with the heat sink. Heating or cooling of a desired element may be provided. Movement control may be electrostatic, magnetic, mechanical, etc., and is self-synchronizing with the field employed for temperature control in the electrocaloric structure. |
| US09109814B2 |
Adaptive installation roof mounted solar power system
A solar power system is mounted to a solar power componentry support structure suspended above a pre-existing surface by a collective of solar collector suspension base supports. Suspended solar power system row support structure members and suspended solar power system column support structure members may for a solar component position lattice to which a matrix of individual solar power components such as solar panels can be attached. Solar module quick-fasten assemblages may serve also as solar componentry emergency releases and may include loose axis retainers and firm axis fasteners such as dual component, single point operative emergency releases and fasteners. Slide-in retainers and corner slot tabs can be included as well as frame alignment notches. Fulcrum pivot fasteners and slide wedge releases can aid in installation and release. |
| US09109809B2 |
Method of conditioning air with a refrigeration loop connected to a water circuit
An air conditioner intakes indoor air and outdoor air, blows it through a heat exchanger, then supplies the conditioned air to an indoor space. In the heat exchanger, water cools the air. A remote refrigeration circuit, also known as a chiller, cools the water. A controller controls the chilled water to stay within a temperature range. When the chilled water exceeds the temperature range, the air conditioning fan is decelerated, thus reducing the amount of heat that the water absorbs from the air. When the desired indoor temperature is less than the actual indoor temperature, then the fan is returned to its maximum velocity. |
| US09109799B1 |
Method for initiating flow of fluid blocked by frozen fluid
A method for automatically initiating the flow of fluid in a pipe that may be blocked by frozen fluid in a portion of the pipe includes urging the flow of fluid through the pipe and energizing a heater disposed in and extending the pipe portion if no flow is detected in the pipe. |
| US09109798B2 |
Premix burner
A premix burner which comprises a combustion head comprising, in turn, a perforated covering element provided with a plurality of openings. The premix burner is characterised in that it is provided with a device for generating and delivering a minimum granted thermal power completely arranged inside the combustion head. Moreover, the device comprises a concave element, whose concavity faces the internal wall of the perforated covering element. |
| US09109794B2 |
Steam generator
A method of generating steam by heating water in a steam generator comprising a plurality of steam generating channels, wherein water is supplied at a constant rate to each steam generating channel through respective water supply lines, and wherein a sufficient pressure drop is provided across each water supply line in order to prevent flow reversal in the plurality of steam generating channels. |
| US09109792B2 |
Switch illumination device
A switch illumination device positioned outside a switch is introduced. The switch illumination device includes a switch panel, a light-emitting unit, and a fastening and unfastening structure. The switch illumination device further includes a fastening and unfastening structure whereby the light-emitting unit is coupled to switch panel. Hence, the light-emitting unit can not only be fixed to the switch panel but also be removed therefrom, thereby effectuating nocturnal illumination, emergency illumination, and mobile illumination. |
| US09109788B2 |
Base-yoke connection for moving head light fixture
The present invention relates to a moving head light fixture comprising: a base; a yoke connected to and rotatable relative to the base; a head connected to and rotatable relative to the yoke where the head comprises at least one light source generating a light. The yoke and the base are connected through a rotating base-yoke mechanism comprising a main shaft, a hollow shaft surrounding the main shaft and at least one bearing separating the main shaft and a the hollow shaft. The main shaft has increasing cross sectional dimensions and comprises a first annular flange located a distance from the part of the main shaft having the largest cross sectional dimension and in that the cross sectional dimension of the first annular flange is smaller than the largest cross sectional dimension of the main shaft. |
| US09109787B2 |
Circular LED optic and heat sink module
An LED module includes a circular body member for mounting in a lighting assembly or luminaire that can be oriented in an opening in the luminaire by rotating the module about a center axis to a predetermined position to direct the light in a selected pattern. A mounting assembly captures the LED modules between top and bottom mounting members. The LED modules include a heat conducting body coupled to the mounting assembly to conduct heat away from the LED and PCB. A top side of the LED body cooperates with the mounting assembly. A bottom side of the LED body has a cavity supporting a PCB with a plurality of LEDs. A lens body is coupled to the bottom side of the body of the LED module to direct the light to the target area. |
| US09109786B2 |
Method for controlling a lighting system integrated with a utility helmet
Using a control system for automatically switching power between a first light source attached to a welding shield pivotally mounted to an adjustable headband, and a second light source attached to the headband, a method for alternating power to the light sources includes steps (a) raising the shield to the uppermost rotational position resulting in power on to the second light source, the second light source remaining on at the raised position, and (b) lowering the welding shield to the maximum allowable distance resulting in power off to the second light source immediately followed by power on to the first light source, the first light source remaining on at the lowered position. |
| US09109785B2 |
Snow-melting LED traffic signal
Provided is an LED traffic signal which can inhibit snow accretion, ice accretion, frost accretion, freeze of snow, freeze of ice, freeze of frost, and the like promptly without fail and which can obtain satisfactory visibility. The snow-melting LED signal includes: an LED signal light including in order: a lens cover; a heat generating sheet; an LED mask plate; an LED lens module; and a printed board protection cover; and a signal body for housing the LED signal light. |
| US09109782B2 |
LED light emitting apparatus having a light guiding device to achieve a uniform color distribution
An LED light emitting apparatus includes an LED light source, a light guiding device and an emitting window. The emitting window is covered with a phosphor layer. Light emitted directly from the LED light source is first transmitted to the light guiding device and then guided by the light guiding device towards the emitting window to evenly excite the phosphor layer. |
| US09109780B2 |
Safety aroma diffusing night lamp assembly
A safety aroma-diffusing night lamp assembly includes a body holding a coupling socket at the top, a lamp bulb inserted into the coupling socket and electrically connected to the body, a lampshade defining a bottom coupling hole coupled to the coupling socket and a top opening for holding an aroma capsule, and an aroma capsule including a disposable heat-transfer container mounted in the top opening of the lampshade and a solid aromatic substance contained in the disposable heat-transfer container and heatable by the radiating heat energy of the lamp bulb to release an aromatic smell. |
| US09109779B2 |
Defocused optic for multi-chip LED
A defocused optic (110, 210) for mixing of light output from a multichip LED (101, 201). The defocused optic (110, 210) includes an outer reflector having a concave inner surface (122, 26, 222, 226) with a varied profile. The outer reflector surrounds an interior reflector (140, 240) having a convex surface (142, 242). The convex surface (142, 242) of the interior reflector (140, 240) is positioned to generally face a multichip LED (101, 201) and may optionally have a varied profile. Appropriate selection of the design parameters of the profiles of the concave inner surface (122, 126, 222, 226), the profile(s) of the convex surface (142, 242), and the rotational angular range over which said profiles are present enables appropriate mixing of the light output from a given multi-chip LED (101, 201). |
| US09109775B2 |
Accent lighting system for decks, patios and indoor/outdoor spaces
An accent lighting source utilizes a light source having a metal heat dissipating housing with an aperture within which at least one point light source, such as from an LED, is mounted. The aperture is closed by a lens/diffuser structure. The light source is mounted within a housing for the accent light source. The housing has a design configuration that supports one or more of a preferred accent lighting installation on a horizontal or vertical surface. Exemplary horizontal surfaces include the top of a post member, a deck surface, a stair surface or an overhanging or ceiling surface. Exemplary vertical surfaces include a stair riser and the side of post or wall surface. |
| US09109766B1 |
Underwater lighting system
A housing has an open top and closed bottom. The housing has a cylindrical side wall. In this manner a chamber is formed interiorly. The housing includes an annular lower flange. The lower flange extends outwardly from the top. A lens is in an upwardly extending hemispherical configuration. The lens has an annular upper flange. The upper flange is in mating contact with the lower flange. A socket assembly including a base is provided within the chamber. The base has projections. The projections terminate in spaced light sockets. A reflector is in a downwardly extending hemispherical configuration within the chamber. A bulb has opposed ends. The opposed ends are removably received within the light sockets. Additional components within the housing include an electrical ballast and weights holing down the electrical ballast and the entire housing. |
| US09109764B2 |
Durable lighting apparatus with isotropic radiation pattern
Disclosed herein is a durable lighting apparatus having a plurality of light sockets arranged within a translucent housing such that when the light sockets are fitted with lamps and energized the lamps emit a substantially isotropic radiation pattern through the translucent housing. The light sockets are preferably attached to a flexible substrate which allows the device to absorb shock without damaging the sockets. In a preferred embodiment, the socket assembly is permitted to slide vertically along a central column where shock-absorbing devices are positioned above and below the socket assembly. |
| US09109763B1 |
Entrance ticket with lighting effect
An apparatus having an embedded processor in a substrate for creating a synchronous lighting effect at a controlled access venue and a method for creating a lighting effect at a controlled access venue while controlling access to the venue simultaneously using the apparatus that coordinates with the performance allowing a holder of the apparatus to perform with the performance. |
| US09109760B2 |
Accessories for LED lamps
Accessories for LED lamps and methods of attaching accessories to illumination sources (e.g., LED lamps) are disclosed. A beam shaping accessories mechanically affixed to the LED lamp. The lens is designed to adapt to a first fixture that is mechanically attached to the lens. Accessories are designed to have a second fixture for mating to the first fixture such that the first fixture and the second fixture are configured to produce a retaining force between the first accessory and the lens. In some embodiments, the retaining force is a mechanical force that is accomplished by mechanical mating of mechanical fixtures. In other embodiments, the retaining force is a magnetic force and is accomplished by magnetic fixtures configured to have attracting magnetic forces. In some embodiments, the accessory is treated to modulate an emanated light pattern (e.g., a rectangular, or square, or oval, or circular or diffused emanated light pattern). |
| US09109758B1 |
Infrared signal emitting apparatus
An emitting apparatus emitting infrared ray including control information with respect to a light emitting device which is held by a spectator in a concert venue, and the like. The emitting apparatus includes a light source arranged with a plurality of light emitting diodes, and a front side of the light source is provided with a nozzle having an opening formed in a narrow shape in which a horizontal width is substantially greater than a vertical width. The emitting apparatus is formed such that infrared light is passed through the nozzle to be emitted. This configuration can perform a stage effect having an illumination effect in which, by using the emitting apparatus existing in the concert venue, a band-shaped light emitting area is formed to be moved like a wave. |
| US09109755B2 |
Endpoint determination for capillary-assisted flow control
Apparatus and method for determining endpoint of a fluid supply vessel in which fluid flow is controlled through a flow passage disposed in an interior volume of the fluid supply vessel with a static flow restricting device and a selectively actuatable valve element upon establishing fluid flow. The endpoint determination can be employed to terminate fluid supply from the fluid supply vessel and/or to switch from a fluid-depleted supply vessel to a fresh vessel for continuity or renewal of fluid supply operation. The apparatus and method are suitable for use with fluidutilizing apparatus such as ion implanters. |
| US09109754B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing uniform flow of gas
Provided are gas distribution apparatus with a delivery channel having an inlet end, an outlet end and a plurality of apertures spaced along the length. The inlet end is connectable to an inlet gas source and the outlet end is connectable with a vacuum source. Also provided are gas distribution apparatus with spiral delivery channels, intertwined spiral delivery channels, splitting delivery channels, merging delivery channels and shaped delivery channels in which an inlet end and outlet end are configured for rapid exchange of gas within the delivery channels. |
| US09109750B2 |
Gas filling method, gas filling system, gas station and mobile unit
A gap amount (62) between a liner (53) and a reinforcement layer (55) before filling gas into a tank (30) is calculated on the basis of a tank pressure and a tank temperature in the tank (30). It is predicted whether a load larger than or equal to an allowable amount acts on the liner (53) by the gas filling on the basis of the calculated gap amount (62). When it is predicted that the load larger than or equal to the allowable amount acts on the liner (53), a filling flow rate at which the gas is filled into the tank (30) is limited in comparison with a case where it is predicted that the load larger than or equal to the allowable amount does not act on the liner (53). |
| US09109746B1 |
Mounting apparatus for a portable electronic device
A mounting apparatus for portable electronic devices provides a hands-free support for utilizing various portable electronics, such as smart phones or tablets. The mounting apparatus includes a specialized base for use with a floor, table, wall, or headboard surface. An upper assembly secures to the electronic device and can be tilted to a desired orientation. The upper assembly also includes an illuminating accessory for ease of viewing in dim lit situations and an attachable privacy curtain. |
| US09109742B2 |
Low profile mount for flat panel electronic display
A low-profile mount for a flat panel electronic display that is selectively shiftable between a wall-confronting position wherein the back of the flat panel electronic display is disposed parallel and proximate to the wall surface and a tilt position wherein the top of the display is tilted away from the wall surface. The mount is configured so that points spaced apart forwardly from display receiving surfaces of the mount are shifted along a substantially horizontal axis as the mount is shifted between the wall confronting position and the tilt position. Advantageously, the display can be attached to the mount so that the points are horizontally registered with a center of gravity of the display such that the display is self-balancing at any point along the travel between the wall confronting position and the tilt position. |
| US09109741B2 |
Flying platform with visually transparent flexible support members
A suspended flying system having a load suspended by a plurality of flexible support members. The plurality of flexible support members are attached to a first rotational element attached to the load and a second rotational element attached to a support. The system also includes a motor operably connected to the first rotational element provides sufficient motion to the plurality of flexible support members to render the flexible support members visually transparent, the load being movable within a space. A method for suspending a load from visually transparent flexible support members is also disclosed. |
| US09109739B2 |
Pipe coating repair system
An assembly for repairing a damaged portion of a fusion bonded epoxy coating on a steel body of a pipe at least partially surrounded by an undamaged portion of the coating. The assembly includes a housing defining a cavity therein and having an opening in communication with the cavity, the housing being attachable to the pipe to locate the cavity in communication with an epoxy patch positioned on the steel body to replace at least the damaged portion. The assembly also includes a heat source positioned for directing heated air heated thereby into the cavity, for curing the epoxy patch. The opening is at least partially defined by a perimeter, and the assembly includes an insulation strip positioned on the perimeter for impeding heat transfer from the housing to the undamaged portion of the coating when the housing is attached to the pipe. |
| US09109738B2 |
Sealing plug for quick closing coupling system
A sealing plug adapted to seal a nut and valve assembly including a threaded end having external threading adapted to threadably engage internal threading of the nut, the threaded end of the sealing plug being open so as to receive a portion of the valve assembly therein, and a hose clip opposite the threaded end including spaced arms defining an opening therebetween for receiving a hose therein. |
| US09109737B2 |
Device for sealing the end face of a tube from which fluid flows
A device, for sealing the end face of a tube, includes an inner tube which has a smaller diameter than the tube to be sealed and is introduced at the end face into the tube to be sealed; a sealing body which is provided to seal a ring gap between the inner tube and the tube to be sealed, the sealing body being arranged in a movable manner on the inner tube; a turbine configured to be driven by a fluid flow from the tube; and a mechanical transmission. The mechanical transmission is connected between the turbine and the sealing body, and acts to translate rotational movement of the turbine from the fluid flow into a movement of the sealing body, thereby bringing the sealing body from a position having reduced sealing capacity into a position having higher sealing capacity. |
| US09109734B2 |
Grip ring for fitting
Grip rings for pipe push-fit fitting devices, having an annular structure with an external surface which has a conical and curved like structure. On the inner surface of the grip ring two types of annular gripping teeth are placed. The annular grip ring is radially deformable and is a split type. |
| US09109732B2 |
EZ-seal gasket for joining fluid pathways
A malleable gasket suitable for high purity fluid delivery systems has flat axial end surface sealing regions on opposing sides, and further includes a raised inner lip on a first side and a raised outer lip on a second side. The raised lips align the gasket within a fluid delivery conduit by engaging features in the face of one or more fluid delivery elements joined together, and simultaneously provide protection to the sealing regions during normal handling and fluid delivery system assembly. |
| US09109731B2 |
System and method for conveying solids through an outlet pipe
A system includes a solids pressurizing feeder and an outlet pipe coupled to an outlet channel of the solids pressurizing feeder. The outlet pipe includes a plurality of pipe segments telescopically coupled to one another such that a length of the outlet pipe is adjustable. The solids pressurizing feeder may be used to convey a mixture of solids and fluids. |
| US09109730B2 |
Method for assembling blow molded tubes
A support post includes a first tube with a first support face at its end and at least one groove in the first support face. The support post further includes a second tube with a barrel at its end having a diameter smaller than the first tube and dimensionally matched to a hole in the first support face. The second tube further includes at least one track on the barrel that engages the at least one groove and at least one hook on the barrel that engages a flange in the interior of the first tube. The second tube further includes a second support face at an end of the barrel that engages the first support face. The components are dimensioned so as to form a tight fit between the first and second support faces and the hook and flange to prevent bending motion between the first and second tubes. |
| US09109729B2 |
Device for connecting a plastic tube to a connection nipple
A device includes a connection nipple for connecting to a plastic tube. The connection end of the plastic tube, which is provided with a frontal chamfer at least in the area of the internal diameter, is axially fixed between the connection nipple and a clamping sleeve with at least one sealing ring held interposed in the profiled connection nipple. The connection nipple has at least one radially outwardly protruding stop , which is displaceable radially inward via the frontal chamfer in the area of the internal diameter of the connection end, the stop being situated in front of the sealing ring viewed in the insertion direction. |
| US09109728B2 |
Resinous pipe joint
A resin pipe joint has: a synthetic resin-made joint body including an inner cylinder portion and an external thread portion; and a synthetic resin-made union nut including: an internal thread portion; a seal peripheral edge which is actable on a tip-end portion of a tube flared portion; a slipping-off prevention peripheral edge which is actable on a large-diameter portion of the flaring changing region; and a pressing inner peripheral portion which is externally fittable to a flared straight portion that is fitted to a straight barrel cylinder portion. |
| US09109727B1 |
Tool apparatus for use with a conduit union
A tool apparatus for use with a conduit union having a non-circular outer surface, the tool having a body with an interior wall that is conformable to at least a portion of the outer surface of the conduit union. The body is movable between open and closed positions. The closed position is suitable for extending around and locking over the conduit union. A plurality of wing members extend radially outwardly of the body. In particular, when the conduit union has a plurality of hammer wings, the inner wall of the body defines a plurality of cavities suitable for receiving the hammer wings when the body is in the closed position. The body includes a first body portion hingedly connected to a second body portion, and a lock mechanism cooperative with the first and second body portions so as to lock the first and second body portions in the closed position. |
| US09109722B2 |
Method and apparatus for annulus spacer detection and repositioning in nuclear reactors
The present invention provides an apparatus for detecting and/or repositioning annulus spacers used to maintain the position of a pressure tube withm a calandria tube of a nuclear reactor. The method comprises the steps of: vibrationally isolating a section of the pressure tube; vibrating the wall of said pressure tube within said isolated section; detecting vibration of the wall at a minimum of two axial positions within said isolated sections; and detecting the reduction in vibration level of the wall at one or more of said axial positions in comparison to the remaining axial positions. The apparatus comprises a tool head to be inserted into the pressure tube, the tool head comprising a first end and a second and a clamping block m each of said ends. The clamping blocks are used to vibrationally isolate a section of the pressure tube located between said ends. The apparatus also comprises piezo-actuators operable to vibrate said pressure tube; and accelerometers used for measuring vibration of said pressure tube. |
| US09109721B1 |
Apparatus for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid such as water, and interface thereof for providing water boiler expansion pressure relief
An apparatus for filtering water has an interface and a filtration/purification canister removably mountable onto the interface. Connecting the canister to the interface automatically opens a check valve in the interface to permit water to flow from the interface into and through the canister, and then back to and through the interface to an outlet port. Disconnecting the canister from the interface automatically closes the check valve, stopping the flow of water. The interface provides for water boiler expansion pressure relief, while guarding against any water contaminated downstream of the apparatus from backflowing into the filtration/purification canister and contaminating the portion of the filtration/purification canister downstream of the filter/conditioning/purifying medium held within the filtration/purification canister and thereby causing water exiting the outlet port of the filtration/purification canister to be contaminated. |
| US09109720B2 |
Press device for valve maintenance
A press device for valve leakage abatement while piping system maintenance is being performed is disclosed herein. Essentially, the device comprises a frame that can clamp down and provide pressure (and therefore seal) to the valve. The design further includes a vent or a test port to assist in determining if a pipe freezing apparatus is working. Also disclosed is a system for providing pipe maintenance to a water supply line wherein one or more pipe freezing apparatuses are employed in addition to the press device. |
| US09109711B2 |
Apparatus to visually indicate a leak from a relief valve
Apparatus to visually indicate a leak from a relief valve are disclosed. In one example, an apparatus is disclosed that includes a pipe plug having a head and a shaft. The pipe plug is to attach to a relief valve. An opening is to extend through the head and shaft. The apparatus also includes a first flexible membrane to cover an end of the opening. In some examples, the first flexible membrane is to expand when fluid is released via the relief valve into the opening of the pipe plug. |
| US09109700B2 |
Low leakage rate composite gasket
A gasket comprising a first discrete component and a second discrete component, wherein the first and second components extend along the length of the gasket. The second component is arranged ranged relative to the first component so as to separate the first component at least from one of the two sealing surfaces. The first component is relatively hard in at least the thickness direction of the gasket and preferably incompressible and the second component is relatively soft in at least the thickness direction of the gasket and compressible. When the gasket is compressed between two flanges, there is a limited region of high compression, because the first component increases the pressure by which the second component is compressed between the surfaces of the flanges. This yields a high leak tightness of the sealing at a relatively low force. |
| US09109693B2 |
Method of controlling shifting of gears in hybrid vehicle
A method of controlling the shifting of gears in a TMED-type hybrid vehicle may include a stage in which, in a case where it is required that a power-on upshift operation is performed simultaneously when engagement of an engine clutch is carried out in order to convert the driving mode from an electric vehicle (EV) driving mode to hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) driving mode, simultaneously performs the engagement of the engine clutch and the shift operation, thereby improving acceleration and shifting performances and providing a quick driving response for a driver. |
| US09109692B2 |
Oil pump controlling system of hybrid vehicle and method thereof
An oil pump control apparatus of a hybrid vehicle is provided that controls an oil pump according to a demand of an output torque and oil temperature. In particular, hydraulic line pressure is controlled by operating an oil pump at maximum power if a starting demand for a hybrid vehicle is detected. Viscosity is calculated as well to correspond to an oil temperature in an engine stop mode and a rotation speed of the oil pump is controlled at a low power. Additionally, viscosity is also calculated according to a variation of a line pressure in a driving mode and the rotation speed of the electric oil pump is controlled in either a low power, a middle power, and a high power state as well. |
| US09109689B2 |
Axle assembly having banjo beam and strengthened coverpan
An axle assembly with a banjo beam and a coverpan. The banjo beam has an upper and lower beam members that are welded together to define a central carrier portion and a pair of tubes. The upper beam member has a pair of upper spring seats that are disposed on opposite sides of the central carrier portion. The lower beam member has a pair of lower spring seats that are disposed on opposite sides of the central carrier portion. The coverpan includes a weld flange and a cover portion. The weld flange is welded to the central carrier portion via a fillet weld to close a first aperture formed in the central carrier portion. The cover portion includes a wall member into which a pair of strengthening protrusions are formed. The strengthening protrusions are disposed on opposite lateral sides of a centerline of the central carrier portion. |
| US09109687B1 |
Differential system with a differential rate governed by an auxiliary electric motor and its associated method of operation
A system and method for selectively altering the rotational speed of one of the axles joined to a differential in order to keep that axle at optimal speed for a given set of conditions. In the system, a differential is attached to a driveshaft. A first axle is coupled to the differential, wherein the differential transfers rotational energy from the driveshaft to the first axle. This causes the first axle to rotate at a second rotational speed when the driveshaft turns at a first rotational speed. An electric motor is provided that is mechanically coupled to the first axle for selectively altering the second rotational speed. The electric motor is variable, therein enabling the second rotational speed to be altered as needed. Changes in the rotational speed of the first axle are imparted to a second axle through the gearing of the differential. |
| US09109685B2 |
Flexspline protective structure and robot arm mechanism using same
A flexspline protective structure includes a first rotation member, a second rotation member and a plurality of fixing members. The second rotation member is sleeved on the first rotation member. The plurality of fixing members fix the first rotation member and the second rotation member together and are capable of breaking off in the event of jamming or other mischance to enable the second rotation member to rotate freely relative to the first rotation member. The disclosure presents a robot arm mechanism equipped with the flexspline protective structure. |
| US09109682B2 |
Power transmission apparatus for vehicle
A power transmission apparatus may include: a torque converting device including a first rotation element directly connected to one power source and selectively fixed to a transmission housing, a second rotation element directly connected to another power source, and a third rotation element configured to output the torque of the another power source; an input device including a first input shaft directly connected to the third rotation element, selectively connected to the second rotation element, and provided with at least one input gear, and a second input shaft selectively connected to the second rotation element, and provided with at least one input gear; a first speed output unit configured to convert toque input from the first input shaft or the second input shaft; and a second speed output unit configured to convert torque input from the first input shaft or the second input shaft. |
| US09109681B2 |
Differential output control
Technologies relating to differential output control are disclosed. A differential output control apparatus may be coupled between a rotating device output and a controlled rotating output. The differential output control apparatus may comprise an adjustable mechanical link coupling two linked differential inputs, and configured to adjust a relative rotation speed or relative torque of the linked differential inputs. The differential output control apparatus may receive the rotating device output and adjust the adjustable mechanical link to control the rotation speed and/or torque of the controlled rotating output. |
| US09109680B2 |
Power split gearbox
A hydrostatic mechanical power split transmission includes a housing, at least one first power branch having at least one hydraulic pump and at least one hydraulic motor, and at least one drive shaft provided with gear wheel elements, which is disposed inside the housing and can be directly or indirectly driven by at least one drive engine, in particular an internal combustion engine as a further power branch, the drive shaft being able to selectively act either directly or indirectly on the sun gear of a planetary gear system by way of at least one clutch, to be decoupled from the planetary gear system, wherein the planetary gear system can be switched to a state of constrained motion by way of further clutches as a function of the respective operating state of the power split transmission. |
| US09109677B2 |
Drive unit
The planetary gear train includes a first sun gear driven by the motor, a first ring gear, a first carrier, and a plurality of first planetary gears arranged at one side of the first carrier and meshing with the first sun gear and the first ring gear. The first sun gear, first planetary gears and first ring gear are helical gears so that meshing surface is increased. Helical teeth formed on an inner surface of the first ring gear mesh with the helical teeth of the first planetary gears. Therefore, the operation is stable and the noise is low. The planetary gears are made of plastic to further decrease the noise. The first ring gear is made by sintered powder metallurgy. |
| US09109675B2 |
Hybrid power train for vehicle
A hybrid power train for a vehicle may include a gear module having a plurality of shift stages of a synchromesh type on a first input shaft and an output shaft arranged in parallel, a second input shaft driven by a motor and disposed coaxially with the first input shaft, a clutch means for connecting or disconnecting the second input shaft and the first input shaft, and variable shift ratio providing means for transmitting the torque of the second input shaft to the output shaft through an external engaged-gear pair selectively in two different shift ratios. |
| US09109673B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicle
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission may include an input shaft, an output shaft, a compound planetary gear set disposed on the output shaft, and including a first rotation element selectively connected to the input shaft through two paths respectively having an externally-meshed gear and operated as a selective fixed element, a second rotation element selectively connected to the input shaft through one path having an externally-meshed gear and operated as a selective fixed element, a third rotation element connected to the output shaft, and a fourth rotation element selectively connected to the input shaft through one path having an externally-meshed gear, three transfer gears forming the externally-meshed gears, and friction elements provided with clutches selectively connecting the first, second, and fourth rotation elements to the input shaft and brakes selectively connecting the first and second rotation elements to a transmission housing. |
| US09109664B2 |
Range shift system for transfer case
Disclosed is a range shift mechanism in the form of a floating planetary gear assembly for a transfer case. The range shift mechanical according to the present invention can improve power efficiency and generate low noises by suppressing gear rotation in a high range mode of the range shift system. |
| US09109656B2 |
Toothed power transmission belt
A power transmission belt has a body with a length, a width, an inside and an outside. The body has at least one load carrying member embedded in rubber and extending in a lengthwise direction. The body defines a plurality of teeth spaced along the length of the belt on at least one of the inside and outside of the body. At least one of: (a) the at least one load carrying member has an occupying rate (R) that is not less than 75%, with R=n×Dc/B×100 where: n=number of load carrying members aligned along the width of the body; Dc=diameter of load carrying member(s); and B=width of the body; and (b) the at least one load carrying member has a cross-sectional area taken transversely to the length of the body that is in a range of 1.10 to 1.70 mm2 per 1 mm of belt width. |
| US09109653B2 |
Damper
Damper including a housing enclosing a working chamber and a compensating chamber, a damping fluid located at least partially in the working chamber, a guide and sealing unit, which terminates the housing at a first housing end, a piston rod sealed by the guide and sealing unit, and guided out of the housing, and a piston fastened to the piston rod and guided in the housing along the center longitudinal axis of the damper. The piston divides the working chamber into first and second part working chambers. Arranged at the end of the first and second working chambers, respectively, is a first and second closing element, with respective compensating channels, which form a through-flow connection between the respective working chamber and the compensating chamber. The piston device has at least one through-flow channel connecting the two part working chambers and having an adjustable effective flow cross-section. |
| US09109652B2 |
Selection of components of a disc brake and disc brake
The invention relates to a selection of components of a disc brake, in particular for commercial vehicles, having a brake caliper having an installation opening for installing a brake shaft, a first brake shaft and a second brake shaft, wherein the two brake shafts are coordinated with the brake caliper in such a manner that they can be used to apply the brake. According to the invention, the first brake shaft, but not the second, fits through the installation opening. The further invention relates to a disc brake, in particular for commercial vehicles, having a brake shaft and a brake caliper having an installation opening for installing the brake shaft, wherein the brake shaft is coordinated with the brake caliper in such a manner that said brake shaft can be used to apply the brake. According to the invention, the brake caliper and the brake shaft each have a coding, which allows installation of the brake shaft through the installation opening only if the two codings match. |
| US09109644B2 |
Friction brake for a dog clutch
A dog clutch, includes a first ring secured to an overrunning brake rotatable race, including first teeth, a first disc, the second ring angularly displaceable relative to the discs, a non-rotating, axially displaceable second ring including second teeth engageable with the first teeth and a second disc engageable with the first disc, a first spring urging the discs into mutual contact, and a second spring urging the first and second rings apart. |
| US09109641B2 |
Formed friction plate for wet friction clutch
A friction clutch pack exhibiting improved high speed stability includes a first plurality of friction plates or discs preferably having friction material on both faces interleaved with a second plurality of thicker reaction plates or discs. The friction plates comprise a formed core plate having multiple obliquely oriented or angularly offset sinusoidal waves. Male splines around the periphery of each friction plate engage complementary splines on a cylindrical housing. The reaction plates are flat and thicker than the friction plates and include female splines around an inner opening which engage complementary splines on a shaft or quill. |
| US09109639B2 |
Clutch device
A clutch device is provided which facilitates an operation of checking whether or not spring seats have been properly disposed and effectively prevents falling off or a change in attitude of the spring seats, thereby reducing the labor required for manufacture. A clutch device 100 includes a pressure plate 110 which presses friction plates 103 which are rotationally driven by a drive shaft against clutch plates 107. The pressure plate 110 includes clutch springs 112 and spring seats 113 disposed in receiving portions 111 having a concave shape. Each spring seat 113 has two plate-shaped arms 113a and 113b extending along the bottom 111a of the receiving portion 111 and has a C-like shape. Protrusions 114a and 114b project from the peripheries of the arms 113a and 113b. Recesses 111b into which the protrusions 114a and 114b fit are formed in an inner wall portion of each receiving portion 111 at a position near the bottom 111a of the receiving portion 111. |
| US09109638B2 |
Switchable coupling, in particular for passenger vehicle auxiliary assemblies
A switchable coupling, in particular for vehicle auxiliary assemblies, is provided. The coupling includes an actuating system actuated electrically, mechanically, pneumatically or hydraulically between a driving element and an output element, and a switching element movable between switching start and end positions counter to the force of one or more resetting elements upon actuation of the actuating system. In the end position, the switching element connects the driving and output elements such that the output element and an auxiliary coupling connected thereto rotate with the driving element. After deactuation, locking bodies located on the auxiliary coupling produce an connection between the driving and output elements which continues to conduct torque between the driving and output elements. The connection is interrupted only when the rotational speed of the driving element falls below a limit value. The coupling does not require a permanent supply of power in the open or closed state. |
| US09109637B2 |
Adapter rings for attaching automotive clutch assemblies to different types of flywheels
Adapter rings for attaching automotive clutch assemblies to different types of flywheels are disclosed. A single adapter ring may be installed on different types of stock or aftermarket flywheels. In one embodiment, a multiple-disc clutch assembly may be mounted onto the adapter ring. The multiple-disc clutch unit may fit inside a stock bellhousing to enable the user to utilize the stock clutch release mechanism and simultaneously increase the holding power capability while maintaining light pedal effort. Aftermarket replacement OEM clutch units including the adapter ring may be used with higher horsepower engines in automotive vehicles with manual transmissions. |
| US09109634B2 |
Actuator with face dog clutch
A clutch and actuator assembly having first and second clutch dogs and an actuator assembly. The second clutch dog is configured to disengage from the first clutch dog when rotary power is transmitted between the first and second clutch dogs. The actuator assembly is configured to lock when the second clutch dog to thereby inhibit automatic disengagement of the second clutch dog from the first clutch dog. |
| US09109631B2 |
Slip coupling with automatic release in the event of a persistent overload
A slip coupling includes two coupling elements and a clamping nut screwed onto one coupling element to press the other coupling element against the one coupling element so that a torque acting on one coupling element is transmitted slip-free to the other coupling element and limited to a sliding torque as the coupling elements slip against one another. Free play disks are disposed between the clamping nut and the other coupling element. Interacting driver elements received by the clamping nut, the free play disks and the other coupling element enable the coupling elements to slip against one another up to a critical angle without rotation of the clamping nut. When clamping nut is caused to rotate, a contact pressure of the other coupling element on the one coupling element and thereby a holding torque transmittable in a slip-free manner is changed. |
| US09109628B2 |
Journal bearing
A journal bearing is provided for mounting a gear component thereon and for reducing vibrations from operation of the gear component. The journal bearing includes a cylindrical body having two recessed portions defined thereon. The journal bearing further includes a primary passage extending longitudinally through the cylindrical body, and two secondary passages radially extending from the primary passage to the recessed portions. An angle of the two secondary passages with respect to a horizontal plane of the journal bearing is based on at least one of a magnitude and direction of a pre-determined bearing load, a rotational speed of the gear component, a clearance between the journal bearing and the gear component, oil properties, wherein the oil is introduced between the journal bearing and the gear component, and one or more system stability parameters. |
| US09109625B2 |
Thrust plate including cooling slots
A thrust plate includes an annular-shaped body having a scalloped outer edge that forms a first circumference defined by a first diameter. The thrust plate further includes a plurality of cooling slots formed in a first surface of the body. The cooling slots are formed between each pair of adjacent scallops. A center of each cooling slot extends towards the center of the thrust plate at a common predetermined angle with respect to one another. |
| US09109622B2 |
Rotor support structures including anisotropic foil bearings or anisotropic bearing housings and methods for controlling non-synchronous vibrations of rotating machinery using the same
Rotor support structures including anisotropic foil bearings or anisotropic bearing housings are provided for controlling non-synchronous vibrations of rotating machinery. The rotor support structure comprises a foil bearing adapted to be disposed around a journal of a rotating rotor shaft and a bearing housing disposed around the foil bearing, wherein one of the foil bearing or the bearing housing is configured to be anisotropic. The anisotropic foil bearing and anisotropic bearing housing exhibit a stiffness in a first support direction that varies in magnitude from that in a second support direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first support direction. |
| US09109619B2 |
Screw having a screw head, a screw shank and a corrugated conical flange
The invention relates to a screw having a screw head (2), a screw shank (1) and a corrugated conical flange (4) which decreases in thickness toward the outside, which flange (4) will abut on a component part as the screw is being screwed into the latter. The two lateral surfaces (5, 6) of the flange (4) from the screw shank (1) to the outer edge (7) of the flange taper continuously toward the outside with the thickness of the flange (4) decreasing at the same time, with its corrugation (8) extending substantially over the entire radial width of the flange (4). |
| US09109615B2 |
Apparatus and method for associating the edge of a composite object with another object
A method and apparatus for associating an edge of a first object with a second object. An insert comprising a structure holding a fastener element may be positioned within a hollow portion at the edge of the first object. The structure may be configured to span an entire thickness of the first object at the edge of the first object. The structure may be adhesively bonded to the first object. The second object may be attached to the edge of the first object using the fastener element. |
| US09109613B2 |
Braking-force generator
In a braking-force generator: a master cylinder generates first braking force corresponding to an operational input through a manipulator; a hydraulic-pressure generator connected to the master cylinder through a shutoff valve generates second braking force corresponding to the operational input through the manipulator when the shutoff valve is closed; an abnormality detector repeatedly determines whether or not an operational state of the hydraulic-pressure generator is abnormal; and a controller prohibits generation of the second braking force, opens the shutoff valve, and transmits the first braking force to the hydraulic-pressure generator, when the operational state is abnormal. In the case where the abnormality detector determines that the operational state changes from an abnormal state to a normal state while manipulation with the manipulator is being performed, the controller keeps prohibition of the generation of the second braking force and keeps the shutoff valve open until the manipulation is terminated. |
| US09109612B2 |
Sealed hydraulic tank system for mining shovel
A sealed hydraulic tank system for a mining shovel (10) includes an upper tank (68) and a lower tank (70). An air bladder (69) system is coupled to the upper tank to exchange air between the tank system and the bladder. The tanks include baffles (100,102,104,106,108) which filter the hydraulic fluid and which direct fluid flow along an elongated path to allow for de-aeration of the oil in the tank. |
| US09109605B2 |
Fan impeller structure and manufacturing method thereof
A fan impeller structure and a manufacturing method thereof. The fan impeller structure includes a base seat, multiple blades and a ring member. Each blade has a main body made of plastic material and at least one fixing member made of metal material. The base seat and the ring member are made of metal material. The base seat and the ring member are respectively disposed on two sides of the blades. By means of the manufacturing method, the blades can be diversified and the universality of the blades is greatly increased to lower the manufacturing cost. |
| US09109602B2 |
Diffuser bump vane profile
An electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly increases pump efficiency and pump head with a diffuser that includes a diffuser vane having a low pressure surface with a length greater than a length of a high pressure surface of the vane. The diffuser vane includes a leading edge at a downstream end of the vane and a trailing edge at an upstream end of the vane. The curved high pressure surface extends between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The curved low pressure surface extends between the leading edge and the trailing edge opposite the high pressure surface. The low pressure surface has a bump formed thereon to increase the length of the low pressure surface so that fluid flowing along the low pressure surface is substantially laminar, thereby increasing pump efficiency and pump head. |
| US09109601B2 |
Blood pump apparatus
A blood pump apparatus includes a housing having a blood inlet port and blood outlet port, a pump unit including an impeller that rotates within the housing, and an impeller rotational torque generation section. The housing includes a plurality of magnetic members embedded between the impeller and the impeller rotational torque generation section for transmitting a magnetically attractive force generated by the impeller rotational torque generation section to an impeller body. The pump device includes a non-contact bearing mechanism for rotating the impeller without contacting with the inner surface of the housing when the impeller is rotated by the impeller rotational torque generation section. |
| US09109599B2 |
Scroll compressor having oil hole
A scroll compressor is provided. That is, in a shaft penetration scroll compressor in which an eccentric portion of the rotational shaft is overlapped with an orbiting wrap of the orbiting scroll in a radial direction, an oil hole that supplies oil inhaled through an oil passage of the rotational shaft to a thrust bearing surface of the orbiting scroll may be formed at the fixed scroll, and thus, the orbiting scroll may be supported by pressure of oil supplied to the thrust bearing surface through the oil hole to prevent tilting of the orbiting scroll due to eccentricity of a gas force, thereby enhancing reliability and performance of the compressor. |
| US09109598B2 |
Compressor with oil separating mechanism
According to a compressor of the present invention, the compressor further comprises an oil separating mechanism 40 which separates oil from the refrigerant gas discharged from the compressing mechanism 10, the oil separating mechanism 40 includes a cylindrical space 41 in which the refrigerant gas orbits, an inflow portion 42 for flowing the refrigerant gas discharged from the compressing mechanism 10 into the cylindrical space 41, a sending-out port 43 for sending out, from the cylindrical space 41 to the one container space 32, the refrigerant gas from which the oil is separated, and an exhaust port 44 for discharging the separated oil from the cylindrical space 41 into the other container space 32. According to this configuration, efficiency of the electric motor 20 is enhanced, volumetric efficiency is enhanced, and low oil circulation is realized. |
| US09109597B2 |
Variable displacement pump with multiple pressure chambers where a circumferential extent of a first portion of a first chamber is greater than a second portion
A variable displacement vane pump has a plurality of seals between the inner surface defining the housing's internal chamber and an outer surface of the control ring. The seals define pressure regulating chambers. A first chamber is defined between a pair of seals located in a circumferential direction of the ring on opposing sides of the pivotal mounting of the ring and has at least one inlet for receiving pressurized fluid. The circumferential extent of the first chamber is greater along a portion for applying force to the ring in a second pivotal direction than along a portion for applying force in the first pivotal direction such that a net force is applied in the second pivotal direction. A second chamber has at least one outlet for receiving pressurized fluid such that the entire circumferential extent of the second chamber applies force to the ring in the second pivotal direction. |
| US09109593B2 |
High pressure pump
A high-pressure pump has: a plunger; a pump body; a cover member for covering the pump body and forming a fuel chamber; a pulsation damper body constructed of upper and lower diaphragms with their peripheral edge portions joined and for reducing pressure pulsation in the chamber, the upper and lower diaphragms trapping gas having a given pressure between them; an upper support member having an upper ring-shaped part and an upper support body, the upper ring-shaped part being joined to the peripheral edge portion of the upper diaphragm, the upper support body extending from the upper ring-shaped part and abutting on the cover member; and a lower support member having a lower ring-shaped part and a lower support body, the lower ring-shaped part being joined to the peripheral edge portion of the lower diaphragm, the lower support body extending from the lower ring-shaped part and abutting on the pump body. |
| US09109589B2 |
Electric compressor and assembly method thereof
A main-bearing outer diameter of an electric motor is made smaller than a rotor outer diameter without causing a drop in production efficiency, and the ease of performing a shrink-fitting step is also enhanced by making it possible to mount a rotor to a main shaft in an early stage. A bearing journal portion (14b) of a main shaft (14) of an electric motor is formed in a shape into which an inner race (18b) of a main bearing (18) can be press-fitted from both sides in the axial direction thereof, and, in addition, an outer diameter of the bearing journal portion (14b) is made larger than an outer diameter of a rotor press-fitting portion (14a), whereas a bearing bore portion (5a) of a partition member (5) is formed in a shape into which an outer race (18a) can be press-fitted from both sides in the axial direction thereof. It is preferable that a space (S) into which a press-fitting tool for press-fitting the main bearing (18) can be inserted be provided between the rotor press-fitting portion (14a) of the main shaft (14) and the bearing journal portion (14b) thereof. |
| US09109587B2 |
Multistage piston compressor
A multistage piston compressor for a gaseous or cryogenically liquefied medium with at least two compressor stages, which operatively interact with a shared drive train for purposes of joint powering, wherein each compressor stage exhibits a piston that is mechanically connected with the drive train, and arranged in a compressor cylinder so that it can longitudinally shift. |
| US09109586B2 |
Electro-hydraulic drive system for a work machine
An electro-hydraulic drive system for a work machine which drives an upper rotary body by controlling a flow rate of a hydraulic fluid by a control valve, includes an electro-hydraulic pump including a hydraulic pump driven by an engine, and a first electric motor, and an electro-hydraulic motor including a hydraulic motor rotated by the hydraulic oil supplied from the electro-hydraulic pump, and a second electric motor, and a controller which determines an operating state of the first electric motor and an operating state of the second electric motor based on a load of the electro-hydraulic pump and a load of the electro-hydraulic motor, and is able to perform an efficient operation by using a hydraulic pressure (fluid pressure) and electric power. |
| US09109585B2 |
Pump
The invention relates to a pump (1) for conveying of a fluid from an intake region (2) to an outlet region (3) which has a housing (4) and at least one rotor (6) which is arranged rotatable around an axis of rotation (5) and which can be driven by a driving element. To obtain a high degree of efficiency the pump according to the invention is characterized in that the rotor (6) has a bore (7), that a piston element (8) is arranged in the bore which can move along the longitudinal axis (L) of the bore and that a plurality of magnets (9, 9′, 9″, . . . ) or a ring magnet is arranged stationary in the housing (4), wherein the magnets or the ring magnet exert a magnetic attractive force on the piston element (8), wherein the magnets (9, 9′, 9″, . . . ) or a ring magnet are arranged in such a manner in the housing (4) that the piston element (8) carries out an oscillating movement (O) in the bore (7) during rotation of the rotor (6) around the axis (5) due to the magnetic attractive force. |
| US09109583B2 |
Apparatus for footwear-embedded mechanical energy harvesting using modular elements
An energy harvesting apparatus utilizes a modular structure to preserve the proper alignment between a chain of energy-producing elements and an energy-producing channel (within which the chain is located and free to slide along, creating electrical energy from mechanical movement). The channel includes a plurality of rigid modules that are separated by flexible segments of tubing. The rigid channel modules house the energy-producing electrodes and/or coils. The chain includes a plurality of rigid modules that are attached along a flexible string in a spaced-apart configuration. The rigid chain modules house the energy-producing magnets and/or conductive droplets. The combination of the flexible channel segments and chain string allow for freedom of motion of the apparatus (required for human locomotion, for example), while providing the desired “fixed” alignment between the rigid energy-producing modules. |
| US09109577B2 |
Method and system for operating a wind turbine
A method for operating a wind turbine includes receiving a value of a sensor and comparing the value with a reference, determining depending on the comparison between the value with the reference whether a malfunction of the wind turbine is present; determining the cause of the malfunction of the wind turbine depending on at least one of: the sensor type or the measured value, wherein the cause determination includes: automatically creating a first list including at least one possible cause of the malfunction depending on the sensor type or the measured value; and automatically creating a second list including a sequence of at least two steps, wherein a first step of the second list is based on the a cause selected from the first list and a second step of the second list is automatically determined based on a result of the first step. |
| US09109575B2 |
Flying electric generators with clean air rotors
Flying electric generator aircraft that include groupings of four rotors mounted to booms extending fore and aft of a fuselage structure wherein the rotors are placed so that when the aircraft is facing the wind, each rotor has a direct path to an undisturbed flow of air, regardless of pitch angle and during all flight maneuvers of the aircraft. The rotors are placed in counter-rotating pairs with the booms preferably angled so that the rotors in the front of the aircraft are spaced at a distance from one another that is different than a spacing of the rotors at the rear of the aircraft. |
| US09109573B2 |
Bluff body turbine and method
A passive bluff body is disposed in flowing fluid for generating power. The shape of the bluff body supports a predetermined oscillatory clockwise and counter clockwise movement about a pivot absent the influence of electrical or mechanical devices for biasing the bluff body's motion for a given velocity, or range of velocities, of the fluid flow. |
| US09109571B2 |
Shaft power plant
A shaft power plant for energy conversion of a discharge between a headwater and a tailwater, comprising a vertical shaft, the top of which forms an inflow plane which is parallel to the bed and extends below the headwater water level, wherein the shaft is open toward the top and is closed by a base at its bottom end, a unit composed of a turbine and an electrical machine, wherein the unit is arranged entirely under water in the shaft and wherein the turbine is arranged for water to pass through vertically, and an outflow, which is connected to the turbine, represents a closed flow channel and leads through a through-passage in the shaft to the tailwater, wherein, in a horizontal plane of a turbine runner of the turbine, a first cross-sectional area of the shaft is much larger than a second cross-sectional area taken up by the turbine runner. |
| US09109570B2 |
Tidal adjustment arrangement for a wave energy recovery system
This invention relates to a tidal adjustment arrangement for a wave energy recovery system where the wave energy recovery system comprising at least a body (2), a wing (3a) hinged at its lower edge onto the body (2) to make a reciprocating motion in response to kinetic energy of waves or tidal currents and a power-take-off (PTO) means (3b). The arrangement comprises at least a support means (6) capable to change the vertical position of the wing (3a). |
| US09109565B2 |
Power system that operates in an exercise mode based on measured parameters
A power system may include a power generation component and a sensor configured to measure a parameter. The power system may also include a controller in communication with the power generation component and the sensor. The controller may be configured to run the power generation component in an exercise mode for a duration. The duration may be based on the measured parameter. |
| US09109561B2 |
Method and device for zero-fuel quantity calibration of a fuel injector
In a method for calibrating a fuel metering system including an injector of an internal combustion engine performing a pilot injection chronologically prior to a main injection, at least two test injections chronologically prior to the pilot injection are provided for the injector, the first test injection being carried out using a first activation duration, in which the injector does not yet open, at least one second test injection being carried out in a subsequent injection cycle using an activation duration which is progressively increased in each case in relation to the first test injection until a change of an operating variable of the fuel metering system or the internal combustion engine results, which activation duration corresponds to a minimum activation duration of the injector. |
| US09109560B2 |
High pressure pump
A plunger stopper is installed to a cylinder hole forming portion of a cylinder forming member. The plunger stopper cooperates with a step portion of a plunger to limit movement of the plunger in a state where a slide surface of the plunger contacts an inner peripheral wall surface of the cylinder hole. |
| US09109559B2 |
Fuel injection apparatus
A resin-bonded body of a fuel injection apparatus includes a first resin material and a second resin material, which are bonded together and have different properties, respectively. The resin-bonded body has a fuel seal portion to limit leakage of fuel from a boundary surface between the first resin material and the second resin material to an outside. The fuel seal portion is formed in a portion of the boundary surface and is surface-modified to increase hydrophilicity of the fuel seal portion. |
| US09109556B2 |
Fuel injection device
A fuel injection device includes a cylinder defining a pressure chamber at an end portion of a nozzle needle. In the cylinder, a floating plate is provided as a controlling member of fuel pressure. An orifice member and a nozzle body are lined by an annular positioning member, using a circular peripheral surface of the orifice member and a circular peripheral surface of the nozzle body as a reference surface. Thereby, radial locations of the nozzle body and the orifice member are defined. Furthermore, a location of the floating plate is defined by the nozzle body with the nozzle needle. Therefore, the floating plate can be located to a proper location relative to the orifice member. |
| US09109553B2 |
Fuel injector
A fuel injector includes a pilot fuel injector, configured to inject the fuel into a combustion chamber, and a main fuel injector provided coaxially with the pilot fuel injector so as to surround the pilot fuel injector and configured to have a main flow path to generate a premixed air-fuel mixture. The main flow path includes an outer main air passage located radially outwardly and configured to supply a compressed air in an axial direction into an annular premixed air-fuel mixture passage, an inner main air passage located radially inwardly and configured to supply the compressed air into the premixed air-fuel mixture passage from a radially inner side. The injector further includes a main fuel injection port to inject the fuel from an axially upstream side into the inner main air passage. |
| US09109551B2 |
Liquid trap for fuel vapor valve
An insert for a fuel vapor valve traps liquid fuel and prevent the fuel from leaking out of the valve. The insert includes a tube and a skirt disposed around the tube. The skirt seals against a portion of the fuel vapor valve, such as against an inner wall of a valve port or on a top portion of the valve to act as a valve cap. The tube and the skirt cooperate with the fuel vapor valve to form a reservoir that traps fuel. |
| US09109549B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling fuel vapor flow in an engine-driven generator
An engine-driven generator that controls fuel vapor flow is provided. The engine-driven generator includes an engine having an air intake, wherein the engine is configured to drive a generator. The engine-driven generator also includes a fuel tank coupled to the engine and configured to provide fuel to the engine. The engine-driven generator includes a valve coupled between the air intake of the engine and the fuel tank. The engine-driven generator also includes a control device configured to transition the valve between a first position and a second position. The first position allows fuel vapor to flow between the fuel tank and the air intake of the engine and the second position inhibits the fuel vapor from flowing between the fuel tank and the air intake of the engine. |
| US09109545B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling exhaust gas recirculation composition
Various systems and method for controlling exhaust gas recirculation in an internal combustion engine are provided. In one embodiment, a method for controlling an engine includes determining an actual intake oxygen concentration, adjusting a donor cylinder fuel injection amount to drive the actual intake oxygen concentration to a designated intake oxygen concentration, and adjusting a non-donor cylinder fuel injection amount dependent upon the donor cylinder fuel injection adjustment and to maintain a second operating parameter. |
| US09109544B2 |
Device and method for compressor and charge air cooler protection in an internal combustion engine
A device is provided for compressor and charge air cooler protection in an internal combustion engine, such as a Diesel engine. The engine having an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold, first and second EGR routes, a charge air cooler, a turbocharger having a compressor and a turbine. A regulator is also provided for regulating the flow rate of exhaust gas and the splitting of exhaust gas between the first and second EGR route. A temperature sensor is also provided for sensing output temperature of gas at the outlet of said compressor. A method and computer readable medium embodying a computer program product are also provided that have a first phase of monitoring a parameter representative of the gas temperature at the output of the compressor and a second phase in which an activity involving engine components operation is performed. The activity is performed using temperature information determined in the monitoring phase. |
| US09109543B2 |
Exhaust manifold for an internal combustion engine, in particular in motor vehicles
An exhaust manifold for an internal combustion engine with exhaust turbocharging and an exhaust gas recirculation device, includes a header pipe with several inflow openings connected with the combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine via connecting pieces, and outlet openings branching from the header pipe via connecting branches for the exhaust gas recirculation and the exhaust turbocharger. To achieve a high exhaust gas recirculation rate and an effective pressurization of the exhaust turbocharger with exhaust gas, at least one flow guide element is arranged in the header pipe close to the outlet openings which divides the exhaust gas flow onto the two outlet openings in a targeted manner. |
| US09109541B2 |
Lock for a translating sleeve of a nacelle
A locking system for a cascade thrust reverser on a bypass turbofan is disclosed. The locking system includes a translating sleeve configured to move between a stowed position and a deployed position. A lock member is mounted to a beam and has a locking portion which contacts a roller on the translating sleeve to retract the locking portion when the translating sleeve moves to the stowed position. |
| US09109540B2 |
Airplane jet engine thrust reverser having gratings or cascades
A cascade thrust reverser for an airplane dual flow jet engine nacelle is provided that includes a front frame holding a plurality of cascades, a cowling slidably mounted between a direct jet position and a reverse jet position. The cowl includes a substantially annular diaphragm that is placed edge-to-edge with the front frame and radially inside said cascades when said cowl is located in the direct jet position. Thrust reversal flaps are pivotably mounted onto the diaphragm, and cylinders for actuating the cowl are also provided. Upstream ends of the cylinders are mounted on a stationary portion of the nacelle, and the downstream ends of the cylinders are mounted on an upstream edge of the diaphragm. |
| US09109539B2 |
Turbine based combined cycle engine
An aircraft powerplant is disclosed that can be operated in at least three modes including as a gas turbine engine, as an engine having a ramburner, and as an engine having a forward compression combustor engine such as a ramjet and/or scramjet. An airflow valve is provided to direct air to a downstream portion of the aircraft engine and can be positioned as a function of the aircraft operating modes. The valve can be used to cocoon the gas turbine engine. |
| US09109534B2 |
Valved stirling engine with improved efficiency
A Stirling engine can take advantage of adiabatic compression (which heats working gas leaving the cold cylinder) and adiabatic expansion (which cools working gas leaving the hot cylinder) to increase efficiency. In some implementations, partially-heated gas leaving the cold cylinder and partially-cooled gas leaving the hot cylinder can be routed directly to a regenerator using bypass paths that are opened using one-way valves. The resultant relatively reduced temperature difference across the regenerator, e.g., as compared to a typical Stirling engine, can reduce thermal loss and improve efficiency. In some implementations, the compression ratios of the Stirling engine can be adjusted such that the temperature of the adiabatic heated gas is the same or higher than the temperature of the adiabatic cooled temperatures, thus eliminating the need for a regenerator. |
| US09109533B2 |
Stirling machine
This Stirling machine comprises a transfer piston (6, 6a) and a moving part (14) of a generator or of an electric motor, the transfer piston (6, 6a) periodically displacing a working gas between an expansion chamber (VE) and a compression chamber (Vc) which chambers are respectively associated with two working faces of the transfer piston (6, 6a) of which the cross-sectional area ratio ac/aE is >0.35 so that its displacement along an axis X oriented towards the expansion volume (VE) generates an in-phase working gas pressure component Px that opposes the displacement of the piston (6, 6a), so that all of the mechanical energy produced is transmitted to the moving part (14). This machine comprises a resonant second piston (10) coupled to the transfer piston (6, 6a) by a quantity of energy that is proportional to the pressure component Px. |
| US09109531B2 |
Method for testing casting quality and apparatus therefor
A method for testing casting quality includes collecting sand that has fallen from an internal cavity of the casting at a collection area. The collection area includes a screen and a pad. The method further includes capturing a first image of sand that has fallen onto the pad and analyzing the first image to determine an amount of black sand that has fallen onto the pad. The method further includes capturing a second image of sand that has been retained on the screen and analyzing the second image to determine an amount of black sand chunks retained on the screen. |
| US09109530B2 |
Piston for an internal combustion engine
The invention relates to a piston (10, 110, 210) for an internal combustion engine, comprising a piston head (11, 111, 211) and a piston skirt, the piston head (11, 111, 211) having a circumferential ring section (15, 115, 215) and a circumferential cooling channel (16, 116, 216) in the region of the ring section (15, 115, 215). The cooling channel has a cooling channel floor (17, 117, 217) and a cooling channel ceiling (18, 118, 218). According to the invention, the cooling channel (16, 116, 216) has a narrowing (20, 120, 220). |
| US09109527B2 |
Device and method for diagnosing an exhaust gas sensor
A device for diagnosing an exhaust gas sensor, in particular a linear oxygen probe, for an internal combustion engine. A diagnostic unit is configured to control a first and a second current source in a coordinated manner in order to generate a first and a second current. Each of the currents has a predefined polarity sign, and is designed to determine the first and/or second and/or third voltages applied at a first and/or second and/or third terminal when first and second currents flow and put the amounts of the voltages in relation to the coordinated currents such that line interruptions and/or short circuits can be detected at the first and/or second and/or third terminal. |
| US09109526B2 |
Control unit for fuel supply regulation during a cold-running phase of an internal combustion engine, method for fuel supply regulation during a cold-running phase of an internal combustion engine, computer program product, computer program and signal sequence
A control unit is provided for fuel supply regulation during a cold-running phase of an internal combustion engine, that includes, but is not limited to an input port for inputting a combustion signal about the presence of a rich or lean combustion of a fuel mixture in the internal combustion engine, a P-element for providing a P-manipulated variable, which sets a fuel reduction upon the presence of a rich combustion and sets a fuel increase upon the presence of a lean combustion, an I-element for providing an I-manipulated variable, which sets a fuel increase, and an output port for controlling a fuel supply, the P-manipulated variable and the I-manipulated variable substantially offsetting one another during the cold-running phase upon the presence of a rich combustion in the stationary state. |
| US09109524B2 |
Controller for internal combustion engine
A controller for internal combustion engine includes a rotation number detecting section to detect engine rotation number and an air-fuel ratio detecting section to detect an air-fuel ratio (A/F) of air-fuel mixture and is configured to perform leaning control of the A/F. The controller further includes a rotation number difference calculating section to calculate a difference between a rotation number variation value of a worst cylinder specified as having largest rotation number variation based on the detected rotation number detected and an average value of rotation number variation values of remaining cylinders other than the worst cylinder; an estimated imbalance rate calculating section to calculate an estimated imbalance rate based on the A/F detected by the air-fuel ratio detecting section; and a lean abnormality detecting section to detect lean imbalance abnormality in a specific cylinder based on the calculated rotation number difference and the calculated estimated imbalance rate. |
| US09109522B2 |
Method of controlling an EGR valve integrated in an EGR circuit of a combustion engine
The invention relates to a method of controlling a combustion engine (1) comprising at least one cylinder (2) and a manifold (3) and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) circuit including an EGR valve. The EGR valve (6) is controlled by carrying out the following stages: a) measuring a pressure difference ΔP in a portion of the exhaust gas recirculation circuit including the EGR valve; b) selecting a burnt gas fraction set point BGRsp in the intake manifold (3); c) calculating an opening set point for the EGR valve (6) from a pressure drop relation applied in a portion of the exhaust gas recirculation circuit including the EGR valve, depending on difference ΔP at the EGR valve and on the burnt gas fraction set point BGRsp in the intake manifold; and d) controlling the EGR valve (6) as a function of the opening set point of EGR valve (6). |
| US09109517B2 |
Condition monitoring of mechanical drive train coupled with electrical machines
A method of monitoring health of a mechanical drive train is provided. The method includes obtaining voltage and current signals from at least one phase of an electrical machine coupled with the mechanical drive train. The method also includes representing the electrical machine having a non-sinusoidal flux distribution as a combination of a plurality of harmonic order sinusoidally distributed virtual electrical machines based on the obtained voltage and current signals. The method further includes determining a torque profile associated with one or more combinations of the sinusoidally distributed virtual electrical machines. Finally, the method includes detecting the presence of an anomaly in the mechanical drive train based on the torque profile or spectrum. |
| US09109516B2 |
Method for operating an internal combustion engine, control unit, computer program product, computer program, and signal sequence
A method is provided for operating an internal combustion engine that includes, but is not limited to ascertaining a possible instant of a stoppage of the internal combustion engine and injecting fuel to fill a cylinder of the internal combustion engine. The injection performed shortly before the instant of the stoppage of the internal combustion engine. |
| US09109511B2 |
System and methods for optimizing efficiency of a hydraulically actuated system
Systems and methods for efficiently operating a hydraulically actuated device/system are described herein. For example, systems and methods for efficiently operating a gas compression and expansion energy storage system are disclosed herein. Systems and methods are provided for controlling and operating the hydraulic actuators used within a hydraulically actuated device/system, such as, for example, a gas compression and/or expansion energy system, within a desired efficiency range of the hydraulic pump(s)/motor(s) used to supply or receive pressurized hydraulic fluid to or from the hydraulic actuators. In such a system, a variety of different operating regimes can be used depending on the desired output gas pressure and the desired stored pressure of the compressed gas. Hydraulic cylinders used to drive working pistons within the system can be selectively actuated to achieve varying force outputs to incrementally increase the gas pressure within the system for a given cycle. |
| US09109510B2 |
Gas turbine engine bearing support strut
A gas turbine according to the present invention includes: a strut which passes through an outer diffuser and an inner diffuser, and connects an exhaust chamber wall and a bearing housing; a strut cover which covers the strut along the extending direction of the strut; a partitioning wall which is arranged between the inside of the inner diffuser in the radial direction and the outside of the bearing housing in the radial direction, of which the upstream side portion is sealed between the bearing housing and the partitioning wall, of which the downstream side portion is sealed between the inner diffuser and the partitioning wall, and in which a strut through-hole through which the strut passes is formed; and a hole seal member which seals a gap between the strut through-hole and the strut. |
| US09109507B2 |
Engine assembly with variable valve displacement on one cylinder bank and method of controlling same
An engine assembly includes an engine block having a first bank of cylinders and a second bank of cylinders. A crankshaft is supported by the engine block and is configured to be driven by torque due to combustion energy in the first and second banks of cylinders. A first set of valves is operable to control air flow into and out of the first bank of cylinders. Camshafts driven by the crankshaft are operatively connected to the first set of valves to control opening and closing of the first set of valves. A second set of valves is operable to control air flow into and out of the second bank of cylinders. A controller is operatively connected to the second set of valves and is configured to vary at least one of lift, duration, and timing of the second set of valves based on commanded torque at the crankshaft. |
| US09109505B2 |
Methods and systems for condensation control
Methods and systems are provided for reducing condensate accumulation at a charge air cooler (CAC) during cold ambient conditions. A wastegate may be held closed while a compressor recirculation valve is held open during an engine cold start so as to use compressor heating and increased compressor recirculation to expedite CAC heating. EGR delivery is delayed until the CAC is sufficiently warm to reduce the propensity for condensation. |
| US09109502B1 |
Control system for a supercharger with a variable transmission
A supercharger assembly includes a centrifugal blower for delivering pressurized air to an engine air manifold of an engine; a variable transmission for driving the blower; a motor for adjusting a gear ratio of the variable transmission; and a control system for controlling operation of the motor to provide user selectable and/or programmable levels of supercharger boost. The control system may include a user input device for selecting a performance level of the supercharger assembly; at least one engine sensor for sensing an operating parameter of the engine; at least one environmental sensor for sensing a characteristic of the inlet air; and a programmable controller for controlling operation of the motor in accordance with the user selected performance level and outputs of the engine sensor and the environmental sensor. |
| US09109501B2 |
Exhaust-gas turbocharger having a turbine housing with an integrated wastegate actuator
An exhaust-gas turbocharger includes a turbine housing and a wastegate which is disposed in the turbine housing and has a wastegate flap. The wastegate flap can be adjusted by an output shaft of a wastegate actuator. The output shaft has a central axis. The wastegate actuator is an integral constituent part of the turbine housing. During an adjustment of the wastegate flap, the output shaft of the wastegate actuator interacts with a wastegate spindle which has a central axis. The output shaft of the wastegate actuator is thermally decoupled from the wastegate spindle. |
| US09109498B2 |
Dimethyl ether (DME) enhanced gasoline engine
An engine having DME pilot ignition is disclosed. DME Pilot ignition creates far more energy than a conventional spark plug, thus minimizes the possibility of misfire in the engine map. DME injection can be used in a number of ways. In one embodiment, DME injection replaces the conventional spark plug in an Otto cycle engine. In another embodiment, DME injection is used in addition to spark ignition to minimize the use of DME. In this embodiment, DME injection is only used during those portions of the engine map where misfire may occur, or during those times when a misfire sensor detects misfire. DME injection can also be used in conjunction with alcohol boosting in other embodiments. |
| US09109496B2 |
System and method for a movable exhaust aftertreatment device in an internal combustion engine
The present application relates to an exhaust-gas aftertreatment device and to a method for exhaust-gas aftertreatment. According to one aspect of the present application, the exhaust-gas aftertreatment device has, in the exhaust manifold of the internal combustion engine, a filter passage with, for the exhaust-gas stream, a through-path that is variably adjustable over time during the operation of the exhaust-gas aftertreatment device. |
| US09109495B2 |
Method and system for identifying a source of nitrogen oxide reduction inefficiency
System and methods can identify a source of nitrogen oxide reduction inefficiency in an exhaust system including first and second selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts connected in series along an exhaust line. The methods and systems can determine which of the first and second SCR catalysts is a source of nitrogen oxide reduction inefficiency based on the temperatures of the exhausts gases flowing through the first and second SCR catalysts. |
| US09109493B2 |
Apparatus and method to diagnose a NOX sensor
A method includes raising a temperature of an SCR catalyst for a predetermined time period while dosing urea. The method further includes maintaining the temperature of the SCR catalyst without dosing urea for a second predetermined time period. The method further includes filtering out at least low frequency data from a first NOx sensor upstream of the SCR catalyst and from a second NOx sensor downstream of the SCR catalyst, and comparing the filtered data from the first NOx sensor and the second NOx sensor without dosing urea over a third predetermined time period. The method further includes providing a NOx sensor condition index for at least one of the first NOx sensor and the second NOx sensor in response to the comparing. |
| US09109491B2 |
Exhaust purification system of internal combustion engine
In an internal combustion engine, inside of an engine exhaust passage, a hydrocarbon feed valve (15), an exhaust purification catalyst (13), and a particulate filter (14) are arranged. At the time of engine operation, the amplitude of change of the concentration of hydrocarbons which flow into the exhaust purification catalyst (13) is made to become within a predetermined range of amplitude by control of the injection amount of hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon feed valve (15). When the temperature of the particulate filter (14) is to be raised to be regeneration temperature, the injection amount of hydrocarbons is increased and thereby the pass through amount of hydrocarbons which pass through the exhaust purification catalyst (13) is increased. |
| US09109490B2 |
Electric heating catalyst
An electric heating catalyst (EHC) in which a short circuit between a heat generation element and a case in EHC is suppressed. The EHC includes a heat generation element (catalyst carrier) electrically energized to generate heat; a case receiving the heat generation element; an insulating support member between the heat generation element and the case; a tubular inner pipe inserted into the insulating support member and located between the heat generation element and the case. The inner pipe has an end protruding into an exhaust gas from the insulating support member's end face, and the inner pipe has an electrically insulating layer formed on an entire surface, or the inner pipe is formed of an electrically insulating material; and an inner pipe heater supplied with electricity through a path different from a path through which electricity is supplied to the heat generation element, thereby heating the inner pipe's protrusion portion. |
| US09109488B2 |
Method, system, and apparatus for diagnosing an exhaust aftertreatment component
An apparatus includes an engine output module that determines an engine output power parameter for an engine. The apparatus includes an output power threshold module that determines if the engine output power parameter is below an output power threshold. The apparatus includes a NOx module that determines a nitrogen oxide (“NOx”) efficiency of a selective catalytic reduction (“SCR”) system in response to the output power threshold module determining that the determined engine output power parameter is below the output power threshold. The SCR system is in exhaust receiving communication with the engine. The apparatus includes a NOx threshold module that determines if the NOx efficiency is below a NOx efficiency threshold, and a NOx warning module that sends a NOx alarm signal in response to the NOx threshold module determining that the NOx efficiency is below the NOx efficiency threshold. |
| US09109487B2 |
Methods and system for cooling exhaust system components
Various methods and systems are provided for cooling exhaust system components. In one example, a method comprises directing compressed air onto an exterior of an engine exhaust passage valve. |
| US09109485B2 |
Method of controlling low-pressure fuel pump for GDI engine
A method of controlling a low-pressure fuel pump for a GDI engine includes setting predetermined driving conditions that affect a drivability of the GDI engine in situations that are generated in a vehicle in which the GDI engine is mounted, open-loop controlling the low-pressure fuel pump when one or more of the predetermined driving conditions occur, and when none of the predetermined driving conditions occurs, close-loop controlling the low-pressure fuel pump according to a signal from a fuel pressure sensor such that a target fuel pressure provided from an engine controller is pursued. |
| US09109484B2 |
Control system for DPF regeneration by exhaust pipe injection, and regeneration method
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a DPF travel-time regeneration control system of stably raising the temperature even during travel and capable of decreasing the frequency of DPF regeneration when the vehicle is stopped. In this control system, if the DPF (5) needs to be regenerated, the vehicle is traveling on cruise control, and the exhaust temperature detected by an exhaust temperature sensor (11) is higher than a threshold value, then fuel is injected into the exhaust pipe by a fuel injection means (7), and if the exhaust temperature is lower than the threshold value, the exhaust temperature is raised by operating the exhaust brake without injecting fuel into the exhaust pipe. |
| US09109483B2 |
Exhaust system for an internal combustion engine
An exhaust system for an internal combustion engine, having a first exhaust tract and a second exhaust tract, wherein a first silencer device is arranged in an end section of the first exhaust tract and a second silencer device is arranged in an end section of the second exhaust tract, and the two exhaust tracts are connected in an inter-communicating manner by a crosstalk point, and, in the first or second exhaust tract downstream of the crosstalk point, there is provided a valve for the selective closure of the respective exhaust tract, wherein a distance between the valve and the crosstalk point is dimensioned such that, at a particular rotational speed of the engine, an exhaust line path between the valve and the crosstalk point serves as a quarter lambda resonator such that, at the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, disturbing noises of the exhaust system are reduced. |
| US09109481B2 |
Method to control and diagnose an exhaust gas heat exchanger
A method for controlling an exhaust gas recovery system for an engine includes generating a signal to control exhaust gas flow through an exhaust gas heat exchanger, and generating a diagnostic code based on a difference between coolant temperature downstream of the exhaust gas heat exchanger and coolant temperature downstream of the engine. A vehicle has an engine, and an exhaust heat recovery system with an exhaust gas heat exchanger, a first temperature sensor downstream of the engine, and a second temperature sensor downstream of the exhaust gas heat exchanger. A controller for the vehicle is configured to: (i) generate a signal to control exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas heat exchanger, and (ii) generate a diagnostic code based on a difference between coolant temperature measured by the first and second temperature sensors. |
| US09109476B2 |
Lubricating device for power unit
A lubricating device for a power unit includes an oil pan, an oil tank being separated from the oil pan, a scavenging pump for circulating the received oil of the oil pan to the oil tank, and a feed pump to feeding oil stored in the oil tank to the engine and the transmission, wherein an oil reservoir for storing a certain amount of oil to immerse a lower part of a clutch that connects and disconnects a transmission route between the engine and the transmission is provided in a power unit case, and a first overflow passage is provided in the oil tank such that when the stored oil in the oil tank is increased beyond a first level, the first overflow passage allows the increased oil to overflow into the oil reservoir side. |
| US09109471B2 |
Cam structure
A cam structure driving a tappet having a crowning on a top face and connected to a base end section of an intake or exhaust valve of an engine, includes: a camshaft rotating in synchronization with a crankshaft of the engine; a cam lobe mounted on the camshaft, and including: a base cam including: a base circular section having a mounting hole for the camshaft; and a valve lift section having a cut-out section in a tip end portion; and a roller provided in the cut-out section and having a cylindrical section with a constant diameter. A center section in a width direction of the base cam makes contact with the tappet at a position deviated from a center of the top face of the tappet, and the cylindrical section makes contact with the center of the top face of the tappet. |
| US09109470B2 |
Timing belt pulley mounting and geometry for use in internal combustion engines
Systems and methods for mounting a timing belt pulley to a crankshaft can include a crankshaft rotatable about a center longitudinal axis, the crankshaft including a pin assembly configured for connection to a reciprocating piston. A timing belt pulley can be positioned against the pin assembly and configured for engaging the pin assembly such that the timing belt pulley is coupled to the crankshaft for rotation about the center longitudinal axis. For example, the pin assembly can include a slot formed on an exterior surface thereof, and the timing belt pulley can include a key extending towards the pin assembly and configured for engaging the slot. |
| US09109469B2 |
Apparatus for actuating valves in vehicles in variable valve control manner
An apparatus for actuating valves in vehicles in a variable valve control manner, may include an eccentric cam mounted on a cylinder head and rotating with power transmitted from a crank shaft, a high-pressure pump connected to an oil pump, wherein one end of the high-pressure pump may be pushed by the eccentric cam when the eccentric cam rotates, converting low-pressure oil supplied from the oil pump into high-pressure oil, a high-pressure rail connected with the high-pressure pump to accommodate the high-pressure oil from the high-pressure pump and store the high-pressure oil therein, and an operating cylinder connected with the high-pressure rail and having a plunger pushing an intake or exhaust valve with a pressure of oil received from the high-pressure rail. |
| US09109467B2 |
Exhaust system for use with a turbine and method of assembling same
An exhaust system for use with a steam turbine is provided. An exhaust hood includes an input and an output, the input receiving fluid from the steam turbine. The exhaust hood includes a first side wall that extends between the input and the output. The first side wall includes an aperture. An ejector is coupled to the exhaust hood. The ejector includes inlets and an outlet. At least one of the inlets receives fluid from the exhaust hood via the aperture. |
| US09109466B2 |
Diffuser with backward facing step having varying step height
A diffuser (30) expanding a gas flow (F) upstream of a heat recovery steam generator (32) of a combined cycle power plant (34). An outer wall (44) of the diffuser includes a smoothly lofted backward facing step (46) effective to fix a location of a flow recirculation bubble (56) under conditions conducive to flow separation. The step has a varying step height (Hpeak, HvaIley) about a circumference of the step edge (62). The varying step height segments the recirculation bubble into small cells (66) located downstream of each peak (58) of the step height and reducing a reattachment length (L) of the bubble, thereby facilitating a reduction of the overall length of the diffuser. |
| US09109462B2 |
Energy-absorbing fan case for a gas turbine engine
A fan case of a gas turbine engine includes a fan blade containment section defined about an engine axis and a plurality of helical ribs adjacent to the fan blade containment section. |
| US09109461B2 |
Axial flow compressor, gas turbine system having the axial flow compressor and method of modifying the axial flow compressor
There is provided an axial flow compressor that improves reliability on an increase in a blade loading on a last-stage stator vane of the axial flow compressor due to a partial load operation of a gas turbine. An annular flow passage is formed by a rotor having multiple rotor blades fitted thereto and a casing having multiple stator vanes fitted thereto, two or more of the stator vanes are disposed downstream of a last-stage rotor blade that is the rotor blade disposed at the most downstream side in a flow direction of the annular flow passage, a blade loading on a first stator vane disposed at the most upstream side is set to be smaller than a blade loading of a second stator vane disposed downstream of the first stator vane by one row. |
| US09109460B2 |
Power harvesting bearing configuration
A power generating bearing assembly providing a bearing retained by a bearing housing. The bearing housing includes a bearing cooling passage system having at least one integrated liquid cooling passage integrated within the bearing housing. A turbine receiving bore is formed through the bearing housing, penetrating the integrated liquid cooling segment. A turbine assembly is inserted into the turbine receiving bore, positioning a turbine blade subassembly of the turbine assembly within the integrated liquid cooling passage, wherein fluid flowing within the integrated liquid cooling passage causes the blade subassembly to rotate. The rotation of the blade subassembly rotates an electric power generator to create electric power. The turbine assembly can include an electro-magnetic subassembly mounting plate, wherein the turbine subassembly is located on an interior surface of the mounting plate and at least a portion of the power generating portion located on an exterior portion of the mounting plate. |
| US09109458B2 |
Turbomachinery seal
A seal for sealing a rotor of a rotary machine to a stator thereof which circumscribes the rotor and is separated therefrom by a gap comprises a nonrotational sealing element received within an annular slot in the stator and radially translatable with respect thereto, and extending into the gap for sealing to rotational sealing element carried by the rotor. A resilient biasing element received between the nonrotational sealing element and a floor of the slot biases the nonrotational sealing element radially inwardly toward the rotational sealing element and limits radially outward movement of the nonrotational sealing element. A guide extending into said gap from the slot engages the nonrotational sealing element to prevent axial misalignment thereof with the machine's rotor. |
| US09109455B2 |
Turbomachine blade tip shroud
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward systems including a turbomachine blade tip shroud having a pressure side portion and a suction side portion. The pressure side portion and the suction side portion are divided by a mean camber line of a turbomachine blade, and the pressure side portion has a greater surface area than the suction side portion. |
| US09109453B2 |
Airfoil cooling arrangement
An airfoil includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, a pressure side surface extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge, a suction side surface extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge and generally opposite the pressure side surface and a plurality of cooling holes. The cooling holes are positioned on the airfoil in accordance with X, Y and Z Cartesian coordinate values set forth in an accompanying Table. |
| US09109452B2 |
Vortex generators for improved film effectiveness
An airfoil includes a suction surface, a pressure surface, a first showerhead cooling hole and a second showerhead cooling hole. The suction surface and the pressure surface both extend axially between a leading edge and a trailing edge, as well as radially from a root section to a tip section. The first showerhead cooling hole and the second showerhead cooling hole both extend into pressure surface near the leading edge. The first showerhead cooling hole and the second showerhead cooling hole are angled in opposing directions. |
| US09109450B2 |
Rotor assembly with interlocking tabs
A rotor assembly includes a first rotor having first tabs and a second rotor that is arranged coaxial with the first rotor and that includes second tabs that are interlocked with the first tabs. A retainer locks the first tabs and the second tabs together. |
| US09109449B2 |
Turbine rotor and manufacturing method of turbine rotor
A turbine rotor has suitable strength and toughness without causing soaring manufacturing costs and prolonged manufacturing time. The turbine rotor is constructed by welding a rotor member for high temperature made of high Cr steel to a rotor member for low temperature made of low Cr steel. The high temperature rotor member is formed from high Cr steel of which the nitrogen content is 0.02% or higher by mass %. A filler material welds the high temperature rotor member and the low temperature rotor member together, and is a 9% Cr-based filler material of which the nitrogen content is 0.025% or lower by mass %. |
| US09109448B2 |
Grommet for gas turbine vane
A vane assembly for a gas turbine engine includes an annular shroud having openings therein and a plurality of vanes extending radially from the shroud and each having an extremity received within one of the openings. A grommet is positioned within each opening for shielding the vane extremity from the annular shroud. The grommet includes an annular protrusion for providing sealing between the opening and the vane extremity, and an annular restraint element adjacent the protrusion for retaining the vane in place relative to the shroud. |
| US09109444B2 |
Tool
A tool for mounting a chisel on a chisel holder, having an actuating member, which has a push-off section, wherein the actuating member can be displaced along a displacement direction. It is possible to simplify changing the chisel if the actuating member can be shifted by an actuating unit. The actuating unit has a draw-in section, which is spaced apart from the push-off section and is arranged transversely with respect to the displacement direction of the actuating member. The actuating member can be power-operated bidirectionally in the displacement direction by the actuating unit. |
| US09109442B2 |
Downhole pulse-generating apparatus
A downhole apparatus includes a pressure pulse generator and a pulse reflector. The pulse reflector reflects at least a portion of an incident pressure pulse from the generator as a reflected pressure pulse. The apparatus is configured to provide the reflected pressure pulse with a phase shift with respect to the incident pressure pulse. A method of transmitting pressure pulses downhole includes generating a pressure pulse and reflecting at least a portion of an incident pressure pulse at a pulse reflector as a reflected pressure pulse. A phase shift of the reflected pressure pulse with respect to the incident pressure pulse is controlled. |
| US09109441B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling fluid flow into a wellbore
An injection apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed wherein the apparatus includes a tubular housing and a shield housing disposed outside the tubular housing, the shield housing including a chamber in fluid communication with the tubular housing. The apparatus further includes a piston disposed within the shield housing, the piston coupled to a biasing member, wherein movement of the piston controls fluid communication between the chamber and the wellbore, and wherein the movement of the piston is caused by a pressure change of a fluid within the tubular housing. |
| US09109439B2 |
Wellbore telemetry system and method
A hybrid telemetry system for passing signals between a surface control unit and a downhole tool is provided. The downhole tool is deployed via a drill string into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The hybrid telemetry system includes an uphole connector, a downhole connector, and a cable operatively connecting the uphole and downhole connectors. The uphole connector is operatively connectable to a drill string telemetry system for communication therewith. The downhole connector is operatively connectable to the downhole tool for communication therewith. |
| US09109432B2 |
Hydraulic screen table apparatus
A hydraulic screen table having a base, an upper work surface, an opening in the screen table for allowing pipe to travel, upper support plates, emergency actuation plates, first and second set of powered cylinders wherein upon sensing an emergency, the cylinders pull the support plates and allow the sand screen to fall into the well bore. |
| US09109430B2 |
Blow-out preventer, and oil spill recovery management system
An apparatus for containing and controlling the flow of hydrocarbons from a bore well or other earth formation includes a housing enclosing a receiving and distribution chamber, receiving and distribution chamber is in fluid communication with and sealably connected to a top vertical tubular member and a bottom vertical tubular member, wherein the top and bottom tubular members extend from the receiving and distribution chamber to the exterior of said housing. The apparatus further includes a cone aperture adapted to prevent or allow the flow of liquid into the top tubular member, at least one outlet passage between the receiving and distribution chamber and the exterior of the housing, valve means adapted to permit or prevent the flow of liquid through at least one of said outlet passages, and pump devices adapted to facilitate the flow of hydrocarbons through at least one of said outlet passages. |
| US09109426B2 |
Apparatus and method for plugging blowouts
A system for plugging an oil well comprises a hollow drill string. A connecting device having an upper surface, a side surface, and a lower surface having a recess is loosely situated around the drill string. A first skirt has a plurality of first rods that are each pivotally connected to the upper surface. A second skirt has a plurality of second rods that are each pivotally connected to the lower surface. A first fastening ring is configured to selectively allow the first skirt to transition from a closed position to an open position. A second fastening ring is configured to selectively allow the second skirt to transition from a closed position to an open position. A stop having a beveled edge is secured to the drill string. The recess is configured to allow the connecting device to mate with the stop's beveled edge. |
| US09109425B2 |
Removable fracturing plug of particulate material housed in a sheath set by relative end movement of the sheath
The removable plug features a solid material that is housed in a porous container that has its shape changed to transition from the run in shape to the set shape. A running string and setting tool that creates relative movement deliver the plug and pull on its lower end while holding the top stationary against a backing plate. The container is pulled into itself as the radial dimension grows for the set. There can be a mandrel that remains in position and can lock to the backing plate or alternatively there can be no mandrel or a removable mandrel. The porous container can be removed in a variety of ways to let the solid material escape to be removed with fluid circulating in the wellbore. Alternatively the mandrel can be undermined to let the solid material escape for recovery. |
| US09109424B2 |
Gas lift plunger
Gas lift plungers and methods are provided. The gas lift plunger includes a body including a first end, a second end, a valve seat extending from the first end, and a bore extending between the valve seat and the second end. The gas lift plunger also includes a valve element configured to be received through the bore. The valve element includes a first end, a second end, and a valve-engaging portion extending radially outward from a main portion of the valve element. The valve element is movable in the bore between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the valve-engaging portion engages the valve seat, and the valve element extends through the second end of the. Further, in the open position, the valve-engaging portion is separated from the valve seat, allowing fluid communication through the bore. |
| US09109422B2 |
Ball injector system apparatus and method
A ball launching system includes a ball launcher with a removable ball pod and sleeve assembly that retains balls prior to injection. An interchangeable ball pod with a chamber corresponding to the ball diameter, fits into a pod sleeve and comprise the ball pod and sleeve assembly. The ball launcher further includes a housing with a moveably disposed piston that engages with the ball thereby launching it. The housing also includes a thru hole through which the piston may travel to externally indicate its position within the housing. The ball launching system also includes a control system having control inputs, which may be located remote to the ball launcher. By applying a pre-determined sequence of control inputs, the piston may engage with the balls retained in the ball pod and sleeve assembly to force the balls to be launched from the ball launcher. |
| US09109420B2 |
Riser fluid handling system
A fluid handling system comprising an annular sealing device and a flow control system to divert fluid flow from an annulus of a riser package to a control system located on a rig. A method of installing a fluid handling system on a riser package from a rig comprises connecting the fluid handling system to an upper end of a riser string, supporting the fluid handling system and the riser string using a first tubular handling device, and lowering the fluid handling system and the riser string to an operating position. |
| US09109417B2 |
Drill string mountable wellbore cleanup apparatus and method
A drill pipe mountable wellbore cleaning tool apparatus is of an improved configuration that enables attachment to a drill pipe joint having first and second connector end portions and a cylindrically shaped portion in between the connector end portions. The drill pipe joint with attached debris cleaning tool or tools is made part of a drill string. The apparatus includes a support sleeve that is mounted to the drill pipe joint in between the connector end portions. The support sleeve abuts but does not invade the integrity of the cylindrical portion. Centralizers are attached to the opposing ends of the support sleeve, with each centralizer overlapping a portion of the support sleeve. The support sleeve carries one or more debris cleaning tools in between the centralizers. These tools enable debris to be removed from a wellbore. At least one locking clamp is attached to the cylindrical portion next to a said centralizer. The locking clamp prevents the support sleeve from moving longitudinally along the drill pipe joint. |
| US09109415B2 |
Automated diversion valve control for pump down operations
A system for pump down operations includes a diversion valve unit that is adjustable between a pumping position and a diversion position and a controller coupled to the diversion valve unit. The system further includes a fluid reservoir, a downhole fluid path between the fluid reservoir and a tool downhole, a driving unit in the downhole fluid path for advancing the tool, and a diversion fluid path between a portion of the downhole fluid path downstream of the driving unit and the fluid reservoir or another fluid receptacle. The diversion valve is in the diversion fluid path and the controller automates the diversion valve position for the diversion valve unit based on a monitored wireline speed or a monitored wireline tension for a wireline unit. |
| US09109411B2 |
Pressure pulse driven friction reduction
A method for reducing friction between a coiled tubing and a wellbore includes: generating a periodic pressure wave; coupling the periodic pressure wave to a coiled tubing in a wellbore; and propagating the periodic pressure change in the coiled tubing wherein a friction force between the coiled tubing and the wellbore is reduced. The shape of the periodic pressure wave can be modulated to a form similar to that of a sinusoidal waveform. |
| US09109409B2 |
Safety latch lock
Embodiments of the invention relate to apparatus and methods for a secondary safety device for use on elevators utilized to move casing, tubing, sucker rods, or other circular tools or members in the oil and gas industry. In one embodiment, a secondary latch lock mechanism for an elevator having a primary safety latch is provided. The secondary latch lock mechanism comprises a base portion that is fixed to a body of the elevator, and a handle movably fixed to the base portion and a first gear device by a biasing member, wherein the handle is movable to a first position proximate to the primary safety latch and a second position that is spaced away from the primary safety latch. |
| US09109408B2 |
Drill members for mine roofs
A drilling system for drilling vertical holes in a mine roof includes a chuck configured to be driven in rotation by a motorized drill head. The chuck is cylindrical has a bore having a first polygonal inside perimeter. A drill member has an elongated hollow body with a cross section defining a circular outside perimeter over most of its length and a constant, second polygonal inside perimeter along substantially the entire length of the drill member. The drill member has at least one end region having a first polygonal outside perimeter that is sized to fit into the first polygonal inside perimeter to rotationally engage the drill member with the chuck. Drill bits having a bit fixture having a cross section with a second polygonal outside perimeter are sized and configured to fit snugly inside the second polygonal inside perimeter to be mounted to the drill member opposite the chuck. |
| US09109405B2 |
Gas handler, riser assembly, and method
Method, riser assembly and gas handler for diverting gas from a riser. The riser assembly includes a riser having a first end and a second end and a conduit extending from the first end to the second end; a gas handler connected to the riser and provided between the first end and the second end, the gas handler having an external casing; plural pipes attached to an outside of the riser such that at least one pipe of the plural pipes enters through the external casing; and a gas vent pipe configured to start at the gas handler and extend towards the second end of the riser and the gas vent pipe is further configured to divert a gas from the gas handler through the outside of the riser. |
| US09109401B1 |
Repetitive charge seismology unit
A device for penetrating the earth includes a hollow cylindrical housing holding a computer controller that automatically controls the device. A battery within the housing supplies power for the components. A hydraulic system within the housing engages the earth to resist movement of the housing when required and to push the housing downward if needed. A drill head shaft slides up and down within the housing. The main body of the drill head is located below the housing. The drill head has a diameter that is larger than that of the housing. A semi-auto cartridge chamber within the housing cyclically fires cartridges above the shaft to propel it downward. When the housing is not heavy enough to resist upward reaction thrust from a cartridge explosion or to fall downward following the drill head then the computer activates the hydraulic system to engage the earth. |
| US09109395B2 |
Corner ladder stabilizer apparatus
A corner ladder stabilizing apparatus for stabilizing a ladder against a corner of a building or structure. The corner ladder stabilizing apparatus comprises a rung engaging member for attaching to the ladder and either an outside corner engaging element or an inside corner engaging element, depending on the corner to be laddered, is secured to the rung engaging member. |
| US09109393B2 |
Method of manufacturing a molded door skin from a flat wood composite, door skin produced therefrom, and door manufactured therewith
A method of manufacturing a hollow core door is disclosed, as well as a corresponding hollow core door. The method includes the steps of providing a solid flat door skin, moisturizing the flat skin, applying a conditioning resin thereto, pre-heating the flat door skin, and thereafter pressing the flat door skin between a pair of heated platens in a press in order to reform the flat skin into a molded skin including a plurality of panels defined therein. The press continuously closes in order to reform the flat skin into the molded skin, with the rate of press closure being a function of the determined hardness of the flat skin to be reformed. The resulting door skins have an improved bond strength, and are efficiently manufactured. |
| US09109392B1 |
Method of construction of an overhead door
An overhead door frame apparatus having a plurality of elongated structural C-channel members. At least one of the members has a tube secured within and perpendicular to the first member and having a flat plate attached to an outside of the tube. At least an adjacent C-channel member of the plurality of members having a closed end. At least one fastener passes through the flat plate and through the tube of the first member and through the adjacent member. |
| US09109391B2 |
Method and branching determination device for determining a branching point within a hollow organ
A method is disclosed for determining a branching point within a hollow organ in image data representing the spatial structure thereof. In at least one embodiment, the method includes setting a start point within the hollow organ; determining at least one local threshold which corresponds to the presence of a wall of the hollow organ; carrying out a region growing method using the threshold; analyzing the connectivity of a number of outer growth layers; and localizing a branching on the basis of the connectivity analysis. Moreover, at least one embodiment of the invention relates to a correspondingly designed branching determination unit. |
| US09109390B1 |
Screen and method of use
A screen includes a sheet having a first side and an opposite second side. The sheet includes a plurality of holes which pass through the sheet from the first side to the second side. Each hole includes a first opening on the first side and a second opening on the second side. In and embodiment, when the sheet is vertically oriented with its bottom edge down, the first opening is disposed below the second opening. In an embodiment, a layer of conventional screen material is connected to the screen. In other embodiments, the holes are tapered, the holes are configured so as to block vision, the holes have the shape of an inverted V, and a second hole connects spaced apart holes. |
| US09109384B2 |
Flush lock for casement window
A low profile actuating window lock for casement windows having a handle actuate a lifter that slides vertically on a fork component in slidable communication with the window lock casing, the handle pivotable about the lifter and pivotable about a restrictor arm that pivots relative to the casing, allowing the handle to rotate fully from the locked position to the unlocked position with low clearance from the window frame. The pivot points of the handle, lifter, restrictor arm configuration allow for an over center linkage that prevents back driving the casement window lock. |
| US09109381B2 |
Door latch apparatus for vehicle
A door latch apparatus for a vehicle may include an open lever and a release lever rotatably coupled to a base plate, an interlocking lever rotatably coupled to the base plate and having a pushing protrusion, an operating lever provided on the base plate wherein the operating lever includes a second slot formed in a medial portion of the operating lever, and a locking protrusion formed on a lower end of the operating lever and being engaged in a first slot of the release lever, wherein when the release lever rotates, the locking protrusion pushes and rotates the open lever, thus releasing the door, and an inertia lever rotatably coupled to the base plate by a rotating shaft and including an insert protrusion formed on an end of the inertia lever and being engaged to the second slot. |
| US09109377B1 |
Method and apparatus for adjustable gate latch
An adjustable-latch system including an adjustable-receiver assembly and an adjustable-striker-bar assembly. The adjustable-receiver assembly includes a receiver sleeve having a pair of oppositely-disposed channels formed therein and a receiver slidably disposed within the pair of oppositely-disposed channels. A first plurality of fastening members mount the receiver sleeve. The adjustable-receiver assembly further includes a receiver-sleeve cap slidably disposed within the receiver sleeve. The adjustable-striker-bar assembly includes a mounting plate having a striker bar extending laterally therefrom, a second plurality of fastening members for mounting the mounting plate, and a striker-bar cap slidably coupled with the mounting plate. A position of the adjustable-receiver assembly may be adjusted relative to the adjustable-striker-bar assembly without removal of the first plurality of fastening members. A position of the adjustable-striker-bar assembly may be adjusted relative to the adjustable-receiver assembly without removal of the second plurality of fastening members. |
| US09109376B2 |
Apparatus and system for forming a structure
A system for forming a structure around a shipping container includes a plurality of uprights positioned on the ground at a distance from the side of the shipping container and a plurality of trusses. Each truss has top and bottom members extending between proximate and distal ends. The proximate end of each of the top and bottom members has a bore therethrough engageable by a pin connection supported by the shipping container. The distal ends of the top and bottom members are engageable with and supported by one of the uprights. |
| US09109375B2 |
Building structure having improved household laundry functions
Structural elements and features are provided to significantly reduce the time and effort required in the household laundry process of collecting dirty laundry, washing, drying, hanging, and storing laundry. These same structural elements improve the quality of the laundry output. A reduction in time and effort is accomplished by locating a laundry facility central to a plurality of rooms within the building structure and placing closets within the walls separating the laundry facility from the adjacent rooms. These closets are accessible from the laundry facility on one side and the respective room on the other. In another aspect of the invention, rooms that are not directly adjacent to the laundry facility may be located on a hallway common to the laundry facility and the non-adjacent rooms. The walls dividing the non-adjacent rooms from the common hallway may likewise include closets that are accessible from the common hallway on one side and the respective room on the other. In a variation of the present invention the laundry facility is combined with the hallway. Most of the rooms where the laundry will be used are adjacent to the laundry facility/hallway combinations. The walls dividing the rooms from the hallway may likewise include closets that are accessible from the hallway on one side and the respective room on the other. |
| US09109368B2 |
Rain screen siding system
A rain-screen siding system for buildings, including clips to support siding boards parallel with a flat surface of a building wall structure but spaced apart from the building wall to allow air to circulate between the building wall structure and the siding boards. The clips include paired, opposed channels and the siding boards have tongues that fit into the channels. Drainage grooves are defined in the clips. Bottom support members may extend horizontally to support the siding boards at the bottom of the rain screen siding. Corner closing members are provided to protect end faces of siding boards at an exterior corner of a building wall. |
| US09109364B2 |
Method for fastening a cover plate to a frame structure
A method for fastening a cover plate (6) to a frame structure (1) formed on the cover plate (6) is to easily and rapidly allow the erection of faces that are stable and durable in the long term and simultaneously, in the case of vacuum insulating panels, allow particularly good preservation of the vacuum in the panels. For this purpose, the frame structure (1) comprises a cavity (12), a number of channels (2) connecting the cavity (12) to the surface (4) and an opening (8) to connect a vacuum pump (10), the vacuum pump (10) being connected to the opening (8) and put into operation, the cover plate (6) being arranged on the surface (4) above the channels (2), and the cover plate (6) being fixed to the surface (4). |
| US09109361B2 |
Bracing bridging member
A building connection between a plurality of vertical wall studs made with a plurality of bridging members to brace the wall studs. The bridging members are formed with mounting sections that are received in openings of the wall studs and the mounting sections are bracketed by connecting sections that are used to join the bridging members to each other. The bridging members interface with the web of the wall studs to brace them. |
| US09109358B2 |
Mounting device, a kit including the mounting device and a covering element, and a method of using the kit
The invention relates to a mounting device (1) for mounting covering elements (7), such as baseboards, door jamb casings or panels, onto a building surface, said device (1) having a rear side portion (11) configured for being mountable to said building surface, and including a bistable snap catch (2, 3) having a peripheral edge (3′), the bistable snap catch (2, 3) being adapted for assuming a natural first configuration wherein said peripheral edge (3′) is closer to said rear side portion (11) and a natural second configuration wherein said peripheral edge (3′) is farther away from said rear side portion (11). The invention relates also to a building kit comprising said mounting device (1) and a building surface covering element (7), such as a wooden base-board, door jamb casing or panel, and to a method for mounting this building kit. |
| US09109355B1 |
Perimeter foundation wall for manufactured homes
A perimeter foundation wall of a manufactured home having rim joists and a concrete footing located beneath the rim joists. The perimeter foundation wall includes a plurality of precast panels extending around the perimeter of the manufactured home. The panels have a height slightly less than the distance between the bottom of the rim joist and the top of the concrete footing. The ends of adjacent precast panels interlock. The tops of the panels are held in abutment with the bottom of the rim joist by support means located between the bottom of the panels and the concrete footing. The tops of the panels are connected to the rim joist by at least one top connector. The bottoms of the panels are connected to the concrete footing by at least one bottom connector. |
| US09109353B1 |
Mounting assembly and method for connecting sidewall panels to a support structure
A mounting assembly for connecting a sidewall panel to a support structure may include a rail configured to connect to a sidewall panel, and a retainer bracket moveably connected to the rail, wherein the retainer bracket is configured to connect to a support structure. |
| US09109350B2 |
Fluid delivery system with a housing and at least one fluid inlet and one fluid outlet
The invention provides a fluid delivery assembly for use with a water discharge fixture, such as a faucet. The fluid delivery assembly includes a tube assembly, a cartridge housing and a retaining assembly. The fluid delivery assembly provides for water flow from hot and cold water inlets to the faucet. The fluid delivery assembly may be assembled by hand without the need for tools, allowing for easy replacement of the fluid delivery assembly without the need to disassemble the faucet assembly or to replace the entire faucet assembly. |
| US09109347B2 |
Remote management system for work machinery
A remote management system for at least one working machine manages an upper limit of an engine rpm. A hydraulic excavator includes a controller and an instruction switch for selectively instructing three kinds of work modes. The controller includes a target rpm storage unit, a target rpm computer for selecting one of stored upper limits of the target rpm according to an instruction by an instruction switch and computing a target rpm in a range smaller than the selected upper limit, and a communication unit. A server selects a work mode, according to an instruction by an input device, and instructs the selected work mode to the controller. When the work mode is instructed from the server, the target rpm computer computes a target rpm based on the instructed work mode. |
| US09109346B2 |
Hydraulic swing-controlling apparatus of work machine
In a work machine including a hydraulic pump (1), a swing motor (2), and swing relief valves (3a and 3b), the amount of the swing operation (P1) related to the swing motion of the swing motor (2) is detected, and the hydraulic pressure (P2) supplied from the hydraulic pump (1) to the swing motor is also detected. Additionally, the required flow rate (FR) of hydraulic oil required for the swing motor (1) is set based on the amount of the swing operation (P1). In addition, the volume of relief (FE) is estimated from the hydraulic pressure (P2) based on the override characteristics of the swing relief valves (3a and 3b). The discharge flow rate of the hydraulic pump (1) is controlled based on the value obtained by subtracting the volume of relief (FE) from the required flow rate (FR). |
| US09109345B2 |
Construction machine, method for controlling construction machine, and program for causing computer to execute the method
A controller constituting a construction machine includes: a target value computing unit that generates a speed target value of a boom based on a lever manipulating signal; a target value correcting unit that corrects the speed target value; and a command signal output unit that outputs a command signal to a boom driving device based on the corrected speed target value. The target value correcting unit includes: a motion information acquiring unit that acquires motion information on a motion of an arm; a maximum value determining unit that determines based on the motion information a maximum correction value for reducing suppression of a floating motion by a floating motion suppressing unit as the motion of the arm becomes faster; and a correction value regulating unit that corrects the speed target value based on the maximum correction value. |
| US09109336B1 |
Apparatus for building a squeegee shovel
A squeegee shovel for propelling a mass of fluent material along a surface. The squeegee shovel has a blade including a principal panel, and a right wing and a left wing each arranged at an acute angle to the principal panel. Reinforcing bars at the bottom of the blade sandwich the blade and a strip of plastic. A socket for receiving a pole type handle is fixed to one of the reinforcing bars. |
| US09109334B1 |
Backer rod installation tool
A tool for installing a length of backer rod, the backer rod being sized for insertion into a contraction joint within a concrete slab, the tool including a first carriage; a plurality of wheels mounted upon the carriage, the wheels being arranged for facilitating rolling motion of the first carriage along the contraction joint; a second carriage sized for suspension beneath the first carriage; a plurality of backer rod depressing disks including a frontmost disk, each disk being mounted rotatably upon the second carriage; jack screw disk positioners interconnecting the carriages and being adapted for, upon the rolling motion along the contraction joint, downwardly extending the disks into the contraction joint; a backer rod guide tube connected to the first carriage and being adapted for continuously positioning the length of backer rod beneath the disks; and a handle connected operatively to the first carriage. |
| US09109332B1 |
Systems and methods for automating the application of friction-modifying coatings
A system and method for the application of friction-modifying coatings to roadways, walkways, pathways and other areas subject to vehicular, human or animal traffic, the system and method comprising the controlled, simultaneous application of binder and filler to a surface of a substrate, using a mobile device which passes over the substrate as the binder and filler are being applied. Both the binder and the filler are precisely and accurately metered onto the substrate, ensuring uniform coating thickness and performance. The method of this invention also enables the use of different binding systems and precise control over mixing ratios for multi-component binders. |
| US09109330B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring properties of unstabilized moving sheets
A method includes receiving multiple biased measurements associated with a property of a sheet of material, where the biased measurements correspond to multiple known sheet geometries. The method also includes determining an unbiased measurement associated with the property of the sheet using the biased measurements, where the unbiased measurement corresponds to a nominal sheet geometry. The method further includes storing and/or outputting the unbiased measurement. Determining the unbiased measurement could include performing regression using the biased measurements and their corresponding sheet geometries to identify an estimated value of the property of the sheet at the nominal sheet geometry. The biased measurements can be generated using one or more sensors, and the sheet may not be stabilized during the biased measurement generation. Additional sheet geometries can also be created, such as by varying a tilt angle, a curvature, and/or a position of the sheet. |
| US09109325B2 |
Bagless dry cleaning kits and processes for dry cleaning
A process for dry cleaning fabrics comprising the steps of: (i) placing one or more fabrics to be cleaned in a device which provides heat and agitation; (ii) placing one or more carrier sheets in the device wherein the carrier sheets have about 200 grams of a liquid cleaning/refreshment composition releasably absorbed therein; (iii) heating the air within the device to at least about 130° F. (55° C.); and (iv) agitating the fabrics and the carrier sheets until at least about 40% by weight of the liquid cleaning/refreshment composition from the carrier sheets has been evaporated and vented from the device. There is further provided a kit for dry cleaning fabrics comprising: one or more carrier sheets; and from about 200 grams to about 1,000 grams of a liquid cleaning/refreshment composition, wherein the one or more carrier sheets can absorb at least about 200 grams of the liquid cleaning/refreshment composition. |
| US09109324B2 |
Tumble drying device and method for operating a tumble drying device
A tumble dryer with a fire-extinguishing facility includes a fire sensor for detecting a fire in a laundry drum of the tumble dryer, and an extinguishing medium supply device for introduction of an extinguishing medium into the laundry drum of the tumble dryer on actuation of a fire-extinguishing device. The extinguishing medium supply device includes a laundry freshening device. |
| US09109323B2 |
Washing machine
A washing machine includes: a synchronous motor unit installed at the bottom of a tub; a drain valve housing installed at the bottom of the tub; a link unit disposed between the synchronous motor unit and the drain valve housing; a wire unit having one side connected to the synchronous motor unit and the other side connected to the link unit; a spring member having one side connected to the link unit and the other side connected to the drain valve housing; a clutch lever unit rotatably installed on a clutch base unit and rotated in connected with the movement of the link unit caused by the operation of the synchronous motor unit; a cam lever unit connected to the clutch lever unit; a lift lever unit contacted with the cam lever unit; and a coupling unit engaged with a rotor unit or clutch body unit. |
| US09109316B1 |
Portable washing apparatus
This disclosure relates to the field of fabric (i.e. clothes) washing apparatus which are portable, and operable without a running source of water, and without a power source. The washing apparatus operates with a volume of liquid cleaner (water) and manual manipulation of a handle. The apparatus may also be dis-assembled by a user without tools for shipping or storage in a much smaller space. |
| US09109314B2 |
Embroidery data generator, sewing machine and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
An embroidery data generator generating embroidery data on which an embroidery pattern is sewn includes a display unit configured to be capable of color display, a control device configured to cause the display unit to display a color chart representing at least one of three attributes of hue, saturation and value of a color, to set a range on the color chart displayed by the display unit, to randomly extract one of colors within the set range, the one color being used as thread color data, the embroidery pattern including a plurality of color-based pattern portions, the thread color data specifying colors of the color-based pattern portions, and to assign the extracted color to the thread color data of a corresponding one of the color-based pattern portions. |
| US09109311B2 |
Two phase binder compositions and methods for making and using same
Fiberglass products and methods for making same are provided. The fiberglass product can include a plurality of fibers and a two phase binder composition comprising a mixture of an aqueous polymer and a powdered polymer. |
| US09109309B2 |
Fabric system
Bedding material including a first fabric section manufactured from performance fabric and having a first and second side; and, a second fabric section attached to the first side of the first fabric section. Additionally, a third fabric section can be attached to the second side of the first fabric section. The first fabric section can be attached to the second fabric section through a flatlock stitch. The first fabric section can include a first zone and a second zone wherein the first zone contains different performance properties from the second zone and the first zone can have thermal or moisture wicking properties. |
| US09109306B2 |
Method of coating metal filament with rubber, method of producing cord, cord, rubber coating apparatus and cord producing apparatus
An object of the present invention is to make it possible to provide a cord, in particular, a cord for reinforcing a rubber article in which rubber permeation properties are improved by coating filaments as constituents of the cord with rubber in a reliable and stable manner. The cord of the present invention is produced by, when the metal filament is guided to an extruder and extruded together with rubber from a mouthpiece of the extruder so that the metal filament is coated with the rubber, juxtaposing plural metal filaments in the mouthpiece and extruding the metal filaments together with rubber. |
| US09109302B2 |
Method for producing silicon wafers, and silicon solar cell
In order to produce silicon wafers, liquid ultra-pure silicon is solidified on a silicon monocrystalline seed arranged in the bottom area of a crucible and having a seed surface comprising a {110}-crystal orientation and an edge surface having a {100}-crystal orientation starting from the bottom of the crucible, thus forming a silicon block on the seed surface of the silicon monocrystalline seed which largely takes over the {110}-crystal orientation. Subsequently, the silicon block is divided into wafers with a wafer surface having a {100}-crystal orientation. |
| US09109298B2 |
Crystal growing ornament
Provided is a new-concept crystal growing ornament that may change in size due to a recrystallization phenomenon by supplying a growth liquid, thereby reducing repugnance or an artificial impression and arousing curiosity or interest. The crystal growing ornament includes a basic material made of a porous material and formed in a predetermined shape; a growth liquid formed to be absorbed into the basic material and evaporating after being absorbed into the basic material to generate a recrystallization phenomenon; a growth liquid supply unit connected to the basic material and formed to supply the growth liquid to the basic material after receiving the growth liquid; and a crystal growing body integrally formed outside the basic material due to the recrystallization phenomenon of the growth liquid. |
| US09109295B2 |
Electrolyte concentration control system for high rate electroplating
An electroplating apparatus for filling recessed features on a semiconductor substrate includes an electrolyte concentrator configured for concentrating an electrolyte having Cu2+ ions to form a concentrated electrolyte solution that would have been supersaturated at 20° C. The electrolyte is maintained at a temperature that is higher than 20° C., such as at least at about 40° C. The apparatus further includes a concentrated electrolyte reservoir and a plating cell, where the plating cell is configured for electroplating with concentrated electrolyte at a temperature of at least about 40° C. Electroplating with electrolytes having Cu2+ concentration of at least about 60 g/L at temperatures of at least about 40° C. results in very fast copper deposition rates, and is particularly well-suited for filling large, high aspect ratio features, such as through-silicon vias. |
| US09109294B2 |
Manufacturing method for contact for current inspection jig, contact for current inspection jig manufactured using said method, and current inspection jig provided with said contact
Disclosed is a manufacturing method which enables manufacturing of an ultra-fine, thin contact for current inspection jigs. After a gold or gold alloy plating layer is formed, an Ni electroformed layer is formed by electroformation on the outer periphery of the formed plating layer. After a resistant layer is formed on the outer periphery of the Ni electroformed layer, a spiral groove is formed in the resistant layer by laser exposure, and etching is carried out using the resistant layer as a masking material. The Ni electroformed layer is removed from the part of the resistant layer where the spiral groove was formed, and then the resistant layer is removed and the plating layer is removed from the part of the spiral groove section where the Ni electroformed layer was removed. The core material is then removed, leaving the plating layer inside the periphery of the Ni electroformed layer. |
| US09109280B2 |
Hard laminar coating
A hard laminar coating having a first 61 m and a second film having respective different compositions and alternately laminated on a surface of a base structure, wherein the first film is a carbide, a nitride, a carboxide, a nitroxide, a carbonitride or a carbo-oxynitride of (AlaCrbBc), while the second film is TiB2, the hard laminar coating configured to include atomic ratios a, b and c in the first film satisfying a=1−b−c, 0.2≦b≦0.7, and 0 |
| US09109279B2 |
Method for coating a blade and blade of a gas turbine
A method is provided for coating a hollow, internally cooled blade (1) of a gas turbine, in which method an outer coating (5) comprising an MCrAlY-based bonding layer (6) and a ceramic thermal barrier layer (9) of zirconium oxide is applied to the base material (3) of the blade (1) on the outer side of the blade (1) and an inner coating (4) comprising a Cr diffusion layer (7) is applied to the base material (3) of the blade (1) on the inner side of the blade (1). The MCrAlY-based bonding layer (6) is thereby applied to the finished blade (1). At the same time, along with the inner coating (4), the Cr diffusion layer (7) is also applied to the MCrAlY-based bonding layer (6) of the outer coating (5) by chemical vapor deposition. Subsequently, an Al diffusion layer (8) and an outer brittle Al build-up layer are applied by chemical vapor deposition to the bonding layer (6) coated with the Cr diffusion layer (7). After that, the outer brittle Al build-up layer is removed by an abrasive treatment and the ceramic thermal barrier layer (9) is applied to the Al diffusion layer (8). |
| US09109276B2 |
Cylindrical internal surface processing method
A cylindrical internal surface processing method comprises forming a cylinder bore, roughening an upper section of the bore, depositing coating onto the bore, and machining a lower section of the bore and the coating. The forming of the cylinder bore includes forming the upper and lower sections with the lower section being axially spaced from the upper section and having an axial length greater than zero. The roughening creates a roughened surface such that a radially innermost edge of the roughened surface has an internal diameter smaller than an internal diameter of the lower section. The coating is deposited to cover the upper section and at least a portion of the lower section. The machining forms a tapered portion and a cylindrical portion, a radially outermost edge of the cylindrical portion having an internal diameter larger than that of a radially outermost edge of the roughened surface. |
| US09109274B2 |
High-tension steel plate excellent in base metal toughness and HAZ toughness
The steel plate of the invention is a high-tension steel plate that has a tensile strength of 1100 MPa or more and is excellent in base metal toughness and HAZ toughness and preferably in abrasion resistance. The steel plate satisfies a predetermined requirement of components in the steel. The Ceq (IIW) represented by the following equation ranges from 0.40 to 0.45 both inclusive: Ceq(IIW)=[C]+{⅙×[Mn]}+{⅕×([Cr]+[Mo]+[V])}+{ 1/15+([Cu]+[Ni])} in which each parenthesis-symbol [ ] means the content by percentage of an element in the parentheses. Oxide grains having a maximum diameter of 2 μm or less are present in a number density of 200/mm2 or more in the steel. The steel is composed of 29% or more by volume of martensite microstructure, and bainite microstructure as the balance. |
| US09109273B2 |
High strength steel sheet and hot dip galvanized steel sheet having high ductility and excellent delayed fracture resistance and method for manufacturing the same
A cold rolled steel sheet and a hot dip galvanized steel sheet, which have high strength and elongation, such as a tensile strength of 980 MPa or more and an elongation of 28% or more, and excellent delayed fracture resistance, and manufacturing methods thereof. The cold rolled steel sheet has a composition including 0.05 to 0.3 weight percent C, 0.3 to 1.6 weight percent Si, 4.0 to 7.0 weight percent Mn, 0.5 to 2.0 weight percent Al, 0.01 to 0.1 weight percent Cr, 0.02 to 0.1 weight percent Ni and 0.005 to 0.03 weight percent Ti, 5 to 30 ppm B, 0.01 to 0.03 weight percent Sb, 0.008 weight percent or less S, balance Fe and impurities. The hot dip galvanized steel sheet has a hot dip galvanized layer or a hot dip galvannealed layer on the cold rolled steel sheet. |
| US09109271B2 |
Nickel containing hypereutectic aluminum-silicon sand cast alloy
A nickel containing hypereutectic aluminum-silicon sand cast alloy is disclosed herein containing 18-20% by weight silicon, 0.3-1.2% by weight magnesium, 3.0-6.0% by weight nickel, 0.6% by weight maximum iron, 0.4% by weight maximum copper, 0.6% by weight maximum manganese, 0.1% maximum zinc and balance aluminum. The alloy may have a more narrow nickel content of 4.5%-6.0% by weight, and up to 2% by weight cobalt. The alloy may be substantially free from iron, copper and manganese. The alloy of the present invention is preferably sand cast, and most preferably lost foam cast with a pressure of 10 ATM to produce engine parts with high thermal properties that are easily machined. |
| US09109267B2 |
Process for the introduction of inorganic solids into hot liquid melts
A method for the introduction of inorganic solid bodies into hot, liquid melts, whereby inorganic solid bodies are added to a plastic containing hydrocarbon and the mixture obtained is added to the hot, liquid melt. |
| US09109265B2 |
Process for separation of Ca- or Mg-sulfite spent liquor to yield crystalline xylose
A process for the separation of a xylose-containing, lignosulphonate-containing Ca-sulfite spent liquor is provided. The process comprises a first step of: (A) chromatographic separation of the Ca- or Mg-sulfite spent liquor using a single pass through a batch-type long resin bed chromatography column having a strong acid cation exchange resin as a separation medium. The ratio of the bed length:mean resin bead diameter of the column is 10,000-40,000. This step yields •a first xylose-rich fraction having a xylose content 50-70 wt. % based on dry solids and • a lignosulphonate-rich fraction. The process further comprises a step of: (B) crystallizing xylose from the first xylose rich fraction by using a crystallization method comprising (i) boiling crystallization; (ii) cooling crystallization or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii) to obtain a first batch of crystalline xylose and a first xylose run-off. The process provides a simplification of existing methods, and at the same time allows advantages such as improved xylose yield and improved xylose purity. |
| US09109254B2 |
Common and rare genetic variations associated with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) and methods of use thereof for the treatment and diagnosis of the same
Compositions and methods useful for the diagnosis and treatment of common variable immunodeficiency are disclosed. |
| US09109253B2 |
Oligonucleotides and methods for detecting lavender foal syndrome
A method for detecting a genetic polymorphism associated with Lavender Foal Syndrome or a predisposition thereto in a subject, the method including screening a genomic material sample from the subject for the presence of at least one polymorphism in a MYO5A gene. |
| US09109251B2 |
Ultrasensitive biosensors
The present invention is a biosensor apparatus that includes a substrate, a source on one side of the substrate, a drain spaced from the source, a conducting channel between the source and the drain, an insulator region, and receptors on a gate region for receiving target material. The receptors are contacted for changing current flow between the source and the drain. The source and the drain are relatively wide compared to length between the source and the drain through the conducting channel. |
| US09109241B2 |
Processing biomass
Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to proceed ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation. |
| US09109240B2 |
Serinol production in glycerol catabolism deficient Escherichia coli strains
The invention is about E. coli host cells which are capable to convert glycerol to serinol. Furthermore, a process for producing serinol is disclosed, which comprises culturing E. coli host cells inactive for triosephosphate isomerase and active for dihydroxyacetone phosphate aminotransferase to convert glycerol to serinol, induction of conversion from glycerol to serinol by adding at least glycerol to the cell culture, and isolating serinol from the cell culture. |
| US09109239B2 |
Hydroxylated triacylglycerides
Methods and compositions for the production of food compositions, oils, fuels, oleochemicals, and other compounds in recombinant microorganisms are provided, including oil-bearing microorganisms and methods of low cost cultivation of such microorganisms. Microalgal cells containing exogenous genes encoding, for example, a lipase, a sucrose transporter, a sucrose invertase, a fructokinase, a polysaccharide-degrading enzyme, a keto acyl-ACP synthase enzyme, a fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase, a fatty acyl-CoA/aldehyde reductase, a fatty acyl-CoA reductase, a fatty aldehyde reductase, a fatty aldehyde decarbonylase, and/or an acyl carrier protein are useful in manufacturing food compositions, and transportation fuels such as renewable diesel, biodiesel, and renewable jet fuel, as well as oleochemicals such as functional fluids, surfactants, soaps and lubricants. |
| US09109234B2 |
Lentiviral vector based immunological compounds against malaria
The invention relates to lentiviral vector particles pseudotyped with a determined heterologous viral envelope protein or viral envelope proteins originating from a RNA virus and which comprise in its genome at least one recombinant polynucleotide encoding at least one polypeptide(s) carrying epitope(s) of an antigen of a Plasmodium parasite capable of infecting a mammalian host. The lentiviral vector particles are used in order to elicit an immunological response against malaria parasites. |
| US09109233B2 |
Recombinant poxvirus expressing homologous genes inserted
The present invention relates to a recombinant poxvirus vector capable of expressing two or more homologous, foreign sequences, which derive from different variants of a microorganism, and which have a homology of 50% or above. The invention further relates to a method for preparing such recombinant poxvirus and the use of such recombinant poxvirus as medicament or vaccine. Additionally, a method for affecting preferably inducing, an immune response in a living animal, including a human, is provided. |
| US09109227B2 |
FLT3 receptor antagonists for the treatment or the prevention of pain disorders
The present invention relates to FLT3 receptor antagonists or inhibitors of FLT3 receptor gene expression for the treatment or the prevention of pain disorders. |
| US09109226B2 |
Synthetic nucleic acids for polymerization reactions
Compositions and methods are provided for inhibiting a polymerase from replicating non target DNA at a temperature below the amplification reaction temperature. The inhibitor is a synthetic nucleic acid which is single stranded but folds to form at least one double stranded region designed to melt at a temperature which is lower than the amplification reaction temperature, and at least one single stranded region where the single stranded region at the 5′ end contains at least one uracil or inosine and optionally a sequence at the 3′ end contains one or more derivative nucleotide or linkages. |
| US09109225B2 |
Engineered transposon for facile construction of a random protein domain insertion library
Methods for facile construction of a random domain insertion library (1) with optimal control of composition and length of inter-domain linker residues and (2) mediated by sticky-end ligation between host and guest DNA fragments. To develop such a method, we engineered a Mu transposon. The method exploits transposition of the engineered Mu transposon, which, upon removal, allows for sticky-end ligation between host and guest DNA fragments. We used a gene coding for xylanase from bacillus circulans (BCX) as a guest DNA sequence and the plasmid PUC19 containing lacZα as the target for insertion (i.e., a host DNA sequence). Results demonstrate that the method enables facile construction of a random domain insertion library with optimal control of composition and length of inter-domain linker residues. |
| US09109223B2 |
Methods for generating and screening fusion protein libraries and uses thereof
The invention provides methods for generating fusion protein libraries, such as immunotoxin libraries. The invention also relates to libraries of recombinant cells encoding nucleic acid sequences comprising fusion proteins. In addition, the invention relates to the libraries themselves and the use of the libraries to screen for fusion proteins that are specific for target cells, such as cancer cells. Further, the invention relates to methods of improving fusion proteins and to the improved fusion proteins. |
| US09109220B2 |
Environmental remediation material
An environmental remediation material and method for making the same which include processing an organic material to increase the internal surface and surface pore area thereof through pyrolysis, coating the pyrolyzed material with a non-polar substance to enhance the material's oleophilicity, and applying secondary processing treatments designed to optimize the material for preselected chemical remediation applications. The remediation material is insoluble in aqueous environments, free of environmentally hazardous chemicals or compounds and readily transportable and disposable following use. |
| US09109218B2 |
Human arginase and pegylated human arginase and the use thereof
The present invention provides a site-directed mutated arginase and the preparation method thereof, and the use of said site-directed mutated arginase in preparing a medicament for treating an arginase-related disease. The present invention also provides a pegylated arginase and the preparation method thereof, and the use of said pegylated arginase in preparing a medicament for treating an arginase-related disease. |
| US09109216B2 |
Bacterial host strain
A recombinant gram-negative bacterial cell comprising one or more of the following mutated protease genes: a) a mutated Tsp gene, wherein the mutated Tsp gene encodes a Tsp protein having reduced protease activity or is a knockout mutated Tsp gene; b) a mutated ptr gene, wherein the mutated ptr gene encodes a Protease III protein having reduced protease activity or is a knockout mutated ptr gene; and c) a mutated DegP gene encoding a DegP protein having chaperone activity and reduced protease activity; wherein the cell is isogenic to a wild-type bacterial cell except for the mutated Tsp gene and/or mutated ptr gene and/or mutated DegP gene and optionally a polynucleotide sequence encoding a protein of interest. |
| US09109212B2 |
Method for enhancing extracellular secretion of recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli by co-expressing Thermobifida fusca cutinase
The present invention provides a method of increasing extracellular secretion of secretory proteins by co-expressing the secretory proteins with a mature cutinase. Cutinase can improve the permeability of E. coli cell membrane without destroying the membrane, and thus facilitate cross-membrane transfer of the secretory proteins co-expressed in E. coli. Increased extracellular secretion of target proteins can shorten cell culture time, reduce the formation of inclusion bodies and increase production of target proteins. |
| US09109209B2 |
Biocatalysts and methods for the synthesis of substituted lactams
The present disclosure relates to transaminase polypeptides capable of aminating a dicarbonyl substrate, and polynucleotides, vectors, host cells, and methods of making and using the transaminase polypeptides. |
| US09109208B2 |
Gene, protein, protein complex and method for improving aroma production in a plant
The invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule that improves aroma production in a plant, and a cell and a transgenic plant comprising the nucleic acid molecule. A protein and a protein complex for catalyzing the synthesis of a monoterpene and a precursor thereof and uses for improving the production of aroma in a plant are also provided. |
| US09109204B2 |
Methods for compact aggregation of dermal cells
The invention provides for a method for aggregating dermal papilla cells or dermal sheath cells or a combination thereof, the method comprising: growing dermal papilla cells or dermal sheath cells or a combination thereof in suspension culture; and contacting the culture with an effective amount of an enzyme, wherein a substrate of the enzyme is an extracellular matrix molecule in the suspension culture, so as to aggregate dermal papilla cells or dermal sheath cells. The culture may be a hanging drop culture and the enzyme may be a hyaluronidase. |
| US09109202B2 |
Methods and means for stem cell proliferation and subsequent generation and expansion of progenitor cells, as well as production of effector cells as clinical therapeutics
The invention provides means and methods for stem cell proliferation and subsequent generation and expansion of progenitor cells. The invention in particular provides media and other culture conditions for the same. The cells are preferably used as effector cells as clinical therapeutics. |
| US09109198B2 |
Automated systems and methods for isolating regenerative cells from adipose tissue
A method of processing an adipose tissue to collect adipose derived regenerative cells is provided, wherein the method comprises providing a vessel comprising a fluid jet mixer; introducing the adipose tissue into the vessel; introducing a buffer solution into the vessel; washing the adipose tissue using the fluid jet mixer; introducing an enzyme solution into the vessel; initiating jet mixing into the vessel comprising the adipose tissue, the enzyme solution, and the buffer solution using the fluid jet mixer to digest the adipose tissue to form a digestion product; phase-separating the digestion product into a digested buoyant fat layer and a non-buoyant aqueous layer; and collecting the non-buoyant aqueous layer comprising the adipose derived regenerative cells. A system of processing an adipose tissue to collect adipose derived regenerative cells is also provided. |
| US09109196B2 |
Processes and systems for the production of fermentation products
The present invention relates to the production of fermentation products such as alcohols including ethanol and butanol, and processes employing in situ product removal methods. |
| US09109195B2 |
Apparatus and method for the deposition of biological material in a target substrate
Disclosed is a deposition apparatus (100) which is designed to deposit frozen biological material (1) in a target substrate (2) and includes a charging device (10) and a driving device (20). The charging device (10) is designed to supply the biological material (1) to the driving device (20) while the driving device (20) is designed to apply a driving force to the biological material (1). In order to apply the driving force, the driving device (20) is formed such that the biological material (1) can penetrate into the target substrate (2) under the effect of the driving force. Also disclosed are an injector cartridge which is designed to provide frozen biological material in a deposition apparatus as well as a method for depositing biological material (1) in a target substrate (2). |
| US09109192B1 |
Automated beer brewing system with vessel for brewing and fermenting
A beer making system may use a detachable vessel to contain liquid during the mashing and boiling steps, and may also be used during the fermentation steps of beer making. The beer making system may recirculate liquid through the vessel, then select between several flow paths during the beer making process. A removable reservoir system having a grain reservoir and several hops or adjunct reservoirs may be selected as a flow path, as well as a bypass flow path. A programmable controller may cause liquid to recirculate through a heater and one of the various flow paths, the sequence, timing, and temperature profile of which are defined in a recipe for a particular beer. |
| US09109180B2 |
Method for the hydrothermal carbonization of renewable raw materials and organic residues
The present invention relates to a continuous method for the hydrothermal carbonization of renewable raw materials and organic residues, in which, in a first processing stage, a pressure increase essentially to the pressure level of the carbonization occurs, in the second processing stage, the carbonization, which is performed at a pressure of at least 5 bar and at most boiling temperature, the obtained carbonized product is at least partially settled as sediment, and the filling height of the water in the second processing stage is set by removing water, and the temperature of the sediment delivered from the second processing stage is reduced by the vaporization of water and it is supplied to the third processing stage, drying which is heated using steam, in which the drying is performed in steam atmosphere, and subsequently discharged from the process. |
| US09109179B2 |
Renewable biofuel
The present invention provides a stable fuel composition that can be used as a drop-in replacement for number 2 fuel oil without requiring infrastructure changes. The fuel comprises a continuous phase of mostly biofuel, an aqueous disperse phase, and at least one emulsifier. The continuous phase contains about 50 wt % to about 95 wt % of at least one liquid vegetable or liquid animal oil/fat or mixtures thereof; about 1 wt % to about 20 wt % of a renewable or fossil fuel derived thinning solvent or mixtures thereof, with or without 1 wt % to about 25 wt % of a C1-C4 monohydric alcohols, and with or without about 1 wt % to about 30 wt % of petroleum middle distillate. The aqueous phase contains about 1 wt % to about 50 wt % of deionized/purified water, with or without 1 wt % to about 25 wt % of a C1-C4 monohydric alcohols. |
| US09109178B2 |
Antioxidant additive composition, a solution thereof, and a method for improving the storage stability of biodiesel fuel (variants)
This invention relates to the petrochemical industry, in particular, to a method for improving the storage stability of biodiesel fuel via using an antioxidant additive.A method for improving the storage stability of biodiesel fuel, comprising addition of an alkylphenol-based antioxidant additive via providing an initial solution that contains 6 to 48 mass % of the alkylphenol-based composition comprised of, mass %: 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylcyclohexanone—0.2-0.3; 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol—0.7-6.0; 2-sec-butyl-6-tert-butyl-p-cresol—1.5-5.0; 4,6-di-tert-butyl-o-cresol—3.0-8.0; 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol—0.3-0.5; 2,4-di-tort-butyl-6-dimethylaminomethylphenol—2.0-5.0; 4,4-methylene-bis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol)—0.1-0.3; and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol—to the balance, dissolved in biodiesel fuel; and adding the solution of the composition to the biodiesel fuel to reach a concentration of the composition of from 0.002 to 1.6 mass % based on the entire biodiesel fuel solution.The technical result consists of a considerable improvement of the storage stability of biodiesel fuel with a reduced amount of the antioxidant additive. The antioxidant additive used inhibits precipitation during the shelf life of biodiesel fuel for a longer period of time. |
| US09109177B2 |
Systems and methods for renewable fuel
The present application generally relates to the introduction of a renewable fuel oil as a feedstock into refinery systems or field upgrading equipment. For example, the present application is directed to methods of introducing a liquid thermally produced from biomass into a petroleum conversion unit; for example, a refinery fluid catalytic cracker (FCC), a coker, a field upgrader system, a hydrocracker, and/or hydrotreating unit; for co-processing with petroleum fractions, petroleum fraction reactants, and/or petroleum fraction feedstocks and the products, e.g., fuels, and uses and value of the products resulting therefrom. |