| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09141158B2 |
Notebook computer
A notebook computer includes a base, a display, a bracket, and a fan. The display is rotatably connected to a rear side of the base and defines a number of heat dissipation holes in an outer surface of the display. The bracket is connected to the display and aligned with the heat dissipation holes. The fan is fastened to the bracket. An airflow inlet of the fan faces the heat dissipation holes, and an airflow outlet of the fan is opposite to the heat dissipation holes. |
| US09141157B2 |
Molded power supply system having a thermally insulated component
A molded system (100) has a plurality of components (110, 120, 130) attached to a carrier (101), one of the components being an object (110) of irregular thermal capacitance. For example, carrier (101) may be a QFN/SON-type leadframe and object (110) an inductor of high thermal capacitance. The surface of the object is sealed with a hardened polymeric layer (220) of high thermal resistance, whereby the layer (220) thermally insulates the object (110) and inhibits the transport of thermal energy between the object and the system. System (100) has molding compound (140) encapsulating the carrier and the attached components including the object (110) and the polymeric layer sealing the object's surface. |
| US09141152B2 |
Interface card mount
Interface card mounts to storage device connections, systems and methods are provided. An example of the interface card mount to storage device connection includes a PCI-Express card having an edge connector, a mounting bracket on the PCI-Express card to releasably receive a memory storage device, and lanes between the edge connector and the mounting bracket that provide, in addition to PCI-Express slot signals, side-band signals and power from a motherboard to the mounting bracket for the memory storage device. |
| US09141150B1 |
Authentication and control interface of a security system
Techniques are described for providing control of a security system. A user is authorized in the security system and user identification inputs, provided through an input unit of a personal mobile device of the authorized user of the security system, are accessed. One or more signatures of the authorized user are defined and stored in a signature map. Subsequently, user identification input is received from an unauthenticated user using the personal mobile device. The user identification input received from the unauthenticated user is compared to one or more defined signatures in the signature map. The unauthenticated user is determined to be the authorized user if the received user identification input matches one of the defined signatures. The unauthenticated user is allowed to control the security system based on the determination that the unauthenticated user is the authorized user. |
| US09141142B2 |
Mobile personal computer and electronic device
According to one embodiment, a mobile personal computer includes: a display panel with a display screen; a board assembly including a board and a component mounted on the board; and a housing including an outer housing constituting an outline and an inner housing arranged between the display panel and the board assembly, and houses the board assembly. |
| US09141139B2 |
Mobile data center
A portable and mobile deployable data center (DDC) is disclosed, which includes various components that enables the DDC to have multiple functions including, computing, data storage and retrieval, communications and routing. A DDC includes a rugged case that suitable for harsh environments, an interconnection mechanism, a plurality of hot swappable readers, a plurality of hot swappable portable computing devices, and a plurality of hot swappable power supplies. |
| US09141137B2 |
Electronic device with keyboard
An electronic device includes a display, a keyboard, and a fixing element. The display includes a display surface and an opposite rear surface having a fixing structure. The keyboard has a using state and a folded state. When the keyboard is in the using state, the keyboard is positioned in front of the display, and when the keyboard is in the folded state, the keyboard is fixed on the rear surface. The fixing element is connected between the fixing structure and the keyboard and configured to cooperate with the fixing structure to enable the keyboard to change between the using state and the folded state. |
| US09141136B2 |
Tablet computer carrying case with retractable latch
A carrying case includes a frame member to retain a tablet computer and a base member coupled to the frame member. The frame member includes a recess with a protruding lip to receive a first edge of the tablet computer as it is inserted into the carrying case, and a retractable latching mechanism to secure a second, opposite edge of the tablet computer. The retractable latching mechanism can be moved to a retracted position to enable the second edge of the tablet computer to be inserted within the frame member and then released to a non-retracted position to secure the second edge of the tablet computer within the frame member. |
| US09141134B2 |
Utilization of temporal and spatial parameters to enhance the writing capability of an electronic device
The enhanced feature of this invention is the direction of a pen input on an electronic device to a separate canvas where it can be separately manipulated and processed for use. Temporal and spatial analysis can ensure that each canvas contain pen strokes that spatially belong together such as an individual word composed of multiple strokes for easy manipulation of the word on the screen. Another related enhanced feature of the invention for erasing portions of the inputted writing is the process of generating a new curve with different points than the original curve. |
| US09141133B2 |
Information processing apparatus and display screen operating method for scrolling
A computer device is provided that may comprise a display portion, a reference position input for enabling setting of a reference tilt position which is representative of an initial tilt position of the computer device. The computer device may also comprise a processor configured to perform a predetermined operation in accordance with a change in a tilt position of the computer device from the reference tilt position to a current tilt position. |
| US09141130B2 |
Ratchet and latch mechanisms
A device for the application of a preload between a subsea wellhead and a conductor housing comprises an activating member (1), a support housing (2), a locking member (3), end means (9) for securing the support housing relative to the well-head. Movement of the activating member causes an inclined lateral movement of the locking member. The activating member carries a ratchet (7) comprising a multiplicity of serrations which have a regular pitch in the activating direction and the support housing (1, 2) cames at least two latches (19, 20) which allow the relative movement and can engage the ratchet to inhibit movement reverse to the activating direction. The discrete locking positions provided by one of the latches are positionally out of phase with the discrete locking positions provided by the other latch or latches. A support member (16) is positioned to be moved laterally in response to movement of the activating member and to support the locking member (3) against the engagement zone (18) of the datum member (2). |
| US09141128B2 |
Pedal valve sensor arrangement
A pedal value sensor arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a pedal movable between an idle position and an end position, a bearing for the pedal, and a spring configured to apply a restoring force to the pedal towards the idle position. In an intermediate position between the idle position and the end position, the spring is configured to apply a restoring force to the pedal toward the idle position that is greater than before and/or after the intermediate position, wherein the greater restoring force of the spring is brought about by a contact of a first section of the spring with a second section of the spring. |
| US09141127B2 |
Pedal effort adjusting apparatus of accelerator pedal
An accelerator pedal effort adjusting apparatus can easily adjust the elasticity of an elastic member by changing the length of the elastic member according to a simple rotation of a movable plate, thereby easily adjusting the accelerator pedal effort as desired. The apparatus can be commonly used with various types of accelerator pedals. The apparatus includes: a guide rod installed such that it is mounted to the bottom surface of the inner space of a pedal arm housing and is directed toward a pedal aim; a movable plate movably fitted over the guide rod such that the movable plate can be moved along the guide rod; and an elastic member installed in such a way that the elastic member is supported by both the pedal arm and the movable plate at opposite ends thereof, and applies a reaction force to a pedal pad. |
| US09141124B1 |
Bandgap reference circuit
A bandgap reference circuit incorporates first, second, and third current sources, an operational amplifier coupled to the second and the third current sources, a voltage divider, a first resistor, and first, second, and third bipolar transistors. The second bipolar transistor has a base configured to receive a first voltage from the voltage divider. The third bipolar transistor has a base configured to receive a second voltage from the voltage divider. The first resistor is coupled between the third current source and the third bipolar transistor. |
| US09141123B2 |
Maximum power point tracking controllers and associated systems and methods
A maximum power point tracking controller includes an input port for electrically coupling to an electric power source, an output port for electrically coupling to a load, a control switching device, and a control subsystem. The control switching device is adapted to repeatedly switch between its conductive and non-conductive states to transfer power from the input port to the output port. The control subsystem is adapted to control switching of the control switching device to regulate a voltage across the input port, based at least in part on a signal representing current flowing out of the output port, to maximize a signal representing power out of the output port. |
| US09141122B2 |
Photovoltaic power generation system
A photovoltaic power generation system includes a photovoltaic array including photovoltaic modules, the photovoltaic power generation system further includes a control apparatus configured to display output characteristics of the photovoltaic array and power generating conditions of the photovoltaic array in synchronization. |
| US09141119B2 |
Reducing output voltage ripple of power supplies
Reducing output voltage ripple of power supplies. In some embodiments, an electronic circuit may include a first node configured to receive an input signal proportional to an output voltage produced by a power supply, a second node configured to receive a reference voltage configured to alternate between two voltage values during operation of the power supply, and a third node configured to output an enabling signal configured to control the operation of the power supply in response to a comparison between the input signal and the reference voltage. In other embodiments, a method may include turning on a power supply in response to a falling ripple being smaller than a first reference voltage value, and turning off the power supply in response to a rising ripple being greater than a second reference voltage value, where the second reference voltage value is smaller than the first reference voltage value. |
| US09141115B2 |
Pressure reducing valve
The present invention provides a pressure reducing valve having excellent responsiveness, durability, and reliability and stable output characteristics. A pressure reducing valve includes a housing, and the housing includes a valve passage connected to a primary port and a secondary port. A valve element is provided in the housing. The valve element can adjust an opening degree of the valve passage by moving between a closed position where the valve element closes the valve passage and an open position where the valve element opens the valve passage. The valve element is pressed toward the closed position by secondary pressure. A spring member is provided to bias the valve element toward the open position against the secondary pressure. Further, a rolling bearing is provided on the valve element, and the valve element is movably supported by the rolling bearing. |
| US09141106B2 |
Method for operating a field device
Method for operating a field device of process automation technology, wherein the field device is connected for communication with at least one servicing tool. In the case of a request by a servicing tool for access to the field device, the access allowed by the field device depends on the particular servicing tool which places the access request, and on the operating state, in which the field device is located. |
| US09141105B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring or controlling a machine tool system
A system for remotely monitoring one or more machine tool systems is disclosed. The system may monitor a plurality of machine tool systems which are associated with different customers and at a plurality of facilities. A remote user may access information regarding the machine tool system through a user interface and specific that notifications be sent upon the occurrence of various conditions. A system for updating software of a machine tool system is also disclosed. |
| US09141102B2 |
Method and system for scheduling appliance operation during off-peak demand periods
A method for scheduling an appliance operation is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of signals. Each signal has an on-peak signal. Based upon the plurality of signals, a predicted on-peak time value is determined. The predicted on-peak time value can be used to determine when to execute an appliance operation in order to avoid operating the appliance during an on-peak time period. |
| US09141101B2 |
Wireless battery-powered remote control with glow-in-the-dark feature
A glow-in-the-dark night light for a control device allows the control device to be easily found when the control device is located in a dark space. The night light may be provided on an actuator of the control device and may comprises a glow-in-the-dark material that has a luminance spectrum that decays with time after initial excitation. The night light is illuminated by an electromagnetic-energy-generating element to periodically recharge the glow-in-the-dark material with adequate energy to keep the glow-in-the-dark material visible in low ambient light conditions. The electromagnetic-energy-generating element draws relatively little current, such that the night light may be provided in a battery-powered remote control that has an acceptable battery lifetime. |
| US09141100B2 |
System and method for estimating performance metrics of conservation voltage reduction (CVR) systems and VOLT/VAR optimization systems
Systems and methods of analyzing the performance of a conservation system for improving the performance of an electrical power delivery system are disclosed. In one implementation, the system receives first observation information indicative of the performance of the conservation system in a first mode, and second observation information indicative of the performance of the conservation system in a second mode. The system generates a first model of the performance of the conservation system in the first mode based on the first observation information, and a second model of the performance of the conservation system in the second mode based on the second observation information. The system determines first controlled performance information indicative of the performance of the conservation system in the first mode based on the first model, and second controlled performance information indicative of the performance of the conservation system in the second mode based on the second model. |
| US09141094B2 |
Personal air quality monitoring system
A personal air quality monitoring system worn or carried by a user. Such system can be used to monitor the local air quality and alert a user should air quality deteriorate below some acceptable desired or configurable threshold. |
| US09141085B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image-forming apparatus comprising a fuser assembly including a heating roller and a pressure roller for fixing a non-fixed image on paper, a duct located in the vicinity of the fuser assembly in parallel to an axis line of the heating roller, an exhaust outlet located on a first side wall of the duct at the fuser assembly side, wherein the exhaust outlet is provided to connect the fuser assembly and the duct, and a plane filter detachably attached to an inside wall of the duct in parallel to the inside wall. |
| US09141084B2 |
Cartridge configured of two units and image forming apparatus that accommodates the cartridge
A cartridge mountable in an image forming apparatus includes a first unit that stores developer and a second unit that accommodates the first unit. The first unit includes a first detected part configured to be displaced irreversibly from a first-unit new-product position to a first-unit used position upon receipt of a driving force from the image forming apparatus, the first detected part contacting a detector provided in the image forming apparatus while being displaced from the first-unit new-product position to the first-unit used position to be detected by the detector. The second unit includes a second detected part configured to be displaced irreversibly from a second-unit new-product position to a second-unit used position upon receipt of a driving force from the image forming apparatus, the second detected part contacting the detector while being displaced from the second-unit new-product position to the second-unit used position to be detected by the detector. |
| US09141083B2 |
Process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position. |
| US09141081B2 |
Image forming apparatus provided with mechanism to move developing roller relative to photosensitive drum
An image forming apparatus includes a main casing and a cartridge detachably mountable therein. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a developing roller disposed to oppose each other. The main casing includes: a metal frame for supporting the cartridge; a lock member supported to the metal frame and movable about a first axis to allow or restrict movement of the photosensitive drum relative to the metal frame; and a contact-separation member supported to the metal frame and movable about a second axis to allow contact and separation of the developing roller relative to the photosensitive drum. The lock member and the contact-separation member are aligned in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to an axis of the photosensitive drum such that the first axis is not overlapped with the contact-separation member or the second axis is not overlapped with the lock member in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum. |
| US09141080B2 |
Drawer member having image fixing unit, and image forming apparatus having same
A drawer member that is capable of being drawn out from an image forming apparatus body and that includes a fixing unit that heats and fixes an image onto a recording medium, a first flow path that is formed around the fixing unit and that causes air that is heated by heat, which is discharged from the fixing unit, to circulate, and a second flow path that is formed adjacent to the first flow path on a side opposite to the fixing unit and in which air having a temperature lower than a temperature of air, which circulates in the first flow path, circulates. |
| US09141079B2 |
Image forming apparatus having developer cartridge and cartridge supporting member
In an image forming apparatus, each of a plurality of image forming units includes a receiving member formed with a reception opening configured to receive developer. Each of a plurality of developer cartridges includes a supply member formed with a supply opening through which developer is configured to be supplied to a corresponding one of the plurality of image forming units. A cartridge supporting member is mounted in a main casing and configured to move between a first position and a second position. The supply opening and the reception opening are in communication with each other when the cartridge supporting member is in the first position and the cartridge supporting member is pulled outside the main casing when the cartridge supporting member is in the second position. One of the receiving member and the supply member protrudes toward remaining one, and the remaining one is configured to receive the one. |
| US09141077B2 |
Image forming apparatus including a movable exposure unit
An image forming apparatus, which includes a main frame having an opening, a cover rotatable between an opened position where the cover uncovers the opening and a closed position where the cover closes the opening, a holder rotatably supported by the cover and having a recess, and an exposure unit having a plurality of light emitting elements and a supporting wall, and held by the holder, the supporting wall having a first engaging portion which engages with the recess of the holder when the cover is located at the opened position, and which disengages from the recess of the holder when the cover is located at the closed position. |
| US09141073B2 |
Waste-developer collecting device and image forming apparatus including the waste-developer collecting device
A waste-developer collecting device includes a developing device that develops a latent image with developer, a storage section that stores the developer transported from the developing device, and a path section extending from the developing device to the storage section, and including a downward path through which the developer in the developing device flows together with air in the developing device, the downward path guiding the flowing developer downward. An opening is provided on an upper side and an upstream side of a lowermost level of the downward path so that a part of the air flowing in the path section is released out through the opening. |
| US09141070B2 |
Image forming device having belt cleaner and drum cleaner both provided in one of drum units
An image forming device includes: first and second photosensitive drums; first and second drum cleaners for removing waste developer on the first and second photosensitive drums respectively; first developer cartridge having a first waste developer chamber; a second developer cartridge having a second waste developer chamber; a belt in contact with the first and second photosensitive drums; a belt cleaner for removing waste developer on the belt; a belt waste developer conveyer for conveying the waste developer removed by the belt cleaner; a first conveyer for conveying the waste developer removed by the first drum cleaner; a second conveyer for conveying the waste developer removed by the second drum cleaner to the second waste developer chamber; and a third conveyer for conveying the waste developer conveyed by the first conveyer and the waste developer conveyed by the belt waste developer conveyer to the first waste developer chamber. |
| US09141069B2 |
Photosensitive drum unit, assembling method therefor, and assembling therefor
A photosensitive drum unit is provided to which a coupling member is easily mounted. A drum flange is fixed to one end portion of a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at a peripheral surface. The coupling member is inserted into the drum flange. Finally, a closing member is mounted to the drum flange. |
| US09141068B2 |
Image forming device having main body and holder holding developer cartridges
An image-forming device includes: a main body; a plurality of developer cartridges; a holder; and a plurality of urging members. The main body has a plurality of engaging parts. Each developer cartridge has a photosensitive drum. The holder is configured to move between a position inside the main body and a position outside the main body and to hold the developer cartridges such that the developer cartridges are arranged in a row along a first direction. Each urging member is configured to urge a corresponding developer cartridge toward a corresponding engaging part when the holder holding the developer cartridges is at the position inside the main body. |
| US09141066B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus for applying post process to sheet
A sheet processing apparatus that is capable of setting a sheet conveyance distance from a first detection to a second detection according to a sheet length. A sensor unit on which first and second sensors are arranged in a sheet width direction to detect a side end of a sheet in the sheet width direction. A moving unit moves the sensor unit in the sheet width direction. A setting unit sets up a second movement speed based on the sheet length obtained. A control unit controls the moving unit so as to move the sensor unit at a first movement speed, and so as to move the sensor unit at the second movement speed until the end section is detected by the second sensor after the side end is detected by the first sensor. |
| US09141065B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus, including: an electrophotographic image forming unit which forms an image on a recording medium; a fixing unit which thermally fixes the image; an insulating chute disposed between the image forming unit and the fixing unit, including: a guide face and a back face, and configured to guide the image-formed recording medium to the fixing unit; and a planar metal member disposed on the back face and expanding to a first end edge portion as an edge portion of one of end portions of the chute nearer to the fixing unit. The metal member includes a second end edge portion that is an edge portion of one of end portions of the metal member nearer to the fixing unit. The second end edge portion has an acute angle in cross section as viewed in a widthwise direction of the recording medium. |
| US09141064B2 |
Toner-amount detection sensor
A toner-amount detection sensor includes a board, a sensor cover, a light emitter, a light receiver, a light-shielding wall, and two locking parts. The light emitter is surface-mounted on the board. The light receiver is surface-mounted on the board. The light-shielding wall is located between the light emitter and the light receiver, abuts the board, and abuts the sensor cover or extends from the sensor cover. The two locking parts are formed at opposite ends of the sensor cover to press the board to lock it from outside the light emitter and light receiver relative to the light-shielding wall, using the abutment between the light-shielding wall and the board as a supporting point. |
| US09141063B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method
An image forming apparatus includes a deterioration determining device to determine a deterioration degree of a latent image bearer based on a potential detected by a surface potential detector. The deterioration determining device calculates a relative value indicating the deterioration degree based on the aggregated number of pixels and a time value for each of virtually divided regions. The deterioration determining device determines a deterioration degree of a detecting target region of the virtually divided region based on a potential detected by the surface potential detector. The deterioration determining device further determines deterioration degrees of non-detecting target respective regions of the virtually divided regions based on the relative values of the non-detecting target respective regions, the relative value of the detecting target region, and the deterioration degree of the detecting target region. |
| US09141060B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form a measurement image on a sheet along a main scanning direction, a fixing unit configured to fix the measurement image onto the sheet, a first calculation unit configured to cause a measuring unit to output a measured value at a predetermined point of measurement on the measurement image, a feeding unit to rotate the sheet 90 degrees and feed the sheet, the sheet to pass through the fixing unit again, and the measuring unit to output measured values at a plurality of points of measurement, and calculate a first correction coefficient from first and second measured values at the point of measurement, a correction unit configured to correct the measured values with the first correction coefficient, and a second calculation unit configured to calculate a second correction coefficient for correcting an unevenness in the main scanning direction. |
| US09141058B2 |
Image forming apparatus with changing photosensitive member speed
There is provided an image forming apparatus in which an image forming speed is changed in a state where toner is provided between a photosensitive drum and an intermediate transfer member. Therefore, even if a speed difference between the photosensitive drum and the intermediate transfer member is generated, a drive torque can be suppressed, and deterioration caused by abrasion of the photosensitive drum and the intermediate transfer member can be reduced. |
| US09141057B2 |
Switching control apparatus and image forming apparatus
The switching control apparatus includes a switching driving unit for turning on and off the switch, a control-purpose power supply for outputting electric power, a power transmission unit provided between the switching driving unit and the control-purpose power supply, for supplying or cutting off electric power from the control-purpose power supply to the switching driving unit, and a control unit for controlling the power transmission unit. The control unit controls the switching driving unit to turn the switch on or off, during a period in which the electric power from the power supply to the switching driving unit is cut off by the power transmission unit, or supplied from the power supply to the switching driving unit. |
| US09141054B2 |
Fixing device, and image forming apparatus
Provided is a fixing device including a fixing member that fixes toner to a recording material, a pressurizing member that forms a nip portion through which the recording material passes between the fixing member and the pressurizing member, a contacting and separating mechanism that contacts and separates the pressurizing member with and from the fixing member, and a pressure adjusting mechanism that is provided capable of advancing to and retreating from a region that moves along with contacting and separating of the pressurizing member with and from the fixing member by the contacting and separating mechanism while moving along a straight line direction, and adjusts a pressure in the nip portion by contacting the contacting and separating mechanism in the region. |
| US09141053B2 |
Heating device, fixing device, and image forming apparatus
Provided is a heating device that heats a belt which transports a medium on which a non-fixed image to be fixed onto the medium through heating is formed, the heating device including a heating element, a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer that are arranged to nip the heating element, a first supporting layer that comes into contact with the first insulating layer and a second supporting layer that comes into contact with the second insulating layer, both of which are arranged to nip the first insulating layer, the heating element, and the second insulating layer, and a connection member that connects the first supporting layer and the second supporting layer in a normal direction of the first supporting layer and the second supporting layer. |
| US09141048B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device, corresponding to a plurality of sheet passing widths, includes a rotating member configured to convey a recording medium, rise in temperature, and fix toner; temperature sensors configured to detect the surface temperature of the rotating member; heating members including at least one heat generating unit, provided inside the rotating member; and a control unit configured to control a heating state obtained by the heating members. The heat generating units are provided not to overlap each other in the direction of the sheet passing width orthogonal to the recording medium conveying direction. The temperature sensors are only placed at positions corresponding to the heat generating units used when printing on the recording medium having a minimum width. The control unit controls the heating state in accordance with the surface temperature, a sheet passing width, and an operational state of the rotating member that changes with time. |
| US09141045B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressing member and a separating member. The fixing member is provided with a sheet passing region and a non-sheet passing region. The separating member has a separating plate and a restricting piece. The restricting piece is provided with a curving surface on a region including the contacting portion with the non-sheet passing region. The curving surface has a first curving area and a second curving area. The first curving area is provided on a downstream side from the contacting portion in a rotating direction of the fixing member. The second curving area is provided on an upstream side from the contacting portion in the rotating direction of the fixing member. The second curving area has a radius of curvature larger than that of the first curving area. |
| US09141039B2 |
Image forming apparatus including a cam member to separate a transfer member
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit; an intermediate transfer member; a secondary transfer member to form a secondary transfer nip with the intermediate transfer member and the secondary transfer member; a biasing mechanism to bias the secondary transfer member toward the intermediate transfer member; a cam member rotatable between a first position, at which a predetermined space is formed in the secondary transfer nip, and a second position, at which the secondary transfer member and the intermediate transfer member contact each other; and a contact-separation controller configured to put the cam member in the first position before entry of the recording medium into the secondary transfer nip, rotate the cam member toward the second position when the recording medium enters the secondary transfer nip, and change a start timing of rotation of the cam member in accordance with a thickness of the recording medium. |
| US09141037B2 |
Transfer assist members
A transfer assist member comprising a plurality of layers, one of the layers being a check film layer comprised of a crosslinked mixture of aminoplast resins, and polyester polyols present on a support polymer layer. |
| US09141036B2 |
Digital printer for printing to a recording medium
A digital printer has at least one print group with a station to generate charge images of images to be printed on a charge image carrier, the station having a developer station to ink the charge images using liquid carrier having toner and carrier fluid. The developer station comprises a rotating application unit that transports the liquid developer to the charge image carrier. The feed system feeds the liquid developer to the application unit. The dosing unit adjacent to the application unit and after the feed system comprises a dosing roller and an elastic unit acting on the dosing roller, the elastic unit exerting an adjustable contact pressure force on the dosing roller in a direction of the application unit. |
| US09141035B2 |
Developing device forming toner image by feeding toner toward electrostatic latent image formed on circumferential surface of photosensitive drum, and image forming apparatus including the same
A developing device includes a developing roller, a regulating blade, and seal members. The regulating blade extends in a rotation axis direction of the developing sleeve, is disposed opposite to a circumferential surface of the developing sleeve, and regulates a quantity of the toner present on the circumferential surface of the developing sleeve. The seal members are disposed opposite to the circumferential surface of the developing sleeve without being in contact with both ends of the developing sleeve in the rotation axis direction, and inhibit the toner on the circumferential surface from moving to the rotation axis direction ends by magnetic brushes formed between the magnet roller and the seal members. An inner surface part of each seal member which is opposite to the circumferential surface of the developing sleeve has root parts which have crest parts formed in a serrated shape. |
| US09141030B2 |
Image forming system including a plurality of types of developing cartridges and a plurality of types of image carrier cartridges
An image forming system includes: a main casing of an image forming apparatus; a plurality of types of developing cartridges including first and second developing cartridges; and a plurality of types of image carrier cartridges including first and second image carrier cartridges each capable of accommodating selected one of the developing cartridges. The first developing cartridge includes a first cover member. The second developing cartridge includes a second cover member different from the first cover member. The first image carrier cartridge includes a first engaging portion engageable with the first cover member, and a first restriction portion. The second image carrier cartridge includes a second engaging portion engageable with the second cover member. The first restriction portion is configured to restrict the second cover member from engaging the first engaging portion. |
| US09141029B2 |
Developing device and electrophotographic image forming apparatus having the same
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is provided. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a main body having an opening; a developing cartridge, detachably installed in the main body through the opening in a first direction, which includes a photosensitive drum and a cleaning member for removing a toner remaining in the photosensitive drum; and a toner recycle unit, detachably installed in the developing cartridge through the opening in the first direction, which recovers the toner removed by the cleaning member, filters the recovered toner, and supplies the toner again to the developing cartridge. |
| US09141027B1 |
Cleaning device, and image forming apparatus
A cleaning device that cleans a residual toner from a cleaning target includes a cleaning blade that blocks the residual toner containing toner particles and an external additive on the cleaning target and scrapes the residual toner from the cleaning target, a measurement unit that measures an amount of the external additive in the residual toner which is blocked by the cleaning blade and remains on the cleaning target, and a control unit that increases an amount of a toner that is supplied to the cleaning target based on a measurement result obtained by the measurement unit. |
| US09141025B1 |
Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus including the same
An optical scanning device includes a mirror adjusting mechanism which includes an abutting surface and a mirror holding member. The abutting surface is provided with one or more first support protrusions making point contact or line contact with a reflecting surface of a planar mirror on the same straight line. The mirror holding member includes a mirror receiving part provided with one second support protrusion making point contact with the reflecting surface of the planar mirror. The mirror holding member is rotated while maintaining a contact state between the planar mirror and the first support protrusions and a contact state between the mirror receiving part and the abutting surface, so that an angle of the planar mirror is adjustable only in one direction by employing a straight line, which connects contact points between the plurality of first support protrusions and the planar mirror to each other, as a swing axis. |
| US09141023B2 |
Image forming device with exposure unit and pressing member
An image forming device includes a photoconductive body, an exposure unit configured with a plurality of light emitting elements aligned in a predetermined direction, the exposure unit being adopted to expose the photoconductive body to light emitted by the light emitting elements, a frame configured to support both sides of the exposure unit in the predetermined direction, the frame having a reference portion configured to position the exposure unit in the predetermined direction in contact with an end of the exposure unit in the predetermined direction, and a pressing member provided to one of the frame and the exposure unit, the pressing member being configured to press the end of the exposure unit against the reference portion. |
| US09141020B2 |
Charger positioning adjuster and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A charger positioning adjuster, which is included in an image forming apparatus and disposed facing a charger uniformly charging a surface of an image carrier using corona discharging, includes a mounting part provided at a position on which the charger is detachably attached, a positioning member attached to the mounting part and positioning the charger by contacting thereto, and a spacer disposed between the mounting part and the positioning member and adjusting a distance between the surface of the image carrier and the charger. |
| US09141019B2 |
Power-supply device and image formation apparatus
A power-supply device includes: a rectifier circuit configured to output a rectified voltage by rectifying an output from a transformer; a comparator circuit configured to compare a comparison voltage corresponding to an output voltage or an output current that are generated based on the rectified voltage with the indicator voltage and to control an operation of the transformer drive circuit so as to reduce the difference between the comparison voltage and the indicator voltage; a constant voltage element configured to limit the output voltage or the output current by operating as a constant voltage source when the value of the output voltage or the output current reaches a threshold; and a current mirror circuit. The current mirror circuit is configured to lower the indicator voltage by allowing a current proportional to the current flowing through the constant voltage element to flow through the current path. |
| US09141018B2 |
Charging member, charging device, process cartridge, image forming apparatus, and method of manufacturing charging member
A charging member includes a conductive support, a conductive adhesive layer that is arranged on the conductive support and contains a crosslinking agent having two or more functional groups reacting with a halogen group and a resin having a halogen group, and an elastic layer that is arranged so as to contact with the conductive adhesive layer and contains a rubber material having a halogen group, wherein the resin having a halogen group in the conductive adhesive layer and the rubber material having a halogen group in the elastic layer are cross-linked by reaction with the crosslinking agent at least at an interface between the conductive adhesive layer and the elastic layer. |
| US09141015B2 |
Electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system with transfer-medium service loops
An additive manufacturing system for printing a three-dimensional part using electrophotography, the additive manufacturing system including a rotatable photoconductor component, a development station configured to develop layers of a material on a surface of the rotatable photoconductor component, a rotatable transfer medium configured to receive the developed layers from the surface of the rotatable photoconductor component, and a platen configured to receive the developed layers from the rotatable transfer medium in a layer-by-layer manner. The additive manufacturing system also includes a plurality of service loops configured to move portions of the rotatable transfer medium at different line speeds while maintaining a net rotational rate of full rotations of the rotatable transfer medium at a substantially steady state. |
| US09141007B2 |
Monolayer type photoconductor and image forming device
Provided is a monolayer type photoconductor superior in sensitivity characteristics that allows reliable production by easy confirmation of the sensitivity characteristics, and an image forming device using such a monolayer type photoconductor. A monolayer type photoconductor including a base body and a single photo sensitive layer formed on the base body, the single photo sensitive layer containing a charge generating agent, a hole transfer agent, an electron transfer agent and a binding resin, wherein a maximum absorption wavelength (λmax) of the photo sensitive layer is set to a value of below 850 nm and an absorbance (A850) of light at a wavelength of 850 nm per unit thickness of the photo sensitive layer is set to a value of 0.05 μm−1 or less. |
| US09141002B2 |
Z-stage with dynamically driven stage mirror and chuck assembly having constraint
Substrate support apparatus and methods are disclosed. Motion of a substrate chuck relative to a stage mirror may be dynamically compensated by sensing a displacement of the substrate chuck relative to the stage mirror and coupling a signal proportional to the displacement in one or more feedback loops with Z stage actuators and/or XY stage actuators coupled to the stage mirror. Alternatively, a substrate support apparatus may include a Z stage plate a stage mirror, one or more actuators attached to the Z stage plate, and a substrate chuck mounted to the stage mirror with constraints on six degrees of freedom of movement of the substrate chuck. The actuators impart movement to the Z stage in a Z direction as the Z stage plate is scanned in a plane perpendicular to the Z direction. The actuators may include force flexures having a base portion attached to the Z stage plate and a cantilever portion extending in a lateral direction from the base portion. The cantilever portion may include a parallelogram flexure coupled between the base portion and a free end of the cantilever portion. |
| US09140996B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
An immersion lithographic apparatus is disclosed in which at least a part of the liquid supply system (which provides liquid between the projection system and the substrate) is moveable in a plane substantially parallel to a top surface of the substrate during scanning. The part is moved to reduce the relative velocity between that part and the substrate so that the speed at which the substrate may be moved relative to the projection system may be increased. |
| US09140995B2 |
Fluid handling structure, a lithographic apparatus and a device manufacturing method
A fluid handling structure for a lithographic apparatus, the fluid handling structure to confine liquid to a space, the fluid handling structure having, on an undersurface surrounding the space, a liquid supply opening to supply liquid onto an undersurface of the fluid handling structure and, radially inward with respect to the space of the liquid supply opening, a two dimensional array of liquid extraction openings to extract a liquid from the space and to extract liquid on the undersurface from the liquid supply opening. |
| US09140994B2 |
Method for adjusting an optical system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus
A method for adjusting an optical system in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes establishing, for a given actual position of a polarization-influencing component, a distribution of IPS values in a pupil plane of the projection exposure apparatus. Each IPS value denotes the degree of realization of a predetermined polarization state for a light ray reflected at a respective mirror element of the mirror arrangement. The method also includes changing the position of the polarization-influencing component on the basis of the established distribution. |
| US09140992B2 |
Illumination optical apparatus and projection exposure apparatus
An illumination optical apparatus and projection exposure apparatus capable of reducing a light quantity loss when a mask is illuminated with a polarized illumination light. An illumination optical system for illuminating a reticle with an illumination light and a projection optical system for projecting the pattern image of the reticle onto a wafer are provided. An illumination light emitted from an exposure light source in a linearly polarized state in the illumination optical system passes through first and second birefringent members having different fast axis directions and is converted into a polarized state that is substantially linearly polarized in a circumferential direction with the optical axis as the center in an almost specific annular area, and them illuminates the reticle under an annular illuminating condition after passing through a fly-eye lens. |
| US09140991B2 |
Illumination optical system, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
An illumination optical system includes: a stop configured to define an illumination range of a surface to be illuminated; an imaging optical system configured to form an image of an aperture of the stop onto the surface to be illuminated; an calculation unit configured to calculate an offset amount between a size of the aperture and a target illumination range of the surface to be illuminated using data on the target illumination range; and an adjusting unit configured to adjust the size of the aperture based on the calculated offset amount. The offset amount differs according to a size of the target illumination range. |
| US09140990B2 |
Polarization-modulating element, illumination optical apparatus, exposure apparatus, and exposure method
There is disclosed a polarization-modulating element for modulating a polarization state of incident light into a predetermined polarization state, the polarization-modulating element being made of an optical material with optical activity and having a circumferentially varying thickness profile. |
| US09140987B2 |
Method for lithography patterning
A method of reducing resist outgassing for EUV lithography is disclosed. The method includes forming a material layer over a substrate wherein a top surface of the material layer contains a certain concentration of a quencher or a base. The method further includes forming a resist layer over the top surface of the material layer and exposing the resist layer to a EUV radiation for patterning. The quencher or the base underneath the resist layer acts to suppress resist outgassing during the EUV exposure. The material layer itself may serve as a hard mask layer or an anti-reflection layer for the patterning process, in addition to being the carrier of the quencher or the base. The method can be used in other types of lithography, such as e-beam lithography, for reducing resist outgassing. |
| US09140985B2 |
Silicon-containing film-forming composition, silicon-containing film, and pattern forming method
A silicon-containing film-forming composition includes a polysiloxane and organic solvent. The polysiloxane includes a first structural unit, a second structural unit, and a third structural unit. The first structural unit is derived from a tetraalkoxysilane. The second structural unit is derived from a compound shown by a formula (1), wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an electron-donating group, at least one R1 is an electron-donating group, R2 represents a monovalent organic group, and n represents 0 or 1. The third structural unit is derived from a compound shown by a formula (2), wherein R3 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and R4 represents a monovalent organic group. |
| US09140980B2 |
Method of manufacturing a transfer mask and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
In a mask blank for manufacturing a transfer mask, the mask blank has a light-shielding film on a transparent substrate. The light-shielding film is made of a material containing tantalum as a main metal component and includes a highly oxidized layer which has an oxygen content of 60 at % or more and which is formed as a surface layer of the light-shielding film. The highly oxidized layer is placed on a side opposite to a transparent substrate side. |
| US09140977B2 |
Imaging devices, methods of forming same, and methods of forming semiconductor device structures
An imaging device comprising a first region and a second region. Imaging features in the first region and assist features in the second region are substantially the same size as one another and are formed substantially on pitch. Methods of forming an imaging device and methods of forming a semiconductor device structure are also disclosed. |
| US09140970B2 |
Projector and projector controlling method
A projector includes a measurement unit having a function of measuring at least two of a period during which the projector remains powered on, a period of an in-use state in which a user is using the projector, and a period of a non-use state in which the user is not using the projector; and a control unit having a function, of determining an in-use state ratio or a non-use state ratio associated with the projector based on the periods measured by the measurement unit and a function of executing an energy saving setting based on the in-use state ratio or the non-use state ratio. |
| US09140968B2 |
Projection device particle-containment shield
A particle-containment shield is provided. The particles-containment shield includes a containment structure that defines an air inlet to receive air heated by a projection lamp from the outlet of the projection-lamp module and defines an air outlet to vent air heated by the projection lamp away from the projection lamp. The containment structure is sealed intermediate the air inlet and the air outlet such that air heated by the projection lamp that enters through the air inlet exits the containment structure through the air outlet. The containment structure defines a length, a width, and a height of the particle-containment shield. The particle-containment shield includes one or more deflection members is arranged in the containment structure to collectively block all straight line paths from the air inlet to the air outlet so as to inhibit projection lamp particles from exiting the air outlet upon projection lamp rupture. |
| US09140964B2 |
Method and apparatus for operating projection mode in projection device
A projection device capable of automatically controlling on/off of a projection module for projecting display data onto an exterior surface according to an open/closed state of a cover of the projection module, and an operation method thereof are provided. The method for operating a projection module in a projection device includes turning-on the projection module when a first detection signal is detected, wherein the first detection signal is generated when a cover of the projection module is open, and after the projection module is turned on, turning-off the projection module when a second detection signal is detected, wherein the second detection signal is generated when a cover of the projection module is closed. |
| US09140962B2 |
Camera mount
Embodiments disclose systems and methods for a camera mount. Specifically, embodiments are directed towards a camera support that may be quickly unlocked and rotated, so that the grip orientation changes from a normal hand-grip use, to an orientation that can be undergirded by the crook of the operators elbow. |
| US09140958B2 |
Optical element, light source device, and optical element production method
According to one embodiment, an optical element is provided with a paraelectric crystal, first and second pressers between which the paraelectric crystal is sandwiched, and fasteners. The paraelectric crystal has a periodic structure in which polarities are periodically inverted along a polarity period direction. The fasteners fix the first and second pressers to each other so that a predetermined pressure is applied in a direction intersecting with the polarity period direction, to the paraelectric crystal through the first and second pressers. |
| US09140953B2 |
Reflective display apparatus
A reflective display apparatus includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a display layer and a light shielding layer. The first substrate has a driving circuit layer and the second substrate has a transparent electrode layer opposite to the driving circuit layer. The display layer is disposed between the driving circuit layer and the transparent electrode layer. The light shielding layer has a first adhering surface and a second adhering surface, wherein the first adhering surface is adhered to the display layer and the second adhering surface is adhered to the driving circuit layer. The light shielding layer can prevent the driving circuit layer from being illuminated by external light rays, and thus display quality of the reflective display apparatus is improved. |
| US09140950B2 |
Electrochromic devices, assemblies incorporating electrochromic devices, and/or methods of making the same
Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to electrochromic (EC) devices, assemblies incorporating electrochromic devices, and/or methods of making the same. More particularly, certain example embodiments of this invention relate to improved EC materials, EC device stacks, high-volume manufacturing (HVM) compatible process integration schemes, and/or high-throughput low cost deposition sources, equipment, and factories. |
| US09140945B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof
A liquid crystal display device includes a thin film transistor substrate having a pixel region and a frame region, and a color filter substrate. The frame region includes a first metal wire that surrounds the outside of the pixel region, and a second metal wire that is formed so as to surround the outside of the first metal wire. The first metal wire has at least one slit at an area overlapping with a seal material. |
| US09140943B2 |
Liquid crystal display
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display includes a first substrate including a gate wire, a source wire intersecting with the gate wire, a pixel electrode with a contact portion and a main pixel electrode extending from the contact portion, and a semiconductor layer arranged under the source wire and intersecting with the gate wire and bending under the source wire so as to extend to below the contact portion, a second substrate opposed to the array substrate, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrate. The semiconductor layer is electrically connected to the source wire on one side of a position of the gate wire and to the contact portion on another side of the gate wire. |
| US09140942B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and multi-display system
A liquid crystal display device includes a first scanning line, a second scanning line and a third scanning line which are provided for each of a plurality of pixel rows; a first signal line and a second signal line which are provided for each of a plurality of pixel columns; a pixel capacitor provided for each of a plurality of pixels; a temporary storage capacitor for temporarily storing a voltage to be written to the pixel capacitor; a first switching element for controlling electrical connection between the first signal line and the temporary storage capacitor; a second switching element for controlling electrical connection between the temporary storage capacitor and the pixel capacitor; and a third switching element for controlling electrical connection between the second signal line and the pixel capacitor. |
| US09140936B2 |
Blue phase liquid crystal panel and display device
A blue phase liquid crystal panel and a display device provide a transflective mode blue phase liquid crystal panel with a single cell gap so as to simplify the process. The blue phase liquid crystal panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate that are disposed opposite to each other so as to form a liquid crystal cell; a blue phase liquid crystal layer between the two substrates; gate lines and data lines arranged to intersect the gate lines to define pixel regions on an inner side of the first substrate. The blue phase liquid crystal panel has a single cell gap, and the pixel regions are divided into transmission regions and reflection regions. The light for display in the transmission region and the light for display in the reflection region of a same pixel region generate the same phase retardation after passing through the blue phase liquid crystal layer. |
| US09140930B2 |
Slim frame backlight module
The present invention provides a slim frame backlight module, which includes a backplane, a backlight source arranged inside the backplane, a side reflector plate arranged inside the backplane, and a light guide plate arranged inside the backplane. The light guide plate includes a bottom surface, a top surface opposite to the bottom surface, and at least one light incident surface connecting between the bottom surface and the top surface. The light incident surface is set inwardly inclined with respect to the top surface, so that the light incident surface and the top surface form therebetween an included angle less than 90°. Light emitting from the backlight source can be reflected by the side reflector plate to the light incident surface or is directly projected to the light incident surface to transmit through the light incident surface into the light guide plate. |
| US09140928B2 |
Panel display device
A panel display device is provided, which includes: a transparent back panel having a first surface and a second surface, where the first surface is adapted for reflecting incident lights from the outside, and the second surface is adapted for transmitting lights from the outside; a backlight source, disposed at one side of the second surface of the transparent back panel, which is adapted for emitting lights to the transparent back panel; a polarized grating, disposed at one side of the first surface of the transparent back panel, which includes a plurality of grating strips with gaps formed between neighboring grating strips, where the polarized grating enables the incident lights from the transparent back panel to be polarized and then pass through the gaps; a semiconductor switch array; and a transmission light valve array. The panel display device of the disclosure increase the utilization efficiency of lights. |
| US09140927B2 |
Display with liquid crystal shutters for minimizing display borders
An electronic device may be provided with a display mounted in a housing. The display may have an array of display pixels that provide image light to a user. The array of display pixels may form active display structures with a rectangular shape. The rectangular active display structures may be surrounded by an inactive border region. Liquid crystal light distribution structures may be used to distribute light that is emitted from peripheral portions of the active display structures to a portion of the display overlapping the inactive border region, thereby increasing the apparent area of the display. The light distribution structures may include a liquid crystal cell, a reflecting polarizer, and a reflector that reflects light from the peripheral portions of the active display structures vertically upwards after the light has passed through the liquid crystal cell and has reflected off of the reflecting polarizer. |
| US09140926B2 |
Semiconductor wire grid, display apparatus having the same, and method of manufacturing the display apparatus
A semiconductor wire grid may include a plurality of wires arranged separately on a substrate, formed of a semiconductor, and including a groove therebetween, wherein conductivity of the semiconductor wire grid varies according to an applied voltage such that a polarization rate of the semiconductor wire grid is controlled. |
| US09140924B2 |
Display device and manufacturing method thereof
A display device having a plurality of pixel units and a manufacturing method of the same are provided. The display device includes a first substrate assembly, a second substrate assembly, a liquid crystal mixture, and a pillared polymer network. The first substrate assembly includes a first substrate and a first electrode layer disposed on the first substrate. The second substrate assembly includes a second substrate. The liquid crystal mixture is disposed between the first and second substrate assemblies. The pillared polymer network is disposed between the first and second substrate assemblies and has a first end and second end. The first end abuts against the first substrate assembly and is disposed correspondingly to the first electrode layer. The second end abuts against the second substrate assembly. Each of the pixel units includes the pillared polymer network. |
| US09140923B2 |
Polymer dispersed liquid crystal photovoltaic device and method for making
A novel photovoltaic device including a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material that is capable of converting solar energy to electrical energy and method for making. The device may optionally include a conductive container for holding the PDLC material. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention is directed to a self assembled PDLC material, a holographically synthesized PDLC material or a block co-polymer dispersed liquid crystal material. It is envisioned that the invention may be used a power source for any device, system or application. In particular, the invention may be used for any application involving the conversion of solar energy to electrical energy. |
| US09140921B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same
In a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device, a seal material is formed by drawing on a first substrate. A starting point and a terminal point of the drawing overlap forming a closing portion. The seal material is obliquely drawn so as to depart from an active area as the drawing departs from the closing portion. After drawing the seal material so as to surround the active area, the seal material is obliquely drawn so as to close to the active area as the drawing closes to the closing portion. The liquid crystal material is dropped in the inside surrounded with the seal material. After that, a second substrate is arranged on the seal material and the liquid crystal material. Then, the first substrate and the second substrate are attached by curing the seal material. |
| US09140920B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing operation of an optical liquid crystal device
Methods and apparatus for testing operation of a single or multiple tunable active optical device(s) operated by one or more driving electrodes are described Test methods and apparatus are provided for device testing without necessarily requiring direct physical contact with the driving electrodes Testing subjects devices to incident light along an optical path and to an external electric field applied to the device producing a dipolar charge distribution within the electrodes, causing the device to operate The effect of device operation on incident light is optically sensed The sensed effect is analyzed to identify device defects Test methods and apparatus are provided for testing multiple unsingulated devices during fabrication employing a strip contact structure having contact strips connected to multiple devices and extending to wafer edges, such that singulating devices leaves portions of the strip contact structure exposed on device dice edges providing electrical contacts in use. |
| US09140919B2 |
Package structure of liquid crystal display module
The present invention discloses a package structure of a LCD module without additional fixing and connection devices such as screws, thereby increasing the possibility of further narrowing the frame and improving assembly efficiency of the product line. The package structure of LCD module comprises interlocking back plate, protection frame and front frame. |
| US09140916B2 |
LCD panel and LCD device
The present disclosure provides a liquid crystal display (LCD) device and an LCD device. The LCD panel includes a first substrate and a second substrate oppositely arranged to the first substrate, and each of oppositely arranged surfaces of the two substrates are layered with one or more material layers. The edge of the oppositely arranged surface(s) of the first substrate and/or the second substrate is layered with protrusions and/or recesses, the edge layered with the protrusions and/or recesses is bonded with sealant, and the first substrate is bonded and fixed to the second substrate by the sealant. |
| US09140911B2 |
Alignment process device for display panel and conductive component thereof
An alignment process device for display panel is disclosed in the present invention and includes a conductive component array, which comprises at least two conductive components, and the at least two conductive components are arranged together in a form of one dimensional array, each conductive component array is utilized for contacting the display panel to provide power for the display panel; a base supports the conductive components; a power source port is connected to an external power source for providing power to the conductive components. |
| US09140909B2 |
Eyeglass storage system
An eyeglass storage system is provided for use in combination with electronic devices, such as smart phones. The storage systems disclosed herein include a casing having a storage cavity within the casing that houses compact reading glasses. The casing may be a unit that attaches to electronic devices, or may be a combination casing that houses the electronic device along with the reading glasses. |
| US09140901B2 |
Ultra wide band achromatic Risley prism scanner
A system and method for scanning a wide band beam is presented. An apparatus includes a pair of prism triplets. Each prism triplet includes a first wedge prism, a second wedge prism and a third wedge prism all formed with different optical materials. In operation, a beam passing through the wide band team scanning apparatus first passes through the first, second and third wedge prisms of the first prism triplet. The beam then passes through the wedge prisms of the second prism triplet in a mirrored order (the third, then second, then first wedge prisms) than that of the first prism triplet. This apparatus with two prism triplets allows wide band light transmitted through it to emerge with its plurality of different wavelengths of light travelling in the same direction to equalize net dispersive effects each of different wavelengths. |
| US09140900B2 |
Displays having self-aligned apertures and methods of making the same
A display for imaging includes an aperture layer and a set of light modulators. The aperture layer includes a light absorbing layer disposed over a light reflecting layer, each layer having a set of apertures defined therein. The light absorbing layer includes light absorbing material suspended in a photosensitive resin. The set of light modulators are for modulating light passing through the apertures defined in the aperture layer. |
| US09140898B2 |
Hermetically sealed MEMS device and its fabrication
A hermetic package comprising a substrate (110) having a surface with a MEMS structure (101) of a first height (102), the substrate hermetically sealed to a cap (120) forming a cavity over the MEMS structure; the cap attached to the substrate surface by a vertical stack (130) of metal layers adhering to the substrate surface and to the cap, the stack having a continuous outline surrounding the MEMS structure while spaced from the MEMS structure by a distance (140); the stack having a bottom metal seed film (131) adhering to the substrate with a first width (131a), and further a top metal seed film (132) adhering to the cap with a second width (132a) smaller than the first width, the top metal seed film tied to a layer (135) including gold-indium intermetallic compounds, layer (135) having a height greater than the first height. |
| US09140897B2 |
Optical system, optical module and method of manufacture thereof
An optical system, an optical module and a method of manufacture thereof are provided. The optical module includes a top membrane and a bottom electrode. The top membrane includes a supporting layer, a first metal layer and an isolating layer with an opening. The first metal layer is disposed on lower surface of the supporting layer. The isolating layer is disposed on lower surface of the first metal layer. The bottom electrode, disposed below the top membrane, includes a second metal layer and a plurality of pillars. The pillars are disposed on upper surface of the second metal layer and below the isolating layer, wherein some of the pillars support the isolating layer. Wherein the pillars are used for preventing the top membrane from being pulled down to touch the second metal layer through the opening when a voltage is applied between the first and the second metal layers. |
| US09140895B2 |
Imaging apparatus and imaging method for obtaining images fro electromagnetic waves
Provided is an imaging apparatus including an imaging element section, an imaging optical system, a transmission/block section, an actuator, and an output section. The imaging element section includes a plurality of pixels, and the imaging optical system forms an image on the imaging element section, the image being formed by an electromagnetic wave from the outside. The transmission/block section transmits and blocks the electromagnetic wave to/against the imaging element section, the transmission/block section being disposed at an aperture stop position in the imaging optical system. The actuator drives the transmission/block section to move back and forth to be changed in state between transmission and blocking. The output section produces an image signal output being differential signaling between a pixel output from the imaging element section when the transmission/block section is in the transmission state, and a pixel output from the imaging element section when it is in the blocking state. |
| US09140888B2 |
Objective lens for endoscope, and endoscope
An objective lens for an endoscope, comprising a first lens group having a negative power, an aperture stop, and a second lens group having a positive power arranged in this order from an object side, wherein the first lens group comprises at least a negative front group lens having a concave surface facing an image side, and a positive front group lens having a convex surface facing the image side arranged in this order from the object side, and the second lens group comprises at least a positive rear group lens having a convex surface facing the image side and a cemented lens formed by cementing together a negative lens and a positive lens being arranged in this order from the object side, and wherein the objective lens for an endoscope is configured to satisfy a predetermined condition. |
| US09140884B2 |
Voice coil motor
A voice coil motor is disclosed, the motor including: a mover including a bobbin including a first bobbin having a lens secured therein and a plurality of second bobbins intermittently protruded from an upper surface of the first bobbin, and a coil block secured to a periphery of the first bobbin; a stator including a magnet facing the coil block and a yoke securing the magnet; a case including a bottom case formed with the bobbin and an upper case coupled to the bottom case and having a portion that is correspondingly opened to the bobbin; and an elastic member elastically supporting the bobbin, wherein any one of the yoke and the upper case is formed with a rotation prevention unit extended to the plurality of second bobbins in order to prevent the bobbin from rotating. |
| US09140875B2 |
Lens drive device
A lens drive device comprises a base, a lens holder, a piezoelectric actuator having a pair of frictional parts, and a pressing piece. The lens holder has a barrel, a projection projecting from the barrel, a support separated from the barrel, and a joint joining the projection and the support to each other. The pressing piece presses the piezoelectric actuator against the barrel so as to keep such a state that at least one of the pair of frictional parts is in contact with the barrel. |
| US09140868B2 |
Submarine optical communications cables and processes for the manufacturing thereof
A process for manufacturing submarine optical communications cable may include: providing an optical core; providing a reinforcing structure consisting of at least one layer of wires onto the optical core, wherein at least part of the wires are clad with first metallic material; extruding an outer layer onto the reinforcing structure, wherein the outer layer is made of second metallic material having a softening point substantially similar to a softening point of the first metallic material; and cooling the outer layer immediately after extruding the outer layer. A submarine optical cable may include: an optical core comprising a plurality of optical fibers housed in an inner tube; and a reinforcing structure consisting of at least one layer of wires stranded onto the optical core. The cable may be substantially devoid of interstices between the at least one layer of wires and the inner tube. |
| US09140867B1 |
Armored optical fiber cable
An optical communication cable includes a core, armor surrounding the core, a jacket surrounding and bonded to the armor, and a binder film also surrounding the core and interior to the armor. The core includes buffer tubes surrounding sets of optical fibers and a central strength member. The buffer tubes are stranded around the central strength member in a pattern of stranding including reversals in lay direction of the buffer tubes and the binder film holds the buffer tubes in position. The binder film is bonded to an interior of the armor, thereby providing a quick access capability to access the core via simultaneous removal of the binder film when the armor and jacket are removed. |
| US09140866B2 |
Optical component arrays in optical connectors
An example embodiment includes an optical connector. The optical connector includes a printed circuit board (PCB), multiple optical components, multiple optical fibers, and a lens assembly. The optical components are mounted to the PCB. Additionally, each of the optical components includes an aperture. The lens assembly is positioned on the PCB. The lens assembly defines a cavity in which the optical components are positioned. Additionally, the lens assembly defines optical fiber seats that are configured to receive the optical fibers. The lens assembly includes an angled surface that is configured to reflect optical signals between the optical components and the optical fibers. |
| US09140860B2 |
Connector
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for connecting optical fibers. In one aspect, a connector includes a transfer tube for equalizing the pressure between two chambers within the two connectors when the connectors are mated. The chambers may house biasing elements coupled to optical fiber holders to provide a pressure independent force against optical fiber terminals. The optical fiber holders may include side openings for receiving optical fibers. |
| US09140859B2 |
Managed fiber connectivity systems
A communications connection system includes a fiber optic connector including a storage device having memory configured to store physical layer information. The storage device also includes at least one contact member that is electrically connected to the memory. Certain types of fiber optic connectors have the storage device mounted to a key of the fiber optic connector. Certain types of fiber optic connectors have the storage device mounted in a cavity defined in the fiber optic connector. |
| US09140851B2 |
Dispersion compensation fiber
A dispersion compensation fiber comprises a fiber core and cladding. The fiber core is a core layer mainly doped with germanium and having a positive relative refractive index difference. The cladding covering the fiber core comprises a trench cladding mainly doped with fluorine, an annular cladding mainly doped with germanium, a matching cladding mainly doped with fluorine, and an outermost mechanical cladding in order. Relative refractive index differences of the fiber core and the claddings are respectively: Δ1% being 1.55% to 2.20%, Δ2% being −0.55% to −0.30%, Δ3% being 0.40% to 0.65%, Δ4% being −0.20% to −0.01%, and Δ5% being 0. Radius ranges, from R1 to R5, of the fiber core and the claddings are respectively: R1 being 1.4 to 1.7 μm, R2 being 4.1 to 4.8 μm, R3 being 6.7 to 8.8 μm, R4 being 10 to 17 μm, and R5 being 38 to 63 μm. |
| US09140846B2 |
Light-emitting device and image display apparatus
A light-emitting device includes: a light guiding member; a plurality of light-emitting elements; and a reflection member. A light reflection/exit surface of the light guiding member has a concave-convex pattern including a plurality of convex portions reflecting light emitted from the light-emitting elements inward. On the assumption that L is a distance between the light-emitting elements, t is a thickness of the light guiding member, an incident angle φ of the light on the light reflection/exit surface is an angle between a line segment obtained by projecting a light path from the light-emitting element to the light reflection/exit surface and a line segment extending from a central point of the light-emitting element to the light reflection/exit surface, and θ is a maximum angle range of reflected light, a value of the angle range θ decreases as a value of the incident angle φ increases in a range of 0<φ |
| US09140845B2 |
Display device having improved illumination characteristics
A display device includes a display panel including a display area in which an image is displayed, and a light unit that includes: a light guide plate including a light receiving surface and a light emitting surface; a light source spaced apart from the light receiving surface while facing the light receiving surface and overlapping the display area; and a light diffusion member extending between the light receiving surface and the light source. The light diffusion member includes at least one of a first pattern formed on a surface of the light diffusion member facing the light emitting surface, and a second pattern formed on another surface of the light diffusion member, thereby implementing uniform brightness across the whole surface of the display panel. |
| US09140840B2 |
Backlight assembly and display device
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a backlight assembly and a display device, including a backlight unit including a light emitting diode (LED) light source of and a light guide, and a bottom chassis disposed at a rear surface of the backlight unit, wherein the bottom chassis includes a bottom chassis main body, an inner supporting member disposed at an inner surface of the bottom chassis main body, an outer supporting member disposed at an outer surface of the bottom chassis main body, and a fastener to fasten at least two of the bottom chassis main body, the inner supporting member, and the outer supporting member. |
| US09140839B2 |
Lighting module and optical fiber lighting device using the same
A lighting module comprises a first light source, a second light source and a phosphor element is provided. The first light source emits a first exciting light. The second light source emits a second exciting light. The phosphor element converts the first exciting light and the second exciting light to an emission light. The first exciting light and the second exciting light are input to the phosphor element in different directions of incidence. |
| US09140838B2 |
Polarizing plate for OLED and OLED display including the same
A polarizing plate for an OLED and an OLED display, the polarizing plate including a polarizer; a first retardation layer on a lower side of the polarizer; a second retardation layer on a lower side of the first retardation layer; and a pattern layer on a lower side of the second retardation layer, the pattern layer including a plurality of engraved patterns on a lower side thereof. |
| US09140836B2 |
Method of shielding ultraviolet light and increasing visible light, and ultraviolet-light-shielding and visible-light-increasing material which enables implementation of the method
Provided is a method of shielding ultraviolet light and increasing visible light, enabling shielding or removal of ultraviolet light, transmission of visible light, effective utilization of ultraviolet energy to obtain visible light, and not requiring use of rare metal thus being low in cost. The method has: a first excitation step of exciting a fluorescent material by external light of 200 nm to 330 nm: an internal light emission step in which the fluorescent material excited in the first excitation step emits internal light of 330 nm to 400 nm; a second excitation step of exciting the same or a different fluorescent material by external light of 330 nm to 400 nm and by the internal light of 330 nm to 400 nm; and a visible light emission step in which the fluorescent material excited in the second excitation step emits visible light of 400 nm or more. |
| US09140835B2 |
Display panel, color filter substrate, and method of manufacturing the same
A display panel includes; a substrate, and a light blocking structure surrounding an ink filling region on the substrate, the light blocking structure including; a first layer pattern having an ink affinity characteristic disposed on the substrate, and a second layer pattern positioned on the first layer pattern and including an organic material having a light blocking characteristic. |
| US09140832B2 |
Reflective article having multiple reflective coatings
A reflective article, such as a solar mirror, includes a highly transparent substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface. At least one reflective coating is formed over at least a portion of one of the surfaces, e.g., the second major surface (or, alternatively, the first major surface). The reflective coating includes at least one metallic layer. An encapsulation structure can be formed over at least a portion of the second reflective coating. |
| US09140831B2 |
Optical sheet, optical member, surface light source device, and liquid crystal display device
An optical sheet including a body portion, unit optical elements arranged on one surface of the body portion, and an uneven coating having an uneven surface with micro-protrusions, provided on the other surface of the body portion. When the hardness He of the optical element surface Pe and the hardness Hm of the uneven coating surface Pm are evaluated in terms of the pencil hardness measured in accordance with JIS K5600-5-4 (1999) (load: 1000 g; speed: 1 mm/s), the hardness Hm is not less than the hardness He (hardness Hm≧hardness He) and the hardness Hm is preferably not less than F. Further, the hardness He and the hardness Hm preferably satisfy the following relation: hardness He+3≧hardness Hm≧hardness He+2 wherein the expression “He+1” indicates a hardness harder than He by one unit on the pencil hardness scale. |
| US09140830B2 |
Annulus scattering diffuser for display with reflective surface
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for enhancing the brightness and/or contrast ratio of display devices. In one aspect, the display devices can include an annular diffuser that is configured to scatter light into a ring shaped region. The annular diffuser can include a plurality of axicon lenses or holographic features. The reflective display can include an annular diffuser to shift the direction along which most of the modulated light is scattered away from the direction along which light is specularly reflected by the display devices to reduce specular glare and enhance brightness and/or contrast ratio. |
| US09140829B2 |
Apparatus for fabricating light guide panel and backlight unit having the light guide panel
The present invention relates to an apparatus for fabricating a light guide panel which can improve light efficiency and brightness, and a backlight unit having the light guide panel. The backlight unit includes a light source for generating a light, and a light guide panel for guiding the light incident thereon from the light source, the light guide panel having an upper pattern which is formed on a front side thereof for emitting the light guided thus to upward and a lower pattern which is formed on a backside thereof for reflecting or refracting the light, wherein the lower pattern of the light guide panel is formed in an intaglio pattern having a vertical angle at which two inclined planes meet, and one of the two inclined planes the light from the light source incident thereon has an angle of 45˜55°. |
| US09140821B2 |
Ordered multipoint geostatistics simulation using non-symmetric search mask
A method, apparatus, and program product improve the computational efficiency of a multipoint geostatistics method by employing an ordered path through unassigned cells in combination with a non-symmetric search mask that excludes one or more not-yet-simulated cells from the search mask during simulation. |
| US09140820B2 |
Optical sensor and test method for testing the operability of an optical sensor
The invention relates to a test method for testing the operability of an optical sensor for monitoring a monitored zone in which at least one test object is used which is located in a detection zone of the sensor including the monitored zone. Provision is made in accordance with the invention that the test object is changed during the carrying out of the test method with respect to its position, alignment or its optical properties and produces a test signal when the change cannot be detected in the expected manner. The invention further relates to an optical sensor for monitoring a monitored zone, wherein the test method in accordance with the invention can be used. |
| US09140818B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining position in a pipe
A method and apparatus for determining position in a pipe provides for the precise determination of location and associated characteristics of each pipe joint of a well, cross country pipeline or other fluid transmission line. The system includes a passive or active radio identification device at each joint in the pipe or casing string. The devices are preferably sealed within the resilient seal positioned between each pipe or casing joint. A pipeline tool includes a radio transmitter and receiver, with the transmitter transmitting on a frequency selected for resonating the identification devices. The resonant response of each device is detected by a receiver in the pipeline tool, with the response transmitted to the surface via the wireline to which the tool is connected. Alternatively, the tool may include storage information means until the tool can be recovered from the well or pipe. |
| US09140816B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining formation anisotropy
A method of generating an axial shear wave in a formation surrounding a wellbore comprising urging a clamp pad into contact with a wall of the wellbore, and applying an axial force to the clamp pad to impart a shear force into the wall of the wellbore to generate a shear wave in the formation. |
| US09140815B2 |
Signal stacking in fiber optic distributed acoustic sensing
A method for obtaining information about a subsurface formation from acoustic signals that contain information about the subsurface formation, comprises a) transmitting an optical signal into a fiber optic cable (14) that includes a sensing apparatus (20) comprising a plurality of substantially parallel fiber lengths (24), b) collecting from the sensing apparatus a plurality of received optical signals, each received signal comprising a portion of the transmitted signal that has been reflected from a different segment of a cable length, wherein the different segments are each in different cable lengths and correspond to a single selected location along the sensing cable, and c) processing the collected signals so as to obtain information about an acoustic signal received at the different segments. The cable may be ribbon cable and the lateral distance between the different segments may be less than 10 meters. |
| US09140809B2 |
Radiation detecting apparatus
A radiation detecting apparatus includes a radiation detector including a scintillator for converting radiation that has passed through a subject into visible light, and a substantially cuboid shaped photoelectric transducer board for converting the visible light into radiographic image information, and a casing housing the radiation detector therein. The casing is of a substantially cuboid shape and includes an upper plate, a lower plate, and a frame interconnecting the upper plate and the lower plate. The frame has a recess defined therein, which faces and is spaced from a corner of the photoelectric transducer board, the recess being concave in a direction away from the corner. |
| US09140808B2 |
Single or multi-energy vertical radiation sensitive detectors
A vertical radiation sensitive detector array (114) includes at least one detector leaf (118). The detector leaf includes a scintillator array (210, 502, 807, 907), including, at least, a top side (212) which receives radiation, a bottom side (218) and a rear side (214) and a photo-sensor circuit board (200, 803, 903), including a photo-sensitive region (202, 508, 803, 903), optically coupled to the rear side of the scintillator array. The detector leaf further includes processing electronics (406) disposed below the scintillator array, a flexible circuit board (220) electrically coupling the photo-sensitive region and the processing electronics, and a radiation shield (236) disposed below the bottom of the scintillator array, between the scintillator and the processing electronics, thereby shielding the processing electronics from residual radiation passing through the scintillator array. Some embodiments incorporate rare earth iodides such as SrI 2 (Eu). |
| US09140807B2 |
Radiation detection utilizing optical bleaching
A method and device for improving the optical performance (such as time resolution) of scintillation detectors using the optical bleaching technique are disclosed. Light of a selected wavelength is emitted by a light source into a scintillator. The wavelength is selected to meet the minimum energy requirement for releasing of charge carriers captured by the charge carrier traps in the scintillation material. Trap-mediated scintillation components are thus reduced by optical bleaching and the optical performance of the scintillator crystal and the detector is enhanced. |
| US09140806B2 |
Multiple timing measurements for positron emission tomography
Timing is determined in positron emission tomography (PET). Two or more different types of timing detection are used for each event. The difference in time from the different types of timing detection may indicate whether or not an error has occurred. An average difference or other typical offset difference may be used to correct the error. During pile up, the difference information may be used to create a missing time, such as using an average difference between second derivative and constant fraction discrimination as an offset to determine constant fraction timing from second derivative timing. |
| US09140805B2 |
Apparatus and method for improving uniformity of performance in positron emission tomography
A method of arranging detector modules within a gamma ray detector apparatus, each detector module including an array of scintillation crystals to convert light into electrical signals, the light being generated in response to incident gamma rays generated by an annihilation event, the method including obtaining performance information of each of the detector modules, and determining a relative location for each of the detector modules within the gamma ray detector based on the obtained performance information of the detector modules. |
| US09140804B2 |
Methods and systems for determining timing recovery information in a positron emission tomography (PET) system
A method and system for determining timing recovery information in a positron emission tomography (PET) system. One method includes determining energy information from pairs of light sensors of detectors of the TOF PET system, determining timing information from the pairs of light sensors of the detectors of the TOF PET system and calculating timing recovery information using the determined energy and timing information. |
| US09140803B2 |
Acquisition protocol assessment apparatus
A method includes generating, via a dose estimator, a dose map indicative of an estimated dose deposited in a subject based on acquisition protocol parameter values of an acquisition protocol of an imaging system, and generating, via a noise estimator, at least one of a noise map indicative of an estimated image noise based on the acquisition protocol parameter values or a contrast-to-noise map based on the noise map and an attenuation map. The method further includes displaying, via a display, the dose and noise maps in a human readable format. |
| US09140800B2 |
Method for acquiring a satellite radio navigation signal and satellite radio navigation receiver applying this method
This acquisition method is provided for acquiring a satellite signal emitted by a radio navigation satellite, the satellite signal containing a cyclic pseudo-random identification code specific to the satellite. The acquisition method includes the generation of a local code producing a replica of the identification code, and the production of a combined correlation (EDDC) of a received signal with the local code, the combined correlation corresponding to the linear combination of a first double delta correlation and of a second narrow correlation. |
| US09140798B2 |
Transmitting positions of devices
Transmitting positions of devices is described herein. One method for transmitting a position of a device includes converting a received Global Positioning System (GPS) signal to a short range signal with a first device, transmitting the short range signal using the first device, receiving the short range signal with a second device, and transmitting a position of the second device determined from the short range signal using the second device. |
| US09140794B2 |
Electronic device and method for detecting presence
An electronic device for detecting presence includes a housing and an infrared (“IR”) sensor. The housing includes an outer surface having an opening formed thereon. The IR sensor is disposed in the housing and adjacent to the opening. The IR sensor has an unobstructed path and line of sight through the opening to outside of the housing. The IR sensor is configured to receive heat emitted by a person from outside of the housing via the opening and to generate a signal in response thereto. |
| US09140790B2 |
Ultrasound system and method of forming ultrasound image
The present invention relates to an ultrasound system and a method of forming an ultrasound image. The ultrasound system includes: a transmit/receive unit operable to transmit ultrasound signals to a target object and receive ultrasound echo signals to form receive signals based on the received ultrasound echo signals; a signal processing unit operable to form Doppler signals based on the receive signals; and an image processing unit operable to obtain information on a plurality of blood flow velocities at the target object from the Doppler signals, set a reference velocity, compute a dispersion of the plurality of the blood flow velocities with respect to the reference velocity, and form a 3-dimensional image indicating velocity changes at the respective locations in the target object by using the reference velocity and the dispersion. |
| US09140781B2 |
Imaging method and apparatus using shear waves
An imaging method using shear waves for observing a viscoelastic medium, comprising: several successive excitation steps j during which elastic shear waves are generated respectively at different excitation loci (Lj) in the viscoelastic medium by an imaging device, the different excitation loci being separated from one another by a maximum distance Dm, an imaging step corresponding to each excitation step j, in which a set j of successive raw images Imj(tk) of the viscoelastic medium at times tk are determined during propagation of the shear wave, the raw images having a resolution R which is larger than the maximum distance Dm, an averaging step in which raw images Imj(tk) corresponding to the same relative time tk are averaged to determine an average image Im′(tk). |
| US09140778B2 |
Baseband amplifier unit and pulse radar device
Provided is a pulse radar device which can attenuate an interference signal and significantly amplify a reflected wave without saturating the interference signal. A baseband amplifier unit (5) is installed in a pulse radar device (1) which is configured to transmit from antenna (3) a transmission pulse wave obtained by modulating a transmission control signal, and to be afterwards switched to a standby mode for a reflected wave obtained by reflecting the transmission pulse wave by an object to be detected. The baseband amplifier unit (5) includes: a first inverting amplifier (52) which amplifies the reflected wave; a first switch circuit (51) which is switched to a cut off state before the transmission control signal rises and is switched back to a conductive state when the transmission control signal falls, to thereby pass through a reflected wave which is input to the first inverting amplifier (52); and a second switch circuit (53) which is switched to the cut off state before the first switch circuit (51) becomes the cut off state and is switched back to the conductive state when the transmission control signal falls, to thereby pass through a signal which is output from the first inverting amplifier (52). |
| US09140777B2 |
Ultrasonic locationing using enrollment mode
An ultrasonic locationing method and system for ultrasonic locationing of a mobile device within an environment includes a plurality of fixed ultrasonic emitters to transmit an instruction to listen for an enrollment tone to at least one communication device, and to sequentially emit an enrollment tone from each emitter at specific times to be received by those communication devices that implemented the instruction. A controller receives a response from each of those communication devices, the respective response including an identity of the communication device, a time the enrollment tone was received, and an indication of a hardware platform of the communication device. The controller can then assign a locationing mode to each communication device in accordance with its hardware platform. The communication device provides locationing information using its assigned locationing mode and locationing tones from active emitters. |
| US09140775B2 |
Methods and apparatus for resolving wireless signal components
Methods and apparatus enabling a wireless network to generate data that can be used by a receiver (e.g., UE) to resolve the contributions of individual transmitters, such as to determine its location without resort to external devices such as GPS satellites. In one embodiment, the wireless network comprises a single frequency network (SFN), and a unique base station identifier is embedded within the data, and encoded in a manner which allows the UE to calculate path characteristics (such as path latency, and Direction of Arrival) to triangulate its position. In one variant, the data encoding comprises weighting frames of data from different base stations using an orthogonal matrix. Advantageously, the encoding and embedded identifier are also transparent to legacy UE, thereby allowing for implementation with no infrastructure or UE modifications other than software. Network and user apparatus implementing these methodologies, and methods of doing business, are also disclosed. |
| US09140773B2 |
Monitoring the movement of mobile communication devices
A system records the movement of people carrying mobile devices within a specific area. A plurality of receivers distributed throughout the specified area monitor the area for wireless communication from a mobile device. Mobile devices are identified by way of a unique identifier, e.g. IMSI, IMEI, MAC address, or similar transmitted on a control channel or the like. Whenever such wireless communication is detected, the direction from which the signal is received is detected. The position of the mobile device (and hence the person carrying it) may be calculated by triangulating results from two or more receiving devices, and the results stored. |
| US09140759B2 |
Electric vehicle battery pack voltage monitoring
Total voltage output by a multi-cell battery pack in an electric vehicle is monitored. A main microcontroller having a chassis ground is digitally isolated from positive and negative busses of the battery pack. A battery monitoring IC having a plurality of auxiliary/thermistor A/D inputs measures respective voltages of the battery cells. A voltage divider is selectably coupled to the positive bus by an evaluation switch under control of the main microprocessor with an auxiliary output terminal of the IC. A divided voltage is coupled to one of the auxiliary/thermistor A/D inputs. The battery monitoring IC transmits a digital value representative of the divided voltage output to the main microprocessor via the serial data link, and the main microprocessor determines the main battery voltage in response to the digital value. |
| US09140757B2 |
Testing a circuit assembly that contains a piezoelectric switch
A method of testing a circuit assembly that includes a piezoelectric switch may include driving a DC current into the piezoelectric switch. The method may further include measuring the time interval it takes to develop a predetermined voltage across the piezoelectric switch and comparing the measured time interval with a first predetermined time interval and a second predetermined time interval. The method may include identifying the circuit assembly as defective when the measured time interval is either less than the first predetermined time interval or more than the second predetermined time interval, and otherwise identifying the circuit assembly is operational. |
| US09140756B2 |
Measuring device for checking an electrical circuit breaker
Measuring device for checking an electrical circuit breaker includes a current generating unit designed to generate a measurement current for a continuity measurement of a switching contact of the circuit breaker. The measuring device furthermore includes a measuring unit for registering a measurement signal at the circuit breaker, an energy supply unit for supplying a control drive of the circuit breaker with electrical energy, and a control unit, which has a timer. The control unit is able output to the control drive, via the control output, a signal for opening or closing the circuit breaker, and to determine a time-based switching behavior of the circuit breaker in dependence on the measurement signal. Further, the control unit is designed, in the case of the circuit breaker being closed, to determine the resistance of the switching contact in dependence on the measurement current and the measurement signal. |
| US09140752B2 |
Tester hardware
A server stores multiple configuration data. A tester hardware is configured to be capable of changing at least a part of its functions according to configuration data stored in rewritable nonvolatile memory, to supply a power supply voltage to a DUT, to transmit a signal to the DUT, and to receive a signal from the DUT. An information technology equipment is configured such that, (i) when the test system is set up, the information technology equipment acquires the configuration data from the server according to the user's input, and writes the configuration data to the nonvolatile memory. Furthermore, the information technology equipment is configured such that, (ii) when the DUT is tested, the information technology equipment executes a test program so as to control the tester hardware, and to process data acquired by the tester hardware. |
| US09140747B2 |
Sense amplifier offset voltage reduction
A circuit includes a plurality of transistors responsive to a plurality of latches that store a test code. The circuit further includes a first bit line coupled to a data cell and coupled to a sense amplifier. The circuit also includes a second bit line coupled to a reference cell and coupled to the sense amplifier. A current from a set of the plurality of transistors is applied to the data cell via the first bit line. The set of the plurality of transistors is determined based on the test code. The circuit also includes a test mode reference circuit coupled to the first bit line and to the second bit line. |
| US09140746B2 |
Methods for diagnosing the condition of an electrical system
Diagnosing the condition of an electrical system includes identifying the intended operating status of the system. An electrical consumption in the system is measured. The measured electrical consumption is compared at least with one predetermined electrical consumption that is associated to the intended operating status of the system. The condition of the system is diagnosed based on the comparison. |
| US09140745B1 |
System and method for cloud testing and remote monitoring of integrated circuit devices
In a system and method for cloud testing and remote monitoring of IC devices on a computerized test platform, the computerized test platform sends to a cloud server unit, which stores test programs corresponding respectively to different test items, a test request, which includes respective device codes of the IC devices and one (s) of the test items, via a communication network. The cloud server unit sends to the computerized test platform a test response, which includes one (s) of the test programs corresponding to the one (s) of the test items. The computerized test platform products test data corresponding to the device codes of the IC devices in response to execution of the one (s) of the test programs. |
| US09140743B2 |
Semiconductor system that tests the connectivity between a metal and a bump that are formed in the upper portion of a penetrating electrode
A semiconductor system includes a semiconductor chip; a penetrating electrode, which is formed to penetrate the semiconductor chip; two or more metals, which are formed in the upper portion of the penetrating electrode; a bump, which is formed to contact the upper portions of the metals and supplies a data signal inputted from outside to the metals; a detection block suitable for detecting whether or not the bump is coupled with the metals by comparing voltage levels of the metals with each other and generating a decision signal; and a signal output block suitable for outputting the decision signal externally. |
| US09140740B2 |
Sensor chip and method for manufacturing a sensor chip
The present sensor chip comprises a substrate. A plurality of electrode elements is arranged at a first level on the substrate with at least one gap between neighboring electrode elements. A metal structure is arranged at a second level on the substrate, wherein the second level is different from the first level. The metal structure at least extends over an area of the second level that is defined by a projection of the at least one gap towards the second level. |
| US09140738B2 |
Electrostatic capacitance detection device
An electrostatic capacitance detection device includes a substrate having a predetermined thickness, an electrode layer formed on a front surface of the substrate in a predetermined pattern including electrodes to be touched so as to detect an electrostatic capacitance and wirings drawn from the electrodes, and a shield layer formed on a rear surface of the substrate and into a shield pattern corresponding to the predetermined pattern of the electrode layer. The shield pattern of the shield layer is formed surrounding the electrodes without overlapping with the electrodes, surrounding the wirings, and between the wirings when viewed in the thickness direction of the substrate. |
| US09140736B2 |
Film sensor
A film sensor includes a polarizing film, an antistatic layer and a capacitive sensor that are laminated in this order, the capacitive sensor having a transparent film, a transparent electrode pattern formed on one side of the transparent film, and an adhesive layer formed on the one side of the transparent film to embed the transparent electrode pattern. The transparent film is disposed between the antistatic layer and the transparent electrode pattern. The antistatic layer has a surface resistance value of 1.0×109 to 1.0×1011Ω/□. |
| US09140734B2 |
Measuring apparatus and measuring method
A measurement apparatus comprising a serial resistor in series with an element under measurement; a switching section that sequentially selects ends of a serial circuit including the element under measurement and the serial resistor, and ends of the serial resistor; an applying section that applies an application voltage or application current corresponding to a preset setting value, to each of the sequentially selected ends; a measuring section that, for each of the sequentially selected ends, measures current when the applying section applies the application voltage corresponding to the setting value and measures voltage when the applying section applies the application current corresponding to the setting value; and a resistance calculating section that calculates the resistance value of the element under measurement, based on either the setting values set sequentially in the applying section or measured values measured sequentially by the measuring section for each of the sequentially selected ends. |
| US09140727B2 |
Current monitor for indicating condition of attached electrical apparatus
A current monitor is described that indicates a condition of attached electrical equipment. The current monitor can determine a predetermined range in which current being withdrawn by the attached electrical apparatus lies. Based on the determined range, corresponding display electronic elements, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), can be activated. Activated LEDs of a particular color can indicate corresponding conditions of the electrical equipment. The condition of the electrical equipment along with other parameters, such as associated time ranges and other values, can be transmitted via a wired or wireless connection to a software system implemented on a wireless device such that a continuous monitoring and an analysis can be performed remotely. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described. |
| US09140722B2 |
Contact and connector
A contact for electrically connecting two electric components, includes a first end portion which contacts an object to be contacted; a second end portion for passing a signal from the first end portion; an elastic portion which connects the first end portion with the second end portion while pushing the first end portion and the second end portion in an opposing direction, the elastic portion having a meandering shape from the first end portion to the second end portion and having a curved/bent structure provided with an open portion where a width of the open portion is different from the maximum inner width of the curved/bent structure of the elastic portion when seen from the opposing direction; and a housing portion which surrounds the elastic portion, wherein the first end portion, the second end portion, the elastic portion and the housing are formed by bending a single conductive plate. |
| US09140721B2 |
Electrical interconnect assembly
An electrical test contact electrically connects a test terminal of an Integrated Circuit (IC) test assembly with an IC terminal of an IC device in an electrical interconnect assembly. The test contact is formed of electrically conductive material and includes a head portion and a foot portion. The head portion includes a first electrical contacting portion for electrically engaging an IC terminal of an IC device during use, and the foot portion includes a second electrical contacting portion for electrically engaging a test terminal of a test assembly during use. The head portion includes a head receiving portion that receives a first resiliently biasing member to retain the first resiliently biasing member in contact with the test contact. The first resiliently biasing member biases the first electrical contacting portion against the IC terminal of the IC device during use. An electrical interconnect assembly having multiple test contacts is also disclosed. |
| US09140719B2 |
Terminal holding device
The terminal holding device includes an attaching unit to be attached to a vehicle, a holding unit which removably holds a terminal device in such a manner that a display unit of the terminal device is exposed and which includes a contact surface to be contact with the terminal device, an acceleration sensor which detects acceleration in a direction from a side of the contact surface to a side opposite to the contact surface, and a supplying unit which supplies a detection signal of the acceleration sensor to the terminal device. |
| US09140712B2 |
Immune and oxygen system measuring and drug screening method and apparatus
Method and apparatus for monitoring health as related to immune system function, and for measuring the effects of toxins and other stresses. A method for pre-screening drugs for the pharmaceutical pipeline. A method for using an Immunogram as a research tool. A method for preparing compounds or drugs for treatment, therapy, or cure of diseases. |
| US09140710B2 |
Transcobalamin II assay method
An assay method for determining transcobalamin saturation wherein a transcobalamin containing liquid sample is contacted with a porous substrate with immobilized thereon a transcobalamin immobilizing ligand and with a reporter-labelled transcobalamin binding partner and wherein signals from reporter labels which become immobilized on said substrate are detected, characterized in that one of said ligand or said binding partner comprises a first ligand or binding partner capable of specific binding to holo transcobalamin and a second ligand or binding partner capable of binding to apo transcobalamin or to holo and apo transcobalamin. |
| US09140709B2 |
Analytical sandwich test for determining NT-proBNP
The present invention concerns an immunological test for determining NT-proBNP comprising at least two antibodies to NT-proBNP, wherein at least one of the antibodies to NT-proBNP is a monoclonal antibody. The epitopes recognized by the antibodies can slightly overlap. |
| US09140707B2 |
Sensors and methods for detecting diseases caused by a single point mutation
A method for generating antibodies preferable to either a normal protein and a mutated form of the normal protein, respectively, where a mutation associated with the mutated form includes either a single point mutation or a small number of point mutations where the method includes creating first and second antigenic peptides of a predetermined length corresponding respectively to common regions of the normal target protein and the mutated form, where the common regions are identical to one another except for the point mutation of the mutated form, obtaining first and second antibodies by multiplying the first and second antigenic peptides via hybridoma methods, and identifying the respective affinities of the first and second antibodies for the normal target protein and the mutated form. Also included are methods of using the first and second antibodies to detect and quantify respective amounts of a normal target protein and a mutated form of the target protein. Also included are immunological sensors the include the first and second antibodies for determining the presence and quantity of normal target proteins and mutant forms of the normal target proteins. |
| US09140700B2 |
Device for determining at least one analyte capable of being contained in a liquid sample
A device for determining the presence and/or amount of at least one analyte contained in a liquid sample, includes a capillary diffusion element (2) materialized on which are a zone (3) for depositing the liquid sample, an upstream release zone (4) and at least two capture zones (5). The device (1) also includes at least one downstream release zone (6) located downstream of at least one of the capture zones, which downstream release zone (6) includes at least one detection reagent conjugated to a visible and/or measurable marker; and the detection reagent of a release zone and/or the capture reagent of the additional capture zone(s), located directly downstream of the release zone, are suitable for binding specifically with the analyte and/or for binding specifically with one another, in order to form a complex that enables the determination of the analyte in the liquid sample at the additional capture zone(s). |
| US09140695B2 |
Methods for analysis of free and autoantibody-bound biomarkers and associated compositions, devices, and systems
The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits associated with analyzing, enriching, and/or isolating a biomarker or analyte in a biological sample. In one aspect, for example, a method for determining a concentration of a biomarker in a biological sample can include binding any unbound biomarker with an antibody specific for the biomarker to form antibody-bound biomarker, enriching the antibody-bound biomarker and any endogenous autoantibody-bound biomarker to form an enriched fraction, identifying the biomarker in the enriched fraction, and determining the concentration of the biomarker in the biological sample. In one aspect, the concentration of the biomarker is derived from initially unbound biomarker and autoantibody-bound biomarker in the biological sample. |
| US09140693B2 |
Integrated test device for optical detection of microarrays
This invention relates generally to devices and methods for performing optical and electrochemical assays and, more particularly, to testing devices having an optically readable microspot array and/or an electrochemical detector and to methods of performing microspot arrays and electrochemical assays using such devices. The present invention is particularly useful for performing immunoassays and/or electrochemical assays at the point-of-care. |
| US09140690B2 |
Method of identifying components in a fluid mixture
A method of identifying at least one component from a plurality of components in a fluid mixture introduced into a flow apparatus, includes: introducing a first flow into a first input channel in the apparatus which contains the fluid mixture; introducing additional flows of buffer solution into a plurality of buffer input channels in the apparatus, the plurality of buffer channels which are disposed on either side of the first input channel; wherein the first flow and additional flows have a flow direction along a length of the apparatus; identifying selected components of the plurality of components using a detector apparatus; emitting a light beam from a laser which damages or kills selected components of the plurality of components; receiving the first flow and the additional flows in at least one channel disposed at the other end of the apparatus, after operation of the light beam on the selected components. |
| US09140689B2 |
Methods of determining susceptibility of tumors to tyrosine kinase inhibitors
This disclosure provides tyrosine kinase protein and nucleic acid variants, particularly FGFR2 variants, which are linked to drug resistance. The disclosure further provides methods of diagnosis and theranosis, and development of new therapeutic agents using these molecules and fragments thereof, and kits for employing these methods and compositions. |
| US09140684B2 |
Device to expose cells to fluid shear forces and associated systems and methods
The present technology relates generally to devices to expose cells to fluid shear forces and associated systems and methods. In particular, several embodiments are directed toward devices to expose cells to fluid shear forces in order to measure changes in internal cell forces. In some embodiments, a fluidic device includes a flow unit configured to induce fluid flow through the device. The device further includes a fluid channel configured to accept a biological sample dispersed on an array of flexible structures. The flow unit can be configured to induce disturbed and/or laminar flow in the fluid channel. The device can further include optical or magnetic detection means configured to measure a degree of deflection of one or more flexible structures in the array. |
| US09140674B2 |
Method for determining methanol content in crude oils
A test method for the determination of methanol in crude oils to levels as low as 0.5 ppm is disclosed. The method includes extracting methanol into a water phase from a test sample of the crude oil forming a test sample extract. The method further includes extracting methanol into a water phase from a reference sample of the crude oil forming a reference sample extract, wherein the reference sample having a predetermined amount of methanol added thereto. The method further includes measuring the methanol content in the test sample extract and the methanol content in the reference sample extract. The method also includes determining the methanol content of the crude oil based upon the methanol content in the test sample extract and the methanol content in the reference sample extract. |
| US09140670B2 |
Ultrasonic inspection method and ultrasonic inspection device
An ultrasonic inspection method and an ultrasonic inspection device allow three-dimensional inspection data and three-dimensional shape data to be appropriately positioned on a display screen and allow a defect echo and a shape echo to be quickly identified even when information on the relative positions of a probe and an object to be inspected is not provided. The ultrasonic inspection data that is generated from the waveforms of ultrasonic waves received by an ultrasonic probe is compared with a plurality of ultrasonic propagation data pieces calculated by a ray tracing method on the basis of the three-dimensional shape data on an object to be inspected. The position of the three-dimensional inspection data or the three-dimensional shape data is moved relative to the other data position on the basis of the comparison results, thereby displaying the three-dimensional inspection data and the three-dimensional shape data while overlapping each other. |
| US09140667B2 |
Chemical and biomedical NanoSensors
The electrostatic sensors of bridge or cantilever type with multiple electrodes, the electrostatic sensors of comb type and piezoelectric sensors are used for the single molecule detection of ligands. The electrical driving of sensors is separated in some cases from the sensing for increased sensitivity. The large arrays of sensors with individual or common sensing circuits are employed to further improve detection sensitivity. The fabrication of the sensors, their functionalization for detection of many chemical and biological species and electrical circuitry, packaging, microfluidic subsystem and the system architecture are also disclosed. The individual, specific sensing of single species or simultaneous detection of multiple species is realized. The freeze drying or critical point drying after exposure of sensors to ligands present in liquids and detection in reduced pressure or vacuum is employed for increased sensitivity, down to the single molecule. |
| US09140665B2 |
Method for an operational test measurement of a lambda probe, and device for carrying out method
A method for the operational test measurement of a lambda probe, particularly for the purpose of calibrating and/or determining the status of the lambda probe, wherein pure air is circulated around a probe head of the lambda probe is disclosed. The method has the following steps:, —insertion of the lambda probe into a flow receptacle which is separate from an engine construction, in such a manner that an air stream (L) can be circulated around the probe head; generation of an air stream (L) in the flow receptacle; evaluation of probe measurement signals (S), wherein a calibration value is obtained and/or a heating current of the lambda probe is evaluated. A device for carrying out the method, as well as a system, is also disclosed herein. |
| US09140664B2 |
Liquid characteristic analyzing apparatus
A liquid characteristic analyzing apparatus may include a sensor part to bring a sensor surface into contact with the liquid and outputs an electrical signal; a transmission part to convert the electrical signal to an electromagnetic wave signal or a sound wave signal and wirelessly output the electromagnetic wave signal or the sound wave signal; a containing body that exposes the sensor surface, contains the sensor part and the transmission part, and prevents the liquid from intruding into the inside, the containing body arranged in the container and immersed in the liquid; and close contact structures to bring a passing portion for the electromagnetic wave signal or the sound wave signal into substantially close contact with an inner wall of the container. The close contact structures may include a first magnetic part that is provided in the containing body and a second magnetic part that is arranged outside the container. |
| US09140663B2 |
ISFET switch
There is provided a semiconductor device for detecting a change in ion concentration of a sample and method of using same. The device can have a plurality of Field Effect Transistors (FETs) coupled to a common floating gate and an ion sensing layer exposed to the sample and coupled to the floating gate. There may be other input voltages coupled to the floating gate. |
| US09140656B2 |
Method of operating a particle beam microscope and a particle beam microscope
A method of operating a particle beam microscope includes: directing a particle beam onto a sample and detecting particles emanating from the sample during a first period for generating an image of the sample; generating electrons having a first distribution of kinetic energies and directing these electrons onto the sample during a second period for reducing a charge of the sample being generated while the directing the particle beam onto the sample; and generating electrons having a second distribution of their kinetic energies and directing these electrons onto the sample during a third period for further reducing the charge of the sample being generated while the directing of the particle beam onto the sample. An average value of the kinetic energy of the first distribution of the kinetic energy is greater than an average value of the kinetic energy of the second distribution of kinetic energies. |
| US09140653B2 |
Spark emission particle detector
Techniques and devices are disclosed for detecting particle composition. In one aspect, a method performed by a detector to detect particles includes receiving particles at an aerosol inlet of the detector. The method includes carrying the received particles within a stream of gas and charging the particles within the stream of gas using a charger to have a charge. The method includes transporting the charged particles to a location of a collection electrode. The method includes biasing the collection electrode to a voltage using a high-voltage supply to attract either negatively or positively charged particles, and analyzing the particles. |
| US09140650B2 |
Systems and methods for detection of cellular stress
There are provided methods for detection and measurement of stress in a cell, the method including introducing a labeled tRNA into the cell and detecting a change in subcellular localization of the labeled tRNA in the cell, based on the signal emitted from the labeled tRNA. There are further provided methods and systems for the generation of a stress index of a living cell. There are further provided methods and systems for detection of stress in a living cell, comprising detection of changes in subcellular localization of labeled tRNA in a cell, wherein the detection is performed in real time. |
| US09140647B2 |
Test apparatus for reflective cavity characterization
An apparatus for reflectivity measurement is provided. The apparatus generally measures reflectivity characteristics of a reflective surface, such as a reflective cavity of a light array. The apparatus generally comprises a body defining a volume and a light emitting element disposed outside the volume. A sensor coupled to the body detects light reflected from a reflective surface. Various embodiments provide positioning of the apparatus relative to a light array having a reflective cavity. |
| US09140644B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting a gas concentration with reduced pressure dependency
This invention relates to a method that makes the measurement of a trace gas concentration invariant or at least less affected to pressure variations in the gas and atmospheric pressure changes. This method neither requires a pressure sensor nor a pressure calibration routine. Furthermore, the method can be applied to other gas species present in the background gas or to the background gas itself that cross-interfere with the target gas of interest. This allows removing any pressure dependency of cross-interference parameters of other gas species and/or the background gas. The new method for accurately measuring a gas concentration is based on optimizing the wavelength modulation amplitude of the laser to minimum pressure dependency. |
| US09140639B2 |
Pulse scope for particle counter
An airborne, gas, or liquid particle sensor with an on-board data acquisition system that can be used to capture detailed particle pulse information. The information can be used both for on-board analysis and reporting as well as off-line analysis and reporting. |
| US09140638B2 |
Pulse discriminator for particle counter
An airborne, gas, or liquid particle sensor with a pulse discriminator. The pulse discriminator provides greater qualification of signals associated with detected particulate signals. |
| US09140633B2 |
Enhanced spot preparation for liquid extractive sampling and analysis
A method for performing surface sampling of an analyte, includes the step of placing the analyte on a stage with a material in molar excess to the analyte, such that analyte-analyte interactions are prevented and the analyte can be solubilized for further analysis. The material can be a matrix material that is mixed with the analyte. The material can be provided on a sample support. The analyte can then be contacted with a solvent to extract the analyte for further processing, such as by electrospray mass spectrometry. |
| US09140632B2 |
Handling of sample tubes comprising geometric tube data
A method for handling a sample tube containing a biological sample is presented. A tube label can be attached to the sample tube. The tube label can carry tube data. The tube data can comprise at least geometric tube data descriptive of at least one geometric property of the sample tube. At least the geometric tube data can be read from the tube label by a reader device. At least the geometric tube data from the reader device can be transmitted to a processing device. The processing device for handling the sample tube can be controlled in accordance with the at least one geometric property described by the read geometric data. |
| US09140628B2 |
System for characterizing tire uniformity machines and methods of using the characterizations
A tire uniformity machine includes an apparatus for receiving and rotating a tire. The apparatus includes opposed spindles for receiving, inflating and rotating a tire, and a load wheel applied to the rotating tire to obtain tire test results. A spindle alignment assembly is associated with the opposed spindles to align the spindles with one another each time a tire is received. At least one characterizing device is associated with components of the apparatus to characterize forces of the opposed spindles and the characterized forces are used in adjusting tire test results. |
| US09140622B2 |
System and method for controlling a firing sequence of an engine to reduce vibration when cylinders of the engine are deactivated
A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a vibration prediction module and a firing sequence module. The vibration prediction module predicts a vibration response of a vehicle based on a firing sequence of an engine when a cylinder of the engine is deactivated. The firing sequence module adjusts the firing sequence of the engine based on the predicted vibration response of the vehicle. |
| US09140620B2 |
Pressure transmitter and transmission method
Hydrogen which has entered into a pressure/differential pressure transmitter from external or internally generated hydrogen and hydrocarbons are converted to air bubbles within pressure guide paths. As a result, the indicated value drifts and an accurate numerical value is not output. A pressure/differential pressure transmitter includes a space formed between a diaphragm and a main body side wall face, pressure guide paths connected to the main body side wall face, a sealed liquid sealed in the space and the pressure guide paths to transmit a pressure received by the diaphragm to a sensor, and a hydrogen absorption material provided at least in the sealed liquid, on the main body side wall face, or in a part of a path between the main body side wall face and the sensor to absorb hydrogen atoms in the sealed liquid. |
| US09140618B2 |
Membrane for oil compensation
A membrane to compensate for effects on a volume of oil, the membrane is a metal capable of an elastic deformation and having a shape selected to optimize the elastic deformation in a desired manner so as to compensate for the effects on the volume of oil. |
| US09140617B2 |
Sensor arrangement comprising magnetic index encoder in a bearing seal
The invention relates to a sensor arrangement including a torque sensor for measuring the torque acting on a first shaft and including a rotational angle index unit. The first shaft is supported by at least one bearing, the seal of the bearing including a magnetic index encoder that is detected by at least one magnetic sensor element. |
| US09140612B2 |
Measuring seebeck coefficient
A high temperature Seebeck coefficient measurement apparatus and method with various features to minimize typical sources of errors is described. Common sources of temperature and voltage measurement errors which may impact accurate measurement are identified and reduced. Applying the identified principles, a high temperature Seebeck measurement apparatus and method employing a uniaxial, four-point geometry is described to operate from room temperature up to 1300K. These techniques for non-destructive Seebeck coefficient measurements are simple to operate, and are suitable for bulk samples with a broad range of physical types and shapes. |
| US09140611B2 |
Infrared ray detector and method of detecting infrared rays by using the same
A infrared ray detector includes a first metal layer; a second metal layer on the first metal layer and configured to absorb infrared rays; a thermistor layer below the second metal layer, the thermistor layer having a resistance that changes according to infrared rays absorbed in the second metal layer; a thermal leg below the thermistor layer and separated from the first metal layer; and a control unit configured to control a gap between the first metal layer and the thermal leg. |
| US09140609B2 |
Infrared presence detector for detecting a presence of an object in a surveillance area
The present invention relates to a detection device and a method for detecting a presence of an object in a surveillance area. The device comprises at least one infrared radiation sensing element each adapted for generating a sensor signal related to a quantity of infrared radiation received from within the surveillance area by the infrared radiation sensing element, a processing unit and an output means for outputting a determined presence of the object and/or a property derived therefrom. The processing unit is adapted for: obtaining the at least one sensor signal; generating at least one contrast value by comparing the at least one sensor signal to at least one reference value; determining the presence of the object by evaluating a condition on said at least one contrast value; and adjusting the at least one reference value such that negative feedback is applied to the at least one contrast value. |
| US09140605B2 |
Configurable combination spectrometer and imager
An imaging transform spectrometer, and method of operation thereof, that is dynamically configurable “on demand” between an interferometric spectrometer function and a broadband spatial imaging function to allow a single instrument to capture both broadband spatial imagery and spectral data of a scene. In one example, the imaging transform spectrometer is configured such that the modulation used for interferometric imaging may be dynamically turned ON and OFF to select a desired mode of operation for the instrument. |
| US09140604B2 |
Wafer level spectrometer
A sensor apparatus for measuring characteristics of optical radiation has a substrate and a low profile spectrally selective detection system located within the substrate at one or more spatially separated locations. The spectrally selective detection system includes a generally laminar array of wavelength selectors optically coupled to a corresponding array of optical detectors. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US09140602B2 |
Nanophotonic light-field sensor
A light field sensor for a 4D light field camera has a layer of nanoscale resonator detector elements, such as silicon nanoshells, below a layer of dielectric microlenses. By taking advantage of photonic nanojets in the microlenses and circulating resonances in nanoshells, the light field camera sensor achieves improved sensitivity, pixel density, and directional resolution even at large angles of incidence. |
| US09140601B2 |
Position sensitive detection optimization
An automatically adjustable method for use in opto-acoustic metrology or other types of metrology operations is described. The method includes modifying the operation of a metrology system that uses a PSD style sensor arrangement. The method may be used to quickly adjust the operation of a metrology system to ensure that the data obtained therefrom are of the desired quality. Further, the method is useful in searching for and optimizing data that is or can be correlated to substrate or sample features or characteristics that of interest. Apparatus and computer readable media are also described. |
| US09140597B2 |
Non-invasive sensing system and method
A non-invasive level sensing system for monitoring the amount of content in at least one container includes a platform for supporting the at least one container, at least one holder associated with the at least one container supported by the platform, a source for generating a radio frequency signal, circuitry in communication with the at least one holder for transmitting the radio frequency signal through the at least one holder into the at least one container and receiving a portion of the radio frequency signal reflected at a content-air interface in the at least one container, and circuitry for processing the reflected radio frequency signal and determining the amount of content in the at least one container. |
| US09140595B2 |
Fluid level indicator for a lined bulk material container
A level indicator for a container that is lined with a membrane for holding fluid, and which has a wall with an aperture formed through it. A frame is attached to the container wall adjacent to the aperture. A plunger is engaged with the frame, and moves between an extended position, where the plunger extends through the aperture and into the interior of the container, and a retracted position, where the plunger does not substantially extend into the interior of the container. An elastic member between the frame and the plunger urges the plunger to the extended position. A visual indicator is driven by the plunger between an indicating position and a non-indicating position. The force of the elastic member is selected to enable the membrane, under static pressure of fluid within the container, to urge the plunger to the retracted position. |
| US09140590B2 |
System and method of power-saving in MEMS sensor applications
At least some of the embodiments are methods including detecting low user dynamics by a first MEMS sensor, determining a first sensor sampling rate value corresponding to the low user dynamics wherein the first sensor sampling rate value is less than a second sensor sampling rate value corresponding to high user dynamics, and adjusting a sampling rate of a second MEMS sensor to the first sensor sampling rate value. |
| US09140589B2 |
Instrument panel cluster
An instrument cluster assembly is disclosed and includes at least one gauge. The gauge includes a dial surface having a primary scale and a secondary scale. A needle indicator assembly comprising a primary needle and a secondary needle is rotatable about an axis and spaced from the dial surface. The tip of the primary needle is positioned to indicate on the primary scale, and the tip of the secondary needle is positioned to indicate on the secondary scale. The gauge further includes a primary light source for illuminating the primary needle and a secondary light source for illuminating the secondary needle. The primary light source and the secondary light source are independently illuminable. |
| US09140588B2 |
Vehicle seat comprising load sensor and side frame with upper-side protruding section and lower-side protruding section
A vehicle seat includes a load sensor that is configured to measure a load applied from an occupant, a seat cushion frame that includes a right side frame and a left side frame, and a pan frame. At least one of the right and left side frames includes an upper-side protruding section provided at an upper part of the at least one side frame and a lower-side protruding section provided at a lower part of the at least one side frame, the upper-side protruding section and the lower-side protruding section extending along a right-left axis. At least one load sensor attachment bracket of the vehicle seat is attached to the at least one side frame between the upper-side protruding section and the lower-side protruding section. |
| US09140587B2 |
Passenger's weight measurement device for vehicle seat
A vehicle seat includes a load sensor that is configured to measure a load applied from an occupant and a seat cushion frame that includes a right side frame and a left side frame. The load sensor is provided at a front part of one of the right and left side frames. A front end section of the one side frame more frontward than a shaft center of the rod of the load sensor includes a tapered-shape section. And an upper flange and a lower flange are formed at an upper edge and a lower edge of the tapered-shape section, respectively, the upper flange and the lower flange extending inward toward a center of the vehicle seat. |
| US09140586B2 |
Removable sensor port insert apparatus
An apparatus configured for insertion into a sensor port of a flow cell is described herein. The apparatus includes an insert body, a sensor located in the cavity of the insert body, and an insert body holding nut and a sensor holding nut threaded to the interior surface of the sensor port. |
| US09140585B2 |
Gas sensor
A gas sensor suppresses the deterioration of gas tightness caused by failure of a sealing material. The gas sensor includes: a housing; a sensor element arranged inside the housing; a sealing material filling a gap between the sensor element and the housing; an insulation member arranged on a proximal end side of the sealing material; and an annular metal ring arranged on a proximal end side of the insulation member. The sealing material, the insulation member and the metal ring are fixed under pressure by caulking from a proximal end side to a distal. A proximal-end facing surface of an inner peripheral portion of the metal ring is spaced apart from the caulking portion in an opposing region where an inner end of the caulking portion and the metal ring face each other in an opposed manner. |
| US09140583B2 |
Remote location monitoring
A remote location monitoring system, for example, a home monitoring or weather monitoring system may include one or more sensors and/or receivers at a remote location such as a residence or business to be monitored. The sensors and receivers may communicate with a central server via a gateway device, and may be controlled by users locally or remotely via the server. Users may register to receive remote notifications of weather events and other home monitoring events. Users may also access remotely sensors and receivers to configure alerts, notifications, and automatic responses for the devices and integrated appliances at the remote location. |
| US09140580B2 |
Method and apparatus for angle measurement
An apparatus for angle measurement that includes a graduation carrier with a code track disposed concentrically to a center point of the graduation carrier. The apparatus includes a first scanning unit having a first interface and a second scanning unit having a second interface, wherein the first and second scanning units ascertain angle values of the graduation carrier by scanning the code track. The apparatus further includes a control unit having: 1) a device interface that is in communication with a follower electronics unit, 2) a control unit interface that is in communication with the first and second interfaces and 3) a processing unit. By which the processing unit, angle values of the first and second scanning units can be requested and processed into a corrected angle value, and the corrected angle value can be transmitted to the follower electronics unit via the device interface. |
| US09140579B2 |
Low power inductive proximity sensing system
A low power inductive proximity sensing system in which a DC voltage to the inductors is only applied for a short time period needed to detect the presence or absence of an appropriate object. After the detection time period is over, DC voltage is no longer applied to the inductors. |
| US09140578B2 |
Measurement device
A measurement device is provided. The measurement device comprises a ring-shaped base and multiple sensing elements. The sensing elements are symmetrically disposed on the ring-shaped base. Each sensing element comprises a circumferential groove, an axial groove and a coil. The axial groove is connected to the circumferential groove. The coil is surrounded within the circumferential groove and extended along the axial groove. |
| US09140576B2 |
Demand response without Time-of-Use metering
Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for controlling the load of demand response metering devices. According to one embodiment of the invention, a system can be provided. The system can be operable to receive a load limit, store the load limit, determine a load demand of a location, provide an alarm when the load demand is greater than the load limit, and restrict electricity to the location when the load demand remains greater than the load limit for a predetermined amount of time. |
| US09140573B2 |
Path finding in a map editor
A system and method for automatically finding a path between two selected road segments. A map editor displays road segments in a visual map to a user. The user selects a beginning segment and an ending segment from the displayed segments. The map editor then identifies the best path between these two segments by applying a path-finding algorithm. The path finding algorithm identifies the best path based on the total length of the path and the changes in attributes between adjacent road segments in the path. The path identified by the map editor is then displayed to the user. |
| US09140571B2 |
Display control apparatus
A display control apparatus that assigns display target contents to a plurality of areas configured as display areas in a screen of a display apparatus mounted on a vehicle is provided. The display control apparatus comprises a content manager for managing the contents in association with content information indicating attributes of the contents, an area manager for managing the areas in association with area information indicating attributes of the areas, and a content assignment controller for generating a content list listing the contents and determining content-area combinations based on the content information and the area information in an order of the content list. |
| US09140568B2 |
Multi-screen vehicle system
A navigation system integrated into a materials transport vehicle for use by an operator, the system including a plurality of display devices each having a screen; a location determining component operable to determine the current location of the materials transport vehicle; a memory operable to store one or more modules, the memory including vehicle operator transport preferences comprising time periods available for operating the materials transport vehicle and materials transport requirements comprising a materials transport destination; and a processor operable to execute the one or more modules to determine a transport schedule for use by the materials transport vehicle operator, the transport schedule based on the materials transport requirements and the vehicle operator transport preferences, determine a transport route from the current location to the materials transport destination using the transport schedule, and present the transport route on one of the display devices. |
| US09140560B2 |
In-cloud connection for car multimedia
Methods and systems for a complete vehicle ecosystem are provided. Specifically, systems that when taken alone, or together, provide an individual or group of individuals with an intuitive and comfortable vehicular environment. The present disclosure includes a system to generate a vehicle communication system. The vehicle communication system can determine which devices are within the vehicle. From this determination, the vehicle communication system may create a universal bus and hotspot where applications, data, multimedia information, and resources can be shared both with the vehicle and with the other devices in the vehicle. |
| US09140556B1 |
Method and system for gamma-ray localization induced spacecraft navigation using celestial gamma-ray sources
A method and system for spacecraft navigation using distant celestial gamma-ray bursts which offer detectable, bright, high-energy events that provide well-defined characteristics conducive to accurate time-alignment among spatially separated spacecraft. Utilizing assemblages of photons from distant gamma-ray bursts, relative range between two spacecraft can be accurately computed along the direction to each burst's source based upon the difference in arrival time of the burst emission at each spacecraft's location. Correlation methods used to time-align the high-energy burst profiles are provided. The spacecraft navigation may be carried out autonomously or in a central control mode of operation. |
| US09140553B2 |
Method for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle when parking in a parking space, driver assistance device and a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a method for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle (1) when parking in a parking space (19), in particular in a garage (18), using a driver assistance device (2) of the motor vehicle (1), wherein: in a learning mode of the driver assistance device (2), reference data related to the surrounding area (22) of the parking space (19) are recorded and stored using a sensor device (7) of the driver assistance device (2), while the motor vehicle (1) is parked in the parking space (19) while controlled by the driver, a reference target position (27), which is reached by the motor vehicle (1) in the learning mode, is recorded by the driver assistance device (2) and data with information about this reference target position (27) are stored, in a subsequent operating mode of the driver assistance device (2) different from the learning mode, sensor data are detected by the sensor device (7) and compared with the reference data, wherein depending on this comparison the surrounding area (22) of the parking space (19) is identified using the detected sensor data and thereby a current position (28, 33) of the motor vehicle (1) relative to the reference target position (27) is determined and depending on the current position (28, 33) of the motor vehicle (1) relative to the reference target position (27), a parking route (29, 32, 36) is determined by the driver assistance device (2), along which the motor vehicle (1) is parked in the parking space (19) from the current position (28, 33). The invention also relates to a driver assistance device (2) for carrying out the method. |
| US09140547B2 |
Signal transmission system for a measurement device
A transmission system for a measurement device on a coordinate positioning apparatus comprises a station mounted on the measuring device and another station mounted on the coordinate positioning apparatus, wherein the station and the another station communicate with each other using a spread spectrum radio link, for example, frequency hopping. The station on the probe sends a regular signal and on receiving the signal the another station on the coordinate positioning apparatus synchronizes its clock and sends an acknowledgement signal. Measurement data is either sent in the regular signal or in a measurement event driven signal. |
| US09140546B2 |
Apparatus and method for three dimensional inspection of wafer saw marks
An apparatus (1) and a method for the three dimensional inspection of saw marks (2) on at least one surface (3) of a wafer (4) are disclosed. At least one camera (6) is required to capture an image of the entire surface (3) of the wafer (4). At least one line projector (8) provides a light bundle (5), centered about a central beam axis (9). The line projector (8) is arranged such that the central beam axis (9) is at an acute angle (α) with regard to the plane (P) of the wafer (4). A line shifter (12) is positioned in the light bundle (5) between each line projector (8) and the surface (3) of the wafer (4). A frame grabber (14) and an image processor (16) are used to synchronize and coordinate the image capture and the position of the pattern (20) of lines (22) on the front side (3F) and/or the back side (3B) of the wafer (4). |
| US09140542B2 |
Caliper coating measurement on continuous non-uniform web using THz sensor
An analytical model simulates the propagation of radiation through a coated continuous web where layer thickness and refractive index, as variables, determine the speed and direction of transmitted radiation. The model predicts characteristics of transmitted radiation based on characteristics of incident radiation and initially assigned values for layer thicknesses. Coating thickness(s) are ascertained in a process whereby incident radiation of known characteristics is directed onto a coated web and thereafter, actual measurements of transmitted radiation are compared to predicted characteristics. Using a fitting algorithm, the assigned thickness(es) of the layer(s) of the model are adjusted and the process repeated until the actual and predicted values are within desired limits at which time, the assigned thickness(es) represent the measured calipers. Radiation measurements are obtained using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy apparatus that creates a continuous reference whereby a sample pulses' phase and amplitude can be tracked and corrected. |
| US09140540B2 |
Coordinate detector and electronic information board system
A coordinate detector includes a pair of light sensor units disposed on a side of a display part having a display surface to be touched by a target to be detected, optical reflective members respectively disposed on remaining three sides of the display part, and a sensor position adjusting unit configured to adjust a rolling direction of the light sensor unit with respect to the optical reflective members. When the target touches the display surface, coordinates of the target are detected based on light reflected off the optical reflective members that is received by the light sensor units. |
| US09140539B2 |
Optical system and method for measurement of one or more parameters of via-holes
Obtaining at least one of a cross-section profile, depth, width, slope, undercut and other parameters of via-holes by a non-destructive technique using an optical system having an illumination system for producing at least one light beam and directing it on a sample in a region of the structure containing at least one via-hole, a detection system configured and operable to collect a pattern of light reflected from the illuminated region, the light pattern being indicative of one or more parameters of said via-hole, and, a control system connected to the detection system, the control system comprising a memory utility for storing a predetermined theoretical model comprising data representative of a set of parameters describing via-holes reflected pattern, and a data processing and analyzing utility configured and operable to receive and analyze image data indicative of the detected light pattern and determine one or more parameters of said via-hole. |
| US09140532B2 |
Measuring head for a coordinate measuring machine for determining spatial coordinates on a measurement object
A measuring head for a coordinate measuring machine for determining spatial coordinates on a measurement object has a coupling part for detachably receiving a measurement tool. The coupling part has a number of first bearing elements, a magnet and a retaining pin. The measurement tool has a disk with a number of second bearing elements, an anchoring plate and at least one adjustable locking element. The magnet is configured to attract the anchoring plate so as to bring the first and second bearing elements into engagement with one another. The first and second bearing elements, in the engaged state, define a defined position of the measurement tool on the coupling part. The at least one locking element secures the measurement tool to the retaining pin. The anchoring plate is detachably secured to the disk and the at least one locking element retains the anchoring plate on the retaining pin. |
| US09140529B2 |
Fin-stabilized penetrators arranged in a carrier shell
The present invention relates to a method for packing fin-stabilized penetrators (8) in a carrier shell (1), which penetrators (8) comprise a front penetrator part (10) and a rear fin part (9, 9′) comprising fin sides (14, 14′), so that the empty space between the penetrators (8) and problems with the penetrators upon the release of the penetrators (8) from the carrier shell (1) are minimized, wherein the penetrators (8) are packed in groups (7) and are joined together to form larger packing units (6), in which each group (7) is arranged with a centrally located penetrator (8) flanked by at least three outer penetrators (8), which outer penetrators (8) are arranged so that their front penetrator parts (10) lie side to side against the fin sides (14, 14′) of the centrally located penetrator (8). The method is characterized in that the rear fin parts (9, 9′) of the penetrators (8) are made shorter than the front penetrator parts (10) of the penetrators (8), and in that the front penetrator parts (10) are made cylindrical for the distribution of load stresses, upon firing of the carrier shell, from the centrally located penetrator (8) rearwards in the direction of firing via the front penetrator parts (10) of, the flanking penetrators (8). |
| US09140525B2 |
Foldable shield
A deployable and foldable shield with improved stability, when it is to protect the carrier against weapons and thrown objects, comprising an elongated base plate having attachment means for attaching the base plate along the forearm of a person, and a plurality of substantially triangular and at least substantially equal-sided shield plates, supported by the base plate, which have a top angle (α) smaller than 40° and are pivotally mounted at a triangle corner enclosing the top angle (α) to a pivot projecting from the base plate, said shield plates forming a stack supported by the base plate when the shield is folded and forming a deployed shield surface supported by the base plate when pivoted away from the base plate. In order to improve the stability of the shield, when it is to protect the carrier against weapons and thrown objects, the shield plates are arranged in two stacks with a respective pivot for mounting and pivoting of the shield plates. The shield plates in one stack are deployed by pivoting in a first direction and those in the other stack by pivoting in the opposite direction, and connecting devices are provided for connecting these two shield plates. |
| US09140519B2 |
Light weight stiffened gun stock
A light weight stiffened gun stock is disclosed herein. The gun stock utilizes structural members oriented in a grid pattern resulting in a high strength-to-weight ratio. The grid pattern can be an isogrid, orthogrid, hoop-grid pattern, or a combination thereof. The structural members define the form of the gunstock, and provide recoil absorption to reduce the amount of recoil experienced by the shooter. |
| US09140517B2 |
Elastic band projectile toy gun and method of assembly
A toy gun comprising a plurality of pre-cut thin layer members along with a plurality of pin members, wherein the toy gun is adapted to store a number of elastic bands and to shoot the stored elastic bands in rapid succession. A barrel top notch is adapted to receive front end of a stretched elastic band that will be fired by the toy gun. The stock comprises a series of recesses each of which is adapted to accommodate the rear end of a stretched elastic band. The fore-end member is movable and includes a series of secondary recesses along its back end, staggered in relation to the stock recesses, wherein any particular secondary recess is slightly below the corresponding stock recess and functions to transfer each elastic band from its stock recesses to an adjacent stock recess in the upward direction, toward the firing recess. |
| US09140514B2 |
Archery bow
An archery bow has a handle pivotally attached to the riser. An indicator alerts the archer when the bow and handle are in proper alignment with reduced torque. Reduced bow torque results in improved accuracy. |
| US09140512B2 |
Gun recoil suppressor and method of use
In an embodiment of the present invention, a firearm recoil suppressor comprises a boot for receiving the butt-stock, at least one means for suppressing the recoil, a base, and a base fixture device. In one embodiment, the suppressing means comprises at least one hydraulic shock absorber, such as a piston and cylinder, or other shock absorber known to those with skill in the art. |
| US09140509B2 |
Evidence collecting and recording apparatus for a gun
A battery-powered electronic evidence-collecting device on the gun that transmits to a smartphone or other device carried by the peace officer for recording and forwarding the evidence to a central station. The evidence collecting and recording apparatus is activated by the removal of the gun from its holster. |
| US09140504B1 |
Performance testing apparatus for microclimate cooling unit
A testing apparatus measures cooling power of an electrically-powered Microclimate Cooling Unit (MCU) at the point of use of the MCU. The tester includes fluid supply and return ports for fluidly connecting to the MCU. A fluid heater provides a heat load to fluid in the tester. Fluid temperatures upstream and downstream of the heater are measured. The fluid flow rate is adjustable and measurable. A digital processor extracts the temperature and fluid flow rate data and computes cooling watts. The computed cooling watts are compared to the manufacturer's specifications to determine if the MCU is operating properly. |
| US09140494B2 |
Acoustic wave drying system
An acoustic wave drying system for drying a material using an acoustic resonant chamber that imparts acoustic energy to transiting air received from an airflow source. The acoustic resonant chamber includes a primary air channel having side surfaces connecting an air inlet and an air outlet, the primary air channel having a primary air channel length between the air inlet and the air outlet. One or more secondary closed-end resonant chambers are formed into side surfaces of the primary air channel. An air impingement airstream containing acoustic energy exits the air outlet and impinges on the material. |
| US09140493B2 |
Apparatus and process for concentrating a separable component of a slurry
Methods and apparatuses are provided for separating a slurry mixture into its constituent melted liquid form and solid frozen form. This involves forcing the slurry mixture through an inlet into a vessel and through the vessel to an opening, wherein the vessel comprises a plurality of perforations dimensioned to receive a liquid flow from the slurry mixture to dry the slurry mixture; vibrating the vessel and the slurry mixture within the vessel to shake the material in the melted liquid form out through the plurality of perforations to dry the slurry mixture; and, extracting the dried slurry mixture from the opening. |
| US09140491B2 |
Method and appliance for separating air by cryogenic distillation
In a method for separating air in a column system, by cryogenic distillation, compressed, purified and cooled air is separated in the column system in order to form an oxygen-enriched flow and a nitrogen-enriched flow. At least one column of the column system contains a vaporizer-condenser for ensuring the vaporization of a liquid enriched in oxygen in relation to the air by means of heat exchange with a calorigenic fluid, the calorigenic fluid having been compressed upstream of the vaporizer-condenser in a compressor having a cryogenic inlet temperature, the calorigenic fluid being at least partially condensed in the vaporizer-condenser, and a cryogenic liquid is added to the calorigenic fluid upstream of the vaporizer-condenser. |
| US09140488B2 |
Variable differential and offset control for refrigeration systems
A beverage dispensing apparatus is characterized by a beverage dispenser and a refrigeration system for chilling beverage to be dispensed by the beverage dispenser. The refrigeration system has a compressor coupled to an evaporator for chilling the beverage, and a controller determines the amount of chilling that must be provided by the refrigeration system to chill the beverage and adjusts cut-in and cut-out beverage temperature set-points for the compressor accordingly. Advantageously, the cut-in and cut-out set-points are adjusted to beverage temperature values such that the chilling capacity of the refrigeration system is made to closely match to the amount of chilling required by the beverage, and also such that on/off cycles of the refrigeration system are decreased. |
| US09140484B2 |
Refrigerated point-of-use holding cabinet using chilled liquid
A refrigerated point-of-use food holding cabinet keeps food products cold in compartments having cross sections that are substantially U-shaped. Food products are kept refrigerated using heat-absorbing, heat-exchangers thermally coupled to the U-shaped compartment. Refrigeration is provided by a chilled, re-circulating liquid that does not change phase as it circulates but which is chilled by another refrigeration system, such as a conventional refrigeration system. An optional cover helps prevent food flavor transfers between compartments. Semiconductor temperature sensors and a computer effectuate temperature control. |
| US09140482B2 |
Removable storage basket and associated methods for storing items within a freezer
A storage basket is configured to hold multiple product units such as blood bags within the cabinet of a freezer. The storage basket includes first and second spaced-apart sidewalls and a plurality of inclined shelves extending between and coupled to these sidewalls. The inclined shelves include a plurality of air flow apertures that defined storage receptacles for product units as well as additional flow apertures to ensure minimal hindrance of cooling air flow within the freezer. The storage basket also includes handles that enable easy grasping and movement of multiple product units at once into and out of the freezer. As a result, the amount of time needed to cool product units down to a desired temperature with the freezer is reduced and the storage density within the freezer is increased. |
| US09140473B2 |
Condenser for vehicle
A condenser for a vehicle is used in an air conditioning having an expansion valve, an evaporator, and a compressor, is provided between the compressor and the expansion valve, and circulates coolant supplied from a radiator to condense refrigerant supplied from the compressor through heat-exchange with the coolant and the refrigerant.The condenser may include a first heat-radiating portion connected to the radiator to circulate coolant and adapted to circulate refrigerant to condense the refrigerant through heat-exchange, a second heat-radiating portion formed at a lower portion of the first heat-radiating portion, a receiver-drier portion disposed apart from the first and second heat-radiating portions to perform gas-liquid separation and moisture removal of the condensed refrigerant, and a lower cover to connect the second heat-radiating portion with the receiver-drier portion, wherein the connecting passage is adapted to flow the refrigerant from the receiver-drier portion into the second heat-radiating portion. |
| US09140471B2 |
Indirect evaporative coolers with enhanced heat transfer
A separator plate assembly for use in an indirect evaporative cooler (IEC) with an air-to-air heat exchanger. The assembly includes a separator plate with a first surface defining a dry channel and a second surface defining a wet channel. The assembly includes heat transfer enhancements provided on the first surface for increasing heat transfer rates. The heat transfer enhancements may include slit fins with bodies extending outward from the first surface of separator plate or may take other forms including vortex generators, offset strip fins, and wavy fins. In slit fin implementations, the separator plate has holes proximate to each of the slit fins, and the separator plate assembly may include a sealing layer applied to the second surface of the separator plate to block air flow through the holes. The sealing layer can be a thickness of adhesive, and a layer of wicking material is applied to the adhesive. |
| US09140470B2 |
Ejector
An ejector has a primary inlet (40), a secondary inlet (42), and an outlet (44). A primary flowpath extends from the primary inlet to the outlet. A secondary flowpath extends from the secondary inlet to the outlet. A mixer convergent section (114; 300; 400) is downstream of the secondary inlet. A motive nozzle (100) surrounds the primary flowpath upstream of a junction with the secondary flowpath. The motive nozzle has a throat (106) and an exit (110). An actuator (204) is coupled to the motive nozzle to drive a relative streamwise shift of the exit and convergent section. |
| US09140469B2 |
Refrigeration valve block
A service valve assembly that is designed to minimize leakage by reducing the number of leakage paths from the valve assembly. In addition, the service valve assembly is designed to permit connection to many different refrigeration systems and has higher flow capacity. The valve assembly is engageable by current servicing tools so that purchase of new service tools is not required. In the valve assembly, the service connection is designed as part of the shut-off valve and communicates with the condenser side port. Therefore, initial processing through the condenser side port and subsequent processing through the evaporation side port occur through the combined service connection and shut-off valve structure. Once installed, the described valve assembly has one leak path versus two leak paths in known valve assemblies. |
| US09140464B2 |
Heating medium utilizing apparatus
In a heating medium utilizing apparatus utilizing heating medium heated by a heating device, it is aimed to provide a pipe which achieves both of the strength of a connection part to an external pipe and the ease of pipe layout without increasing a manufacturing time. On a tip portion of an internal pipe through which the heating medium or fluid to be heat-exchanged with the heating medium flows, a pipe expanding process to expand a pipe diameter and a pipe shrinking process to shrink the pipe diameter are carried out, thereby forming the connection part to be connected to the external pipe connected to external equipment by work hardening. |
| US09140463B2 |
Indoor unit with power supply and power detection capabilities and method thereof and air conditioning system having the same
An indoor unit performs a control operation to not supply power to a load device through a power/communication line simultaneously with other indoor units. An air conditioning system may includes an indoor unit including a microcomputer to output a power application signal to supply power to a load device through a power/communication line, and a duplicate power application prevention unit to interrupt the power application signal from the microcomputer when the power is simultaneously applied to the power/communication line by a different indoor unit, to prevent the power from being duplicately applied to the power/communication line. |
| US09140460B2 |
Control methods and systems for indirect evaporative coolers
A control method for operating an indirect evaporative cooler to control temperature and humidity. The method includes operating an airflow control device to provide supply air at a flow rate to a liquid desiccant dehumidifier. The supply air flows through the dehumidifier and an indirect evaporative cooler prior to exiting an outlet into a space. The method includes operating a pump to provide liquid desiccant to the liquid desiccant dehumidifier and sensing a temperature of an airstream at the outlet of the indirect evaporative cooler. The method includes comparing the temperature of the airstream at the outlet to a setpoint temperature at the outlet and controlling the pump to set the flow rate of the liquid desiccant. The method includes sensing space temperature, comparing the space temperature with a setpoint temperature, and controlling the airflow control device to set the flow rate of the supply air based on the comparison. |
| US09140457B2 |
Dual fuel heating system and air shutter
A dual fuel heating system can be used in a gas appliance. The system can have an air shutter to regulate an amount of air that can mix with the fuel for combustion. The air shutter can be configured to have different positions depending on the type of fuel to be used. |
| US09140456B2 |
Variable initiation location system for pulse detonation combustor
A pulse detonation combustor (PDC) includes a combustion tube, an inlet located on an upstream end of the combustion tube which receives a flow of a fuel/air mixture, an enhanced DDT region located within the tube downstream of the inlet, a nozzle disposed on a downstream end of the tube and a fortified region disposed downstream of the enhanced DDT region and upstream of the nozzle. A combustion initiation system that provides multiple initiation locations at different axial stations along the length of the tube are positioned downstream of the inlet and upstream of the fortified region. The initiator system is operable to initiate combustion of a fuel-air mixture within the tube at a selected one of the initiation locations. |
| US09140453B2 |
Fuel manifold with jumper tubes
A gas turbine engine fuel delivery system which includes an external fuel manifold fastened to the outer surface of a casing surrounding the combustor of the engine and which includes a plurality of inlet manifold tubes circumferentially disposed in serial flow communication. A plurality of fuel nozzles are mounted to the casing and are axially spaced apart from the fuel manifold on the outer surface of the casing. A plurality of jumper tubes are disposed outside the casing and feed fuel flow from the fuel manifold to the fuel nozzles. The jumper tubes have a rigidity that is less than that of the inlet manifold tubes of the fuel manifold such that the jumper tubes elastically deflect under load. |
| US09140452B2 |
Combustor head plate assembly with impingement
Combustor for a turbine having a housing in which an air collecting chamber, a combustion antechamber, and a combustion chamber are formed. A combustor head plate is arranged in the housing so that the combustor head plate separates the combustion antechamber from the combustion chamber. A baffle plate is arranged in the combustion antechamber so that the baffle plate divides the combustion antechamber into a first sub-chamber adjoining an air supply fluidically connected with the air collecting chamber and a second sub-chamber adjoining the combustor head plate. Wherein baffle plate has a plurality of through-passages that fluidically connect the first sub-chamber with the second sub-chamber so that air that has flowed into the first sub-chamber from the air collecting chamber via the air supply can flow into the second sub-chamber via the through-passages and to a back surface of the combustor head plate facing the second sub-chamber. |
| US09140450B2 |
Retrofitted corrosive resistant venting system
A venting system and a method for installing the venting system. A non-flexible metallic venting pipe comprises a chase. A first end of the vent pipe is positioned adjacent an appliance installation and a second end positioned at an exit to an external region of a home. A flexible vent tube comprising a sealed non-corrosive material, having a first end and a second end, is positioned between the first end of the venting pipe and the second end of the venting pipe. Adapters are positioned at the ends of the venting pipe. A method comprises routing a flexible venting tube comprising sealed, corrosion resistant venting material through an existing non-flexible double-walled vent comprising non-sealed material. |
| US09140440B2 |
Display apparatus having a honeycomb core
A display apparatus includes a lower skin, a honeycomb core coupled to an inner upper surface of the lower skin by honeycomb patterns, an upper skin coupled to an upper surface of the honeycomb core, a fixing member coupled to the upper skin and the lower skin while extending through the upper skin and the lower skin, to fix a circuit including a light emitting diode to one end of the fixing member, and a filler interposed between the upper skin and the lower skin, to increase coupling force among the upper skin, the lower skin and the fixing member. |
| US09140438B2 |
Decorative lighting with reinforced wiring
A reinforced wire for decorative lighting, the wire defining a central longitudinal wire axis and including: a longitudinally-extending reinforcing strand, the reinforcing strand comprising one or more fibers comprising a polymer material and defining a reinforcing-strand axis; a plurality of conductor strands wound about the reinforcing strand, each of the plurality of conductor strands defining a conductor strand axis; and an outer insulating layer adjacent to, and covering, one or more of the conductor strands. The reinforcing strand in cross section normal to the wire axis defines an asymmetrical shape. |
| US09140437B2 |
LED lightbulb
An LED light bulb system that has a socket base and a contactor arranged in the socket base. The light bulb system also has a support circuit board secured to the socket base and a plurality of circuit boards connected to the support circuit board in a vertical direction. The light bulb also uses at least one resistor on each of the plurality of circuit boards to operate the LED. |
| US09140432B2 |
Modular lamp
A modular lamp apparatus and system. In one exemplary embodiment, the modular lamp can include a shell with a first shell piece and at least a second shell piece, and a hook affixed to one of an interior wall of the first shell piece or an interior wall of the second shell piece; and a skeletal structure comprising a pole, a pole base, and a light fixture, the pole having a hole that receives the hook to couple the skeletal structure in place relative to the shell when the first shell piece and the second shell piece are combined to form the shell, wherein at least a portion of the skeletal structure is contained within a shell interior of the shell when the first shell piece and the second shell piece are combined to form the shell. |
| US09140429B2 |
Optical element edge treatment for lighting device
A lighting device includes an electrically activated emitter, a lumiphoric material spatially segregated from the emitter, and an optical element arranged between the emitter and the lumiphoric material and having at least one peripheral edge, wherein a reflective material is disposed proximate to the at least one peripheral edge and/or wherein the at least one peripheral edge is non-perpendicular to a face of the optical element and arranged to reflect light in a direction toward the lumiphoric material. An optical element for use with a lighting device including a lumiphoric material includes a peripheral edge, wherein a reflective material disposed substantially parallel to the peripheral edge and/or wherein the peripheral edge is non-perpendicular to a face of the optical element and arranged to reflect light in a direction toward the lumiphoric material. |
| US09140428B2 |
Triplet-triplet annihilation up-conversation for display and lighting applications
Novel devices comprising a layer including compounds that are capable of triplet triplet annihilation up conversation (TTA-UC) and techniques for operating the same are provided. In particular, the up-conversation layer absorbs light emitted by the OLED device and emits up-converted light with shorter wavelength in response. These devices and techniques may be used to provide improved lifetime for blue emitting devices. |
| US09140426B2 |
Backlight unit and display apparatus using the same
A backlight unit and a display apparatus using the same are disclosed. The backlight unit includes a first reflector, a second reflector partially having an inclined surface, a plurality of light sources disposed between the first reflector and the second reflector, and a third reflector disposed between adjacent light sources. |
| US09140425B2 |
Cyc attachment for a light engine
A luminaire including a light engine having a light source and a housing and a light-diffusing attachment that includes a frame secured to the housing of the light engine, a refracting lens supported by the frame, and a diffuser supported by the frame. |
| US09140424B2 |
Vehicle headlamp
A multi-lamp type vehicle headlamp is configured to combine illumination by a first lamp unit and illumination by second lamp units so as to provide a low beam light distribution function and a high beam light distribution function. The first lamp unit is configured to form at least a cutoff line of a light distribution pattern for a low beam. The second lamp units have a resolution that is lower than that of an illumination region which can be provided by the first lamp unit. |
| US09140419B2 |
Lighted cup holder and lighting method
A lighted cup holder and method for illuminating a cup holder, the cup holder having a base component having a cylindrical body for mounting through a spa shell, a first end, a second end, and a hollow interior; a lens or light diffuser at the first end of the body and located proximal to an exterior surface of the spa shell; a decorative or functional stencil or insert located within the hollow interior at or proximal to the first end of the body; a light source; and a light holder for retaining the light source on the base component at or proximal to the second end of the body. |
| US09140418B2 |
Multi-mode lighting apparatus
A multi-mode lighting system includes a collector unit and a lighting module. A plurality of fiber optic filaments extend from the collector to the lighting module to transmit radiation from first ends of the fiber optic filaments to second ends of the fiber optic elements. The first ends of the fiber optic filaments are disposed in the collector unit to receive radiation and second ends are disposed in the lighting module to emit radiation received by the first ends of the fiber optic filaments. At least a first portion of the radiation transmitted by the fiber optic filaments illuminates an area external to the lighting module and at least a second portion of the radiation impinges the photovoltaic element to generate electricity. |
| US09140416B2 |
Toilet bolt finial night light
The toilet bolt finial night light provides a moisture-proof cover for the anchor bolts of the toilet having a low-power illumination and automatic light sensing switch capability. The toilet bolt finial night light automatically illuminates in a low ambient light environment, and automatically reverts to no illumination when the ambient light of the environment is a bright level. Additionally, the toilet bolt finial night light has a manual ON/OFF switching capability, which overrides the light sensor switch. In addition, the toilet bolt finial night light has translucent and interchangeable tops for providing selecting decorative embellishments. This permits many decorative options. For example, thematic or seasonal ornamentations can be used. |
| US09140412B2 |
Method and apparatus for treating fluid in a conduit with radio-frequencies
Apparatus for treating a fluid in a conduit by the application thereto of radio-frequency electro-magnetic signals, includes a core element of magnetically-permeable material extending around the conduit, and one or more primary coils through which the core element extends and is energized with radio-frequency electrical signals by at least one signal generator; wherein at least one of the primary coils has an extent and/or disposition circumferentially of the core element and the conduit such as to establish an effective magnetic field throughout the core element. |
| US09140410B2 |
Isolating valve
An isolating valve includes a body having a canal for the passage of fluid, which is intended to be shut off by upstream and downstream spherical plugs, that can be actuated independently of one another between positions allowing the passage of fluid through the canal and positions of shutting off the canal, and a sealing checker, opening into the canal and between the two spherical plugs. The upstream plug is equipped with an upstream seat of the “simple piston effect” type and has no downstream seat. The downstream plug is equipped with an upstream seat of the “simple piston effect” type and with a downstream seat of the “double piston effect” type. |
| US09140409B2 |
Fuel supplying device
To provide a fuel supplying device that, in a fuel tank equipped with plural accommodating portions that accommodate fuel, can suppress occurrence of running-out of fuel and can send-out fuel in a short time, even when a liquid surface of fuel of a fuel tank main body tilts. A sub-cup that has a fuel filter and a storage member is disposed at each of a first accommodating portion and a second accommodating portion. A distal end of a vapor discharging pipe of a fuel pump main body (or a sending-back pipe of a pressure regulator) is disposed within a second storage member. |
| US09140406B2 |
Support for variably positioning a holder platform for books or electric devices
A support for a variably positioning a platform which is adapted to hold a book or electronic display for convenient viewing, the support having a pair of swing arms pivotally connected together end to end and to an upright standard, with the platform connected to an outer end of one swing arm with a two orthogonal pivot connections to a platform mount and a pivot connection between the mount and platform. This creates five axes of independent pivoting movement of various components available to position the platform. A friction element for some of the pivot connections allows tightening of an adjustment screw to increase or decrease the friction to stabilize the platform in a selected position without tending to loosen the screw and the associated pivot connection. |
| US09140405B2 |
Multi-axis pivot system and method
Some embodiments provide a pivot mechanism and/or system that includes a support member defining a cavity and an extension member at least partially located within the cavity. In some cases one or more inner surfaces of the cavity can provide one or more pivots defining multiple pivot axes about which the extension member is generally pivotable through corresponding pivot ranges. The extent of the pivot ranges can be defined by the cavity within the support member. In some cases cooperating clamp members engage the extension member and the support member to retain the extension member within the cavity. The clamp members may also include sliding surfaces that slidingly engage with the support member to provide frictional resistance to pivoting movement of the extension member. Electronic display pivoting and positioning systems are also provided as are methods for positioning and pivoting electronic displays. |
| US09140403B2 |
Single-axis drive system and method
A system for moving an object in one axis that creates highly dispersed but precisely controlled mechanical force to support, manipulate, and maintain an object, tool or application in precise alignment or orientation with respect to a stationary or moving target is disclosed. The system includes one or more fluid containers within a cylindrical enclosure or drum, and a shaft running through longitudinal axis of the drum. The shaft is coupled to the drum by rotating assemblies so that the drum may rotate around the shaft or the draft may rotate inside the drum. The fluid inflatable containers are arranged in a inside the drum around the shaft so that each container exerts expansive force between a vane fixed to the drum and a vane fixed to the shaft. A volume of the fluid may be placed in the one or more fluid containers by control systems. By changing the volume of fluid in the one or more containers, forces are exerted on the vanes and the object is moved. |
| US09140393B2 |
Fuel line breakaway connector secured by plurality of individually spaced magnets
A breakaway coupling including a pair of sleeves, one sleeve fitting within the other, each sleeve having a hose connector secured therethrough, the first sleeve holding a metal annulus, the second sleeve securing a continuous magnetic annulus, so when the sleeves are brought together the magnetic annulus secures onto the metal annulus to hold the coupler in its connected position. The continuous metallic annulus includes a metal base, a spacer that holds a series of standard round magnets equally spaced around the approximate perimeter of the spacer and its base. |
| US09140391B2 |
Coupler method and apparatus for installing pipe with a protective cover into borehole
A coupler apparatus for installing a pipe and a protective cover into a borehole includes a first coupler half and a second coupler half. Both halves include a leading edge and at least one slot disposed in an outer surface configured to allow a fluid to pass by the coupler apparatus as the coupler apparatus is pulled through the borehole. A fastening means joins the first coupler half to the second coupler half about the pipe and the protective cover. The coupler apparatus formed by the first coupler half joined to the second coupler is configured to capture the protective cover at a location on the pipe for the installation of the pipe with the protective cover into the borehole. A method is also described. |
| US09140389B2 |
Graphene-based steel tubes, pipes or risers, methods for the production thereof and the use thereof for conveying petroleum, gas and biofuels
The present invention relates to new graphene-based steel tubes, pipes or risers, whose products are obtained by a method of manufacturing that consists in adding graphene nanosheets, heat treatment, forming tubular geometry and surface finish. In addition to the unique chemical composition based on graphene, with carbon content ranging between 0.01 and 21.0%, these products have the wall thickness between 800 nm and 80 mm (from ultra fine to thick), diameter between 10 and 5000 mm, and having a tensile strength not less than 2000 MPa reaching up to 50 GPa, with far superior features to those obtained by other methods. Such products can be used for petroleum, natural gas and biofuels transportation, including in deepwater submarine riser systems (>1500 m), with direct application in the oil industry. |
| US09140386B2 |
Anchor system for pre-insulated piping
An anchor system is shown for use with a pre-insulated piping system having an inner steel carrier pipe surrounded by a layer of insulation and then by an outer protective jacket. The anchor system includes an inner carrier pipe for insertion within the length of the piping system at a selected point. A steel anchor sleeve surrounds a portion of the length of carrier pipe and insulation. It terminates at one end at an outwardly flaring anchor plate which is subsequently embedded within a concrete anchor block. A steel end cap is welded to a second, opposite end of the sleeve and to the inner carrier pipe at a point along the length of piping which is outside the concrete anchor block and which is spaced apart from the location of the anchor plate, whereby heat from the high temperature fluids in the piping is transferred to the end cap at a location along the length of piping which is distant from the location of the anchor plate. |
| US09140382B2 |
Gripper for continuous elongated members, vehicle movable along a continuous elongated member, and method of advancing the vehicle
A gripper for selectively gripping continuous elongated members can include a tubular supporting structure extending along a given axis and designed to surround a continuous elongated member. The gripper can also include at least two inflatable bags within the tubular structure and in the shape of complementary cylindrical sectors. |
| US09140381B2 |
Butterfly valve
A butterfly valve (100) is provided according to the invention. The butterfly valve (100) includes a valve body (103) including a valve bore (109) passing through the valve body (103) and a shaft bore (112), a valve shaft (121) located in the shaft bore (112) and extending through the valve bore (109), a thermal conductor ring (156) fitted over an end of the valve shaft (121), and at least one compression ring (152) mounted to the thermal conductor ring (156) and located within the shaft bore (112). The at least one compression ring (152) fits partially into and extends partially out of a corresponding at least one ring groove (153) in the thermal conductor ring (156), with the at least one compression ring (152) substantially sealing the thermal conductor ring (156) to an actuator-side shaft bore (112A). |
| US09140379B2 |
Device for actuating a control valve
An apparatus for activation of a control valve is configurable as a slide, ball valve, rotary slide, poppet valve, or the like, and controls or regulates pressure-impacted media, for example, regulating the coolant volume stream of an internal combustion engine. A push piston linearly displaceable in a piston guide rigidly disposed on the flow housing, with an activation joint, is fastened onto the flow housing. A connecting rod is disposed in the activation joint. A push joint is disposed at the push piston end that lies opposite the activation joint, in which push joint the activation element of a control valve is displaceably and/or rotatably disposed. A reset spring is disposed adjacent to the push joint and acts on the push piston, in the direction of its longitudinal axis, so that the push piston always lies against the connecting rod without play, with the activation joint. |
| US09140376B2 |
Rotary shear valve with three-point stator seating
A rotary shear valve having three-point stator seating is provided. Three contact points are predetermined between a bottom of the stator and a valve body rim and three clamping pads may also be predetermined. The three clamping pads and the three points of contact between stator and the valve body rim are corresponding and aligned when the rotary shear valve is assembled so that the clamping or compression forces on both sides of the stator directly oppose one another, thereby effectively canceling each other. In one embodiment, the stator includes three contact points on the bottom surface proximate the periphery of the stator to contact the valve rim and a gasket includes three clamping pads proximate the periphery of the gasket web to apply a compression force on the top surface of the stator above the three contact points. |
| US09140375B2 |
Valve and assembly method
A valve for installation in a valve bore of a housing or valve block includes a valve bushing for insertion into the valve bore, a guided valve piston that can be moved axially in the valve bushing, an activation section of said piston projecting above the valve bushing axially, and a valve cover that is configured to be arranged over the valve bore and that forms, together with the activation section of the valve piston, at least one activation pressure chamber. |
| US09140373B2 |
Thermally actuated valve
A thermally actuated valve is provided herein. The thermally actuated valve includes a valve fitting, a valve body, and a movement control mechanism. The valve fitting includes an active member to selectively activate based on an input. The valve body includes a passive wax member that moves between a passive contraction state and a passive expansion state based on a passive temperature. The movement control mechanism is disposed between the valve fitting and the valve body. The movement control mechanism controls movement of the valve body between an open state and a dosed state based on movement of at least one of the active member and the passive wax member. |
| US09140367B2 |
Inlet valve for chamber systems and sample containers, and chamber systems and sample containers with such inlet valves
An inlet valve charges an inner chamber of a system or sample container with liquid and has a first pipetting axis, an inlet opening, it supplies liquid by a laboratory pipette that is automatically reclosed and also has a valve body with a blocking element, a pressing part and a throat, a valve space enclosing the valve body at least partly near the throat, a spring mechanism and a sealing element. The throat connects the blocking element to the pressing part and has an open passage region which opens into the liquid passage of the pressing part and into the valve space. The spring mechanism presses a sealing surface of the blocking element against the sealing element in a closed position of the valve body. The valve body can be brought to an open position by pressing the pressing part against the spring mechanism. |
| US09140365B1 |
Outer seal
Disclosed is a seal comprising a first sealing surface with a first lip at a terminus of the first sealing surface and a second lip spaced axially apart from the first lip. A third lip is spaced radially apart from the second lip flexes away from the third lip when the seal is installed. |
| US09140356B2 |
Travel control unit of working vehicle
A travel control unit of a working vehicle includes an HST which is a hydraulic continuously variable transmission having a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor, a pedal sensor which is an operator sensor which detects a position of an acceleration pedal which is an acceleration operator, and a controller which changes a displacement of the hydraulic pump based on the position of the acceleration pedal. The controller increases the displacement of the hydraulic motor as the displacement of the hydraulic pump is reduced due to a displacement of the acceleration pedal to a low-velocity side. |
| US09140353B2 |
Actuating device with rotary switch
An actuating device is provided that includes an actuating element (1) with at least three switching positions. The actuating device (1) can be deflected starting from its basic positions at least in one direction into an intermediate switching position for selecting an operating state of the technical system. For selecting at least one other operating state of the technical system, the actuating element (1) can be deflected, starting from an intermediate switching position, into at least one other switching position that is located farther away from the basic position. The undesired jumping of the actuating element over intermediate switching positions, during switching, is effectively prevented from occurring. An intuitively detectable tactile feedback of the switching state of the actuating element or of the state of the system is provided. |
| US09140347B2 |
Force transfer device
A force transfer device, comprising a hub, disposed in the drive train of a motor vehicle for torque transfer between a drive unit and a transmission, in particular a turbine shell hub of a turbine shell of a hydrodynamic machine, coupled to a damper hub with a vibration damper device connected in between. The vibration damping device is provided with a mechanical stop device, which becomes effective, as soon as a maximum design load of the vibration damping device is exceeded, and the mechanical stop device is disposed between the turbine shell hub and the damper hub. |
| US09140340B2 |
Stepless speed-change power transmission for vehicle
A stepless speed-change power transmission for a vehicle includes a driving pulley disposed on an input shaft and including a fixed driving pulley half and a movable driving pulley half, a driven pulley disposed, on an output shaft and including a fixed driven pulley half and a movable driven pulley half, and an air guide unit. The air guide unit includes a curved first air guide wall and a curved second air guide wall that are disposed around the fixed driving pulley half to form first and second notches between the first and second air guide walls. The first notch guides air from the fixed driving pulley half onto the driven pulley. The second notch guides air from the fixed driving pulley half onto the movable driving pulley half. |
| US09140339B1 |
Rotational assist drive mechanism
A turret includes a rotary bearing with an inner race, an outer race and a central axis of rotation. An internal tooth drive sprocket is fixed to the outer race of the bearing and centered on the central axis of rotation of the bearing. A turret plinth is fixed to the inner race of the bearing. A drive mechanism for rotating the turret plinth with respect to the internal tooth drive sprocket includes first and second sprocket assemblies each having a pair of upper and lower external tooth sprockets fixed to a shaft. The middle chain row of a triple roller chain engages the internal tooth drive sprocket. One of the outer chain rows engages the upper sprockets of the first and second sprocket assemblies and the other of the outer chain rows engages the lower sprockets of the first and second sprocket assemblies. Hand wheels connected to the shafts of the sprocket assemblies provide input motion to the drive mechanism. |
| US09140337B2 |
Method for model based clutch control and torque estimation
A method for operating a powertrain through selective application of a hydraulically actuated clutch includes monitoring a state of a pressure control switch operatively coupled the clutch, monitoring a hydraulic line pressure utilized by the pressure control switch to fill the clutch, determining a hydraulic flow rate flowing to the clutch based upon the state of the pressure control switch and the hydraulic line pressure, tracking a clutch fill volume of the clutch based upon the hydraulic flow rate, and controlling operation of the clutch based upon the clutch fill volume. |
| US09140335B2 |
Shift gearbox for use with an electric machine
A shift gearbox (1) has two gears. An input shaft (2) of the gearbox (1) can be driven by an electric machine (3). The input shaft (2) is connected via at least one single-direction clutch (4) to an output shaft (5) of the gearbox (1). A planetary stage (6) arranged parallel to the clutch (4) is connected to the output shaft (5) of the gearbox (1) for driving a wheel (30) of a motor vehicle, or an axle (7) that has wheels (30). The planetary stage (6) is switchable. A shift gearbox of this type permits simple shifting of the gears of the gearbox while being of simple design. |
| US09140331B2 |
Webless planetary gear set
The invention is directed to a Wolfrom-type, webless planetary gear set, comprised of two coaxial housing parts which are rotatable opposite each other with one each internal toothing on the applicable inner side, a toothed sun gear as well as several toothed planetary gears, which roll between the sun gear and the internal sets of teeth and are arranged in a floating manner. In other words, without further guidance on a planetary gear carrier or similar with a bearing arrangement between the two housing parts whose bearing bodies circulate around the paths which are located radially outside at least one internal toothing. |
| US09140330B2 |
Pitched cable having a flexible core around which a coil is wrapped
A pitched cable having a flexible core around which a coil is wrapped. The flexible core includes an end area which protrudes beyond the coil and passes through a hole of a carrier. The carrier bears at one end of the hole against an end of the coil, and at an other end of the hole against a stop body fastened to an end of the core. An end region of the coil is provided with a metal casting that encloses the coil and the core. Mutually abutting surfaces of the metal casting and of the carrier can be formed with a positive-locking engagement, which prevents relative twisting between the metal casting and the carrier about the core. The metal casting can be formed as a zinc die casting. |
| US09140329B2 |
Transmission belt
The durability of a belt is enhanced by improving the strength of rubber itself while enhancing its peeling strength with respect to a cord, a fabric or a short fiber. A toothed belt (10) comprises a belt body (13) that is integrally formed by a tooth rubber (11) provided on one surface side thereof, a backing rubber (12) provided on the other surface side, and an embedded cord (14) spirally wound in a boundary portion between the tooth rubber (11) and the backing rubber (12) that extends in the longitudinal direction of the belt. A facing fabric (20) covering the tooth rubber (11) is adhered to a surface of the tooth rubber (11), or one surface of the belt body (13). The tooth rubber (11) is obtained by vulcanization-molding a rubber composition including rubber such as HNBR, resorcinol, a melamine compound, silica and the like. |
| US09140324B2 |
Fluid cooled coupling assembly
A coupling assembly for use in transmitting force includes a housing which at least partially encloses a rotatable disc. The housing has a plate portion with an annular force transmitting surface which is engagable with the rotatable disc. A cooling fluid channel is at least partially defined by a side of the plate portion opposite from the force transmitting surface. A plurality of indentations disposed in an inner surface 60b of the force transmitting surface of the plate portion create turbulent and secondary flow in a path of flow of cooling fluid through the cooling fluid channel. A cooling fluid inlet includes a passage having a portion with a large cross section connected in fluid communication with a radially outer portion of the cooling fluid channel. A portion of the inlet passage having a small cross section is connected in fluid communication with a radially inner portion of the cooling fluid channel. Optional ribs extend across the radially inner and outer portions of the cooling fluid channel. |
| US09140323B2 |
Drum and constricting drum assembly
A drum with replaceable shield elements for a constricting brake assembly and improved constricting drum brake assembly with replaceable shield elements for transferring heat from the brake and providing wear resistance for the drum. |
| US09140320B2 |
Device for braking and/or blocking a shaft of a vehicle transmission and method for manufacturing such a device
A vehicle transmission includes a housing part, a shaft extending from the housing part, and a spring element having a plurality of spring windings wound around the shaft, a first end of the spring element being fixed to the housing part. An actuating means is attached to a second end of the spring element and is configured to twist the second end in a circumferential direction of the spring element to thereby cause the spring element to tighten and frictionally contact an outer circumference of the shaft. The spring element is comprised of a hollow cylindrical metal base body having a helical-shaped incision that defines the plurality of spring windings. The incision may be formed in the hollow cylindrical base body by a plasma beam process, by a laser cutting process, by a flame cutting process or by a water jet cutting process. |
| US09140317B2 |
Wrench ratchet mechanisms and wrenches
A wrench ratchet mechanism includes a driven member, a housing defining a chamber in which the driven member is at least partially received, a plurality of drive transmitting members disposed in respective recesses between the driven member and housing to transmit a drive force between the housing and driven member and a force applying member extending at least partially around the driven member. The force applying member is movable in a circumferential direction thereof to apply a circumferentially directed force to the drive transmitting members to move the drive transmitting members in the recesses from a non-drive transmitting position towards a drive transmitting position. |
| US09140316B2 |
Mechanical system with one-way clutch, and alternator comprising such a system
A mechanical system with a one-way clutch, such as a motor vehicle alternator pulley, includes an outer first ring and an inner second ring able to move relative to one another in rotation about a central axis and delimit between them, radially with respect to this central axis, an annular housing. The mechanical system includes a free-wheel mechanism having members arranged in the annular housing, and at least one rolling bearing providing rollers arranged in the annular housing. The first and second rings are common to the free-wheel mechanism and to the rolling bearing. The members of the free-wheel mechanism are cams in contact with a first race formed by the first ring and a second race formed by the second ring. The first and second races are circular, centered on the axis of rotation and have no ramp. |
| US09140315B2 |
Bimetal fan clutch with oil storage formed in rotor
A bimetal fan clutch may include a disc-shaped rotor that is affixed to a shaft coupled with an engine between a lower case fixed to the shaft via a bearing and an upper case covering the lower case and having a space, an oil storage that is attached to one face of the rotor to be housed in the space and has a projection inserted into a central hollow part formed in the upper case, a bimetal oil valve that is provided inside the oil storage, wherein the bimetal oil valve changes its shape in response to heat transferred through a bimetal assembly mounted through the projection and thereby opens/closes a through-hole formed in the oil storage, and a return line that is formed in the lower case so that oil ejected to the space through the through-hole is collected into the oil storage. |
| US09140313B2 |
Electromagnetic clutch
A compact-size electromagnetic clutch reaches a blocking state as an electromagnetic solenoid is switched from a non-driving state to a driving state and can save wasteful consumption of energy under this blocking state. This electromagnetic clutch includes a wrap spring in pressure-contact with an outer face of a cylindrical portion of a drive pulley provided on the center side thereof. One end of the wrap spring is coupled to a drive arm of a drive member operably connected to a shaft. The other end of the wrap spring is coupled to an operational member rotatable relative to the shaft and movable along the rotational axis thereof. An electromagnetic solenoid attracts the operational member. An operational mechanism permits realization of the blocking state by preventing rotation of the drive member after a twisting operation of the wrap spring subsequent to the attraction of the operational member by this electromagnetic solenoid. |
| US09140311B2 |
Vehicle driving apparatus
A vehicle driving apparatus includes a rotating electrical machine and an engagement device, which are disposed on a power transmission path linking an input member drive-coupled to an internal combustion engine and an output member drive-coupled to a wheel. The engagement device includes an engagement input coupled to the input member, an engagement output that forms a pair with the engagement input and is coupled to the rotating electrical machine, a friction member disposed between the engagement input and the engagement output, and a pressing member that presses the friction member in a pressing direction. An oil pressure chamber is formed between the pressing member and either the engagement input or the engagement output. A biasing spring biases the pressing member in the pressing direction when no oil pressure is supplied to the oil pressure chamber and is disposed on an exterior of the oil pressure chamber. |
| US09140310B2 |
Disc carrier of a friction clutch
A disc carrier of a friction clutch is described and illustrated, and in some embodiments has a subassembly of a modular structure which is composed of interconnectable component parts. The component parts can include a holding ring, at least one web, and a base plate. |
| US09140308B2 |
Clutch arrangement
A clutch arrangement for a drivetrain of a vehicle comprises a first friction surface, a second friction surface and a pressing element. The first and second friction surfaces are arranged to be movable relative to each other along an axis of rotation of the clutch arrangement. The first and second friction surfaces are formed that they can be brought into a frictional engagement with each other to make a torque transmittable from the first friction surface to the second friction surface. One of the first and the second friction surfaces is arranged at a component part. The pressing element comprises a spring structure and is configured to produce or sever the frictional engagement upon actuation by causing a force along the axis of rotation. The spring structure is configured and arranged to at least partially cause the force on the component part through a change in shape. |
| US09140306B2 |
Rotational movement damper
The invention relates to a rotational movement damper (1) comprising an outer sleeve (2) and an axle which fits in the outer sleeve (2) and mounted to rotate in the outer sleeve. The axle comprises at least two discoidal flanges (7, 8, 17, 18) with flat flange surfaces (9, 10) and the same diameter, fitting in annular channels (12, 13, 14, 15) in the outer sleeve (2) such that the flanges contact with the planar flange surfaces (9, 10) thereof against the equally planar area on the counter surfaces of the annular channels (12, 13, 14, 15) unaffected by temperature variations and, on counter-rotation of the outer sleeve (2) and axle (3) act as a slipper clutch. |
| US09140304B2 |
Rolling bearing arrangement
A roller bearing assembly includes at least one outer ring (16, 18) with an outer track (24, 26), which is surrounded on its outer side by an outer part (36), and at least one inner ring (20, 22) with an inner track (28, 30), which surrounds the inner part (52). The inner part (52) and the outer part (36) project axially beyond the inner ring (20, 22) and the outer ring (16, 18), so that an explosion prevention gap (62) is formed between the inner part (52) and the outer part (36). The explosion prevention gap (62) is at least substantially linear and cylindrical. |
| US09140300B2 |
Sliding guidance for a load-handling device
A guiding device comprising: a first rail and a second rail; a first bearing and a second bearing, wherein each of the bearings has a bearing body comprising a top side and a bottom side which are arranged oppositely to each other, wherein the first rail is coupled to the top side and wherein the second rail is coupled to the bottom side; wherein each of the bearing bodies is adapted to guide the rails in a retracting and extracting direction, preferably in a form-fitting linear manner; wherein each of the bearing bodies comprises at least first and second locking devices, wherein each of the locking devices can be activated and deactivated; wherein each first locking device is arranged in a region of the corresponding top side for blocking, in an activated state, a relative movement between the bearing body and the first rail in the retracting and extracting direction and for allowing the relative movement in a deactivated state; and wherein each second locking device is arranged in a region of the corresponding bottom side for blocking, in an activated state, the relative movement between the bearing body and the second rail in the retracting and extracting direction and for allowing the relative movement in a deactivated state. |
| US09140299B2 |
Slide rail assembly
A slide rail assembly includes a mounting panel, a slide rail secured to the mounting panel, a clipping member, and a driving member. The slide rail includes an outer slide. The outer slide includes a retaining panel attached to an outer surface of the mounting panel. The clipping member is attached to an inner surface of the mounting panel for preventing the slide rail from moving in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the mounting panel. The driving member is slidably attached to the outer slide and abuts the clipping member. The clipping member is deformable to disengage from the mounting panel when the driving member slides relative to the outer slide. |
| US09140297B2 |
Radial magnetic vibration damping apparatus, bearing support assemblies, and operational methods
A bearing support assembly adapted to support and damp radial vibration of a rotor shaft of a vertical motor is disclosed. The bearing support assembly has a thrust bearing adapted to couple to a rotor shaft and carry axial thrust loads along an axial axis, and a radial magnetic damping apparatus having one or more magnetic field-producing members adapted to provide a radially-acting magnetic force to act upon the rotor shaft to reduce radial vibration thereof. Vertical motors and methods of operating the vertical motors are disclosed, as are other aspects. |
| US09140295B2 |
Hydrodynamic bearing intended to support a cylinder driven in rotation about its axis
A hydrodynamic bearing for supporting a hollow cylinder that may be deformable in the radial direction, driven in a rotational movement about its axis, the diameter being greater than or equal to one meter, the bearing essentially consisting of a bushing and a bushing support, and in which the bushing, notably of constant thickness, extends over a portion of cylinder of axis δ, having a guide surface, intended to follow the exterior surface of the cylinder via a film of lubricant, and a surface secured to the bushing support. The bushing support has, if appropriate locally, at least in the region of an intermediate zone of the bearing, cross-section-reducing elements allowing elastic deformation of the bearing so as to limit the maximum value of the guide forces over the bushing. The bearing is useful in supporting and guiding a rotating hollow grinder subjected to unevenly distributed forces during rotation. |
| US09140293B2 |
Joining element for connecting components
A joining element for connecting a first component to a second component, wherein the joining element includes a connection member for the pivotable mounting of the first component, and part of the connection member is receivable in at least one aperture of the second component in a predetermined orientation. A fixing mechanism is provided for directly fixing the connection member to the second component when the part of the connection member received in the aperture. |
| US09140291B2 |
Apparatus for covering a fastener system
A method and apparatus for covering a fastener system. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus comprises a cover. The cover is configured to be placed over a fastener system at a surface of an object in which the fastener system is installed. The cover is comprised of a number of composite materials selected such that the cover is configured to reduce an effect of an electrical discharge, which occurs around the fastener system, on an environment outside the cover. |
| US09140290B2 |
Self-centring cage nut
The invention relates to a cage nut (10) comprising a cage (12) with an opening and a nut body (14) that is accommodated in the cage (12) and comprises an enlarged flange (16) and a hollow cylindrical neck (18) with an internal thread (20). A spacer element (22) is arranged between the nut body (14) and the cage (12) and comprises at least one spring element (34) that acts perpendicularly in relation to the axial direction of the internal thread (20). |
| US09140288B2 |
Pipeline fastener
A pipeline fastener defines at least one hole formed on a hollow shank with a channel formed therein and has a chip-removing section at least formed between the hole and the channel of the shank. A diameter of the chip-removing section is bigger than a bore diameter of the hole. Accordingly, by the chip-removing section with the bigger diameter, burrs which are originally formed at a convergence between a bore surface of the hole and a periphery of the shank can be removed. Consequently, following burr-cleaning procedures are reduced to lower the production cost, and damages of the burrs to other objects at the time of using the pipeline fastener are further prevented, thereby improving the safety of the use efficiently. |
| US09140283B2 |
Adhesively-bonded structural composite joint utilizing shoulder-centered sleeves
A composite joint includes a first member having a groove therein, a second member adjacent to the first member, and a connector member disposed between the second member and the first member. The connector member is received in the groove so as to bias a load path between the first member and the second member from a peripheral portion to a central portion of the connector member. |
| US09140281B1 |
Bisynchronous compound bow with no limb-pulley torque and enhanced limb energy storage
A bisynchronous compound archers bow configured so that no torsion related forces from the operation of the pulleys mounted proximate the ends of the bows limbs ever registers in the bows limbs, pulleys, axles or bowstring, so that no pulley related torsion is ever transmitted by way of the bowstring to arrows as they are being propelled from the bow, and further configured so that as a result of operating the limb-pulley system the amount of energy stored in each limb of a given length, width, thickness, and material of the bow is significantly increased when compared to the amount of energy stored in compound bow limbs of the same length, width, thickness, and materials in prior art compound bows. Typical increases in energy storage of limbs of a given length, width, thickness and materials of this invention will be double or more the energy achievable with similar limbs and pulleys if configured as in prior art bisynchronous compound bows. This feature allows limbs of reduced thickness to store the required amount of energy for a given draw weight bow, and the thinner and lighter limbs register less shock and vibration in the system enabling bows of the invention to shoot more quietly than prior art compound bows. |
| US09140276B2 |
Latching actuator
A latching actuator capable of repeated operation in a cryogenic, remote, or difficult-to-access environment, capable of enduring many cycles without user intervention or maintenance, capable of latching in a fixed position without consuming additional power, or to operate independent of external environmental conditions. In selected embodiments, a latching actuator may comprise an expansion chamber that houses a working substance capable of undergoing a phase change, a logic mechanism, a biasing assembly, and an output pin. In one embodiment, a wax motor may provide the motive force to toggle a latching mechanism. An actuator may be capable of positioning an output pin in two or more discrete latching positions and may be used to create a thermal connection between two structures, to engage or disengage a clutch, or to position an optical element in an optical instrument. An actuator may also be used as a launch lock apparatus. |
| US09140274B2 |
Directional valve equipped with pressure compensation
A directional valve for controlling an actuator by means of pressurized medium, including: a spool fitted to move axially inside the directional valve; a first position of the spool, in which the spool tends to be set; and a second position of the spool, to which the spool can be moved by a pilot control force. Additionally, the directional valve includes a metering orifice placed in the pressure port or in the first work port or in the second work port or in the tank port, and across which a pressure difference is effective. The spool further includes a second position, to which the spool can be moved by a pilot control force. When the spool is in at least the second position, the directional valve is fitted to generate a compensating force proportional to said pressure difference, to move the spool to compensate for the flow. |
| US09140270B2 |
Centrifugal fan assembly
The present invention relates to a centrifugal fan assembly and a HVAC-system, comprising a housing, a blower wheel comprising a plurality of fan blades, the blower wheel being rotatably mounted in the housing and constructed to generate an airflow flowing axially into the blower wheel and radially out from the blower wheel, a guiding vane device including a plurality of guiding vanes, the guiding vane device being coupled to the blower wheel and configured to guide the airflow into the blower wheel. |
| US09140266B2 |
Cooling fan
A cooling fan includes a base, a lid, a fan wheel, and an auxiliary shaft assembly. The lid is arranged above the base. The fan wheel has a shaft rotatably coupling with the base and a highest point spaced from the lid by a first gap. The auxiliary shaft assembly is arranged between a top of a hub of the fan wheel and a bottom face of the lid, with a second gap formed between the auxiliary shaft assembly and the top of the hub or between the auxiliary shaft assembly and the bottom face of the lid. The second gap is smaller than the first gap. Alternatively, the auxiliary shaft assembly has a first auxiliary shaft protruding from the top of the hub and a second auxiliary shaft disposed on the bottom face of the lid, with a second gap formed between the first and second auxiliary shafts smaller than the first gap. |
| US09140262B2 |
Turbocharger embedding an electrical machine with permanent magnets
An electrical machine (20) coupled to a compressor (12) having a rotatable shaft (16), comprising: a rotor forming part of the rotatable shaft and having at least two magnetic portions (22A, 22B) separated by an inclined non-magnetic portion (24) and two elements (26A, 26B) of non-magnetic material at each end of the rotatable shaft, a stator comprising a laminated magnetic iron stack (28) surrounded by a winding (30) and disposed along a periphery of the rotor to define a first annular gap (32), a ring (34) of non-magnetic material disposed around the stator, and a casing (40) of magnetic material comprising permanent magnets (36), disposed around the non magnetic ring and having radial walls (40A, 40B) that project inwardly towards the rotor by defining a second annular gap (42) therebetween. |
| US09140261B2 |
Shunt pulsation trap for cyclic positive displacement (PD) compressors
A shunt pulsation trap for a cyclic positive displacement (PD) compressor reduces gas pulsation and NVH, and improves off-design efficiency, without using a traditional serial pulsation dampener and a variable geometry. A shunt pulsation trap for a cyclic PD compressor is configured to trap and attenuate gas pulsations before discharge and includes a housing having a flow suction port, a flow discharge port, a compressor cavity, and a pulsation trap chamber adjacent to the PD compressor cavity. The pulsation trap chamber includes at least one pulsation dampening device, at least one injection port (trap inlet) branching off from the PD compressor cavity into the pulsation trap chamber and a feedback region (trap outlet) communicating with the PD compressor outlet. The associated methods of reducing pulsations are included as another aspect of the invention. |
| US09140260B2 |
Rotary lobe blower (pump) or vacuum pump with a shunt pulsation trap
A shunt pulsation trap for a rotary lobe blower (pump) or vacuum pump reduces pulsation and NVH, and improves efficiency, without increasing overall size of the blower or pump. A rotary lobe blower (pump) or vacuum pump has a pair of synchronized parallel multi-lobe rotors that are housed in a transfer chamber and that propel flow from a suction port to a discharge port of the transfer chamber. The shunt pulsation trap includes an inner casing as an integral part of the transfer chamber, and an outer casing oversized and surrounding the inner casing. The shunt pulsation trap houses at least one various pulsation dampening device, and includes at least one injection port (trap inlet) branching off from the transfer chamber into the pulsation trap chamber and at least one feedback port (trap outlet) communicating with the blower outlet pressure. |
| US09140253B2 |
Control device, oil well with device and method
A method of operating an oil well comprises applying through a regenerative variable frequency drive AC electrical energy from a power grid to an AC electric motor to operate a drive mechanism of an oil well pump. The motor speed is regulated in a manner to optimize fluid production and maximize the operational life of the drive mechanism, decreasing motor speed by transferring the electrical energy to the power grid and increasing motor speed by transferring the electrical energy from the power grid to the motor. The drive mechanism has a predetermined stroke cycle and, over the course of each stroke cycle, the motor is operated at different regulated speeds initiated when the drive mechanism is at a predetermined position. |
| US09140252B2 |
Fluid transporter
A fluid transporter includes: a rotor; a fluid delivery channel which has a groove having a circular-arc shape around a rotation axis of the rotor and disposed on a surface of a channel frame opposed to the rotor, and a sheet-shaped elastic member sealing an opening of the groove; and a plurality of pressing members disposed between the rotor and the elastic member to sequentially and repeatedly open and close the delivery channel from the upstream side to the downstream side by deforming the elastic member in accordance with the rotation of the rotor. |
| US09140251B2 |
Peristaltic pump arrangement and pump rollers
A peristaltic pump for use with tubing. The pump includes a raceway and a rotatably mounted rotor that form a passageway therebetween for the tubing. A plurality of roller assemblies is pivotably and eccentrically mounted to the rotor. Each roller assembly has a length, and includes a roller having an outer surface disposed to selectively roll along said tubing when received in the passageway. At least one compliance mechanism is coupled to and contained substantially within the length of each roller assembly. The compliance mechanism has first and second ends coupled to the rotor and the roller assembly, respectively. The compliance mechanism is adapted and disposed to bias the associated roller assembly outward relative to the rotor, such that a force applied to the roller assembly pivoting the roller assembly inward against the force of the compliance mechanism. |
| US09140247B2 |
Rotary piston pump for metering a coating agent
Exemplary illustrations directed to a rotary piston pump, e.g., for metering a coating agent in a coating installation, as well as exemplary methods of using the same, are disclosed. An exemplary piston pump may comprise a plurality of pump units, each having one cylinder and one rotary piston which carries out a wobbling or tumbling movement in the cylinder. |
| US09140246B2 |
Lance pump having vertically mounted stepper motor
A pump includes a pump body and an elongate tube. The pump includes an elongate core slidably received in the tube, a stepper motor having a selectively rotatable output shaft extending vertically and a transmission for effecting relative reciprocating motion between the core and the tube. The pump includes an inlet check valve mounted inside the core defining with the core an expansible and contractible lower pump chamber. The inlet check valve is oriented to open during each upward pumping stroke. The pump includes an annular upper chamber above the lower pump chamber and a lateral passage connecting the lower pump chamber to the annular upper chamber. The lateral passage has a check valve oriented to open during each downward pumping stroke. The pump includes an outlet passage connected to the annular upper chamber permitting viscous liquid to flow to the outlet passage on each upward and downward pumping stroke. |
| US09140237B1 |
Windmill
A windmill can include a first blade assembly including a plurality of blades, a sprocket and chain assembly configured to turn the first blade assembly in and out of an incoming wind, a wheel assembly, such that the wheel assembly supports the first blade assembly, and a fan assembly configured to move the sprocket and chain assembly to turn the first blade assembly a quarter turn for avoidance of damage to the windmill from a damaging wind. An ice-catcher may also move the blades out of damaging wind. The invention may include multiple blade assemblies attached to each other. |
| US09140236B2 |
Wind turbine utilizing wind directing slats
Various embodiments of a wind turbine are disclosed having a plurality of pivotable slats disposed about a rotor coupled to one or more blades. Each of the plurality of slats can be pivoted such that the open slats on a windward side redirect the wind to cause rotation of the rotor and the closed slats on a leeward side retain at least a substantial portion of the wind within the interior. |
| US09140234B2 |
Wind turbine rotor blades with reduced radar cross sections
Wind turbine rotor blades with a reduced radar cross sections include a shell having a leading edge opposite a trailing edge, a structural support member that supports the shell and is disposed internal the wind turbine rotor blade between the leading edge and the trailing edge and extends for at least a portion of a rotor blade span length, wherein the structural support member comprises carbon fiber, one or more cavities internal the wind turbine rotor blade, and a lightweight broadband radar absorbing filler material disposed in at least one of the one or more cavities to provide the reduced radar cross section. |
| US09140228B2 |
Remote start control system for a vehicle with a bus controllable transmission and associated methods
A remote start control system is for a vehicle including a data communications bus extending through the vehicle, an engine, a transmission associated with the engine and having a selectable disengaged position based upon a disengage transmission position command on the data communications bus, and a vehicle climate control system operable based upon a climate control command on the data communications bus. The system may include a remote start transmitter to generate a remote start signal. The remote start control system may also include a vehicle remote start controller at the vehicle that may include a receiver to receive the remote start signal, and at least one processor cooperating with the receiver. The at least one processor, in response to the remote start signal may generate the disengage transmission position command on the data communications bus, generate the climate control command on the data communications bus, and start the engine. |
| US09140227B2 |
Control device for vehicle
A control device for a vehicle including an engine stop and start device includes a battery and a vehicle speed detecting unit and includes a battery current detecting unit, a battery temperature detecting unit, a deceleration state detecting unit, a fuel supply stop unit, an average charging current calculating unit, and an SOC estimating unit. The control device calculates, with the average charging current calculating unit, an average of a battery current in a predetermined time from detection of a stop of fuel supply to an engine in a deceleration state of the vehicle. The control device permits a stop of the engine when an SOC calculated by the SOC estimating unit is larger than a predetermined value. |
| US09140226B2 |
DME common-rail fuel supply apparatus and method
A dimethyl ether (DME) common-rail fuel supply apparatus, may include a fuel pump fluid-connected to a fuel tank and a common rail and supplying DME fuel supplied via a fuel supply line from the fuel tank to the common rail, an injector receiving the DME fuel from the common rail and injecting the DME fuel at a predetermined pressure, a detector disposed on a fuel return line fluid-connecting the injector and the fuel tank to collect a fuel returned from the injector to the fuel tank, and a fuel amount control valve returning a portion of a fuel in the fuel pump to the fuel return line connected to the injector according to a value measured by the detector. |
| US09140223B2 |
Fuel injection system with high repeatability and stability of operation for an internal-combustion engine
The fuel injection system comprises a fuel injector controlled by commands of a control unit. The fuel injector comprises a metering servo valve having a control chamber provided with an outlet passage that is opened/closed by an open/close element that is axially movable. The open/close element is carried by an axial guide element that is separate from an armature of an electromagnet. The open/close element is held in the closing position by a spring acting through an intermediate body. In some instances, the strokes of the open/close element and of the armature are chosen so as to eliminate, upon closing of the servo valve, the rebounds of the open/close element subsequent to the first rebound. The control unit controls a fuel injection comprising a pilot fuel injection and a main fuel injection, via two distinct electrical commands, which are spaced apart by a dwell time such as to occur in an area of reduced variation of the amount of injected fuel. Therefore, the stability of operation of the fuel injection system increases as the dwell time varies. |
| US09140221B2 |
Fuel recovery system
A fuel recovery system for a machine is disclosed. The fuel recovery system may have a tank configured to store a liquid fuel. The fuel recovery system may also have an accumulator fluidly connected to the tank and configured to receive gaseous fuel formed in the tank. The fuel recovery system may further have a compressor fluidly connected to the accumulator and configured to compress the gaseous fuel. In addition, the fuel recovery system may have a separator fluidly connected to the compressor and the tank. The separator may be configured to receive the compressed gaseous fuel, and separate the compressed gaseous fuel into a first flow of gaseous fuel at a first temperature and a second flow of gaseous fuel at a second temperature. In addition, the separator may be configured to direct the second flow to the tank. |
| US09140219B2 |
Vapor fuel processing apparatus
A canister absorbs evaporated fuel produced in a fuel tank and supplies the absorbed evaporated fuel to an engine. A sealing valve is equipped between the fuel tank and the canister. A detection unit detects a state of a lid of the fuel tank. An intention estimation unit estimates existence of a refueling intention according to an activity of a user. A release time period estimation unit estimates a release time period, which is needed to release a pressure in the fuel tank, according to a state of a vehicle. A manipulation control unit opens the sealing valve when the lid is opened. The manipulation control unit opens the sealing valve, even in a case where the lid is closed, on estimation that the refueling intention exists, and on determination that the estimated release time period is greater than a predetermined time period. |
| US09140218B2 |
Actuator with valve return
A number of variations may include a product, which may include an actuator including a rotatory portion for moving a valve from a first position to a second position and a biasing spring for retuning the valve to the first position. |
| US09140216B2 |
Supercharged turbocompound hybrid engine apparatus
The present invention is relative to a control method of a turbo-compound engine apparatus wherein said apparatus comprises a low pressure compressor connected to the high pressure turbine and a low pressure turbine connected to a high pressure compressor by means of a coupling unit. The apparatus also comprises first bypassing means of said high pressure compressor. The method according to the invention comprises the step of deactivating said first bypassing means when at least a specific condition occurs. |
| US09140215B2 |
Rocket engine pressure sense line
A rocket engine with a manifold is in communication with a combustion chamber. A sense line extends through the propellant manifold and into the combustion chamber. The sense line includes a venturi arranged downstream from the combustion chamber, and at least one aperture fluidly connecting the propellant manifold to a sense-line passageway downstream from the venturi. A method of sensing conditions in a combustion chamber includes exposing an end of a sense line to the combustion chamber, creating a low static pressure in the sense line at a location upstream from the end, introducing a fluid at the location to purge the sense line, and sensing the conditions downstream from the location. |
| US09140214B2 |
Method of using an afterburner to reduce high velocity jet engine noise
A system and method of reducing noise caused by jet engines is provided. The method comprises the steps of using the afterburner to heat the exhaust gas flow while simultaneously reducing power to the core engine. Together these two operations reduce the pressure of the exhaust gas in the nozzle area while holding the exhaust gas velocity constant, which maintains engine thrust while decreasing engine noise. The method may be supplemented by altering the location of the afterburner flames to create an inverted exhaust velocity profile, thereby decreasing engine noise even further. |
| US09140213B2 |
Leaf spring damper for a turbine engine fuel delivery system
A turbine engine fuel delivery system includes a mounting platform, a spray bar assembly and a leaf spring damper with a stack of a plurality of leaf springs. The stack includes a base segment connected longitudinally between a first spray bar contact segment and a second spray bar contact segment. The base segment is connected to the mounting platform and is located a first distance from the spray bar assembly. The first spray bar contact segment engages the spray bar assembly and is located a second distance from the mounting platform. The second spray bar contact segment engages the spray bar assembly and is located a third distance from the mounting platform. |
| US09140209B2 |
Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system
A waste heat recovery (WHR) system connects a working fluid to fluid passages formed in an engine block and/or a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, forming an engine heat exchanger. The fluid passages are formed near high temperature areas of the engine, subjecting the working fluid to sufficient heat energy to vaporize the working fluid while the working fluid advantageously cools the engine block and/or cylinder head, improving fuel efficiency. The location of the engine heat exchanger downstream from an EGR boiler and upstream from an exhaust heat exchanger provides an optimal position of the engine heat exchanger with respect to the thermodynamic cycle of the WHR system, giving priority to cooling of EGR gas. The configuration of valves in the WHR system provides the ability to select a plurality of parallel flow paths for optimal operation. |
| US09140205B2 |
Method and device for operating a pressure-regulating valve
A method for operating a pressure-regulating valve of a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine of, in particular, a motor vehicle; the fuel injection system including a pressure reservoir for storing pressurized fuel, as well as a feed device for delivering fuel to the pressure reservoir; and fuel being removable from the pressure reservoir via the pressure-regulating valve. In an overrun mode of the internal combustion engine, a delivery quantity of fuel delivered to the pressure reservoir by the feed device is set to a value greater than zero, and that a fuel pressure in the pressure reservoir is ascertained. |
| US09140204B2 |
Handheld work apparatus having an air-cooled combustion engine
A portable, handheld work apparatus such as a chain saw has a handle (5, 7) to guide the work apparatus (1) and has an air-cooled, mixture-lubricated combustion engine (10) arranged in a casing as a drive for a work tool (3). The cylinder (11) has a combustion chamber (13) formed therein to which an air/fuel mixture is supplied. The air/fuel mixture is ignited by a spark plug (23) which projects into the combustion chamber (13). An ignition control (30) triggers a spark in dependence on the angular position of the crankshaft (15). A temperature sensor (35, 45, 55) is provided to control the cylinder temperature. The temperature signal of the temperature sensor (35, 45, 55) is connected to a power control (40). When a predetermined temperature is exceeded, the power control (40) changes the operating parameters of the combustion engine (10) in such a manner that the power of the combustion engine (10) is changed. |
| US09140203B2 |
Apparent plumbing volume of air intake and fresh airflow value determination
An apparatus for fresh airflow determination includes an operating conditions module that interprets a MAF value, a current operating condition and a charge flow value. The apparatus further includes a volume estimation module that determines an apparent plumbing volume of an air intake assembly in response to the MAF value, the current operating condition and the charge flow value. The apparatus further includes a volume reporting module that provides the apparent plumbing volume. |
| US09140202B2 |
Sensor control device, sensor control method and computer readable recording medium
In a sensor control device, it is determined whether a gas sensor is activated. A concentration control is performed at an elapse timing which elapses by a first constant time from an activation timing at which the gas sensor is determined to be activated. A preliminary control is performed in at least a partial period between the elapse timing and a start timing at which a drive control is started. |
| US09140199B2 |
Combustion mode switching with a turbocharged/supercharged engine
A method for switching between low- and high-dilution combustion modes in an internal combustion engine having an intake passage with an exhaust-driven turbocharger, a crankshaft-driven positive displacement supercharger downstream of the turbocharger and having variable boost controllable with a supercharger bypass valve, and a throttle valve downstream of the supercharger. The current combustion mode and mass air flow are determined. A switch to the target combustion mode is commanded when an operating condition falls within a range of predetermined operating conditions. A target mass air flow to achieve a target air-fuel ratio corresponding to the current operating condition and the target combustion mode is determined. The degree of opening of the supercharger bypass valve and the throttle valve are controlled to achieve the target mass air flow. The amount of residual exhaust gas is manipulated. |
| US09140196B2 |
Method for controlling a gas turbine and gas turbine for implementing the method
A method for controlling a gas turbine, including during transient operating states, and such a gas turbine are provided. The gas turbine includes a compressor for compressing inducted combustion air, a combustion chamber for generating hot gas by combusting a fuel with the aid of the compressed combustion air, and a multistage turbine for expanding the generated hot gas and performing work. The controlling of the gas turbine is carried out in accordance with the hot gas temperature which is derived from a plurality of other measured operating variables of the gas turbine. A reliable controlling of the gas turbine is achieved, even during rapid changes, by pressure measurements being gathered exclusively at different points of the gas turbine for derivation of the hot gas temperature. |
| US09140195B2 |
Exhaust temperature versus turbine pressure ratio based turbine control method and device
Gas turbine, software and method for controlling an operating point of the gas turbine that includes a compressor, a combustor and at least a turbine is provided. The method includes determining a turbine exhaust pressure at an exhaust of the turbine; measuring a compressor pressure discharge at the compressor; determining a turbine pressure ratio based on the turbine exhaust pressure and the compressor pressure discharge; calculating an exhaust temperature at the exhaust of the turbine as a function of the turbine pressure ratio; identifying a reference exhaust temperature curve in a plane defined by the exhaust temperature and the turbine pressure ratio; and controlling the gas turbine to maintain the operating point on the reference exhaust temperature curve. |
| US09140191B2 |
System for controlling two positive displacement pumps
A fuel system, such as for use in an aircraft, comprises a main pump, a servo pump, a modulating valve, a shut-off valve, an actuator and a pump sharing valve. The main pump and the servo pump receive fuel from a source. The metering valve receives main flow from the main pump. The shut-off valve receives fuel flow from the metering valve. The actuator receives fuel flow from the servo pump. The pump sharing valve receives circulating flow from the servo pump and alternatively directs shared flow to the main flow or an inlet of the servo pump. The pump sharing valve also sends main pump flow to supplement the servo pump during shutdown conditions. |
| US09140190B2 |
Gas turbine engine fuel metering valve adapted to selectively receive fuel flow increase/decrease commands from the engine control and from the back-up fuel control
A system provides “fail fixed” functionality and allows a user to manually manipulate fuel flow to a gas turbine engine in the unlikely event the primary control means is unavailable. The fuel metering unit includes a fuel metering valve, a flow increase valve, and a flow decrease valve. The flow increase valve and flow decrease valves are both in fluid communication with the fuel metering valve and are each adapted to selectively receive fuel flow commands from a primary fuel flow command source and from a secondary fuel flow command source. The flow increase and decrease valves are responsive to the fuel flow commands to selectively control the position of the fuel metering valve. |
| US09140189B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting fuel leaks in gas turbine engines
Embodiments can provide systems and methods for detecting fuel leaks in gas turbine engines. According to one embodiment, there is disclosed a method for detecting a fuel leak in a gas turbine engine. The method may include adjusting a control valve to correspond with a desired fuel flow. The method may also include determining an actual fuel flow based at least in part on an upstream pressure in a fuel manifold and one or more gas turbine engine parameters. The method may also include comparing the desired fuel flow with the actual fuel flow. Moreover, the method may include determining a difference between the desired fuel flow and the actual fuel flow, wherein the difference indicates a fuel leak. |
| US09140186B2 |
Sweep-based membrane gas separation integrated with gas-fired power production and CO2 recovery
A process involving membrane-based gas separation and power generation, specifically for controlling carbon dioxide emissions from gas-fired power plants. The process includes a compression step, a combustion step, and an expansion/electricity generation step, as in traditional power plants. The process also includes a sweep-driven membrane separation step and a carbon dioxide removal or capture step. The carbon dioxide removal step is carried out on a portion of gas from the compression step. |
| US09140184B2 |
Supercharged combined cycle system with air flow bypass to HRSG and fan
A supercharging system includes a fan providing an air flow, and a prime mover that drives the fan. A duct directs a first portion of the air flow to a gas turbine system, a main bypass subsystem diverts a second portion of the air flow to a heat recovery steam generator; and a drive bypass subsystem that diverts a third portion of the air flow to the prime mover. The prime mover may be one of an aeroderivative gas turbine, a gas turbine, a reciprocating engine, a steam turbine and an induction motor and a variable frequency drive. |
| US09140183B2 |
Fuel injection controller
In a fuel injection controller that controls a fuel injection device that injects fuel directly into cylinders of an engine, a unit that detects an interference period gradually shifts an injection period of fuel from the fuel injector from a first period during which the injection period does not overlap with an initial value of the interference period, and is distant from the initial value by a given value or larger toward a second period during which the injection period overlaps with the initial value of the interference period. Then, the fuel injection controller detects an actual interference period according to a variation of an air-fuel ratio (A/F value) detected by an air-fuel ratio sensor toward lean. |
| US09140178B2 |
Method for purging charge air cooler condensate during a compressor bypass valve event
Methods and systems are provided for draining condensate from a charge air cooler during a compressor bypass valve event. In one example, an engine controller may open a drain valve in the charge air cooler in response to potential compressor surge conditions. Opening the drain valve may be further based on an amount of condensate in the charge air cooler and a required decrease in pressure at an outlet of the compressor during the compressor bypass valve event. |
| US09140173B2 |
Exhaust apparatus for multi-cylinder engine
An exhaust apparatus for a multi-cylinder engine which is capable of suppressing deterioration in ejector effect with a simple configuration comprises: a plurality of independent exhaust ducts each having an upstream end connected to an exhaust port of one cylinder or exhaust ports of two or more cylinders which are non-successive in terms of exhaust order; and a merged portion configured to allow exhaust gas passing through each of the independent exhaust ducts to flow thereinto and formed to be gradually reduced in diameter toward a downstream side in an exhaust gas flow direction. The independent exhaust ducts are connected to an upstream end of the merged portion in such a manner that downstream ends thereof are bundled together. An O2 sensor is provided in the merged portion or a portion of an exhaust duct line downstream of the merged portion, to partially block an exhaust gas flow passage. |
| US09140170B2 |
System and method for enhancing the performance of a selective catalytic reduction device
A system and method is provided for enhancing the performance of an SCR device, particularly by routinely reducing the amount of reductant deposits accumulated in an exhaust gas system, when the reductant is injected at a reduced temperature. The system may include an engine, an exhaust gas system, an SCR device, an injection device, and a controller configured to execute the present method. The controller may be configured to select an initial injection rate and an initial injection temperature for the reductant; estimate the amount of accumulated reductant deposits present within the exhaust gas system; compare the amount of accumulated reductant deposits to a threshold amount of reductant deposits allowable in the exhaust gas system; and initiate a reductant deposit burn-off mode when the amount of accumulated reductant deposits is greater than the threshold amount of reductant deposits allowable in the exhaust gas system. |
| US09140167B2 |
Oxidation catalyst for a lean burn internal combustion engine
An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a lean-burn internal combustion engine, engine management means and an exhaust system for treating exhaust gas of the engine. The exhaust system comprises a first oxidation catalyst disposed on a first honeycomb monolith substrate. The first oxidation catalyst comprises platinum supported on a first metal oxide support comprising at least one reducible oxide, and is substantially free of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals. The engine management means is arranged, when in use, intermittently to modulate the lambda composition of the exhaust gas entering the first oxidation catalyst to a rich lambda composition. |
| US09140165B2 |
Method for operating a delivery unit for a reducing agent and motor vehicle having a delivery unit
A method for operating a reducing agent delivery unit having a tank, a feed line running from the tank to an addition point, a return line branching off from the feed line and a valve to be activated with an electrical current for closing off the return line, includes initially applying an activation current to the valve for a first time interval. Subsequently, a holding current is applied to the valve when the first time interval has elapsed. Then, an operating variable of the delivery unit is determined and at least the activation current, the holding current and/or the first time interval are adapted as a function of the determined operating variable. A motor vehicle having a delivery unit is also provided. |
| US09140162B2 |
Exhaust purification system of internal combustion engine
In an internal combustion engine, inside of an engine exhaust passage, a hydrocarbon feed valve (17), exhaust purification catalyst (13), and intermediate NOx adsorption catalyst (15) are arranged. The intermediate NOx adsorption catalyst (15) adsorbs nitrogen-containing intermediate and NOx which are exhausted from the exhaust purification catalyst (13). To make the nitrogen-containing intermediate or NOx which is adsorbed at the intermediate NOx adsorption catalyst (15) desorb from it, the concentration of hydrocarbons flowing into the exhaust purification catalyst (13) is made to vibrate within a predetermined range of amplitude of 200 ppm or more and within a predetermined range of period of 5 seconds or less, whereby NOx which is contained in exhaust gas is removed at the exhaust purification catalyst (13) while the heat of oxidation reaction of the hydrocarbons is used to make the intermediate NOx adsorption catalyst (15) rise in temperature. |
| US09140155B2 |
Modular exhaust system
A modular exhaust system is disclosed for treating the exhaust from a fossil fuel powered prime mover; the exhaust system includes bricks, inserts placed inside of the bricks and funnels to direct exhaust through various flow paths in order to treat the exhaust. |
| US09140152B2 |
Method to diagnose a failure of an OPCJ valve of an internal combustion engine
A method is provided to diagnose a failure of an OPCJ valve of an internal combustion engine. The OPCJ valve is located in an auxiliary line connecting an engine lubrication line to at least an oil jet for squirting lubricating oil from the engine lubrication line towards a piston surface. The method provides for monitoring the pressure variation in the engine lubrication line due to a switching signal sent to the OPCJ valve. |
| US09140146B2 |
Steam generator for a rankine cycle
A steam generator (1) is provided for a Rankine cycle, especially for a waste heat recovery device (37) of an internal combustion engine (36), and preferably in a motor vehicle. The steam generator includes: a heat exchanger channel (2), in which a heat exchanger (3) is arranged, and a bypass channel (4) for bypassing the heat exchanger channel (2). A heating fluid can flow through the heat exchanger channel (2) and bypass channel (4) during the operation of the steam generator (1). A medium to be evaporated can flow through the heat exchanger (3) during operation of the steam generator (1). A compact structural shape with high energy efficiency is achieved with the heat exchanger channel (2) enveloping the bypass channel (4). |
| US09140143B2 |
Method of operating a steam power plant at low load
A method for operating a steam power plant at low load is suggested comprising the extraction of live steam LS before the last superheater SH3 and/or resuperheated steam before the last resuperheater RSH2 and using the thermal energy of this steam in other heat sinks. Thus, nearly constant steam parameters of the live steam LS are achieved and the overall efficiency of the steam power plant remains at a high level. |
| US09140138B2 |
Turbomachine containment structure
An exemplary containment structure includes an annular wall configured to receive a rotatable portion of a turbomachine. A plurality of apertures extend radially through the annular wall. The apertures have a varying circumferential width. |
| US09140137B2 |
Gas turbine engine mid turbine frame bearing support
A gas turbine engine includes high and low pressure turbines. A mid turbine frame is arranged axially between the high and low pressure turbines. A bearing is operatively supported by a support structure. An inner case is secured to the support structure and includes a first conical member and a bearing support to which the bearing is mounted. The bearing support includes a second conical member that is secured to the first conical member at a joint. The first and second conical members are arranged radially inward of the joint. |
| US09140133B2 |
Threaded full ring inner air-seal
A disclosed vane assembly includes a vane section formed of a plurality of circumferentially spaced fixed vanes. The vanes extend radially outward from an inner platform and hooked into case. The inner platform includes a mount rail extending radially inwardly from the inner platform. An air seal is attached to the inner platform of the vane section and includes a ring extending circumferentially about the axis. The disclosed air seal includes a plurality of tabs that receive lugs disposed on the mount rail. A ring nut is secured to the air seal and engaged to the mount rail for securing the vane section to the air seal. |
| US09140130B2 |
Leading edge protection and method of making
A method of forming a leading edge protection component includes depositing particles using a cold spray process on a mandrel to form a leading edge protection component; and removing the leading edge protection structure from the mandrel. The leading edge protection can be formed in one or more pieces and involve using one or more mandrels. |
| US09140128B2 |
Endwall contouring
An airfoil array is disclosed. The airfoil array may include an endwall, and a plurality of airfoils radially projecting from the endwall. Each airfoil may have a first side and an opposite second side extending axially in chord between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The airfoils may be circumferentially spaced apart on the endwall thereby defining a plurality of flow passages between adjacent airfoils. The airfoil array may further include a convex profiled region extending from the endwall near the leading edge of at least one of said plurality of airfoils, and a concave profiled region in the endwall near a middle of at least one of said plurality of flow passages. |
| US09140127B2 |
Gas turbine engine airfoil
An airfoil of a turbine engine includes pressure and suction sides that extend in a radial direction from a 0% span position at an inner flow path location to a 100% span position at an airfoil tip. The airfoil has a relationship between a tangential stacking offset and a span position that is at least a third order polynomial curve that includes at least one positive and negative slope. The positive slope leans toward the suction side and the negative slope leans toward the pressure side. An initial slope starting at the 0% span position is either zero or positive. The first critical point is in the range of 5-15% span. |
| US09140123B2 |
Cutting head tool for tunnel boring machine
A ripper tool for a tunnel boring machine includes a tool body and a plurality of cutting element inserts. The tool body has a plurality of socket cavities. A tool body blank can be heat treated to increase the hardness of the tool body blank. The socket cavities can be machined in the tool body blank after the tool body blank is heat treated. The cutting element inserts are mounted to the tool body. The cutting element inserts are respectively press fit in the socket cavities. The ripper tool can be pivotably mounted to a cutter head of the TBM. |
| US09140118B2 |
Modeling the suspendability of fibers in a treatment fluid using equations
A method of predictive modeling of a treatment fluid comprises: determining the value of properties of a base fluid and insoluble particulates; providing a proposed suspending agent; performing a first calculation of the suspendability of the proposed suspending agent as determined by a yield gravity function equation; evaluating if the result from the first calculation indicates a stable treatment fluid comprising the base fluid, the insoluble particulates, and the proposed suspending agent, or if the result does not indicate a stable treatment fluid, then: modifying the value of at least one of the properties of the proposed suspending agent, base fluid, and/or insoluble particulate; and performing a second calculation, wherein the same or different property values are continued to be modified and the calculation is continued to be performed until the result indicates a stable treatment fluid; and introducing the stable treatment fluid into a wellbore. |
| US09140117B2 |
Method for evaluating relative permeability for fractional multi-phase, multi-component fluid flow through porous media
A method for computing or estimating relative permeability for fractional multi-phase, multi-component fluid flow through a porous medium, which employs a 3D digital representation of a porous medium and a computational fluid dynamics method to calculate flow rates, pressures, saturations, velocities and other flow parameters, is described. The method employs a unique method which integrates a precursor simulation used to generate a set of variables like pressure, saturation and velocity distribution associated with a selected storage plane in the 3D digital representation of a porous medium, which variables are used as inlet condition in the workflow of a second simulation that can generate values of fractional flow rates, pressures, saturations, velocities, or other parameters of wetting and non-wetting phases, which can be used to compute or estimate relative permeability values or other fluid transport properties of the porous medium. Computerized systems and programs for performing the method are also provided. |
| US09140115B2 |
Methods of using enhanced wellbore electrical cables
A method of deploying a cable into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation that includes providing a cable. The cable includes an insulated conductor; an armor wire layer surrounding the insulated conductor; and a polymeric material disposed in interstitial spaces formed between armor wires forming the armor wire layer, and in interstitial spaces formed between the at least one armor wire layer and the at least one insulated conductor. The method also includes introducing the cable into a wellbore and performing at least one operation in the wellbore utilizing the cable. |
| US09140114B2 |
Instrumented drilling system
A technique facilitates drilling of wellbores or other types of bore holes in a variety of applications. A steerable system is designed with a main shaft coupled to a drill bit shaft by a universal joint to provide steering functionality. A sensor system is mounted on the steerable system and comprises at least one sensor positioned to measure desired parameters, such as weight on bit and/or torque on bit parameters during drilling. |
| US09140109B2 |
Method for increasing fracture area
A technique enables improvements in hydraulic fracturing treatments on heterogeneous reservoirs. Based on data obtained for a given reservoir, a fracturing treatment material is used to create complex fractures, which, while interacting with the interfaces and planes of weakness in the reservoir, develop fracture connectors, e.g. step-overs, which often grow for short distances along these planes of weakness. The technique further comprises closing or sealing at least one of the fracture connectors to enable reinitiation of fracturing from the truncated branches, and to subsequently develop additional connectors. As a result, the overall fracturing becomes more complex (more branches and more surface area per unit reservoir volume is created), which leads to an increase in the effective fracture area and improved fluid flow through the reservoir. |
| US09140108B2 |
Statistical reservoir model based on detected flow events
Computerized method and system for deriving a statistical reservoir model of associations between injecting wells and producing wells. Potential injector events are interactively identified from time series measurement data of flow rates at the wells, with confirmation that some response to those injector events appears at producing wells. Gradient analysis is applied to cumulative production time series of the producing wells, to identify points in time at which the gradient of cumulative production changes by more than a threshold value. The identified potential producer events are spread in time and again thresholded. An automated association program rank orders injector-producer associations according to strength of the association. A capacitance-resistivity reservoir model is evaluated, using the flow rate measurement data, for the highest-ranked injector-producer associations. Additional associations are added to subsequent iterations of the reservoir model, until improvement in the uncertainty in the evaluated model parameters is not statistically significant. |
| US09140103B2 |
Guidepost extension
A releasable guidepost extension is used on the seabed together with a bottom fixed guidepost part. These parts make up a guidepost for use during the lowering of a component from the surface of the water to a subsea structure. The guidepost part includes an upward (in use position) projecting end designed for engagement with a lower (in use position) end of the guidepost extension. The guidepost extension is loosely connected to the bottom fixed guidepost part via a pin and socket part on respective ends. A gap, or clearance, exists between the pin and socket part in the longitudinal direction, and at least one friction forming device arranged in the gap on either the pin part or in the socket part. The friction forming device does not get in contact, or engaged, with the other part unless the guidepost extension is subjected to a lateral force. |
| US09140102B2 |
System for real-time monitoring and transmitting hydraulic fracture seismic events to surface using the pilot hole of the treatment well as the monitoring well
Systems for determining hydraulic fracture geometry and/or areal extent of an area of interest in a reservoir, are provided. An embodiment of a system can include downhole acoustic receiver equipment isolated from fracturing operations in a lower portion of a first wellbore, and fracturing equipment located in a second wellbore connected to the first wellbore. Communications between surface equipment in the downhole acoustic receiver equipment is provided through a communications conduit bypass that permits well operations in the second wellbore without interfering with communications between the surface equipment and the downhole acoustic receiver equipment. |
| US09140101B2 |
Subsurface safety valve deployable via electric submersible pump
Certain aspects and embodiments of the present invention are directed to a subsurface safety valve disposed in a wellbore through a fluid-producing formation. The subsurface safety valve can include a closure mechanism. In some embodiments, the subsurface safety valve can be coupled with an electric submersible pump. The subsurface safety valve coupled to the electric submersible pump can be positioned in a passageway defined by a tubing string via a power cable coupled to the electric submersible pump. In some embodiments, the subsurface safety valve can include at least one terminal. The at least one terminal can form an electrical connection between the subsurface safety valve and the electric submersible pump. The subsurface safety valve can receive power from the electric submersible pump via the electrical connection. |
| US09140098B2 |
Downhole isolation and depressurization tool
A depressurization tool is described for use downhole in depressurizing an isolated zone. A decompression chamber containing a compressible fluid volume is described. The opening of the chamber is sealed with a closure that is configured to open upon application of a pressure differential across the opening. When used downhole within an isolated and nonpermeable wellbore zone, excessive ambient pressure will cause the closure to open and allow the chamber to fill with fluid at increased pressure, depressurizing the wellbore zone. The tool is useful in wellbore completion systems that include sliding sleeves. |
| US09140096B2 |
Valve system
The present invention relates to a valve system for use in a wellbore, the system comprising a side pocket mandrel and one or more well tools, where the side pocket mandrel (6) comprises an elongated body section (7) provided with connection means (8) at its ends, the elongated body section (7) being provided with a substantially fully open main bore (9) for alignment with the well tubing (3) and an offset side pocket bore (10). At least one through opening (12) is provided in the side pocket mandrel (6), leading into the side pocket bore (10), and at least one through opening (13) is provided in the internal wall (11), leading into the main bore (9), where the at least two openings (12, 13) are in fluid communication through the side pocket bore (10), in which side pocket bore (10) at least two valves (100, 101) are arranged in series to form a double fluid barrier between the main bore (9) and an outside of the pocket mandrel (6), the at least two valves (100, 101) being independently retrievable through at least one installation opening arranged in the internal wall (11) of the side pocket mandrel (6). |
| US09140092B2 |
Wellhead completion assembly capable of versatile arrangements
A wellhead completion assembly has a head connected to surface casing. A rotatable flange or the like can be used to connect various components to a threaded end of the head. A casing hanger installs in the head, and the hanger's upper end extends beyond the head's top edge. This exposed end has an external threaded connection to connect to various wellhead components using a rotatable flange or the like. For example, a locking ring can threadably connect to the head's threaded end to support the hanger in the head. Then, a rotatable flange can threadably connect to the hanger's exposed end so that another component, such as a completion spool or gate valve, can nippled up directly to the hanger. When the hanger is fluted, a pack-off assembly can allow testing off inner and outer sealing integrity via a test port accessible through an opening in the locking ring. |
| US09140088B2 |
Downhole severing tool
The pipe cutting capacity of an explosive pipe cutter may be improved by directing colliding shock fronts from opposite axial directions against a disc of metal having a shock impedance substantially corresponding to the shock impedance capacity of the explosive material. |
| US09140079B2 |
Compensator
A motion compensation system is provided for controlling relative movements between a floating vessel and an elongate element, where the elongate element is suspended by the vessel at a first end and extends into a body of water below the floating vessel. An active motion compensator is connected to the elongate element first end via an element arranged in an upper region of an erect support structure and a passive motion compensator is connected to the elongate element first end via the element. The motion compensators are structurally and operationally separate and independent units and are configured for separate and mutually independent operation. |
| US09140078B2 |
Extended range single-joint elevator
An elevator to manipulate a tubular segment includes an elevator body with a bore formed therethrough having an axis therein, the elevator body including a plurality of openings extending from an outer surface of the elevator body to the bore of the elevator body, and a base member coupled to a bottom surface of the elevator body, the base member having a guide portion that directs the tubular segment into the bore of the elevator body. The elevator also includes a plurality of slip assemblies disposed inside the plurality of openings and coupled to the elevator body, each of the plurality of slip assemblies including an actuator body coupled to the elevator body, a slip, the slip including an engagement surface disposed orthogonal to the axis of the bore of the elevator body that engages the tubular segment. |
| US09140074B2 |
Drill bit with a force application device using a lever device for controlling extension of a pad from a drill bit surface
In one aspect, a drill bit is disclosed that in one embodiment includes a pad configured to extend and retract from a surface of the drill bit and a force application device configured to extend and retract the pad, wherein the force application device includes a force action member that includes a lever action device configured to extend and retract the pad from the drill bit surface. In another aspect, a method of drilling a wellbore is provided that in one embodiment includes: conveying a drill string having a drill bit at an end thereof, wherein the drill bit includes a pad configured to extend and retract from a surface of the drill bit and a force application device that includes a lever action device configured to extend and retract the pad from the surface of the drill bit; and rotating the drill bit to drill the wellbore. |
| US09140068B2 |
Underwater drilling arrangement and method for making a bore
An underwater drilling arrangement for marking a bore in a bed of a lake, sea or river with a service platform which can be lowered for placing on the lake, sea or river bed, a drill drive which is mounted so that it is axially displaceable on the service platform, and a drill rod with drill head which can be driven in rotation via the drill drive. A conveying channel is formed in the drill rod, through which a conveying fluid together with excavated drill cuttings can be conveyed upwards, and a discharge opening for the conveying fluid together with the excavated drill cuttings is provided, via which the conveying fluid can be discharged underwater together with the excavated drill cuttings above the drill drive. |
| US09140064B2 |
Energy-efficient mobile buildings
Among other things, there is shown embodiments of an enclosure such as a portable building with features focusing on overall improvement in energy usage. Wall, roof and floor configurations are disclosed that provide significant energy savings. Methods are also disclosed for preparing such features and/or refitting existing portable buildings for such energy savings. |
| US09140061B2 |
Vertical blind united by weaving and fabricating method thereof
A vertical blind united by weaving and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed, wherein a plurality of fabric louvers 20 each having a constant width are arranged at a regular interval in one surface of a curtain section 10 having a predetermined area resulting from a mesh structure, the curtain section 10 is united with the fabric louvers 20 by weaving along longitudinal edges of the fabric louvers 20, and upper ends of the fabric louvers 20 are applied to a typical vertical blind structure, so that lighting is adjusted by rotation of the fabric louvers and air ventilation through the curtain section 10 is facilitated. |
| US09140055B2 |
Multiseal door, method for sealing an enclosure
The invention provides a door system which has a door leaf with a first horizontally disposed edge and a second horizontally disposed edge inferior to the first horizontally disposed edge. The door system also includes a rod-less cylinder in communication with the first horizontally disposed edge and a cam surface formed with the second horizontally disposed edge. The cam surface limits the door to a single plane of movement relative to an opening of an enclosure defining a door jamb. |
| US09140051B1 |
Window and method
A window unit is provided, comprising: a frame body having an upper edge, a bottom edge and two side edges defining the perimeter of the frame; a pair of side mounting flanges, each comprising a substantially vertical plate and each secured along a respective side edge of the frame; an upper mounting flange comprising a substantially vertical plate and a ledge extending outwardly from a lower edge of the vertical plate; whereby the upper mounting flange is secured along the upper edge of the frame by means of the ledge such that the vertical plate of the upper mounting flange is in a first vertical plane behind a second vertical plane of the vertical plates of the side mounting flanges. |
| US09140050B2 |
Method of installing a window arrangement comprising a number of neighbouring windows, and such a window arrangement
In the method of installing a window arrangement comprising a number of neighboring windows, a support structure including an upstand is first provided. Each window is provided with a plurality of predefined connection points, and windows are placed next to each other. One window is connected with the other and neighboring window at said predefined connection points. |
| US09140039B1 |
Adjustable striker for a vehicle closure
An adjustable striker assembly for a vehicle closure. The striker assembly employs at least one threaded connector that when rotated moves a striker relative the vehicle in an axial direction of the threaded connector. A latch in combination with the striker define a gap between the closure and vehicle part proximate the two. Adjustment of the striker via the threaded connector allows for changing the distance of the gap between the closure and vehicle part. |
| US09140035B2 |
Lock devices, systems and methods
Disclosed are various embodiments of lock devices, systems, and methods. A lock of the application can include an internal mechanism to permit backdriven operation and lost motion operation. In one form the lock can be made from an assembly of parts that have locating features that require one way installation/assembly. The lock can include an internal power source capable of driving electronics used to determine handedness of a door. |
| US09140034B2 |
Lock assembly with movable element
A lock assembly (10) including a plug (12) having a keyway (14) for inserting therein a key (16), the plug (12) arranged for movement in a bore (18) formed in a lock body (20) along a shear line (24) defined between an outer perimeter of the plug (12) and an inner perimeter of the bore (18), and at least one movable element (26, 28) slidingly disposed in an opening formed in the plug (12), wherein insertion of the key in the keyway (14) without movement of the plug (12) in the lock body (20) does not align the at least one movable element (26, 28) with the shear line (24), but movement of the plug (12) in the lock body (20) with the key (16) inserted in the keyway (14) aligns the at least one movable element (26, 28) with the shear line (24). |
| US09140026B2 |
Telescopic pumpable props
A grout fillable prop has an inner member and an outer member adapted for movement between an extended use position and a retracted position. A grout inlet is formed in an upper part of a sidewall of the outer member to allow grout to pass into the prop. The inner member and the outer member have wall portions with plastic properties and are self-supporting. An installation fitting is fitted to the grout inlet and adapted to hold a grout filling tool without the use of separate fasteners. A one way valve is fitted to the installation fitting. The one way valve is formed of a length of lay flat hose one end of which is attached to the installation fitting. The hose locates inside the prop when the installation fitting is attached to the prop. |
| US09140022B2 |
Safety guard rail
An apparatus for forming a barrier along a perimeter of a roof being formed of a roof deck and a roof covering comprises an anchor plate having a plurality of fastener bores therethrough. The anchor plate is securable between the roof deck and the roof covering proximate to the perimeter of the roof. The apparatus also comprises an upright extending between top and bottom ends. The upright is pivotally securable to the anchor plate and the top end includes at least one connector for connecting a barrier member thereto. The apparatus further includes a brace extending from the bottom end of the upright to abut against an edge surface of the roof. |
| US09140020B2 |
Assembly for wood floors and veneers
The invention provides an assembly for building wood floors or veneers consisting of three elements: a metallic profile with a design that allows supporting a wood or similar material plate, a coupling staple that is supported on a sloping wall of the profile and couples its base on a slot positioned along the width of the wood plate and that allows the adjacency of other floor or veneer plates. |
| US09140019B2 |
Facade covering panel member
A panel member prepared from a fibrous slurry and replicates a structure prepared from masonry, carpentry, or other finishes. The panel member includes a body, a plurality of ornamental sections, a plurality of interior filler sections, an exterior filler section, and a plurality of quality control elements disposed along the exterior filler section. The body is prepared from a substantial uniform caliper of fiber material. |
| US09140007B2 |
Rain screen framing system
The present invention provides a universal framing system for securing cladding to the interior or exterior of a structure. The framing system comprises hat channels, face plates, Z-channels, inside corner trims, outside corner trims, and window trims. The components of the framing system are secured to a wall of a structure, then panels of cladding are secured to the components. |
| US09140005B2 |
Self-aligning corner bead for fireproofing structural steel member and method of using same
A self-aligning corner bead for fireproofing structural steel, having a strip of welded wire fabric cut to the appropriate width for the fireproofing thickness and bent longitudinally to form an obtuse V-shaped device is disclosed. A plastic nosing is installed along one edge. A method of finishing the corners for fireproofing of structural steel member using an improved corner bead includes the step of attaching the first wing of an obtuse V-shaped device through a lathe to the structural steel member utilizing pneumatic or screw type fasteners. The mesh structure of the second wing of the V-shaped device provides a dam to form a roughened surface on the first application of fireproofing material until it hardens. |
| US09140003B1 |
Sillcock shroud for weatherproofing a sillcock
A weatherproofing shroud for weatherproofing a sillcock or faucet. The weatherproofing shroud includes a top trim piece and a bottom trim piece that are fitted together to form a continuous waterproofing channel around a sillcock or faucet. The top trim piece and bottom trim piece each include a base flange and an outer flange that, when joined together, define a J-shaped channel for accepting the insertion siding, stucco, or other exterior finishes. The top trim piece and bottom trim piece each include an arcuate seat for sealing around the pipe section of a sillcock. A base flange extension on the top trim piece fits over a corresponding top flange on the bottom trim piece to further direct any water falling thereon to run off of the shroud. The weatherproofing shroud can be used in new home construction or on existing structures. |
| US09140000B1 |
Building construction system
A building construction system is provided having an elongated track (bypass clip track) that overlays a front edge of a concrete slab. The elongated track provides an even flat surface along an uneven concrete slab because the elongated track can be placed at adjustable distances from slab edges that may be uneven. The track is secured to a bracketing structure that has foam inserts that become embedded within the top and/or bottom surface of the concrete slab after the concrete hardens. By attaching the track to these foam inserts instead of the concrete directly, breakage or spalling of the slab edge is reduced. Studs are then attached to a stud attachment plate extending from the track, such that thereafter, a wall or façade may be attached to the track that overlays the uneven slab edge. |
| US09139993B1 |
Toilet fill valve
In various embodiments, a water inlet of a toilet fill valve receives water from a water supply. A tank water outlet of the toilet fill valve provides a first portion of the water to a toilet tank. A bowl fill outlet port of the toilet fill valve provides a second portion of the water to a bowl fill restriction that is in direct contact with an extended portion of the toilet fill valve. The bowl fill restriction restricts the flow of the second portion of the water. The bowl fill restriction provides the second portion of the water to a tube that is in direct contact with the bowl fill restriction. The tube provides the second portion of the water to a toilet tank overfill tube. |
| US09139990B2 |
Food waste disposer and mounting flange therefor with mis-installation prevention features
A mounting assembly for a food waste disposer includes a lower mounting flange having mounting tabs that engage with mounting ramps of an upper mounting flange. The lower mounting flange is rotated with its mounting tabs riding on the mounting ramps of the upper mounting flange to bring the upper and lower mounting flanges securely together. The lower mounting flange includes mis-installation prevention features that if all the mounting tabs of the lower mounting flange are not properly engaged with corresponding mounting ramps of the upper mounting flange, at least one of the mis-installation prevention features will interfere with one of the mounting ramps and prevent the lower mounting flange from being rotated. |
| US09139989B2 |
Debris trap for a drain
A debris trap for a drain includes an annular rim, defining a center, with a plurality of radial prongs, extending from the rim toward the center, and oriented to catch debris in the drainage pathway. The debris trap is removably disposable within a drainage pathway of a drain body, below a removable drain grate thereof. |
| US09139988B2 |
Aeration device
Aeration devices for generating bubbles in a flow of water are disclosed including an aerator body (1), a diverter (3) including orifices (31) for receiving the flow of water, each of the orifices (31) including a decreasing pore size in the direction from the upper portion of the diverter (3b) towards the lower portion of the diverter (3a), and a lower body portion (2) including a water chamber (2a) for receiving and aerating the flow of water from the orifices (31) in the diverter (3). Aeration devices are also disclosed including a pressure compensator (6) mounted on the upper portion of the diverter (3b) for regulation of the maximum flow of water therethrough, the aerator body (1) including a ball joint opening (11) and a ball joint (12) mounted within the ball joint opening (11), the ball joint (12) comprising plastic and the upper ball joint (13) comprising metal. |
| US09139985B2 |
Method and system for controlled release of hot water from a fixture
A valve assembly for a water circulation system includes a bypass valve with an inlet and an outlet that permits recirculating flow of water from a hot water line of the water circulation system. The valve assembly also includes a shut-off valve with a valve body having a hot water inlet and a hot water outlet configured to be coupled to a fixture of the water circulation system. The shut-off valve is located proximate the fixture and operating in an open position allowing water to flow to the hot water outlet and a closed position restricting water from flowing to the hot water outlet. The shut-off valve is configured to move automatically from the open position to the closed position in a controlled manner to limit discharge, from the hot water outlet, of water having a temperature below a desired level. |
| US09139983B2 |
Construction machine
An engine (10) electronically controlled by a control device (33), a hydraulic motor (24) for traveling which is driven by a pressurized oil delivered from a hydraulic pump (13), and a traveling speed switching member (29) which switches a traveling speed by the hydraulic motor (24) at least in two stages of a low speed and a high speed. The control device (33) includes an output lowering determination unit for determining whether or not a fuel injection amount to be supplied to the engine (10) is limited and an engine output is in a lowered state and a low-speed control unit in which, when the engine (10) output is in a lowered state, a traveling speed is controlled to a low speed state kept lower than a high speed even if the traveling speed switching member (29) has been switched to the high speed side. |
| US09139975B2 |
Machine bucket
A machine bucket may include a wrapper. The wrapper may form a portion of a receptacle for holding material. The wrapper may include a curved upper portion defining an arc. The curved upper portion may have a central angle value (θU) of between approximately 109.5° and 110.5′. The wrapper may also include a curved lower portion defining an arc. The curved lower portion may have a central angle value (θL) of between approximately 44.5° and 45.5°. Such a machine bucket finds particular utility collecting and transporting material that is adherent to itself and the surfaces of the bucket. |
| US09139968B2 |
Energy absorption apparatus
A guardrail or other energy absorbing apparatus includes a plurality of terminal end rails extending longitudinally extend between a plurality of support posts, wherein a first four of said plurality of rails (labelled 1-4 below) situated at a terminal end of a guardrail, or impact end of an energy absorbing apparatus; are connected to one another at respective downstream and upstream ends via: an impact slider assembly joined to a downstream portion of terminal rail 1, and surrounding a downstream portion of terminal rail 1 and an upstream portion of an adjacent rail 2; a first set of frangible bolts which are the sole bolts connecting rail 2 and adjacent rail 3 together; and a second set of frangible bolts which connect rail 3 and adjacent rail 4 together, wherein at least one standard post bolt connects the rails 3 and 4 to a post at this joint. |
| US09139966B1 |
Vibrator mechanism usable with a concrete finishing tool
A vibration imparting device for a concrete finishing tool utilizing a housing having a chamber surrounded by an inner surface of the housing. A vibrator and a battery are placed within the chamber. The vibrator includes a resilient collar to separate the vibrator from the housing inner surface. First and second adaptors are employed for the housing to be placed between the handle and the terminus of a concrete finishing tool. |
| US09139960B2 |
Paving with a pollution-abating activity and a photocatalytic mixture for its preparation
A new photocatalytic composition is described that is designed for percolation in road surfaces. The composition contains no aggregates, but consists of cement, a photocatalyst, a superfluidifier, a viscosity modifier and an antifoaming agent, in suitable proportions. The composition is applied to porous open-graded asphalt courses, completely filling the cavities down to a thickness coming between 30 and 50 mm. The treated asphalt acquires a strong, durable photocatalytic activity, even when it is submitted to heavy mechanical loads and adverse weather conditions, as in the case of road surfaces in and out of town, liable to intense traffic. |
| US09139959B2 |
System for fastening a rail in place and fastening for a rail
A system includes a guide plate, a fastening member and a resilient member, for fastening a rail on a solid base. The guide plate serves as a guide for the rail in the horizontal direction and as a stop for movements of the rail in the vertical direction. The guide plate has a contacting surface against which the longitudinal side of the foot of the rail rests. The resilient member which rests on the guide plate exerts substantially no hold-down force on the rail and merely supports the guide plate elastically against the clamping member. The resilient member is of a W-shaped or S-shaped configuration and, in the fitted state, a portion thereof projects sufficiently far over the foot of the rail for it to be retained resiliently by the resilient member if it is moved upwards in the vertical direction. |
| US09139958B2 |
Process for the production of paper
The present invention relates to a process for producing paper which comprises: (i) providing an aqueous suspension comprising cellulosic fibers, (ii) adding to the suspension after the last point of high shear subsequent a centri-screen: (a) a first anionic component which is a water-soluble anionic anionic polysaccharide; (b) a second anionic component which is a water-dispersible or branched acrylamide-based polymer; and (c) a third anionic component which is an anionic siliceous material comprising an anionic silica-based polymer comprising anionic silica-based particles having a specific surface area within the range of from 100 to 1700 m2/g (iii) dewatering the obtained suspension to form paper. |
| US09139957B2 |
Fibrous sheet disintegrating in water, process for manufacturing said fibrous sheet, use of said fibrous sheet for the manufacture of a core
A fibrous sheet having a basis weight of between 20 and 1000 g/m2 being manufactured according to a wet papermaking process, and disintegrating in water in less than 120 seconds, has 10 to 70% starch and at least 30% of papermaking fibres on the basis of the total weight of the dry fibrous sheet. The sheet may be used for the manufacture of a water disintegrable core in a roll of tissue paper. |
| US09139956B1 |
Method for adjusting inlet flow to a flash
A flash tank including: a closed interior chamber; a gas exhaust port coupled to an upper portion of the chamber; a liquid discharge port coupled to a lower portion of the chamber; an inlet nozzle attached to an inlet port of the chamber, wherein the inlet nozzle includes a flow passage, and a movable valve plate in the flow passage, wherein the valve plate has a first position which defines a first throat in the flow passage and a second position which defines a second throat having a smaller cross-sectional area than the first throat. |
| US09139955B2 |
Method of processing chemical pulp
A method is presented, by which dewatering in paper product production, optical properties, bulk and surface smoothness of the paper product can be increased. The method involves at least one step physical treatment of the vegetable fiber raw material. |
| US09139952B2 |
Applicator for applying resin to a precreased piece of fabric and method of the same
An improved applicator for applying resin adhesive to a crease in fabric or an article of textile such as clothing in which a nozzle is located at the distal front end of the cartridge and a guide is located behind a receiver head. The receiver head is attached to the rear end of the cartridge. |
| US09139950B2 |
Dryer lint collection system
An automatic lint filter cleaning and lint collection system for a laundry dryer. The apparatus comprises a lint filter pivot chamber, a lint collection chamber, a lint filter housing pivotably mounted between the pivot chamber and collection chamber, a flange between the pivot chamber and collection chamber wherein the filter housing is biased into abutment with the flange, a lint collection container, an auger rotatably mounted within the collection chamber, and a drive assembly operably connected to the lint filter housing and auger. The drive assembly is operable to pivot the filter housing away from the flange and then to release the filter housing such that the filter housing forcibly returns into abutment with the flange and thereby causes the lint filter to release lint into the collection chamber. The drive assembly is operable to rotate the auger and thereby move lint from the collection chamber into the collection container. |
| US09139949B2 |
Device for drying laundry by means of a current of air
Device for drying laundry by means of a current of air comprises a drum to accommodate the laundry and a ducting system to direct said current of air. The ducting system has a section arranged downstream of the drum, in which the current of air is directed downwards and in which is arranged a filter to capture lint from the current of air. A scraper is assigned to the filter, in order to scrape off the lint. The receptacle has a handle and two interlinked shell elements which can be separated from each other, and which define a storage volume to accommodate the scraped-off lint. According to the invention, lint thus scraped off can be removed from the device and disposed of, without the user needing to come into direct contact with the lint. |
| US09139947B2 |
Washing and drying machine for deodorizing an outside space
Provided is a washing and drying machine (1), including: a dewatering tub (30); a blower path (71) leading to the dewatering tub (30); another blower path (81) leading to an outside of the washing and drying machine; an ion generator (75) for generating ions having sterilizing and deodorizing actions, the ion generator (75) being arranged on the blower path (71); blower means (70) for blowing the ions generated from the ion generator (75); blower-path switching means (76) for switching the blower path leading to the dewatering tub (30) and the another blower path leading to the outside of the washing and drying machine to each other; and control means (51) for activating the ion generator (75), the blower means (70), and the blower-path switching means (76) in a predetermined mode based on an operation condition of the washing and drying machine (1). |
| US09139935B2 |
Electrostatic-assisted fiber spinning method and production of highly aligned and packed hollow fiber assembly and membrane
The invention provides a highly aligned and closely packed hollow fiber assembly, wherein the assemblies of fibrous membrane has a width-to-fiber diameter ratio (W/d) larger than 10 and the orientation of the fibers is no larger than +/−10°. Also provided is an electrospinning process for the preparation of the fiber assembly of the invention and its applications. |
| US09139929B2 |
Dehydration of alcohols on a crystalline silicate of low Si/Al ratio
The present invention (in a first embodiment) relates to a process for the dehydration of an alcohol having at least 2 carbon atoms to make the corresponding olefin, comprising: introducing in a reactor a stream (A) comprising at least an alcohol, optionally water, optionally an inert component, contacting said stream with a catalyst in said reactor at conditions effective to dehydrate at least a portion of the alcohol to make an olefin, recovering from said reactor an olefin containing stream (B), Wherein, the catalyst is a crystalline silicate of the group FER, MWW, EUO, MFS, ZSM-48, MIT or TON having Si/Al under 100, or a dealuminated crystalline silicate of the group FER, MWW, EUO, MFS, ZSM-48, MTT or TON having Si/Al under 100, or a phosphorus modified crystalline silicate of the group FER, MWW, EUO, MFS, ZSM-48, MTT or TON having Si/Al under 100, the WHSV of the alcohol is at least 4 h−1 and/or the temperature ranges from 320° C. to 600° C. |
| US09139925B2 |
Mould for galvanoplasty and method of fabricating the same
The invention concerns the field of micromechanical parts, in particular, for timepiece movements. The invention relates to a method of fabricating a mold that includes the following steps: (a) providing a substrate that has a top layer and a bottom layer made of electrically conductive, micromachinable material, and secured to each other by an electrically insulating, intermediate layer; (b) etching at least one pattern in the top layer as far as the intermediate layer to form at least one cavity in the mold; (c) coating the top part of the substrate with an electrically insulating coating; and (d) directionally etching the coating and the intermediate layer to limit the presence thereof exclusively at each vertical wall formed in the top layer. |
| US09139918B2 |
Fluorine gas generating apparatus
A fluorine gas generating apparatus includes: a first main passage connected to a first gas chamber and supplying a fluorine gas to an external device; a first conveying device leading out and conveying the fluorine gas from the first gas chamber; a first pressure detector detecting the pressure on the upstream side of the first conveying device; a first pressure regulating valve returning the fluorine gas from the first conveying device to the suction side of the first conveying device; a controller controlling the opening degree of the first pressure regulating valve so that the pressure detected by the first pressure detector becomes a first set value; a start valve provided on the upstream side of the pressure detector; and a differential pressure detector for detecting the pressure difference before and after the start valve in the closed valve state. |
| US09139917B2 |
Transparent conductive porous nanocomposites and methods of fabrication thereof
A nanocomposite material that is both transparent and electrically conductive is provided. The nanocomposite comprises a nanoporous matrix, preferably formed from nanoparticles, that is internally coated with a transparent conductive material to define an internal conductive path within the nanocomposite. The nanocomposite is substantially transparent over a defined spectral range that preferably includes at least a portion of the visible spectrum, and preferably comprises pores with a mean diameter of less than approximately 25 nm. A bilayer may be formed by depositing a layer of a transparent conductive material on top of a nanocomposite layer, or by depositing a second layer of a nanocomposite having different optical properties. The nanocomposites formed using a combination of sequential and/or concurrent deposition techniques are correspondingly discrete and/or continuously varying structures. Multilayer structures, such as photonic crystal reflectors, may be formed by depositing multiple bilayers, and integrated into devices such as tandem solar cells. |
| US09139916B2 |
Method and device for recycling metal pickling baths
The invention relates to a method for recycling metal pickling baths, including rinsing baths and air washers. Said method is characterized in that a) before the recycling process, free acids in the liquid waste flows to be treated are converted into a metallic salt form, b) water is separated from the largely acid-free metallic salt solution produced in order to obtain a concentrated metal salt solution, and c) the concentrated metal salt solution is subjected to a thermal method in order to obtain metal oxides and free acids. The invention also relates to a corresponding device. The inventive method and device enable the degree of acid recovery and also the production of metal oxides to be significantly increased, with lower operating costs. |
| US09139914B2 |
Three-dimensional copper nanostructure and fabrication method thereof
This invention relates to a method of fabricating a three-dimensional copper nanostructure, including manufacturing a specimen configured to include a SiO2 mask; performing multi-directional slanted plasma etching to form a three-dimensional etching structure layer on the specimen; performing plating so that a multi-directional slanted plasma etched portion of the specimen is filled with a metal; removing an over-plated portion and the SiO2 mask from the metal layer; and removing a portion of a surface of the specimen other than the metal which is the three-dimensional etching structure layer. In this invention, a uniform copper nanostructure array can be obtained by subjecting a large-area specimen disposed in a Faraday cage to multi-directional slanted plasma etching using high-density plasma, forming a copper film on the etched portion of the specimen, and removing an over-plated copper film and the SiO2 mask, and the diameter of the copper nanostructure can be arbitrarily adjusted, thus attaining high applicability. |
| US09139912B2 |
Apparatus and method for continuous powder coating
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus by which powder is evenly dispersed and is coated on a substrate uniformly and continuously so that a uniform layer may be formed. More specifically the present invention provides a method and an apparatus for forming a coating layer that powder is coated on an entire surface of a substrate uniformly and continuously, regardless of the material or the size of the substrate, as a uniform amount of powder entrained on the carrier air which is generated by carrier air and powder transported to a carrier pipe at a certain rate is consistently fed in to a nozzle, regardless of the size, morphology, and specific weight of the powder particles. |
| US09139911B2 |
Fabrication methods for chemical compound thin films
Chemical bath deposition (CBD) apparatuses and fabrication methods for compound thin films are presented. A chemical bath deposition apparatus includes a chemical bath reaction container, a substrate chuck for fixing a substrate arranged face-down toward the bottom of the chemical bath reaction container, multiple solution containers connecting to a reaction solution mixer and further connection to the chemical bath reaction container, and a temperature control system including a first heater controlling the temperature of the chemical bath reaction container, a second heater controlling the temperature of the substrate chuck, and a third heater controlling the temperature of the multiple solution containers. |
| US09139905B2 |
Micro-channel plate detector
A method and system for providing a micro-channel plate detector. An anodized aluminum oxide membrane is provided and includes a plurality of nanopores which have an Al coating and a thin layer of an emissive oxide material responsive to incident radiation, thereby providing a plurality of radiation sensitive channels for the micro-channel plate detector. |
| US09139904B2 |
Thin film forming method
A thin film forming method for forming a thin film on a workpiece accommodated within a reaction chamber includes a first operation of supplying a first source gas and a second source gas into the reaction chamber, and a second operation of stopping the supply of the first source gas, supplying the second source gas into the reaction chamber and setting an internal pressure of the reaction chamber higher than an internal pressure of the reaction chamber set in the first operation. The first operation and the second operation are alternately repeated a plurality of times. |
| US09139903B2 |
Chemical vapor deposition of metal layers for improved brazing
A method of forming a metallic wetting layer on the surface of a metal component is provided, including the steps of placing the component into a chemical vapor deposition furnace, placing a metal-containing salt in the furnace, and heating the component and the metal-containing salt in the furnace to cause the metal from the metal-containing salt to deposit in a coating on the surface of the component forming a metallic wetting layer that improves the metallic bond of a subsequently applied brazing material. The process can be practiced with the addition of a cleaning reagent to both clean and coat in one operation. |
| US09139899B2 |
Target device, sputtering apparatus and method for manufacturing a target device
To provide a target device that can easily be reused in which the amount of gas discharge is small. The present invention is a target device including a backing plate and a target plate that is fixed to the backing plate with a metal brazing material, in which a protective film made of a TiN thin film in which a proportion of (111) plane is at a maximum is formed on an exposed portion of the backing plate. The discharge amount of gas is small, and the brazing material that adheres when fixing the target plate can be easily peeled off. |
| US09139898B2 |
Method and system for manufacturing a target for the emission of photon radiation, particularly X rays, or of particles, particularly protons or electrons, by laser firing
A method of manufacturing a target for the generation of radiation of photons, protons or electrons by means of a laser, including: forming a support including first and second surfaces connected by openings, and forming in an enclosure a layer of material on the first surface by protecting the first surface with a protection element, injecting into the enclosure a gas of filling material, adjusting the pressure in the enclosure and the temperature of the support to form plugs of material in the openings of the support, and maintaining the temperature of the support and the pressure in the enclosure at values to maintain the plugs, followed by withdrawing the protection element from the first surface, and forming a layer of metallic material on the first surface of the support and on the plugs. The pressure and support temperature are then modified to remove the plugs. |
| US09139890B2 |
Liquid storage apparatus and method of controlling the pressure in the same
The present invention is directed towards a liquid storage apparatus for use in the sulfurization facility for sulfurizing a sulfate solution to produce a sulfide, the apparatus comprising a plurality of liquid storage vessels for storing a slurry or a filtrate after solid/liquid separation, a collective conduit for collectively passing an inactive gas to be fed into the liquid storage vessels or an exhaust gas discharged from the liquid storage vessels, and a pressure control conduit for receiving the flow of the inactive gas and the exhaust gas in order to control the pressure at the inner side of the liquid storage vessels. The pressure control conduit is connected by a junction to the collective conduit and equipped with a pair of pressure control valves mounted at both, front and rear, sides of the junction communicating to the collective conduit. |
| US09139889B2 |
Apparatus for atomizing molten slag and recovering valuable metal
The present invention relates to an apparatus for atomizing molten slag and recovering valuable metals, and more particularly to an apparatus for atomizing molten slag and recovering valuable metals, which enables molten slag of a blast furnace or a converter or an electric furnace to be atomized and valuable metals to be recovered. |
| US09139885B2 |
High-strength steel sheet and high-strength zinc-coated steel sheet which have excellent ductility and stretch-flangeability and manufacturing method thereof
This high-strength steel sheet includes by mass percentage: 0.05 to 0.4% of C; 0.1 to 2.5% of Si; 1.0 to 3.5% of Mn; 0.001 to 0.03% of P; 0.0001 to 0.01% of S; 0.001 to 2.5% of Al; 0.0001 to 0.01% of N; 0.0001 to 0.008% of O; and a remainder composed of iron and inevitable impurities, wherein a steel sheet structure contains by volume fraction 10 to 50% of a ferrite phase, 10 to 50% of a tempered martensite phase, and a remaining hard phase, wherein a 98% hardness is 1.5 or more times as high as a 2% hardness in a range from ⅛ to ⅜ of a thickness of the steel sheet, wherein a kurtosis K* of the hardness distribution between the 2% hardness and the 98% hardness is −1.2 to −0.4, and wherein an average crystal grain size in the steel sheet structure is 10 μm or less. |
| US09139881B2 |
Method for assessing breast cancer susceptibility
The present invention aims to provide a method for determining breast cancer susceptibility, in which a DNA copy number polymorphism associated with breast cancer susceptibility is identified and determination is made based on an increase or decrease in the DNA copy number polymorphism. The present invention attempts to achieve this by performing microarray assay using the peripheral blood of sporadic breast cancer patients, identifying a DNA copy number polymorphism associated with breast cancer susceptibility in a chromosomal region, detecting the number of copies of the above DNA copy number polymorphism by quantitative PCR, and then determining breast cancer susceptibility based on an increase or decrease in the DNA copy number polymorphism. Furthermore, the precision of the determination of breast cancer susceptibility can be improved by detecting a DNA copy number polymorphism by the aforementioned quantitative PCR by selecting two or more chromosomal regions and then performing a discriminant analysis based on the results thus obtained. |
| US09139874B2 |
Bi-directional sequencing compositions and methods
In some embodiments, methods for obtaining sequence information from a nucleic acid template linked to a support include hybridizing a first primer to a template strand linked to a support, sequencing a portion of the nucleic acid template, thereby forming an extended first primer product that is complementary to a portion of the nucleic acid template. In some embodiments, the method further includes introducing a nick into a portion of the template strand that is hybridized to the extended first primer product, degrading a portion of the template strand from the nick using a degrading agent, where a portion of the extended first primer remains hybridized to an undegraded portion of the template strand, and sequencing at least some of the single-stranded portion of the extended first primer by synthesis. |
| US09139872B2 |
Method and apparatus for analyzing nucleic acid by compensating for crosstalk in polymerase chain reaction data and other data
A method of analyzing nucleic acid by compensating for crosstalk in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) data and other data, wherein crosstalk signals associated with multiple fluorescent dyes are corrected by using fluorescent intensity variations detected from a concentration difference of the fluorescent dyes, and apparatus for performing the method. |
| US09139867B2 |
Rationale, methods, and assays for identifying human and non-human primate taste specific genes and use thereof in taste modulator and therapeutic screening assays
This invention relates to novel rationale and methods for identifying human and primate taste-specific genes, including genes involved in salty taste perception, especially human salty taste perception, but also genes involved in sweet, bitter, umami, and sour taste perception, and genes involved in other taste cell or taste receptor related activities such as digestive function and digestive related diseases, taste cell turnover, immunoregulation of the oral and digestive tract, and metabolic regulation such as in diabetes and obesity, the genes identified using these methods, and assays for identifying taste modulators (enhancers or blockers) and potential therapeutics using these genes. These compounds have potential application in modulating (enhancing or blocking) taste perception, especially salty taste perception and as potential therapeutics. In addition, this invention relates to novel methods for identifying taste-specific genes that can be used as markers for different taste cell types, including sweet, bitter, umami, sour, salty, and other taste cells in mammals as well as assays that measure the activity of the sweet, bitter, umami, or sour receptor in the presence of these genes to identify modulators of sweet, bitter, umami, and sour taste and to identify therapeutics especially for treating digestive or metabolic disorders, taste loss, and oral infections. Particularly, the genes identified herein and antibodies or oligos thereto can be used as markers to identify and/or purify specific taste cells e.g., from taste cell suspensions by use of FACS or magnetic bead cell selection or other known cell purification and isolation procedures. |
| US09139864B2 |
c-Src selected reaction monitoring assay
Objective quantitation of the c-Src protein directly in cancer patient tissue can aid in determining the aggressiveness of an individual patient's tumor as well as help make more informed decisions about choice of therapy. However, the c-Src protein is currently analyzed directly in formalin fixed patient tissue only by immunohistochemistry methodology which is at best subjectively semi-quantitative. This invention describes an objective quantitative assay for the c-Src protein using mass spectrometry as the analytical methodology. Specific peptides, experimentally discovered characteristics about the peptides, and experimentally established assay conditions based on those peptide characteristics are provided for use in a mass spectrometry-based Selected Reaction Monitoring (SRM) assay in order to measure relative or absolute quantitative levels of c-Src directly in a protein preparation obtained from a formalin fixed cancer patient tissue sample. |
| US09139863B2 |
Engineered conformationally-stabilized proteins
Provided herein are conformationally stabilized ubiquitin proteins and methods for using the same to identify agents that bind to the stabilized ubiquitin protein or that bind to a protein that interacts with or processes the stabilized form of the ubiquitin protein. Also provided herein are methods for screening for conformationally stabilized proteins having increased binding affinity to a binding partner in comparison to the binding affinity of the wildtype form of the protein to the binding partner. |
| US09139862B2 |
Fluorescent cyclic peptides, preparation method thereof and use of these peptides for measuring the enzymatic activity of a protease enzyme
The invention pertains to a cyclic peptide comprising the following sequence: -S1-X1-S2-X2- wherein S1 is a first target peptide sequence of a protease enzyme E1, S2 is a second target peptide sequence of a protease enzyme E2, S1 and S2 possibly being the same or different, said first peptide sequence S1 and said second peptide sequence S2 comprising 4 to 14 amino acids, E1 and E2 possibly corresponding to the same protease enzyme or to two different protease enzymes, X1 is a probe carrying a fluorescent donor group and X2 is a probe carrying a fluorescent or non-fluorescent acceptor group. Application of these peptides to determination of the activity of protease enzymes. |
| US09139859B2 |
Method for preparing (R)-praziquantel
The invention relates to a new method for preparing (R)-praziquantel. In the invention, by taking advantage of the high stereo selectivity, site selectivity and region selectivity of an enzyme, an intermediate of a pure optical and chiral (R)-praziquantel are obtained by means of the dynamic kinetic resolution of an enantiomer from the synthesized racemate or derivatives thereof, and the (R)-praziquantel is obtained by using various conventional and mature organic chemical reactions with higher yield. The method of the invention has the potential advantages of easily available raw materials, low cost, environmentally safer process and convenience for large-scale production. Also, the purity of the end product can be more than 98%. By adopting the invention, the quality of the product is improved and a basis for developing high quality of active pharmaceutical ingredients and formulations is established, and thus the pending industrial problem of purifying praziquantel over 30 years becomes solvable. |
| US09139858B2 |
Method and apparatus for mixing a lignocellulosic material with enzymes
A method to treat a lignocellulosic material including: pretreating the lignocellulosic material to produce a slurry; adding an alkali material to the slurry in a first conveyor; adding a first portion of an enzyme solution to the slurry while the slurry is in, entering or passing through the discharge of a second conveyor; transferring the slurry with the enzyme solution from the second conveyor slurry to a mixer; mixing the slurry with a second portion of the enzyme solution, and transferring the slurry with the enzyme solution mixed with the first and second portions of the enzyme solution to a first reactor vessel for enzymatic hydrolysis, wherein the viscosity of the slurry is reduced in the first reactor vessel. |
| US09139855B2 |
Production of triacylglycerides from renewable biomass using oleaginous microorganisms
The embodiments disclosed herein relate to bacterial cell production of triacylglycerides from renewable biomass resources. |
| US09139849B2 |
Rapid generation of long synthetic centromeric tandem repeats for mammalian artificial chromosome formation
Methods are described for construction of long synthetic arrays of DNA repeats, such as alphoid repeats or other repeat sequences. The methods include concatamerization of DNA into short repeats (for instance using rolling circle amplification or directional in vitro ligation), followed by assembling the short repeats into long arrays by homologous recombination during transformation into microbe cells. These methods can be described generally as Recombinational Amplification of Repeats (RAR). The long arrays are engineered centromere-like regions that allow one to construct mammalian artificial chromosomes with a predefined centromeric region structure. Artificial chromosomes, including human artificial chromosomes with a regulated centromere, and methods of their use are also provided. |
| US09139846B2 |
Lettuce variety 45-21 RZ, lorquinas RZ
The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed designated 45-21 RZ, which exhibits a combination of traits including resistance to downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) races Bi:1 to Bl:28 and CA-I to CA-VIII, resistance to currant-lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribisnigri) biotype Nr:0, very slow bolting, moderately to deeply incised margins of the mature leaves and a large head size. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 45-21 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 45-21 RZ. |
| US09139844B2 |
Combined use of Cry1Ca and Cry1Ab proteins for insect resistance management
The subject invention includes methods and plants for controlling lepidopteran insects, said plants comprising Cry1Ca insecticidal protein and a Cry1Ab insecticidal protein in combination to delay or prevent development of resistance by the insects. |
| US09139843B2 |
Endotoxins having nematocidal activity and methods of use thereof
The invention provides novel δ-endotoxin polypeptides, and variants and fragments thereof, obtained from Bacillus thuringiensis having pesticidal activity against nematodes. Particular embodiments of the invention provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins, biopesticide compositions, expression cassettes, and transformed microorganisms and plants comprising a nucleic acid of the invention. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant parasitic nematodes. |
| US09139839B2 |
Plant egg cell transcriptional control sequences
The present invention relates generally to transcriptional control sequences. Generally, the present invention relates to transcriptional control sequences that specifically or preferentially direct expression of a nucleotide sequence of interest in a plant egg cell. The present invention is predicated, in part, on the identification of transcriptional control sequences derived from EC1 genes which, in preferred embodiments, direct preferential expression in an egg cell of at least one plant taxon. |
| US09139833B2 |
Modified small interfering RNA molecules and methods of use
The present invention provides double-stranded RNA molecules that mediate RNA interference in target cells, preferably hepatic cells. The invention also provides double-stranded RNA molecules that are modified to be resistant to nuclease degradation, which inactivates a virus, and more specifically, hepatitis C virus (HCV). The invention also provides a method of using these modified RNA molecules to inactivate virus in mammalian cells and a method of making modified small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) using human Dicer. |
| US09139830B2 |
Methods and compositions for inducing deregulation of EPHA7 and ERK phosphorylation in human acute leukemias
Methods for assessing a pathological condition in a subject include measuring one or more markers where a difference is indicative of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or a predisposition to ALL, uses and compositions are disclosed. |
| US09139823B2 |
Polypeptides having endoglucanase activity and polynucleotides encoding same
The present invention provides isolated polypeptides having endoglucanase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also provides nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cell comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides. |
| US09139821B2 |
Biocatalysts and methods for synthesizing derivatives of tryptamine and tryptamine analogs
The present disclosure provides engineered transaminase polypeptides for the production of amines, polynucleotides encoding the engineered transaminases, host cells capable of expressing the engineered transaminases, and methods of using the engineered transaminases to prepare compounds useful in the production of active pharmaceutical agents. The present disclosure provides engineered polypeptides having transaminase activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, methods of the making the polypeptides, and methods of using the polypeptides for the biocatalytic conversion of ketone substrates to amine products. The present enzymes have been engineered to have one or more residue differences as compared to the amino acid sequence of the naturally occurring transaminase of Vibrio fluvialis. In particular, the transaminases of the present disclosure have been engineered for efficient formation of chiral tryptamine derivatives from its corresponding prochiral ketone substrates. |
| US09139811B2 |
Composition for suspension culturing of stem cells
The present invention relates to a composition for suppressing the death of stem cells during suspension culturing, a composition for mass culturing of stem cells, and a method for suppressing cell death of stem cells during suspension culturing. The composition of the present invention can be usefully used for effective single suspension culturing of stem cells, particularly, mesenchymal stem cells, or used for mass suspension culturing under the circumstances in which cell aggregation does not occur. |
| US09139808B2 |
Processor unit for processing and controlling a preparation of a blood sample and a method
Processor unit for processing and controlling a preparation of a blood sample placed in a preparation unit arranged in said processor unit comprising a piston placed in a first chamber for containing the blood sample. A part of the processed blood moves from the first chamber to a second chamber. The blood sample is centrifuged into separate layers comprising an outer layer adhering to the inner side of the outer first chamber wall and an inner layer placed opposite the outer layer. That the processor unit further comprises a first unit for emitting an outcome signal through the first chamber and a second unit for detecting after the signal has passed the first chamber an income signal. The piston is moved as a function of the detected income signal of the second unit. |
| US09139801B2 |
Metallic soap compositions for various applications
Metallic soap compositions for use in various applications, including as adhesives, as having anti-corrosion properties on certain surfaces or materials, and as asphalt modifiers to reduce viscosity in an asphalt mixture, and process for making the same, are disclosed. The processes comprise at least a partial saponification of a mixture of an oil, often a natural oil which may be hydrogenated and/or metathesized, and a metal compound via a fusion process, or may comprise at least a partial saponification of a mixture of a similar oil and a metal compound, or optionally a fatty acid derived from a similar oil, via an aqueous process, with an optional addition of an inorganic metal salt via at least one ion exchange reaction. |
| US09139799B1 |
Scale-inhibition compositions and methods of making and using the same
Provided are scale-inhibition compositions comprising (a) a first acrylic acid polymer having an average molecular weight of about 3000 to about 6000; (b) a second acrylic acid polymer having an average molecular weight of about 6000 to about 10000; (c) an aminocarboxylic acid selected from methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA), glutamic acid diacetic acid (GLDA), diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), hydroxyethyl ethylene diamine triacetic acid (HEDTA), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and a combination thereof; and (d) a phosphonic acid selected from 1-hydroxyethane 1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP), amino tris(methylenephosphonic acid) (ATMP), ethylenediamine tetra(methylene phosphonic acid) (EDTMP), tetramethylenediamine tetra(methylene phosphonic acid) (TDTMP), hexamethylenediamine tetra(methylene phosphonic acid) (HDTMP), diethylenetriamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid) (DTPMP), and a combination thereof. The scale-inhibition compositions may be useful in machine ware washing detergents and formulations. |
| US09139793B2 |
Grease composition, grease-packed bearing, universal joint and linear motion device
The present invention provides a grease composition which contains a small amount (not more than 0.06 wt %) of molybdenum and yet is capable of achieving an excellent low friction property when mechanical parts in which the grease composition has been packed are operated under a severe sliding condition in which they are subjected to a high speed and a high contact pressure. The present invention also provides a bearing, a universal joint, and a linear motion device in which the grease composition of the present invention is packed. A grease composition (7) is packed inside a grease-packed bearing (1) in such a way that the grease composition (7) is applied to at least the circumference of each rolling element (4). The grease composition (7) contains base oil, a thickener, and an additive. The additive includes molybdenum dithiocarbamate and sodium dithiocarbamate. |
| US09139792B2 |
Processes of preparing estolide base oils and lubricants that include transesterification
Provided herein are processes of producing estolide base oils, including the process comprising providing at least one fatty acid ester, and contacting the at least one fatty acid ester with at least one fatty acid to form an estolide base oil. Exemplary processes include the use of transesterification to form the at least one fatty acid ester and/or estolide base oil. |
| US09139789B2 |
Method of producing a petroleum substitute by the extraction of wood or tree material
A method for producing a petroleum substitute through a solvent extraction of woody tree material is provided. A raw biomass of woody tree material is processed into solvent-permeable wood particles and chips. Naturally occurring hydrocarbons suitable for use as a petroleum substitute are extracted by a mixture of polar and non-polar organic solvents in a counterflow operation. The extracted hydrocarbon oils are then separated from the solvent for use as a petroleum substitute, while the solvent is reused in the extraction process. |
| US09139788B2 |
System and method for dry feed gasifier start-up
A gasification system including a first feed line, a second feed line, a stabilization fuel line, and a fuel feed system controller including a processor. The processor is programmed to enable the stabilization fuel line to inject a stabilization fuel into a gasifier to initiate a stabilizer flame inside the gasifier, enable the first feed line to inject a dry fuel into the gasifier at a start-up dry fuel flow rate, increase the flow rate of the dry fuel from the start-up dry fuel flow rate to a normal operating condition (NOC) dry fuel flow rate, decrease a flow rate of the stabilization fuel as the flow rate of the dry fuel increases to the NOC dry fuel flow rate, and prevent the stabilization fuel line from injecting the stabilization fuel into the gasifier once the flow rate of the dry fuel is at the NOC dry fuel flow rate. |
| US09139786B2 |
Methods and systems for sensing
A sensing device for sensing a substance includes a photonics integrated circuit having a resonator element that supports two different radiation modes, e.g. radiation modes of different polarisation, at a predetermined resonance wavelength. The resonator element is configured to convert a phase change or amplitude change experienced by the two different radiation modes upon formation of a layer of receptor molecules onto a sensing surface of the device into a resonance wavelength shift for the two different radiation modes. The sensing device also includes a detection unit arranged to detect the resonance wavelength shift for the two different radiation modes. The detection unit includes a processor that is configured to derive from the detected resonance wavelength shifts for the two different radiation modes, a layer thickness and refractive index of the layer of receptor molecules. |
| US09139785B2 |
Method and apparatus for gasification of organic waste in batches
A gasification reactor for processing organic waste in batches comprises a primary gasification reactor (62) that includes a primary gasification chamber (18) and a surrounding combustion chamber (19), a secondary gasification chamber (21), a synthesis gas decontamination unit (42) and a combustible gas selector (41). The waste is loaded into the primary gasification chamber through a latched opening and heated from the combustion of a fuel in the combustion chamber (19) to convert the waste to a synthesis gas. The gasification chamber (18) has an intake (20) for introducing pre-heated process air (1) therein. The combustion chamber operates either with a conventional fuel (9) or with the produced synthesis gas (6). The secondary gasification chamber (21) thermally treats the synthesis gas (2) to eliminate tars. The decontamination unit (42) scrubs the synthesis gas of contaminants including particulates and acid gases. The clean synthesis gas (6) is directed to the combustible gas selector (41) which selectively feeds either the combustible fluid (9) or the synthesis gas (6) to the burner (40). |
| US09139784B2 |
Reducing fouling in heat exchangers
In the solution polymerization of ethylene co and homopolymers the solution leaving the reactor is heated to separate polymer from solvent and residual monomers. Fouling in the heat exchanger may be reduced by adding to the solution from 0.01 to 100 ppm by weight of a polyoxyalkylene compound of the formula HO—(CH2CH2O)M[CH2CH(CH3)O]N(CH2CH2O)PH wherein M, N and P each represent the average number of repeating units and M is from 0 to 20, N is from 2 to 50 and P is from 0 to 20 and passing the solution through a heat exchanger to increase its temperature by at least 20° C. |
| US09139783B2 |
Hydroprocessing light cycle oil in liquid-full reactors
A process for the hydroprocessing of a low-value light cycle oil (LCO) hydrocarbon feed to provide a high-value diesel-range product. The process comprises a hydrotreatment stage followed by a hydrocracking stage, each of which is conducted under liquid-full reaction conditions wherein substantially all the hydrogen supplied to the hydrotreating and hydrocracking reactions is dissolved in the liquid-phase hydrocarbon feed. Ammonia and optionally other gases formed during hydrotreatment are removed in a separation step prior to hydrocracking. The LCO feed is advantageously converted to diesel in high yield with little loss of hydrocarbon to naphtha. |
| US09139782B2 |
Targeted pretreatment and selective ring opening in liquid-full reactors
A process for hydroprocessing hydrocarbons in a combined targeted pretreatment and selective ring-opening unit wherein the targeted pretreatment comprises at least two stages in a single liquid recycle loop. The process operates as a liquid-full process, wherein all of the hydrogen dissolves in the liquid phase. Heavy hydrocarbons and light cycle oils can be converted in the process to provide a liquid product having over 50% in the diesel boiling range, with properties to meet use in low sulfur diesel. |
| US09139778B2 |
Chemical process to recover hydrocarbons from tar/oil sands and terra
This is directed to a novel chemical mixture process resulting in the production of an inorganic polymeric water complex with enhanced surface acting agent characteristic derived from the synergistic effects caused by individual chemical mechanisms within the mixture that is capable of separating, extracting and recovering hydrocarbons from tar/oil sands, oil shale, petroleum tailings or other types of terra based hydrocarbons. |
| US09139777B2 |
Composition of liquid crystal medium
The present invention provides a composition of liquid crystal medium. The composition of liquid crystal medium includes a negative type liquid crystal material, a stabilizer, one or more than one type of polymerizable monomers capable of forming a polymerization under ultraviolent irradiation and a polymerizable photo-initiator; wherein a structural formula of the polymerizable monomers comprises at least one aromatic ring and at least a polymerizable group connected to the aromatic ring. In the composition of liquid crystal medium according to the present invention, a structural formula of the polymerizable monomers includes at least one aromatic ring and at least a polymerizable group connected to the aromatic ring, and a structural formula of the polymerizable photo-initiator includes a benzene ring or cyclohexane so as to provide a broader conjugate system than conventional photo-initiators. Therefore, the composition of liquid crystal medium can greatly increase initiation efficiency of a polymerization. |
| US09139776B2 |
Composite comprising a polymer and a blue phase liquid crystal, a method for preparing the composite, and a liquid crystal display device comprising the composite
The present invention relates to a composite comprising a polymer and a blue phase liquid crystal (BPLC). The polymer is a crosslinked and non-liquid crystalline polymer, the BPLC is dispersed in said polymer, and the ratio of the polymer to the BPLC by weight (Wp/Wl) satisfies the relationship: 12:88 |
| US09139774B2 |
Diacetylene derivative and liquid crystalline polymer having diacetylene structure
The present invention provides a diacetylene derivative represented by the following formula (A) which exhibits liquid crystallinity by itself and has a large refractive index anisotropy or does not exhibit liquid crystallinity by itself but exhibits a large refractive index anisotropy when added to a liquid crystalline compound: R1-Sp1-(Ar1)p-(Ar3)q-(Phe)r-C≡C—C≡C-(Phe)r-(Ar4)q-(Ar2)p-Sp2-R2 (A) (wherein R1 and R2 are a hydrogen, halogen, cyano, isothiocyanate, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or reactive group, SP1 and SP2 are each a spacer group, Ar1 and Ar2 are each a non-substituted or substituted aromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclic group, Ar3 and Ar4 are each a non-substituted or substituted heterocyclic group, Phe is a non-substituted or substituted 1,4-phenylene group, and p, q and r are each 0 or 1. |
| US09139768B2 |
Variable data printing for security purposes using ceramic sub-micron infrared-luminescent particles in inkjet ink
Methods and apparatus for variable data printing for security purposes using ceramic sub-micron infrared-luminescent particles in inkjet ink. An example apparatus includes an inkjet printer containing marked ink, the marked ink containing particles consisting of rare earth doped ceramics, wherein the particles are less than one micron in size, the particles are suspended in the marked ink, and the particles have luminescent properties such that when the particles are illuminated by first electromagnetic radiation having a first wavelength, the particles emit infrared light having a peak wavelength at a second wavelength. |
| US09139767B2 |
Methods for encapsulating nanocrystals and resulting compositions
The present invention provides methods for hermetically sealing luminescent nanocrystals, as well as compositions and containers comprising hermetically sealed luminescent nanocrystals. By hermetically sealing the luminescent nanocrystals, enhanced lifetime and luminescence can be achieved. |
| US09139762B2 |
Swellable polymer with cationic sites
The invention is directed to long lasting crosslinked water-soluble swellable polymers, methods for making same, and their uses. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition comprising expandable polymeric particles having cationic sites as well as labile crosslinkers and stable crosslinkers, said particle mixed with a fluid. A particularly important use is as an injection fluid in petroleum production, where the expandable polymeric particles are injected into a target zones in the reservoirs and when the heat and/or a suitable pH in the reservoir cause degradation of the labile crosslinker and when the particle expands, the cationic sites in the polymer adsorb to negative sites of the rock in the formation, thus diverting water to lower permeability regions and improving oil recovery. However, many other uses are possible. |
| US09139758B2 |
Coated ice melting compositions
Ice melting compositions, methods for manufacturing ice melting compositions, and methods for melting ice are disclosed. The ice melting compositions can include a coarse deicing particle nucleus and a fine deicing particle coating substantially surrounding the coarse deicing particle nucleus. The fine particle coating can be attached or bonded to the coarse particle nucleus with a binder. The coarse particle nucleus and the fine particle coating can have a variety of particle sizes. |
| US09139756B2 |
Curable and cured adhesive compositions
Curable adhesive compositions, cured adhesive compositions, and articles that include the cured adhesive compositions are described. The curable adhesive composition contains a) an epoxy resin, b) a curing agent, c) a reactive liquid modifier, and d) a toughening agent. The cured adhesive compositions can be used as structural adhesives. |
| US09139749B2 |
Ink composition, recording method, printed matter, ink cartridge, and inkjet recording device
An ink composition contains a pigment represented by the following chemical formula 1; a hydrosoluble solvent; and water, wherein the pigment satisfies the following relation 1:0.040 |
| US09139747B2 |
Image forming method
An image forming method has applying an ink composition winch includes: at least a pigment, water, and polyvalent (meth)acrylamide of 3.0 mass % or more and 15.0 mass % or less with respect to the entire ink composition as a polymerizable compound, to a coated paper having a pigment layer on at least one surface of a support in which cellulose pulp is a main component, using an ink jet method; at least drying the applied ink composition; and curing the ink composition on the coated paper by irradiating active energy rays at an illuminance of 1 W/cm2 or more and 2 W/cm2 or less to the ink composition which has undergone drying processing. |
| US09139745B2 |
Aggregate of spherical core-shell cerium oxide/polymer hybrid nanoparticles and method for producing the same
The present invention provides an aggregate of spherical core-shell cerium oxide/polymer hybrid nanoparticles, a process for producing the same, and a product such as an anti-reflection film having a high refractive index layer. The present invention relates to an aggregate of spherical core-shell cerium oxide/polymer hybrid nanoparticles in which the core and shell are cerium oxide and a polymer, respectively, and the aggregate is highly concentrated, with a volume fraction of the spherical core-shell cerium oxide/polymer hybrid nanoparticles being at least 32% or higher, the aggregate contains a fixing agent, the aggregate is configured such that the fixing agent fills in voids between the spherical core-shell cerium oxide/polymer hybrid nanoparticles, the aggregate has a uniform distribution of the core-shell cerium oxide/polymer hybrid nanoparticles, which are spherical secondary particles synthesized by the polyol method, and the aggregate has excellent mechanical strength, light transmittance, and UV light-blocking properties; and the present invention further relates a process for producing the same; and an antireflection film and ink having the same. |
| US09139740B2 |
Flow modifier for water-based coating material and water-based coating composition containing same
An object of the present invention is to provide a graft copolymer that is usable as various functional materials, that is stimulus responsive, and that is soluble in water at ordinary temperatures; and to provide an aqueous coating composition that comprises the graft copolymer as a thickener. The present invention also provides a rheology modifier for an aqueous coating composition comprising a graft copolymer consisting of (A) a main chain comprising an N-substituted (meth)acrylamide compound and having a lower critical solution temperature in water of 40° C. or higher, and (B) a hydrophobic side chain. |
| US09139739B2 |
Method for preparing micro-patterned superhydrophobic/superhydrophilic coatings
Provided herein are methods and materials for the production of hydrophobic coatings, which may be thermally treated to produce binary hydrophobic-hydrophilic regions. |
| US09139729B2 |
Resin composition for sealing electrical electronic components, method of producing electrical electronic component, and sealed electrical electronic component
It is provided that a resin composition for sealing electrical electronic components which is not susceptible to gelation even when stagnant under high temperature conditions, and which are excellent in initial bond strength to an aluminum material, and which exhibits superior durability under a cooling and heating cycle load and the like. It is also provided that a sealed electrical electronic component with the resin composition for sealing electrical electronic components. A resin composition for sealing electrical electronic components, containing a crystalline polyester-based elastomer (A), a phenol-modified xylene resin (B1) and/or a phenol resin (B2), and a polyolefin resin (C), and having a melt viscosity of 5 dPa·s or more and 3000 dPa·s or less when dried to a water content of 0.1% or less, heated to 220° C., subjected to a pressure of 1 MPa, and extruded through a die with a hole diameter of 1.0 mm and a thickness of 10 mm. |
| US09139728B2 |
Single pellet polymeric compositions
A pellet composed of a polymeric blend having a composition of between 99.5-51 wt % polyolefin and 0.5-49.9 wt % polylactic acid. |
| US09139727B2 |
Low damping high strength polymer with long chain branching for use in anti-vibration applications
A low damping high strength polymer with a blend of a terpolymer and a tetrapolymer utilizing ethylene, propylene, and non-conjugated dienes. This polymer allows for the creation of products with high diene contents and broad molecular weight distributions while utilizing a continuous flow reactor and a known catalyst. The polymer allows for these products to be made without gelling or fouling of the reactor, which are problems known in the art. |
| US09139718B2 |
Preparation of poly alpha-1,3-glucan ethers
Poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compounds are disclosed herein with a degree of substitution of about 0.05 to about 3.0. Also disclosed are methods of producing poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compounds. |
| US09139716B2 |
Adhesion promoting compound
The present invention is drawn to adhesion promoters comprising an organotitanium compound and a polyamide, for use in solvent-based liquid inks and coatings for flexible packaging, including non-direct food packaging, uses of such adhesion promoters, methods of using such adhesion promoters, inks and coating comprising such adhesion promoters and articles printed with the inks and coatings comprising such adhesion promoters, for example, a laminated printed article (20) comprising a printed image (1) on a substrate (2) and superimposed with an overlay (3) wherein the printed image (1) is prepared from inks or coatings comprising the adhesion promoters. |
| US09139714B2 |
Method for producing dialkylphosphinic acids and esters and salts thereof by means of allyl alcohols-acroleins and use thereof
The invention relates to a method for producing mono-carboxyfunctionalized dialkylphosphinic acids and esters and salts thereof, characterized in that a) a phosphinic acid source (I) is reacted with olefins (IV) to yield an alkylphosphonic acid, salt or ester (II) thereof in the presence of a catalyst A, b) the thus obtained alkyl phosphonic acid, salt, salt or ester (II) thereof is reacted with compounds of formula (V) and/or (VI′) to yield mono-functionalized dialkylphosphinic acid derivatives (VI) and/or (VI′) in the presence of a catalyst B, and c) the thus obtained mono-functionalized dialkylphosphinic acid derivatives (VI) and/or (VI′) are reacted to yield a mono-carboxyfunctionalized dialkylphosphinic acid derivative (III) in the presence of a catalyst C, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 are the same or different and stand independently of each other, among other things, for H1 C1-C18 alkyl, C6-C18 aryl, C6-C18 aralkyl, C6-C18 alkylaryl, and X and Y are the same or different and stand independently of each other for H, C1-C18 alkyl, C6-C18 aryl, C6-C18 aralkyl, C6-C18 alkylaryl, Mg, Ca, Al, Sb, Sn, Ge, Ti, Fe, Zr, Zn, Ce, Bi, Sr, Mn, Cu, Ni, Li, Na, K and/or a protonized nitrogen base, and the catalysts A and C are formed by transition metals and/or transition metal compounds and/or catalyst systems composed of a transition metal and/or a transition metal compound and at least one ligand, and catalyst B is formed by compounds forming peroxides and/or peroxo compounds and/or azo compounds and/or alkali metals and/or alkaline earth metals, alkali hydrides, alkaline earth hydrides and/or alkali alcoholates and alkaline earth alcoholates. |
| US09139709B2 |
Article
The present invention provides a cap or closure comprising a polypropylene composition, wherein said composition comprises: (i) a random propylene ethylene copolymer having an ethylene content of 3.3-7% wt, and (ii) an additive selected from an antistatic agent, an antioxidant, an acid scavenger and a nucleating agent. |
| US09139706B2 |
Prepreg, fiber-reinforced composite material, and method for producing prepreg
A prepreg containing components (A) to (C) defined below, wherein component (A) is placed on one surface or both surfaces of a layer comprising components (B) and (C), 90% or more by area of component (A) being present in a region(s) extending from the surface(s) of the resulting prepreg containing components (A) to (C) to a depth equal to 20% of the average thickness of the prepreg: (A) urethane particles having tan δ of 0.15 or more at 10° C. and having a three-dimensional cross-linked structure, (B) a first epoxy resin composition, and (C) reinforcing fiber. The present invention provides a fiber-reinforced composite material which excels in rigidity, strength, and vibration damping properties, and a prepreg which is suitably used for production thereof, and also provides methods for production thereof. |
| US09139705B2 |
Rubber composition and method for producing same
A rubber composition obtained by dry-mixing a natural rubber wet master batch yielded by mixing at least a natural rubber latex and a carbon-black-containing slurry solution with each other in a liquid phase and drying the resultant mixture, a dry rubber made mainly of a polybutadiene rubber, and an oil, wherein when the total amount of rubber components in the rubber composition is regarded as 100 parts by mass, the natural rubber is contained in an amount of 50 parts or more by mass, and the polybutadiene rubber is contained in an amount of 20 to 50 parts by mass, and the oil has a pour point of −10 C or lower, and an aniline point of 90 C or higher, and the blend amount of the oil is from 15 to 40 parts by mass for 100 parts by mass of the rubber components. |
| US09139703B2 |
Method of solubilizing poorly soluble/insoluble active material through formation of oligomer composite
Provided is a method of solubilizing a poorly soluble/insoluble active material through formation of an oligomer composite, in which a structure having a hydrophobic cavity structure is formed by using oligomers derived from two types of hydrophilic natural polymers and a poorly soluble/insoluble component is encapsulated in the cavity structure, and thus, self-aggregation of the poorly soluble/insoluble material is prevented and simultaneously, thermodynamic stability increases to effectively solubilize the poorly soluble/insoluble material. According to the constitution of the present invention, the method may include a first operation of preparing an oligomer composite having a cavity structure formed therein by mixing and dissolving oligomers derived from two types of hydrophilic natural polymers in water, and a second operation of adding a poorly soluble/insoluble material to the oligomer composite to encapsulate the poorly soluble/insoluble material in the hydrophobic cavity structure of the oligomer composite. |
| US09139698B1 |
Preparation of functional polysulfones
Polysulfones and methods for forming polysulfones are disclosed herein. The polysulfones are prepared from thiols and hexahydrotriazines. The thiols may be, for example, dithiols, trithiols, monothiols, or mixtures thereof. The thiols and hexahydrotriazines may be polymerized to form a polythioether. The polythioether may thereafter be oxidized to form a polysulfone. The polysulfones are prepared from an efficient and simple synthetic method, and the properties of the prepared polysulfones can be readily tuned. The prepared polysulfones may have improved thermal properties, improved mechanical properties, and enhanced functionality. |
| US09139696B1 |
Aromatic diamines containing three ether-linked-benzonitrile moieties, polymers thereof, and methods of making the same
The present invention includes compositions and methods of preparation for symmetrical and unsymmetrical diamines containing three ether-linked benzonitrile moieties that may be used as monomers for the manufacture of a variety of functional polymers. For example, the presently disclosed multi(ether-benzonitrile) diamines may polymerize with: (i) a dianhydride to form a polyimide; (ii) a diacid chloride directly or with a dicarboxylic acid (diacid) in conjunction with a suitable promoter/catalyst combination such as triethylphosphite/pyridine to form a polyamide; and (iii) 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic anhydride (trimellitic anhydride), trimellitic anhydride chloride, or a diacid/diacid chloride derived from trimellitic anhydride and an aromatic diamine to form a poly(amide-imide). |
| US09139694B1 |
High temperature materials with low moisture uptake made from lichen metabolites
A cured polycyanurate, thermoset resins, and methods of producing the same that will have both high thermal resistance as well as high hydrophobicity. Naturally occurring 5-alkylresorcinols and synthetic analogs can be made into cyanate ester. Composites made from these products will have greater durability against atmospheric water exposure. Applications include use in fiber-reinforced composite materials for lightweight, strong, and water-resistant aerospace components. |
| US09139692B2 |
Process for polymerizing lactam
The present invention relates to a novel process for the anionic polymerization of lactam monomers. |
| US09139684B2 |
Carboxybetaine-functionalized diols and zwitterionic polyurethane hydrogels derived therefrom
A compound having the formula: X−N+(CH3)(CH2CH2OH)2[(CH2)n—COO—R1] and a polymer having the repeat unit: X−{—OCH2CH2—N+(CH3)[(CH2)n—CO—Y]—CH2CH2O—CO—NH—R2—NH—CO—}. R1 is an ester protecting group, R2 is an organic group, X is a halide, and n is a positive integer. Each Y is O−Z+ or O—R1, where Z+ is a cation from an aqueous base. A method of reacting N-methyldiethanolamine with an ω-halo-n-alkanoate ester to form the above compound. |
| US09139681B2 |
Method of forming a resin from an aldehyde oil
The present invention relates to methods for the production of a resin such as a thermosetting resin, particularly a bioresin, components for use in the methods, and products obtained from the methods. In one aspect the method of forming a resin comprising the steps of: (1) providing an aldehyde-cross-linking agent condensate obtained by reacting a volatile aldehyde with a cross-linking agent; (2) providing a non-volatile aldehyde; and (3) combining the aldehyde-cross-linking agent condensate and the non-volatile aldehyde, thereby forming the resin. |
| US09139675B2 |
Polyvinyl acetal-based resin
The present invention provides a polyvinyl acetal-based resin which has a high elastic modulus, is excellent in solubility to an alcoholic solvent, and gives a highly transparent alcohol solution. The polyvinyl acetal-based resin is obtained by acetalizing a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin (A) which has 0.1 to 1.5% by mol of a 1,2-diol structural unit represented by the following general formula (1) and a degree of saponification of 98.5% by mol or more: wherein R1, R2, and R3 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an organic group; X represents a single bond or a bonding chain; and R4, R5, and R6 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an organic group. |
| US09139672B2 |
Polymerizable compound, liquid crystal composition, and liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal composition and a liquid crystal display device which includes the composition are provided. The liquid crystal composition contains a specific compound having a polymerizable group as a first component, and may contain a specific compound having a large negative dielectric anisotropy and a low minimum temperature as a second component, or a specific compound having a small viscosity or a large maximum temperature as a third component. The liquid crystal composition satisfies at least one of the following characteristics: a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of the nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a large negative dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat. Alternatively, a liquid crystal composition having a suitable balance regarding at least two of the aforementioned characteristics is also provided. |
| US09139670B2 |
Surface-modified zirconia nanoparticles
Surface-modified zirconia nanoparticles include zirconia nanoparticles and surface-modifying ligands attached to the zirconia nanoparticles. The ligand includes a hydroxamate functionality, and either a reactive group or an oligomeric group. Reactive groups include chain transfer groups or photoinitiator groups. Oligomeric groups include poly(meth)acrylate or poly(meth)acrylamide groups. Articles can be prepared that include the surface-modified zirconia nanoparticles in an organic matrix. |
| US09139668B2 |
Fluoropolymer compositions containing a polyol compound and methods of making them
There are provided compositions comprising (i) at least one non-aromatic polyol compound containing at least one polyol unit having at least two hydroxyl groups and at least one long chain unit containing at least 6 carbon atoms; and (ii) at least one fluoropolymer comprising repeating units derived from a fluorinated olefin. There are also provided methods of improving the shear stability of fluoropolymer dispersions, methods of coating substrates, and substrates coated with the above described composition. |
| US09139664B2 |
Hemostatic compositions and therapeutic regimens
The present invention relates generally to the field of hemostasis, including methods, compositions, and devices that can be employed to treat wounds. More specifically the present invention relates to hemostatic compositions that reduce the need for, and cost of, nursing care of patients with chronic wounds by reducing the frequency of wound dressing changes. |
| US09139663B2 |
Hemostatic compositions and therapeutic regimens
The present invention relates generally to the field of hemostasis, including methods, compositions, and devices that can be employed to treat wounds. More specifically the present invention relates to hemostatic compositions that reduce the need for, and cost of, nursing care of patients with chronic wounds by reducing the frequency of wound dressing changes. |