Document Document Title
US09122187B2 Charging device, image forming apparatus, and computer program product
An charging device includes: capacitors connected in series; a charging unit that charges the capacitors; bypass units, each respectively connects in parallel to each capacitors, wherein each bypass unit causes, when a charged voltage of any capacitor has reached a set voltage, a charging current to bypass the capacitor whose charged voltage has reached the set voltage; and a control unit that controls the charging unit to charge the capacitors in such a manner that, when a charging voltage of the any capacitor has reached the set voltage, the control unit causes the charging unit to reduce the charging current, and if a predetermined period has elapsed since the charging voltage has reached the set voltage, and if a charging voltage of any of the other capacitors has not reached the set voltage after the predetermined period, the control unit causes the charging unit to increase the charging current.
US09122186B2 Image forming apparatus with endless belt and method for calculating meandering amount of belt
An image forming apparatus includes a control unit which controls a correcting operation of correcting the meandering of an endless belt by a roller position adjusting mechanism. Prior to the correcting operation, the control unit causes a toner image for monitoring to be transferred to an area of a circumferential surface of the belt passing a detection area of a density sensor, causes the density sensor to perform a first detecting operation of detecting the toner image for monitoring, subsequently causes the density sensor to perform a second detecting operation of detecting the toner image for monitoring after the circumferential surface of the belt is moved by a predetermined distance, and calculates a meandering amount of the belt by comparing a first density value obtained by the first detecting operation and a second density value obtained by the second detecting operation.
US09122168B2 Lithography method and device
Lithography methods and devices are shown that include a semiconductor structure such as a mask. Methods and devices are shown that include a pattern of mask features and a composite feature. Selected mask features include doubled mask features. Methods and devices shown may provide varied feature sizes (including sub-resolution) with a small number of processing steps.
US09122163B2 Pattern-forming method, and radiation-sensitive resin composition
A pattern-forming method includes coating a radiation-sensitive resin composition on a substrate to provide a resist film. The resist film is exposed. The exposed resist film is developed. A developer solution used in developing the exposed resist film includes no less than 80% by mass of an organic solvent. The radiation-sensitive resin composition includes a first polymer and a radiation-sensitive acid generator. The first polymer includes a first structural unit having an acid-labile group and an alicyclic group. The alicyclic group is capable of avoiding dissociation from a molecular chain by an action of an acid.
US09122160B2 Method and apparatus for performing optical proximity and photomask correction
An approach is provided for enabling simulation of photomask contour shapes, performing verification on the simulated photomask shapes, and correcting errors in OPC correction or bad fracturing methods to perform photomask proximity correction in real time before physically writing of the photomask. Embodiments include performing optical proximity correction of a photomask of a semiconductor layout to generate a corrected photomask, simulating the corrected photomask to generate one or more simulated contour shapes within a simulated photomask, verifying the simulated contour shapes to determine errors associated with the simulated photomask, and correcting the errors in the simulated contour shapes of the simulated photomask to generate a final photomask.
US09122159B2 Compositions and processes for photolithography
Topcoat layer compositions suitable for use in forming a topcoat layer over a layer of photoresist include: a matrix polymer which is aqueous alkali soluble; a first additive of mer which is aqueous alkali soluble and comprises polymerized units of a monomer of the following general formula (I): wherein: R1 is hydrogen or a C1 to C6 alkyl or fluoroalkyl group; R2 is a C3 to C8 branched alkylene group; and R3 is a C1 to C4 fluoroalkyl group; and wherein the first additive polymer is present in the composition in an amount less than the matrix polymer, and the first additive polymer has a lower surface energy than a surface energy of the matrix polymer; wherein a layer of the topcoat composition in a dried state has a water receding contact angle of from 75 to 85°. The compositions find particular applicability to immersion lithography processing.
US09122158B2 Photo-curable resin composition, photo-curable dry film, patterning process, protective film, and electric/electronic part
A photo-curable resin composition comprising a silicone-containing polymer, a photobase generator, a solvent, and optionally an epoxy resin crosslinker forms a coating which serves as a protective film for the protection of electric/electronic parts.
US09122155B2 Sulfonium salt, resist composition and patterning process
A sulfonium salt used in a resist composition which gives a pattern having a high resolution, and small roughness in the photolithography using a high energy beam as a light source, and further difficultly eluted in water in the immersion lithography, and a resist composition containing the sulfonium salt, and a patterning process using the resist composition, wherein the sulfonium salt is represented by the following general formula (1a), wherein R represents a linear, branched, or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms at least one or more of the hydrogen atoms of which are substituted by a fluorine atom, R0 represents a hydrogen atom, or a linear, branched, or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms which may be substituted by a halogen atom, or interposed by a heteroatom.
US09122153B2 Cyclic compound, method for producing same, composition, and method for forming resist pattern
A cyclic compound having a molecular weight of 500 to 5000 is represented by the following formula (1), wherein at least one of R0 is a monovalent group containing an iodine atom. Also disclosed are a method for producing the cyclic compound, a composition containing the cyclic compound, and a method for forming a resist pattern using the composition.
US09122152B2 Patterning process and resist composition
A negative pattern is formed by coating a resist composition comprising a branched polymer having chains extending in at least three directions and an optional acid generator onto a substrate, prebaking, exposing to high-energy radiation, baking, and developing in an organic solvent developer so that the unexposed region of resist film is dissolved away and the exposed region of resist film is not dissolved. The resist composition exhibits a high dissolution contrast and no swell during organic solvent development, and forms a pattern without collapse and bridging defects.
US09122148B2 Master template replication
Systems and methods for providing multiple replicas from a master template are described. Replicas may be formed having a mesa. In one embodiment, a dummy fill region may be included on master template and/or replicas.
US09122147B2 Pattern forming process
A pattern is formed by coating a resist composition comprising a resin comprising recurring units having an acid labile group, a photoacid generator, and a first organic solvent onto a processable substrate, prebaking, exposing, PEB, and developing in an organic solvent developer to form a negative pattern; heating the negative pattern to render it resistant to a second organic solvent; coating a solution of a resin having a carbon content of at least 75 wt % in the second organic solvent thereon, prebaking, and dry etching to effect image reversal for converting the negative pattern into a positive pattern.
US09122144B2 Objects fabricated with integral and contoured rear projection substrates
A three dimensional (3D) object with a rear projection (RP) surface. The 3D object includes an RP element, which behaves as an RP substrate or surface. A structural portion of the 3D object has a first thickness, and the RP element has a second thickness that is less than about one half of the first thickness. The RP element is formed of a translucent white plastic for example, such that it is translucent to provide an RP element integrally formed with an adjacent structural element which is opaque with or without additional coating or treatment.
US09122143B2 Dynamically variable graphic material using electrostatically attracted particles
Dynamically-variable graphic displays, including a panel comprised of colored microspheres, each a single pixel with an embedded electrical charge; one or more electrodes capable of receiving an electrical charge, each electrode situated so that it can interact with at least one of said microspheres; an energy source connected to the electrodes via conductive elements capable of changing the polarity of said electrodes, such change in polarity causing the microspheres to move to change the color displayed to a viewer; and a substrate. Also included within the invention are dynamically-variable graphic display panels that enable one-way graphics through distribution of pixels to create image and silhouette patterns, wherein the image pattern is visible from the front of the panel under conditions of illumination, and wherein the silhouette pattern creates a substantially transparent area of clear vision from the back of the display panel through the panel.
US09122141B2 Micro-projector with clipping structure
A micro-projector applied to a portable computer includes a projecting device and a clipping structure. The projecting device is capable of communicating with the portable computer through signals and projecting a projection light. The clipping structure is capable of clipping the portable computer selectively. The projecting device is disposed on the clipping structure.
US09122138B2 Projector, image display system, and projector control method
A second projector projects and displays a measurement pattern on a projection screen while a first projector projects and displays another measurement pattern on the projection screen. The second projector causes an imaging unit to acquire a captured image including projection images of the two measurement patterns are captured, and detects coordinates of measurement points which are represented in the measurement patterns from the captured image. The second projector corrects the projection target image based on the coordinates such that the projection image by the first projector and its own projection image are in a desired relationship.
US09122135B2 Lens shift mechanism and projection image display device
A central position detection section has a detection width in which the central position has a median value along one axial direction. When the direction from a position, which is located at the time at which returning is started toward the central position is defined as a go direction, the control section commands that a drive mechanism should sequentially perform following operations: a first operation of driving a projection lens assembly in the go direction; a second operation of allowing the projection lens assembly to travel in a return direction at least by the detection width; and a third operation of allowing the projection lens assembly to travel in the detection width in the go direction by ½ of the detection width traveled in the go direction.
US09122134B2 Display screen for image display system and method for manufacturing the same
Disclosed are a display screen for an image display system capable of providing an image having a high contrast ratio in a bright room, and a method for manufacturing the same. The display screen for displaying thereon image light emitted from a projector includes a lens layer, and a reflective layer formed on the lens layer and configured to reflect the image light, wherein the lens layer and/or the reflective layer contain a black material.
US09122132B2 Motor, holder and image capture device using same
A motor for providing rotational movement along different directions simultaneously includes a stator, a rotor, a power shaft rotated together with the rotor, a first driving shaft, a first transmission gear located on the first driving shaft, a second driving shaft, and a second transmission gear located on the second driving shaft. The power shaft includes at least one driving gear located on an end portion of the power shaft. The first transmission gear and the second transmission gear engage with the driving gear to drive the first driving shaft and the second driving shaft to rotate, respectively.
US09122124B2 Actuator and camera module having same
An actuator includes a base, a stationary frame mounted on the base, a moveable frame supported on the base, and a driving unit. The stationary frame includes a receiving cavity, a first sidewall, a neighboring second sidewall, an upper end, and an opposing lower end. The stationary frame defines a first cutout in the first sidewall, a second cutout in the second sidewall, and a third cutout passing through the lower end. The first cutout and the second cutout communicate with the receiving cavity, and the third cutout is located between the first cutout and the second cutout and directly communicates with the first cutout and the second cutout. The moveable frame includes a main body received in the receiving cavity and a protruding portion received in the third cutout. The driving unit includes a guide pole, a first metal clip, a second metal clip, and a SMA wire.
US09122123B2 Projector having focus adjusting section for adjusting projection based on projection distance information, computer program product, and image projecting method
A projector includes: a judging section that judges whether or not an event representing an instruction to project a message image containing a character string has occurred; a projection distance information generating section that generates projection distance information representing a projection distance when the event has occurred; a focus adjusting section that carries out focus adjustment for projection based on the projection distance information; and a projecting section that projects the message image after the focus adjustment is started.
US09122117B2 Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes: a display area including: a first data line between a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode in a same pixel row, and connected to a first thin film transistor (“TFT”) and a second TFT, respectively; and a peripheral area including: a first parasitic capacitor capacity measuring unit including first gate capacity units and first data capacity units; a second parasitic capacitor capacity measuring unit including second gate capacity units and second data capacity units, where a relative arrangement between the first gate and data capacity units is the same as a relative arrangement between the gate and drain electrodes of the first TFT, and a relative arrangement between the second gate and data capacity units is the same as a relative arrangement between the gate and drain electrodes of the second TFT.
US09122111B2 Liquid crystal display device
In one embodiment, a first substrate includes a gate line extending in a first direction, a source line extending in a second direction orthogonally crossing the first direction, a pixel electrode including a main pixel electrode extending in the second direction, and a first alignment film covering the pixel electrode. A second substrate includes a common electrode having a pair of main common electrodes arranged on both sides sandwiching the main pixel electrode and a second alignment film covering the common electrode. A liquid crystal layer is held between the first alignment film and the second alignment film and includes liquid crystal molecules. The liquid crystal layer is formed of materials having negative dielectric constant anisotropy, and the liquid crystal molecules are initially aligned substantially in parallel with the first direction when electric field is not impressed between the pixel electrode and the common electrode.
US09122110B2 Liquid crystal display device
A first polarizing plate having a polarization axis in a first direction, a second polarizing plate having a polarization axis in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a plurality of first structure bodies provided for the first substrate, a plurality of second structure bodies provided for the first substrate, a first electrode layer covering top surfaces and side surfaces of the plurality of first structure bodies, a second electrode layer covering top surfaces and side surfaces of the plurality of second structure bodies, and a third electrode layer that is provided for a second substrate and overlaps at least partly with the second electrode layer are provided. The side surfaces of the first structure bodies and the side surfaces of the second structure bodies are parallel to the first direction or the second direction.
US09122107B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device is constituted such that sub-pixels are disposed in an array form in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to each other, a plurality of gate lines are disposed in the second direction, an optical element for distributing the light to the second direction is disposed on the liquid crystal display device, liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal display device are controlled by an electric field almost in parallel to the surface of the liquid crystal display device, and a data line is disposed to obliquely divide the sub-pixels at a position different from the boundary between the sub-pixels neighboring in the second direction, where the data line can have a small angle with respect to the second direction, and the numerical aperture is not deteriorated greatly even when the lengths of apertures of the sub-pixels in the first direction are constant.
US09122106B2 Display apparatus
A display apparatus including pixels, each pixel including a first sub-pixel that includes a first transistor connected to a corresponding first gate line of the first gate lines and a corresponding data line of the data lines and a first pixel electrode connected to the first transistor, a second sub-pixel that includes a second transistor connected to a corresponding second gate line of the second gate lines and the corresponding data line of the data lines and a second pixel electrode connected to the second transistor, and a third sub-pixel that includes a third transistor connected to the corresponding second gate line and the corresponding data line, a fourth transistor connected to the corresponding second gate line and applied with a storage voltage, and a third pixel electrode connected to the third and fourth transistors.
US09122105B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device having 2 pixel multi-domain type pixels, in which columnar spacers are disposed in optimal positions. Each of plural video lines has a first portion in which an acute-angled crossing angle of two crossing angles crossing each of scanning lines becomes a positive angle in a clockwise direction from each of the scanning lines, and a second portion in which an acute-angled crossing angle of the two crossing angles crossing each of scanning lines becomes a negative angle in the clockwise direction from each of the scanning lines. The first and second portions are alternately disposed so as to hold the scanning line between them.
US09122099B2 Backlight module and liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a backlight module, which at least comprises: a liquid crystal panel and a backlight sheet. The back of the liquid crystal panel is provided with multiple fastening devices which are provided with a holding portion thereon. The backlight sheet is provided with an assembling portion corresponding to the holding portion thereon. The fastening devices fix the liquid crystal panel on the backlight sheet by latching the assembling portion to the holding portion. The present invention also discloses a liquid crystal display device comprising the backlight module structure mentioned above. The backlight module and the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention can realize the backlight module without frame or with narrow frame structure and improve the assembling efficiency.
US09122096B2 LED lightbar for backlight module, and backlight module
The invention relates to the field of LCDs, and more particularly to an LED lightbar for a backlight module, and a backlight module. The front face of the LED lightbar is provided with LED lights, and the back face of the LED lightbar is a plane used for the sticking of a thermal conductive adhesive; the back face of the LED lightbar is provided with positioning edge(s) used for positioning the thermal conductive adhesive, and the positioning edge(s) is protruded from the back plane of the LED lightbar. The back face of the LED lightbar for a backlight module of the invention is provided with positioning edge(s) used for positioning the thermal conductive adhesive, and the positioning edge(s) is protruded from the back plane of the LED lightbar. When sticking the thermal conductive adhesive, the operator can align the thermal conductive adhesive with the edge of the positioning edge(s) to tidily stick. If being tidily stuck, the thermal conductive adhesive is tightly matched with the LED lightbar. Because the thermal conductive adhesive is not pulled to be straight, the inward pulling stress is avoided. Thus, even under severe conditions, the adhesive failure and deformation are not easily generated, and the stability and heat dissipating effect of the backlight module are guaranteed.
US09122095B2 Display device and LED bar connection method thereof
Disclosed is a display device which includes a display panel, an LED bar configured to output a light to the display panel, and a source printed circuit board including a driver circuit driving the display panel and an LED driver circuit driving the LED bar, wherein the LED bar and the LED driver circuit are connected via a socket disposed at the source printed circuit board.
US09122094B2 Illuminating apparatus and display apparatus
Provided is a backlight unit (49) which includes a plurality of LEDs (11). The LEDs (11) are two-dimensionally disposed, thereby having the collection of light emitted from the LEDs (11) in a state of planar light. Furthermore, the backlight unit (49) has the planar light divided into a plurality of sections, and includes a luminance variable system (for instance, a system having disposition which a difference in the density of LEDs (11)), which can change luminance, corresponding to each section.
US09122090B2 Transparent display device
A transparent display device includes a color filter substrate, a driving substrate and a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) layer. The color filter substrate includes a substrate, a light shielding structure and a plurality of color filter patterns. The light shielding structure is disposed on the substrate to define a plurality of sub-pixel regions and a blank sub-pixel region of the substrate. The color filter patterns respectively cover the sub-pixel regions of the substrate, but the blank sub-pixel region is not covered by the color filter patterns. The driving substrate corresponds to the color filter substrate. The PDLC layer is interposed between the color filter substrate and the driving substrate.
US09122085B2 Thermally controlled semiconductor optical waveguide
An apparatus includes a conductive or semiconductive substrate and a dielectric layer located directly thereon. A semiconductor layer is located directly on the dielectric layer. The semiconductor layer includes a ridge waveguide and a heater strip extending parallel to the ridge waveguide. The heater strip is electrically isolated from the ridge waveguide and is doped to carry a current therein about parallel to the ridge waveguide.
US09122084B2 Phase modulation apparatus
A phase modulation apparatus has a light source outputting continuous light, two phase modulators, and an intensity modulator. The phase modulation apparatus is provided with an RZ phase modulation circuit, in which the phase modulators phase-modulate the continuous light from the light source with data signals input to the phase modulators and generate two phase modulation optical signals, a phase shifter shifts the phase of one phase modulation optical signal by π/2, and an intensity modulator intensity-modulates a multiplexed signal, combined with the other phase modulation optical signal, with an input clock signal CLK to convert the signal into an RZ signal, and, thus, to output the RZ signal, and a phase control circuit which adjusts the phases of the phase modulation optical signals generated by the phase modulator of the RZ phase modulation circuit so that the output of the RZ phase modulation circuit is maximum.
US09122075B2 Eyeglasses with alternative wearing means
The present disclosure refers to eyeglasses that may be worn in alternate forms. The eyeglasses include an eyepiece having a pair of lenses that may be positioned in front of a wear's eyes by an attachment assembly, which may be deformed or adjusted to secure the lenses to the wear's wrist. The design of the attachment assembly may vary according to specific needs. In one embodiment, the attachment assembly comprises temples having temple tips. The temples may be deformed to serve alternating purposes—placing the eyepiece in front of the eyes and securing the eye piece around the wear's wrist, or other body parts. The eyepiece may also include a bendable bridge that connects the two lenses. The design of the bridge may facilitate the transition of the eyepiece from one position to the other. The eyeglasses are suitable for individuals that wear eyeglasses periodically and particularly in outdoor settings.
US09122069B2 2D/3D polarized display method and device
The invention proposes a novel 2D/3D polarized display method, polarized display device and a 2D/3D television, applied to the polarization 3D technology; through compensation calculation on the original left-eye and right-eye image signals and alternate time domain display of the images, and through the addition of information on the compensation images in time and space, and in cooperation with control of the opening and closing of the polarization 3D glasses, while viewers wearing the polarization 3D glasses can experience good 3D effect, other viewers with naked eyes can view clear 2D images, so that the 3D viewers and the 2D viewers do not affect each other.
US09122068B2 Polarization converting element group for projection apparatus and projection apparatus
A polarization converting element group for a projection apparatus is disclosed. The polarization converting element group includes a polarization beam splitter and a half wave plate. The polarization beam splitter splits a light beam into a first polarized light beam with a first polarization direction and a second polarized light beam with a second polarization direction. The half wave plate is placed next to the polarization beam splitter and reciprocally moves between the first and second position. At different time points, the half wave plate changes the polarization direction of the first light beam or the second light beam passing therethrough. With this arrangement, the light beam that exits the polarization converting element group will either be a uniform first polarized light with a first polarization direction or a uniform second polarized light with a second polarization direction.
US09122066B2 Stereo display systems
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to stereo display systems. In one embodiment, the stereo display system includes a display (402), a viewing area (404), and one or more pairs of stereo projectors (409-411). Each pair of stereo projectors corresponds to a sub-region of the viewing area. In addition, each pair of stereo projectors projects a rectified image pair onto the display so that one or more viewers located in the corresponding sub-region exclusively view the image pair, enabling the viewers in the sub-region to perceive three-dimensional images presented on the display.
US09122060B2 Scanning image projector and method of driving scanning image projector
A scanning image projector includes a laser light source, an MEMS scanner having a reflecting mirror which vibrates around first and second axes that are orthogonal to each other, and an MEMS control unit having a high speed drive circuit which causes resonant vibration of the reflecting mirror at high speed around the first axis, a low speed drive circuit which causes non-resonant vibration of the reflecting mirror at low speed around the second axis, and an offset drive circuit which offsets a position on the second axis in a non-resonant vibration region where the low-speed vibration is caused by a predetermined amount, wherein the MEMS control unit displays an image in a predetermined display region by drive signals from the high and the low speed drive circuits, and moves a position of the display region in the non-resonant vibration region by an offset signal from the offset drive circuit.
US09122055B2 Adaptive shading, display and color control
A substrate having a second material on a surface of the substrate or embedded as a layer within the substrate are described. The second material has a different index of refraction and/or stiffness than the substrate so that stretching and unstretching of the substrate and the second material can induce wrinkles in the second material that interacts with light thereby allowing reversible change from a transparent state to an opaque or iridescent state, and vice versa. The present disclosure is useful as a shading system and/or displays.
US09122054B2 Stray light suppression for head worn computing
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to head worn computing lighting systems and stray light control.
US09122052B2 Compact head-up display
A head-up display, including an image source and a mirror positioned along parallel main planes and separated by a first distance, the mirror being shaped to form virtual images of the images provided by the image source at a second distance from the mirror, greater than the first distance.
US09122051B2 Light module and projection device
A light module includes a first light source. The first light source includes a first light-emitting element and a first lens element. The first light-emitting element includes a first light-emitting chip for emitting a first color light beam and a wavelength conversion material located on the first light-emitting chip for transferring parts of the first color light beam to a second color light beam. The first lens element faces the first light-emitting element and is located on a transmission path of the first color light beam and a transmission path of the second color light beam, and the first lens element includes an optical filter for filtering off the first color light beam and being passed by the second color light beam.
US09122049B2 Optical compensation in surveillance domes
Techniques are discussed for correcting optical aberrations that exist in surveillance domes that have spherical and non-spherical parts. For example, the image quality of a surveillance camera is reduced when it focuses on an object through a non-spherical base of a surveillance dome. This image quality reduction could potentially compromise the security of the area monitored by the surveillance camera by failing to provide enough detail to identify individuals or other objects of interest. Utilizing a corrective optical element to provide curvature to a wavefront that travels through the non-spherical base, however, helps preserve the image quality of the camera and thereby helps maintain the integrity of the surveillance system.
US09122038B2 Imaging lens and imaging apparatus
An imaging lens substantially consisting of a first lens group, a stop, and a second lens group in this order from the object side, the first lens group includes at least a positive lens, a negative meniscus lens with a convex surface toward the object side, a biconcave negative lens, and a cemented lens substantially constituted by two lenses, which are a positive lens and a negative lens, in this order from the object side; the second lens group includes at least a first positive lens with a convex surface toward the image side, a cemented lens substantially constituted by two lenses, which are a positive lens and a negative lens, and a second positive lens with a convex surface toward the image side, in this order from the object side; and a predetermined conditional expression is satisfied.
US09122036B2 Optical fiber clamp and method of clamping optical fiber
A device for setting an optical fiber in place is comprised of: a pedestal capable of supporting the optical fiber; a clamper having the optical fiber gripped between the clamper and the pedestal; and a pressure device having a first elastic member bearing a first load area, a second elastic member bearing a second load area distinct from the first load area, and a limiter device limiting a deformation range of the second elastic member, the pressure device being so linked with the clamper as to, in the deformation range, cause the second elastic member to pressurize the clamper, and, after reaching a limit of the deformation range, cause the first elastic member to pressurize the clamper.
US09122033B2 Method to install sensing cables in monitoring wells
A tubular seismic sensing cable for use in wells and a method of deployment into wells to provide higher seismic sensitivity.
US09122032B2 Light receiving device
A light receiving device has a light receiving section for receiving a remote control signal light beam, and a light guide section for guiding the light beam to the light receiving section. The light guide section has a first reflection surface for reflecting the light beam to the light receiving section, the first reflection surface being disposed to oppose obliquely at a sharp angle to an entrance plane, and a second reflection surface for guiding the remote control signal light beam, the second reflection surface being disposed between the entrance plane and the first reflection surface. The first reflection surface includes a circular arc curved surface curved outward in a part closer to the entrance plane and farther from the light receiving section, and a linear inclined surface in a part approaching the light receiving section from the curved surface.
US09122029B2 Optical connector package and optical connector
An optical connector package includes a substrate and a casing positioned on the substrate and comprising a positioning pin. The casing and the substrate cooperatively define a receiving space. The positioning pin defines a vent functioning as a sole channel communicating the receiving space with the outside of the casing. The vent is sealed after the optical connector package subjects to all required heating processes.
US09122028B2 High-precision passive alignment of optical components with optical waveguides using a common adapter
A method for aligning optical components comprised in an optical component assembly and optical waveguides comprised in an optical waveguide assembly according to a common optical axis and by using an adapter includes providing the optical component assembly with a first alignment structure comprising a cavity designed according to the position of the optical components within the optical component assembly; providing an adapter presenting a base surface comprising a first step structure; providing the optical waveguide assembly with a second alignment structure comprising a distinct step structure designed according to the position of the waveguides within the waveguides assembly; and positioning the optical component assembly, the optical waveguide assembly and the adapter, so that a sidewall of the cavity and the distinct step structure are put in contact with a sidewall of the first step structure.
US09122026B2 Optical waveguide, opto-electric hybrid board, and optical module
The present invention relates to an optical waveguide comprising a lower cladding layer, a patternized core layer and an upper cladding layer, wherein a striking part for positioning is provided in one end part thereof, and an optical path turning mirror face is formed in a position different from a striking part-forming end part in the above core layer.Capable of being provided are an optical waveguide and an optoelectronic circuit board each having a simple configuration in which an optical device is not mounted on an optical wiring part or an optoelectronic composite wiring part and capable of connecting an optical device with a core of an optical waveguide in an optical wiring part (optical waveguide) or an optoelectronic composite wiring part (optoelectronic circuit board) at a high position accuracy and an optical module comprising an optical waveguide or an optoelectronic circuit board and a connector.
US09122023B2 Optical waveguide device and method of manufacturing the same
An optical waveguide device includes, a substrate, an optical waveguide arranged on the substrate, an optical element arranged on the substrate and optically coupled to one end part of the optical waveguide, a flame retardant adhesive layer covering the optical waveguide, and a connector portion adhered to other end part of the optical waveguide by the flame retardant adhesive layer.
US09122021B2 Sealing enclosure for a connector on a cable, such as a standardized fiber-optic connector
The invention relates to a sealing enclosure and a sealing assembly comprising the sealing enclosure and a mating enclosure as well as a method to connect both. The sealing enclosure loosely receives a connector within a connector volume so that the connector, which may be of a standard type used in electronic or optic data transmission, may be displaced within a plug face at the forward end of the connector volume. Thus, the connector may compensate variations in the position of a mating connector with respect to the mating enclosure. Moreover, the sealing enclosure allows to seal off the connector volume and engage the sealing enclosure with a mating enclosure in a single motion. This is affected by having a cable seal interposed between an inner body and an outer body. If the outer body is moved forward to engage the mating connector, the cable seal is squeezed between the cable and the inner body sealing off the connector volume at the rearward end of the inner body.
US09122019B2 Fiber optic connector holder and method
A fiber optic connector holder is sized to fit within an opening for mounting a fiber optic adapter. The fiber optic connector holder is configured to permit a fiber optic connector with a dust cap positioned about a ferrule and a polished end face of an optical fiber held by the ferrule to be inserted within and releasably held by the connector holder. A system for holding fiber optic connectors includes a fiber optic connector holder mounted within an opening in a bulkhead for mounting a fiber optic adapter. The fiber optic connector holder is configured to receive a fiber optic connector with a dust cap mounted about a ferrule and polished end face of an optical fiber held by the ferrule. An optical fiber connector may be held to a bulkhead when the fiber optic connector includes a dust cap mounted about a ferrule and a polished end face of an optical fiber held by the ferrule.
US09122018B2 Cassette for optical fiber amplifier, optical fiber amplifier and light source device
Grooves (22, 23) for containing an optical fiber and five recesses (24) for containing the optical components for an optical fiber amplifier are provided in the surface of a substrate (21). An optical fiber fitted in a groove (23a) for containing the optical fiber and introduced to the substrate (21) is passed through a groove (22a) for containing the optical fiber and fitted in a groove (22) for containing the optical fiber, thence passed through a groove (22b) for containing the optical fiber and introduced to the outside of the substrate (21). In the recess (24) for containing the optical component for an optical fiber amplifier, an optical component such as a photocoupler is fitted and coupled with the optical fiber. Light such as pumping light is passed through an optical fiber contained in the groove (23) for containing the optical fiber and introduced to an optical component such as a photocoupler. When the optical fiber and the optical component for an optical fiber amplifier are contained in such a recess of the cassette, they can be contained orderly.
US09122009B1 Fiber optic termination
Fiber optic terminations are disclosed for discriminating between potentially damaging energy and energy that has potential utility, internally conditioning and coupling only the energy that may safely be delivered by the optical fiber, particularly where the fiber traverses small radii and tortuous pathways, and harmlessly dissipating the potentially damaging energy within the fiber optic termination.
US09122006B1 Integrated polarization splitter and rotator
Embodiments of the invention describe photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for accomplishing polarization splitting and rotation. Embodiments of the invention include a first waveguide to receive light comprising orthogonally polarized transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes, and a second waveguide disposed below the first waveguide and comprising a reverse taper-shaped side to adiabatically receive one of the polarization modes (e.g., the TE mode) of the received light from the first waveguide. Said horizontal offset between the first and the reverse taper-shaped side of the second waveguide comprises an offset such that, for example, the TM mode of the received light is rotated to a TE mode in the first waveguide. The above described offsets and taper shaped structures may also be used in an optical combiner.
US09121998B2 Silicone hydrogel contact lenses
Silicone hydrogel contact lenses are described. The lenses are derived from a polymerizable composition including 30-60 unit parts by weight of a hydrophilic monomer(s) having one N-vinyl group, 10 to 50 unit parts by weight of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and a first siloxane monomer component comprising a siloxane monomer of formula (1) as described herein or a siloxane monomer of formula (2) as described herein or a siloxane monomer of formula (3) as described herein or any combination thereof, where the total amount of siloxane monomer(s) present in the polymerizable composition is from 15 to 40 unit parts by weight. Batches of silicone hydrogel contact lenses and methods of making silicone hydrogel contact lenses are also described.
US09121997B2 Lens barrel
This disclosure aims to miniaturize a lens barrel. The lens barrel includes: a movable frame which has two cam followers provided in a circumferential direction about an optical axis and two guide protrusions arranged along an optical axis direction; a cam frame having two cam grooves with which the two cam followers of the movable frame are engaged respectively; and a guide frame having one guide groove with which the two guide protrusions are engaged. The two cam followers and the two guide protrusions restrict tilting of the movable frame with respect to the cam frame and the guide frame.
US09121993B2 Multi-core optical fiber and method of optical transmission
A multi-core optical fiber has: a plurality of core portions; a cladding portion that is positioned around each of the plurality of core portions and has a refractive index lower than that of each of the plurality of core portions; and a separation distance between adjacent ones of the plurality of core portions being set so that crosstalk of light between the adjacent core portions over an entire length thereof becomes −15 dB or greater at a wavelength of 1550 nm and a cable cut-off wavelength becomes 1530 nm or less.
US09121984B2 Backlight unit and liquid crystal display using the same
The disclosure discloses a backlight unit and a liquid crystal display comprising thereof. The backlight unit comprises a light guiding plate comprising a plurality of light guiding plate units, which are arranged as a matrix along longitudinal and traversal directions, with line-shaped gaps extending respectively along traversal or longitudinal direction existing between two adjacent light guiding plate units; a light source provided at a side of light guiding plate; and a diffusing sheet provided above the light guiding plate. At a position corresponding to the line-shaped gap between the two adjacent light guiding plate units, the diffusing sheet has a shape of line-shaped projection, and the line-shaped projection has a projected direction in a direction of the light emitted from the light guiding plate unit. According to the disclosure, the uniformity of the backlight may be improved.
US09121980B2 Light guide element and method for manufacturing the same, and lighting fixture
A light guide element and a method for manufacturing the same, and a lighting fixture are described. The light guide element includes a light guide body, a plurality of first and second microstructures corresponding to each other. The light guide body includes a first and a second light-emitting surface opposite to and parallel to each other. The first and second microstructures are respectively disposed on the first and second light-emitting surfaces by a first arrangement rule based on a first datum line and a second arrangement rule based on a second datum line. The first datum line is different from the second datum line. In a normal direction of the first light-emitting surface, each second microstructure laps over the corresponding first microstructure in part. When an incident light enters the light guide body, a first and a second mesh patterns are respectively formed on the first and second light-emitting surfaces.
US09121978B2 Front light module and display device using the same
A front light module, including: a light source; a light guide plate, having a first refractive index and having a side face close to the light source; and a plurality of pillar structures, having a second refractive index and being placed under the light guide plate, and the second refractive index is larger than or equal to the first refractive index.
US09121977B2 Liquid crystal display module including a wavelength conversion member and liquid crystal display apparatus having the same
A liquid crystal display module is provided including a liquid crystal panel for displaying an image; a backlight unit including a light source unit for providing light to the liquid crystal panel; and a packaging chassis which holds the liquid crystal panel and the backlight unit in a single module. The light source unit includes a plurality of light sources; a light source support board for supporting the light sources; a wavelength conversion member, disposed in front of the light sources, which converts wavelengths of light emitted from the light sources; and a fixing member which holds the wavelength conversion member in front of the light sources, defines a mounting space within which the wavelength conversion member is disposed and defines an accommodation space within which the plurality of light sources are accommodated.
US09121976B2 Light guide plate and related backlight module
A light guide plate disclosed in the present disclosure includes a board body, a prism component and at least one optical microstructure. The prism component is disposed on at least one surface of the board body. The at least one optical microstructure is disposed on a top end of the prism component. The optical microstructure includes a first light guiding unit and at least two second light guiding units. A first angle is formed between two inclined surfaces of the first light guiding unit, and the first angle is substantially between 45˜60 degrees. The second light guiding units are symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the first light guiding unit. A second angle is formed between an inclined surface and a bottom surface of each second light guiding unit, and the second angle is substantially between 10˜60 degrees.
US09121971B2 Hybrid method of combining multipoint statistic and object-based methods for creating reservoir property models
A computer system and a hybrid method for combining multipoint statistic and object-based methods include creating a multi-point statistics (MPS) model using a MPS method that satisfies conditioning data and constraints in which the multi-point statistics are derived from a training image created using training-image generation parameters; generating one or more object-shape templates and depositional or structural coordinates of each facies type using the generation parameters; positioning the one or more generated templates within the MPS model such that the one or more generated templates maximally correlate to the MPS model; assigning to each of the one or more positioned templates a unique event; providing depositional or structural coordinates to each cell associated with a given event number; and modeling properties using the coordinates to capture geological trends within each template.
US09121969B2 Power savings mode for ocean bottom seismic data acquisition systems
Embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems, and apparatus for conserving power while conducting an ocean bottom seismic survey. Sensor nodes placed on an ocean floor may be configured to operate in at least an idle mode and an active mode. When a seismic source boat approached the sensor node, the node may adjust its mode of operation from an idle mode to an active mode. After the seismic source boat is no longer near the sensor node, the idle mode may be entered again to conserve power.
US09121967B2 Method and apparatus for well-bore proximity measurement while drilling
An apparatus for determining a distance between a first borehole and a second borehole is provided that in one embodiment includes a rotating magnet on a tool configured for placement in the second borehole for inducing magnetization in a magnetic object in the first borehole, a first coil and a second coil placed radially symmetrically with respect to an axis of the tool, the first coil providing a first signal and second coil providing a second signal responsive to a magnetic flux resulting from the magnetization in the magnetic object in the first borehole, and a controller configured to combine the first signal and the second signal and determining distance between the first borehole and the second borehole using the combined signal.
US09121965B2 Low frequency passive seismic data acquisition and processing
Low sensitivity, single vertical axis or uniaxial transducer sensors are deployed along receiver lines across an area of interest to acquire low frequency passive seismic data from the earth. Recordings formed of the acquired low frequency passive seismic data are decomposed in the frequency-wavenumber (F-K) domain according to wavefront dipping angles into mono-dominant velocity seismic records. Resulting seismic waves of different types are identifiable based on the different dipping angles. Wavefields can then be analyzed separately in either time or frequency domains and analyzed or integrated with other data.
US09121963B2 Dual mode balancing in OBM resistivity imaging
Methods, systems, and devices for evaluating an earth formation. Methods may include conveying the carrier into a formation borehole; and using measure electrodes, in one mode of measurement, to make current measurements by applying a voltage to each measure electrode in a first set of sensor arrays while making first current measurements; and applying another high frequency voltage to each measure electrode in a second set of sensor arrays while making second current measurements. Optionally, methods include using the measure electrodes, in another mode of measurement, to make further resistivity measurements by applying a voltage to each measure electrode in both sets of sensor arrays while making third current measurements. Methods include combining first current measurements, second current measurements, and third current measurements to simulate a virtual impedance for each measure electrode. Optionally, any two consecutive sensor arrays around the circumference of the tool body are in different sets.
US09121960B2 Multi-axial antenna and method for use in downhole tools
Embodiments of a multi-axial antenna system and system for measuring subsurface formations are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, the multi-axial antenna system comprising at least two co-located coils wound around a torroidal-shaped bobbin. Each coil generates a magnetic field in a mutually orthogonal direction. Signals provided to the coils may be adjusted to simulate a tilted-coil antenna system.
US09121946B2 Automobile with anti-collision function and anti-collision method
An automobile includes a main body, and an infrared detecting unit on the front portion of the main body. The infrared detecting unit includes an infrared emitter connected to a motor, and an infrared receiver. An anti-collision method includes controlling the motor to rotate to rotate the infrared emitter. Controlling the rotating infrared emitter at each rotated position to emit infrared lights with an effective projection range L which form an illuminating trajectory spaced from the front portion by a distance S. Calculating a height of a protruding portion on the road surface according to the effective projection range L, the distance S, and the distance between the infrared detecting unit and the road surface H, if the infrared receiver receives the reflected infrared lights reflected by the protruding portion. Actions are preformed to protect the automobile if the calculated height is greater than a preset value.
US09121944B2 Mid-infrared vehicle early warning system
A method of warning a driver of a vehicle of an obstacle that is more than one kilometer from the vehicle includes emitting MIR laser energy from the vehicle. The laser energy has a wavelength approximately between 3500 nanometers and 5000 nanometers. A phase conjugate lens is used to orthogonally direct a portion of the laser energy that is reflected by the obstacle to an image-capturing device or sensor within the vehicle. An image of the obstacle is displayed to the driver. The image is based on the laser energy directed to the image-capturing device.
US09121943B2 Beam forming device and method
The present disclosure relates to a beam forming device, comprising a transmit unit comprising at least two transmit elements that transmit radiation towards a scene, a receiver unit comprising at least two receive elements that receive radiation from said scene and that generate receive signals from said received radiation, and a beam forming unit that performs beam forming to obtain beam formed output signals from said receive signals by use of beam forming weights, wherein said beam forming weights are adapted to a distance between the scene and one or more transmit elements and/or receive elements, said distance being indicated by a distance indicator, and wherein said beam forming weights are changed if said distance changes.
US09121940B2 Vehicle navigation using non-GPS LEO signals and on-board sensors
A navigation system includes a navigation radio and a sensor onboard a vehicle. The navigation radio receives and processes low earth orbit RF signals to derive range observables for a corresponding LEO satellite. A sensor is operable to generate at least one of vehicle speed data, acceleration data, angular rate data and rotational angle data under high vehicle dynamics. The navigation radio includes a navigation code operable to obtain a position, velocity and time solution (a “navigation solution”) based on the one or more range observables, ephemerides for the corresponding LEO satellite, a heading pseudomeasurement, a navigation radio altitude pseudomeasurement; one or more vehicle velocity pseudomeasurements orthogonal to the altitude pseudomeasurements; and the generated at least one of vehicle speed data, acceleration data, angular rate data and rotational angle data. The navigation radio uses the navigation solution to acquire a GPS signal during interference with a coarse acquisition GPS signal.
US09121939B2 Self calibration for crane geometry
Methods and systems are disclosed for calibrating a crane for crane geometry. A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver antenna is disposed on a point along a boom assembly of the crane, the crane configured to pivot about a pivot point. A working arm of the crane is rotated about the pivot point to at least three different positions. Three locations are determined in a geo-referenced coordinate system of the at least three different positions. A location of the pivot point is determined based on the three locations.
US09121938B2 Communication apparatus
A communication apparatus includes a Doppler shift amount calculation unit configured to calculate a Doppler shift amount of a reception signal which is obtained by modulating a signal, for which spectrum spreading is performed by using a predetermined spread code, by a predetermined carrier frequency, a frequency shift amount setting unit configured to set a frequency shift amount on the basis of the Doppler shift amount, a frequency conversion unit configured to shift the frequency of the reception signal by the frequency shift amount, a coherent addition unit configured to perform coherent addition of the reception signal, a spread code generation unit configured to generate a spread code, and a phase detection unit configured to perform correlation calculation between a calculation result of the coherent addition and the spread code and detect a phase of the spread code of the reception signal on the basis of the correlation calculation result.
US09121934B2 Radar system and detection method
A radar system includes an arithmetic processing unit, which calculates the second derivative of the intensity of a reflected wave and determines whether a target is an upper structure or a vehicle, based on the second derivative. Alternatively, the arithmetic processing unit decomposes the waveform of the intensity of the reflected wave into frequency components and determines whether the target is an upper structure or a vehicle, based on the intensity of a predetermined frequency component.
US09121932B2 Refining a position estimate of a low earth orbiting satellite
In a method for refining a position estimate of a low earth orbiting (LEO) satellite a first position estimate of a LEO satellite is generated with a GNSS receiver on-board the LEO satellite. Corrections are received at the LEO satellite. The corrections are processed on-board the LEO satellite such that a corrected LEO satellite position estimate of the LEO satellite is generated for the first position estimate.
US09121930B2 Two-channel monopulse radar for three-dimensional detection
An apparatus for determining the position of a target object using a two-channel monopulse radar. The radar may include two transmitting antennas and one common receiving antenna disposed in a coplanar arrangement. The transmitting antennas may be positioned on the focal plane of the radar along a focal plane axis that extends through, and that is perpendicular with, a boresight axis of the radar. The transmitting antennas may be spaced apart from one another in a first dimension a distance equal to about one half of one wavelength of the radar's center operating frequency. One of the transmitting antennas may be squinted at an angle of θ1 relative to the boresight axis and the other transmitting antenna may be squinted at an angle of θ2 relative to the boresight axis in a second dimension. The transmitting antennas are not squinted relative to one another in the first dimension.
US09121929B2 Position output device using satellite navigation system
A position output device for outputting position data indicating a current position of an object, is based on position data of a determined current position of the object as determined by a satellite navigation system. When a position jump has occurred in the position data from the satellite navigation system, an appropriate current position is outputted. An estimated current position is generated based on the output position outputted at the latest update time. It is determined whether or not a position jump has occurred, based on the distance between the estimated position and the satellite navigation system-based determined position, which is being updated by the satellite navigation system. When it is determined that a position jump has occurred, a position adjustment vector is generated by calculation, which is then used to generate an adjusted position.
US09121928B2 Radar apparatus and method of assembling the same
Disclosed are a radar apparatus having a reduced size and a reduced number of components, and a method of assembling the radar apparatus.
US09121927B2 Acoustic absolute position encoder and method
The present invention teaches acoustic absolute position encoders and methods for deploying the same. The encoder has a moving member with a mechanical contacting portion, and a stationary member associated with the moving member. Reed elements are mounted on the stationary member such that they are mechanically engaged by the contacting portion of the moving member as the latter moves linearly or rotates. The reed elements generate sound tones in response to transient contact with the contacting portion. A receiver receives the tones and an acoustic processing circuit determines the absolute position of the moving member based on the sound tones.
US09121925B2 Ultrawideband radar
Radar in accordance with some embodiments of the inventive concept may include a transmission part outputting a signal to a target object; a receiving part receiving a reflected signal corresponding to the output signal of the transmission part; and a signal processing part receiving the reflected signal from the receiving part to distinguish the target object. The signal processing part directly samples the reflected signal and compares any one of the directly sampled reflected signal and a signal that the directly sampled reflected signal is restored with restored reflected signal data to distinguish the target object.
US09121914B2 Defect detection method, method for repairing organic EL element, and organic EL display panel
A defect detection method for an organic EL element having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a functional layer and a light-emission layer disposed between the electrodes, including: applying a first voltage, between the electrodes, that, when the organic EL element includes, between the electrodes, a defective portion that is a potential cause of non-light emission of the light-emission layer, reduces electrical resistance of a first portion, of the functional layer, corresponding to the defective portion and makes the organic EL element detectable as a dark spot, whose light-emission layer does not emit light; and after applying the first voltage, applying a second voltage between the electrodes and detecting whether or not the organic EL element is the dark spot, the second voltage, when the organic EL element does not include the defective portion, causing the light-emission layer to emit light.
US09121913B2 System for detecting a failure associated with an inverter or associated machine
An inverter comprises a first pair of semiconductor devices with switched terminals that are coupled in series between a positive terminal and a negative terminal of a direct current bus. An analog interface adjusts a voltage levels at measurement nodes associated with control terminals of the semiconductor devices. An analog-to-digital converter has analog inputs for receiving the adjusted voltage levels of the measurement nodes and outputting corresponding digital count data for each measurement node. A data processor is adapted to detect the fault or absence of a fault in the inverter based on the conformity of the digital count to one or more reference ranges stored in a data storage device for corresponding switch states of the semiconductor devices.
US09121912B2 Loading state determiner, load assembly, power supply circuit and method for determining a loading state of an electric power source
A loading state determiner for determining a loading state of an electric power source including a source impedance includes a voltage drop determination circuit which is implemented to provide, based on a detection of an instantaneous current provided under load by the power source to a load, an electric quantity describing a voltage drop at a source impedance of the power source. Further, the loading state determiner includes an evaluation circuit which is implemented to obtain, based on electric quantity describing the voltage drop at the source impedance of the power source and an electric quantity describing a terminal voltage of the power source, a load state signal carrying information on an instantaneous relation between the terminal voltage of the power source and a no-load voltage of the power source.
US09121908B2 Magnetic resonance system and a method for emitting high-frequency signals
A magnetic resonance system having a transmitting system with a high-frequency antenna unit and a high-frequency transmit array. The high-frequency antenna unit is configured to emit high-frequency signals and receive magnetic resonance signals. The high-frequency transmit array has two high-frequency transmit units that allow parallel transmission of high-frequency signals. Each of the high-frequency transmit units of the high-frequency transmit array includes a separate trigger unit.
US09121907B2 Switch failure detection device, battery pack including the same, and method of detecting failure of electronic switch
A switch failure detection device includes a switch, a rectifier, a switch voltage detection circuit, and a controller. The switch is connected in a path in which a charging current to and a discharging current flow. The rectifier passes a discharging current by bypassing the switch when the switch is turned off. The detection circuit detects a voltage between an input and an output of the switch. The controller is configured to: determine whether the electric storage device is in a discharging state; send an off-command signal to the switch if the electric storage device is in the discharging state; receive the voltage; determine an input-output voltage of the switch based on the voltage; determine whether the input-output voltage is lower than a first reference voltage; and determine the switch has a turn-off problem if the input-output voltage is lower than the first reference voltage.
US09121906B2 Semiconductor test system and method
A test controller applies test stimulus signals to the input pads of plural die on a wafer in parallel. The test controller also applies encoded test response signals to the output pads of the plural die in parallel. The encoded test response signals are decoded on the die and compared to core test response signals produced from applying the test stimulus signals to core circuits on the die. The comparison produces pass/fail signals that are loaded in to scan cells of an IEEE 1149.1 scan path. The pass/fail signals then may be scanned out of the die to determine the results of the test.
US09121905B2 TAP with commandable data register control router and routing circuit
The disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus for improving the operation of a TAP architecture in a device through the use of Command signal inputs to the TAP architecture. In response to a Command signal input, the TAP architecture can perform streamlined and uninterrupted Update, Capture and Shift operation cycles to a target circuit in the device or streamlined and uninterrupted capture and shift operation cycles to a target circuit in the device. The Command signals can be input to the TAP architecture via the devices dedicated TMS or TDI inputs or via a separate CMD input to the device.
US09121894B2 Three-dimensional integrated circuit and testing method for the same
Each chip in a three-dimensional circuit includes a pair of connections, a test signal generation circuit, and a test result judgment circuit. The connections are electrically connected with an adjacent chip. The test signal generation circuit outputs a test signal to one of the connections. The test result judgment circuit receives a signal from the other of the connections and, from the state of the signal, detects the conducting state of the transmission path for the signal. Before layering the chips, a conductor connects the connections to form a series connection, and the conducting state of each connection is detected from the conducting state of the series connection. After layering the chips, the test signal generation circuit in one chip outputs a test signal, and the test result judgment circuit in another chip receives the test signal, and thus the conducting state of the connections between the chips is tested.
US09121893B2 Combined PET/MR imaging system and APD-based pet detector for use in simultaneous PET/MR imaging
APD-based PET modules are provided for use in combined PET/MR imaging. Each module includes a number of independent, optically isolated detectors. Each detector includes an array of scintillator (e.g. LSO) crystals read out by an array of APDs. The modules are positioned in the tunnel of a MR scanner. Simultaneous, artifact-free images can be acquired with the APD-based PET and MR system resulting in a high-resolution and cost-effective integrated PET/MR system.
US09121892B2 Semiconductor circuit and methodology for in-system scan testing
A semiconductor circuit comprises a digital circuit portion, which in turn comprises a combinatorial logic block. The semiconductor circuit comprises a scan chain for loading and applying a predefined digital test pattern to inputs of the combinatorial logic block. A bi-directional communication port is adapted for writing incoming data to an address space of the digital circuit portion such as register addresses and/or memory addresses. Scan control hardware comprises a plurality of individually addressable scan control registers which are mapped to the address space of the bi-directional communication port. A method of testing the digital circuit portion through the scan chain involves writing bit values to inputs of the individually addressable scan control registers and reading bit values from at least one output of an individually addressable scan control register.
US09121887B2 High magnetic moment particle detection
A device includes a sensor surface and a pair of electrodes. The sensor surface includes a first conductive layer separated from a second conductive layer by an intermediary layer, a magnetization direction of the first conductive layer and a magnetization direction of the second conductive layer having a ground state orientation of approximately 0 degrees. An electrical resistance between the pair of electrodes is determined by a magnetic field proximate the sensor surface.
US09121883B2 Magnetic tampering detection and correction in a utility meter
An arrangement for use in an electricity meter includes a sensor and a processing circuit. The sensor is supported directly or indirectly by a meter housing. The sensor is configured to measure a magnetic field in proximity to a current sensor of the electricity meter. The sensor is also configured to generate a measurement signal representative of, at least in part, a magnitude of the magnetic field. The processing circuit is operably coupled to receive first information representative of the measurement signal. The processing circuit is configured to obtain a first value representative of the magnetic field based on the first information, and determine a first adjustment value responsive to a determination that the first value exceeds the first threshold value. The processing circuit is further configured to generate energy consumption information based at least in part on the first adjustment value.
US09121882B2 Wind energy plant testing device
A wind energy installation test device for defined production of grid system faults, and a method thereof. The test device can include an output configured to connect to a wind energy installation, an input configured to connect to a grid system, and a switching device for connection of an electrical disturbance component relating to a grid system parameter. An autotransformer can be used for the electrical disturbance component. The grid system in a sound state can be connected to a primary winding connection and the grid system in a disturbed state with respect to the grid system parameter can be output at a secondary winding connection.
US09121880B2 Magnetic sensor device
A magnetic sensor device includes a magnet configured to generate a bias magnetic field. A plurality of electrical wires extend through the magnet. A magnetic sensor chip is attached to an end face of a first electrical wire of the plurality of electrical wires.
US09121877B2 System and method for wireless remote display for high voltage line meter
A system for measuring phase attributes of high voltage electrical lines comprises first and second high voltage probes. Each of the probes comprises a sensing element for selectively measuring voltage of a high voltage electrical line, a processing device for detecting zero crossings of the measured voltage and applying a time tag to the zero crossings, and storing samples of the amplitude and time tagged zero crossings. A transceiver transmits storage samples. A user interface device is remote from the first and second high voltage probes and comprises a transceiver for receiving transmitted storage samples. A memory stores received samples of the time tagged zero crossings for the first and second high voltage electrical lines. A processor is operatively associated with the memory for determining phase relationships between the first and second high voltage electrical lines. A display displays the phase relationships.
US09121875B2 Potential measuring device
There is provided a potential measuring device of non-contact type which can improve measurement sensitivity. A potential measuring device which measures a charged object in a non-contact manner with a sensor includes: a first shutter and a second shutter each having a shutter part provided with an opening and a leaf spring part; a magnet attached to the leaf spring part of each of the first shutter and the second shutter; a yoke on which a coil is disposed, the coil applying an alternating magnetic field to the magnet of each of the first shutter and the second shutter to cause the shutter part to reciprocate via the leaf spring part; and a natural frequency adjusting means for adjusting a natural frequency of at least one of a first shutter system including the first shutter and the magnet and a second shutter system including the second shutter and the magnet.
US09121874B2 Method and apparatus for measuring radiated power of antenna
An apparatus for measuring radiated power of an antenna includes a chamber which an absorber is attached to a wall thereof; a source antenna and a test antenna configured to be arranged within the chamber; a rotational axis configured to adjust an arrangement angle of the test antenna in up-and-down directions; and a roll positioner configured to rotate the test antenna. Further, the apparatus includes a turntable configured to be provided within the chamber and be rotated in a left-to-right direction; a connection unit configured to allow the test antenna, to rotate in the left-to-right direction; and a supporting unit configured to be rotatably connected to one end of the rotational axis which the other end thereof is rotatably connected to the roll positioner.
US09121870B2 Clamp meter with detachable clamp and clamp storage area
Clamp meter with detachable clamp and a clamp storage area. The clamp meter includes a clamp and a housing. The clamp includes a measurement end and a handle portion. The measurement end includes a first measurement portion and a second measurement portion. The handle portion includes a first handle and a second handle. The housing includes a recess configured to removably receive the clamp when the clamp is not in use. The housing is connected to the clamp via a cord. When the clamp is received in the recess, the first measurement portion and the second measurement portion are positioned completely within the recess, the first handle and the second handle extend at least partially from the recess, and the recess prevents the clamp from being used. The clamp is capable of being removed from the recess in a one-handed use position.
US09121865B2 Hung mass accelerometer with differential Eddy current sensing
A new class of accelerometer uses a differential Eddy current sensor to sense the displacement of the proof mass. This accelerometer can provide improved performance in an open-loop configuration based on the thermal stability and improved linearity of the differential Eddy current sensor. The accelerometer may provide lower cost alternatives to commercial grade accelerometers and lower cost and higher reliability alternatives to strategic grade accelerometers.
US09121863B2 Systems and methods for a limb strike detector
Systems and methods for a limb strike detector are provided. In certain embodiments, a system for detecting limb strikes comprises an inertial measurement unit (IMU) that provides inertial measurements; and a processing unit that receives the inertial measurements from the IMU. In certain embodiments, computer readable instructions direct the processing unit to determine multiple local vertical acceleration samples, wherein each local vertical acceleration sample in the multiple local vertical acceleration samples defines an acceleration component along the local vertical axis and an associated time; integrate the multiple local vertical acceleration samples to determine multiple local vertical velocity samples; identify limb strike regions from the multiple local vertical velocity samples, wherein a limb strike region is associated with a local vertical velocity sample in the plurality of local vertical velocity samples; and determine limb strike times based on the identified limb strike regions and the multiple local vertical acceleration samples.
US09121857B2 Immunochromatography devices, methods and kits
A membrane-based assay device, methods and kits for determining the presence or quantity of an analyte in a test sample are provided. The immunochromatographic device comprises a membrane having a capture antibody bound thereto at a test zone, wherein the capture antibody is capable of binding with an analyte, in particular a Z-AAT protein present in a sample from a PiZ gene carrier.
US09121855B2 Method for the detection of HIV-1 antibodies utilizing a peptide containing a novel gp41 epitope
This invention concerns methods for detecting the presence of an anti-HIV-1 antibody in a biological sample, the method comprising conducting an immunoassay comprising: (a) contacting the biological sample with at least one epitope that is recognized by the anti-HIV-1 antibody, wherein the contacting being under conditions sufficient to permit the anti-HIV-1 antibody if present in the sample to bind to the epitope and form an epitope-anti-HIV-1 antibody complex; (b) contacting the formed epitope-anti-HIV-1 antibody complex with an anti-HIV-1 antibody binding molecule, the contacting being under conditions sufficient to permit the anti- HIV-1 antibody binding molecule to bind to anti-HIV-1 antibody of the formed epitope-anti-HIV-1 antibody complex and form an extended complex; and (c) determining the presence or concentration of the anti-HIV-1 antibody in the biological sample by determining the presence or concentration of the formed extended complex; the epitope being present on a peptide comprising SEQ ID No. 55.
US09121846B2 Daikenchuto bioassay method and quality management method using same
The invention intends to provide a bioassay method using a simple in-vitro test for Daikinchuto, and further to provide a more highly accurate method for quality control of Daikenchuto using the same. These methods are a bioassay method for the pharmacological activity of Daikenchuto, characterized in that a test sample containing Daikenchuto is added to cultured serotonin-producing cells, and the serotonin content in the culture supernatant is subsequently measured; and a quality control method for Daikenchuto preparations in which the pharmacological activity of a test preparation and a reference preparation for which the pharmacological effect as Daikenchuto has been clinically confirmed are evaluated under the same conditions, and the equivalence of the reference preparation and testing preparation is evaluated.
US09121839B2 Analyzing system, analyzing apparatus, container, analyzing method, program, and recording medium
An analyzing system that enables further expansion of analysis items and automation of analysis. In the analyzing system for performing an analysis using container 1 and an analyzing apparatus, container 1 is a dedicated container previously containing a reagent for a specific analysis item or an expansion container to which a user can freely set an analysis item.
US09121836B2 Retronasal device and method
An oral aroma sampling device includes a mouthpiece which defines an in-mouth surface and an external surface, the in-mouth surface bearing a delivery conduit, and the external surface bearing a manifold in communication with the delivery conduit, the manifold bearing a plurality of capillaries, each of which capillary is the conduit for an aroma substance, the mouthpiece additionally comprising a breathing conduit passing from the external surface to the in-mouth surface. The device is useful as part of a retronasal testing apparatus, which allows a large variety of flavor combinations to be tested quickly and efficiently.
US09121835B2 Quality inspection of container coatings
A method and apparatus are disclosed for testing and inspecting containers coated by means of a plasma treatment, e.g. plastic bottles, which are coated for instance with amorphous silicon oxide or carbon compounds. The containers are tested by a measuring device trace-gas-analytically, e.g. mass-spectrometrically, for undesired foreign substances, such as acetaldehyde and/or antimony, escaping from the container material after a plasma coating treatment.
US09121830B2 Spectrometer apparatus using continuous wave laser and photomultiplier tube
Disclosed is a spectrometer apparatus using a continuous wave laser and a photomultiplier tube. The spectrometer apparatus includes a continuous wave laser irradiating part to irradiate a continuous wave laser to introduced particles, a scattering light measuring part to measure a scattering light emitted from the particles due to the continuous wave laser, a triggering signal generator to generate a triggering signal if a measurement value of the scattering light measuring part is greater than a preset value or equal to the preset value, a pulse laser irradiating part to receive the triggering signal to irradiate a pulse laser to the particles, and a spectral analysis part to measure an emission light generated from the particles due to the pulse wave laser to analyze elements consisting of the particles.
US09121828B2 Cellular libraries of peptide sequences (CLiPS) and methods of using the same
The present invention provides compositions including peptide display scaffolds that present at least one candidate peptide and at least one detectable moiety in at least one of the N-terminal and C-terminal candidate peptide presenting domains that when expressed in a cell are accessible at a surface of the cell outermembrane. In addition, the present invention also provides kits and methods for screening a library of cells presenting the candidate peptides in peptide display scaffolds to identify a ligand for an enzyme.
US09121827B2 Method of contemporaneously monitoring changes in analyte concentration in a plurality of samples on individual schedules
A method of contemporaneously monitoring changes in analyte concentration in a plurality of samples using a single monitoring device, wherein monitoring can be commenced and continued on independent timelines for each sample.
US09121818B2 Movable body spectrum measuring apparatus and movable body spectrum measuring method
A movable body spectrum measuring apparatus includes a spectrum sensor mounted in a movable body to measure spectrum data containing information including wavelength information and optical intensity information of a measuring object, a processor mounted in the movable body to discriminate the measuring object by processing the measured spectrum data, and a signal transmission path for transmitting the measured spectrum data from the spectrum sensor to the processor. The movable body spectrum measuring apparatus further includes a data transfer device which acquires reconfigured spectrum data by reconfiguring the measured spectrum data so that selected information as predetermined information is selected from the information contained in the measured spectrum data. The data transfer device transfers the reconfigured spectrum data to the processor via the signal transmission path.
US09121817B1 Ultrasonic testing device having an adjustable water column
An ultrasonic testing device having a variable fluid column height is disclosed. An operator is able to adjust the fluid column height in real time during an inspection to to produce optimum ultrasonic focus and separate extraneous, unwanted UT signals from those stemming from the area of interest.
US09121816B2 Apparatus for determining the properties of a medium in the form of a fluid or a soft material
An apparatus determines the properties of a medium in the form of a fluid or soft material. An acoustic waveguide has two opposing guide elements delimiting an interior space to be filled with a medium. The guide elements, upon filling the interior space with a medium, form an interface with the medium with an inner surface. A transmitter generates acoustic surface waves in the waveguide, which are received by a receiver. The waveguide can be coupled with an evaluation unit for determining physical properties of the medium based on a signal generated by the receiver. A housing accommodates the guide elements, transmitter and receiver. On the respective inner surface, at least a part of the acoustic surface waves can be converted into volumetric sound waves of the medium and at least a part of the volumetric sound waves can be converted into acoustic surface waves of the waveguide.
US09121814B2 Method and apparatus for determining a fraction of an adsorbed material contained in an adsorber material
A method for determining a fraction of an adsorbed material contained in a formed body serving as an adsorber material. For the case in which the adsorber material is present in the form of a formed body, at least two electrodes are arranged, spaced apart from one another, on a surface of the formed body and/or are firmly inserted in the formed body; that, for the case, in which the adsorber material is present in the form of a powder or granulate, a corresponding formed body made of the same material is durably inserted in the powder or granular material. The electrodes are supplied with an alternating electrical current, whereby an electrical characteristic variable is ascertained; and, based on the characteristic variable, degree of saturation of the adsorber material is ascertained. Furthermore, a corresponding apparatus is claimed.
US09121812B2 Compact X-ray analysis system
The invention relates to a device for the delivery of a beam of X-rays for analysis of a sample (50), comprising: a source block (100) comprising X-ray emission means; an optical block (200) placed downstream of the source block (100), said optical block (200) comprising an optical monochromator component (210) having a reflecting surface (212) provided for conditioning X-rays emitted by the source block (100) according to unidimensional or bidimensional optical effect; and definition means (300) of X-rays comprising: an anti-diffusing member (310) for spatially delimiting X-rays conditioned by the optical monochromator component (210), placed downstream of the optical monochromator component (210) and comprising one or more plates (311) having portions (313) arranged to form a delimiting orifice (312), said portions (313) being coated with a monocrystalline material limiting the scattering of X-rays; a cut-off member (320) of X-rays emitted by the source block (100), comprising X-ray absorption means arranged in the delivery device to cut off the direct X-ray beams likely to reach the spatial delimitation anti-diffusing member (310) without conditioning by the optical monochromator component (210).
US09121809B2 Multi-linear X-ray scanning systems and methods for X-ray scanning
An x-ray scanner includes an x-ray source producing a fan of x-rays, an x-ray detector array, a collimator disposed between the source and the array, fixed to the source, and defining a slit collimating the fan of x-rays into a linear x-ray beam. The array is spaced from the source such that a linear extent of the linear x-ray beam is no greater than a detector dimension of the array. An x-ray processing unit processes detection of the linear x-ray beam by the array. A processor-controlled motor moves the x-ray source about a source movement axis to pan the linear x-ray beam and create an x-ray emission cone and moves the array correspondingly with the source. The x-ray processing unit form an x-ray scanned image of an object disposed between the collimator and the array within the x-ray emission cone when the linear x-ray beam is panned across the object.
US09121806B1 Impedance spectroscopy-based cellular analysis device
An electrical impedance sensing device which integrates multielectrode automated impedance spectroscopy capability with automatic parameter extraction and data analysis to create an automated cell behavior monitoring system. The device comprises radial electrodes and an out-of-plane counter electrode. Quantitative impedance data provided information on cell adhesion, spreading, proliferation and detachment due to cell cycle processes as well as cell-drug interaction, with spatio-temporal resolution. The resulting dataset is processed for impedance distribution and used to characterize cellular motion, morphology, electrochemical and dielectric properties. Also, a method is described for studying cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, determining electrical characteristics of cell layers, and identifying specific impedance parameters for cancer screening, drug screening, bacterial growth monitoring, organ transplant compatibility, and cell-drug interaction among other applications.
US09121800B2 Internally reflective chamber for fluorescent radiation collection and concentration, and method for using the same
A system for collecting and analyzing maximized amounts of fluorescent radiation using frequency scattering ports or waveguides that absorb a desired size of wavelengths.
US09121797B2 Apparatus for execution of treatment operations on microscope slices with tissue specimens
An apparatus for automatic execution of different treatment operations in connection with staining of tissue specimens on microscope slides, wherein the apparatus (1) comprises an assembly of vessels (4) for receiving different liquids for staining of the tissue specimens, a loading station (2) for microscope slides (28), a conveyor (5) for transfer of carriers with microscope slides from vessel to vessel in accordance with a treatment program, an unloading station (8) for treated microscope slides, and a control unit (18) for controlling the treatment operations in accordance with a data program. The apparatus comprises different levels (I, II) having units for execution of the relevant treatment operations. Thus, a first level (I) comprises the loading station (2) and the assembly of said vessels (4) with the appurtenant conveyor (5) and a second level (II) comprises a station (6) for application of cover glasses on the stained microscope slides (28), a succeeding station (7) for drying of the cover-slipped microscope slides, and the unloading station (8), a means (9) being provided for gripping and transfer of carriers (10) with stained microscope slides from the first level (I) to the cover-slipping station (6) on the second level (II).
US09121795B2 Apparatus for processing biological samples and method thereof
The present invention provides devices, apparatuses and methods for automated processing of biological samples. This invention provides automated devices and automated methods of sequentially treating a biological sample with processing fluids in more than one washing basin. In some embodiments, the invention provides automated devices and automated methods of western blot processing. In some embodiments, the invention provides automated devices and automated methods of Southern blot processing. In some embodiments, the invention provides automated devices and automated methods of northern blot processing. In some embodiments, the invention provides automated devices and automated methods of staining biomolecules on solid supports. In some embodiments, the invention provides automated devices and automated methods of nucleic acid separation and isolation.
US09121793B2 Semi-open-path gas analysis systems and methods
A gas analyzer includes a detector section including a detector, a source section including a light source, and a support structure coupling the detector section with the source section and forming a flow channel defining an optical path measuring region. The gas analyzer also includes an air flow device configured to pull air through the flow channel from an intake region in the support structure to an exhaust region. Sampling is done by pulling air into the sampling cell via an intake opening or tube of wide diameter and short to medium at very fast flow rates (e.g., 10-3000 lpm or more) enabling rapid gas sampling. Fast flow rates enable the use of large volume cell for rapid gas sampling, which in turn, enables rapid measurements of many low-concentration trace gases and sticky/reactive gases (e.g., methane, ammonia, isotopes of CO2, H2O, nitrous oxide, etc.).
US09121786B2 System and method for establishing center of gravity
A system for establishing a center of gravity of a device under test (DUT) includes a test platform and a control device. The test platform includes three support elements and a marker. A sensor is positioned on top of each support element. The control device includes three processing modules and a central processing unit (CPU). Each sensor senses a pressure of the DUT on a support element, and outputs an analog signal to a processing module. Each processing module converts the analog signal into a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal to the CPU. The CPU controls the marker to make a mark on the DUT when values of three digital signals received from the three processing modules are equal.
US09121781B2 Force gauge for pliable material
A force gauge assembly used to measure forces or spring rate of an object utilizing a diaphragm strain gauge for mechanically compensating for loads not being centrally applied to the gauge. The construction of the gauge provides readings that will be substantially the same as if the load were applied in perfect alignment. The gauge utilizes internal components that remain the same even though the force gauge is adaptable for measuring different objects.
US09121780B2 Apparatus for testing release functionality of a snow-ski binding and a hand tool each having an axial-force indicator
A ski-binding testing apparatus that includes an axial-force indicator that indicates when a force applied to the testing apparatus has an axial component that is outside of an acceptable range. In one example, the apparatus includes a simulated foot, a force-transmitting structure coupled to the simulated foot, a handgrip coupled to the force-transmitting structure, and an axial-force indicator that indicates when a forced applied by a user to the handgrip exceeds a predetermined threshold. In one embodiment, the force-transmitting structure can include a torque wrench that includes a torque beam, the handgrip, and axial-force indicator. The torque wrench can be provided with a conventional work-engagement end, such as a socket-type receiver to allow the axial-force-indicating functionality to be used outside the context of a ski-binding testing apparatus.
US09121779B2 System for recording information associated with hail storm event and determining structure damage based on same
A hail strike recording device is operable to provide quantifiable information about a hail storm event experienced by a roof. The recording device is operable to be installed on a roof and includes a panel component and a mounting assembly. The panel component presents a hail impact zone to sense one or more hail strikes, with the recording device operable to provide recorded data associated with the sensed one or more hail strikes.
US09121777B2 Threaded member capable of detecting tension
A threaded member has an axial direction. A thread is formed on the threaded member in the axial direction. At least one receiving recess is formed on a circumferential surface of the thread of the threaded member. At least one sensor member is disposed in the receiving recess for detecting tension applied to the threaded member in the axial direction. When a tightened article is tightened by the threaded member, an extension force/tension is applied to the threaded member in the axial direction. The sensor member is positioned in adjacency to the thread of the threaded member so that the sensor member can precisely detect the extension extent of the threaded member for precisely obtaining the tightening force applied to the threaded member.
US09121774B2 Microwave thermometry for microwave ablation systems
A microwave ablation system incorporates a microwave thermometer that couples to a microwave transmission network connecting a microwave generator to a microwave applicator to measure noise temperature. The noise temperature is processed to separate out components the noise temperature including the noise temperature of the tissue being treated and the noise temperature of the microwave transmission network. The noise temperature may be measured by a radiometer while the microwave generator is generating the microwave signal or during a period when the microwave signal is turned off. The microwave ablation system may be configured as a modular system having one or more thermometry network modules that are connectable between a microwave applicator and a microwave generator. Alternatively, the modular system includes a microwave generator, a microwave applicator, and a microwave cable that incorporate a microwave thermometry network module.
US09121770B2 Flow management system and method
A monitoring tool is provided for monitoring wells for flow anomalies. The temperatures of flowing well fluid and ambient temperature are monitored and various methods applied to indicate if a well is normal flowing, at risk of flow stoppage or cessation of flow. Approaches are described for determining trending indicators from actual flow temperatures compared to a normal flow relationship for establishing the presence of flow anomalies. Temperature sensors, onsite processors and communications upload data for display of well status flags on a mapping module enabling pro-active detection and preventative action by operators.
US09121767B2 System clock counter counting ring oscillator pulses during programmed value
A method of programming a ring oscillator for use as a temperature sensor comprises selecting an initial number of delay elements for use in a ring oscillator. The method further comprise starting a system clock counter and counting pulses of the ring oscillator until the system clock counter reaches a programmed value. The method also comprises determining whether a number of counted ring oscillator pulses is between lower and upper count thresholds and changing the number of delay elements for the ring oscillator as a result of the number of counted ring oscillator pulses being less than the lower count threshold or greater than the upper count threshold.
US09121766B2 Multi pixel photo detector array of Geiger mode avalanche photodiodes
A multi-pixel photodetector array may include a semiconductor substrate having a back side and a front side, Geiger mode avalanche photodiodes (GM-APDs) on the semiconductor substrate, each including an anode contact, and a common cathode for the GM-APDs and having a first connection lead on the backside of the semiconductor substrate. The multi-pixel photodetector array may include a second connection lead, and a common anode on the front side of the semiconductor substrate and configured to couple in common the anode contacts of the GM-APDs to the second connection lead. Each GM-APD may be configured to generate, when a photon impinges thereon, a current pulse of different shape for discrimination by an external circuit connected to the common cathode and the common anode.
US09121763B2 Spectrometer
A spectrometer includes: a wavelength-variable interference filter that can change a wavelength of selected light and disperses light from a measurement target; an imaging unit that receives light components with a plurality of wavelengths which are dispersed by the wavelength-variable interference filter and acquires a plurality of spectral images; a positional deviation amount detection unit that selects a standard image from the plurality of spectral images acquired by the imaging unit and detects a positional deviation amount of a pixel position which receives light from a predetermined position of the measurement target between the standard image and at least one of the spectral images other than the standard image; and a position correction unit that positions the spectral images other than the standard image on the basis of the detected positional deviation amount.
US09121762B2 Discriminating photo counts and dark counts in an avalanche photodiode output
The output of an avalanche photodiode (APD) comprises a “photocurrent” component comprising photon initiated events resulting from the interaction of photons with the APD and a “dark current” component comprising dark carrier events arising in the APD even when the APD is not exposed to light. Differences in the pulse height distributions of photon initiated events and dark carrier initiated events are used to statistically discriminate between photocurrent and dark current components of APD output.
US09121761B2 Infrared detectors
In some example embodiments, an infrared detector may comprise a substrate; a resonator spaced apart from the substrate, the resonator absorbing incident infrared light; a thermoelectric material layer contacting the resonator and having a variable resistance according to temperature variation due to the absorbed incident infrared light; a lead wire electrically connecting the thermoelectric material layer and the substrate; a heat separation layer between the substrate and the thermoelectric material layer, the heat separation layer preventing heat from being transferred from the thermoelectric material layer to the substrate; and/or a ground plane layer preventing the incident infrared light from proceeding toward the substrate. The heat separation layer may at least reduce heat transfer from the thermoelectric material layer to the substrate. The ground plane layer may at least reduce an amount of the incident infrared light that reaches the substrate.
US09121754B2 Surface acoustic wave monitor for deposition and analysis of ultra-thin films
A surface acoustic wave (SAW) based thin film deposition monitor device and system for monitoring the deposition of ultra-thin films and nanomaterials and the analysis thereof is characterized by acoustic wave device embodiments that include differential delay line device designs, and which can optionally have integral reference devices fabricated on the same substrate as the sensing device, or on a separate device in thermal contact with the film monitoring/analysis device, in order to provide inherently temperature compensated measurements. These deposition monitor and analysis devices can include inherent temperature compensation, higher sensitivity to surface interactions than quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) devices, and the ability to operate at extreme temperatures.
US09121753B2 Control techniques for motor driven systems utilizing back-EMF measurement techniques
A method and apparatus for automatic resonance detection is disclosed for a motor-driven mechanical system such as a voice coil motor (VCM) in which a resonance detector and driver are provided. The automatic resonance detector is implemented on the same integrated circuit as the driver, and dynamically determines the natural resonant frequency of the VCM driven by the driver. The resonant frequency is determined by measuring the back electromotive force (BEMF) of the VCM, detecting the slope of the BEMF signal, and determining the resonant frequency from the slope of the BEMF signal.
US09121749B2 Weighing device having a weighing chamber
A weighing device is provided that suppresses air convection currents generated in a weighing chamber in the opening/closing of a door of the chamber with a relatively simple configuration. A weighing space is partitioned into two spaces with a partition plate to form a lower small-capacity weighing chamber, which enables to settle down the convection in a short time if convection is generated in the chamber. Suspended walls adjacent to the doors are attached to the partition plate edge sides along the door opening/closing directions. Even when a door is opened, warm air stagnant in the upper space in the chamber is restricted or blocked to flow out to the outside by the suspended walls, which generates no convection or slight convection, which settles down in a short time, without adverse effect on a weighing operation. The upper space may be utilized for another purpose such as a neutralization chamber.
US09121747B2 Object evaluation accounting for motion-related dynamic forces
A solution for evaluating an object, which accounts for various motion-related dynamic forces is provided. In an embodiment, the object is a vehicle and the evaluation includes determining a set of static weights corresponding to the vehicle as it moves through a sensing element. The sensing element can include a load plate with vertical force sensing devices and horizontal force sensing devices located below the load plate. Analysis of measurement data acquired by the force sensing devices can enable calculation of the set of static weights corresponding to the vehicle.
US09121746B2 Liquid level sensor with improved temperature range
An ultrasonic liquid-height detector employs conductive rods extending from a housing, and corresponding transducers, into a liquid, where elastic seals surround the rods at their exit point from the housing. Acoustic crosstalk between the rods through the seals and the housing (rather than through the liquid) is minimized by displacing the seals from each other as measured through the housing to increase a path length through the housing so that the crosstalk energy is delayed with respect to the direct energy indicating liquid height. A sampling window is positioned to sample transmitted sound across the rods at a time before the arrival of the crosstalk energy.
US09121742B2 Apparatus and method for correcting an offset
An offset determination apparatus and a method are for correcting an offset by supplying a switch-off signal outside a predefinable measuring range of time-expanded sampling values of a reflection signal, which switch-off signal can deactivate a transmitter device at least intermittently in order to generate a predefinable quiescent range within the time-expanded sampling values of the reflection signal and in that, by evaluating at least one sampling value of the time-expanded sampling values which is determined within the quiescent range, a value of an amplitude offset of the time-expanded sampling values of the reflection signal from a normal value is determined and is supplied at an output of the offset provision device.
US09121741B2 Electromagnetic flow meter
In an electromagnetic flow meter, a signal amplifying circuit has an FET-input type differential amplifier wherein one input terminal is connected to a flow rate signal input terminal and the other input terminal is connected to a flow rate signal input terminal. An amplified output signal, which is obtained through performing differential amplification on the flow rate signals, is outputted from an output terminal. A fault detecting circuit detects a fault in the flow rate signal through comparing the electropotential of the amplified output signal to an upper limit reference electropotential and a lower limit reference electropotential.
US09121739B2 Magnetic-inductive flowmeter
A magnetic-inductive flowmeter with a measuring tube having a measuring section, a magnetic field generating apparatus for generating a magnetic field in the measuring section of the measuring tube, and two electrodes which are located in the measuring section of the measuring tube for detecting the measurement voltage, the magnetic field generating apparatus having magnet coils which are located outside of the measuring section of the measuring tube and have a respective coil core. The cores of the magnet coils with reference to the magnetic flux make contact with two yoke elements via magnetic connection elements in a magnetically highly conductive manner and the yoke elements partially border the measuring section of the measuring tube.
US09121734B2 Photoelectric absolute encoder having a light receiving element array additionally arranged corresponding to a boundary between the track having a wide pitch pattern and a narrow pitch pattern and installation method therefor
In a photoelectric absolute encoder including a scale having a plurality of tracks with different pitch patterns, and a detector having a light source and light receiving elements including a plurality of light receiving element arrays corresponding to the plurality of tracks, a light receiving element array is additionally arranged at a position in the detector corresponding to a boundary between the track having a pattern with a wide pitch and the track having a pattern with a narrow pitch adjacent to each other in the scale, and displacement of the detector relative to the scale in a lateral direction is detected from a signal amplitude of the added light receiving element array. In this manner, displacement of the detector relative to the scale in the lateral direction can be detected.
US09121731B2 Encoder having a scale with two areas in which an increasing direction of the amplitude of the energy distribution is opposite between the two areas for precisely obtaining a position of the scale
An encoder includes a scale that includes a pattern row, a detector array, and a signal processor. The pattern row has a plurality of different modulation periods in the moving direction, an amplitude of the energy distribution in the pattern having at least one modulation period being configured to change with a position of the scale in the moving direction. The signal processor acquirers an amplitude of an energy distribution of a corresponding modulation period based on an output signal from the detector array, and an amplitude signal obtained by normalizing a plurality of amplitudes obtained by the plurality of amplitude acquirers, the amplitude signal serving as a position signal representative of the position of the scale.
US09121726B2 Environmental feedback and remediation system
A system for the remediation of non-compliant inspection items located at remote locations by infield operator comprising: server computer readable instructions stored on the server computer readable medium that, when executed by the processor, provides for: transmitting the inspection protocol to the remote computing device, receiving an inspection result from the remote computing device representing a measurement taken for one of the inspection items inspected by the infield representative, retrieving the compliance information associated with the inspection item from the database, comparing the compliance information with the inspection result to determine whether the inspection result is in compliance or non-compliant.
US09121721B2 Navigation method and navigation device
In a navigation method, at least one constant travel characteristic (CONST_KW) is determined that is representative of a vehicle-specific energy requirement with respect to a predetermined trip length at quasi-constant speed and on a quasi-level stretch. At least one dynamic characteristic (DYN_KW) is determined that is representative of a vehicle-specific energy requirement with respect to a predetermined trip length at quasi-dynamic speed and on a quasi-level stretch. The constant travel characteristic (CONST_KW) is respectively adapted on the basis of at least one vehicle-specifically determined energy consumption characteristic (EV_KW) for a traveled route segment that has been recognized as quasi-level and in which a quasi-constant speed was detected. To determine an expected energy requirement for a predetermined driving route (RT) with several route segments (STA), the individual route segments (STA) are each made available either as a constant travel segment (CONST_STA) or as a dynamic travel segment (DYN_STA). For each route segment (STA), the estimated route segment energy requirement characteristic (ST_EB_KW) is determined on the basis of a respective constant travel characteristic (CONST_KW) in the event of a route segment (STA) made available as a constant travel segment (CONST_STA) and on the basis of a respective dynamic characteristic (DYN_KW) in the event of a route segment made available as a dynamic travel segment. An estimated route energy requirement characteristic (RT_EB_KW) for the predetermined driving route (RT) is determined on the basis of the respective route segment energy requirement characteristics (ST_EB_KW).
US09121715B2 Method for determining vehicle location including road surface data
A method of determining location of a vehicle includes receiving a wheel speed measurement and receiving a rough road parameter. A rough road weighting factor is determined based on the rough road parameter, and vehicle location is determined based on the determined rough road weighting factor and the wheel speed.
US09121710B2 User interface system and method based on calendar event
A vehicle interface system and method is provided. The system and method includes an interface for communicating with a vehicle user. A controller is in communication with the interface and configured to retrieve a calendar event and verify the calendar event based on an input from the user via the interface. Trip information is generated based on the calendar event and vehicle data. Trip information, based on the calendar event and vehicle data, is communicated to the user via the interface.
US09121704B2 Optical surveillance system for a space survey system for monitoring near-earth space having a matrix of telescopes coupled to image sensors
An optical system for surveillance systems for space surveillance systems includes at least one telescope with a field greater than or equal to 5° mounted on a mobile mount along two axes, and coupled with an image sensor, whose sensitivity is designed for an integration time of the order of magnitude of a hundred milliseconds.
US09121701B2 Fiber optically coupled laser rangefinder for use in a gimbal systems
A fiber optically coupled laser rangefinder (LRF) for use in a gimbal system to input/extract a laser beam into/from a camera is disclosed. In one embodiment, the fiber optically coupled LRF includes a gimbal assembly. Further, the gimbal assembly includes a first fiber optic cable for receiving the laser beam from a remote transmitter assembly, a fiber optically coupled laser interface module to receive the laser beam and opposing mirrors to direct the laser beam to a target. In addition, the gimbal assembly includes a second fiber optic cable for transmitting a return laser beam to a remote receiver assembly. The opposing mirrors are further configured to direct the return laser beam from the target to the fiber optically coupled laser interface module. The fiber optically coupled laser interface module is further configured to transmit it to the receiver assembly via the second fiber optic cable.
US09121699B2 System, method and apparatus for orientation control
A system for control of a device includes at least one sensor module detecting orientation of a user's body part. The at least one sensor module is in communication with a device module configured to command an associated device. The at least one sensor module detects orientation of the body part. The at least one sensor module sends output signals related to orientation of the user's body part to the device module and the device module controls the associated device based on the signals from the at least one sensor module.
US09121690B2 Forward-imaging optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems and probes
Provided are forward-imaging optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems and probes. In one embodiment, a scanning reflector surface is configured to be rotated about two axes in a single operating plane to direct light transmitted along the sample path to a sample to be imaged.
US09121689B2 Method for correcting a spherically mounted retroreflector when resetting a distance meter
A method of correcting centering errors of a spherically mounted retroreflector (SMR) when the distance meter of a 3D coordinate measurement device is reset to a home reference distance.
US09121687B2 Pinch detection device at opening/closing section, vehicle having the device, and method for detecting pinch at the opening/closing section
A pinch detection device at an opening/closing section has a very simple structure that can surely detect a pinch without faulty operation in a vehicle whose power supply voltage greatly fluctuates. The pinch detection device includes a sensor for detecting displacement of an opening/closing section of a vehicle to be opened/closed by a motor, and a time counter for counting a relative time adjusted according to a fluctuation in a power supply voltage. The pinch detection device also has a pinch detector for detecting a pinch of a foreign matter at the opening/closing section according to a change in a relative speed obtained based on a change in the displacement on a basis of the relative time.
US09121686B2 Nip width sensing method and system for industrial rolls
A method of determining the width of a nip formed by an industrial roll and a mating structure includes the steps of: providing an industrial roll having a cylindrical core and a polymeric cover surrounding the core, the industrial roll further comprising a plurality of pressure sensors mounted in the roll (optionally distributed in a helical pattern on the roll about a longitudinal axis of the roll); positioning the industrial roll in contact with the mating structure to form a nip; rotating the industrial roll; receiving pressure signals from the plurality of pressure sensors at a controller; and in the controller, utilizing the pressure signals from the pressure sensors to determine the width of the nip at locations on the roll associated with the pressure sensors.
US09121684B2 Method for reducing wafer shape and thickness measurement errors resulted from cavity shape changes
Methods and systems for reducing wafer shape and thickness measurement errors resulted from cavity shape changes are disclosed. Cavity calibration process is performed immediately before the wafer measurement. Calibrating the cavity characteristics every time the method is executed reduces wafer shape and thickness measurement errors resulted from cavity shape changes. Additionally or alternatively, a polynomial fitting process utilizing a polynomial of at least a second order is utilized for cavity tilt estimation. High order cavity shape information generated using high order polynomials takes into consideration cavity shape changes due to temperature variations, stress or the like, effectively increases accuracy of the wafer shape and thickness information computed.
US09121683B2 Touch trigger measurement probe
A measurement probe, for a co-ordinate positioning apparatus such as a machine tool, is described that includes a stylus holder that is deflectably mounted to a probe housing. One or more sensors are provided for sensing deflection of the stylus holder relative to the probe housing. A processor is included for producing a trigger signal when the deflection sensed by the one or more sensors meets a trigger condition, such as a deflection threshold. The probe also includes an accelerometer for measuring acceleration of the measurement probe. The trigger condition applied by the processor is alterable, during use, in response to the acceleration measured by the accelerometer. In this manner, false triggering can be suppressed.
US09121681B2 Hand grenade
A hand-throwable grenade including a detonator initiating mechanism, a detonator and a locking key. The detonator initiating mechanism is activatable by an operator before the grenade is thrown. The detonator is associated with the detonator initiating mechanism. The locking key interacts with the detonator initiating mechanism to preclude an arming of the detonator until the locking key is removed from the detonator initiating mechanism. The locking key has at least one notch therein.
US09121674B2 Armor
A ballistic armor system adapted to protect against penetration of the armor system by projectiles, including a first armor layer; a second armor layer, in which the second armor layer is mounted in spaced-apart relationship to the first armor layer, the relationship defining a void volume between the first armor layer and the second armor layer; and a fluid disposed in the void volume, in which the fluid includes a viscoelastic surfactant at a concentration sufficient to exhibit pseudosolid elastic behavior. The fluid may be removed from the void volume by use of a suitable breaker.
US09121673B2 Ankle holster with foot orthosis and exoskeleton
The present invention contemplates a variety of apparatuses for carrying and concealing a weapon holster on a lower leg. A device is provided that offloads weight associated with a leg-carried weapon and eliminates torque forces caused by walking with said weapon. Supplies or alternative weapons can also be carried. The device includes an anterior exoskeleton bracket and, in some embodiments, a foot orthosis. The holster is mounted near the top of the device. The exoskeleton, attaching to the foot orthosis or a shoe/boot, provides ankle support and offloads the weight of the weapon. The exoskeleton has a two-hinge system for flexibility and adjustability. Additionally, the exoskeleton attaches to the shoe/boot by one of several embodiments, including a simple L-bracket, a U-bracket wrapping around the heel, and a clip-on bracket wrapping under the sole. The orthosis is customized to a carrier's foot, providing comfort and offsetting the weight of the weapon.
US09121671B2 System and method for projecting registered imagery into a telescope
Systems and methods are provided to automatically determine a position of a reticle of a rifle scope or other telescope that provides a visual image to an eye of a viewer. A near-infrared or other illuminating light is generated and applied to illuminate the reticle of the telescope. The illuminated image of the reticle is optically transmitted to a camera or other detector that captures an image of the reticle. Processing electronics then automatically determine the position of the reticle based upon the position of the illuminated image of the reticle within the captured image. Appropriate feedback about the determined position of the reticle or any other information may be displayed in the visual image provided by the telescope.
US09121670B2 Operational control logic for harmonized turret with gimbaled sub-systems
Methods, computer-readable media, and systems are disclosed for controlling a turret assembly with two or more gimbaled, swivel assembly sub-systems, such as a gimbaled gun and a gimbaled electro-optical sensor. The turret can be automatically slewed in response to one of the swivel assemblies rotating. A user can switch turret modes reflecting a priority between the gimbaled sub-systems system so that one takes priority over the other(s) during a mission.
US09121668B1 Aerial vehicle with combustible time-delay fuse
An air vehicle includes a combustible fuse that is used for time-delayed release of a retention device. Combustion of a combustible propellant for propelling the air vehicle initiates combustion of the fuse. After a time delay following initiation of the combustion of the fuse, a retention device of air vehicle is released. In one embodiment, the air vehicle is a projectile which is fired from a propellant in a cartridge that is behind the projectile. The retention device may be used to release a cover for a sensor of the air vehicle, such as a cover for an optical sensor or seeker.
US09121665B2 Gun with internally stored bipod and monopod
A firearm stock having a bipod on the end of the fore-stock with legs that store in channels formed inside the fore-stock and which permits the canting movement of the deployed bipod with respect to the stock. The bipod legs are pulled from their stored positions to extended positions and then pivoted to their splayed and deployed positions perpendicular to the axis of the stock. The stock also pivotally and optionally carries a monopod in the underside of the butt stock for pivoting rearward to its deployed position, urged by a spring into both the deployed and stored positions. The bipod legs may telescope and are exchangeable with different types of legs; the monopod is extendable and may be stored in its extended position against the underside of the butt stock.
US09121663B2 Stock assembly and recoil system for a firearm
A stock and recoil system for a firearm includes a lower receiver, a bolt carrier, and a stock assembly. The bolt carrier is reciprocally movable along an axis within an upper receiver carried by the lower receiver and includes a tubular rearward end defining a cavity with a rearwardly directed opening. The stock assembly is coupled the lower receiver and includes a receiver extension coupled to the lower receiver and aligned on the axis. An action spring is carried within the receiver extension and extends therefrom into the tubular rearward end of the bolt carrier. The action spring is movable between a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration during the firing cycle of the firearm. A butt plate is adjustably coupled to the receiver extension and is movable between an extended position and a collapsed position.
US09121661B2 Inline hammerless percussion firing system for muzzleloader firearms
An inline hammerless percussion firing system for muzzleloader firearms with a striker having a firing pin and a striker spring to linearly drive the firing pin forward. A cocking button compresses the striker spring. A pivoting retainer acts against a nut connected to the cocking button to hold the cocking button forward and keep the striker spring compressed. A sear acts to prevent the striker from moving forward until released by a two piece trigger system in which a trigger and trigger edge pivot relative to each other with lost motion before releasing the sear, allowing the trigger edge to move out from below a safety notch in the sear, where firing is prevented, to below a firing notch in the sear to prevent accidental discharges from impact. The cocking button can be released by an uncocking button. Releasing a barrel catch resets firearm to the initial safe position.
US09121655B1 Long gun protective trigger guard enclosure
The present invention provides a means for restricting access to the trigger guard enclosure of a long gun. The present invention enshrouds the perimeter of the trigger guard enclosure preventing access when not in use. When the weapon is in use, the present invention slides away from the trigger guard enclosure and secures as a handgrip for use while aiming and firing the weapon, all the while remaining permanently affixed to the weapon.
US09121653B1 Apparatus, systems and methods for loading moonclips
The present invention relates to apparatus, systems and methods for loading moonclips. Specifically, the present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods that provide for the automatic loading of moonclips with rounds, to be used with handguns having revolver cylinders. More specifically, the present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods that allow for quick, easy and efficient loading of moonclips by holding a moonclip and pressing a round into a round receiving receptacle of the moonclip.
US09121650B2 Ammunition feed guide assembly
An ammunition feed guide assembly for a connected band of ammunition cartridges includes a bracket with upstanding side plates each defining an ammunition discharge channel. The channel has a bottom wall, a pair of side walls spaced apart a distance greater than the length of a cartridge and may include at least one tension tab to resist movement of the ammunition band. An ammunition chute is connected to a discharge chute and comprises a plurality of hollow feed links connected for limited pivotal movement to guide the band of ammunition cartridges to the feed mechanism of an associated weapon. In one form, the chute includes a link at its free end to connect to a discharge chute of another feed guide assembly.
US09121649B2 Firearm having a hybrid indirect gas operating system
An automatic or semi-automatic rifle. The rifle has a receiver and a bolt having a striking surface, the bolt enclosed within the receiver. A barrel has a bore, the barrel coupled to the receiver. An indirect gas operating system has a cylinder and a piston, the indirect gas operating system mounted with a mounting structure substantially independent of the barrel. The cylinder is in communication with the bore, and the piston is fitted to the cylinder and disposed for striking the striking surface and displacing the bolt assembly.
US09121647B2 System and process for storing cold energy
A system and method for storing cold energy are detailed. The system includes a solid refrigerant in a structured form that stores cold energy. Upon deformation, the solid refrigerant transforms into a high energy deformed state from a low energy non-deformed state. In the deformed state, the solid refrigerant stores cold energy that can be released to a desired location upon demand.
US09121644B2 Method and apparatus for a combination moving bed thermal treatment reactor and moving bed filter
A moving bed gasification/thermal treatment reactor includes a geometry in which moving bed reactor particles serve as both a moving bed filter and a heat carrier to provide thermal energy for thermal treatment reactions, such that the moving bed filter and the heat carrier are one and the same to remove solid particulates or droplets generated by thermal treatment processes or injected into the moving bed filter from other sources.
US09121641B2 Retrofittable thermal storage for air conditioning systems
A system and method to retrofit a building structure having a forced air cooling system with a thermal storage system. The method typically includes the steps of: installing a coolant loop that is free of a compressor, and a condenser, where the coolant loop comprises a refrigerant fluid pump and refrigerant fluid conduits that deliver coolant loop refrigerant fluid to a coolant loop evaporator spaced within a building air cooling passageway that delivers air to at least a portion of the interior volume of the a building structure and in thermal communication with air passing through the passageway and where the coolant loop is in thermal communication with a thermal energy storage material within a thermal energy thermal storage fluid tank; and activating the coolant loop pump to provide cooling to the coolant loop evaporator thereby cooling air moving in the building air passageway of a building structure.
US09121640B2 System for thermally processing lumpy solid material
The system according to the invention for thermally processing lumpy solid material substantially comprises a preheating device, a furnace and a separation or classification device which is arranged therebetween and which has a coarse material outlet connected to the furnace and a fine material outlet. The furnace and the preheating device are connected to each other by means of a gas/solid material line which is arranged so as to be inclined relative to the vertical, the furnace exhaust gases being introduced at the end of the gas/solid material line at the furnace side and the preheated solid material being supplied at the end at the preheater side. The separation or classification device is connected to a bypass line which branches off from the gas/solid material line so that at least a partial amount of the preheated solid material can be branched off via the bypass line by means of gravitational force and can be supplied to the separation or classification device.
US09121639B2 Clinker kiln with slider for tertiary air duct
A slider unit for a tertiary air duct between a clinker cooler and a calciner of a clinker kiln line. The slider unit has at least one shutoff device, which is insertable into a tertiary air duct to seal it without further reducing the cross section of the tertiary air duct, and provides reliable sealing of the tertiary air duct and control of the tertiary air flow, if the slider unit has at least one control device which is insertable into a section of the tertiary air duct to reduce its cross section.
US09121631B2 Air conditioner and method of operating an air conditioner
An air conditioner and a method of operating an air conditioner are provided. The air conditioner may include at least one indoor device having an indoor heat exchanger that evaporates or condenses a refrigerant by heat exchange with indoor air; at least one outdoor device having a variable capacity compression device that sucks in and compresses a refrigerant of a refrigerant intake passage and discharges the refrigerant to a refrigerant discharge passage, a water-refrigerant heat exchanger that condenses or evaporates a refrigerant by heat exchange with heat source water, and an outdoor expansion device installed between the indoor heat exchanger of the at least one indoor device and the water-refrigerant heat exchanger; a heat source water flow path connected to the water-refrigerant heat exchanger; a pump installed on the heat source water flow path; and a variable flow valve installed on the heat source water flow path. An opening degree of the variable flow valve is varied depending on a pressure of at least one of the refrigerant discharge passage or the refrigerant intake passage.
US09121630B1 Method, apparatus, conduit, and composition for low thermal resistance ground heat exchange
A method, apparatus, conduit, and composition for low thermal resistance ground heat exchange which preferably comprise, include, and/or use one or more of: a thin-walled, highly conductive filament wound conduit/casing formed using a thermosetting plastic composition containing a thermal conductivity enhancer; a grout backfill preferably including a sufficient amount of graphite, coke, or similar additive to provide a thermal conductivity of 3 Btu/hr-ft-° F. and higher; and a drop tube delivery conduit within the casing, the drop tube having radial exterior ribs which extend into the fluid return annulus formed between the interior wall of the casing and the exterior of the drop tube.
US09121626B2 Ventilation member
The ventilation member of the present invention includes: a support; and an air-permeable membrane disposed on the support. The support includes: a base portion supporting the air-permeable membrane; and a leg portion extending from the base portion toward the interior space of a housing and adapted to fix the ventilation member to the opening of the housing. The leg portion includes: insertion portions separated from each other in a circumferential direction by slits formed between the insertion portions in an insertion start side of the leg portion, the insertion portions being adapted to be elastically deformed radially inwardly when the insertion portions are inserted into the opening and then to be fixed to the opening; and receding portions in the insertion portions. In a region between an edge of an inner circumferential surface of the insertion portion and an edge of an outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion at a root of the insertion portion, the receding portion recedes from an imaginary circumferential end surface in a direction away from the slit and recedes from an imaginary inner circumferential surface toward the outer circumferential surface, when the imaginary circumferential end surface is defined as an imaginary end surface including a central axis of the support and a first reference line parallel to the central axis and passing through the edge of the outer circumferential surface and the imaginary inner circumferential surface is defined as an imaginary surface extending in the circumferential direction from the edge of the inner circumferential surface toward the slit.
US09121625B2 Room ventilation system and apparatus
A room ventilation system, apparatus, and method enable a user to selectively ventilate a room, and incorporate the use of a tubular vent assembly. The tubular vent assembly has an apertured outer tube construction, and an apertured inner tube construction. The outer tube construction has fixed apertures. Upper convex surfacing of the outer tube construction is fixedly attached to an upper assembly-fixing construction, and lower convex surfacing is fixedly attached to a lower assembly-fixing construction. The inner tube construction has rotatable apertures insofar as the inner tube construction is rotatable relative to the outer tube construction for aligning the rotatable apertures with the fixed apertures for selectively enabling an air current to pass intermediate the room interior and the room exterior for ventilating the room interior. A lever arm and a lever-letting slot provide the user with cooperable structure for selectively adjusting the rotatable apertures.
US09121624B2 Information transfer system for refrigeration air-conditioning apparatus
An information transfer system for a refrigeration air-conditioning apparatus in which one or more heat-source units for the refrigerating/air conditioning apparatus, one first relay unit, and one or more second relay units are connected by refrigerant piping, and the second relay units and one or more indoor units are connected by water piping, wherein communications are performed discretely between a pair of the heat-source unit and the first relay unit, a pair of the first relay unit and the second relay units, and a pair of the second relay units and the indoor units through transmission lines respectively.
US09121623B2 Thermostat with wiring terminals configured for spatial compactness and ease of wire installation
A wall-mountable programmable electronic thermostat for controlling an HVAC system is described. The thermostat includes a circular wall-mountable backplate with a central opening to allow for the passage of HVAC wires for electrical connection to the thermostat. The head unit body is also circular and is removeably mountable to the back plate. A plurality of wedge-shaped wiring terminals are mounted on the backplate for making a tool-free connection to HVAC wires. Each wiring terminal has button that a user can depress while a wire is inserted in a wire hole. The terminals are arranged along one or more circular arcs about the central opening of the backplate such that the wire holes face the central opening and the buttons are located close to the outer periphery of the backplate.
US09121616B1 Systems and methods for collecting and removing cooking byproducts in a kitchen ventilation system
A blower for use in a kitchen ventilation system includes a set of blades driven by a motor for moving air containing cooking byproducts from a surrounding area and separating out cooking byproducts. A housing at least partially encompasses the set of blades and captures the separated cooking byproducts. A tray engages with the housing, which includes a reservoir for accumulating the captured cooking byproducts, wherein the tray is separable from the housing to allow discarding of the accumulated cooking byproducts.
US09121609B2 Method and apparatus for introducing diluent flow into a combustor
Disclosed is a combustor including a baffle plate having at least one through baffle hole and at least one fuel nozzle extending through the at least one baffle hole. At least one shroud is secured to the baffle plate and includes at least one piston ring disposed at the shroud. The at least one piston ring is configured to meter a flow of diluent between the at least one shroud and the at least one fuel nozzle. Further disclosed is a method for providing diluent to a combustor including providing a piston ring gap defined by at least one piston ring disposed at a baffle plate and a fuel nozzle extending through a through hole in the baffle plate. The diluent is flowed through the piston ring gap toward at least one airflow hole in the fuel nozzle.
US09121607B2 Smart firing control in a rankine cycle power plant
A multivariable control system for controlling boiler burners. The system includes burner actuators, boiler sensors, a control system coupled to the actuators and the sensors and further includes a memory and a processor, and an application stored in the memory. When executed by the processor, the application executes a multivariable control algorithm to determine actuator manipulated variable values to control in part the burners based on data received from the sensors and based on a plurality of gain values. The application also executes an adaptation algorithm to change an actuator manipulated variable value, to maintain the changed manipulated variable value for a pre-determined period of time, to determine a change in data received from the sensors, to determine a gain value based on the changed manipulated variable value and the change in data received from the sensors, and to provide the determined gain value to the multivariable control algorithm.
US09121605B2 Three step ultra-compact plasma system for the high temperature treatment of waste onboard ships
An apparatus for thermal processing of waste having organic and inorganic components comprises at least a treatment station, a cooling station and a treated material-removal station, and at least three crucibles. The treatment station is adapted to thermally treat the organic components and/or inorganic components located in a given one of the crucibles located at the treatment station. The so-treated components in this given crucible are adapted to then be cooled at the cooling station, before the treated components located in the given crucible are removed therefrom at the treated material-removal station. The three crucibles are mounted on a turntable so that the three crucibles are each at one of the stations, before synchronously all moving to each crucible's next station.
US09121602B2 Steam generator
A steam generator including a steam chamber defining an enclosed fluid chamber with a plurality of tubes passing through the steam chamber, a combustion chamber defining a closed fluid chamber and an air channel coupled to a burner, and a heat transfer section defining a closed fluid chamber and an air passage in fluid communication with a vacuum source, in which the burner generates a heated air mixture, the vacuum source draws the heated air mixture from the combustion chamber air channel, through the steam chamber plurality of tubes and through the heat transfer section air passage so as to heat fluid passing through the heat transfer section, the steam chamber and the combustion chamber fluid chamber.
US09121597B2 LED track lighting system
A track light assembly includes a low-voltage track. A light module comprises an elongated thermally conductive housing fitted over the track. The housing may also surround the track. The housing preferably forms an elongated channel. An elongated printed circuit board (PCB) is mounted on the thermally conductive housing and carries a plurality of clusters of light emitting diodes (LED's) distributed over the PCB surface. An elongated lens is fitted over the PCB and LED clusters. A track adapter attached to an end portion of the track includes electrically conductive contacts for electrically coupling the conductors in the track housing with contacts on the printed circuit board. Thus, a cool running, elongated, linear light module is provided which is adjustably placeable along the length of the track.
US09121592B2 Electrical connector
An electrical connector includes a casing, touch unit, processing module, light source unit, and connection unit. The casing has a receiving portion for receiving the processing module and the light source unit. The touch unit is disposed above the casing and adapted to be touched by a user to thereby generate a triggering signal. The processing module receives the triggering signal and outputs a current. The light source unit and the processing module are connected. The current drives the light source unit, such that the light source unit emits a light beam to be conveyed to the electronic device by the casing and the touch unit. The connection unit is connected to an electronic device for receiving a current and data from the electronic device. The electrical connector enables the electronic device to be illuminated, such that a user can connect the electrical connector to the electronic device easily.
US09121591B2 Lighting device with wireless power supply module
A lighting device includes a light holder component and a light source component. The light holder component includes a wireless power supply module. The wireless power supply module has a first magnetic element. The light source component includes at least one light source and a wireless electric receiving module. The light source is electrically connected to the wireless electric receiving module. The wireless electric receiving module has a second magnetic element. The second magnetic element is attracted to the first magnetic element to cause the light source component to dispose on the light holder component.
US09121585B2 Optoelectronic component and method for the production thereof
An optoelectronic component includes a housing which includes a first partial region having a first thermoplastic material crosslinked by irradiation and a second partial region having a second thermoplastic material, a recess in the housing, and a radiation-emitting device disposed in the recess.
US09121584B2 Optical assembly for an end cap of a lighting fixture
Disclosed is an apparatus for an optical assembly for an end cap (30) of a lighting fixture (10). The optical assembly includes an outer lens (50) and an inner lens (40) interior of the outer lens (50). The end cap (30) may be coupled to a lighting fixture main housing (12) and configured to enable light from a light source (18) within the main housing (12) to enter the end cap (30), be directed through the inner lens (40), and out the outer lens (50).
US09121580B1 Power door lighting fixture
A closure for a lighting fixture includes a cover having interior and exterior surfaces that defines at least a part of an enclosure of the lighting fixture. In certain aspects, the cover comprises mounts for mounting circuitry to the interior surface of the cover and at least one attachment feature for affixing the cover to a cabinet of the lighting fixture. A light source and driver circuitry are also affixed to the cover. Because the driver circuitry and the light source are both mounted to the same cover of the lighting fixture, the light source may be replaced with an alternate light source having different voltage and current specifications, for example, by replacement of the cover with another cover. In this manner, light sources having different operating characteristics and specifications may be replaced or interchanged with relative ease.
US09121579B2 Method for manufacturing integrally formed multi-layer light-emitting device
A method for manufacturing an integrally formed multi-layer light-emitting device is provided, in which a seat is integrally formed in such a manner that the light-emitting elements can be directly disposed in the chamber. The lens mask is used to seal the light-emitting elements in the chamber of the seat so that some packaging steps can be omitted, and the manufacturing process is simplified. The seat is made of metal having good thermal conductivity instead of plastic materials. The consumption of the package material is reduced, and the heat-dissipation efficiency is increased in the present invention.
US09121578B2 Light source unit with phosphor element
A light source unit comprising: a pump light source (1) for an emission of pump light (2), a phosphor element (3) for a conversion of said pump light (2) into converted light (4), an optical system (6) for transmitting at least a part of said converted light (4) for further use, wherein at least a part of said pump light (2) is coupled into said optical system (6) and transmitted by said optical system (6) to said phosphor element (3) for said conversion.
US09121574B2 Illumination device with movement elements
An illumination device (A) for the illumination of illumination zones (BZ) with different light intensity and/or color temperature by means of at least one light source (L), wherein per light source (L) there is provided at least one illumination modification means (VM) in the optical path between the light source (L) and the illumination zones (BZ) having at least one movement element (BR, BV, LI, L), which is arranged movably in the illumination device (A) and which is adapted to selectively deviate and/or cover the light emitted by the at least one light source (L) by means of control means with an illumination frame rate (R) for a subsequent illumination of the illumination zones (BZ), wherein the control means are adapted to control the light intensity of each light source according to the illumination zone (BZ) currently illuminated.
US09121566B2 Optical device, in particular for a motor vehicle
An optical device, in particular for a motor vehicle, such as a lighting or indicating device, this device comprising at least two light sources associated with different predetermined photometric functions and a principal light guide comprising an emergent end and arranged to guide the light generated by the light sources towards this emergent end, so that this emergent end defines a common illuminating surface for the two photometric functions.
US09121564B2 Device for procuring an infinity effect for a motor vehicle signaling light
A device and corresponding module are for a signaling light and/or lighting an exterior or interior ambient of a motor-vehicle passenger compartment including a type of light source. The device comprises an optical assembly of a first reflector including a mirror and a second reflector including a semi-transparent mirror. Light emitted by an LED is diffused in a curtain diffuser of a transparent material. Planes or mid-planes of the mirror, the semi-transparent mirror, and the diffuser are mutually parallel. Light transmitted or reflected by the assembly is transmitted and visible to an observer from a surface of the second reflector that is opposite to that facing other elements of the assembly. The diffuser includes a lighting sub-assembly arranged in space between the mirror and semi-transparent mirror and having a transparent optical material and a light source arranged for emission of light rays propagated within a thickness of the optical material.
US09121563B2 Collimator with hinged sidewall
A collimator comprising a base, a plurality of side walls and an integral hinge coupled to at least one of the sidewalls to the base and tillable within a range of motion. The collimator is configured such that light emitted by the light source enters the collimator through a light entry opening and exits substantially only through a light exit opening for any position of the hinged side wall over its range of motion. A semiconductor light source may be arranged on a substrate, wherein the collimator encloses the semiconductor light source and an actuator moves the hinged side wall over at least part of its range of motion to adjust the light exit opening.
US09121562B2 Vehicle headlamp
The present invention is provided with a semiconductor-type light source 2, a reflector 3, a shade 4, and a driving mechanism 5. The reflector 3 has a first reflection surface 9 and a second reflection surface 10. The first reflection surface 9 is a reflection surface adapted to reflect and emit incident light from among rays of light from the semiconductor-type light source 2 as a light distribution pattern for low beam LP. The second reflection surface 10 is a reflection surface adapted to reflect and emit incident light from among rays of light from the semiconductor-type light source 2 as a light distribution pattern for high beam HP. As a result, the present invention can provide a vehicle headlamp that employs the semiconductor-type light source 2 to thereby switch and emit the light distribution pattern for low beam and the light distribution pattern for high beam HP.
US09121558B2 Louver type LED luminaire using dye-sensitized solar cell
An LED luminaire has a dye-sensitized solar cell for converting light emitted from a light source to electric energy and uses the converted electric energy. Since the dye-sensitized solar cell plays a role of a louver, the LED luminaire may reflect or shield light and convert wasted light into power. Further, since energy consumption and green-house gas generation decrease, it is possible to provide an environment-friendly LED luminaire. Moreover, if the power generated by the dye-sensitized solar cell is used for cooling the LED luminaire, it is possible to enhance heat dissipation efficiency of the LED luminaire.
US09121557B2 Lamp having multi-functional support
There is provided a lamp having a support and a socket on the support for receiving a light bulb and selectively providing power thereto. The support has a body portion shaped to resemble a selected article. The body portion has a cavity or recess shaped to form an indicia indicating an entity associated with the selected article. The cavity or recess is positioned to receive light from the light bulb, and is filled with a photoluminescent material.
US09121554B2 LED lamp and lens unit therefor
An LED lamp includes: a plurality of light source units, each of which includes one or more LED chips and an emission surface through which light from the LED chips is emitted; and a lens unit having a plurality of lenses, each of which is located in front of the emission surface of each of the plurality of light source units.
US09121549B2 Condensate removal device
An in-line venturi orifice trap (10) in which a condensate flow path (26) defined by the venturi is at an oblique angle with respect to the axis (18) of a pipeline in which the trap is to be mounted. With this configuration, the orifice (30) may be accessible (e.g. through a port (36) formed in a side wall of the trap or pipeline) without requiring removal of the steam trap from the pipeline.
US09121548B2 Sliding member
A sliding member includes: a substrate which has a sliding surface sliding under the presence of lubricating oil; and a film which is fixed to at least a part of the sliding surface. The film contains carbon (C), titanium (Ti), and boron (B), is obtained by repeatedly and alternately layering a first layer containing amorphous carbon as a principal component and a second layer containing C and Ti as principal components, and has hardness of 18 GPa or more.
US09121547B2 Linkage supporting device
A linkage supporting device is used for supporting a display on a working surface, including: a base that can be placed on the working surface, and first and second shafts fixed to the base without coinciding with one another; a first bar member having a main bar with two ends pivotally disposed on the first and third shafts, respectively; a second bar member having two ends pivotally disposed on the third and fourth shafts, respectively; a third bar member having two ends pivotally disposed on the fourth and fifth shafts, respectively; a fourth bar member that has a sliding bar slidably received in a receiving space of the main bar and having two ends pivotally disposed on the fifth and sixth shafts, respectively; a fifth bar member having two ends pivotally disposed on the sixth and second shafts, respectively; and a spring member received in the receiving space and having two ends connected to the first and fourth bar members, respectively.
US09121545B2 System for mounting objects to polymeric membranes
A system and method to attach an object to a support structure, the system having an elastic membrane attached to the support structure, a mounting plate thermally bonded to the elastic membrane, and an adjustable riser coupled to the mounting plate. The adjustable riser having a base member, an attachment member, and an attachment means configured to adjustably secure the attachment member to the base member. The method includes the process of thermally bonding the elastic member to the support structure, securing the adjustable riser to the mounting plate, adjusting the attachment member relative to the base member via the attachment means, and securing the object to the adjustable riser.
US09121543B2 Swing arm, tilt positionable mount for electronic display
A flat panel display mount that enables full motion positioning of a display while maintaining a very thin profile for the mount such that the display can be positioned as closely as possible to the wall when desired.
US09121541B2 Portable device support and organizer system and method
A system for supporting a portable electronic device atop a surface includes a planar back side having a top and a bottom for resting on the surface in use, a front side having an upper edge connected to the top of the planar back side, forming an angle between the planar back side and the front side, and a bottom edge, and a cupped bottom connected to the bottom edge, the cupped bottom extending from the front side opposite the angle, and the cupped bottom for resting on the surface in use. The portable electronic device, in use with the system, rests on the cupped bottom and against the front side. An opening formed in the front side and an opening formed in the back side accommodate a cord of the portable electronic device. The back side includes a retainer for the cord.
US09121536B2 High-pressure fluid conduit
A high-pressure fluid conduit that conducts high-pressure fluid from a high-pressure fluid source to a high-pressure fluid container through a hose unit during open or normal operation. This high-pressure fluid conduit has a safety feature that is activated when the high-pressure fluid conduit fails due to exposure to a predetermined force. The safety feature closes off the flow of high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid source and closes off the escape of high-pressure fluid from the hose unit that entered the hose unit during open or normal operation. In addition, when the hose unit fails, fluid flow from the high-pressure fluid source and high-pressure fluid flow from the high-pressure fluid container is prevented.
US09121535B2 Coupling unit
A coupling unit having at least one tubular section; a casing; at least one detent ring, which is arranged radially between the casing and the at least one tubular section when the at least one tubular section, is inserted in the casing, wherein the at least one detent ring, the casing, and the at least one tubular section are configured to adapt to one another such that the tubular section is inserted axially into the casing in a first relative rotational position of the tubular section and the casing, wherein the tubular section is secured by the detent ring against axial withdrawal, the casing and tubular section can be rotated relative to one another, and wherein for decoupling purposes, the tubular section can be withdrawn axially from the casing in a second relative rotational position of the casing and the tubular section that differs from the first rotational position.
US09121528B2 High strength blind installation hose and cable clamp retainer
An attachment system has a strap with a shank and a free end interposed by a medial portion. A retainer has an extension post facing the shank and engaged with the strap in a one way ratcheting relationship such that retainer may be urged toward the shank but not drawn away therefrom. The shank is sized to pass through an opening in a wall but is prevented from being withdrawn from the opening when the retainer is urged against the wall such that the extension post occupies at least a portion of the opening.
US09121524B2 Shock absorber
Provided is a shock absorber that includes a disk support section protruding between an intermediate seat and an inner seat, having a tip height position in a protruding direction higher than that of the inner seat and lower than that of the intermediate seat, and continuously or discontinuously disposed in an annular shape. In a state in which a first disk is pressed against the inner seat and placed on an outer seat, the intermediate seat and the disk support section, in the first disk, a first bending section bent in a convex shape toward a valve main body side is formed between the inner seat and the disk support section, and a second bending section bent in a convex shape toward a side spaced apart from the valve main body is formed between the disk support section and the outer seat.
US09121521B2 Valve with temperature activated triggers
There is provided a valve comprising a body, a passageway, a sealing member, a trigger, and a temperature responsive trigger actuator. The passageway is defined by the body, wherein the passageway includes an inlet and an outlet. The sealing member is configured for movement between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position, the sealing member prevents fluid communication between the inlet and outlet of the passageway, and in the open position, the inlet and the outlet of the passageway are in fluid communication. The trigger is configured for movement between a first trigger position and a second trigger position, wherein the trigger cooperates with the sealing member such that, when the trigger is disposed in the first trigger position, the trigger effects interference with movement of the sealing member from one of the open position and the closed position to the other one of the open position and the closed position, and when the trigger is disposed in the second trigger position, the interference effected by the trigger, is removed. The temperature responsive trigger actuator includes a plurality of point trigger actuator portions wherein each one of the plurality of point trigger actuator portions is characterized by a respective shape-changing temperature and is configured such that, for each one of the plurality of point trigger actuator portions, when the temperature of the point trigger actuator portion is below the respective shape-changing temperature, the point trigger actuator portion is disposed in a respective low temperature shape condition, and when the temperature of the point trigger actuator portion is at or above the respective shape-changing temperature, the point trigger actuator portion is disposed in a respective high temperature shape condition. The trigger co-operates with the plurality of point trigger actuator portions such that the movement of the trigger from the first trigger position to the second trigger position is configured to be effected by heating of at least one operative point trigger actuator portion, wherein each one of the at least one operative trigger portion is any one of the plurality of point trigger actuator portions, wherein the heating is sufficient to raise the temperature of each one of the at least one operative point trigger actuator portion above its respective shape-changing temperature.
US09121519B2 Locking mechanism for a nozzle in an inflatable object
A locking mechanism for a nozzle in an inflatable object includes a membrane member having a ledge extending outward for securely engaging with the inflatable object, a nozzle seat having a flange to firmly engage with the ledge, a positioning element having two arms, a cap having a lifting mechanism to elevate location of the positioning element, a descending mechanism to descend the location of the positioning element and a sealing part integrally formed and a sealing part integrally extending from the flange and a core having a directing rod securely connected to the positioning element so as to move with the positioning element accordingly and a sealing flange formed with the directing rod such that movement of the core together with the positioning element allows the sealing flange to selectively and sealingly engage with the sealing part of the nozzle seat to block airflow.
US09121515B2 Gate valve unit, substrate processing device and substrate processing method thereof
A substrate processing device includes a depressurizable hot wall chamber having a sidewall with a temperature which becomes higher than room temperature and a first substrate transferring port provided in the sidewall, a depressurizable transfer chamber having a transfer arm mechanism and a second substrate transferring port, and a gate valve unit provided between the hot wall chamber and the transfer chamber. The gate valve unit includes: a housing having a sidewall provided with communicating holes, a first housing substrate transferring port, and a second housing substrate transferring port; a valve body which is elevatable in the housing; and a double sealing structure having a first sealing member and a second sealing member provided at an outer side of the first sealing member. The communicating holes communicate a gap between the first sealing member and the second sealing member with an internal space of the housing.
US09121513B1 Triple eccentric valve with symmetric drain-proof ring applied no normal force to valve seat
A triple eccentric valve with a symmetric drain-proof ring includes a valve body, a stem, a valve disk, a waterproof washer, and a drain-proof ring. The valve disk is formed as an asymmetric conical shape. The drain-proof ring is an O ring and is arranged in a stepped recess of the valve disk to seal the waterproof washer; the drain-proof ring is symmetric to the axis of the ring. In assembly state, a periphery of the drain-proof ring resists against an inner wall of the annular seat. The drain-proof ring is symmetrical. Furthermore, an inner side or a part of the valve seat has a shape matched to a sweeping track of an outermost point of the drain-proof ring so that when the drain-proof ring moves along the valve seat, only force tangent to the inner side of the valve seat is applied from the drain-proof ring to the valve seat.
US09121511B2 Fluid circulation valve having an axial return spring
The valve 1 comprises: a body 2 having a through-channel 3 for the fluid, a rotary control shaft 4 having a seal for the channel, mounted in a passage 10 of the body, bearings 6, 7 provided in said passage between the body and the rotary control shaft, and axial locking of the shaft in said body. According to the invention, the axial locking of the shaft is achieved by at least one cylindrical ring 15 mounted in a rotationally constrained manner on said shaft 4 and having an external surface 20 orientated towards one of the bearings 6 and contacting a transverse face thereof.
US09121510B2 Pressure independent control valve
A control valve includes a wall defining a chamber having an inlet end, a middle portion and an outlet end in axial alignment. A valve seat and a valve plug are proportioned to fit the valve seat arranged in axial alignment within the chamber. At least one of the valve seat and valve plug is configured for axial movement towards the other. Relative movement between the valve plug and valve seat is enabled by a cam mechanism including a first shaft assembly extending axially along the chamber and fixed to one of the valve plug and valve seat. A cam is operable with the first shaft assembly to separate or draw together the valve seat and valve plug along the axis of the chamber. A second shaft assembly is coupled to the cam and extends through the middle portion of the chamber wall terminating in a free end attachable to a rotary actuator.
US09121509B2 Valve that is normally closed in the free state
A valve system comprising a valve design in which the valve is normally closed is disclosed. The normally closed valve can comprise a circular valve seal face formed by the underside of a rim of an elastomeric valve boss and a circular valve seat, which is formed by the rim of a through-hole molded into, for example, a plastic cassette, such that the valve seal face, the valve seat, and the through hole are concentric. The valve boss can be a hollow “mushroom” shaped valve boss, or a conical-shaped valve boss. If no force is applied to the inside surface of the valve boss, no fluid can pass through the valve as the valve seal face rests against the valve seat as a result of the steady free-state load created by the stretch of the valve boss over the slightly longer through hole. When a force is applied to the inside surface of the valve boss, the valve seal face is displaced from the valve seat, allowing fluid between the valve seal face and valve seat and then to pass between the valve boss and the inside surface of the through hole.
US09121506B2 Leaf seal
This application describes a leaf seal arrangement, including: a first component having a high pressure area and a low pressure area therein; a second component which passes from the high pressure area to the low pressure area; a leaf seal having an array of leaf elements between the high and low pressure areas, each leaf element having a fixed end and a free end, wherein the fixed end is attached to the first component and the free end defines a sealing surface through which the second component sealably passes, a sealing gap therebetween, and wherein the sealing gap generally converges from the high pressure area toward the lower pressure area. Also described is a method of providing a leaf seal.
US09121503B2 Rotary seal with supported inlet
A hydrodynamically lubricated sealing element for applications where the pressure of a contained fluid can be significantly greater than the pressure of the seal lubricant. The sealing element retains the pressure of the contained fluid and provides hydrodynamic lubricant pumping activity at the dynamic sealing interface to enhance service life. The invention is particularly suitable for oilfield drilling swivel washpipe assemblies, downhole drilling tools, and rotary mining equipment, and for applications such as artificial lift pump stuffing box assemblies and centrifugal pumps where a rotating shaft penetrates a pressurized reservoir that is filled with abrasive-laden liquids, mixtures, or slurries.
US09121501B2 Continuously variable transmission device
Construction is achieved that is capable of ensuring reliability of a learned value for a position of an adjustment member 24 which becomes the criterion for the transmission gear ratio control of a toroidal continuously variable transmission 4. As conditions for allowing learning of a controller 11 that controls the adjustment member 24, in which the controller 11 adjusts the transmission gear ratio of the toroidal continuously variable transmission 4 to a state in which the rotation speed of an output shaft 14 becomes “0”, learns and saves in memory the position of the adjustment member 24 in this state as the position in which the output shaft 14 is stopped while an input shaft 3 is rotated as is, the controller 11 determining whether or not the engine 1 rpm is unstable, and prohibiting execution of this learning control if the engine 1 rpm is determined as being unstable due to the engine 1 rpm fluctuating greater than the normal amount of fluctuation during idling or the like, are included.
US09121498B2 Damper clutch control apparatus of automatic transmission and method for the same
A damper clutch control apparatus for an automatic transmission may include a driving information detection unit detecting driving information including a displacement amount of an accelerator pedal, an engine speed, an engine torque, and a rotation speed of a turbine, a control portion which receives the driving information and realize a release control of a damper clutch when a driver's intention for acceleration or deceleration of a vehicle may be detected in a state of connection of the damper clutch, and an actuator which controls hydraulic pressure supplied to the damper clutch so as to realize connection or release of the damper clutch according to a control signal received from the control portion.
US09121497B2 Attachment of a control unit for a transmission control module to a carrier board
A control unit for a transmission control module of a motor vehicle transmission includes a circuit mounting device and at least one attachment device configured to attach the circuit mounting device to a carrier board. The circuit mounting device includes an electronic circuit and has a first bearing side with which it is configured to be pressed against a second bearing side of the carrier board by the attachment device. The attachment device has at least one attachment element which is connected to the circuit mounting device and protrudes with a first end from the circuit mounting device on the first bearing side. The attachment element is configured to project through an attachment opening in the second bearing side of the carrier board.
US09121496B2 Drive axle system and a method of control
A drive axle system and a method of control. Shifting of a drive axle assembly between different speed ranges may be inhibited when the inclination of the vehicle exceeds a threshold value. An inclinometer may be used to detect inclination of the vehicle.
US09121495B2 Accessory drive decoupler
Pulley assemblies are disclosed that include a pulley body, a hub disposed within the bore of the pulley body, and a one-way clutch concentric about the hub. The one-way clutch has a plurality of cantilevered members that each include a friction surface and a cantilevered end and a biasing member in contact with one cantilevered member to bias the cantilevered members into continuous frictional engagement with the bore of the pulley body. Each of the cantilevered members is pivotable about its cantilevered end and is partially nested within an adjacent cantilevered member to form an annular body. This construction places the friction surface of each cantilevered member facing the bore of the pulley body. In operation, the pulley body rotates in a predominant direction which activates the plurality of cantilevered members to link the pulley body to the hub for simultaneous rotation.
US09121486B2 Differential having steel hydraulic transfer bushing
A differential gear mechanism constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure can include a differential casing defining first and second output shaft openings. The differential casing can have a case housing portion that defines fluid porting therein. The case housing portion including a hub extending therefrom. The hub can have an inner hub portion and an outer hub portion. The outer hub portion can be stepped down from the inner hub portion. The hub can include a stepped annular face at a transition between the inner and the outer hub portions. A hydraulic transfer bushing can be received by the outer hub of the case housing portion. The hydraulic transfer bushing can define fluid porting therein. The hydraulic transfer bushing can be disposed on the outer hub at a location where the fluid communication porting is fluidly connected to the fluid porting of the case housing portion.
US09121484B2 Torque converter with impeller clutch
A torque converter includes an impeller, a turbine and a stator. The torque converter may also include an impeller clutch configured to releasably couple the impeller to a power source, the impeller clutch having a disc stack with a plurality of splined friction discs and a plurality of separator plates. The friction discs may be rotationally engaged with the impeller. Each of the separator plates has an ear extending radially outward from an outer diameter and an opening formed in the ear, the openings in the ears of the stator plates being circumferentially aligned to define a channel. A pin is received in the channel and in a recess defined by the rotating housing.
US09121481B2 Differential conical drive
The present disclosure provides differential drive assemblies and methods of making and operating differential drive assemblies. The differential drive assembly includes a rotor having a rotor axis about which the rotor is configured to rotate. The rotor has a peripheral wall portion encircling the rotor axis that is positioned a varying distance radially outward from the rotor axis. The differential drive assembly also includes a base coupled to the rotor. That includes a first plurality of pulleys and a carriage movably coupled to the base that includes a second plurality of pulleys and is movable with respect to the base. The differential drive assembly includes a rope wound about the rotor. The rope extends from the peripheral wall portion of the rotor to the second plurality of pulleys. The rope extends from the second plurality of pulleys to the first plurality of pulleys to form a continuous rope circuit.
US09121480B2 Differential engine controlled rotational power transmission apparatus and systems using the same
A rotational power transmission apparatus is provided including an input coupler having first and second input shafts, a differential engine coupled to the first input shaft and transmitting power to a first output shaft. First and second one-way bearings are coupled to the first output shaft. A first torque converter is coupled to the first one-way bearing, and a second torque converter coupled to the second one-way bearing. An output coupler is coupled to output from the first torque converter, output from the second torque converter and a second output shaft.
US09121479B2 Cycloidal pinwheel speed reducer
A cycloid pinwheel speed reducer includes a first housing, two cycloidal gears, a plurality of rollers, an output shaft, a second housing, a mounting frame, an input gear, a transmission gear, and a first transmission shaft. The mounting frame includes a mounting portion, a first eccentric portion, and a second eccentric portion. The cycloidal gears are respectively sleeved on the first eccentric portion and the second eccentric portion. The second housing is sleeved on the mounting portion. The rollers are sandwiched between the second housing and the cycloidal gears. The transmission gear is rotatably mounted within the mounting portion and sleeved on the first transmission shaft, and meshes with the input gear and the first housing.
US09121478B2 Hand-held tool device
A hand-held tool device includes: a tool spindle; a striking mechanism; and a planetary transmission having at least one first planetary transmission stage which drives the striking mechanism, a second planetary transmission stage which drives the tool spindle, and a striking mechanism shut-off clutch.
US09121476B2 Control of shifting transmission for constant and variable frequency systems
A transmission for providing mechanical power from an input includes a transmission assembly having an arm configured and adapted to be connected to a mechanical input for rotation at an input speed. A first planet is rotatably mounted to a first end of the arm. A trim ring operatively contacts the first planet for mutual rotation therewith. A brake is operatively connected to the trim ring for controlling rotation of the trim ring. A second planet is rotatably mounted to a second end of the arm. The second planet operatively contacts the first planet for mutual rotation therewith. An output ring operatively contacts the second planet for mutual rotation therewith to rotate at an output speed based on an input speed of the arm and a trim speed of the trim ring.
US09121471B2 Torsional vibration damper with nonuniform elastomer profile
A Torsional Vibration Damper includes a hub, a ring, and a rubber member that is compression fitted between the outer surface of the hub and the inner surface of the ring. The cross-sectional profile of the outer surface of the hub and the inner surface of the ring after the assembly of the TVD consists of two concave or convex arcs with their radii such that the cross-sectional profile's gap increases from the center to the sides. This variation of the cross-sectional profile's gap reduces the principal-strain buildup in the rubber, thereby improving the life of the Torsional Vibration Damper. This design also facilitates proper assembly as the components are self aligning.
US09121470B2 Effective vibration damping across a broad temperature range
Assemblies, methods and systems useful for reducing the noise and vibration characteristics associated with hollow spaces or cavities of vehicles by positioning damping foam material within and spanning the space between a first substrate surface and a second substrate surface. The damping foam material is comprised of a first region and a second region, wherein the first region has an E′ value at −10° C. that is lower than the E′ value at −10° C. of the second region and an E′ value at 25° C. that is higher than the E′ value at 25° C. of the second region; and the second region has a variable cross-sectional width.
US09121465B2 Bleed outlet structure for a bleed valve
A bleed valve having an inlet port and an outlet port. The bleed valve comprises mutually perpendicular radial, longitudinal and tangential axes arranged such that the outlet port is substantially in a plane defined by the longitudinal and tangential axes. The bleed valve also comprises at least one vane spanning the outlet port and having a first side and a second side, the first side being closer to the inlet port than the second side. The at least one vane defining a vector from its first to its second side that has non-zero radial, longitudinal and tangential components.
US09121462B2 Self-retracting lifeline
A self-retracting lifeline comprises a drum including first and second sides operatively connected to a base. A rotor includes a receiving portion and is operatively connected to the base. A pawl is pivotally operatively connected to the rotor, and a biasing member is positioned between the rotor and the pawl to place a biasing force upon the pawl. A bracket member includes a cavity and a stop member extending into the cavity. The cavity is configured and arranged to receive the drum, the rotor, the pawl, and the spring. The drum is rotatably operatively connected to the bracket member and the pawl is positioned proximate the stop member. The pawl and the biasing member are held in place by the first side of the base, the rotor, and the bracket member.
US09121460B2 Transmission control fluid diffuser
A transmission includes a high-pressure circuit at least partially filled with transmission fluid at a first pressure, and a low-pressure circuit at least partially filled with transmission fluid at a second pressure, which is lower than the first pressure. A diffuser is in fluid communication with the high-pressure circuit and the low-pressure circuit. The diffuser has an inlet having a first cross-sectional area and receiving transmission fluid from the high-pressure circuit. The diffuser expels transmission fluid to the low-pressure circuit through an outlet having a second cross-sectional area, which is larger than the first cross-sectional area.
US09121455B2 Clutch management system
A clutch management system has a ramp actuator, an inner plate housing, an outer plate housing, and a clutch assembly. The clutch assembly may have a motor, a ratio adaptor, a primary sun gear, a secondary sun gear, a primary planet carrier and a secondary planet carrier. The primary sun gear is in contact with the ratio adaptor and primary planet gears. The primary planet gears are in contact with a ring gear. The primary planet carrier forms part of the ramp actuator. The second sun gear is connected to a housing and a secondary planet gears. The secondary planet gears are also in contact with the ring gear. A secondary planet carrier is connected to the ramp actuator and the outer plate housing.
US09121449B2 Slide bearing
A slide bearing has an oil supply passage formed in a lower bearing portion, that supplies lubricating oil into clearance between an outer peripheral surface of a rotating shaft and lower and upper slide surfaces, and an oil discharge passage formed in the lower half bearing portion and discharges the lubricating oil from the clearance. The oil supply passage has a downstream portion and the oil discharge passage has an upstream portion which is provided at positions on opposite sides of the rotating shaft. The oil supply passage has an upstream portion extending toward the upstream portion of the oil discharge passage, and the oil discharge passage has a downstream portion extending toward the downstream portion of the oil supply passage.
US09121442B2 Polymeric bearing articles for use in ultra-high pressure and velocity environments
A polymeric thrust bearing is provided for an ultra-high PV environment. The polymeric thrust bearing includes an annular bearing body having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter, and a plurality of lubricant channels extending across the annular bearing body from the inner perimeter to the outer perimeter. The annular bearing body comprises a polymer composition comprising a polymer having typically a glass transition temperature of at least about 140° C., such as an aromatic polyimide or a poly(aryl ether ketone), and at least one friction and wear additive. The polymeric thrust bearing is configured to withstand a velocity and a pressure in a lubricated environment in which the product of the velocity and the pressure is about 1,100,000 psi-fpm (23540 kg/cm2×m/min) or more.
US09121441B2 Bearing assembly for a support roller
A bearing assembly comprises at least one bearing for rotatably supporting a support roller having at least one hollow cylindrical portion. A support element is disposed directly or indirectly between a ring of the at least one bearing and the support roller. The support element comprises first and second hollow-cylindrical segments extending in the axial direction of the support roller. The first and second hollow-cylindrical segments are connected by a ring-shaped segment extending either in the radial direction of the support roller or at an angle to the radial direction.
US09121440B2 Transfer suction roll for transfer of a material web
The subject of this invention is a transfer suction roll (21) for transferring a material web with a perforated suction roll shell (22) that is pivot-mounted in roller bearings (25) and a suction box (24) mounted inside the transfer suction roll (21). The suction box (24) defines a suction zone (37) on the perforated suction roll shell (22) by means of seals (32). According to the invention, a suction hood (26) is arranged on the outer circumference of the transfer suction roll (21) through which air can be sucked out of the suction box (24) through the perforated suction roll shell (22).
US09121436B2 Centering device
A centering device for mounting a flange with a bolt passing through a opening in a mounted state, has a centering disk with a collar surrounding a disk part. The disk part is received in the opening and the collar rests on the flange. An elongated hole in the disk part has, at its respective ends, semicircles of radii R and a straight piece connecting the semicircles of overall length L1. A centering sleeve has a sleeve part surrounded by a sleeve collar wherein the inside diameter D3 of the sleeve part corresponds to the diameter of the bolt and the outside diameter D2 of the sleeve part corresponds to the transverse diameter (2R) of the elongated hole. A locking device fixes the centering sleeve against the centering disk in a predetermined mounting position secure against displacement.
US09121429B2 Threaded fastener positive anti-rotation locking device
An apparatus includes a shaft, a device, a fastener, and an anti-rotation clip. The shaft is configured for rotation. The device is mounted on, and surrounds at least a portion of, the shaft, and has first and second protrusions that are formed on one side and are spaced apart to define a tab space. The fastener is rotationally mounted relative to the shaft, and includes a tab slot formed in its outer surface that extends radially inwardly and is disposed radially inwardly of the tab space. The anti-rotation clip includes a main body portion and a head portion that has a first tab portion and a second tab portion. At least a portion the main body portion is disposed between the device and the fastener, the first tab is disposed in the tab space, and the second tab is disposed in the tab slot.
US09121427B2 Staple assembly
Disclosed is an assembly of staples, the staples having a crown portion having at least two legs extending therefrom and one or more barbs protruding from at least one of the legs, the assembly further including at least one strip of collation tape, wherein the staples are collated and connected by way of the at least one strip of collation tape secured to the staples. In one form a portion of the collation tape remain affixed to the staples when driven by driver blade in a powered staple tool and assists in maintaining alignment of the staple in a nosepiece of the tool.
US09121426B2 Bracket clip
A snap-in clip having a low profile head and a pair of integral spaced legs extending away from the head to an insertion base. A wing element is angled upwardly away from one side of the insertion base with a free edge projecting towards the underside of the head. The clip is adapted for insertion through an access opening in an insert flange projecting through a mounting bracket to secure the insert flange in place in transverse relation to the mounting bracket.
US09121416B2 Variable speed air blowing system
A fluid compression system includes a compressor unit that directs a flow of compressed fluid to a first heat exchanger. A second heat exchanger receives a flow of coolant. A blower produces a flow of ambient air that passes through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger so as to direct cooling air through both heat exchangers. A variable speed motor is coupled to the motor in addition to a control system to vary the motor speed between a low speed and a high speed.
US09121410B2 Oscillating fan with built-in pull-type control switch
An oscillating fan with built-in pull-type control switch includes a housing defining a receiving space having a front open end; a driving motor mounted to the front open end of the receiving space and having a first rotary shaft; a blade assembly mounted to the first rotary shaft; at least one pull switch having a selector mounted in the housing and an actuator extended through and located outside the housing; and a control box provided in the receiving space to electrically connect to the driving motor and every pull switch. The actuator includes a pull string having an end connected to the selector and another end hung from the housing by a predetermined length, allowing a user to control the oscillation of the fan via the pull string. Since most fan components are integrated in the housing, the fan occupies only reduced space and is more practical for use.
US09121409B2 Portable electronic device with tiltedly installed centrifugal fan
A portable electronic device includes a main body and a heat dissipation module with a tiltedly installed centrifugal fan inside thereof. The main body includes an upper housing wall and a lower housing wall. The heat dissipation module includes a centrifugal fan, a heat dissipation fin array and a heat pipe. The centrifugal fan includes an impeller, a radial air outlet, an upper axial air inlet and a lower axial air inlet, wherein the centrifugal fan has a first side that is in contact with the upper housing wall and an opposite second side that is in contact with the lower housing wall. The heat dissipation fin array is located at the radial air outlet of the centrifugal fan. The heat pipe has a first end connected with the heat dissipation fin array and a second opposite end connected with a heat source.
US09121405B2 Trochoidal rotary device
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a system including a trochoidal rotary device. The trochoidal rotary device includes a housing comprising an inner surface, a rotor having at least one bearing recess, a shaft eccentrically mounted to the rotor, wherein the shaft and the rotor are integrated with one another, and at least one bearing disposed between the bearing recess of the rotor and the inner surface of the hollow housing, wherein at least one of the inner surface of the hollow housing, the bearing recess of the rotor, and the at least one bearing comprise a bearing interface comprises a surface treatment.
US09121403B2 Door assembly for positioning a pump cassette against a control assembly
A door assembly that includes a receptacle for a pump cassette can be closed to position the cassette into contact with a control assembly for operating the pump cassette. A force assembly having a movable member is capable of applying force to the pump cassette to press the pump cassette against the control assembly. The movable member may be an expandable member, such as a bladder.
US09121401B2 Passive pressure regulation mechanism
A pump system including a drive mechanism that provides a pumping force, a primary pump including a first pump cavity, an actuating element in reciprocal relation with the first pump cavity, and an outlet fluidly connected to a reservoir, a force translator that facilitates pump force transfer from the drive mechanism to the actuating element, a pressure regulation mechanism including a reciprocating pump that includes a pump chamber including an inlet manifold fluidly connected to the reservoir, a valve located within the inlet manifold, and a reciprocating element in reciprocal relation with the pump chamber. The pressure regulation mechanism preferably passively ceases force transfer from the drive mechanism to the primary pump based on the pressure of the reservoir.
US09121399B2 Strainer for a bilge pump
A straining device for a drainage pump, the straining device comprising a body defining an inner chamber; at least one straining element by which liquid may enter the chamber; and at least one outlet by which liquid may leave the chamber. The straining device further includes a liquid level sensor arranged to detect the level of a liquid in which said straining device is located during use and, upon determining that said liquid level exceeds a threshold, to cause an activation signal to be sent to said pump. The liquid level sensor comprises non-contact sensing means such as an electric field sensor. The sensor is located at the top of the straining device and arranged to project its sensing field upwardly.
US09121398B1 Float-operated pump switch
The float-operated pump switch provides float-operated pump switching for automatically maintaining the water level in a water tank supplied by a reservoir. The switch operates to start pumping water when the level in the upper tank is one-quarter of the volume of the tank, and continues pumping until the tank is full, thereby providing a hysteresis and reducing the number of times the pump needs to be operated.
US09121397B2 Pulsation dampening system for a reciprocating pump
A pressure pulsation dampening system for a pump that pressurizes a working fluid. In some embodiments, the dampening system includes a hydraulic cylinder, a valve, and a controller. The hydraulic cylinder has a piston that is movably disposed within a housing and divides the housing into a working fluid chamber and a hydraulic fluid chamber. An outlet of the pump is in fluid communication with the working fluid chamber, and the valve is in fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid chamber. The controller is operable to actuate the valve to a first configuration, wherein pressurized hydraulic fluid is supplied to the hydraulic fluid chamber, and to a second configuration, wherein hydraulic fluid is exhausted from the hydraulic fluid chamber. The piston is movable under fluid pressure, whereby working fluid is relieved from the outlet to the working fluid chamber or supplied to the outlet from the working fluid chamber.
US09121395B2 Method for assembling a bent-axis pump/motor
A rotating group of a bent-axis axial piston pump/motor is assembled as a subassembly with a removable stabilizing component that holds together and compresses the subassembly while it is outside of the pump/motor case. A yoke that carries a permanent or attachable back plate is installed in the case and positioned aside to allow clearance for installation of the rotating group. After the rotating group is installed, the yoke is moved back into proximity with the barrel, the stabilizing component is removed, and the remaining connections are completed.
US09121393B2 Passive heat extraction and electricity generation
A closed-loop heat exchange system and related methods for harnessing subterranean heat energy from a subterranean zone having a passive heat transfer device with multiple operational modes for targeting hotspots within the subterranean zone and adjusting the rate of energy harnessed according to consumption demands. The system can also have at least one enhanced surface section for increasing the heat exchange efficiency and/or a variable pump for controlling the rate at which the working fluid travels through the passive heat transfer device.
US09121387B2 Apparatus for extracting power from fluid flow
An apparatus for extracting power includes a track and an airfoil coupled to the track. The track includes first and second elongate sections, where the first elongate section is positioned above the second elongate section. The airfoil includes a suction surface lying between a pressure surface and the track, and is moveable in opposite directions when alternately coupled to the first elongate section and second elongate section.
US09121382B2 Engine starter with improved fixing structure of auxiliary electromagnetic switch
Disclosed is a starter for starting an engine. The starter includes a starter main body, a main electromagnetic switch, and an auxiliary electromagnetic switch. The starter main body includes a motor that generates torque upon being supplied with electric power. The main electromagnetic switch is provided for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit for supplying electric power from a battery to the motor. The auxiliary electromagnetic switch is provided for selectively switching the electric circuit between a high-resistance path and a low-resistance path. The starter is characterized in that the auxiliary electromagnetic switch is fixed to a fixture, and the fixture is fixed to only one of the starter main body and the main electromagnetic switch.
US09121371B2 Apparatus and method for altering the properties of fuel by processing through the application of a magnetic field
A system and method for altering the properties of a fuel by exposure of the fuel to a magnetic field is described herein. The method comprises generating a magnetic field; exposing a material to the magnetic field, and determining the optimum settings of the magnetic field parameters for the particular material. The magnetic field may be time varying or time invariant. Various properties of the magnetic field can be altered to determine the optimum settings for altering the fuel properties, including the amplitude, frequency, and waveform. In one embodiment, a method for improving the performance of a fuel is provided, comprising: providing a fuel line comprising fuel; installing a magnetic field generator along at least a portion of the fuel line; and generating a pulsed magnetic field around at least a portion of the fuel line using the magnetic field generator.
US09121370B2 Combustion system
A combustion system includes a reformer reforming a fuel on a catalyst to increase a combustion energy generated by the fuel per unit quantity of the fuel. The system includes an injection unit injecting a reformed fuel and a non-reformed fuel in such a manner that the reformed fuel is annularly distributed along an inner circumferential wall of a cylinder and the non-reformed fuel is distributed inside of the annularly distributed reformed fuel. The reformed fuel and the non-reformed fuel are combusted in a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine at a substantially same time. The reformed fuel is annularly distributed along an inner circumferential wall of an internal combustion engine. The non-reformed fuel is distributed in a center portion of the annularly distributed reformed fuel. The non-reformed fuel is compressed self-ignited to be combusted and the reformed fuel is ignited by a combustion of the non-reformed fuel.
US09121368B2 Efficient, low pressure ratio propulsor for gas turbine engines
A gas turbine engine includes a spool, a turbine coupled to drive the spool, and a propulsor that is coupled to be driven by the turbine through the spool. A gear assembly is coupled between the propulsor and the spool such that rotation of the turbine drives the propulsor at a different speed than the spool. The propulsor includes a hub and a row of propulsor blades that extends from the hub. The row includes no more than 20 of the propulsor blades.
US09121366B2 Induced flow intake for an internal combustion engine
The present concept is an intake system for a multi cylinder internal combustion engine head which includes a multi-cylinder longitudinally oriented inline cylinder head at least one intake valve corresponding to each cylinder, and an intake runner extending longitudinally within the head, the intake runner interconnecting and communicating intake gases to each intake valve. The intake runner terminating at each end at an intake inlet adapted to connect to an intake manifold.
US09121364B2 Control apparatus for internal combustion engine
Provided is a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, which can adequately perform the control of a fuel injection amount even when an abnormality, a disconnection or the like of a fuel pressure sensor occurs and thereby accurate fuel pressure information is not able to be obtained.A fuel injection valve (26) is provided which is capable of directly injecting fuel into a cylinder. If a target fuel injection amount is smaller than a minimum fuel injection amount that is minimum and is capable of injecting during one opening and closing operation of the fuel injection valve (26), the start timing of fuel injection is set within a period in which an exhaust valve is opened during an exhaust stroke.
US09121363B2 Fuel injection pattern and timing
A method is provided for operating an engine to limit soot emissions during fuel-enriched operation. The method includes operating the engine using a first fuel injection pattern and timing to inject fuel into a combustion chamber of the engine. The method further includes receiving a request for an increased engine power output and operating the engine using a second fuel injection pattern and timing to inject more fuel into the combustion in response to the request for the increased power output, where the second fuel injection pattern and timing is configured to minimize soot emissions during enriched fuel operations, such as during transient operations.
US09121359B2 Stepped idle return for multiair equipped engines with high aeration
A method and system for controlling the engine during a return to idle maneuver when the engine's oil is highly aerated. The system and method will implement a stepped return to idle maneuver when the engine oil has a predetermined amount of aeration. The predetermined amount of aeration is an amount that could cause an engine to stall due to valve lift loss if the engine speed were reduced to the idle speed in the conventional manner.
US09121356B2 Stop/start control to increase microhybrid vehicle battery charge
A stop/start system of a vehicle autostops and autostarts an engine and, in response to an identification of a drive cycle destination indicating that the vehicle will remain parked for at least a predefined period of time, prevents autostopping of the engine during the drive cycle to increase a state of charge of the battery above a nominal target state of charge.
US09121353B2 Control structure of engine throttle valve
A control structure is provided for a throttle valve of engine. The throttle valve includes a throttle plate arranged inside the valve body and mounted to a control shaft having an end extending outside the valve body and received in a control seat mounted outside the valve body and having a shaft hole seat, a constraint block, a coupling hole seat, and a cable outlet section. A control assembly includes a return spring and a control rocker arm that includes a connection section forming a connection hole to be fit over the control shaft and a cable connection section, a positioning section, and a push section. The control motor is mounted to the coupling hole seat of the control seat and has a driving rod having a front tip section positioned against the push section of the control rocker arm. The control seat lid is secured to the control seat.
US09121351B2 Gas turbine engine accessory system
In one embodiment, a gas turbine engine may include an accessory system integrated in a frame between a bypass flow path and a core flow path. A shaft may be provided between the accessory system and a core shaft of the gas turbine engine. The integrated accessory system may include power devices such as motors and generators, among other types of devices. The gas turbine engine may have more than one device spaced at various circumferential locations. In one non-limiting example, two power devices may be spaced 180 degrees apart. In some embodiments, a shaft and gearing may be provided to a location such as a frame in preparation to receive a power device at a later time.
US09121346B2 Pump system for TMS AOC reduction
An engine includes a duct containing a flow of cool air and a pump system having an impeller with an inlet for receiving air from the duct and an outlet for discharging air into a discharge manifold. The discharge manifold containing at least one heat exchanger which forms part of a thermal management system.
US09121344B2 Integrated piston and bridge
A piston coupled to a crankshaft via pullrods presents challenges for coupling the piston to the crankshaft because the connections are provided outside the piston. A bridge is coupled to a piston skirt at the end of the piston away from the piston crown. The bridge structure includes: a central support structure, a first projection extending outwardly from the central support structure in a first radial direction, and a second projection extending outwardly from the central support structure in a second radial direction. The central support structure is substantially hollow with a series of internal braces to yield a lightweight piston.
US09121343B2 Connecting rod of internal combustion engine
A connecting rod of an internal combustion engine, including a small end and a shank. The small end employs a flexible structure made of hard material. The hard material is a steel or alloy material having a tensile strength greater than or equal to 700 megapascal. The small end of the flexible structure includes a circular body, a center hole, and a flexible support. The circular body encircles the center hole, and the center hole is a complete circular hole having a constant diameter. The small end matches with a piston pin. The flexible structure of the small end operates to allow an elastic deformation of the center hole along an axial direction thereof produced by cylinder pressure exerted on the piston pin to adapt to a bending deformation of the piston pin along the axial direction.
US09121341B2 Dual link internal combustion engine
A dual link internal combustion engine, as viewed in a crank axial direction where a crankshaft rotates clockwise, has a following relative configuration. A piston pin center axis is offset to a right side of a piston center line extending through a center of a piston crest surface of a piston. A movement trajectory of a link coupling center of first and second links is positioned to a left side of a piston reciprocation line. A piston center of gravity is positioned to the left side. An average value of a distance in the cylinder axial direction to individual points of the piston crest surface from a reference plane passing through the piston pin center axis and orthogonal to the cylinder axial direction in an area to the left side is greater than an average value of the distance in an area to the right side.
US09121340B2 Hydraulic power system for a utility vehicle
A hydraulic power system for a utility vehicle having an engine with a crankshaft. The system features first and second rotationally-driven power generating devices, one of which is a hydraulic pump and the other of which is an alternator and one of which is a hydraulic pump. The first device has a first rotational input for operative coupling to the crankshaft for driven rotation thereby. A secondary shaft has an input end portion arranged for rotational coupling to a rotationally driven member of the first device and an output end portion arranged for rotational coupling to a second rotational input of the second device for driving thereof under driven operation of the first rotationally-driven power generating device by the crankshaft. Higher power output of increased reliability is provided over prior art add-on hydraulic solutions using electric-over-hydraulic power packs.
US09121338B1 Two-stage turbocharger system for internal combustion engines featuring cylinder deactivation
An internal combustion engine includes an engine defining a plurality of cylinders including full-time active cylinders and cylinders capable of being deactivated. A turbocharger system having a high pressure turbocharger in communication with the exhaust passages from the full-time active cylinders and a low pressure turbocharger in communication with the exhaust passages from the cylinders capable of being deactivated. A control valve is provided in communication with the exhaust passages from the full-time active cylinders and being operable in an open position to allow exhaust gases from the full-time active cylinders to pass through the second turbocharger along with the exhaust gasses from the cylinders capable of being deactivated, and being operable in a closed position to direct exhaust gases from the full-time active cylinders to pass through the first turbocharger.
US09121333B2 Cooling device of V-type engine
A cooling device is incorporated into a V-type engine E in which a front cylinder and a rear cylinder are arranged in V-shape and a rear exhaust pipe is placed at a right side of a vehicle body. The cooling device 1 includes an intake duct and a fan. The intake duct has a suction port which opens toward the rear exhaust pipe. The fan suctions the air into the interior of the intake duct through the suction port and exhausts the suctioned air to a location distant from the exhaust pipe.
US09121322B2 Electrically heated catalyst
The present invention is intended to suppress a decrease in insulation resistance between electrodes and a case in an electrically heated catalyst (EHC). The EHC according to the present invention is provided with a heat generation element that is electrically energized to generate heat thereby to heat a catalyst, a case that receives a heat generation element therein, an insulating member that is arranged between the heat generation element and the case for insulating electricity, electrodes that are connected to the heat generation element through an electrode chamber which is a space located between an inner wall surface of the case and an outer peripheral surface of the heat generation element, and a communication passage that makes communication between a portion of an exhaust system of the internal combustion engine, which is other than a portion thereof in which the electrically heated catalyst is arranged, and the electrode chamber.
US09121321B2 Exhaust system passive noise cancellation assembly and method
Disclosed is a passive noise cancelling assembly suitable for reducing exhaust drone from an exhaust system, whereby one or more tuning rods or tuning assemblies are disposed between two exhaust pipes of the system to cancel out or shift the target frequencies thereof. One or more elongated tuning rods are sandwiched between a first and second support plate, wherein a carrier rod extends through the assembly and connects to the exhaust pipes at its ends. An alternative embodiment contemplates smaller tuning rod subassemblies that include shorter tuning rods and a pair of support plates, whereby several subassemblies are supported along a single support rod. The modes of the assembly are controlled by the stiffness of the tuning rods, and its connection between the exhaust pipes attenuates exhaust modes creating audible drone.
US09121308B2 Wind turbine having a helicopter landing pad
A wind turbine includes a tower, a nacelle rotatably arranged on the tower, and a helicopter landing pad arranged on the nacelle. The wind turbine has a rotor having at most two rotor blades and a locking device for locking the rotor in a position in which the rotor blades extend horizontally, and the helicopter landing pad is arranged on the nacelle in such a way that the cross-section of the upper tower section lies completely within the outer contour of the helicopter landing pad in the top view.
US09121307B2 Slippery surfaces with high pressure stability, optical transparency, and self-healing characteristics
The present disclosure describes a strategy to create self-healing, slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS). Roughened (e.g., porous) surfaces can be utilized to lock in place a lubricating fluid, referred to herein as Liquid B to repel a wide range of materials, referred to herein as Object A (Solid A or Liquid A). SLIPS outperforms other conventional surfaces in its capability to repel various simple and complex liquids (water, hydrocarbons, crude oil and blood), maintain low-contact-angle hysteresis (<2.5°), quickly restore liquid-repellency after physical damage (within 0.1-1 s), resist ice, microorganisms and insects adhesion, and function at high pressures (up to at least 690 atm). Some exemplary application where SLIPS will be useful include energy-efficient fluid handling and transportation, optical sensing, medicine, and as self-cleaning, and anti-fouling materials operating in extreme environments.
US09121306B2 Slippery surfaces with high pressure stability, optical transparency, and self-healing characteristics
The present disclosure describes a strategy to create self-healing, slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS). Roughened (e.g., porous) surfaces can be utilized to lock in place a lubricating fluid, referred to herein as Liquid B to repel a wide range of materials, referred to herein as Object A (Solid A or Liquid A). SLIPS outperforms other conventional surfaces in its capability to repel various simple and complex liquids (water, hydrocarbons, crude oil and blood), maintain low-contact-angle hysteresis (<2.5°), quickly restore liquid-repellency after physical damage (within 0.1-1 s), resist ice, microorganisms and insects adhesion, and function at high pressures (up to at least 690 atm). Some exemplary application where SLIPS will be useful include energy-efficient fluid handling and transportation, optical sensing, medicine, and as self-cleaning, and anti-fouling materials operating in extreme environments.
US09121302B2 Radial compressor blade clearance control system
A diaphragm assembly includes a cylinder, a circular flange, and a diaphragm. The cylinder defines an axis and includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The circular flange is coaxial with the cylinder and at a greater radial distance from the axis than the cylinder. The diaphragm extends from the second end of the cylinder to the flange.
US09121301B2 Thermal isolation apparatus
A thermal isolation apparatus is provided and includes an annular casing surrounding a turbine bucket stage and defining an annular recess from an interior facing surface thereof, an annular shroud disposed within the casing to provide for a predefined clearance about rotating bucket tips of the turbine bucket stage, the shroud including an annular main member and an annular flange extending from an outwardly facing surface of the main member and being sized to fit within the recess and a thermal barrier formed of porous material, which is interposed between opposing surfaces of the casing and the flange within the recess.
US09121299B2 Axially retractable brush seal system
The present application provides an axially retractable seal system positioned within a seal slot of a stationary component and adjacent to a rotating component. The axially retractable seal system may include a seal with an upper flange positioned within the seal slot and one more bristles extending towards the rotating component and a spring positioned axially between the upper flange of seal and the seal slot such that the seal is forced into a retracted position.
US09121298B2 Finned seal assembly for gas turbine engines
A seal assembly provided between a hot gas path and a disc cavity in a turbine engine includes an annular outer wing member extending from an axially facing side of a rotor structure toward an adjacent non-rotating vane assembly, and a plurality of fins extending radially inwardly from the outer wing member and extending toward the adjacent non-rotating vane assembly. The fins are arranged such that a space having a component in a circumferential direction is defined between adjacent fins. Rotation of the fins during operation of the engine effects a pumping of purge air from the disc cavity toward the hot gas path to assist in limiting hot working gas leakage from the hot gas path to the disc cavity by forcing the hot working gas away from the seal assembly.
US09121292B2 Airfoil and a method for cooling an airfoil platform
An airfoil includes an outer surface having a leading edge, a trailing edge downstream from the leading edge, and a convex surface between the leading and trailing edges. A cavity is inside the outer surface, and a platform is connected to the outer surface and defines a top surface around at least a portion of the outer surface. A first plurality of trenches is beneath the top surface of the platform upstream from the leading edge, wherein each trench in the first plurality of trenches is in fluid communication with the cavity inside the outer surface. A first plurality of cooling passages provide fluid communication from the first plurality of trenches through the top surface of the platform.
US09121285B2 Turbine and method for reducing shock losses in a turbine
A turbine includes a rotor and a casing that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the rotor. The rotor and the casing at least partially define a gas path through the turbine. A last stage of rotating blades is circumferentially arranged around the rotor and includes a downstream swept portion radially outward from the rotor. A method for reducing shock losses in a turbine includes removing a last stage of rotating blades circumferentially arranged around a rotor and replacing the last stage of rotating blades with rotating blades having a downstream swept portion radially outward from the rotor.
US09121279B2 Tunable transition duct side seals in a gas turbine engine
A system and method for tuning a gas turbine combustion system having a plurality of seals positioned between the combustion system and the turbine inlet is disclosed. The system and method provide ways of permitting a predetermined amount of compressed air to bypass the combustion system and enter the turbine so as to control emissions and dynamics of the combustion system. The seals contain a plurality of holes to meter airflow passing therethrough and are positioned such that they can be removed from the engine and modified to increase or decrease the amount of air passing therethrough.
US09121272B2 Method of fracturing multiple zones within a well
A method of fracturing multiple zones within a wellbore formed in a subterranean formation is carried out by forming flow-through passages in two or more zones within the wellbore that are spaced apart from each other along the length of a portion of the wellbore. The flow-through passages within each zone have different characteristics provided by orienting the flow-through passages in directions in each of the two or more zones relative to a selected direction to provide differences in fracture initiation pressures within each of the two or more zones. A fracturing fluid is introduced into the wellbore in a fracturing treatment. The fracturing fluid in the fracturing treatment is provided at a pressure that is above the fracture initiation pressure of one of the two or more zones to facilitate fracturing of said one of two or more zones while remaining below the fracture initiation pressure of any other non-fractured zones of the two or more zones. The process is repeated for at least one or more non-fractured zones of the two or more zones.
US09121264B2 Tool for testing downhole tubing
A tool for testing a tubular has a shaft with a fluid passageway connecting a first port and one or more second ports. A sealing element seals against the tubular member. The shaft moves relative to the sealing sleeve between an open position in which the first port is in fluid communication with the second port and a closed position in which the sealing sleeve closes the first port. An anchor secures the sealing sleeve relative to the tubular member to permit the shaft to move from the open position to the closed position.
US09121256B2 Method of constructing a flow model associated with capillary pressure curves and/or relative permeability curves
A method of constructing a reservoir flow model from capillary pressure curves (Pc) and/or relative permeability curves (Kr) is disclosed having application to petroleum reservoir development, acid gas storage and underground water management. After discretizing the reservoir into a set of cells, a principal component analysis is performed for a data table constructed from curves (Pc, Kr) so as to extract principal factors explaining the data. The curves are represented in a representation space constructed from these principal factors and the curves represented in the representation space are classified. At least one curve representative of each class resulting from this classification is then defined and associated with each cell.
US09121253B2 Millable bridge plug system
A millable bridge plug system includes a mandrel having an upper portion and a lower portion, a shearing member attached at said upper portion of the mandrel, a sealing member, ring members, cone assemblies, slip devices, and a cap member at a lower portion of the mandrel. The shear member and the cap member are modular so that one bridge plug interchangeably connects to another bridge plug. The shear members are compatible with cap members of other bridge plugs. The shear member and the cap member further include a locking mechanism for rotational engagement by protrusions on the cap member being fit into the shear member and a locking mechanism for triggering a spring loaded lock into a groove on the cap member.
US09121252B2 Method and apparatus for establishing injection into a cased bore hole using a time delay toe injection apparatus
An apparatus and method for providing a time delay in injection of pressured fluid into a geologic formation. In one aspect the invention is a toe valve activated by fluid pressure that opens ports after a predetermined time interval to allow fluid to pass from a well casing to a formation. The controlled time delay enables casing integrity testing before fluid is passed through the ports. This time delay also allows multiple valves to be used in the same well casing and provide a focused jetting action to better penetrate a concrete casing lining.
US09121250B2 Remotely operated isolation valve
A method of operating an isolation valve can include continuously transmitting a signal to a detector section, and a control system operating an actuator in response to the detector section detecting cessation of the signal transmission. A well system can include an isolation valve which selectively permits and prevents fluid communication between sections of a wellbore, a remotely positioned signal transmitter, and the isolation valve including a control system which operates an actuator in response to detection of a signal by a detector section. Another well system can include an isolation valve interconnected in a tubular string, and the tubular string being cemented in a wellbore, with cement being disposed in an annulus formed radially between the isolation valve and the wellbore.
US09121247B2 Method and apparatus for establishing injection into a cased bore hole using a time delay toe injection apparatus
An apparatus and method for providing a time delay in injection of pressured fluid into a geologic formation. In one aspect the invention a toe valve activated by fluid pressure that opens ports after a predetermined time interval to allow fluid to pass from a well casing to a formation. The controller time delay enables casing integrity testing before fluid is passed through the ports. This time delay also allows multiple valves to be used in the same well casing and provide a focused jetting action to better penetrate a concrete casing lining.
US09121246B2 Blowout preventer having wear, seal and guide plate inserts
A method of preventing wear in a blowout preventer includes the steps of forming an inner surface of a blowout preventer body to receive wear inserts at least one wear point in the blowout preventer body; and securing at least one wear insert on the formed inner surface of the blowout preventer body.
US09121245B2 Spherical-annular blowout preventer having a plurality of pistons
A blowout preventer assembly is provided and is generally configured having an upper housing, a lower housing with a plurality of internally interconnected cylinders, a one piece energizing ring, and a plurality of individual bottom cover plates all enclosing a lower housing column bore for receiving well pipe. The blowout preventer assembly also has a plurality of annular pistons, a plurality of associated glands disposed in each cylinder with each piston, a main seal with a plurality of main seal ribs, an adaptor ring, and various dedicated and associated seals and threaded attachments.
US09121241B2 Stroker device
This inventions relates to a stroker device (1) for use in a borehole (2) in the ground. The stroker (1) comprises at least an actuator (6) arranged for displacing a tool (10) in a longitudinal direction of the borehole (2) and grippers (26) arranged to anchor the stroker (1) to the wall (36) of the borehole (2), alternatively to a pipe wall. The stroker (1) is provided with driving wheels (34) or driving belts for propulsion.
US09121239B2 Device for anchoring in a casing in a borehole in the ground
A device for anchoring in a casing in a borehole in the ground. The device comprises a shaft oriented in an axial direction, the shaft having a torque transfer section. The torque transfer section has axially oriented outer cam surfaces extending radially outwardly in a rotational sense. The shaft further has a plurality of clamping bodies circumferentially distributed around the torque transfer section with a limited movability relative to the torque transfer section in rotational sense and in radial directions. The clamping bodies each have an inner, axially oriented clamping body surface facing one of the cam surfaces of the torque transfer section and an outer surface defining a segment of a cylinder coaxial with said shaft.
US09121237B2 Methods of coating wellbore tools and components having such coatings
A method for forming a coating upon a wellbore tool includes forming a pattern of features supported by a body and forming a coating over the pattern of features. Forming the pattern of features includes forming a first feature and forming a second feature spaced from the first feature by a first width at a first elevation and by a second width at a second elevation, the second width being different than the first width, and the first elevation being further from an interior region of the body than the second elevation. Also disclosed is a wellbore tool comprising a coating covering a pattern of features and a method of utilizing a wellbore tool in a subterranean formation, the method including forming a pattern of features, forming a coating over the pattern of features, and disposing the wellbore tool in a borehole.
US09121229B2 Merlin drilling riser assembly
An improved drilling riser assembly including a male drilling riser assembly section and a female drilling riser assembly section that form a connection joint when mated. The drilling riser assembly sections having an internal stab type main drilling riser connector. The drilling riser assembly sections each have main drilling riser flanges that have helically threaded rings on an outer edge of the flange. A box and pin connector each have an inner helically threaded ring that mates with the outer helical flange ring of a drilling riser assembly section. The box and pin connectors extend towards each other and make up an enclosed compression joined mating section around the stab type connectors of the drilling riser assembly.
US09121228B2 Hybrid buoyed and stayed towers and risers for deepwater
Contemplated hybrid riser towers are configured such that individual riser lines can be added or removed via submarine ROV. Most preferably, riser lines are made from a housing and syntactic foam that encloses a riser pipe to so provide insulation and buoyancy. In further preferred aspects, hybrid riser towers are coupled to each other via a truss to allow expansion via SCR and/or to provide a riser porch.
US09121226B2 Hydraulic activation of mechanically operated bottom hole assembly tool
A method of hydraulically activating a mechanically operated wellbore tool in a bottom hole assembly includes: holding moveable elements of the wellbore tool in an unactivated position using a shear pin; inserting one or more drop balls into a drilling fluid; and flowing the drilling fluid with the drop balls to a flow orifice located in or below the wellbore tool. The flow orifice is at least partially plugged with the drop balls to restrict fluid flow and correspondingly increases the hydraulic pressure of the drilling fluid. The hydraulic pressure is increased to a point beyond the rating of the shear pin, thereby causing the shear pin to shear and allowing the moveable elements of the tool to move to an activated position.
US09121224B2 Vibrational tool with tool axis rotational mass and method
A vibrational tool with tool axis rotational mass and method is disclosed, which may be utilized to assist in lowering a drill string into a wellbore. A reciprocating member and rotatable mass are mounted within a vibrational tool housing. A plurality of curved passageways are positioned to induce rotation in response to fluid flow through the tool housing. As the rotatable mass rotates, a mechanical interconnection causes the reciprocating member to reciprocate, and results in vibrational forces for moving a bottom hole assembly.
US09121221B2 Cord-winding assembly of a window blind
A cord-winding assembly of a window blind includes a first spool and a second spool. The first spool has a first axis extending in an axial direction. A plurality of first grooves is formed on an outer periphery of the first spool. The first grooves are parallel to each other. Each of the plurality of first grooves has a circumferential length different from other first grooves. The second spool has a second axis extending in the axial direction. The first and second axes are parallel to each other. A plurality of second grooves is formed on an outer periphery of the second spool. The second grooves are parallel to each other.
US09121218B1 Garage door drip guard
The present invention is a drip guard for garage doors to catch any falling precipitation from the bottom of the garage door. A garage door drip guard assembly comprises of a trough, mounted on an inner surface of a bottom panel of the garage door. The trough having a length equal to the width of the garage door and a diameter to cover underneath the garage door to prevent any dripping. The trough moves under the door when the door is opened and moves away from beneath the door when the door is closed, thus catching falling debris.
US09121215B2 System for supervising access to restricted area, and method for controlling such a system
The invention relates to a system for supervising access to a restricted area, including at least one obstacle that is mobile between a deployed configuration, in which said obstacle extends across a passageway for the entry and/or exit to/from said restricted area, and a stowed configuration in which said obstacle is removed from said passageway. The system also includes a unit for driving the obstacle between the deployed configuration and the stowed configuration, a device for measuring the position of the obstacle, and a module for controlling the drive unit. The control module is suitable for comparing the measured position of the obstacle at at least one moment in time with a theoretical position of the obstacle at said moment in time, and to derive a rule for controlling the drive unit.
US09121203B2 Vehicle door fixing apparatus and fixed wedge of same
A vehicle door fixing apparatus includes a fixed wedge configured to be fixed to one of a vehicle body panel and a door panel, and a wedge device configured to be fixed to the other of the vehicle body panel and the door panel, the fixed wedge including an attachment member configured to be attached to the vehicle body panel or the door panel, and a wedge member provided to be pressure contactable with the wedge device and being attachable and removable relative to the attachment member, the wedge member forming a design surface of the fixed wedge.
US09121201B2 Magnetically releasable security tag
A security tag is provided that includes a housing, an electronic sensor held within the housing, an accessory pin provided with the housing and a lock assembly held within the housing. The accessory is pin provided with the tag housing and may be moveable with respect to the housing between locked and unlocked positions. When the accessory pin is in the locked position, the tag housing is secured to the accessory. When the accessory pin is in the unlocked position, the tag housing is disengaged from the accessory. The lock assembly may include a magnetically influenced (MI) member which is movable from a biased position to a relaxed position in the absence of the selected magnetic field to lock the accessory pins.
US09121200B2 Lockable lockset operable by either axial or rotational knob movement
A lockset has an actuator unit, a mounting unit and a latch retractor mechanism. The mounting unit attaches the lockset to a door and supports the actuator unit and latch retractor mechanism. The actuator unit includes inside and outside door knobs and a cam mechanism that move together within the mounting unit. During rotational movement, a first cam of the cam mechanism engages the latch retractor mechanism to retract the latch. The actuator is axially movable along an axis of the actuator unit when one of the knobs is pushed or pulled. During axial movement, a second cam of the cam mechanism engages the latch retractor mechanism to retract the latch. A locking mechanism is selectively actuable to act between the actuator unit and the mounting unit to prevent both rotational and axial movement of the actuator unit relative to the mounting unit, thereby locking the lockset.
US09121196B2 Digital output lock
A lock assembly comprising a lock body, a shackle, and a locking member configured to selectively lock the shackle relative to the lock body. At least one combination dial is rotatable between various combination positions. The at least one combination dial is associated with the locking member and is configured such that entry of a given series of combination positions causes the locking member to unlock the shackle relative to the lock body. A sensor is configured to sense the rotational position of the al least one combination dial. A display screen is associated with the sensor and is configured to display a position indicia which corresponds to the rotational position of the at least one combination dial.
US09121193B2 Fencing ornament
Described is a fencing ornament that is easily installed and removable. A fencing ornament to be secured to a fence structure includes first and second parallel elongate members and a cross member. The fencing ornament comprises a body portion having first, second, third, and fourth side members, and ornamentation within the body portion. Resilient first and second locking members are received in first and second recesses in the third side member adjacent ends thereof. A lug is provided on the fourth side member. Protrusions provided on each of the first and second locking members are moveable by compressing the locking member such that the lug is received in a hole in the cross member and the protrusions are received in a holes in the elongate members.
US09121191B2 Pool cleaners
A pool cleaner has a float and close proximity counter weight that together improve the applied torque to steer the pool cleaner, a body 13 has slots 33 diametrically opposed on the body 13 and these receive tangs 66 and 67 which depend from a circular body 68. The body 68 carries a circular guide-way 69 with a guide 70 travelling between opposite ends of the guide-way. A float 26 is connected to the guide by two pivot arms 71 and 72 which have openings at their ends so that they slide into position and are retained in place by snap in retainers 73 and 74. The guide 70 has a circular shoulder 75 and at opposite ends of the guide has projections 76 and 77 such that the rail 78 of the guide-way is retained between the surface 75 and the inner surfaces 78 and 79 of the projections 76 and 77 with the rail against the surface 80. A corresponding structure is on the opposite side of the guide and this retains the rail 81 so that the guide slides around a circular path defined by the rails 78 and 81. The guide 70 includes internal bores 82 and 83 at opposite ends and these are blind bores with an internal rib 84 so that stubs projecting from retainers 73 and 74 may snap fit into the bores 82 and 83 to retain the arms 71 and 72 in place and permit the pivoting action of the float 26 as illustrated in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9.
US09121185B2 Prefabricated staircase and finishing arrangement and installation method therefor
A staircase of skeletal form is prefabricated and is provided with prefabricated decorative cladding finishing plates for the treads, the risers and the stringer boards, the plates being pre-drilled for ease of assembly, a plurality of finishing plates can be preassembled, or factory assembled, together before installation over a portion of the prefabricated staircase, and the installation method thereof.
US09121184B2 Pultruded trim members
The present invention is an improved method of making cornice assemblies and other trim members utilizing the process of pultrusion. The cornice assemblies and the other trim members made by the method of the present invention exhibit superior strength to weight ratios, low expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature and humidity, as well being less labor intensive to install.
US09121174B1 Foldable sound attenuator
The present invention relates to a foldable sound attenuator, which includes: a case, formed with a left wall, a right wall, a top wall and a bottom wall, and each of the walls is connected to each other through at least a hinge, the top wall and the bottom wall are divided into at least two sheets, and each of the sheets is connected to each other through at least a hinge; a first sound absorbing plate; a folding plate, one side thereof is connected to the first sound absorbing plate through at least a hinge; and a second sound absorbing plate, connected to another side of the first sound absorbing plate through at least a hinge; wherein the first sound absorbing plate and the second sound absorbing plate are able to be folded and stored in the case through the folding plate and the hinge.
US09121173B2 System and method for construction modeling
A wall forming system for modeling office space having a plurality of panels having a first sheet and a second sheet in parallel spaced alignment separated by a support sheet. The system also includes a plurality of support members having a first sidewall and a second sidewall in parallel spaced relation separated by a transverse wall. The system also includes a plurality of connecting members having a first sidewall and a second sidewall in parallel spaced relation separated by a transverse wall. The support members connect to and provide support to the panels. The connecting members also connect to the panels as well as connect to adjacent support members and connecting members thereby providing a wall forming system that is convenient and easy to use.
US09121172B2 Wall panel fastening structure
A wall panel fastening structure for mounting and demounting each panel without moving the other panels is provided on a supporting frame by using a projecting and retracting pin, wherein the wall panel is provided with a wall board part and a fastening part projecting on a back surface of the wall board part; the supporting frame is provided with an accommodating space for accommodating the projecting and retracting pin, and placed along a gap between adjacent wall panels and facing the fastening part; the accommodating space is open to the gap; the projecting and retracting pin is provided with a thread portion and screwed into a thread hole provided in a flange of the supporting frame; and the wall panel is locked to the supporting frame by inserting a front end portion of the projecting and retracting pin into a locking hole formed in the fastening part.
US09121170B2 Framework for structural use
A reinforcement for structural use including two longitudinal bars or plates connected by transverse bars or plates. The end sections of each side of the transverse bars or plates end at the longitudinal bars or plates. The longitudinal bars or plates extend laterally from both ends forming corresponding ending areas where there are no transverse bars or plates between the longitudinal bars or plates. At least two of the ends of the longitudinal bar or plate assembly have an inclined section that switches direction toward the respective end and toward the longitudinal bar or plate facing it, and then a section parallel to the opposing longitudinal bar or plate. The ends of the longitudinal bars or plates include elbows folded inward.
US09121169B2 Veneer tie and wall anchoring systems with in-cavity ceramic and ceramic-based thermal breaks
Thermally-isolating veneer ties and anchoring systems employing the same are disclosed. A ceramic based thermally-isolating coating is applied to the veneer tie, which is interconnected with a sheetmetal surface-mounted wall anchor. The thermally-isolating ceramic coating is selected from a distinct grouping of materials, that are applied using a specific variety of methods, in one or more layers and cured and cross-linked to provide high-strength adhesion. The ceramic coating maintains a thermal expansion similar to that of the underlying wire formative to prevent cracking. The thermally-coated veneer ties provide an in-cavity thermal break that severs the thermal threads running throughout the cavity wall structure, reducing the U- and K-values of the anchoring system by thermally-isolating the metal components.
US09121163B2 Exoskeleton boom structure
The present disclosure provides a boom structure including an elongated body having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to couple to a dipper and the second end configured to couple to a support structure. The boom structure further includes a top member, a bottom member, and a pair of sides members of the body coupled to the top member and bottom member. Each side member includes a first portion extending between the first end and second end of the body and forming an outer frame structure. Each side member also includes a second portion coupled to an inner surface of the first portion and being substantially enclosed by the first portion.
US09121162B1 Motor coupler with multiple pick up locations
A hybrid male coupler portion for a front-end loader mates selectively and interchangeably with first, second or third different female coupler portions. The coupler portion includes a frame having first and second arm pin-on locations adapted for connection to associated first and second arms, respectively; at least one tilt member pin-on location adapted for connection to an associated tilt member; and first and second coupler halves including first, second and third hook-engaging mounts, first, second and third rib locking locations aligned with the respective hook-engaging mounts, plunger pin(s) slidably connected to the frame, movable between locked and retracted positions possibly moving toward the center line of the frame when locked or in opposing directions.
US09121155B2 Ice resistant jackup leg
The present invention provides an the ice resistant Jackup leg that comprises a plurality of chords, a plurality of plate structures, wherein the chords and plate structures are alternatively positioned so that the plate structures connect the chords to form the peripheral structure of the ice resistant Jackup leg, a plurality of longitudinal stiffeners, wherein the longitudinal stiffeners are disposed onto the inner surface of the plate structures for stiffening the plate structures, and a plurality of traverse web frames or girders, wherein the traverse web frames or girders are disposed onto the inner surface of the plate structures for supporting the plurality of longitudinal stiffeners. The present invention also provides an ice resistant Jackup platform employing the ice resistant Jackup leg.
US09121153B2 Marine barrier gate
A marine barrier gate includes a pleated row of buoyant panels movable between an expanded position where the panels have an angle therebetween, and a retracted position where the panels are substantially parallel. A first buoy is attached to a first end of the panel row, and a second buoy is remote from the panels when the panels are in the retracted position. The second buoy has a tow winch and cable attached to a second end opposite the first end, for moving the panels from the retracted position to the expanded position. The first buoy comprises a catenary winch and cable movably engagable with the panels and attached to the second buoy. When the panels are in the retracted position, the catenary winch sets a length or tension of the catenary cable such that it absorbs catenary loads on the barrier when the panels are moved to the expanded position by the tow winch.
US09121151B2 Adjustable sweeping blade device and sweeping blade assembly
The present document describes a sweeping blade assembly comprising a blade portion comprising at least one bushing hole and a lower edge for sweeping a ground; a resilient material layer onto the blade portion; and a resilient material bushing in the bushing hole.
US09121146B2 Determining milled volume or milled area of a milled surface
A system is provided for determining a volume of material milled, or a surface area milled, by a construction machine having a milling drum. The volume of material milled is determined as a function of a cross-sectional area of material to be milled in front of the milling drum and a distance traveled by the construction machine while actively milling. The cross-sectional area is determined in part by direct machine observation of one or more profile characteristics of a ground surface in front of the milling drum. The surface area milled is determined as a function of the width of the area to be milled in front of the milling drum and a distance traveled by the construction machine while actively milling.
US09121143B2 Self-propelled construction machine
The invention relates to a self-propelled construction machine, for example, a road finisher, comprising a vehicle chassis and having a tandem axle unit and a single wheel on each side of the vehicle, wherein each tandem axle unit comprises a twin axle carrier and also a regulating device, by means of which the twin axle carrier can be pivoted relatively to the vehicle chassis. Each tandem axle unit is mounted on a lever arm, which is mounted for rotation about a pivot axle on the vehicle chassis, and which is engaged by the regulating device.
US09121141B2 Slipform paver, as well as method for adjusting the width of a mold device
In a slipform paver with a tractor including a machine frame with longitudinal members and telescopable cross members, the machine frame comprises a central frame module in which the cross members are supported in a telescopable fashion. A mold adjustable to the working width comprises at least one permanent central mold element fixed relative to the central frame module and at least one permanent outer mold element movable relative to the central frame module. The permanent outer mold element is permanently attached to one of the cross members and/or one of the longitudinal members and the outer mold element is movable together with the cross member and/or the longitudinal member during the adjustment of the working width of the machine frame.
US09121140B2 Low profile material handling system
A material handling system has a shuttle car attached by an extension element either directly to a supply car or to a staging car attached to a supply car. An object manipulator moves an object into place for acquisition by the shuttle car which is brought into position by retraction of the extension element. The extension element extends and moves the shuttle car away to draw the object most of the way from the staging car. A second object manipulator opposite to the shuttle engages the object before the object is pulled completely from the supply car. The shuttle car and the second manipulator lower the object. Objects may also be retrieved and placed on the supply car. In some embodiments, a track on the staging and supply cars may allow a manipulator to travel along the cars to acquire objects.
US09121134B2 Process for production of oxidised cellulose pulp
The present invention relates to a process for producing an oxidized cellulose pulp fibrillar network and a composite with lignocellulosic fibers comprising the following steps: (a) oxidizing a cellulose pulp to obtain about 0.3 to 2.5 mmol carboxylic groups per gram cellulose pulp; and about 0.1 to 5.0 mmol aldehyde groups per gram cellulose pulp; (b) homogenization of the cellulose pulp of step (a) wherein the cellulose fibers are refined to provide a cellulose pulp comprising 0-50% of fibers having an average length 0.7 mm-2.1 mm; and 50-100% of fibers having a particle size of 0.05-500 micrometer (μm); and optionally (c) combining with lignocellulosic fiber. Also step (d) drying of the cellulose pulp obtained by step (b) or step (c) may be included in the process.
US09121133B2 Digitally printed applique and method of making same
An applique is provided that is attached to the outer surface of a product. The applique comprises a decorative piece including an upper surface with a design element digitally printed thereon and an opposite lower surface attached to the product.
US09121122B2 Washing machine and control method thereof
A washing machine and a control method thereof are disclosed. The present invention relates to a washing machine, more specifically, to a washing machine that is able to the amount of rinsing water used in a rinsing course.
US09121120B2 Imaged fabric with embroidery
Exemplary methods of making an applique are disclosed. Exemplary methods may include providing a fabric layer, and transferring a graphic onto the fabric layer, the graphic having a plurality of registration marks configured to align an embroidery contour. The methods may further include creating an adjusted embroidery contour using at least the registration marks, and applying an embroidery along the adjusted embroidery contour.
US09121118B2 Method and apparatus for forming a fibrous media
Disclosed herein are cylinder forming apparatuses for making nonwoven webs. In one embodiment, a cylinder forming apparatus has a first source configured to dispense a first fluid flow stream, and a second source configured to dispense a second fluid flow stream, wherein at least the first fluid flow stream comprises a fiber; an arcuate mixing partition downstream from the one or more sources, the arcuate mixing partition positioned between the first and second flow streams, the apparatus defining one or more openings that permit fluid communication between the two flow streams; and a cylindrical receiving region situated downstream from the sources and proximal to the first flow stream and designed to receive at least a combined flow stream and form a nonwoven web by collecting fiber from the combined flow stream. Methods of using the apparatuses are also disclosed.
US09121112B2 Carbon fibers having improved strength and modulus and an associated method and apparatus for preparing same
The invention is directed to carbon fibers having high tensile strength and modulus of elasticity. The invention also provides a method and apparatus for making the carbon fibers. The method comprises advancing a precursor fiber through an oxidation oven wherein the fiber is subjected to controlled stretching in an oxidizing atmosphere in which tension loads are distributed amongst a plurality of passes through the oxidation oven, which permits higher cumulative stretches to be achieved. The method also includes subjecting the fiber to controlled stretching in two or more of the passes that is sufficient to cause the fiber to undergo one or more transitions in each of the two or more passes. The invention is also directed to an oxidation oven having a plurality of cooperating drive rolls in series that can be driven independently of each other so that the amount of stretch applied to the oven in each of the plurality of passes can be independently controlled.
US09121111B2 Process for the manufacture of cellulose-based fibers
A method for the spinning of a fiber comprising cellulose nano-fibrils being aligned along the main axis of the fiber from a lyotropic suspension of cellulose nano-fibrils, said nano-fibril alignment being achieved through extension of the extruded fiber from a die, spinneret or needle, wherein said fiber is dried under extension and the aligned nano-fibrils aggregate to form a continuous structure. The fibrils used in this method can be extracted from a cellulose-rich material such as wood. The invention also related to a cellulose-based fiber obtained according to this method and to a cellulose fiber which contains at least 90% wt of crystallized cellulose.
US09121110B2 Quasirandom structure and function guided synthesis methods
The present invention is directed to the synthesis of molecules guided by connector polynucleotides (CPNs) capable of hybridizing to complementary connector polynucleotides (CCPNs) harboring at least one functional entity comprising at least one reactive group. At least one of the CCPNs is capable of hybridizing to at least two CPNs. Each CPN will “call” for one or more CCPNs capable of hybridization to the CPN. Following the formation of a supramolecular hybridization complex comprising a plurality of CPNs and a plurality of CCPNs, the reaction of reactive groups results in the formation of a molecule comprising covalently linked functional entities. The formation of the molecule involves the transfer of functional entities from one or more “donor CCPNs” to at least one “acceptor CCPN” with which the transferred functional entities were not associated prior to the transfer.
US09121107B2 Method of activating a doped diamond electrode
A method for electrochemically activating a doped diamond electrode by bringing the electrode into contact with an aqueous solution containing an electrolyte and applying at least one electrical pulse to the electrode. This method may be used to restore the electrochemical reactivity of a doped diamond-based electrode, the activation of the electrode in some cases possibly being done in the same aqueous solution containing an electrolyte in which the electrode lost its electrochemical reactivity.
US09121104B2 Systems and methods for determining alumina properties
Systems, methods and apparatus relating to evaluation of alumina feedstocks are disclosed. A system may include an alumina storage unit comprising an alumina feedstock, an alumina supply member in communication with the alumina storage unit and an aluminum electrolysis cell. The alumina feedstock of the alumina storage unit may periodically flow through the alumina supply member and to the aluminum electrolysis cell. A measurement device may be in communication with the alumina supply member, and may be configured to measure a supply member property and transmit a first signal to a processor. The processor may be configured to receive the first signal and produce supply member property data based, at least in part, on the first signal.
US09121102B2 Plating apparatus
A plating assembly for plating a part having an interior cavity with a plating material. The plating assembly has a main frame assembly adapted to receive and support the part. An anode frame assembly is positioned inside the main frame assembly and is electrically isolated from the main frame assembly. The anode frame assembly is electrically connected to an anode of a direct current power supply. A plurality of anode rods are mounted on the anode frame assembly in electrically conductive contact with it. A cathode assembly is electrically connected to the part and is electrically connected to a cathode of the direct current power supply. A fluid conduit assembly connects a fluid source such as a pump station to a plurality of fluid nozzles. At least one of the fluid nozzles is positioned within the interior cavity of the part.
US09121099B2 Vacuum processing apparatus and processing method using the same
A vacuum processing apparatus includes a process chamber; a transport unit for transporting a plurality of substrates; a gas supply unit; a substrate processing unit for processing the substrates placed on the transport unit; a detection unit for detecting a substrate interval between adjacent substrates out of the plurality of substrates; and a control unit for controlling, based on the substrate interval detected by the detection unit, a supply amount of the gas to be supplied by the gas supply unit.
US09121096B2 Concentric showerhead for vapor deposition
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a concentric gas manifold assembly used in deposition reactor or system during a vapor deposition process. In one embodiment, the manifold assembly has an upper section coupled to a middle section coupled to a lower section. The middle section contains an inlet, a manifold extending from the inlet to a passageway, and a tube extending along a central axis and containing a channel along the central axis and in fluid communication with the passageway. The lower section of the manifold assembly contains a second manifold extending from a second inlet to a second passageway and an opening concentric with the central axis. The tube extends to the opening to form a second channel between the tube and an edge of the opening. The second channel is concentric with the central axis and is in fluid communication with the second passageway.
US09121092B2 Tribology combined with corrosion resistance: a new family of PVD- and PACVD coatings
The present invention relates to a coating system on a substrate with improved protection against wear as well as corrosion. According to the invention the substrate is coated with a diamond like carbon (DLC) layer. This DLC layer is coated with an additional layer with material different from the DLC coating material, thereby closing the pin holes of the DLC layer.
US09121081B2 Multi-frequency heat treatment of a workpiece by induction heating
An apparatus and process are provided for multi-frequency induction heat treatment of workpieces including gears. High frequency power is applied to an induction coil that surrounds the workpiece so that a high frequency magnetic field couples with the workpiece to inductively heat the workpiece. A C-core inductor is coupled to a coil that has low frequency power applied to it. The workpiece is inserted in a gap in the C-core inductor magnetic circuit so that it experiences low frequency Joule effect heating when the low frequency current is applied to the coil coupled with the C-core inductor. Alternatively the workpiece may be inserted around the C-core inductor when the workpiece has an opening.
US09121079B2 High-strength hot-rolled steel sheet and method of manufacturing the same
On a cross section with a sheet width direction of a high-strength hot-rolled steel sheet set as a normal line, with regard to an inclusion having a major diameter of 3.0 μm or more, a maximum of a major diameter/minor diameter ratio expressed by (a major diameter of the inclusion)/(a minor diameter of the inclusion) is 8.0 or less, and a sum total of a rolling direction length per 1 mm2 cross section of a predetermined inclusion group composed of plural inclusions each having a major diameter of 3.0 μm or more and a predetermined extended inclusion having a length in a rolling direction of 30 μm or more is 0.25 mm or less. The plural inclusions composing the predetermined inclusion group congregate in both the rolling direction and a direction perpendicular to the rolling direction 50 μm or less apart from each other. The predetermined extended inclusion is spaced over 50 μm apart from all the inclusions each having a major diameter of 3.0 μm or more in at least either the rolling direction or the direction perpendicular to the rolling direction.
US09121075B2 Saccharifying biomass
Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can convert feedstock materials to a sugar solution, which can then be fermented to produce ethanol.
US09121074B2 Gossypium hirsutum plants with increased fiber strength comprising a fiber strength allele spanning the GLUC1.1A gene from Gossypium barbadense
This invention relates to the field of agriculture, more specifically to the use of molecular biology techniques to alter fiber-producing plants, particularly cotton plants, and/or accelerate breeding of such fiber-producing plants. Methods and means are provided to alter fiber qualities, such as increasing fiber strength. Methods are also provided to identify molecular markers associated with fiber strength in a population of cotton varieties and related progenitor plants.
US09121069B2 Diagnosing cancer using genomic sequencing
Methods, systems, and apparatus determine whether a first chromosomal region exhibits a deletion or an amplification associated with cancer in a sample from a subject (e.g., where the sample includes a mixture of cell-free DNA from tumor cells and non-malignant cells. Nucleic acid molecules of the biological sample are sequenced. Respective amounts of a clinically-relevant chromosomal region and of background chromosomal region(s) are determined from results of the sequencing. A parameter derived from these amounts (e.g. a ratio) is compared to one or more cutoff values, thereby determining a classification of whether first chromosomal region exhibits a deletion or an amplification associated with cancer.
US09121066B2 Methods for selecting competent oocytes and competent embryos with high potential for pregnancy outcome
The present invention relates to a method for selecting a competent oocyte or a competent embryo by determining the expression level of specific microRNA species in a body fluid or in cumulus cells.
US09121062B2 Labelled nucleotides
Nucleosides and nucleotides are disclosed that are linked to detectable labels via a cleavable linker group.
US09121061B2 Methods and compositions for discrimination between cytosine and modifications thereof and for methylome analysis
Compositions and methods are provided for discrimination between cytosine and modifications thereof using cytidine deaminases and/or oxygenases. Variants of wild type cytidine deaminases are described which show reduced bias with respect to adjacent nucleotides upstream of the cytosine. The methods provide a rapid and convenient use of enzymes to obtain methylomes.
US09121057B2 Cartridge and device for analyzing biological samples using temperature-controlled biological reactions
A method of filling a cartridge that includes a reaction chamber, a biochip mounted in the reaction chamber and a compensation chamber connected so as to communicate with the reaction chamber. The method includes placing a filling nozzle, which is connected so as to communicate with the reaction chamber, such that it is facing upwards, filling a liquid biological sample into the filling nozzle, pressing a stopper into the filling nozzle in order to force sample liquid into the reaction chamber, so that the reaction chamber is filled from bottom to top and an air bubble remains in the compensation chamber downstream of the reaction chamber.
US09121053B2 Method of detecting single nucleotide polymorphisms
Use of low-temperature nucleic acid amplification and binary probes to detect sequences and single nucleotide polymorphisms.
US09121048B1 Protection against human rhinovirus infection
Methods, kits, and compositions are disclosed for vaccinating a human or animal against human rhinovirus infection. Also provided are methods of using a cotton rat model for identifying and testing vaccines and therapeutic agents that prevent or ameliorate human rhinovirus infection.
US09121042B2 Enzyme used in biosynthesis of 1, 4-BDO and screening method of the same
Recombinant butyraldehyde dehydrogenases (Blds) with improved production of 1,4-BDO, as well as recombinant microorganisms comprising polynucleotides encoding the recombinant Blds, and methods of producing 1,4-BDO by using the recombinant microorganisms.
US09121039B2 Systems using cell culture for production of isoprene
The invention features methods for producing isoprene from cultured cells. The invention also provides compositions that include these cultured cells. The invention provides isoprene compositions, such as compositions with increased amount of isoprene or increased purity. Additionally, the invention provides methods of producing isoprene by culturing cells under conditions suitable for isoprene production while maintaining cell viability and/or metabolic activity.
US09121036B2 Expression system for insect pest control
Promoters active in insects can be enhanced by positive feedback mechanisms and associated with repressible lethal effects.
US09121035B2 Insecticidal compositions and methods for making insect-resistant transgenic plants
The present invention provides isolated polynucleotide sequences encoding ET37, TIC810 and TIC812 proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis, and nucleotide sequences for use in expressing TIC809, ET37, TIC810 and TIC812, and fusions of various insecticidally effective combinations of these proteins such as TIC 127, in plants. Methods of making and using the polynucleotide sequences and the proteins in the development of transgenic plant cells and transgenic plants exhibiting improved insect resistance against (1) Coleopteran insects including Western Corn Rootworm (Dibrotica virgifera), Southern Corn Rootworm (Dibrotica undecempunctata), Northern Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica barbed), Mexican Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera zeae), Brazilian Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica balteata) and Brazilian Corn Rootworm complex (Diabrotica viridula and Diabrotica speciosa), and against Hemipteran insects such as Lygus bugs, are disclosed.
US09121034B2 Methods and materials for conferring resistance to pests and pathogens of corn
Methods and materials for conferring pest resistance to plants are provided. Plants are transformed with a silencing construct homologous to a gene of a plant pest that is essential for the survival, development, or pathogenicity of the pest. This results in the plant producing RNAi to the selected gene, which, when ingested by the pest results in silencing of the gene and a subsequent reduction of the pest's ability to harm the plant. In other embodiments, the pest's reduced ability to harm the plant is passed on to pest progeny. Methods and materials for depathogenesis of pests is also provided.
US09121032B2 Selective ablation of diploid embryos
Methods of selecting haploid embryos are disclosed. Methods of producing haploid embryos and non-viable diploid embryos on a plant are provided. Methods for selecting haploid embryos produced from haploid inducer maize lines are provided. Methods for producing improved maize haploid inducer lines are disclosed. Maize haploid inducer lines comprising transgenes causing ablated or abnormal diploid embryos are disclosed.
US09121031B2 Methods and compositions for regulating production of proanthocyanidins
The invention provides methods and compositions for the modulation of proanthocynidin (“PA;” condensed tannin) production in plants. The methods of the invention allow creation of plants having novel phenotypes, such as alterations in levels of PA or in the types of tissues in which PAs are produced. Altered expression of PA in plants may be achieved, for instance without significantly affecting anthocyanin content or overall secondary metabolite profiles. Alternatively, expression of PA in plants may be achieved while also affecting anthocyanin content.
US09121030B2 Nucleic acid sequences encoding transcription factors regulating alkaloid biosynthesis and their use in modifying plant metabolism
Plant metabolism and alkaloid levels can be regulated by transcription factors that regulate the nicotinic alkaloid biosynthetic pathway. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a transcription factor that negatively regulates alkaloid biosynthesis, such as nicotine biosynthesis.
US09121027B2 Enhanced transformation of recalcitrant monocots
Provided herein are improved methods for transforming monocotyledonous plants, as well as an improved phosphomannose-isomerase (PMI) protein coding region and transformation vectors including the same.
US09121026B2 Yeast strain and screening method for identifying inhibitors of the expression of the hexose transporter genes by a positive phenotype
The present invention provides screening procedures for identifying inhibitors of components of regulatory networks by a positive phenotype and modified yeast cell lines suitable for said screening. The screening procedures are especially suited to screen for substances that re-sensitize resistant pathogenic microorganisms or tumor cells by suspending the expression of resistance-relevant genes. The invention further provides methods for constructing said cell lines and their use in screening systems.
US09121025B2 Non-natural amino acid replication-dependent microorganisms and vaccines
Compositions and methods of producing vaccines, including methods wherein whole organism vaccines are provided with limited replication abilities, thereby increasing vaccine safety and efficacy, through the use of non-natural, unnatural, or non-naturally encoded amino acids.
US09121023B2 Polymerase chain reaction product-cloning vector suitable to its easy production and method for producing the same
The present invention relates to a PCR product cloning vector applicable directly to the cloning of a PCR product. More precisely, the present invention relates to a PCR product cloning vector designed to be effective in use for blue/white colony selection and produced based on the restriction enzyme treatment process to generate non-complementary unpaired single overhang and a method for producing the same. According to the method of the present invention, the PCR product cloning vector designed to be advantageous for blue/white cloning selection can be produced with improved efficiency compared with the convention method.
US09121018B2 Methods and compositions for enhancing the efficacy and specificity of RNA silencing
The present invention provides methods of enhancing the efficacy and specificity of RNA silencing. The invention also provides compositions for mediating RNA silencing. In particular, the invention provides siRNAs, siRNA-like molecules, shRNAs, vectors and transgenes having improved specificity and efficacy in mediating silencing of a target gene. Therapeutic methods are also featured.
US09121010B1 Continuous porcine kidney cell line constitutively expressing bovine αVβ6 integrin with increased susceptibility to foot and mouth disease virus
Foot and out disease virus (FMDV) is worldwide problem. Rapid isolation, serotyping and vaccine matching of FMDV from infected animals is critical to enable the implementation of effective vaccination programs and to stop the spread of infection during outbreaks. Current virus isolation protocols use primary cells, known to be susceptible to FMDV, or baby hamster kidney cells (BHK-21) and other cell lines that are not highly sensitive to some strains of FMDV. The αVβ6 integrin is a principal receptor for FMDV. We therefore transduced the porcine kidney cell line, LFBK, to stably express both the αV and β6 bovine integrin subunits. The LFBK-αVβ6 cell line showed both β6 expression and enhanced susceptibility to FMDV infection for at least 100 cell passages. LFBK-αVβ6 cells are highly sensitive for detecting all serotypes of FMDV from experimentally infected animals, including the porcinophillic strain O/TAW/97 and are thus a sensitive tool for FMDV isolation.
US09121008B2 Development of natural killer cells and functional natural killer cell lines
The invention relates to natural killer cells and methods for the development of immortalized natural killer cells and use of the natural killer cells. A growth and culture system is described that supports increased natural killer cell development, and provides for the establishment of continuous natural killer cell lines. Additionally, the disclosed method for generating natural killer cells may be used to produce large numbers of natural killer cells for therapeutic applications and for natural killer cell research.
US09121007B2 Treatment of bone-related cancers using placental stem cells
Provided herein are methods of suppression of proliferation and growth of cells of bone-related cancers, e.g., multiple myeloma or chondrosarcoma cells, using placental cells, e.g., the placental stem cells described herein, and populations of such placental cells. Also provided herein are methods of treating individuals having cells of a bone-related cancer.
US09121006B2 Device for monitoring cell culture development
According to the invention, an electrical heating resistor (1) is in contact with a receiving surface for heating a cell culture (CC), the resistor being connected to an electric circuit for providing heating power so as to keep the cell culture (CC) at a prescribed temperature setting (Tref). An element (61) for measuring at least one first parameter (VM), representing the amount of heating power used by the circuit, said measuring element (61) is also an element (61) for measuring the development of the cell culture, the device comprising a computer (62, 63) for calculating a second parameter (PAR), representing the development of the cell culture (CC) over time, on the basis of the first parameter (VM).
US09121005B2 Methods and apparatus for handling microbial samples
This invention pertains to the general field of microbiology, and more specifically to transfer, inoculation and/or streaking of micro-organisms, e.g. for the purpose of obtaining individual colonies. Provided is a method for streaking a microbial sample onto a solid carrier, comprising the steps of: a) contacting at least one ferromagnetic particle with a solid carrier, followed or preceded by providing the particle with at least part of said sample, and b) applying a magnetic field gradient to allow for magnetically controlled motion of said particle on said surface, such that at least part of the sample is streaked onto the solid carrier. Also provided is an apparatus for carrying out such method in an (semi-)automated fashion.
US09121004B2 Cell culture unit and cell culture device including the same
There is provided a cell culture device, which includes a plurality of cell culture units, in which the cell culture unit includes: a cell culture tub that defines a culture space for cultivating cells, contains culture medium in the culture unit, and has an air layer above the culture medium; a drainage channel that is connected to the cell culture tub to discharge used culture medium to the integral drainage channel; an open culture medium reservoir that supplies new culture medium into the cell culture tub; and a droplet generator that is disposed between the cell culture tub and the open culture medium reservoir and supplies the culture medium from the open culture medium reservoir to the cell culture tub, using negative pressure of the air layer generated when the used culture medium is discharged.
US09121001B2 Laundry detergent compositions
The present invention is to a laundry detergent powder comprising: (i) from 20 to 80 wt % of a first particle comprising less than 55 wt % sulphate, anionic detersive surfactant, and having a bulk density of from 300 g/l to 1100 g/l: and (ii) from 20 to 80 wt % of a second particle comprising at least 55 wt % sulphate and, having a bulk density of from 350 g/l to 600 g/l, and a process to making the laundry detergent powder.
US09120994B2 Terpene alcohols for use in fragrance compositions and perfumed products
Compounds of formula (I) wherein R is hydrogen and the bond between C-2 and C-3 together with the dotted line represents a double bond, or R is —CH2— and together with C-2 and C-3 represents a cyclopropane ring and the bond between C-2 and C-3 together with the dotted line represents a single bond, having floral rosy odor notes, their use as fragrance and perfumed products comprising them.
US09120991B2 High octane unleaded aviation gasoline
High octane unleaded aviation fuel compositions having a CHN content of at least 97.2 wt %, less than 2.8 wt % of oxygen content, a T10 of at most 75° C., T40 of at least 75° C., a T50 of at most 105° C., a T90 of at most 135° C., a final boiling point of less than 210° C., an adjusted heat of combustion of at least 43.5 MJ/kg, a vapor pressure in the range of 38 to 49 kPa is provided.
US09120990B2 Systems for fuels from biomass
The present application generally relates to a system to prepare a fuel from a biomass and a petroleum fraction wherein a renewable fuel oil is obtained via pyrolysis, delivered to the injection point of a refinery system, and then co-processed with a petroleum fraction in the presence of a catalyst.
US09120987B2 Extraction of neutral lipids by a two solvent method
A method for separating neutral lipids from plant material, in particular, intact algal cells, using an amphipathic solvent set and a hydrophobic solvent set. Some embodiments include dewatering intact algal cells and then extracting neutral lipids from the algal cells. The methods provide for single and multistep extraction processes which allow for efficient separation of algal neutral lipids from a wet algal biomass while avoiding emulsification of extraction mixtures. The neutral lipids are removed after first removing a polar lipid fraction and a protein fraction. These neutral lipids can be used to generate renewable fuels as well as food products and supplements.
US09120984B2 Transition metal catalysts for hydrodesulfurization
Phosphoranimide-metal catalysts and their role in hydrodesulfurization are disclosed. The catalysts comprise of first row transition metals such as nickel, cobalt and iron. The catalysts have a metal to anionic phosphoranimide ratio of 1:1 and catalyze hydrodesulfurization of a range of sulfur-containing organic compounds under lower temperature and pressure conditions than those commonly used in industrial hydrodesulfurization.
US09120980B2 Catalyst/biomass mixing in transport reactor
A reactor and/or process is disclosed for fluidized cracking of solid particulate biomass material, including a first mixing zone where a particulate stream comprising solid particulate biomass is mixed with a lift gas and becomes fluidized, and including a second mixing zone where a heat carrier material is mixed with the fluidized solid particulate biomass material.
US09120977B1 Recycling of tires, rubber and other organic material through vapor distillation
A processor for vacuum distillation of whole tires including: an insulated housing having a door on one end, a central radiant heat tube and a plurality of peripheral heat tubes spaced about the central radiant heat tube and arranged with an inlet leg of each peripheral heat tube adjacent an outlet leg of another peripheral heat tube to maximize utilization of the radiant heat energy from the peripheral heat tubes. The central radiant heat tube has an unsupported end adjacent the door such that the tires loaded through door will pass over the central radiant heat tube and such that the central radiant heat tube is in a central opening of each tire.
US09120975B2 Yellow-green to yellow-emitting phosphors based on terbium-containing aluminates
Yellow-green to yellow-emitting, lutetium aluminate-based terbium (Tb) containing phosphors for use in white LEDs, general lighting, and LED and backlighting displays are disclosed herein. The phosphor may further contain gadolinium (Gd). In one embodiment of the present invention, the phosphor comprises a cerium-activated, yellow-green to yellow-emitting lutetium aluminate-based phosphor having the formula (Lu1-xAx)3Al5O12:Ce wherein A is at least one of Gd and Tb and 0.1≦x≦1.0, wherein the phosphor is configured to emit light having a peak emission wavelength ranging from about 550 nm to about 565 nm, and wherein the phosphor contains at least some Tb.
US09120974B2 Phosphor and light-emitting device using same
Provided is a phosphor having enhanced luminance with respect to that of conventional β-type sialon phosphors. A phosphor having enhanced luminance is obtained by causing Al, O (oxygen) and Eu to be present at specific concentrations in a produced β-type sialon phosphor. Specifically, provided is a β-type sialon phosphor containing Si, Al, O, N and Eu, wherein the Al concentration in the phosphor ranges from 0.80 mass % or higher to 2.25 mass % or lower, the O concentration ranges from 0.36 mass % or higher to 1.15 mass % or lower, the Eu concentration ranges from 0.40 mass % or higher to 0.80 mass % or lower and a ratio (Al/O) of the Al concentration with respect to the O concentration ranges from 2.0 or higher to 3.0 or lower.
US09120970B2 Liquid crystalline media and liquid crystal displays with a polymer-stabilized homeotropic orientation
The present invention relates to liquid-crystal displays (LC displays) with polymer-stabilized, homeotropic (vertical) alignment of the liquid-crystalline medium (LC medium) without conventional imide alignment layers. The LC medium according to the invention comprises particles having a mass of at least 450 Da which have been functionalized by a polar, organic anchor group.
US09120969B2 Liquid crystal medium and liquid crystal display
The instant invention relates to mesogenic media exhibiting a blue phase, comprising one, two or more compounds of formula I-A wherein the parameters are as specified in the text, preferably stabilised by a polymer, and their use in electro-optical light modulation elements and their respective use in displays, as well as to such displays.
US09120966B2 Process for disinfecting and stabilizing production water using in-situ hypobromous acid generation
A method of reusing waste-water resulting from hydrocarbon production operations as a disinfectant. The method includes a) providing waste-water resulting from hydrocarbon production operations containing greater than 3 ppm bromide ion; b) adjusting the pH of the waste-water to a pH that renders the fracturing fluid non-scaling, while maximizing the production of hypobromous acid and c) adding a sufficient amount of an oxidizing agent to convert the bromide ion to hypobromous acid to provide a disinfectant solution.
US09120964B2 Treatment fluids containing biodegradable chelating agents and methods for use thereof
Treatment fluids containing biodegradable chelating agents can be used in various treatment methods. The methods can comprise providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid and a chelating agent composition, and introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation. The treatment fluids can also be used for treatment of pipes or tubing such as, for example, well bore pipes or tubing penetrating a subterranean formation and above-ground pipelines. Illustrative biodegradable chelating agents include, but are not limited to, glutamic acid diacetic acid, methylglycine diacetic acid, β-alanine diacetic acid, S,S-ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid, iminodisuccinic acid, hydroxyiminodisuccinic acid, any salt thereof, any derivative thereof, and any combination thereof. The treatment fluids can optionally comprise an acid, which can include hydrofluoric acid or a hydrofluoric acid generating compound.
US09120956B2 Water-based plaster
Provided is a water-based plaster in which the gel strength is maintained to an appropriate level in a step of producing the water-based plaster, and particularly in a spreading step and an aging step, and a final preparation can exhibit an optimal adhesiveness for adhering to the skin. In the water-based plaster, a water-based adhesive base containing a water-soluble polymer as a main ingredient contains a higher fatty acid which is a liquid at room temperature and a viscosity of 1,000 (mPa·s, 20° C.) or more as a crosslinking modifier. The higher fatty acid is isostearic acid, and the contained amount thereof is 1 to 10% by weight.
US09120952B2 Polymeric microgels for chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) processing
Organic-inorganic composites were prepared as colloidal particles of a cross-linked, thermally responsive polymer. Hybrid PNIPAM-polysiloxane particles and composite polymeric particles with embedded nanoparticles of an inorganic metal-oxide (MOx) such as CeO2 and TiO2 were formed. To promote the incorporation of unaggregated nanoparticles, temperature responsive microspherical gels (microgels) of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) with interpenetrating (IP) linear chains of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were used. The organic-inorganic composition of the hybrid polymer network was controlled by changing the time for condensation and hydrolysis of the siloxane monomer during synthesis. Experimental results indicated that the planarization of silicon oxide wafers using these hybrid particles and composites exhibited lower topographical variations and surface roughness as compared to slurries consisting of only silica or ceria nanoparticles while achieving similar removal rates and better or similar frictional characteristics.
US09120937B2 Energy cured coating composition and process of applying same to substrate
Disclosed is an energy curable coating composition for roll coating, a product, and continuous process of applying the energy curable coating composition to a substrate. The energy curable coating composition has a substantially constant viscosity and includes an energy curable resin having plurality of texturing particles suspended therein. The substantially constant viscosity of the energy curable coating composition remains at least less than about 1500 centipoise at approximately 15° C. to approximately 40° C., during recirculation, in a coating pan, and prior to application using a roll coating apparatus. The plurality of texturing particles provide a predetermined texture to a cured energy coating composition. The continuous process of applying the energy curable coating to a substrate allows the process to continuously operate until the energy curable coating composition is depleted from the container.
US09120933B2 White hard decorative member
In order to provide a white hard decorative member being remarkably enhanced in scratch resistance and abrasion resistance and having a high-quality color impression, and furthermore supply a product capable of freely controlling the color tone, corrosion resistance performance, and etching performance, the white hard decorative member includes a base material having thereon an alloy adherence layer having a high adherence effect, an alloy gradient adherence layer in which the reaction gas content is gradually increased, an abrasion-resistant layer having high hardness, and an alloy color-up gradient layer in which the reaction gas content is gradually decreased, which are formed by using a film of an alloy combining a metal having a high adherence effect to a metal and high brightness, a metal having high film hardness and high corrosion resistance, and a metal for enhancing the corrosion performance.
US09120930B2 Heat dissipating paint with high thermal radiating capability
A high emissive paint comprises organic materials with different functional groups, one or more inorganic materials, and optionally other paint property adjusting agents. The infrared absorption range of the paint derives from organic functional groups, such as C—C, C—H, N—H, C—N, C—O and C—X groups, and the one or more inorganic materials. One or more inorganic materials may also be present as micro- or nano-sized particles.
US09120926B2 Curable compositions
Curable compositions including an epoxy resin, a hardener, and a block copolymer having a thermoset-philic block and a thermoset-phobic block, where the block copolymer is from 20 weight percent to 80 weight percent of the curable composition are described herein.
US09120925B2 Carbonate blend composition having improved resistance to environmental stress cracking
The present invention relates to carbonate blend compositions demonstrating improved environmental stress crack resistance in combination with an excellent blend of impact, thermal, and physical properties. Said carbonate blend composition comprises a polycarbonate, a polyester, and a silicon-containing graft (co)polymer having a core-shell morphology, comprising a shell that contains (co)polymerized alkyl(meth)acrylate and glycidyl methacrylate grafted to a composite rubber core that contains polyorganosiloxane and poly(meth)alkyl acrylate components and methods to make said compositions.
US09120923B2 Thermoplastic elastomer compounds exhibiting superior compression set properties
A blend of polyisobutylene-based thermoplastic vulcanizate, styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene, low molecular weight liquid polybutene, polyolefin, polyphenylene ether, and, optionally, filler is disclosed which has good processability, lower compression set, and more effective barrier properties for oxygen than the same blend without the styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene and the polyphenylene ether. The blend is superior in oxygen transmission rate properties than a conventional styrenic block copolymer containing thermoplastic elastomer.
US09120914B2 Thermoplastic polymer composition
The invention provides a compound conforming to the structure of Formula (CXX) The invention also provides a thermoplastic polymer composition comprising a polyolefin polymer and a compound conforming to the structure of Formula (CXX) as a nucleating agent.
US09120910B2 Polycarbonate resin compositions and molded articles
The invention provides polycarbonate resins which are excellent in terms of light resistance, transparency, hue, heat resistance, thermal stability, and mechanical strength. The invention relates to a polycarbonate resin composition containing: a polycarbonate resin at least containing structural units derived from a dihydroxy compound having the portion represented by the following formula (1) as part of the structure thereof; and a bluing agent. The invention further relates to a polycarbonate resin composition including: a polycarbonate resin (A) containing structural units derived from a dihydroxy compound represented by the following formula (2) as part of the structure thereof; and a bluing agent. CH2—O  (1) The case where the portion represented by the general formula (1) constitutes —CH2—O—H is excluded.
US09120898B2 Method of curing thermoplastic polymer for shape memory material
A method of preparing a cured thermoplastic material includes curing a thermoplastic polymer having a thermal decomposition temperature greater than or equal to about 200° C., at a temperature of about 200° C. to about 400° C., for a total time of less than or equal to 200 hours. A method of making a shape memory material also includes curing a thermoplastic polymer to prepare a cured thermoplastic material.
US09120894B2 Method for producing polyether polyols
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of polyether carbonate polyols from one or more H-functional starter compounds, one or more alkylene oxides and carbon dioxide in the presence of a double metal cyanide catalyst, wherein (α) the H-functional starter substance or a mixture of at least two H-functional starter substances is initially introduced into the reaction vessel, (β) for the activation, a part amount (based on the total amount of the amount of alkylene oxides employed in steps (β) and (γ)) of one or more alkylene oxides is added to the mixture resulting from step (α), it also being possible for step (β) to be carried out several times for the activation, (γ) one or more alkylene oxides and carbon dioxide are metered continuously into the mixture resulting from step (β) (“copolymerization”), the alkylene oxides employed for the copolymerization being identical to or different from the alkylene oxides employed in step (β), characterized in that in step (γ) the carbon dioxide is passed into the mixture by (i) gassing the reaction mixture in the reactor from the bottom, (ii) using a hollow shaft stirrer, (iii) a combination of the metering operations according to (i) and (ii), and/or (iv) gassing over the surface of the liquid by using stirrer units configured in several stages.
US09120887B2 Crosslinked compositions and articles prepared therefrom
The invention provides a crosslinked composition formed by thermally treating a composition comprising at least the following: A) an ethylene-based polymer that has a density less than, or equal to, 0.910 g/cc; B) an olefin-based polymer that has a melt viscosity less than, or equal to, 20,000 cP, at 350° F.; and C) a crosslinking agent.
US09120884B2 Cyclopenta[b]fluorenyl transition metal compound, catalyst composition containing the same, and method of preparing ethylene homopolymer or copolymer of ethylene and α-olefin using the same
The present invention relates to a new transition metal compound based on cyclopenta[b]fluorenyl group, a transition metal catalyst composition containing the same and having high catalytic activity for preparing an ethylene homopolymer or a copolymer of ethylene and one α-olefin, a method of preparing an ethylene homopolymer or a copolymer of ethylene and α-olefin using the same, and the prepared ethylene homopolymer or the copolymer of ethylene and α-olefin.
US09120882B2 Process for purging propane in a polypropylene manufacturing process
A process can include polymerizing propylene in a polymerization zone, withdrawing an effluent, and sending the effluent to a separation zone. A stream can be sent from the separation zone to a splitter to produce an overhead and a bottom stream. The overhead can be recycled to the polymerization zone, and the bottom stream can be sent to a membrane separation zone to produce a permeate and a purge. Optionally, the bottom stream can be washed in a scrubber, and an overhead of the scrubber can be sent to the membrane separation zone. The permeate can be recycled to the polymerization zone. A process can include providing a membrane separation zone to a polypropylene manufacturing facility that includes a polymerization zone, a separation zone, a splitter, and optionally a scrubber. The membrane separation zone can be fed a bottoms stream of the splitter or an overhead of the scrubber.
US09120881B2 Ligand compound, chromium compound and catalyst system including the same
The present invention relates to a ligand compound, a chromium compound, and a catalyst system including the same. The catalyst system including the ligand compound or chromium compound according to the present invention exhibits high catalytic activity in ethylene oligomerization reaction, and therefore, polyethylene can be prepared using a small amount of comonomers or using only ethylene without comonomers.
US09120879B2 Supported Salan catalysts
Supported Salan catalysts, a process comprising contacting one or more olefins with a catalyst system comprising an activator and a Salan catalyst disposed on a support, and polymers produced by the process.
US09120877B2 Sulfated polysaccharide compound and the preparation and use thereof
The present invention relates to a sulfated polysaccharide compound and the preparation and use thereof, and in particular to a narrow distribution low molecular weight, highly sulfated pentosan (in this instance a xylan) referred to as glucuronoxylan sulfate (GXS). The invention has been developed primarily for use in the treatment of various clinical conditions. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted this particular field of use.
US09120872B2 Matrix composed of a naturally-occurring protein backbone cross linked by a synthetic polymer and methods of generating and using same
A method of treating a disorder characterized by tissue damage is provided. The method comprising providing to a subject in need-thereof a composition which comprises a synthetic polymer attached to denatured fibrinogen or a therapeutic portion of the fibrinogen, the composition being formulated for releasing the therapeutic portion of the fibrinogen in a pharmacokinetically regulated manner, thereby treating the disorder characterized by tissue damage or malformation.
US09120870B2 Dual specific binding proteins directed against IL-13 and IL-17
Engineered multivalent and multispecific binding proteins that bind IL-13 and/or IL-17 are provided, along with methods of making and uses in the prevention, diagnosis, and/or treatment of disease.
US09120867B2 Lutzomyia longipalpis polypeptides and methods of use
Substantially purified salivary Lu. longipalpis polypeptides, and polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides are disclosed. Vectors and host cells including the Lu. longipalpis polynucleotides are also disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed for inducing an immune response to sand fly saliva. In other embodiments, methods for treating, diagnosing, or preventing Leishmaniasis are disclosed.
US09120865B2 T cell epitopes of the Cyn d 1 allergen from bermuda grass pollen
The present invention relates generally to molecules such as peptides, polypeptides and proteins which interact immunologically with T lymphocytes in subjects having Bermuda grass allergy and genetic sequences encoding same. These molecules are preferentially immunointeractive with T cells in subjects having a Bermuda grass pollen allergy. The molecules of the present invention are useful in the development of diagnostic, therapeutic and prophylactic agents for conditions characterized by an aberrant, inappropriate or otherwise unwanted immune response to Bermuda grass pollen or derivative or homolog thereof.
US09120864B2 Flowering inhibition
The present invention relates to nucleic acids or nucleic acid fragments encoding amino acid sequences for proteins involved in the control of flowering in plants, and the use thereof for the modification of flowering, particularly inhibiting flowering. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acids or nucleic acid fragments encoding amino acid sequences of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), TERMINAL FLOWER (TFL), GIGANTEA (GI) and SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP) polypeptides.
US09120863B2 Nucleic acids encoding antibodies to matrix metalloproteinase 9
The present disclosure provides compositions and methods of use involving binding proteins, e.g., antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof, that bind to the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) protein (MMP9 is also known as gelatinase-B), wherein the binding proteins comprise an immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain (or functional fragment thereof) and an Ig light chain (or functional fragment thereof).
US09120862B2 Antibodies relating to PIVKA-II and uses thereof
The present disclosure relates to antibodies and immunoassay methods for use in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver cancer and related conditions.
US09120856B2 Anti-CD19 antibody having ADCC function with improved glycosylation profile
The present invention relates to an anti-CD19 antibody having a variant Fc region having some specific amino acid modifications relative to a wild-type Fc region which confer one or several useful effector functions. The present invention relates in particular to chimeric, humanized or full human anti-CD19 antibodies comprising such a variant Fc region. It relates advantageously to antibodies with an interesting and valuable glycosylation profile, especially a low fucose level and/or a high oligomannose level and low level of sialic acid, high ADCC function and no CDC. The present invention also relates to the use of these antibodies in the treatment, prevention or management of diseases or disorders, such as cancer, especially a B-cell malignancy and auto-immune disease.
US09120855B2 Biologic compounds directed against death receptor 5
The present invention relates to amino acid sequences that are directed against TRAIL cell surface receptor 2 (herein also “DR5”), as well as to compounds or constructs thereof, and in particular proteins and polypeptides and nucleotides that encode them (referred to herein in their entirety as “NB agents”) and fragments thereof, and pharmaceutically effective variants thereof, and their use in the diagnosis and treatment of DR5 associated diseases and disorders.
US09120853B2 Activatable antibodies that bind epidermal growth factor receptor and methods of use thereof
The invention relates generally to activatable antibodies that include a masking moiety (MM), a cleavable moiety (CM), and an antibody (AB) that specifically binds to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and to methods of making and using these anti-EGFR activatable antibodies in a variety of therapeutic, diagnostic and prophylactic indications.
US09120851B2 Human antibodies to human angiopoietin-like protein 4
A fully human antibody or antigen-binding fragment of a human antibody that specifically binds and inhibits human angiopoietin-like protein 4 (hANGPTL4) is provided. The human anti-hANGPTL4 antibodies are useful in treating diseases or disorders associated with ANGPTL4, such as hyperlipidemia, hyperlipoproteinemia and dyslipidemia, including hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, chylomicronemia, and so forth. Furthermore, the anti-hANGPTL4 antibodies can be administered to a subject in need thereof to prevent or treat diseases or disorders, for which abnormal lipid metabolism is a risk factor. Such diseases or disorders include cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and coronary artery diseases; acute pancreatitis; nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); diabetes; obesity; and the like.
US09120850B2 Biosensor for detection and visualisation of single-stranded DNA
A modified protein of the single strand DNA-binding domain, SSB family comprising a detectable label is disclosed. The label has detectable characteristics which alter on binding single stranded DNA. The protein is thus useful in an assay for single stranded DNA.
US09120847B2 Isolation of phosphoproteins, glycoproteins and fragments thereof
The invention provides methods and apparatus for the selective isolation of phosphorylated and glycosylated proteins and their fragments. A lanthanide metal cation is used to precipitate proteins or protein fragments containing phospho groups and/or glyco groups. The sample preparation method can be used for many types of biological samples, including HeLa cells, food, and human cerebrospinal fluid. The proteins are isolated, recovered and ready for analysis by mass spectrometry or other analytical methods allowing detection limits down to the femtomole level. The method and apparatus are valuable tools in the field of protein analysis and diagnostics.
US09120843B2 Agent derived from tortoise spleen stimulating mammalian hemopoiesis
The present invention relates to a proteinaceous extract derived from tortoise spleen and to a tetrapeptide FTGN, which have stimulatory activity on hematopoietic cells. In particular, this tetrapeptide enhances hemopoietic reconstruction, and bone marrow re-population, reduced as a consequence of a high dose of radiation or chemotherapy exposure. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising as an effective ingredient the proteinaceous extract or the FTGN tetrapeptide and ex vivo and in vivo methods of treatment employing them.
US09120838B2 Saccharide conjugates
The invention provides a series of novel Lipid A analogs that are structually simple, synthetically accessible, and capable of blocking the cellular receptor within the signal transduction pathway. The novel Lipid A analogs can include a monosaccharide core with hydrophobic side chains and amino acid ionic motif. The invention further provides methods of using the compounds and compositions thereof in various therapeutic methods.
US09120837B2 Metal complexes of poly(carboxyl)amine-containing ligands having an affinity for carbonic anhydrase IX
The present invention is directed to CA IX inhibitors that conform to Formula I where the substituents X, A, B, D, E, E′ and G are as defined above. Also described are Pt, 64Cu, 186Re, 188Re and 99mTc metal complexes of Formula I compounds which find use as candidate agents for imaging tumors.
US09120836B2 Method for preparing transition metal complexes, transition metal complexes prepared using the method, catalyst composition containing the complexes
The present invention provides a novel transition metal complex where a monocy-clopentadienyl ligand to which an amido group is introduced is coordinated, a method for synthesizing the complex, and olefin polymerization using the same. The method for preparing a transition metal complex according to the present invention comprises a step of blocking a by-reaction of a nitrogen atom using a compound containing a protecting group, and thus it is possible to prepare a transition metal complex in a simpler manner in a high yield. Further, the transition metal complex according to the present invention has a pentagon ring structure having an amido group connected by a phenylene bridge in which a stable bond is formed in the vicinity of a metal site, and thus, sterically monomers can easily approach the transition metal complex.
US09120835B2 Phosphoric acid ester derivatives
To provide a novel compound that has S1P lyase inhibitory ability and induces a reduction in the number of lymphocytes, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition containing the compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient. A compound represented by the general formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US09120834B2 Membrane separation of ionic liquid solutions
A membrane separation process using a highly fluorinated polymer membrane that selectively permeates water of an aqueous ionic liquid solution to provide dry ionic liquid. Preferably the polymer is a polymer that includes polymerized perfluoro-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxole (PDD). The process is also capable of removing small molecular compounds such as organic solvents that can be present in the solution. This membrane separation process is suitable for drying the aqueous ionic liquid byproduct from precipitating solutions of biomass dissolved in ionic liquid, and is thus instrumental to providing usable lignocellulosic products for energy consumption and other industrial uses in an environmentally benign manner.
US09120830B2 2-substituted benzimidazoles as selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMS)
The present invention is directed to a novel 2-substituted benzimidazole derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of disorders and conditions modulated by the androgen receptor.
US09120825B2 Hydrosilane derivative, method for producing same, and method for producing silicon-containing thin film
This invention aims at providing a material from which a silicon-containing thin film can be efficiently produced at a low temperature of 500° C. or less without using plasma or the like. The invention relates to produce a hydrosilane derivative represented by the general formula (1′) by reacting a chlorosilane derivative (3) with a compound M2Z (4) and produce the silicon-containing thin film by using the hydrosilane derivative as the material. In the formulae, R1, R2 are defined in the specification.
US09120822B2 Tricyclic antibiotics
The present invention relates to antibacterial compounds of formula I: wherein all variable substituents are defined as described herein, which are useful for the treatment of bacterial infections.
US09120818B2 Process and intermediates for preparing macrolactams
The present invention relates to macrolactam compounds, intermediates useful in the preparation of macrolactams, methods for preparing the intermediates, and methods for preparing and modifying macrolactams. One use of the compounds and methods described herein is in the production of macrolactam compounds able to inhibit HCV NS3 protease activity. An example of an HCV inhibitory compound that can be synthesized using the procedures described herein is Compound A and derivative thereof.
US09120817B2 Process for preparing (4R,12aS)-7-methoxy-4-methyl-6,8-dioxo-3,4,6,8,12,12a-hexahydro-2H-pyrido[1′ ,2′:4,5]pyrazino[2,1-b][1,3]oxazine-9-carboxylic acid
The present invention relates to processes for the preparation of (4R,12aS)-7-methoxy-4-methyl-6,8-dioxo-3,4,6,8,12,12a-hexahydro-2H-pyrido[1′,2′:4,5]pyrazino[2,1-b][1,3]oxazine-9-carboxylic acid by contacting a pyridinone carboxylic acid aldehyde with (3R)-3-amino-1-butanol.
US09120815B2 Solid state forms of macrocyclic kinase inhibitors
Provided herein are salt forms of macrocyclic protein kinase inhibitors, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, methods of making and using these compounds and compositions to treat proliferative disease mediated by kinase activity.
US09120814B2 Compounds with embedded benzopyran motif for core structures and preparation method thereof
The present invention relates to a compound having benzopyran core, a preparation method of the derivatives by liquid phase synthesis and solid phase synthesis through diversity-oriented synthesis, and an anticancer agent comprising the compound that exhibit excellent cytotoxicity against cancer cells.
US09120812B2 Pyrimidooxazocine derivatives as mTOR-inhibitors
The invention relates to bicyclic heterocyclic derivatives of general formula (I) to a process for preparing them and to the therapeutic use thereof.
US09120811B2 6-(1H-indazol-6-YL)-N-(4-morpholinophenyl)imidazo[1,4-A]pyrazin-8-amine for treating leukemia or lymphoma
Provided are imidazopyrazine compounds, including 6-(1H-indazol-6-yl)-N-(4 -moirpholinophenyl)imidazo-[1,2-a]pyrazine-8-amine: and methods for using the imidazopyrazine compounds for treating diseases and disorders responsive to the inhibition of Syk activity, including leukemia and lymphoma.
US09120807B2 Thienopyrimidine compounds
Compounds of formula (I) are A2B receptor antagonists, wherein R1 is optionally substituted aryl or an optionally substituted 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl ring; R2 and R3 are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, aryl-(C1-C6)-alkyl optionally substituted in the ring part thereof, a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic heterocyclic group optionally linked via a C1-C6 alkylene chain and optionally substituted in the ring part thereof, benzimidazol-2-yl-methyl, pyrid-3-yl-carbonyl, or (1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-carbonyl-methyl; or R2 and R3 taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form an optionally substituted 5- or 6-membered ring; R4 is C1-C3 alkyl, C2-C3 alkenyl, —N(—R5)—R6, or optionally substituted heteroarylmethylamino; and R5 and R6 are independently selected from hydrogen or C1-C3 alkyl; or R5 and R6 taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form an optionally substituted 4- to 6-membered saturated ring.
US09120806B2 Dianhydrosugar production process
An enhanced process for the production of a dianhydrosugar, such as isosorbide, from the corresponding sugar alcohol is described. The sugar alcohol is combined with an acid catalyst and reacted at elevated temperatures and at atmospheric pressure, eliminating the need for a vacuum. High selectivity and yields are achieved.
US09120799B2 Crystalline bipyridinium radical complexes and uses thereof
Described herein are methods of generating 4,4′-bipyridinium radical cations (BIPY•+), and methods for utilizing the radical-radical interactions between two or more BIPY•+ radical cations that ensue for the creation of novel materials for applications in nanotechnology. Synthetic methodologies, crystallographic engineering techniques, methods of physical characterization, and end uses are described.
US09120793B2 Triazolo-pyridine compound
The present invention provides compounds of the formula wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of H and CH3; R2 is selected from the group consisting of H and CH3; R3 is selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C3 alkyl, O(CH2)3SO2CH3, O(CH2)2OCH3, O(CH2)2C(CH3)2OH, CN, and OCF2; or a pharmaceutical salt thereof, methods of treating diabetes, intermediates, and a process for preparing compounds of the invention.
US09120789B2 1-(5-tert-butyl-2-phenyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-3-[2-fluoro-4-(1-methyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-7-yloxy)-phenyl]-urea and related compounds and their use in therapy
The present invention pertains generally to the field of therapeutic compounds, and more specifically to certain compounds of the following formula (for convenience, collectively referred to herein as “IP compounds”), which, inter alia, are useful in the treatment of cancer, e.g., cancer characterized by (e.g., driven by) mutant RAS (“mutant RAS cancer”). The present invention also pertains to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and the use of such compounds and compositions in the treatment of cancer, e.g., mutant RAS cancer.
US09120786B2 Triazine carboxamides as sodium channel blockers
The present disclosure provides substituted triazine carboxamides of Formula I: and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof, wherein A1, X, A2, E, and Z are defined as set forth in the specification. The present disclosure is also directed to the use of compounds of Formula I to treat a disorder responsive to the blockade of sodium channels. Compounds of the present disclosure are especially useful for treating pain.
US09120784B2 1,3,4-oxadiazoles-2-thio azetidine derivatives as sphingosine-1 phosphate receptors modulators
The present invention relates to substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazoles-2-thio azetidine derivatives, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals as modulators of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors.
US09120783B2 Substituted 3-heteroaroylamino-propionic acid derivatives and their use as pharmaceuticals
The present invention relates to compounds of the formula I, wherein A, D, E, L, G, R10, R30, R40, R50 and R60 have the meanings indicated in the claims, which are valuable pharmaceutical active compounds. They are inhibitors of the protease cathepsin A, and are useful for the treatment of diseases such as atherosclerosis, heart failure, renal diseases, liver diseases or inflammatory diseases, for example. The invention furthermore relates to processes for the preparation of the compounds of the formula I, their use and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.
US09120782B2 Method for preparation of iloperidone and crystallization method thereof
A method for preparation of iloperidone is provided which comprises reacting 6-fluoro-3-(4-piperidinyl)-1,2-benzoisoxazole hydrochloride with 1-[4-(3-chloropropoxyl)-3-methoxyphenyl]ethyl ketone in an inorganic alkaline aqueous solution. A crystallization method of iloperidone is also provided which comprises adding seed crystal to the iloperidone solution in ethyl acetate, and then iloperidone crystal is obtained with high purity by controlling the temperature and the stirring speed.
US09120776B2 Condensed heterocyclic compound
The present invention provides a fused heterocyclic compound having an RORγt inhibitory action. The present invention relates to a compound represented by the formula (I′): wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, provided that 2-(2-((4-cyanophenyl)amino)-2-oxoethoxy)-N-(9-ethyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)acetamide and N-(4-cyanophenyl)-N′-(9-ethyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)-3-methylpentanediamide are excluded, or a thereof.
US09120775B2 Viral polymerase inhibitors
The present invention relates to viral polymerase inhibitors of formula (I) or salts, N-oxides, solvates, hydrates, racemates, enantiomers or isomers thereof, processes for their preparation and their use in the treatment of Flaviviridae viral infections such as Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections.
US09120773B2 Cyclic azine derivatives, processes for producing these, and organic electroluminescent element containing these as component
A cyclic azine compound represented by general formula (1): wherein each Ar1 represents an aromatic group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by a C1-4 alkyl group, a phenyl group or a pyridyl group; and A represents a group selected from those which are represented by general formulae (2) to (5), described in the description. The cyclic azine compound is useful for an organic compound layer of fluorescent or phosphorescent EL device.
US09120771B2 Azetidine derivative and antidepressant composition including the same
The present invention relates to an azetidine derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and an antidepressant agent or a composition for the prevention or treatment of psychiatric disorders including the same. The azetidine derivative is useful as a triple reuptake inhibitor capable of inhibiting reuptake of the neurotransmitters, dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine at the same time.
US09120770B2 Substituted pyridine and pyrazine compounds as PDE4 inhibitors
The invention provides a chemical entity of Formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, Y and Z have any of the values described herein, and compositions comprising such chemical entities; methods of making them; and their use in a wide range of methods, including metabolic and reaction kinetic studies, detection and imaging techniques, and radioactive treatments; and therapies, including inhibiting PDE4, enhancing neuronal plasticity, treating neurological disorders, providing neuroprotection, treating a cognitive impairment associated with a CNS disorder, enhancing the efficiency of cognitive and motor training, providing neurorecovery and neurorehabilitation, enhancing the efficiency of non-human animal training protocols, and treating peripheral disorders, including inflammatory and renal disorders.
US09120768B2 Compositions and methods for treatment of cystic fibrosis and diseases associated with aberrant protein cellular processing
The disclosure relates to resorcylic acid lactones and indolinone-containing compounds for use in treatment of diseases associated with aberrant protein processing, such as cystic fibrosis (CF; mucoviscidosis). The disclosure more generally relates to treatment of aberrant protein processing, such as errors in protein folding, trafficking or post-translational modification.
US09120767B2 Arylosulfonamides for the treatment of CNS diseases
Arylsulphonamide derivatives of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The compounds may be useful for the treatment and/or prevention of disorders of the central nervous system.
US09120766B2 Methods of making cocrystals
Disclosed are processes for preparing cocrystals, including processes for scaling up of cocrystal formation, as well as scalable processes for preparing cocrystals. Also disclosed are processes for scaled-up preparation of pterostilbene, progesterone, p-coumaric, and minoxidil cocrystals. Minoxidil cocrystals, such as minoxidil:benzoic acid 1:1 monohydrate cocrystals are also disclosed herein.
US09120760B2 Fluoro-homoneplanocin A and nucleoside derivatives, method for the synthesis thereof, and the pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same as an active component for treatment of cancer
The present invention relates to a fluoro-homoneplanocin A, its nucleoside derivative, and synthetic methods. The novel fluoro-homoneplanocin A and its nucleoside derivative in the present invention have an effect on cancer prevention or treatment, and therefore can be used as anticancer drugs.
US09120756B2 Substituted phenylureas and phenylamides as vanilloid receptor ligands
The invention relates to substituted phenylureas and phenylamides, to processes for the preparation thereof, to pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and also to the use of these compounds for preparing pharmaceutical compositions.
US09120753B2 Phenol derivatives and pharmaceutical or cosmetic use thereof
The use of compounds in the treatment of skin disorders is described. In particular, use of a compound of formula (I): or one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or hydrates in the preparation of a medicament to treat skin pathologies is described.
US09120745B2 Triazole compounds that modualte HSP90 activity
The present invention relates to substituted triazole compounds and compositions comprising substituted triazole compounds. The invention further relates to methods of inhibiting the activity of Hsp90 in a subject in need thereof and methods for preventing or treating hyperproliferative disorders, such as cancer, in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a substituted triazole compound of the invention, or a composition comprising such a compound.
US09120740B2 Method for preparing difluoroacetic acid
A method for preparing difluoroacetic acid is described. The method can include: reacting a difluoroacetic acid ester with an aliphatic carboxylic acid which, after transesterification, results in the formation of difluoroacetic acid and the corresponding carboxylic acid ester, the carboxylic acid being selected such that the ester of the carboxylic acid has a lower boiling point than that of difluoroacetic acid; and removing the ester of the carboxylic acid by distillation as the ester forms, thus enabling the difluoroacetic acid to be recovered.
US09120736B2 Method for producing unsaturated compounds
The invention relates to a method for producing compositions containing unsaturated compounds, wherein (A) one or more unsaturated monocarboxylic acids having 10 to 24 C-atoms or esters of said monocarboxylic acids and optionally (B) one or more compounds having at least one C═C double bond (wherein the compounds (B) are different from the compounds (A)) are subjected to a tandem isomerization/metathesis reaction sequence in the presence of a palladium catalyst and a ruthenium catalyst, providing that the palladium catalysts used are compounds that contain at least one structural element Pd—P(R1R2R3), wherein the radicals R1 to R3, independently of one another, each comprise 2 to 10 C-atoms, which may be aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic or heterocyclic respectively, providing that at least one of the radicals R1 to R3 contains a beta-hydrogen, wherein the palladium catalyst is used as such or is produced in situ, providing that the method is carried out in the absence of substances that have a pKa value of 3 or less.
US09120731B2 Process for preparing polyether alcohols
What is proposed is a process for preparing polyether alcohols by conversion of the following reactants: a) one or more alkylene oxides and optionally carbon dioxide and b) one or more H-functional starter substances, in the presence of a catalyst, to form a liquid reaction mixture, in a reaction unit (1), which is characterized in that the reaction unit (1) has internals (2) which form a multitude of microstructured flow channels which bring about multiple splitting of the liquid reaction mixture into component flow paths and recombination thereof in altered arrangement, the multiple splitting and recombination being repeated several times and the microstructured flow channels having a characteristic dimension which is defined as the greatest possible distance of any particle in the liquid reaction mixture from the wall of a flow channel closest to the particle, in the range from 20 to 10 000 μm, the result being that the flow profile of the liquid reaction mixture approximates to ideal plug flow as a result of the microstructured flow channels.
US09120730B2 Surface modified material, sulfonimide compound for surface modification, and fuel cell
There are provided a surface modified material comprising a base material, and one or more kinds of sulfonimide compound groups bonded onto the surface of the base material via one or more linking groups -A-Y′— (A is a direct bond or an organic group. Y′ is a bonding site with the base material.); the sulfonimide compound group comprising, in its molecular structure, one or more linking groups -A-Y′— and two or more sulfonimide groups; as well as a fuel cell using the surface modified material for a catalyst layer. There is also provided a sulfonimide compound for surface modification comprising one or more reactive end groups -A-Y (A is a direct bond or an organic group. Y is a reactive functional group.) and two or more sulfonimide groups.
US09120726B2 Radiation-sensitive resin composition, compound and producing method of compound
A radiation-sensitive resin composition includes a compound shown by a following general formula (A), a solvent and a resin having an acid-labile group. Each of R1 and R2 independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 25 carbon atoms. Each of X and Z independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 25 carbon atoms. Y represents a single bond or the like. n represents an integer from 0 to 5.
US09120724B2 Method for producing absolute alcohol and absolute alcohol
A method for producing an absolute alcohol containing not more than 0.4 mg/L of acetal by subjecting a raw material alcohol to a zeolite membrane treatment, the raw material alcohol being obtained by distilling a crude alcohol, and having an alcohol concentration of not less than 95 v/v%, and the raw material alcohol containing not more than 5 mg/L of acetaldehyde and not more than 60 mg/L of a total amount of organic impurities. An absolute alcohol can be produced, which absolute alcohol is highly safe to the human body and has a quality that no off-odor is felt by human senses. In addition, the contents of diacetyl and crotonaldehyde in the raw material alcohol may be set at levels not more than particular values, respectively.
US09120717B2 Process for the conversion of isomeric mixture of dichlorodiphenyl sulfones to chlorobenzene
The invention relates to a process for the single step conversion of isomeric mixture of dichlorodipheriyi sulfones to chlorobenzene. The invention further relates a process of using dilute sulfuric acid and re-circulating the dilute sulfuric acid.
US09120716B2 Process for the preparation of 2,3,3,3 tetrafluoropropene
The present invention provides a process for preparing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, comprising the following steps: (a) catalytic reaction of 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane and/or 1,1,2,2,3-pentachloropropane with HF into product 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene; (b) catalytic reaction of the thus-obtained 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene into 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
US09120714B2 Process for non-oxidative dehydrogenation of alkane
The invention relates to a process for producing an alkene by non-oxidative dehydrogenation of an alkane, comprising contacting a feed stream comprising the alkane with a catalyst composition comprising an unsupported catalyst comprising ZrV2O7 at a temperature of 400 to 600° C.
US09120693B2 Multi-core optical fiber ribbons and methods for making the same
Multi-core optical fiber ribbons and methods for making multi-core optical fiber ribbons are described herein. In one embodiment, a multi-core optical fiber ribbon includes at least two core members formed from silica-based glass and oriented in parallel with one another in a single plane. Adjacent core members have a center-to-center spacing ≧15 microns and a cross-talk between adjacent core members is ≦−25 dB. In this embodiment each core member is single-moded with an index of refraction nc, and a core diameter dc. In an alternative embodiment, each core member is multi-moded and the center-to-center spacing between adjacent core members is ≧25 microns. A single cladding layer is formed from silica-based glass and surrounds and is in direct contact with the core members. The single cladding layer is substantially rectangular in cross section with a thickness ≦400 microns and an index of refraction nc1≦nc.
US09120691B2 Isopipe sag control using improved end support conditions
The invention is directed to a method of preventing isopipe sag when using the overflow drawdown fusion process for making flat glass sheets. The method applies a vertical restraint on at least one end of an isopipe resting on a support to thereby reduce sage and/or the rate of sag during use of the isopipe. Using the vertical restraint block in accordance with the invention, the sag and/or rate of sag has been found to be reduced by at least 40 percent relative to an isopipe that does not use the vertical restraints of the invention or a compressive force along the sides of the isopipe.
US09120690B2 Vortex air inlet system, compressor system and related method
An aeration system (10) which feeds air to multiple water basins (12) and method. A plurality of local processor based control modules (208) is provided. Each module controls the operation of a compressor unit (11) to effect functions including changes in compressor power level, thermal control and blow-off during compressor start-up. The compressor units (11) are assembled in systems and each system is allocated to a different basin so that no two compressors (22) provide air to the same basin (12). A plurality of control operations are performed with a central processor (300) wherein the central processor directly controls aeration valves 324 in each basin 12 based on monitored oxygen levels.
US09120686B2 Wastewater treatment methods
The present invention relates to improved wastewater treatment systems and methods. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes microbial consortia and the final effluent of the treated wastewater is remarkably clean, and has low levels of hazardous chemicals, unwanted nutrient values and/or total solids. Advantageously, the wastewater treatment system and method of the present invention reduces the use of chemical compounds in the treatment process. Further, valuable biomasses can be produced from the wastewater using the treatment process of the present invention.
US09120685B2 Method for recycling deoiled water using counterflow falling-film evaporators
A method for treatment of produced water, particularly deoiled water, by evaporation. Methods use a vertical tube heat exchanger bundle where the brine is distributed in a falling film along the inside of the tube wall. Condensing steam causes a portion of the deoiled water to evaporate; this water vapor travels upward in a counterflow direction relative to the deoiled water. Evaporator sump volume is minimized, and evaporators may have a multi-piece construction to lower the center of gravity of an evaporator installation. This technology provides several advantages over conventional vertical tube co-current flow evaporators (where the vapor flows downward with the falling film). These advantages include a minimal total installed cost (TIC) and enhanced water chemistry management.
US09120683B2 Method and device using a ceramic bond material for bonding metallic interconnect to ceramic electrode
An electrochemical device includes a ceramic electrode, a metallic interconnect, and a ceramic bond material that bonds the ceramic electrode and the metallic interconnect together. The ceramic material includes manganese-cobalt-oxide that is electrically conductive such that electric current can flow between the ceramic electrode and the metallic interconnect.
US09120682B2 Method and apparatus for generating mercury (II) sulfide from elemental mercury
An approach is provided for generating red mercury (II) sulfide from elemental mercury. Elemental mercury is combined with sulfur and heated until vaporized. At least a portion of the elemental mercury reacts with the vaporized sulfur to form the mercury (II) sulfide. Un-reacted elemental mercury is drawn off and condensed by a condenser.
US09120681B2 Method for production of zinc oxide particles
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new method for production of zinc oxide particles which can control the particle diameter and particle shape of obtained zinc oxide particles by selecting suitable conditions, and can prepare zinc oxide applicable to various applications. A method for production of zinc oxide particles, comprising a step of aging a zinc oxide raw material in an aqueous zinc salt solution.
US09120680B2 Molecular sieve membranes and thermal treatment methods of making the same
A thermal processing method for polycrystalline porous films is disclosed. The method and the resulting firms including zeolite films are claimed.
US09120679B2 Silicon carbide synthesis
This disclosure concerns a method of making silicon carbide involving adding agricultural husk material to a container, creating a vacuum or an inert atmosphere inside the container, applying conventional heating or microwave heating, heating rapidly, and reacting the material and forming silicon carbide (SiC).
US09120678B2 Synthetic amorphous silica powder and method for producing same
The synthetic amorphous silica powder of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a synthetic amorphous silica powder obtained by applying a spheroidizing treatment to a silica powder, and by subsequently cleaning and drying it so that the synthetic amorphous silica powder has an average particle diameter D50 of 10 to 2,000 μm; wherein the synthetic amorphous silica powder has: a quotient of 1.00 to 1.35 obtained by dividing a BET specific surface area of the powder by a theoretical specific surface area calculated from the average particle diameter D50; a real density of 2.10 to 2.20 g/cm3; an intra-particulate porosity of 0 to 0.05; a circularity of 0.75 to 1.00; and an unmolten ratio of 0.00 to 0.25.
US09120677B2 Bulk preparation of holey graphene via controlled catalytic oxidation
A scalable method allows preparation of bulk quantities of holey carbon allotropes with holes ranging from a few to over 100 nm in diameter. Carbon oxidation catalyst nanoparticles are first deposited onto a carbon allotrope surface in a facile, controllable, and solvent-free process. The catalyst-loaded carbons are then subjected to thermal treatment in air. The carbons in contact with the carbon oxidation catalyst nanoparticles are selectively oxidized into gaseous byproducts such as CO or CO2, leaving the surface with holes. The catalyst is then removed via refluxing in diluted nitric acid to obtain the final holey carbon allotropes. The average size of the holes correlates strongly with the size of the catalyst nanoparticles and is controlled by adjusting the catalyst precursor concentration. The temperature and time of the air oxidation step, and the catalyst removal treatment conditions, strongly affect the morphology of the holes.
US09120672B2 Selective hydrogen adding equipment for living organism applicable fluid
Living organism applicable hydrogen-contained fluid is obtained through storing a hydrogen generating system, which contains a hydrogen generating agent as an essential component, in a hydrogen bubble forming implement which has a gas/liquid separating section including a gas-permeable film or an open-close type valve, causing the hydrogen generating system and a generating-purpose water to react in the hydrogen bubble forming implement, and supplying hydrogen gas generated in the hydrogen bubble forming implement into living organism applicable fluid via the gas/liquid separating section.
US09120669B2 Process for making nanocone structures and using the structures to manufacture nanostructured glass
Fabrication method. At least first and second hardmasks are deposited on a substrate, the thickness and materials of the first and second hardmask selected to provided etch selectivity with respect to the substrate. A nanoscale pattern of photoresist is created on the first hardmask and the hardmask is etched through to create the nanoscale pattern on a second hardmask. The second hardmask is etched through to create the desired taper nanocone structures in the substrate. Reactive ion etching is preferred. A glass manufacturing process using a roller imprint module is also disclosed.
US09120666B2 Method and system of changing flow characteristics of a support
The present invention provides a method and system for customization of flow characteristics of a support using permanent and controlled evacuation of interstitial gas during the manufacturing process. The flow characteristics can be customized to provide a stiffer or less stiff support by a comparative degree. The flow characteristics can be permanently changed. The support includes a bladder filled with a fluidized particulate material. The medium of the fluidized particulate material includes interstitial spaces. A predetermined amount of gas can be removed to provide a support having a desired specific support characteristic.
US09120663B2 Multiple channel single spike for a liquid dispensing system
A spike for dispensing fluids from a flexible bag, wherein the spike includes multiple fluid channels which transfer liquids from the bag to an enclosed dispensing chamber and air from the enclosed chamber to the bag to permit and control fluid flow within the system.
US09120660B2 Method and apparatus for the cleaning of containers such as plastic bottles in a bottle filling plant or containers in a container filling plant
Method and apparatus for sterilizing containers with a sterilization medium. The method involves first introducing a sterilization medium into a container, and then introducing a heated gaseous and/or vaporous activation medium into the container. The activation medium is used to heat and activate the sterilization medium to destroy microorganisms. The temperature of the heated gaseous and/or vaporous activation medium is controlled based on the detected temperature of the container or the wall of the container.
US09120658B2 Forklift and control method of forklift
A forklift including a variable displacement HST pump driven by an engine, a hydraulic motor that forms a closed circuit with the HST pump therebetween and is driven by hydraulic oil discharged from the HST pump, and driving wheels driven by the hydraulic motor, wherein a control device calculates an inching rate corresponding to an operation amount of an inching pedal, and sets a lower limit of the inching rate to a value greater than 0, only in a state in which both of an accelerator pedal and the inching pedal are operated.
US09120655B2 Gear reduction assembly and winch including gear reduction assembly
A gear reduction assembly may include a main input shaft, a carrier coupled to the main input shaft, and at least one carrier shaft coupled to the carrier and spaced from the main input shaft. The gear reduction assembly may also include at least one spur gear pair including a first spur gear coupled to the carrier shaft, and a second spur gear, wherein the first and second spur gears are coupled to one another such that they rotate together. The gear reduction assembly also includes a first internal gear engaged with the first spur gear, a second internal gear engaged with the second spur gear, and a hub associated with the first internal gear. The first internal gear has a first number of teeth, the second internal gear has a second number of teeth, and the first and second numbers of teeth differ by from one to five teeth.
US09120653B2 Method of monitoring crane safety during the setup procedure, as well as crane and crane control
The present invention relates to an angle-related method of monitoring crane safety during the setup procedure of a crane, wherein the crane has a sensor system and a crane control and the crane control receives one or more measured values from the sensor system during the setup procedure and compares the measured value or values received with at least one corresponding limit value and triggers a measure on an exceeding and/or falling below of the limit value or values.
US09120652B2 Service crane for a wind turbine
A service crane for a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine includes a tower and a nacelle mounted to the top of the tower. The service crane is mounted to the nacelle and includes a boom, a hoist rope guided along the boom and a winch capable of reeling in and out the hoist rope for lifting or lowering a load. Furthermore, a nacelle is provided which includes a service crane mounted thereto.
US09120651B1 Crane having a toolless removable battery and progressive function control
A crane having progressive function control preferably includes the crane, an electronic control device, a load sensor, a boom angle sensor, a boom length sensor, and a steering angle sensor. The load sensor measures a load on the crane boom. The boom angle sensor measures an angle of the crane boom. The boom length sensor measures a length of the crane boom. The steering angle sensor measures an angle of the rear wheel. The load sensor, boom angle sensor, boom length sensor and steering angle sensor are read by the electronic control device. The electronic control device receives inputs from a drive joy stick, a boom angle joy stick and a boom extension joy stick. The electronic control device includes a drive reduction algorithm and a boom reduction algorithm. The algorithms are used to retard inputs from the drive joy stick, boom angle joy stick and boom extension joy stick.
US09120650B2 Crane controller with cable force mode
The present disclosure shows a crane controller for a crane which includes a hoisting gear for lifting a load hanging on a cable, wherein the crane controller has a cable force mode in which the crane controller actuates the hoisting gear such that a setpoint of the cable force is obtained.
US09120648B2 Disk hoisting tool
Provided is a disk hoisting tool which can prevent deformation or fracture of corner portions of a fitting groove, falling of a disk, and damage to a surface forming the fitting groove, and can safely reverse the disk. The disk hoisting tool which is mounted so as to hoist a disk where a plurality of fitting grooves penetrating in a plate thickness direction are circumferentially formed in a peripheral portion, the disk hoisting tool including a hoisting body (11) that includes: an eye plate (21) having a through hole penetrating in a plate thickness direction; and a fitting projection (22) formed so as to be fitted with the fitting groove.
US09120646B2 Systems and methods for determining functionality of an automatic door system
Automatic door systems and methods capable of determining proper functionality thereof are provided. The door systems are provided with a healthcheck module which automatically determines functionality of the door system by initially monitoring a first output signal provided by a first sensor and a second output signal provided by a second sensor. More specifically, the healthcheck module correlates the first output signal with the second output signal and operates one or more doors of a door system according to the correlation. The healthcheck module then monitors the second output signal provided by the second sensor to determine the ability of the one or more doors to close, and determines functionality of the door system accordingly.
US09120643B2 Elevator braking device
In an elevator installation an elevator cage is movable along at least two guide rails and the elevator cage is equipped with a braking system. An elevator braking device includes a brake element, a force store, which is constructed to press the brake element against the brake surface, and an actuator, which can act on the brake element and which is constructed in order to press, in a first operational setting, the brake element against the force of the force store away from the brake surface or to hold it at a spacing therefrom and in order to free, in a second operational setting, pressing of the brake element against the brake surface.
US09120640B2 Collapsible wire carrier
A collapsible wire carrier (10) includes a base (12) and a top (24) spaced from each other with a plurality of tubular legs (32). The legs (32) are secured to the base (12) and the top (24) with connectors (36) using fasteners (40). Each leg (32) has openings (34) at each end which, upon assembly, are aligned with openings (38) in connectors (36) and secured thereto with fasteners (40). Four connectors (36) fit inside portions of the base (12) and inside portions of the legs (32). Four other connectors (36) fit inside portions of the top (24) and inside portions of the legs (32).
US09120638B2 Tape dispenser
A tape dispenser includes a first arm, a second arm, a holder, a roller, a retaining device, a blade, spring(s) and one or more guides. The tape dispenser is positioned on a tape roll by positioning the holder on the inside of the tape roll and positioning the roller and retaining device on the outside of the tape roll. Tape is able to be pulled through the tape dispenser and then cut using the blade. After the tape is cut, the tape on the roll remains on the retaining device for easy access. The tape dispenser is also removable for use with many tape rolls.
US09120637B2 Device for accumulating flat material in flexible strip form
The invention relates to a device for accumulating flat material in flexible strip form, the device comprising an accumulator box having a bottom on which the strip accumulates, at least during accumulation stages, between two end walls and between two side walls that extend so as to face edges of the strip. The accumulator device includes at least one of the following means: rollers mounted idle close to the bottom and on which the strip rests during accumulation stages; air-flow means for establishing a flow of air within the box towards the bottom of the accumulator box; vibrator means for vibrating at least one of the side walls; and adjuster means for adjusting spacing between the side walls.
US09120632B2 Scrap metal loader apparatus and method of operation
An apparatus for loading a shipping container comprising a metal trough having a bottom, a front end, a back end and two sidewalls. A push plate disposed at the back end of the metal trough. A force mechanism coupled to the push plate and configured to move the push plate from the back end of the metal trough to the front end of the metal trough. A support mechanism configured to support the metal trough to allow a shipping container to be moved into a position to encompass the metal trough through a door of the shipping container.
US09120631B2 Board working system, board conveying apparatus, and board working apparatus
A board working system includes a board working apparatus working on a board and a board conveying apparatus including a first board conveying portion, connected to the board working apparatus. The board conveying apparatus is provided with a shutter device closing such that the maximum interval of an opening gap leading from the first board conveying portion to the board working apparatus is not more than a prescribed value when setup for the first board conveying portion is performed.
US09120624B1 Package drop-off and pick-up system
An automated storage and retrieval system for customers and vendors/service providers to pick up and drop off packages such as parcels, dry-cleaning/laundry, and the like. The present invention may provide a convenient point for users to pick up or drop off items. In varying embodiments, the system may be particularly useful in multi-unit residential buildings, retail stores and other store-fronts, as stand-alone kiosks in popular locations such as department stores, train stations, malls, street corners, and the like.
US09120618B2 Corner block adjustment mechanism for an ISO container
A corner block adjustment mechanism for an ISO container. The adjustment mechanism includes a selectively rotatable cam for moving a corner block between an extended position and a retracted position. The adjustment mechanism also includes a locking mechanism for selectively locking the corner block in the extended position and the retracted position.
US09120609B2 Wrapper for personal care article
Wrappers for personal care articles are described. The wrappers have a unique line of weakness that facilitates both high-speed manufacture and the consumer use experience.